Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 28) that due to big waves/inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is holding the “ICH Flavours” Carnival at the Oil Street Art Space (Oi!) in North Point today (June 28) and tomorrow (June 29). Under the theme of “Food Culture”, the carnival, with free booth activities, workshops and demonstrations, allows members of the public to experience the essence of making techniques for food related to intangible cultural heritage (ICH) through taste and visuals.
Many ICH items in Hong Kong are related to food. The carnival features various workshops and demonstrations of making techniques for public participation in producing and understanding ICH-related food. Examples include dragon beard’s candy, a traditional sweet food; Sau Fan, a traditional snack and a food offering in villages in the New Territories; glutinous rice dumpling with lye, a festive food of the Dragon Boat Festival; and shrimp paste blocks and shrimp paste, local specialties of Cheung Chau, Tai O and Lamma Island.
Apart from local traditional food that Hong Kong people are familiar with, there are also demonstrations and experiential activities of the Jiangxi Gannan Hakka pounded tea making technique, a representative item of the national ICH, for public to join.
The Hakka folk song and Nanyin performances held at the Oi! Lawn are attracting many people. The “Mobile ICH” is also stationed at Oi!. With an exhibition and interactive devices, it incorporates learning into fun games to allow the public to explore the rich content of festive-related Hong Kong ICH items.
The carnival is one of the programmes of the Hong Kong ICH Month 2025. Tomorrow, there will be demonstrations and workshops on traditional food-making techniques related to ICH, including sweet potato cake, Ching Ming Tsai (Paederia scandens sticky rice dumpling), blown sugar, and basin meal. Traditional food and interesting activities are not to be missed. For details of the “ICH Flavours” Carnival, please visit the website: www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/hk_ich_month_2025_ich_flavours.html.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The desire to return to nature is one shared by many, not least when it comes to post-funeral arrangements. Tapping into a growing trend, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has in recent years stepped up efforts to promote green burials, where remains are returned directly to the earth, or scattered at sea.
The department’s endeavours include organising tours of facilities such as the Tsang Tsui Columbarium & Garden of Remembrance in Tuen Mun. On one such tour recently, elderly participants shared their thoughts on green burials as an eco-friendly end-of-life choice.
Besides explore the facility and its services, the visit gave them the chance to reflect on their approach to life’s final journey. In fact, several remarked that they had already received the full support of their families in their wish for a green burial.
Tranquil setting
Visiting the Garden of Remembrance for the first time, 82-year-old Lee Yuk-sim described its seaside setting as open and tranquil. “The sound of waves lifts my spirits,” she said.
Ms Lee wishes to have her ashes scattered along the garden’s pebble path, however. Despite her love for the ocean, following a heart-to-heart conversation with her daughters she decided scattering at sea was not an option for her.
“I once told my daughters, ‘I love the sea.’ They replied, ‘The sea is full of swimmers, and every time we pass by it, we will think of you, and we don’t want that.’ Then they said, ‘The Garden of Remembrance is different. It is about dust returning to dust, earth to earth.”
Meanwhile, 87-year-old Choi Sau-ling, also on her first visit to the Garden of Remembrance, found it strikingly different from what she had expected.
“There were rumours that stray dogs and cats might disturb the ashes, but that is a complete misconception,” she said. “The truth is that the Garden of Remembrance is absolutely beautiful, with a sea view.”
Ms Choi highlighted that the garden’s peaceful atmosphere makes it both an ideal resting place and a convenient site for families to pay their respects.
“It is breezy and uncrowded, like wandering in a garden,” she commented. “It hits differently. Without the need to burn incense or make extra preparations, the experience feels lighter for everyone.”
Dignified farewell
Cheng Ting-fai, 87, had already made trips to the Gardens of Remembrance in Diamond Hill and Cape Collinson before visiting Tsang Tsui. He said he had also spoken to his children about his wish to have his ashes scattered.
“Placing ashes in an urn is almost like trapping them. There is no sense of freedom, and over time no-one may be around to look after them.”
Mr Cheng described scattering ashes in a Garden of Remembrance as a better option. “The ashes can bask in the sunshine, and experience the changing weather,” he explained.
