Appointments to Elderly Commission announced

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Appointments to Elderly Commission announced———–
Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung 
 
Vice-chairman
————-
Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho
 
Non-official members
————————
Professor Bai Xue
Dr Johnnie Casire Chan Chi-kau
Ms Grace Chan Man-yee
Ms Ip Shun-hing
Professor Daniel Lai Wing-leung
Professor Linda Lam Chiu-wa
Mr Lau Tat-chuen
Mr Lee Shing-kan
Dr Jenny Lee Shun-wah
Mr Horace Lit Hoo-yin
Dr James Luk Ka-hay
Mr Theodore Ma Heng
Ms Queenie Man Wei-yin
Mr Godfrey Ngai Shi-shing
Mr Kyrus Siu King-wai
Mr Albert Su Yau-on
Ms Macy Wong Chor-kei
Mrs Yim Tsui Yuk-shan——————-
Secretary for Labour and Welfare or representative
Secretary for Health or representative
Secretary for Housing/Director of Housing or representative
Director of Health or representative
Director of Social Welfare or representative
Chief Executive, Hospital Authority or representative
Issued at HKT 12:00

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TAC welcomes completion of scrutiny of four pieces of subsidiary legislation regarding regulation of ride-hailing services

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) welcomes the completion of scrutiny of the four pieces of subsidiary legislation relating to the regulation of ride-hailing services by the Legislative Council.

With advancements in technology and changing travel patterns, booking and providing personalised point-to-point transport services through online channels have become an international trend. The TAC welcomes the Government’s proposal to regulate ride-hailing services from three aspects, namely platforms, vehicles and drivers, in line with the three major policy objectives of “people-oriented, complementary coexistence and overall control”, to safeguard passengers’ safety and rights, and to meet and facilitate the public’s travel needs.

The Chairman of the TAC, Professor Wong Sze-chun, said, “The TAC expects that with the implementation of the regulatory regime for ride-hailing services, a healthy and sustainable competitive environment can be fostered in Hong Kong’s overall personalised point-to-point transport services market. Within the public transport system of Hong Kong, taxis and ride-hailing services complement each other through their respective operating models, enabling a mutually beneficial coexistence and leveraging their own strengths to provide passengers with diverse travel options. The TAC supports the Government in conducting dynamic assessments in response to market developments and actual operational conditions after the implementation of the regulatory regime, and in reviewing in a timely manner whether adjustments to the number of ride-hailing vehicles are required.”

New Aberdeen Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange to be commissioned on July 26 to enhance bus service efficiency and passengers’ waiting experience

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

New Aberdeen Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange to be commissioned on July 26 to enhance bus service efficiency and passengers’ waiting experience      A spokesman for the TD said, “As bus routes to and from Stanley can stop at the new BBI, a total of 37 bus routes will be available for interchange there. This covers almost half of the bus routes serving the Southern District and significantly expands the bus network of Stanley. In addition, the introduction of Citybus route No. 770 will facilitate convenient travel for passengers between the Southern District and the vicinity of Chai Wan and Siu Sai Wan. Furthermore, interchange discounts will be offered on designated routes, enabling passengers to select suitable options to reach their destinations.”

     The TD has briefed the Traffic and Transport Committees of the relevant District Councils on the new bus service arrangements. Appropriate traffic signs and road markings have been put in place at the new BBI to guide passengers and motorists. Members of the public may refer to the bus operator’s notices, website and mobile app for route information, interchange discount details and bus stop locations, or pay attention to announcements inside bus compartments.Issued at HKT 17:05

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Tender of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds through re-opening to be held on July 23

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Tender of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds through re-opening to be held on July 23      
     An additional amount of RMB1.0 billion of the outstanding 5-year Bonds (issue no. 05GB2912002) will be on offer. The Bonds will mature on December 10, 2029 and will carry interest at the rate of 2.37 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrear. The Indicative Pricings of the Bonds on July 17, 2026 are 102.93 with a semi-annualised yield of 1.482.
      
     Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk      
     Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK ) and Refinitiv (IBPGSBPINDEX). The publication time is expected to be no later than 3:00 pm on the tender day.
 
HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Information 

Issue Number9.30am to 10.30amthe Stock Exchange
of Hong Kong LimitedIssued at HKT 17:00

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CSSA caseload for June 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CSSA caseload for June 2026          
     The total CSSA caseload at the end of June stood at 194 548 (see attached table), with a total of 256 732 recipients.
          
     Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 0.3 per cent to 1 254 cases. Single parent cases decreased by 0.2 per cent to 17 852 cases.
      
     Both permanent disability cases and ill-health cases registered an increase of 0.2 per cent to 16 195 cases and 28 390 cases respectively. Old age cases increased by 0.1 per cent to 111 730 cases. Unemployment cases remained steady at 15 184 cases.
Issued at HKT 17:00

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Unemployment and underemployment statistics for April – June 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Unemployment and underemployment statistics for April – June 2026      
     Comparing April – June 2026 with March – May 2026, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied. Decreases were mainly seen in the import and export trade sector, food and beverage service activities sector, and real estate sector while increases were mainly seen in the manufacturing sector, and warehousing and support activities for transportation sector. As to the underemployment rate, increases were mainly seen in the warehousing and support activities for transportation sector, construction sector, and professional and business services sector (excluding cleaning and similar activities).

     Total employment increased by around 6 800 from 3 639 300 in March – May 2026 to 3 646 100 in April – June 2026. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 5 500 from 3 780 300 to 3 785 800.Issued at HKT 16:30

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Approved Aberdeen & Ap Lei Chau Outline Zoning Plan amended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Approved Aberdeen & Ap Lei Chau Outline Zoning Plan amended     * The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.Issued at HKT 16:00

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Immigration Department carries out in-flight escort repatriation operation repatriating six unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their place of origin

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

      The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out an in-flight escort repatriation operation codenamed “Expel” yesterday (July 16), deploying officers to successfully repatriate six unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to Pakistan. The persons removed were all male illegal immigrants. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment. Since the persons had repeatedly refused to accept repatriation arrangements and vigorously resisted during previous repatriation operations, the ImmD resorted to using an in-flight escort to effect the forced repatriation.

      An ImmD spokesman said, “The ImmD has been committed to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest. As there are currently no direct flights between Hong Kong and Pakistan, repatriating Pakistani claimants need to transit through a connecting airport to Pakistan. To enhance removal efforts, following the in-flight escort repatriation operations codenamed ‘Expel’ in November 2025 and March 2026, the ImmD once again arranged a special chartered flight from Hong Kong to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, then interchanged to a commercial flight to Pakistan to effect the in-flight escort repatriation operation. The ImmD successfully carried out the forced repatriation to remove six unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their home country in this operation, and handed them over to the relevant government authorities. This has significantly enhanced the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the repatriation process, demonstrating the ImmD’s firm determination to expedite repatriations against unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants.”

      Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.

      The ImmD will continue to explore different feasible solutions to expedite the repatriation of unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants, and will actively co-ordinate with relevant authorities to optimise repatriation routes and the operation process. The ImmD will actively maintain close liaison with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments to repatriate unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong as soon as practicable through all appropriate measures.

  

Territory-wide flag-selling activity cancelled

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has been informed by Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) Trustees Incorporated that the territory-wide flag-selling activity in public places scheduled to be held tomorrow (July 18) has been cancelled, a spokesman for the SWD said today (July 17). 

Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permits issued by the SWD, including any updated information, have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search).

For enquiries, please contact Ms Lee of the organisation at 2232 5536/2232 5543.

Red tide sighted

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Red tide sighted      
     The red tide was spotted by the public on July 15 at the Yim Tin Tsai fish culture zone. The red tide still persists. No associated death of fish has been reported.
      
     A spokesman for the working group said, “The red tide was formed by Scrippsiella acuminata, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic.”
      
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
      
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD’s proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Issued at HKT 14:20

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