Month: May 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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 29) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Special Area No. 4 of the Province of Alberta in Canada, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada in the first three months of this year.

     “The CFS has contacted the Canadian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     HKMC Annuity Limited (HKMCA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, announced today (May 29) that, in response to Hong Kong’s ageing population and evolving retirement paradigms, the HKMCA will promote the sustainable retirement lifestyle concept throughout the second half of this year. To encourage the public to make prudent financial arrangements for retirement, a limited-time premium discount offer will be launched on June 1.
 
Achieving dual honours – recognising the commitment to quality service for the silver-aged

Following its receipt of the Investor and Financial Education Award from the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC) in 2023 and 2024, the HKMCA has been awarded the Silver Award in the Public/Professional Body and NGO (non-governmental organisation) category in 2025, recognising the HKMCA’s sustained commitment to advancing public education. Additionally, the HKMC Annuity Plan (Plan) (Note 1) has been registered as a “silver-friendly financial product” by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, confirming that the Plan’s design and service standards meet the needs of the silver-aged community. These accolades and certifications reflect the HKMCA’s continuous efforts to advance retirement financial planning and public education.
 
Promoting sustainable retirement lifestyle in response to longevity trends

With Hong Kong’s average life expectancy continuing to rank among the highest globally and retirement periods extending up to several decades, the HKMCA is promoting the sustainable retirement lifestyle concept in the second half of 2026. The initiative aims to encourage the public to proactively address longevity-related challenges and build a retirement lifestyle that balances financial security, health, social participation, and personal value adaptation post retirement. This concept is based on the multi-dimensional retirement planning framework for active ageing developed by the Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies (RCGFS) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The framework encompasses important dimensions including health, finance, social participation, family life, and long-term care, integrating academic rigour with practical lifestyle application. The HKMCA aims to empower the public to manage longevity-related challenges effectively, enhance retirement planning awareness, and provide insights across six major dimensions, including health, diet, housing, mobility, mind, and finance. Supported by the RCGFS, this initiative is grounded in solid academic research and aims to inspire the public to achieve a fulfilling and joyful retirement.
 
Director of the RCGFS and Non-Executive Director of the HKMCA, Professor Bai Xue, stated, “A solid financial foundation serves as the ‘bedrock’ of retirement. However, when facing a retirement that may span decades, a holistic lifestyle plan encompassing multiple dimensions is the true key to unlocking a sustainable retirement. We are delighted to collaborate with the HKMCA to drive the sustainable retirement lifestyle concept and support the public in making comprehensive preparations for retirement through multi-dimensional planning.”
 
Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the HKMCA, Mr Daniel Leong, said, “We extend our sincere gratitude to the RCGFS for its invaluable support in promoting the sustainable retirement lifestyle concept. The research team’s professional insights and multi-dimensional framework on active ageing have provided us with a strong academic foundation, enhancing the vision and practicality of our outreach. By integrating theories with real-life application, we aim to help the public plan their retirement more comprehensively, thereby realising a long-lasting, sustainable, and fulfilling life.”
 
Focusing on the needs of the silver-aged community and promoting the development of the retirement financial planning market

A recent survey commissioned by the HKMCA indicates that some respondents are considering sojourning or settling outside Hong Kong after retirement, with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) being the preferred destination. In response to the growing demand for cross-boundary retirement solutions, the HKMCA will actively explore providing ancillary services in financial management and healthcare support to facilitate Hong Kong residents pursuing retirement in the GBA. Furthermore, the HKMCA will continue to collaborate closely with the insurance industry to further expand the distribution network of the Plan and promote further development of the local annuity market.
 
Limited-time premium discount offer (Note 2)

Schedule a sales appointment on or before August 31, 2026 and successfully apply for the Plan between June 1 and September 30, 2026 (both dates inclusive) to enjoy a 3 per cent premium discount on eligible policies, subject to the eligibility requirements. Interested parties may visit the HKMCA website (www.hkmca.hk) to schedule an appointment. For enquiries, please contact the customer service hotline at 2512 5000.
 
Note 1: The Plan is a life insurance product subject to terms and conditions and involves risks. The information is for reference only and intended for use in Hong Kong only. It shall not be construed as an offer to sell, solicitation to purchase or provision of any products outside Hong Kong by the HKMCA. Please refer to the product brochure for detailed terms and conditions, risks and important notes.

