Category: MIL-OSI

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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Buildings Department approved 15 building plans in February, with three on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, nine were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, two were for community services developments, and four were for factory and industrial development.

     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on nine building projects which, when completed, will provide 19 032 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 226 units, and 56 346 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for one building project.

     The department also issued 10 occupation permits, with three on Hong Kong Island, two in Kowloon and five in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 81 216 sq m involving 1 068 units, and 90 080 sq m was for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of new buildings completed in February totalled about $18.4 billion.

     In addition, four demolition consents were issued.

     The department received 2 115 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in February and issued 544 removal orders on UBWs.

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for February can be viewed on the Buildings Department’s homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hok-fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):

Question:

     The Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (the Amendment Ordinance) came into operation on January 1 this year. Amendments targeting smoking offences include the extension of the statutory no smoking areas (NSAs) to the entrance and exit areas of child care centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals, as well as specified clinics and health centres; the prohibition of smoking while queuing to board public transport carriers at designated boarding locations; and the increase in the fixed penalty for smoking offences (including smoking on public transport carriers) from $1,500 to $3,000. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the actual increase in the coverage of NSAs (such as the area and number of locations involved) after the implementation of the Amendment Ordinance; of the numbers of inspections and prosecutions conducted by the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) under the Department of Health in the first quarter of this year following their increased coverage, and how such figures compared with those for the same period last year;

(2) of the respective numbers of TACO’s (i) on-site investigations in response to reports and surprise inspections; and (ii) inspections during non-office hours on weekdays (including in the evenings and the small hours), as well as on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, in each of the past three years;

(3) of the average length of time taken by TACO to arrive at the scene for inspection after receiving a report of illegal smoking over the past three years;

(4) whether TACO has conducted regular enforcement operations against smoking on public transport carriers with passengers on board; if so, of the number of enforcement operations conducted on different modes of transport such as buses, ferries, MTR and minibuses and the number of fixed penalty notices issued over the past three years (set out in a table);

(5) as TACO has indicated that since illegal smoking is an instantaneous act, it will not proceed to the scene immediately for follow-up upon receipt of a complaint, how TACO will undertake effective follow-up when it receives complaints from members of the public about illegal smoking on a public transport carrier in motion; and

(6) as specified officers of the Housing Department are empowered to issue fixed penalty notices for smoking offences, of the number of such notices issued by the Housing Department within public housing estates over the past three years, and the number of such notices issued during non-office hours?

Reply:

President,

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has pursued tobacco control policies through a multi-pronged and progressive approach over the years, so as to protect the people from the harm caused by tobacco. One of the Government’s tobacco control directions is to periodically amend the legislation to expand No-Smoking Areas (NSAs), with the aim of eliminating the harm caused by second-hand smoke and protecting the public. As the principal enforcement agency of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) and the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance (Cap. 600), the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) has all along been working closely with relevant departments to take joint enforcement actions as well as refer suspected cases of contravention, so as to take forward the tobacco control efforts by enforcing the relevant legislation.

     The consolidated reply, in consultation with DH and the Housing Department (HD), on various parts of the question raised by the Hon Chan Hok-fung is as follows:

(1) The Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (Amendment Ordinance) was passed by the Legislative Council in September 2025 to implement the new phase of tobacco control measures. Among which, the amendments in respect of smoking offences came into effect on January 1, 2026. From that day onward, the fixed penalty for smoking offences was increased to $3,000 per notice; the NSAs were extended to cover three metres outside the entrances/exits used for specified premises (including child care centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals and specified clinics or health centres), adding over 3 000 new no-smoking locations in the city; and the prohibition on smoking while queuing also took effect. The latter includes prohibition on smoking while queuing to board a public transport carrier at designated boarding locations, staying within the delineated area for a designated boarding location, while queuing to enter specified premises, and while queuing within specified premises, with at least 2 000 such specified premises throughout the city included.

