Category: MIL-OSI

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Hong Kong’s Gross National Income and external primary income flows for the first quarter of 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 16) the preliminary statistics on Hong Kong’s Gross National Income (GNI) and related figures for the first quarter of 2026.

Hong Kong’s GNI, which denotes the total income earned by Hong Kong residents from engaging in various economic activities, increased by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier to $925.7 billion at current market prices. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), estimated at $843.9 billion at current market prices in the same quarter, recorded a 5.3% increase over a year earlier. The value of GNI was larger than GDP by $81.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026, which was equivalent to 9.7% of GDP in that quarter, mainly attributable to a net inflow of investment income.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, Hong Kong’s GNI increased by 3.9% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier. The corresponding GDP in the same quarter increased by 5.9% in real terms.

Hong Kong’s total inflow of primary income, which mainly comprises investment income, estimated at $529.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026 and equivalent to 62.8% of GDP in that quarter, recorded an increase of 1.6% over a year earlier. Meanwhile, total primary income outflow, estimated at $447.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026 and equivalent to 53.1% of GDP in that quarter, also increased by 1.4% over a year earlier.

As for the major components of investment income inflow, direct investment income (DII) increased by 2.8% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent local enterprises from their direct investment abroad. Portfolio investment income (PII) recorded an increase of 7.4% over a year earlier, mainly attributable to the increase in interest income received by resident investors from their holdings of non-resident debt securities.

Regarding the major components of investment income outflow, DII increased by 2.5% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent multinational enterprises from their direct investment in Hong Kong. PII increased significantly by 29.4%, mainly attributable to the increase in interest payout to non-resident investors from their holdings of resident debt securities.

Analysed by country/territory, Chinese Mainland continued to be the largest source of Hong Kong’s total primary income inflow in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 38.8%. This was followed by the British Virgin Islands (BVI), with a share of 16.0%. Regarding total primary income outflow, Chinese Mainland and the BVI remained the most important destinations in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 30.1% and 20.6% respectively.

Further Information

GDP and GNI are closely related indicators for measuring economic performance. GDP is a measure of the total value of production of all resident producing units of an economy. GNI denotes the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities, irrespective of whether the economic activities are carried out within the economic territory of the economy or outside.

Figures of GNI and primary income flows analysed by income component from the second quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026 are presented in Table A, while selected major country/territory breakdowns of primary income inflow and outflow for the same quarters are presented in Tables B(1) and B(2) respectively.

Statistics on GDP and GNI from 2024 onwards and primary income flows from 2025 onwards are subject to revision when more data are incorporated.

More detailed statistics are given in the report “Gross National Income and External Primary Income Flows, First Quarter 2026”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1040005&scode=250).

For enquiries about GNI and related statistics, please contact the Balance of Payments Branch (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2291 or email: gni@censtatd.gov.hk).

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AFCD reports to Expert Group on Conservation of Marine Mammals on progress of work and recommendations for strengthening protection of cetaceans

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Expert Group on Conservation of Marine Mammals held its third meeting today (June 16), where the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) reported to the expert group on the Government’s progress in strengthening the conservation of marine mammals and made recommendations for enhancing the protection of cetaceans. 

The specific progress and follow-up work are as follows:

(I) Strengthening co-operation with the Chinese Mainland: In August 2025, the AFCD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Joint Rescue Mechanism for Large Aquatic Wild Animals with the Ocean Development Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality to deepen the rescue co-operation of large aquatic wild animals between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and to strengthen the exchange of experience and technology to improve the ecological safety of the adjacent waters of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

In addition, to strengthen the protection of the Chinese White Dolphins (CWD) inhabiting the Pearl River Estuary, the AFCD signed an MOU on the CWD Conservation Co-operation Platform with the Guangdong Pearl River Estuary CWD National Nature Reserve Management Bureau in November 2025. This MOU aims to co-ordinate co-operation between the two places in areas such as CWD ecological monitoring and research, joint rescue, protected areas management and monitoring, and marine conservation education.

(II) Review of legislation: The Government has commenced a review of the legislation relating to the protection of marine mammals. Preliminary proposals include granting new powers to the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation to promptly designate “Temporary Marine Restricted Areas” (TMRAs) in Hong Kong waters where human intervention is required for the protection or rescue of cetaceans. The TMRAs would allow for the restriction or prohibition of vessels, persons, and related activities within the area, thereby minimising disturbance to cetaceans. The Government also proposes to confer legal status on the existing Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching.

