Month: April 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (April 22) at 11am and Thursday (April 23) at 9am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2026 will resume and Members will speak on the Bill.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting is available on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: 
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (April 20) that, following the digitalisation of medical certificates (commonly known as sick leave certificates) and attendance certificates, maternity/sick leave certificates and maternity leave certificates issued by the HA will also adopt a digital signature with an electronic version starting from April 24 this year. These digital certificates will replace the traditional, manually signed paper certificates.
 
     Same as the manually signed traditional certificate, the digital signature on the electronic maternity/sick leave certificate issued by a doctor, and the maternity leave certificate issued by a midwife, holds the same legal effect. The digitally signed certificates will include name of patient, proof of pregnancy, the expected date of confinement and recommended sick leave, etc.
 
     All electronic certificates, including medical certificates, maternity/sick leave certificates, maternity leave certificates, and attendance certificates, display an encrypted QR code that allows verification of the electronic certificate (see Annex 1). They are automatically stored in the “Records” feature of the HA’s mobile application HA Go (see Annex 2 and Annex 3). The electronic certificates could be used for sick leave application or proof of consultation. Patients can print out the certificates where necessary. For the patient issued with an attendance certificate, the electronic version will also be stored in HA Go.
 
     The spokesperson for the HA said that the digitalisation of medical certificates issued by the HA for sick leave, maternity leave, and attendance marks an important milestone in the development of smart hospitals. In addition to streamlining the process of telehealth services and enhancing patient satisfaction, the digitalisation of certificates also reduces the risk of losing paper certificates, facilitates patient access, and improves the overall patient experience. While printed copies of electronic certificates will still be available for patients at this stage, the HA encourages patients to opt for electronic certificates in the future.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) announced today (April 20) the third batch of 24 projects recommended by the Steering Committee of the Research, Academic, and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme for funding support (see Annex). The total Government funding commitment amounts to over $1 billion.
 
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, expressed his gratitude to the Steering Committee for vetting the new round of applications and the recommendations made. He said, “The third batch of projects recommended for funding support covers a wide range of innovation and technology (I&T) areas, including health and medical sciences, new materials and new energy, AI and robotics, computer science/information technology, electrical and electronic engineering, and advanced manufacturing, etc. It is a clear testament to Hong Kong’s research and development (R&D) capabilities and vibrant I&T ecosystem. The Government will continue to proactively promote the commercialisation of local R&D outcomes through the RAISe+ Scheme, with the aim to fostering effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academia and research sectors, injecting new momentum into local I&T development, and expediting the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, thereby contributing to high-level technological self-reliance of our country.”

The ITC is following up with the universities concerned on the projects recommended for funding support for their smooth implementation, in order to nurture more I&T projects and start-ups with potential through the Scheme, thereby further driving Hong Kong’s high-quality development.
 
With a funding allocation of $10 billion, the RAISe+ Scheme was launched in 2023 to fund, on a matching basis, research teams from the University Grants Committee-funded universities with good potential to become successful start-ups. Each approved project may receive funding support that ranges from $10 million to $100 million. Assessment criteria of the Scheme include the I&T component of the project, the commercial viability of project outcomes, the technical and management capability of the team, relevance of the project with Government policies or in the overall interest of the community, as well as the financial considerations of the project. In the first two rounds of applications, 49 projects were supported by the Scheme with the total Government funding commitment amounting to over $2 billion.
 
Details of the Scheme are available on its dedicated website (www.itf.gov.hk/en/raiseplus). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the Scheme (Tel: 3543 5904; email: raiseplus@itc.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​To promote the National Security Education Day, the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) held an open day at its headquarters in Ho Man Tin today (April 19). The event aimed to enable members of the public to learn about the work of the AMS in safeguarding national security, to enhance public awareness of national security, and to further deepen their understanding of the daily operations and services provided by the AMS.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said that safeguarding national security is the common responsibility of all. National security is not confined to single area; it is closely linked to finance, public health, and everyday community life. Among the 20 major fields of national security, biosecurity is closely related to the work of the AMS. The AMS provides various services to the public, including non-emergency ambulance transfer services, first aid coverage during large-scale public events, as well as duty at country parks and cycling tracks. The AMS spares no effort in safeguarding the safety and health of the general public. He would like to express his heartfelt gratitude to the members of the AMS for their unwavering dedication and commitment to protecting the public.

