Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
79th round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles to be open May 18 to 21
Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 10:00
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“Fish enJoy” Scheme catches on
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“Fish enJoy” Scheme catches on
News.gov.hk spoke to representatives from the department about the objectives and implementation of the “Fish enJoy” Scheme and the “Agri enJoy” Scheme. Meanwhile, a mariculturist and a farmer involved in the schemes gave a taste of the experiences on offer to the public.
The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/featureIssued at HKT 10:00
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Home and Youth Affairs Bureau holds Hong Kong’s five-year plan Thematic Consultation Session – District Governance
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Home and Youth Affairs Bureau holds Hong Kong’s five-year plan Thematic Consultation Session – District Governance
The fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress approved the “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China” (the 15th Five-Year Plan) in March 2026. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is proactively aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan and is drawing up its first Hong Kong five-year plan, which should take a macro view and be strategic and forward looking.
Speaking at the thematic consultation session, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, highlighted that the 15th Five-Year Plan sets out important strategies for the country in various areas, including improvement of the social governance system. She stressed that the HKSAR Government will closely align with these strategies, strengthen institutional advantages, and improve the efficacy of district governance, thereby strengthening the public’s sense of fulfilment, happiness and security. The HYAB hoped to gather the insights and expectations of stakeholders with rich district experience through the thematic consultation session to assist the HKSAR Government in preparing the first Hong Kong’s five-year plan.
The HYAB will continue to collect views from various sectors of society on its policy areas through different channels and formats, with the aim of ensuring that the Hong Kong’s five-year plan better meets Hong Kong’s practical needs and provides clear directions for future development.
Issued at HKT 18:05
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DH urges public to adopt healthy lifestyle, measure blood pressure and undergo screening regularly in support of World Hypertension Day
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH urges public to adopt healthy lifestyle, measure blood pressure and undergo screening regularly in support of World Hypertension Day—————————
Adults are considered to have hypertension if their systolic blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 140 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and/or their diastolic blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 90 mmHg. According to the Hong Kong Reference Framework for Hypertension Care for Adults in Primary Care Settings
How to prevent hypertension
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Adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential for preventing and controlling hypertension. Reducing salt intake is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. According to the DH’s PHS 2020-22, as many as 83.9 per cent of persons aged 15 to 84 had daily salt intake above the World Health Organization-recommended daily limit of less than 5 grams of salt. Furthermore, the public are reminded to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, and to stay away from secondhand smoke as far as possible.Issued at HKT 11:00
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Tenders invited for licence of advertising areas at Tsim Sha Tsui Interchange Subways and Middle Road Subway
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tenders invited for licence of advertising areas at Tsim Sha Tsui Interchange Subways and Middle Road Subway
The licence should be used for the installation, operation, management, maintenance and control of the advertising display systems (as defined in the respective Form of Licence Agreement) for the display of advertisements at the abovementioned adverting areas only.
The tender notice was uploaded today (May 18) to the GPA Property PortalIssued at HKT 12:04
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CHP’s measles vaccination booth at airport to remain open until end of May
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
So far this year, seven measles cases have been recorded in Hong Kong, including four imported cases and three local cases (two of which were epidemiologically linked to an imported case and all of which belonged to the abovementioned airport backend support staff cluster). In the past two years (2024 and 2025), 10 cases were recorded each year.
Measles outbreaks are currently occurring in many regions around the world. In recent years, North America (including the United States, Canada and Mexico) and Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have seen persistent measles outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage. About 1 800 cases have been recorded in the United States so far this year, a figure significantly higher than the same period last year. In Europe, the number of measles cases in the United Kingdom and Spain has increased this year, with 542 and 110 cases recorded respectively since January. In Asia, measles remains prevalent in the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia. Japan has also seen a substantial rise in cases this year, with 462 cases recorded as of May 8, surpassing last year’s total of 265 cases and marking the highest record since 2019. Singapore and Australia have reported 33 and 102 measles cases respectively this year, which is also higher than the same period last year. Most of the overseas cases involved individuals who were not vaccinated against measles or had an unknown vaccination status, highlighting the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
As a city with a high volume of international travel, Hong Kong faces the potential risk of importation of the measles virus and its spread in the local community. The CHP’s territory-wide immunisation surveys showed that under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has consistently stayed above 95 per cent. The local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. However, measles is highly contagious. A small number of people who have not completed measles vaccinations (such as non-locally born people including new immigrants, foreign domestic helpers, overseas employees and people coming to Hong Kong for further studies) are still at risk of being infected and spreading measles to others without immunity against measles, such as children under one year old who have not yet received the first dose of the measles vaccine. Those who have unknown immunities against measles or need to receive measles vaccinations are urged to consult their doctor.
The Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme introduced a measles vaccine for the first time in 1967. Since then, the incidence of measles has gradually decreased. People born and raised in Hong Kong before 1967 can be considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection, as measles was endemic in Hong Kong at that time. People born in Hong Kong in or after 1967 who have not yet completed the two doses of measles vaccination, or whose measles vaccination history is unknown, should consult their family doctors as soon as possible to complete the vaccination and ensure adequate protection against measles.
