Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Housing Bureau appeals to owners of Wang Fuk Court to submit “Letter of Acceptance” before deadline to secure priority for flat selection c/o Wang Fuk Court Property Rights Acquisition Limited
1/F, Block 2, Hong Kong Housing Authority Headquarters,
33 Fat Kwong Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong KongIssued at HKT 14:30
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Appointments to new term of New Industrialisation Vetting Committee announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to new term of New Industrialisation Vetting Committee announced
Chairman
————
Mr Emil Yu Chen-on
Non-official Members
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Ms Cally Chan Shan-shan*
Mr Vincent Chan Wing-shing*
Mr Stanley Choi Tak-shing*
Mr Marvin Hsu Tsun-fai*
Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit*
Mr Jin Hai-ming
Ms Charmaine Kwong Cheuk-man
Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung*
Dr Leung Chuen-yan
Mr Roy Ng Chun-tat*
Mr Dennis Ng Kwok-on
Ms Kiffany Ng Shan-shan
Mr Stanley Sy Ming-yiu*
Dr Norman Sze Nung-chi*
Ms Vivian Tang Wai-man
Mr Dennis Wong Tat-tung
Ms Karmen Yeung Ka-yin
Mr Erik Yim Kong
(* New appointee)
Ex-officio Members
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Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation or his/her representative
CEO of the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited or his/her representative
Official Members
———————
Commissioner for Innovation and Technology or his/her representative
Director-General of Trade and Industry or his/her representative
Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology) or his/her representative
The Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, said, “We would like to express our gratitude to Mr Yu and the 18 members for accepting the appointments. We are confident that, with their experience and expertise, they will further drive new industrialisation in Hong Kong through participation in the Committee’s work. We extend our sincere appreciation to the outgoing NIVC Chairman, Mr Jimmy Kwok Chun-wah, for his exemplary leadership and unfailing support. We would also like to thank the eight outgoing members, namely Ms Karen Chan Ka-yin, Mr Raymond Cheng Siu-hong, Mr James Chow Chuen, Mr Anthony Lam Sai-ho, Mr Felix Lio Weng-tong, Dr Dennis Ng Wang-pun, Professor Samson Tai Kin-hon and Ms Angela Yeung Pui-yan, for their contributions during their tenures in the past six years.”
The NIFS provides funding on a 1 (Government): 2 (enterprise) matching basis to subsidise manufacturers to establish new smart production lines in Hong Kong. The funding ceiling is one-third of the total project cost or $15 million, whichever is lower. Each enterprise can have in total three project applications and ongoing projects under the NIFS at any one time to receive a maximum total funding of $45 million.
The NIAS provides funding support on a 1 (Government): 2 (enterprise) matching basis for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies) and contributing no less than $100 million to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. Each enterprise can receive up to $200 million of funding under the NIAS. In addition, the Government also provides additional funding for relevant enterprises to engage research talent and/or technical personnel.
The NIFS and the NIAS are open for applications throughout the year. Details are available on the ITF website (www.itf.gov.hkIssued at HKT 12:00
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Applications open for seven kindergarten premises
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (June 29) that seven new estate kindergarten premises are open for application by eligible applicant bodies under the Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise 2026. Details of the seven kindergarten premises are set out in the Annex.
“The seven new estate kindergarten premises, each providing six or nine classrooms, are located in North District, Islands District, Sham Shui Po District and Kowloon City District, and will be available in the fourth quarter of 2027. The EDB is entrusted by the Hong Kong Housing Authority to nominate operators for the kindergarten premises. The Exercise will be carried out on a competitive basis,” a spokesman for the EDB said.
Since the implementation of the Kindergarten Education Scheme (the Scheme) in the 2017/18 school year, apart from continuing to help kindergartens improve the environment of their premises, the EDB endeavours to provide more kindergarten premises owned by the Government for eligible applicant bodies to compete fairly for reprovisioning or operating kindergartens, which not only enables a reduction in rental expenses but also allows them to enjoy quality school premises. In addition, the EDB has adopted a streamlined mechanism starting from 2021 for assessing applications for nomination of suitable operators for kindergarten premises to reduce applicant bodies’ administrative work.
Non-profit-making kindergartens, especially those bearing high rental expenses, having dilapidated school environments and facilities, and facing a surplus of kindergarten places in the district, are encouraged to apply for the above-mentioned kindergarten premises. The EDB will accord priority to kindergartens under the Scheme applying for relocation. Applications for operating new kindergartens will only be considered if no suitable applicants are found for relocation. Quality of education is the prime consideration. The EDB will take into account the operation plan, track record of school operation and relocation needs (if applicable) of the applicant bodies. The applicant body should be exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.
The application form, information on the operation plan, points to note and other reference materials for the Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise can be downloaded from the EDB’s homepage at www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/preprimary-kindergarten/allocation-of-kg/latest-news.html. The EDB will provide a template for preparation of the operation plan and set out the selection criteria in the “Points to Note” for applicant bodies’ reference. Applicant bodies should carefully read the basic requirements and relevant instructions as stipulated in the “Points to Note” before submitting applications.
The duly completed application form, information on the operation plan, list of operating schools run by the applicant body (if any) and supporting documents should reach the EDB Kindergarten Education Division (Room 1432, 14/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong) by 5pm on August 28. Late applications or those not duly completed will not be processed. For enquiries, please contact EDB staff at 2892 6415.
Red flag hoisted at Silver Mine Bay Beach and Ting Kau Beach
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Red flag hoisted at Silver Mine Bay Beach and Ting Kau Beach
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 29) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.htmlIssued at HKT 10:40
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Home Affairs Department publishes two guides for running holiday camps and “home-stay lodgings” in rural areas
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
To dovetail with the initiative announced in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address to promote local thematic immersive tours, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) under the Home Affairs Department today (June 29) released two guides to guesthouse licence applications, which facilitate individuals to apply for licences to operate holiday camps in rural areas or “home-stay lodgings” in village houses.
The two guides are the enhanced “Guide to Licence Applications for Guesthouse (Holiday Camp) Covering Building, Caravan & Tent Campsites” and the newly published “Guide to Licence Application for Guesthouse in Village House”. The guides aim to state the building and fire safety requirements flexibly formulated based on the actual circumstances of holiday camps and village houses, and set out the specific requirements and measures to facilitate the operation of holiday camps and “home-stay lodgings” in rural areas.
According to the guides, for holiday camps or village houses located in remote areas and not equipped with emergency vehicular access or street fire hydrant, the OLA may, based on the actual circumstances and provided that fire safety requirements are met, permit applicants to adopt a pragmatic and flexible approach on fire safety measures, such as requiring installation of wheeled type dry powder fire extinguishers and self-contained smoke detectors, in order to enhance operational convenience. Besides, for village houses built before 1961, of which the construction conditions may not fully meet the current prescribed standards, the OLA may accept alternative proposals on structural safety, fire resisting construction, means of escape, lighting and ventilation provisions, etc, on individual merits, provided that they meet the building safety requirements.
Under the premise of ensuring building and fire safety, the OLA will continue to remove barriers and lift restrictions for the trade to facilitate the operation of holiday camps and “home-stay lodgings” in rural areas, and will constantly review and enhance the licensing regime for guesthouses.
The two guides have been uploaded to the OLA’s website:
Guide to Licence Applications for Guesthouse (Holiday Camp) Covering Building, Caravan & Tent Campsites:
www.hadla.gov.hk/filemanager/en/docs/holidaycampguide.pdf
Guide to Licence Application for Guesthouse in Village House:
www.hadla.gov.hk/filemanager/en/docs/villagehouseguide.pdf
LegCo Secretariat releases Policy Pulse on “Empowering Hong Kong by nurturing and pooling talents: building an international hub for high-calibre talents”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Outline of the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in developing into an international hub for high-calibre talents, and the public consultation document on Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan also proposes to refine the strategies for nurturing, attracting and retaining targeted talents. The Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat today (June 29) released the latest issue of the Policy Pulse on “Empowering Hong Kong by nurturing and pooling talents: building an international hub for high-calibre talents”, which provides a brief overview of the series of measures adopted by the Government to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talents, the effectiveness of its efforts in pooling talents and the latest progress in promoting talent cooperation and exchanges in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It also offers an overview of the relevant discussions in LegCo along with Members’ suggestions.
TD’s Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group convenes second meeting
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
TD’s Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group convenes second meeting
At the meeting, members were first briefed on the progress of trials approved with an AV pilot licence so far, and examined the necessary support and co-ordination efforts for each project. Members were also introduced by a pilot proprietor to the road tests and operation of a remote control centre prior to driverless operation.
In addition, the Working Group discussed the special study on “how to promote AV development and popularisation”; explored opportunities for autonomous driving development in the Northern Metropolis, and members provided views on introducing different scenarios for autonomous driving trials and applications. The meeting also followed up on directions for enhancing the Code of Practice for Trial and Pilot Use of Autonomous Vehicles, and discussed public education activities to promote autonomous driving in the community.
Miss Tse said, “The Government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach through policy support, regulatory backing and financial subsidy. Drawing on the local, Mainland and overseas practical experiences of AVs, we will adhere to the principles of ensuring safety, facilitating the industry, optimising technologies and managing risks. We will promote and scale up the safe driverless development of AVs in a proactive and orderly manner towards commercial operation, further integrating digital technologies and artificial intelligence into public transport.”
The Working Group will monitor the progress of various AV trials, oversee the trial and application of AV or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) initiatives, and strengthen publicity and public education to enhance public understanding of autonomous driving. A sub-committee has been set up under the Working Group to provide technical support on AV and V2X projects.
Issued at HKT 18:33
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Princess Margaret Hospital responds to case of Legionnaires’ disease
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Princess Margaret Hospital responds to case of Legionnaires’ disease
A 39-year-old male patient who had stayed in the high dependency unit of the Neurosurgery Department and the Intensive Care Unit of PMH was confirmed to have Legionnaires’ Disease. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health visited the ward and collected water samples today. The source of infection is under investigation. The patient was admitted to PMH on June 2. His condition continued to deteriorate, and he eventually succumbed on June 22.
The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and enhanced infection control measures in the wards concerned, including:
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP to investigate the source of infection.
Issued at HKT 18:20
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Hong Kong Customs seizes eggs of suspected scheduled endangered bird species
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs detected a case involving a passenger smuggling endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on June 27 and seized 777 eggs of suspected scheduled endangered bird species, with an estimated market value of about $10.9 million.
A 27-year-old Chinese male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand on June 27. He was intercepted for Customs clearance at the arrival hall of HKIA. Customs officers found the batch of bird eggs concealed in metal boxes inside his carry-on baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the bird eggs were suspected to be endangered species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.
The case has been handed over to the AFCD for follow-up action. Hong Kong Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Water Supplies Department signs MOU with South China University of Technology
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Water Supplies Department signs MOU with South China University of Technology
The MOU was signed by the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, and Vice-President of the SCUT Professor Lin Yiwen. Under the MOU, both parties will engage in reciprocal visits, technical exchanges and information sharing, as well as explore and promote relevant research projects and co-organise conferences and seminars.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Wong said that in addressing the challenges of global climate change and pressures on water demand arising from urban development, water resources management must keep pace with the times by continuously adopting innovative technologies. Leveraging the strong cross-disciplinary research capabilities of the SCUT, this collaboration will inject powerful impetus into the WSD’s digital transformation. Currently, both parties are collaborating to develop an AI model capable of predicting the remaining useful life of water mains for implementing predictive maintenance, thereby facilitating early repairs to prevent water main bursts. In the future, both parties will deepen co-operation across three core areas: the research and application of water supply technologies, equipment and materials; innovative water supply engineering design methods and construction techniques; and the development and practical application of AI models. He further expressed the hope to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages by deeply integrating “industry-academia-research” to accelerate the adoption of research outcomes by the industry and their expansion into international markets, jointly building a sustainable smart water ecosystem.
Mr Wong further stated that the collaboration between both parties aligns with the forward-looking blueprint set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which emphasises the promotion of deep integration of AI with technological innovation, industrial development and social governance. He emphasised that through the empowerment of “digital intelligence”, the deepened application of data and intelligent technologies in areas such as water supply diversion planning, water quality monitoring and leakage prediction would not only enhance operational efficiency, but also ensure stable and reliable water supply services, improve the service experience for citizens, and effectively meet public expectations for a stable water supply, thereby leveraging the advantages of smart technologies to improve people’s livelihood.
The Chancellor of the SCUT, Professor Tang Hongwu, stated that the collaboration between the SCUT and the WSD rests on a solid foundation and holds broad prospects. He looks forward to drawing upon the WSD’s successful experience to jointly explore the efficient operation of the dual systems of seawater for flushing and fresh water supplies, and to promote the advanced experience of dual water supply networks to cities on the Mainland. Through the sharing of cutting-edge research findings and technical exchanges, the two parties aim to jointly protect precious water resources, strengthen the efficient utilisation of water resources and drive innovative breakthroughs in smart water technologies.
During the visit, Mr Wong toured the International Campus of the SCUT and exchanged views with Professor Tang, Professor Lin and other leaders of the university. In their meeting, both parties had in-depth discussions on a “water-secure future” and advancing “digital water” initiatives.
Located in Guangzhou, the SCUT is a key national university directly affiliated with the Ministry of Education, designated under the National “Project 985”, “Project 211” and the “Double First-Class” initiatives. It is one of the Mainland’s “Four Leading Institutes of Technology”, with its science, engineering and architecture schools being among the “Eight Historic Schools of Architecture”, enjoying a prestigious international reputation.
Today, Mr Wong also led a delegation of 20 operational staff from the water treatment works of the WSD to visit the Huangge Smart Water Treatment Works and the Lanhe Smart Water Treatment Works of the Nansha Water Company under Guangdong Water Co Ltd in Guangzhou to participate in practical training. They also jointly witnessed the plaque-unveiling ceremony for the establishment of the Smart Water Treatment Works Practical Training Base at the Huangge Water Treatment Works. The milestone establishment of this practical training base not only establishes a professional exchange platform for the smart operation and management of water treatment works in both places, but will also provide systematic professional training for operational staff. This will help further enhance the operational efficiency of water supply and deepen the collaboration between Guangdong and Hong Kong in the realm of smart water management.
Issued at HKT 18:00
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