Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Intercountry Adoption (Contracting States) (Amendment) Order 2026 gazetted

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Intercountry Adoption (Contracting States) (Amendment) Order 2026 made by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare under section 20D of the Adoption Ordinance (Cap. 290) was published in the Gazette today (April 30).

     The Amendment Order seeks to add six Contracting States to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption to the Schedule to the Intercountry Adoption (Contracting States) Order (Cap. 290 sub. leg. C) so that the Convention applies to an adoption between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and any of these six Contracting States in relation to an application made under the Convention. The six Contracting States are the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Botswana, the Republic of the Congo, Republic of Korea, the Republic of Niger, and the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. In accordance with the Convention, the Convention has had effect between the HKSAR and these six Contracting States since the following dates:
 

The Republic of Angola July 1, 2024
The Republic of Botswana March 1, 2023
The Republic of the Congo April 1, 2020
Republic of Korea October 1, 2025
The Republic of Niger September 1, 2021
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis February 1, 2021

 
     The Convention sets out, inter alia, a framework for international co-operation in intercountry adoptions. The implementation of the Convention in the HKSAR is governed by the Adoption Ordinance. The Convention is currently in force in 107 states.

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Appointments to Public Libraries Advisory Committee announced

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (April 30) the appointments and reappointments to the Public Libraries Advisory Committee (PLAC) for a term from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028.

The PLAC advises the Government on the development of public libraries in Hong Kong, including the formulation of strategies and measures for the development of library facilities and services; the role, functions and management of the Hong Kong Central Library; and the encouragement of community support and partnership with different sectors in promoting reading, lifelong learning and literary arts.

The membership list of the new term of the PLAC is as follows:
 

Chairperson: Ms Shirley Marie Therese Loo
Vice-chairperson: Ms Linda Choy Siu-min
Members: Ms Joanne Chan Jo-win
Ms Rowena Cheung Po-man*
Ms Ho Ka-man
Ms Hsu Siu-man
Professor Morris Jong Siu-yung
Ms Kwok Kavin Natalie*
Mr Edmond Lai Shiao-bun
Ms Tendy Lam Pui-tung
Ms Elaine Leung Wai-yin
Mr Lo Kwok-leung*
Ms Susanna Lo Sui-lan
Ms Erica Ma Yun
Dr Rizwan Ullah
Mr Alvin Wan Chi-lun
Dr Shirley Wong Chiu-wing
Dr Jimmy Wong Kam-yiu
Ms Wong May-kwan
Ms Zhang Ti*
Representative of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau
Representative of the Education Bureau
Representative of the Government Records Service
Representative of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department

*Newly appointed members

​A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau expressed gratitude to the four outgoing members (Ms Chan Yuk-yin, Dr Felix Chow Bok-hin, Mr Choy Sai-hung and Professor Chui Yat-hung) for their valued support and contributions to the work of the PLAC over the past years.

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Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band Annual Concert “Peter and the Wolf | Music Speaks, Stories Unfold” to be held May 30

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band (HKYSB) of the Music Office (MO) under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold its annual concert entitled “Peter and the Wolf | Music Speaks, Stories Unfold” at 7.30pm on May 30 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. 

     The concert will be conducted by MO instructors Lee Sing-wan and Kevin Ling. The HKYSB will perform a band arrangement of the renowned children’s musical tale “Peter and the Wolf”, with radio programme presenter Eunice Chow serving as guest narrator.

     Other programme highlights include the vibrant melodies of the cinematic scores of “The Wizard of Oz”; a dramatic portrayal of the biblical “Noah’s Ark”; the heroic Chinese legend “Hou Yi Shooting the Sun”; and the magical and humorous “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”.

     The HKYSB was formed in 1978 with the aim of nurturing young musicians and arousing greater interest in symphonic band music in Hong Kong. The Band currently has over 60 members and recruits annually by open audition. It has performed in Hong Kong and overseas, winning much acclaim.

     Tickets priced at $80, $100 and $130 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 1003 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice.

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2026 Rural Representative Election voter registration campaign starts

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The 2026 voter registration campaign for the Rural Representative Election (RRE) was launched today (April 30), with a view to encouraging eligible persons to register as electors and registered electors to update their registration particulars.

The Home Affairs Department (HAD) appeals to all eligible persons who have not registered as electors to sign up by June 16, so that their registration particulars can be included in the provisional register to be published in August this year and so that they can cast their votes in the Rural Ordinary Election to be held in early 2027. Registered electors are not required to register again, but those who need to update their registered particulars should also submit their applications for change of registration particulars by June 16.

