Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Regarding the direct investigation operation report on the Government’s work in combating cruelty to animals released by the Office of The Ombudsman today (April 16), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) responds as follows:

The Government has always attached great importance to animal welfare and deters acts of cruelty to animals through stringent enforcement and preventive education initiatives. The AFCD appreciates the Office’s attention to the work on combating animal cruelty and accepts its recommendations and will actively follow up on them.

The Ombudsman recommended that the Government consider amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169) (the Ordinance) in stages. The Government has been conducting research on the amendment of the Ordinance and will strive to provide a concrete update within this year.

To improve the handling of suspected animal cruelty cases, the AFCD updated its departmental guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2025, covering all procedures for handling reported cases involving suspected animal cruelty, and has conducted staff training. The AFCD will take reference from the report’s recommendations to further include more specific criteria and indicators in the guidelines, so as to strengthen the monitoring of case follow-up and enhance file management. In addition, the AFCD will continue to enhance staff training and promote experience exchange to strengthen the experience and skills of staff, as well as their communication, investigation and enforcement capabilities.

Since 2011, the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police), the AFCD and the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have jointly implemented the Animal Watch Scheme. Through a multi-agency collaboration, the scheme proactively prevents and detects suspected cases of animal cruelty, and has achieved notable results. The AFCD has liaised with the Police and the SPCA on strengthening information exchange and the sharing of investigation outcomes, with a view to formulating appropriate measures to more effectively combat acts of cruelty to animals.

The AFCD has been committed to combating illegal hunting activities through regular patrols and strengthened patrols at illegal hunting black spots, the removal of illegal hunting appliances, and appropriate enforcement actions against offences such as unlawful possession. In response to the Office’s recommendations, the AFCD will review its patrol strategies, strengthen intelligence gathering, and make good use of technology to enhance enforcement effectiveness. The AFCD will also review the relevant legislation and penalties in a timely manner. In terms of prevention at source, the AFCD will maintain close collaboration with departments such as Hong Kong Customs and the Police, to strengthen intelligence exchange and conduct joint operations. The AFCD has already provided relevant guidelines to Hong Kong Customs to assist in identifying hunting appliances in order to curb their illegal importation. In addition, the AFCD will continue to promote public education and publicity to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by illegal hunting appliances, encourage members of the public to report suspicious cases, and remind the public to use managed and maintained hiking trails in the countryside for their own safety.

The AFCD agrees with the Office’s recommendation on strengthening public publicity and education. In addition to rigorous enforcement, enhancing public awareness of animal welfare is equally important in combating animal cruelty. The AFCD has set up a dedicated team to strengthen relevant public education work in collaboration with animal welfare organisations.

The AFCD will continue to uphold a professional spirit and work closely with various relevant government departments and organisations. Through rigorous enforcement and strengthened public education, the AFCD will strive to continuously enhance the effectiveness of its work in safeguarding animal welfare.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To mark its 35th anniversary, the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) will launch two new exhibitions, namely “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” and “Hong Kong Science Museum 35th Anniversary Exhibition”, from tomorrow (April 17), as well as a series of activities such as the specially enhanced edition of “Energy Machine”, a “Science Fun Day”, and the screening of sci-fi films. Members of the public are invited to immerse themselves in the infinite world of science and experience the boundless fun of science exploration.
 
The “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibition, located at the Special Exhibition Hall on the ground floor, showcases award-winning photographs from the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition organised by the Natural History Museum, London. Through breathtaking visuals from across the globe and compelling stories behind each subject, the exhibition highlights the raw reality of the natural world from unique perspectives and reveals how human activities lead to issues such as habitat fragmentation and global warming. It invites visitors to appreciate the works while reflecting on the intricate relationship between humanity and nature, awakening public awareness of species conservation and environmental protection.
 
The HKScM will launch a series of free programmes including exhibition guided tours, a sharing session on daily work in caring for and conserving animals given by an animal care specialist from Ocean Park Hong Kong, a lecture given by a representative of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, climate change and biodiversity guided tours, ecological tours of Kowloon Park, and workshops. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit the website at hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/wpy2026.html.
 
With the theme “Enjoy Science·Infinite Fun”, the “Hong Kong Science Museum 35th Anniversary Exhibition” traces the museum’s development milestones since its establishment in 1991, showcasing classic exhibitions and activities over the years, displaying the museum’s first robot and unveiling the secrets behind the museum’s iconic “Energy Machine”. The exhibition also features an AI interactive photo booth that creates fun souvenir photos for visitors.
 
