Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Aaron Bok and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):

Question: 
(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of engineering projects in the past three years where compliance costs (including mitigation measures, compensation proposals, or monitoring and auditing expenses) have increased significantly due to the requirements of individual assessment criteria in the Memorandum; if so, of the extent of cost increase; 
     In addition, under the amended Technical Memorandum, project proponents may, after the detailed design at a later stage of a project is available (e.g. before tendering or before commencement of works), use the online construction noise management platform under the EPD’s HKED to conduct a detailed quantitative construction noise assessment and submit the relevant mitigation plan, so as to complete the construction noise assessment efficiently.
 
     Meanwhile, the EPD has introduced various advanced technologies to further enhance its capabilities in environmental monitoring and assessment, including the use of AI to assist in monitoring migratory routes and roosting conditions of wintering birds, and the use of 3D optical radar scanning technology for tree surveys. These applications not only improve efficiency, but also enhance the scientific quality and reliability of the EIA.
 
     The EPD will continue to uphold a professional, open and collaborative approach, and actively encourage project proponents to put forward innovative, cost-effective and practicable environmental mitigation proposals, so as to ensure that all environmental factors have been duly considered during project delivery, while reducing overall project costs and expediting delivery.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Chan Han-pan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):
 
Question:
 
It is learnt that in recent years the steady increase in the number of pet keepers in Hong Kong has led to a growing demand for animal hospice services. It is reported that some animal hospice service providers (service providers) have conducted pet cremation services in industrial buildings, causing problems such as breaches of lease conditions, air pollution and sanitary nuisance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the numbers of complaints about pet cremation services received by each department and the follow-up outcome respectively in each of the past three years, with a breakdown by complaint category; among them, the respective numbers of cases involving contraventions of (i) lease conditions, (ii) the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 311) and (iii) the Fire Services Ordinance (Cap. 95) that ultimately resulted in successful prosecutions;
 
(2) as the Government indicated in its reply to a question from a Member of this Council on October 22, 2025 that it had no plans to introduce specific legislation to regulate animal hospice services, and yet given the absence of a licensing regime regulating service providers or introduced in respect of animal hospice services under the existing legislation, whether the Government will reconsider enacting legislation to regulate such services or introduce a unified licensing regime for the operation of animal hospice services to safeguard public interest;
 
(3) as there are views that, under the Air Pollution Control (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations (Cap. 311A), only incineration facilities consuming more than 25 litres of fuel per hour require applications to the Environmental Protection Department prior to installation, resulting in some service providers deliberately using small cremators with low fuel consumption and poorer combustion efficiency to circumvent prior vetting, whether the Government will expedite the review and amendment of the relevant legislation to abolish the single fuel consumption threshold, or require all commercial pet cremators to be equipped with secondary combustion and flue gas filtration devices; and
 
(4) to address operational issues of pet cremation facilities, whether the Government will designate specific lands in urban planning or add a dedicated “pet cremation” category to the land use categories, in order to zone suitable areas for the provision of legal and compliant pet cremation services?
 
Reply:   
 
President,

Having consulted the Development Bureau and the Security Bureau, the reply to the question from Dr the Hon Chan Han-pan is as follows:

(1) In the past three years, the number of complaints received by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Lands Department (LandsD) on pet cremation services and the follow-up outcome, are set out at Annex, categorised by the type of complaint and the number of successful prosecutions.

(2) Currently, various government departments regulate pet cremation operating premises in accordance with legislations or the terms of the land leases. For example, upon receipt of complaints about these premises causing sanitary nuisance, environmental pollution, fire hazard or breach of terms of the land lease, the FEHD, the EPD, the FSD, or the LandsD will carry out inspections and take enforcement actions as necessary. The Government has no plans to separately introduce specific legislation or licence system.

(3) The Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 311) (the Ordinance) already controls air pollutant emitted during the operation of incinerators, furnaces and ovens. The Ordinance stipulates that the operation of incinerators with installed capacity exceeding 0.5 tonne per hour is a “specified process”. The owner of the incinerators must apply for a “specified process” licence from the EPD in advance.
 
According to the regulation under the Air Pollution Control (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations (Cap. 311A), for furnaces or ovens that have installed capacities below “specified process” but consume more than
 
(i) 25 litres of conventional liquid fuel per hour; or
(ii) 35 kilograms of conventional solid fuel per hour; or
(iii) 1 150 megajoules of any gaseous fuel per hour, 

their owner must submit plans and specifications of the relevant furnaces, ovens, chimneys or flues to the EPD not less than 28 days prior to their installation, and must obtain approval from the EPD on the plans and specifications before installing and operating the relevant equipment.
 
