Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ4: Non-skilled workers employed under government service contracts
Question:
Some members of the property management sector have relayed that quite a number of non-skilled workers employed under government service contracts, particularly those at junior levels such as cleaners and security guards, are paid the statutory minimum wage (SMW) or slightly more than that level. As government service contracts usually last for three years and are on an all-inclusive basis, the change in the SMW rate arrangement to annual reviews may result in government service contractors incurring losses due to repeated upward adjustments to the SMW rate during the contract period. Furthermore, while the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme now allows the importation of labour for the property management sector, it is learnt that the relevant government service contracts do not allow contractors to employ imported labour. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the number of non-skilled workers employed under government service contracts who are currently paid SMW or at a rate that is less than 10 per cent above SMW;
(2) whether it will consider enhancing the pay arrangements for non-skilled workers employed under government service contracts, so that the Government will bear the additional pay costs arising from the upward adjustments to SMW, instead of requiring contractors to “underwrite” relevant policy risks; and
(3) whether it will consider relaxing the restriction that prohibits the employment of labour under government service contracts?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the four major government departments which employ non-skilled workers under service contracts (i.e. the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Government Property Agency and the Housing Department), our reply to the question raised by the Hon Tony Tse is as follows:
(1) The Government has implemented a series of enhancement measures in recent years to protect the remuneration of outsourced non-skilled workers. The service contracts awarded by the four major departments through tendering involve more than 43 000 outsourced non-skilled workers. The median “committed hourly wage” offered by the service contractors to the relevant workers is about $55, which is about 30 per cent higher than the prevailing Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) rate (i.e. $42.1) and about 8 per cent higher than the median market rate (i.e. $51) of the “Estate management, security and cleaning services” industry covering the group of elementary occupations and service workers in 2024 published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).
Among the some 43 000 workers, about 99 per cent are entitled to a “committed hourly wage” that is at least 10 per cent higher than the SMW rate (i.e. at least $46.3), and the remaining 1 per cent (about 400 workers) are entitled to a “committed hourly wage” that is about 7 per cent higher than the SMW rate on average. As the “committed hourly wage” is the minimum hourly wage that the contractors commit to pay to their non-skilled workers during the tendering process, the actual hourly wage of the workers may be higher than this rate, and the service contractors may increase their wage level during the contract period in light of market conditions.
(2) As mentioned just now, the hourly wage of about 99 per cent of outsourced non-skilled workers under the four major departments is at least 10 per cent higher than the SMW rate. Hence, unless there is a very significant increase in the SMW rate within a short period of time, it is unlikely that government service contractors would have to pay more to their workers solely because of an increase in the SMW. For example, the SMW increased by about 5 per cent from $40 per hour (which took effect two years ago) to $42.1 per hour (effective from May this year).
Under the new “annual review” mechanism, the SMW will be subject to more frequent adjustments than before. However, as the new mechanism adopts a “formula” for adjustment under an open and objective basis, enterprises can make early planning. Therefore, service contractors should be able to make more informed estimates when proposing the “committed hourly wage” in their tender submissions.
The Government has all along required service contractors to provide their employees with remuneration in compliance with the legislation in Hong Kong and employment contracts (including the provision of hourly wage not lower than the SMW rate), which is no different from other employers in Hong Kong. When submitting tenders, service contractors would take into account cost-related factors including material costs, rent, wages, etc., and reflect them in the tender prices as appropriate. As these bidding strategies are commercial decisions, the Government does not plan to subsidise the increased operating costs incurred by the service contractors due to adjustment of SMW rate.
(3) On the premise of ensuring employment priority for local workers, the Government suitably allows employers to apply for importation of workers to replenish the labour force of Hong Kong. The Labour Department (LD) has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) since September 2023, which allows labour importation for 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts under the Supplementary Labour Scheme for two years. As at end of June this year, the number of cleaners and security guards applied for importation under the ESLS was about 23 000, and about 7 000 workers were approved for importation in total. According to C&SD’s 2024 Annual Earnings and Hours Survey, there were about 190 000 workers in the “Estate management, security and cleaning services” industry covering the group of elementary occupations and service workers. The number of cleaners and security guards approved for importation under the ESLS accounted for less than 4 per cent of the above number.
The remuneration for non-skilled workers under government outsourced service contracts is different from that under the ESLS on various fronts. Specifically, government service contractors must pay non-skilled workers at a rate not lower than the “committed wage” as stipulated in the contracts, while the ESLS requires that imported workers be paid no less than the median monthly wages of local workers in comparable positions. Moreover, requirements on other employment terms are in place under government outsourced service contracts (such as the provision of gratuity and wage arrangement for working when the typhoon signal no. 8 or above is hoisted).
We will maintain communication with LD to keep abreast of the demand and supply of the relevant non-skilled workers in the local labour market (including the situation on labour importation), and explore implementation arrangements to allow importation of labour in government outsourced service contracts upon ascertaining the occurrence of labour shortages under the principle of ensuring employment priority for local workers. The arrangements include addressing the discrepancy between the “committed wage” to be provided by contractors under contract requirements and the wages for imported workers, as well as co-ordinating the monitoring mechanisms across different systems, so as to ensure effective use of public money and proper monitoring of service contractors. We have to reiterate that any arrangement by the Government on importation of labour must be implemented on the premise of ensuring employment priority for local workers. LD will also play a robust gate-keeping role and stringently process each application.
Thank you, President.
Issued at HKT 13:00
NNNN
Man charged over seditious words
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Police Force’s National Security Department (NSD) has laid a holding charge after arresting an 18-year-old local man over the alleged writing of seditious words in the toilet of a commercial building on three occasions.
The charge involves one count of committing an act or acts with seditious intention and three counts of criminal damage.
The case was due to be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon.
The man was arrested on Monday in Kowloon in relation to acts committed with seditious intention, in contravention of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
The seditious words concerned involve provoking hatred, contempt or disaffection against the constitutional order and the executive, legislative or judicial authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as inciting other persons to break the laws of the Hong Kong SAR.
Police reminded members of the public that committing any act with seditious intention is a serious offence, and that offenders are liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction. It urged members of the public not to defy the law.
LCQ19: Combating traffic offences
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Following is a question by the Hon Yung Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
Question:
It has been reported that after the occurrence of traffic accidents recently, many drivers who caused the accidents chose to hit and run or refused to provide the drivers’ personal particulars. There are views that the reason for the drivers who caused the accidents taking such actions is the lighter penalty for the relevant traffic offences, thereby enabling them to circumvent more serious offences such as causing casualties by dangerous driving, which reflected the existence of legal loopholes in the authorities’ efforts to combat traffic offences. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of persons who were (i) arrested, (ii) prosecuted, (iii) convicted after trial and on own plea for being involved in traffic accidents in each of the past five years, together with a breakdown by the offenses involving the drivers concerned (including but not limited to (a) careless driving, (b) causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving, (c) causing death by dangerous driving, (d) failing to stop after a traffic accident, (e) failing to report after a traffic accident, and (f) refusing to provide the driver’s information after a traffic accident);
(2) given that under the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) (the Ordinance), the maximum penalty for refusal to give information on the driver of a vehicle suspected of having committed an offence under the Ordinance is liable to a fine of $10,000 and an imprisonment for six months, whereas the maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing death is a fine of $50,000 and an imprisonment for 10 years; disqualification from driving for not less than five years on first conviction and not less than 10 years or life on subsequent conviction, there are views that the disparity in the penalties between the two offences is significant, which may indirectly encourage drivers who caused accidents to circumvent serious offences by refusing to give personal particulars, whether the Government has plans to increase the penalties and maximum penalty for refusal to give a driver’s personal particulars, so as to enhance the deterrent effect; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) it is learnt that if the registered owner of the vehicle concerned is a limited company and the relevant person refused to give the driver’s personal particulars after the traffic accident, the penalty is only limited to a fine and no one has to be imprisoned, whether the Government has plans to review the responsibility of the registrant of the vehicle concerned after a traffic accident, e.g. whether it will hold the responsible individuals of companies of the vehicle involved (including director, general manager or company secretary) responsible for the traffic accident, and whether it will study empowering the Commissioner for Transport to refuse to issue licences to owners of company vehicles who have repeatedly committed offences under section 63(1) of the Ordinance; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(4) given that Schedule 8 to the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) sets out the level of fines for offences, but there are views that the Schedule was last revised in 1994 and has failed to adequately reflect the severity of some of the offences (including behaviour in contravention of traffic legislation) taking into account the current social environment and economic changes, whether the Government has plans to review the Schedule and increase the corresponding amounts of fines; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5) given that under the Magistrates Ordinance (Cap. 227), the maximum sentence Magistrates’ Courts can impose is generally two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $100,000; and maximum three years’ imprisonment where there are two or more indictable offences being dealt with by the courts at the same time, whether the Government will review the Ordinance and study expanding the Magistrates’ power to impose imprisonment and fine in parallel, so as to ensure that they can impose deterrent penalties when more serious offences (including contravention of traffic legislation) are being adjudicated; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
After consulting the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Department of Justice, and the Judiciary Administration, my consolidated reponse to the questions raised by the Hon Yung Hoi-yan on combating traffic offences is as follows:
(1) The numbers of arrests related to the offences mentioned in the question from 2020 to 2024 are listed in the table below. Apart from the initial figures, which may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers have remained generally stable in recent years.
| Offences | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Careless Driving | 26 | 48 | 25 | 36 | 34 |
| Causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving | 84 | 93 | 102 | 103 | 102 |
| Causing death by dangerous driving | 51 | 55 | 54 | 56 | 34 |
| Failing to stop after a traffic accident | 7 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 33 |
| Failing to report a traffic accident | 7 | 18 | 24 | 20 | 31 |
| Failing to give particulars after a traffic accident | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The HKPF does not maintain a breakdown of statistical data for “prosecutions”, “convictions through trial”, or “guilty pleas”.
(2) and (3) In accordnance with sections 63(1), (2) and (3) and 63B(2) and (3) of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) (the Ordinance), if the driver of a vehicle is suspected of having committed an offence under the Ordinance, or an accident occurs owing to the presence of a vehicle on a road, a police officer may, within six months after the date of the alleged offence or accident, demand any person to provide the personal particulars of the driver involved and the relationship (if any) of the person to the driver concerned. Sections 63B(5) and (7) of the Ordinance provide that any person who contravenes section 63B(2) or (3) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 3 (i.e. $10,000) and to imprisonment for six months, unless the person proves that he did not know, and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained, the personal particulars of the driver involved.
