Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (May 22) that, after considering the requests from prospective tenderers, the tender closing date of the open tender for the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in Kai Tak (SGMTS in Kai Tak) (Contract No. ED/2025/18) has been extended from the original date of July 3, 2026, to August 14, 2026.

A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) said, “In response to recent feedback from a number of prospective tenderers requesting more time to prepare their tender submissions, and considering that the SGMTS in Kai Tak is the first smart and green mass transit system in Hong Kong to be launched through open tender and the transit-oriented development approach which involves innovative development methods, the TLB has decided to suitably extend the tendering period by six weeks to August 14.

“The Government welcomes the positive market feedback on the SGMTS in Kai Tak, with many large enterprises making requests for tender documents and enquiring about the tender details multiple times during the tendering period. Suitably extending the tendering period will allow tenderers sufficient time to prepare, so that the selected proposal will result in a high quality and cost-effective transport infrastructure that brings significant benefits to the community.”

The spokesperson emphasised that the extension of the tendering period will not affect the Government’s targets of awarding the contract this year and completing the SGMTS in Kai Tak by 2031.

Details of the tender notice are available on the Civil Engineering and Development Department’s website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html). Tenderers must deposit their tenders by noon on August 14, 2026 (Friday), in the tender box as specified in the tender notice. Late tenders will not be accepted.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2026 (Info Expo) organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) will be held today and tomorrow (May 22 and 23) at Hall 3G of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With the participation of around 30 post-secondary institutions and organisations, the latest information on multiple pathways will be provided to senior secondary school students, parents and teachers with a view to better preparing students for different articulation and career plans. 

A spokesman for the EDB said that with the parallel development of the self-financing and publicly funded post-secondary education sectors, the Government has long been committed to providing quality, flexible and diversified study pathways with multiple entry and exit points for secondary school graduates.

In the 2026/27 academic year, there are about 52 700 full-time government-funded and self-financing locally accredited post-secondary places to be provided by various institutions, comprising about 24 100 undergraduate places and about 28 600 sub-degree places. Some institutions also provide the Diploma of Applied Education (DAE) and other programmes. Hence, there will be sufficient places for eligible students to pursue further studies in Hong Kong.

The opening ceremony of the Info Expo was officiated by the Chairman of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education (CSPE), Dr Alex Chan, with CSPE members and representatives of self-financing post-secondary institutions and relevant organisations in attendance. 

The Info Expo provides information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes (including programmes eligible for government subsidy schemes, vocational and professional education and training programmes and applied degree programmes) and DAE programmes, as well as relevant online platforms such as the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS), the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP), the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education (Concourse) and the Qualifications Framework. There are also more than 10 thematic talks on various programmes, preparation and strategies for articulation to post-secondary education, and experience sharing by post-secondary students. 

Admission is free for the two-day Info Expo, and prior registration is not required. Secondary students, especially current graduates, parents and teachers, are all welcome to participate. 

For the details of the Info Expo, please visit the event website (www.cspe.edu.hk/en/Resources-CareerGuidance-MultiplePathwaysExpo.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (May 22) gazetted a notice to invite tenders for the contract for Site Formation and Infrastructure Works at Tai Kei Leng and Shap Pat Heung, Yuen Long (Contract No. CV/2026/01). The closing time for the tender is noon on July 17.

The works mainly comprise:

(1) site formation of about 5 hectares of land and construction of associated retaining walls and slopes;
(2) road improvement works at Shap Pat Heung Interchange; 
(3) widening of Long Ho Road; and
(4) ancillary works including water supply, drainage, sewerage and landscaping works. 

The works are scheduled to commence in December 2026 and will take about 48 months to complete.

The CEDD has commissioned Binnies Hong Kong Limited to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors can download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS). Tenderers must submit tenders in electronic format via the e-TS.

Details of the tender notice are available on the CEDD website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html). For enquiries, please call Binnies Hong Kong Limited at 2601 1000 during office hours.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (May 22):
 
     A 72-year-old male patient in the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics was confirmed on May 20 to be carrying Candida auris. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced a contact tracing investigation, which identified two additional male patients (aged 69 and 87) in the same ward as carriers of Candida auris. In addition, an 88-year-old male patient was identified as carrying Candida auris during admission screening at Kowloon Hospital following his transfer. All three patients show no signs of infection.
 
     The four patients are now being treated in isolation. One patient has been transferred to Kowloon Hospital and is in stable condition. The other three remain in isolation at Kwong Wah Hospital, all in stable condition.
 
     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards, including the environment and medical equipment;
2. enhanced medical surveillance of the patients and screening procedures for patients and the environment in the wards; and
3. applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff.

 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Buildings Department approved 14 building plans in March – six on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and three in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, five were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial developments, and five were for community services developments.

Consent was given for works to start on six building projects. Upon completion, they will provide 6,182 sq m of domestic gross floor area involving 172 units, and 20,687 sq m of non-domestic gross floor area.

Additionally, the department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for four building projects.

It also issued 18 occupation permits – four on Hong Kong Island, six in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.

The buildings certified for occupation comprise 31,910 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 775 units, and 48,386 sq m for non-domestic use.

Meanwhile, the department received 2,678 reports about unauthorised building works in March, issued 754 removal orders, and gave five demolition consents.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan Berik Assylov signed bilateral agreements on the surrender of fugitive offenders (SFO), mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (MLA) and the transfer of sentenced persons (TSP) today on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Kazakhstan.

“Both Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are committed players in the international efforts to fight crimes. The signing of the agreements on SFO, MLA and TSP today represents an important step forward in legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan,” Mr Tang said at the signing ceremony.

Under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong SAR Government may, with the authorisation of the Central People’s Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance.

The SFO agreement sets out the conditions for the surrender of fugitive offenders between the Hong Kong SAR and Kazakhstan and contains the usual safeguards found in similar international agreements, including that the conduct must constitute an offence according to the laws of both parties, and surrender may be refused if the offence is punishable with the death penalty.

The MLA agreement between the Hong Kong SAR and Kazakhstan contains the essential features and safeguards of international agreements of this type. Assistance covered by the agreement includes identifying and locating persons, serving documents, taking evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, providing information and confiscating proceeds of crime.

The TSP agreement embodies the shared conviction of Hong Kong and Kazakhstan that allowing sentenced persons to return to their places of origin, where there are no language or cultural barriers and where friends and relatives can pay more regular visits, is conducive to their rehabilitation. Hong Kong’s policy is therefore to facilitate such transfers between Hong Kong and other jurisdictions as far as possible.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Eligible recipients of social security payments and the Working Family Allowance (WFA) will start receiving a one-off extra allowance today, equivalent to one month of their current rate or allowance.

The extra payment is automatically available to individuals who were eligible for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance standard rate, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance on April 29, 2026. Households whose WFA applications were submitted between October 1, 2025, and April 29, 2026, and subsequently approved, are also eligible.

The funds will be credited directly to the designated Hong Kong bank accounts of eligible recipients and households starting today, with no separate application required.

The initiative involves an extra expenditure of approximately $6,486 million and is expected to benefit around 1.76 million social security recipients and 56,000 WFA households. 

For enquiries, social security recipients can call 2343 2255 or contact their respective Social Security Field Unit. WFA households can direct their enquiries to 2558 3000.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The main provisions of the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance will take effect on July 31, the Government announced today.

The ordinance establishes a comprehensive legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders. It also provides legal protection for medical professionals and emergency rescuers when complying with these directives and orders.

Describing the implementation as a significant milestone for end-of-life care in Hong Kong, the Government stated that the new law further protects the autonomy of terminally ill patients in choosing their medical and care arrangements.

Moving forward, the Government will collaborate with stakeholders to step up training for relevant professionals, ensuring full compliance with the statutory requirements once the ordinance goes into operation. Government departments will also partner with social service organisations to raise public awareness through targeted educational and promotional activities.

The ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council and gazetted in November 2024. Following this, the Secretary for Health issued the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (Commencement) Notice to formally appoint July 31, 2026, as the effective date.

The commencement notice will be tabled at the Legislative Council next Wednesday for negative vetting.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan has held a roundtable meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, to brief local financial leaders on Hong Kong’s robust market performance and economic resilience.

Meeting with senior executive from banks, asset management firms and family offices, Mr Chan highlighted that Hong Kong’s economy has maintained steady growth over the past two years, supported by an active financial market. He noted that backed by strong national support for Mainland enterprises expanding globally, an increasing number of companies are leveraging Hong Kong’s stock market to raise capital for their overseas operations.

Addressing the city’s global standing, the Financial Secretary pointed out that Hong Kong clinched the top spot globally for initial public offering funds raised last year and into this year. Amid prevailing geopolitical shifts, international investors increasingly view Hong Kong as a reliable capital safe haven and a key springboard for diversifying investments into the Mainland market.

He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government remains committed to reforming the stock market, expanding international market connectivity and boosting liquidity to offer global investors more diversified options.

Mr Chan emphasised that Hong Kong is continuously expanding its market scale and driving product innovation across fixed-income and currency markets, asset and wealth management and green finance, alongside plans to develop gold and commodities trading. He noted that strong demand for cross-border asset allocation from high-net-worth individuals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia has prompted many international wealth mangers to expand their footprint in Hong Kong, which is also actively promoting digital asset applications.

Turning to regional integration, Mr Chan highlighted that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan outlines clear goals for a modernised industrial system, high-level opening up and co-ordinated regional development. He stressed that the Greater Bay Area enjoys distinct advantages in frontier technology, advanced manufacturing and high-end talent, presenting an unmissable opportunity for international investors.

Swiss financial institutions and family offices are encouraged to scale up their operations in Hong Kong and Mainland markets to capture these growth prospects. During his visit, Mr Chan also met with executives from a major Swiss bank.

Additionally, the Financial Secretary called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich & for the Principality of Liechtenstein Chen Yun to brief her on Hong Kong’s latest economic developments and social situation and exchanged views on China-Europe relations and global political and economic trends.

Before concluding his European trip, Mr Chan was due to hold a roundtable meeting with local venture capital and private equity fund representatives this morning, with his return to Hong Kong set for tomorrow morning.