Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hospital Authority statement on intern doctor’s inappropriate act
The HA is aware of recent social media posts concerning the inappropriate act of an intern doctor across different hospitals. The HA considers the matter extremely serious, affecting the professional image of healthcare staff.
The HA spokesperson reiterates that there is zero tolerance for any behaviour undermining patient safety and the professional conduct of doctors. Action has been taken to follow up rigorously to safeguard patient safety. The HA strongly condemns any inappropriate act concerned.
Regarding the suspicions of someone who logged into the Clinical Management System at Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) with another person’s account and accessed patient records at Tuen Mun Hospital without authorisation, the HA has reported to the Police. The HA will co-operate fully with the police investigation and is conducting a comprehensive review of the relevant patient records to ascertain that patient safety has not been affected. No irregularities in patient treatment have been identified at this stage. The HA has immediately suspended the clinical duties of the intern doctor concerned and a resident doctor at Tuen Mun Hospital, and has also suspended their access right to the system in order to protect patient and system security.
The HA had previously seriously warned the intern doctor concerned for an inappropriate act committed during an internship at Ruttonjee Hospital, and had already taken disciplinary action against the intern doctor concerned and another resident doctor for inappropriate acts at CMC. The HA will continue to investigate whether the intern doctor concerned is involved in any other inappropriate act. If it is confirmed that the intern doctor concerned or any other doctor has engaged in an inappropriate act that violates medical professional standards, the HA will handle the matter seriously and refer it to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up.
The HA has notified the medical school of the relevant university to follow up on the intern doctor’s assessment of being fit for practice.
The HA holds doctors to the highest standards of professional conduct, behaviour, and discipline. The HA insists that all doctors serving patients in public hospitals must possess both medical competence and conduct themselves in a professional manner. In addition to having professional knowledge to treat patients, they must uphold the strictest professional conduct and place patient well-being, safety, and care as their foremost priority at all times. The HA has absolutely zero tolerance for any form of behaviour that undermines the professional conduct of doctors. The HA will follow up on such behaviour with utmost seriousness, and will not permit any doctors concerned to practise in public hospitals to safeguard patient safety.
Issued at HKT 19:02
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CHP investigates severe paediatric case of COVID-19 infection
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP investigates severe paediatric case of COVID-19 infection
Case details
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The case involves a 19-month-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath and stridor on June 4. He was taken to a private clinic for medical attention on the next day (June 5) and was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital, where he was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment. His respiratory specimen tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 complicated with croup. He remains hospitalised and is currently in critical condition.
The CHP’s preliminary investigation revealed that the boy had not received COVID-19 vaccine and had mostly stayed in Hong Kong throughout the incubation period. His three household contacts remain asymptomatic so far.
Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
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“Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Although COVID-19 has become a common respiratory infection in Hong Kong and around the world, certain high-risk individuals, especially young children, who have not received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and have not developed immunity through natural infection, face a higher risk of serious complications if they become infected. I would like to specifically remind the public that individuals who have not yet received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including children aged six months or above) should get vaccinated as soon as possible, while high-risk individuals (particularly the elderly and those with underlying comorbidities) should also receive booster dose at appropriate times for effective protection against COVID-19.” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui. Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses as well as transmission in the community, the public should maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times and note the following:
For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP’s websiteIssued at HKT 19:52
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CE meets Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 10) met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Kanat Bozumbayev, at Government House to exchange views on deepening co-operation between the two places. The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the meeting.
Mr Lee said he was pleased to meet Mr Bozumbayev for the first time and welcomed him and his delegation to Hong Kong for the Alatau City Investment Round Table event scheduled to take place tomorrow (June 11). Mr Lee noted that a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises led by himself had successfully concluded a visit to Central Asia last week and made various achievements. During his visit to Kazakhstan, Mr Lee met respectively with the President of Kazakhstan, Mr Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Mr Olzhas Bektenov; and two Deputy Prime Ministers, to exchange views on topics such as finance, economic and trade relations, and innovation and technology, and to establish high-level liaison between the governments. He thanked the government of Kazakhstan for the great importance it had attached to the visit, providing high-level hospitality and meticulous arrangements for the visit. Mr Lee witnessed the signing of multiple agreements between the two sides, including eight co-operation documents at the government level and 53 co-operation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding beyond the government level, covering such areas as trade and economic co-operation, investment, finance, technology and aviation. These fruitful results have brought co-operation between the two places to a new level. Mr Lee added that he was delighted to further follow up on these outcomes with Mr Bozumbayev today, and looks forward to the continuous deepening of co-operation between the two sides in the future.
Mr Lee said that Hong Kong supports and upholds free trade and multilateralism, as it continues to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, strives to create new trade corridors, and explores emerging market opportunities. Kazakhstan is an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe. It is also the place where the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative was first proposed, and is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. There are broad prospects for further co-operation. The multiple outcomes achieved during Mr Lee’s visit demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as a functional platform for the B&R Initiative, as the city actively plays its roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to promote broader and deeper co-operation between the two places and establish a hub-to-hub co-operation model. With the launch of direct flights from Hong Kong to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the first quarter of next year, people-to-people exchanges between the two places will become even more frequent.
Mr Lee noted that Kazakhstan is promoting reforms on various fronts and driving economic diversification. It is making every effort to develop Alatau City, with a focus on technological innovation and green growth. Hong Kong harnesses its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle in connecting the Mainland and the world, ranking No. 1 globally in economic freedom. Hong Kong is speeding up the development of the Northern Metropolis as the city strives to become an international innovation and technology centre. Mr Lee said he looks forward to Hong Kong and Kazakhstan achieving complementary advantages and co-ordinated development across different sectors. He welcomed enterprises in Kazakhstan to make good use of Hong Kong’s premier financial and innovation and technology platforms, as well as its world-leading professional services, to explore more business opportunities. At the same time, Hong Kong will further help local and Mainland enterprises to go global and discover more opportunities, venturing into a new blue ocean in Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan.
Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions for Shipping-related Activities and Physical Commodity Trading) Bill 2026 to be gazetted on Friday
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions for Shipping-related Activities and Physical Commodity Trading) Bill 2026 will be published in the Gazette this Friday (June 12) to amend the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) to enhance the existing tax concessions for shipping-related activities and to introduce a new half-rate tax concession regime for physical commodity trading.
To facilitate the compliance of in-scope multinational enterprise groups with the BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) 2.0 requirements – a new tax reform package formulated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – the Government proposes to introduce an additional option of a 15 per cent concessionary tax rate in the preferential tax regimes for shipping-related companies to elect on an annual basis, which will help save their compliance costs in completing the complex tax calculations under BEPS 2.0 regarding their operations in Hong Kong.
In addition, to attract commodity traders to Hong Kong to propel the maritime services sector towards a more vibrant trajectory, the Bill proposes to provide a new half-rate profits tax concession for physical commodity trading, echoing the industry’s calls to strengthen the local maritime services ecosystem. The aforementioned 15 per cent concessionary tax rate option also applies to the half-rate tax concession regime for physical commodity trading.
A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, “A favourable tax regime is a key factor in attracting shipping-related companies to Hong Kong. In light of changes in international tax rules, the Government has reviewed the existing tax concessions for shipping-related activities and proposed making enhancements in compliance with international tax rules, including the introduction of tax deduction arrangements in line with international standards, while ensuring that Hong Kong’s preferential tax regimes for shipping-related activities maintain their competitiveness after the implementation of BEPS 2.0, thereby sustaining the development momentum of the high value-added maritime services industry in Hong Kong.
“Commodity traders form an integral part of the maritime services ecosystem and are key users of maritime services. The proposed new tax concession regime for commodity trading will give Hong Kong a distinct advantage in attracting commodity traders to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, thereby injecting demand and impetus into the maritime services industry, and unlocking substantial new growth opportunities for our city in forging ahead with the vision of becoming a global maritime capital,” the spokesperson added.
Since 2020, the Government has launched and been actively promoting a series of tax concessions to encourage more shipping-related companies to establish or expand their presence in Hong Kong, yielding tangible results. For the years of assessment 2020/21 to 2023/24, the number of qualifying ship lessors benefiting from the tax concessions has soared by five times.
Since the introduction of the aforementioned tax concessions, there have been new changes in the international tax landscape. In response to base erosion and profit-shifting risks arising from the digitalisation of the economy, the OECD has formulated BEPS 2.0. To implement this new tax reform package, Hong Kong has introduced the Hong Kong Minimum Top-up-Tax under the Inland Revenue Ordinance to require an in-scope multinational enterprise group to pay a top-up tax as from 2025 if the effective tax rate of the tax paid by its constituent entities in Hong Kong is less than 15 per cent.
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading on June 24.
Seven individuals and two companies charged by Police and ICAC with 25 offences of manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, etc over Wang Fuk Court fire
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Seven individuals and two companies charged by Police and ICAC with 25 offences of manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, etc over Wang Fuk Court fireThe ICAC’s prosecution list:The Police laid charges against three individuals and two companies with jointly five counts of manslaughter
On June 10, 2016, Wang Fuk Court received a statutory notice under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme. In this connection, through respective tendering processes, Will Power was appointed for preparing a building inspection report and monitoring the repair works; Prestige was appointed for carrying out the prescribed repair works.
Following careful study of the case details and a comprehensive review of numerous documents and statements from parties concerned, the Police revealed that the companies and persons-in-charge responsible for the major renovation project are suspected of serious breach of duty of care, resulting in gross negligence in the supervision of construction materials and procedures. Investigation revealed that issues arising from the repair works include the use of non-fire-retardant safety nets and canvases; the use of flammable foam boards; and the creation of window openings at the fire escape routes of staircases for workers’ access to the external wall scaffolding. These construction arrangements are suspected of severely compromising the fire safety of the buildings, causing the fire to spread rapidly and obstructing escape routes, resulting in a large number of causalities.
The charges mainly cover four areas: (1) fraud in tendering process; (2) fraud in project supervision; (3) “money laundering” by project consultancy firm’s director; and (4) attempting to pervert the course of public justice in ICAC’s investigation.
Area 1: Fraud in the tendering process of Wang Fuk Court’s major renovation project(involving two counts of conspiracy to defraud)
Another charge alleges that during the same period, Will Power’s director Wong Hap-yin, Will Power and an employee of the company conspired together to defraud the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) by causing a tender analysis report containing false information to be published onto the URA’s electronic platform for access by flat owners of Wang Fuk Court, facilitating the award of the major renovation project.
Area 2: Fraud in project supervision at Wang Fuk Court and other estates(involving one count of conspiracy to defraud)
Area 3: “Money laundering” by project consultancy firm’s director(involving five counts of “money laundering” and 10 counts of tax evasion)(involving two counts of attempting to pervert the course of public justice)
The two cases were adjourned to September 2, 2026 for mention at the West Magistrates’ Courts. As the relevant investigations by the Police and the ICAC are continuing, further law enforcement actions would not be ruled out.
Issued at HKT 18:50
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CE meets Kazakh Deputy PM
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee today met Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev who is leading a delegation to Hong Kong for the Alatau City Investment Round Table scheduled to take place tomorrow.
Recalling his recent trip to Central Asia, Mr Lee said he met President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and two Kazakh Deputy Prime Ministers, establishing high-level liaison between the governments. He also thanked the Kazakh Government for the high-level hospitality and meticulous arrangements for the visit.
During the Kazakh trip, the two sides signed eight co-operation documents at the government level, as well as 53 co-operation agreements and memoranda of understanding beyond the government level, covering such areas as trade and economic co-operation, investment, finance, technology and aviation. Mr Lee said he was delighted to follow up on these outcomes with Mr Bozumbayev today, and looks forward to deepening co-operation in the future.
The multiple outcomes achieved during the visit demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as a functional platform for the Belt & Road Initiative, as the city plays its roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, the Chief Executive highlighted, adding that the launch of direct flights from Hong Kong to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the first quarter of next year will boost people-to-people exchanges.
Mr Lee said he looks forward to Hong Kong and Kazakhstan achieving complementary advantages and co-ordinated development. He also remarked that enterprises in Kazakhstan are welcome to make good use of Hong Kong’s premier financial, innovation and technology platforms, as well as its world-leading professional services, to explore business opportunities.
At the same time, Hong Kong will further help local and Mainland enterprises to go global and discover opportunities in Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, the Chief Executive added.
Director-General David Cheng-Wei Wu Welcomes University of Tokyo Professor Yasuhiro Matsuda
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu was honored to welcome Professor Yasuhiro Matsuda of the University of Tokyo for an insightful exchange of views on developments in the Indo-Pacific, the evolving international landscape, and Taiwan–Australia relations.
Professor Matsuda is widely respected for his distinguished scholarship in history and international relations. His research has provided valuable perspectives on regional developments and the international order, reflecting both academic rigor and profound expertise. During the meeting, he shared his latest observations and analyses, which were both enlightening and thought-provoking.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Matsuda on receiving the prestigious 27th Yomiuri Yoshino Sakuzo Prize for his latest book, China and Taiwan: The Politics of Crisis and Balance. This distinguished honor is a testament to his years of scholarly dedication and an acknowledgment of his significant contributions to the field.
Taiwan and Japan share the core values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, and the bonds between our peoples continue to grow stronger through close and friendly exchanges. We look forward to further deepening Taiwan–Japan academic dialogue and fostering more cross-disciplinary collaboration for the advancement of knowledge and the promotion of peace and stability in the region.
Once again, congratulations to Professor Matsuda on this well-deserved achievement. We wish him continued success in his research and look forward to the inspiration his work will bring to future generations of scholars.
7 people, 2 firms charged over blaze
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) today laid charges against seven individuals and two companies with a total of 25 counts of offences, in relation to the Wang Fuk Court fire on November 26, 2025.
The offences include manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and tax evasion.
The two cases were mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said it is highly concerned about the Wang Fuk Court fire, including the criminal investigations.
Following the disaster, Police and the ICAC swiftly set up the largest joint investigation task force in recent years to conduct comprehensive investigations in full swing within just six months into the causes of the fire, and possible corruption in the major renovation project of the residential estate. A total of 35 individuals have been arrested to date.
Today’s charges followed thorough investigations by the task force’s officers and legal advice from the Department of Justice.
Police charged three men and two companies jointly with five counts of manslaughter.
Meanwhile, the ICAC charged five men, two women and two companies, including all those charged by Police, with a total of 20 offences. The offences include conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and tax evasion.
Police and the ICAC have not ruled out further law enforcement actions as their investigations are ongoing.
Vice President Hsiao inspects Malakal Island development plan and visits Palau National Aquaculture Center and giant clam conservation center
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Vice President Hsiao inspects Malakal Island development plan and visits Palau National Aquaculture Center and giant clam conservation center
On the morning of June 9 local time (morning of the same day Taipei time), Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao inspected the implementation of the Malakal Island development plan, after which she visited the Palau National Aquaculture Center and giant clam conservation center.
After arriving at Long Island Park, Vice President Hsiao first heard a briefing by CECI Engineering Consultants on their development plan for the park as well as their introduction to Malakal Island. Accompanied by Palau Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl and Governor of Koror State Eyos Rudimch, the vice president then toured Long Island Park to better understand how Taiwan is assisting Palau in developing recreation facilities to be used by local residents and tourists.
The vice president and her party then visited the Palau National Aquaculture Center and giant clam conservation center. At the aquaculture center, they inspected the rabbitfish seedling and fish breeding areas, as well as the sea cucumber and milkfish breeding ponds. They also listened to an explanation of the milkfish breeding program by the Taiwan Technical Mission and fed the fish in the milkfish pond. They then walked to the giant clam conservation center, where the Palau Bureau of Fisheries explained the current status of giant clam conservation efforts, and saw firsthand Palau’s achievements in aquaculture aimed at creating sustainable fisheries.
Before concluding her itinerary, the vice president also took questions from the media. She stated that one of the tasks of this visit is to understand and witness the results of past bilateral efforts and cooperation. She mentioned that during that day’s visit to Long Island Park they heard the CECI Engineering Consultants team explain the relevant plans. She added that the team will continue to communicate with local residents in the future to ensure that all construction meets the needs of the local community and expressed hope that Palau will attract tourists not only with its marine scenery, but also by constructing facilities on land to create new attractions.
The vice president also stated that the Palau National Aquaculture Center and giant clam conservation center are focal points of Taiwan-Palau cooperation. Over the past few years, she said, the Taiwan Technical Mission in Palau has been cultivating edible fish species including milkfish, benefitting local economic development. Since Palau places great importance on marine conservation, promoting the aquaculture industry remains a key developmental direction in terms of edible fish supply. The vice president also mentioned that on the previous day President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. personally explained to her his vision and plans for national development, which include promoting the aquaculture industry. She noted that President Whipps gave the example of milkfish, which he hopes can be used as bait for tuna in addition to being an edible fish species. In the future, she said, professional technical teams from Taiwan will continue to develop an industry model that balances Palau’s ecology and economic needs.
Regarding the upcoming visit to the Belau National Hospital, the vice president pointed out that medical cooperation has always been an important area of collaboration between Taiwan and Palau, especially since both countries face labor shortages. She mentioned that Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) has visited Palau many times to understand local medical needs. Over the past few years, she said, thanks to efforts by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan has continued to assist Palau in introducing new digital medical technologies, building digital infrastructure for telemedicine, and enhancing testing capacities. Whether it is a technical mission or medical team, she emphasized, it is clear that the cooperation between Taiwan and Palau has made tangible contributions to local residents, and it will continue to do so in the future.
The vice president said that she believes all Taiwanese take pride in this work, because Taiwan is a force for good in the world. She pointed out that Taiwan, in its foreign diplomacy efforts, uses soft power and technology to assist its allies in achieving sustainable development that meets the needs of local residents while developing together in mutual prosperity, which is also the focus of the Palau Prosperity Project.
Asked about the incident on June 8 in which a jeep was swept away by the rapidly rising waters of Fata’an Creek in Hualien, Taiwan, the vice president responded by stating that yesterday she had been monitoring the response to the incident. Fortunately, she said, with the full efforts of the search and rescue teams and the assistance of drones in the search, the trapped site manager has been successfully rescued, and is still receiving treatment in the hospital. She then wished him a speedy recovery.
The vice president pointed out that Taiwan has high mountains and swift rivers, and faces various disasters brought on by earthquakes and climate change. The Fata’an Creek barrier lake disaster last year highlighted the challenges posed by climate change and geography, she said, and from the perspective of whole-of-society defense resilience, Taiwan must build rapid disaster prevention, recovery, and relief capacities. The vice president said she also hopes to share the relevant experiences with our allies in the future, as island nations like Palau, she said, likewise face numerous challenges brought on by climate change.
The vice president also expressed concern over the gas explosion incident in Hsinchu and the flooding in various parts of Taiwan, stating that these accidents and disasters are heartbreaking. She also expressed gratitude to all the front-line personnel involved in rescue efforts, and emphasized that the disaster prevention capacities of Taiwanese society in dealing with various emergencies has always been an issue of great importance to President Lai Ching-te.
Palau Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment Steven Victor also attended these activities.
EMSD announces test results of LPG quality in May 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EMSD announces test results of LPG quality in May 2026
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (June 10) announced that the department collected eight liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in May 2026 for laboratory tests. The results show that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.
The detailed test results are available on the EMSD’s website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/gas_safety/lpg_vehicle_scheme/publications/general/results_of_lpg_sample_analysis/index.html). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD’s hotline on 2333 3762.
In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements.
Issued at HKT 10:45