In addition to the exhibitions, the “Energy Machine” will present a time-limited “Energy x Light” journey from April 17 to 29. The HKScM partnered with the School of Innovation of The University of Hong Kong to create luminous orbs in orange, blue, green, and purple. These orbs will roll and race along a 1.6-kilometre-long track, spanning four floors of the exhibition halls of the museum and standing 22 metres in height. The four luminous orbs are inspired by the four fundamental particles in physics, namely quarks, leptons, gauge bosons and Higgs bosons, symbolising the interplay of matter and energy.
 
Other exciting activities include the “Science Fun Day” to be held on April 18, which will allow participants to try different science experiments and enjoy science through guided tours, game booths and science demonstrations. “Future Vision”, jointly organised by the HKScM and the Film Programmes Office, will screen four inspiring sci-fi films, namely “WALL·E” (2008), “Tomorrowland” (2015), “Bicentennial Man” (1999), and “Gattaca” (1997), on April 18 and 26. Science educators will also lead engaging post-screening talks to explore the science behind the films with the audience.
 
For details of the 35th anniversary exhibition and activities, please visit the website at hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/ScM35A.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today, in collaboration with INTERPOL and police forces from other jurisdictions, a cybersecurity agency and operators of critical infrastructures, conducted the Counter Cyber & Physical Terrorism Joint Exercise 2026 to enhance counter-terrorism preparedness across various sectors, and strengthen preparedness for potential terrorist activities and future large-scale international events.

The exercise was co-ordinated by the HKPF’s Crime Wing and Operations Wing, with the participation of INTERPOL, the Macao Judiciary Police, the Singapore Police Force, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the Korean National Police Agency.

More than 380 participants, including representatives from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, a local bank and the Macau branch of a bank, took part in the exercise. Commissioner of Police Chow Yat-ming attended and oversaw the exercise.

The exercise first simulated a terrorist financing scenario, showcasing the close collaboration between the enforcement agencies, financial regulatory and operating institutions.

Subsequently, a cross-boundary terrorist cell launched cyber and physical attacks against the financial, aviation and healthcare systems across Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Korea in an attempt to paralyse essential public services.

The scenarios involved terrorists placing explosive devices and deploying drones at major event venues intended to create chaos.

These simulations were designed to test and strengthen the capabilities of relevant organisations and units in intelligence sharing, co-ordinated rapid response, and joint operations under high pressure situations in addressing emerging hybrid terrorist threats.

The exercise also strengthened collaboration between law enforcement agencies and operators of critical infrastructures, including financial institutions, to bolster overall defense and response capabilities.

The exercise also invited a cybersecurity company to be a member of the Cybersecurity Task Force to conduct intelligence analysis, as well as to provide professional advice and assessments on neutralising cyber threats and malware attacks.

The exercise not only enhanced the co-ordination capabilities of the participating law enforcement agencies in responding to hybrid terrorist threats, but also strengthened regional counter-terrorism co-operation, safeguarding public safety and social stability.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

To further combat cruelty to animals, the Government has been conducting research on the amendment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance and will strive to provide a concrete update within this year.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) made the statement in response to the direct investigation operation report on the Government’s work in combating cruelty to animals released by the Office of The Ombudsman today.

The Ombudsman recommended that the Government consider amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance in stages.

The AFCD stated that the Government has always attached great importance to animal welfare and deters acts of cruelty to animals through stringent enforcement and preventive education initiatives, and the AFCD accepts the office’s recommendations and will actively follow up on them.

To improve the handling of suspected animal cruelty cases, the AFCD updated its departmental guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2025, covering all procedures for handling reported cases involving suspected animal cruelty, and has conducted staff training.

The AFCD will take reference from the report’s recommendations to further include more specific criteria and indicators in the guidelines, so as to strengthen the monitoring of case follow-up and enhance file management.

Additionally, it will continue to enhance staff training and promote experience exchange to strengthen the experience and skills of staff, as well as their communication, investigation and enforcement capabilities.

Since 2011, the AFCD together with Police and the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have jointly implemented the Animal Watch Scheme. Through a multi-agency collaboration, the scheme proactively prevents and detects suspected cases of animal cruelty, and has achieved notable results.

The AFCD has liaised with Police and the SPCA on strengthening information exchange and the sharing of investigation outcomes, with a view to formulating appropriate measures to more effectively combat acts of cruelty to animals.

