Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors – Sub-degree programmes; International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026 (AIinLT 2026); “Smart Parent Net” Recommendation: How to Promote Career Development Planning for Gifted Children (Child only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3

Following the success of AIinLT 2025, the “International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026 (AIinLT 2026)”• Stay Ahead of Trends: Global experts will share the latest insights on AI in language learning, helping you understand the future of education.
• Support Diverse Learners: Learn how to use AI tools to help children learn language more effectively.
• Trilingual Advantage: The Summit will feature paper presentations and teaching demonstrations in both Chinese (Cantonese/Putonghua) and English, giving you a more comprehensive understanding of your child’s language learning.
• Accessible to All: The Summit is open to the public and free of charge.At the Summit on 21-22 JuneParents play a vital role in shaping their children’s learning journey. Members of the public are most welcome to register or check out the latest update at the website (https://events.polyu.edu.hk/AIinLT2026/registration) now.

Through AIinLT 2026, you will gain a clearer picture of how schools are embracing AI to create a brighter, more effective future for language education. 

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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1 million at airport

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 9) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 1.56 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $1 million were seized.

A 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. During customs clearance, the batch of suspected heroin was found in his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 11).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach, and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

​Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     

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Hong Kong’s largest public hospital, Kai Tak Hospital, to commence service in phases during second half of 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong’s largest public hospital, Kai Tak Hospital, to commence service in phases during second half of 2026 (with photo) 
    ​The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced today (April 10) that the new acute hospital located in the Kai Tak Development Area is scheduled to commence services in October 2026 in phases. Officially named Kai Tak Hospital (KTH), it will be the largest healthcare hub in terms of bed capacity and total floor area in Hong Kong, with a total gross floor area of 500 000 square metres and 2 400 beds once fully operational.

     The HA spokesperson said, “KTH will serve Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong districts, covering a population of more than 1.8 million. As the flagship hospital in the Kowloon Central Cluster, KTH will collaborate with other hospitals in the districts to optimise the overall acute care services in Kowloon, ensuring a more balanced distribution of public healthcare resources and efficient service provision. KTH will also provide clinical support to the adjacent Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, strengthening the synergy between the two hospitals, and will become the largest public healthcare hub in Hong Kong.”Issued at HKT 16:30

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Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Fanling

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Fanling       
     Customs officers ambushed and searched two logistics warehouses at Ping Che Road in Fanling and a medium goods vehicle parked inside one of the warehouses at noon yesterday. Customs seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes from the two warehouses and the vehicle. A 43-year-old man, who claimed to be a warehouse worker and was suspected to be connected with the case, was arrested at the scene.
      
     Initial investigation revealed that a crime syndicate had repacked illicit cigarettes as genuine cargo pending transshipment in the warehouses, awaiting an opportunity to smuggle them into foreign countries or regions with higher tobacco duty rates than Hong Kong for profit.
      
     The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
      
     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source, as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
      
     Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Smuggling is also a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 12:30

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Granting of stablecoin issuer licences

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) announced today (April 10) that the Monetary Authority has granted stablecoin issuer licences under the Stablecoins Ordinance to Anchorpoint Financial Limited and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited for issuing stablecoins in Hong Kong. The licences take effect today.
 
According to the licensees’ business plans, they intend to complete the necessary preparation work and launch business in the coming few months.
 
     The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, “The granting of stablecoin issuer licences is an important milestone for the development of digital assets in Hong Kong. The regulatory regime provides an orderly operating environment for stablecoin issuers to apply innovative technologies while ensuring robust user protection and effective risk management, which will foster the development of a healthy, responsible, and sustainable stablecoin ecosystem. We look forward to the issuers launching business according to their plans, exploring growth opportunities while properly managing risks. We hope their promotion of regulated stablecoins will address pain points in financial and economic activities, create values for both individuals and businesses, and support the healthy development of digital assets in Hong Kong.”
 
The HKMA maintains a Register of Licensed Stablecoin Issuers, which contains the latest list of licensees and their relevant information including names, addresses, email contact and other particulars. The Register is available on the HKMA’s website (link).
 
Members of the public should stay vigilant to fraudulent activities or scams that are purported to be associated with the licensees or their stablecoin issuance. If in doubt, members of the public may refer to the HKMA’s Register or further reach out to the licensees for verification. When acquiring or using stablecoins, the public is reminded to do so only through regulated channels.

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Government to sell site in Tung Chung by public tender

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (April 10) that a site, Tung Chung Town Lot No. 54 at Area 106A, Tung Chung, New Territories, in the 2026-27 Land Sale List, will be disposed of by public tender. The tender invitation for the lot will commence on April 17 and close on May 15.
  
Tung Chung Town Lot No. 54 has a site area of about 14 152 square metres and is designated for private residential purposes. The minimum gross floor area is 29 720 sq m, and the maximum gross floor area that may be attained is 49 532 sq m.
 
Land sale documents including the Form of Tender, the Tender Notice, the Conditions of Sale and the sale plan of the lot will be available for downloading from the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk) from April 17, while the sale plan will be available for inspection by the public from the same day until the close of the tender. The sale plan in hard copy form may also be purchased at the Survey and Mapping Office of the LandsD, 6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, from April 17 until the close of the tender. The particulars of the tender will be gazetted on April 17.

