LCQ20: Operation of eMPF Platform

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCQ20: Operation of eMPF Platform 
Question:
 
     Since the launch of the eMPF Platform (the Platform) in June 2024, 12 Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) trustees and 22 MPF master trust schemes/employer sponsored scheme under their administration have onboarded the Platform in batches. However, it has been reported that a large number of complaints have been received continuously against the Platform since its launch, including unsuccessful registration, incorrect or missing contribution records, difficulties in changing or updating information, system operation interface not user-friendly, and failure to make voluntary contributions via the Platform. It has even been reported recently that there were long queues of people seeking assistance at the eMPF service centers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) since the onboarding of the first MPF trustee, of (i) the total number of complaints received by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) and the eMPF Platform Company Limited (eMPF Company) regarding the Platform’s operation, with a breakdown by type of complaints; (ii) the respective percentages of complaints that have been resolved and the average time required for handling each complaint;
 
(2) whether it knows if MPFA/eMPF Company has established emergency response mechanisms and performance pledges for handling cases concerning unsuccessful user registration and incorrect or missing contribution records, so as to ensure that users can restore account access within a reasonable time;
 
(3) whether it knows if MPFA/eMPF Company has investigated the causes of reported disappearance of contribution records, discrepancies in the amount of contributions, or errors in the allocation of fund units following the migration of relevant data to the Platform; whether MPFA/eMPF Company will establish a specific compensation mechanism to deal with situations where scheme members suffer losses from their MPF investments due to system errors of the Platform or a surcharge is imposed on employers as a result of being wrongly accused of defaulting on contributions, thereby enabling scheme members/employers to pursue responsibility;
 
(4) whether it knows if MPFA/eMPF Company has plans to comprehensively enhance the Platform’s system in the short term so as to address issues such as poor design of the Platform’s operation interface, complicated procedures for handling contributions which have rendered employers or scheme members unable to make voluntary contributions on the Platform, and failure to show scheme members’ contribution records in their accounts; if so, of the specific timetable and enhancement project;
 
(5) in response to a question raised by a Member of this Council on October 22 last year regarding the staffing establishment of the Platform for handling enquiries and complaints, the Administration stated that the contractor of the Platform would increase its headcounts to over 1 100 by the end of 2025; given that the other two MPF industry schemes will be onboarded on March 26 and April 30 this year respectively, whether it knows if the contractor of the Platform has plans to further increase manpower or adopt other measures so as to handle enquiries or complaints more effectively; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(6) whether it knows if MPFA/eMPF Company will review afresh and adjust the onboarding timetable for the remaining two MPF industry schemes, or establish more stringent criteria for system stress tests prior to onboarding so as to ensure smooth onboarding to the Platform?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Launched in June 2024, the eMPF Platform seeks to standardise, streamline, and automate Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme administration work, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, reducing administrative costs, driving fee reduction, and providing greater convenience in managing MPF accounts. In consultation with the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA), our reply to the six-part question is as follows.
 
(1) and (5) As at end-February this year, the eMPF Platform received a total of about 11 500 complaint cases with details at Annex. The 12 MPF trustees have already onboarded the eMPF Platform in ascending order of their assets-under-management (AUM) size (save for the two industry schemes dedicated to casual employees of the catering and construction industries). With the phased onboarding of the three trustees with the largest AUM size over the past six months, it is expected to observe an increase in the cumulative number of complaints received by the Platform during the same period. This notwithstanding, we note that the rate of increase in complaints has dropped over the past two months. The eMPF Platform Company Limited (eMPF Company) has handled over 76 per cent of the cases (i.e. about 8 800 cases), with an average handling time of about 18 working days. The Government has instructed that the MPFA and the eMPF Company must take remedial measures immediately to handle complaints in a timely manner and to improve user experience. Specifically, the Platform’s project contractor has implemented a series of enhancement measures, including increasing headcounts dedicated to handling complaints, strengthening managerial oversight of case progress, upgrading internal communication tools to provide better frontline support, implementing a mechanism to assign dedicated case officers to handle each case, strengthening staff training, introducing artificial intelligence to optimise data retrieval and improve communication with customers, etc. The eMPF Company has also implemented a performance tracking system to continuously monitor the Platform’s operation statistics and to introduce alerts on critical processes, reminding the contractor’s staff to complete the processing of instructions made by employers and scheme members within the specified timeframe. The contractor has also conducted a comprehensive review and enhanced the reporting mechanism for exceptional cases, including the establishment of a dedicated Complaint Handling Task Force late last year, led by its management to focus on handling urgent cases. In terms of manpower, as at end-February this year, the total headcount of the Project Team has substantially increased by more than 60 per cent to about 4 200, around 1 300 of which were dedicated to handling enquiries and complaints related to the eMPF Platform, representing an increase in headcount of more than five times in a year. The Government, the MPFA and the eMPF Company will continue to closely monitor the complaint handling mechanism of the eMPF Platform and strive to provide Platform users with customer services of higher quality.
 
