Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, will arrive in Hong Kong on May 6 for an official visit.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will meet with the Prime Minister on the same day at Government House.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Ms Kimmey Ho will assume the post of District Officer (Wong Tai Sin) tomorrow (May 6), succeeding Mr Thomas Wu.
Since joining the Administrative Service in 2008, Ms Ho has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Home Affairs Department, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the then Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Housing Department.
She was the Principal Assistant Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) (Works) at the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau before taking up the new post of District Officer (Wong Tai Sin).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (May 5) that with the frequent use of air conditioners in summer, the environmental hygiene nuisances caused by dripping air conditioners are expected to be more notable, affecting pedestrians and waiting transit passengers in particular. To this end, the FEHD will carry out large-scale operations from May to September to tackle dripping air conditioners. Targeting more than 300 dripping blackspots across the territory, the third-generation AI Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System will be deployed to step up enforcement with a targeted strategy, focusing specifically on reducing nuisances to pedestrians and waiting passengers. The operations aim to further enhance enforcement effectiveness and improve environmental hygiene.
The FEHD will fully adopt the third-generation Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System with AI functions in all districts from this summer. Equipped with high-precision visual image recognition technology, the system can automatically detect dripping locations and accurately identify sources, significantly shortening the time required for observation and evidence collection. It can operate effectively despite low-light conditions during night-time or early morning hours, overcoming the constraints on enforcement posed by the difficulties of pinpointing dripping sources during specific hours. The system’s innovative technology is recognised internationally and has earned it the Bronze Award in the category of Engineering and Robotics – Optical Sensing and Spatial Intelligence at the Edison Awards 2026 this April.
In preparation for the upcoming summer, the FEHD has proactively escalated publicity and education efforts to enhance public awareness and foster a sense of responsibility regarding dripping air conditioners. Over the past two weeks (April 16 to 30), FEHD officers conducted a series of publicity activities across various districts, including closely liaising with District Offices, District Councils (DCs), and local committees to encourage the public to face and follow up on the problem of dripping air conditioners through community networks, and the participation of various DCs and district organisations in related publicity activities and work. The FEHD also actively collaborated with property management companies to facilitate the distribution of promotional leaflets and the display of posters in building premises and housing estates. Additionally, the FEHD set up promotional booths at popular public spots and on streets with high pedestrian flows to promote public knowledge of proper air conditioner maintenance and preventive measures against dripping, and to urge property owners to proactively and promptly check and repair their air conditioners. Throughout the period, about 15 000 related leaflets and posters were distributed across about 390 buildings and housing estates. The department will continuously disseminate practical information on preventing dripping air conditioners to the general public through online platforms and thematic webpages.
The spokesman stressed that, in accordance with the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), a person shall be guilty of an offence if he allows his air conditioner to discharge water in such a manner as to be a hygiene nuisance to others. If a nuisance is proven, the FEHD will issue a Nuisance Notice to require the owner or occupier of the relevant premises to stop the nuisance within a specified period. A person who fails to comply may be prosecuted and, upon conviction, is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $25,000, and a daily fine of $450 as long as the nuisance continues.
The FEHD calls on members of the public to check their air conditioners regularly. If water dripping is detected, they should expeditiously resolve the problem to avoid causing a nuisance to others. For more information on dripping air conditioners, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/Pamphlet_water_dripping_from_air_conditioner.pdf).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The exceptionally warm weather in the first quarter of 2026 continued into April 2026, mainly attributed to the warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures and a stronger-than-usual southerly flow in the lower atmosphere over the northern part of the South China Sea. The monthly mean minimum temperature of 23.8 degrees, mean temperature of 25.5 degrees, and mean maximum temperature of 27.9 degrees were respectively 2.7 degrees, 2.5 degrees, and 2.3 degrees above their corresponding normals. All three values were the second highest on record for April. The monthly rainfall was 160.4 millimetres, about 5 per cent above the normal of 153.0 millimetres. The accumulated rainfall recorded for the first four months of the year was 359.6 millimetres, about 20 per cent above the normal of 300.4 millimetres for the same period.
Under the influence of the northeast monsoon and a band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong, local weather was mainly cloudy with a slightly cooler morning on the first day of the month. There were also one or two showers at night. Affected by an easterly airstream and a subsequent southerly airstream, the weather of Hong Kong remained cloudy with a few showers on the next two days. With a trough of low pressure lingering over the coastal areas of Guangdong, there were occasional showers and a few squally thunderstorms on April 4 and 5. Showers were heavy at times. More than 40 millimetres of rainfall were generally recorded over the eastern part of Hong Kong, and rainfall even exceeded 80 millimetres over Tai Po District on these two days. The Observatory registered a daily rainfall of 45.1 millimetres on April 5, the second highest on record for the Ching Ming Festival since 1884.
As a southerly airstream set in, the weather of Hong Kong became hot with sunny intervals during the day on April 6 and 7. Under the influence of a strong easterly airstream and associated cloud bands over the coast of Guangdong on April 8, local weather turned windier and cloudy with a few rain patches. Visibility was relatively low in some areas. With the easterly airstream being replaced by a southerly airstream the following day, local weather was misty with one or two light rain patches in the morning. The visibility in the harbour once fell below 3000 metres in the morning. It was hot with sunny intervals during the day. The southerly airstream continued to affect the coast of Guangdong from April 10 to 16. Local weather remained mainly cloudy from April 10 to 12 and it was hot during the day. An anticyclone aloft brought sunny periods and hot weather during the day to Hong Kong from April 13 to 16. With abundant sunshine, the temperature at the Observatory rose to a maximum of 30.2 degrees in the afternoon on April 16, the highest of the month.
An area of intense thundery showers associated with a trough of low pressure affected the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on the afternoon of April 17. Locally, heavy showers with severe squally thunderstorms were recorded that afternoon, with over 30 millimetres of rainfall on Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island. Hail was reported on Lamma Island. Winds were weak on the next three days. The weather of Hong Kong was mainly fine, hot and dry during the day on April 18 and 19, then turned mainly cloudy with a few showers on April 20. Under light wind conditions, visibility was rather low in some areas on April 18 and the mornings of April 19 and 20. Showers and thunderstorms associated with upper-air disturbances affected the coast of Guangdong on April 21. Locally, the weather was mainly cloudy with a few showers in the morning. Showers were heavier with squally thunderstorms over the eastern part of Hong Kong Island and Sai Kung District. With the departure of upper-air disturbances, the weather improved on the afternoon of April 21 with sunny intervals. Local weather remained hot with sunny periods during the day on April 22 under the influence of a southerly airstream.
A cold front moved across the coast of Guangdong around noon on April 23. The associated northeast monsoon brought cooler weather later that day with temperatures generally 3 to 5 degrees lower than those of the day before. With the continual influence of the northeast monsoon on the next day, the temperature at the Observatory dropped to a minimum of 19.7 degrees on the afternoon of April 24, the lowest of the month. Upper-air disturbances also brought showers and squally thunderstorms to the territory on April 23 and 24. Around 20 millimetres of rainfall were recorded in the New Territories in the evening on April 23, and rainfall exceeded 30 millimetres over many places on April 24. As the northeast monsoon and a cloud band lingered, local weather was mainly cloudy on April 25 with one or two light rain patches in the morning. A drier easterly airstream affected the coast of Guangdong on the next two days, bringing generally fine and dry weather during the day on April 26 and 27. Upper-air disturbances affected Guangdong on the next two days. Local weather was mainly cloudy with sunny intervals during the day on April 28. There were a few showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. A cold front moved across the coastal areas of Guangdong on the afternoon of April 29. Locally, it was mainly cloudy with occasional showers and a few squally thunderstorms that day. Showers were heavy at times. Around 30 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even exceeded 50 millimetres over Hong Kong Island. Temperatures started to drop in the late afternoon due to the associated northeast monsoon. As the upper-air disturbances departed and under the influence of the northeast monsoon, local weather was dry during the day with sunny intervals on the last day of the month. It was cooler in the morning. The relative humidity over most parts of the territory during the day fell to around 50 per cent.
