Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Government Flying Service (GFS) held the opening ceremony of the three-day International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services (ISERAS) today (June 17). The symposium brought together more than 230 policymakers, relevant experts and academics, and industry players at home and abroad to jointly explore the latest developments and future directions in aeromedical services and emergency response. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were also signed to strengthen co-operation and exchanges among the participating parties, reflecting the status of Hong Kong as an aviation hub for emergency response in Asia.

At the ceremony held at the Kai Tak Sports Park, the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, said that the challenges of emergency response as a result of the realities of climate change are evolving at an unprecedented pace. A shift to proactive prevention, continuous enhancement of international and cross-regional collaboration, and enhanced experience and insight sharing among stakeholders are key to rising to new and complex challenges. He also expressed that the collaborative spirit of ISERAS will forge stronger partnerships, further strengthen emergency response capabilities, and secure a safer future for communities. 

The inaugural ISERAS in Hong Kong is being held from June 16 to 18. It brought together more than 230 government officials, policymakers, experts and academics, and industry representatives from over 70 institutions and accredited organisations from places including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. It aims to foster closer co-operation in emergency linkage, resource sharing, and professional training among different regions.

In his opening remarks, the Controller of GFS, Mr Eddie Liu, said that ISERAS has gathered aeromedical experts from around the world to engage in exchanges on the latest developments in the relevant fields, with the aim of collectively building a truly transnational pool of professional expertise. He said that since its establishment in 1993, the GFS has served at the forefront of round-the-clock search-and-rescue and emergency aeromedical operations. He believed that the symposium will further enhance personnel training, facilitate technical exchange and expand professional networks. 

The Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China (CRS), Mr Wang Lei, also attended the symposium and delivered a keynote presentation on air rescue capabilities and strategic development in the South China Sea. The symposium also featured plenary sessions and panel discussions among experts on strengthening interagency collaboration for unified emergency and disaster response, the role of aeromedical services in disaster response and associated risk management, and enhancing aeromedical services through advanced technology and innovation.

Following the ceremony, the GFS signed MOUs with CRS, Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine, OutReach Rescue of the United Kingdom and LifeFlight of Australia respectively, to deepen collaboration with the Chinese Mainland, domestic and international emergency, aviation, and medical institutions, further enhancing the GFS’ personnel and technology exchanges while expanding the scope and platforms of professional training.

Tomorrow (June 18), the symposium will feature an interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill and exchange session, with the participation of the GFS, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, showcasing Hong Kong’s professional capabilities in responding to terrorist attacks.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Lau Ka-keung and a reply by the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, in the Legislative Council today (June 17):

Question:

It has been reported that a fatal accident involving an elderly taxi driver occurred in Ngau Tau Kok last month, raising public concerns about the driving safety of elderly professional drivers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as it has been reported that the authorities will strive to present enhanced legislative proposals to this Council in the second half of this year to lower the age threshold for commercial vehicle drivers to submit medical examination certificates to the age of 65 and amend the validity period of their driving licences, which will be subject to an annual medical check-up, of the latest progress of the work concerned; whether they will study, apart from medical examinations, requiring drivers to undergo regular actual or simulated road driving assessments;

(2) whether the authorities will, by making reference to the practices of some countries and regions, study implementing tiered driving permissions for elderly drivers according to their age and medical examination results (e.g. by restricting the types of vehicles they may drive and driving periods); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) as there are views that the problem of the ageing of commercial vehicle drivers is severe and that setting a blanket mandatory retirement age will have a significant impact on the manpower in the trade, of the effectiveness of the authorities’ current measures to attract young people to join the trade; whether they will study introducing more targeted policies, such as improving salary packages and enhancing the working environment, to attract more young people to join the trade?

Reply:

President,

The Government has always attached great importance to road safety and is making sustained efforts in reviewing the arrangements related to the requirements for medical certification of commercial vehicle (CV) drivers in order to enhance the safety protection for the drivers themselves and other road users. The reply to the question raised by the Hon Lau Ka-keung is as follows:

(1) According to the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap. 374B) (the Regulations), a person aged 70 or above who applies for a full driving licence must provide a medical certificate completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner to prove that he/she is medically fit to drive. While general driving licences are valid for 10 years, persons aged 70 or above can only apply for driving licences with a validity period of one year or three years. Besides, if an applicant is suffering from a disease or physical disability specified in the First Schedule to the Regulations, such as epilepsy, the Commissioner for Transport shall refuse the application.