(2) to (4) When individual MPF schemes first onboarded the eMPF Platform, we understand that some employers and scheme members encountered difficulties in adapting to and using the Platform, including delays in tagging payments and identifying voluntary contributions resulting in relevant contributions not being timely reflected on the eMPF Platform.
 
     To assist employers in registering with and using the eMPF Platform, the eMPF Company has been providing them with one-on-one, hand-holding on-site support through outreach services. To date, the outreach team has conducted over 16 000 visits to ensure that the relevant employers are familiar with the Platform’s actual operation and succeed in making contributions.
 
     At the same time, the MPFA and the eMPF Company have commenced the third-phase stakeholders engagement exercise starting from April 2025 to assist scheme members in registering with and using the Platform, with a special focus on the less tech-savvy grassroots. Over 600 meetings, talks, exchange sessions, district outreach activities and collaborative events with different stakeholder groups have been arranged so far to introduce the Platform’s functionalities and provide on-site registration service. To ensure that support is available in every district, the MPFA and the eMPF Company have co-organised seminars with the Home Affairs Department and district groups and set up registration counters to provide convenient services for local residents. They have also set up counters at major public events, including the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo and Lunar New Year Fairs. or arranged eMPF fleet to attend, to massively and proactively reach out to the public.
 
     If employers/scheme members encounter any difficulties in registering with or using the eMPF Platform, they may call the eMPF customer service hotline or visit any one of the eMPF service centres and eMPF self-service kiosks located across all 18 districts of Hong Kong. The self-service kiosks are located inside designated sports centres under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and designated stores of the contractor, with on-site eMPF ambassadors providing assistance for those in need. The eMPF Company has made service pledges in respect of services provided by the Platform. The relevant details have been uploaded onto the eMPF Company’s website for public reference.
 
     In addition, the MPFA has been gathering views from stakeholders and users through a three-tiered testing framework since early 2025, so as to optimise the user interface and operational processes of the eMPF Platform and bring in comprehensive elevation of user experience. Such framework comprises (a) engaging a professional service company to conduct testing of major system functionalities, with a view to improving user experience; (b) setting up an Expert Group comprising information technology (IT) experts, managerial staff from large technology firms or digital platform companies, representatives from IT federations and university scholars, to advise on the Platform’s operations and development; and (c) establishing a Standing User Group comprising existing eMPF users from various sectors to tap their views on the Platform and to brief them on the Platform’s latest functionalities and improvement measures. In response to the feedback received, the eMPF Company will from time to time conduct technical upgrades on the eMPF Platform’s website and mobile application and fix such system features as the user interface.
 
     If a scheme member suffers direct financial loss attributable to the eMPF Company’s fault (such as a delay in transferring MPF accrued benefits), he/she may file a claim against the eMPF Company. In accordance with the general principle, the eMPF Company will credit the shortfall in fund units to the affected scheme member’s MPF account to restore his/her account to the position had the error not occurred. The aforementioned compensation mechanism is consistent with the standard practice adopted by all trustees in handling compensation claims prior to the launch of the eMPF Platform. Scheme members may also consider participating in the Pilot Scheme for Mediation for the eMPF Platform administered by the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre, which provides an independent, impartial, and efficient channel to resolve monetary disputes with the eMPF Company through mediation.
 
     If an employer receives a “Payment Notice for MPF Contributions and Surcharge” (PN) from the MPFA despite having made MPF mandatory contributions on time, he/she may file an objection to the eMPF Company and submit the relevant supporting documents within 14 days after the PN issue date. After ascertaining that the employer has made MPF mandatory contributions on time, the eMPF Company will notify the MPFA immediately and the employer concerned will not be required to pay any surcharge.
 
(6) Prior to commencing operation, the eMPF Platform has passed a series of rigorous and comprehensive testing on various fronts, including security, load and privacy. A security risk assessment and audit, as well as a privacy impact assessment have been conducted by an independent third-party consultant. During the process, the eMPF Company has been maintaining close communication and exchanging views with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the Digital Policy Office to ensure that the Platform complies with statutory requirements and the latest Government guidelines in different areas, including security, load and privacy. To provide additional safeguards, the eMPF Company has also engaged an independent third-party consultant to conduct an external assessment of the Platform and confirm system readiness prior to launching the Platform. Since the commencement of operation of the Platform, the eMPF Company has been monitoring the network system round-the-clock to detect and intercept cyberattacks. Regular cyberattack drills and annual security audits are also conducted to assess risks and vulnerabilities, so as to ensure the robustness, reliability, security and user-friendliness of the Platform.
 
     Before migrating their MPF scheme data to the eMPF Platform, all 12 trustees were required to prepare and submit their data in accordance with specified and standardised data formats and complete a rigorous, multi-stage data migration process to ensure data integrity and system readiness. The relevant process involved data cleansing, format validation and multiple rounds of testing. Regarding the 22 onboarded MPF schemes, the data migration process was largely smooth, with no systemic issue arisen before. Trustees operating the two industry schemes (i.e. BCT (MPF) Industry Choice and BEA (MPF) Industry Scheme) are also operating other MPF schemes which already onboarded the eMPF Platform last year. The relevant experience helps reduce the risk of migrating data of industry schemes to the eMPF Platform. With smooth progress in all preparatory and testing work, it is expected that the two industry schemes could onboard the eMPF Platform on March 26 and April 30 this year respectively as planned.
Issued at HKT 15:20

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HK to host Art Basel for 5 years

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau today announced a five-year collaboration arrangement with Art Basel, solidifying Hong Kong’s status as the exclusive regional host city.

The agreement aims to deepen the Government’s partnership with the world-renowned art fair over the next five years.

Beyond the annual fair held each March, Art Basel Hong Kong will continue to promote public art and education in the city. It will also support the bureau in developing strategies to further enhance the local art ecosystem and market.

Speaking at the opening reception of Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 today, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law said the long-term partnership underscores the Government’s commitment to cementing Hong Kong’s status as a global hub for premium arts trading. She added that the collaboration reinforces the city’s role as a premier centre for international cultural exchange between East and West.

Over the next five years, the Government and Art Basel will work together to elevate Hong Kong’s high-end arts trading platform and showcase the brilliance of local and Asian talent to a global audience.

Miss Law expressed confidence that the partnership will extend beyond the exhibition hall to the wider community.

She noted that Art Basel Hong Kong has consistently served as a powerful engine for the city’s mega-event economy, attracting art enthusiasts, collectors and industry leaders from around the world to experience Hong Kong’s unique energy.

The bureau highlighted that Art Basel Hong Kong has become a flagship event and a key fixture on the city’s international event calendar since its debut in 2013. 

Last year, the five-day fair featured 240 galleries from 42 countries and regions. It attracted over 86,000 visitors with more than half travelling from outside Hong Kong specifically for the event.

Looking ahead, the bureau said that its close collaboration with Art Basel Hong Kong will continue to foster the growth of the cultural and arts industries, delivering sustained economic and social benefits for Hong Kong.

President Lai meets Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association Chairman Eto Seishiro

