Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointment of non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal
The Chief Executive has, on the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission and with the endorsement of the Legislative Council, made the following appointment:
Non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal
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(for a term of three years commencing June 23, 2025)
The Honourable Sir William Gillow Gibbes Austen Young
Issued at HKT 16:00
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HKMA and PBoC launch Payment Connect
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKMA and PBoC launch Payment Connect
Payment Connect refers to the linkage between the Mainland’s Internet Banking Payment System (IBPS) (Note 1) and Hong Kong’s Faster Payment System (FPS) (Note 2), which supports secure, efficient and convenient real-time cross-boundary payment for residents and institutions in both places. By simply inputting the recipient’s mobile number or account number, residents in both places can make instant small-value cross-boundary remittances.
Mr Yue said, “Payment Connect is one of the key initiatives in strengthening co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The connection between the faster payment systems in both places enhances the efficiency of cross-boundary payments, supporting trade activities and personnel exchange. This development will further promote Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre and offshore Renminbi business hub. Payment Connect will cater to the daily needs of residents in both places for cross-boundary remittances and payments. It also signifies another milestone for the FPS in expanding cross-boundary payment.”
Six institutions each from the Mainland and Hong Kong (Annex) will participate in the Payment Connect upon its launch. They will roll out the service gradually and more institutions will join over time.Issued at HKT 15:56
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Temporary closure of Island East Swimming Pool
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Temporary closure of Island East Swimming PoolIssued at HKT 15:45
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SCED continues visit to France (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, arrived in Bordeaux on June 19 (France time) to continue his visit to France.
Mr Yau first held a business roundtable with representatives of La French Tech Bordeaux, a start-up network, and Bordeaux-based technology start-ups to update them on Hong Kong’s latest start-up ecosystem and business-friendly environment for start-ups and entrepreneurs to thrive.
Mr Yau highlighted that Hong Kong’s start-up community has seen remarkable growth and diversification in recent years. In 2024, the number of start-ups in the city reached a record high of approximately 4 700, up about 10 per cent from the previous year. The founder base is notably diverse, with around 28 per cent of start-up founders coming from outside Hong Kong. The encouraging result is a testament to Hong Kong’s attractiveness to innovators, assisted by several key advantages such as a low and simple tax system, world-class financial services and the accessibility to both Mainland and international business opportunities.
He said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is firmly committed to positioning Hong Kong as a leading innovation and technology hub where start-ups play a pivotal role. He encouraged Bordeaux’s start-up community to expand their operations into Hong Kong, leveraging the city’s strategic position as a gateway to the vast markets on the Mainland and in Asia.
Mr Yau also paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Pierre Hurmic, to brief him on Hong Kong’s latest initiatives to drive economic development, such as the reduction of liquor duty, and exchange views on forging closer bilateral relations in various areas such as start-ups, and wine and liquor industries.
In the evening, Mr Yau attended the Bordeaux Wine Festival, the leading wine event in France, to learn about the latest developments of Bordeaux wine and liquor.
Mr Yau will continue his visit to Bordeaux.
Govt publishes green transit scheme
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
A scheme for the Smart & Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon was published in the Government Gazette today.
Construction of the proposed 7km-long rapid transit line will commence once the scheme – which is in accordance with the Railways Ordinance – is authorised, and the work is expected to be completed by 2033 or earlier.
The system comprises nine stations. Its two termini will be connected to Choi Hung MTR Station and Yau Tong MTR Station respectively, with the line passing through Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat, Ma Yau Tong and Lam Tin North. It will serve more than over 300,000 residents in Kwun Tong’s uphill areas.
The Government said the system will provide convenient transport feeder services to these areas, improving access to Choi Hung MTR Station and Yau Tong MTR Station and unleashing the development potential of East Kowloon.
The estimated journey time from Po Tat to Yau Tong or Choi Hung under the new scheme will be around ten to 15 minutes, which is about half of the journey time using road-based transport during peak hours.
Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public have the chance to object to the scheme, and can register their objections from today until August 19. Those with compensable interests can claim compensation.
Appointments to Green Technology and Finance Development Committee announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (June 20) the appointment of three new non-official members and the reappointment of 10 serving non-official members to the Green Technology and Finance Development Committee for a period of two years from June 23, 2025, to June 22, 2027.
The membership list in the new term is as follows:
Chairman
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Financial Secretary
Non-official members (in alphabetical order of surnames)
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Ms Clara Chan Yuen-shan
Dr Vincent Cheng Sai-yau
Dr Dai Fan (newly appointed)
Ms Loretta Fong Wan-huen
Professor Gong Peng (newly appointed)
Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue
Ms Poman Lo
Mr Lu Jiahui (newly appointed)
Dr Ma Jun
Mr Philip Ng Kim-lam
Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung
Miss Vriko Yu Pik-fan
Dr Martin Zhu Yihao
Official members
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Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Environment and Ecology
Secretary for Housing
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services)
Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics 1
Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office, Development Bureau
Chairman, Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development
Chief Executive Officer, Securities and Futures Commission
Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Authority
Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
A Government spokesman said, “Since its establishment in June 2023, the Committee has provided valuable insights across various areas, including fostering the creation of a green technology ecosystem, developing green finance, green transportation and green buildings, as well as promoting and highlighting Hong Kong’s strengths in these areas. We firmly believe that, with the extensive market experience and professional expertise of the Committee members, their invaluable advice will further advance the development of green technology and finance in Hong Kong.
