Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE leads delegation to continue visit to Kazakhstan (with photos/videos)
In the morning, Mr Lee visited Baiterek National Investment Holding, a national investment holding company of Kazakhstan, and met with the Chairman of the Board, Mr Rustam Timurovich Karagoishin. The company is a key financial operator of Kazakhstan’s Government, with subsidiaries covering development bank, an entrepreneurship development fund, export insurance and housing, for promoting the sustainable growth of Kazakhstan’s economy. He encouraged the company to leverage Hong Kong’s well-established financial system and professional services to strengthen co-operation in areas such as infrastructure financing, bonds, and green finance. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is pushing ahead at full speed with the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM), which covers multiple innovation and technology (I&T) and infrastructure projects, and serves as a new engine for Hong Kong’s future development. He welcomed the company to explore the development potential of the NM and to jointly create new business opportunities.
Afterwards, Mr Lee met with Mr Bektenov to exchange views on strengthening bilateral co-operation. He noted that at the beginning of this year, Hong Kong was the world’s 10th-largest net investor in Kazakhstan, and Asia’s fourth-largest, reflecting close economic and trade ties between the two places. Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantages of having strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. Hong Kong is an international financial, shipping and trading centre, and ranks No. 1 globally in economic freedom, enabling it to build bridges and create opportunities for investors. Hong Kong has been leveraging its world-leading professional services to help enterprises go global. He expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Kazakhstan would strengthen hub-to-hub connectivity, with Kazakhstan serving as a hub for Hong Kong to connect with the Central Asian market, and Hong Kong serving as a hub for Kazakhstan to enter East and Southeast Asian markets, thereby establishing a hub-to-hub co-operation model for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
At noon, Mr Lee attended a business luncheon hosted by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, where he delivered a speech to local political and business representatives, introducing Hong Kong’s business advantages and development opportunities.
In his speech at the luncheon, Mr Lee was pleased to announce that multiple outcomes had been achieved during this visit. Notably, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan have agreed to push ahead at full speed with exploratory discussions on a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, and discussions on an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, with the aim of concluding such agreements as soon as possible. In addition, a Hong Kong airline plans to launch direct flights to Almaty in the first quarter of 2027, further promoting economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong business delegation has so far concluded a total of 43 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering areas including aviation, finance and trade, I&T, the digital economy, and green development. Discussions are continuing, and more co-operation agreements are expected to be reached.
In the afternoon, Mr Lee visited Samruk-Kazyna, the national sovereign wealth fund of Kazakhstan, and met with its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nurlan Zhakupov, to learn about the fund’s diversified portfolio of assets and Kazakhstan’s investment strategies across different sectors. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong, as a safe harbour, offers a stable and secure investment environment. Hong Kong, ranked first globally in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings in the first quarter of this year, is an ideal listing and financing destination for the assets under the fund. He encouraged projects under the fund to list in Hong Kong and to make good use of Hong Kong’s capital markets for investment risk diversification.
Mr Lee subsequently met with the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Mr Arman Shakkaliyev, to exchange views on further deepening bilateral trade co-operation. Hong Kong is the world’s fifth-largest trading entity in the merchandise trade economy, firmly supports and upholds free trade and multilateralism, and continues to expand its global trade network. Kazakhstan is actively expanding its role as a regional trading hub, promoting digital commerce and modernising its markets. There is vast room for co-operation between the two places in areas such as trade, logistics and financial technology. Enterprises in Kazakhstan can use Hong Kong as a gateway for exploring the markets of the Mainland and Asia. Hong Kong will continue to play its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, working hand in hand with Kazakhstan to explore new opportunities in economic and trade co-operation.
Mr Lee will continue his visit to Kazakhstan tomorrow (June 3) before proceeding to Uzbekistan to continue his visit programme.
Issued at HKT 20:44
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LegCo Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services visits Judiciary
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
At the invitation of the Judiciary, the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services visited the Judiciary today (June 2) to meet with members of the Judiciary and toured the Mega Courtroom at the Wanchai Law Courts Building.