The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If travellers returning from places with a high incidence or an outbreak of measles develop symptoms of measles (e.g. fever and rash), they should seek medical advice immediately and avoid contact with non-immune individuals, especially pregnant women and infants under 1 year old. They should also report their symptoms and prior travel history to healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities to prevent any potential spread. For more information on measles, the public may visit the CHP’s measles thematic pageIssued at HKT 18:24
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Applications for allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises to commence tomorrow
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will start accepting applications from restaurants tomorrow (May 18) for allowing dogs to enter their premises. It is expected that the permitted food premises could welcome their customers with dogs within July. The application process is simple. Restaurants interested in applying for the dog-admission permission may submit their applications, starting from 10am tomorrow, electronically through the FEHD’s dedicated webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/dog_restaurants/index.html). The application period will be ended on June 8.
A quota of not more than 1 000 restaurants is set for the first phase of application. If more than 1 000 applications are received, allocation will be made by balloting. For safety considerations, applications from hotpot restaurants and barbecue restaurants (including teppanyaki and Korean barbecue) will not be accepted, and only applications from restaurants with an area larger than 20 square metres will be considered. Apart from the above restrictions, all restaurants with a full licence may apply for the dog-admission permission.
The first batch of permission is expected to be granted in mid-June. To allow sufficient time for operational preparation by the trade, the FEHD will specify a date in July from which dogs will be allowed to enter permitted food premises. The exact date will be announced in due course. No person shall bring any dog onto any food premises prior to that date (except for guide dogs and working dogs).
To assist the catering trade in understanding the application requirements in advance, and get prepared for the upcoming implementation of the new measures, the FEHD held three briefing sessions for the trade from May 11 to 13. Representatives of the FEHD have set out relevant application procedures, eligibility criteria, licensing conditions and matters that require restaurant operators’ attention. In addition, representatives of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Institute of Shopping Centre Management, and the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, were invited to share with trade members knowledge on interacting with animals, experience in managing pet-friendly malls and matters requiring attention in relation to insurance.
More than 360 members from the catering sector attended the three briefing sessions, and over 4 600 viewers watched the live broadcasts via the FEHD’s Facebook page. The briefings received an enthusiastic response. Representatives of the FEHD also answered questions from attendees at the question-and-answer sessions. The department will hold the fourth briefing session for the trade on May 28. Restaurant operators who are unable to attend in person and other interested parties may watch the live broadcast via the FEHD’s Facebook page from 2.30pm to 5pm on the day of the briefing session, which will later be uploaded to the FEHD’s dedicated webpage.
Information on allowing dogs to enter permitted restaurants, including licence conditions and frequently asked questions has been uploaded to the FEHD’s dedicated webpage. The FEHD will also release a set of Guidelines of Good Practice and Behaviour later, for reference by restaurant operators and members of the public. The FEHD has set up two dedicated hotlines (2867 5912 and 2867 2836), through which enquiries about the applications can be made from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Primary Healthcare Commission organises World Family Doctor Day event and commendation ceremony
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
In support of the World Family Doctor Day, the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) under the Health Bureau (HHB) and the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) jointly organised the World Family Doctor Day Carnival 2026 event for two consecutive days (May 16 and 17) at the Central Atrium, Olympian City 2, Kowloon, with an aim to promote the concept of “Family Doctor for All” and services under the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network to members of the public. The PHC Commission also held a commendation ceremony today to acknowledge the contributions of 30 family doctors who have actively participated in the Co-care Network to advance primary healthcare development.
Officiating at the commendation ceremony today, the Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, said, “This year’s World Family Doctor Day is themed ‘Compassionate Care in a Digital World’. Leveraging the opportunities brought by the rapid advancement of technology, we hope family doctors, members of the public and community stakeholders can jointly make good use of digital technology and AI, driving technology to serve as a key force in strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and building a healthy life together.”
Dr Fan also remarked that the Government has launched the Co-care Network. Citizens can use the District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses (collectively referred to as DHCs) across all 18 districts in Hong Kong as the service entry point, and pair with a family doctor of their own choice. Determined by citizens’ personal health conditions and risks, they can receive a series of preventive services, as well as screening and management services for high-risk diseases. Under the Co-care Network, family doctors, alongside cross-disciplinary primary healthcare service providers, will deliver continuous and comprehensive healthcare services to the citizens at different stages of their life.
At the commendation ceremony, Dr Fan presented certificates of appreciation to family doctors who have actively participated in the services under the Co-care Network, in recognition of their efforts and valuable contributions in assisting citizens to prevent and manage chronic diseases, advancing primary healthcare development in Hong Kong, and promoting community health.