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of March 24, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association Chairman Eto Seishiro. In remarks, President Lai thanked the association for its longstanding support for Taiwan and for promoting exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in various fields. He stated that Taiwan and Japan have established models for close cooperation in such key fields as semiconductors and AI, while travel between the two countries has continued to increase. The president expressed hope that bilateral ties will steadily grow, and that Taiwan and Japan can build on their existing foundations to further expand cooperation and contribute even more to regional economic development.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I want to extend a warm welcome to Chairman Eto, who is leading a delegation from the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association on another visit to Taiwan. I look forward to conducting an in-depth exchange of views on a range of important issues with our guests shortly so that we can continue to expand our bilateral cooperation.
I would like to thank Chairman Eto for his strong and longstanding support for Taiwan, and for his outstanding contributions to Taiwan-Japan relations. For many years, under Chairman Eto’s leadership, the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association has actively promoted bilateral exchanges among legislators and in other fields. These activities have continued to deepen mutual understanding and trust, and have further elevated the friendship between Taiwan and Japan. On behalf of all our citizens, I wish to convey sincere appreciation to our guests.
After Taiwan’s Hualien County was hit by a major earthquake in 2024, the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association donated funds to assist with reconstruction. Taiwan is  deeply grateful and moved by this gesture. The heartfelt concern and support shown by people from all walks of life in Japan have laid a solid foundation for Taiwan and Japan to cooperate in disaster response and in efforts to strengthen societal resilience. In recent years, due to the continuous expansion of authoritarianism, the issue of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait has received a high level of attention in the international community. I want to thank the government of Japan for emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at numerous international venues. Just last week, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and United States President Donald Trump held a meeting, following which they issued a fact sheet  reiterating their commitment to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. This reflects the concern and support for regional security within the international community.
In the face of regional challenges, besides continuing to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, Taiwan will also deepen cooperation with Japan and other like-minded friends and allies in order to jointly defend regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Taiwanese and Japanese industries have already established models for close cooperation in such key fields as semiconductors and AI, and have played a crucial role in global supply chain stability. I am confident that Taiwan and Japan will be able to build on our existing foundations to further expand cooperation, bringing progress and prosperity to both nations while contributing even more to regional economic development.
Last year, the total number of visitors traveling between Taiwan and Japan exceeded 8.2 million. I hope that in the future, we can push that number beyond 10 million. The Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association has organized delegations to Taiwan many times. I hope that with the support of Chairman Eto and our other guests, the number of visitors traveling between our two countries will grow even more. This will help spur the growth of our tourism sectors and economies, deepen the ties of friendship between our peoples, and enable Taiwan-Japan relations to steadily grow. In closing, I wish the delegation a pleasant and successful visit, and hope you make wonderful and lasting memories here in Taiwan.
Chairman Eto then delivered remarks, first expressing sincere gratitude to President Lai for taking the time to meet with the delegation. He noted that the history of the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association dates back to 1949, when it was organized as a club . It was later restructured as the East Asia Friendship Association  in 1971, he said, and adopted its current name in 2018. He emphasized that the association has long been dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and exchanges and continuing to deepen bilateral relations, and that its core mission has remained unchanged.
Chairman Eto mentioned that in President Lai’s National Day Address last year, he noted that democratic Taiwan is a crucial link for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific, and as such, will work to uphold the status quo; furthermore, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are seen as cornerstones of regional economic prosperity.  The chairman then noted the consensus reached at the recent Japan-US summit, where the Japanese prime minister and US president emphasized the critical importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for regional security and global prosperity.
Chairman Eto stated that amid the changing international situation, Taiwan’s performance in freedom, human rights, and the rule of law has been recognized by the international community, and these core values are increasingly important in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized his full support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Criminal Police Organization, demonstrating a firm stance of support.
Regarding Taiwan-Japan exchanges, Chairman Eto also noted that the number of visitors between Taiwan and Japan has exceeded 8 million, and they will work toward the goal of 10 million. He stated that grassroots exchanges are also vital, especially interactions between young people, and expressed hope for more frequent and in-depth exchanges between senior high school and junior high school students. The chairman said that he looks forward to continuing to work with Taiwan to further deepen various cooperative relationships. 

Sha Tin district officer named

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced that Leonie Lee will assume the post of District Officer (Sha Tin) tomorrow, succeeding Frederick Yu.

Ms Lee joined the Administrative Service in 2006. She has served in various bureaus and departments, including the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office, the then Home Affairs Bureau, the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Development Bureau, the then Food & Health Bureau and the Health Bureau.

Before taking up the new post, Ms Lee was Commissioner for Harbourfront at the Development Bureau.

2025 Year In Review: NEA Steps Up Cleanliness Efforts With Enhanced Partnerships And Enforcement

Source: Government of Singapore

25 March 2026  – The National Environment Agency (NEA) continued its stepped-up enforcement approach to uphold high standards of public cleanliness in 2025.

Over 13,600 enforcement actions taken for littering offences in 2025 

2.        In 2025, NEA took approximately 13,600 enforcement actions for littering offences islandwide, of which 13,200 were for ground littering. At cleanliness hotspots – identified through localised litter counts, public feedback and sustained ground observations – enforcement efforts were enhanced through visible patrols, standees, surveillance cameras, and ground engagements.

3.         About 300 enforcement blitzes were conducted at hotspots, more than double the blitzes in 2024.  Additionally, NEA issued over 700 Corrective Work Orders (CWO) in 2025, with 60 CWO sessions conducted at cleanliness hotspots to enhance deterrence. These targeted measures proved effective, resulting in a 40 per cent reduction in litter count at hotspots observed over a six-month period. 

About 350 enforcement actions taken for high-rise littering in 2025

4.           High-rise littering feedback has remained stable over the past three years, averaging 28,600 feedback cases annually. In 2025, NEA conducted approximately 2,200 camera deployments and took about 350 [1] enforcement actions for high-rise littering offences.

5.           One notable enforcement outcome involved a case at Ang Mo Kio Ave 6. Following persistent feedback of high-rise littering, surveillance cameras were deployed and successfully captured multiple acts of littering from a unit within a two-week period. The offender was convicted in court and fined a total of $2,800. 

6.            Under the Environmental Public Health Act, any individual who litters is liable on conviction to a court fine of up to $2,000 for a first conviction, $4,000 for a second conviction, and $10,000 for the third and subsequent convictions. The court may also impose a Corrective Work Order, requiring offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours. 

Strengthening detection through extended surveillance and partnerships

7.           NEA continues to explore new ways to enhance surveillance and enforcement capabilities. Since August 2025, NEA has extended camera surveillance duration for high-rise littering from 14 days to up to 28 days, to improve the effectiveness of the intervention.  

8.            In October 2025, NEA also introduced a six-month pilot programme with town councils (TCs), providing each TC with two high-rise littering surveillance camera deployments per month, to enable TCs to respond to the ground situation. TCs can deploy cameras at high-rise littering hotspots identified by their ground staff. All TCs have joined the pilot, with 39 cameras deployed since October 2025 with a 30 per cent catch-rate.

About 1,300 enforcement actions for rat-related lapses in 2025

9.            NEA’s two-monthly surveillance cycle showed a decrease in the average number of rat burrows per cycle from about 5,400 in the first half of 2025 to about 4,200 in the second half of the year. Majority of burrows were detected in public housing estates, followed by grass verges along roadsides and in industrial estates. 

10.           Since 1 April 2025, NEA has tightened enforcement against premises managers and owners for rat-related lapses including poor refuse management and housekeeping practices, defects in refuse handling facilities (e.g. bins, bin centres), and presence of rat harbourage. About 1,300 enforcement actions were jointly taken by NEA and the Singapore Food Agency against premises owners for rat-related lapses, of which about 620 were for poor refuse management.  

11.          Targeted operations were conducted in areas such as Little India, which saw stepped up rat control efforts since September 2025. These efforts included engaging stakeholders on good housekeeping and proper refuse management, conducting regular night inspections, and stepped-up enforcement. Between September 2025 and January 2026, a total of 114 enforcement actions were taken against premises owners and operators for rat-related lapses, of which 70 were for poor refuse management [2] . With the collective efforts of stakeholders in the area, NEA’s latest thermal and passive infrared camera deployments showed up to 70 per cent reduction in rat activities at various locations within Little India. 

12.          Sustained efforts from all stakeholders remain crucial, as rat populations can quickly rebound if good housekeeping practices are not maintained consistently. NEA will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach encompassing enforcement, innovative solutions, and stakeholder engagements, to uphold high standards of public cleanliness. Everyone plays a part to keep Singapore clean. All residents are encouraged to take active ownership of cleanliness in their environment and report public health offences via the OneService app. 

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[1] Data is provisional as of 6 March 2026

[2] Data is provisional as of 6 March 2026

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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Tree planting days set for April

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) and Friends of the Country Parks will hold the Country Parks Hiking & Planting Day 2026 on two separate Sundays, April 19 and April 26.

The event, at Tai Lam Chung Country Trail, Tai Lam Country Park, is open to the public. Participants can register on-site at the designated point from 9am to 10.30am on each of the event days. No pre-registration is required.

Seedlings and planting tools will be provided by the AFCD. Seedlings will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The department reminded the public to assess their physical strength and hiking experience before taking part.

Participants are also encouraged to hike with friends or family members and help conserve the countryside by practising proper hiking etiquette. This includes bringing reusable water bottles and towels, as well as following the “Take Your Litter Home” principle.

Art March brings culture to life

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Bamboo artist Inkgo Lam, who apprenticed under Hong Kong bamboo steamer master Lui Ming, is known for blending traditional bamboo craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

Ms Lam is one of the 19 artists taking part in the Hong Kong Museum of Art’s newly launched “Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition”.

She is presenting two bamboo carvings, Arrow (1) and Arrow (2). Using an arrow and a target as a metaphor for how people pursue goals, the works convey two contrasting states – balance and explosion.

Meanwhile, kinetic installation artist Joseph Chan brings audiences a distinctive carousel making its public debut. Titled Pride of Labour, the fully mechanical work is assembled from machine parts. But there is something different about the three horses – upon closer inspection they are seen to walk on human legs.

Mr Chan encourages visitors to look closely at their gait, thereby sparking curiosity and a spirit of exploration.

Staged to mark Art March, the “Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition” brings together 19 established and emerging local artists. Spanning a range of media, including installation, ceramics, painting and more – it offers audiences a visual feast.

Vibrant convergence
Hong Kong Museum of Art Curator (Modern & Hong Kong Art) Prudence Ma said Art March is the artists’ moment in the spotlight, allowing them to showcase their works and engage directly with international curators, critics and collectors from around the globe.

She noted that during Art March, Hong Kong will host numerous arts and cultural events, including international commercial art fairs as well as the Hong Kong Museum of Art’s “Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition”.

“This dynamic interplay of international art and Hong Kong art has fully demonstrated the value of Hong Kong.”

Fellow artists were also full of praise for how Art March has benefited them in practical ways.

Ms Lam revealed that artists that participate in the exhibition receive an artist’s fee, and that she had actually sold works to private collectors at other art fairs in the past. She believes that it is a win-win for artists when commercial fairs and museum exhibitions run in parallel.

