Category: MIL-OSI

HKSAR Government actively aligns with National 15th Five-Year Plan and presses ahead with high-quality development      
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “The 15th Five-Year Plan is the blueprint and action agenda for the social and economic development of the country in the next five years. The major objectives for this period include significant achievements in high-quality development, substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, fresh breakthroughs in further deepening reform comprehensively, notable cultural and ethical progress across society, further improvements in quality of life, major new strides in advancing the Beautiful China Initiative and further advances in strengthening the national security shield. The HKSAR is greatly encouraged by this and will proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan Outline, contributing Hong Kong’s strength to further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese modernisation.
      
     “I extend my sincere gratitude for the country’s steadfast support and care for Hong Kong as demonstrated by the inclusion of multiple provisions in the 15th Five-Year Plan to promote Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, and to deepen the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. I will lead the HKSAR Government to earnestly fulfil its role in bearing the primary responsibility for the governance of Hong Kong, unite various sectors of the community to actively support and proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Through formulating a systematic policy framework, we will map out strategic initiatives of greater comprehensiveness, higher precision and in finer detail for key development areas, and draw up a macroscopic, strategic and forward-looking five-year plan for the first time for Hong Kong. The preparatory groups set up earlier by various bureaux under my instruction have been converted into the formulation teams for the alignment with the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will work full speed to complete the Hong Kong five-year plan within this year.
      
     “The first Hong Kong’s Five-year Plan, aligned with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, will have far-reaching implications. Serving as the collective action framework for the HKSAR, it will outline Hong Kong’s development vision, core objectives, key areas and major initiatives over the next five years. This plan will provide clear guidance for Hong Kong’s socio-economic and livelihood development, driving Hong Kong’s deeper integration into and contribution to the overall national development.  The most direct benefit of the Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan stems from the robust backing of national development. As the world’s second-largest economy, the country’s comprehensive capabilities provide Hong Kong with immense market momentum and development opportunities. As the country has surged to global leadership in various fields including innovation and technology, artificial intelligence, big data, and infrastructural development, Hong Kong can leverage the country’s industrial ecosystem and progress to achieve leapfrog development in our own emerging industries. For instance, in the financial sector, Hong Kong can build upon the country’s strategy to promote the internationalisation of the Renminbi to strengthen our function as a global offshore Renminbi business hub, and to enhance the mutual market access regime and consolidate our status as an international financial centre. In the area of innovation and technology, Hong Kong can accelerate collaboration and transformation among the industry, academic and research sectors through the development of the Northern Metropolis. As regards industrial upgrading, Hong Kong can also integrate into national strategies, such as the ‘Artificial Intelligence Plus (AI+) Initiative’, to empower its traditional competitive industries, thereby strengthening its new productive forces amid the new round of scientific and technological revolution as well as industry transformation.
      
     “To ensure the smooth progress of the formulation work, I will take the lead in this endeavour, with the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau assuming primary responsibility. All Secretaries of Bureaux shall fully commit to driving forward and jointly participating in this initiative. I am confident that with our concerted efforts and collective wisdom, the first Hong Kong’s Five-year Plan will serve as a guiding framework for pioneering new horizons and achieving a new leap forward for Hong Kong. It will lay a more concrete foundation for our long-term prosperity and stability, enabling Hong Kong to demonstrate renewed commitment and achievements in the journey of integrating into and serving the overall national development.”
      
     The 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly points out that the principles of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy should be implemented with unwavering commitment; the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” should be put into practice; and the efficacy of governance in accordance with the law should be ensured to promote Hong Kong’s economic and social development, and give full play to Hong Kong’s unique advantages and important role of maintaining close connections with both the Mainland and the world. The 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre and an international aviation hub. It aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s functions as a global offshore Renminbi business hub, an international asset management centre, and an international risk management centre. The plan also supports Hong Kong in developing into an international innovation and technology hub, while deepening its development as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre, a regional intellectual property trading centre, and the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The 15th Five-Year Plan also further incorporates, for the first time, support for Hong Kong in establishing a commodity trading ecosystem and a high value-added supply chain service centre. It also explicitly backs Hong Kong in accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis and building an international hub for high-calibre talents. A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said that the Government is deeply encouraged by the Central Government’s staunch support. Hong Kong will definitely seize the opportunity to proactively align with the requirements of national strategies, effectively translating the new positioning, functions and tasks entrusted by the Central Government into tangible outcomes that will drive high-quality economic development and improve people’s livelihoods. The Government is accelerating the advancement of the Northern Metropolis, a crucial strategic development zone for Hong Kong, through innovative collaborative models, including large-scale land disposal and preferential policies. Multiple measures will be implemented with a view to attracting more leading enterprises to establish their operations there, thereby transforming this piece of land which is connected to the Mainland by mountains and sea into a new engine for Hong Kong’s economic growth.
      