The Government agrees that a registered vehicle owner should have a certain degree of responsibility with regard to who drives the vehicle registered under his name. However, the registered owner may not actually have full control of all operational information of his vehicle. Therefore, the current section 63B of the Ordinance provides a defence provision to exempt registered vehicle owners from the responsibility of providing driver information in respect of the vehicle concerned under certain circumstances to strike a proper balance.
The HKPF has consistently enforced the law strictly and effectively, striving to bring offenders to justice. When investigating traffic accidents, apart from requiring the registered vehicle owner to provide information on the driver who may have been involved in the accident under section 63 of the Ordinance, the HKPF will, depending on the nature of the case, use various methods to gather evidence. These methods include analysing footage from nearby security cameras, dash cameras, or even fingerprints to identify the driver involved. In other words, even if the HKPF cannot obtain information of the driver who may have been involved in the accident from the registered owner, there are still ways for the HKPF to find out the cause of the accident through other means and to prosecute the suspected offender.
The Government will continue to pay heed to stakeholders’ views and review the legislation when appropriate.
(4) Schedule 8 to the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) sets out different levels of fines applicable to penalty provisions under various ordinances. Bureaux and departments will from time to time review and propose adjustments to penalties under relevant legislation based on their policy considerations to ensure that the penalties reflect the severity of the offences. The Government will review the fine levels table as appropriate.
(5) The scope of charges heard in the Magistrates’ Courts includes summary offences and indictable offences, with the maximum penalty for indictable offences generally being imprisonment for two years and a fine of $100,000. The Government may, in accordance with relevant policies, empower magistrates to impose maximum penalties under specific legislation when enacting or amending such laws to enhance deterrent effect, instead of amending the Magistrates Ordinance (Cap. 227). Currently, certain ordinances already authorise magistrates to impose a maximum penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of $5 million for a single offence. In addition, while all criminal proceedings commence in the Magistrates’ Courts, more serious indictable offences may be transferred to the District Court or the Court of First Instance of the High Court for trial. The District Court has a sentencing limit of up to seven years’ imprisonment, while the Court of First Instance may impose the maximum penalty prescribed by the relevant legislative provisions. This mechanism has been operating effectively.
Currently, different levels of courts (including the Magistrates’ Courts) have distinct judicial jurisdictions, allowing cases to be reasonably allocated based on their nature, severity, and complexity to ensure the efficiency of judicial operations. Any proposals to adjust the judicial jurisdiction of individual court levels (including the Magistrates’ Courts) should go through a comprehensive and prudent review and an extensive consultation with stakeholders, before any decisions are made. Key considerations include the demarcation of judicial jurisdiction among different court levels, ensuring that each level of courts has adequate judicial manpower and legal support to handle relevant cases, as well as the overall resources, facilities, and supporting arrangements of the courts.
LCQ21: Schemes for attracting talents and capital to Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Elizabeth Quat and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
Question:
At present, there are nine schemes mainly for attracting talents and capital to Hong Kong, including the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), the General Employment Policy (GEP), the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the Technology Talent Admission Scheme and the Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (such talent admission schemes). In addition, the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (the STV Scheme) was introduced on June 1 last year to provide immigration facilitation to visitors invited/sponsored by authorised host organisations for undertaking specified short-term activities which are beneficial to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of applications received and approved by the authorities under such talent admission schemes from June to last month, as well as the respective incomes involved;
(2) of the distribution of the regions or countries of applicants admitted to Hong Kong each year since the implementation of the TTPS;
(3) among applicants admitted to Hong Kong through such talent admission schemes in each of the past three years, of the respective numbers of those who were engaged in the area of innovation and technology, with a breakdown by such talent admission schemes;
(4) of the respective numbers of persons who were approved to take up short-term employment in Hong Kong through the GEP and the ASMTP in each of the past five years, as well as the respective distribution of their industries/sectors; apart from these two schemes, whether the Government will explore the introduction of other measures or schemes to enable non-Hong Kong residents to apply for short-term employment in Hong Kong (i.e. the limit of stay is not more than 180 days);
(5) of the respective numbers of applicants admitted to Hong Kong since the implementation of the STV Scheme, the distribution of their regions or countries and their designated sectors;
(6) whether the authorities have plans to expand the list of authorised host organisations and/or designated sectors under the STV Scheme; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(7) as it is learnt that the introduction of a series of new policies by the United States (US) Government in recent years, including tightening the visa regime and substantially reducing research funding, has led to a large number of local scientific researchers (especially Chinese scientists) considering leaving the US, of the Government’s measures (including whether it will introduce targeted talent admission schemes or measures) to support local universities in striving to attract such top-notch overseas scientists to Hong Kong for development?
Reply:
President,
The Government has been implementing various admission schemes to attract talents and capital investors, actively trawling for professionals, entrepreneurs and individuals with substantial assets. This is to enrich the local talent pool and bring in more new capital to Hong Kong, so as to enhance Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness, and promote the diversified and innovative development of the local economy.
Our reply to the Member’s question, in consultation with the Security Bureau (SB), the Education Bureau (EDB), the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, and the Immigration Department (ImmD), is as follows:
(1) Since June 1 last year and up to end-June this year, more than 190 000 applications were received under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), the General Employment Policy (GEP), the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents, and the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS). Among them, nearly 140 000 applications were approved. A breakdown of the relevant statistics is at Annex 1. The Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme will only begin to accept applications from mid-2026 onwards upon graduation of the first batch of students from eligible full-time Higher Diploma programmes.
Under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES), Invest Hong Kong is responsible for assessing whether the applications fulfil the relevant financial requirements, and the ImmD is responsible for assessing the applications for visa/entry permit, extension of stay and unconditional stay. From June 1 last year to end-June this year, the ImmD received a total of 1 295 applications under the New CIES, of which 673 were approved. The ImmD does not maintain the statistics on the income generated from applications and visa fees under various schemes mentioned in the question.
(2) The TTPS, which aims to attract individuals with high-income or bachelor’s degree graduates from top universities, has received enthusiastic responses since its launch in end-2022. As at end-June this year, about 135 000 applications were received, of which nearly 109 000 were approved. About 40 per cent (about 32 000) applicants in Categories B and C graduated from bachelor’s degree programmes offered by top overseas universities. The breakdown of the numbers of the applications approved under the TTPS by regions of the applicants and the eligible universities from which they graduated is at Annex 2.
(3) In the past three years, among the around 76 000 and 57 000 applications approved under the GEP and the ASMTP respectively, the numbers of approved applicants working in innovation and technology (I&T) related fields are 1 654 and 4 006 respectively. Under the QMAS, among the around 27 000 approved cases which successfully passed the selection exercise in the past three years, 8 021 applicants were in I&T-related fields. As for the TechTAS, which aims to attract technology talents to come to undertake research and development work in Hong Kong, a total of 334 applicants were approved in the past three years, all working in the I&T field.
Regarding the TTPS, the ImmD adjusted the application procedures on March 1, 2023, requiring applicants with work experience to declare the sectors of their occupations. From March 2023 to end-June this year, 26 211 applicants out of nearly 100 000 approved applications declared that their previous occupations were in I&T-related fields.
For other talent admission schemes referred to in the question, applicants are not required to have secured offers of employment in Hong Kong upon application, nor are they required during the validity period of the first visas to notify the ImmD after they are employed or have established/joined in business in Hong Kong. Given the nature of the scheme, the New CIES does not require applicants to declare their occupational backgrounds. The ImmD does not maintain the statistics on the industries engaged by successful applicants under other schemes when they first arrived in Hong Kong.
(4) In the past five years, over 112 000 applications were received under the GEP with over 103 000 approved. Of which, about 63 000 concerned short-term positions with contract duration of less than 12 months. The ASMTP received nearly 88 000 applications in the past five years. Of which, more than 77 000 were approved, and about 31 000 applications concerned short-term positions. The breakdown of the numbers of cases approved for short-term positions under the two schemes by industry/sector are at Annex 3.
Enterprises with job vacancies and facing difficulties to fill the vacancies in local recruitment may apply under the above two employment-tied schemes to employ outside talents with special skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in Hong Kong to take up short-term or long-term employment in Hong Kong.
With a view to facilitating business, promoting the development of the relevant sectors and raising Hong Kong’s international profile, the Government also launched the Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (Pilot Scheme) in June 2022, and regularised the Pilot Scheme to the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme) in June 2024. Under the Pilot Scheme/STV Scheme, organisations authorised by the relevant government bureaux or departments can issue invitation letters to relevant non-local talents in their sectors. Invited persons may come to Hong Kong to participate in specified short-term activities as visitors without the need to apply for employment visas or entry permits from the ImmD. They may participate in the specified short-term activities for up to 14 consecutive calendar days during each trip to Hong Kong, and receive remuneration for the specified activities concerned.
The above schemes have already met the needs of local enterprises in recruiting outside talents to take up short-term employment in Hong Kong. There is no plan now to introduce more measures or schemes for non-local residents to apply for short-term positions in Hong Kong.
(5) and (6) At present, the STV Scheme covers 12 sectors with a total of some 400 authorised organisations. As of end-March 2025, the Pilot Scheme/STV Scheme had benefited a total of nearly 34 000 non-local talents, facilitating their entry into Hong Kong as visitors to participate in various short-term events and activities. The statistics by sector and the beneficiaries’ place of origin are at Annex 4.
The SB indicates that to ensure the scheme keeping pace with the times, the Government reviews the coverage of the Pilot Scheme/STV Scheme from time to time, with a view to ensuring that it can continue to effectively achieve the relevant policy objectives. Since the launch of the Pilot Scheme, the Government expanded the scheme twice in February 2023 and June 2024, by adding two new sectors, namely “Finance” and “Development and Construction”, to the original 10 designated sectors, with the addition of authorised organisations to over 400 at present. The Government will continue to monitor the implementation of the STV Scheme and the views of relevant departments and the sectors, as well as to review the coverage of the STV Scheme in a timely manner.
(7) In the light of the changes in the global higher education landscape, the EDB has promptly called on all universities in Hong Kong to introduce facilitation measures for affected students and scholars with a view to safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests. As for the affected researchers, the EDB has all along been encouraging various institutions to attract top-notch talents in accordance with their diversified talent policies. The EDB is pleased to see that the local universities have been responding proactively and closely monitoring the situation, and have fully utilised the Government’s facilitation initiatives that support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to keep an eye on the development and, having regard to their needs, consider support measures in a holistic approach, including gradually increasing the number of places under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme to attract more top scholars to Hong Kong, so as to give full play to Hong Kong’s role as an international post-secondary education hub.
Meanwhile, the Government is committed to promoting Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre and has been adopting a multi-pronged approach in providing more quality employment and development opportunities to pool together global I&T talents. For instance, the InnoHK Research Clusters (InnoHK) have pooled together about 2 500 researchers locally and from all over the world. The Government is taking forward the establishment of the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, focusing on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials, which is expected to bring in more talents.
Besides, the Government has secured funding approval from the Legislative Council in May 2025 for the establishment of the $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme (FTRSS), which is aimed at supporting, through matching funds, the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee to attract international top-notch researchers for conducting research projects on frontier technology in Hong Kong and enhance basic research facilities. It is the plan to launch the FTRSS in September 2025. The Government has also set aside $6 billion to support local universities to set up Life and Health Technology Research Institute(s) to foster multi-disciplinary co-operation among universities/research institutions from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, and attract top-notch scholars and scientists to Hong Kong.
At present, top international scholars, scientists and researchers can apply for entry into Hong Kong under suitable talent admission schemes according to their own circumstances. There is no need to set up a separate talent admission scheme. If meeting the relevant professional qualifications in the Talent List, they can also enjoy immigration facilitation when applying for entry into Hong Kong under the relevant schemes. Among the various schemes, the TechTAS specifically targets the admission of non-local technology talents to Hong Kong for research and development work, and processes applications from eligible companies expeditiously.
LCQ7: Technology and Living curriculum
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Dennis Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
Question:
The Technology Education Key Learning Area Curriculum was fully implemented at the junior secondary level in the 2016-2017 school year, with “Technology and Living” as one of the covered knowledge contexts. At the junior secondary level, many schools adopt a subject-based learning approach, implementing relevant learning element modules through subjects such as Home Economics. At the senior secondary level, Technology and Living is one of the elective subjects, in which students may choose to study learning strands related to “clothing” (i.e. “Fashion, Clothing and Textiles’) or “food” (i.e. “Food Science and Technology”). These strands serve as a foundation for students’ lifelong learning by providing a range of pathways for students with varying abilities and aptitudes, meeting their needs at different developmental stages and supporting the development of personal interests. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the following information regarding secondary schools in each of the 18 districts across the territory that have offered the subject of Home Economics at the junior secondary level (i.e. Secondary One to Three) over the past three school years: (i) the name, (ii) the financing mode (i.e. government, Direct Subsidy Scheme, private or subsidised) and (iii) the type (i.e. boys’ school, girls’ school, or co-educational school) of the school, (iv) the number of students enrolled in the subject each year (set out by gender), (v) whether the subject of Technology and Living (Fashion, Clothing and Textiles strand) was offered at the senior secondary level, (vi) whether the subject of Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology strand) was offered at the senior secondary level, and (vii) whether the school is equipped with Home Economics room facilities (set out in Table 1);
Table 1
| District | (i) | (ii) | (iii) | (iv) | (v) | (vi) | (vii) | |||||
| 2022-2023 school year |
2023-2024 school year |
2024-2025 school year |
||||||||||
| Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | |||||||
(2) of the following information regarding secondary schools in each of the 18 districts across the territory that have offered the subject of Technology and Living (Fashion, Clothing and Textiles) and the subject of Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology) at the senior secondary level (i.e. Secondary Four to Secondary Six) over the past three school years: (i) the name, (ii) the financing mode and (iii) the type of the school as mentioned in (1), (iv) the number of students enrolled in these subjects each year (set out by gender) and (v) the number of students sitting for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education in these subjects each year (set out by gender) (set out in Table 2);
Table 2
| District | (i) | (ii) | (iii) | (iv) | (v) | ||||||||||
| 2022-2023 school year |
2023-2024 school year |
2024-2025 school year |
2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||
| Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | ||||
| Subject of Technology and Living (Fashion, Clothing and Textiles) | |||||||||||||||
| Subject of Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology) | |||||||||||||||
(3) of the following information regarding teachers currently teaching the junior secondary Home Economics subject or the senior secondary Technology and Living curriculum across all secondary schools in Hong Kong: (i) the number of teachers, (ii) the median age, (iii) the minimum and (iv) the maximum age, (v) the number of teachers teaching only the junior secondary Home Economics subject, (vi) the number of teachers teaching only senior secondary Technology and Living subject, and (vii) the number of teachers teaching both subjects, with a breakdown by position (i.e. subject panel heads and subject teachers) (set out in Table 3); and
Table 3
| Position | (i) | …… | (vii) |
| Subject panel head | |||
| Subject teacher |
(4) as it is learnt that some schools no longer offer the junior secondary Home Economics subject or the senior secondary Technology and Living curriculum, whether the Government has examined the reasons why some schools have continued to offer such subject or curriculum while other have discontinued them; whether the authorities have other educational resources or programmes in place to encourage students to delve deeper into knowledge related to food or clothing, further consolidate the generic skills they acquired at the junior secondary level, and assist them in constructing new knowledge, thereby nurturing their lifelong learning capabilities; if so, of the specific details, and how schools have responded to such educational resources or programmes; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Technology Education is one of the eight Key Learning Areas of our school curriculum. It covers six compulsory knowledge contexts, one of which is Technology and Living. Junior secondary students are required to study the learning elements relating to the knowledge context of Technology and Living, while senior secondary students may take Technology and Living as an elective subject.
The reply to the written question raised by the Hon Dennis Leung is as follows:
(1) and (2) While it is compulsory for all students to study the learning content of the knowledge context of Technology and Living at the junior secondary level, schools may implement the curriculum in different modes subject to the needs of their students. The relevant learning content may be presented in the form of a separate subject or covered in different modules, etc. According to the information submitted by schools, there are about 340 schools teaching the knowledge context of Technology and Living as a separate subject with “Home Economics” or “Technology and Living” as the subject name. Some schools adopt a modular approach to teach the learning content of the knowledge context of Technology and Living, promoting and implementing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education through the relevant content, breaking subject boundaries, and expanding learning coverage. To support some schools which are unable to provide all the learning content of the knowledge context of Technology and Living at the junior secondary level, the Arts and Technology Education Centre under the Education Bureau (EDB) offers relevant courses for students to cater for their needs.
At the senior secondary level, students can choose either the “Food Science and Technology (FST)” strand or the “Fashion, Clothing and Textiles (FCT)” strand. According to the Survey on Senior Secondary Subject Information conducted by the EDB in 2022/23 and 2023/24 school years, as well as the 2023 and 2024 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) entry statistics compiled by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (data of the 2024/25 school year for the above survey and statistics are not available for the time being), the implementation of the subject of Technology and Living in schools is as follows:
Technology and Living (FCT)
| No. of schools offering the subject | No. of students studying the subject | No. of candidates sitting for the HKDSE | |||||||
| 2022/23 school year | 2023/24 school year | 2022/23 school year* | 2023/24 school year* | 2023 HKDSE | 2024 HKDSE | ||||
| 5 | 5 | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female |
| 24 | 116 | 24 | 110 | 6 | 28 | 8 | 37 | ||
*Including Secondary Four to Six students
Technology and Living (FST)
| No. of schools offering the subject | No. of students studying the subject | No. of candidates sitting for the HKDSE | |||||||
| 2022/23 school year | 2023/24 school year | 2022/23 school year* | 2023/24 school year* | 2023 HKDSE | 2024 HKDSE | ||||
| 19 | 13 | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female |
| 161 | 376 | 148 | 376 | 35 | 118 | 35 | 78 | ||
*Including Secondary Four to Six students
The EDB does not have further breakdown of the number of schools in each district offering Home Economics/Technology and Living at the junior secondary level and Technology and Living at the senior secondary level, as mentioned in the question.
(3) According to government statistics, as at September 2024, there are about 440 public sector and Direct Subsidy Scheme secondary schools across the territory with around 430 Home Economics/Technology and Living teachers aged 21 to 66, with the median age of 46. Regarding the number of teachers who only teach in junior/senior secondary level, and those who teach in both junior and senior secondary levels, the EDB does not maintain such data.
(4) Regarding the implementation of the knowledge context of Technology and Living in Technology Education, schools may adopt different modes of implementing the curriculum at the junior secondary level and decide whether to offer Technology and Living at the senior secondary level, having regard to the school missions and objectives, the expertise of staff, as well as the background and learning needs of their students.
In addition to senior secondary Technology and Living, the senior secondary curriculum includes around 60 Applied Learning courses, many of which are related to Technology Education, such as Fashion Image Design, Pâtisserie and Café Operations, Western Cuisine, Food Technology and Nutrition, providing students with more diversified choices.
The EDB provides professional training including seminars, workshops and online training for teachers teaching the knowledge context of Technology and Living every year. A total of 17 relevant training programmes have been offered in the 2024/25 school year to strengthen teachers’ capability in curriculum planning and implementation. Meanwhile, the EDB promotes peer exchange through professional community activities and focus group discussions, thereby enhancing teachers’ teaching capacity. The EDB also co-operates with tertiary institutions and professional bodies/organisations, including the Chinese Culinary Institute, to provide teachers with the opportunity to practise and experience, with a view to boosting their creativity and enhancing their teaching effectiveness.
In addition, a relevant project with the theme of “Developing School-based Secondary School Home Economics and Technology and Living Curriculum” has been launched this school year (2024/25) under the Quality Education Fund Thematic Networks. With a duration of three school years, the project aims to enhance teachers’ strategies in teaching the element of fashion design, and assist schools in developing an innovative school-based curriculum that caters for the needs of students, so as to optimise its implementation and facilitate professional development of teachers. Student competitions and exhibitions are also organised in the current school year to showcase the learning outcomes of students, and have received positive feedback from the public.
Regarding learning and teaching resources, the EDB continues to update the resources related to the knowledge context of Technology and Living, such as Basic Food Science, Fashion Design Basics and Image Building, to provide content for teachers’ reference, with a view to extending students’ learning, enhancing their exploration abilities and strengthening their generic skills. The EDB also publishes the “Technology and Living Newsletter” (www.edb.gov.hk/en/tl/leaflets) and produces video clips annually to provide teachers and students with relevant information on further studies and employment.
On the other hand, the EDB reviews on an ongoing basis the learning elements of the knowledge context of Technology and Living, such as strengthening the application of innovation and technology and the learning element of sustainable development in the curriculum. The EDB also promotes professional training for teachers through collaboration with different stakeholders in order to meet students’ learning needs.
LCQ13: Traffic light countdown device
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Holden Chow and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
Question:
The Transport Department (TD) installed a new type of pedestrian traffic light countdown device (the new countdown device) at the signalised junction of Tat Tung Road and Mei Tung Street in Tung Chung in 2023 for testing. The new countdown device starts counting down when the “green man” light is on, such that pedestrians can gauge the total time remained of the “green man” light. According to the preliminary data collected from the survey conducted by a local university commissioned by the TD, after installation of the new countdown device at the aforesaid pedestrian crossing, the situation where pedestrians were unable to finish crossing the road before the flashing “green man” light ends has greatly improved. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the data obtained so far from the aforesaid test is sufficient to support the authorities’ installation of the new countdown devices at more locations; if so, of the list of locations at which the authorities plan to install such countdown devices; if not, the criteria considered by the authorities and the thresholds for taking forward the implementation of such countdown devices;
(2) apart from the aforesaid trial location in Tung Chung, of the signalised pedestrian crossings at which the Government has previously installed other pedestrian countdown devices for testing; whether it will consider implementing the new countdown devices at such signalised pedestrian crossings to expedite the collection of data; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) as the Government indicated in its reply to a question from a Member of this Council on July 10 last year that there was no worldwide general consensus on the merits concerning the effectiveness of vehicular traffic light countdown device, and that motorists’ responses to the time displayed on the countdown device might be very diverse, resulting in a higher risk of head-rear collision between vehicles, whether the authorities will consider following the testing method adopted for the new countdown device and installing the vehicular traffic light countdown devices at suitable locations for testing, so as to obtain useful data; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
After consulting the Transport Department (TD), my response to the questions raised by the Hon Holden Chow on pedestrian traffic light countdown device (pedestrian countdown device) is as follows:
(1) and (2) In late 2023, the TD installed a new type of pedestrian countdown device at the pedestrian crossing of Tat Tung Road and Mei Tung Street in Tung Chung for testing purposes. The device begins its countdown when the “green man” signal appears, helping pedestrians better assess the total green time remained. The TD collaborated with a local university to evaluate the device’s impact and effectiveness on pedestrian behaviour. Results indicate a slight improvement in the number of pedestrians completing their crossings before the flashing “green man” signal ends, compared to previous trials.
To further collect data on the device’s effectiveness under varying road conditions, the TD is arranging to expand the trial, selecting 16 additional crossings (locations listed in Annex) for testing that feature diverse pedestrian flows, crossing distances, and local pedestrian habits. This broader trial is expected to yield richer data for assessing the device’s performance across multiple scenarios and behaviours. Additionally, four of the trial sites will be equipped with a red-light countdown feature to evaluate its impact on pedestrian waiting behaviour, which will inform the direction of the next phase.
The TD is progressively installing the new pedestrian countdown device at the selected trial sites and will collect and analyse the corresponding data. Preliminary results are anticipated by mid-2026.
(3) The TD has been monitoring the global application and effectiveness of vehicular traffic light countdown devices, evaluating their potential to improve the travelling experience for road users while ensuring safe operation at signalised junctions in Hong Kong. Drawing on the experiences of various cities in the Mainland and abroad, the TD found no prevailing consensus regarding the safety of such devices. A key reason is the varied driver responses – while some drivers may slow down and stop as the green signal nears its end, others may accelerate to pass through the junction, increasing the risk of head-rear vehicle collisions.
Given the circumstances above and the overriding priority of road safety, the TD will continue to closely monitor future technological developments and the practical applications of such devices. Their suitability for use in Hong Kong will be considered with prudence and care.
LCQ10: Kaito ferry services
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Frankie Yick and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
Question:
Waste Generation Rate Continues To Trend Downloads In 2024
Source: Government of Singapore
Per capita daily domestic waste decreased by more than 20 per cent over the past decade; per billion dollar GDP daily non-domestic waste decreased by more 30 per cent over the same period. The recycling rate continues to hover around 50 per cent.
Singapore, 23 July 2025 – Singapore continued to see a decrease in waste generation rate in 2024. The daily domestic waste generated per capita decreased from 0.88 kg in 2023 to 0.85 kg in 2024. The daily non-domestic waste generated per billion dollar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased from around 25 tonnes in 2023 to around 23 tonnes in 2024. This reflects the sustained reduction and reuse efforts by households and businesses in 2024.
Per capita and per billion dollar GDP waste generated decreased in past decade
2 Over the past decade, daily domestic waste generated per capita decreased by more than 20 per cent, and daily non-domestic waste generated per billion dollar GDP decreased by more than 30 per cent.
Fig. 1. Chart on the daily domestic waste generated per capita from 2014 to 2024.
Fig. 2. Chart on the daily non-domestic waste generated per billion dollar GDP from 2014 to 2024.
Recycling rate continues to hover at around 50 per cent
3 Overall recycling rate continues to hover at around 50 per cent (refer to Table 1 in Annex). The recycling rate of paper/cardboard, food, and plastics remained similar. The slight reduction in recycling rate is driven largely by the reduction in the amount of Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste (by 122,000 tonnes) and used slag (by 63,000 tonnes) generated, which are almost completely recycled. This resulted in a corresponding reduction in overall recycling volume. Additionally, there was a reduction in the amount of wood waste recycled, by 49,000 tonnes, due to a short-term reduction in wood waste processing capacity in 2024 as a result of the closure of one biomass plant and prolonged maintenance of another.