The AFCD has been committed to combating illegal hunting activities through regular patrols and strengthened patrols at illegal hunting black spots, the removal of illegal hunting appliances, and appropriate enforcement actions against offences such as unlawful possession.

In response to the office’s recommendations, the AFCD will review its patrol strategies, strengthen intelligence gathering, and make good use of technology to enhance enforcement effectiveness. The AFCD will also review the relevant legislation and penalties in a timely manner.

In terms of prevention at source, the AFCD will maintain close collaboration with departments such as Customs and Police, to strengthen intelligence exchange and conduct joint operations. The AFCD has already provided relevant guidelines to Customs to assist in identifying hunting appliances in order to curb their illegal importation.

Moreover, the AFCD will continue to promote public education and publicity to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by illegal hunting appliances, encourage the public to report suspicious cases, and remind the public to use managed and maintained hiking trails in the countryside for their own safety.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

To tie in with “Hong Kong Reading for All Day” on April 23, Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) will hold Hong Kong Reading Week 2026 from April 20 to 26.

Under the theme of “Delight/LIBRARY”, this year’s reading week will comprise about 470 events aimed at cultivating good reading habits among the public.

HKPL will participate in 2026 Hong Kong Reading+, a reading promotion initiative organised by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation (HKPF) and sponsored by the Cultural & Creative Industries Development Agency, at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin from April 18 to 26.

HKPL and HKPF will hold an opening ceremony for Hong Kong Reading Week 2026 and 2026 Hong Kong Reading+ at the venue on April 18. HKPL will introduce its electronic resources and hold handicraft workshops, as well as parent-child reading activities.

On Hong Kong Reading for All Day on April 23, reading locations will be set up at selected Leisure & Cultural Services Department venues, public libraries, community libraries, higher education institutions, and primary and secondary schools, to facilitate the event “Read Together for Half an Hour”.

HKPL and the Hans Andersen Club will also co-host a “Joyful Family Reading Carnival” at East Kowloon Cultural Centre.

Fun day activities suitable for people of all ages will be staged on April 25 and 26 at the Hong Kong Central Library. These include a music and story sharing session hosted by the pop singer Phil Lam, a magic performance and workshops by Harry Wong, interactive guide dog sessions, a Miniature World of Hong Kong exhibition, and musical interludes featuring classical pieces by Chinese and Western ensembles under the Music Office. An interactive device “The Happiness Explorer” will be set up to recommend good books.

In addition, the Pop-up Library@Hong Kong Reading Week 2026 – under the theme “Happiness Is Just Around the Book Corner” – will be held at Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong on April 25.

On April 25 and 26, selected public libraries across Hong Kong will hold storytelling and handicraft workshops, with self-service photo booths adding to the fun for patrons.

Click here for details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Education Bureau today announced the Values Education Curriculum Framework (2026), providing a roadmap for primary and secondary schools to implement values-based learning starting from the 2026-27 school year.

Drafted by the Standing Committee on Values Education under the Curriculum Development Council, the framework adopts the core theme: “Taking root in Chinese Culture, Connecting with the World, Embracing the Future”. The Bureau emphasised that Chinese culture serves as the backbone of this overarching direction.

The new document outlines key focuses for schools to strengthen, including detailed curriculum content, planning and implementation strategies. It also establishes expected learning outcomes for students at various stages and provides a suite of resources and support for educators.

The bureau noted that the document also provides schools with a clearer and more forward-looking direction to further enhance values education, and supports schools in equipping students to face current and future opportunities and challenges.

It added that in response to rapid social and technological changes, the curriculum framework recommends that schools continue to strengthen learning in several key areas. These include Chinese culture, national education, life education, sex education and health education, alongside content related to sustainable development.

The framework also aims to foster students’ media and information literacy, international perspectives and an awareness of “building a community with a shared future for mankind”. The objective is to nurture self-disciplined, committed and aspiring future pillars of society who possess an affection for Hong Kong and a strong sense of national belonging.

Following the release of the Values Education Curriculum Framework (Pilot Version) in 2021, primary and secondary schools have already begun reviewing and refining their school-based values education curricula based on their individual developmental progress. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Four co-owners were convicted and fined $128,720 in total, of which $118,720 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday (April 14) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).  

The case involved unauthorised building works (UBWs) encroaching a common corridor and portion of a front and rear staircase landing of a composite building on Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei. As the works were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the co-owners under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, they were prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today (April 16), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety.”

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.