Month: May 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     ​A man was sentenced today (May 20) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts to six weeks’ imprisonment for illegally importing 14 200 alternative smoking products. The Department of Health (DH) welcomed the verdict and reminded members of the public and visitors not to bring alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products or herbal cigarettes into Hong Kong, and not to use any alternative smoking products.

     The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH was notified by Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 19) that 14 200 alternative smoking products had been intercepted in the luggage of the aforesaid man arriving from Japan. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the individual.

Since the amendments to the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which conferred arrest powers on TACO inspectors, took effect on September 19, 2025, TACO has prosecuted 25 cases involving importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Twenty-eight persons have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from six weeks to eight months.

According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), a person who imports alternative smoking products, including electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years; or liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person may promote, manufacture, sell, or possess for commercial purposes alternative smoking products. An offender is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     TACO will continue to closely monitor and enforce the law to combat related offences.

In addition, the DH also cautions the public that alternative smoking products are addictive and are not effective smoking cessation tools. E-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Smokers are urged to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For assistance, please call the DH’s Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visit www.livetobaccofree.hk for information on quitting.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by Professor the Hon Lau Chi-pang and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
 
Question:
     
     There are views pointing out that traffic congestion in some districts (such as Happy Valley) is caused by the fact that roads in those districts are part of the driving test (road test) routes, and learner drivers, due to their lack of experience, often fail to drive their vehicles at an appropriate speed, thereby obstructing other vehicles on the road. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has assessed the impacts of the various road test routes on the traffic in the respective districts over the past three years, including whether such routes are suitable for continued use as road test routes in the light of factors such as population growth and changes in traffic flow; if it has assessed, of the assessment results; if not, whether the Government has plans to conduct such an assessment;

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Pok-chi and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):

Question:

     At present, there are over 1 000 aquaculture farmers in Hong Kong, and some members of the industry are concerned about how the Government will promote the modernisation of the aquaculture industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of (i) the overall number of people enrolling in, (ii) the actual number of people attending, and (iii) the number of people successfully completing the training programmes relating to smart fish culture organised by the Government over the past three years;

(2) of the number of aquaculture farmers granted approval under the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund for acquiring modernised equipment such as water quality monitoring and automated feeding systems over the past three years; of the number of such farmers operating in marine fish culture zones and pond fish culture zones respectively; and

(3) how the Government has applied technology to assist in promoting the modernisation of the aquaculture industry (including marine fish culture and pond fish culture) over the past three years?

Reply:

President,

     The Government is proactively promoting the modernisation and high-quality development of the local agricultural and fisheries (A&F) industries and encouraging the industries to upgrade and transform in accordance with the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries (the Blueprint). Specific measures include enhancing training of talents, providing financial support and facilitating technology application. These measures aim to assist the industries in addressing environmental challenges, steadily raising the quantity, quality and value of local A&F produce, and pursuing sustainable and diversified development, thereby benefitting the A&F industries as a whole, including the mariculture and pond fish culture sectors.

     The reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Pok-chi is as follows:

(1) The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vocational Training Council (VTC) in 2024 to jointly nurture talents for modernised aquaculture. The AFCD assists the industry in providing internship opportunities for the VTC students to impart practical experience in aquaculture and conservation to those aspiring entrants to the industry, while the VTC offers them tuition fee subsidies and on-the-job training. The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) under the VTC launched a part-time programme on “Diploma in Modernised Aquaculture” in 2025 to facilitate practicing fish farmers and other working individuals to pursue further studies during their spare time. Being the first aquaculture programme in Hong Kong accredited at Level 3 of the Qualifications Framework (QF), the programme takes about nine months to complete, and has produced 21 graduates. Field trips were arranged for students to the Ta Kwu Ling Operation Centre to acquire the indoor marine fish hatchery techniques, as well as to Yuen Long to visit the closed recirculating aquaculture system, with a view to gaining an in-depth understanding of the application of modernised aquaculture technologies.

     In addition, to further professionalise and standardise the local fisheries training, and to provide aspiring entrants with a well-defined professional recognition and a clear career path, the IVE will launch the first part-time programme on “Professional Diploma in Deep Sea Mariculture”, accredited at QF Level 4, in June this year. Spanning about nine months, the curriculum covers techniques and practices in deep-sea mariculture, science in water quality monitoring, nutrition of fish feed, disease prevention and management, as well as modern business operations and management, etc.

     Given the popularity of the said professional diploma programme, the AFCD is actively exploring with the IVE to continue organising similar programmes in 2027 to sustain talent cultivation and meet the demands of the modernised development of the local fisheries industry. 