The Commissioner of the AMS, Dr Ronald Lam, said that this year marks the beginning of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and the theme of this year’s National Security Education Day is “Proactively Align with the 15th Five-Year Plan  Follow a Holistic Approach to Development and Security”. The AMS has been strengthening members’ and cadet corps’ understanding of national security through various channels. In the past year, the AMS organised the “Together, We Set a New Record” event, setting a Guinness World Record for “Most pairs of people applying arm slings simultaneously”, to promote the importance of first aid knowledge to the public. He expressed gratitude to all sectors for their support to the AMS, and added that the AMS will spare no effort in safeguarding national security and contribute to building a healthy and safe Hong Kong.

The open day featured a variety of engaging activities, including national security-themed game booths, first aid demonstrations, band foot drills, medical and health seminars, health screenings, as well as displays of ambulances and first aid bicycles. Through these activities, members of the public could gain a deeper understanding of the daily work of the AMS, access more health information, learn about developments in the healthcare sector, and at the same time enhance their awareness of national security.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (April 19) attended the Ancestor Worship Ceremony of the Yellow Emperor in the Year of Bingwu in Zhengzhou in Henan Province on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
 
The Yellow Emperor is the cultural ancestor of the Chinese nation, while Zhengzhou is the Yellow Emperor’s birthplace. The Ancestor Worship Ceremony of the Yellow Emperor, jointly organised by the People’s Government of Henan Province, the Henan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, among others, is a significant event held annually in Henan Province. Under the theme “Same Root, Same Ancestor, Same Origin; Peace, Harmony and Amity”, the Ancestor Worship Ceremony of the Yellow Emperor aims to promote the outstanding traditional Chinese culture.

Miss Mak expressed deepest gratitude for being invited to attend the Ancestor Worship Ceremony of the Yellow Emperor again. Miss Mak added that the culture of the Yellow Emperor symbolizes the same root of Chinese civilisation, with the profound historical and cultural heritage of Zhengzhou, the event is especially meaningful. By attending the event, Hong Kong compatriots can further enhance the sense of national identity, and promote the national feelings and cultural cohesion of Chinese people.

During her visit to Zhengzhou, Miss Mak met with the Secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of the Henan Provincial People’s Congress, Mr Liu Ning; the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and Governor of Henan Province, Mr Wang Kai; and Secretary of Party Leadership Group and Chairperson, Mr Kong Changsheng.

Miss Mak also met with Hong Kong students studying in Zhengzhou to learn about their studies and daily lives on the Mainland. She encouraged young people to grasp the opportunities to study on the Mainland to gain a deeper understanding of the swift and high quality development of the country, equip themselves and contribute to the country and Hong Kong.

Miss Mak will conclude her visit and return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To support National Security Education Day, the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD) held an open day today (April 18), drawing the participation of over 2 500 citizens. Through activities such as exhibitions, guided tours of training facilities, interactive experiences and booth games, the open day aimed to showcase the Immigration Department (ImmD)’s unwavering commitment to fending off national security risks and firmly guarding the country’s southern gateway, raise public awareness of national security, and strengthen public sense of national identity.
 
     The open day featured a rich programme, with many thematic exhibitions and interactive booths set up to introduce the public to the technologies used by the ImmD in areas such as the detection of forged documents, counter-terrorism operations, management of detention centres and tactical equipment. The ISITD also opened training facilities, including the mock immigration clearance hall and the mock courtroom, so that members of the public could gain a deeper understanding of the ImmD’s work in safeguarding national security.
 
     In addition, the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps (IDYL) set up a game booth with the theme “food security”, one of the 20 major fields of national security. Apart from sharing the crops harvested during their earlier farming experiences in local farm and the Chaoshan region, IDYL members also illustrated in a fun and engaging manner to the public the important concept that “food is closely related to the fate of the country and the livelihood of the people”, thereby enhancing public awareness of food security.
 
     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the open day. Accompanied by directorate officers of the ImmD, he toured the exhibition booths and interacted with the public. He also encouraged members of the Immigration Service to continue to uphold their mission and remain steadfast in safeguarding national security.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Eight incoming male passengers aged 25 to 56 were sentenced from eight to twelve months’ imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (April 18) for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO). 

     Customs officers intercepted eight incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport on April 17 and seized duty-not-paid cigarettes from their personal baggage during customs clearance. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the LumiVoce Foundation 10th anniversary Gala Dinner today (April 18):

Dr Ying Ying Liu (Founder and Board Co-Chair of LumiVoce Foundation), Clarie (Board Co-Chair of LumiVoce Foundation and Chairman of Organizing Committee of Gala, Ms Clarie Lo), LumiVoce Foundation Board members, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 
 
Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to join you tonight to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the LumiVoce Foundation.

     Over the past decade, LumiVoce has shown how music and arts can inspire a deep love for wildlife and biodiversity in young people, and how that love can be turned into action for a more sustainable planet.

     By bringing together aesthetic education with social and emotional learning, LumiVoce has pioneered a distinctive education approach in Hong Kong, nurturing not only environmental awareness, but also emotional well-being, especially for children growing up in a fast-paced, high-pressure city.

     Our gathering tonight indeed reminds us of the scale and urgency of the challenge we face. In recent years, the world has experienced some of the hottest years on record, with more frequent extreme weather events. We have only one planet to call home. If humanity is to survive and thrive, we must act together – across borders, sectors and generations – to tackle climate change, and to preserve and restore the biodiversity that underpins our food, our health, our economies, and, above all, the beauty of this planet.
 
      Development and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive. As President Xi Jinping captured this so compellingly in the saying: “綠水青山就是金山銀山”.

     Across our country, for example, the green transition is turning once-barren land into arable land and vast fields of wind farms and solar panels, alongside ecological restoration that creates new livelihoods for local herders and communities. It is a vivid reminder of the essence of sustainable development: a virtuous cycle in which economic progress, ecology and social well-being advance together.

     The Hong Kong SAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government fully shares this belief. Investing in nature, at its heart, is investing in lasting prosperity. As we pursue carbon neutrality, we are seeing the emergence of new industries, technologies and value chains.

     The same is true as we enhance biodiversity and strengthen ecological resilience. Last December, we released Hong Kong’s updated Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2035. This is our blueprint to protect and restore ecosystems and wildlife, to mainstream biodiversity across sectors, to build conservation capacity, and to deepen local and cross-boundary partnerships.
 
     Our vision is clear: by strengthening our commitment to biodiversity, Hong Kong will become a more sustainable and liveable city, and a meaningful contributor to the biodiversity goals of our country and the world.

     But above all, the long-term success of any strategy depends on the hearts and minds of the next generation. It is vital that an appreciation of nature, and a love of wildlife and biodiversity, become the values of our children. This nurtures not only their understanding of the planet, but also their character, empathy, compassion and resilience. It helps them grow into caring, responsible and confident global citizens.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, this is why your support matters so much. I hope LumiVoce will continue your wonderful work – deepening your programmes, extending your reach, and strengthening the partnerships with educators, parents, businesses and community organisations – all in support of our young people.

     Let me also express my sincere gratitude to the many sponsors, donors, partners and volunteers who have stood with LumiVoce over the past decade.

     On your 10th anniversary, may I offer my warmest congratulations. I wish you every success in the years ahead, as you continue to illuminate hearts through art and music, and inspire Hong Kong’s youth to cherish and protect the remarkable biodiversity of our planet.

     Thank you very much.