This year’s World Family Doctor Day event in Hong Kong was moved to the community and held in the form of a carnival. Through participating in relaxed and interesting activities, members of the public could further understand the role of family doctors, the latest developments in primary healthcare in Hong Kong, and the services provided under the Co-care Network and by the DHCs. Activities of the carnival also included free health check services (such as body composition analysis) and health talks on chronic diseases (including diabetes, hypertension and hepatitis B). Interactive projection installations were also featured at the venue, allowing citizens to experience first-hand the application of digital technology in physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the HHB, Dr Pang Fei-chau; Vice-President of the HKCFP Dr Lau Ho-lim; Assistant Director of Health Dr Jackie Leung; and the Chief Manager (Primary and Community Services) of the Hospital Authority, Dr Maria Leung, also attended the carnival event and commendation ceremony today.
The DHCs across all 18 districts in Hong Kong will continue to organise a series of community activities focusing on family doctors this month, aiming to encourage more citizens to enrol as DHC members, pair with family doctors to establish a long-term doctor-patient relationship with mutual trust, and participate in services under the Co-care Network, with a view to achieving the goals of prevention-oriented and “early identification and early treatment”.
LegCo to consider Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LegCo to consider Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2026
On Members’ motions, Professor Michael Ngai will move a motion on “Strengthening Hong Kong’s function as an offshore Renminbi business hub to contribute to the Renminbi internationalization process”. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Chan Chun-ying will move an amendment to Professor Ngai’s motion.
Mr Yiu Ming will move a motion on “Increasing the average living space per person in the Northern Metropolis to build a ‘Blissful Northern Metropolis’ ideal for living”. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Ms Michelle Tang, Mr Leung Man-kwong, Mr Augustine Wong and Mr Dennis Leung will move separate amendments to Mr Yiu’s motion.
Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting is available on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hkIssued at HKT 15:54
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International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 opens
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 opens
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying; the Chief Engineer of the National Energy Administration, Mr Liu Deshun; the Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Department (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office) of the State Administration for Market Regulation, Mr Zhu Zhongliang; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Ye Shuiqiu; the Second-level Inspector of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Xia Fangming; and the Secretary-General of the China Hydrogen Alliance, Mr Liu Wei.
Delivering a welcoming speech at the symposium, Miss Wong stated that under the country’s “dual carbon” goals, Hong Kong is striving to halve its carbon emissions from the 2005 level by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen development helps drive the clean energy transition and plays a key role in achieving carbon neutrality, bringing with it opportunities. Hong Kong will continue to serve as a demonstration base for hydrogen technologies, and provide green financing and professional services to facilitate the export of innovations developed in the country and scale up relevant hydrogen initiatives globally.
In his speech, Mr Poon said that Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages of connecting with the Mainland and the world. It will play a role in regulatory alignment by establishing standards and certification systems to connect domestic and international markets. At the same time, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong can establish smooth financing channels for green capital and the hydrogen industry, and help build a global hub for hydrogen exchanges and co-operation. He thanked over 120 speakers from 16 countries for their contributions, and encouraged participants to learn about the latest hydrogen developments through the industry exhibition.
During the symposium, the EMSD signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation. The MOUs aim to promote the development of hydrogen ecosystems and enhance technical co-operation in gas safety between the two places. In addition, 10 enterprises from the Mainland, Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea also signed an MOU to collaborate on hydrogen business development in Hong Kong, fostering regional integration of the hydrogen supply chain and demonstrating a commitment to decarbonisation.
The three-day symposium, running from today until May 20 at the HKCEC, brings together representatives from government departments, the industry and academia from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. It provides an exchange platform for the latest technological developments, engineering solutions and future trends. The symposium aims to promote global co-operation and innovation in the hydrogen industry. An exhibition area of nearly 4 000 square metres is also set up to enable participating enterprises to showcase their hydrogen products and market solutions.
For public education, various science education activities and competitions will be held during Hydrogen Week to deepen students’ understanding of carbon neutrality and hydrogen technology in an entertaining yet educational way. Key events include the “HydroRace Challenge 2026”, in which students can incorporate AI and coding elements into assemblies and racing, learning the principles of hydrogen applications through hands-on experience. Students from the Mainland are also invited to Hong Kong to compete alongside local youths, promoting interactions and inspiration on green technologies between the two places. Moreover the “H2Future for Good Challenge” encourages secondary school students to propose innovative solutions on topics related to hydrogen and low-carbon living, using STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) knowledge. The Net Zero Youth Forum will connect young engineering talents from Hong Kong and around the globe to explore practical pathways for Hong Kong to serve as a regional energy transition hub and further deepen cross-regional exchanges.
Following the symposium, the EMSD will lead technical visits to the Yangtze River Delta region from May 21 to 23, including visits to national testing bases, key laboratories and major hydrogen enterprises, to develop on-the-ground understandings of hydrogen application outcomes in various scenarios.
For more details on Hydrogen Week and the symposium, please visit the event website at h2symposium.comIssued at HKT 17:10
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