Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai confers decoration on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman  
On the afternoon of February 25, President Lai Ching-te conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon upon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman in recognition of her outstanding contributions to deepening diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and helping Taiwan expand its international connections. In remarks, President Lai stated that our two countries have supported each other and continued to make progress amidst various challenges. The president expressed hope to keep building on the solid foundations established by Ambassador Bowman, further strengthening bilateral cooperation, improving the well-being of our peoples, and making greater contributions to the peace and prosperity of the world.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
In conferring the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon upon Ambassador Bowman today, I sincerely thank her on behalf of the Taiwanese people for her outstanding contributions to deepening diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In 2019, Ambassador Bowman presented her credentials and became her country’s first ambassador to Taiwan. At the same time, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines established its first permanent embassy in Asia. In addition to setting an important milestone in our bilateral relations, this also laid a solid bedrock for lasting cooperation between our countries.
Thanks to Ambassador Bowman’s efforts over the past six years, bilateral exchanges have continued to deepen. Mutual visits of high-level officials, trade and investment ties, and cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, agriculture, public health, and information and communications technology have all been fruitful. Our countries have also expanded interactions in women’s empowerment, youth education, culture, and sports, further strengthening the friendship between our peoples.
I would like to thank Ambassador Bowman for serving as the dean of the Diplomatic Corps for over three years. Together with us, Ambassador Bowman has witnessed many important events and moments in Taiwan’s development. And in coordination with other ambassadors and representatives, she has worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to jointly promote numerous exchange programs. I would also like to recognize Ambassador Bowman for her dedication to diplomacy through sincere efforts, which have helped Taiwan expand its international connections and deepen its partnerships around the world.
I would like to thank the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for its longstanding high regard and support for Taiwan. At the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and other international fora, the Vincentian government has always passionately spoken up for Taiwan and strongly supported our international participation. Your government’s unshakeable belief in the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights has enabled our two countries to support each other and continue to make progress amidst various challenges.
Looking ahead, we expect that Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will keep building on the solid foundations established by Ambassador Bowman, further strengthening cooperation, improving the well-being of our peoples, and making greater contributions to the peace and prosperity of the world. In closing, I once again thank Ambassador Bowman for her hard work and contributions during her tenure in Taiwan. Our doors are always open to you. Please come back anytime to see your old friends. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Ambassador Bowman then delivered remarks, first expressing her honor of receiving the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on behalf of the government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Six years and six months ago, she said, she was tasked with the major responsibility of leading the establishment of the Embassy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in Taiwan. She then thanked the number of persons present who helped to execute the mission. The ambassador called it a labor of love and patriotism that resulted in the concretization of what they have come to regard as their legitimate home-away-from-home. Today, she emphasized, their embassy is still their country’s first and only embassy in Asia, and they are proud that it has enabled her non-resident ambassadorial accreditation to Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Ambassador Bowman stated that Taiwan, a beautiful, democratic country, has hosted their embassy since August 8, 2019, with dignity and efficiency. She recognized MOFA for graciously facilitating their outreach to, and support of, the Vincentian community in Taiwan, which now numbers 182, further noting that MOFA has also facilitated their liaisons with every aspect of Taiwanese society. This synergy of Vincentian and Taiwanese vision and bonding, she said, has directly enhanced the livelihoods of Vincentians and Taiwanese here in Taiwan and those abroad. She stressed that Vincentians and Taiwanese in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines experience the efficacy and goodwill of this friendship on a daily basis. 
Ambassador Bowman said that there is no foreign policy that is more impactful than that which first establishes an empathetic and respectful relationship between the people of the two allied nations. She then asserted that their embassy has had the privilege of laying the basis for such an effective alliance thanks to the embrace of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Today, she said, as she bids farewell to her beloved home-away-from-home, she is grateful for the nearly 45 years of unbroken diplomatic relations which they cherish. She also expressed her gratitude for the honor of serving as the dean of the Diplomatic Corps since October 2022, adding that the corps symbolizes and represents the sovereignty of Taiwan, a sovereignty which must be protected, not just for Taiwanese, but for all small-island developing states in the increasingly fraught global space.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Saint Lucia Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis and his wife, former Saint Christopher and Nevis Ambassador Jasmine Elise Huggins, and Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Elroy Wilson and his wife.
 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In line with the “Greater Southern New Silicon Valley” initiative and the Asia Bay 2.0 Smart Tech Innovation Park policy, the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP), the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held a topping-out ceremony on January 19 for the Asia Bay Smart Technology Building, a key development within the Kaohsiung Software Park Phase II. The project represents an investment of NT$2.6 billion by the BIP. Located on parcel A along the waterfront of the Asia New Bay Area, the building is a steel structure with three basement level and eleven above-ground floors, providing more than 33,000 square meters of industrial space. It is designed to integrate co-creation and proof-of-concept facilities with commercial and lifestyle functions. Scheduled for completion in November 2026, the building is expected to attract over 30 enterprises, create 840 jobs, and generate an estimated annual output value of NT$1.7 billion, further expanding the 5G AIoT industrial cluster and employment opportunities in southern Taiwan.

Chih-Ching Yang, the Director General of the BIP, stated that the topping-out of the Asia Bay Smart Technology Building marks a significant milestone in park development. Beyond demonstrating steady construction progress, it also symbolizes Kaohsiung’s smart industry cluster entering its next stage of growth. Looking ahead, BIP will integrate industrial and science park resources across Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung to build the southern core of the semiconductor S-Corridor. MOEA will also work with closely with the Kaohsiung City Government to actively promote investment and create an ideal environment for industrial innovation and youth employment.

As the original Kaohsiung Software Park has reached near-full capacity, the Executive Yuan approved an expansion plan in 2021. Under this plan, BIP is developing 2.45 hectares of land north of Phase I, formerly owned by BIP Corporation, Taiwan, to establish Phase II of the park. The expanded area is divided into Parcels A, B, and C for investment promotion. The Asia Bay Smart Technology Building, located on Parcel A, is the first building to break ground. Steel structure installation has been completed, with construction scheduled to finish in November 2026 and occupancy expected in the third quarter of 2027. Investment promotion for Parcels B and C is also underway to attract additional smart application and emerging industry enterprises.

With construction progressing steadily and investment promotion gaining momentum, the Asia Bay Smart Technology Building is set to become a landmark project for the upgrading of smart industries in southern Taiwan. It will serve as a pivotal hub linking the semiconductor and AIoT industries, support the implementation of national innovation strategies, and create a new engine for economic growth in Kaohsiung. BIP emphasized that it will continue to advance public infrastructure and industrial development with high efficiency, working hand in hand with local governments and industry to build a major technology industry cluster in southern Taiwan.

Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

Contact Person: Yu, Shu-Hui (Director of Kaohsiung-Pingtung Branch, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-823-9301
Email: yush@bip.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Note 8: The Fire Safety (Industrial Buildings) Ordinance came into effect on June 19, 2020. The FSD has been prioritising the issuance of Fire Safety Directions to target IBs based on a “risk-based” principle. Owners may apply for an extension of the deadline for compliance with the Directions according to the actual work progress and difficulties encountered. On the aforesaid premise, there was no case meeting the prosecution threshold in 2023. 

(4) The BD will continue to strengthen enforcement actions against illegal domestic use in IBs through LSOs and by acting on public reports. The DEVB is currently reviewing the BO, and will propose, amongst others, to tighten up enforcement against relevant situations, increase penalties for non-compliance with statutory orders, and introduce a new offence to empower the Building Authority to directly prosecute cases of illegal domestic use in IBs upon discovery, thereby enhancing deterrence. The target is to introduce the amendment bill to the Legislative Council for scrutiny in the second half of this year.
 
     The FSD attaches great importance to the fire safety of IBs. In addition to promptly attending the scene to investigate and follow up on receipt of reports and intelligence, it also proactively conducts regular inspections and takes resolute enforcement actions against irregularities. Taking fire hazards as an example, the FSD in general issues Fire Hazard Abatement Notices, requiring rectification within a specified period. Failure to comply with the deadline will result in prosecution. For serious cases (such as obstructed or locked means of escape), prosecution may be instituted directly. In 2025, the FSD conducted a total of approximately 9 300 inspections of IBs, issued around 1 300 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices, and instituted 333 prosecutions.
      
     Apart from the regular inspection programme, the FSD conducts surprise and targeted inspections and enforcement actions based on a risk-based principle, taking into account the use of buildings, past records of non-compliance, complaints, intelligence, and more. Joint operations with other departments are also undertaken as necessary. For instance, the FSD and the BD conducted a joint inspection and enforcement operation targeting IBs from December 29 to 31, 2025, inspecting nine IBs located in Kowloon and the New Territories. During the operation, fire personnel took immediate enforcement action against the persons-in-charge of the buildings concerned for irregularities, including issuing 22 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices and instituting three prosecutions directly. The BD identified 13 subdivided units suspected of being used illegally for domestic purposes, and further investigations are underway. If it is confirmed that the units in question have been used for illegal domestic purposes, the BD will take enforcement action under the BO, including ordering the cessation of illegal domestic use and rectification of the dangerous situations.
 
     The FSD has made available convenient channels for reporting, including a 24-hour complaint hotline at 2723 8787 and the Fire Hazard Electronic Complaint Portal, encouraging members of the public to provide specific clues such as locations, time, photos and short videos. In addition, the FSD has recently introduced the Building Emergency Responders Scheme which provides fire safety training to property management personnel, representatives of owners’ corporations and residents. The aim is to assist them in identifying potential fire hazards, participating in inspections, and reporting risks to the FSD or property management companies, thereby enhancing prevention and reporting effectiveness. As for the proposed “financial rewards for reporting”, the FSD currently has no plan to introduce such an initiative, given that monetary incentives may increase false reports and create moral hazards.
 
(5) For IBs with fragmented ownership and yet to have plan to undergo redevelopment or wholesale conversion, under the premise of not compromising public safety and provided that the uses are the uses always permitted for the site as specified in the Outline Zoning Plan, the prevailing policy allows the owner to use individual units of the IBs for “Art Studio”, “Office (Design and Media Production)”, “Office (Audio-visual Recording Studio)”, “Office (used by “specific creative industries” including design and media production companies, printing and publishing, film companies and industry organisations related to the film industry)”, as well as “Research, Design and Development Centre”, without having to apply for a short-term waiver from the LandsD and pay any fees. Since the owners do not need to apply for a short-term waiver for using the individual units of the IBs for the aforesaid specific non-industrial uses, the Government does not have statistics on the individual units of the IBs used for the aforesaid specific non-industrial uses.
 
(6) The Government reactivated the Revitalisation Scheme in 2018. In respect of redevelopment of IBs, the prevailing policy allows relaxation of the maximum permitted non-domestic plot ratio up to 20 per cent to provide incentives to private owners to redevelop IBs constructed before 1987. In the past three years (from February 2023 to end-January 2026), excluding the application withdrawn by applicant, the TPB received a total of seven applications (involving seven sites) for relaxation of plot ratio for redevelopment of IBs, among which all applications were approved. Among the seven approved planning applications, three of them have applications made to the LandsD for lease modification, among which one case was withdrawn by the applicant and the remaining two cases are under processing (one of the applications is currently under land premium assessment). As for the remaining four cases among the aforesaid seven approved planning applications, the LandsD has yet to receive relevant application for lease modification. In addition, there were six cases in which lease modification and redevelopment works have been completed in the same period, all of them are for non-residential uses. For wholesale conversion of IBs aged 15 years or above in zones such as “Commercial” or “Industrial” zones, waiver fees could be exempted. If the concerned IB was constructed in or after 1987, not less than 10 per cent of the converted floor space must be used for purposes designated by the Government, such uses include arts and culture or innovation and technology. In the past three years (from February 2023 to end-January 2026), the LandsD did not receive any application for wholesale conversion of IBs. In the same period, there were two cases in which conversion works have been completed, and the permitted non-industrial uses include commercial, offices, retail and food and beverage facilities.
 
(7) For IBs with fragmented ownership and yet to have plan to undergo redevelopment or wholesale conversion, considering that the other units could still be used for industrial purposes and in view of public safety, the five non-industrial uses mentioned in part (5) above for which individual units of the IBs are allowed to be used, do not include any uses or activities that directly provide services or goods to attract public visits (including public performance and exhibition). The consideration is primarily based on the fact that such members of the public (regardless of their number) may only visit the concerned IB occasionally and are unfamiliar with its layout, including the escape routes. As mentioned above, the DEVB is conducting a new round of Study on the Review of Existing Industrial Stock with the PlanD and the LandsD, and will consider the views from the Member and the market when putting forward recommendations this year, including the way forward for the Revitalisation Scheme.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury), Mr Andrew Lai; and the Government Economist, Ms Irina Fan, held a press conference on the Budget at Central Government Offices, Tamar, today (February 25). Following are the remarks by Mr Chan:

Reporter: Good afternoon, Mr Chan, some English questions. Firstly, the Government has ruled out using the Exchange Fund in 2021, warning of severe consequences at the time. Could you explain why the Government thinks it’s okay to use the Exchange Fund now? And also, what are the potential risks you see in making this move, and could you also explain the Government’s motivation in streamlining the Government’s various funds in this Budget? Secondly, on tax policy, the Government said they will set up a committee chaired by you to review Hong Kong’s tax policy. What is the Government’s direction in this committee? And are you planning to increase the tax base? And if so, could you give some specifics on how you’re going to go about it? Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Police are investigating the death of a police officer in Kwun Tong Police Station this morning (February 25).
 
     At around 7.45am, Police found a 23-year-old female police officer, who was attached to the Patrol Sub-unit of Kwun Tong District, injured at the loading and unloading area in Kwun Tong Police Station. She had a gunshot wound to her head and was certified dead at scene. A service pistol was found next to the deceased.
 
     Upon initial investigation, it is believed that she committed suicide with her service pistol.
 
     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.
 
     Investigation by Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon East is underway.
 
     Police express sorrow and regret over the death of the police officer and extend sympathies to her family members to whom timely assistance will be offered.
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Yiu Ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (February 25):
     
Question:
 
     There are views pointing out that with the accelerated development of the Northern Metropolis, New Territories North (NTN) will become a key hub for innovation, technology, and residential development in Hong Kong. This is expected to attract a large influx of professionals from the Mainland and overseas, leading to a significant increase in demand for quality education in international, private, or Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools. However, there is currently only one international school in NTN, located in Sha Tau Kok, that offers secondary school curriculum, and there are also relatively few DSS schools in the area. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the current numbers of international and DSS schools (including primary and secondary schools) located in NTN and the respective numbers of school places offered; of the respective numbers of applicants for admission to these schools and the actual numbers of students enrolled in each of the past three years;
 
(2) whether it has assessed the gap between demand and supply for international and DSS schools in NTN based on the data mentioned in (1), and the potential impact of such a gap on attracting Mainland and international talents; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) whether it has plans to introduce more international and DSS schools in NTN; if so, of the estimated number of additional school places; and
 
(4) whether it will adopt measures (such as allocating vacant school premises, providing land concessions and financial support, or streamlining the application procedures for establishing schools) to encourage existing international or DSS schools to expand into NTN, or to attract renowned overseas international school groups and local quality school sponsoring bodies to establish branch schools in NTN; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
     
President,
 
     The Government is committed to meeting the demand for education from non-local families living in Hong Kong. Regarding primary and secondary education, all children aged 6 to 15 who are eligible to enrol in public sector schools, including dependants of persons permitted to stay under various talent admission schemes, can receive free and quality primary and secondary education in public sector schools. Direct Subsidy Scheme schools (DSS schools) and private schools (including international schools) are also members of Hong Kong’s diversified education system and provide parents and students with different choices.
 
     Regarding the question asked by the Hon Yiu Ming, our reply is as follows:
 
     The provision of school places in international schools and DSS schools is planned on a territory-wide basis. These schools are free to admit students from all districts across Hong Kong. At present, there are 53 international schools (including one special school) and 78 DSS schools in Hong Kong. In the 2025/26 school year, international schools (excluding a special school) provided about 48 400 school places and admitted around 44 700 students. The number of students represents around 92.4 per cent of the total places provided, leaving some 3 700 surplus places available to meet demand. For DSS schools, they provided about 73 100 school places and admitted around 66 000 students. The number of students represents around 90.3 per cent of the total school places provided, leaving some 7 100 surplus school places available to meet demand.
 
     The Education Bureau (EDB) commissions a consultancy study once every few years on the provision of international school places at primary and secondary levels in Hong Kong. The consultancy study report published in early 2024 forecasted that by the 2028/29 school year, Hong Kong would have some 4 400 surplus school places among international schools. When there is a projected shortfall of international school places, the Government would allocate greenfield sites or vacant school premises (VSPs) at nominal premium or rent for international school use via an open and competitive bidding process, so as to increase the provision of international school places.
 
     The Chief Executive announced in the 2025 Policy Address that the EDB had allocated two VSPs for international school development via the School Allocation Exercise, thereby increasing some 1 000 international school places in the short term. To meet long-term needs, the Government has also reserved sites in the Northern Metropolis for the development of international schools. Moreover, the EDB encourages existing international schools to increase their admission quotas. The EDB will also remove barriers and ease restrictions, allowing quality international schools to build new facilities and enhance existing ones, including student boarding facilities, at their school sites on a self-financing basis. We will release land in an orderly manner according to actual circumstances so as to enable quality international schools to construct campuses and increase school places, thereby supporting the long-term development of the international school sector.
 
     As for other publicly-funded schools (including DSS schools), the EDB will periodically review the supply and demand for school places across districts and plan ahead accordingly. For instance, the EDB will reprovision schools to districts with an estimated greater demand for school places, thereby facilitating students’ access to education.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the full text of the Speech on the 2026-27 Budget delivered by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, to the Legislative Council today (February 25):

President, Honourable Members and fellow citizens,

     I move that the Appropriation Bill 2026 be read a second time.

Introduction

2. Today is the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, and the city is still brimming with festive spirits. The bustling New Year fairs, the buzzing Night Parade and the dazzling fireworks display above Victoria Harbour have echoed the vigour and vitality symbolised by the Year of the Horse.

3. Over the past year, as a result of the booming economy and capital market, our tax revenue has increased. Coupled with the reinforced fiscal consolidation programme gradually bearing fruit, our public finances have improved sooner than expected. The Operating Account has returned to a surplus this financial year. After taking into account the proceeds from bond issuance, the Consolidated Account has also returned to balance ahead of schedule. All these have enabled us to suitably reinforce support for the people and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within our means.

4. This year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five Year Plan. The stable and high-quality development of our country is always our strongest backing. Our country’s sustained high-standard two-way opening-up, coupled with scientific and technological innovation, have presented us with new opportunities. We must embrace the 15th Five-Year Plan with an innovative mindset, fostering new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions. Leveraging our edge of having close connectivity with the Mainland and the world, and with a large pool of talents, we will facilitate enterprises in opening up new markets. We expect Hong Kong’s economy to sustain good momentum this year.

5. The theme of this Budget is: “Driving High-quality, Inclusive Growth with Innovation and Finance”. I will elaborate on this a little later.

Economic Situation in 2025

6. The global political and economic landscape is fraught with complication and volatility. The United States (US) waged a tariff war early last year, precipitating a sharp escalation in global trade tensions. As the US reached preliminary trade agreements with various economies and achieved consensus with China on key economic and trade matters, trade frictions eased, allowing the global economy to continue expanding.

7. Technological transformation and the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) have spurred a fresh wave of investment enthusiasm and driven product demand. Asia, especially China, serves as an important engine propelling global economic growth. Furthermore, the resumption of interest rate cuts by the US since September last year has bolstered performance of the investment and capital markets. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects global economic growth of 3.3 per cent for 2025, which is broadly in line with that of 2024.

8. Hong Kong’s economy was buoyant last year. External trade remained strong, private consumption rebounded, and fixed investment accelerated. The overall economy grew by 3.5 per cent in the year, marking the third consecutive year of expansion.

9. Boosted by robust demand for electronic-related products, total exports of goods from Hong Kong grew by 12 per cent in real terms, with particularly notable increases in exports to the Chinese Mainland and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

10. Exports of services rose by 6.3 per cent. Visitor arrivals surged by 12 per cent, while cross-boundary financial services and traffic saw sustained growth.

11. On domestic demand, private consumption expenditure rose by 1.7 per cent for the year, reversing the downward trend from the second quarter of 2025. Amid continuing economic expansion and a recovering residential property market, growth in overall investment expenditure accelerated to 4.3 per cent.

12. The labour market gradually stabilised in the latter half of the year. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.8 per cent in the fourth quarter. Employment earnings showed sustained growth, with the median monthly employment earnings of full time employees increasing by 4.2 per cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter.

13. Inflation remained mild. Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1.1 per cent last year.

14. The stock market delivered a stellar performance. The Hang Seng Index rose by 28 per cent over the year. The daily turnover surged by 90 per cent to a historic high of close to $250 billion. Capital raised through initial public offerings (IPOs) exceeded 2024 by more than two times to over $280 billion, ranking first globally.

15. The residential property market saw increases in both prices and transaction volumes. Market activities have been active since last March, with total transactions reaching a four year high of nearly 63 000 for the year. Property prices rose by 3.3 per cent for the year, ending a three-year decline, while rental prices rose by 4.3 per cent in the year. Transaction volume for non-residential properties rebounded, while the declines in rentals and prices narrowed.

Economic Outlook for 2026 and the Medium Term

16. Entering 2026, global trade tensions have moderated, and economic activities continued to expand in major economies. The Chinese Mainland will be the leading contributor to global economic growth, serving as the key driver for both regional and global economic momentum. The steadfast development of our country will continue providing firm support for Hong Kong.

17. Our country will implement more proactive macro policies this year, expanding domestic demand, and steadfastly advancing high-quality development, while maintaining reasonable economic growth. This will lay a strong foundation for the 15th Five Year Plan period, and generate propitious conditions for Hong Kong’s economic growth.

18. Driven by investments in AI and other new technologies, the demand for related products continues to underpin the trade expansion in Asia. Market expectations of further interest rate cuts in the US would bolster investor confidence. The IMF forecasts moderate growth for the global economy this year.

19. Benefitting from these factors, Hong Kong’s exports of goods should sustain decent growth. Exports of services will also continue to increase, driven by increasing visitor arrivals and demand for financial services.

20. Domestic demand will grow steadily. A stable labour market and rising household incomes will drive private consumption, while improvement in business sentiment, coupled with expectations of interest rate cuts, will boost asset markets and investments.

21. Nevertheless, the international environment remains complex and intricate. With the major advanced economies still frequently shifting their trade and economic policies, uncertainties will continue to loom over global trade. A slower-than-expected pace of US rate cuts could hamper the optimism currently underpinning the global financial market.

22. Based on our assessment of the current global and local economic situations, we forecast that Hong Kong’s economy will grow by 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent this year.

23. As for prices, external price pressures are in check. With the local economy continuing to expand, inflation this year is expected to be moderately higher than last year. We forecast the underlying inflation rate and the headline inflation rate this year to be 1.7 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively.

24. In the medium term, protectionism will persist in some major economies, while fragmentation of the global economy will continue. Nevertheless, the rise of the “Global South” and the reshaping of the global trade and investment landscape will unlock new markets and new growth areas for Hong Kong.

25. This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong will proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan, better integrate and serve the overall national development, and continue to proactively participate in development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

26. The current-term Government is committed to expanding economic capacity and enhancing competitiveness, expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM), driving growth through talents and innovation and technology (I&T) and developing new quality productive forces tailored to local circumstances for promoting high-quality economic development.

27. We forecast that Hong Kong’s economy will grow on average by three per cent per annum in real terms from 2027 to 2030, with the underlying inflation rate averaging two per cent a year.

(To be continued.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (February 25):

Question:

     Currently, both conventional and spiral roundabouts can be found on Hong Kong’s roads. There are views that these two types of roundabouts differ significantly in terms of road markings, right-of-way priority and other arrangements, which could lead to disputes or even traffic accidents. Furthermore, the Transport Department (TD) launched a pilot scheme on spiral roundabouts in 2004. More than 20 years have now passed, yet no comprehensive evaluation report on the scheme’s effectiveness has been made public. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the current number of roundabouts across the territory, with a breakdown by type of roundabout (e.g. conventional, spiral and other types such as hybrid lane-guidance designs);

(2) of the number of traffic accidents that have occurred at roundabouts in each of the past 10 years, with a breakdown by type of roundabout;

(3) as it has been reported that the Government has introduced spiral roundabouts progressively in various districts in recent years, on what criteria or justifications the TD has based its decision to convert conventional roundabouts into spiral roundabouts at specific road sections;

(4) of the following information in respect of each roundabout across the territory that has been converted from conventional to spiral: (i) the year of conversion, (ii) its location, (iii) the number of traffic lanes, and (iv) the number of accidents that occurred in the past year, together with a comparison of that figure with the number of accidents in the year prior to its conversion;

(5) of the results of the Government’s effectiveness evaluation concerning the specific operation of spiral roundabouts;

(6) whether the TD has plans to comprehensively standardise the usage and right-of-way priority arrangements for roundabouts, with a view to reducing road disputes and the risk of traffic accidents; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(7) whether it has plans to reduce the risk of traffic accidents at roundabouts through other feasible measures, such as reducing the number of lanes at large roundabouts or systematically installing real-time adaptive traffic signal systems at those with heavy traffic flows?

Reply:

President,

​Roundabout is a common design of road intersection in Hong Kong. Generally speaking, roundabouts enable smooth passage of vehicles from various directions under varying traffic volumes. My response to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan is as follows: 

(1), (2) and (4) There are currently about 260 conventional roundabouts in Hong Kong (comprising approximately 175 small roundabouts and around 85 two- or three-lane roundabouts) as well as 27 spiral roundabouts on public roads. The number of traffic accidents that have occurred at two- or three-lane conventional roundabouts and spiral roundabouts over the past decade is provided in Appendix 1. Spiral roundabouts are generally two-lane roundabouts. Appendix 2 sets out details of all spiral roundabouts in Hong Kong, including the year of conversion, location, number of accidents in the year prior to conversion, and the number of accidents in 2025. As traffic conditions and the road environment vary by location and over time, it is not appropriate to directly compare accident figures across different roundabouts.

(3) and (5) Between 2004 and 2017, the Transport Department (TD) implemented a phased trial scheme involving 10 conventional roundabouts converted into spiral roundabouts. The scheme concluded in 2017, with findings showing that both spiral and conventional roundabouts have distinct advantages in terms of operation and traffic safety, serving different functional purposes. When designing individual roundabouts, the TD selects the most appropriate configuration based on factors such as the size of the roundabout, the number of traffic lanes and entry/exit points, and overall traffic volume. In specific traffic contexts, such as uneven distribution between inner and outer circulatory lanes or a high proportion of right-turning movements requiring adjustments, the road marking system of spiral roundabouts can guide drivers in the inner lane to exit more easily. This, in turn, improves the utilisation of the inner circulatory lane and enhances overall traffic efficiency.

(6) and (7) The TD continuously monitors and analyses traffic accident data at roundabouts, and formulates and implements road improvement measures as needed, such as optimising road markings, signage and driver visibility. At roundabouts with high vehicle volumes, the TD also considers introducing dedicated lane for left-turn movements or implementing other enhancements, such as installing traffic signals, to improve traffic flow and reduce collision risks.

The installation of the Real-time Adaptive Traffic Signal System (RTATSS) at signalised roundabouts involves greater technical complexity than at conventional signalised junctions. This is because the system must simultaneously detect and process traffic circulating within the roundabout as well as traffic waiting to enter from each approach lane. The TD is currently implementing RTATSS at conventional signalised junctions (i.e. those not designed as roundabouts), and the data collected will support future reviews on the feasibility of extending the system to signalised roundabouts.

Moreover, the TD will continue to collaborate with the Road Safety Council and the Hong Kong Police Force in carrying out various publicity and educational campaigns to promote road safety. These initiatives include disseminating information on the safe use of roundabouts through various channels, such as social media platforms.