Category: MIL-OSI

Fraudulent loan scheme purported to be related to HKMA’s e-HKD      
     The HKMA wishes to clarify that the aforementioned fraudulent agreement and loan scheme have no connection with the HKMA. The HKMA stresses that it will not contact individual members of the public or request fund transfers regarding any personal financial matters.
      
     The HKMA reiterates that all participating firms of the e-HKD Pilot Programme and other sandbox programmes under the HKMA will not solicit funding from the public, or offer any wealth or investment products associated with these programmes.
      
     If in doubt, please visit the HKMA’s official website at www.hkma.gov.hk      
     The HKMA has reported the cases to the Hong Kong Police Force. Members of the public who have provided their personal information to the website or mobile application, or suspect that they have become victims of fraudulent acts should contact the Police or the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Issued at HKT 19:05

AFCD requires dog keepers to properly control dogs in accordance with the law 
Legal requirements
 
     An AFCD spokesman reminded members of the public, “The law clearly requires dog keepers to properly control their dogs in public places. If a dog bites a person, its keeper is also liable. A keeper is not limited to a person who owns, possesses or has custody of the animal, but also includes a person who harbours the animal, or the occupier of land or premises on which the animal is usually kept or permitted to remain. These persons must clearly understand their legal responsibilities.”
      
     Under section 23 of the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421), dogs in a public place must be held on a leash or otherwise kept under proper control. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000. If a dog bites a person as a result of such contravention, the keeper may also be liable to a further fine of up to $10,000. In addition, section 9 of the Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167D) stipulates that large dogs (weighing 20 kilograms or above) must be securely held on a leash not exceeding two metres in length by a person when in a public place. Contravention of this requirement is liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for three months.
 
AFCD’s enforcement actions
 
     In a high-density urban environment, uncontrolled dogs may pose risks to public safety. To safeguard community safety, the AFCD has been conducting special inspections and enforcement operations on the proper control of dogs at various locations across Hong Kong since August. A new phase of special operations was launched on October 8. In the coming four months, priority will be given to high-risk locations where dog attacks on passers-by and congregations of stray dogs have occurred, with a view to strengthening the capturing of unattended dogs. These operations have so far captured a total of 10 unattended dogs. The AFCD will pursue the responsibilities of the keepers concerned and institute prosecutions based on the evidence obtained.
      
     Members of the public who wish to learn more about the proper control of dogs and how to be a responsible pet owner may visit the AFCD website (www.pets.gov.hkIssued at HKT 21:40

Follow-up on fire on artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau      
     Preliminary information indicated that the fire originated at the roof of the main incinerator building’s third incineration module area. After the fire broke out, the contractor of the facility took immediate actions according to its emergency response protocol, including reporting to the Fire Services Department (FSD), deploying trained designated response members to control the fire, evacuating about 970 construction workers and operational staff working on the island in an orderly manner, and suspending the operation of all critical systems of the facility.
      
     The fire was largely put out at about 4.45pm by firefighters on scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has instructed the contractor to submit a report on the fire incident within seven days and will work with the FSD to investigate the cause of fire. The EPD will also evaluate the damage and urge the contractor to conduct repairs as soon as possible.
      
     The EPD is reviewing the impact of the fire on the facility’s operation and will maintain close communication with the industry on the operational arrangements. Meanwhile, the EPD has arranged to extend the operating hours of the Department’s West New Territories Landfill Extension to maintain the normal operation of the city’s overall waste management system.
Issued at HKT 22:12

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CE meets Minister of Ecology and Environment (with photo) 
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Huang and his delegation to Hong Kong to officiate at the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2026. He thanked the country for its support for Hong Kong as a platform for international exchanges, and for choosing Hong Kong as the venue for the Conference, which is being held outside the Mainland for the first time. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world, and plays the roles of “super connector” and “super value-adder”, proactively building itself into an international green co-operation hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will, through the Belt and Road (B&R) Green Development Co-operation Platform established with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the B&R sustainable green development training centre established by the Environmental Protection Department, build a pool of talent in international environmental protection and facilitate technology exchanges and co-operation along the B&R to promote the green and high-quality development of the B&R Initiative.
 
     Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to green and sustainable development, and four binding indicators are set out in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan relating to environmental protection. Through developing zero-carbon energy and hydrogen energy, and enhancing waste reduction and recycling, Hong Kong is building itself into a green and liveable city and moving towards carbon neutrality. Hong Kong will continue to promote green transformation and green innovation, leverage its status as a centre for green and sustainable finance, and actively explore cross-boundary carbon trading, to support the country in building a carbon market of greater international influence.
 
