Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Buildings Department (BD) today announced the relaunch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs), and the reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

The BD said it will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous.

It noted that the Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs.

The DEVB also pointed out that the Government prepared to relaunch the reporting scheme to allow owners of NTEHs, or village houses, who did not report their UBWs in the 2012 administrative reporting scheme to do so.

The relaunched reporting scheme will maintain the original criteria adopted for the original scheme regarding the types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates.

This means that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law, and were not the First Round Targets are eligible.

Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50% of the roofed-over area of the main building.

In addition, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.     

Reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD’s website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. A $600 administrative fee is payable for each application.

Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.

Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will distribute leaflets and posters to Rural Committees, and make use of other channels, to let villagers know more about the relaunch of the reporting scheme.

Owners who had successfully participated in the 2012 reporting scheme are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets.

After dealing with such targets, the BD will take priority enforcement action against the relevant UBWs that remain unreported after the application deadline.

It will formulate an enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMAC) and Hebei’s Xiong’an New Area to learn about practical experience in large-scale new area planning and construction.

Both places are listed as part of the “one core and two wings” national development strategy, and the tours aimed to provide a solid reference for the planning and construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

The Chief Secretary, leading a delegation, went to the BMAC in the morning, where they toured the planning exhibition hall, the Yunhe Business District, the Beijing Library and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing.

The delegation learned about the BMAC’s overall planning and development, its experience in attracting and concentrating higher education resources, as well as promoting the integration of the industry, academic and research sectors. They also observed the canal-side development and conservation, and the construction of major public cultural facilities there.

Mr Chan said the BMAC has been developed into a world-class harmonious and liveable demonstration area through high-standard planning, green and smart development, and a model of integration between campus and city.

He added that he hoped to draw on its valuable experience in relieving city functions, sharing resources, and innovation ecosystems, thereby providing practical inspiration for the NMUT’s top-level design, smart campus development and sustainable growth.

In the afternoon, the delegation proceeded to the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei to tour the comprehensive service centre at the startup area. They found out about its planning and construction, as well as its “one-stop” integrated services for relieving Beijing of functions that are not essential to its role as the nation’s capital.

This was followed by a visit to the University Town of Fifth Cluster North Collaborative Innovation Exhibition Hall, and the Beijing Forestry University Xiong’an Campus Smart Exhibition Hall and project construction site.

Mr Chan said the first batch of Beijing universities’ campuses in Xiong’an has entered a large-scale construction stage, achieving campus-city integration, deep integration of industry and education, and smart and green development, injecting strong innovative vitality into the new area.

He added that the delegation learned about Xiong’an New Area’s experience in fields such as higher education institution and industry linkage, infrastructure-led development, and sustainable planning. It will provide valuable insights for the NMUT’s high-quality planning and construction, helping it develop into a hub for international education, innovation, and technology.

The delegation was joined by representatives from the eight University Grants Committee-funded universities in today’s visits.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau today announced that the Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BIT Week) will take place this month.

Jointly organised by the bureau and the Trade Development Council (HKTDC), BIT Week will comprise a series of major innovation and technology (I&T) events, including the flagship InnoEX event and the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.

The fourth InnoEX will be held from April 13 to 16 at the Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Themed “Innovate • Automate • Elevate”, this year’s event will bring together I&T enterprises, industry elites and buyers to jointly promote the application of cutting-edge technology solutions in five key areas, namely “AI+”, robotics, the low-altitude economy, property technology and retail technology.

It will also showcase over 100 robots from technology enterprises in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas.

Another highlight of InnoEX will be the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion set up by the Digital Policy Office. The pavilion will showcase over 100 I&T solutions, including those developed by the Government, as well as award-winning I&T projects by local enterprises and students, demonstrating Hong Kong’s achievements in I&T and smart city development.

In addition, the third Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and the Xiangjiang Nobel Forum will be held from April 12 to 16 at the HKCEC. Top I&T talent from around the world – including Nobel Prize and Turing Award laureates, and other renowned academics and scientists – will gather in the city to discuss frontier developments and co-operation in areas such as AI, embodied robotics, biomedicine, quantum technology and green energy.

A new addition to BIT Week this year is the International Academicians Hong Kong Forum, which will be organised on April 14 by the International Alliance of Academicians. Invited speakers will include a Fields medallist and over 10 globally renowned experts and academics in the fields of medicine, AI and higher education.

Moreover, the HKCEC will host the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit on April 13 and 14. The summit will focus on internet frontier topics and the strengthening of digital collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong highlighted that BIT Week will bring together over 3,700 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions. He added that it will further demonstrate Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages in enjoying strong support from the motherland while being closely connected to the world, and its “bridging role of bringing in and going global”.

Mr Sun said the city’s advantages allow it to proactively seek development breakthroughs, actively integrate into the National 15th Five-Year Plan, accelerate its development as an international I&T centre, and deepen co-operation with the Mainland and overseas markets.

Other major industry events during BIT Week include the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Smart Lighting Expo, and the Hong Kong Web3 Festival.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The total value of retail sales in February, provisionally estimated at $35 billion, was up 19.3% compared with the same month a year earlier, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales represents a 17.5% year-on-year increase.

Online sales accounted for 8.5% of the total retail sales value in February. Provisionally estimated at $3 billion, the value of this segment rose 29% from the same month a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the revised estimate of the total value of retail sales for January 2026 was 5.5% higher than that for a year earlier. For the first two months of 2026 taken together, it is provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales rose 11.8% compared with the same period in 2025.

Highlighting that retail sales tend to show greater volatility in the first two months of a year due to the variable timing of the Lunar New Year, the department said consumer spending in the local market normally reaches a seasonal high before the festival.

Explaining that as the Lunar New Year fell on February 17 this year but on January 29 last year, it is more appropriate to analyse the retail sales figures for January and February taken together when making year-on-year comparisons.

For the first two months of 2026 taken together, the value of online retail sales was 27.5% higher than that for the same period in 2025.

The value of sales of consumer goods “not elsewhere classified” increased 13.1% in the first two months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

There were also increases in the following categories: jewellery, watches clocks, and valuable gifts (up 27.8%); commodities in supermarkets (up 3.3%); clothing (up 6.2%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (up 2.6%); medicines and cosmetics (up 8.3%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (up 32.4%); commodities in department stores (up 5.8%); motor vehicles and parts (up 28.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (up 9.6%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (up 3.%); furniture and fixtures (up 13%); and optical items (up 9.2%). 

Meanwhile, the value of sales of fuels was down 14.2% in the first two months of 2026 versus the same period a year earlier. Sales of Chinese drugs and herbs also fell (down 0.8%).

The Government highlighted that retail sales strengthened significantly in early 2026. Looking ahead, it added that resilient growth momentum in the local economy and an increase in inbound visitors are expected to support retail businesses. The Government will continue to closely monitor geopolitical developments and assess the potential implications for consumer spending locally.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced that the Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs appointed 1,918 people, 553 people and 530 people, respectively, as members of the Area Committees, the District Fight Crime Committees and the District Fire Safety Committees (collectively referred to as “the three committees”) for a new term of office of two years starting today.

The membership lists are available on the Home Affairs Department’s website.

The Government added that it identifies individuals to join the “three committees” based on a number of factors, taking into account the candidates’ ability, expertise, experience, integrity and commitment to serving the community, as well as with due regard to the committees’ functions.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Environment & Ecology Bureau announced that it will release weekly updates on auto-fuel retail price adjustments every Wednesday afternoon from today to facilitate public monitoring.

The updates include the seven-day moving average retail prices, after walk-in discounts of unleaded petrol and diesel from local oil companies, along with the trends in international benchmark prices of refined oil products during the same period.

In view of the latest situation in the Middle East, the bureau said it reiterated to local major oil companies the importance of energy for Hong Kong’s economic and social operations, and urged them to ensure a stable supply of local auto-fuel.

All oil companies have indicated that the supply of local auto-fuel remains at a normal level, and that they will continue to strive to maintain a stable supply, the bureau added.

The bureau compares the international benchmark prices of refined oil products with retail prices for auto-fuel in the charts to facilitate the public in monitoring trends of local retail prices for auto-fuel among local oil companies, as well as international prices for refined oil products, and to assess whether these prices are moving in tandem and the extent of such changes.

In addition to showing pump prices, the charts also show the retail prices, and net of walk-in discounts offered by each oil company, thereby allowing the public to compare the average prices across different oil companies and choose the ones offering more competitive prices. 

If Wednesday falls on a general holiday, the charts will be released on the next working day.

The bureau noted that public transport, air passenger and cargo services, and electricity supply are directly related to energy supply.

Currently, around 80% of Hong Kong’s oil products come from the Chinese Mainland, and the city has been able to maintain a stable energy supply amid energy shortages in many regions and cities around the world.

The Government will continue to closely monitor geopolitical developments, international energy price trends, and the local fuel supply situation to ensure the stability of Hong Kong’s energy supply.

Source: Government of Singapore

1 Apr 2026 – The Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailing over the region since December 2025 are forecast to gradually weaken and end, with inter-monsoon conditions setting in during the first week of April 2026. The inter-monsoon period usually lasts to May and is characterised by light and variable winds and higher lightning activity.

2.          The first fortnight of April 2026 is expected to be wetter than the past fortnight, with thundery showers forecast over parts of Singapore in the afternoon on most days. The showers may extend into the evening on a few of these days. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds on one or two mornings. The total rainfall for the first fortnight of April 2026 is forecast to be near average over most parts of the island.

3.          While more showers are expected in the first fortnight of April 2026, daily maximum temperatures may still range between 33 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius on most days. Daily maximum temperatures may exceed 35 degrees Celsius on a few days when there is less cloud coverage.

4.          For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (16 – 31 March 2026)

5.          Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the second fortnight of March 2026. During this period, the low-level winds blew mainly from the north or northeast.

6.          There were several fair days in the second fortnight of March 2026. Short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the afternoon on a few days. On 17 March 2026 and18 March 2026, localised thundery showers affected the southern and western parts of Singapore in the afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 58.4mm recorded at Tuas South on 17 March 2026 and at Lim Chu Kang on 18 March 2026 was the highest rainfall recorded for the second fortnight of March 2026.

7.          The second fortnight of March 2026 was warm, with daily maximum temperatures above 34 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 35.4 degrees Celsius was recorded at Sembawang on 30 March 2026. 

8.          Many areas across the island registered well below average rainfall in the second fortnight of March 2026. 

 

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for April   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	32.4	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.3	°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.2	°C
Average rainfall:	164.3	mm
Average number of rain days:	15
Historical Extremes for April   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	33.9	°C (1983)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	23.1	°C (1934)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	454.9	mm (1900)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	16.6	mm (1977)

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METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

1 Apr 2026

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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) announced today (April 1) that applications under the 2026 Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) (Platform & Seed) will be invited from May 18 until July 17, 2026.
 
     The ITSP (Platform & Seed) aims to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D centres or designated local public research institutes with a view to transferring R&D results to local industries. Platform projects are applied R&D projects that are industry-oriented and have potential for commercialisation, while seed projects are exploratory and forward-looking projects.
    
     An ITC spokesman said, “To fully align with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the ITC welcomes applications closely related to the technology areas highlighted in the Plan (quantum technology, embodied AI, etc). Applications related to other technology areas that meet the eligibility requirements are also welcome. To allow applicants more time to prepare their proposals and identify industry partners, we have brought forward the announcement of this year’s application period.”
 
     Further information on the ITSP (Platform & Seed) is available on the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) website (www.itf.gov.hk/en/funding-programmes/supporting-research/itsp/itsp-platform-seed/index.html). For enquiries, please contact the ITF Secretariat (Tel: 3543 5904; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Two co-owners were convicted and fined $66,200 in total, of which $50,200 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (March 31) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).  

The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 29 square metres on the roof of a village house on a lot at D.D. 242, Sai Kung. Since the Lands Department would not issue a certificate of exemption for the unauthorised building works (UBWs) and the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the co-owners under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, they were prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today (April 1), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety.”

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.