Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tourism Strategy Committee holds sixth meeting (with photo)
A spokesperson for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) said that this year’s Budget had injected new momentum into the tourism industry, demonstrating the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s steadfast support for its sustainable development. In the coming year, the CSTB will utilise the additional funding to step up marketing efforts in source markets with good potential, while continuing to offer a diverse array of cultural and sports mega events for both visitors and locals. The CSTB will also scale up flagship events, introduce more creative and culturally enriching festive activities, and enhance MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and cruise tourism. These measures serve to enrich visitors’ experiences, ensuring that they have a good time and return time and again.
Members expressed support for the key measures set out in the Budget to further stimulate tourism development, and believe that these initiatives, in conjunction with the HKTB’s work plan, will enhance Hong Kong’s appeal and competitiveness as a world-class tourism destination. These measures are expected to attract more high-value added visitors and generate greater economic benefits for tourism-related industries.
The spokesperson added that the country is advancing the 15th Five-Year Plan at full speed, and the CSTB will proactively align with the country’s development direction of building a country strong in tourism in the areas of culture, sports and tourism. The CSTB will encourage the trade to make good use of the opportunities presented by the 15th Five-Year Plan and leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a connector between the Chinese Mainland and the international community. Insights shared by members during the meeting regarding Hong Kong’s overall tourism development will serve as valuable references for the formulation of the CSTB’s five-year plan.
The Committee is tasked to provide the Government with strategic advice and foster collaboration among different stakeholders in tourism and related sectors for further promoting the long-term and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. Members include prominent figures and key leaders from tourism and other related sectors such as culture, sports, retail and catering.
Issued at HKT 17:33
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Auction of traditional vehicle registration marks to be held on April 18
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Transport Department (TD) today (March 31) announced that the auction of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held on April 18 (Saturday) in Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
“A total of 420 traditional vehicle registration marks will be put up for public auction. The list of marks has been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.
For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with “HK” or “XX” and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.
People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:
(1) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.
(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.
(3) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
(4) The display of a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.
(5) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.
(6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for re allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Traditional Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html.
Government announces appointments to Fight Crime Committee
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government announces appointments to Fight Crime Committee
Mr George Lau Ka-keung
Dr Eugene Chan Kin-keung
Mr Chan Man-chau
Mr Chong Chong-yip
Professor Lau Sin-ting
Mr Stanley Li Sai-wing
Mr Roland Wong Ka-yeung
Mr Wong Wing-lik
Mr Yeung Ka-shing
Dr Stanley Yim Yuk-lun
The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the Committee, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, thanked the 10 members for their continuous contributions and dedication to the Committee, and said he looked forward to continuing to work closely with all members.
The Fight Crime Committee is responsible for drawing up plans to reduce crime, co-ordinating efforts in fighting crime and monitoring the results, and determining ways in which the public can be encouraged to contribute to the fight against crime.
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $2.6 million
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 30) seized about 2.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.4kg of suspected crack cocaine and 104 tablets of suspected nimetazepam with a total estimated market value of about $2.6 million in Sham Tseng. A man and a woman suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
Through intelligence analysis and a detailed investigation, Customs targeted a man who was suspected of controlling a drug repacking centre in Sham Tseng. Customs officers conducted a premises search in a residential flat in Sham Tseng yesterday evening and seized the batch of suspected drugs and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. A 23-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were arrested therein.
The two arrestees have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 1).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).
Appointments to new term of Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to new term of Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, “I am very pleased that the Chairman and the other eight non-official members have accepted the appointments. They all possess rich experience and expertise in their respective sectors, and will continue to inject impetus into the work of the HKCPEC in promoting regional economic co-operation. I would also like to thank the outgoing member, Ms Edith Law, for her valuable advice and contribution to the work of the HKCPEC during her tenure.”
The HKCPEC is a tripartite forum, comprising members from the academic, business and government sectors, to co-ordinate Hong Kong, China’s participation in the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), a non-profit, policy-oriented regional organisation with 21 member economies dedicated to the promotion of regional economic development. Over the years, apart from contributing actively to discussions on the PECC front, the HKCPEC has also been promoting locally the importance of regional trade and economic co-operation through a series of internship and youth programmes.
The new membership list of the HKCPEC is as follows:
Chairman
Professor Tam Kar-yan
Vice Chairman
Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry
Members
Ms Emily Cheung
Ms Suki Cheung
Mr Dickson Kwok
Mr Nicholas Lai
Ms Sophia Lee
Professor Miranda Lou
Professor Lui Hon-kwong
Professor Raymond Wong
Government Economist or his/her representative
Director of Research of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council or his/her representative
Issued at HKT 16:00
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New measures under Housing (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 to combat abuse of public rental housing take effect today
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The new measures under the Housing (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 to combat abuse of public rental housing (PRH) have come into effect today (March 31). The measures include: (i) introducing new offences of “serious tenancy abuse of PRH flats”; (ii) empowering authorised officers to demand personal information from suspicious individuals; and (iii) extending the prosecution time limit for offences involving false statements, refusal to furnish information and unlawful alienations.
