Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau said today that the matter of a seat upgrade for the Director of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s Tianjin Liaison Unit Ricky Cheng has been referred to law enforcement agencies for follow up.

The bureau made the remarks today in response to media enquiries regarding Mr Cheng’s earlier trip on a vessel to Macau.

The referral to law enforcement was made upon further investigation regarding concerns arising from Mr Cheng’s social media posts that indicated his seat had been upgraded. The bureau said that the incident was suspected of breaching the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance concerning the unauthorised acceptance of advantages by civil servants.

The bureau added that Mr Cheng was a contract staff worker and it has decided to terminate his contract with immediate effect.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Maggie Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, in the Legislative Council today (January 21):
 
Question:

     The Mainland offices and liaison units of the Government (the Mainland offices) have been actively promoting Hong Kong’s strengths, promoting exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as supporting Hong Kong people and enterprises to integrate into the overall development of the country. There are views that the Mainland offices can further leverage the role as an important bridge for “going global and attracting external investment” in promoting Hong Kong to align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan in a more proactive manner. On supporting Hong Kong residents and enterprises pursuing development in the Mainland, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) as there are views pointing out that the Mainland offices are serving cities diverse in their characteristics, so that they have their own focus on work priorities, whether the Government has plans to formulate overall targets and establish a cross-office coordination mechanism for the Mainland offices with a view to coordinating resources more effectively as well as defining the overall service and support directions of the Mainland offices; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(2) as the 2025 Policy Address has indicated that the Government will encourage Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong in expanding their businesses overseas, whether the Government has plans to organise Hong Kong enterprises pursuing development in the Mainland to join forces with Mainland enterprises in tapping new markets, so as to make “Hong Kong Brands” shine in the Mainland and overseas; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) as it is learnt that the Mainland offices currently promote Hong Kong’s strengths and support Hong Kong people and enterprises in the Mainland through measures such as disseminating information, organising thematic activities, promoting youth exchange, and maintaining communication and liaison with the Mainland authorities, whether the Government has plans to introduce more proactive and targeted support policies apart from the aforesaid measures; if so, of the details (including the relevant performance indicators); if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) whether the Government has plans to enhance the support for associations of Hong Kong residents and chambers of Hong Kong enterprises in the Mainland, and further strengthen the liaison with associations of Hong Kong residents and chambers of Hong Kong enterprises in the Mainland through the associations of Hong Kong residents in the Mainland sector, such as collecting views regularly, organising thematic exchanges, as well as proactively paying attention to the difficulties of Hong Kong people and enterprises in the Mainland and assisting them in resolving such difficulties; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     After consulting the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the consolidated response to the Hon Maggie Chan’s question is as follows:
 
(1) The major responsibilities of the Mainland Offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government (the Mainland Offices) include enhancing liaison and communication between Hong Kong and the Central People’s Government as well as the provincial and municipal governments on the Mainland to promote exchange and co-operation; telling Hong Kong’s good stories on the Mainland to promote the unique characteristics of Hong Kong as well as the investment opportunities and business advantages under the national development plan and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, so as to encourage and attract Mainland enterprises and talents to establish presence in Hong Kong; fostering youth and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland; providing information and other appropriate support and assistance to Hong Kong residents and enterprises on the Mainland, etc.
 
     As for the above tasks, the Mainland Offices have set annual key performance indicators which would be published in the Policy Address and the Budget. For 2026, the Mainland Offices will organise no less than 3 400 visits to Mainland authorities or bodies, attending no less than 290 speaking occasions, conducting no less than 350 media interviews or briefings, and participating in no less than 880 business and trade meetings.
 
     The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, as the policy bureau of the HKSAR Government responsible for Mainland affairs, will oversee, coordinate and direct the Mainland Offices to effectively discharge their duties to ensure that they operate efficiently, and execute their work plans and provide a wide range of services in accordance with the targets.
 
(2) The 2025 Policy Address proposed to establish a one-stop platform by mobilising Hong Kong’s overseas offices, including those under InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), as well as the Mainland Offices, and set up the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (Task Force) to encourage Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong in expanding their businesses overseas. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development is overseeing the work of the Task Force and coordinating with various bureaux, departments and agencies in formulating proposals for enterprises looking to go global. The Task Force will also organise various investment promotion activities across mainland provinces and municipalities to promote Hong Kong’s unique advantages, and to identify and attract mainland enterprises looking to go global to set up operations in Hong Kong. When they expand their business abroad in future, these enterprises can benefit from the Government’s “Economic and Trade Express” under which they will be better supported for overseas business missions and business matching activities through enhancement of collaboration among the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the overseas, InvestHK and the HKTDC.
 
(3) In addition to the above-mentioned promotional measures, the Mainland Offices collaborate with other Hong Kong institutions, including the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, etc. to formulate tailored work plans which respond to new opportunities arising from the national development, as well as the characteristics and circumstances of individual province, municipality and autonomous region. The aim is to provide appropriate support and services to Hong Kong people and businesses on the Mainland, helping them better integrate into national development strategy and develop locally. The Mainland Offices will also promote Hong Kong’s advantages and tell good stories of Hong Kong. For example, we collaborate with local governments, trade associations and Hong Kong chambers of commerce to organise different types of trade promotion events, cooperation and matching sessions, thematic seminars, study tours, experience-sharing forums and gatherings for Hong Kong businessmen. Hong Kong enterprises on the Mainland and Hong Kong businessmen interested in expanding into the Mainland market will be invited to actively participate in these activities, which will not only broaden their business networks but also provide them with opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the latest developments, policies, and development opportunities in the region concerned.
 
(4) The Mainland Offices have all along been striving to establish and maintain close liaison with associations, chambers of commerce, enterprises and student groups of Hong Kong people in their service areas, and proactively understand the situation of Hong Kong people working, studying and living therein and the difficulties they encountered through various economic, trade and cultural exchange activities being held from time to time. The Mainland Offices will provide appropriate support and assistance to Hong Kong people having regard to the actual situation and need, and reflect their demands to the relevant Mainland authorities. To assist Hong Kong people to better adapt to local life, the Mainland Offices have also compiled booklets of practical information on everyday life, with electronic version published on their websites and social media platforms, and provide Hong Kong residents on the Mainland with information on the latest Mainland laws and regulations, policies, major regional developments, etc. In addition, through the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Promotion Centre located in Guangzhou, the Mainland Offices promote Greater Bay Area opportunities to Hong Kong residents and businesses developing in the Greater Bay Area cities on the Mainland and provide various practical assistance.
 
     Furthermore, the HKTDC visits Hong Kong enterprises on the Mainland from time to time to understand their business development needs and operational challenges, and organises relevant thematic events to provide them with trade and business support. The HKTDC has also launched the “GoGBA one-stop platform” and the “GoGBA” digital information platform to provide the business community with the latest information on the “9+2” city cluster of the Greater Bay Area, including policies, markets, industries, funding opportunities, and the latest developments in individual Bay Area city. A network of “GoGBA Business Support Centres” has also been established across all Greater Bay Area cities. In particular, the “GoGBA Business Support Centre” located in the concourse of Shenzhen Futian High-Speed Rail Station is jointly set up by the HKTDC, the People’s Government of Futian District, Shenzhen and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​In response to media enquiries regarding the Director of the Tianjin Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau has further responded today (January 21) as follows:

Regarding the concerns arising from the social media posts issued by Mr Ricky Cheng Chun-sang, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau has undertaken further investigation. It has been considered that the incident in which Mr Cheng’s seat being upgraded on a vessel during his earlier trip to Macao is suspected of breaching the provisions under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance regarding civil servants accepting advantages without permission. The matter has already been referred to law enforcement agencies for follow up.

Mr Cheng is a contract staff of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The bureau has decided to terminate his contract with immediate effect.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Coroner’s Court today returned the verdict on the cause of death of the passengers involved in the vessel collision incident near Lamma Island in 2012. The Government said it is closely monitoring the delivery of the verdict.

The delivery of the verdict is to be continued and the Government will continue to study the judgment.

In a statement, the Government said it attaches great importance to the incident, after which investigations at various levels have been conducted. It also noted that the Marine Department has implemented all practicable recommendations in the investigation reports to enhance maritime safety to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

After the incident, Police commenced a criminal investigation and arrested the coxswain of “Sea Smooth”, Lai Sai-ming, and the coxswain of “Lamma IV”, Chow Chi-wai, in October 2012. In February 2015, Chow Chi-wai was convicted of endangering the safety of others at sea and Lai Sai-ming was convicted of 39 counts of manslaughter and a count of endangering the safety of others at sea.

Separately, former senior ship inspector of the Marine Department Wong Kam-ching and then Assistant Director of Marine So Ping-chi, were placed under arrest in March 2015 and subsequently convicted of the offence of perjury and the offence of misconduct in public office in February and June 2016 respectively. So Ping-chi was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, with his appeal succeeded and his sentence reduced to 4.5 months, while Wong Kam-ching was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.

When considering whether to conduct a death inquest in 2020, the Coroner’s Court ruled the deaths as unlawful killing.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Court of First Instance of the High Court today allowed an appeal lodged by Aggressive Construction Company against the Building Authority’s decision to remove it from the register of general building contractors, and ruled that the Buildings Department, in its capacity as the Building Authority, should reconsider the company’s application for renewal of registration.

The Buildings Department said it will study the judgment in detail with the Department of Justice to actively consider an appeal.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Health (DH) today said it is following up on the suspected illegal importation of blood samples from pregnant women on the Mainland for fetal gender testing in Hong Kong.

The DH noted that it has recently received media enquiries concerning individuals who promote services on social media platforms that involve arranging blood draws for pregnant women on the Mainland and smuggling blood samples into the city for fetal gender testing. 

Apart from referring information regarding the two laboratories in question to the Medical Laboratory Technologists Board for appropriate actions against the registered medical laboratory technologists concerned, in accordance with the Allied Health Professions Ordinance, the DH has also notified the relevant Mainland authorities and referred the relevant cases to Customs.

The department stressed that it will continue to follow up on the matter seriously and take enforcement actions in accordance with the relevant regulations, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, to safeguard public health.

Under the Allied Health Professions Ordinance, no registered medical laboratory technologist may perform tests for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment without a referral from a registered medical practitioner or other specified healthcare professional.

In addition, according to the Prevention & Control of Disease Regulation, any person who imports any excreta, secretion, blood or blood component that the person has reason to suspect contains an infectious agent should obtain prior written permission from the DH.

The department’s investigation revealed that the two laboratories involved – NovaGene Diagnostic Laboratory and Zentrogene Bioscience Laboratory – falsely claimed in online postings to be “medical laboratories accredited by the DH”. The DH pointed out that this information is false and misleading as it does not accredit any medical laboratories.

Furthermore, the DH said its records show that two other institutions, named “Nova Medical” and “Hong Kong BOYA Medical Center”, have neither applied for clinic licences or letters of exemption for small practice clinics under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, nor registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance. Despite this, “Hong Kong BOYA Medical Center” claimed to be a “Hong Kong registered medical clinic”.

The department has referred these cases to Customs for follow-up and requested the removal of all misleading statements.