     In addition, the AFCD organised about 70 short-term training activities for the industry over the past three years. These included skills and knowledge training courses, technical seminars, workshops, forums and field visits, covering topics on Internet of Things (IoT) applications, real-time monitoring technologies, indoor recirculating aquaculture systems, smart aquaculture management, etc. The accumulated number of attendees reached 770, with an overall attendance rate exceeding 90 per cent. 

     The AFCD will continue to roll out diversified training activities and encourage the industry members to pursue continuous learning, enabling them to grasp the latest technological advancements and market development trends for comprehensive enhancement of their professional competence and competitiveness.

(2) The Government has set up the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund (SFDF) with a commitment of $1 billion, which aims to support the industry in adopting sustainable and high value-added mode of operations. The Equipment Improvement Project under the SFDF provides grants to fishermen and fish farmers to upgrade their fisheries equipment or materials, thereby improving their production efficiency and fostering sustainable development.

     Over the past three years, grants have been approved for 226 aquaculture farmers, including 120 marine fish farmers and 106 pond fish farmers, to acquire modernised equipment. The total amount of grant approved was about $11.28 million. The equipment they acquired with the grant included water quality control and monitoring equipment, automatic feeding machines, solar power generators, aerators, and security systems.

     In addition, the SFDF has also subsidised projects that promote the modernisation of the aquaculture industry, including the “Aquaculture Extension Services for Hong Kong” and the “Fish Pump Sharing Project”. The two projects provide fish farmers with specialised aquaculture veterinary services such as on-site diagnosis and treatment of fish diseases, technical advisory services and prescription medications, and fish pumps to replace manual cage changing and net washing respectively. Meanwhile, the SFDF has supported three projects to carry out modernised deep-sea mariculture in the new fish culture zones (FCZs), in which deep-sea cages with resistance to wind and wave equipped with modern management equipment such as automated feeding and real-time monitoring systems are being used, to promote commercial deep-sea mariculture. The total amount of grant for the above projects is about $48 million.

(3) The modernisation and technological advancement of aquaculture is a global development trend. The AFCD has proactively assisted and encouraged the local fish farmers to leverage technology to progressively transform from traditional mode of operation.

     As regards deep-sea mariculture, referencing the practical experience of the development of deep-sea mariculture in the Mainland and the achievements of the Tung Lung Chau mariculture demonstration farm, the AFCD adopted steel truss cages or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) gravity-type cages with resistance to strong wind and wave, integrated with real-time surveillance, water quality monitoring and automated feeding systems, a solar and wind power generation system, etc. when designating the four new FCZs in 2023. These utilise water bodies more effectively, enhance production efficiency and give full play to the production potential of the new FCZs.

     As regards pond fish culture, the Government will take the planned Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park as a pilot to implement modernised high-density culture production model that integrates nature conservation with pond fish culture. In this regard, the AFCD launched a trial on the container eco-culture system at the demonstration point of the Au Tau Fisheries Office in Yuen Long last year. The system requires only a small area of the pond bund to conduct high-density fish culture. Tailwater undergoes sedimentation and purification through the associated ecological fish ponds, and can be reused after aeration, thus reducing the burden on the environment.The AFCD has also introduced a smart aquaculture management platform at the demonstration point to showcase remote real-time monitoring systems and smart management equipment that adopts artificial intelligence analysis, in order to enhance the effectiveness of aquaculture operations, overcome geographical limitations, and alleviate the problem of manpower shortage.

     Besides, the Government plans to establish a Fisheries Research Centre in the Northern Metropolis to conduct research and experiments on modernised aquaculture, including projects on fry hatching, species selection, feed and nutrition management, disease prevention and health monitoring. The Centre will also promote processing of aquatic products, build a platform for industrial demonstration and promotion of technologies and establish a remote real-time monitoring platform, and at the same time provide supporting facilities to help deepen co-operation and exchanges in aquaculture research and development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, thereby facilitating the long-term development of the aquaculture industry.

     President, the Government will actively steer the industry towards high value-added and modernised mode of operations for comprehensive enhancement in its overall competitiveness in accordance with the development direction of enhancing the overall production capacity, quality and efficiency of A&F laid down in the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the targets set out in the Blueprint, so as to provide the public with a more stable supply of premium local fisheries products.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by Dr the Hon Chan Han-pan and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):

Question:

Some members of the industry have relayed that, given the Government’s implementation of cargo fuel surcharge (CFS) liberalisation last year, followed by significant increase in CFS of certain airlines this year, they are concerned that the rising operating costs may undermine the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s air cargo industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether the Government has monitored and assessed the changes in the levels of CFS levied on cargo routes originating from Hong Kong since implementation of the liberalisation; of the measures put in place by the Government in response to the significant increases in CFS to stabilise the costs of air cargo services in Hong Kong, and whether it will step up monitoring efforts and require airlines to enhance the transparency of their CFS adjustment mechanisms, including disclosure of the basis for determining the levels of CFS;

(2) whether it has assessed the actual impact of rising costs of air cargo services on the air cargo throughput and competitiveness of the Hong Kong International Airport; of the specific measures in place to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international air cargo hub and the international gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; and

(3) whether the Government will introduce targeted support measures or re-launch appropriate measures to regulate CFS as an effort to alleviate the cost pressures faced by the industry (particularly small and medium sized freight forwarders and cross-border e-commerce logistics service providers), as well as establish mechanisms and maintain communication with the industry to regularly review the cost structures of Hong Kong’s air cargo industry?

Reply:

President,

In response to the impact of the Middle East situation and aviation fuel prices on airlines and the cargo industry, the Government has maintained close communication with the industry, responded promptly to their concerns, and facilitated the industry in turning challenges into opportunities by exploring new cargo potential and reinforcing Hong Kong’s leading position in air cargo.

My reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon Chan is as follows:

(1) Over the past two months, the Government has held multiple meetings with local airlines and arranged two joint meetings between local airlines and the cargo industry to better understand the situation and urge local airlines to strengthen communication with the trade. As aviation fuel prices have eased slightly recently, several local airlines have made two rounds of downward adjustments to their cargo fuel surcharges (CFS). Local airlines have also introduced a new medium haul category for CFS to respond more flexibly to market demand. The Government will continue to closely monitor adjustments to fuel surcharges to ensure the process remains reasonable and transparent.

(2) Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) retained its position as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2025, handling 5.07 million tonnes of cargo, marking its 15th time topping the global ranking since 2010. HKIA boasts a robust network of airlines and destinations. Currently served by approximately 140 airlines, it connects to some 220 destinations worldwide, providing competitive capacity and service support for Hong Kong’s air cargo industry.

Hong Kong’s flight approval process is efficient and transparent, enabling airlines to flexibly adjust capacity to meet sudden surges in passenger and cargo demand arising from the Middle East situation. Since early March 2026, the Civil Aviation Department has approved about 820 additional flight applications and expedited the processing of around 4 100 flight adjustment applications. We are actively engaging airlines to encourage them to deploy extra cargo capacity to connect HKIA with destinations currently experiencing service shortfalls due to the Middle East situation. In fact, as of April this year, HKIA recorded 1.63 million tonnes of cargo throughput, representing a 3.7 per cent year-over-year increase, while cargo flight movements rose by 3.2 per cent, i.e. approximately 25 000 additional movements, compared with the same period last year.

To further expand the air cargo network, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) launched the Freighter Network Development Programme in March 2026, offering financial incentives to encourage cargo airlines to increase their freighter services at HKIA, thereby enhancing cargo connectivity and network resilience. The programme is expected to boost freighter flight frequencies by more than 15 per cent.

In terms of regional collaboration, the AA is strengthening logistics co-operation in the Greater Bay Area and facilitating cross-boundary intermodal cargo transshipment. Through the innovative HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park project, we are enhancing connectivity between HKIA and manufacturing and logistics hinterland in the Greater Bay Area via sea-air intermodal transshipment. Upon full operation of the logistics park, operating costs are expected to be reduced by around 50 per cent, while cargo processing time can be shortened by approximately one-third. To further facilitate cargo transshipment, the Government will amend the relevant legislation within this year to extend the current arrangements under the Air Transshipment Cargo Exemption Scheme to cover other intermodal transshipment modes, including sea-to-air transshipment.

In addition, the AA has been actively promoting smart development and spearheading the digitalisation of the air cargo supply chain. The one-stop digital platforms HKIA Cargo and HKIA Cargo Connect, managed by the AA, provide an innovative, smart and interconnected digital ecosystem for the industry. More than 50 per cent of Hong Kong’s import and export cargo volume is now handled through these platforms, improving operational efficiency and helping companies explore new business and partnership opportunities.

(3) Airlines can now decide whether to impose fuel surcharges and at what level for flights departing from Hong Kong. To ensure transparency, airlines have published on their websites or on the AA’s digital platform HKIA Cargo the maximum CFS levels applicable to flights departing from Hong Kong as required.

In response to the recent downward adjustment in fuel prices, local airlines have correspondingly lowered their CFS, demonstrating that the existing mechanism provides sufficient flexibility for local airlines to make appropriate adjustments according to market conditions. At the same time, the Government’s recent diesel subsidy and tunnel toll waiver have also helped relieve pressure on the local cargo and logistics sector arising from rising operating costs. The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Thank you, President.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Elizabeth Quat and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
 
Question:
 
     In recent years, cases of sexual abuse against children have aroused public concern. There are views that the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet technology is exposing children to more porn traps, while cases of persistent sexual abuse involving children are also encountering difficulties in terms of evidence collection and conviction. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the respective numbers of cases among the cases of sexual abuse against children in the past three years involving social media or online pornographic materials, and AI deepfake technology;
 
