Month: June 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in May slightly dropped by 81 cases, remaining more or less the same as that of April, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (June 16).
 
The total CSSA caseload at the end of May stood at 194 367 (see attached table), with a total of 256 452 recipients.
 
Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 1.1 per cent to 1 258 cases. Permanent disability cases decreased by 0.3 per cent to 16 169 cases. Old age cases decreased by 0.1 per cent to 111 605 cases.
 
Ill-health cases registered an increase of 0.2 per cent to 28 321 cases. Unemployment cases increased by 0.1 per cent to 15 181 cases. Single parent cases remained steady at 17 896 cases.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Expert Group on Conservation of Marine Mammals held its third meeting today (June 16), where the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) reported to the expert group on the Government’s progress in strengthening the conservation of marine mammals and made recommendations for enhancing the protection of cetaceans. 

The specific progress and follow-up work are as follows:

(I) Strengthening co-operation with the Chinese Mainland: In August 2025, the AFCD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Joint Rescue Mechanism for Large Aquatic Wild Animals with the Ocean Development Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality to deepen the rescue co-operation of large aquatic wild animals between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and to strengthen the exchange of experience and technology to improve the ecological safety of the adjacent waters of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

In addition, to strengthen the protection of the Chinese White Dolphins (CWD) inhabiting the Pearl River Estuary, the AFCD signed an MOU on the CWD Conservation Co-operation Platform with the Guangdong Pearl River Estuary CWD National Nature Reserve Management Bureau in November 2025. This MOU aims to co-ordinate co-operation between the two places in areas such as CWD ecological monitoring and research, joint rescue, protected areas management and monitoring, and marine conservation education.

(II) Review of legislation: The Government has commenced a review of the legislation relating to the protection of marine mammals. Preliminary proposals include granting new powers to the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation to promptly designate “Temporary Marine Restricted Areas” (TMRAs) in Hong Kong waters where human intervention is required for the protection or rescue of cetaceans. The TMRAs would allow for the restriction or prohibition of vessels, persons, and related activities within the area, thereby minimising disturbance to cetaceans. The Government also proposes to confer legal status on the existing Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching.

The Government is consulting with stakeholders and plans to submit an amendment bill to the Legislative Council this year.

The expert group expressed support for the relevant recommendations and work direction put forward by the AFCD. The AFCD expressed gratitude to the expert group for its constructive advice and will continue to co-operate with the expert group to enhance the conservation efforts for marine mammals.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 16) the preliminary statistics on Hong Kong’s Gross National Income (GNI) and related figures for the first quarter of 2026.

Hong Kong’s GNI, which denotes the total income earned by Hong Kong residents from engaging in various economic activities, increased by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier to $925.7 billion at current market prices. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), estimated at $843.9 billion at current market prices in the same quarter, recorded a 5.3% increase over a year earlier. The value of GNI was larger than GDP by $81.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026, which was equivalent to 9.7% of GDP in that quarter, mainly attributable to a net inflow of investment income.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, Hong Kong’s GNI increased by 3.9% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier. The corresponding GDP in the same quarter increased by 5.9% in real terms.

Hong Kong’s total inflow of primary income, which mainly comprises investment income, estimated at $529.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026 and equivalent to 62.8% of GDP in that quarter, recorded an increase of 1.6% over a year earlier. Meanwhile, total primary income outflow, estimated at $447.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026 and equivalent to 53.1% of GDP in that quarter, also increased by 1.4% over a year earlier.

As for the major components of investment income inflow, direct investment income (DII) increased by 2.8% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent local enterprises from their direct investment abroad. Portfolio investment income (PII) recorded an increase of 7.4% over a year earlier, mainly attributable to the increase in interest income received by resident investors from their holdings of non-resident debt securities.

Regarding the major components of investment income outflow, DII increased by 2.5% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent multinational enterprises from their direct investment in Hong Kong. PII increased significantly by 29.4%, mainly attributable to the increase in interest payout to non-resident investors from their holdings of resident debt securities.

Analysed by country/territory, Chinese Mainland continued to be the largest source of Hong Kong’s total primary income inflow in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 38.8%. This was followed by the British Virgin Islands (BVI), with a share of 16.0%. Regarding total primary income outflow, Chinese Mainland and the BVI remained the most important destinations in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 30.1% and 20.6% respectively.

Further Information

GDP and GNI are closely related indicators for measuring economic performance. GDP is a measure of the total value of production of all resident producing units of an economy. GNI denotes the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities, irrespective of whether the economic activities are carried out within the economic territory of the economy or outside.

Figures of GNI and primary income flows analysed by income component from the second quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026 are presented in Table A, while selected major country/territory breakdowns of primary income inflow and outflow for the same quarters are presented in Tables B(1) and B(2) respectively.

Statistics on GDP and GNI from 2024 onwards and primary income flows from 2025 onwards are subject to revision when more data are incorporated.

More detailed statistics are given in the report “Gross National Income and External Primary Income Flows, First Quarter 2026”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1040005&scode=250).

For enquiries about GNI and related statistics, please contact the Balance of Payments Branch (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2291 or email: gni@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for March – May 2026) released today (June 16) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in March – May 2026, same as that in February – April 2026. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.5% in the two periods.

Comparing March – May 2026 with February – April 2026, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied. Decrease was mainly seen in the cleaning and similar activities sector while increases were mainly seen in the social work activities sector and accommodation services sector. Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors also varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.

Total employment decreased by around 8 700 from 3 648 000 in February – April 2026 to 3 639 300 in March – May 2026. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 6 900 from 3 787 200 to 3 780 300.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 1 900 from 139 200 in February – April 2026 to 141 100 in March – May 2026. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 1 300 from 58 100 to 56 800.

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 March – May 2026, same as that in the preceding three-month period. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.5%. Over the same period, the labour force and total employment decreased slightly.”

Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, “The ongoing economic expansion should continue to render support to the overall labour market. The Government will continue to closely monitor the evolving external uncertainties and their potential implications on the Hong Kong economy.”

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 March – May 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 March to May 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 January – March 2026 while the next issue covering the quarter April – June 2026 will be available by end August 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). 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for April 2026 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 16) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

In April 2026, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 32.3% and 34.0% respectively over April 2025.

Comparing the first four months of 2026 with the same period in 2025, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 28.0% and 32.0% respectively.

Comparing the three-month period ending April 2026 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 19.0% and 20.4% respectively.

Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.

Comparing April 2026 with April 2025, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 8.1% and 8.0% respectively.

As regards price changes in the first four months of 2026 over the same period in 2025, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 5.4% and 5.3% respectively.

Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.

The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2025, the index remained virtually unchanged in April 2026, whereas it increased by 0.1% in the first four months of 2026.
 
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.

Comparing April 2026 with April 2025, increases were recorded for the total export volume to all main destinations: Taiwan (61.7%), Vietnam (55.9%), Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (29.5%), the USA (24.7%) and India (5.9%).

Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the USA (9.5%), the Mainland (8.9%), India (8.2%), Vietnam (7.9%) and Taiwan (6.8%).

Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.

Comparing April 2026 with April 2025, increases were recorded for the import volume from all main suppliers: Korea (86.2%), Vietnam (81.4%), the Mainland (35.5%), Singapore (13.2%) and Taiwan (3.3%).

Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Korea (18.4%), Taiwan (11.9%), the Mainland (8.6%), Singapore (6.4%) and Vietnam (4.3%).

Further information

Details of the above statistics are published in the April 2026 issue of “Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers”. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020006&scode=230).

Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2599).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The World Health Organization (WHO) today (June 16) convened the fifth WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP) in Hong Kong, China, for three days. The meeting brings together experts from six WHO regions to discuss and advance internationally harmonised quality standards for selected herbal medicines.

The Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the Department of Health (DH), as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHOCC), is supporting the WHO in organising the meeting, taking part in drafting selected herbal medicine monographs and contributing to related technical work.

     The WHO recognises the important role of traditional medicine in healthcare systems worldwide and the need for its evidence-based integration. The development of the IHP aims to support harmonised quality standards for herbal medicines, strengthen regulatory capacity and help ensure the quality and safety of traditional medicine products. This work aligns with Strategic Objective 2 of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2025.

      The Unit Head, Traditional Medicine Norms, Standards and Systems Integration Unit, Global Traditional Medicine Centre of the WHO, Dr Kim Sungchol, delivered opening remarks. He expressed the WHO’s appreciation to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for its support for the meeting, and to the WHOCC for its close collaboration. He also acknowledged the important contributions of collaborating technical teams to the development of the IHP.

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, “The HKSAR was honoured to support the WHO’s important work in developing the IHP. To align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to advance the inheritance, innovation and high-quality development of Chinese medicine, expand and strengthen the Chinese medicine industry and promote Chinese medicine culture, the DH will continue to steadfastly promote the development of Chinese medicine and better integrate into and serve the overall national development. The DH will fully leverage the HKSAR’s expertise in developing herbal medicine standards, testing and quality control. We will work closely with the WHO and international experts to contribute to the standardisation, safety and quality of traditional herbal medicines, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of humanity.”
​
Dr Lam also briefed participants on Hong Kong’s work in developing safety and quality standards for Chinese medicines, telling good stories of Hong Kong. 

Dr Lam said, “The DH has developed the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards since 2002, with 12 volumes published covering standards for 357 Chinese Materia Medica. The project has gained international recognition, with its scientific findings cited by overseas authorities and international journals. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute under the DH, which is equipped with advanced technology and equipment, will continue to develop Chinese Medicine testing methods and standard development capabilities and promote high-quality development of Chinese medicine in the HKSAR. Leveraging the HKSAR’s unique advantages under ‘one country, two systems’, with strong support of the motherland and close connections with the world, Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the wider global dissemination of Chinese medicine and establish the HKSAR as a bridgehead for Chinese Medicine to go global.”

     The HKSAR has continued to support the WHO’s work on the development of the IHP. Following the WHO meeting organised with the support of the DH in Hong Kong, China, in November 2024 to discuss the roadmap and working mechanism for the development of the IHP, this meeting marks another important occasion on which the HKSAR supports the WHO in advancing this important international initiative.

Source: Government of Singapore

4.     For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To deepen cooperation between Taiwan and Canada in low-carbon energy, Director General Chih-Wei Wu of the Energy Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs led the “Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group Delegation”on a week-long official and industrial exchange mission to Canada in June 2026. During the visit, the two sides convened the director-general-level “Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group Meeting” and held multiple exchange sessions with Canadian officials and key industry players to strengthen bilateral connections in low-carbon energy.

The delegation was primarily composed of members from Taiwan’s geothermal and hydrogen promotion taskforces, showcasing Taiwan’s momentum in accelerating its low-carbon energy transition. The “2026 Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group Meeting” was co-chaired by Director General Chih-Wei Wu of Taiwan’s Energy Administration and Director General Rachel McCormick of the International Affairs, Strategic Policy and Innovation Sector at Natural Resources Canada. The meeting focused on two major themes: geothermal development, and natural gas and blue hydrogen applications. Representatives from both sides shared their respective development status, aiming to strengthen bilateral industrial chain linkages.

The delegation also participated in the “Alberta-Taiwan Hydrogen and Geothermal Roundtable” organized by Calgary Economic Development to engage in substantive dialogues with Canadian geothermal and hydrogen industry players. Beyond drawing on Canada’s rich expertise and experience in geothermal development, the delegation gained a deeper understanding of the current status of clean hydrogen development in Calgary. Furthermore, to establish a stable and supportive environment for clean energy promotion, the delegation visited the Alberta Energy Regulator to exchange views on geothermal and hydrogen regulations.

The Energy Administration stated that Canada, as a major global energy exporter, is actively leveraging its existing energy infrastructure to accelerate its transition to clean energy, technology R&D, and carbon sequestration demonstration. This visit not only consolidated the bilateral official energy partnership between Taiwan and Canada but also established direct connections for advanced low-carbon industries and technologies, laying a critical foundation for Taiwan’s green energy diversification and energy resilience. Moving forward, the Energy Administration will continue to leverage the Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group to deepen policy exchanges and accelerate the local implementation of clean energy technologies, working together towards the 2050 net-zero goal.

Spokesperson for Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director-General, Chung-Hsien Chen
Phone Number: 02-2775-7700, 0919-998-339
Email: ctchen2@moeaea.gov.tw

Media Contact: Director Hsiu-Fen Tsai, Energy Administration, MOEA
Phone Number: 02-2775-7730, 0905-506-258
Email: hftsai@moeaea.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Social Welfare Department announced today that three additional residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) in Shenzhen and Dongguan will become Recognised Service Providers (RSPs) under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong.

Starting from July 1, these homes will offer subsidised residential care for eligible seniors.

Moreover, another existing RSP in Foshan will expand its service scope to provide both subsidised care and attention places, and nursing home places.

With the addition of the three homes, the scheme will now include 29 RCHEs, offering a range of choices to Hong Kong elderly people who wish to retire in the Greater Bay Area.

Click here for details on the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong.