Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Residential Mortgage Survey Results for April 2026
The number of mortgage applications in April decreased month-on-month by 7.5 per cent to 9 541.
Mortgage loans approved in April decreased by 9 per cent compared with March to HK$36.5 billion. Among these, mortgage loans financing primary market transactions decreased by 20.3 per cent to HK$10.7 billion and those financing secondary market transactions decreased by 6.7 per cent to HK$21.8 billion. Mortgage loans for refinancing increased by 21 per cent to HK$4 billion.
Mortgage loans drawn down during April decreased by 16.1 per cent compared with March to HK$22.6 billion.
The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to HIBOR decreased from 83.7 per cent in March to 77.8 per cent in April. The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to best lending rates decreased from 1.5 per cent in March to 1.3 per cent in April.
The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased month-on-month by 0.2 per cent to HK$1,939.6 billion at end-April.
The mortgage delinquency ratio stood at a low level of 0.12 per cent and the rescheduled loan ratio was unchanged at nearly 0 per cent.
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Government’s financial results for month ended April 30, 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Notes:
1. This Account consolidates the General Revenue Account and the following eight Funds: Capital Works Reserve Fund, Capital Investment Fund, Civil Service Pension Reserve Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund, Land Fund, Loan Fund and Lotteries Fund. It excludes the Bond Fund, the balance of which is not part of the fiscal reserves. The Bond Fund balance as at April 30, 2026, was HK$153,298 million.
31 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
31 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements
The offences of these 31 landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; and (2) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (including requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance).
The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon a comprehensive investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted the landlords.
A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting landlords from doing any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of members of the tenant’s household, with the intention of causing the tenant to give up occupation of the SDU; or requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded tenants of their rights under the Ordinance, including a four-year (i.e. two years plus two years) security of tenure. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether they have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance. In addition, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work to enhance public awareness about the key offences and penalties, emphasising that the RVD proactively checks whether landlords have committed the offences under the Ordinance.
The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. The RVD has been issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to assist them in understanding the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and to remind them about the procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy as well as their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html
For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.htmlIssued at HKT 16:12
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HKSAR Government welcomes Ministry of Finance’s inaugural issuance of Renminbi sovereign green bonds in Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKSAR Government welcomes Ministry of Finance’s inaugural issuance of Renminbi sovereign green bonds in Hong Kong
The offshore RMB green bonds issued on this occasion, with tenors of three years and five years, were warmly received by the market, with total subscriptions amounting to RMB62.4 billion – 10.4 times the issue size. Specifically, the three-year bonds were oversubscribed by 9.8 times, while the five-year bonds were oversubscribed by 11 times. All proceeds raised from the bond issuance will be applied to eligible green expenditures under the central fiscal budget in accordance with the People’s Republic of China Sovereign Green Bond Framework.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “This sovereign green bond issuance is of distinctive significance. It marks the Central Government’s first issuance of RMB-denominated sovereign green bonds in Hong Kong, and underscores the important role of Hong Kong’s ‘Finance+’ development strategy in harnessing the power of finance to support and contribute to the country’s high-quality development.
“This issuance will further enhance the yield curve for Hong Kong’s offshore RMB bond market, provide a new investment benchmark for international capital, and attract more cross-boundary RMB financing and trading activities to Hong Kong. It will also support the efficient matching of global capital with the country’s high-quality green projects. By giving strong impetus to the green transition while delivering reasonable returns for investors, the issuance will help attract more long-term capital into the green sector and promote sustainable development.”
Issued at HKT 15:30
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“Smart Parent Net” Recommendation:Tips on Sleeping Soundly; Primary One Central Allocation results to be posted to parents on June 3 and 4
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3
The Education Bureau (EDB) will inform parents of the results of the Central Allocation for Primary One Admission (POA) 2026 next Wednesday and Thursday (June 3 and 4).
Parents who completed the Choice of Schools Form for the Central Allocation on or before January 25 this year can obtain the allocation results by the following means:
- Parents who have activated their POA e-Platform (ePOA) account via “iAM Smart” or “iAM Smart+” (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) can check the Central Allocation results through the ePOA from 10 am on June 3;
- Parents who have provided a mobile phone number on the Choice of Schools Form and indicated their consent to receive the allocation results via the mobile phone number will also receive the Central Allocation results via SMS on June 3; and
- Parents will also receive the Primary One Registration Form with the Central Allocation results, delivered by Hongkong Postthrough the Local CourierPost service on June 3 and 4. If door delivery by Hongkong Post fails, a Mail Collection Notification Card will be left for parents to collect it from the designated post office starting from the afternoon of the following working day. If parents have not received the mail concerned or the Mail Collection Notification Card issued by Hongkong Post by June 5, they can collect the Primary One Registration Form at the designated collection centre on June 6 or 7. Please refer to the EDB’s POA System webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/index.html) for details.
Please refer to the related videos and Parents’ Guide on the EDB’s Resources on POA e-Platform webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html) for details of the procedures for activating and logging into an ePOA account and for checking allocation results via the e-Platform.
