Month: May 2026

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan Berik Assylov signed bilateral agreements on the surrender of fugitive offenders (SFO), mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (MLA) and the transfer of sentenced persons (TSP) today on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Kazakhstan.

“Both Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are committed players in the international efforts to fight crimes. The signing of the agreements on SFO, MLA and TSP today represents an important step forward in legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan,” Mr Tang said at the signing ceremony.

Under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong SAR Government may, with the authorisation of the Central People’s Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance.

The SFO agreement sets out the conditions for the surrender of fugitive offenders between the Hong Kong SAR and Kazakhstan and contains the usual safeguards found in similar international agreements, including that the conduct must constitute an offence according to the laws of both parties, and surrender may be refused if the offence is punishable with the death penalty.

The MLA agreement between the Hong Kong SAR and Kazakhstan contains the essential features and safeguards of international agreements of this type. Assistance covered by the agreement includes identifying and locating persons, serving documents, taking evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, providing information and confiscating proceeds of crime.

The TSP agreement embodies the shared conviction of Hong Kong and Kazakhstan that allowing sentenced persons to return to their places of origin, where there are no language or cultural barriers and where friends and relatives can pay more regular visits, is conducive to their rehabilitation. Hong Kong’s policy is therefore to facilitate such transfers between Hong Kong and other jurisdictions as far as possible.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Eligible recipients of social security payments and the Working Family Allowance (WFA) will start receiving a one-off extra allowance today, equivalent to one month of their current rate or allowance.

The extra payment is automatically available to individuals who were eligible for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance standard rate, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance on April 29, 2026. Households whose WFA applications were submitted between October 1, 2025, and April 29, 2026, and subsequently approved, are also eligible.

The funds will be credited directly to the designated Hong Kong bank accounts of eligible recipients and households starting today, with no separate application required.

The initiative involves an extra expenditure of approximately $6,486 million and is expected to benefit around 1.76 million social security recipients and 56,000 WFA households. 

For enquiries, social security recipients can call 2343 2255 or contact their respective Social Security Field Unit. WFA households can direct their enquiries to 2558 3000.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The main provisions of the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance will take effect on July 31, the Government announced today.

The ordinance establishes a comprehensive legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders. It also provides legal protection for medical professionals and emergency rescuers when complying with these directives and orders.

Describing the implementation as a significant milestone for end-of-life care in Hong Kong, the Government stated that the new law further protects the autonomy of terminally ill patients in choosing their medical and care arrangements.

Moving forward, the Government will collaborate with stakeholders to step up training for relevant professionals, ensuring full compliance with the statutory requirements once the ordinance goes into operation. Government departments will also partner with social service organisations to raise public awareness through targeted educational and promotional activities.

The ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council and gazetted in November 2024. Following this, the Secretary for Health issued the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (Commencement) Notice to formally appoint July 31, 2026, as the effective date.

The commencement notice will be tabled at the Legislative Council next Wednesday for negative vetting.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan has held a roundtable meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, to brief local financial leaders on Hong Kong’s robust market performance and economic resilience.

Meeting with senior executive from banks, asset management firms and family offices, Mr Chan highlighted that Hong Kong’s economy has maintained steady growth over the past two years, supported by an active financial market. He noted that backed by strong national support for Mainland enterprises expanding globally, an increasing number of companies are leveraging Hong Kong’s stock market to raise capital for their overseas operations.

Addressing the city’s global standing, the Financial Secretary pointed out that Hong Kong clinched the top spot globally for initial public offering funds raised last year and into this year. Amid prevailing geopolitical shifts, international investors increasingly view Hong Kong as a reliable capital safe haven and a key springboard for diversifying investments into the Mainland market.

He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government remains committed to reforming the stock market, expanding international market connectivity and boosting liquidity to offer global investors more diversified options.

Mr Chan emphasised that Hong Kong is continuously expanding its market scale and driving product innovation across fixed-income and currency markets, asset and wealth management and green finance, alongside plans to develop gold and commodities trading. He noted that strong demand for cross-border asset allocation from high-net-worth individuals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia has prompted many international wealth mangers to expand their footprint in Hong Kong, which is also actively promoting digital asset applications.

Turning to regional integration, Mr Chan highlighted that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan outlines clear goals for a modernised industrial system, high-level opening up and co-ordinated regional development. He stressed that the Greater Bay Area enjoys distinct advantages in frontier technology, advanced manufacturing and high-end talent, presenting an unmissable opportunity for international investors.

Swiss financial institutions and family offices are encouraged to scale up their operations in Hong Kong and Mainland markets to capture these growth prospects. During his visit, Mr Chan also met with executives from a major Swiss bank.

Additionally, the Financial Secretary called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich & for the Principality of Liechtenstein Chen Yun to brief her on Hong Kong’s latest economic developments and social situation and exchanged views on China-Europe relations and global political and economic trends.

Before concluding his European trip, Mr Chan was due to hold a roundtable meeting with local venture capital and private equity fund representatives this morning, with his return to Hong Kong set for tomorrow morning.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 21) that a sample of soft ice-cream was found to contain coliform bacteria and its count exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned soft ice-cream sample from a licensed itinerant hawker (mobile van) in Central for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained 310 coliform bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit.”