The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, said, ”The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) keeps on enhancing its policies to ensure that public housing resources are targeted to those in greatest need. The Housing (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 demonstrates the steadfast commitment of the Government and the HA to making good use of public housing resources, combining legislative and administrative measures to tackle serious abuse.”
The HA has stepped up its publicity efforts through television programmes, newspapers, social media, leaflets, posters and other channels, and has organised exchange sessions with district councillors to ensure PRH tenants and members of the public fully understand the strengthened measures against abuse of PRH.
Tender awarded for operation of Geospatial Lab
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender awarded for operation of Geospatial Lab
A two-envelope approach was adopted in the open tender exercise, under which the weighting for the technical proposal was 70 per cent and price proposal 30 per cent. Two tenders were received. After the tenderers’ execution plans, innovative suggestions, qualifications and relevant experience were assessed, the tender was awarded to the TWGHs and the SCC, which attained the highest combined score on their technical and price proposals.
Leveraging their extensive experience in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, start-up support, and Geographic Information Systems activities, as well as their established network for promoting AI on campuses, the TWGHs and the SCC will bring more innovative spatial data promotion initiatives to the GeoLab, connecting communities across age groups and business sectors. At the same time, the GeoLab will also strengthen collaboration with the innovation and technology sector to organise creative and inspiring events that enhance daily convenience for citizens and foster the commercial application of spatial data.
The Spatial Data Office of the DEVB looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the TWGHs and the SCC, reaching out to schools and communities, and further promoting and advocating the use of spatial data, with a particular focus on applications that integrate spatial data and AI in the next two years.
Issued at HKT 16:00
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Chief Executive in Council approves railway scheme of Smart and Green Mass Transit System in Kai Tak
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Chief Executive in Council today (March 31) authorised the railway scheme of the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in Kai Tak (SGMTS-KT) in accordance with the Railways Ordinance (Cap. 519).
The SGMTS-KT is approximately 3.5-kilometre long with six stations. The termini will be connected to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the MTR Kai Tak Station respectively. It will provide a convenient feeder transport service connecting the former runway area of Kai Tak to the MTR Kai Tak Station to strengthen connectivity among residential and commercial developments, tourism, culture and recreation, sports and community facilities within the area. Tenders for the contract of the SGMTS-KT were invited in October 2025, with the system targeted to be commissioned in 2031.
A Government spokesperson said, “The Government has collected public views on the SGMTS-KT project through various channels earlier, including consulting the Legislative Council (LegCo)’s Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways, the Transport Advisory Committee, the Kowloon City District Council and the Task Force on Kai Tak Harbourfront Development of the Harbourfront Commission, and exchanging views with relevant LegCo Members and stakeholders. The public is generally supportive of the SGMTS-KT project.”
The scheme of the SGMTS-KT was gazetted on July 25, 2025, and August 1, 2025. In respect of the objections received, the Government has carefully studied the grounds of each opinion and met with the objectors to explain the railway scheme and address their concerns. All of the unwithdrawn objections have been submitted to the Executive Council for consideration.
“During the implementation of the SGMTS-KT project, the franchisee will maintain close communication with the relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, the franchisee is required to comply with the conditions set out in the environmental permit issued by the Director of Environmental Protection to mitigate the environmental impacts of the works,” the spokesman added.
Government’s financial results for 11 months ended February 28, 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government’s financial results for 11 months ended February 28, 2026
Expenditure and revenue from April 2025 to February 2026 amounted to HK$691.5 billion and HK$654.8 billion respectively, resulting in a surplus of HK$62.6 billion after taking into account HK$148.9 billion received from issuance of Government Bonds and repayment of HK$49.6 billion principal on Government Bonds. The fiscal reserves stood at HK$716.9 billion as at February 28, 2026.
According to the 2026-27 Budget announced in end-February 2026, the revised estimate for the current financial year will record a surplus of HK$2.9 billion and the fiscal reserves are estimated to be HK$657.2 billion as at the end of March 2026.
Detailed figures are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT (Note 1)
| February 28, 2026 HK$ millionFebruary 28, 2026 HK$ millionand repayment of Government Bondsissuance of Government BondsGovernment Bonds*and repayment of Government BondsGovernment Debts as at February 28, 2026 (Note 3) HK$407,176 million Debts Guaranteed by Government as at February 28, 2026 (Note 4) HK$111,597 million TABLE 2. FISCAL RESERVES
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