Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today met Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs & Development Cooperation Maxime Prévot to discuss deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Belgium.

Welcoming Mr Prévot and his delegation to Hong Kong, Mr Lee remarked that Belgium is one of Hong Kong’s major trading partners in the European Union, adding that a number of Belgian companies have set up operations in Hong Kong.

He highlighted that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General of Belgium in Hong Kong, reflecting long-standing exchanges and co-operation between the two places.

Mr Lee outlined that Hong Kong ranks at number one in the world on economic freedom and is the world’s fifth largest merchandise trading entity.

He expressed confidence that Hong Kong and Belgium will further strengthen co-operation and pursue broader collaboration in areas such as investment, innovation and technology (I&T), and people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Lee said Hong Kong firmly supports and upholds free trade and multilateralism, and will continue to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, and expand its global trade network.

He explained that it serves as an important bridge connecting China and the world, and enjoys the unique advantage of enjoying the former’s strong support while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.

He also mentioned that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has established a “Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global” and the Economic & Trade Express service platform, among other initiatives, to support its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”.

Mr Lee said overseas enterprises, including those from Belgium, are welcome to leverage Hong Kong’s professional and high value-added services, its market-oriented business environment and its low and simple tax regime, and to use the city as a platform to tap into the Mainland and Asian markets, thereby advancing global economic development.

Furthermore, he commented that the Northern Metropolis is a new engine for Hong Kong’s future economic development, and that the National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports accelerating its development.

He added that Hong Kong is building itself into an international I&T centre, not least through the development of the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (“Hetao Hong Kong Park”), which he said promotes the integration of technological and industrial innovation, and attracts high-end corporations from the Mainland and around the world to Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive urged Belgian I&T enterprises to set up in the NM and the Hetao Hong Kong Park, and to bring in frontier technologies, talent and industrial chains, thereby leveraging Hong Kong’s robust research and development capabilities and vibrant I&T ecosystem to jointly seize development opportunities.

Acting Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan also attended the meeting.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The European Union and Taiwan hold the eighth Human Rights Consultations

Date：2026-04-27
Data Source：Department of European Affairs

April 27, 2026  
No. 163  

The European Union and Taiwan held the eighth Human Rights Consultations on 24 April in Brussels. 

The frank and constructive consultations provided a valuable platform to update each other on respective human rights situation and review developments in law, policies and actions made over the past year. The EU and Taiwan reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. 

The EU reaffirmed its longstanding opposition to the death penalty, in all cases and all circumstances, and called upon Taiwan to apply a durable de facto moratorium on executions, to guarantee full legal and procedural safeguards and to adopt a consistent and sustained path towards the complete abolition of the death penalty in Taiwan.  

The consultations allowed the EU to address specific human rights issues, such as the need to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers, especially in the fishing industry, and those of domestic workers. The EU and Taiwan also discussed business and human rights, gender equality, digital human rights and media freedom.

The consultations confirmed the importance of promoting, protecting and fulfilling universal human rights and abiding by international human rights norms. 

The EU and Taiwan agreed to continue exchanges and cooperation on human rights, in particular on the issues raised during the consultations.

The meeting was co-chaired on EU side by Ellis Mathews, Head of Human Rights Division and Nicoletta Pusterla, Acting Head of Division for China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Mongolia, and Minister without Portfolio Ming-Hsin Lin for Taiwan.

Ahead of the Human Rights Consultations, on 9 April, the EU held a dedicated meeting with Taiwan civil society organizations on the human rights situation in Taiwan.（E）

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department estimates that around six million passengers will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week from May 1 to May 5.

In consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, the department estimates that around five million passengers will pass through land boundary control points.

Releasing the information in a statement today, the department said the number of outbound and inbound passengers using the boundary control points will be highest on May 2 and May 3, with around 636,000 passengers and 688,000 passengers anticipated on those days respectively.

The department also expects passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point to be heavy, with daily average forecasts of about 246,000, 227,000 and 172,000 passengers respectively.

To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic, the department has minimised leave for frontline officers to allow flexible deployment and operation of additional counters, temporary counters and channels.

To ensure smooth passenger traffic flows, the department, the Police Force, Customs and the MTR Corporation will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point.

The department will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection.

Residents and visitors can access Easy Boundary, a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information. This includes average waiting times for passengers and private cars at land boundary control points, as well as for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge cross-boundary shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (April 27) on the latest situation and arrangements for the upcoming Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland.
 