     The 15th Five-Year Plan stated that co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in the areas of economic, trade, technology and culture should be strengthened; policies and measures facilitating Hong Kong residents’ development and life on the Mainland should be improved; and the mutual market access regime between Hong Kong and Mainland financial markets should be advanced in an orderly manner. The 15th Five-Year Plan also clearly proposed for the first time to deepen innovation collaboration between industry, academic and research sectors with the Mainland; to drive breakthroughs continuously in priority areas of co-operation; to promote the co-ordinated development of ports, airports and rail transit; to advance the preparatory work for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link; and to develop major co-operation platforms including the Loop to high standards. It also called for improving mechanisms for Hong Kong to assume a greater role in the country’s opening up to the world, supporting Hong Kong’s deep involvement in the high-quality co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative, leveraging its strengths in  professional service to assist enterprises in going global, and harnessing Hong Kong’s role as an important window for exchange and mutual learning between the Chinese and Western cultures.

     The Government spokesman said that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. It will fully leverage its international and market-oriented characteristics to promote connectivity with the Mainland. The HKSAR Government has established the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to connect the robust productivity of the Mainland, Hong Kong’s world-renowned professional services and the keen demand of global buyers. Hong Kong will facilitate the efforts of quality enterprises in going global and bringing in international capital, steadfastly advancing high-quality development of the economy. Regarding the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the HKSAR Government will proactively engage with relevant platform initiatives, continuously deepen the harmonisation of rules and mechanisms with Greater Bay Area cities, and facilitate the convenient cross-boundary flow of innovation elements.
      
     The fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress also adopted the National Development Planning Law, marking for the first time that a dedicated piece of legislation concerning national development planning has been enacted at the top level. This provides a robust legal foundation for formulating development plans. The Government spokesman said that the National Development Planning Law established principles for national support in Hong Kong’s proactive alignment with national development planning. It clearly affirmed the country’s upholding of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, supporting the HKSAR’s proactive integration into and service of the overall national development. This fully reflected the staunch support of the Central Authorities for Hong Kong’s alignment with national development planning, providing robust legal safeguards for Hong Kong to better integrate into and serve the overall national development. It will enable Hong Kong to better leverage its unique advantages under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” and achieve deep alignment with the overall development strategy of the country, thereby giving full play to Hong Kong’s strengths to serve the country’s needs and facilitating Hong Kong’s enhanced integration into and service of the overall national development.
      
     The Government spokesman concluded, “This year marks the beginning of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan and represents a critical year for Hong Kong as it advances from stability towards prosperity. With the robust support of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, we shall continue to consolidate and enhance our international competitiveness, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, strengthen our bridging role between the Mainland and the world, and pioneer a new phase of high-quality development for Hong Kong. This will enable us to better integrate into and serve the overall national development, thereby making Hong Kong’s contributions to the nation’s endeavours in building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation.”
Issued at HKT 23:59

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Construction output for fourth quarter and whole year of 2025      
     After discounting the effect of price changes, the provisional results showed that the total GVCW performed by main contractors decreased by 8.3% in real terms over the same period. GVCW in real terms is derived by deflating the corresponding nominal value with an appropriate price index to the price level in the base period of 2000. 
      
     Analysed by type of construction works, the GVCW performed at private sector sites totalled $16.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, down by 23.2% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. In real terms, it decreased by 25.1%. The GVCW performed at public sector sites increased by 2.9% in nominal terms over a year earlier to $34.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. In real terms, however, it slightly decreased by 0.4%. 
      
