Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A scheme for the Smart & Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon was published in the Government Gazette today.

Construction of the proposed 7km-long rapid transit line will commence once the scheme – which is in accordance with the Railways Ordinance – is authorised, and the work is expected to be completed by 2033 or earlier.

The system comprises nine stations. Its two termini will be connected to Choi Hung MTR Station and Yau Tong MTR Station respectively, with the line passing through Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat, Ma Yau Tong and Lam Tin North. It will serve more than over 300,000 residents in Kwun Tong’s uphill areas.

The Government said the system will provide convenient transport feeder services to these areas, improving access to Choi Hung MTR Station and Yau Tong MTR Station and unleashing the development potential of East Kowloon.

The estimated journey time from Po Tat to Yau Tong or Choi Hung under the new scheme will be around ten to 15 minutes, which is about half of the journey time using road-based transport during peak hours.

Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public have the chance to object to the scheme, and can register their objections from today until August 19. Those with compensable interests can claim compensation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (June 20) the appointment of three new non-official members and the reappointment of 10 serving non-official members to the Green Technology and Finance Development Committee for a period of two years from June 23, 2025, to June 22, 2027.
 
     The membership list in the new term is as follows:
 
Chairman
——-
Financial Secretary
 
Non-official members (in alphabetical order of surnames)
————————-
Ms Clara Chan Yuen-shan
Dr Vincent Cheng Sai-yau
Dr Dai Fan (newly appointed)
Ms Loretta Fong Wan-huen
Professor Gong Peng (newly appointed)
Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue
Ms Poman Lo
Mr Lu Jiahui (newly appointed)
Dr Ma Jun
Mr Philip Ng Kim-lam
Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung
Miss Vriko Yu Pik-fan
Dr Martin Zhu Yihao
 
Official members
——————-
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Environment and Ecology
Secretary for Housing
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services)
Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics 1
Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office, Development Bureau
Chairman, Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development
Chief Executive Officer, Securities and Futures Commission
Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Authority
Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
 
     A Government spokesman said, “Since its establishment in June 2023, the Committee has provided valuable insights across various areas, including fostering the creation of a green technology ecosystem, developing green finance, green transportation and green buildings, as well as promoting and highlighting Hong Kong’s strengths in these areas. We firmly believe that, with the extensive market experience and professional expertise of the Committee members, their invaluable advice will further advance the development of green technology and finance in Hong Kong.
 
     “We express our gratitude to the outgoing members, Mr Wang Hongbo, Dr George Lam, and Mr Jonathan Drew for their contributions to the work of the Committee during their tenure.”
 
     The Committee was established on June 23, 2023, to assist in the formation of an action agenda for promoting the development of Hong Kong into an international green technology and financial centre. Members of the Committee include representatives from relevant policy bureaux, departments and financial regulators, as well as non-official members from the finance, technology, academic, professional services sectors, etc.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Government announced today (June 20) the appointment of Miss Hotchandani Mamta Chandiram and Miss Waverly Yeung Yuk-mui to the Women’s Commission (WoC) through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY) for a term from July 15, 2025, to January 14, 2027.

Since its establishment in 2001, the WoC has spared no effort in promoting the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong and advising the Government on policies and initiatives on women’s affairs.

The Government regularly recruits young persons aged between 18 and 35 who are eager to serve the community to join the Government’s advisory committees through the MSSY with a view to providing more opportunities for young people to participate in policy discussions.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025, which provides for a regulatory framework in relation to basketball betting, was published in the Government Gazette today.

The amendments to the existing ordinance include granting power to the Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs to issue a licence for basketball betting and to impose licensing conditions; provisions for the calculation and collection of betting duties; and an expansion of the functions of the Betting & Lotteries Commission to cover matters relating to the regulation of basketball betting.

The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau emphasised that the Government does not encourage gambling as a matter of policy. On the regulation of gambling activities through legislation, it said the policy objective of providing authorised gambling outlets is to address public demand for certain gambling activities whilst preventing people from turning to illegal operators.

If the bill is enacted, the Government – with reference to the current regime for betting on horse racing and football – will issue a licence to the Hong Kong Jockey Club to operate basketball betting, and impose licensing conditions so as to minimise the negative impact of gambling on the public, especially on young people.

As with football betting, the duty for basketball betting will be charged at 50% of the net stake receipts.

In addition, the Government will continue to collaborate closely with the Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee to strengthen publicity and counselling for young people.

In addition to four existing funded counselling centres, the Government will allocate additional resources to establish a new centre dedicated to providing counselling and support services for youth.

Public education efforts will also be strengthened to emphasise to young people that participating in illegal gambling or placing bets with an illegal bookmaker is a criminal offence.

The bill will be introduced for first reading in the Legislative Council on July 2. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Basic Housing Units (BHUs) Bill, which introduces a regulatory regime for the letting of subdivided units (SDUs) in residential buildings, was published in the Government Gazette today.

The bill is aimed at tackling the issue of substandard SDUs and ensuring reasonable and safe living conditions in SDUs.

It requires SDUs in residential buildings to comply with a set of minimum standards. These relate to minimum internal floor area and headroom, fire safety, structural safety, lighting and ventilation, toilet provision, water supply points, and water and electricity meters.

In addition, obtaining BHU recognition is a prerequisite for letting SDUs out for habitation. Anyone who lets out an unrecognised SDU will be held criminally liable. Tenants will not be held liable. 

As a transitional arrangement to implement the BHU regulatory regime progressively, the Government will set up a 12-month registration system for residential flats with pre-existing SDUs. Under this system, a 36-month grace period will be provided to allow for necessary alteration works and applications for BHU recognition.

Unregistered SDUs, registered SDUs following the expiry of the grace period, and new SDUs entering the market must all obtain recognition as up-to-standard BHUs before they can be lawfully let out for habitation.

The bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on July 9.

The Government said it will make every effort to facilitate LegCo’s scrutiny and strive to have the bill passed as soon as possible, with a view to rolling out the BHU regulatory regime in March 2026. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region