Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police today (July 17) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.

Kwok Oi-kwan, aged 18, went missing after she was last seen in a shopping mall on Junction Road, Wong Tai Sin on July 14 afternoon. Her family then made a report to Police.

She is about 1.7 metres tall, 55 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a long face with yellow complexion, long black hair with a ponytail and a mole on left chin. She was last seen wearing a light blue shirt, black pants, white shoes, a pair of black glasses and carrying a red backpack.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, began her visit to Sichuan today (July 17). She visited the Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) and the Wolong Natural Museum of the Giant Panda National Park. She also attended the closing ceremony of the 2025 Youth Internship Programme at Wolong Region of Giant Panda National Park.
 
In the morning, Miss Mak visited the Shenshuping Base of the CCRCGP. Accompanied by the Hong Kong youth participating in the internship programme, she toured the facilities and the panda base which were rebuilt with Hong Kong’s support. The interns, who served as guides, gave a detailed presentation about nature conservation and the caring and rearing of giant pandas. Miss Mak then visited the Wolong Natural Museum of the Giant Panda National Park, where the interns shared with her their work experiences and the natural ecological conservation work of the Wolong National Nature Reserve.
 
In the afternoon, Miss Mak attended the closing ceremony of the 2025 Youth Internship Programme at Wolong Region of Giant Panda National Park, witnessing 20 Hong Kong youth successfully completing their internship journeys. In her speech, Miss Mak said that the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) has collaborated with the Sichuan Wolong Nature Reserve Administration and the CCRCGP to organise the internship programme since 2017, providing Hong Kong youth with professional training and practical work experiences in nature conservation and ecotourism. She expressed gratitude to the Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Forestry and Grassland, the Wolong Nature Reserve Administration and the CCRCGP for their long-standing support towards Hong Kong youth development, enabling students to gain practical experience through their internships.
 
Jointly organised by the HYAB and various Mainland official cultural, nature conservation and scientific research institutions, the HYAB Thematic Youth Internship Programmes to the Mainland, offers six internship programmes, providing over 110 specialised internship positions for Hong Kong youth. Among them, the six-week Youth Internship Programme at Wolong Region of Giant Panda National Park is one of the programmes where interns will be guided by experts and scholars in the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, and take on roles such as field researchers, ecotour guides, museum docents, giant panda education ambassadors and ecological education promotion experts.
 
Miss Mak will continue her visit to Sichuan tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (July 17) that a tender of 3-year HKD Institutional Government Bonds (Bonds) through the re-opening of existing 3-year Government Bond issue 03GB2804001 under the Infrastructure Bond Programme will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, for settlement on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
 
An additional amount of HK$2.0 billion of the outstanding 3-year Bonds (issue no. 03GB2804001) will be on offer. The Bonds will mature on April 25, 2028 and will carry interest at the rate of 2.76 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrear. The Indicative Pricings of the Bonds on July 17, 2025 are 101.77 with an annualised yield of 2.109 per cent.
 
Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.
 
Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK ) and Refinitiv (IBPGSBPINDEX). The publication time is expected to be no later than 3pm on the tender day.
 
HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Information

Tender information of re-opening of 3-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in June showed a drop of 240 cases, representing a decrease of 0.1 per cent compared with that of May, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (July 17).
      
The total CSSA caseload at the end of June stood at 195 196 (see attached table), with a total of 261 440 recipients.
      
Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 1.4 per cent to 1 312 cases. Permanent disability cases decreased by 0.4 per cent to 16 534 cases. Both ill-health cases and single parent cases declined by 0.2 per cent to 27 723 cases and 18 842 cases respectively. Old age cases dropped by 0.1 per cent to 110 691 cases.
     
Unemployment cases remained steady at 16 150 cases.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 17) said that the recent periodic upsurge of COVID-19 in Hong Kong has ended, with relevant indicators declining to the low levels recorded before April this year. In view of the fact that COVID-19 has been managed in the same way as an upper respiratory tract illness and in response to the significant decrease in the demand for COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs, the special arrangement of providing free oral antiviral drugs to private doctors for prescribing to eligible patients, which has been in place during the pandemic, will be discontinued on July 29. The Government reminded the private doctors to make their own arrangements with the relevant drug dealer if they intend to provide patients with locally registered COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs. Meanwhile, the public medical service will continue to prescribe COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs to patients with clinical needs in accordance with the arrangement for general drugs.
 
End of COVID-19’s periodic upsurge

There was a drastic upsurge in the level of COVID-19 activity in Hong Kong since April of this year, reaching its peak in mid-May. According to the latest surveillance data (as of the week ending July 12), all indicators of COVID-19 activity have dropped back to the low levels recorded before April. For sewage surveillance, the per capita viral load of SARS-CoV-2 virus decreased from around 770 000 copy/litre in mid-May to around 140 000 copy/litre in the most recent week; the percentage of respiratory samples tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus also dropped from a peak of 13.80 per cent to 2.53 per cent in the most recent week. 
 
COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs
 
COVID-19 has become a common respiratory viral infection. For the general public, symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infections are generally mild. Meanwhile, the monthly average number of treatment courses of COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs prescribed by private doctors to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients this year has dropped significantly compared to the past two years. Taking into account the above factors, the Government will end the special arrangement on July 29. This arrangement provided private doctors with free COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs for prescribing to eligible patients during the pandemic. Private doctors can still provide free prescriptions to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients on or before July 28.
 
The Government reminded private doctors that if they intend to provide patients with COVID-19 oral antiviral drug registered in Hong Kong, they can order them directly from the drug dealer, prescribe the drug to patients and charge them. Members of the public with clinical needs may continue to make appointments for general out-patient clinic (GOPC) services through the GOPC Telephone Appointment System or the “Book GOPC” function on the Hospital Authority’s (HA) one-stop mobile application “HA Go”. GOPCs under the HA will continue to prescribe the relevant drugs to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients with clinical needs according to their treatment guidelines. For more details of the GOPC services, please visit the GOPC website: www.ha.org.hk/goto/gopc/en.
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has been providing two COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs, procured by the HA, to private doctors for free prescription to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients with clinical needs since April 2022. This arrangement was intended to mobilise all available healthcare manpower, including private doctors, for anti-epidemic support during the raging epidemic. Private doctors who have registered with the Electronic Health Record Sharing System could request the provision of the COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs via a dedicated online platform. They must follow the relevant treatment guidelines set out by the HA and are not allowed to charge their patients any fees for the COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs. As of June 30 this year, approximately 200 000 treatment courses were prescribed by private doctors to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients for free.
 
Severe COVID-19 cases primarily affect the elderly, the children and individuals with underlying illnesses. Scientific data has conclusively proven that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective in minimising the risk of severe disease or death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated timely. Those at high risk should receive a booster dose as soon as possible. For more information on COVID-19 vaccination, please visit COVID-19 Vaccination Programme webpage. Although the periodic upsurge of COVID-19 has ended, there has been an upward trend in local influenza activity in Hong Kong recently. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain stringent personal, environmental and hand hygiene at all times.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch the Sport For All Day (SFAD) 2025 on August 3 (Sunday). Free recreation and sports programmes will be conducted at designated sports centres across the 18 districts on that day (from 2pm to 6pm). Members of the public may obtain activity coupons from 8.30am on July 21 (Monday) at the LCSD District Leisure Services Offices or designated venues in the 18 districts. Participants should present the coupons to attend the programmes on time. The LCSD will reserve a portion of the coupons for walk-in participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
The theme of SFAD 2025 is “Coalescing together for the National Games”, echoing Hong Kong’s cohosting the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games with the Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region for the first time.
 
The prime venue is the Kowloon Park Sports Centre, with activities to be provided on August 3 including cheerleading and breaking performances; rugby and golf fun activities; virtual fencing, karting and triathlon; table tennis fun activities for persons with different abilities. Other designated sports centres will organise fitness programmes, health talks, sports demonstrations and a fun day for families, children, youngsters, the elderly and persons with disabilities. On the same day, the LCSD will also open a number of leisure facilities for public use free of charge. Members of the public may make ballot applications via SmartPLAY as individual users from now until July 23.
 
In addition, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China will hold the “Sport for All Experience Day” at GO PARK Sai Sha on August 3 (from 12 noon to 6pm), where the LCSD will set up an SFAD activity booth to promote the joy of sports. A number of organisations will also open up their facilities or roll out recreation and sports programmes for the public free of charge on the same day.
 
Details are available on the SFAD 2025 dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/sfad).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Nano & Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) today to establish a strategic partnership in innovative construction technologies.

Leveraging NAMI’s cutting-edge expertise in advanced materials and the Housing Authority’s public housing practical verification platform, the partnership is expected to accelerate the validation and application of new building materials while creating a sustainable technology development model through patent protection and commercialisation mechanisms.

The first batch of research technologies includes enhancements to the MiSmartLink co-developed by the Housing Authority and NAMI as well as the development of composite sealing rolls, advanced concrete materials and soundproof materials.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said that the bureau hopes this co-operation can inject innovative and technological power into Hong Kong’s construction industry by providing a practical verification platform through public housing.

She added that the bureau and NAMI will strive to build a broader partnership network, develop international markets, and position Hong Kong as a regional hub for construction technology intellectual property, reinforcing the city’s role as a “super connector”.

Addressing the ceremony, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong remarked that the MOU is a manifestation of positive interaction among the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors in innovation and technology as well as an exemplary model of collaboration between Government, industry, academia and research.

He further noted that NAMI’s research and development in construction materials is tailored to the Housing Authority’s diverse application scenarios and production requirements, offering a practical implementation platform for NAMI’s research outcomes.

This synergy is fostering an ecosystem-wide transformation within the industry and realising a more effective public housing supply, Prof Sun highlighted.

The Government added that the collaboration will lead to the establishment of a complete intellectual property management mechanism, allowing research results to gain patent protection and create revenue through technology licensing and commercialisation.

A portion of the revenue will be reinvested into a new round of research and development, in order to form a sustainable development model.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government said today that foundation works at the proposed MTR Corporation (MTRC) Oyster Bay Station project on Lantau Island were suspended on Tuesday, after “upheaving” of more than 20mm was recorded at five nearby monitoring checkpoints.

The upheaving was recorded during precautionary grouting works for socketed steel H-piles. The monitoring checkpoints were installed in accordance with the MTRC’s required railway protection procedures.

These procedures are intended to facilitate monitoring of settlement data at nearby projects, thereby ensuring the structural safety of railway facilities and the railway’s safe operation.

On Tuesday, upheaving of 22 to 48 mm was recorded at five monitoring checkpoints installed on a section of the MTRC’s Tung Chung Line railway tracks near Siu Ho Wan Depot, exceeding the pre-set 20mm trigger level for suspension of works.

The relevant works were thus suspended on the same day, according to established procedures.

The Buildings Department (BD) and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) deployed staff to inspect the affected railway tracks at midnight that day.

The BD confirmed that the supports for the railway tracks are structurally safe.

The EMSD has reviewed the monitoring data and assessment report submitted by the MTRC in relation to the railway’s safe operation. It agreed with the assessment report and confirmed that the railway’s condition fulfils operational safety requirements.

The upheaving has not affected the structural safety of railway facilities or the safe operation of the railway.

The BD, the EMSD and the MTRC will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the structural safety of railway facilities and the railway’s safe operation.

The BD and the MTRC have requested the registered building professionals responsible for the project to formulate mitigation measures and adopt a construction method that would alleviate possible effects on railway facilities.

Upon receipt of proposed mitigation measures or amendment plans and of an application for resumption of works, the BD will rigorously scrutinise these.

Meanwhile, the EMSD has requested that the MTRC implement stringent monitoring measures to ensure the railway’s safe operation.

When the application for resumption of works has been approved, it will be announced to the public.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Two legislative amendments on low-altitude economy development will come into effect tomorrow.

The two amendments – The Small Unmanned Aircraft (Amendment) Order 2025 and the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Amendment) Order 2025 – are aimed at facilitating the development of a low-altitude economy.

The amendments to the Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) Order serve to extend the existing regulatory regime to cover SUA weighing over 25kg but not exceeding 150kg.

Relevant guidance documents including the updated Safety Requirements Document and Advisory Circulars will be available online from tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the amendments to the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 serve to facilitate the trials of various unconventional aircraft in Hong Kong.

New articles are added to empower the Chief Executive to permit the trials of unconventional aircraft under specified conditions.

Practical guidance in respect of the trials of unconventional aircraft will be published online tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.5% in the April to June period, the same as that in March to May, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate remained at 1.4%.

Total employment was 3,657,300, down 7,400 from March to May, while the labour force also dropped 7,000 to 3,793,500.

The number of unemployed people in April to June was 136,200, about the same as that in March to May. Meanwhile, the number of underemployed people decreased 1,000 to 52,600.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said various industries in Hong Kong are undergoing transition and their respective unemployment rates have different trends.

Looking ahead, Mr Sun explained that the trend of unemployment rate will hinge on the overall economic performance, and he elucidated that the entry of fresh graduates and school leavers during the summer may impact the overall employment situation.

“Nevertheless, the continued expansion of the Hong Kong economy should provide support to the labour market,” he added.