Speech by SCST at gala dinner in celebration of Hong Kong Exhibition at Venice Biennale (English only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the gala dinner in celebration of Hong Kong Exhibition at Venice Biennale on May 8 (Venice time):

Mr Li Xiaoyong (Charge d’Affaires ad interim at the Chinese Embassy in Italy), Dr Ambrosetti (Ambassador of Italy to the People’s Republic of China, Dr Massimo Ambrosetti), Ms Bisson (Director of International Relations Department, Veneto Region Government, Ms Annalisa Bisson), Kenneth (Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Mr Kenneth Fok), Nancy (Chairman of the Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Mrs Nancy Lee), distinguished guests, cultural leaders, ladies and gentlemen,

SITI to visit Sweden and Finland

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, will depart for a visit to Sweden and Finland tomorrow (May 10) to strengthen ties and collaboration in areas such as innovation and technology (I&T) between Hong Kong and the two countries, and to study their local development experience in industry-academia-research integration.

During the visit, Professor Sun will visit universities and higher education institutions, research institutes and I&T facilities there. He will also meet with local government officials in charge of relevant policies as well as representatives of I&T organisations and technology enterprises.

Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong on May 15 afternoon. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, will be the Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.

CS to visit Jiangxi

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will depart for a visit to Jiangxi tomorrow morning (May 10) to attend the launch ceremony of the Long March exchange activity series for Hong Kong and Macao youth in Ruijin city on May 11.

     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 11. During Mr Chan’s absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration.

Labour Department to hold webinar on Minimum Wage Ordinance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Labour Department will hold a webinar on the Minimum Wage Ordinance on June 12 (Friday) at 3pm. Enrolment is now open.
 
     The main provisions of the Minimum Wage Ordinance, including the new Statutory Minimum Wage rate of $43.1 per hour effective from May 1, and the annual review mechanism of the Statutory Minimum Wage will be introduced in the webinar. Employers, employees and human resource practitioners are welcome to attend.
 
     The webinar will be conducted in Cantonese, and participation is free. Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and the enrolment deadline is May 28 (Thursday). The enrolment form can be downloaded from the Labour Department’s website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/MWOwebinar2026.htm). For enquiries, please call 2852 3861.

SED to lead delegation to attend World Digital Education Conference in Zhejiang

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will begin her visit to Zhejiang tomorrow (May 11), leading a delegation comprising representatives from primary schools, secondary schools and higher education institutions from Hong Kong to attend the 2026 World Digital Education Conference in Hangzhou. They will discuss the latest trends of digital education development with heads of education authorities, as well as representatives from the education sector and enterprises both from the Mainland and overseas. Dr Choi will also deliver a keynote speech.
 
During the trip, Dr Choi will visit a local school and an innovation and technology organisation to meet and exchange experience with education professionals.
 
Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on May 13. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.

“Shoreline Management Guideline for Coastal Development” to mitigate impacts of storm surges and overtopping waves

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

“Shoreline Management Guideline for Coastal Development” to mitigate impacts of storm surges and overtopping waves      
     The CEDD completed the Study on Shoreline Management Plan in 2024. The study provides guidance on planning and implementing urban coastal development and protection, as well as the formulation of long-term strategies and preventive measures to enhance the resilience of the Government and stakeholders against climate change. Based on the study’s findings and recommendations, the CEDD developed the Guideline, which outlines an integrated strategy of adaptation, resilience, and management to establish multilayered protection:
      The Guideline covers risk-based planning and design principles and procedures, as well as options and examples of protective measures. It serves as a practical guide for stakeholders with businesses operations in coastal or waterfront areas, assisting them in implementing relevant protective measures.
      
     The CEDD has also produced a brochure titled “Let’s Build a Resilient Coast”, which introduces the integrated strategy of adaptation, resilience, and management, as well as multilayered protection measures, while providing recommendations on architectural design and pre-typhoon preparations.
      
     Relevant information has been uploaded to the following webpages:Issued at HKT 17:00

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Over 2 700 quality job vacancies to be offered at “Embarking on a New Journey” Industry-based Job Fair

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     ​The Labour Department (LD) will hold the “Embarking on a New Journey” Industry-based Job Fair at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on May 12 and 13, providing a large number of vacancies from catering, retail, construction, hotel and other industries for job seekers.
 
     Over 60 organisations will participate in the two-day job fair, offering over 2 700 quality job vacancies from various industries, among which more than 2 500 are from the catering, retail, construction and hotel industries. Around 30 organisations will set up booths and conduct recruitment on the spot each day. A wide variety of positions will be offered at the job fair, including duty engineer, marketing development assistant, electrician, safety supervisor, assistant maintenance officer, assistant administration officer, quality assurance inspector, shop supervisor, cook, warehouse keeper, bartender, room attendant, guest services officer, security guard, cleaner and cashier. Job seekers can visit the LD’s Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk) for details of the vacancies.
 
     Around 79 per cent of the vacancies offered at the job fair are full-time jobs. Most vacancies offer monthly salaries ranging from $13,000 to $24,000. About 95 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Seven education level or below. Around 54 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant work experience.
 
     Job seekers can submit job applications during the event and may be selected for on-the-spot interviews. They can also make enquiries about the employment services provided by the LD at its counter inside the venue.
 
     The job fair will be held on May 12 and 13 from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok (near Mong Kok MTR Station Exit E2). Admission is free, with final admissions at 5pm each day.

LegCo to consider Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions, Concessionary Deductions and Allowances) Bill 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LegCo to consider Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions, Concessionary Deductions and Allowances) Bill 2026 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (May 13) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions, Concessionary Deductions and Allowances) Bill 2026 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
 
     On Government motion, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move a proposed resolution under the Loans Ordinance. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 1.
 
     On Members’ motions, Mr Andrew Yao will move a motion on “Comprehensively enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong as an international shipping centre”. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Ms Julia Lau will move an amendment to Mr Yao’s motion.
 
     Mr Hung Kam-in will move a motion on “Promoting the development of Hong Kong’s silver economy to align with national strategies”. The motion is set out in Appendix 3. Ms Julia Lau will move an amendment to Mr Hung’s motion.
 
     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
 
     The agenda of the above meeting is available on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:32

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Government invites public views on outline of its combined fourth and fifth UNCRPD reports

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Government invites public views on outline of its combined fourth and fifth UNCRPD reports 
     The UNCRPD entered into force for the PRC, including the HKSAR, on August 31, 2008. The purpose of the UNCRPD is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
 
     In accordance with Article 35 of the UNCRPD, each State Party shall periodically submit reports on the measures taken to discharge its obligations under the UNCRPD for consideration by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Committee). The HKSAR Government submitted its combined second and third reports on the implementation of the UNCRPD in 2018, which were subsequently incorporated into the combined second and third reports submitted by the country to the United Nations, and the reports were considered by the Committee in 2022.
 
     A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) said, “We will report the specific situations on the implementation of the UNCRPD in the HKSAR since the previous reports. We will also respond in the reports to the concerns raised and recommendations made by the Committee in its Concluding Observations published after the hearings held in 2022.”
 
     The public consultation period commences today and will end on June 30. The LWB and the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee will cohost public consultation sessions during the consultation period for all members of the public to express their views. Details of the public consultation sessions and the registration arrangements have been published on the LWB’s website (https://www.lwb.gov.hk/en/highlights/UNCRPD/index.html 
     “We shall summarise comments received during the consultation period and relay them to the relevant Government bureaux and departments for consideration in preparing the combined fourth and fifth UNCRPD reports,” the spokesman said.
 
     The proposed outline of the combined fourth and fifth reports under the UNCRPD is available on the LWB’s website (
https://www.lwb.gov.hk/en/highlights/UNCRPD/Publications/Public%20consultation%20paper_Eng.pdf 
     For enquiries, please contact the LWB by fax (2543 0486) or email (
uncrpd_consultation@lwb.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:34

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Chai Wan Maternal and Child Health Centre suspends service due to burst water pipe

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Chai Wan Maternal and Child Health Centre suspends service due to burst water pipe      
     The Chai Wan MCHC, located on Level 2 of the Government Office at Block 6, New Jade Garden, Chai Wan, normally operates on Tuesdays and Fridays.
      
     The DH will work closely with relevant departments to ensure that repairs are completed and that the Chai Wan MCHC reopens as soon as possible.
Issued at HKT 18:30

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