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CHP continues to follow up on cluster of hepatitis A infection associated with men who have sex with men

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CHP continues to follow up on cluster of hepatitis A infection associated with men who have sex with men 
     “Given the relatively long incubation period of hepatitis A infection, the transmission chain within a specific group may persist for several months to a year. To control the transmission chain, the CHP will continue to provide two doses of hepatitis A vaccine free of charge to MSM to safeguard public health. The CHP has launched an online booking platform 
Latest data on hepatitis A infection
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     The CHP recorded seven and eight cases of hepatitis A infection in February and March respectively, which are fewer than in January (15 cases). The CHP’s epidemiological investigations showed that all eight cases recorded in March involved males, aged between 28 and 61. Two of them self-identified as MSM. The residential locations and restaurants patronised by these eight cases did not overlap with those of previous cases. Genetic analysis by the CHP revealed that the virus in three of the new hepatitis A cases harboured an identical genetic sequence to that of the cluster previously reported to be associated with MSM. As of March 31, this cluster involved a total of 27 cases (25 men and two women). Due to the long incubation period of hepatitis A, the CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up measures to interrupt the hepatitis A transmission chain within this group.
  
Hepatitis A vaccination
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     “In light of the infection cluster among a specific group during the past six months, the CHP has offered an appointment service since March 12 to provide MSM with two doses of hepatitis A vaccine free of charge with the aim of controlling the transmission chain. In less than a month, over 60 people have made appointments for vaccination. The CHP urged MSM to book their vaccination as soon as possible through the newly launched online booking platform 
     Hepatitis A virus is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, or contaminated hands before eating. The virus can also be transmitted through high-risk sexual contact. The incubation period of hepatitis A is usually 14 to 28 days, though it can last up to 50 days. Due to the long incubation period, symptoms such as fever, malaise, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea and jaundice may not appear until one to two months after infection.
 
     Scientific literature indicates that, apart from foodborne transmission, hepatitis A outbreaks have occurred among MSM populations in many regions worldwide in the past. Due to the long incubation period, outbreaks transmitted through person-to-person contact tend to persist longer. Between 2015 and 2017, Hong Kong also experienced hepatitis A transmission chains involving MSM, which were successfully interrupted by vaccinating the affected groups at risk. According to the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the CHP, individuals in high-risk groups (including MSM) should consult their doctors about receiving hepatitis A vaccination to protect their personal health.
 
     Dr Tsui said that the CHP will continue to monitor and investigate hepatitis A infection cases, and cautiously consider the epidemiological situation and transmission risks when determining the duration of the ad hoc vaccination service, in order to provide comprehensive protection for public health. He also reminded doctors to remain vigilant about hepatitis A cases and to provide relevant recommendations on hepatitis A vaccination to high-risk groups.
 
     The CHP will continue, through its Red Ribbon Centre and in collaboration with non-governmental organisations, to raise awareness and provide education on hepatitis A prevention to MSM, and to encourage them to receive timely vaccinations.
 
     For more information on hepatitis A, please visit the CHP’s websiteIssued at HKT 15:30

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Company fined $105,000 for contravening Employment Ordinance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Company fined $105,000 for contravening Employment Ordinance 
     The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay three employees’ wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods, totalling about $438,000.

     “The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO,” a spokesman for the LD said.Issued at HKT 14:42

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Come and join “Drug-free Camp” pop-up anti-drug game booth

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Come and join “Drug-free Camp” pop-up anti-drug game booth      
     The booth features three games where participants can take on the role of Guardians of Life. They will learn to distinguish between healthy and harmful items, identify and refuse dangerous drugs, and discover ways to maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Upon completing the challenges, participants will “level up” to become Anti-drug Pioneers and receive souvenirs. Photo props will also be available at the venue. Parents are welcome to accompany their children to the game booth.
      
     The game booth will operate from 11am to 7pm on the following dates and at the following locations. Admission is free.
 

Date     The locations of the pop-up booth will be updated monthly. For the latest news regarding the game booth, members of the public can visit the ND’s official accounts (narcotics.divisionhk) on FacebookIssued at HKT 12:00

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Special Envoy and Foreign Minister Lin leads trade and investment delegation to Marshall Islands, bolstering diplomatic ties and bilateral cooperation

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Special Envoy and Foreign Minister Lin leads trade and investment delegation to Marshall Islands, bolstering diplomatic ties and bilateral cooperation

Date：2026-04-07
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

April 7, 2026  
No. 132  

At the invitation of the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands—one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific—Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, serving as special envoy of President Lai Ching-te, is leading a trade and investment delegation to the Marshall Islands from April 7 to 9. 

The delegation includes Hu Chi-chuan, Deputy Director General of the International Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs; Tsai Shu-chen, Deputy Director General of the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare; Shyy Li-jun, Deputy Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund; and members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs drone diplomacy task force. The delegation also comprises over 60 representatives from Taiwan’s fisheries, shipping, cold-chain logistics, medical devices, food processing, clean energy, and ICT industries. 

The delegation aims to leverage public-private partnerships and a model of larger enterprises leading smaller ones to match more Taiwanese businesses with investment opportunities in the Marshall Islands and thereby advance the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.

Furthermore, to implement the Taiwan-Marshall Islands economic cooperation agreement, which entered into force on January 15, 2025, the first preparatory consultation for the agreement and a Marshall Islands investment opportunities briefing will be held, opening a new chapter in the expansion of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

During his stay, Special Envoy Lin will meet with Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine, Nitijela Speaker Brenson Wase, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani Kaneko, other prominent political figures, and traditional leaders. The trip will also include visits to important sites of bilateral cooperation projects, such as the Majuro Track and Field Stadium (Micronesian Games host venue), the Majuro Hospital AI and Telemedicine Center, and a poultry farm. (E)