Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Plans for the Hong Kong Section of the Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line were published in the Government Gazette today.

The NOL Spur Line, an underground railway starting from San Tin Station on the NOL Main Line, will comprise a five-km long Hong Kong section and a one-km long Shenzhen section.

Three new railway stations – two in the Hong Kong section, at Chau Tau and the Loop, and one at the new Huanggang Port in the Shenzhen section – will be built.

The Government said construction works for the Hong Kong Section will commence as soon as practicable after securing authorisation for the railway plans. It aims to commission the NOL Spur Line together with the NOL Main Line by 2034 or earlier.

It is estimated that travel times between Kam Sheung Road and Kwu Tung, and between San Tin and the new Huanggang Port, will thereafter be reduced to 12 and 11 minutes respectively.

The Government stressed that the NOL Project is an important transport infrastructure project driving the development of the Northern Metropolis and facilitating Hong Kong’s integration into national development, aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline.

The NOL Main Line, connecting the Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line, will unleash the development potential of the Northern Metropolis by substantially enhancing the coverage and resilience of the railway network.

Meanwhile, the NOL Spur Line connecting the new Huanggang Port will link up the metro networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public can object to the plans in relation to the NOL Spur Line Hong Kong Section from today until August 25. Additionally, people who have a compensatable interest may file a claim.

Call 2762 3976 for details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, completed his visit programme in Dalian this morning (June 25) and proceeded to Xi’an at noon for a visit.

Mr Chan called on the Secretary of the CPC Xi’an Municipal Committee, Mr Hao Huijie, and the Mayor of Xi’an, Mr Ye Niuping, for in-depth exchanges on strengthening co-operation between the two places.

Upon arriving in Xi’an, Mr Chan visited Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU). He met with the Secretary of the CPC XJTU Committee, Mr Wu Guosheng, and, accompanied by the Vice President, Professor Shan Zhiwei, held a symposium with innovation and technology enterprises in Xi’an, during which he introduced Hong Kong’s business environment, financial and innovation and technology ecosystems, and listened to their business development plans. Mr Chan said that Shaanxi has solid strengths in hard technology, with its innovation capabilities continuously improving, and possesses the capability to expand international business. He encouraged enterprises to actively consider using Hong Kong as a platform for developing international business, and to make good use of Hong Kong’s full-chain funding ecosystem and professional services to grow bigger and stronger. The Director-General of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, Mr Peter Yan, and representatives of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited attended the symposium.

Mr Chan then delivered a speech to about 400 teachers, students and alumni of XJTU, focusing on how Hong Kong and Xi’an can work together to effectively transform hard technology achievements into products and services for the global market, and encouraging students and alumni to make good use of Hong Kong’s platform to seize development opportunities.

Mr Chan pointed out that Xi’an has outstanding research strengths in hard technology areas such as aerospace technology, artificial intelligence, new energy and new materials, and that cutting-edge technologies can fully unleash their value only by “identifying the right scenarios and the right applications”. For hard technology to become efficient productive forces, apart from laboratory breakthroughs, it must also rely on capital relay, market validation and internationalisation channels, and Hong Kong can provide crucial support in these areas.

He said that Xi’an’s strength lies in hard technology, while Hong Kong’s strengths lie in “one country, two systems”, internationalisation and its status as a financial centre. The country supports Hong Kong in building itself into an international financial centre, an international innovation and technology centre and a hub for talent, meaning that Hong Kong is not only a place where capital and talent converge, but also a “converter” for connecting technology with capital and helping enterprises adapt to international strategies. He pointed out that Hong Kong’s initial public offerings, secondary market financing, private equity funds, exchange-traded products and cross-boundary asset management offer market depth, breadth, innovation and flexibility. Together with a robust banking system and a sound Linked Exchange Rate System, they provide technology enterprises with multi-level fundraising and financing channels as well as risk management tools.

On technology innovation, he emphasised that Hong Kong is promoting the integration of “AI+” and “Finance+”, and has advantages in areas such as communications hub functions and computing power development. In addition, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, as the Government’s patient capital, supports investment in small, early-stage, long-term and hard technology projects. When Xi’an’s technology seeks to go international, in addition to the technology itself, it also needs capital that understands technology, professional services, patent protection, brand building and global networks — and these are precisely the support that Hong Kong can provide.

Mr Chan encouraged young students to regard Hong Kong as one of the barometers of the global market, actively enter the intersection of “finance + technology”, and make good use of Hong Kong’s positioning as an international financial centre and an international innovation and technology centre to accumulate practical experience across markets and regions. He also encouraged them to base themselves in Hong Kong and look to the world, and welcomed them to make use of learning, internship and work opportunities in Hong Kong to build connections with international capital, markets and professional institutions.

In conclusion, he said that Hong Kong is willing to be a long-term partner of Xi’an and of the teachers, students and alumni of XJTU. With the shared goal of “Xi’an R&D, Hong Kong empowerment, global application”, Hong Kong is ready to deepen collaboration in project co-operation, capital matching and talent exchanges.

The Vice Chairman of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Zhang Xiaoguang, and the President of the Hong Kong China Friendship Association, Ms Cheng Cheung-ling, took part in the visit programme at XJTU.

Before leaving Dalian in the morning, Mr Chan continued to attend the Summer Davos 2026. He spoke at a session organised by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited on “Scaling Green Technology for Climate Impact: How Capital Accelerate Change”.

Speaking at the session, Mr Chan said that Hong Kong has set clear carbon reduction targets, including reducing carbon emissions by half before 2035 as compared with 2005 levels, and achieving carbon neutrality before 2050. However, Hong Kong also sets a higher goal of serving the country’s and the region’s green transition. As an international financial centre, Hong Kong continues to play its role as a green financing hub, and will further promote financial innovation, including the continued development of digital green bonds, insurance-linked securities such as catastrophe bonds, and other instruments. It will also actively align with international green and sustainable finance standards, including promoting the Sustainable Finance Action Agenda, strengthening climate-related disclosure requirements for listed companies, and enhancing the green and transition finance taxonomy framework.

On industrial development, Hong Kong is accelerating the building of a green technology ecosystem. Currently, more than 300 green technology enterprises have established a presence at Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport, and possess international competitiveness. The HKSAR Government continues to support the development of green industries of strategic significance, promoting the transformation of research outcomes and industrial upgrading.

Mr Chan will continue his visit programme in Xi’an tomorrow (June 26).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Deputy Secretary for Justice and the Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (June 25) attended the 9th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, Xinjiang, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. The visit aims to promote the unique advantages of Hong Kong’s professional services, and foster closer co-operation between the country and the Eurasian regions for jointly advancing the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
 
     Upon his arrival in Urumqi yesterday (June 24), Dr Cheung met with leaders of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region along with political and business representatives from various countries and regions of Asia and Europe, followed by a welcome dinner.
 
     This morning, Dr Cheung met with the Chairman of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Erkin Tuniyaz, and attended the opening ceremony of the Expo. Jointly hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the People’s Government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Expo attracted the participation of 27 countries and regions, as well as enterprises and institutions from various places as exhibitors.
 
     Dr Cheung stated that as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong has been actively participating in the work of high-quality joint development. Earlier, he joined a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and the Mainland led by the Chief Executive on a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, aiming to promote deep co-operation with these two major Central Asian countries participating in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative. He was delighted to return to Xinjiang for a major international exchange event following his previous visit in 2024.
 
     Dr Cheung said that Xinjiang is a bridgehead for China’s westward opening-up and a core zone of the Silk Road Economic Belt, with a distinct geographical advantage of bridging East-West two-way trade flows. While Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantages of having strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, it also serves as an international hub for finance, trade, shipping and innovative technology. Dr Cheung said he believed that the Expo would help further promote co-operation between the two places and the Eurasian region.
 
     Dr Cheung added that Hong Kong’s legal, accounting, and financial professional services have always been renowned for their high standards and alignment with international rules, providing one-stop support for enterprises along the Belt and Road in areas such as cross-border investment, risk management, and legal dispute resolution. Hong Kong is committed to transforming these advantages into a powerful force for assisting enterprises to go global and jointly develop the Belt and Road Initative. The Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, established by the Department of Justice, will spare no effort in facilitating precise connections between enterprises with Hong Kong’s professional services.
 
     He expressed hope that more Xinjiang and Eurasia enterprises would make good use of Hong Kong’s world-leading professional services to go global, driving more high-quality development projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, and bringing mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.

     Dr Cheung concluded his visit and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following the case of a crocodile found yesterday (June 24) on the podium of a unit at Tai Po Road, Sham Shui Po, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) continued an in-depth investigation and identified a unit in the building adjacent to the podium as being involved in the case. At around 00.30am today (June 25), the HKPF, together with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), conducted a joint raid at the unit. Including the crocodile seized earlier, a total of 30 endangered reptiles were seized.
 
During the operation, AFCD officers found 63 reptiles, amphibians and arthropods inside the unit. Among them, 29 were endangered reptiles listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These included three rock iguanas which are listed in Appendix I to the CITES; and 10 turtles, 10 lizards and six snakes listed in Appendix II to the CITES. The species include Aldabra giant tortoises, a savannah monitor, a boa constrictor and a Burmese python, etc.
 
A 35-year-old local woman claimed to enforcement officers that she is the owner of the animals, and claimed that they were possessed for education purposes. As the woman was unable to produce any Licence to Possess or relevant proof, the AFCD has therefore arrested her on suspicion of illegal possession of endangered species listed in Appendices I and II to the CITES. A total of 30 endangered reptiles, including the crocodile found yesterday, were seized for further investigation. The crocodile has been preliminarily identified as an estuarine crocodile, which is a species listed in Appendix I to the CITES.
 
According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), unless exempted or otherwise stipulated, possession of Appendix I or Appendix II species requires a Licence to Possess or relevant documentary proof of the animals’ origin.
 
A spokesman for the AFCD said, “Illegal possession of endangered species is a serious offence. Any person contravening the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years and the seized specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.”
 
To safeguard public safety, the AFCD strongly urges members of the public not to keep dangerous or aggressive animals in their homes. In addition, different animals have different specific needs, and wild animals have particular environmental requirements. From an animal welfare perspective, wild animals are not suitable for keeping in households.

The Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and collect intelligence through various channels, and proactively take enforcement action to combat offences involving endangered species. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal possession of endangered species to the AFCD by calling 2150 6978 or emailing to espint@afcd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Lands Department (LandsD) today (June 25) posted resumption notices in accordance with section 4 of the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124) for the second batch of land under phase 1 development of San Tin Technopole (STT).

The second batch of land involves 278 private lots with an area of about 117 hectares. The land will revert to the Government upon the expiry of a period of three months from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. September 26, 2026).

The above-mentioned land reversion date is not the departure deadlines for the affected households and business undertakings. The LandsD will post notices in relevant areas about three months before the departure deadlines for the affected parties. According to the project programme, the affected parties are required to depart in batches. It is estimated that the affected households and business undertakings will have to move out between the end of 2026 and the first half of 2027. The LandsD and its appointed Community Liaison Service Team will continue to closely liaise with the affected parties to handle the compensation and rehousing matters.

 The STT, with an area of about 540 hectares, will be developed in two phases, with phase 1 development of about 365 hectares. The works are subdivided into stages, with stage 1 works commenced in end 2024. The land resumption notices for the first batch of land under phase 1 development of STT were posted on July 10, 2025, involving about 62 hectares of land. The said land reverted to the Government on October 11, 2025, and is gradually being handed over to the Civil Engineering and Development Department for site formation and engineering infrastructure works. 

Upon full development, the STT will provide about 50 000 residential flats, accommodating a new population of about 150 000. According to the estimates in the Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation and Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole published by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau in November 2025, the STT, upon its full operation, is expected to provide over 300 000 relevant full-time jobs (including direct, indirect and induced employment) for the Hong Kong economy as a whole. The first batch of population intake under phase 1 development will commence progressively from 2031 onwards.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region