     The GVCW performed by main contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $22.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, down by 3.0% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. In real terms, it decreased by 2.1%. Construction works at locations other than construction sites included minor new construction activities and decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings; and electrical equipment installation and maintenance works at locations other than construction sites. 
      
     Analysed by major end-use group, the GVCW performed at construction sites in respect of residential buildings projects amounted to $21.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, down by 3.5% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. Over the same period, the GVCW performed at construction sites in respect of transport projects down by 19.3% in nominal terms to $8.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. 
      
     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, the GVCW performed by main contractors decreased by 4.5% in nominal terms and 3.1% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the third quarter of 2025. 
      
     For 2025 as a whole, the provisional results showed that the total GVCW performed by main contractors decreased by 1.4% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier to $286.6 billion. After discounting the effect of price changes, the total GVCW performed by main contractors in 2025 decreased by 4.5% in real terms compared with a year earlier. 
      
     Analysed by type of construction works, the GVCW performed at private sector sites totalled $70.7 billion in 2025, down by 16.9% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. In real terms, it decreased by 19.2%. The GVCW performed at public sector sites amounted to $130.1 billion in 2025, up by 10.2% in nominal terms over a year earlier. In real terms, it increased by 6.2%. 
      
     The GVCW performed by main contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $85.7 billion in 2025, down by 1.9% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. In real terms, it decreased by 3.1%. 
      
     Analysed by major end-use group, residential buildings projects accounted for the largest share in the total GVCW performed at construction sites in 2025. The GVCW performed in respect of these projects amounted to $84.9 billion in 2025, up by 1.2% in nominal terms over a year earlier. Transport projects constituted the second largest group of construction site works in 2025. The GVCW performed in respect of these projects totalled $33.3 billion in 2025, down by 21.8% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. 
      
     Tables 1 and 2 show the provisional figures on the GVCW performed by main contractors in the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2025 respectively. Table 3 shows the revised figures for the third quarter of 2025. 
      
     Owing to the widespread sub-contracting practices in the construction industry, a construction company can be a main contractor for one contract and a sub-contractor for another contract at the same time. The GVCW performed by main contractors covers only those projects in which the construction company takes the role of a main contractor, but not projects in which it takes only the role of a sub-contractor. However, sub-contractors’ contribution to projects should have been included in the GVCW performed by main contractors for whom they worked. 
      
     The classification in the construction sector follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes. 
      
     More detailed statistics are given in the Report on the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1090002&scode=330       
     For enquiries about the survey results, please contact the Construction and Miscellaneous Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 6965; email: building@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30

Results of Pharmacist Registration Examinations held in December 2025 announced 
     The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong announced today (March 12) the results of the Pharmacist Registration Examinations held in December 2025.
      
     There were 36, 86 and 38 candidates sitting for examinations in pharmacy legislation in Hong Kong, pharmacy practice and pharmacology respectively, with corresponding passing rates of 38.89 per cent, 12.79 per cent and 42.11 per cent.
      
     Apart from meeting other requirements prescribed by the Board, any pharmacy graduate outside Hong Kong intending to be registered as a pharmacist in Hong Kong is required to pass the above three subjects.
      
     The Board conducts its Pharmacist Registration Examinations twice a year, normally in June and December.
Issued at HKT 11:00

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Speech by SJ at virtual signing ceremony of Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements Concerning Establishment of UNIDROIT Liaison Office for Asia-Pacific Region in HKSAR (English only)(with photo) 
Professor Tirado (Secretary-General of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), Professor Ignacio Tirado), ladies and gentlemen,
 
     It gives me great pleasure to participate in today’s virtual signing ceremony of the MAA between UNIDROIT and the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Government of the HKSAR of the People’s Republic of China.
 