There are three types of Rural Representatives, namely Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives (IIRs), Resident Representatives (ReRs) and Kaifong Representatives (KFRs). An IIR, returned by indigenous inhabitants, their spouses or surviving spouses of an Indigenous Village/Composite Indigenous Village, is to reflect views on the village affairs on behalf of its indigenous inhabitants, and to deal with affairs relating to the lawful traditional rights and interests, and the traditional way of life of those indigenous inhabitants. An ReR, returned by residents (both indigenous and non-indigenous inhabitants) residing in an Existing Village, is to reflect views on the village affairs on behalf of its residents. A KFR, returned by residents residing in a Market Town (i.e. Cheung Chau and Peng Chau), is to reflect views on the affairs of the Market Town on behalf of its residents.

     “As the eligibility requirements for registration as electors vary for these elections, applicants should ascertain whether they meet the relevant requirements before registration,” an HAD spokesman said.

     “Indigenous inhabitants, their spouses or surviving spouses, aged 18 or above and holding recognised identity documents, are eligible to be registered as electors in the IIR Election of an Indigenous Village/Composite Indigenous Village. 

     “For registration as an elector in the ReR Election and the KFR Election, one must be a Hong Kong permanent resident aged 18 or above and have been a resident of the Existing Village or Market Town for the three years immediately preceding the date of application for registration, and whose address in the Village or Market Town is his or her principal residential address. Principal residential address means the address of the dwelling place at which the person resides and which constitutes the person’s sole or main home. For verification of their eligibility for registration, proof of address is required both for applicants seeking new registration and registered electors seeking to change the principal residential address. For applicants who fail to submit valid documentary proof of address, their applications will not be processed.

     “Indigenous inhabitants, their spouses or surviving spouses who have been residing in an Existing Village or a Market Town for the three years immediately preceding the date of application for registration and meet the eligibility requirements for electors in the relevant election may register as electors for both the IIR Election and the ReR Election or the KFR Election through the submission of two separate applications for voter registration.”

The spokesman stressed that registered electors of the ReR Election and the KFR Election are not eligible to remain so registered if they no longer reside in the Village/Market Town for which they are registered, or their residential addresses in the Village/Market Town concerned are no longer their principal residential addresses. The persons concerned will commit an offence if they vote at the relevant election.

Members of the public may visit the RRE Voter Registration Information Enquiry System through the RRE website (www.had.gov.hk/rre) to check their own registration particulars.  

Application forms for new voter registration and change of registration particulars by an elector can be downloaded from the RRE website, or obtained from Home Affairs Enquiry Centres and offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government outside Hong Kong.

Duly completed and signed forms can be submitted by post to the HAD, by fax (fax number: 2591 6392), by email (rre@had.gov.hk), via the E-submission Platform at the RRE website, or in person to any Home Affairs Enquiry Centre on or before the deadline specified above (Hong Kong time).

The HAD will roll out the voter registration campaign through the RRE website, posters, banners, government TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, newspaper advertisements and more to encourage eligible persons to register as electors and remind registered electors to update their registration particulars by the deadline.

For enquiries, please call the RRE hotline at 2152 1521. 

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Proposed Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) gazetted

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government gazetted today (April 30) the proposed Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) with a view to meeting the increasing traffic demand and connecting various new development areas within the Northern Metropolis.

Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

North Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories

Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building,
269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories

District Lands Office, North,
6/F, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories

District Lands Office, Yuen Long,
9/F, Yuen Long Government Offices,
2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories

The gazette notice, scheme, plans, resumption plan, plan for creation of rights of temporary occupation of land and location plan are available at
www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.

Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

  • By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
  • By fax to 2868 4643; or
  • By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than June 29, 2026.

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Funding Scheme for Public Engagement Projects of Built Heritage Conservation Fund opens for new round of applications

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Funding Scheme for Public Engagement Projects of Built Heritage Conservation Fund opens for new round of applications 
    In the previous round of the Funding Scheme (Batch II Round I), four projects were approved for funding in 2024. A variety of public engagement activities were organised by the funded organisations, including fun days, exhibitions, thematic lectures, guided tours of historic buildings and workshops, drawing over 21 000 participants so far.
 
     The new round of the Funding Scheme is now open for applications. Local non-profit organisations with experience in built heritage conservation are encouraged to submit their proposals. The three priority project themes of this round are “Places to Visit: Historic Buildings in Hong Kong”, “Tell Good Stories of Hong Kong through Built Heritage” and “Historic Buildings and Daily Life in Hong Kong: Health, Hygiene and Social Services”. Applicants may submit project proposals based on the above themes. The funding ceiling for each approved project is $2,000,000.
    
