Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
C&SD alerts public to fraudulent website address
The C&SD has no connection with the abovementioned website address, SMS messages and emails, and has referred the case to the Police for follow-up. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website address concerned should contact the Police.
The C&SD reminds that the caller ID “18 2026” or SMS sender ID “#C&SD” will be displayed when the C&SD calls or sends SMS messages to households in Hong Kong on matters related to the Census. The C&SD will not ask respondents to submit password in any telephone call, email or SMS message, and will not embed hyperlinks in emails or SMS messages unless requested by respondents. Households will not be required to provide information on their HKID card, bank accounts or credit cards in the Census. To report suspected deception cases, members of the public should call the Police.
Issued at HKT 9:45
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Clarification on traffic arrangements near Cape Collinson Crematorium tomorrow
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Clarification on traffic arrangements near Cape Collinson Crematorium tomorrow
The spokesman said, “There are no special traffic control measures in the vicinity of the Cape Collinson Crematorium tomorrow morning. Vehicles with booked cremation services may enter and leave the crematorium in an orderly manner, subject to the arrangements and instructions made by the Police and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff on-site.”
Issued at HKT 19:51
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Balance of Payments, International Investment Position and External Debt statistics for the second quarter of 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (September 21) the preliminary Balance of Payments (BoP), International Investment Position (IIP) and External Debt (ED) statistics of Hong Kong for the second quarter of 2026.
I. Balance of Payments
At the end of the second quarter of 2026, both Hong Kong’s external financial assets and liabilities stood at a very high level, amounting to $62,863.5 billion (18.3 times of GDP) and $43,449.8 billion (12.7 times of GDP) respectively, a typical feature of a prominent international financial centre.
III. External Debt
At the end of the second quarter of 2026, Hong Kong’s gross ED amounted to $17,869.1 billion (5.2 times of GDP). Compared with $16,630.4 billion (4.9 times of GDP) at the end of the first quarter of 2026, gross ED increased by $1,238.7 billion. This was attributable to the increases in ED of all sectors, in particular the banking sector, other sectors and debt liabilities in direct investment (intercompany lending).
For enquiries about the BoP, IIP and ED statistics, please contact the Balance of Payments Section of the C&SD (Tel.: 3863 2330 or email: bop@censtatd.gov.hk
EDB announces Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors for 2027/28 cohort – undergraduate programmes
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EDB announces Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors for 2027/28 cohort – undergraduate programmes
The programmes of the SSSDP fall under 10 disciplines that have been identified as having keen manpower demand, namely architecture and engineering, computer science, creative industries, financial technology, healthcare, insurance, logistics, sports and recreation, testing and certification, and tourism and hospitality. The programmes include 20 applied degree programmes, which will receive additional subsidies, with a view to further strengthening the vocational and professional education and training progression pathway at the post-secondary level.
The programmes and numbers of subsidised places under the SSSDP are determined by the EDB in consultation with relevant policy bureaux and departments. Details of the participating institutions, the programmes and the numbers of subsidised places are listed in the Annex.
In the 2027/28 academic year, the annual subsidy amounts for laboratory-based programmes and non-laboratory-based programmes will be at $81,450 and $46,780 respectively. For applied degree programmes, including the additional annual subsidies, the total annual subsidy amounts will be at $89,620 for laboratory-based programmes and $51,880 for non-laboratory-based programmes.
The subsidy amounts are applicable to both new and continuing eligible students. The subsidy is tenable for the normal duration of the programmes concerned. Subsidised students will pay a tuition fee with the subsidy applied. Students in need may still apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable.
The subsidised FYFD intake places are mainly allocated through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System to ensure that eligible students are selected on a merit basis, whereas the subsidised places of the TUD programmes are allocated in accordance with the existing admission arrangements of the self-financing TUD programmes, i.e. through direct admission by institutions. Students can apply for admission to the programmes directly through the institutions concerned.
The SSSDP was launched in the 2015/16 academic year to subsidise students to pursue designated full-time locally accredited self-financing undergraduate programmes in selected disciplines. The objectives are as follows:
(1) to increase the supply of subsidised undergraduate places by leveraging the supply of the self-financing post-secondary education sector;
(2) to nurture talent in support of specific industries with keen demand for human resources;
(3) to encourage the self-financing post-secondary education sector to offer programmes in selected disciplines that meet Hong Kong’s social and economic needs by providing targeted financial support; and
(4) to support the healthy and sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary education sector to complement the University Grants Committee-funded sector in broadening and diversifying study opportunities.
