Month: April 2026

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Health Bureau today clarified that the Government never requested the CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) to repay its government loan ahead of schedule.

The bureau noted that the proposal for early repayment was initiated jointly by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the CUHKMC.

In a press statement, the bureau said the CUHKMC formally notified the Government in writing on April 22 of its proposal to fully repay the loan ahead of schedule, citing its gradually stabilising financial position.

Taking into account various considerations, the Government has agreed to the proposal in principle that the CUHKMC may repay the full loan amount on March 19 next year. Specific arrangements are being finalised.

The bureau added that the Government will maintain close liaison with the CUHK and the CUHKMC to complete the necessary procedures. It will also closely monitor the CUHKMC’s compliance with deed-related obligations to ensure proper operations before and after the repayment.

The Government, the CUHK and the CUHKMC will report the latest updates on the loan arrangement to the Legislative Council Panel on Health Services on May 8.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee

It is a great pleasure to be here today for the groundbreaking of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) Medical Education & Research Complex. I am delighted to witness this milestone with you – Hong Kong’s third medical school is now taking shape.

The National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in becoming an international hub for high-calibre talent. A new medical school will help turn that vision into reality, attracting and training top talent in healthcare and higher education. It will also contribute to a Healthy China, one of the Five-Year Plan’s key goals, by deepening collaboration with the Chinese Mainland.

Equally important, the new medical school will ensure better quality, greater efficiency, and higher capacity in our healthcare and medical services. It will increase local doctor training, easing manpower shortages. It will help us meet the challenges of an ageing population.

Beyond these, HKUST’s medical school will develop differently from our two existing ones. That will create synergy, drive innovation, generate multiplier effects, and raise our medical-education capabilities. Hong Kong is fast emerging as an international centre for medical training, research and innovation. Building a third medical school will get us there that much faster.

We are moving decisively to bring these benefits to Hong Kong. Last November, I approved HKUST’s proposal, agreeing in principle to launch a four-year, graduate-entry medical programme. It offers a combined bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery degree. About 50 students will make up the first cohort, starting in the 2028-29 academic year.

HKUST’s winning bid followed a rigorous assessment process by the Task Group on New Medical School and its expert advisors. They fully recognised HKUST’s innovative strategy, its financial commitment and its ability to deliver.

To turn this decision into reality, the Government has set up three working groups under the Task Group. The members include relevant government departments and outside experts, such as the Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong.

These groups will now work with HKUST on every stage of implementation, advising on curriculum, finances and more. I am sure HKUST will also work closely with the Medical Council to complete course accreditation and advance all fronts.

Our goal is clear: to ensure that the new medical school and its teaching hospital become a key pillar of Hong Kong’s medical teaching and service system. The Government is backing this commitment with substantial resources. We have set aside funding, on a matching basis, to support HKUST.

We have also reserved land at Ngau Tam Mei in the Northern Metropolis. That land is for the medical school’s permanent campus and an integrated hospital of medical education, research and patient care. We will also work with HKUST on the development and operational model for the new hospital.

Today’s groundbreaking ceremony, here at the Clear Water Bay campus, is a tangible step forward. The eight-storey complex will rise as one of the core facilities of the medical school. It is scheduled for completion in mid‑2028, just in time to welcome the first cohort of students. It will support the school’s phased development, and its technology-enabled teaching, for years to come.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have every confidence in HKUST. It enjoys an outstanding international reputation in science and life sciences, as well as engineering and business. The new medical school will take full advantage of these formidable strengths to create its own medical education and research foundations.

It will nurture a new generation of doctors with professional expertise, technological command, a global perspective, and a patient-centred philosophy. It will raise Hong Kong’s research and medical-education capabilities.

This is the future we are building – for Hong Kong, and for every patient who will one day be healed by the doctors trained here. Let’s build it together.

Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the HKUST Medical Education & Research Complex on April 28.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held a groundbreaking for the third park of the Nanzih Technology Industrial Park (Nanzih Third Park), marking the official launch of the park’s expansion project. The development has been awarded priority investment rights to ASE (Advanced Semiconductor Engineer Inc.), ASE Electronics Inc., and Hung Ching Development and Construction Co., Ltd., which will jointly invest NT$17.8 billion to build advanced packaging and testing facilities as well as logistics infrastructure. The project is expected to create approximately 1,470 job opportunities and generate an annual output value of about NT$4.63 billion per hectare. The project will not only alleviate the long-standing land shortage in the Nanzih park but also further strengthen the semiconductor industry cluster in southern Taiwan, injecting new momentum into the government’s “Greater Southern New Silicon Valley” development corridor.
BIP indicated that Nanzih Technology Industrial Park I and II have long maintained a high utilization rate, with land fully leased and strong demand from enterprises seeking expansion. In response to industrial development needs, BIP conducted a comprehensive review of available land resources and selected a site east of Chaoren Road in Nanzih District-formerly the Nanzih Factory under the Veterans Affairs Council-for the development of the third park. The site covers approximately 3.35 hectares and enjoys a strategic location near the Nanzih interchange of National Freeway No. 1, with only about a 10-minute drive to the existing park, offering excellent transportation access and strong industrial linkages. The overall development will be implemented in phases. The first phase, covering 2.45 hectares, received approval from the Executive Yuan for land allocation in February 2024, enabling the project to proceed swiftly.
BIP also emphasized during the ceremony that the Nanzih third park development is part of a broader strategy to expand industrial space in line with the government’s “Greater Southern New Silicon Valley” initiative. By linking the semiconductor S Corridor in southern Taiwan, the government continues to respond to corporate investment demand while expanding the scale of industrial clusters. Several additional industrial park development projects are being promoted in parallel. The expansion of the Pingtung Technology Industrial Park is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with a total development area of 26.86 hectares. Investment promotion is currently underway, and the project is expected to attract approximately NT$5 billion in investment, generate NT$10 billion in annual output value, and create around 790 job opportunities. The Renwu Technology Industrial Park, covering approximately 7.35 hectares, is expected to provide about 4.07 hectares of industrial land and create around 1,900 job opportunities. It is currently undergoing environmental impact assessment and urban planning procedures. In addition, the first building of Phase II of the Kaohsiung Software Park-the Asia New Bay Smart Technology Building-is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, adding approximately 33,000 square meters of office space and generating an estimated annual output value of NT$1.7 billion.
With multiple industrial park projects advancing simultaneously, BIP is systematically strengthening industrial space in southern Taiwan and building a comprehensive environment for technology industry development, thereby advancing the goal of balanced regional development under the “Balanced Taiwan” policy.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Governor of Hubei Province, Mr Li Dianxun, at Government House today (April 27) to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hubei and Hong Kong. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa, also attended the meeting.
 
Mr Lee welcomed Mr Li and his delegation to Hong Kong. He said that Hubei and Hong Kong established the Hong Kong/Hubei co-operation mechanism in 2021 and have maintained close co-operation in areas including economic and trade, finance, innovation and technology (I&T), aviation, and education. Hong Kong is Hubei Province’s largest source of external investment. As of 2025, more than 4 660 Hong Kong-invested projects have been established in the province, reflecting close economic and trade ties between the two places. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has established the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to better serve Mainland enterprises, including those from Hubei, in expanding into overseas markets. Hong Kong will continue to play its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to work with Hubei for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and contribute to the country’s high-quality development.
　
Mr Lee said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in developing into an international I&T centre and an international hub for high-calibre talents. The HKSAR Government is making every effort to formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, which will be completed within this year, to better integrate into and serve the country’s overall development. Hubei Province continues to promote the development of I&T and new industrialisation, while Hong Kong is expediting the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, advancing new industrialisation and the digital economy, and deeply engaging in I&T development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. There are broad opportunities for co-operation between the two places. The Hubei Provincial and Hong Kong governments established the co-operation mechanism in 2021 to promote collaborative development across different areas, particularly in 13 key areas including finance, trade, logistics and technology. He expressed confidence that Hubei and Hong Kong will further deepen co-operation, leverage each other’s strengths, and jointly promote high-quality development.
 
Mr Lee said that Hubei Province possesses rich higher education resources and that a good number of Hong Kong students choose to pursue studies there. He thanked the Hubei Provincial Government for its care and support for Hong Kong young people and said the HKSAR Government will continue to encourage Hong Kong young people to seize the opportunities on the Mainland. The HKSAR Government is accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. He welcomed more students from Hubei to come to Hong Kong for study and development. Hong Kong will continue to strengthen exchanges and co-operation with Hubei in areas including education and youth development to nurture talent for the country’s development.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 27) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Clay County of the State of Arkansas in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 54 830 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 4.33 million poultry eggs from the US last year.

     “The CFS has contacted the American authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) supported screenings of two Hong Kong movies at the 5th Red Lotus Asian Film Festival, held in Vienna, Austria, from April 23 to 26 (Vienna time).

Speaking ahead of the screening of the opening film “The Shadow’s Edge” on April 25, the Head of Public Relations of HKETO Berlin, Ms Stephanie Pall, highlighted the remarkable achievements of Hong Kong’s creative talents and the Government’s continued commitment to fostering and promoting the film industry on the global stage. She underscored how these efforts have strengthened the international profile of Hong Kong cinema and showcased the exceptional craftsmanship of its filmmakers.

“Hong Kong’s popular culture, spanning film, music and visual arts, offers a compelling insight into a society that is both deeply rooted in tradition and strikingly modern. It is truly inspiring to see how Hong Kong, a city defined by its boundless energy and creativity, continues to gain recognition on the world stage. The Hong Kong Government is firmly committed to sharing its unique cinematic voice with global audiences through international film events.” Ms Pall said.

Following the screening, HKETO Berlin hosted a reception, welcoming guests from the business, cultural, and media sectors, providing an opportunity for exchanges and networking. The festival programme also featured another movie “Montages of a Modern Motherhood” which was screened on April 26.

About HKETO Berlin

HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the seventh Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, to participate in the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2026 and set up the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion therein. Running for three days from today (April 27) to April 29, the Hong Kong Pavilion showcases original creations from 39 selected local design companies, with the aim of creating more collaboration opportunities for designers, thereby driving the industrialisation of original design intellectual properties (IPs) and enhancing Hong Kong’s cultural soft power.

The Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, attended the opening ceremony of the Licensing Show this morning and visited the exhibition to explore licensing industry trends. The Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, hosted the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion Launching Ceremony in the afternoon. Their presence demonstrated the Government’s support for bolstering Hong Kong’s position as the regional IP trading centre. CCIDA has been facilitating collaborative projects involving potential cultural IPs across a range of sectors, including animation and comics, printing and publishing, design, film, and art technology, further propelling the cultural and creative industries as an important driving force for Hong Kong’s economic development.

With professional training, workshops and mentorship by the advisory committee under the DLAB Support Scheme, designers transform Hong Kong’s unique cultural heritage into commercially viable designs, and eventually showcase their creations through the Hong Kong Pavilion to buyers and industry professionals from around the world. In addition, CCIDA earlier sponsored designers to participate in a study mission to the Greater Bay Area (GBA), facilitating collaboration with industry players in the region and enabling expansion into the GBA and the wider Chinese Mainland market.

CCIDA has sponsored the DLAB Support Scheme since 2018 for seven consecutive editions, having supported over 300 local creative enterprises and facilitating over 5 000 business contacts and matching cases in total. For more information on the scheme, please visit www.dlabhk.com.