Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 10) jointly organised the 4Rs Mental Health Professional Exchange Day cum Peer Power – Student Gatekeeper Training Programme (Peer Power Programme) Achievement Sharing with the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, accompanied by the President of EdUHK, Professor John Lee, officiated at the opening ceremony of the event.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Choi said that the EDB has always been committed to promoting mental health on campuses. She noted that the 4Rs Mental Health Charter (4Rs Charter) launched in the 2024/25 school year emphasises the integration of four core elements: Rest, Relaxation, Relationship and Resilience. This initiative aims to foster a caring school atmosphere in a holistic manner and comprehensively enhance students’ mental health. Currently, over 96 per cent of schools across Hong Kong have participated in the 4Rs Charter, demonstrating the education sector’s strong support and the importance placed on students’ physical and mental well-being.
Dr Choi pointed out that promoting student mental health relies on cross-sectoral and cross-professional collaboration. She expressed her hope that everyone, inspired by new insights, would continue to work together with love, passion, determination and action to co-create healthy and happy campuses.
The event featured achievement sharing from the Peer Power Programme. Through booth activities, students shared their achievements in promoting mental health on campuses. All booths at the venue were designed and hosted by the Peer Leaders. The booths were thoughtfully and diversely designed, featuring interactive games or handicraft activities, thereby practising mental health through experiential learning and reinforcing the concept of a student-led approach to promoting mental health in schools.
Dr Choi extended special thanks to the principals, teachers and students of the schools participating in this school year’s Peer Power Programme for their active promotion of student mental health and their spirit of mutual care and help on campus. She gave full recognition to students’ efforts and dedication when visiting the booths of the Peer Leaders and listening to students’ sharing. She also encouraged the Peer Leaders to continue playing fully their role in peer support and promoting mental health within their schools.
Apart from the booths hosted by students, experts from various sectors, including university professors, educational psychologists, clinical psychologists, senior social workers and school principals were also invited to serve as guest speakers for the workshops and seminars today. The content covered the growth mindset, experiences of applying mindfulness on campuses, enhancing the mental health of teachers and students through creativity and play, promoting sleep and well-being among adolescents, mental health in the artificial intelligence era, and supporting the emotional well-being of students with special educational needs.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Ballot applications to start on July 16 for free use of leisure facilities on Sport For All Day 2026 (* Users are required to possess the relevant qualification certificates.)
The free-of-charge sessions will be allocated through balloting. Details are as follows:
Date of free use Members of the public may make ballot applications via the SmartPLAY system as individual users for the sessions on August 1 and/or August 2 in accordance with the above timetable. Each user may only make one application for each date, with each application covering a maximum of three choices. Each application will be processed independently. An applicant may revise his/her choices in his/her application via SmartPLAY system before the closing time at 11.59pm on the respective application closing dates (i.e. July 19 and 20 respectively). Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system.
SmartPLAY users who have not been allocated any free session by ballot or have not made any application may book the remaining sessions on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with the above timetable through the following channels:
(i) “iAM Smart” users: to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app with priority access to make bookings from 7am;
(ii) Users not using “iAM Smart”: to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues to make bookings from 7.15am; and
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Financial Reporting Review Panel The appointments and reappointments are made in accordance with the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588) (AFRC Ordinance).
The membership of the FRRP with effect from July 16, 2026, is as follows:
Convenors (reappointed Convenor marked with #) ——————————————————— Mr Paul Donald Hebditch Mr Ernest Lee Chun-ho # Mr William Lo Chi-chung Professor Phyllis Mo Lai-lan Mr Eric Tang Ying-cheung Mr Tang Yiu-chung
Members (new members marked with *) ———————————————- Ms Bella Chhoa Peck-lim Ms Caroline Chiu Su-yuen Ms Irene Chu Ngar-yee Mr Benny Chung Koon-chung Ms Fanny Hsiang Yuet-ming Mr Alexander Kaung Wai-ming Mr Lam Chi-ki Ms Bernardine Lam Sin-yu Mr Gilbert Lee Man-lung Ms Alva Lee Yi-ling Mr Jacob Lee Chi-hin Mr Jason Li Jiasheng Mr James Liu Hong-yuen * Mr Benjamin Lo Man-chuen Mr Mak Kwong-fai Mr Ng Chun-man Mr Simon Ng Wing-fai Mr Benson Wong Wai-bong * Professor George Yang Yong * Ms Elza Yuen Wai-yiu
A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) is an independent regulator for the accounting profession, playing a crucial role in upholding the integrity of financial reporting and fostering sound corporate governance. Among its statutory responsibilities, the AFRC is empowered to initiate enquiries into non-compliance with legal, accounting or regulatory requirements in the financial reports of a listed entity.
“The FRRP, a statutory body established under the AFRC Ordinance, is indispensable to the discharge of the AFRC’s statutory functions of enquiries. The work of the FRRP will benefit from the rich experience and professional knowledge of the members.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing members for their valuable contribution to the work of the FRRP in the past years,” the spokesman added.
When an enquiry case arises, the AFRC may appoint one Convenor and four or more members from the FRRP to form a Financial Reporting Review Committee which will enquire into the relevant non-compliance of the case. The Committee will submit an enquiry report on the case to the AFRC for consideration and, where appropriate, follow-up action. Issued at HKT 16:00
From July to September, the Government will put up for tender one small to medium-scale residential site, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn announced today.
The site is located at Fat Kwong Street in Ho Man Tin and can provide around 250 flats. Originally zoned for “Government, Institution or Community” use, it has been rezoned for residential use.
Ms Linn commented that the site is situated in a mature neighbourhood with comprehensive surrounding facilities and a nearby MTR station, making it attractive to the market.
She added that the Government will require the site’s eventual developer to allocate a small portion of the floor area for social welfare facilities.
Elsewhere, three residential sites located in the large-scale land disposal pilot area in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, for which the tender closed on July 3, are expected to provide around 3,120 flats in total.
Aside from government land sales, residential land supply in the second quarter of 2026-27 will include the MTR Corporation’s Tuen Mun A16 Station (Package 2) development project, which will have capacity to supply around 5,510 flats.
Additionally, the Urban Renewal Authority’s Bailey Street/Chi Kiang Street project in Hong Hum was launched on July 3 and will provide around 1,220 flats.
Separately, in terms of private development and redevelopment, three projects are expected to complete lease modification procedures in the second quarter, providing a total supply of around 90 flats.
Taking all sources of land supply into account, the total private housing land supply in the second quarter of this financial year will support the development of around 10,190 units in total.
Ms Linn said: “Together with the supply from the first quarter, the total private housing land supply of the first half of this financial year is expected to support some 12,430 units, which is very close to the annual target of private housing supply for this financial year (12,600 units).
“The supply target for the financial year is likely to be achieved shortly because of the need for the Government to spearhead development in the Northern Metropolis or railway property development projects in a timely manner, taking into account the overall land and infrastructure development strategy.”
The Housing Authority today drew ballots for three subsidised housing schemes to determine sequences of priority for applicants.
The ballots covered the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2025, the Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Flats 2025, and the White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) 2025. The three schemes were launched together to streamline application arrangements.
The authority received about 104,000 applications for HOS 2025, 31,000 for GSH 2025, and 48,000 for WSM 2025. Over 65% of applicants applied for two schemes concurrently.
For the first time, the authority allocated an extra ballot number to young family and one-person applicants aged below 40 who have White Form status and opted to join the Youth Scheme (HOS). About 54,000 applications under HOS 2025 benefited from this new arrangement.
The authority also continued to allocate an extra ballot number under HOS 2025 and GSH 2025 to repeat applicants to boost their purchasing chances.
The arrangement applies to those who were unsuccessful in buying a flat during the preceding two consecutive sales exercises in the corresponding category. About 20,000 HOS and 10,000 GSH applications benefited from the measure.
Adhering to the established priority order, the authority will invite applicants to submit an income and asset declaration form, alongside supporting documents, within a specified timeframe to verify their eligibility and final priority for flat selection.
Flat selection for HOS 2025 and WSM 2025 is slated to commence in the fourth quarter, and the third or fourth quarter of this year, respectively. The authority will dispatch notifications in batches to invite eligible applicants, according to their category priority, to select flats at sales offices.
For WSM 2025, approval letters are expected to be issued to successful applicants in the fourth quarter of this year to facilitate their subsequent applications for the Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase.
The Housing Bureau today awarded the operation and management contract for the Light Public Housing (LPH) project at Tsing Fat Street in Tuen Mun to the China Overseas Property Services Limited – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Joint Venture, at tender sums of about $180.67 million.
The project will provide about 4,200 units, with tenant intake anticipated in the third quarter of this year. It involves a supermarket, convenience stores, catering facilities, launderettes, a fresh provisions shop, a hair salon, an activity room, a public transport terminus and a promenade.
The Housing Bureau said it will supervise the operating organisation in carrying out pre-management works in order to ensure the smooth handling of LPH applications and intake matters, and to provide various services for the local community upon intake.
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said: “With the experience of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in the LPH operation and management, together with China Overseas Property Services Limited’s solid property management experience in public rental housing, we are confident that they are capable of bringing significant improvement to the lives of about 4,200 units of families who will be moving into the LPH.”
To date, eight out of 13 LPH projects have already been completed, providing about 19,130 units. Among these, 9,650 units had achieved full intake by the first quarter of this year.
“We expect that about 10,670 more LPH units will be completed within 2026, while the remaining small batch of about 200 LPH units will also be completed in early 2027, gradually moving towards the target proposed by the Chief Executive in the 2022 Policy Address of completing the construction of about 30,000 LPH units before 2027-28,” Ms Ho added.
About 41,600 applications for LPH housing have been received as at early July.
The inaugural LEAP East 2026 technology exhibition concludes today, with exhibitors noting that the event has provided a premier platform for innovation and technology firms to expand overseas. Held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, LEAP East 2026 brought together 450 exhibitors and over 35,000 visitors from 30 countries and regions.
A Mainland exhibitor highlighted that LEAP East maintains deep ties to the Middle East. Its debut in Hong Kong is expected to attract government organisations, investors and buyers from the region and across the globe.
With the exhibition set to run in Hong Kong for the next three years, the exhibitor said this long-term commitment serves as a valuable gateway to global markets while allowing local start-ups massive exposure.
Among the participants was a Hong Kong-based start-up that specialises in robotic automation solutions and collaboration platforms. Founded about six years ago, the firm seek to leverage the platform to scale its business internationally.
Founder San Wong said that the domestic market is limited in scale and he hoped to leverage the exhibition to tap into international markets, particularly the Middle East.
“LEAP is an exhibition that is very focused on the Middle East,” Mr Wong said. “A couple of years back, we had a client from Germany and they were actually running oil infrastructure in the Middle East. They saw that we had some products that could help robots automate the process,” he explained.
He added that his company was still in the research and development phase at the time and lacked the finalised product. “Now, after we have the product ready, we feel like we are more ready to have international deployment in the Middle East and other countries. We are very excited to reconnect with the whole Middle East region through our product,” he said.
More resources for future cohorts of YES Leaders Programme
10 July 2026 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) celebrated the graduation of the third cohort of the YOUth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) Leaders Programme (LP) today, joined by the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Grace Fu, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Goh Hanyan. Ms Fu congratulated the 28 YES Leaders from eight different Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) on completing their year-long programme and welcomed the incoming YES LP cohort. She also announced a 20 per cent increase in project grants to enable future cohorts to go further in their environmental initiatives.
Nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards
2. Over the past year, the 28 YES Leaders spearheaded 15 initiatives [1] , ranging from bridging knowledge gaps and lowering barriers to adopting sustainable habits, to practical solutions addressing various waste streams, all tailored to the needs of their respective communities. NEA will be working with the YES Leaders to explore potential next steps for their projects. Some of this cohort’s initiatives are:
Eco-blanket – Led by Wang Yiling, Soh Jia Yun, and Yeo Charmaine from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West, the project collected over 15 kg of used textiles through ITE’s recycling corner, the Brickland community, repurposing them into blankets for individuals in need. Through sewing workshops, Green Ambassador Club student volunteers gained practical skills while helping to reduce textile waste and making a tangible difference to those needing support.
Ecologic: Circuit Cycle –- Led by Lim Xingmin, Kathy Anne from LASALLE College of the Arts, the project uses a visually-driven card game to help players rethink their relationship with e-waste. Tracing the life cycle of electronic devices from manufacture to disposal, players make decisions on repair, reuse, and recycling, discovering how everyday choices impact the environment. Designed for younger audiences, the project transforms a complex issue into an engaging, interactive learning experience.