The SSSDP has been expanded to include TUD programmes with effect from the 2023/24 academic year. As for the designated sub-degree programmes, the relevant details for the 2027/28 cohort, including the participating institutions, the sub-degree programmes, the numbers of subsidised places and the subsidy amounts, will be announced in due course.
Details of the SSSDP are available on the EDB website (www.cspe.edu.hk/sssdpIssued at HKT 14:30
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Speech by SLW at 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, during his presentation on the discussion topic of “Promoting High-quality and Full Employment and Employment-Friendly Economic Development” at the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing this morning (September 21):
Madam Chairman, 尊敬的大會主席, 王曉萍部長 (Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Ms Wang Xiaoping), fellow ministers and colleagues:
Good morning. First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and also the Jiangsu Provincial Government, for organising this meeting and also your warm hospitality, not least the river boat last night, which really brought us back to the past.
Full and high-quality employment is essential for sustainable economic growth. As our economies face ageing populations and rapid technological changes, Hong Kong, China focuses on three pillars, namely employment support, skills training and strong worker protection.
Hong Kong, China’s labour market and talent base
With a population of about 7.5 million and a labour force of 3.8 million, over 96 per cent of our workforce is currently employed. Our workforce is increasingly well educated. In 2025, almost half of our workforce attained a post-secondary education.
In the face of the ageing population, Hong Kong, China is actively attracting global talent who are usually young and energetic through dynamic admission schemes. In the latest global talent ranking, we ranked fourth globally and first in Asia. This strong mix of local and international talent gives us a solid foundation for our future growth.
Employment support
Despite our low unemployment rate, we offer effective employment support, in particular for job seekers who may find it hard to get a job due to their age or lack of work experience. At times of uncertainties of the AI age, we believe the Government has the role to work together with the business sector to create more jobs. In this sense, Hong Kong, China will launch a two-year youth employment and internship programme. Among them, we will work together with the business sector, with the Government paying a third, and the business sector paying two-thirds of their wages for 10 000 young people in the next two years, hoping to create six-month-long jobs for these 10 000 young people. Our purpose is to help those to get a taste of the workplace to prepare them for a long-term job.
For elderly and middle-aged persons, Hong Kong, China provides a re-employment allowance for individuals aged 40 and above who have been unemployed for at least three months when they re-enter the labour market. So far, we have helped 53 000 people to get a job through the programme.
Looking ahead, we will also enhance our employment support by using AI to provide personalised job matching and training recommendations for our workforce.
Skills training
Hong Kong, China, begins to invest in training, to empower our workforce with skills, support and opportunities they need to thrive in a changing economy. Through our Employees Retraining Board, we offer over 800 market-driven training courses across 28 industry areas to more than 160 000 trainees every year. The Board right now is undergoing strategic operations to become Upskill Hong Kong, so that all employees in Hong Kong could master digital skills and adapt to artificial intelligence.
In addition, through our Vocational Training Council, we offer a wide range of practical and short in-service training courses across different sectors to over 100 000 student enrolments every year.
Strong worker protection
In Hong Kong, China, employees enjoy comprehensive labour rights and protection. We establish tripartite platforms on labour matters to encourage open dialogue between employers and employees, enhance mutual understanding and forge consensus. We also encourage employers to be employee-friendly and family-friendly.
With the rapid growth of the digital platform businesses, we are working on the legislation to formalise work injury compensation for digital platform workers engaging in food and goods delivery services.
Our goal is clear. We are determined to build a society where every member of the workforce can share the benefits of economic values.
Closing remarks
Promoting high-quality and full employment calls for a balanced and comprehensive approach. For Hong Kong, China that means creating the conditions for workers and enterprises to adapt, grow and thrive together. Hong Kong, China will continue to work closely with employers, employees, training institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen the resilience and adaptability of our workforce.
Thank you.
Public library opening hours for Mid-Autumn Festival
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Public library opening hours for Mid-Autumn Festival
Apart from individual libraries’ closing days, the opening hours of all public libraries on the day following the Mid-Autumn Festival (September 26) will be the same as those for public holidays.
Details can be obtained from notices posted at all public libraries and on the website www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/locations/opening-hours.htmlIssued at HKT 12:30
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Free use of leisure and cultural facilities on October 1 for National Day celebration
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
To celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will open a number of fee-charging facilities for free use by members of the public on October 1 (Thursday), including:
- Indoor leisure facilities: badminton courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls*, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms*, activity rooms, a cycling track*, tennis courts and dance rooms;
- Outdoor leisure facilities: tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, archery ranges* and golf facilities (excluding camp facilities, sports grounds as well as artificial and natural turf pitches);
- Public swimming pools (excluding Wan Chai Swimming Pool; and swimming pools temporarily closed for annual maintenance, namely, the Island East Swimming Pool, Tai Kok Tsui Swimming Pool, Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool, Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool, Tung Cheong Street Swimming Pool and Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool); and
- Crafts at water sports centres* (recreational kayaks, pedal-driven boats, sampans and colour boats at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre are available for free use by campers only).
(* Users are required to possess the relevant qualification certificates.)
The free-of-charge sessions will be allocated through balloting. Details are as follows:
| Date of free use | Submission of balloting application | Announcement of balloting results | Announcement of remaining sessions | First come first served for remaining sessions |
| October 1 | September 22 (From 0.00am to 11.59pm) |
September 23 | September 24 | September 25 |
Members of the public may make ballot applications via the SmartPLAY system as individual users in accordance with the above timetable. Each application may cover a maximum of three choices. Applicants may revise the choices in their lodged applications via the SmartPLAY system before the application closing time (i.e. 11.59pm on September 22). Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system.
SmartPLAY users who have not been allocated any free session by ballot or have not made any application may book the remaining sessions on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with the above timetable (i.e. on September 25) through the following channels:
(i) “iAM Smart” users: to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app with priority to make bookings from 7am;
(ii) Users not using “iAM Smart”: to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues to make bookings from 7.15am; and
(iii) Users aged under 11: as “iAM Smart” is for use by persons aged 11 or above, SmartPLAY users aged under 11 may make bookings through the My SmartPLAY mobile app from 7am.
Each successful applicant will only be allocated one free session, whether through balloting or first-come, first-served booking.
The LCSD appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time to make the best use of the booked facilities. All users should observe the Conditions of Use of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities (the Conditions) as set out on the LCSD website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/condition/index.html (including the “no-show/not present during the use of the booked sessions” penalty). If a successful applicant fails to take up a booked session on time, the arrangements stipulated in the Conditions will apply. For enquiry, please call 2414 5555 or visit the dedicated website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/freeuseday/index.html.
No prior application will be required for using public swimming pool facilities. Members of the public may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, while the quota lasts.
On October 1, admission to all museums and art spaces of the LCSD will be free. The Space Theatre of the Hong Kong Space Museum will screen the Sky Show “Shenzhou 13 – Space Travel” for five free sessions at 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm and 4pm respectively. From 10am on September 22 to noon on September 23, members of the public may make ballot applications on URBTIX. Each application covers one session with two tickets. Applicants who make duplicate applications will be disqualified from the balloting. Successful applicants from computer balloting will receive their e-tickets via email on September 24. For details, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Space Museum at hk.space.museum.
To facilitate the Police’s implementation of special crowd management measures at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade area for the National Day fireworks display on October 1, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum will close at 5pm on that day.
SCST congratulates Grace Lau, Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Natalie Kan, Li Sum-yiu, Gilaine Ma and Wang Xintong on winning two silver medals in Asian Games
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (September 20) extended her congratulations to karate athlete Grace Lau on winning a silver medal in the Women’s Individual Kata event in the 20th Asian Games (Asian Games) as well as swimming athletes Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Natalie Kan, Li Sum-yiu, Gilaine Ma and Wang Xintong on winning a silver medal in Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay at the Asian Games.
Miss Law said, “Grace Lau’s outstanding performance in surpassing her bronze-medal finishes in the previous two Asian Games to win the silver medal is truly encouraging. I am also delighted that the team, comprising Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Natalie Kan, Li Sum-yiu, Gilaine Ma and Wang Xintong, worked together in unity to win the silver medal with a new Hong Kong record. I wish the Hong Kong, China Delegation success in the coming competitions.”
Results of Pharmacist Registration Examinations June 2026 announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of Pharmacist Registration Examinations June 2026 announced
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong announced today (September 21) the results of the Pharmacist Registration Examinations held in June 2026.
There were 50, 89 and 35 candidates sitting for examinations in pharmacy legislation in Hong Kong, pharmacy practice and pharmacology respectively, with corresponding passing rates of 44.00 per cent, 5.62 per cent and 54.29 per cent.Issued at HKT 18:00
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Import of poultry meat and products from Wright County of State of Minnesota in US suspended
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 21) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Wright County of the State of Minnesota in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 24 190 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 20.2 million poultry eggs from the US in the first six months of this year.
“The CFS has contacted the American authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.