     The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 6 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland (from May 1 to May 5). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 5 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points (BCPs). The number of outbound and inbound passengers using BCPs will be relatively higher on May 2 (Saturday) and May 3 (Sunday), with around 636 000 passengers and 688 000 passengers respectively.
 
     The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 246 000, 227 000 and 172 000 passengers respectively.
 
     To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment, and operation of additional counters, temporary counters and channels. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.
 
     Furthermore, the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored, and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.
 
     The ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. Residents and visitors may also visit “Easy Boundary” (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound), a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), so as to plan their trips and save waiting time.
 
     For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.
 
     Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
 
     About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance passenger clearance efficiency, 12 additional new e-channels, equipped with the “Face Easy e-Channel” function, have been installed in the Hong Kong International Airport arrival hall. When using the “Face Easy e-Channel” service, eligible Hong Kong residents only need to face the cameras, and arrival immigration clearance will be completed upon successful verification of identity via facial recognition technology. There is no need for them to present any documents or QR code. Moreover, the eligibility criteria for the e-Channel service for Hong Kong permanent residents, holders of Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP), holders of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) electronic ordinary passports, departing visitors using “Smart Departure”, Macao residents and frequent visitors have been adjusted, and the enrolment procedure for the e-Channel service have been simplified. For details of the e-Channel services, please visit: www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/immigration_clearance.html
 
     Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form.
 
     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Two directors of Ocean Empire International Limited were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The two directors pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (April 27) and were fined a total sum of $132,000.
 
The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay 10 employees’ wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and termination of employment contract, totalling about $563,000. The two directors concerned were prosecuted and convicted for their consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.

“The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have personal liability to ensure payment of wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO,” a spokesman for the LD said.
 
​”The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (April 29) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2026 will continue and Government officials will speak on the Bill. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting is available on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To foster public appreciation and understanding of the artistic features of Chinese opera, the Chinese Opera Festival (COF) 2026, as a core part of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, will organise a series of free activities from May to September, including talks on Chinese opera culture, demonstration talks and stylised movement workshops as well as thematic exhibitions. These activities will explore the artistic essence and repertoire appreciation of various opera genres from multiple perspectives.
 
Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera
———————————————–
     In conjunction with this year’s COF theme “Righteousness and Loyalty in Chinese Opera” and repertoires, Chinese opera researchers Chen Liangliang and Hu Guangming will lead audiences through the distinctive charm of Chinese opera culture – from literary themes to role categories and stage artistry – with professional guidance and insightful analysis.
 
Topic: Attachment and Illusion: The Dramaturgy of “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”
Date: May 9 (Saturday)
Speaker: Chen Liangliang
 
Topic: When Loyalty Means Sacrifice: From Lin Chong to Yue Fei
Date: May 16 (Saturday)
Speaker: Chen Liangliang
 
Topic: Loyalty and Filial Piety as Represented by the Yang Family in Chinese Opera Tradition: Insights from the Yu Opera “Mu Guiying Takes Command”
Date: May 23 (Saturday)
Speaker: Hu Guangming
 
Topic: The Performing Arts of the “Wusheng” in Peking Opera: Insights from “Lin Chong on the Run” and “The Pulley”
Date: May 30 (Saturday)
Speaker: Hu Guangming
 
“‘Kunqu’ On and Beyond the Stage” Demonstration Talks
———————————————————————
     Presented by Chinese opera researcher Chan Chun-miu, with live demonstrations by the Concordia Kunqu Society of Hong Kong, these demonstration talks will delve into the essence of “Kunqu” music, development and the set tunes that it performs, guiding audiences into the refined aesthetics of the genre from a more comprehensive perspective.
 
Topic: What Does Qu Mean in “Kunqu”?
Date: May 17 (Sunday)
 
Topic: What Plays are Performed in Kunqu Opera?
Date: May 24 (Sunday)
 
Topic: The Codified Notation of “Kunqu” Music
Date: May 31 (Sunday)
 
Topic: The Exquisite Art of “Kunqu”: A Guided Concert
Date: June 7 (Sunday)
 
     The Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera and “‘Kunqu’ On and Beyond the Stage” Demonstration Talks will be conducted in Putonghua, and will be held at 2.30pm at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.　
 
Workshops and Talks on Kunqu Opera
———————————————–
     Main cast members of the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre will offer demonstrations and interactive experiences, allowing participants to appreciate Kunqu opera’s captivating artistry – from stage stylised movements to the art of painted faces.
 
