Month: June 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) and the Bruce Lee Foundation (the Foundation) will work together again to present Camp Bruce Lee Hong Kong 2026. A rich variety of activities will be arranged for 100 primary school students, including martial arts practice, an exhibition tour, a puppet theatre, and an art workshop to learn about the martial arts philosophy of the legendary martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. The camp, free of charge, will be held from July 21 to 23. Students aged 9 to 12, studying in Primary Four to Primary Six in Hong Kong are welcome to apply. The application period will end on June 26.
 
​     As the only venue in Asia exclusively authorised by the Foundation, the HKHM is organising Camp Bruce Lee for the fourth consecutive year since 2023. The theme of the Camp this year adopts a core focus on Bruce Lee’s most famous philosophy of “water”. Through four water forms – wave, river, rain and pond, the Camp leads students to grow with confidence, resilience, kindness and gratitude, and incorporate the wisdom of martial arts philosophy into daily life.
 
     The Camp offers students a wide range of exciting activities, including a Wing Chun class at the HKHM to build physical and mental strength; an interactive and story-driven tour of the “A Man Beyond the Ordinary: Bruce Lee” exhibition to discover the legendary life of Bruce Lee; an ink painting workshop to explore the fluidity of water and embark on an unexpected journey of artistic discovery; and a puppet performance that brings the story of Bruce Lee to life to celebrate compassion and community care. Moreover, Ms Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee and the Chairperson of the Foundation, will make a special video appearance to share how her father’s martial arts journey can inspire personal growth.
 
     For details of the activities and application, please visit the website at hk.heritage.museum/en/activities/camp_brucelee.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Aaron Bok and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 10):

Question:

In recent months, a number of accidents have been reported in Hong Kong involving vehicles colliding from behind with a roadside broken-down vehicle or a road works vehicle. There are views that the absence of evidence of braking at the time of incident among quite a number of the vehicles involved has raised suspicions that fatigue or inattentive driving might have played a role. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of traffic accidents, as well as the corresponding number of casualties, recorded each month over the past three years involving vehicles colliding with a roadside broken-down vehicle, a road works vehicle or a shadow vehicle, with a breakdown by cause of accident, location of occurrence, type of road users involved, and severity of casualties;

(2) given that all taxis are currently mandated to be fitted with a tamper-proof Journey Recording System, whether the Government will extend this measure to other commercial vehicles and comprehensively review the Guidelines on Bus Captain Working Hours, Rest Times and Meal Breaks, as well as legislate maximum driving hours and mandatory rest times to prevent fatigue driving; and

(3) given that the United Nations and the European Union have already adopted statutory regulations mandating new vehicles to be fitted with a surveillance system that uses cameras to monitor the driver’s fatigue condition through driving behaviour analysis, whether consideration will be given to legislating the mandatory fitting of such systems in all newly registered private cars and commercial vehicles, particularly goods vehicles, buses and taxis?

Reply:

President,

The Government has placed great importance on road safety and has been taking multi-pronged measures to consistently strengthen the protection of road users. In consultation with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Aaron Bok is as follows:

(1) In the past three years, i.e. from 2023 to 2025, the recorded numbers of traffic accidents involving collisions with stationary works vehicles or escort vehicles were six, three, and four cases, respectively. These accidents resulted in seven, three, and nine casualties. Both the number of accidents and the number of injuries remained in the single digits. The locations of these accidents did not show a clear geographical pattern. From a more macro perspective, the number of traffic accidents involving fatal or serious injury showed an overall downward trend from 2021 to 2025. The HKPF and the Transport Department (TD) do not maintain records of accidents involving vehicles that stopped on roads due to breakdowns.

When traffic accidents occur, the relevant departments will investigate the causes and study improvement measures. The TD will also analyse the accident data at the scene of the traffic accident to identify any obvious accident patterns or common causes, and follow up on improvement measures with the relevant departments and control area operators.

The HKPF has already stepped up enforcement action continuously by launching large-scale operations targeting inattentive driving. Within this month, the HKPF has again initiated a special operation, focusing on combatting inattentive driving by commercial vehicle drivers.

Publicity and education are of great importance. The TD will continue to remind the trade through regular meetings with the commercial vehicle industry to avoid fatigue driving and to pay extra attention to road works and changes in road conditions when driving on expressways. We will also actively contribute to the Road Safety Council’s promotion efforts targeting drivers.

(2) Electronic data recorders, commonly known as black boxes, have already been installed, or are in the process of being installed, in most public transport vehicles, including buses, public light buses, and taxis, to enhance regulatory efficiency and road safety.

We will continue to review the effectiveness of these devices and study whether it is appropriate to require other commercial vehicles to have black boxes installed.

Regarding the working hours and rest arrangements for bus drivers, franchised bus operators (FBOs) are currently required to schedule working hours and rest periods for drivers in accordance with the guidelines issued by the TD to prevent driver fatigue. The TD requires FBOs to submit monthly reports and will arrange regular meetings with them, and proactively conducts surveys to ascertain whether the relevant arrangements comply with the guidelines. Reports and surveys have both shown that FBOs’ scheduling arrangements fully comply with the guidelines under normal circumstances, with a compliance rate exceeding 99 per cent. For the very few cases or situations of non-compliance with the guidelines, the TD will strictly require FBOs to follow up on the relevant cases and rectify.

(3) We are actively leveraging technology to enhance road safety. Currently, driver monitoring systems are being installed progressively in buses and taxi fleets to detect driver fatigue and issue alerts. At present, nearly 40 per cent of franchised buses are already equipped with such systems. The TD plans to mandate the installation of these systems in all newly procured franchised buses starting July this year through franchise agreements.

At present, all fleet taxis have been equipped with a driver monitoring system. When the system detects that a vehicle is deviating from its lane or getting too close to the vehicle in front, it will issue a warning to alert the driver. We hope that fleet taxis can serve as a model to encourage other taxis to follow suit.

At the same time, the TD will conduct in-depth study on the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and applicability of the driver monitoring systems to other types of vehicles, consult experts from the Road Safety Research Committee in the second half of the year, and present to and consult the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, which will assist in our comprehensive review and implementation.

Thank you, President.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Dr Hon Hoey Simon Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (June 10):
 
Question:

     Since 2022, the SAR Government has set up the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel (the Working Group) to co-ordinate preparation works of bureaux/departments for using hydrogen as fuel locally. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo Asia 2026 today (June 10):

President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, IAAPA, Mr Jakob Wahl, Chair of the IAAPA Global Board of Directors, Ms Luciana Periales, Mr Jack Chan (Executive Director and Vice President of IAAPA Asia Pacific), distinguished guests, tourism industry friends, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Hong Kong for the opening of the IAAPA Expo Asia 2026. I still need a script unlike Jack just now. I shouldn’t be because I am among friends here. This is not the first IAAPA Expo I have attended. But still, I think I should stick to the speech because I have so much to share with you.

First of all, I am deeply honoured for Hong Kong to host this premier industry gathering once again. Your return is a powerful endorsement of Hong Kong as Asia-Pacific’s leading tourism and exhibition hub. 

Hong Kong’s tourism momentum speaks for itself. In 2025, we welcomed 49.9 million visitors – I’d like to call it 50 million – a 12 per cent increase year on year. In the first five months of 2026 alone, we received about 23 million arrivals, a remarkable 14 per cent rise over the same period last year. We are now on track to receive 53.8 million visitors in 2026, representing an 8 per cent annual growth. These numbers represent Hong Kong’s enduring appeal and the strength of our recovery as a world-class destination. 

This year’s theme, “Pursue the Wonder”, resonates deeply with Hong Kong’s spirit. Here in Hong Kong, wonder is not an abstract idea – it is woven into the very fabric of our urban life. With over 300 exhibitors from around the globe, this Expo stands as the definitive platform for exploring the future of immersive and sustainable attractions.

As your host, Hong Kong itself is a destination built on wonder. At Hong Kong Disneyland, beloved stories come to life through spectacular shows and immersive lands, bringing joy to families from around the world. Having just celebrated its 20th anniversary, the park is now moving ahead with a unique Pixar-themed experience debuting next year – using cutting-edge technologies to take visitors on a fun and magical journey. A Marvel-themed area is also in the pipeline, set to further position the park as a must-visit destination for fans of heroic adventures.  

At Ocean Park, adventure meets conservation. It is currently home to six magnificent and giant pandas and many other exotic animals that capture the hearts of visitors. A brand-new adventure zone, set for completion in 2028, will feature thrilling experiences such as bungee jumping and ziplining, adding a new dimension to the park’s offerings. By pairing heart-pumping rides with unforgettable animal encounters, a visit to Ocean Park will turn a day of pure fun into a passion for conservation.  

Beyond our renowned theme parks, iconic landmarks – including Ngong Ping 360, the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Peak Tram and our legendary Victoria Harbour, honoured as one of the world’s must-visit places – offer timeless and captivating experiences.

On top of all these attractions, Hong Kong also offers a dynamic calendar of mega events that deliver wonder at every turn. The Kai Tak Sports Park is a shining example: Since opening last March, it has hosted over 120 international and local events and attracted over 7 million visitors. I know that some of you should have been there, for Coldplay, concerts, or for the international Rugby Sevens tournament. This vibrant events landscape – featuring a continuous lineup of international sports, cultural festivals, and entertainment spectacles – constantly renews the reasons to visit Hong Kong.

Ladies and gentlemen, today’s Expo is an invaluable platform for collaboration. Here, we can imagine, innovate, merge with each other and build the future of wonder together. Let us seize the opportunity to share inspiration and create more joyful experiences for millions around the world.

I wish the Expo a resounding success, and all of you a wonderful stay in our vibrant city, Hong Kong. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, in the Legislative Council today (June 10):

Question:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) is a statutory body receiving government funding for operation, and its expenditure and financial position have all along been a matter of concern in society. But at present, HA has not fully disclosed the detailed remuneration information on its key management personnel, thus depriving the public of a complete and accurate understanding of the remuneration expenditure for the relevant personnel. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it knows the total remuneration expenditure and the average rate of increase in the annual remuneration for HA’s key management personnel over the past five years by post category, including the Chief Executive, Cluster Chief Executives, and Directors and other division heads of the Head Office;

(2) given that according to HA’s annual report, the basic salaries and other short-term employee benefits of key management personnel rose by around HK$6 million in 2024-2025 over the preceding year, with a rate of increase close to 9 per cent, whether the Government knows the main reasons for this, including whether a personnel increase was involved; if so, of the posts and numbers of personnel involved respectively; and

(3) whether it knows if HA has any performance indicators for reference when determining the rate of remuneration increase for the relevant key management personnel under the existing mechanism; if so, of the details; if not, whether the authorities will consider introducing the relevant indicators?

Reply:

President,

     The Hospital Authority (HA) is a statutory body established under the Hospital Authority Ordinance (Cap. 113) (the Ordinance). The members of the HA shall form its governing body with authority, in the name of the HA, to perform the functions and exercise the powers of the HA. The Government provides funding to the HA annually for the provision of public healthcare services. Schedule 3 to the Ordinance stipulates that the remuneration and the terms and conditions of employment of HA’s employees shall be determined by the HA.

     The HA currently manages 43 public hospitals and healthcare institutions, 49 specialist outpatient clinics, and 75 Family Medicine Clinics, employing over 97 000 people. The HA needs to effectively attract and retain outstanding management talent to carry out its managerial duties. Among the employees of the HA, key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of the HA, including the Chief Executive, Cluster Chief Executives, Directors and other division heads of the Head Office. Currently, there are 15 key management personnel positions in the HA. The remuneration of key management personnel is determined according to the relevant policies established by the HA Board, and they do not enjoy any variable components based on work performance. Their total remuneration mainly consists of basic salaries and other short-term benefits. These short-term benefits include allowances and one-off payments for encashment of untaken leave upon retirement or departure from service.

     The annual pay adjustment for all HA employees makes reference to the civil service annual pay adjustment and takes effect only after approval by the HA Board.

     On the other hand, in accordance with established policy, when the HA recruits new key management personnel, the remuneration for the relevant position will be reset to the starting point of the corresponding pay scale, which will result in a reduction in the remuneration of key management personnel.

     The HA has been strictly controlling the remuneration expenditure of key management personnel. Taking 2024-25 with the most recent audited accounts as an example, after excluding the additional staff costs arising from a newly created key management personnel position, one-off payments for leave encashment of retirees and salary increments granted under the established mechanism, the actual adjustment in remuneration expenditure for key management personnel in that year was 2.06 per cent, equivalent to approximately $1.42 million. In 2024-25 and the preceding four financial years, the average year-on-year increase in the total remuneration expenditure of key management personnel was only 1.6 per cent, with a decrease recorded in certain years.

     In consultation with the HA, the consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan is as follows:

(1) From 2020-21 to 2024-25, the total remuneration expenditure of key management personnel of the HA increased from $77.8 million in 2020-21 to $82.6 million in 2024-25, representing an average annual increase of 1.6 per cent. During the same period, the remuneration expenditure of the then-Chief Executive increased from $6.2 million to $7.1 million, with an average annual increase of 3.5 per cent. The total remuneration expenditure of other key management personnel increased from $71.6 million to $75.5 million, representing an average annual increase of 1.4 per cent. Details are set out in Annex 1.

(2) To co-ordinate major capital works projects under the Hospital Development Plan, including the construction of Kai Tak Hospital and the redevelopment of Kwong Wah Hospital, the HA created the new key management personnel position of “Director (Development and Works)” in March 2024. The full-year financial impact of this position was first reflected in 2024-25.

     After excluding the expenditure related to the newly added key management personnel position, one-off payments for leave encashment for retirees, and salary increments granted under the established mechanism, the actual year-on-year increase in the expenditure on basic salaries and other short-term employee benefits for key management personnel in 2024-25 was 2.06 per cent, equivalent to approximately $1.42 million.

(3) As mentioned above, the HA has an established mechanism to strictly control remuneration expenditure. The annual pay adjustment of the HA makes reference to the civil service annual pay adjustment and requires approval by the HA Board. Furthermore, the HA’s established salary increment mechanism grants salary increments based on staff performance ratings. Specifically, employees are required to undergo a Staff Development Review each year to assess their work performance. Only those who are assessed as having performed satisfactorily will be granted a salary increment. In addition to undergoing the Staff Development Review, key management personnel are also required to participate in performance evaluation meetings for a more detailed assessment of their performance.

     Adjustments to the remuneration of the HA’s key management personnel have all along been made in strict accordance with the established mechanism. This remuneration mechanism balances the need to attract and retain talent with the requirement for prudent control of staff costs, helping the HA maintain a professional and stable workforce to deliver high-quality and efficient healthcare services to the public of Hong Kong. Thank you, President.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region