Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Public urged to guard against fake messages on Guangdong-Hong Kong Regular Quotas for vehicles
The spokesman clarified that applicants for the Regular Quotas must meet the application requirements stipulated by the Mainland authority and submit the specified documents (such as business registration documents of both Guangdong and Hong Kong) to the Mainland authority. Upon receipt of the Mainland Approval Notice from the Mainland authority, applicants may then apply to the TD of the HKSAR Government for Closed Road Permits for the designated land-based boundary control points.
The spokesman stressed that the arrangements for the Regular Quotas must be jointly deliberated by the governments of the two places holistically. Citizens should refer to official announcements, verify messages carefully and stay alert against deception to avoid disruption to their travel plans.
Issued at HKT 11:24
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Hong Kong Academy of Finance admits participants to Financial Leaders Programme 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Academy of Finance admits participants to Financial Leaders Programme 2026
The AoF launched the FLP in 2022, with the aim to inspire and nurture the next generation of senior financial leaders for Hong Kong. The FLP equips participants with a leadership mindset, enhances their understanding of financial issues from macro and systemic perspectives, and expands their professional networks. It also provides a unique platform for participants to engage in dialogue with top leaders in financial services and other sectors.
The FLP admits senior executives from diverse backgrounds who are typically one or two levels below the Chief Executive Officer position. A total of 86 participants from nearly 50 public and private institutions have graduated from the past four cohorts, forming a robust pool of financial leadership for Hong Kong.
The FLP 2026 was open for applications from November 12 to December 14, 2025, receiving enthusiastic response and many high-quality applications. Following a competitive selection process, the Membership Committee of the AoF approved the admission of 22 applicants.Issued at HKT 11:00
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TD fully co-operates with ICAC in investigation into suspected deception case involving designated car testing centre
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Transport Department (TD) today (March 24) said that it has been fully co-operating with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in an investigation into a suspected deception case involving staff of a designated car testing centre. The eligibility of the testing centre concerned to provide vehicle examination services has been revoked in June 2024, while the eligibility of the persons concerned of the testing centre to serve as the responsible person and approved car testers has also been revoked.
A spokesman for the TD said that it has rendered full assistance during the investigation and has immediately implemented a series of measures to stamp out malpractices. The TD has strengthened strict monitoring of the operations of testing centres. All vehicle examiners are required to undergo the TD’s regular training and comply with the Government’s vehicle examination requirements. The TD will proactively take forward the ICAC’s corruption prevention advice and enhance staff training to heighten their awareness of integrity and conduct.
In addition, the TD stressed that it attaches great importance to staff integrity and conduct. Any violation of laws or regulations will be handled seriously in accordance with the law and referred to law enforcement agencies for follow-up investigations.
Policy research funding opens
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS) 2026-27 is open for applications from now to May 12, the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) announced today.
To align with the opportunities brought to Hong Kong by the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and in light of the Government’s policy priorities, five strategic themes have been identified for SPPRFS 2026-27.
These are as follows: development opportunities arising from the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the Greater Bay Area; deepening international exchanges and co-operation in support of the country’s opening up to the world; the development of education, technology, talent and industries; the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism; and elderly and healthcare services.
Applications must be made under one of these themes, and must be align with specified research areas. Individual SPPRFS projects can be granted a maximum of $5 million and last from one to five years.
CEPU Head Stephen Wong, said: “Through its funding schemes, the CEPU will continue to act as a catalyst for transforming internationally oriented academic research into valuable references for policy considerations, fostering a vibrant network of local civil society and university think tanks, and further enhancing their international influence.”
Having regard to Hong Kong’s current and long-term development, and to the need for research on various social issues, the CEPU revealed separately that while applications for the SPPRFS are accepted at specific times each year, those for the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) – which focuses on research studies of a shorter duration and smaller scale – are now accepted throughout the year. Results of applications to the PPRFS will be issued in batches.
Both schemes aim at encouraging local tertiary institutions and public policy research think tanks to conduct evidence-based research on key public policy issues, and to facilitate the transfer of research findings to policy-making. Assessments are conducted by a panel comprising experienced academics and professional experts.
Singaporean PM to visit HK
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of the Republic of Singapore Lawrence Wong will arrive in Hong Kong on March 26 for a three-day official visit.
Chief Executive John Lee will meet Mr Wong on March 27 at Government House.
Niche allocation measures enhanced
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department announced that, from August 1, three more columbaria will be included in monthly niche allocations, in addition to the Tsang Tsui Columbarium in Tuen Mun.
The three additional columbaria are Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in Chai Wan.
Under the new arrangement, the four columbaria will provide not less than 1,600 extendable niches each month.
The department emphasised that every applicant will be allocated a niche under the new arrangement.
If the number of applications for a particular columbarium exceeds the niches available, the department will automatically allocate a niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium.
Applicants can then decide whether to accept the niche automatically assigned to them at Tsang Tsui Columbarium. If they choose to decline it, they can re-submit their application the following month.
However, if a successful applicant declines an allocated niche at their selected columbarium, the department will not accept any further applications for the same deceased person at the same columbarium for a period of six months.
The department said about 18,000 niches had been allocated annually in the past two years.
It added that the monthly supply of not less than 1,600 extendable niches, adding up to a total supply of not less than 19,000 niches in a year, is sufficient to meet public demand.
Once the new arrangement takes effect, the department will no longer conduct annual allocations.
To facilitate implementation of the new arrangement, the department will conduct an annual allocation exercise next month to address the demand for niches that has arisen since last year’s annual allocation.
There will be a total of 12,150 extendable public niches in this exercise, comprising 4,000 standard niches and 50 large niches at each of Shek Mun Columbarium, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium.
The department is planning to organise a public drawing of lots and random computer balloting in late July to determine the allocation of niches to successful applicants.
In addition, Wo Hop Shek Garden at Forever Love Phase II, which provides abortus-keeping services, will be open for public applications from April 1. The columbarium’s first water-soluble commemorative facility, “The Spring of Love”, will open for public use on the same day.
Views sought on NM legislation
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Development Bureau today launched a two-month public consultation on legislative proposals to accelerate the Northern Metropolis (NM) development.
The bureau earlier issued a Legislative Council paper proposing dedicated legislation to streamline planning and land procedures, expedite construction works and facilitate industry operations within the NM.
The proposed legal framework consists of a primary ordinance supported by subsidiary legislation. It suggests granting the Chief Executive in Council the power to enact regulations across six specified areas, as needed.
The six proposed areas for subsidiary legislation include: (i) streamlining town planning procedures; (ii) expediting compensation for resumed land; (iii) adopting innovative construction technology; (iv) simplifying construction noise permit applications; (v) regulating cross-boundary flows of resources; and (vi) establishing statutory corporations for designated areas.
The Government aims to introduce the primary bill to LegCo by mid-2026, alongside a draft of the first batch of subsidiary legislation for preview.
The bureau will strive to secure passage of the primary legislation within this year. Once passed, the first batch of subsidiary legislation will be formally submitted to LegCo for vetting.
The public and all community sectors are welcome to provide comments on the proposed dedicated legislation via email or post on or before May 22.
SJ meets Mainland legal officials
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today met Mainland officials in Shanghai and Hangzhou.
Mr Lam and his delegation, comprising about 40 representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, and local and international law firms, visited Shanghai yesterday and today before travelling onwards to Hangzhou.
This morning, Mr Lam met Vice President of the Shanghai High People’s Court Wang Guangxian. They discussed their respective experiences of judicial practice and ways to strengthen talent training.
He then met Shanghai Vice Mayor Lu Shan to learn about developments in the city and to highlight the unique advantages stemming from Hong Kong’s robust common-law system and its being connected both to the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. He said this can provide Shanghai enterprises with support, through legal and other professional services, in their overseas expansion.
Arriving in Hangzhou this afternoon, Mr Lam met Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province Yang Qingjiu to discuss strengthening co-operation and exchanges between Zhejiang and Hong Kong.
Mr Lam’s itinerary in Shanghai began yesterday with a visit to the headquarters of an Internet and technology company. He then visited the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice to meet Secretary of the CPC and Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice Gu Quan. They exchanged views on strengthening professional co-operation in the legal, arbitration and mediation sectors, and on training for foreign-related legal professionals.
Together with his delegation, the justice chief also attended a roundtable meeting and networking dinner for Shanghai and Hong Kong lawyers and enterprises. He promoted Hong Kong’s strengths as an international financial centre and international legal hub in being able to leverage its common law system and legal and dispute resolution services to assist Mainland enterprises in “going global”.
Four new CE advisers appointed
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government today announced the appointment of four new members to the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers. Their term will run from April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Chief Executive John Lee said the council has provided him with valuable and constructive advice regarding Hong Kong’s strategic development since its establishment in 2023.
“The newly appointed members are industry leaders in frontier fields such as hard and core technology and biotechnology,” he added. “Their participation will further expand the professional scope of the council.”
Mr Lee stressed that he looks forward to council members giving their advice on issues relating to Hong Kong’s proactive alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, with a view to forging a new phase of high-quality development for the city.
He said key issues include how Hong Kong can consolidate and enhance its international competitiveness, better integrate into and serve national development overall, and deepen international exchanges and co-operation.
GREEN$ to connect with AlipayHK
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today announced that the GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme (GREEN$ ePIS) will be linked with the electronic payment platform AlipayHK starting May 4.
Together with the existing platforms Carbon Wallet and MoneyBack, GREEN$ points can be used at more than 150,000 merchants across the city, covering online shopping, bill payments, transportation, retail and dining.
Users may also choose to redeem $50 physical supermarket cash vouchers with their GREEN$ points at all GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities.
The EPD noted that the number of GREEN$ ePIS registered users has exceeded over 1.2 million, with approximately 90% of them already using the mobile application.
As part of its efforts to promote digital transformation, from May 4, one GREEN@COMMUNITY physical gift redemption point will be retained in each of the 18 districts.
Residents of Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Lamma Island can continue to redeem physical gifts at the respective recycling spots.
From the same day, unregistered GREEN$ physical cards will no longer be able to earn new points. Holders of existing physical cards must complete real-name registration by August 31, 2027 if they wish to retain the point-earning function.
Dedicated staff from the EPD will provide on-site registration and demonstration of mobile applications for the elderly and the needy at major public rental housing estates. Similar assistance will also be rendered at GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities.