Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Monetary Statistics for April 2026
Total loans and advances increased by 0.5 per cent in April, and increased by 3.6 per cent in the year to end-April. Among the total, loans for use in Hong Kong (including trade finance) and loans for use outside Hong Kong increased by 0.1 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively in April. The Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio decreased to 71.6 per cent at the end of April from 72.3 per cent at the end of March, as Hong Kong dollar deposits increased at a faster pace than Hong Kong dollar loans.
Hong Kong dollar M2 and M3 both increased by 1.3 per cent in April, and both increased by 3.1 per cent when compared to a year ago. The seasonally-adjusted Hong Kong dollar M1 decreased by 1.1 per cent in April, while increased by 14.1 per cent compared to a year ago, reflecting in part investment-related activities. Total M2 and total M3 both increased by 1.4 per cent in April. Compared to a year earlier, total M2 and total M3 both increased by 10.0 per cent.
As monthly monetary statistics are subject to volatilities due to a wide range of transient factors, such as seasonal funding demand as well as business and investment-related activities, caution is required when interpreting the statistics.
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Appointments to industry advisory committees to advise Insurance Authority announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to industry advisory committees to advise Insurance Authority announced
Following is the list of non-official members of the IACs with effect from June 1, 2026: ——————————-
Ms Annie Chen Poonis
Mr Alex Chu Wing-yiu
Mr Peter James Crewe
Mr Dick Fong Ho-cheung
Ms Veronica Fung Kit-ming
Mr Nigel Knowles
Ms Joanie Ko Chung-ling
Ms Lisa Lau Man-man
Ms Selina Lau Pui-ling
Mr Victor Shi Xiaokai
Mr Bill Song Xuanbi—————————-
Mr Rohan Bhappu
Mr Jonathan Chen Zhaonan
Mr Cheong Heng-loong
Ms Polly Ho Kin-wing
Professor Hui Kai-lung
Mr Jia Jingwei
Mr Jonathon Ko
Mr George Leung Woon-wing
Mr Jacky Lio Veng-hei
Dr Wong Wai-kei
Ms Sally Yim Yat-man
Issued at HKT 12:00
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CE to lead delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE to lead delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Mr Lee said that Central Asia enjoys rapid economic development, abundant natural resources, and immense market potential, offering a vast scope for collaboration with Hong Kong. Kazakhstan is a major economy in Central Asia. It is an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe, accounting for around 60 per cent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product, and is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. Uzbekistan is located at the heart of Central Asia, bordering all Central Asian states and is the most populous country in the region. It is not only an important economic powerhouse, but also a key partner for Hong Kong in expanding its presence in the Central Asian market.
Mr Lee noted that this delegation is the largest of its kind in the current term of the Government, covering the largest number of participants and the broadest range of sectors, and would further deepen international exchanges and co-operation. The delegation comprises over 40 Hong Kong business and professional representatives and about 30 representatives of Mainland enterprises, covering such sectors as industry and business, finance, legal services, construction and engineering, logistics, I&T, advanced manufacturing, and the automotive industry. The delegation will further harness Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle in connecting the Mainland and the world, support Mainland enterprises in going global, and capitalise on complementary strengths. It will actively promote Hong Kong’s advantages and investment opportunities to local business sectors, so as to attract Central Asian enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s platform for business expansion and better utilise Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials joining the delegation include the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, among others.
Mr Lee will start his visit in Kazakhstan, before proceeding to Uzbekistan on June 3. During the visit, Mr Lee will meet with senior government officials of the two countries to enhance government-to-government and high-level communication, lead the delegation in connecting with local business sectors, introduce Hong Kong’s advantages, expand business networks, and visit enterprises and facilities to understand the latest developments and explore co-operation opportunities.
Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on June 6. In his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive.
Issued at HKT 14:00
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27 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Twilight” and “Contribute” and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” from May 22 to yesterday (May 28). During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, flats under renovation and shopping malls. Twenty-two suspected illegal workers and five suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 17 men and five women, aged 26 to 59. Four men and one woman, aged 35 to 52, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Appointments to Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony announced
The following is a list of the non-official members of the CPRH:
Reappointed incumbent members:
Mr Mohammad Ilyas
Mr Vishal Melwani
Mr Syed Mohammed Mohiuddin
Mrs Marina Rai
Dr Tika Rana
Mr Baljinder Singh
Mr Yeung Tsz-hei
Mr Eric Yuon Fuk-lung
Other incumbent members:
Ms Zareenah Ho Sau-yin
Ms Jody Kwok Fu-yung
Mr Zaman Minhas Qamar
Ms Himeshika Samaradivakara
Ms Kalsoom Syed
Mr Deep Singh Vinner
The CPRH is a non-statutory advisory body set up to advise the Government on matters relating to fostering racial harmony in the community and to enhance mutual understanding among people of different ethnic origins. Chaired by the Deputy Director of Home Affairs, the Committee includes representatives from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Labour Department and the Information Services Department. The Race Relations Unit of the Home Affairs Department provides secretariat support to the Committee.
Issued at HKT 15:00
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Reappointment of members to Independent Police Complaints Council announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Reappointment of members to Independent Police Complaints Council announced
The appointments are made by the Chief Executive according to section 5 of the Independent Police Complaints Council Ordinance (Cap. 604) (IPCC Ordinance).
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, said, “I am most grateful for the relentless efforts and invaluable contributions of the IPCC to safeguarding a fair, effective and transparent two-tier police complaints system in Hong Kong. I am confident that the IPCC will continue to actively discharge its statutory functions under the IPCC Ordinance to ensure that complaints from the public are handled fairly and impartially. It will also leverage the experience gained from the complaints to make improvement recommendations to the Police with a view to enhancing service quality and professional standards.”
Mr Tang said that the Government will continue to render full support to the IPCC to give full play to its independent statutory monitoring functions to uphold a fair and impartial police complaints system accountable to the public in Hong Kong.
The IPCC, established under the IPCC Ordinance, is an independent statutory body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the investigation of complaints against members of the Police Force. The IPCC Ordinance provides a statutory basis for the IPCC’s role and power as well as the two-tier police complaints system. It also imposes a statutory duty on the Police to comply with the IPCC’s requirements. At present, the IPCC comprises a Chairman, three Vice-chairmen and 14 non-official members.
Issued at HKT 10:00
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“Smart Parent Net” Recommendation:Tips on Sleeping Soundly; Primary One Central Allocation results to be posted to parents on June 3 and 4
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3
The Education Bureau (EDB) will inform parents of the results of the Central Allocation for Primary One Admission (POA) 2026 next Wednesday and Thursday (June 3 and 4).
Parents who completed the Choice of Schools Form for the Central Allocation on or before January 25 this year can obtain the allocation results by the following means:
- Parents who have activated their POA e-Platform (ePOA) account via “iAM Smart” or “iAM Smart+” (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) can check the Central Allocation results through the ePOA from 10 am on June 3;
- Parents who have provided a mobile phone number on the Choice of Schools Form and indicated their consent to receive the allocation results via the mobile phone number will also receive the Central Allocation results via SMS on June 3; and
- Parents will also receive the Primary One Registration Form with the Central Allocation results, delivered by Hongkong Postthrough the Local CourierPost service on June 3 and 4. If door delivery by Hongkong Post fails, a Mail Collection Notification Card will be left for parents to collect it from the designated post office starting from the afternoon of the following working day. If parents have not received the mail concerned or the Mail Collection Notification Card issued by Hongkong Post by June 5, they can collect the Primary One Registration Form at the designated collection centre on June 6 or 7. Please refer to the EDB’s POA System webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/index.html) for details.
Please refer to the related videos and Parents’ Guide on the EDB’s Resources on POA e-Platform webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html) for details of the procedures for activating and logging into an ePOA account and for checking allocation results via the e-Platform.
Student registration procedures
Parents are required to register their child with the school allocated during school hours on June 9 (Tuesday) or June 10 (Wednesday).
If parents are unable to complete the registration procedures on the above dates due to important matters, they should contact the person-in-charge of registration at the school allocated in advance to make alternative arrangements. Otherwise, they will be considered to have given up the school place allocated.
Arrangements for special circumstances
Should parents decide to give up the place allocated because of special circumstances, such as relocating to another district far from the school allocated, they should not register their child with the school allocated. Under such circumstances, they are advised to go to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section, Podium Floor, West Block, Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, to make necessary arrangements for transfer. They should bring along the Primary One Registration Form, the original and copies of documents showing proof of the new address (such as a rental contract, rates demand notes, or water or electricity bills bearing the name of the parent or the guardian of the child).
If a student needs to transfer schools after completing the registration due to special circumstances, parents are strongly advised to obtain an assurance of acceptance from another school before retrieving the Primary One Registration Form from the original school because retrieval of the registration form means cancellation of the allocated school place.
In case of inclement weather or other special circumstances during the period for the announcement of results or on any day(s) designated for registration, parents should pay attention to announcements on radio and television for special arrangements for the Central Allocation or registration.
Enquiries
Parents wishing to obtain general information regarding the POA procedures can call the EDB’s 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service at 2891 0088. Further enquiries can be made to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section at 2832 7610 (for Hong Kong Island and Islands), 2832 7620 (for Kowloon), 2832 7635 (for New Territories West), 2832 7659 (for New Territories East) and 2832 7700/2832 7740 (for general enquiries) during office hours, as well as from 9 am to 4.30 pm on June 6 (Saturday) and June 7 (Sunday).
HKSAR Government welcomes Ministry of Finance’s inaugural issuance of Renminbi sovereign green bonds in Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKSAR Government welcomes Ministry of Finance’s inaugural issuance of Renminbi sovereign green bonds in Hong Kong
The offshore RMB green bonds issued on this occasion, with tenors of three years and five years, were warmly received by the market, with total subscriptions amounting to RMB62.4 billion – 10.4 times the issue size. Specifically, the three-year bonds were oversubscribed by 9.8 times, while the five-year bonds were oversubscribed by 11 times. All proceeds raised from the bond issuance will be applied to eligible green expenditures under the central fiscal budget in accordance with the People’s Republic of China Sovereign Green Bond Framework.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “This sovereign green bond issuance is of distinctive significance. It marks the Central Government’s first issuance of RMB-denominated sovereign green bonds in Hong Kong, and underscores the important role of Hong Kong’s ‘Finance+’ development strategy in harnessing the power of finance to support and contribute to the country’s high-quality development.
“This issuance will further enhance the yield curve for Hong Kong’s offshore RMB bond market, provide a new investment benchmark for international capital, and attract more cross-boundary RMB financing and trading activities to Hong Kong. It will also support the efficient matching of global capital with the country’s high-quality green projects. By giving strong impetus to the green transition while delivering reasonable returns for investors, the issuance will help attract more long-term capital into the green sector and promote sustainable development.”
Issued at HKT 15:30
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Appointments to Arboriculture and Horticulture Industry Development Advisory Committee announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Arboriculture and Horticulture Industry Development Advisory Committee announced
Appointed by the Secretary for Development, members of the AHIDAC advise the DEVB on issues related to the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel, the Study Sponsorship Scheme and Trainee Programme under the Urban Forestry Support Fund, as well as the development and manpower supply and demand of the arboriculture and horticulture industry.
The membership of the new term of the AHIDAC is set out below:————–
Deputy Secretary for Development (Works) 1——————————————-
Mr Brian Cheng Leung-yan*
Mr Ray Ching Wai
Mr Terry Fung Kim-yung*
Ms Vivian Lai Wai-yin*
Mr Hindley Lau*
Mr Patrick Lau Hing-tat*
Mr Tinson Ng Siu-tin*
Dr Alvin Tang Ming-chak
Ms Florence Tsui Ho-fun
Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuet——————————————-
Construction Industry Council
Vocational Training Council
Official members
——————-
Head of Greening, Landscape, and Tree Management Section, DEVB
Representative of Education Bureau
Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Representative of Highways Department
Representative of Housing Department
Representative of Leisure and Cultural Services DepartmentIssued at HKT 11:00
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31 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
31 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements
The offences of these 31 landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; and (2) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (including requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance).
The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon a comprehensive investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted the landlords.
A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting landlords from doing any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of members of the tenant’s household, with the intention of causing the tenant to give up occupation of the SDU; or requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded tenants of their rights under the Ordinance, including a four-year (i.e. two years plus two years) security of tenure. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether they have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance. In addition, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work to enhance public awareness about the key offences and penalties, emphasising that the RVD proactively checks whether landlords have committed the offences under the Ordinance.
The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. The RVD has been issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to assist them in understanding the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and to remind them about the procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy as well as their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html
For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.htmlIssued at HKT 16:12
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