Month: May 2026

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Department of Justice releases “Prosecutions Hong Kong 2025”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Prosecutions Division of the Department of Justice (DoJ) today (May 19) released “Prosecutions Hong Kong 2025”, which reviews its work in 2025.

     This annual report, themed “Walk in Justice, Now and Forever More”, provides an in-depth review of how the Prosecutions Division remained steadfast in upholding the rule of law and discharging its duty as a minister of justice amid an increasingly complex criminal landscape.

Core value – prosecutorial independence as the cornerstone of the rule of law
 
     In the Director’s Overview, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Maggie Yang, emphasised that prosecutorial independence enshrined in Article 63 of the Basic Law is the cornerstone of the criminal justice system in Hong Kong. Public prosecutors “walk in justice” by ensuring that justice is delivered to victims of crime, defendants, and the community as a whole in a fair, impartial, and even-handed manner at every stage of the criminal justice process.
 
International co-operation – a global showcase of Hong Kong’s rule of law
 
     In 2025, Hong Kong organised the 15th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference, hosted by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China. The Conference brought together around 80 prosecutors to discuss challenges in combating money laundering and corruption in the technological age. It not only marked a milestone in regional criminal justice co-operation, but also showcased Hong Kong’s unwavering commitment to and unique position in upholding the rule of law under the “one country, two systems” principle.  

Professional effectiveness – statistics and key cases

     Over the past year, the Prosecutions Division demonstrated its outstanding professional efficiency while handling a substantial workload. The annual report presents various prosecutorial statistics and, through an overview of the duties of and notable cases handled by each subdivision, demonstrates their dedication to maintaining the effective operation of the criminal justice system.
 
     “Prosecutions Hong Kong 2025” is now available on the DoJ website (www.doj.gov.hk/en/publications/yrreviewpd2025.html). Members of the public can also scan the QR code on the physical “Justice Link” information card to access the full electronic version.

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Labour Department investigates fatal work accident in Kowloon City

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Kowloon City this afternoon (May 19) in which a man died.
 
The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

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Government introduces proposed legislative amendments into LegCo to implement smoking ban in all construction sites

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Government introduces proposed legislative amendments into LegCo to implement smoking ban in all construction sites      
     The Government will publish the Amendment Order and the Amendment Notice in the Gazette on May 22. The Amendment Order designates construction sites as no smoking areas and the Amendment Notice specifies Occupational Safety Officers (OSOs) of the Labour Department to carry out enforcement work related to all smoking offences in construction sites under the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance (Cap. 600). Any person smoking in a construction site commits an offence. OSOs can issue a fixed penalty notice under Cap. 600 to offenders with a fixed fine of $3,000. The Amendment Order is applicable to all types of construction sites, including building maintenance sites, except domestic premises and private quarters that are being occupied by their residents for residential purposes.
      
     Meanwhile, the Amendment Regulation requires that contractors and subcontractors must take all reasonable steps to ensure that no person smokes or carries a lighted specified smoking product; or uses a naked light for lighting a specified smoking product in a construction site. Otherwise, those violating the Amendment Regulation are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000.
      
     The Amendment Order and the Amendment Notice will be subject to the negative vetting procedure, while the Amendment Regulation will be subject to the positive vetting procedure.
      
     The Government will strive to facilitate the scrutiny work of the LegCo and looks forward to the LegCo’s support for early passage of the three legislative amendments, enabling the Government to implement the smoking ban in all construction sites as soon as possible.
Issued at HKT 12:10

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CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, led a delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to commence a visit to Germany yesterday (May 18, Aachen time). During the trip, site visits to local higher education and innovation and technology infrastructure will be arranged, providing a solid reference for the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

The delegation first visited RWTH Aachen University. Founded in 1870, RWTH Aachen University is the largest technology university in Germany, and a leading institution in engineering and applied sciences in Europe. The university is one of the nine members of the TU9, the alliance of leading universities of technology in Germany, and houses many national research centres, maintaining close ties with industry.
 
The delegation exchanged views with university representatives and stakeholders, and toured campus facilities, including WZL, one of the institutes of the university with the closest co-operation with industry and also one of Europe’s largest production technology institutes; and a running demonstration factory that involves industry partners and also serves research and training purposes. They learned about the university’s successful experience and practices in campus planning, industry-academia-research integration, innovation ecosystem development, technology transfers and interdisciplinary collaborations, thereby accumulating valuable practical references for the NMUT’s campus ecosystem and industry-academia collaboration.
 
Mr Chan said that RWTH Aachen University is widely recognised for its achievement of translating fundamental research into real-world applications through an exceptionally strong industry-led model, and deep collaboration with corporations. He expressed hope to draw on the university’s successful experience so that higher education and cutting-edge research can jointly drive technological breakthroughs and industrial advancement at the NMUT. He also expressed hope to learn from RWTH Aachen University’s experience in nurturing long-term fundamental research while fostering close industry partnerships in order to further deepen the integration of industry, academia, and research at the NMUT.
 