Equipment that does not meet the above consumption levels is very small and generally does not cause air pollution. Abolishing or further tightening the threshold would subject a large number of small stoves, even residential stoves, to the pre-application requirements, causing inconvenience to many citizens and is unnecessary. If air pollution issues arise due to improper operation or other reasons, the Ordinance has already granted the power to the EPD to issue air pollution abatement notice to the owner of the equipment, and require them to rectify the pollution problem.

(4) In terms of town planning, “pet cremation facilities” is currently not under any existing categories of use in statutory town plans. Interested operators may submit an application to the Town Planning Board (TPB) in accordance with section 12A of the Town Planning Ordinance to rezone a certain statutory planning use to a designated use for “pet cremation facilities”, or submit an application for planning approval in accordance with section 16 under appropriate circumstances if said “pet cremation facilities” are temporary use only. The TPB would consider and decide on each case individually having taken into factors such as land use compatibility, impacts on the surrounding environment, views from relevant bureaux and departments, etc. Since setting up these facilities may have potential impacts on the surrounding environment while each existing building differs in conditions, we consider the current application-based arrangement more prudent.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):

Question:whether the authorities have assessed what synergies such computing power capacity will generate with other GBA cities; and

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Jonathan Leung and a reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (April 22): 

Question:

There are views that digitalisation and the development of artificial intelligence present significant opportunities for the upgrading and transformation of the food and beverage (F&B) sector. However, although the Government has successively launched the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) and the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP) to assist various sectors (including the F&B sector) in adopting technology, according to the Government’s reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on February 25 this year, the F&B sector accounted for only 8 per cent and 34 per cent respectively of the approved projects under these two programmes, and the response has not been particularly enthusiastic. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether the authorities have conducted any survey to find out why the F&B sector has not actively applied for the aforementioned programmes in the past; if so, of the details; if not, whether the authorities have plans to conduct such a survey;

(2) given that TVP and DTSPP have now ceased accepting applications, and the authorities have indicated that they will examine ways to enhance DTSPP, whether the authorities have any plans to introduce targeted measures during this policy gap to assist the F&B sector in enhancing the adoption of technology and artificial intelligence; and

(3) while examining ways to enhance DTSPP, whether the authorities will conduct an opinion survey on catering enterprises that have previously applied for the Programme to gauge their views on various aspects of DTSPP such as application procedures, vetting and approval time, funding amounts, scope of funding and shortcomings; if so, of the details; if not, how will the authorities ensure that the enhanced DTSPP meets the needs of enterprises?

Reply:

President,

Regarding the question from the Hon Jonathan Leung, our reply is as follows.

(1) and (2) The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) launched the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) in November 2016 to support non-listed local enterprises/organisations in adopting technology services and solutions to enhance productivity, or upgrade or transform business processes, thereby strengthening their long-term competitiveness. The TVP has approved a total of 38 640 applications, with over 3 000 approved applications falling under the category “restaurants and hotels”, ranking second among the types of businesses supported. The ITC conducted a fundamental review on the TVP in 2024 and considered that the programme has achieved its original intent. Additionally, multiple policy bureaux and departments have introduced more targeted funding schemes dedicated to the specific conditions or operational needs of individual industries in recent years. In view of the above, the TVP ceased accepting new applications after December 31, 2024.

On the other hand, the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP) was launched in January 2024. Through subsidies on a one-to-one matching basis, the DTSPP assists small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in food and beverage, retail, tourism, and personal services sectors in adopting off-the-shelf and basic digital solutions in three categories (digital payment and shopfront sales, online promotion and customer management systems), with a view to accelerating their digital transformation. When the DTSPP’s application period was ended in May 2025, approximately 4 500 SMEs from the F&B sector had submitted applications, of which nearly 3 000 were approved, accounting for over 30 per cent of the total of approximately 8 800 successfully approved applications under the DTSPP.

The DTSPP offered SMEs over 1 200 off-the-shelf and basic digital solutions, including technological solution service plans covering up to 24 months for applicants to choose from. As the implementation agent for the DTSPP, Cyberport maintained close communication with SMEs, service providers, relevant industries and SME associations etc. through various channels. To enhance industry awareness and promote participation in the DTSPP, Cyberport conducted promotional training sessions for over 30 industry organisations in the F&B sector during the implementation of the programme, and organised workshops to facilitate matching between SMEs and digital solution providers, thereby accelerating the digital transformation of SMEs including those in the F&B sector.

 (3) As mentioned above, Cyberport maintained close communications with stakeholders during the implementation of the DTSPP to gain insights into market conditions. At the same time, it collected feedback on the DTSPP from various parties, through application reports submitted by SMEs receiving subsidies and questionnaires, etc., as well as analysing and monitoring the progress and effectiveness of the funded enterprises in implementing digital solutions, to ensure that the programme was run smoothly and had met the intended objectives. In light of the positive response from SMEs to the DTSPP, the Government will allocate an additional $300 million to enhance the programme, with a view to further encouraging SMEs to adopt off-the-shelf and basic digital solutions to boost their competitiveness and strengthen cybersecurity. The Government is currently reviewing the DTSPP with Cyberport. In addition to including AI and cybersecurity solutions into the programme, considerations will also be given to factors such as SMEs’ latest needs for transformation, market products offering and pricing, and operational experience, etc, in devising the funding model, scope and amount, as well as the implementation details of the new round of the programme. Our target is to roll out the enhanced DTSPP in the second half of this year following consultation with the Legislative Council.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Kingsley Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):
 
Question:
  
     Regarding the employment and poverty situation in Hong Kong, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) as, according to data from the Census and Statistics Department, the median monthly household income (median income) (excluding foreign domestic helpers) rose from $16,700 to $24,500 over the 10-year period between 2006 and 2015, an increase of over 45 per cent, but the median income rose only from $25,000 to $30,000 over the last decade (between 2016 and 2025), with the rate of increase falling to 20 per cent; whether the authorities have examined the reasons for this decline in the rate of increase, such as easing wage growth, loss of positions at middle and senior levels, reduction in the average household size, or decline in the labour force participation rate; if so, of the details; 

(2) as it is learnt that the number of economically inactive households with non-elderly members has more than doubled over the past 20-odd years, whether the authorities have examined the reasons for this significant increase; if so, of the details;  
President,
 
     In consultation with the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the reply to the Member’s question is provided as follows: 
     The increase in the median monthly household income (excluding foreign domestic helpers) from 2016 to 2025 was lower than that in the preceding decade (2006-2015). The statistics relating to changes in demographic structure showed that during 2016 to 2025, the number of elderly households increased by 59.7 per cent from 320 000 households to 510 000 households (higher than the growth rate of 51.1 per cent in the preceding decade). Among which, the number of economically inactive elderly households also grew by 49.6 per cent from 290 000 households to 430 000 households (higher than the growth rate of 45.4 per cent in the preceding decade). In addition, the average household size (excluding foreign domestic helpers) decreased continuously in the past 20 years respectively from 2.9 persons in 2006 to 2.7 persons in 2015 and from 2.7 persons in 2016 to 2.5 persons in 2025. Generally speaking, elderly households have lower incomes than non-elderly households, and households with fewer members also tend to have lower household incomes. The growing proportion of these two types of households among all domestic households has exerted a downward pressure on the growth of the overall median household income. 
     Furthermore, the Government has been supporting lower-income working households who are not receiving CSSA through the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme, with a view to promoting full-time employment and self-reliance, as well as rewarding hard work. The WFA Scheme also provides child allowance to households with eligible children. The Government reviews the WFA Scheme and enhances its support from time to time. The rates of the household and child allowances under the WFA Scheme have been increased by 15 per cent across the board with effect from April 2024 to further alleviate the burden of lower-income working families and incentivise more families to join the labour market. In addition, the 2025 Policy Address announced the provision of time-limited cash incentives for households leaving the CSSA Scheme and joining the WFA Scheme on a pilot basis, with a view to encouraging more people with working capability to leave the CSSA Scheme and promoting self-reliance through continuous employment. The Government is preparing to launch the initiative in the second half of this year. 
     In response to this situation, the Government launched the School-based After School Care Service Scheme (the Service Scheme) in the 2023/24 school year, allowing primary students in need to stay after school for care and learning support in a safe and familiar environment, thereby easing the pressure on parents/guardians in caring for and supervising their children. At the same time, it gives parents/guardians who otherwise need to look after their children in after-school hours the option of taking up employment and improving their livelihood. Both single-parent and dual-income families stand to benefit. The Government has further expanded the Service Scheme in 2025/26 school year by removing the cap on the number of places, thereby extending support to more primary students and parents in need. As at February 2026, 205 primary schools have joined the Service Scheme, providing over 10 000 service places, many of which are in Kwun Tong, Kwai Tsing and Wong Tai Sin districts.
 
     In addition, the Labour Department (LD) provides diversified employment services and implements various employment programmes to assist job seekers of different backgrounds to secure employment. The LD operates 10 job centres across the territory, providing personalised employment advisory and job referral services to job seekers, and regularly organising job fairs to help job seekers in the respective districts secure employment.
 
     To promote the employment of the middle-aged and older persons, the LD launched the three-year Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme (REA Scheme) in July 2024 to encourage persons aged 40 or above who have not been in paid work for three consecutive months or more to join the employment market. The LD also implements the Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged (EPEM) to encourage employers to hire persons aged 40 or above and provide them with on-the-job training. Both the REA Scheme and EPEM cover full-time and part-time jobs. The response to the REA Scheme is very favourable, with over 72 000 participants and 43 000 placements recorded as at March 2026. Of which, about 60 per cent of participants and placements involve women, showing the REA Scheme’s effectiveness in helping women secure employment.
 
     At present, LD officers will upon invitation participate in or attend committee meetings of individual District Councils to listen to the views of local communities on labour issues. The Government will continue to review policies related to poverty alleviation and employment, collect the views from local communities and stakeholders, and adjust relevant measures in a timely manner having regard to the economic and labour market situations of Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):
 
Question:
 
     The Government signed the 57th Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) with Barbados in March 2026 to expand Hong Kong’s tax treaty network. There are views pointing out that in the context of an evolving global taxation environment, expanding the tax treaty network is crucial to consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a leading destination for international business operations. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) given that Singapore has signed over 90 CDTAs, a number far exceeds Hong Kong’s current total of 57, whether the Government will formulate a more proactive timetable to catch up with the lag, so as to narrow the gap between Hong Kong and major economies of other regions in this regard;
 
(2) apart from increasing the number of CDTAs, whether the Government has assessed if the existing CDTAs (especially those which were signed at an earlier stage) still align with the prevailing international tax standard, and ensured that these CDTAs can continue to provide Hong Kong enterprises with competitive withholding tax rates and adequate legal protection;
 
(3) whether the Government will step up efforts in negotiating and concluding CDTAs with emerging markets along the Belt and Road, as well as with countries or regions with potential for collaborating with Hong Kong in innovation and technology, so as to facilitate bilateral trade flows and reduce tax costs for enterprises;
 
(4) of the resources and staffing establishment currently dedicated by the Government to expanding the tax treaty network; whether it will consider allocating additional resources in future to expedite the progress of negotiating and concluding CDTAs; and
 
(5) whether the Government has taken the initiative to publicise and promote to local chambers of commerce and investors in jurisdictions with which CDTAs have been signed, so as to assist multinational enterprises in fully understanding and making good use of CDTAs to optimise their global tax costs when considering the setting up of regional headquarters in Hong Kong, thereby attracting quality enterprises to Hong Kong and further developing the “headquarters economy”?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government has been proactively expanding the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) network, which will enable investors to better assess their potential tax liabilities from cross-border economic activities and avoid double taxation. This will foster a more attractive business environment, promoting bilateral trade and investment.
 
     Having consulted the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), my reply to Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee’s question is as follows:
 
(1), (3) and (5) Since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong has started entering into CDTAs with major trading partners. Following the conclusion of an avoidance of double taxation arrangement with the Chinese Mainland in 1998, we signed a CDTA with Belgium in 2003, which was our first CDTA with an overseas jurisdiction. As of mid-April 2026, Hong Kong has signed CDTAs with 57 tax jurisdictions, 12 of which were signed by the current-term Government. We have also commenced negotiations with 17 tax jurisdictions. Depending on the content and complexity of the CDTAs, as well as the willingness and work priority of negotiation partners, we expect that three to four CDTAs will be signed this year.
 
     According to the figures of 2025, 15 of Hong Kong’s top 20 major trading partners have signed CDTAs with us. The trade value between Hong Kong and these 15 partners amounted to over 75 per cent of Hong Kong’s total trade value. This shows that the current CDTA network suits Hong Kong’s trade needs. To attract more enterprises to Hong Kong and facilitate enterprises to “go global” through Hong Kong, the Government will continue to proactively expand our CDTA network with a focus on jurisdictions participating in the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative.
 
     Apart from continuously expanding the CDTA network, the Government has been implementing various measures aiming to deepen the economic and trade co-operation with B&R countries and regions, and assist Hong Kong enterprises and professional services in exploring new business opportunities. the CEDB and the Belt and Road Office will continue to organise the annual flagship event – Belt and Road Summit; reach out to agencies in charge of projects in B&R countries and regions; organise missions, study tours and matching activities; as well as encourage and assist external organisations to stage roadshows in Hong Kong, with a view to promoting Hong Kong’s diversified, professional and international professional services. Also, Invest Hong Kong has all along been assisting enterprises from all over the world to set up or expand businesses in Hong Kong, including economies along the B&R and with potential for collaboration in the field of innovation and technology. The department will continue to organise and sponsor an array of investment promotion activities, including roadshows, seminars and roundtables, to provide overseas enterprises with the latest information on Hong Kong’s business environment, including leveraging the advantages of Hong Kong’s CDTA network, thereby attracting more inward investment.
 
     In addition, OASES is proactively engaging enterprises around the world with potential and that are technologically leading to establish a presence in Hong Kong. Apart from showcasing Hong Kong’s overall strengths in terms of institutions, finance, professional services, and international connectivity, OASES will highlight Hong Kong’s competitive tax policies and measures (including Hong Kong’s CDTA network) to help enterprises more comprehensively assess the feasibility of establishing headquarters, research and development centres, and treasury management centres in Hong Kong. Among others, to further enhance Hong Kong’s role as a key base for Corporate Treasury Centres (CTCs), the Government will provide additional tax incentives and flexibility to CTCs and their associated corporations, and at the same time strengthen promotion and communication with multinational enterprises, and enhance training for relevant practitioners, etc. The Government will announce an action plan in mid-2026, outlining the details of the aforementioned measures.
 
(2) The Government from time to time reviews and updates Hong Kong’s CDTAs to ensure that they conform to the prevailing international tax standards and provide Hong Kong enterprises with competitive arrangements and sufficient safeguards.
 
     In 2015, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) introduced the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) package with tax treaty-related measures, including prevention of treaty abuse and enhancement of the dispute resolution mechanism. The Government implemented the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (Convention) of the package through local legislation in 2022 in order to modify CDTAs signed earlier for conforming to BEPS requirements. The CDTAs signed in recent years have also incorporated provisions that meet the standards of the Convention.
 
     The prevailing withholding tax rates under Hong Kong’s CDTAs are generally on par with those under the CDTAs of our major trading partners in the region and some of ours are even more favourable. Besides, our CDTAs clearly set out the taxing rights of the governments of the two sides, residents and taxes covered, arrangements for elimination of double taxation, withholding tax rates, dispute resolution mechanism, information exchange arrangements between the tax authorities, etc, so as to provide enterprises with tax certainty and legal protection.
 
(4) The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the IRD are responsible for duties in relation to expansion of the CDTA network. The major officers involve one Principal Assistant Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, one Assistant Commissioner of Inland Revenue (directorate officer at D2 level) and seven officers from the grades of administrative officer, assessor and executive officer. To cope with the increasing workload related to CDTAs and other international tax matters, the IRD created the aforementioned post of Assistant Commissioner in June 2023 to strengthen support at the directorate level. To meet operational needs, we will arrange internal deployment or increase manpower as appropriate.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Following is a question by the Hon Chan Cho-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):

Question:

While all government tunnels and major trunk roads are currently equipped with traffic control and surveillance systems (TCSSs) which operate round-the-clock, there are views that the problem of traffic congestion in these government tunnels and on such major trunk roads in Hong Kong persists, arousing public concerns about whether TCSSs can provide more comprehensive coverage of the road network in Hong Kong to identify traffic incidents or contraventions in a timely manner. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) under the framework of the Transport Strategy Blueprint, whether the Government has specific plans to expand TCSSs and further step up automatic detection and law enforcement efforts against traffic contraventions through implementation of TCSSs; if so, of the following details of the technology concerned, including the scope of application, scale of input, and estimated implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will consider establishing an independent review mechanism to ensure that law enforcement actions are carried out in a fair and transparent manner and to safeguard the rights of members of the public to lodge complaints;

(2) the Government conducted the trial of the Ting Kau Bridge Smart Motorway Pilot Scheme (the Pilot Scheme) at the road section of Ting Kau Bridge southbound (Tsing Yi bound) in December 2024, in which the Automatic Incident Detection System assisted in detecting and handling traffic incidents by application of AI technologies; whether the authorities will expand the Pilot Scheme to cover the other major trunk roads, tunnels or roads in the urban areas; if so, of the technical specifications concerned and the timetables involved; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) given that the Transport Department is actively building an intelligent traffic management platform by making use of AI and big data to identify traffic bottlenecks at road junctions, make forecasts on weather conditions or unexpected incidents, so as to provide updates to the public in a timely manner; whether such platform will include smart monitoring functions (such as AI-powered image analysis of real-time road conditions, automatic alert functions in case of abnormalities)?

Reply:

President,

The Government has been committed to enhancing traffic management efficiency through innovative technologies, and has formulated long-term strategies in the Transport Strategy Blueprint promulgated in February 2026 to promote the application of digital technologies and AI in the transport sector.

My reply to the questions raised by the Member is as follows:

(1) and (3) At present, all road tunnels and the Tsing Ma Control Area are equipped with comprehensive Traffic Control and Surveillance facilities including CCTV cameras, automatic incident detectors, lane control signals, variable speed limit signs and variable message signs for efficient and effective traffic and incident management.

Under the framework of the Transport Strategy Blueprint, the Government proposes to commence a study on the Traffic Management Platform within this year, which will primarily be used to assist in transport planning and traffic management. The platform will integrate various traffic and transport data, including traffic data collected from major roads after smart motorway measures have been implemented, and will use big data analytics and AI technologies to predict changes in traffic conditions, identify traffic bottlenecks, develop emergency response plans, assist with traffic management and transport planning, and disseminate relevant information to the public. The platform will apply AI-based video analytics technology to enable real-time monitoring of road conditions and automatic alerts for abnormal traffic events. The system will be capable of analysing road congestion and recommending solutions in real-time, while sharing real-time information with relevant government departments. For example, the Highways Department can leverage this capability to swiftly clear blocked roads during extreme weather, thereby maintaining smooth traffic flow. In addition, the platform will share information with public transport operators and other stakeholders to facilitate their flexible deployment of vehicles and rapid response to traffic flows brought by major events or unexpected traffic conditions, thereby enabling smoother journeys for the public.

The Transport Department (TD) will implement a regional pilot in suitable districts, with areas around Aberdeen identified as the first site to be prepared within this year. The pilot aims to test the practical applications and functions of the Traffic Management Platform in Hong Kong’s road environment.

Regarding the use of technology to support traffic enforcement, the Government will review the development and application of relevant technologies in a timely manner. It will holistically assess the necessity of automated traffic enforcement, taking into account enforcement needs, evidentiary requirements, and public acceptance. The Traffic Management Platform is intended primarily for transport planning and traffic management, and automated enforcement matters are not included during its study phase.

(2) Building on the successful experience of the Smart Motorway Pilot Scheme at Ting Kau Bridge, the Government is progressively implementing and expanding smart motorway management measures across existing major roads and those under planning, with the aim of enhancing overall transport efficiency and enabling more flexible use of road space.

With regard to major roads in the planning stage, the TD has maintained close liaison with relevant works departments to incorporate suitable smart motorway elements and requirements into their designs, such as the Tsing Lung Bridge at the southern end of Route 11, scheduled to open by 2033, and the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section), scheduled to open by 2036. Specific measures include installing an automatic incident detection system and associated equipment on the relevant road sections to detect traffic incidents swiftly by harnessing AI technology, and to promptly disseminate real-time traffic information to motorists so that they can respond appropriately.

For existing major roads, the Government will take advantage of future opportunities such as road widening or the replacement of Traffic Control and Surveillance Systems (TCSSs) to incorporate smart motorway elements into suitable projects. These include a smart motorway design to be integrated into the planned expansion of San Tin Highway by the Civil Engineering and Development Department this year; the progressive replacement of TCSSs for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the Western Harbour Crossing starting in 2027 by the TD, with new systems equipped with active warning functions to enable early detection of emergencies inside the tunnels; and the incorporation of smart motorway design when TCSSs at the Tsing Sha Control Area and Tai Lam Tunnel are replaced at a later stage.

The TD will adopt suitable smart motorway systems, taking into account the actual geographical environment, traffic characteristics and operational needs of each major road or tunnel. The design and operation of these systems will comply with the Government’s rigorous requirements on information security and data processing.