Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Crime Prevention Bureau (CPB) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) held the SafeCity Ambassadors Appointment and Recognition Ceremony 2025 today (May 16) to appoint a new batch of “SafeCity Ambassadors”, who are joining hands with the HKPF to enhance crime prevention, and to commend the organisations which have actively disseminated anti-crime messages over the past year.
      
     In his opening remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that the Force strives to establish partnership with the community to maintain social stability. With the concerted efforts of the HKPF and the public, the overall law and order situation improved further in the first quarter of 2025. There were a total of 20 756 crimes, a year-on-year decrease of 3 per cent. Leaving deception cases aside, the overall crime figure registered a drop of 1 160 cases or more than 9 per cent. The numbers of most traditional crimes declined significantly, with those of robbery and burglary cases falling by around 20 per cent respectively and that of violent crimes reducing by over 10 per cent. The number of deception cases in Hong Kong had increased by 5.8 per cent to 9 487 in the first quarter amid a continued rise in online crimes and fraud cases globally.
      
     Mr Chow added that the Force will embrace changes while staying innovative and flexible in meeting challenges. He hoped that all sectors of the community would work in close collaboration to promote crime detection and prevention, and that the Police and the public would work hand in hand to cope with changes.
      
     At the ceremony, the Police appointed the representatives of 19 organisations and groups as “SafeCity Ambassadors”. Together with 83 representatives appointed in the past two years, they will share good practices in crime prevention with the public, encourage community-wide participation in crime prevention, and establish a crime prevention culture, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Force to spread messages against crime. Representatives of 10 organisations were presented with the “Crime Alerts Network Outstanding Contribution Award” in appreciation of their efforts in promoting crime prevention.
      
     Furthermore, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) was recognised with the accolade of “SafeCity Crime Prevention Partner” for actively responding to the call for publicity. Over the past year, the HA has disseminated the latest crime prevention information to public housing residents through various channels.
      
     The “Timeline” exhibition in the venue showcased valuable historical information and pictures, offering a review of the Force’s crime prevention strategies since its establishment in 1844, especially the achievements in Police-public co-operation in keeping pace with the times and meeting challenges in full strength.
      
     Since its launch in 2023, the SafeCity.HK website of the CPB received more than 12 million hits. A hyperlink of the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit‘s website has been added to raise public awareness of counter-terrorism and safety. The “Crime Alerts Network”, established by the HKPF in 2022, delivers crime alerts promptly via instant messaging platform to a wide range of working partners, including principals, parents, social workers and various private organisations. The network has now registered over 3.2 million recipients for the weekly crime prevention update.
      
     Other officiating guests of the ceremony included the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Acting Director of Crime and Security, Ms Chung Wing-man; the Chief Superintendent of Police (Crime Support), Ms Yu Hoi-kwan; and the Chairpersons of District Fight Crime Committees.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (May 16) continued her trip to Korea and visited Seoul National University (SNU). She exchanged views with the President of the University, Dr Ryu Hong Lim, on deepening higher education collaboration between Korea and Hong Kong, and promoted the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
 
     Dr Choi said that Hong Kong boasts a highly internationalised and diverse post-secondary education sector. A number of measures have been put in place by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international education hub. Apart from striving to host international education conferences and exhibitions, the HKSAR Government also encourages local post-secondary institutions to enhance collaboration and exchanges with their counterparts around the world in promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand on a global scale, as well as attracting more overseas students to study in Hong Kong through the provision of scholarships.
 
     In addition, the HKSAR Government is developing the Northern Metropolis University Town to encourage local post-secondary institutions to introduce more branded programmes, research collaborations and exchange projects with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner.
 
     At the meeting, Dr Choi introduced to the SNU the various large-scale education mega events to be held in Hong Kong, for example the Learning and Teaching Expo to be held during Digital Education Week in July this year, and the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition to be held in February next year. She welcomed representatives from universities in Korea to come to Hong Kong to take part in the events and forge collaborations and exchanges with institutions worldwide. She also welcomed students from Korea and other places to study in Hong Kong or participate in short-term student exchange programmes, and said that she looked forward to further strengthening education ties between Korea and Hong Kong.
 
     Dr Choi also met Hong Kong students studying at SNU to learn about their school life. She encouraged them to return to Hong Kong to develop their careers after completing their studies.
 
     Today and yesterday (May 15), Dr Choi paid courtesy calls on the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, Mr Dai Bing, and the Consul General of China in Jeju, Mr Chen Jianjun, respectively to introduce Hong Kong’s latest education policy.
 
