Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Attention TV and radio duty announcers:
Please broadcast the following special announcement by the Education Bureau concerning schools, and repeat it at suitable intervals:
As the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal is now in force, students of evening schools do not have to attend school tonight. Schools should keep their premises open and implement contingency measures to look after arriving students. Schools which are in session should continue until the end of school hours. They should ensure that conditions are safe before allowing students to return home.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
New Industrialisation Elite Enterprises Nurturing Scheme now open for nominations(2) Registration and operations: The enterprise shall be registered and operating in Hong Kong for no less than two years and contribute to the local economy; and (3) Growth potential: The enterprise shall demonstrate high growth potential with outstanding performance in research and development capabilities and growth prospects.Issued at HKT 17:45
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender of 7-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds to be held on June 25 A total of RMB1.25 billion 7-year RMB Bonds will be tendered. The Bonds will mature on June 29, 2033 and will carry interest at the rate of 1.78 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrear.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Statistics of Payment Cards Issued in Hong Kong for First Quarter 2026 Note 1: The payment card statistics are compiled from data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by both authorized institutions (AIs) and non-authorized institutions (non-AIs) under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (“the card operators”). The card operators, in alphabetical order, are American Express International, Inc., Discover Financial Services (Hong Kong) Limited, EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited (EPSCO), JCB International (Asia) Ltd, Joint Electronic Teller Services Ltd. (JETCO), MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., UnionPay International Co. Ltd and Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited.Starting from March 2015, a Hong Kong/overseas spending breakdown of credit card retail sales transactions is provided.Issued at HKT 17:40
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKEX and HKMA launch pilot project to enable digital payment solution for derivatives After-Hours Trading This initiative aims to enhance Hong Kong’s capital market and meet the growing market demand for AHT. In this connection, HKEX and the HKMA are exploring the use of e-HKD – a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) operating on a 24/7 basis – for advance margin payments in the AHT session, enhancing the risk management capabilities of the derivatives market outside regular banking hours, whilst maintaining the existing operational workflows.
This pilot project will provide more flexibility and efficiency than the existing arrangement for advance margin payments. Currently, Clearing Participants (CPs) must submit advance margin deposit requests to the HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited (HKCC) by 3pm for funds to be counted for the subsequent AHT session.
HKEX is inviting CPs under the HKCC to participate in Real-Value Trial Transactions of this pilot initiative on an optional basis (Note 2). The Real-Value Trial Transactions, as well as any subsequent wider adoption, are subject to regulatory approval, market readiness and other relevant considerations.
The HKEX Chief Operating Officer, Vanessa Lau, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with the HKMA on this latest initiative to advance market accessibility and strengthen Hong Kong’s capital markets infrastructure. By exploring the use of CBDC, we aim to provide a more flexible and timely payment option outside of regular business hours, and address longstanding operational pain points in the industry. This project reflects the shared commitment of HKEX and the HKMA to embracing innovation, strengthening the resilience of our markets and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a leading international financial centre.”
HKMA Deputy Chief Executive Howard Lee said, “As Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure evolves to meet the growing demands of the market, the HKMA is committed to advancing innovation that enhances efficiency and resilience. The joint pilot with HKEX to enable advance margin payments for AHT using e-HKD demonstrates a wholesale application of CBDC in a live market environment, while underscoring our strong partnership with the industry stakeholders in driving financial innovation.”Issued at HKT 16:50
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EPD awards Sha Tin Transfer Station Third Follow-On Contract The major items of the works comprise the provision and replacement of waste-handling and waste-transferring mechanical plants, upgrades to the wastewater treatment, odour control and automatic vehicle washing systems, and improvements to the building’s aesthetic appearance, energy efficiency, and the surrounding environment of the STTS. Upon completion of the works, the STTS will further enhance its waste-handling efficiency and overall environmental performance.Issued at HKT 16:12
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE to lead delegation to visit Fujian The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip, will join the delegation. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa, among other officials, will join relevant parts of the visit programme.
The meeting-cum-plenary will be held in Fuzhou on June 22. Hong Kong and Fujian will have in-depth exchanges on various key areas to further deepen co-operation. During the visit, Mr Lee will meet with provincial and municipal leaders of Fujian and visit local innovation and technology enterprises and cultural projects.
Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on June 24. During his absence, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will be the Acting Chief Executive from June 22 until the afternoon, and the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will be the Acting Chief Executive from the evening of June 22 until June 24. Issued at HKT 16:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission announced The functions of the Commission are to advise or make recommendations to the Chief Executive regarding the filling of vacancies in judicial offices, representations from a judicial officer concerning conditions of service referred to it by the Chief Executive, and any matter affecting judicial officers which may be prescribed or which the Chief Executive may refer to it.
The membership list with effect from July 1, 2026, is as follows:
Ex-officio Chairman ———– Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal
Members ———– Secretary for Justice (ex-officio member) Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor Madam Justice Carlye Chu Fun-ling Mr Victor Dawes, SC Mr Roden Tong Man-lung Mr Carlson Tong Mr Philip Chen Nan-lok Professor Nancy Ip Yuk-yu Issued at HKT 15:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2026 published by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong’s global competitiveness has risen for the third consecutive year, up one place to second globally this year, the highest since 2019.
Among the four competitiveness factors in the WCY 2026, Hong Kong ranks second globally in “Government efficiency” and third in “Business efficiency”. Hong Kong ranks eighth and 11th globally in “Infrastructure” and “Economic performance” respectively. As regards the various competitiveness sub-factors, Hong Kong tops the rankings in “Tax policy” and “Business legislation”; ranks second globally in “Finance”; third globally in “International trade”, “International investment”, “Management practices” and “Education”; and fourth globally in “Public finance” and “Basic infrastructure”.
A Government spokesperson said today (June 18), “The WCY 2026 reaffirms Hong Kong as one of the most competitive economies in the world, and notes that Hong Kong’s rise to second globally sustains the strong upward trajectory from 2024 and 2025. In the competitiveness factor ‘Government efficiency’ Hong Kong continues to rank second globally, reflecting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s ongoing efforts to promote free and open, stable, predictable and business-friendly economic policies, as well as the international community’s trust in Hong Kong’s legal and regulatory environment. Hong Kong’s ‘Business efficiency’ is ranked third globally, reflecting the strong support for industry development rendered by our robust financial ecosystem, as well as the seamless alignment of the city’s business practices and environment with international best standards.”
The spokesperson added, “Amid rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics, Hong Kong, with its close connectivity to both the Chinese Mainland and the world under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and its sound institutions, open markets and sustained investments in innovation, has become a ‘value hub’ that offers both security and growth opportunities. In fact, Hong Kong continues to excel in various international rankings including those for economy, finance, and talent. The International Monetary Fund has also given positive recognition to Hong Kong in recent months, and major credit rating agencies have successively reaffirmed Hong Kong’s credit ratings and ‘stable’ outlook. All these echo the WCY 2026 results.
“Currently, Hong Kong is formulating at full speed its first Five-Year Plan to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. With the staunch support of our country, the HKSAR Government will work together with all sectors of society to strengthen our role and function as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’, with a view to better integrating into and serving the overall national development, achieving our own high-quality development, creating more new room for development for our people and businesses, as well as opening up new opportunities for global investors and enterprises.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Transport Department (TD) today (June 18) announced that as the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is cancelled, services of the Driving Test Centres will resume in about two hours upon its cancellation. The TD will gradually resume all driving tests when the weather and road conditions permit, and make flexible arrangements. Candidates with any questions may contact the relevant Driving Test Centre (for road tests) or the Driving Test Appointment Office (for written tests). For candidates whose driving tests have not been conducted earlier due to the adverse weather conditions, they will be individually informed of the rescheduled test appointment.
Members of the public who have made an appointment for vehicle examination services can make a new appointment tomorrow if they cannot attend while the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force or within two hours after its cancellation.
Moreover, while the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force or within two hours after its cancellation, applicants who have made appointments for driving licence-related services, renewal of a vehicle licence, transfer of vehicle ownership, application for a duplicate vehicle registration document/duplicate vehicle licence, an international driving permit, retention, transfer or assignment of vehicle registration mark may proceed to the originally scheduled Licensing Offices to submit their applications during services hours (9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday) on or before June 26 without the need to make another appointment.