“The CFS has informed the person-in-charge of the licence concerned of the irregularity and instructed the person-in-charge to stop selling and to dispose all the affected soft ice-cream immediately. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to person-in-charge of the licence concerned, and instructed to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection to the mobile van,” the spokesman said.

Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 100 coliform bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months’ imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the coliform count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs on May 13 and yesterday (May 20) seized a total of about 55 kilograms of suspected ketamine, one suspected etomidate capsule, 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, 0.5g of suspected cocaine and one drug-inhaling apparatus, with an estimated market value of about $21 million at Hong Kong International Airport, Kwai Chung and Yuen Long. Two people were arrested.
 
Through risk assessment, Customs on May 13 inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as a water purification system, arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers detected suspicious X-ray images in the consignment and found a total of about 55kg of suspected ketamine concealed in two water purification systems.
 
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday and arrested a 35-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman in Kwai Chung and Yuen Long respectively. One suspected etomidate capsule, 4g of suspected cannabis buds, 0.5g of suspected cocaine and one drug-inhaling apparatus were further seized from them upon body search and premises search. The investigation of the case is ongoing.
 
Customs will continue to enhance enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
 
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), Ms Alpha Lau, completed her official visit to Zhengzhou, Henan Province, which took place from May 19 to 21. During the visit, she promoted to local government departments, enterprises, and the media the new opportunities for Mainland enterprises to go global using Hong Kong as a platform, aiming to deepen synergy and co-operation between Henan and Hong Kong to jointly capture global business opportunities.
      
     This mission featured a seminar titled “Henan-Hong Kong Join Hands to Sail Global” yesterday (May 20) that attracted approximately 320 participants from different sectors in Henan Province. Co-organised by InvestHK, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Henan Province, the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan, the seminar was joined by Ms Lau; Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission Ms Chen Jing; Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Mr Sun Zhaomin; and the Director of the Henan Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan, Mr Bob Chui.
      
     Ms Lau stated in her opening speech at the seminar, “Hong Kong and Henan enjoy a long-term partnership. Hong Kong is the largest contributor of foreign investment to Henan, and Henan has the highest number of enterprises from the Central Region that have gone for an IPO (initial public offering) in Hong Kong. The ties between Hong Kong and Henan are growing stronger.” She noted, “InvestHK has spared no effort in aligning its strategies with the National 15th Five-Year Plan through continued investment promotion and facilitation efforts. Following our promotion of Hong Kong as a cross-boundary supply chain management centre to Henan last year, we are setting a higher benchmark this year. We aim to elevate Hong Kong’s role from a supply chain hub into a premier springboard and platform for Henan enterprises looking to expand globally. As a core member of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, InvestHK stands ready to fully support Henan enterprises in leveraging Hong Kong to scale their businesses internationally.”
      
     Ms Chen said in her remarks, “As a major economic and populous province, Henan offers a massive market and excellent transport links. Hong Kong is Henan’s largest source of foreign investment and its premier offshore financing platform. Hong Kong-backed enterprises account for about 70 per cent of foreign capital in Henan, and Henan’s investments in Hong Kong account for over 40 per cent of its total outbound investment. There remains great potential for collaboration between Henan and Hong Kong. On the inbound side, Henan will host targeted matchmaking events to better connect supply and industrial chains, with a focus on attracting Hong Kong companies in finance, technology, and low-carbon sectors. On the outbound front, Henan will support the China Henan International Cooperation Group in building a service ecosystem for local firms going global, including setting up special funds and backing well-run, reputable companies. By leveraging Hong Kong’s financial system, legal environment, and global networks, Henan aims to help its enterprises succeed overseas while advancing high-quality, open development.”
      
     The Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of InvestHK Wuhan Office, Mr Zhou Yikai, delivered a keynote speech on Hong Kong’s business environment and development trends. He highlighted Hong Kong’s core strengths in finance, law, talent, and global reach. Drawing on recent policies and statistics, he outlined InvestHK’s one-stop customised services for Mainland enterprises and encouraged Henan companies to use Hong Kong as a springboard for overseas expansion.
      
     To further elaborate on Hong Kong’s professional strengths for Henan enterprises, and better help them leverage Hong Kong as a platform to go global, InvestHK invited experts to share their insights. The Chairman of Yushang International Business Management (Zhengzhou) Co Ltd, Mr Zhang Wei, introduced how the China Henan International Cooperation Group connects Henan companies with the resources they need to go global. The Secretary-General of the Treasury Centre Committee of the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, Mr Sean Sun, Partner of Deloitte China Tax & Business Advisory Services Mr Leo Zhu, and Hong Kong office Partner of Haiwen & Partners Mr Edward Liu each drew on their expertise in their respective fields to provide practical guidance for Henan enterprises going global by leveraging Hong Kong’s professional services.
      
     Following the seminar, Ms Lau met with the leaders of the Henan Provincial Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and had detailed exchanges of views with them on Hong Kong and Henan business co-operation opportunities.
      
     Ms Lau’s visit in Zhengzhou also included meetings with local financial institutions and leading enterprises in information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, and intelligent computing. During these visits, she discussed with corporate leaders their plans to establish or expand businesses in Hong Kong.
      
     The promotion event in Zhengzhou marks the 10th city visited by the GoGlobal Task Force on the Chinese Mainland for investment promotion since its establishment in October 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (May 21) that, because of an oil spill, the red flag has been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District. The beach has been closed until further notice. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region