    Eligible applications will be assessed by the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation. The Government will announce the results and notify the successful applicants upon completion of the assessment. The application form and guide to application can be downloaded from the website of the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office (www.heritage.gov.hk/en/funding-schemes-for-public-engagement-projects/funding-scheme-for-public-engagement-projects/index.html      
     For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the BHCF at 2906 1546/2906 1547 by telephone or via email at bhcf_enquiry@devb.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:00

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FEHD continues to enhance occupational safety and health as well as working environment of cleansing workers through introduction of new technologies

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

FEHD continues to enhance occupational safety and health as well as working environment of cleansing workers through introduction of new technologies       
     The spokesman said, “Frontline cleansing workers play a crucial role in maintaining environmental hygiene in Hong Kong. Besides continuously reviewing the basic needs of frontline cleansing workers, including ensuring that they are all provided with drinking water, places for short breaks, water for cleansing tools, and toilet facilities in their work zones, the FEHD keeps on refurbishing facilities and bringing in modern tools to further improve their working environment.”
      
     The FEHD attaches great importance to the working and resting environment of frontline cleansing workers. There are some 950 village-type refuse collection points (RCPs)/RCPs with temporary structures under the department’s management. While most of them are located in rural or remote areas and hence are subject to geographical constraints, the FEHD strives to ensure that cleansing workers have access to drinking water, places for short breaks during hot weather, water for cleansing tools, and toilet facilities in their work zones or within a few minutes’ walk. To further enhance the resting environment for workers, the FEHD has installed about 190 solar cooling stations since 2023. These stations are equipped with solar-powered facilities, including air coolers, electric fans, and exhaust fans. Solar-powered and staff convenience facilities have also been added to another 29 staff resting places or village-type RCPs.
      
     Moreover, in newly built or refurbished off-street RCPs since 2020, the FEHD has, depending on the actual site conditions, endeavoured to provide staff with changing and personal storage spaces, facilities for short breaks and meals, as well as amenities such as cold and hot water dispensers, microwave ovens, electric steamers, refrigerators, electric fans, tables and chairs, and power sockets wherever possible. Air conditioning systems will also be installed in the staff resting rooms where feasible.
      
     Heat stroke prevention for staff is of paramount importance. The FEHD has conducted assessments for departmental staff in accordance with the criteria provided in the Labour Department’s Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work, and required contractors to perform similar assessments for their employees. Staff have received written notification of the assessment results, which have also been put up at roll-call points. When the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in effect, the FEHD and its contractors will strictly arrange rest breaks for employees based on the adjusted hourly rest time. In addition, all frontline cleansing workers of the FEHD have been provided with work uniforms that have sweat-wicking, breathable and reflective properties, and are equipped with portable waist-mounted fans to help keep themselves cool.
      
     To enhance OSH protection for contractors’ staff, the FEHD has collaborated with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel to develop new work shoes and raincoats for cleansing workers. The new work shoes are designed with good breathability, waterproofing, durability, slip resistance, shock absorption and antimicrobial functions, and are incorporated with ergonomic features to reduce the risk of foot injuries. The new raincoats are made from high-quality fabrics that are waterproof, breathable and durable, and with thermoregulation functions. The FEHD has included a new clause in its tender invitations for public cleansing service contracts, requiring contractors to provide such new gear.
      
     To reduce the physical strain on workers, the FEHD has also been introducing new technologies and a range of new electric equipment as follows:
 
(1) Mini dumper trucks: To reduce the instances of rural workers manually pushing waste containers over long distances, the FEHD has added a clause in relevant contracts since 2022, requiring contractors to provide 3.5-tonne mini dumper trucks for the transportation of waste containers. This has significantly improved work efficiency and the OSH level.
 
(2) Electric tractors: To assist workers in conveying large-sized waste containers, the FEHD tested the use of electric tractors with a maximum load of 1 000 kilograms last year. The electric tractors are designed with trailers that are compatible with the commonly used wheeled-type waste containers, and are equipped with autobrakes and flashing lights. The use of electric tractors will be tested in more rural locations this year.
 
(3) Industrial-grade robot dogs: To address challenges posed by remote areas and rugged terrain, the FEHD introduced industrial-grade robot dogs last year for refuse transportation. Each robot dog is capable of carrying loads of over 30kg, navigating slopes and operating for up to six hours. In addition, robot dogs are deployed in anti-mosquito fogging operations to reduce the burden on pest control workers who would otherwise have to wear full protective gear for working in woodlands.
 