     The conclusion of the MAA would not have been possible without the staunch and unwavering support of the Central People’s Government, for which I am most sincerely grateful. This milestone builds upon the Memorandum of Understanding concluded in May 2022, which laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration between UNIDROIT and the DoJ. Our shared vision has always been to promote the modernisation and harmonisation of law across the Asia-Pacific region through high-level capacity building and joint initiatives. This collaboration is also seen through the secondment programme of legal professionals with UNIDROIT, based upon our Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021, whereby legal professionals from both our public and private sectors are seconded to UNIDROIT, where they have gained invaluable experience and could contribute directly to UNIDROIT’s projects.   
 
     After a few years’ discussion with the secretariat of UNIDORIT, the UNIDROIT Governing Council recommended establishment of a UNIDROIT Liaison Office for the Asia-Pacific region in the HKSAR. The recommendation was approved at the 85th Session of the UNIDROIT General Assembly in December 2025. The MAA we sign today completes the next important step for this Liaison Office, and together, we look forward to the opening ceremony set for November this year, together with the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit and the Centenary Regional Event during the Hong Kong Legal Week 2026. This will be a double celebration, marking both the Liaison Office’s inauguration and UNIDROIT’s centenary. The opening of the Liaison Office will mark the first overseas presence of UNIDROIT in its 100 years’ history and will indeed be the highlight of UNIDROIT’s centenary. For the past century, UNIDROIT has been at the forefront of legal harmonisation, and the establishment of the UNIDROIT Liaison Office in the HKSAR serves as a profound testament to the Institute’s expanded presence in the Asia-Pacific region. This milestone not only honours the remarkable success of UNIDROIT’s operations over the past century but also heralds the start of an exciting new chapter of global influence, in which the HKSAR is proud to play a pivotal role.  
 
     I am confident that the establishment of the Liaison Office will further strengthen the already very strong collaborative relationship between the DoJ and UNIDROIT while fostering a deeper understanding and implementation of private law and in particular commercial law throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Indeed, the establishment of this Liaison Office represents a significant visionary step. As a central pillar of global economic activity, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than one-third of the world’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and encompasses vital trade corridors that have for centuries facilitated intercontinental commerce and cultural exchange. Opening UNIDROIT’s first liaison office in this dynamic region is a forward-looking step that recognises the evolving landscape of international commerce.
 
     It is no coincidence that the HKSAR stands as an ideal home for UNIDROIT’s first regional presence. As a leading international legal and dispute resolution hub, our city is underpinned by a robust and familiar common law system, an independent judiciary, and a world-class legal infrastructure. Our unique position as the only common law jurisdiction within China under the “one country, two systems” principle allows us to serve as a vital bridge, facilitating the convergence of diverse legal traditions, and advancing an inclusive dialogue that reflects the diverse legal and economic perspectives of the Asia-Pacific within the global legal landscape. By leveraging our professional expertise and deep-rooted rule of law, the Liaison Office is perfectly positioned to promote the global reach of unified legal standards from a stable and highly sophisticated platform.
 
     Finally, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Secretary-General for his enduring trust and support. With the signing of the MAA today, we move one step closer to the launching of UNIDROIT’s first Liaison Office in the HKSAR. I look forward to welcoming you in person to the HKSAR for the opening of the Liaison Office very soon. Thank you very much.
Issued at HKT 13:10

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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected controlled injections and pharmaceutical products worth about $990,000       
     In the first case, Customs officers on March 5 inspected a postal packet imported from Japan at the Surface Mail Centre. Upon inspection, Customs officers found and seized 96 anti-obesity injection vials suspected to contain Part 1 poisons from the consignment.
      
     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on the same day arrested a 45-year-old female consignee suspected to be connected with the case, and further seized 888 injection vials and 27 tubes of ointment suspected to contain Part 1 poisons at the consignee’s address in North Point.
      
     In the second case, Customs officers on March 9 inspected an express parcel imported from Korea to Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Upon inspection, Customs officers found and seized 32 cosmetic injection vials suspected to contain Part 1 poisons in the parcel.
      
     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on March 10 arrested a 35-year-old male consignee suspected to be connected with the case, and further seized 728 cosmetic injection vials suspected to contain Part 1 poisons at the consignee’s address in Cheung Sha Wan.
      
     Investigations are ongoing, and the two arrested persons have been released on bail.
      
     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid import licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.
      
     Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:30