(2) of the measures put in place by the Government to prevent children from accessing online pornographic materials; whether it will draw reference from overseas experience and study regulating children’s use of social media; and
 
(3) given that child victims in sexual abuse cases often have immature mental development and cognitive abilities and do not know how to seek help in a timely manner, and that in cases involving long-term or repeated abuse, young victims usually have difficulty in accurately recalling and describing all the case details, resulting in difficulties in evidence collection, whether the Government will study amending the legislation or introducing targeted measures in view of such circumstances; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government attaches great importance to the welfare of children, and has been striving to protect children from various kinds of harm, combat sexual offences against children and foster the healthy growth of children. The Government protects children through enforcement, promotion and education, and enhancement of protection under the law. In consultation with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Health Bureau, the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Department of Justice (DoJ), the reply to the Member’s question is provided as follows:
 
(1) The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) recorded 2 156 child sexual abuse cases in the past three years.

     In view of the gravity of child abuse cases related to online child sexual grooming, the HKPF systematically maintains related figures starting from 2025 to provide an evidential basis for formulating more effective strategies to address the problem. Online child sexual grooming cases involve sex offenders aged 18 or above getting to know victims aged under 17 through the Internet (via channels such as communication applications, social media platforms and mobile game applications), with an aim to sexually abuse the victim. A total of 100 cases related to online child sexual grooming were recorded in 2025. Forty cases were recorded in the first four months of 2026.
 
(2) To prevent children from accessing online pornographic materials, the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration (OFNAA) has been implementing publicity and education measures to enhance the understanding of the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance (Cap. 390) among children and young people, develop the concept of proper use of the Internet, and encourage relevant stakeholders to help them use the Internet wisely. Apart from continuing to organise programmes such as the “Healthy Information Student Ambassadors Scheme”, the “Healthy Student Video Contest”, and seminars in schools, etc, OFNAA introduced in-school mobile promotion stations in the 2025/26 school year to further promote the concept of rejecting harmful information in primary and secondary schools through interactive games, case sharing, role play, quiz competitions and exhibitions, etc. A total of 20 sessions of the relevant programme were held as of February 2026, reaching about 4 000 participants in total. In addition, OFNAA arranged about 100 roving drama performances for schools and eight roving exhibitions at different shopping malls and Government premises, promoting the relevant message to primary and secondary students as well as all sectors of the community respectively. 
 
     OFNAA has also strengthened inter-departmental and inter-organisational collaboration, working with the Education Bureau, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the HKPF, the Customs and Excise Department, and the Immigration Department, etc, in organising multiple talks on “Wise Use of Internet” for different stakeholders including children and young people, parents, teaching staff and the public. The talks involve sharing on common online pitfalls to help them develop proper values while deepening their understanding of Cap. 390.
 
     The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address also announced that the Department of Health would update the relevant guidelines to mitigate the impact of social media on the health of children and adolescents. The Advisory Group on Health Effects of Screen and Social Media Use for Children and Adolescents was established in October 2025 and is currently reviewing the latest scientific evidence as well as the relevant development and experiences in other countries and regions while consolidating expert opinions, with a view to issuing updated health recommendations on the use of electronic screens and social media by children and adolescents within 2026. 
     To support child victims who testify against perpetrators, and reduce their stress and secondary damages in criminal proceedings, the HKPF, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Judiciary adopt special measures in the collection of evidence and during court hearings (such as arranging children to give evidence through video-recorded interviews conducted in a comfortable home-like environment by specially trained personnel, allowing children to testify by means of a live television link in the company of trained witness-support persons, and the Courts granting anonymity orders to protect the privacy of victims). Furthermore, the HKPF established the Vulnerable Witness and Child Protection Task Force jointly with the DoJ and the SWD in 2022 to speed up and improve the evidence collection, prosecution and follow-up work. In the same year, the HKPF also established the Vulnerable Witness Support Cadre to assist child victims through 250 professionally-trained members. These measures effectively support child victims in testifying against the perpetrators in sexual abuse cases, in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hok-fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
      
 Question:

     In response to the continuous expansion of the land transport network, franchised bus companies implement bus route rationalisation plans from time to time, including cancellation and amalgamation of routes. Some members of the public have complained to me that franchised bus companies disregard the needs of passengers and use bus route rationalisation as a means to maximise profits. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Tang Ka-piu and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
 
Question:

     It is learnt that the fire alarm systems currently used in residential buildings in Hong Kong are primarily audible ones, while visual fire alarm systems (visual alarm systems) are mainly used in common areas rather than installed in units. There are views that in the event of a fire, persons with hearing impairment will miss the opportunity to escape because they are unable to notice audible alarms, which will even endanger their lives. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: 
President,

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region