Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Complaints Watch Issue No. 28
In the first six months of 2026, the HKMA received 2 310 banking complaints, representing an increase of 22 per cent as compared to the same period of 2025. The main driver to the growth was complaints related to the operation of banking accounts, particularly as a result of increased account reviews and monitoring by AIs following the enhanced intelligence sharing between the Hong Kong Police Force and AIs with a view to addressing the serious fraud problem. The HKMA has reminded AIs to ensure proper and adequate communication with the customers affected in order to minimise inconvenience.
This issue also contains two feature articles about “Supporting Customers in Financial Distress” and “Meeting Customer Expectations in the Digital Era”.
The Complaints WatchIssued at HKT 16:45
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Communications Authority grants consent to SmarTone to cease its 3G services
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Communications Authority grants consent to SmarTone to cease its 3G services
Having considered various relevant factors, the CA approved the application pursuant to Special Condition 10.4 of SmarTone’s Unified Carrier Licence. These include the very low proportion of customers affected (including customers who are still using 3G handsets/devices and those using older models of 4G handsets/devices that only support the older version of VoLTE (Note) technology), and SmarTone’s provision of support services for the affected customers such as offers to replace handsets/devices. For customers who choose not to replace their handsets/devices and not to continue the service, SmarTone will make reasonable service termination arrangements and provide them with sufficient advance notification and customer service support. Moreover, the CA has required SmarTone to maintain satisfactory 3G services until the scheduled service cessation date.
Affected customers may refer to the relevant press release
With the phased shutdown of 3G mobile networks by individual mobile network operators, OFCA takes this opportunity to call on customers of 3G service, and those who are still using 3G handsets/devices and older models of 4G handsets, to upgrade their service plans and handsets/devices. In addition, OFCA encourages members of the public to assist their family and friends, especially the elderly, in upgrading their services in order to experience better service quality and more advanced and diversified features provided by the newer generations of mobile services.
At present, 4G and 5G services are the mainstream mobile services globally, and the 6G era will arrive in a few years. Over 99 per cent of mobile service users in Hong Kong are now enjoying the mobile experience brought by 4G or 5G technologies. To cope with the continued customer demand for more advanced mobile services, mobile network operators’ cessation of their 3G services is in line with the global development trend. They can re-deploy the vacated radio spectrum and focus their resources in support of newer generations of mobile technologies.
Note: VoLTE, Voice over Long Term Evolution (LTE), is a technology that enables voice calls to be made over a 4G LTE network instead of falling back to 2G or 3G networks.
Issued at HKT 16:43
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EPD convictions in June
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EPD convictions in June
Six of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, 27 were under the Noise Control Ordinance, 10 were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, four were under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, 12 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and one was under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
A company was fined $20,000, which was the heaviest fine in June for contravening the provisions of a licence.
Issued at HKT 15:00
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FEHD orders fresh provision shop in Mong Kok to suspend business for 14 days
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD orders fresh provision shop in Mong Kok to suspend business for 14 days
The shop, located at Shop G31 on the ground floor of Cheong Wang Plaza at 15-19 Cheung Wong Road, has been ordered to suspend business from today (July 24) to August 6.
“Two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the shop licensee in August last year and April this year. A total fine of $5,600 was levied by the court, and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department’s demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension,” a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
The licensee concerned had a record of two convictions for the same offence in July and August last year. A total fine of $5,700 was levied, and 30 demerit points were also registered, leading to a seven-day licence suspension in October last year.
The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
Licensed food premises are required to exhibit their licence and a sign at a conspicuous place of the premises, indicating that the premises are licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-foodPremises-search.htmlIssued at HKT 15:00
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“Smart Parent Net” Recommendation: Learn Smart – Be a TOP Student; Students and parents should pay attention to the change in weather
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3
Students and parents are therefore reminded that in the event of tropical cyclones and/or heavy persistent rain, the Education Bureau (EDB) will announce the schooling arrangements for that day based on the latest weather information provided by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), through the following channels:
- AM and Whole-day Schools
- AM and Whole-day SchoolsIn addition, in accordance with the above-mentioned EDB Circular, schools will formulate and regularly review school-based contingency plans in advance to cater for various situations that may arise under inclement weather conditions, such as class suspension. Where events organised by schools might need to be postponed or cancelled under inclement weather, schools should inform all relevant parties of the contingency arrangements in advance.
As the situations in localised areas may differ from the territory as a whole, under the prevailing mechanism, if the EDB has not made any announcement for suspension of classes but individual schools consider it necessary to suspend their classes having regard to local weather, road, slope or traffic conditions, the schools concerned may proceed after consulting the EDB. They should at the same time inform relevant parties according to the established contingency plans. Separately, if neither the EDB nor school has announced class suspension, parents can exercise their discretion in deciding whether or not to send their children to school if the local weather, roads, slopes or traffic conditions are adverse. Schools will be flexible in handling the affected students who arrive late or are absent from school at parents’ discretion on the day, and such students will not be penalised.
Weather conditions can change rapidly, so it is important for students and parents to pay close attention to the latest weather conditions provided by the HKO and check if the EDB has announced class suspension before leaving for school and during their journey to ensure safety.
Reappointment of Hong Kong Productivity Council Chairman
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Reappointment of Hong Kong Productivity Council Chairman
Non-Official Members
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Mr Sunny Tan (Chairman)
Mr Emil Yu Chen-on (Deputy Chairman)
Professor Samuel Au Kwok-Wai
Professor Viveca Chan E-nam
Mr Bryant Chan Wan-sing
Mr Brian Cheng Ho-wai
Ms Lily Ching Ngon-lai
Professor Jia Jiaya
Mr Geoffrey Edward Kao
Ms Vivien Lau Man-yee
Professor Matthew Lee Kwok-on
Mr Bernard Poon Che-wai
Mr Ivan Sze Wing-hang
Ms Jenny Tam Kam-lin
Mr Donald Tong Chi-keung
Mr Wallace Wong Pok-man
Ms Jennifer Yeung Yin-chi
Ms Zhang Li
Official Members
——————–
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Commissioner for Innovation and Technology
Director-General of Trade and Industry
Government Economist
Deputy Commissioner for Labour
Issued at HKT 12:00
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Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions for 2026/27 academic year enters admission stage
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions for 2026/27 academic year enters admission stageSecond priority admission results – 9am on July 26 (Sunday)
Third priority admission results – 9am on July 27 (Monday)
Fourth priority admission results – 9am on July 28 (Tuesday)Second priority supplementary enrolment results – 9am on August 2 (Sunday)Issued at HKT 12:00
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Speech by SITI at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Digital Weeks High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Community, in Chengdu (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by SITI at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Digital Weeks High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Community, in Chengdu (English only)
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is my honour to join this high-level dialogue today. Digital and AI technologies are advancing rapidly worldwide. Hong Kong, China (HKC) actively leverages these innovations to empower the community and enhance the well-being of our people.
In the public sector, we remain firmly committed to enhancing the efficiency of governance and delivery of public services through emerging technologies. Our Smart Government Innovation Lab serves as a vital platform connecting government departmental needs with innovative solutions from the industry, with a view to driving innovation and technology (I&T) adoption across the Government. We have also launched the AI Solution Catalogue and the AI Toolbox, which feature a wide range of AI solutions and tools that facilitate customer service, data analysis and prediction, and document drafting, thereby encouraging the wider use of AI technologies and tools across the Government.
At the community level, we are also mindful that the benefits brought about by technological advancements should trickle down to the general public. We have in place “iAM Smart”, a one-stop digital services platform that consolidates more than 1 400 online public and private services on one single portal. Citizens may have access to digital services, ranging from renewal of driving licenses to making appointments at public hospitals to filing tax returns, through one single platform, which greatly enhances convenience and efficiency.
We are also extending this digital convenience to businesses through the upcoming Digital Corporate Identity or CorpID Platform, a business version of “iAM Smart”. This platform will equip corporations with a secure digital identity and essential features such as corporate identity authentication, digital signing and form pre-filling. With CorpID, corporations will be able to access both government-to-business and business-to-business e???services easily, boosting operational and administrative efficiency.
Furthermore, an AI Assistant will be introduced on both the “iAM Smart” and CorpID platforms within this year. The AI Assistant is expected to enhance user experience by providing instant responses to enquiries and personalised services to users. For corporations seeking business upgrade and technological enhancement, the assistant will recommend information and services related to government funding schemes, industry support programmes and other public resources. These services are most crucial to small and medium enterprises and will significantly accelerate their digital transformation journey.
We have not forgotten the challenges digitalisation causes to the elderly. To this end, our “Smart Silver” Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders partners with non-profit-making organisations to help our seniors embrace digital life. We hope that our senior citizens may also enjoy the convenience and ease of the digital age.
The ultimate value of innovation lies in its ability to bring positive impacts to our society. Let us remain steadfast in empowering and harnessing technological advancement for the good of our people, while ensuring that technology powers a better future for the entire community. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 11:10
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Belt-Road joint conference held
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) and relevant central ministries today held the ninth Joint Conference on Advancing Hong Kong’s Full Participation in & Contribution to the Belt & Road Initiative in Beijing.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, in his capacity as chairperson of the Working Group on Belt & Road Development under the Steering Group on Integration into National Development, led a delegation to attend the conference.
NDRC Vice Chairman Zhou Haibing also attended the meeting, alongside representatives from the commission, the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and the Supreme People’s Court.
Other attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the People’s Bank of China, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR.
Addressing the conference, Mr Lam said the Hong Kong SAR Government has been taking forward Belt & Road co-operation to achieve deeper and more concrete outcomes, fully participating in and contributing to the initiative under the guidance of major national steps to support high-quality co-operation and integrate into national development.
He expressed gratitude to the central government for its staunch support for hosting the International Organization for Mediation headquarters in Hong Kong, emphasising that this will strengthen the city’s role as an international dispute resolution services centre as well as a hub for international mediation.
He added that public consultation is underway on formulating Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, which outlines directions to deepen participation in the initiative and enable the city to better leverage its unique advantages under “one country, two systems”.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau, who serves as the Hong Kong-side Convenor of the Joint Conference, highlighted the HKSAR Government’s commitment to promoting all-round, multifaceted cooperation under the initiative.
During the meeting, Mr Yau reported on relevant work progress, including forging additional free trade and investment agreements, advancing plans to establish a new Economic & Trade Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and accelerating the work of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to help Mainland businesses expand overseas through Hong Kong’s platform.
Today’s session also covered work proposals submitted by the HKSAR Government for consideration by central ministries, alongside Hong Kong’s key priority areas for future participation in the initiative, while representatives from relevant Mainland ministries detailed their supportive measures and provided feedback on the proposals.
Dietary lead, cadmium pose low risk
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Local exposure to dietary lead and cadmium has a low health impact, according to a report released today by the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department’s Centre for Food Safety.
Findings in the fifth report released under the Second Hong Kong Total Diet Study state that local dietary exposure estimates for cadmium are below the tolerable monthly intake established by the Joint Food & Agriculture Organization / World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), while those for lead are also below the dietary exposure levels identified by JECFA.
Moreover, estimates of dietary exposure among the overall adult population to both metals are lower than those reported in the First Hong Kong Total Diet Study, which was conducted between 2010 and 2014.
Out of a total of 187 tested food items, covering 15 food groups, 125 were detected with cadmium, while lead was detected in 176. The three major food groups, namely “cereals and their products”, “vegetables and their products” and “fish, seafood and their products”, accounted for about 80% of the total dietary exposure to cadmium and about 50% of the total dietary exposure to lead.
Cadmium and lead, as metallic elements present ubiquitously in the environment, can be released through various natural processes or human activities, and subsequently enter the human food chain.
In addition to maintaining a balanced and varied diet, people are advised to wash vegetables and fruit thoroughly to remove dust and soil, remove outer leaves from leafy greens and peel the skin from root crops, in order to reduce levels of cadmium and lead.