The Government is consulting with stakeholders and plans to submit an amendment bill to the Legislative Council this year.

The expert group expressed support for the relevant recommendations and work direction put forward by the AFCD. The AFCD expressed gratitude to the expert group for its constructive advice and will continue to co-operate with the expert group to enhance the conservation efforts for marine mammals.

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CSSA caseload for May 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in May slightly dropped by 81 cases, remaining more or less the same as that of April, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (June 16).
 
The total CSSA caseload at the end of May stood at 194 367 (see attached table), with a total of 256 452 recipients.
 
Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 1.1 per cent to 1 258 cases. Permanent disability cases decreased by 0.3 per cent to 16 169 cases. Old age cases decreased by 0.1 per cent to 111 605 cases.
 
Ill-health cases registered an increase of 0.2 per cent to 28 321 cases. Unemployment cases increased by 0.1 per cent to 15 181 cases. Single parent cases remained steady at 17 896 cases.

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Hong Kong Customs detects case involving precious metals and stones dealer carrying out both specified cash and non-cash transactions without registration

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs detects case involving precious metals and stones dealer carrying out both specified cash and non-cash transactions without registration           
     The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail.

     According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. In particular, no person other than a Category B registrant may carry out a cash transaction with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in the course of business of dealing in precious metals and stones.Issued at HKT 17:46

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DH conducts interdepartmental exercise to enhance Government’s response capabilities on prevention and control of Ebola disease

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DH conducts interdepartmental exercise to enhance Government’s response capabilities on prevention and control of Ebola disease      
     The exercise consisted of two parts. The first part took place at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), simulating a scenario in which a person who had visited an Ebola disease-affected region arrived in Hong Kong by air and exhibited symptoms such as fever and vomiting at the airport after landing. Upon detection by staff from the CHP’s Port Health Division at the airport, relevant units were immediately co-ordinated to implement corresponding measures in accordance with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease. These included medical assessment, infection control, environmental disinfection, epidemiological investigation, and prompt transfer of the suspected Ebola patient to the Hospital Authority (HA)’s Infectious Disease Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation and treatment.
      
     The second part of the exercise was held at Princess Margaret Hospital. The scenario simulated the HA’s Infectious Disease Centre receiving and isolating the suspected Ebola patient transferred from HKIA. It tested the relevant workflows and procedures for infection control, intensive care and arranging emergency viral laboratory testing.
      
     Approximately 80 representatives from relevant departments and organisations participated in the exercise held by the DH today, including the Fire Services Department, the Airport Authority and the HA.
      
     “The current Ebola outbreak is mainly concentrated in certain African areas including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The immediate impact on public health in Hong Kong remains low. So far, no confirmed cases of Ebola disease have ever been recorded in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the HKSAR Government remains vigilant and has implemented a comprehensive set of prevention and control measures as well as a contingency deployment. This interdepartmental exercise, ‘Charoite’, is the second large-scale interdepartmental exercise organised by the DH specifically for Ebola disease, a highly pathogenic infectious disease, following the one held last November. The objective is to rigorously test the practical operations of all stakeholders at every critical stage of handling suspected Ebola cases under realistic scenarios, ensuring seamless co-ordination and efficient collaboration while identifying areas for improvement at an early stage to minimise the risk of local transmission. Through regular public health exercises and training for healthcare professionals, the DH will continue to refine the prevention and control mechanisms as well as preparedness and response plans, in order to strengthen the public health defence and make every effort to safeguard the health of the public,” the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said.
      
     He added that the DH has also comprehensively strengthened its prevention and educational efforts for infection control. Since May, the DH has provided training to over 60 staff members from various government departments and organisations, guiding them on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), relevant procedures and protection principles. In addition, forums on Ebola disease have been organised for healthcare workers in both the public and private sectors, with more than 1 500 participants. Last week, the Scientific Committee on Infection Control under the CHP also convened a meeting to confirm the recommendations on the proper use of PPE across different healthcare and community settings.
      
     Dr Lam emphasised that the DH will continue to implement a series of prevention and control measures to strictly guard against imported cases, closely monitor the development of the Ebola disease outbreak, and adjust the prevention and control strategies as necessary in response to the situation. At the same time, the DH will actively dovetail with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to improve the public health system, enhance the prevention and control of major communicable diseases, and optimise surveillance, early warning and emergency response mechanisms, with a view to further strengthening Hong Kong’s overall public health preparedness and response capacity.
      