     Mr Lee said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a key engine for the high-quality development of the country. Hong Kong is actively enhancing its role in the GBA’s green value chain to promote green development in the GBA. Hong Kong has successfully facilitated the establishment of a world-leading sustainable aviation fuel production base in Dongguan, and will further strengthen collaboration in resources circulation to jointly build a Zero Waste Bay Area, achieving complementary advantages for mutual benefits and win-win results between Hong Kong and the Mainland. He thanked the Ministry of Ecology and Environment for its continued support for Hong Kong’s environmental protection work, and expressed the hope that both sides will continue to work together to strengthen collaboration, better integrate into and serve the overall national development, and make greater contributions to the country’s ecological civilisation.
Issued at HKT 15:00

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“Tan Dun WE-Festival” to feature first joint performance by two top national art troupes in grand symphonic choral concerts in Hong Kong in December (with photo) 
“9&9” (December 2)
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     This opening concert will feature Tan’s “9” (Hong Kong premiere), the world’s first choral concerto. Rooted in the “Nine Songs” by Chu poet Qu Yuan from “Chu Ci” while reconstructing the exact core orchestra and choral size as the premiere of Beethoven’s “Symphony No.9”, the work infuses distinctive Eastern percussion and chanting into a Western orchestral framework, reimagining the sacrificial ritual music of the ancient Chu people. This masterpiece initiates a transcendent, cross-temporal musical dialogue with the “Symphony No. 9”, which comes next on the programme. Joining the performance are four outstanding vocalists – soprano Louise Kwong, mezzo-soprano Niru Liu, tenor Li Yi and bass Yang Yi.
 
“Mozart and Ode To Joy” (December 3)
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     The second concert will open with the grand and spirited strains of Beethoven’s Overture to “The Creatures of Prometheus”. This is followed by Mozart’s sublime classic, “Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat”, which will be performed by rising stars violinist Nina Wong and violist Yan Lok Hoi. The second half features another rendition of the choral concerto “9”, culminating in Beethoven’s immortal “Ode to Joy”, which highlights the perfect harmony of Eastern and Western philosophy and artistic form.
 
     The two above-mentioned concerts will be held at 8pm at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $250, $350, $450 and $550 will be available from October 28 (Wednesday) onwards at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk 
“Feng Ya Song & Ode to Joy – A Transcendent Dialogue between Tan Dun and Beethoven” (December 5)
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     The Festival also extends its reach with a free pre-concert symposium and a subsequent concert to be held at the Hall of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The pre-concert symposium will host a dialogue between the Director and Executive Director of the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn, Germany, Malte Boecker, and Tan. In the subsequent concert, young violinists Nina Wong and Alvin Chan, violist Lawrence Wong and cellist Nie Jiapeng will perform Tan’s string quartet “Feng Ya Song” and works inspired by Beethoven. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     First held in 2023, the “Tan Dun WE-Festival” leverages this East-meets-West musical celebration to establish Hong Kong as an international stage for cultural and arts exchanges, showcasing the city’s unique advantage as a melting pot of Chinese and Western cultures. This year, numerous local young musicians have been invited to participate in the Festival, sharing the stage with artists from various regions to ignite creativity and deliver fresh artistic visions.
 
     For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/tc/music/programs_2026.htmlIssued at HKT 18:10

Speech by CE at Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2026 (English only)      
Honourable Minister Huang Runqiu (Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China), honourable consul delegations, Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Hong Kong and the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference. More than 400 government representatives and professionals from 16 countries are here, in Hong Kong, for this essential global environmental gathering.
      
     This is the first time the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference is being held outside the Chinese Mainland. And we are privileged to jointly organise this flagship event with our country’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
      
     Last week, Hong Kong hosted the annual APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting – again, for the very first time. This week, we focus on green transformation. From finance to green transformation, Hong Kong is well placed to serve as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, connecting people and opportunities, and helping turn collaboration into concrete results.
      
     The theme of this Conference is “Partnering for Green Transformation in the Global South, Jointly Promoting Global Sustainable Development”. It captures a critical message: green transformation is a shared endeavour. By bringing together our resources, expertise and innovative ideas, multilateral collaboration can achieve more than unilateral effort.
      
     In short, Hong Kong believes in multilateralism. We help Belt and Road partners connect with one another, combining their strengths to advance green development. For the next few minutes, allow me to explain how we do so.
      
     First, we connect green projects with international capital. Hong Kong is a leading green and sustainable finance hub. For eight consecutive years, we have led Asia in arranging international green and sustainable bond issuances, accounting for about 40 per cent of the regional total.
      
     We also combine green finance with financial innovation. Last month, the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government priced about HK$20 billion in digital green bonds, denominated in Hong Kong dollars, Renminbi, US dollars and euros. That illustrates our ability to mobilise capital across currencies in support of green development.
      
     For example, a solar energy project can bring together Chinese Mainland equipment suppliers, a Southeast Asian developer and Middle Eastern investors. Hong Kong can help these partners raise finance, structure their investments, arrange insurance and manage cross-border risks. Our contribution, let me add, is about more than matching capital with projects. Hong Kong’s professional services also help ensure that a project is bankable and insurable.
      
     Second, we connect green technologies with the markets that need them. Finance delivers results when it supports solutions suited to local conditions. Hong Kong combines access to Chinese Mainland innovation and manufacturing with international business expertise to deploy, and adapt, those solutions.
      
     Take, for example, our annual Eco Expo Asia, which opens today alongside this Conference. Many exhibitors offering green solutions are connecting with overseas buyers and investors. And we will launch the Green Technology Bridgehead Programme next year. It will help Chinese Mainland and overseas green enterprises take their green solutions to Belt and Road markets, combining technological capabilities with local demand.
      
     Hong Kong is also an ideal springboard. We can help green enterprises from Belt and Road partner countries reach out to other corners of the world.
      
     Third, we connect partners through credible standards. For cross-border collaboration to succeed, partners must have confidence in the technology. We are working on a Green Hydrogen Standard Certification system. It’s based on Chinese Mainland and international standards, providing a clearer basis for assessing green hydrogen. A credible certification system will enable investment in trusted green hydrogen projects. Our goal is to see the Hong Kong certification system widely recognised by other jurisdictions, we want to be serving as a trusted bridge between Chinese Mainland and international standards.
      
     We are also working with the National Energy Administration to establish Hong Kong’s first “ChaoJi” electric vehicle, charging-technology-demonstration station in the coming year. It’s designed to be compatible with national and European charging standards. Such initiatives can help technologies work across wide-ranging markets.
      
     Fourth, we connect people through training and knowledge exchange. Talent is the foundation in building capabilities for green transformation. Our Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms offer expertise across varying sectors. The Belt and Road Sustainable Green Development Training Centre adds a dedicated focus on green development.
      
     These, and other, initiatives enable officials and professionals to exchange experience on issues such as green buildings, energy efficiency and waste management. They also support the people-to-people bonds that underpin Belt and Road co-operation.
      
     Green transformation demands visionary planning to cope with challenges and grasp opportunities. That’s why, last month, Hong Kong launched its first Five-Year Plan, which aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Our vision is to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, in close alignment with the country’s “dual carbon” goals.
      
     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong can provide Belt and Road partners with financing, project management and risk management services for green infrastructure and sustainable development projects. We are eager to share our experience and learn from others.
      
     We will do so by taking part in the Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange and the Belt and Road Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation. We will also participate in the implementation of the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Co-operation Action Plan.
      
     In building a greener, more prosperous and sustainable future, Hong Kong is your reliable partner. We look forward to contributing, collaborating and connecting with you across the Belt and Road – and beyond.
      
     I wish you all the best of business, and the environment, at the Conference and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong, Asia’s world city. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 10:23

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New round of applications under Quality Enhancement Support Scheme of self-financing post-secondary education opens    
     The applicants for the category of theme-based projects may set their own themes, provided that the projects are conducted in a collaborative manner, i.e. planned and undertaken by more than one eligible institution, to foster closer collaboration and synergy among institutions and benefit the sector as widely as possible.Issued at HKT 11:30

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SCST congratulates Hong Kong, China athletes on winning five more medals today in Asian Para Games—————
Boccia: Mixed Pairs-BC4
Leung Yuk-wing, Cheung Yuen—————
Fencing: Women’s Sabre Team
Chung Yuen-ping, Lam Ka-man, Tong Nga-ting, Yu Chui-yee—————
Fencing: Sabre Mixed Team
Glass Sean, Kwong Yuen-hing, Lam Ka-man, Tong Nga-tingLoung John, Chan Pak-lun, Yeung Hiu-lamTse Tak-wah, Chan Ho-yan
Issued at HKT 15:13

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