Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hongkong Post today announced that principal postage rates will be adjusted starting April 13.

Postage for sending a local letter weighing 30g or less will rise from $2.20 to $2.40.

Airmail postage for letters weighing 20g or less to the Mainland and Taiwan will increase from $3.70 to $3.90. For other destinations, rates will rise from the current range of $4-$5.50 to $4.20-$5.80.

For surface mail weighing 20g or less, postage to the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan will increase from $2.80 to $3. Rates for other destinations will be adjusted from the current $3.50-$5.30 range to $3.70-$5.60.

Hongkong Post said the adjustments are necessary to offset rising operating costs, particularly increases in conveyance costs and terminal dues payments. It added that the new rates are broadly in line with cumulative inflation since the last adjustments in September 2022.

Hongkong post noted that the postage increases for over 90% of local and surface mail will be within $0.20, while those for 90% of airmail will be within $0.50. It added that the adjustments are expected to have a very mild impact on the general public and commercial sectors.

Source: Government of Singapore

23 March 2026 – Singapore has broken several rainfall and temperature records in 2025, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore’s (MSS) 2025 Annual Climate Assessment Report [1], which covers the year’s climate conditions and notable weather events. This report has been published in conjunction with World Meteorological Day and features the latest coverage of Singapore’s heat stress monitoring network, in line with the theme “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow”.

Singapore’s 2025 Climate Overview 

2.       2025 began with wet and cool weather from January to March due to La Niña [2] conditions and Northeast Monsoon surges, which brought Singapore its wettest March on record. The above-average rainfall in the early months made 2025 Singapore’s 7th wettest year since 1980. However, the weather pattern shifted from May onwards, with Singapore experiencing its warmest June and November on record. Despite La Niña’s cooling influence, 2025 still ranked among Singapore’s top 10 warmest years.

Temperature

3.        Singapore’s average temperature [3] in 2025 was 28.1 degrees Celsius, making it the joint 8th warmest year on record alongside 2010 and 2002, despite La Niña conditions. This reflects the influence of the ongoing long-term warming trend globally and Singapore. Singapore’s annual mean temperature has risen by 0.24 degrees Celsius per decade since 1984.

4.         Several temperature records were matched or broken in 2025. June 2025 was Singapore’s warmest June since 1929, tied with 1997. November saw multiple temperature records broken, including the highest-ever November temperature of 36.0 degrees Celsius recorded at Newton on 1 November during an exceptionally warm and dry period. November was also Singapore’s warmest November since 1929. 

Heat Stress

5.         Singapore recorded its highest heat stress reading ever when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reached 35.0 degrees Celsius at Palawan Green (Sentosa) on 31 October. 

6.         To enhance monitoring capabilities, MSS expanded its heat stress monitoring network by adding seven new stations in 2025 and a further five stations in January 2026, bringing the total to 20 operational stations across Singapore today. Singapore experienced 29 days of high heat stress [4] in 2025. September and October had the most such days for those months since 2018, partly due to improved detection from our expanded network.

Rainfall

7.        2025 was the 7th wettest year since 1980, with annual total rainfall [5] of 2984.9mm, 18 per cent above the long-term average. Three monsoon surges brought exceptionally wet conditions early in the year. March 2025 was the wettest March on record, with islandwide average rainfall of 482.9mm – 130 per cent above the month’s long-term average. The climate station’s monthly total rainfall of 550.1mm broke the previous March record of 528.3mm set in 1913. 

8.        Singapore’s rainfall is increasing, with annual total rainfall increasing by 92.5mm per decade from 1980 to 2025. Over the same period, Singapore experienced more rain on wet days [6], indicating heavier downpours when it rains. In 2025, the average rainfall on wet days was 13.8mm, the second highest on record, after 2021 (14.4 mm/day). 

Notable Weather Events in 2025

Strengthening Singapore’s Climate Resilience 

12.        Despite temporary cooling by La Niña in 2025, the warming trend continues both globally and in Singapore. Rising temperatures and related extreme weather events highlight the importance of climate adaptation. Singapore is strengthening its climate preparedness with Ministry of Sustainability and Environment (MSE)’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation and the launch of the nation’s first National Adaptation Plan in 2027, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a climate-resilient Singapore.

[6] A day is considered a wet day when the daily rainfall averaged across islandwide stations ≥ 1 mm.

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Table 2: Summary of record-matching and record-breaking (in bold) temperatures and rainfall across all other stations in 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing and spoke at a symposium at the forum titled “Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development”.

Mr Chan attended the forum’s opening session and another symposium in the morning, before addressing the green symposium in the afternoon.

In his remarks, he said that while some countries have withdrawn from international co-operation frameworks, the momentum of the green transition continues to advance. He highlighted that investment in clean energy exceeded US$2.2 trillion in 2025, accounting for about two-thirds of energy investment globally, with China contributing about one-third of the total.

The finance chief emphasised that China is not only a participant in global climate governance, but also a steadfast practitioner and leader, and is making steady progress towards its “3060” dual carbon goals. The country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which sets out a number of binding targets, will embed green development deeply into industrial upgrading efforts and infrastructure development, accelerating a comprehensive green transition across economic and social development.

As a Special Administrative Region of the country, Mr Chan said Hong Kong is firmly advancing towards carbon neutrality. In 2024, the city’s per capita carbon emissions fell to about 4.4 tonnes, roughly one-quarter of the figure in the US, and 60% of that of the European Union.

Looking ahead, the Financial Secretary said Hong Kong will continue to take forward decarbonisation work in four major directions: net-zero electricity generation; energy savings and green buildings; green transport; and waste reduction.

Mr Chan stressed that the Government is committed to contributing “Hong Kong’s strength” to the regional and global green transition by leveraging two core engines, namely green finance and green technology.

Firstly, he explained, Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its role as a regional green finance hub. Secondly, it will proactively develop innovative financial instruments to channel greater funding into green projects. Thirdly, the city will continue to foster a vibrant green technology ecosystem and step up investment in frontier green technologies. It will also support the expansion into overseas markets of green technologies developed in the Mainland.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an to conduct in-depth exchanges on the 15th Five-Year Plan, the national and global economic outlook, and fiscal policies. They also discussed strengthening co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

The meeting was also attended by Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui.

In the evening, Mr Chan attended the Beijing Night of the China Development Forum 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Spring is in full bloom, offering people a captivating floral experience across the city. During the spring flowering season, 60 pink trumpet trees burst into bloom in Sha Tin Park. The sea of beautiful flowers attracts residents and photographers alike to stop and take pictures.

Floral oasis

To beautify the cityscape, the Task Force on District Governance has co-ordinated various departments to implement thematic planting projects across Hong Kong. These include thematically planting a single type of tree or shrub in selected locations to create a visual impact.

The improvement project in Sha Tin Park was completed earlier this year, with pink trumpet trees as the main feature. It has since become a photo-taking hotspot in the district.

One local resident had seen the project on social media and was inspired to visit in person.

“It is actually beautiful and stunning, and caught my eye.”

The pink trumpet trees also create the perfect romantic backdrop and are popular among couples for taking their wedding photos.

Careful selection

Leisure & Cultural Services Department Sha Tin District Leisure Services Office Manager (Sha Tin Park) Sherry Lau noted that the department had enhanced the beautification works in Sha Tin Park to improve its overall landscape.

“When selecting the plants, we followed the principle of ‘Right plant, Right place’, considering its suitability to the environment, visual appeal and harmony with the surroundings, as well as maintenance needs and resilience.”

She explained that the pink trumpet tree suits Hong Kong’s climate, attracts insects for pollination and supports biodiversity. Together with the surrounding greenery, it adds colour and seasonal interest to the park.

Citywide enhancement

Besides Sha Tin Park, various beautification projects in different districts have been completed. These include planting 40 rosy trumpet trees along Lung Hop Street in Wan Chai, as well as flowering plants along Lung Wo Road and near Golden Bauhinia Square to enhance the area’s appearance.

The projects also cover Shing Fung Road Park in Kai Tak where rosy trumpet trees, pink trumpet trees and Indian almonds provide year-round seasonal interest. Along the greenway, sweet gums turn red in autumn, creating a stunning autumnal vibe.

Civil Engineering & Development Department East Development Office Senior Engineer Jason Wong said: “Since Shing Fung Road Park is located by the waterfront, we chose trees that are both wind-resistant and salt-tolerant.”

Infusing joy
Mr Wong emphasised that Shing Fung Road Park not only provides quality public space but also creates synergy with the adjacent Kai Tak Sports Park. In terms of improving environmental quality, Shing Fung Road Park has not only increased green space and beautified the waterfront landscape, but also attracts residents and visitors for leisure and recreation.

The park can also host various events, promote cultural exchanges, and offer visitors an opportunity to experience Hong Kong’s local culture. Altogether, it enhances quality of life, a sense of happiness and sense of fulfilment, he added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam will lead a legal services delegation departing tomorrow on a visit to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing.

The trip is intended to strengthen exchanges between the legal sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and to promote co-operation in legal and dispute resolution services.

The delegation comprises about 40 representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, and local and international law firms.

In Shanghai, Mr Lam will lead the delegation in attending a roundtable meeting for Shanghai and Hong Kong lawyers and enterprises, and visit Shanghai’s judicial departments and institutions.

During their stay in Hangzhou, the delegation will hold exchange sessions with representatives of the Zhejiang legal community, and visit a local “foreign-related” legal organisation.

Moving on to Nanjing, Mr Lam will attend an unveiling ceremony for a legal and business integration service platform between Jiangsu and Hong Kong.

During his visit to the Mainland, he will meet various local leaders.

Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on March 26. During his absence, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will be Acting Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region