Mr Chan also agreed that Art March serves as a valuable opportunity for artists to reach curators and potential buyers more easily, adding that he welcomes the opportunity for more people to come view his kinetic installation works.

Creative community
The artistic vibe is also alive at Oi! in North Point, the former clubhouse of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

Every Art March, Oi! presents its “Oi! Spotlight” series. Oi! Curator Joan Chung said the venue’s two new exhibitions this year both take water as their point of entry, echoing the historic building’s locationby the waterfront.

One of them, local artist Chan Wai-lap’s “Jeremy’s Bathhouse”, is set in Oi!’s glass house.

The artist explained that the work draws inspiration from a rare species of snail whose shell coils to the left – a one in 40,000 phenomenon – discovered in the UK. The snail called Jeremy is seeking a similar lefty companion or friends.

Mr Chan combined the story with the site’s features to create a colourful bathhouse. Visitors must change into slippers at the entrance before entering the pool area. Each locker compartment holds only one slipper, requiring visitors to match the left and right themselves – a detail that makes the experience all the more special.

Beyond Oi!, he is also presenting his work at other fairs during Art March, including the aforementioned “Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition.”

Mr Chan highlighted that there is more buzz around the art world in the wider community during Art March.

“People have suddenly become highly enthusiastic about art, which I see as positive, as artists get the chance to present their work and the public gets to admire more as well. Everyone really enjoys this month.”

Another exhibition, “Oi! Spotlight – Space · Ecology · Poetics: Zheng Jing’s Way of Art”, is Chinese Mainland artist Zheng Jing’s first solo show in Hong Kong.

Using water, sound and light, the works interact with the space itself.

Mr Zheng recalled the memories he formed of Hong Kong during his childhood through watching its films and television shows, so when he first visited the city two years ago, it felt already familiar to him.

In one piece, Mr Zheng gathered a range of Hong Kong’s urban sounds, from the trams’ signature “ding-ding” to the tune of the local ice-cream truck, and presented them as a soundscape in the space, alongside imagery of Victoria Harbour. Visitors are able to manipulate light from a mirrored installation, tracing through the waves so they feel as if they are beneath the waters of the harbour.

The artist added that his understanding of Art March has deepened while preparing for the exhibition.

“Art exhibitions held across Hong Kong throughout March are perhaps more than a festival. They are artists and creators exchanging and presenting work together, revealing a distinctive side of the city.”

Curator Ms Chung supplemented that Art March has become a cultural brand for Hong Kong, promoting collaboration among artists and curators and raising the sector’s professional standards.

She pointed out that by building an international platform and gathering artists from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas, Art March plays a crucial role in reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

2026 Wealth for Good in HK Summit concludes, showcasing city’s appeal as global family-office hub

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The fourth edition of the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong (WGHK) Summit concluded today (March 24) under the theme “Building Lasting Legacies”, bringing together over 400 influential top family office decision-makers, next-generation successors, industry leaders and pioneers from around the world to explore new perspectives for multi-generational succession and sustained wealth growth for global family offices.
      
     Co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the WGHK Summit drew family office decision-makers from Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa to Hong Kong for in-depth discussions on topics ranging from cross-generational wealth management and cultural legacy to technological innovation and philanthropy.
      
     Delivering opening remarks at the gala dinner, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “Facing risks and uncertainty, investors diversify by necessity. Families seeking to preserve their legacy look for a safe haven—not merely a place to park capital, but a place with institutional strengths, legal clarity and credible commitments.

     “Hong Kong is not only a safe harbour. It is also a city of business opportunities, and a platform for growth, for connection and for the purposeful deployment of capital. For families from around the world, Hong Kong is, no doubt, the best gateway to tap the enormous opportunities on the Mainland. International capital and investors are optimistic about Hong Kong. Our stock market performed strongly last year. And our asset and wealth management is also thriving. We are also opening up new frontiers, including gold and commodity trading, as well as fixed income and currency markets, which will further enrich our financial ecosystem.”
      
     The Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, delivered welcome remarks at the Summit and said, “Hong Kong is a perfect base to support the prudent diversification of the investments by family offices. The world is getting more uncertain. Many conflicts are escalating and proceeding in a manner that is increasingly worrying and concerning. Against this global backdrop, Hong Kong offers something that is quite rare and precious. Under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong provides an economic and business environment with policy predictability and institutional trust. Our common law legal system, independent judiciary, open economy, free flow of capital, freely convertible currency, and simple tax regime all work together to provide a welcoming and dependable home for wealth that lasts through generations.”
      
     Speaking at the Summit, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “As we gather under the visionary banner of ‘Building Lasting Legacies’, I want to frame our discussions through a lens that truly defines Hong Kong: Safe, Stable and Sophisticated. It is the bedrock upon which global family offices are choosing to build, preserve and multiply generational wealth. Each session of today’s Summit has reinforced one fundamental truth: Hong Kong offers the safe harbour, the policy stability and the sophisticated ecosystem that ambitious families need to turn vision into lasting impact. Our Government remains fully committed to strengthening this foundation to drive Hong Kong as a nexus of legacies and innovation.”
      
     Mr Hui highlighted that wealth succession is not only about growing fortune, but also about carrying forward core values across generations. He said that the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy is turning vision into action through its flagship philanthropic initiative, Impact Link (iLink). Since its launch, iLink has organised 17 workshops and seminars, equipping and inspiring over 700 family participants with the knowledge and confidence to begin their philanthropic journeys. Last June, the launch of the iLink Online Portal connected 55 family partners and strategic partners who together nominated 12 non-governmental organisations and charitable projects, offering families international connectivity and information collection for structured, informed decision making in charitable giving. Mr Hui described it as “Wealth for Good in its purest and most inspiring form”.
      
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “Hong Kong stands as a leading global hub for wealth management, innovation, culture, and philanthropy. The WGHK Summit’s gathering of family leaders from across the globe fully embodies Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector. InvestHK will continue to serve as a bridge, providing comprehensive strategic support and on-the-ground facilitation for global families, transforming the collaborative opportunities sparked at the Summit into tangible outcomes of ‘Building Lasting Legacies’ in Hong Kong.”
      
     This year’s WGHK Summit featured one fireside chat and three panel discussions. The opening fireside chat on “Beyond the Scoreboard: Sports, Philanthropy, and Building Lasting Legacies” explored how sports and philanthropy can complement each other to create positive impacts. The three panel discussions, themed “Family Office Playbook: Governance, Capital, and Values Across Generations”, “Lasting Culture: Owning Demand, Building Communities, Creating Legends”, and “Lasting Change: AI, Robotics, and Building the Future Together”, invited helmsmen of internationally renowned family businesses, brand leaders, and tech pioneers to delve into cross-generational wealth planning and family governance, brand building, and how cutting-edge technologies are co-building the future.  
      
     A number of distinguished guest speakers shared their insights at the Summit.
      
     Co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Insilico Medicine, Dr Ren Feng, said, “Hong Kong plays a pivotal role at the intersection of two strategic pillars – frontier technology and life sciences. Built on a strong research base, an efficient capital market, and a forward-looking commitment to AI and technologies, Hong Kong not only provides fertile ground for companies like Insilico Medicine to translate breakthrough technologies into real-world impact but also serves as a distinctive global hub for capital and family offices – bridging long-term value investors with cutting-edge biopharmaceutical innovation. At WGHK2026, we showcased how AI is reshaping the traditional drug discovery and development paradigm and explored how family office investors can play a catalytic role in this technological transformation – together shaping the future of global health.”
      
     “Hong Kong’s decision to position itself as a cultural hub where East truly meets West makes it the natural springboard for family-run heritage brands,” says Representative of Major Shareholder of Leica Camera AG, Mr Maximilian Kaufmann. “World-class infrastructure and seamless connectivity link people, ideas and businesses here, giving companies like ours the ideal platform to share our story across Asia. Having grown up inside Leica and learning from a father who always shouldered responsibility, I see Hong Kong as the place where tradition and entrepreneurship can thrive side by side.”
      
     Founder of Yao Foundation, former Chairman of Chinese Basketball Association and NBA All-Star, Mr Yao Ming, said, “Hong Kong is where East and West meet, Chinese and other cultures converge. Those who are more inclusive, more open, and more diverse will have more opportunities, and are more likely to spark the greatest inspiration and innovation. That is Hong Kong’s most distinctive and valuable advantage. I’m happy to continue serving as a bridge between East and West – bringing different visions and people together, and supporting one another to succeed, so that everyone benefits.”
      
     The Summit kicked off with a spectacular and powerful joint performance by the Diocesan Boys’ School Chinese Drum Team and robotic drummers that quickly caught the eyes of the floor. Seeing youngsters collaborating with smart technology on stage perfectly echoed the Summit’s theme of “Building Lasting Legacies”. This harmonious fusion of traditional artistry and frontier innovation symbolised how the next generation is embracing their mission to forge the future with innovative thinking.
      
     It was a successful conclusion for the Summit with a gala dinner where worldwide family office decision-makers and industry leaders continued their exchanges against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour, delving into cross-generational succession, asset allocation, and collaborative opportunities. The two-day programme covered three major areas – wealth management, cultural branding, and smart technology – facilitating numerous cross-sector dialogues and exploration of potential collaborations, further consolidating Hong Kong’s leading position as a global family-office hub.

