Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The opening ceremony of the “Tang Vogue Beyond the Horizons: A Golden Era of Multicultural Integration & Openness” exhibition, which will run at the Heritage Discovery Centre from tomorrow, was held today.

The exhibition is jointly organised by the Development Bureau and the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said that as one of the celebration activities of the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, this is the largest joint exhibition, in terms of profile, scale and quantity of artefacts on display, since the signing of the Framework Agreement on Deepening Exchange & Cooperation in the Field of Heritage Architecture & Archaeology between the bureau and the National Cultural Heritage Administration in 2022.

She highlighted that the exhibition marks a move towards a higher level of mutual co-operation, and she is looking forward that the exhibition can showcase the culture of the majestic Tang dynasty to members of the public and friends from all over the world.

Among the key exhibits are two paintings, namely the “Scroll depicting Emperor Minghuang playing polo”, which is a Song dynasty depiction of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang playing polo with his concubines on horseback; and the hanging scroll of Li Bai’s “Chun Ye Yan Tao Li Yuan Xu”  on cut silk depicting the refined life of Tang dynasty literati.

These paintings will only be displayed during the first two months.

The exhibition also displays significant Tang dynasty artefacts unearthed at Chek Lap Kok, Tung Chung and San Tau on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, including ceramic ware, iron weapons, bronze belt ornaments, silver chai hairpin, glass ring and fragment of silver piece, to illustrate the role of Hong Kong in the Maritime Silk Road.

The exhibition will run from tomorrow to December 31 with free admission.

Click here for details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) today launched a joint public consultation on the legislative proposals for establishing licensing regimes for digital asset (DA) dealing and custodian service providers.

The public consultation will last until August 29.

Under the proposed licensing regime for DA dealing service providers, any person who carries on a business of providing DA dealing services in Hong Kong will have to be licensed by or registered with the SFC.

Also, irrespective of whether the relevant DA dealing services are provided through a physical outlet and/or other platforms, both simple dealing services and more complex services will fall under the scope of the licensing regime.

In addition, licensed or registered providers of DA dealing services will need to meet fit-and-proper criteria and comply with a range of regulatory requirements.

The licensing regime will be fully implemented on the date the relevant statutory provisions come into effect.

Meanwhile, under the proposed licensing regime for DA custodian service providers, any person carrying on a business in Hong Kong of providing DA custodian services will have to be licensed by or registered with the SFC.

Licensed or registered providers of DA custodian services will also need to meet fit-and-proper criteria and comply with a range of regulatory requirements.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the Government is striving to build Hong Kong into a premier global hub for DAs, adding that upholding investor protection is of utmost concern.

“The proposed licensing regimes will lay a solid foundation for us to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for DAs with investor and customer protection at its core.

“The move will also help realise our vision to build Hong Kong’s DA ecosystem into a highly trusted one that will flourish sustainably and responsibly in a risk-managed manner, thereby delivering concrete benefits to the real economy and financial markets.”

The public and stakeholders can submit their views by post to the FSTB at 24/F, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong.

They can also send their views on the licensing regime for DA trading service providers or the licensing regime for DA custodian service providers by email.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Education Bureau and the Standing Committee on Language Education & Research (SCOLAR) today held the “Closing & Award Presentation Ceremony of the Biliteracy & Trilingualism Campaign 2025”.

The ceremony was attended by around 400 people, including guests from the business sector, the arts and cultural sector, and community organisations, as well as teachers, parents and students. The awards celebrated efforts to promote biliteracy and trilingualism in Hong Kong over the past six months.

Officiating at the event, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said that as an international metropolis where East meets West, Hong Kong requires a large pool of biliterate and trilingual talent to fulfill its role as a “super connector”.

She added that languages are crucial to the city’s status as an international education hub in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and emphasised that biliteracy and trilingualism are essential for the city’s development of the “eight centres” outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, and for seizing opportunities arising from the Belt & Road Initiative and the development of the Greater Bay Area.

“Under the ‘one country, two systems’, biliteracy and trilingualism stands as one of the advantages of education in Hong Kong,” she said.

The education chief outlined that over the years, the bureau and SCOLAR have worked together to promote biliteracy and trilingualism. Measures introduced in recent years have allowed teachers to improve their Putonghua proficiency with help from the Language Fund.

Additionally, a one-off grant has been provided to schools for the promotion of self-directed language learning of English and Putonghua by students.

Ms Choi said that through the collective efforts, Hong Kong’s language and talent capital can be strengthened, enabling the city to fully leverage its advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world.

The results of a one-minute video production competition were presented. The award-winning works were produced by students who integrated different creative elements.

The event also gave the winners the opportunity to share their insights with attendees.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today said it has received detailed investigation reports from the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) on three railway incidents, and will closely monitor the company in implementing the improvement measures set out in the reports.

​In relation to the East Rail Line engineering train incidents on February 5 and April 27, and the Tseung Kwan O Line incident on May 22, the Government has instructed the MTRC to strengthen its railway system maintenance and incident handling capacity to enhance the railway network’s overall resilience.

At the Government’s request, the MTRC has also formulated an action plan on incident prevention and handling, that covers a one-off special inspection of targeted critical assets and a series of mid- to long-term measures.

The measures include strengthening the monitoring and risk management of railway assets; formulating plans for extreme scenarios, and reinforcing drills and trainings under different scenarios; and enhancing free shuttle bus arrangements.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said the MTR is the major mode of commuting for Hong Kong people, and the MTRC must proactively address potential issues before they arise.

She urged the company to enhance its railway system safety and accelerate the application of innovative technologies to realise predictive maintenance, in order to fortify the railway system’s overall resilience.

“I look forward to the continued effort of the MTRCL management in motivating staff at all levels to work together to implement the measures set out in the action plan.

“The management should also leverage the wisdom of frontline staff and strengthen the sense of accountability of staff from different ranks.”

The Transport & Logistics Bureau and related government departments will closely monitor the MTRC in implementing the improvement measures set out in the reports.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Starting June 28, the Injury Grant and the Interim Maintenance Grant of the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme will be merged into the Compassionate Grant (CG), the Social Welfare Department announced today.

An applicant eligible for the CG will receive $330 per day for a maximum of 60 days of sick leave.

Subject to meeting other criteria, a CG applicant must obtain certification from a registered medical practitioner, including a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, that his/her injury requires hospitalisation for no less than seven days or sick leave for at least seven days. An applicant can only apply for CG once within two years.

The revised arrangements will apply to applications involving traffic accidents that happen at or after midnight on June 28. Victims of traffic accidents that happened before that time can still apply for the Injury Grant and the Interim Maintenance Grant.

The arrangements for the other three grants under the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme, ie the Burial Grant, Death Grant and Disability Grant, will remain unchanged.

The Social Welfare Department explained that the Government has no intention of altering the original policy intent of the scheme. It said the revised arrangements, approved by the Legislative Council Finance Committee today, aim to enhance the scheme so that it can provide modest but timely relief to victims of traffic accidents in a sustainable manner, help victims overcome short-term financial difficulties, ensure proper use of public resources, and prevent abuse and fraudulent behaviour.

For individuals with financial difficulties or other welfare needs, the department said it will provide them with appropriate support, including referring them to apply for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance or other assistance.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today that starting July 3, selected medications prescribed for “as needed” use will be dispensed with a maximum of eight weeks’ supply.

The selected medications under the new measure, including laxatives, medications to loosen sputum, topical preparations for bruises and pain, are mainly for relieving the symptoms of episodic illnesses.

HA Chief Pharmacist William Chui said patients may stockpile medications at home, particularly those for use “as needed”. The new arrangement can avoid wastage and lead to more efficient use of medication resources.

This medications list will be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary. Visit the HA website for more details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan will visit Guangzhou on Monday to attend a meeting of the task force for collaboration on Guangdong-Hong Kong transportation.

Ms Chan will meet Guangdong officials to discuss the implementation of the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme and to streamline the operation of the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles scheme.

She will also take the opportunity to visit a local vehicle examination centre to learn about its operations.

The transport chief will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon. Commissioner for Transport Angela Lee will join the visit.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport Department today announced today that official Taxi Fleet Licences will be issued to all five taxi fleets in July.

The issuance of the licences means the fleets can build confidence with the public and marks an important step in reforming the taxi trade, the department added. 

The five operators have been conducting trial operations after being granted provisional Taxi Fleet Licences in July last year. They have provided nearly 120,000 trips to date.

Stressing that public feedback on the taxi fleets has been positive, the Transport Department said that, after careful consideration, it had decided to adopt a flexible licensing approach in order to benefit the public as soon as possible in terms of service provision. It added that that more and more passengers will come to know and use taxi fleet service upon their official launch. 

The department elaborated that this in turn will provide fleet drivers with more stable income, thereby attracting more taxi drivers to join the fleets.

After the licences are issued, the five fleets will be able to use about 80 designated taxi fleet stopping places in 13 locations to pick up passengers on pre-booked trips. The locations include the airport, certain cross-boundary control points and various tourist hotspots.

Since being issued with their provisional licences, the five operators have been procuring new vehicles, carrying out modifications, installing in-vehicle safety devices, setting up electronic payment systems, developing and testing online hailing applications and training drivers.

Additionally, they have implemented various measures to recruit taxi owners and drivers, such as participating in thematic job fairs, hosting fleet introduction sessions and recruitment events, and organising activities to showcase new taxi models.

The Transport Department will closely monitor the performances of the fleets to ensure their services meet public expectations.