10-year Recycling Trends
4 Over the past decade, the recycling rate dropped from 60 per cent in 2014 to 50 per cent in 2024 (refer to Table 2 in Annex). This is driven by two factors.
a. There was a 44 per cent and 69 per cent decrease in the volume of C&D waste and used slag generation, respectively. As C&D waste and used slag are almost fully recycled, the decrease in volume generated and consequently recycled led to a significant reduction (7 percentage points) in the overall recycling rate (refer to Chart 1 and Chart 2 in Annex). This is due to the reduction in C&D waste volume generated from demolition projects in recent years, while the lower amount of used slag generated is due to a reduction in steel smelting activities in Singapore.
b. The amount of paper/cardboard waste generated has been similar between 2014 and 2024, although paper waste generated had been on a downtrend from 2014 to 2019, before rising again post-2019 driven in part by e-commerce packaging. However, there has been a steep reduction in the paper recycling rate, from 52 per cent to 32 per cent (refer to Chart 3 in Annex). The decline is driven by factors such as the cost of collecting and freight as well as commodity prices.
Upcoming efforts to improve recycling of key waste streams
5 NEA will continue to partner the community and businesses to encourage the reduction of waste generated and to increase recycling efforts. Our efforts will be focused on food, paper, and plastics as these make up the largest amount of waste that is not recycled.
a. The recycling rate for food waste increased from 13 per cent in 2014 to 18 per cent in 2024. To drive the reduction and recycling of food waste, all new large commercial and industrial food waste generators have been required since March 2024 to segregate, treat and report their food waste. In addition, we will progressively extend these requirements to existing large commercial and industrial food waste generators in tandem when the Food Waste Treatment Facility becomes operational, as we progressively complete the Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) from 2027 onwards.
b. To encourage reduction in paper/cardboard waste and improve recycling rates, NEA supported the development of a set of Guidelines on Sustainable E-commerce Packaging in March 2025. The guidelines offer practical 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) strategies tailored to common types of e-commerce packaging, including cardboard boxes. Furthermore, NEA is looking to strengthen support for paper recycling, working together with waste collectors, recycling companies, and the community.
c. We will also increase plastic recycling through initiatives such as the beverage container return scheme, which will take effect next year. Under the scheme, a 10-cent deposit will be fully refunded when consumers return the empty beverage containers at designated return points such as reverse vending machines. The scheme will aggregate clean and high-quality plastic recyclables, which can be made into new products. NEA is working with the licensed scheme operator, Beverage Container Return Scheme Ltd. (BCRS Ltd.) on the return point network and deposit refund options to provide a convenient return and refund journey for consumers, when the scheme rolls out on 1 April 2026.
Waste Disposed of
6 Our combined commitment to reducing the amount of waste generated and improving recycling efforts is reflected in the waste disposed of at our waste-to-energy plants and Semakau Landfill. While the waste disposal rate has similarly trended downwards in the last decade, the total amount of waste disposed of has increased from 3.04 million tonnes in 2014 to 3.33 million tonnes in 2024. This is due to the recycling amount declining faster than the total amount of waste generated. Hence, the net effect is an increase in the total amount of waste disposed of. When everyone plays their part to reduce, reuse, and recycle, we avoid sending waste for disposal, thus reducing our environmental footprint and extending the lifespan of Semakau Landfill.
7 The latest waste and recycling statistics can be accessed at go.gov.sg/waste-statistics-and-overall-recycling.
——————
[1] Domestic waste is waste collected from households and trade premises (e.g., shophouses, educational institutions, petrol stations, hawker centres and places of worship).
[2] Non-domestic waste is waste generated at industrial and commercial premises.
~~ End ~~
For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.
Red flags hoisted at Silver Mine Bay Beach and Ting Kau Beach
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Red flags hoisted at Silver Mine Bay Beach and Ting Kau Beach
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 23) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.htmlIssued at HKT 10:00
NNNN
MOFA response to French government’s National Strategic Review 2025 conveying concern over Taiwan and cross-strait security
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to French government’s National Strategic Review 2025 conveying concern over Taiwan and cross-strait security
Date：2025-07-15
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
July 15, 2025On July 14, the French government released its National Strategic Review 2025, which mentioned the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan six times. The report noted that China has continued to strengthen its military capabilities, increase the intensity of military exercises around Taiwan, exert pressure on Taiwan through military force and other means, and fuel tensions and instability in the region. The 2022 version of the policy document also stated that China’s military expansion had threatened the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. However, this year’s report devoted more attention to China’s threats against Taiwan. It also expressed France’s concerns regarding Taiwan and cross-strait security. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung warmly welcomes and deeply appreciates the strategic review. Through the report, France has once again expressed concern over cross-strait security and reiterated the importance of Taiwan. The review follows from the joint declaration issued after President Emmanuel Macron of France met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom in London on July 10 for the 37th UK-France summit. In the declaration, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Taiwan, as an indispensable member of the Indo-Pacific region, will continue to work with France and other democratic partners to defend freedom and democracy and staunchly uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific.