Category: MIL-OSI

HKPF holds 2026 Bank Staff Recognition Ceremony to commend banking industry for their contributions to scam prevention  
     Addressing the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, highlighted that deception cases which had been rising continuously since 2019 recorded the first decline last year. A total of 43 212 cases were registered, representing a decrease of 2.9 per cent compared to 2024. The amount of losses also dropped from HK$9.2 billion to HK$8.1 billion. He emphasised that this achievement was made possible through the collective efforts of all stakeholders, especially the banking industry.
 
     He added that the Police and the banking industry have been working closely in preventing and combating deception. The “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” and the “Anti-Scam Bank Helpline” established by the Police successfully intercepted 1 552 fraud cases last year, accounting for 13.1 per cent of all such cases. The amount of fraudulent funds intercepted reached HK$2.09 billion, representing a significant increase of over 40 per cent compared to 2024.    
 
     In tackling deception, both local measures and cross-border collaboration are essential. To this end, four strategies have been adopted by the Police and the banking sector:  
 
(1) Combating fraud industry chain: With the new legislation allowing bank-to-bank information sharing on suspicious personal accounts coming into effect, the Police, in collaboration with the banking industry, have launched the upgraded version of the “Financial Intelligence Evaluation Sharing Tool (FINEST)” platform. Interbank information sharing has recorded a multi-fold increase and participation is also set to expand to include all 28 retail banks. The number of stooge accounts dropped from 6 047 in the third quarter of 2025 to 5 781 in the fourth quarter, representing a decrease of 4.4 per cent. In addition, the “Upstream Scam Intervention” scheme, which analyses transaction patterns of stooge accounts and proactively contacts potential victims, intercepted 4 060 fraud cases last year and prevented losses of over HK$480 million, representing increases of 69.4 per cent and more than 1.5 times, respectively, compared with 2024.
 
(2) Targeted publicity: The Police, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) and the banking industry organise various anti-deception campaigns. The publicity this year focuses on investment scams, with the elderly continuing to be the key target group.
 
(3) Promoting greater use of “Scameter+”: The app began leveraging artificial intelligence technology in October last year to automatically detect fraudulent websites posing as banking and investment platforms, with the database updated immediately to block access. Following the launch of this new function, there was a significant increase in both public reports and alerts issued. By the end of 2025, the app had been downloaded 1.15 million times.  
 
(4) Enhancing international collaboration: The Police have actively promoted the Cross-border Anti-Scam Collaboration Platform “FRONTIER+”. Through joint operations last year, more than 1 800 persons were arrested, and US$20 million in fraudulent funds were intercepted. By strengthening real-time intelligence analysis and sharing it with the banks, overseas victims were promptly identified and fraudulent payments were intercepted, reducing their financial losses.
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Chow firmly believed that through the partnership between the Police and the banking industry, a strong protective network could be built, reinforcing Hong Kong’s image and position as a robust international financial centre. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the HKMA, the HKAB, and the banking industry for their full support and outstanding contributions.
 
     At the ceremony, a total of 19 banks received corporate awards. In addition, 639 frontline bank staff proactively assisted customers suspected of being targeted by scams last year, successfully preventing 595 cases. Among them, the Police presented the “Spotlight Award” to 16 staff members in recognition of their exemplary performance. Awardees are listed in the Annex.
 
     The officiating guests also included the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Director of Crime and Security, Mr Chan Tung; the Executive Director (Enforcement and AML) of the HKMA, Mr Raymond Chan; and the representative of the HKAB, Ms Grace Yeung.
Issued at HKT 15:40

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Joint Working Group on Promoting Interconnectivity of Charging Facilities in the Greater Bay Area convenes first meeting       
     The National Energy Administration (NEA) and the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) signed the Cooperation Arrangement on Promoting Interconnectivity of Charging Facilities in the Greater Bay Area in October 2025, and agreed to establish the JWG to introduce a pilot scheme in Hong Kong using the new EV charging technology ChaoJi. The EEB announced the Updated Version of the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles (Updated Roadmap) this February, indicating that ChaoJi not only supports high-power charging but also achieves innovative breakthroughs in charging standard compatibility and safety.
      
     At today’s meeting, the JWG set out major tasks for the coming two years, including commencing research on compatibility between ChaoJi chargers and national (GB) and European (IEC) charging standards; testing developed adaptors; and preparing to construct a ChaoJi charging demonstration station in Hong Kong. The meeting also exchanged views on the membership of consultation of the JWG, the action timetable and the progress of research. Implementation details were confirmed, with the goal of completing the construction of the ChaoJi charging demonstration station in Hong Kong by next year.
      
     The JWG is co-chaired by the EEB and the China Electricity Council. Its members include representatives of government departments, industry associations, electricity enterprises, and research institutions from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. More industry experts will be invited to participate in specific projects as needed.
Issued at HKT 18:00

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DH calls on members of public to maintain oral health for comprehensive physical and mental well-being in support of World Oral Health Day 
Oral health is closely related to physical health
 
     The Consultant in-charge of the Dental Services of DH, Dr Kitty Hse, remarked that oral health not only affects eating ability, language expression and personal appearance, but is also closely related to overall health. Excessive sugar intake in daily diets can cause tooth decay and also increases the risk of obesity, which is a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. To address these health challenges, the Government has just launched Hong Kong’s inaugural Action Plan on Weight Management 
     Controlling sugar intake is one of the most effective ways to achieve the concept of “A Happy Mouth is … a Happy Life”. Dr Hse emphasised that sugar-reduction-based dental care habits should be cultivated from infancy. Parents should avoid letting infants fall asleep with a feeding bottle in their mouth and should brush their child’s teeth twice daily once their child starts teething, to reduce the risk of tooth decay. During childhood and adolescence, parents should help their children establish the habit of brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste every morning and night, avoid frequent consumption of high-sugar snacks and drinks, and take their children for regular oral health check-ups annually, laying a solid foundation for good dental care from an early age.

Government dental services cover “all ages”
 
     The Government adopts the strategy of widely promoting prevention-oriented primary oral healthcare among citizens across all age groups.
      The DH’s dental services cover all primary and secondary school students under 18 and preschool children in Hong Kong, aiming to provide continuous oral health support from preschool through school age, help children establish good lifestyle habits from the earliest stages of life, and guide them to maintain regular oral check-ups throughout their lives for early prevention of dental problems.
 
     Upon reaching adulthood, members of the public should cultivate good oral health habits through daily practices, including thorough daily cleaning of teeth and interdental spaces, regular oral check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet, reducing sugar intake, and avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption. These habits can help lower the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The Government provides oral health education, oral hygiene instructions, and risk assessment services in the community through DHCs and non-governmental organisations. It also collaborates with relevant dental clinics to assist DHCs in offering oral health care services to designated high-risk groups. Through implementing the principle of “early prevention, early detection and early treatment” of dental diseases, members of the public can effectively preserve their teeth and maintain oral function in later stages of life, thereby improving their overall quality of life.
      
     To strengthen oral health protection, the Government launched the Community Dental Support Programme 
     In support of this year’s World Oral Health Day, Dr Hse said that the DH has not only launched a promotional video, but also organised a thematic exhibition at the following venues. Members of the public are welcome to visit:     For more information on oral health and relevant programmes, members of public may visit the DH’s Oral Health Promotion Division’s online platforms and relevant websites:Issued at HKT 9:30

Saigon Street in Yau Ma Tei to be reinstated as one-way eastbound from March 22      Motorists should pay attention to traffic signs and drive with care when passing through the road sections concerned. The Government has distributed notices to the relevant District Council members and stakeholders on the above arrangements.

     Members of the public may visit the Highways Department’s Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) webpage (ckr-hyd.hk/traffic_diversionIssued at HKT 10:00

Government announces appointments to Communications Authority 
     Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, “I would like to welcome Ms Hsu Siu-man from the social welfare sector and Ms Miranda Kwan from the business sector as new members of the CA. Their rich experience and professional knowledge in respective fields will offer valuable insights into the CA’s work. I am also grateful that Ms Wendy Yuen has accepted the reappointment and continue to support the work of the CA.”

     Mr Yau also expressed gratitude to the outgoing members, Dr Hubert Chan Chung-yee and Ms Amy Fung Dun-mi, for their important contributions and support to the CA during the past six years, particularly their leadership and dedication while serving as chairpersons of committees under the CA. 
Ms Hsu Siu-man
——————-
     Ms Hsu is currently the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and a Hong Kong Representative to the All-China Women’s Federation. She is a member of the Commission on Poverty, the Public Libraries Advisory Committee and the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, and a panel member of the Human Organ Transplant Board. She is also an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Council of Social Services. She has previously served as a member of the Child Fatality Review Panel and the Committee on Services for Youth at Risk.——————————————
     Ms Kwan is the Director of Business Assurance of SGS Hong Kong Limited. She is currently a member of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee, the Consumer Council and the Enterprise Support Scheme Assessment Panel. She has formerly served as a member of the Consumer Goods Safety Appeal Board Panel, the Trade and Industry Advisory Board and the Accreditation Advisory Board.
 
     The membership of the CA from April 1, 2026, will be as follows:————
Mr Jenkin Suen——————
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development—————————
Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung
Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him
Ms Hsu Siu-man
Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit
Ms Miranda Kwan Ching-yi
Mr Patrick Law Fu-yuen
Professor Leung Siu-fai
Dr Patrick Tsie Kai-yiu
Ms Wendy Yuen Miu-ling——————–
Director-General of Communications
Issued at HKT 11:00

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Development Bureau imposes regulating action on contractor involved in fatal industrial incident at public housing construction site in Kwai Chung      
     The DEVB, being the party to procure services for public works, attaches great importance to the site safety performance of all construction sites under the purview of contractors on the List, regardless of whether the sites are public works construction sites or not. The DEVB issued notification to the contractor concerned today to suspend it from tendering for public works contracts in the buildings category with immediate effect pursuant to the regulating regime. The contractor concerned has to conduct an independent safety audit to review its safety management system. Taking cognisance of the outcome of the independent safety audit, the contractor is required to submit an improvement action plan and implement improvement measures, with a view to demonstrating that it has an effective safety management system before the lifting of the suspension from tendering can be considered. The suspension from tendering is not only confined to tender exercises within the period of suspension from tendering, but is also applicable to tender exercises with procedures initiated but not concluded.

     The Labour Department is investigating this industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB may impose further regulating actions on the contractor concerned later on, including extension of the period of suspension from tendering for public works contracts and even removal from the List.
Issued at HKT 14:51

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GoGlobal Task Force large-scale promotional event held in Beijing to help Mainland enterprises go global via Hong Kong       
     This year marks the beginning of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong will actively integrate into and serve the national development strategy, strengthening economic and trade co-operation with the Mainland. To better support Mainland enterprises in going global via Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government established the GoGlobal Task Force last October, chaired by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau. It integrates various government policy bureaux, departments and organisations to form a one-stop platform to proactively engage Mainland enterprises seeking to go global via Hong Kong and provide them with diversified support services.
      
     The seminar began with keynote speeches by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Cao Wen; and the Executive Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of CCIIP, Mr Li Yongjun.
      
     In his keynote address, Mr Yau said that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world with various institutional strengths under the “one country, two systems” principle. The city offers global investors a stable and predictable policy and investment environment, and serves as an important platform for Mainland enterprises to connect with international markets. He added that the GoGlobal Task Force will continue to organise promotional events in various provinces and cities across the Mainland to introduce Hong Kong’s various advantages as a platform to go global. It will also organise overseas delegations, leading enterprises to visit target markets to understand the local conditions and establish connections.
      
     Mr Yau also announced the official launch of the GoGlobal Task Force’s dedicated website (www.goglobal.gov.hk      
     Cao Wen said that MOC will leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages in cross-border investment and trade, finance and legal services. Using the first MOU signed in February 2026 between the MOC and the HKSAR Government as a new starting point, the MOC will make better use of Hong Kong’s role in the nation’s overall strategy of opening up and its advantages as the “four centres”. At the same time, the MOC will accelerate the improvement of overseas service quality, build a professional service platform, and gather Hong Kong’s legal, accounting and auditing, management consulting, and other institutions to provide customised and tailor-made services for enterprises going global. It will continue to deepen collaboration to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
      
     Li Yongjun said in his remarks that Hong Kong, as an international hub for finance, shipping and trade, as well as a free port, plays an irreplaceable and vital role in supporting Mainland enterprises to go global. Its comprehensive professional services, commercial and trade rules that align with international standards, and convenient cross-border investment and financing environment make it an important home port for Mainland enterprises to expand overseas. CCIIP will leverage the resources and international networks of its members, combined with InvestHK’s professional service capabilities, to assist enterprises in achieving steady and sustainable growth in the global market.
      
     Subsequently, witnessed by Mr Yau, the Director General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, and the President of CCIIP, Mr Fang Aiqing, signed an MOU aimed at strengthening exchanges, co-operation, and promotion in areas such as two-way investment, international market exploration, talent exchange, and economic and trade activities. They will jointly support enterprises in gaining a deeper understanding of the two-way investment environment, promote co-operation between enterprises from both sides to jointly expand international and domestic markets, and achieve better overseas strategic development.
      
     Following the signing ceremony, Ms Lau delivered a keynote speech, introducing Hong Kong’s advantages as the preferred destination for Mainland enterprises going global. The seminar also included a panel discussion session with representatives from the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and several enterprises. They introduced how Hong Kong’s professional services can support Mainland enterprises in their overseas expansion planning and shared successful case studies of Mainland companies going global via Hong Kong, highlighting the advantages of using Hong Kong as a platform amid the complexities of the global trade and economic environment.
Issued at HKT 17:25