Workshop on the Stylised Movements of “Sheng” (Male) Roles
in Kunqu Opera
Date: June 29 (Monday)
Tutor: Shi Xiaming
 
Workshop on the Stylised Movements of “Dan” (Female) Roles
in Kunqu Opera
Date: June 30 (Tuesday)
Tutor: He Xinyue
 
A Demonstration Talk on the Painted Faces of “Kunqu”
Date: July 29 (Wednesday)
Speaker: Sun Jing
 
     The above-mentioned workshops on the stylised movements will be held at 7.30pm at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, while A Demonstration Talk on the Painted Faces of “Kunqu” will be held at 7.30pm at the Exhibition Gallery of Sha Tin Town Hall. The events will be conducted in Putonghua. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Exhibitions
————–
　　Thematic exhibitions will be held at various venues across the city from June to September. Alongside displays introducing Peking opera’s martial male roles and the Kunqu Opera “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”, an exhibition entitled “The Righteous and the Loyal in Chinese Opera” will be presented to complement this year’s COF theme, inviting visitors to gain insights into the profound cultural heritage and patriotic spirit embedded in Chinese opera. Admission is free.　
 
The Art of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles
Period: June 10 to 28
Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
 
The Virtual Realm of Kingdom of Huai’an – The Staging of “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”
Period: June 18 to 27
Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Sha Tin Town Hall
 
Period: June 29 to August 2
Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Tai Po Civic Centre
 
“The Righteous and the Loyal in Chinese Opera” Exhibition
Period: June 24 to July 10
Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
 
Period: July 15 to 31
Venue: Exhibition Corner, Yuen Long Theatre
 
Period: July 17 to September 4
Venue: Arts Resource Centre, Hong Kong Central Library
 
     In addition to the above-mentioned talks, workshops and exhibitions, extension activities including meet-the-artists sessions, backstage tours and a demonstration performance of Peking opera will be held during the CCF period to promote the artistry and culture of Chinese traditional opera. For more information about the events, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html.
 
     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 will be held from June to September. It will host various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Today (April 26) is the seventh day of phased arrangements for residents of seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to return to their units. Five middle-zone floors of Wang Cheong House and 10 low-zone floors of Wang Tao House were opened. The access arrangements were carried out in an orderly manner and operated smoothly.

A total of 116 households (418 people) registered to return to their units today through the “one social worker per household” service, while 116 households (424 people) actually turned up.

The average time residents spent entering and leaving the building today was two hours and 26 minutes, with the shortest time being 21 minutes and the longest three hours and 56 minutes. About 77 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than three hours. About 26 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than two hours. About 4 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than one hour.
 
A total of 62 households (151 people) went up and down the building more than once. Among them, 18 households (64 people) made one additional trip, 22 households (46 people) made two additional trips, 11 households (20 people) made three additional trips, 5 households (12 people) made four additional trips, 5 households (8 people) made five additional trips, and 1 household (1 person) made six additional trips.

The integrated enquiry counter set up by relevant departments today received 7 cases requesting police assistance and 1 case involving residents seeking help due to physical discomfort, as well as 1 case seeking psychological counselling services.
 
The 7 cases requesting police assistance involved suspected loss of property, including watches, jewellery, cash and gold items. Officers were immediately deployed to assist in searches, and lost property was recovered in five cases. For the remaining two cases, the Police will make further investigation.

The Government spares no effort in supporting the residents returning to their units. Each day, the Government deploys over 1 000 personnel from various departments, including the Police, the Civil Aid Service, the Fire Services Department, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Home Affairs Department, the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the Housing Department, and the Housing Bureau, as well as District Services and Community Care Teams members. The “Government-wide Mobilisation” mechanism has also been activated to bring together greater interdepartmental resources to support residents. 

​Under the “Government-wide Mobilisation” mechanism, the Civil Service Bureau has co-ordinated nine government departments to mobilise civil servants to form the Government Quick Response Unit to support these access arrangements. These civil servants come from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Architectural Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the Environmental Protection Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Lands Department (LandsD), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Post Office, and the Water Supplies Department(WSD). They will form dedicated teams with social workers and clinical psychologists from the SWD, stationed on different floors to provide support to residents returning to their units. The civil servants mobilised in the first three days were from the AFCD, those mobilised from the fourth day to the sixth day are from the EMSD and the LCSD, while those mobilised from the seventh day to the ninth day (including today) are from the LandsD and the WSD.