(4) Stairlifts: The FEHD is testing the use of stairlifts to transport large ultra-low volume foggers along stairs uphill for large-scale mosquito control operations. This will not only reduce the physical strain on workers who would otherwise need to carry the equipment up the hill, but also expand the coverage of mosquito control.
 
(5) Electrically assisted trolleys: The FEHD is working with the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to further optimise the design of electrically assisted trolleys by adding autobrakes and improving the water resistance of their batteries. The newly designed trolleys are foldable with a maximum load of 100kg, and are equipped with safety features, such as reflective edges, horns, rear lights and dual braking systems that work electrically and mechanically, which can effectively reduce the risk of the trolleys speeding forward out of control when transporting heavy loads downslope. It is expected that the trolleys will be distributed to frontline cleansing workers for trial use in the second quarter of this year.
 
     The FEHD has long placed emphasis on the safety of cleansing workers working on the roads, and on providing relevant training. To reduce the risks faced by staff working on the roads, the department has widely deployed more than 10 teams of new mechanical street sweepers in various districts to sweep roads, footbridges and central dividers and replace manual sweeping. Furthermore, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulation (Cap. 509A), contractors have a duty to ensure the safety and health of their employees at work as far as practicable. The FEHD has stipulated in service contracts requiring the employment of non-skilled workers that contractors shall undertake to provide their employees with the necessary training (including OSH training in relation to the provision of the specified services) and to ensure that all employees, in performing the specified services, must wear special protective clothing and gear (such as work uniforms that have reflective properties and trolleys fitted with reflective materials) as considered essential or appropriate by the Government. On the other hand, the FEHD has been providing departmental staff with adequate protective clothing and gear, as well as OSH information and relevant training to ensure that they have sufficient safety awareness.
      
     The spokesman stressed that the FEHD will continue to proactively explore and introduce more suitable technologies and gear to keep pace with the times, so as to continue improving the working environment for cleansing workers.
Issued at HKT 11:00

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Government sells Kwun Tong site for purpose of electric vehicle fast charging station

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Government sells Kwun Tong site for purpose of electric vehicle fast charging station           
     A spokesperson for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said, “To promote the green transformation of vehicles and to achieve zero vehicular emissions before 2050, the Government announced in February this year the Updated Version of the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles which outlines the updated strategies and measures adopted by the Government to promote the popularisation of EVs, including a multipronged approach and leveraging market forces through policy guidance to build the public charging network with fast chargers as the backbone, thereby fully supporting the adoption of EVs in Hong Kong. The Government put forth through open tender five petrol filling station (PFS) sites in Kowloon Bay, Fo Tan, Tai Po, Tsing Yi and Tseung Kwan O for FCS purposes. The area for retail use in the site of this sale is larger than that of a conventional PFS, allowing operators more flexibility to use such area to meet the needs of EV drivers. The Government will, subject to actual market needs, select suitable PFS sites for conversion into FCSs in a timely manner.”
           
     New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6677 has a site area of 1 022.1 square metres and is designated for EV FCS purposes. Land sale documents, including the forms of tender, tender notice, conditions of sale and sale plan of the lot, are now available on the Lands Department (LandsD) website (www.landsd.gov.hk           
     The spokesperson continued, “In order to encourage owners of taxis and public light buses to expedite the adoption of electric taxis (e-taxis) and electric public light buses (e-PLBs), a charging ceiling price mechanism will be established for e-taxis and e-PLBs at designated FCSs. The operators of designated FCSs cannot charge a price that is higher than the ceiling price to be announced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on a monthly basis. The charging price for other EVs will be determined by the market. For details about the calculation of charging ceiling prices for e-taxis and e-PLBs, please refer to the EEB website (www.eeb.gov.hk/en/resources_publications/guidelines/index.html           
     Details of the charging ceiling price will be posted at designated FCSs when they are in operation and announced regularly on the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:00

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New private driving instructor’s licences open for applications from May 11

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

New private driving instructor’s licences open for applications from May 11 

PDI group     A spokesman for the TD said, “Following the completion of the periodic review on the issue of new PDI licences, including a detailed review of learner drivers’ demand for driver training from PDIs, the issuance of new licences according to the mechanism aims to ensure an adequate supply of PDIs to meet the demand for driver training, while sustaining market competition.”

     Applicants should note the following:
      For enquiries, please call the TD’s hotline at 2804 2600.
Issued at HKT 10:00

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Government’s provisional financial results for year ended March 31, 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (April 30) its provisional financial results for the year ended March 31, 2026.
 
Expenditure and revenue for the year ended March 31, 2026, amounted to HK$790.3 billion and HK$697.5 billion respectively, resulting in a surplus of HK$11.2 billion after taking into account HK$156 billion received from issuance of Government Bonds and repayment of HK$52 billion principal on Government Bonds.
 