To further safeguard the safety of road users, the Government earlier reviewed the requirements under the Regulations, and proposed raising the medical certification requirements for drivers. The adjustments include amending the eyesight requirements to cover visual acuity and visual field, and imposing additional fitness requirements for CV drivers, such as hearing requirements. The Government also proposed lowering the age threshold for CV drivers to submit medical examination certificates from the age of 70 to 65, and shortening the validity period of their driving licences, to enable aged CV drivers to undergo medical examinations earlier and increase the frequency of such examinations to monitor their physical conditions. Meanwhile, a set of medical guidelines is being formulated for medical practitioners’ reference when conducting medical examinations for drivers.

The Government has been exchanging views with various stakeholders on the items to be covered by the medical examinations and their frequency, among others, to ensure that the legislative proposals meet the actual circumstances and needs. To assist frontline medical practitioners in fully grasping the content of the medical guidelines, and to enhance CV drivers’ understanding of the new assessment requirements, the Transport Department (TD) completed a trial health assessment in the fourth quarter of 2025 to solicit direct feedback from medical practitioners and CV drivers. The response of the trial assessment was positive. The result confirmed the feasibility and practicality of the proposed medical guidelines and medical examination certificates. With the experience gained, the TD is also further refining the content of the medical examination certificates and the assessment process to enhance the clarity of the content of the certificates while aligning with practical needs.

The Government is finalising the legislative details while proactively taking forward the law drafting and relevant preparatory work, with the target of reporting the latest progress of work in this respect to the Legislative Council Panel on Transport in July this year.

Apart from pursuing the aforesaid legislative amendments, the Government will also continue to explore ways to apply innovative technology and artificial intelligence to the assessment of the driving performance of aged drivers, drawing on the experiences across different regions. For example, we note that self-service medical examination kiosks in the Chinese Mainland provide basic physical checks for driving licence applicants, and that South Korea has launched a voluntary driving simulation test scheme for elderly drivers this year. The Government will closely monitor the development and efficacy of these technologies and explore the feasibility of introducing similar services in the future.

Meanwhile, we are maintaining close communication with the Health Bureau to explore how primary healthcare services can be leveraged to encourage CV drivers to understand and continuously monitor their own health conditions at an early stage.

(2) According to the Government’s current legislative proposal, if driving licence applicants or holders suffer from specified diseases applicable to CV drivers, they will no longer be permitted to drive a CV.

Regarding the implementation of age restrictions or tiered driving permissions for CV drivers, we understand that the circumstances of the transport industry vary across the world, with practices differ accordingly. For instance, no restrictions are imposed in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, whereas age restrictions are imposed on the types of vehicles allowed to be driven in the Chinese Mainland. Given that requiring aged drivers to undergo regular health assessments can help them gain a timely understanding of their physical conditions, thereby enabling them to prevent and seek treatment for illnesses that may affect their driving ability, and that this practice is more common in other places, we recommend first implementing the enhanced requirements for medical certification of CV drivers as soon as practicable. Building on this, the Government will comprehensively consider, on a risk-based principle, multiple factors including developments of the relevant trades, the traffic accident rates involving CVs and the latest practices in other places, while keeping an open mind in studying various suggestions and listening to public views.

(3) The Government has all along been keeping in view the manpower shortage and ageing situation of drivers in the transport industry. On general qualifications for driving, the Government has relaxed the eligibility requirements for the application of CV driving licences since October 1, 2020, shortening the minimum period required for a person to hold a valid driving licence to drive a private car or a light goods vehicle before applying for a CV driving licence from three years to one year.

The Government has also kept exploring with the trade appropriate measures to enhance service quality, and encouraging the creation of a desirable working environment. In this regard, franchised bus operators have in recent years introduced arrangements including part-time employment and flexible working hours to attract young drivers to join as employees. As for public light buses, the TD and the Employees Retraining Board launched in 2024 a placement-tied driving training scheme for the green minibus trade through training organisations to encourage locals to join the trade. In addition, the Government further enhanced the Taxi Written Test in November 2025. Following the enhancement, the average monthly number of candidates sitting the test has increased by 40 per cent, while the numbers of candidates taking and passing the test at the age of 29 or below have both recorded an increase. In recent years, the Government has also implemented a series of measures, such as introducing taxi fleets with systematic management and mandating taxi drivers to provide electronic payment methods, with a view to enhancing the service quality and overall image of the taxi trade, thereby attracting new blood to join the trade.

The Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the trade and actively review the latest manpower situation to attract more new blood to join the transport sector.

Thank you, President.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Jonathan Stuart Lamport and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, in the Legislative Council today (June 17):
 
Question:
 
     In recent years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has vigorously promoted Hong Kong as a hub to assist Mainland enterprises in joining forces to go global and expand into overseas markets such as the Belt and Road and the Global South. There are views that many local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) also wish to expand their businesses overseas; yet at present, the enterprises which have successfully gone global are mostly medium and large Mainland enterprises and leading innovation and technology enterprises, while in Hong Kong only large professional services enterprises in sectors such as financial services, legal services and accounting are able to participate therein. Due to the lack of dedicated interfacing channels, relatively high thresholds of the industry chains, restricted flow of information and the absence of a breakdown of business opportunities into micro-segments, the vast majority of local SMEs have difficulties in integrating into the “going global” industry and service chains, and are unable to benefit from the policy dividends. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it will request relevant organisations such as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to compile market information specifically tailored for the SMEs going global and formulate strategies for the SMEs to go global, so as to assist the SMEs in grasping the opportunities to join forces to go global;
 
(2) whether it will, in view of the fact that local SMEs are small in scale, short of resources and weak in international networks, establish a dedicated “SME service matching” mechanism, and through measures such as segmenting the “going global” industry chains, opening up niche business opportunities, simplifying the thresholds for participation, providing one-to-one matching and offering quotas for participation in government trade delegations, enable local SMEs across various industries to integrate into the “going global” ecosystem of Mainland enterprises in a more down-to-earth manner and at lower thresholds; and
 
(3) whether it will enhance the existing Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales by setting up a dedicated programme to subsidise the SMEs’ participation in joining forces to go global, covering expenses on market visits, business matching, product certification, brand promotion and participation in exhibitions, so as to assist local SMEs in grasping the business opportunities of going global?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government is committed to assisting companies of various sizes in Hong Kong to expand overseas, including local and Mainland multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and startups. In doing so, we will develop go global services in Hong Kong into new drivers for economic growth, while fostering the robust development of Hong Kong professional and commercial services (including relevant SMEs), bringing unlimited business opportunities to the city.
 
     Our reply to the question raised by the Hon Jonathan Stuart Lamport is provided below:
 
(1) and (3) To support local SMEs in developing businesses overseas, the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) has been providing funding support to the trade since its commencement in 2012 by encouraging non-listed Hong Kong enterprises to develop more diversified markets and to enhance competitiveness through branding, upgrading and restructuring, and promoting sales. Since 2018, the Government has launched several rounds of enhancements under the BUD Fund, including injections of a total of $9.38 billion. As at end-May 2026, more than 13 000 applications have been approved under the BUD Fund, demonstrating the trade’s strong demand for the BUD Fund. The funding scope of the BUD Fund is broad and covers a wide array of measures to assist enterprises in developing markets and businesses, including participation in exhibitions in economies covered by the geographical scope of the BUD Fund, placement of advertisements, application for trademarks and conduct of testing or certification, as well as production or enhancement of company websites. Moreover, the Government has further enhanced the BUD Fund on June 15, 2026, to increase the funding ceiling per “Easy BUD” application to $150,000 and to expand the geographical scope of the BUD Fund to cover a total of 48 economies (Note), including Belt and Road countries, with a view to assisting local SMEs to harness the business opportunities of going global.
 
     Regarding dissemination of market information, the Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs under the Trade and Industry Department, the SME Centre under the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the SME One under the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the TecONE under the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) will continue to provide “four-in-one” integrated services and co-organise “four-in-one” seminar series, such as organising seminars on topics like exploration of emerging markets for the SMEs, to equip them to address relevant business development needs. In light of the SMEs’ general lack of overseas networks and resources to conduct in-depth research on overseas investment strategies, the HKTDC conducts economic and trade research on different regions from time to time, covering information on the business environment, policies and regulations, latest industry opportunities, economic data, and relevant practical resource links of various overseas markets. The relevant research reports are published on the HKTDC’s Research portal (research.hktdc.com) for the SMEs’ reference, enabling them to better grasp go global opportunities and formulate corresponding strategies. The HKTDC will continue to strengthen its economic and trade research efforts to better support enterprises in developing their overseas businesses.
 