     In the first quarter of 2025, the TACO conducted 7 687 inspections in relation to smoking offences, and issued 3 161 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and 11 summonses for smoking offences. After the new measures came into effect on January 1, 2026, the TACO strengthened inspections at locations covered by the new measures, with a view to enhancing public awareness of the new measures and increase deterrence. In the first quarter of 2026, following the implementation of the new measures, a total of 11 699 inspections were conducted in relation to smoking offences, resulting in the issue of 2 198 FPNs and 15 summonses. The increase in number of inspections alongside a decline in the number of FPNs issued precisely reflects the dual purpose of the stepped up inspection efforts by the TACO. On the one hand, enhancing inspections in the community serves to promote and educate the public on the new tobacco control measures, thereby encouraging voluntary compliance with the law; on the other hand, it maintains robust enforcement and takes a zero-tolerance approach against violations. In fact, the increase in the number of summonses issued during the period as compared to the same period last year demonstrates that the Government remains determined to prosecute offenders who are uncooperative after the implementation of the new measures. The current strategy on inspections emphasises a balance between education and enforcement. As the public gradually becomes more familiar with the new measures, enforcement actions will be adjusted in due course.  

(2) Upon receiving reports on smoking offences and related complaints, the TACO conducts inspections and investigations, and issues FPNs to offenders. The TACO also conducts proactive inspections at locations where smoking problems are more serious (e.g. where complaints numbers are higher), with a view to increasing deterrence. The number of daytime and night-time operations conducted by the TACO, as well as operations on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays are tabulated as follows:
 

Note 1: “Daytime operation” covers the “morning and afternoon shift” for the period from 6.30am to 6.30pm.
Note 2: “Night-time operation” covers the “afternoon and evening shift”, “evening shift” and “overnight shift” for the periods from 10am to 8pm, from 1pm to 11pm, and from 10.30pm to 8.30am respectively. 

     The number of FPNs/summonses issued by the TACO from 2023 to 2025 for smoking offences are as follows:
 

Note 3: After the passage of the Amendment Ordinance in September 2025, law enforcement officers of the TACO strengthened inspections in the community to promote the new tobacco control measures, in particular the new smoking offences that took effect since January 1, 2026. The focus of these inspections was on education and encouraging compliance, rather than taking stringent enforcement actions (such as plainclothes operations). As a result, the number of FPNs and summonses issued declined.

(3) to (5) The TACO has been collaborating with relevant departments, venue managers and transport operators to implement the smoking ban. The TACO proactively conducts inspections in areas with higher incidents of violations to enhance deterrence. During such inspections, if smoking offences are detected, TACO inspectors will issue FPNs immediately without prior warning. Managers of the statutory NSAs should also place clear no smoking signs in conspicuous locations within those areas to remind the public that the areas are statutory NSAs. Since smoking offences occur only over a short period of time, Cap. 371 also empowers venue managers to enforce the smoking ban in addition to the TACO, so as to stop the smoking offence immediately. Such powers include requiring the person to cease the relevant smoking act, requiring the person to leave the NSA or to produce proof of identity if the person is uncooperative, and calling for assistance of a police officer when necessary.  

     The number of inspections conducted and FPNs/summonses issued by the TACO from 2023 to 2025 for smoking offences in restaurant premises, shops and shopping malls, public transport facilities, bus interchanges and other statutory NSAs is at Annex. Individual public transport operators also enforce the smoking ban under the powers conferred by relevant legislations. As regards complaints received concerning smoking on public transport vehicles in motion or in navigation, the TACO will assess the information provided by members of the public and, will take appropriate follow-up actions (e.g. to issue FPNs or summonses) if there is sufficient evidence. The TACO does not maintain itemised enforcement figures for different modes of public transport.

(6) The Hong Kong Housing Authority has always been committed to providing residents with a comfortable and healthy living environment. Under Cap. 600 and its subsidiary legislation, designated public officers of the HD (including Housing Managers, Assistant Housing Managers and Housing Officers) (the designated officers) are authorised to issue FPNs for smoking offence to any person violating smoking regulations in statutory NSAs. It is unlawful to smoke in areas managed by the HD which have been designated as NSAs under the Cap. 371, and the designated officers of the HD will issue a FPN to the offender concerned. If the offender is a resident of the estate, in addition to paying the fine of $3,000 according to the FPN, he/she will also be immediately allotted 5 points without prior warning under the Marking Scheme for Estate Management in Public Housing Estates (Marking Scheme). Under the Marking Scheme, if a household accumulates 16 or more points within two years, the household’s tenancy or licence will be terminated.

     Apart from performing the abovementioned duties primarily during office hours, the designated officers of the HD also conduct special enforcement operations during non-office hours. Over the past three years (from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025), the numbers of FPNs issued by HD’s enforcement officers within the estates for smoking offences are as follows:
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by Dr the Hon Webster Ng and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (April 22):

Question: