Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Members met with the Sai Kung District Council (DC) and Central and Western DC members at the LegCo Complex today (June 26). They held in-depth discussions and exchanged views on issues related to community development and people’s concern.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hospital Authority standardises Chinese Medicine Clinics naming by district to better serve public
“By adopting a standardised district-based naming approach for the CMCTRs in the 18 districts, we can further strengthen the connection between the CMCTRs and the community. This reflects our commitment to a root-based community service and district-focused care, and reinforces the pivotal role these CMCTRs play in the primary healthcare network of Chinese medicine. At the same time, the district names will make it easier for the public to identify the relevant clinics, thereby enabling citizens in seeking government-subsidised Chinese medicine outpatient services,” the HA spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added, “Following the standardisation of naming, the CMCTRs in the 18 districts will continue to be operated under a tripartite collaboration model involving the HA, non-governmental organisations and universities. Since 2020, the CMCTRs have dovetailed with the Government’s Chinese medicine policy to provide government-subsidised Chinese medicine outpatient services at the district level, in addition to their roles of teaching and research, that is providing post-registration training for Chinese medicine practitioners and promoting research projects, as well as providing non-government subsidised services. The HA sincerely thanks our tripartite partners for their continued active support and collaboration, and we will work together to provide professional and high-quality Chinese medicine services across all districts.”
The HA reminds members of the public that the service arrangement, daily operation and patients’ past medical records and information for the CMCTRs in the 18 districts will not be affected by the standardised naming. The CMCTRs will not contact citizens to request any personal or additional information in connection with the naming exercise. The clinics will continue to provide both government-subsidised and non-subsidised Chinese medicine outpatient services. Patients may make an appointment either by telephone during service hours, or through the “18 CM Clinics” mobile application (applicable to patients who have registered for the 18 CMCTRs’ services).
To align with the renaming arrangement, all CMCTRs in the 18 districts will gradually change facilities’ names, signage and website information, and will place notices in prominent locations of the clinics to inform patients of the relevant arrangements. Meanwhile, the Primary Care Directory of the Health Bureau will also be updated accordingly. The HA will continue to maintain close liaison with different stakeholders, with a view to ensuring members of the public can receive relevant information clearly.
Issued at HKT 10:30
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, DC (HKETO, Washington DC), hosted on June 24 (Washington time) a panel discussion co-organised with the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham) on Hong Kong’s business environment and its role as an international centre for finance and trade.
The event, presented under the Economic and Trade Express platform, brought together members and representatives of the US-China Business Council, as well as a cross-section of private sector representatives, US federal and local government officials, business consultancies, think tanks, higher education institutions, diplomats, media, and professionals from various sectors.
The Director of the HKETO, Washington DC, Ms Elania Luk, welcomed attendees, and remarked on Hong Kong’s unique ability and competitiveness to weather global headwinds. “Hong Kong will continue to do what it has done best: adapt”. She stated that in response to past challenges, Hong Kong had embraced change and leveraged its core strengths, namely commitment to a free-market philosophy; a simple, low tax regime; prudent fiscal policies; and the free flow of capital, information, goods, and talent.
Ms Luk shared the news that Hong Kong moved up from third place to be ranked the second-most competitive economy in the world in the International Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026.
She also noted that five of Hong Kong’s universities are in the world’s top 100, according to the recently released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) 2027 World University Rankings. Ms Luk noted that while the University of Hong Kong held on to the 11th position, the Chinese University of Hong Kong rose an astonishing 14 places to 18th. “The rise of our universities within the ranking demonstrates our city’s growing appeal for international talent and its stature as a global higher-education hub,” Ms Luk said.
Following her remarks, Ms Luk moderated a panel discussion featuring the Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Mr David Butts; the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Dr Eden Woon; Partner at the Asia Group Mr George Chen; Managing Director of Peak Capital Mr John Ying; and the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong, Ms Xie Yi.
The panellists offered their assessments of Hong Kong’s business environment and the hallmarks of the city’s resiliency. They are in general optimistic about Hong Kong’s outlook, core advantages and business environment. They also discussed how the American business community can leverage Hong Kong’s value proposition.
The event coincided with AmCham’s annual doorknock to Washington, DC. Mr Butts spoke of the importance of the annual doorknock, saying its mission was two-fold. “To share stories of American businesses operating in Hong Kong and to learn about Washington’s current thinking about Hong Kong,” Mr Butts said.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva hosted a reception on June 23 (Geneva time) to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) with over 170 guests from diplomatic missions to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and key contacts in various international organisations, the academia and local businesses.
Speaking at the reception, the Permanent Representative of the HKSAR of China to the WTO, Miss Winky So, highlighted that trade has been one of the most powerful forces for economic growth and development, and the trading system can be shaped if all parties work together.
To the guests, she said, “Hong Kong’s success has always depended on our own openness and connectivity, as well as the predictability provided by the WTO; we remain firmly committed to upholding the core values of the rules-based multilateral trading system.”
As a founding member of the WTO, Hong Kong has always been a staunch supporter of the rules-based multilateral trading system. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong participates in the WTO as a separate customs territory in the name of Hong Kong, China.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Employees Retraining (Amendment) Bill 2026 gazetted
A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau said, “Upskill Hong Kong, upon the upgrade, will continue to honour its commitment to serving local grassroots workers and those with lower skills or employability. It will also promote continuous learning and upskilling, and develop more advanced skill courses targeting members of the workforce with relatively higher educational attainment and skill levels to continuously enhance their productivity and competitiveness.”
The main provisions of the Bill include expanding the statutory functions and powers of the ERB upon its upgrade as Upskill Hong Kong, which encompass the formulation of a skill-based training framework, the provision of training and career-planning services having regard to the framework, and making provisions in respect of related financial matters; enhancing the composition of Upskill Hong Kong; streamlining the procedures to appoint training bodies; renaming the ERB, the Employees Retraining Fund and the Employees Retraining Levy; and introducing technical amendments to enhance operational efficiency.
The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address the reform of the ERB and the vigorous strengthening of the training of local workers. The ERB would enhance its role and positioning from providing employment-related training for low-skilled workers in the past to devising skill-based training programmes and strategies for the entire workforce, thereby supporting Hong Kong’s economic development. The ERB has, since January 2025, implemented a series of short-term reform measures to enhance its services. Some medium- to long-term reform measures can be fully implemented only after legislative amendments to the Employees Retraining Ordinance (Cap. 423).
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on July 8.
Issued at HKT 9:00
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Diesel Subsidy Scheme to end on June 29 as scheduled
Since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East region, the Government has been closely monitoring geopolitical changes and tracking fuel supply and price fluctuations. The Task Force, led by the Financial Secretary, was established to dynamically assess geopolitical development and fuel supply and prices, to ensure the stability of Hong Kong’s energy supply, and to closely examine the impact of oil price fluctuations on various industries.
In formulating support measures, the Task Force took the following principles into account:
(1) Given that fluctuations in crude oil prices have a broad impact across society and considering the Government’s fiscal constraints, priority should be given to the operational sectors that are most severely affected and that involve public services;
The United States and Iran both announced the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz after having signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Based on the latest futures market data, the Government Economist estimates that international refined oil prices for diesel would gradually decline for the remainder of the year.
As the support measures are temporary and time-limited in nature, and to prevent risks to public finances, the Task Force decided that the Scheme will end at 11.59pm on June 29 as scheduled upon the expiration of the two-month period. The Task Force will continue to dynamically assess the situation in the Middle East region, and fuel supply and prices, so as to ensure the stability of Hong Kong’s energy supply.
The Government will make announcement in due course on the arrangements of the other two time-limited measures, i.e. toll waiver for commercial vehicles and liquefied petroleum gas fuel subsidy.
Issued at HKT 11:45
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Ta Kwu Ling today (June 26) in which a man died.
At 6.27am, a public light bus (PLB) driven by a 74-year-old man was travelling along Man Kam To Road towards Sheung Shui. When approaching Hung Kiu San Tsuen, it reportedly failed to brake in time and knocked down a 69-year-old man who was riding a bicycle.
Sustaining serious head injuries, the male cyclist was rushed to North District Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 6.59am.
A 43-year-old female PLB passenger was suffering from waist pain and was sent to North District Hospital in conscious state.
The PLB driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for further enquiries.
Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is underway.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Board of Ocean Park Corporation announced————-
Mr Paulo Pong Kin-yee————————–
Mr Simon Wong Hin-wing————————–
Ms Cissy Chan Ching-sze
Mr Jimmy Chan Kwok-ho
Dr Quinton Chan Yuk-kuen
Mr Humphrey Choi Chor-ching
Mr Raymond Chow Ming-joe
Ms Lau Kam-shim
Mr Jonathan Leung Chun
Dr Lo Wai-kwok
Dr Ma Kwan-ki
Mr Alvin Miu
Mr David Tang Chi-fai
Mr William Harry Tang Jiasheng
Professor Qiu Jianwen
Mr Alexander Yeung Ching-loong
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) (or representative)
Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (or representative)
Commissioner for Tourism (or representative)
Issued at HKT 11:30
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Labour Department suspends recognition of safety training course operated by training course provider
The LD found that the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions had violated the approval conditions for operating the courses, including an examiner (a staff member of the training course provider) disclosing answers to trainees during the re-examination, an examiner and an invigilator failing to invigilate the examinations in a proper manner resulting in their inability to detect trainees cheating, insufficient staff being present to invigilate certain exam periods, and the re-examination being conducted in a training venue that was not approved by the Commissioner for Labour.
After conducting thorough investigations and gathering evidence, and taking into account the explanations and representations provided by the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions and the relevant persons, the LD decided to suspend its recognition of the Green Card Course for six months. At the request of the LD, the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions has recalled and cancelled most of the Green Cards concerned. Two Green Cards (the numbers are listed in the Annex), which have not yet been recalled, have also been invalidated.
A spokesman for the LD said, “The LD is highly concerned about the quality of mandatory safety training courses. The LD has increased manpower to monitor compliance with approval conditions by recognised training course providers, with a view to maintaining training standards and providing workers with appropriate occupational safety and health (OSH) training. If a training course provider does not comply with the approval conditions set by the LD, its recognition to operate the relevant courses will be withdrawn or suspended. The LD will continue to closely monitor the quality of all training course providers and their trainers and strive to enhance the standard of OSH in Hong Kong.”
There are 125 training course providers offering the recognised Green Card Course. Relevant course information has been uploaded to the LD’s website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content5.htmIssued at HKT 11:00
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tenders invited for site formation and engineering infrastructure works for Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area Contract 1 The works are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2027 and will take about 35 months to complete.
The CEDD has commissioned AECOM – AIS Joint Venture to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors may download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS). Tenderers must submit tenders in electronic format via the e-TS.Issued at HKT 11:00
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