Note 2: Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the HKMCA website or promotional leaflet for details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Artist Alley, a dedicated zone set up within Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 (HKCC), was launched today (May 29) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Artist Alley runs until May 31 and is open to HKCC attendees.

As a core zone of HKCC, Artist Alley features a total of some 50 artist booths, comprising local Hong Kong creators and internationally renowned artists representing major global franchises. The initiative is expected to draw around 50 000 attendees, generating immediate revenue and commercial opportunities for participating artists through their original works, limited-edition prints and custom commissions.

Participating local artists in Artist Alley include Man Tsang (the first Hong Kong comic artist appointed by Disney to adapt a “Star Wars” novel “Thrawn” into a comic) and Fung Chin-pang (the first key animator of the animation film “Another World”), as well as Pen So, Linus Liu, Jerry Cho and many others. They are joined by prominent international legends: Bob Layton (the co-creator of “Iron Man”), David Roman (a Disney veteran), Alan Quah and Stephen Segovia (artists of “DC Comics” and “Marvel Comics”). The project fosters direct exchange, knowledge transfer and long-term co-operative relationships between Hong Kong and international artists.

In addition, two cultural intellectual property (IP) projects sponsored by CCIDA are also showcased inside HKCC, creating opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration. One of them, “Bucket Man”, is created by Hong Kong actor and director Stephen Fung. The project aims to assist in enhancing the visibility of Hong Kong’s creative industry on the international streaming media landscape by nurturing and expanding the IP’s value of “Bucket Man”. A thematic booth has also been staged for the other project, “Another World Eternity”, offering a sneak peek at further cross-sectoral content development for “Another World” and launching merchandise for its characters.

CCIDA is committed to supporting Hong Kong comic writers, illustrators and animators in accessing global opportunities and will continue to support local creators in showcasing their works and exploring commercial partnerships. For further information on Artist Alley, “Bucket Man” and “Another World Eternity”, please visit the respective websites www.hkcomiccon-artistalley.com/, bucket-man.com/about/ and www.instagram.com/movieanotherworld/.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed the Ministry of Finance’s announcement that is has successfully issued renminbi (RMB) sovereign green bonds totalling RMB6 billion, marking the central government’s first such issuance in the city.

Total subscriptions amounted to RMB62.4 billion – 10.4 times the issue size.

The three-year bonds were oversubscribed by 9.8 times, while the five-year bonds were oversubscribed by 11 times, highlighting strong market demand.

To be listed on Hong Kong’s stock exchange, 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.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan noted that the issuance strengthens the role of Hong Kong’s “Finance+” development strategy in supporting national 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,” he said.

“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,” Mr Chan added.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of May 28, President Lai Ching-te met with a group of participants from the Forum for Democratic Cooperation. In remarks, President Lai thanked the guests from around the world for taking action to support Taiwan and for demonstrating the determination of democratic partners to jointly respond to global changes. He stated that Taiwan will continue to share its experience in countering disinformation and cyberthreats, as well as engaging in high-tech governance with like-minded partners, and said that through exchanges across the semiconductor and critical technology industries, we will jointly build resilient democratic supply chains. The president emphasized that Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, remain committed to maintaining the status quo of peace and stability in the region, and serve as a staunch bastion of democracy in the Indo-Pacific. He expressed hope that through joint efforts, we can make greater contributions to democracy, peace, and prosperity in our respective countries and throughout the world.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I would like to begin by welcoming our guests to Taiwan. Yesterday , the Forum for Democratic Cooperation, the first event of its kind held in Taiwan  by the Forum 2000 Foundation , took place. I thank our guests for traveling from afar to participate in this deeply meaningful event. I also want to thank the Forum 2000 Foundation for staunchly defending democracy, human rights, and civil liberties ever since its founding by former President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel 30 years ago, becoming an important force for the global democratic community.
The Forum 2000 Foundation and Taiwan have maintained close ties in recent years. The foundation invited former President Tsai Ing-wen to attend its annual conference in 2024, and this year, it chose Taiwan as the location for its first-ever regional forum in Asia. This shows the great importance the foundation attaches to Taiwan, as well as the deep friendship between our two sides. In addition, our guests today are all old and good friends of Taiwan, and include key political figures, legislators, experts, and scholars from North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region who not only support Taiwan through action, but also demonstrate the determination of democratic partners to jointly respond to global changes.
This forum focused on cooperation within the democratic community, economic security, and democratic resilience. I am confident that through the outcomes of our exchanges, we will certainly spur more cooperation among us. Moving ahead, Taiwan will continue to share its experience in countering disinformation and cyberthreats, as well as engaging in high-tech governance with like-minded partners. Moreover, through exchanges across the semiconductor and critical technology industries, we will jointly build resilient democratic supply chains. I would also like to emphasize that as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities, remain committed to maintaining the status quo of peace and stability in the region, and serve as a staunch bastion of democracy in the Indo-Pacific, standing side by side with all of you.
History has taught us time and time again that while authoritarianism may be able to manufacture  fear through coercion, the solidarity and trust among democratic nations will ultimately coalesce into a steadfast force for protecting freedom. This is also the vital significance of the Forum for Democratic Cooperation. Besides sharing common values, democratic partners must also jointly shoulder responsibilities; they must not only voice support for one another, but also establish a cooperative system for mutual support and joint response to challenges. I firmly believe that through our collective efforts, we can certainly make greater contributions to democracy, peace, and prosperity in our respective countries and throughout the world. Finally, I would like to congratulate the forum on its success, and wish all of you a smooth and pleasant visit.
Forum 2000 Foundation Executive Director Jakub Klepal  then delivered remarks, noting that this forum marked the first time the foundation had ever hosted such an event not just in Taiwan, but anywhere in the Indo-Pacific or Asian regions since its founding by former President Havel  30 years ago. He further pointed out that President Havel  played a role  in the beginning of warm Czech-Taiwanese relations in the 1990s. Over the past three days, said Executive Director Klepal, the forum participants engaged in profound discussions about a number of important issues concerning cooperation not only in the region, but also among global actors, encompassing economic cooperation and cooperation among different levels of society, including civil society, parliaments, and media. He mentioned that discussions also touched upon security, technological progress, and issues connected to the development of AI.
Among the outcomes of the gathering, he said, there was an understanding that democratic actors need to be actively engaged in cooperation to stem the threats from authoritarian regimes and authoritarian countries such as China, Russia, and others. He added that we need to be mindful of the risks presented by these regimes, and aware of the way in which they interfere in our democratic societies and undermine our democratic institutions. He said there was a shared understanding among participants, who represented a total of 28 countries, that such gatherings, dialogue, and cooperation should continue, especially in the Indo-Pacific region where there is a need for similar engagements.
Executive Director Klepal emphasized that the group is determined to continue discussions with their partners in Taiwan, as well as in the region, to look for ways to keep this cooperation going and maintain and develop this platform. He said that Taiwan is one of the key centers of this effort, as its history, democratic tradition, and strong institutions make it one of the hubs for such encounters. Executive Director Klepal thanked Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, and other partners for their support, and said he looked forward to continuing this cooperation.
The delegation also included Tuvalu Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade Paulson Panapa and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Tomáš Petříček. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee will lead a business delegation to visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on Sunday, with a view to strengthening exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia in areas including finance, trade, infrastructure, innovation and technology (I&T), and green development. The delegation also aims to create trade corridors and explore market opportunities.

Mr Lee will start his visit in Kazakhstan before proceeding to Uzbekistan on June 3. He will meet senior government officials of the two countries, lead delegates in connecting with local business representatives, promote Hong Kong’s advantages, expand business networks, and tour various enterprises and facilities.

Highlighting that Central Asia offers vast scope for collaboration, the Chief Executive said the delegation will further harness Hong Kong’s advantages under “one country, two systems” in connecting the Mainland and the world, support Mainland enterprises in going global, and capitalise on complementary strengths.

He added that the delegation will promote Hong Kong’s advantages, as well as investment opportunities in the city, thereby encouraging Central Asian enterprises to utilise Hong Kong as a platform for business expansion and leverage its role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.

The largest of its kind under the current-term Government, the delegation will comprise over 40 Hong Kong business and professional representatives, as well as about 30 representatives of Mainland enterprises. They span sectors such as industry, finance, legal services, construction and engineering, logistics, I&T, advanced manufacturing and the automotive industry.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials joining the delegation include Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan; Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui; Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau; Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip; and Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong.

Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on June 6. In his absence, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will be Acting Chief Executive.