One tropical cyclone occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in April 2026.
Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for April are tabulated in Table 2.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Service suspension of Upper Basement Marriage Hall of Tsim Sha Tsui Marriage Registry for refurbishment works (with photo)
Marrying parties wishing to celebrate their marriage may choose to use the marriage solemnisation services at other marriage registries, namely Tseung Kwan O Marriage Registry, City Hall Marriage Registry, Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry, Sha Tin Marriage Registry and Tuen Mun Marriage Registry.
For details, please visit the Immigration Department website at www.immd.gov.hk
Issued at HKT 10:31
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 5) the advance estimates on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2026.
According to the advance estimates, GDP increased by 5.9% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 4.0% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Analysed by major GDP component, private consumption expenditure increased by 5.0% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, faster than the increase of 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Government consumption expenditure measured in national accounts terms recorded an increase of 2.9% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Gross domestic fixed capital formation increased further by 17.7% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, following the increase of 11.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Total exports of goods measured in national accounts terms recorded an increase of 23.8% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, accelerated further from the growth of 15.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Over the same period, imports of goods measured in national accounts terms grew by 29.9% in real terms, compared with the increase of 18.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Exports of services rose by 3.5% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, after the increase of 4.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Imports of services increased by 3.9% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026, compared with the increase of 3.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison basis, GDP increased by 2.9% in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 when compared with the fourth quarter of 2025.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the Hong Kong economy expanded robustly in the first quarter of 2026. According to the advance estimates, real GDP grew by 5.9% over a year earlier in the first quarter, accelerating from the revised 4.0% growth in the preceding quarter (up from the earlier estimate of 3.8%), and marking the strongest quarterly growth in nearly five years. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, real GDP rose notably by 2.9%.
Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s economic growth outlook remains positive, underpinned by strong global demand for artificial intelligence-related electronics, sustained growth in visitor arrivals and robust cross-boundary financial activities. Relatively solid business and consumer sentiment is expected to continue supporting domestic demand. However, persistent tensions in the Middle East pose downside risks to the economic outlook. In response, the Government has taken targeted measures to safeguard energy supply stability and mitigate the impacts on affected sectors. The Government will stay vigilant and continue to closely monitor the developments.
The revised figures on GDP and more detailed statistics for the first quarter of 2026, as well as the revised GDP forecast for 2026, will be released on May 15, 2026.
Further information
The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP and selected major expenditure components in real terms from the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026 are shown in Table 1.
When more data become available, the C&SD will compile revised figures on GDP. The revised figures on GDP and more detailed statistics for the first quarter of 2026 will be released at the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode250.html) and the Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component report (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1030001&scode=250) on May 15, 2026.
For enquiries about statistics on GDP by expenditure component, please contact the National Income Branch (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2727 or email: gdp-e@censtatd.gov.hk).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
In support of World Hand Hygiene Day promulgated by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 5) officially launched its promotional campaign in 2026 to encourage the public to incorporate hand hygiene into their daily lives, and develop proper and timely hand hygiene habits, to jointly safeguard community health.
“Hand hygiene is a highly cost-effective public health measure. International studies show that keeping hands clean can not only prevent the transmission of up to 80 per cent of drug-resistant bacteria (pathogenic bacteria) in hospitals, but also prevent approximately 30 per cent of diarrhoea-related illnesses and about 20 per cent of respiratory infections. Therefore, developing good hand hygiene habits is the simplest way to stay healthy. Under the slogan ‘Clean Hands Bring Health’ (see Annex 1: Promotional poster), the CHP’s campaign this year will feature a step-by-step flowchart and reminder stickers on hand hygiene, or promotional videos at over 2 200 locations throughout Hong Kong, including public and private hospitals, government clinics, District Health Centres, residential care homes for the elderly, elderly service units under the Social Welfare Department (SWD), public markets, and cooked food markets. In addition, the CHP has specially created handwashing WhatsApp stickers (see Annex 2: QR code) for the public to download free of charge, serving as a constant reminder of the importance of handwashing,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
The WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund released the first global Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Community Settings last year. The document outlined that implementing effective hand hygiene in community is crucial. Dr Tsui noted that the Guidelines are fully aligned with the CHP’s ongoing work. The CHP has consistently strengthened public awareness of hand hygiene through multifaceted publicity and education efforts, such as setting up a thematic website and producing posters and videos on hand hygiene, to enhance public awareness on hand hygiene. The CHP also collaborated with various stakeholders, including the Hospital Authority, private hospitals, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the SWD, to build a hand hygiene-friendly environment and disseminate health messages about hand hygiene to the community, building upon the provision of hand hygiene facilities by these institutions.
The CHP urged healthcare professionals and the public to recognise the importance of hand hygiene, the appropriate times to practice it, and the correct steps involved, and to establish the habit of washing hands at the right times. This is aimed at building a healthy community and safeguarding public health, particularly that of the elderly, young children, and high-risk groups.
Members of the public should clean their hands appropriately according to the situation: if hands are visibly dirty, they should be washed with liquid soap and water; if hands are not visibly dirty, use 70-80 per cent alcohol-based handrub. When washing hands, follow the seven steps of hand hygiene: thoroughly rubbing the palms, backs of hands, finger webs, backs of fingers, thumbs, fingertips, and wrists for at least 20 seconds to ensure thorough cleaning.
In addition, members of the public should clean their hands promptly at the following moments to prevent the spread of causative agents:
Members of the public may view hand hygiene videos by visiting “Epidemic Prevention Clinic – Hand Hygiene” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=olE4gaBNX8M and “Clean your hands Prevent infection” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Iq2k6O3AY. For more information and resources on hand hygiene, please visit the CHP’s dedicated website or social media page.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Governors’ Business Session of the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 4 (Samarkand time).
The Governors’ Business Session discussed matters related to the business and operations of the ADB. Mr Hui said at the meeting that Hong Kong, as a leading international financial centre and harnessing its unique advantages of connectivity with the Mainland and the world under “one country, two systems”, is well equipped to contribute to translating ADB members’ shared ambitions into action. One area is in green and sustainability, where Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem can help direct capital towards projects with positive social and environmental impact. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and increasing global demand for gold, Hong Kong is now striving to develop a world-class international gold trading market and actively exploring open dialogues with various countries across the region to build a more connected, efficient and innovative gold ecosystem and unlock new opportunities for the region.
On the day, Mr Hui also attended the opening session and a lunch for Governors of the Annual Meeting, as well as a reception and gala dinner organised by Uzbekistan, the host country of the Annual Meeting.
In addition, Mr Hui met with the Public Debt Advisor of the Public Debt Management Office, Thailand, Ms Supak Chaiyawan. He introduced to her the strength of Hong Kong’s world-class financial and professional services, which can support Thailand in fundraising and capital diversification.
On May 5 (Samarkand time), Mr Hui will attend the Governors’ Plenary at the ADB Annual Meeting and meet with financial officials of other countries.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government today announced that Kimmey Ho will assume the post of District Officer (Wong Tai Sin) tomorrow, succeeding Thomas Wu.
Ms Ho joined the Administrative Service in 2008 and has served in various bureaus and departments, including the Home Affairs Department, the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau, the then Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Housing Department.
Most recently, she was Principal Assistant Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury (Treasury) (Works) at the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Land Registry logged 8,692 sale and purchase agreements received for registration for all building units in April, a rise of 12.3% compared with March and up 20.2% year on year.
The total consideration for building unit sale and purchase agreements in April increased 17% from the previous month to 72.9 billion, representing a 45.5% year-on-year increase.
A total of 7,368 agreements were for residential units, up 16.7% from the previous month and up 29.4% from a year ago.
The total consideration for residential units was $63.7 billion, an increase of 15.4% compared with the previous month and a rise of 50.9% year on year.
There were 419,404 land register searches last month.