     Yesterday, she also participated in a side event of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Education Ministerial Meeting to visit an elementary school in Jeju to learn about the school’s experiences in promoting AI and digital innovation education.
 
     Dr Choi concluded her visit to Korea today and will depart for a visit to the United Kingdom tomorrow (May 17).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, are currently on duty visit to Hungary to promote the development opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
 
Mr Tsang arrived in Budapest, Hungary on May 15 (Hungary time) and called on the Chinese Ambassador to Hungary, Mr Gong Tao. Today (May 16) he met with the State Secretary for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Ms Boglárka Illés, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Dr Lajos Oláh, to share views on issues relating to the promotion of exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Hungary.
 
Mr Tsang also attended today the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area – Europe (Hungary) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference jointly organised by the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government to promote the business opportunities brought about by the GBA to the European business community, and Hong Kong’s position as a GBA’s international entry point and roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”. Speaking at the conference, he encouraged enterprises and talents to capitalise on Hong Kong’s unique advantages of having staunch support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world by establishing foothold in the city and tapping into the huge market of the GBA, and to turn challenges into endless opportunities under the current international situation.

Mr Tsang emphasised that under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong would continue to maintain its status as a free port, implement a free trade policy, maintain the free flow of capital, goods, people and information, and firmly support a rules-based multilateral trading system.
 
Mr Tsang will depart for Cairo, Egypt, on May 17 to attend the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area – Africa (Egypt) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference to be held there. He will return to Hong Kong on May 19.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Sheung Shui this afternoon (May 16) in which a man died.
 
The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Port Community System (PCS) project has been launched to drive smart port development, the Transport & Logistics Bureau announced today.

The system aims to promote digitalisation within Hong Kong’s port community, enhance cross-sector information interconnectivity, and advance smart port development, in order to consolidate and enhance the Hong Kong Port’s competitiveness and the city’s status as an international maritime centre, the bureau explained.

The PCS’ pilot data sharing platform began phased testing of specific cargo clearance processes in early 2023. After rigorous testing and optimisation, the Logistics & Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM) will assist the bureau in the full development of the system, with installation to be completed by the end of 2025, and implementation for industry use starting in early 2026.

The system will provide round-the-clock, real-time cargo tracking, integrate sea, land and air transport data, and offer value-added electronic services such as the One-Data-Multiple-Declarations function.

Officiating at the PCS project’s launch ceremony, Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said the PCS is a critical infrastructure for the future development of Hong Kong’s port and maritime sectors.

“Led by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and widely supported by the industry, the PCS digitally connects Hong Kong, the Mainland and the international maritime community.

“It will also help facilitate trade and capital flows, enhance Hong Kong’s resilience and influence as an international maritime centre to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex international environment, and serve our country’s strategic goal of becoming a maritime powerhouse.”

The bureau supplemented that it will also initiate a new phase of trial in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to explore leveraging cargo status data within the PCS to facilitate trade finance processes, with a view to helping financial institutions and small and medium enterprises reduce credit costs and processing time. To ensure that the system aligns with industry needs, the bureau has established a Strategic Advisory Panel and an Industry Expert Liaison Group, bringing together industry leaders to provide insights on the PCS’ development.

Additionally, during today’s launch ceremony, the Transport & Logistics Bureau signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with the LSCM and Guangdong e-Port Management Company. Areas of collaboration include exploring the use of the PCS to provide a pre-filling and pre-submission function for ocean manifests for vessels entering the Mainland, so as to provide further convenience for system users.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin visited Seoul National University (SNU) on the last day of her Korea trip today.

She exchanged views with the university’s president Ryu Hong Lim on deepening higher education collaboration between Korea and Hong Kong, and promoted the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.

Ms Choi said Hong Kong boasts a highly internationalised and diverse post-secondary education sector, adding that a number of measures have been put in place by the Government to enhance the city’s status as an international education hub.

Apart from striving to host international education conferences and exhibitions, the Government also encourages local post-secondary institutions to enhance collaboration and exchanges with their counterparts around the world in promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand on a global scale. It also attracts more overseas students to study in Hong Kong through the provision of scholarships.

In addition, the Government is developing the Northern Metropolis University Town to encourage local post-secondary institutions to introduce more branded programmes, research collaborations and exchange projects with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner.

At the meeting, Ms Choi introduced to the SNU the various large-scale education mega events to be held in Hong Kong, such as the Learning & Teaching Expo to be held during Digital Education Week in July this year, as well as the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference & Exhibition to be held in February 2026.

The education chief welcomed representatives from universities in Korea to come to Hong Kong to take part in the events and forge collaborations and exchanges with institutions worldwide.

Ms Choi also welcomed students from Korea and other places to study in Hong Kong or participate in short-term student exchange programmes, and said that she looked forward to further strengthening education ties between Korea and Hong Kong.

Ms Choi also met Hong Kong students studying at SNU to learn about their school life and encouraged them to return to Hong Kong to develop their careers after completing their studies.

Today and yesterday, Ms Choi paid courtesy calls on the Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing and the Consul General of China in Jeju Chen Jianjun, respectively to introduce Hong Kong’s latest education policy.

Yesterday, she also joined a side event of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Education Ministerial Meeting to visit an elementary school in Jeju to learn about its experiences in promoting artificial intelligence and digital innovation education.

Ms Choi will depart for a visit to the UK tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 was published in the Government Gazette and came into force today.

The Development Bureau said the amended ordinance will more effectively regulate the Government in exercising its power to pursue reclamations in the Victoria Harbour.

The bureau and relevant departments are finalising administrative guidelines for the ordinance. These will be completed and published within two months. The amended ordinance received its third reading and was passed at the meeting of the Legislative Council last Wednesday.

Amending the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance, it sets out a clearer mechanism to regulate reclamations in Victoria Harbour, in particular large-scale reclamations, in order to protect the Harbour.

It also introduces a streamlined mechanism for small-scale reclamations that improve Victoria Harbour’s functions and harbourfront and for non-permanent reclamations, in order to facilitate and promote harbourfront enhancements.

According to the amended ordinance, harbour enhancement reclamations and non-permanent reclamations that meet certain criteria and are in the public interest may be granted exemption from the “Presumption against Reclamation” by the Financial Secretary.

Other reclamations in the Victoria Harbour will still be subject to the stringent presumption.

To rebut the presumption, it will be necessary to apply three considerations set out in earlier court judgment which are now incorporated in the ordinance, and to comply with the new statutory procedures.

These include preparing an assessment on a project’s “overriding public need”, publishing a report for public comment, and submitting the report and comments received to the Chief Executive-in-Council for determination.

The bureau stressed that even under existing arrangements government departments or other persons must submit proposals to carry out reclamations for consideration and approval by the Government.

It added that the amendments do not change the right of members of the public to apply for judicial review against decisions.

It stressed that the Amendment Ordinance demonstrates the Government’s commitment to protecting Victoria Harbour, and also provides a more solid legal basis for its long-term protection.

Moreover, it said the Government will have greater flexibility to promote better use of harbourfront resources and create a harbourfront that everyone can be proud of.

The Government has made it clear that there is no plan to initiate large-scale harbour reclamations to form land for housing, commercial or industrial developments.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today chaired the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Health & Medical Innovation Development.

The advisory committee receives staunch support from the National Medical Products Administration, with Department of Drug Registration Director Yang Ting joining as official representative of the national drug regulatory authority.

During the meeting, committee members were briefed on the progress of the establishment of the Centre for Medical Products Regulation. The preparatory office for the centre is taking forward measures with the objective of putting forward a timetable for its establishment and the roadmap towards the adoption of “primary evaluation” in the first half of this year.

The measures include examining the need for new legislation, mapping out the strategies to reform the regulatory regime of drugs and medical devices, and advancing plans for “primary evaluation”.

The committee members also offered advice on the proposals for establishing the Real-World Study & Application Centre.

The centre aims to enhance access and application of health and medical databases, as well as strengthen collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, particularly in integrating data generated by the use of Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in the Greater Bay Area.

This is to achieve three major objectives: accelerating the research and development (R&D), approval and market launch of innovative medical products; leveraging data to support evidence-based decision-making; and developing Hong Kong into a leading region and global hub for real-world studies. The Government strives to establish the centre by the end of this year.

Prof Lo said that the Government will strenuously work in line with the national objective of further reforming the medical and healthcare system and take forward the establishment of the two centres by complementing technological innovation with institutional innovation.

“We will fully utilise the institutional advantages of ‘one country, two systems’ and Hong Kong’s professional healthcare strengths to develop the city into an international health and medical innovation hub, thereby enabling patients to benefit from the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies and achieving the concept of bringing the benefits of good drugs and R&D to Hong Kong.

“At the same time, we aim to attract more local, Mainland and overseas pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises to conduct R&D and clinical trials in Hong Kong, thereby developing new quality productive forces in biomedicine and a new model for Hong Kong’s health and medical innovation development, so as to make further contributions to the overall development of the nation.”