Student registration procedures
Parents are required to register their child with the school allocated during school hours on June 9 (Tuesday) or June 10 (Wednesday).
If parents are unable to complete the registration procedures on the above dates due to important matters, they should contact the person-in-charge of registration at the school allocated in advance to make alternative arrangements. Otherwise, they will be considered to have given up the school place allocated.
Arrangements for special circumstances
Should parents decide to give up the place allocated because of special circumstances, such as relocating to another district far from the school allocated, they should not register their child with the school allocated. Under such circumstances, they are advised to go to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section, Podium Floor, West Block, Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, to make necessary arrangements for transfer. They should bring along the Primary One Registration Form, the original and copies of documents showing proof of the new address (such as a rental contract, rates demand notes, or water or electricity bills bearing the name of the parent or the guardian of the child).
If a student needs to transfer schools after completing the registration due to special circumstances, parents are strongly advised to obtain an assurance of acceptance from another school before retrieving the Primary One Registration Form from the original school because retrieval of the registration form means cancellation of the allocated school place.
In case of inclement weather or other special circumstances during the period for the announcement of results or on any day(s) designated for registration, parents should pay attention to announcements on radio and television for special arrangements for the Central Allocation or registration.
Enquiries
Parents wishing to obtain general information regarding the POA procedures can call the EDB’s 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service at 2891 0088. Further enquiries can be made to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section at 2832 7610 (for Hong Kong Island and Islands), 2832 7620 (for Kowloon), 2832 7635 (for New Territories West), 2832 7659 (for New Territories East) and 2832 7700/2832 7740 (for general enquiries) during office hours, as well as from 9 am to 4.30 pm on June 6 (Saturday) and June 7 (Sunday).
Appointments to Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony announced
The following is a list of the non-official members of the CPRH:
Reappointed incumbent members:
Mr Mohammad Ilyas
Mr Vishal Melwani
Mr Syed Mohammed Mohiuddin
Mrs Marina Rai
Dr Tika Rana
Mr Baljinder Singh
Mr Yeung Tsz-hei
Mr Eric Yuon Fuk-lung
Other incumbent members:
Ms Zareenah Ho Sau-yin
Ms Jody Kwok Fu-yung
Mr Zaman Minhas Qamar
Ms Himeshika Samaradivakara
Ms Kalsoom Syed
Mr Deep Singh Vinner
The CPRH is a non-statutory advisory body set up to advise the Government on matters relating to fostering racial harmony in the community and to enhance mutual understanding among people of different ethnic origins. Chaired by the Deputy Director of Home Affairs, the Committee includes representatives from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Labour Department and the Information Services Department. The Race Relations Unit of the Home Affairs Department provides secretariat support to the Committee.
Issued at HKT 15:00
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CE to lead delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE to lead delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Mr Lee said that Central Asia enjoys rapid economic development, abundant natural resources, and immense market potential, offering a vast scope for collaboration with Hong Kong. Kazakhstan is a major economy in Central Asia. It is an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe, accounting for around 60 per cent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product, and is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. Uzbekistan is located at the heart of Central Asia, bordering all Central Asian states and is the most populous country in the region. It is not only an important economic powerhouse, but also a key partner for Hong Kong in expanding its presence in the Central Asian market.
Mr Lee noted that this delegation is the largest of its kind in the current term of the Government, covering the largest number of participants and the broadest range of sectors, and would further deepen international exchanges and co-operation. The delegation comprises over 40 Hong Kong business and professional representatives and about 30 representatives of Mainland enterprises, covering such sectors as industry and business, finance, legal services, construction and engineering, logistics, I&T, advanced manufacturing, and the automotive industry. The delegation will further harness Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle in connecting the Mainland and the world, support Mainland enterprises in going global, and capitalise on complementary strengths. It will actively promote Hong Kong’s advantages and investment opportunities to local business sectors, so as to attract Central Asian enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s platform for business expansion and better utilise Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials joining the delegation include the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, among others.
Mr Lee will start his visit in Kazakhstan, before proceeding to Uzbekistan on June 3. During the visit, Mr Lee will meet with senior government officials of the two countries to enhance government-to-government and high-level communication, lead the delegation in connecting with local business sectors, introduce Hong Kong’s advantages, expand business networks, and visit enterprises and facilities to understand the latest developments and explore co-operation opportunities.
Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on June 6. In his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive.
Issued at HKT 14:00
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Appointments to industry advisory committees to advise Insurance Authority announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to industry advisory committees to advise Insurance Authority announced
Following is the list of non-official members of the IACs with effect from June 1, 2026: ——————————-
Ms Annie Chen Poonis
Mr Alex Chu Wing-yiu
Mr Peter James Crewe
Mr Dick Fong Ho-cheung
Ms Veronica Fung Kit-ming
Mr Nigel Knowles
Ms Joanie Ko Chung-ling
Ms Lisa Lau Man-man
Ms Selina Lau Pui-ling
Mr Victor Shi Xiaokai
Mr Bill Song Xuanbi—————————-
Mr Rohan Bhappu
Mr Jonathan Chen Zhaonan
Mr Cheong Heng-loong
Ms Polly Ho Kin-wing
Professor Hui Kai-lung
Mr Jia Jingwei
Mr Jonathon Ko
Mr George Leung Woon-wing
Mr Jacky Lio Veng-hei
Dr Wong Wai-kei
Ms Sally Yim Yat-man
Issued at HKT 12:00
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Primary One Central Allocation results to be posted to parents on June 3 and 4
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Education Bureau (EDB) reminded parents today (May 29) that the EDB will inform them of the results of the Central Allocation for Primary One Admission (POA) 2026 next Wednesday and Thursday (June 3 and 4).
Release of the Central Allocation results
———————————————
“A total of 16 345 children took part in Primary One Central Allocation 2026. Among them, 14 093 children were allocated to schools of their first three choices,” an EDB spokesman said.
“Taking into account discretionary places and the number of children allocated to schools of their first three choices in the Central Allocation, the overall satisfaction rate was 93.6 per cent.”
The Central Allocation for the POA is composed of two parts. Ten per cent of the places for the Central Allocation, which are not restricted by school nets, are under Part A and parents may choose up to three schools in any school net. The remaining 90 per cent of the places for the Central Allocation are under Part B and parents are required to select schools in the school net/Choice of Schools List in respect of the applicant child. Of the children participating in the Central Allocation, 1 865 are allocated under Part A and 14 480 are under Part B.
Parents who completed the Choice of Schools Form for the Central Allocation on or before January 25 this year can obtain the allocation results by the following means:
(i) Parents who have activated their POA e-Platform (ePOA) account via “iAM Smart” or “iAM Smart+” (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) can check the Central Allocation results through the ePOA from 10am on June 3;
(ii) Parents who have provided a mobile phone number on the Choice of Schools Form and indicated their consent to receive the allocation results via the mobile phone number will also receive the Central Allocation results via SMS on June 3; and
(iii) Parents will also receive the Primary One Registration Form with the Central Allocation results, delivered by Hongkong Post through the Local CourierPost service on June 3 and 4. If door delivery by Hongkong Post fails, a Mail Collection Notification Card will be left for parents to collect it from the designated post office starting from the afternoon of the following working day. If parents have not received the mail concerned or the Mail Collection Notification Card issued by Hongkong Post by June 5, they can collect the Primary One Registration Form at the designated collection centre on June 6 or 7. Please refer to the EDB’s POA System webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/index.html) for details.
Please refer to the related videos and Parents’ Guide on the EDB’s Resources on POA e-Platform webpage (https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html) for details of the procedures for activating and logging into an ePOA account and for checking allocation results via the e-Platform.
Student registration procedures
—————————-
Parents are required to register their child with the school allocated during school hours on June 9 (Tuesday) or June 10 (Wednesday).
The spokesman reminded parents that if they are unable to complete the registration procedures on the above dates due to important matters, they should contact the person-in-charge of registration at the school allocated in advance to make alternative arrangements. Otherwise, they will be considered to have given up the school place allocated.
Arrangements for special circumstances
————————————————-
Should parents decide to give up the place allocated because of special circumstances, such as relocating to another district far from the school allocated, they should not register their child with the school allocated. Under such circumstances, they are advised to go to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section, Podium Floor, West Block, Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, to make necessary arrangements for transfer. They should bring along the Primary One Registration Form, the original and copies of documents showing proof of the new address (such as a rental contract, rates demand notes, or water or electricity bills bearing the name of the parent or the guardian of the child).
If a student needs to transfer schools after completing the registration due to special circumstances, parents are strongly advised to obtain an assurance of acceptance from another school before retrieving the Primary One Registration Form from the original school because retrieval of the registration form means cancellation of the allocated school place.
In case of inclement weather or other special circumstances during the period for the announcement of results or on any day(s) designated for registration, parents should pay attention to announcements on radio and television for special arrangements for the Central Allocation or registration.
Enquiries
————
Parents wishing to obtain general information regarding the POA procedures can call the EDB’s 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service at 2891 0088. Further enquiries can be made to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section at 2832 7610 (for Hong Kong Island and Islands), 2832 7620 (for Kowloon), 2832 7635 (for New Territories West), 2832 7659 (for New Territories East) and 2832 7700/2832 7740 (for general enquiries) during office hours, as well as from 9am to 4.30pm on June 6 (Saturday) and June 7 (Sunday).
Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 gazetted
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Government published in the Gazette today (May 29) the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 to provide for the calculation and payment of stamp duty arising from transactions of dual-counter stocks conducted at the Renminbi (RMB) counter in RMB.
“‘The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address’ announced that the Government will implement the arrangement for paying the stamp duty arising from RMB counter stock transactions in RMB, which allows investors to settle both their trades and the associated stamp duty and other levies or charges in RMB at the same RMB counter. The arrangement is expected to increase the turnover and liquidity of the RMB counter, which in turn strengthens the role of RMB as an international investment currency, further consolidating Hong Kong’s status as a leading offshore RMB business hub,” the Government spokesperson said.
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading on June 10, 2026.