Mr Chan and other members of the delegation will proceed to Stuttgart on May 19 (Aachen time) to continue their visit.

                       

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FS begins visit to Europe

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

FS begins visit to Europe (with photos/video)      
     Upon arrival, Mr Chan called on the Chinese Ambassador to France, Mr Deng Li, to exchange views on China-France and China-Europe relations, as well as the latest developments in Hong Kong.
      
     In the afternoon, Mr Chan visited the French Asset Management Association and met with a number of representatives from the industry to exchange views on promoting investment co-operation between the two places. The French Asset Management Association is a major professional association representing the French asset management industry, with about 400 members, including about 330 asset management companies. Together, they manage about 90 per cent of the assets of the French asset management industry, with a total scale of 5 trillion euros.
      
     At the meeting, Mr Chan pointed out that Hong Kong’s economy registered steady growth in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, and that its financial system remained robust. The International Monetary Fund and two major credit rating agencies have recently given positive assessments of Hong Kong’s economic and fiscal policies. Hong Kong’s stock market rose by 28 per cent in 2025 as a whole, while its initial public offering fundraising ranked first globally, with a number of leading Mainland innovation and technology enterprises listing in Hong Kong one after another. The asset management industry in Hong Kong has reached nearly 3.9 trillion euros in scale, and there are now over 3 300 family offices, most of which manage assets exceeding US$50 million, demonstrating a thriving asset and wealth management ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has a relatively affluent population of 87 million and a Gross Domestic Product of over 1.7 trillion euros, generating substantive demand for offshore asset allocation.
      
     Mr Chan said, “For French investors seeking both capital security and investment returns, Hong Kong is an ideal destination for asset diversification with its advantages under ‘one country, two systems’, including the free flow of capital and talent, a vibrant financial ecosystem, and capital markets connected to the Mainland and the world. It is an opportune time for French financial institutions to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to expand their asset and wealth management businesses in Asia.”
      
     Mr Chan also visited a think tank, Asia Centre Paris, and met with a number of its board members in the afternoon. The Centre focuses on the study of geopolitical strategy, international relations and governance, and economic and social development dynamics. It is one of the important institutions in France specialising in Asian strategy and geopolitical analysis.
      
     At the meeting, Mr Chan shared the latest economic and social situation of Hong Kong, as well as the directions and priority areas for its future development, and exchanged views with the board members on the international economic and trade landscape and China’s development.
      
     Mr Chan pointed out that the “one country, two systems” arrangement in Hong Kong will be upheld in the long run, and that Hong Kong’s competitive advantages are built on multiple aspects, including the common law system, free port status, low tax regime, a stable business environment, predictable economic and financial policies, and mutual market access with the Mainland’s capital markets, making Hong Kong the best gateway for international capital to connect with China opportunities. In recent years, apart from continuously developing trade and finance, Hong Kong has been actively nurturing the innovation and technology industry, making dedicated efforts to attract enterprises and talent to Hong Kong, and promoting the development of emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and biomedicine. The vast market of the Greater Bay Area and the development of emerging and future industries will create broader application scenarios and development space for European products and enterprises. In addition, under the country’s dual circulation strategy, more Mainland enterprises will set up factories and expand their businesses in Southeast Asia and Europe through Hong Kong.
      
     He welcomed more multifaceted exchanges between Asia Centre Paris and Hong Kong, including organising delegations to visit Hong Kong, so as to enhance in-depth mutual understanding between the two places and facilitate the financial and business sectors of both sides in exploring more opportunities for mutually beneficial co-operation.
      
     Mr Chan will continue his visit in Paris today (May 19, Paris time) and attend the “No Money for Terror” Ministerial Conference.
Issued at HKT 9:00

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Mainland women’s homewear brand Gelray uses Hong Kong as regional headquarters to expand in Southeast Asia

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (May 19) that Gelray, a Mainland women’s homewear brand, has opened its first store in Hong Kong and established a regional headquarters in the city to expand into the Southeast Asian market.

The Head of Consumer and Hospitality of InvestHK, Ms Sindy Wong, said, “As an international business hub, Hong Kong possesses distinctive advantages including a robust logistics infrastructure, zero-tariff policies and more, providing Mainland brands with an ideal springboard for international growth. We look forward to Gelray bringing fresh momentum to the local retail industry and leveraging Hong Kong as its home port to expand into broader Asian markets.”

     Founder of Gelray, Mr Tim Fang, said, “Hong Kong is a gateway to Asian and the Belt and Road markets, as well as a hub for international fashion and lifestyle trends. Hong Kong consumers are sophisticated and diverse, which aligns well with our brand philosophy. Our Hong Kong office will take the lead in Southeast Asian business planning, from market research and product localisation to establishing distribution networks, driving our regional development strategy.”

Gelray was founded in 2012, upholding the brand philosophy of innovation, health, and professionalism. The brand offers a range of products spanning loungewear, lingerie, shapewear, yoga wear and sportswear. By providing full-size ranges and a high-quality experience, the brand enables customers of every body type to discover comfort in any scenario.

For more information about Gelray, please visit www.gelray.com.

  

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Tender awarded for site in Tung Chung

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Tender awarded for site in Tung Chung      
     The tenderers, other than the successful tenderer, in alphabetical order, with the name of the parent company where provided by the tenderer in brackets, were:
           
(1) Boundless Investments Limited (K&K Property Holdings Limited);
(2) Gain Lucky Limited (Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited);
(3) Hamilton Crest Limited (Kerry Properties Limited and Sino Land Company Limited);
(4) Maxjet Company Limited (China Overseas Land & Investment Limited); and
(5) Strong Associate Limited (K. Wah International Holdings Limited).

     Tung Chung Town Lot No. 54 has a site area of about 14 152 square metres and is designated for private residential purpose. The minimum gross floor area is 29 720 sq m, and the maximum gross floor area that may be attained is 49 532 sq m.
Issued at HKT 17:05

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Unemployment and underemployment statistics for February – April 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for February – April 2026) released today (May 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in February – April 2026, same as that in January – March 2026. The underemployment rate decreased from 1.6% in January – March 2026 to 1.5% in February – April 2026.
 
Comparing February – April 2026 with January – March 2026, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied. Decrease was mainly seen in the construction sector while increase was mainly seen in the manufacturing sector. As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the foundation and superstructure sector, and food and beverage service activities sector. 

Total employment decreased by around 7 700 from 3 655 700 in January – March 2026 to 3 648 000 in February – April 2026. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 5 200 from 3 792 400 to 3 787 200.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 2 600 from 136 600 in January – March 2026 to 139 200 in February – April 2026. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 2 000 from 60 100 to 58 100.

Commentary

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed at 3.7% in February – April 2026, same as that in the preceding three-month period. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage point to 1.5%. Over the same period, the labour force and total employment decreased slightly.”

Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, “The robust growth momentum of the Hong Kong economy should render support to the overall labour market. The Government will remain vigilant to the potential implications of the elevated geopolitical risks, and continue to monitor the development closely.” 

Further information

The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.

In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).

The survey for February – April 2026 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 65 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of February to April 2026.

Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.

Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the “Quarterly Report on General Household Survey” which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter October – December 2025 while the next issue covering the quarter January – March 2026 will be available by end May 2026. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).

For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk). 

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Prosecutions yearly review published

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Prosecutions Division of the Department of Justice today released its annual report, Prosecutions Hong Kong 2025, reviewing its work over the past year.

In the report’s overview, Director of Public Prosecutions Maggie Yang emphasised that prosecutorial independence, enshrined in Article 63 of the Basic Law, is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s criminal justice system.

Ms Yang stated that public prosecutors “walk in justice” by ensuring fair, impartial and even-handed justice for victims, defendants and the community at every stage of the criminal justice process.

The report highlighted that Hong Kong organised the 15th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference in 2025, which was hosted by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China. The event drew around 80 prosecutors to discuss challenges in combating money laundering and corruption in the technological age.

The annual report also provides prosecutorial statistics and case overviews, demonstrating the division’s dedication to maintaining an effective criminal justice system.

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CS starts visit to Germany

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki yesterday led a delegation of the Working Group on Planning & Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis as they began a visit to Germany.

The visit aims to provide a solid reference for planning and development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT) through site visits to local higher education and innovation and technology infrastructure.

The delegation first visited RWTH Aachen University yesterday to exchange views with university representatives and stakeholders, as well as tour campus facilities.

Founded in 1870, RWTH Aachen University is Germany’s largest technology university and a leading European institution in engineering and applied sciences.

As a member of the TU9 alliance of leading German technology universities, it houses numerous national research centres and maintains close ties with industry.

The delegation toured WZL, an institute renowned for its deep industry co-operation and status as one of Europe’s largest production technology facilities. They also visited an operational demonstration factory that integrates industry partners while serving research and training purposes.

Through the site visits, the delegation studied the university’s experiences in campus planning, industry-academia-research integration, innovation ecosystem development, technology transfers and interdisciplinary collaborations. The insights gathered will serve as practical references for developing the campus ecosystem and industry-academia co-operation at the NMUT.

Mr Chan noted that RWTH Aachen University is widely recognised for translating fundamental research into real-world applications through an exceptionally strong industry-led model and deep corporate collaboration.

He expressed hope to draw on this successful model to ensure higher education and cutting-edge research jointly drive technological breakthroughs and industrial advancement at the NMUT.

Mr Chan added that learning from the university’s ability to nurture long-term fundamental research while fostering close industry partnerships will help deepen the integration of industry, academia and research at the NMUT.