     In addition, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau has set up the functional platform of Economic and Trade Express (ETE) to strengthen trio-coordination among overseas Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs), Invest Hong Kong and the HKTDC in supporting local SMEs and start-ups by proactively organising overseas business missions, assisting Hong Kong enterprises in exploring business opportunities in overseas markets, while assisting more enterprises to invest and establish operations in Hong Kong. Since the first quarter of 2026, we have organised outbound business missions for local SMEs and start-ups through the ETE. These include a mission of 60 tech companies led by the HKSTPC in collaboration with the HKTDC to participate in the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, United States, along with events under the ETE in January 2026, to facilitate exchanges and networking between Hong Kong start-ups and local companies; and a business mission organised by the HKTDC in March 2026 and comprised 18 Hong Kong service enterprises from sectors such as construction, engineering, smart city development, etc, to Bangkok, Thailand, where participants took part in the “GreenBiz HK” promotional activities organised by the ETE. We will take into account enterprises’ needs and interests, as well as other relevant factors such as target markets and appropriate timing for the missions, to continue planning overseas missions to assist Hong Kong enterprises in expanding their business abroad.
 
     On export credit insurance, to support the SMEs in expanding new businesses, the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation will launch the “SME Protect Plus” pilot scheme in July to provide protection for the SMEs exporting to higher-risk buyers.
 
(2) The HKTDC officially launched the cross-sectoral professional services platform GoGlobal Connect in April this year, bringing together eight groups of Hong Kong professional service providers, including financial services; legal services; accounting, tax and business advisory services; design, marketing and brand management services; logistics and transportation services; telecommunications and information technology services; infrastructure and real estate-related services; as well as testing and certification services, thereby precisely matching the service needs of go global Mainland enterprises and providing them with professional consultation services. At present, the platform comprises more than 200 Hong Kong professional service providers, including not only large corporations, but also small and medium-sized professional service providers, offering more diversified and tailored services for enterprises seeking to go global.
 
     The Chief Executive led a delegation comprising high-level business representatives from the Mainland and Hong Kong to visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June this year, yielding fruitful results and reaching 96 co-operations, with over US$1.65 billion involved. The Belt and Road Office will invite relevant organisations to bring their signature projects to Hong Kong for roadshows, making project information more accessible to Hong Kong enterprises (including SMEs), and tapping opportunities for them to participate in the projects.
 
     The Government will continue to assist local and Mainland enterprises in going global and to enhance relevant measures in order to meet the needs of enterprises of different types and scales. We will proactively consider the various suggestions proposed by the Hon Lamport.
 
Note: The 48 economies include the Mainland, 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states (comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), Australia, Chile, the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), Georgia, Macao, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Austria, the Belgo-Luxembourg Economic Union, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Bahrain, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Hungary, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Brazil.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Yang Wing-kit and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, in the Legislative Council today (June 17):
   
Question:
 
As the average temperature and rainfall in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. Regarding mosquito prevention and control work, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) since the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) lowered in August last year the threshold for initiating the strengthened mosquito control work from an area gravidtrap index of 20 per cent to an index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, of the number of areas where actions have been triggered to date and the frequency thereof, and whether it will consider further lowering the initiating threshold; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(2) given that the FEHD’s goal is to test by early next year at the latest the application of the “mosquito‑against‑mosquito” approach which makes use of Wolbachia-carrying male mosquitoes for prevention and control of Aedes albopictus, of the respective locations, scales and timetables of the such field trials, and the measures in place to monitor the actual impacts on the number of target mosquito species; and
 
(3) as it is learnt that some Mainland provinces and municipalities have introduced new technologies for purely physical mosquito control by means of simulating human breathing and body temperature, whether the Government will consider conducting local trials of the aforesaid technologies; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:

President,
 
The Government attaches great importance to mosquito control in order to safeguard environmental hygiene and protect public health. The interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee (PCSC), chaired by the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB), has been monitoring the gravidtrap index, setting the overall direction of Government’s mosquito control work, and promoting targeted mosquito control measures jointly undertaken by departments, the community, private organisations and Care Teams. In view of the rainy season and the associated risk of mosquito-borne diseases, the EEB convened a PCSC meeting in March this year to provide steer to the strengthening of mosquito control work across departments, and met with trade representatives in April this year to appeal for their active participation in mosquito control work.
 
Regarding the questions from the Hon Yang Wing-kit, our reply is as follows:

(1) The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) places gravidtraps in different areas across Hong Kong to continuously monitor the activity of Aedes albopictus, and publishes the Area Gravidtrap Indices (AGI), so that different sectors can grasp the mosquito infestation situation and take timely control measures accordingly.
 
To step up mosquito prevention and control, since August last year, the FEHD has advanced the threshold for strengthened mosquito control work, which was originally initiated when the AGI of an area has reached 20 per cent (Level 3), to 10 per cent (Level 2). Between August last year and May this year, the AGI recorded 10 per cent or above for 128 times, covering 52 monitoring areas. Under the enhanced mechanism, the FEHD convened special meetings of the inter-departmental task forces on anti-mosquito work (Task Forces) to co-ordinate departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito control, conduct risk assessments, and identify locations with more serious mosquito infestation for targeted action. The FEHD will also notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to take mosquito control measures.

Given the recent rise in gravidtrap indices, the FEHD has strengthened mosquito control work across all districts, including those with indices below 10 per cent. District Environmental Hygiene Offices will convene monthly Task Forces meetings until the indices drop significantly. From January to May this year, the FEHD conducted over 290 000 inspections, initiated 79 prosecutions and issued 159 statutory notices requiring the removal of stagnant water or containers. In addition, the FEHD has placed more than 3 000 new mosquito trapping devices across the territory, which can simultaneously suppress larval growth and eliminate adult mosquitoes, and recommended that other government departments adopt the devices at their venues. As of early June this year, the FEHD, in collaboration with the Education Bureau, has installed over 980 new mosquito trapping devices in primary and secondary schools and special schools. The FEHD has also collaborated with the Development Bureau to issue the “Guidelines on Mosquito Prevention in Construction Sites” to construction sites and relevant personnel through the Construction Industry Council, reminding the practitioners to strengthen mosquito prevention and personal protection.

Taking into account that mosquito control work has already been strengthened across districts this year, and the effectiveness of resource deployment at different levels, the Government has no plan at this stage to further lower the threshold for strengthened mosquito control work (i.e. gravidtrap index reaching at least 10 per cent).  The FEHD will closely monitor the mosquito infestation situation and the effectiveness of control measures in each district, and dynamically assess the need to adjust the activation threshold.

(2) The theory of “mosquito‑against‑mosquito” involves female Aedes albopictus mating with male mosquitoes artificially infected with Wolbachia, which would result in laying of eggs that will not survive or hatch. In this regard, releasing such male mosquitoes at specific locations should help gradually reduce the local Aedes albopictus population. As male mosquitoes do not bite humans, they do not increase the risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission. The World Health Organization, having reviewed studies worldwide, stated that Wolbachia had significant public health value in combating dengue fever. Singapore and Guangdong Province have also applied this technology for mosquito control.
 
The FEHD has commissioned a biotechnology company to conduct laboratory tests for ensuring that Wolbachia-carrying male mosquitoes do not carry pathogens and that their offspring have no survival capability. Only upon confirmation of safety and effectiveness will the FEHD prepare for field trials. As wild Aedes albopictus may also naturally carry Wolbachia, the company must conduct baseline studies to collect data on seasonal changes in mosquito numbers and natural Wolbachia infection rates, for comparison with the conditions after releasing Wolbachia-carrying male mosquitoes, so as to evaluate the effectiveness.

Upon completion of the abovementioned laboratory tests and baseline studies, and after consulting the relevant District Council, the FEHD will determine the site, scale and timetable for field trials. Subject to the work progress, the target is to conduct field trials in early next year.

(3) The FEHD has been actively introducing suitable new technologies and products to enhance mosquito control effectiveness. Regarding the mosquito control technology mentioned in the question, the FEHD has conducted preliminary study of its principle and will procure the device for field trials to assess its effectiveness and feasibility of application in Hong Kong.
 
Separately, the FEHD is conducting field trials of another mosquito trapping device imported from the Mainland. This device uses special attractants and ultraviolet light to capture adult mosquitoes, and employs artificial intelligence recognition technology to automatically identify mosquito species and numbers, generating statistical data to assist the FEHD in devising more targeted control measures. The FEHD will assess its suitability for application in Hong Kong based on trial results.

Other mosquito control technologies currently applied by the FEHD include:
 
Mosquito control robotic dogs
 
Given that it is difficult for frontline staff to conduct fogging operations in densely vegetated areas, the FEHD has introduced a remotely operated robotic dog equipped with an ultra-low volume sprayer. A trial conducted at Tsing Yi Nature Trail in December last year yielded satisfactory results, and the technology is now applied at suitable locations across districts.
 
Drones
 
The FEHD deploys drones to survey complex terrain and densely vegetated areas. Through high‑resolution photographs, stagnant water and concealed mosquito breeding sites can be accurately identified, significantly reducing inspection time and manpower requirements.
 
Electric stairlift
 
To reduce physical strain and injury risks for frontline staff, the FEHD has introduced electric stairlift to transport fogging equipment and tools at suitable sites across districts.

Effective mosquito control requires joint efforts across departments, sectors and the community. The Government will continue to work closely with relevant departments, stakeholders and the community, and closely monitor the latest developments in mosquito control technologies, introduce suitable new technologies, in order to strengthen mosquito control work on multiple fronts.

Thank you, President. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Robert Lee and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 17):
 
Question:
 
     There are views pointing out that in order to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international risk management centre and enhance its global competitiveness, Hong Kong needs to elevate the status of its futures and derivatives, thereby enabling the market to better hedge risks across different asset types within investment portfolios, as well as to strengthen the existing financial infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of market capital utilisation. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) how the Government and relevant regulatory bodies will further promote and deepen the development of the futures and derivatives markets to achieve world-leading standards; whether specific measures will include: exploring the introduction of relevant incentive schemes; enriching products and services to better manage risks associated with futures, such as exchange rates, currencies, agriculture, energy and precious metals, in the real economy; and attracting and nurturing relevant talents;
 
(2) of the progress of the Government’s current discussions with the Mainland on the establishment of a mutual access mechanism for futures and derivatives;
 
(3) whether the Government will encourage the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) to establish a legal and operational framework for “cross-product and cross-clearing house” among its clearing houses, enabling market participants to hedge risks across positions in different products, thereby reducing the duplication of margin payments and enhancing the overall efficiency of capital utilisation and liquidity of the market; if not, of the Government’s alternative proposals; and
 
(4) whether the Government will consider the International Monetary Fund’s recommendation in 2021 to enhance the efficiency of market capital utilisation by merging the three clearing houses currently under the HKEX, namely Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited, HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited and The SEHK Options Clearing House Limited; if not, of the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The National 15th Five-Year Plan outline supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial centre, strengthening its role as a global offshore Renminbi business hub, an international asset management centre and a risk management centre as well as calling for the orderly advancement of mutual access between the Mainland and Hong Kong financial markets. The Government, together with the regulators and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), have been proactively taking forward measures in these areas, including deepening the development of the derivatives market continuously, strengthening market infrastructure and enriching investment choices, so as to meet the diverse asset allocation and risk management needs of both Mainland and international investors.
 
     In consultation with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the HKEX, the reply to the four parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) The Government, the SFC and the HKEX have been working closely to promote the development of the derivatives market through introducing a wide range of products and enhancing trading services. At present, the Hong Kong market offers a diversified suite of derivatives instruments, including futures, options and other structured products, covering equity indices, single stocks, foreign exchange, interest rates and commodities-related assets, catering to the needs of different investors. The rapid growth of innovative technology enterprises in recent years has also led to the launch of various new products successively, including the Hang Seng TECH Index futures and options, Hang Seng Biotech Index futures, Asia’s first batch of leveraged and inverse products on single stocks, and the first batch of US Dollar denominated derivative warrants on US equities, providing investors with more diversified choices. In addition, the HKEX issued a circular in May this year announcing trading fee waivers and incentive programmes for liquidity providers and active traders of US Dollar gold futures contract, with a view to stimulating its trading volume in line with the development of Hong Kong’s gold trading market. The arrangements will take effect from July this year.
 
     On trading services, building on the introduction of after-hours trading in the derivatives market in 2013, the HKEX has progressively extended the trading hours to 3am on the following day in phases. The HKEX has also implemented holiday trading for derivatives, and has included all currency futures and options to facilitate investors to conduct risk management during overseas trading hours and Hong Kong public holidays. In addition, the Government and the SFC have enhanced the position limit regime for derivatives, raising the position limits for futures and options and removing the limits for international asset-related derivatives. To further promote market development, the Government has amended legislation to exempt option market makers from fixed-rate stamp duty on jobbing business, thereby reducing transaction costs and enhancing market liquidity and risk management efficiency for investors.
 
     Driven by various measures implemented, trading in Hong Kong’s derivatives market has continued to grow. In 2025, the average daily turnover of futures and options reached 1.66 million contracts, up 7 per cent from 2024 and marking a record high. As of end-May this year, the average daily turnover of futures and options further increased to over 1.78 million contracts.
 
     Looking ahead, the Government will continue to support the SFC and the HKEX in enhancing the development of the derivatives market. The HKEX is developing a next-generation derivatives trading platform to facilitate the introduction of new products and strengthen market functions in future. On product development, we will continue to broaden the ecosystem of the derivatives market and step up related market education and promotion, thereby fostering talent development in the industry and encouraging greater investor participation in the securities and futures markets.
 
(2) The Government, regulators and the HKEX are committed to deepening and expanding mutual access between the Mainland and Hong Kong capital markets. With strong support from the Central People’s Government, various enhancements and new products were introduced under the mutual market access mechanism in recent years, fostering integration and concerted development of the two markets. Notably, Northbound trading of Swap Connect was officially launched in 2023, marking the first mutual access arrangement in the derivatives space. This enables overseas investors to participate in onshore Renminbi interest rate swaps through a convenient and secure channel, meeting their demand for managing Renminbi interest rate risk through derivatives.
 
     We will continue to maintain close communication with the Mainland authorities and actively pursue and implement mutual access initiatives supported by regulators of the two places, including the introduction of offshore treasury bond futures in Hong Kong, so as to provide effective offshore risk management tools for treasury bond investment in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, we will follow up with the Mainland authorities on further expansion and enhancement proposals, exploring measures to promote two-way capital flows between the two places and broadening the product scope under mutual access. Specific enhancements will be announced in a timely manner once they are ready for implementation.
 
(3) and (4) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) conducted an assessment of Hong Kong’s financial system in 2021 under the Financial Sector Assessment Program. Overall, the IMF affirmed Hong Kong’s position as a major international financial centre, recognising its resilient financial system, robust regulatory and supervisory frameworks as well as sound macroeconomic and prudential policies. Meanwhile, the IMF made recommendations to further strengthen the resilience of Hong Kong’s financial system, including enhancing the governance structure of the HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited (HKFE Clearing). It also suggested that, under an appropriate governance framework, the HKEX could consider consolidating its clearing houses, namely the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (HKSCC), HKFE Clearing and the SEHK Options Clearing House Limited (SEOCH), to improve efficiency. To this end, the HKEX conducted an independent review of its overall risk management and related governance in 2021 and fully implemented the recommendations in 2023 after consulting the SFC to strengthen its overall governance and risk management.
 
     At present, the HKSCC, the HKFE Clearing and the SEOCH under the HKEX provide participants with integrated clearing, settlement, custody and nominee services for securities, futures and options products respectively. Although these services are delivered through separate legal entities, the HKEX has been pursuing operational and technological integration to enhance capital efficiency across markets. For instance, the HKEX is developing the Orion Derivatives Platform to facilitate the introduction of new products, improve market microstructure, and further strengthen trading, clearing and risk management functions in future. The new platform will offer clients an enhanced trading and clearing experience, including the potential to support near 24-hour trading, additional order types, industry-aligned interfaces, and improved testing and connectivity. Furthermore, the HKEX optimised its collateral arrangements under its clearing houses and the cross-product margin arrangements of its futures market clearing house in October 2025 and April 2026 respectively, including adjustments to the calculation of interest paid on cash collateral to participants and reduction in accommodation charges for non-cash collateral.
 
     The Government will continue to support the SFC and the HKEX in enhancing market efficiency. In particular, we have invited the HKEX to study ways to reduce the funding costs of collateral provision by market participants, fully taking into account different factors such as Hong Kong’s international competitiveness and market risks. This includes exploring expansion of eligible collateral types and cross-margining arrangements across clearing houses, with a view to further improving collateral efficiency. The SFC and the HKEX will announce the enhancement measures in due course.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region