Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
AFCD signs agreement with Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Shandong Province to strengthen agricultural and fisheries co-operation (with photo)Issued at HKT 18:30
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Algernon Yau to visit Chongqing
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart tomorrow for Chongqing, where he will attend the 7th Western China International Fair for Investment & Trade and seek to strengthen Hong Kong’s economic and trade exchanges with the Mainland city.
Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on May 23. During his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary.
Audible traffic signals to be upgraded
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Transport Department today announced a citywide gradual renewal of electronic audible traffic signals (eATS) at signalised crossings, with new features being incorporated that provide convenience for the visually impaired and other people.
The original units indicate the status of pedestrian traffic to visually impaired people by emitting sound and vibration signals so that they know when to cross the road safely.
At some crossings with higher vehicle flows and lower pedestrian traffic, eATS units are equipped with a pedestrian push-button function. The green pedestrian signal will only be activated after it is pressed, allowing more vehicles to pass through the junction.
Besides retaining these existing functions, five new features have been added to the new-generation eATS units to better meet users’ needs.
An illumination unit is installed at the top of the new units, making it easier for those with amblyopia to locate the pedestrian crossing.
Secondly, a tactile map is provided on the side of the units, providing layout information about the crossing for the visually impaired.
A voice message about the crossing’s location is also added. By pressing the activation button at the bottom, the device will read out the name of streets near the crossing in Cantonese, Putonghua and English to inform users of their location.
Fourthly, a touchless pedestrian push button sensor is provided, allaying users’ hygiene concerns.
The fifth feature is a new night-time operation mode. When no visually impaired people are seeking to cross the road at night, the unit’s operating volume will be lower than the existing level to reduce its impact on neighbouring residents.
Visually impaired people can use the remote-control function on a newly designed dedicated wireless device, or the “HKeMobility” mobile app, to temporarily increase volume on an eATS unit when they need to cross the road.
About 15,000 dedicated wireless devices will be distributed free of charge to visually impaired people in the third quarter of this year to launch the new function.
The Transport Department said most of the existing eATS units have exceeded their normal lifespan after being in operation for over two decades, adding that their fault rate has been increasing, necessitating a large-scale replacement.
The department commenced replacement of some 13,000 eATS units at about 2,000 junctions across the city from April in phases, and the replacement is expected to be completed by end-2027.
Education chief joins London forum
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin attended the Education World Forum 2025 in London on May 19 where she highlighted Hong Kong’s experience in achieving quality and equity in education.
Under the five key themes this year, namely Stability, Equity, Quality, Innovation and Growth, Ms Choi shared Hong Kong’s practical experience with education ministers and senior officials from various countries and regions.
This year, the forum focused on the development of inclusive education systems that drive equitable and sustainable socio-economic growth. In her keynote speech titled “How & why should education systems improve equity & increase quality?”, Ms Choi introduced Hong Kong’s policy measures and achievements in providing quality and equitable education.
She said that, in achieving quality education, Hong Kong has been participating in various international assessments to understand more about the capabilities of Hong Kong students and the key factors that shape their learning effectiveness.
Hong Kong students’ overall performance in both the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics & Science Study exceeding the international average is a testament to the brilliance of students, the teaching effectiveness of schools and teachers, and the strengths of Hong Kong’s education system.
The Education Bureau attaches great importance to teachers’ continuing professional development. To enhance teachers’ professional competencies, the bureau has been providing diversified training programmes, organising teacher professional development programmes in collaboration with local, Mainland and overseas universities, and offering scholarships to encourage teachers to participate in overseas exchanges and training activities.
In terms of education equity, PISA results showed that the family background and socio-economic status of Hong Kong students had a relatively small impact on their performance, reflecting that Hong Kong’s education system enables equal education opportunities.
To ensure that every student has access to quality education, the bureau has developed a broad and balanced 15-year school curriculum framework, and in addition to engaging students in a diverse range of life-wide learning activities, it offers various programmes to support e-learning.
The bureau has also been providing non-Chinese speaking students with all-encompassing learning support and implementing the Whole School Approach to Integrated Education.
Apart from delivering the keynote speech, Ms Choi met several UK education officials, including UK Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson, UK Minister of State (Minister for School Standards) at the Department for Education Catherine McKinnell and UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Children & Families) at the Department for Education Janet Daby, to discuss the strengthening of education collaboration between the two places.
Additionally, Ms Choi met education officials from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka attending the forum to explore room for education collaboration between Hong Kong and Belt & Road countries. She also met an official of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology to discuss the strengthening of education co-operation.
Ms Choi then visited Imperial College London to learn about its experience in the promotion of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) education in secondary and primary schools, as well as the preparation of the relevant teaching materials for schools.
Furthermore, Ms Choi paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang to introduce the latest education developments in Hong Kong.
On May 20, the education chief will meet local education officials to discuss enhancing higher education collaboration between the UK and Hong Kong. She also plans to exchange views with representatives of several UK universities and share Hong Kong’s latest developments in building into an international education hub.
Ms Choi will conclude her visit on the same day and return to Hong Kong.
SED shares Hong Kong’s experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the Education World Forum (EWF) 2025 in London, the United Kingdom (UK), on May 19 (London time). Under the five key themes this year, namely Stability, Equity, Quality, Innovation and Growth, Dr Choi shared Hong Kong’s practical experience with education ministers and senior officials from various countries and regions.
The EWF is the largest gathering of education and skills ministers in the world, providing an excellent platform for discussing education policies and strengthening education ties. This year, the forum focused on the development of inclusive education systems that drive equitable and sustainable socio-economic growth. In her keynote speech titled “How and why should education systems improve equity and increase quality?”, Dr Choi introduced Hong Kong’s policy measures and achievements in providing quality and equitable education.
SCED to visit Chongqing
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SCED to visit Chongqing
Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 23. The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development during Mr Yau’s absence.
Issued at HKT 16:45
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TD renews electronic audible traffic signals at crossings to provide convenience for visually impaired persons and public at large (with photos/videos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
TD renews electronic audible traffic signals at crossings to provide convenience for visually impaired persons and public at large (with photos/videos) A spokesman for the TD said, “We have consulted the Subcommittee on Access under the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee and the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, and have been maintaining good communication with representatives of visually impaired groups to optimise the functions and settings of the new eATS. The operation of the new eATS under the pilot project earlier has been smooth, and we are pleased to note the overall satisfaction of visually impaired groups with various new features which better cater for and strike a fine balance between the needs of the users and the public at large. This is conducive to upgrading the road safety experience in Hong Kong as we aspire to be barrier-free city.”
The spokesman added that most of the existing eATS have been in operation for over two decades, exceeding their normal lifespan. Their fault rate has also been gradually increasing, necessitating a large-scale replacement. The TD commenced replacement of a total of some 13 000 eATS at about 2 000 junctions across the territory from April 2025 in phases, and is expected to complete the replacement by end-2027.
Issued at HKT 13:00
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S for Housing commences visit to Paris (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
S for Housing commences visit to Paris
In the morning, Ms Ho visited a social housing project which is undergoing renovation and will be upgraded into an energy saving and environmentally friendly building. She learned about the city’s ways to minimise impacts of the works on the residents while they remain in place during the renovation. During the visit, Ms Ho shared the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA)’s experience in redeveloping aged public housing estates. This included conducting detailed studies and listening carefully to stakeholders’ views through diversified means to forge a consensus and formulate the most suitable and cost-effective redevelopment plans to ensure that the needs of affected residents are catered for, while improving the environment of the public housing estates and neighbourhood. Furthermore, to enhance the sense of well-being of the residents, the Housing Bureau (HB) and the HKHA launched a resident-oriented “Well-being design” guide last year. It serves as a reference for the future design of new public housing estates and the improvement works of existing estates to create a more comfortable and inclusive estate environment.
She visited a zero carbon district in Paris, Îlot Fertile, in the afternoon. Îlot Fertile is a composite development project with abundant green space, integrating social housing, office, commercial, retail, hostels and more. Renewable energy systems and innovative construction technologies are adopted during the construction to implement low-carbon building initiatives and enhance energy efficiency in buildings.
Ms Ho said that air ventilation assessments and microclimate studies are carried out for the HKHA’s new public housing developments to enhance environmental performance in aspects such as wind environment, natural ventilation and natural light exposure in buildings. The HB and the HKHA have also been actively promoting the application of innovative construction technologies such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) and construction robotics. These help to enhance construction quality and efficiency, shorten construction time and greatly reduce material waste, making the construction more environment friendly. Hong Kong and Paris share the same vision in promoting energy saving and green buildings, and she hoped to strengthen relevant co-operation between the two cities.
Ms Ho visited the Construction Innovation Centre at the Bouygues Construction headquarters afterwards. She met with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bouygues Construction Group (the Group), Mr Pascal Minault, and Deputy CEO of the Group Mr Pierre-Éric Saint-André to exchange ideas on the latest smart building technologies, green building and sustainable urban development. Ms Ho said that Bouygues Construction and Dragages Hong Kong, headed by the Group, have established a presence in Hong Kong for many years, and have contributed in various infrastructure, government buildings and public housing projects. She looked forward to continued collaboration in driving the industry to usher in a new era of smart construction.
Ms Ho will continue her visit today (May 20, Paris time).
Issued at HKT 13:04
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CSSA caseload for April 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CSSA caseload for April 2025Issued at HKT 17:00
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Monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes for April remains at lowest level
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes for April remains at lowest level
In April, all 64 survey areas recorded a gravidtrap index level lower than the alert level of 20 per cent. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in April was 1.1, which means that an average of 1.1 Aedes albopictus adult was found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk
The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.Issued at HKT 17:00
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