The Chairman of the Panel, Ms Carmen Kan, the Deputy Chairman of the Panel, Mr Holden Chow and other LegCo Members first visited the Court of Final Appeal Building in Central to meet with the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung; the Chief Judge of the High Court, Mr Justice Jeremy Poon; the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, Madam Justice Carlye Chu, to exchange views on major issues relating to the administration of justice.
Members then visited the Mega Courtroom at the Wanchai Law Courts Building, where they were updated on the progress of the development of the new District Court Building on Caroline Hill Road by the Judiciary Administrator, Ms Esther Leung. They were also given a presentation and demonstration on major initiatives on the use of technology in court operations, including the integrated Court Case Management System, guidelines on using generative artificial intelligence, remote hearings, e-bundle hearings, voice-to-text technology, as well as digital evidence presentation and exhibits handling at court hearings.
A total of 15 members and non-members of the Panel on Administration of Judiciary and Legal Services participated in the visit.
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1 million
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 1) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and seized about 5.8 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1 million.
A male passenger, aged 26, arrived in Hong Kong from Macao yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds in his luggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
After investigation, the arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (June 3).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Digital Policy Office introduces initiatives to promote cybersecurity in 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Digital Policy Office (DPO) introduced the key initiatives for the second half of the year and reviewed the work on promoting cybersecurity in the first half of the year at the 2026 Cybersecurity Initiatives Briefing today (June 2). Representatives from the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) and the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) also shared the latest cybercrime trends and a series of measures to enhance the overall cybersecurity defence capabilities of the community.
The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, stated that in the face of the opportunities and challenges brought by the deep integration of emerging technologies, such as AI, into daily life and business operations, the Government has adhered to a strategy that places equal emphasis on security and development. It has adopted a multipronged approach to continuously strengthen Hong Kong’s overall cyber resilience. Reviewing the DPO’s cybersecurity efforts in the first half of the year, Mr Cheung stated that the DPO, in collaboration with industry partners, launched various cybersecurity activities across campuses, enterprises and the community. These initiatives included the debut of a phishing email exercise for secondary school students, phishing SMS exercises, the launch of the CyberDefenders’ Alliance Card Game and an AI-generated four-panel comic contest, all aimed at raising public awareness of the latest cyber risks and introducing practical protective measures.
Statement by EDB on SMS incident of Central Allocation for Primary One Admission
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (June 2) clarified the incident of erroneous SMS notifications regarding Primary One Admission (POA) sent to Hong Kong parents, and expressed its deepest apologies for any inconvenience caused.
An EDB spokesperson said that according to preliminary investigations, the results of the Central Allocation for POA, originally scheduled to be announced starting tomorrow (June 3), were mistakenly sent ahead of schedule today due to an operational error in the sending procedure of the system. Upon learning of the incident, the EDB immediately took action to correct the procedure.
To safeguard the interests of every student, the EDB immediately conducted a comprehensive and rigorous review of the allocation information for all students after the incident. The EDB hereby clarifies to parents that the SMS notifications this morning do not affect the allocation results.
The EDB also notified parents via SMS this morning, advising them to disregard the earlier SMS notifications regarding POA. The EDB also appealed to parents not to contact the schools hastily. The EDB has immediately set up dedicated hotlines (telephone: 2832 7700/2832 7740) to respond to parents’ enquiries. All official POA results with complete and accurate registration details will be released as originally scheduled, starting from 7.30am tomorrow (June 3).
The spokesperson emphasised that the EDB’s information systems have been operating reliably. After an immediate and thorough check by the technical team, it was confirmed that the systems were not subject to any cyberattack or hacker intrusion. The core database remains intact. This incident is entirely unrelated to information security or cybersecurity. The personal data of parents and students are highly encrypted and protected.
The EDB attaches great importance to this incident and has immediately set up a crisis management team to follow up on the matter, and will conduct a comprehensive review of the systems, procedures, and manpower support. If any negligence by personnel or procedural errors is found, the EDB will seriously follow up the matter. The EDB will further enhance the monitoring processes of the systems and dissemination mechanisms to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The EDB once again thanks schools and parents for their understanding and will make every effort to ensure the smooth release of the official allocation results tomorrow.
InvestHK provides new taste of Portugal: pastry brand Manteigaria debuts in Central for city’s egg tart devotees
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (June 2) that Manteigaria, the Portuguese bakery brand renowned for its freshly baked Pastéis de Nata (original Portuguese egg tarts), has officially opened its first Hong Kong store in Central. The opening marks a significant milestone in the company’s international expansion and reinforces Hong Kong’s appeal as a strategic gateway for heritage food and beverage brands seeking entry into the diverse Asian market.
The Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Mr Arnold Lau, said, “We welcome Manteigaria to Hong Kong to the delight of our city’s passionate egg tart fans. Just as an authentic pastry store can transform a neighbourhood, a vibrant gastronomic scene draws talent and investment to a world-class city. Manteigaria’s arrival reinforces Hong Kong’s identity as a dynamic crossroads of East and West – a city that appeals to diverse taste buds while serving as a premier destination for global business.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Portugália Restauração, the restaurant group that owns Manteigaria, Mr Francisco Carvalho Martins, said, “Hong Kong consumers are curious, cosmopolitan, and uncompromising about taste. Our brand seeks a globally recognised market that values both heritage and innovation, and Hong Kong is exactly that. We see the city as the perfect stage from which to spread the aroma of our original, freshly baked Pastéis de Nata, and a key catalyst for our growth journey in Asia.”
Founded in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2014, Manteigaria is part of Portugália Restauração, a restaurant group with over a century of heritage. Today, Manteigaria operates over 20 bakeries across Portugal, France, Macao and Spain. The brand’s Portuguese egg tarts are baked fresh daily in an open kitchen using traditional methods perfected in Lisbon, delivering a crisp, buttery pastry with a smooth, velvety custard, often enjoyed with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
Driven by strong confidence in Hong Kong’s vibrant culinary sector, Manteigaria plans to open six locations across the city by the end of 2027. InvestHK has worked closely with Portugalia Restauração and Manteigaria throughout the process, providing go-to-market strategies, local market insights, and access to the city’s high-quality supplier network to facilitate its successful launch and continued expansion.
For more information about Manteigaria, please visit www.manteigaria.com.
Proposed amendments to Sweeteners in Food Regulations
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Government proposes to amend the Sweeteners in Food Regulations (Cap.132U), with a view to better protecting public health and harmonising with international standards. The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will first consult the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene on June 9 (see Annex for the discussion paper) and plan to conduct a public consultation within this year.
Sweeteners are food additives that impart a sweet taste to food in place of sugars. Like other food additives, sweeteners are permitted for use only after stringent safety evaluations that demonstrate they are fit for consumption. When reviewing the Regulations and formulating the proposed amendments, the Government has taken into account the standards established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Mainland standards, the dietary habits and intake of the local population, as well as the practices of other major food trading partners of Hong Kong. The proposed amendments are supported by the Expert Committee on Food Safety.
A Government spokesman said, “The proposed amendments mainly include bringing polyhydric alcohols under the regulatory scope, expanding the list of permitted sweeteners and setting maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for different ‘sweetener-food’ pairs. The CFS has collected food samples from the local market to analyse their sweetener content. Among some 900 tests conducted, about 98 per cent were in compliance with the proposed MPLs. We are confident that the food trade can adapt to the proposed amendments, and propose to provide a transitional period following the completion of the legislative process. The CFS will also conduct technical meetings for the trade and issue user guidelines to facilitate the trade in understanding and complying with the new requirements.”
The Government plans to consult the public on the proposed amendments to the Regulations within this year, and will consider the feedback received to prepare the subsidiary legislation to amend the Regulations for tabling at the Legislative Council for scrutiny.
Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote construction standardisation to enhance competitiveness of GBA’s construction industry
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote construction standardisation to enhance competitiveness of GBA’s construction industry
Before the signing ceremony, Ms Linn, Mr Guo, Mr Fan and Mr Lau exchanged views on the latest developments of the construction industry in Guangdong and Hong Kong, as well as deepening co‑operation between the two places and promoting high-quality development of the construction industry in the GBA. They also explored how construction standardisation could drive the collaborative development of the construction industry and advanced construction technologies, including optimising the application and collaboration of the Modular Integrated Construction method, with a view to jointly leading the GBA’s construction industry onto the international stage.
