Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Residential Mortgage Survey Results for June 2026 The number of mortgage applications in June increased month-on-month by 12.5 per cent to 12,117.
Mortgage loans approved in June increased by 25.8 per cent compared with May to HK$50.6 billion. Among these, mortgage loans financing primary market transactions increased by 32.3 per cent to HK$15.5 billion and those financing secondary market transactions increased by 21.6 per cent to HK$28.9 billion. Mortgage loans for refinancing increased by 30.6 per cent to HK$6.2 billion.
Mortgage loans drawn down during June increased by 17.6 per cent compared with May to HK$27.7 billion.
The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to HIBOR decreased from 73.8 per cent in May to 70 per cent in June. The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to best lending rates increased from 1.2 per cent in May to 1.3 per cent in June.
The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased month-on-month by 0.4 per cent to HK$1,955 billion at end-June.
The mortgage delinquency ratio stood at a low level of 0.11 per cent and the rescheduled loan ratio was unchanged at nearly 0 per cent. Issued at HKT 16:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development———– Financial Secretary
Non-official members (in alphabetical order of family names) ———————— Mr Tamir Abdel-wahab (new member) Professor Alex Au Wai-chi Mr Cai Wensheng Mr Norman Chan Tak-lam Mr Duncan Chiu Mr Lawrence Chu Sheng-yu Mr Kevin Cui Song (new member) Dr Jack Kong Jianping Mr Kwock Yin-lun Ms Joy Lam Mr Marco Lim Jun-kit Professor Lin Chen Mr Robert Andrew Lui Chi-wang Mr Henry Ma Chi-to Dr Johnny Ng Kit-chong Professor Jack Poon Sik-ching Mr Alessio Quaglini Ms Elizabeth Quat Mr Siu Yat Mr Neil Tan Mr John Wang Jiachao Mr Martin Wong Long-yin (new member) Dr Xiao Feng——————- Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Commissioner for Digital Policy Director-General of Investment Promotion, Invest Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Executive Officer, Securities and Futures Commission Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Authority Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Issued at HKT 16:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government’s financial results for three months ended June 30, 2026 TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT (Note 1)
June 30, 2026 HK$ millionJune 30, 2026 HK$ millionand repayment of Government Bondsissuance of Government BondsGovernment Bonds*and repayment of Government BondsGovernment Debts as at June 30, 2026 (Note 3) HK$445,288 million Debts Guaranteed by Government as at June 30, 2026 (Note 4) HK$107,456 million
TABLE 2. FISCAL RESERVES
June 30, 2026 HK$ millionJune 30, 2026 HK$ millionissuance and repayment of Government Bonds(Note 5)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 June 30, 2026, was HK$153,030 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$190,142 million as at June 30, 2026) issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. They were denominated in US dollars (US$9,050 million with maturity from July 2027 to January 2053), euros (6,550 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$146,566 million as at June 30, 2026) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. They were denominated in US dollars (US$500 million with maturity in May 2031), Renminbi (RMB55,000 million with maturity from July 2026 to May 2056) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$79,230 million with maturity from August 2026 to May 2056); and They do not include the outstanding bonds with nominal value of HK$100,338 million and alternative bonds with nominal value of US$1,000 million (equivalent to HK$7,841 million as at June 30, 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$53,238 million, which may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders), bonds with nominal value of HK$69,838 million will mature within the period from July 2026 to June 2027, and the rest within the period from July 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$249,839 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. Issued at HKT 16:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 31) the advance estimates on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2026.
According to the advance estimates, GDP increased by 4.3% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 5.9% in the first quarter.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
47 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements The offences of these 47 landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; (2) failing to produce copies of the bills and provide an account in writing when requiring the tenant to pay for the reimbursement of the apportioned water and/or electricity charges; (3) requiring the tenant to pay for the reimbursement of the apportioned water and/or electricity charges at a sum exceeding the apportioned amount as shown in the relevant account in writing; (4) failing to provide the tenant with a rent receipt; and (5) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (including requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance).
The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon a comprehensive investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted the landlords.
A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting landlords from doing any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of members of the tenant’s household, with the intention of causing the tenant to give up occupation of the SDU; or requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded tenants of their rights under the Ordinance, including a four-year (i.e. two years plus two years) security of tenure. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether they have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance. In addition, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work to enhance public awareness about the key offences and penalties, emphasising that the RVD proactively checks whether landlords have committed the offences under the Ordinance. The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. The RVD has been issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to assist them in understanding the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and to remind them about the procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy as well as their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.htmlIssued at HKT 16:00
President Lai meets US House Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific Chairwoman Young Kim
On the afternoon of July 31, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Chairwoman Young Kim of the United States House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. In remarks, President Lai thanked the bipartisan group of representatives for backing Taiwan, remarking that their actions embody the mutual support among democratic partners. The president stated that in addition to proposing a special budget for unmanned vehicle procurement, the government of Taiwan has responded to national defense needs in moving from drone R&D and testing to mass production. He noted that National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) also recently passed a rigorous cybersecurity assessment for the US defense supply chain, demonstrating Taiwan’s ability to align with international standards. President Lai stated that Taiwan looks forward to working alongside the US to build secure and trustworthy non-red supply chains and promote drone industry development to enhance R&D and mass production capabilities among democratic partners.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Chairwoman Kim, the last time we met was in 2024. Your group was the first US congressional delegation that I received after taking office. It is a pleasure to see you again today as you lead this delegation to Taiwan. Your visit demonstrates the steadfast support for our country in the US Congress. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I express my sincerest welcome and gratitude to you all.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election. Both of these democratic milestones remind us that freedom and democracy, in Taiwan and throughout the world, were hard-earned and must be safeguarded by generation after generation. I would like to thank this bipartisan group of representatives for backing Taiwan. Your actions embody the mutual support among democratic partners. I especially thank Chairwoman Kim for long championing Taiwan-friendly legislation in Congress, further deepening the Taiwan-US partnership and creating more space for cooperation.
Today, China continues to intensify military pressure on Taiwan and ramp up gray-zone aggression. Our stance has always been clear – we will neither provoke nor act rashly, nor will we yield or back down. We will staunchly maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Peace is achieved through strength. We are committed to further increasing Taiwan’s defense budget and bolstering whole-of-society defense resilience. We will also deepen collaboration with democratic partners, and demonstrate our determination and capacity to jointly deter aggression and respond to threats. For example, unmanned vehicles are becoming an indispensable force in modern defense, and countries are seeking secure and reliable supply sources. Taiwan, with its advantages in semiconductors, information and communications technology, and precision manufacturing, is seizing this important opportunity to develop its drone industry.
In addition to proposing a special budget for unmanned vehicle procurement, our government has responded to national defense needs in moving from drone R&D and testing to mass production. NCSIST also recently passed a rigorous cybersecurity assessment for the US defense supply chain, demonstrating Taiwan’s ability to align with international standards and protect critical technologies. We look forward to Taiwan and the US working together to build secure and trustworthy non-red supply chains and promote drone industry development with our full strength. This will enhance R&D and mass production capabilities among democratic partners. It will also help us respond more quickly to national defense and international market needs.
From democratic values to regional security and technology cooperation, Taiwan is deeply grateful for the longstanding support of the US Congress and successive administrations; it is because of this enduring support that Taiwan has been able to come this far. I once again welcome Chairwoman Kim and our guests, who have traveled from afar to be here. Your visit further strengthens the solid foundation of Taiwan-US cooperation. I look forward to working together to make even greater contributions to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Chairwoman Kim then delivered remarks, a transcript of which follows:
Thank you so much for joining us and welcoming our bipartisan delegation to Taiwan. Your generosity in hosting our congressional delegation today is very much appreciated, and we’re very honored by your personal presence today. Our bipartisan delegation represents California, Virginia, Iowa, and Texas, and each of us are blessed to represent states with robust and growing economic and cultural ties with Taiwan. By traveling together, our goal is to show how congressional support for Taiwan is bipartisan and strong. We believe a secure and free Taiwan is critical for the security in the Indo-Pacific and for the United States.
We’re here to face down the threat from the Chinese Communist Party, and the path forward is daunting, but we can overcome this challenge together. The more concrete steps that Taiwan takes, the more the United States can do to support Taiwan. Deterrence takes two to tango, so help us help you.
We want to congratulate the people of Taiwan on the steps taken so far in achieving peace through strength. Thank you for your commitment to increase defense spending to 5 percent of your GDP. The [US]$25 billion supplemental defense bill passed earlier this year is a major achievement. And we’re encouraged that Taiwan is now considering new drone legislation. The wars over Ukraine and Iran show that Taiwan needs to buy and build drones at a huge scale. Time is short, and the faster a comprehensive drone bill can pass, the better.
But even a drones bill should not mark the end of Taiwan’s efforts. Every new defense measure taken, including in strengthening Taiwan’s military reserves, stiffens the resolve of free people everywhere against the malign intentions of the Chinese Communist Party.
Congress is doing its part, and we have expedited arms deliveries for Taiwan. We’re working to ease Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations, support Taiwan’s diplomatic partners, prepare economic options in a crisis, encourage bilateral tourism, and much more. These are the steps that we have taken to show Congress’s continued support for Taiwan. Thank you again for hosting us here. We look forward to the substantive discussion today and to the rest of our delegation’s visit to Taiwan.
The delegation also included US House of Representatives Members Suhas Subramanyam, Michael Cloud, and Randy Feenstra. The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.
Hong Kong’s economy in the second quarter grew 4.3% year-on-year, down from a 5.9% increase in the first quarter.
The Census & Statistics Department announced the figures today as it released its advance estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison basis, real GDP decreased by 0.6%.
The Government said the Hong Kong economy continued to expand robustly in the second quarter, underpinned by buoyant external trade and resilient domestic demand.
Looking ahead, it said the Hong Kong economy should continue to post solid growth in the second half of 2026.
Nonetheless, lingering external headwinds, particularly geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, uncertainties surrounding US monetary policy, as well as and trade protectionist measures among major advanced economies still warrant close surveillance, it added.
31 July2026 – The first fortnight of August 2026 is likely to be drier than the past fortnight. Southwest Monsoon conditions are prevailing over Singapore and the surrounding region and are expected to continue in the coming fortnight, with winds blowing mainly from the southeast or south.
2. Fair and occasionally windy conditions are expected on several days, particularly during the second week of August 2026. Localised short-duration thundery showers are expected in the late morning and afternoon over parts of the island on some days. The total rainfall for the first fortnight of August 2026 is forecast to be below average over most parts of the island.
3. The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. The nights may also be warm and humid, with temperatures remaining above 27 degrees Celsius on several days.
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.
REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (16 – 30 July 2026)
5. Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the second fortnight of July 2026, with winds blowing mostly from the southeast or south.
6. In the second fortnight of July 2026, localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island on most days. On 22 July 2026, regional wind convergence brought heavy thundery showers over many areas of Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 105.8mm recorded at Jurong Pier that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the second fortnight of July 2026.
7. The daily maximum temperatures in the second fortnight of July 2026 were between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily temperature of 34.0 degrees Celsius was recorded at Ang Mo Kio on 19 July 2026. There were also several warm nights, particularly over the eastern, southern, and western parts of the island, where minimum night-time temperatures remained above 27 degrees Celsius.
8. About half of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in the second fortnight of 2026. The area around Jurong Pier registered rainfall of 58 per cent above average, and the area around Clementi registered rainfall of 46 per cent below average.
CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS
Long-term Statistics for August (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:
31.4
°C
Average daily minimum temperature:
25.3
°C
Average monthly temperature:
28.1
°C
Average rainfall:
146.9
mm
Average number of rain days:
14
Historical Extremes for August (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:
32.7
°C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:
23.0
°C (1962)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:
526.8
mm (1878)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:
11.8
mm (2019)
—————||————–
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE 31 Jul 2026
~~ End ~~
For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.
The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance came into effect today, the Government announced.
The ordinance provides a legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders, as well as legal protection for healthcare professionals and rescuers when complying with the directives and orders.
The Health Bureau said that the Government’s policy objective is to ensure that terminally ill patients and their families receive appropriate end-of-life care services and support.
It noted that the purpose of AMDs and DNACPR orders is to respect patients’ autonomous choices regarding life-sustaining treatment (LST), allowing them to conclude their life’s voyage with peace and dignity.
An AMD allows an adult patient suffering from an advanced and irreversible disease, while mentally capable of deciding on an LST, to indicate in advance the LSTs that they wish to refuse should they subsequently lose mental capacity and the preconditions specified in the AMD are met.
An AMD does not, however, allow the refusal of basic care or palliative care.
In line with the principle of “cautious making, easy revoking”, the maker must, before making an AMD, fully understand and carefully weigh the implications of each instruction for their own condition to make an informed decision, and the AMD must comply with a number of statutory requirements. The maker may also revoke the AMD at any time in the manner specified in the ordinance.
A DNACPR order, made by registered medical practitioners for a patient who has met the specified preconditions, seeks to ensure that, in settings outside hospitals and even when no healthcare professionals are present, rescuers will act in accordance with the DNACPR order and will not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the patient.
Upon commencement of the ordinance, healthcare professionals and rescuers are required to act in accordance with the patient’s AMD or DNACPR order when they have notice of it and the preconditions specified in the ordinance are met.
Under the principle of “if in doubt, save lives first”, the ordinance provides legal protection for healthcare professionals and rescuers, exempting them from relevant legal liability where, for example, they administer an LST to a patient because they do not have notice of a valid and applicable AMD or DNACPR order, or they withhold an LST from a patient because they honestly and reasonably believe that the patient has a valid and applicable AMD or DNACPR order.
The ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council in November 2024. The Government subsequently provided a preparatory period of about one and a half years for stakeholders to prepare for its implementation, and published in the Gazette on May 22, 2026, appointing July 31 as the date on which the ordinance comes into operation.
The Health Bureau has worked in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including policy bureaus and departments, public and private healthcare institutions, residential care homes (RCHs), professional bodies and emergency rescue service organisations, to take forward a range of preparatory work.
This includes organising professional training seminars for personnel, such as healthcare professionals of public and private healthcare institutions, frontline rescue and management staff of government departments and organisations involved in emergency rescues, and staff of RCHs, and updating relevant service and operational guidelines.
People who wish to learn more about AMDs and DNACPR orders, or who are considering making an AMD, may discuss the matter with a doctor familiar with their condition, who will offer suitable advice having regard to the patient’s circumstances.
The Transport Department announced today that 1,400 regular quotas for Hong Kong cross-boundary non-commercial private cars using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to Macao will be open for application from August 7.
The batch of 1,400 Hong Kong quotas includes 400 new slots agreed upon by the Hong Kong and Macao governments, alongside 1,000 reallocated quotas following their expiry.
Applicants can apply for “quotas with eligibility criteria” if they are individuals or companies engaged in specific employment or business activities in Macao. Alternatively, Hong Kong permanent residents and registered companies can apply for “open quotas”.
The department noted that the “open quotas”, which are free from specific eligibility criteria, were well received when first introduced in May. The relaunch aims to provide greater convenience for residents driving to Macao for work, business, family visits or sightseeing.
Eligible applicants can register online from 9am on August 7 until 5pm on August 20.
A ballot will be conducted to allocate the slots after the application period closes. The quotas will be valid for three years starting from September 30 at the earliest, and will expire September 29, 2029.
Visit the department’s website or call 2804 2600 for details.