He also expressed his hope that all 18 districts in Hong Kong can have a Garden of Remembrance. “Born here, raised here, and laid to rest here. How wonderful is that?”
At present, those choosing green burials can have their ashes scattered at either of three designated maritime areas or in one of the Gardens of Remembrance.
The department manages 13 Gardens of Remembrance, with Tsang Tsui being the largest. The site also features a ceremonial hall where simple memorial services can be held before the scattering of ashes.
The garden’s layout includes a boat-shaped wooden artwork, helping to create a symbolic space of transition. Visitors are invited to inscribe dedication cards with heartfelt messages, giving their loved ones a dignified farewell.
Meanwhile, a fourteenth garden – the Shek Mun Columbarium & Garden of Remembrance – is expected to open for use in the third quarter of this year.
Growing trend
Moving away from traditional funeral customs is no easy transition, but – thanks in no small part to the Government’s promotional efforts – green burial, as a sustainable means of handling ashes, has been gaining wider acceptance in society.
FEHD Senior Health Inspector Alan Li said that, as of the end of May, more than 15,800 names were registered in the Green Burial Central Register.
“About 70% of deceased registrants had their ashes disposed of in the form of green burial. Even if there is no prior registration, descendants can still adopt green burial for the deceased.”
The department stated that green burials accounted for a record-high 18.2% of disposals last year, with 8,522 individuals’ remains being scattered in Gardens of Remembrance and 1,032 at sea.
To enhance the sea burial experience, the FEHD has upgraded its free ferry service, available every Saturday, by introducing a new vessel design.
Public education
Meanwhile, in August of last year the department launched a large-scale “School of Life” programme that explores life’s closing chapters and sustainable options for being laid to rest.
The programme includes a “Life & Death Expo”, showcasing support services for ageing and end-of-life planning, as well as community walking tours that encourage reflection on life’s transitions. These initiatives have attracted around 5,000 participants so far, and people of all ages are welcome to take part.
The department also arranges green burial talks, guided tours to Gardens of Remembrance, and community tours, with these activities engaging more than 20,000 citizens to date.
FEHD Chief Health Inspector Daniel Lam said the department will continue to enhance green burial facilities, promote advance planning for after-death arrangements through the “School of Life” programme, and strengthen public education and publicity, in order to gradually establish green burial as the common practice for handling ashes.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
​A 74-year-old male person in custody, who had been found unconscious in Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre, died in a public hospital today (June 28).
The person in custody suffered from diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He required continuous medical care and follow-up at the institution hospital and a public hospital. At 7.22am today, the person in custody was found unconscious in a hospital ward by a correctional officer. The officer immediately called for reinforcement to provide first-aid treatment to him, and an ambulance was called at once to send him to a public hospital for further treatment. He remained unconscious after being sent to the public hospital. His condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 9.38am today.
The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner’s Court.
The person in custody was convicted for the offence of arson and detained under a hospital order for psychiatric treatment in June 2025.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development yesterday (June 27) on the last day of her visit to Beijing.
Ms Ho first called on Deputy Director of the HKMAO of the State Council Mr Nong Rong, and reported on the work of the Housing Bureau (HB). These include intensified efforts to combat tenancy abuse to ensure the prudent use of public housing resources. Around 8 700 public rental housing units have been recovered so far. On Light Public Housing (LPH), the progress of constructing about 30 000 units in 2027 is good. The intake of the first LPH project with about 2 100 units at Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, has been 100 per cent completed smoothly, while the project at Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok, with about 2 300 units, will commence intake in phases by the end of this month. The remaining projects are also pressing ahead at full speed. The HB will introduce the Basic Housing Units Bill into the Legislative Council for the first and second readings in July, and strive to complete the legislative work within this year, so as to ensure full implementation of the regulatory work for eradicating substandard subdivided units in Hong Kong and provide a reasonable and safe living environment for the grassroots, the earlier the better. The HB will continue to refine housing policies with sustained efforts, break through constraints to improve people’s livelihood, and enhance their well-being.
She then called on the Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Mr Ni Hong, introduced the work of the HB, and shared the adoption of advanced construction technologies from the Mainland in Hong Kong and the outcomes. She mentioned that the HB will organise a series of activities and visits this year, including an international symposium to be held in Hong Kong in November, to showcase to the world the latest developments of construction technologies in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The HB will fully capitalise on Hong Kong’s unique advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the rest of the world and play the role of a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”. She expressed hope that friends from around the world could attend the symposium to be hosted by Hong Kong at the end of this year.
Concluding the visit, Ms Ho said, “The visit not only provided an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the collaborative development of Hong Kong and the Mainland construction industries to experts and scholars from different regions at the Asia-Pacific Network for Housing Research 2025 Conference; it also strengthened exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland on smart construction, smart property management, community building and housing policies. In addition, echoing the Housing•I&T initiative of the HB this year, this trip enabled us to gain a better understanding of the latest developments of advanced technologies on the Mainland. I encourage the industry to use public housing as a testing ground for trials of new technologies, and to research and develop innovative construction technologies and smart management technologies that are locally applicable and globally accepted, in order to provide a better living environment for our people.”
Ms Ho returned to Hong Kong last night.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appeal for information on missing woman in Tsing Yi (with photo)
Chan Fung-yau, aged 85, went missing after she left her residence in Cheung Fat Estate yesterday (June 27) morning. Her family then made a report to Police.
She is about 1.5 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short grey and white hair. She was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt, light-coloured trousers, light-coloured slippers and holding a black walking stick.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1173 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
Issued at HKT 9:55
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 27) cracked down on a suspected drug storage centre in San Tin, Yuen Long and seized about 4.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 4.3 kg of suspected crack cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $8.8 million. A 27-year-old man was arrested.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in San Tin last night, Customs officers intercepted a suspicious man and seized about 1.1kg of suspected crack cocaine inside a thermal bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted him to a village house unit nearby for a search and further seized about 4.7kg of suspected cocaine, about 3.2kg of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia.
The arrestee, who claimed to be unemployed, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in dangerous drug and will appear at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on June 30.
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).
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho called on the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and the Ministry of Housing & Urban-Rural Development on the last day of her visit to Beijing.
Ms Ho first met State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Deputy Director Nong Rong and reported the work of the Housing Bureau.
She told Mr Nong that to combat tenancy abuse, around 8,700 public rental housing units have been recovered so far.
Meanwhile, the bureau has been making good progress on constructing about 30,000 units Light Public Housing (LPH) by 2027. The intake of the first LPH project with some 2,100 units on Yau Pok Road in Yuen Long has been completed smoothly, whilst the project on Choi Hing Road in Ngau Tau Kok, with about 2,300 units, will commence intake in phases by the end of this month. The remaining projects are also pressing ahead at full speed.
She added that the Housing Bureau will introduce the Basic Housing Units Bill into the Legislative Council for the first and second readings in July, and strive to complete the legislative work within this year.
Ms Ho then called on Minister of Housing & Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong to introduce the bureau’s work, as well as share the adoption of advanced construction technologies from the Mainland in Hong Kong and the outcomes.
She highlighted that the bureau will organise a series of activities and visits this year, including an international symposium to be held in Hong Kong in November, to showcase the latest developments of construction technologies in the Mainland and Hong Kong. She also stressed that the bureau will fully capitalise on Hong Kong’s advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the rest of the world, and play the role of a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”.
Concluding the visit, Ms Ho said: “The visit not only provided an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the collaborative development of Hong Kong and the Mainland construction industries to experts and scholars from different regions at the Asia-Pacific Network for Housing Research 2025 Conference, it also strengthened exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland on smart construction, smart property management, community building and housing policies.
“In addition, echoing the Housing•I&T initiative of the Housing Bureau this year, this trip enabled us to gain a better understanding of the latest developments of advanced technologies on the Mainland.”
Furthermore, she encouraged the industry to use public housing as a testing ground for trials of new technologies, and to research and develop innovative construction technologies and smart management technologies that are locally applicable and globally accepted, in order to provide a better living environment for the people.
Ms Ho returned to Hong Kong last night.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort 20th Anniversary Party – The Most Magical Party of All today (June 28):
Jill (President and Managing Director, Disney Parks International, Ms Jill Estorino), everyone,
Good morning. What a pleasure it is to join you all today to kick off the party celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!