Issued at HKT 20:18
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Glamourous showcase of rare cultural treasures at “Hong Kong Film Archive Stories: Treasure Hunting for 25 Years” radiate extraordinary charm of Hong Kong cinema
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present the exhibition “Hong Kong Film Archive Stories: Treasure Hunting for 25 Years” at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from tomorrow (June 3) to March 29 next year. The exhibition will showcase nearly 1 000 items of treasures of Hong Kong film culture that the HKFA has acquired, restored and preserved over the years, among which more than 100 items are making their debut, to demonstrate the enduring charm of Hong Kong cinema. The artefacts will also serve to look back on the HKFA’s efforts in carrying forward Hong Kong’s cinematic heritage over the past quarter century.
Silver screen legends across a century
The exhibition is meticulously crafted through a collaboration between visual effects master Victor Wong as the Technology and Artistic Director, renowned art director and textile costume culture expert Edith Cheung and film culture researcher Janice Chow as Exhibition Consultants, and the HKFA, with the full support of eight major film companies. At the exhibition entrance, the immersive star-studded tunnel display “Starry Portraits at 25” presents the film stills of numerous movie stars at the age of 25, enlightening visitors through a captivating journey across a century of cinematic legends.
Precious artifacts revive early cinematic scenes
Featuring a curated selection of precious artefacts and images from the HKFA’s collection, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey back to the golden age of early cinema. They include a film still for the silent film “Join the Army and Live” (1926) as well as the most representative donations to the HKFA over the years, including the diary of Hong Kong film pioneer Lai Man-wai and the 1903 building plan for the Tai Ping Theatre, a large-scale cinema in Sai Wan built in the early 20th century.
Film trailers re-enacting evolution of film industry
Over 60 trailers from early films and melodrama, musical, comedy and martial arts films, as well as international versions of trailers for overseas releases of films are screened at the “Screening Room of Trailers – Highlights of Hong Kong Film Trailers” zone, including a trailer of “The Story of a Discharged Prisoner” (1967) directed by Patrick Lung, a film from which John Woo drew inspiration to direct his eponymous classic 20 years later. An additional promotional clip for “Knockabout” (1979) which has been specially produced to feature the handsome physicality and solid skills of Yuen Biao is another rare treasure to be seen. This zone also features oral history interviews where directors, film editors, dubbing artists and others explain the production processes of film trailers, deepening visitors’ understanding of the craftsmanship behind the scenes.
Revisiting classics through fascinating costumes of megastars
The HKFA has long been dedicated to preserving film costumes. The exhibition will showcase a series of classic costumes and precious accessories, including debuts of some selected film costumes of legendary film stars, such as Li Lihua in “Red Rose” (1952), Betty Loh Ti in “The Three Loves” (1956), Hsia Moon in “Bride Hunter” (1961), and Zhang Ziyi in “House of Flying Daggers” (2004). This zone also features manuscripts and historical records related to film costumes, and outlines the journey that costumes in the HKFA’s collection pass through, from acquisition, restoration, preservation to exhibition.
Showcasing glorious achievements of Hong Kong cinema
Since the 1950s, the Hong Kong film industry has garnered numerous awards from major film festivals and professional organisations. Forty-six of these are on display in this exhibition, inviting visitors to appreciate the achievements of filmmakers’ years of dedication and hard work, from as early as the Silver Sail for Best Actor won by Kwan Shan at the Locarno International Film Festival for “The True Story of Ah Q” (1958), the Silver Bear for Best Actress won by Josephine Siao for “Summer Snow” (1995), and the Silver Bear for Best Director won by Yim Ho for “The Sun Has Ears” (1996) at the Berlin International Film Festival, to such newly collected items as Best Costume and Makeup Design won by Bruce Yu and Karen Yip for “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” (2024), and Best Film Editing won by William Chang for “Sons of the Neon Night” (2025) at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
Over 100 filmmakers appearing to share their experience
The Oral History Project, launched in 1994, has researched the history of Hong Kong cinema’s development from all perspectives through extensive interviews with film veterans. The exhibition showcases precious interview clips of over 100 filmmakers. Videos titled “‘A Filmmaker, A Story’ Parts 1 & 2” will be shown at the exhibition, with a number of filmmakers sharing their own invaluable experiences in the industry, illustrating the creation of films from preparation, shooting to post-production. For example, Tsui Hark, the producer of “Swordsman II” (1992), shares how he went against opinions of others to cast actress Brigitte Lin as Dongfang Bubai, a male character in the original novel. The HKFA has also produced an oral history video titled “25 Key Figures and Events in Hong Kong Cinema”, focusing on film companies, film personalities, genres and cultural phenomena, while introducing outstanding figures in Hong Kong’s cinematic history.
The exhibition features several photo spots, including an interactive installation, “Galaxy Station”, for visitors to take photos with images of movie stars from different eras when they were 25 years of age. Visitors can also take pictures at a poster wall, where classic film posters are mixed with neon light signs of film titles.
The exhibition also showcases video messages from filmmakers of different generations congratulating the HKFA for its 25th anniversary. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Public Libraries, the HKFA has curated the “The Bookstore” zone, featuring a selection of the HKFA’s previous publications, allowing readers to savour the rich essence of Hong Kong cinema.
To tie in with the exhibition, free screenings of eight restored Hong Kong film classics will be held at the theatre on the first floor of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from June to November. Audience members will be admitted to the theatre 15 minutes before the programme commences. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The film screening schedule is as follows:
| June 13 (Saturday) | 11am | The Valiant Ones (1975) (4K Digitally Restored Version) |
| June 13 (Saturday) | 3pm | Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983) (4K Digitally Restored Version) |
| June 14 (Sunday) | 11am | Colourful Youth (1966) (Restored Version) |
| June 14 (Sunday) | 3pm | The Wild, Wild Rose (1960) (4K Digitally Restored Version) |
| July 19 (Sunday) | 3pm | The Secret (1979) (Restored Version) |
| August 8 (Saturday) | 3pm | Father and Son (1981) (4K Digitally Restored Version) |
| October 3 (Saturday) | 3pm | Feast of a Rich Family (1959) (4K Digitally Restored Version) |
| November 14 (Saturday) | 3pm | Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom (1959) (Restored Version) |
The exhibition is supported by eight major film companies as Partner Organisations, including Edko Films Limited, Far Sun Film Co Ltd, Star Alliance Movies (HK) Co Ltd, Fortune Star Media Limited, First Distributors (HK) Ltd., Cathay-Keris Films Pte Ltd, Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd., and Media Asia Film Distribution (HK) Limited.
For details of the exhibition and screenings, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/25a-hm/pe-event-2026-25a-hm.html or call 2739 2139.
The exhibition is one of the programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2026. With “Beyond Fantasy” as this year’s theme, the LCSD is presenting the fourth Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival. For more information, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk.
John Lee meets Kazakhstan PM
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee continued his trip to Kazakhstan by meeting Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, visiting various enterprises, and witnessing the achievement of multiple outcomes among government departments, enterprises and organisations of Hong Kong, the Mainland and Kazakhstan.
In the morning, Mr Lee visited a national investment holding company and met its Chairman of the Board Rustam Timurovich Karagoishin.
He welcomed the company to explore the development potential of the Northern Metropolis and jointly create new business opportunities.
The Chief Executive then met Olzhas Bektenov to exchange views on strengthening bilateral co-operation. He expressed hope that Hong Kong and Kazakhstan would strengthen hub-to-hub connectivity.
Mr Lee then attended and gave a speech at a business luncheon, noting that he was pleased to announce that multiple outcomes had been achieved during this visit.
Notably, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan have agreed to push ahead at full speed with exploratory discussions on a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, and discussions on an Investment Promotion & Protection Agreement, with the aim of concluding such agreements as soon as possible.
Additionally, a Hong Kong airline plans to launch direct flights to Almaty in the first quarter of 2027, further promoting economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong business delegation has so far concluded a total of 43 memoranda of understanding and agreements covering areas including aviation, finance and trade, innovation and technology, the digital economy, and green development.
In the afternoon, Mr Lee visited the national sovereign wealth fund of Kazakhstan and met its Chief Executive Officer Nurlan Zhakupov to learn about the fund’s diversified portfolio of assets and Kazakhstan’s investment strategies across different sectors.
During a meeting with the Minister of Trade & Integration of Kazakhstan, the officials exchanged views on further deepening bilateral trade co-operation.