Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
IRD issues profits tax, property tax and employer’s returns for 2025-26
The IRD encourages taxpayers to file their tax returns through eTAXreturns
Employers may use the IR56 Forms Preparation Tool to prepare and submit all types of IR56 Forms (i.e. Forms IR56B/E/F/G/M) electronically when filing their employer’s returns. This tool can be used online without installation. Employers can learn about the details of the tool on the IRD’s website
Profits tax payers are also encouraged to file tax returns electronically together with supporting documents (including financial statements and tax computations) in inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) format. The IRD provides the IRD Taxonomy Package (the Taxonomy) and the IRD iXBRL Data Preparation Tools (the Tools) to help taxpayers prepare the required iXBRL data files. Taxpayers may visit the IRD’s websitesystem
The first phase of mandatory electronic filing of profits tax returns also came into effect today (April 1). The relevant entities of in-scope multinational enterprise groups subject to the global minimum tax regime are required to file their profits tax returns electronically from the year of assessment 2025-26 onwards. Details are available on the IRD’s website
The IRD reminds taxpayers and employers to pay sufficient postage to ensure timely delivery if they submit their returns by mail. Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the IRD. Postage rates are available on Hongkong Post’s websiteIssued at HKT 16:30
NNNN
Provisional statistics of retail sales for February 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (April 1).
The value of total retail sales in February 2026, provisionally estimated at $35.0 billion, increased by 19.3% compared with the same month in 2025. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in January 2026 increased by 5.5% compared with a year earlier. For the first two months of 2026 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales increased by 11.8% compared with the same period in 2025.
LCQ2: Improving harbourfront facilities in Hong Kong Island East
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ2: Improving harbourfront facilities in Hong Kong Island East
Question:
Given that it has all along been the Government’s objective to link up and enrich the harbourfront development on both sides of Victoria Harbour, regarding the enhancement of the harbourfront sections in Quarry Bay, Sai Wan Ho and Shau Kei Wan (such sections), will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the authorities have undertaken any works projects or studies to upgrade the facilities and optimise the design of such sections, as well as to improve the accessibility between the harbourfront and the surrounding areas over the past five years; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) given that the Government has undertaken to implement the open management mode of “Harbourfront Shared Space” in more harbourfront sites, whether the authorities have plans to optimise such sections so as to provide additional harbourfront shared space, and to extend the harbourfront concept of fostering a water-friendly culture further eastwards from the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point to such sections; and
(3) given that such sections are in close proximity to a number of harbourfront attractions with development potentials in Hong Kong Island East, including SoHo East in Sai Wan Ho, the Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan and the Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter, etc, whether the authorities will, by drawing on the successful experience of the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point, further extend the East Coast Boardwalk to the Shau Kei Wan area, so as to promote the attractions along the route, invigorate the local economy and enable more members of the public and tourists to enjoy higher-quality harbourfront facilities?
Reply:
President,
Following the full opening of the East Coast Boardwalk, the approximately 13-kilometre long harbourfront on Hong Kong Island from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan has been connected. Regarding the harbourfront section from Quarry Bay through Sai Wan Ho to Shau Kei Wan as mentioned by the Hon Elaine Chik, which forms the easternmost part of this 13-kilometre stretch and spans about 2.5 kilometres long, it has been fully connected and is situated adjacent to residential areas, linking various public and private housing estates along the waterfront. The waterfront section also provides access to multiple waterfront parks, which were developed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in earlier years and have since been managed by the department, with facilities therein primarily serving local residents.
In consultation with the relevant bureaux and departments, the reply to various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) As the approximately 2.5-kilometre harbourfront section from Quarry Bay to Shau Kei Wan has been connected, we are planning to take forward various enhancement projects under the “incremental approach” as follows:
(i) Enhancement works for Hoi Yu Street, Quarry Bay: We are enhancing the East Coast Boardwalk and its adjacent facilities, including modifying the road alignment of Hoi Yu Street at the eastern entrance/exit of the Boardwalk to widen the pedestrian passage, adding toilets and shower facilities, and introducing more vending machines thereat. These works are expected to be completed by mid-2026, which will further enhance the connectivity and supporting facilities;
(ii) Enhancement works for the promenade at Hoi Yu Street, Quarry Bay: We plan to relocate the temporary car park currently at Hoi Yu Street to the adjacent site at Hoi Shin Lane by mid-2027 to free up more harbourfront spaces. Thereafter, we will carry out basic enhancement works at the original site of the temporary car park at Hoi Yu Street and relocate the pet garden currently in Quarry Bay Promenade to the site at Hoi Yu Street. Upon vacating the space after relocation, the public will be able to enjoy the harbourfront parts in Quarry Bay Promenade more seamlessly; and
(iii) Improvement works on connectivity in the Shau Kei Wan waterfront area: For the existing pedestrian connectivity between the Aldrich Bay Promenade and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, we plan to widen the footpath at Tam Kung Temple Road near A Kung Ngam Shipyards and improve the pedestrian crossing within 2027, thereby enhancing accessibility and the walking environment.
(2) Regarding the Harbourfront Shared Space, it is an innovative design and management model introduced by the Development Bureau and the Harbourfront Commission in recent years for seven newly opened harbourfront sites. To become shared spaces, implementation begins with design, whereby play facilities and other installations inside these spaces such as seating are primarily movable, allowing users to freely arrange them according to their needs and create a space of their own. In shared spaces, we also minimise management rules and restrictions, encouraging members of the public to enjoy the harbourfront in their own ways with mutual respect and inclusiveness.
As the waterfront public open spaces from Quarry Bay to Shau Kei Wan currently managed by the LCSD, with facilities primarily serving local residents, were developed in earlier years, most of these spaces are equipped with fixed children’s play equipment or elderly fitness facilities, and the existing space constraints may not allow for different activities to take place simultaneously. In view of the above, we have no plans at this stage to change the function of the existing parks or to add new shared spaces along this section of the harbourfront. However, the LCSD has enhanced the park facilities in this area in recent years to continuously meet the needs of users, including the upgraded public play space at Quarry Bay Park completed last year, which adopted Ocean Adventure as the design concept based on public opinions, providing various inclusive play facilities making the new play space more creative and fun. Additionally, to allow the public and pets to better enjoy the waterfront together, the LCSD has designated a specific area at the North Point Promenade and Quarry Bay Park Phase II as Inclusive Park for Pets, enabling pets to share space with other users within designated areas.
(3) As I mentioned at the beginning, the harbourfront section from Quarry Bay to Shau Kei Wan has been connected and linked up with the East Coast Boardwalk, thereby forming a seamless extension of the Boardwalk. There are definitely a number of attractions worth promoting in this area, including the Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence. In addition to improving pedestrian connectivity in the harbourfront along Shau Kei Wan as mentioned above, we will also study how to connect Shau Kei Wan to Heng Fa Tsuen, which is rather difficult to connect, under the Round-the-Island Trail project, hoping to link better the Museum with nearby attractions. We will strive to substantially complete the connection works by end-2031. In terms of promotion, the Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Tourism Board have installed directional signs in the Eastern District to guide visitors to major attractions such as Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan and Hong Kong Film Archive.
These multi-pronged measures will bring more footfall and business opportunities to the eastern part of the harbourfront on Hong Kong Island. In taking forward the Round-the-Island Trail or enhancing the harbourfront, we will continue to adopt the approach of “tackling the simple issues first before the difficult ones” as well as the “incremental approach”, and make good use of harbourfront resources to create a more attractive and vibrant harbourfront for both the public and visitors.
Issued at HKT 16:26
NNNN
LCQ14: Promoting national education and national security education
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Fan and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (April 1):
Question:
In recent years, the Government has promoted national education and national security education (NSE) continuously, and the Education Bureau has launched the National Education One-Stop Portal website to provide relevant teaching resources. However, some teachers have expressed the hope that the authorities can provide precise and timely teaching resources and sample teaching materials for teachers’ reference, so that they can more accurately convey the content of national education and NSE to students in class. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of teaching materials, teaching resources, and suggested activities relating to national education and NSE currently provided by the Education Bureau on the National Education One-Stop Portal and other relevant platforms; whether these resources cover the curricula and needs of primary and secondary schools at all grade levels; and the number of downloads of relevant teaching resources from the National Education One-Stop Portal over the past three years;
(2) whether the authorities have regularly collected information on (i) how the education sector makes use of the national education and NSE resources provided by the authorities, and (ii) feedback and views from teachers and students on the relevant teaching materials and teaching activities; if so, of the details and the content of such feedback; if not, whether they will conduct relevant opinion surveys;
(3) of the existing mechanism put in place by the authorities to regularly review and update the teaching materials and suggested activities on national education and NSE, so as to facilitate teachers in applying these materials in class in a timely manner; it is learnt that the authorities will develop thematic teaching materials on the National 15th Five-Year Plan and other latest developments; whether there are plans to organise teacher training to assist teachers in applying these materials in class; if so, of the details and timetable; and
(4) whether the Government will consider entrusting the Working Group on Patriotic Education to take up dedicated coordination work, with a view to developing more precise sample teaching materials on national education and NSE tailored to the characteristics of students at different age groups for use by the education sector, thereby enhancing the precision, systematic structure and emotional impact of the teaching materials?