Apple Daily companies dissolved

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Acting Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-C) today ordered the Registrar of Companies to strike off three companies relating to Apple Daily from the Companies Register and these companies have been dissolved.

The CE-in-C invoked the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Companies (Winding Up & Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance to strike off the three companies – Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited and AD Internet Limited.

The registrar has thereupon struck the three companies off the Companies Register and published a notice in the gazette. The companies have been dissolved.

In the case, Lai Chee-ying and the three companies relating to Apple Daily were prosecuted with a total of three charges of offences endangering national security.

The court convicted Lai Chee-ying and the three companies relating to Apple Daily of all charges and handed down sentences on February 9. Amongst others, the three companies relating to Apple Daily were each sentenced to a fine of $3,004,500.

The court pointed out that without the facilitation from the three companies relating to Apple Daily, two of the charges in this case could not have occurred, and that there were no valid mitigating factors in respect of the three companies.

HKNSL Article 31 stipulates that the operation of an incorporated or unincorporated body such as a company or an organisation shall be suspended or its licence or business permit shall be revoked if the body has been punished for committing an offence under that law.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said it is necessary to revoke the registration of the three companies relating to Apple Daily, and prohibit the operation or continued operation of the three companies in the Hong Kong SAR, in order to effectively safeguard national security.

The Secretary for Security issued written notices to the three companies relating to Apple Daily respectively on February 11, affording them an opportunity to make representations regarding the intention of the Secretary for Security to make recommendation to the CE-in-C. Replies were received from the directors of the three companies on February 25, confirming that there were no representations from those companies.

Taking into account all the relevant circumstances of the case, including the conviction and severity of the offences committed by the three companies relating to Apple Daily and the recommendation by the Secretary for Security, the Acting CE-in-C today ordered the Registrar of Companies to strike the three companies relating to Apple Daily off the Companies Register.

The three companies have been dissolved and become prohibited organisations. Any person who engages in the acts specified in the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance commits an offence, including acting as an office-bearer or a member of a prohibited organisation; and giving aid of any kind to a prohibited organisation, and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $1 million and imprisonment for 14 years.

The Government appeals to members of the public not to participate in any activities of prohibited organisations or have any connection with them.

Wealth summit concludes

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The fourth edition of the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit concluded today, bringing together over 400 influential top family office decision-makers, next-generation successors, industry leaders and pioneers from around the world to explore new perspectives for multi-generational succession and sustained wealth growth for global family offices.

Co-organised by the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong, under the theme “Building Lasting Legacies”, the summit drew family office decision-makers from Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Oceania and Africa to Hong Kong for in-depth discussions on topics ranging from cross-generational wealth management and cultural legacy to technological innovation and philanthropy.

Delivering remarks at the gala dinner, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said that facing risks and uncertainty, investors diversify by necessity. Families seeking to preserve their legacy look for a safe haven – not merely a place to park capital, but a place with institutional strengths, legal clarity and credible commitments.

“Hong Kong is not only a safe harbour. It is also a city of business opportunities, and a platform for growth, for connection and for the purposeful deployment of capital. For families from around the world, Hong Kong is, no doubt, the best gateway to tap the enormous opportunities on the Mainland.”

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong delivered welcome remarks at the summit, noting that the world is getting more uncertain. He said many conflicts are escalating and proceeding in a manner that is increasingly worrying and concerning. Against this global backdrop, Hong Kong offers something that is quite rare and precious.

“Under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong provides an economic and business environment with policy predictability and institutional trust. Our common law legal system, independent judiciary, open economy, free flow of capital, freely convertible currency and simple tax regime all work together to provide a welcoming and dependable home for wealth that lasts through generations.”

Also speaking at the summit, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said: “As we gather under the visionary banner of ‘Building Lasting Legacies’, I want to frame our discussions through a lens that truly defines Hong Kong: Safe, Stable and Sophisticated. It is the bedrock upon which global family offices are choosing to build, preserve and multiply generational wealth.

“Our Government remains fully committed to strengthening this foundation to drive Hong Kong as a nexus of legacies and innovation.”

This year’s summit featured one fireside chat and three panel discussions. The fireside chat explored how sports and philanthropy can complement each other to create positive impacts.

The three panel discussions invited helmsmen of internationally renowned family businesses, brand leaders and tech pioneers to delve into cross-generational wealth planning and family governance, brand building and how cutting-edge technologies are co-building the future.

The summit concluded with a gala dinner where worldwide family office decision-makers and industry leaders continued their exchanges, delving into cross-generational succession, asset allocation and collaborative opportunities.