Plastics to Possibilities: Recycle Waste to Worth –- Led by James Wang from the National University of Singapore (NUS), this project offers a proof of concept for recycling polypropylene, one of the least-recycled plastics globally, by converting discarded polypropylene laboratory plastic boxes into 3D printing filament for NUS robotics and design projects. As such plastic waste is commonly sent to landfills due to high cost of recycling and upcycling, the project creates a circular solution by returning the filament to the laboratories that generated it. In doing so, it diverts plastic from landfill while supporting scientific research, demonstrating that sustainability and scientific innovation can advance together.
Wear Your Waste –- Led by Sohana Khatun from Temasek Polytechnic, this project transforms coffee grounds and post-consumer plastics into handcrafted wearables through upcycling workshops for persons with disabilities and special needs. Delivered in partnership with social service agencies, hospitality companies, green groups, and schools, the workshops promote creative waste repurposing while fostering practical skills and environmental awareness. By bringing together partners across sectors, the project shows that sustainability can be both inclusive and community driven.
More offerings for future cohorts
3. The fourth cohort of 40 YES Leaders also commenced their journey today, embarking on a year-long programme of learning, mentorship, and community engagement, with support from NEA and their Advisors.
4. To further strengthen the programme for the fourth cohort and beyond, the YES Advisors Network [2] will be expanded this year with the appointment of four new advisors, namely Carlo Charles, Ernest Goh, Preston Wong, and Tan Shi Zhou. All four are past recipients of NEA’s EcoFriend Award, with experience spanning innovation-driven start-ups and impact-focused social enterprises, in areas such as sustainable materials, circular economy solutions, food waste reduction, and arts-based approaches to environmental advocacy. Their appointment broadens the range of expertise within the advisory community, bringing technical depth and fresh perspectives to the network.
5. Poject grants under the YES Leaders Programme will also be increased by 20 per cent, from $5,000 to $6,000, starting from the fourth cohort. The enhancement reflects the potential and creativity of the participants and will enable them to pursue more ambitious environmental initiatives, including stronger prototype development, broader outreach, and more meaningful community impact.
Launch of the YES Festival
6. The second YES Festival, organised by NEA, is held at Kallang Wave Mall from 10 to 12 July 2026, starting at 12:00pm on the first day. The mini-carnival offers the public an interactive and enjoyable way to deepen their understanding about sustainability through mini-games, project showcases, and hands-on, free workshops conducted by YES Leaders and partners. For more information on the event and workshop registration, visit https://go.gov.sg/yesfest2026.
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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.
[1] For more details on the YES Leaders’ sustainability initiatives, please refer to Annex A
[2] For more details on the YES Advisors Network, please refer to Annex B.
MOFA response to Japan and EU reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait at third EU-Japan Strategic Dialogue
March 27, 2026High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Kaja Kallas and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi jointly held the third EU-Japan Strategic Dialogue in France on March 26. During the talks, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts in the East China Sea and South China Sea aimed at changing the status quo by force or coercion, as well as to increased tensions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes and appreciates the fact that the European Union, the Group of Seven, and other like-minded partners continue to express concern over peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Taiwan will continue to work with all democratic partners to jointly defend the international rules-based order and staunchly safeguard peace, stability, prosperity, and development across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Public can bring dogs into permitted food premises starting today The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, visited a permitted food premises in the West Kowloon Cultural District this afternoon to observe the implementation of the new measure on the first day, and to exchange views with restaurant operators and customers. Mr Tse said, “The restaurant has made thorough preparations in terms of hygiene facilities and seating arrangements, and we can see customers bringing dogs were co-operative. Everyone was beaming, feeling that this is a remarkable breakthrough.” He expects that permitted food premises can demonstrate professionalism and self-discipline to strictly abide by the laws and licensing conditions. As for customers bringing dogs, they are expected to properly control their dogs while enjoying meals and to respect other customers, so as to jointly maintain a comfortable and harmonious dining environment.
The Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Albert Yuen; and the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Ms Chan Hoi-yan and Mr Yang Wing-kit, also joined the visit.Issued at HKT 22:05