Furthermore, during the investigation, the DH found that advertisements for other services published on the websites of the relevant medical centres involved are suspected of breaching the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance. The department has issued warnings to the medical centres and ordered the immediate removal of the non-compliant advertisements.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Pui-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (January 21):
 
Question:
 
     There are views pointing out that with the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EV) in Hong Kong, the volume of retired EV batteries (retired batteries) is expected to rise significantly. However, if such retired batteries are not handled properly, the hazardous substances they contain may cause serious environmental pollution and safety issues. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the annual number of retired batteries generated in Hong Kong in the past three years; the respective numbers of batteries that underwent preliminary treatment at licensed disposal facilities in Hong Kong and were exported overseas for recycling;
 
(2) since the launch of the “ezbatteries” scheme sponsored by the Recycling Fund in December 2022, of the respective annual numbers of batteries recycled and those used for second-life applications; whether the authorities have established performance indicators for the scheme and assessed its effectiveness; if so, of the specific indicators and assessment results; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) as the Mainland approved early last year an action plan to improve the recycling system for used new energy vehicle power batteries to further enhance the utilisation capacity of recycled power batteries, and that it is reported that many other Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) have now established relatively well-developed recycling systems for retired EV batteries, whether the authorities have plans to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and other Mainland cities in GBA to establish a cross-border battery recycling network, with a view to enhancing resource circulation efficiency; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(4) as it has been reported that the technology for cascade utilisation of retired batteries (i.e. sorting, dismantling and reassembling retired batteries for application in other fields to achieve resource utilisation and environmental protection) in the Mainland is relatively mature, with over 150 “white-listed enterprises” (i.e. enterprises meeting the Industry Standards for the Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Storage Batteries of New Energy Vehicles) responsible for recycling and handling retired batteries, whether the authorities will subsidise or promote more relevant research and development projects to expand the application scope of cascade utilisation of retired battery in Hong Kong and foster the development of the local battery recycling industry; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(5) given that in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on June 8, 2022, the Government indicated that it has kept abreast of the international proposals and policies in relation to the traceability of EV batteries and is considering incorporating those arrangements that suit the local context into the relevant producer responsibility schemes, of the anticipated implementation timeline for the relevant measures on producer responsibility for retired batteries in Hong Kong, and whether such measures will cover the traceability management of EV batteries and the lawful scope of secondary-life applications for retired batteries; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The handling and disposal of retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries are regulated under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354) and the subsidiary Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (Cap. 354C). Currently, EV suppliers have engaged licensed collectors to collect retired batteries from their brands’ EVs. These batteries undergo proper preliminary treatment, such as sorting, discharging and insulating, before being packaged and transported overseas to appropriate treatment facilities for recycling.
 
     The Government started planning for the management of retired EV batteries back in 2021 when it released the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles. The measures include promoting research on the second-life use of retired EV batteries through the Green Tech Fund (GTF); pushing forward the construction of local EV battery recycling facility; and formulating the implementation of a producer responsibility scheme (PRS) on EV batteries.
 
     Hong Kong’s first large-scale EV battery recycling facility at the EcoPark is under construction, which is expected to commence operation in the first half of 2026. This facility aims to convert retired EV batteries into recycled black mass to be supplied to the Mainland and neighbouring regions. It will not only promote the development of the EV battery recycling industry, and strengthen Hong Kong’s role in the regional green industry chain, but also serve as a good model for mutually beneficial co-operation in the environmental industry of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Government is currently consulting the trade on the operation of the PRS on EV batteries, and expects to consult the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs on the implementation details within 2026.

     The reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Pui-leung is as follows:
 
(1) In the past three years (2022-2024), there were a total of about 160 tonnes of retired lithium batteries from vehicles preliminarily treated by local licensed disposal facilities for transporting overseas to appropriate authorised treatment facilities for recycling. A yearly breakdown is as follows:
 

     As the trade may currently store a certain quantity of retired EV batteries for further handling, the figures provided above may not fully reflect the total quantity of retired EV batteries generated by EVs in Hong Kong.
 
(2) In December 2022, the Recycling Fund allocated funding to launch the “ezbatteries” project for 24 months. By establishing a digital platform, the project offered a convenient channel for various stakeholders, including EV owners and recyclers, to learn more about the collection and recycling processes of retired EV batteries, with a view to alleviating their concerns on the handling of retired EV batteries. The project conducted a series of publicity activities, including workshops, seminars, a promotional video and electronic leaflet, to educate the trade and the public about the handling of EV batteries. As the project focuses on promotion and information sharing, it does not involve the actual recycling of retired EV batteries.
 
(3) In January 2025, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government established the Special Panel for Building “Zero Waste Bay Area” (the Special Panel) to strengthen policy co-ordination, technical exchanges and project collaboration, as well as elevate the capability in jointly handling solid waste.
 
     The Special Panel has commenced discussions on topics such as regional co-operation in resources circulation and waste management policy. It has been exploring ways to promote the co-ordination of regulations and market integration between the two regions, covering the potential and feasibility of cross-regional co-operation in handling different kinds of recyclable materials, including recycled black mass converted from retired EV batteries.
 
(4) As mentioned above, research promoting EVs and the second-life use of EV batteries are listed under the priority theme of green transport under the GTF. At present, the GTF has approved three research and development projects related to the recycling of retired EV batteries, covering application areas such as echelon use of EV batteries, involving a total grant of over $12 million.
 
(5) As mentioned above, the Government is currently consulting the trade on the PRS on EV batteries. This includes considerations for establishing a product traceability system and repurposing retired batteries in good condition for echelon use. The Government will consult the LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs on the PRS on EV batteries within 2026. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his programme at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, yesterday (January 20, Davos time).
      
     In the morning, Mr Chan attended the Special Address delivered by Vice Premier of the State Council Mr He Lifeng at the WEF Annual Meeting. Yesterday, he also held meetings with senior officials from various economies, representatives of international organisations and business leaders to brief them on Hong Kong’s latest developments and unique advantages.
      
     Mr Chan attended a breakfast meeting hosted by a digital asset company, Animoca Brands, where he engaged in discussions with leaders from the financial and innovation sectors on how blockchain applications — including tokenised assets and genomic data analytics — are driving transformation and development in capital markets.
      
     Speaking at the meeting, Mr Chan said that finance and technology are mutually reinforcing. Financial innovations, such as digital assets, not only enhance transparency, efficiency, inclusiveness and risk management in financial services, but also facilitate more effective capital allocation to the real economy. He added that finance also plays a vital role in supporting and enabling technological development.
      
     Mr Chan pointed out that, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong adopts a proactive yet prudent approach to the development of digital assets. The city follows the principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulation” to promote responsible and sustainable market development. Since 2023, Hong Kong has issued licences to 11 virtual asset trading platforms, and a licensing regime for stablecoins is expected to be launched later this year. He also highlighted the Government’s leadership role in promoting tokenisation, including the issuance of three batches of tokenised green bonds amounting to around US$2.1 billion. In addition, regulatory sandboxes have been introduced to encourage innovative applications in the market.
      
     Later in the day, Mr Chan met with a number of officials from different economies and regional organisations attending the WEF Annual Meeting, including Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance of Thailand, Mr Ekniti Nitithanprapas; the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi; the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Egypt, Mr Hassan El Khatib; and the State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance of Switzerland, Ms Daniela Stoffel. They exchanged views on the global political and economic landscape and issues of mutual concern, and explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration in areas such as trade, finance, industry development and digital transformation.
      
     In addition, Mr Chan met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to exchange views on the current landscape and future of international trade. Mr Chan reiterated that Hong Kong, China firmly supports free trade and multilateralism, and expressed support for the WTO’s efforts to pursue reforms in response to current global challenges, with a view to enhancing its agility in addressing emerging issues in international trade.
      
     Mr Chan also met with the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of technology investment firm Vista Equity Partners, Mr Robert Smith, to learn about the firm’s latest developments in software and data businesses, and encouraged Mr Smith to consider expanding the company’s presence in Hong Kong.
      
     Mr Chan will continue his visit to Davos today (January 21, Davos time).