     The DH has previously conducted a total of 33 similar exercises and drills, simulating scenarios involving various infectious diseases, such as measles, plague, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and human infections with avian influenza, to continuously strengthen the disease prevention awareness of the community and healthcare workers and prepare for possible epidemics.
      
     Ebola disease is caused by infection with Orthoebolavirus which belongs to the family Filoviridae. The virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission can result from direct contact (through wound or mucous membranes) with blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons, and indirect contact with the environment contaminated with such body fluids. According to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the case fatality rates from past Ebola outbreaks ranged between 25 per cent and 90 per cent, with an average of around 50 per cent.
      
     The WHO announced on May 17 this year that an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus had occurred in the DRC and Uganda in Africa, which constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On the same day, the HKSAR Government activated the Alert Response Level, the lowest under the three-tiered response in the Response Plan      
     Members of the public wishing to learn more about the Ebola disease and related travel health advice may visit the CHP websiteIssued at HKT 18:15

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Thundery Showers Expected On Most Days For The Rest Of June 2026

Source: Government of Singapore

16 June 2026 – The prevailing Southwest Monsoon is forecast to persist through June to the end of September 2026. For the rest of this month, low-level winds over Singapore are expected to blow from the southeast or south, shifting to the southwest or west on some days.

2.     Localised short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of the island during the late morning and afternoon on most days. On a few of these days, the thundery showers may be heavy, when there is large-scale wind convergence over Singapore and the surrounding region. In addition, widespread thundery showers with gusty winds due to Sumatra squalls may occur between the pre-dawn hours and morning on a few days. Total rainfall for the second half of June 2026 is forecast to be above average over most parts of the island.

3.     The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days in the second half of June 2026. On a few days, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of slightly above 34 degrees Celsius. Some nights may also be warm and humid, especially when prevailing winds blow from the southeast, bringing warm, humid air from the sea over land. On these nights, the temperatures may remain above 28 degrees Celsius, particularly over the southern and eastern coastal areas of the island.

4.     For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 15 June 2026)

5.     Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of June 2026. The prevailing winds blew from the southeast or south on most days, and from the southwest or west on a few days. 

6.     Thundery showers fell over parts of the island on several days during the first half of June 2026. On 12 June 2026, regional wind convergence brought moderate to heavy thundery showers over most areas of Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 65.2mm recorded at Botanic Garden that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the first half of June 2026.

7.     There were some warm days during the first half of the month, with maximum temperatures above 34 degrees Celsius recorded on six days. The highest daily temperature of 35.1 degrees Celsius was recorded at Pulau Ubin on 6 June 2026. The lowest temperature of 20.1 degrees Celsius, recorded at Newton during the heavy rain event on 12 June 2026, was the lowest temperature recorded in 2026 to date (as of 16 June 2026).

8.     About half of the island recorded above average rainfall in the first half of June 2026. The area around Punggol registered rainfall of 46 per cent above average, and the area around Jurong registered rainfall of 68 per cent below average. 

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

  Long-term Statistics for June
  (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature: 31.9      °C
Average daily minimum temperature: 25.7 °C
Average monthly temperature: 28.5 °C
     
Average rainfall: 135.3 mm
Average number of rain days: 13  
 
Historical Extremes for June
  (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature: 33.2  °C (1997)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature: 23.2  °C (1965)
     
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:  378.7  mm (1954)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded: 21.8  mm (2009)

~~ End ~~

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

 

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Taiwan Energy Administration Leads Delegation to Canada for Exchanges on Next-Generation Geothermal and Hydrogen Technologies

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To deepen cooperation between Taiwan and Canada in low-carbon energy, Director General Chih-Wei Wu of the Energy Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs led the “Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group Delegation”on a week-long official and industrial exchange mission to Canada in June 2026. During the visit, the two sides convened the director-general-level “Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group Meeting” and held multiple exchange sessions with Canadian officials and key industry players to strengthen bilateral connections in low-carbon energy.

The delegation was primarily composed of members from Taiwan’s geothermal and hydrogen promotion taskforces, showcasing Taiwan’s momentum in accelerating its low-carbon energy transition. The “2026 Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group Meeting” was co-chaired by Director General Chih-Wei Wu of Taiwan’s Energy Administration and Director General Rachel McCormick of the International Affairs, Strategic Policy and Innovation Sector at Natural Resources Canada. The meeting focused on two major themes: geothermal development, and natural gas and blue hydrogen applications. Representatives from both sides shared their respective development status, aiming to strengthen bilateral industrial chain linkages.

The delegation also participated in the “Alberta-Taiwan Hydrogen and Geothermal Roundtable” organized by Calgary Economic Development to engage in substantive dialogues with Canadian geothermal and hydrogen industry players. Beyond drawing on Canada’s rich expertise and experience in geothermal development, the delegation gained a deeper understanding of the current status of clean hydrogen development in Calgary. Furthermore, to establish a stable and supportive environment for clean energy promotion, the delegation visited the Alberta Energy Regulator to exchange views on geothermal and hydrogen regulations.

The Energy Administration stated that Canada, as a major global energy exporter, is actively leveraging its existing energy infrastructure to accelerate its transition to clean energy, technology R&D, and carbon sequestration demonstration. This visit not only consolidated the bilateral official energy partnership between Taiwan and Canada but also established direct connections for advanced low-carbon industries and technologies, laying a critical foundation for Taiwan’s green energy diversification and energy resilience. Moving forward, the Energy Administration will continue to leverage the Taiwan-Canada Energy Working Group to deepen policy exchanges and accelerate the local implementation of clean energy technologies, working together towards the 2050 net-zero goal.

Spokesperson for Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director-General, Chung-Hsien Chen
Phone Number: 02-2775-7700, 0919-998-339
Email: ctchen2@moeaea.gov.tw

Media Contact: Director Hsiu-Fen Tsai, Energy Administration, MOEA
Phone Number: 02-2775-7730, 0905-506-258
Email: hftsai@moeaea.gov.tw

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3 care homes added to GD scheme

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Social Welfare Department announced today that three additional residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) in Shenzhen and Dongguan will become Recognised Service Providers (RSPs) under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong.

Starting from July 1, these homes will offer subsidised residential care for eligible seniors.

Moreover, another existing RSP in Foshan will expand its service scope to provide both subsidised care and attention places, and nursing home places.

With the addition of the three homes, the scheme will now include 29 RCHEs, offering a range of choices to Hong Kong elderly people who wish to retire in the Greater Bay Area.

Click here for details on the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong.

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Civil service pay to rise 2%

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-Council) has decided to increase pay for civil servants in the upper, middle and lower salary bands, as well as the directorate, at 2% across the board for 2026-27, with retrospective effect from April 1, the Civil Service Bureau announced today. 

In arriving at its decision, the CE-in-Council considered the response of the staff side of the four civil service central consultative councils to its initial offer, and various factors under the established civil service pay adjustment mechanism.

These factors include the state of Hong Kong’s economy, changes in the cost of living, the Government’s fiscal position, net pay trend indicators derived from the Pay Trend Survey, the staff side’s pay claims, and civil service morale.

The bureau said that, over the past year, the Hong Kong economy has seen substantial growth, alongside a modest rise in living expenses and an upward trend in private sector pay.

It added that the CE-in-Council fully recognises the commitment and devotion of the civil service as a whole in taking forward various new and major policy initiatives and measures despite increasing workloads and challenges.

Nevertheless, the bureau stressed that the Government needs to remain prudent in managing the public finances in order to secure future development and respond to continuing uncertainty in geopolitical matters, which may affect livelihoods within a short period of time.

The CE-in-Council’s decision balances all relevant factors, the bureau said.   

The Government will submit the 2026-27 civil service pay adjustment proposal to the Legislative Council Finance Committee for consideration as soon as possible.

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SFST leads delegation to visit Hangzhou

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, led a 30-plus-strong delegation of representatives from financial institutions and industry leaders to visit Hangzhou today (June 15).

     In the morning, Mr Hui and the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Mrs Angelina Cheung, met with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, Mr Gu Jianxin, and the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, Mr Shi Qiqi, to brief them on the purpose of bringing the delegation to Hangzhou. Mr Hui expressed his anticipation of strengthening connections between Hangzhou enterprises and Hong Kong financial professionals, thereby deepening mutual understanding and jointly capturing the global market opportunities.