“We express our gratitude to the outgoing members, Mr Wang Hongbo, Dr George Lam, and Mr Jonathan Drew for their contributions to the work of the Committee during their tenure.”
The Committee was established on June 23, 2023, to assist in the formation of an action agenda for promoting the development of Hong Kong into an international green technology and financial centre. Members of the Committee include representatives from relevant policy bureaux, departments and financial regulators, as well as non-official members from the finance, technology, academic, professional services sectors, etc.
Government appoints self-recommended youth members to Women’s Commission
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (June 20) the appointment of Miss Hotchandani Mamta Chandiram and Miss Waverly Yeung Yuk-mui to the Women’s Commission (WoC) through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY) for a term from July 15, 2025, to January 14, 2027.
Since its establishment in 2001, the WoC has spared no effort in promoting the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong and advising the Government on policies and initiatives on women’s affairs.
The Government regularly recruits young persons aged between 18 and 35 who are eager to serve the community to join the Government’s advisory committees through the MSSY with a view to providing more opportunities for young people to participate in policy discussions.
Outreach Music Interest Courses open for applications
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Outreach Music Interest Courses open for applications
Introductory courses available include classical vocal singing, classical guitar, ukulele, little harp, keyboard and musicianship. Instrumental enrichment courses include erhu, zheng, yangqin, dizi, violin, cello, flute, clarinet and saxophone. There are also ensemble training for Chinese and Western music, music theory (Grades 1 and 2) and aural training. The course fees range from $320 to $1,350.
Other Chinese and Western musical instrument foundation classes will cover erhu, liuqin, pipa, zhongruan, zheng, yangqin, dizi, xiao, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and percussion (glockenspiel and practice pad). The course fee is $1,440 each.
In a new course of OMICs, “Introduction to ‘Pure Data’ Music Programming”, participants will learn to use “Pure Data”, a free graphical programming software, for sound design and music creation. The course welcomes adults that have passed Grade 5 or above in music theory. Participants should bring their own laptop computer and other necessary equipment to class. The fee of this course is $760.
In addition, the “Keyboard Playing (Numbered Musical Notation)” course, which covers numbered musical notation reading, melody-playing techniques and simple chord applications, welcomes adults who have completed the “Introduction to Keyboard Playing (Foundation I)” course organised by the Music Office, or those who have acquired basic skills in playing the keyboard with both hands. The course fee is $650.
All OMICs are conducted in Cantonese. The courses will be held at different venues across the territory, namely Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall, North District Town Hall, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre, Tai Po Civic Centre, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Yuen Long Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library and the Music Office’s music centres in Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. Participants of the online course “ABCs of Musicianship” are required to prepare their own electronic device equipped with a wireless or broadband data connection, a webcam and the software Zoom in advance.
Online applications are now available on the Music Office website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice
For enquiries, please call 3842 7773, 2598 0801 or 2598 8335 or email to outreachmusic@lcsd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 15:00
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Appointments to Board of Directors of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Board of Directors of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks CorporationIssued at HKT 14:30
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Basketball betting bill published
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025, which provides for a regulatory framework in relation to basketball betting, was published in the Government Gazette today.
The amendments to the existing ordinance include granting power to the Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs to issue a licence for basketball betting and to impose licensing conditions; provisions for the calculation and collection of betting duties; and an expansion of the functions of the Betting & Lotteries Commission to cover matters relating to the regulation of basketball betting.
The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau emphasised that the Government does not encourage gambling as a matter of policy. On the regulation of gambling activities through legislation, it said the policy objective of providing authorised gambling outlets is to address public demand for certain gambling activities whilst preventing people from turning to illegal operators.
If the bill is enacted, the Government – with reference to the current regime for betting on horse racing and football – will issue a licence to the Hong Kong Jockey Club to operate basketball betting, and impose licensing conditions so as to minimise the negative impact of gambling on the public, especially on young people.
As with football betting, the duty for basketball betting will be charged at 50% of the net stake receipts.
In addition, the Government will continue to collaborate closely with the Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee to strengthen publicity and counselling for young people.
In addition to four existing funded counselling centres, the Government will allocate additional resources to establish a new centre dedicated to providing counselling and support services for youth.
Public education efforts will also be strengthened to emphasise to young people that participating in illegal gambling or placing bets with an illegal bookmaker is a criminal offence.
The bill will be introduced for first reading in the Legislative Council on July 2.