Expenditure and revenue for the year were 3.9 per cent (HK$32 billion) lower and 5.8 per cent (HK$38.1 billion) higher than the original estimate respectively.
 
The consolidated surplus for the year was HK$11.2 billion, i.e. HK$8.3 billion higher than the revised estimate of HK$2.9 billion, mainly attributable to the higher-than-expected revenue from profits tax (HK$3.6 billion), stamp duties (HK$3.1 billion) and land premium (HK$1.1 billion).
 
The fiscal reserves stood at HK$665.5 billion as at March 31, 2026.
 
A Government spokesperson said that these are provisional figures pending the final closing of the annual accounts. According to experience, any changes to the provisional figures are unlikely to be significant.
 
Detailed figures are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
 
TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT (PROVISIONAL) (Note 1) 

  Month ended
March 31, 2026
HK$ million		 Year ended
March 31, 2026
HK$ million
Revenue 42,724.0 697,468.5
Expenditure (98,847.6) (790,330.2)
     
Deficit before issuance
and repayment of
Government Bonds		 (56,123.6) (92,861.7)
     
Proceeds received from
issuance of
Government Bonds		 7,144.7 156,036.4
     
Repayment of
Government Bonds*		 (2,359.7) (51,950.9)
     
(Deficit)/Surplus after issuance
and repayment of
Government Bonds		 (51,338.6) 11,223.8
     
Financing    
      Domestic    
          Banking Sector (Note 2) 52,634.6 (12,155.4)
          Non-Banking Sector (1,296.0) 931.6
      External – –
     
Total 51,338.6 (11,223.8)
* Being repayment of principal on Government Bonds and does not include the associated interest and other expenses.

Government Debts as at March 31, 2026 (Note 3)
    HK$409,832 million
Debts Guaranteed by Government as at March 31, 2026 (Note 4)
    HK$110,691 million

TABLE 2. FISCAL RESERVES (PROVISIONAL)
 

  Month ended
March 31, 2026
HK$ million		 Year ended
March 31, 2026
HK$ million
Fiscal Reserves at start of period 716,879.2 654,316.8
Consolidated (Deficit)/Surplus after
issuance and repayment of
Government Bonds		 (51,338.6) 11,223.8
     
Fiscal Reserves at end of period
(Note 5)		 665,540.6 665,540.6

Notes:

1. This Account consolidates the General Revenue Account and the following eight Funds: Capital Works Reserve Fund, Capital Investment Fund, Civil Service Pension Reserve Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund, Land Fund, Loan Fund and Lotteries Fund. It excludes the Bond Fund, the balance of which is not part of the fiscal reserves. The Bond Fund balance as at March 31, 2026, was HK$153,361 million.

2. Includes transactions with the Exchange Fund and resident banks.

3. The Government Debts, with proceeds credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund, comprise:

(i) the Green Bonds (equivalent to HK$186,769 million as at March 31, 2026) issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. They were denominated in US dollars (US$9,550 million with maturity from June 2026 to January 2053), euros (5,800 million euros with maturity from November 2026 to November 2041), Renminbi (RMB33,000 million with maturity from July 2026 to July 2054) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$22,500 million with maturity from October 2026 to November 2027); 

(ii) the Infrastructure Bonds (equivalent to HK$114,115 million as at March 31, 2026) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. They were denominated in Renminbi (RMB38,750 million with maturity from April 2026 to June 2055) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$70,230 million with maturity from May 2026 to June 2055); and

(iii) the Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$108,948 million (with maturity in October 2027 and October 2028 and may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme.

They do not include the outstanding bonds with nominal value of HK$100,531 million and alternative bonds with nominal value of US$1,000 million (equivalent to HK$7,836 million as at March 31, 2026) issued under the Government Bond Programme with proceeds credited to the Bond Fund. Of these bonds under the Government Bond Programme (including Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$53,431 million, which may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders), bonds with nominal value of HK$53,431 million will mature within the period from April 2026 to March 2027, and the rest within the period from April 2027 to May 2042.

4. Includes guarantees provided under the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2001, the Special Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2008, the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme launched in 2012, the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Cross-boundary Passenger Transport Trade, the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Battery Electric Taxis and the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Travel Sector launched in 2023, and the commercial loan under Guaranteed Medium Term Note Programme of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited.

5. Includes HK$249,829 million, being the balance of the Land Fund held in the name of “Future Fund”, for long-term investments up to December 31, 2030. The Future Fund also includes HK$4,800 million, being one-third of the actual surplus in 2015-16 as top-up.