Reply:
President,
The Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to the implementation of national education and national security education, and continues to adopt diversified and specific measures, including providing curriculum guides, developing learning and teaching resources, offering training for teachers, and organising life-wide learning activities for students, to fully support schools in planning and implementing national education and national security education in a systematic manner and nurturing students into talent with an affection for our country and Hong Kong, global perspectives and readiness to shoulder great responsibilities through the approaches of “organic integration”, “natural connection”, “diversified strategies”, “mutual coordination”, “learning within and beyond the classroom”, and “whole-school participation”. The progress and outcomes achieved in this regard are widely recognised.
The consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Andrew Fan is as follows:
(1) to (4) Continued provision of quality learning and teaching resources on national education and national security education
The EDB continues to provide primary and secondary schools with learning and teaching resources relating to national education and national security education which cater for the learning and teaching needs at different year levels. These resources help students understand properly the constitutional relationship between our country and Hong Kong, as well as enhance their knowledge of national affairs and the importance of national security to our country and Hong Kong. Examples of learning and teaching resources for different learning stages at the primary and secondary levels uploaded to the EDB website include:
- updated Curriculum Framework of National Security Education in Hong Kong
- national security education curriculum frameworks for 27 subjects
- National Security Education Online Learning Platform
- sample lesson plan design for national security education
- Constitution and Basic Law Online Course for Secondary School Students’ Self-directed Learning
- teaching resources on the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China
- video on the origin and development of the Belt and Road Initiative
- card games on National History and Chinese Culture and National Geography
- learning and teaching resources on the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong – “Sense of Gratitude for the Source”
- learning and teaching resources on Chinese Classic Sayings
In addition, the EDB continues to optimise and enrich the web-based resource platform National Education One-stop Portal (the platform), which covers themes in relation to the Constitution, the Basic Law and national security education, national symbols and signs (including the national flag, the national emblem and the national anthem), Chinese history and culture, and museum learning, to facilitate reference and learning by teachers and students. The platform also provides examples of learning activities and learning and teaching resources relating to the key dates, including speaking points, presentation slides, short videos, e-books and so on, in tandem with the recommendations set out in “National Education – Event Planning Calendar” to support primary and secondary schools in planning holistically school-based national education and national security education learning activities. From the 2022/23 to 2025/26 school years (as at mid-March 2026), the platform recorded 2.47 million hits.
The EDB has in recent years distributed to schools a number of quality books on national education and national security education for teachers’ reference and as supplementary learning and teaching materials, including the picture book “Our Country, Our Security”, 《香港特別行政區維護國家安全法讀本》 (Chinese version only), the “National Security Education” book series (a total of four books for Primary 1 to 3, Primary 4 to 6, Secondary 1 to 3, and Secondary 4 to 6 respectively), and “Chronicle of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade (Revised Edition)”.
Provision of teacher professional development programmes and development of learning and teaching resources to align with the latest national development
The existing curricula of Primary Humanities, Citizenship, Economics and Society at the junior secondary level, as well as Citizenship and Social Development (CS) cover learning contents related to the latest development of our country and Hong Kong’s integration into the overall national development. To enable students to understand, at an early stage, the main directions of our country’s development over the next five years and how Hong Kong can better integrate into and serve the overall national development, the EDB has produced presentation slides on the “Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development” for CS for enrichment of learning and teaching contents. The EDB will update the presentation slides following the National People’s Congress’ approval of the “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China” (the 15th Five-Year Plan), and develop learning and teaching resources for related subjects to be uploaded to the EDB website for teachers’ reference and use with a view to facilitating students’ learning of the main spirit and key contents of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Furthermore, the EDB will organise knowledge enrichment seminars and online courses for teachers to deepen their understanding of the previous national Five-Year Plans and the 15th Five-Year Plan. Teacher learning circles and workshops will also be launched to support teachers in designing and optimising learning and teaching strategies as well as resources with the aim of enhancing students’ understanding of the contents of the 15th Five-Year Plan through sharing of learning and teaching experiences among schools.
The State Council released the white paper titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems” (the white paper) in February this year. The EDB has consolidated related materials and developed learning and teaching resources on the key contents of the white paper, and issued a circular memorandum to schools in March this year to provide timely and appropriate learning and teaching resources for schools and teachers. Teachers are also supported in using these resources through related teacher professional development programmes. In addition, the EDB has made good use of key dates such as the National Security Education Day, the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance, and the 15th National Games to develop various learning and teaching resources and organise diversified activities, thereby cultivating students’ sense of national identity, sense of belonging and responsibility to our country, and patriotic spirit.
Continued collection of stakeholders’ views to optimise support for learning and teaching
The EDB has been seeking to understand and monitor the quality of learning and teaching in schools as well as collect their views on learning and teaching resources through various channels such as inspections, school visits, curriculum implementation surveys, school surveys, daily communications with schools and meetings of the Curriculum Development Council and its Committees, which serve as a source of reference in continuously optimising support for learning and teaching.
Overall speaking, teachers in general are able to make good use of the learning and teaching resources on national education and national security education provided by the EDB, and to appropriately adapt and select the resources having regard to the curriculum aims, students’ learning needs and progress as well as other school-based contexts for enhancing learning effectiveness. The EDB regularly reviews and updates learning and teaching resources to cater for students’ needs and align with national and social development to keep up with the times. We also optimise the contents of the resources and recommendations on related activities in a timely manner through collecting schools’ feedback, making reference to the latest trends in curriculum development and so on to support schools in promoting national education and national security education.
Continued follow-up on the recommendations of the Working Group on Patriotic Education to optimise learning and teaching resources
The EDB will continue to report the development of learning and teaching resources on national education and national security education to the Working Group on Patriotic Education (the Working Group) and its Education Sub-group under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee. We will solicit views from the Working Group and proactively follow up on its recommendations to develop and optimise the design of learning and teaching resources which cater for the needs of students at different learning stages as well as support teachers in mastering the related contents more accurately in the classroom for enhancing learning and teaching effectiveness.
GoGlobal Task Force encourages Shandong enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages for going global (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), in collaboration with the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee and the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province, jointly hosted the “Hong Kong: The Preferred Platform for Shandong Enterprises to Go Global” seminar today (April 1) in Jinan, Shandong Province.
The event was supported by the Finance Office of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee and the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Shandong Province, and was co-organised by the Shandong Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Jinan Municipal Committee. It explored how Mainland enterprises, including those from Shandong Province, can leverage Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities to expand overseas, as well as to strengthen collaboration between the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) and Mainland authorities to better support Mainland enterprises with their overseas expansion plans via Hong Kong.
The seminar began with welcoming remarks by the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, and the Vice Governor of the Shandong Provincial People’s Government, Mr Sun Ximin.
Dr Chan said that Shandong has a strong industrial foundation and solid manufacturing capabilities, providing a robust base for enterprises to go global. Hong Kong has long been an important economic and trade partner for Shandong and a key platform for Shandong enterprises to go global. The National 15th Five-Year Plan gives explicit support to Hong Kong in better integrating into and serving the overall national development, consolidating and enhancing its status as “four centres and one hub”. Hong Kong can help Shandong enterprises address various challenges, such as expanding international markets, managing cross-border capital and exchange rate risks, meeting overseas compliance requirements and protecting intellectual property, cultivating international talent and connecting with professional services, making it the best partner for enterprises to expand to overseas markets. He noted that the GoGlobal Task Force aims to provide one-stop solutions to issues faced by enterprises during their overseas expansion process, ranging from financing planning to market development. It will organise overseas delegations for Mainland enterprises to gain first-hand insights into overseas business environments.
He also said that this year marks the beginning of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong will actively integrate into and serve the national development strategy, deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in economic and trade fields. In February, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening co-operation and exchange in the provision of comprehensive overseas services, fostering closer collaboration between Mainland enterprises seeking to go global. In addition, the GoGlobal Task Force’s dedicated website (www.goglobal.gov.hk) has been officially launched, including the cross-sector professional services platform established by the HKTDC that aims to provide Mainland enterprises planning to expand overseas via Hong Kong with comprehensive information about the GoGlobal Task Force’s services, and to match them with Hong Kong’s professional services.
Mr Sun said, Shandong has a comprehensive and robust industrial system, a vast and diversified market, and strong growth momentum, providing Hong Kong with abundant application scenarios and co-operation opportunities in finance, trade, and professional services. It has become an important partner for Hong Kong in expanding into the Mainland market and integrating into the national development strategy. Shandong is ready to work hand in hand with Hong Kong to leverage their respective advantages, share development opportunities, cultivate new drivers of industrial collaboration, enhance the level of technological co-operation, and expand new capital co-operation. Shandong enterprises are encouraged to actively seize the opportunities arising from high-level opening up, make good use of Hong Kong as the preferred platform for going global, align with international standards, connect with global resources, and continuously strengthen their core competitiveness and international influence.
As core members of the GoGlobal Task Force, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK Ms Loretta Lee and the Regional Director, Northern China, of the HKTDC, Mr Kevin Chan, encouraged Mainland enterprises to choose Hong Kong as their preferred base for going global. They also delivered keynote speeches on how Hong Kong can assist Mainland enterprises in expanding into global markets.
Ms Lee said, Hong Kong, with its unique advantages of having the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, provides strong support for Mainland enterprises for their global expansion. As the overseas expansion strategies of Mainland enterprises continue to upgrade, businesses across different industries at various stages can find their own “value-added leverage point” in Hong Kong. From financial capital to innovation ecosystems, from intellectual property protection to high-end talent, and from a well-established legal system to the Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong has everything that Mainland enterprises need to go global. InvestHK offers Mainland enterprises one-stop, support for overseas expansion, ranging from consultations and business set-up assistance to further business expansion.
Mr Chan said that the HKTDC, as another core member of the GoGlobal Task Force, has 51 global offices and an extensive business network. Each year, it organises over 40 international exhibitions and conferences, providing customised solutions for Mainland enterprises to go global across various areas, such as innovation and technology, food and agricultural products, gifts and cultural creativity, logistics and shipping, finance, life and health, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative. The HKTDC actively shares successful cases of Mainland enterprises using Hong Kong as a platform to go global and leverage on Hong Kong’s strengths as a global services hub and resource allocation centre. The HKTDC is committed to supporting Shandong enterprises in using Hong Kong as a springboard to steadily pursue globalisation and explore overseas markets.
The seminar also featured a panel discussion moderated by the Deputy Director of SHETO Mr Arthur Lam. Representatives from Hong Kong’s professional services sectors and Mainland enterprises that have successfully expanded overseas through Hong Kong shared their experiences and insights on how Hong Kong’s advantages can empower Shandong enterprises to better expand overseas markets.
Leasing arrangements announced for public market stalls in April
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
(1) Open auctions ————————————————–
Auction date: April 9 (Thursday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 65————————————————–
Auction date: April 10 (Friday) (am)
Number of stalls: 68——————-
Auction date: April 10 (Friday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 13————–
Auction date: April 13 (Monday) (am)
Number of stalls: 78————–
Auction date: April 13 (Monday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 1————–
Auction date: April 14 (Tuesday) (am)
Number of stalls: 64————–
Auction date: April 14 (Tuesday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 64———————
Auction date: April 15 (Wednesday) (am)
Number of stalls: 71———————
Auction date: April 15 (Wednesday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 77 Relevant information on renting at upset prices on a first-come, first-served basis, will be available on the FEHD website after the open auction.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, “Bidders or applicants for the market stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. To allow more people to bid for or select the stalls and increase customer choices by enhancing the diversity in terms of the variety of stalls, there will be a restriction on the number of stalls to be rented in the same market by a single tenant. Any person who is currently a stall tenant is not allowed to bid in the first round of auction for any stall in the same market, and will only be allowed to bid for one stall in the second round of auction or to select one stall in the same market on a first-come, first-served basis (except Stanley Waterfront Mart). The existing tenants under the new three-year fixed-term tenancy scheme (i.e. those persons who became stall tenants through the market open auctions after August 2022) are allowed to bid for a stall in the auction or select a stall on a first-come, first-served basis in the same market, but shall vacate the current stall and return it to the FEHD before the effective date of commencement of the new tenancy agreement.”
LCQ20: Admission of non-locally trained nurses
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ20: Admission of non-locally trained nurses
| Range of monthly salary(5) of the measures put in place by the Government, regarding the recruitment of non-locally trained nurses, to prevent the abuse of the mechanisms for the Technical Professionals Stream under GEP and ASMTP and to ensure that employers in DH, HA and the social welfare sector accord priority to employing locally trained nurses?
Reply:
|