Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Response by LegCo President and two Chief Coordinators of LegCo on Chief Executive’s announcement on work arrangement regarding Hong Kong’s first five-year plan
The following is the response by the President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, and the two Chief Coordinators of LegCo on the Chief Executive’s (CE) announcement this morning (April 21):
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is formulating Hong Kong’s first five-year plan to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Under the executive-led system, a collaborative research and public opinion gathering mechanism between the Government and the LegCo (the collaboration mechanism) has been established. The CE further announced this morning that the Government aims to release a public consultation document for the five-year plan within this quarter of the year to gather public views. The LegCo fully supports the relevant work of the CE and the HKSAR Government in completing and promulgating the official document for the five-year plan within this year.
Under the collaboration mechanism, the executive and legislative authorities have fostered more positive interactions, complementing each other and strengthening their partnership. The LegCo has fully mobilised Members and established multiple groups based on respective constituencies, professional expertise and experience to conduct thematic research and analysis while gathering views from various sectors. This aims to complement and support the HKSAR Government in formulating the five-year plan for Hong Kong, clearly outlining the development goals, strategies and roadmap for the next five years in areas of economy, society, people’s livelihood, and more.
Hong Kong’s five-year plan is of profound significance and closely related to the well-being of all citizens. As an integral part of the HKSAR’s governing team and the most important platform for gathering public views in Hong Kong, the LegCo is duty bound to fully support the HKSAR Government in formulating the five-year plan. The House Committee has established the Subcommittee on Hong Kong’s Work to Actively Dovetail with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and the Panel on Development has established the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of the Northern Metropolis. Members will proactively reach out to all sectors of society, inviting stakeholders including experts, industry representatives and civil organisations to participate in this process and build a broad consensus, so as to offer constructive advice to the Government and serve as its steadfast partner.
As the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, said earlier, it is highly significant for the HKSAR Government to formulate Hong Kong’s five-year plan, and the Northern Metropolis (NM) should be highlighted as a key focus. LegCo Members visited the NM twice in the past month to keep abreast of the latest developments. This would help Members provide the Government with more targeted and precise advice. The LegCo will continue to gain first-hand understanding of other developments in the NM in future site visits.
Together with the two Chief Coordinators (Mr Chan Chun-ying and Mr Stanley Ng) and all other Members of LegCo, I will continue to support the HKSAR Government to complete Hong Kong’s first five-year plan at the earliest opportunity. Through positive interactions between the executive and legislative authorities, this blueprint sets out the direction for Hong Kong’s future development, which can effectively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and help Hong Kong better integrate into and serve the national development.
Issued at HKT 19:17
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SWD urges public to be alert to fraudulent SMS messages
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (April 21) alerted members of the public to fraudulent SMS messages purportedly issued by the department.
The fraudulent SMS messages claim that the recipient is a beneficiary of Old Age Allowance and is required to click on an unknown hyperlink embedded to update personal information for continuation of payment.
The SWD emphasises that the SMS messages are not issued by the department and has referred the case to the Police for follow-up.
Anyone who has clicked the unknown hyperlink in the SMS messages or provided his/her personal information to any suspicious website should contact the Police. For enquiries, please call the SWD’s hotline at 2343 2255.
CHP actively follows up on local case of dengue fever
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP actively follows up on local case of dengue fever
Case details
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The case involves a 21-year-old male with good past health. He developed a fever, headache, myalgia and a rash on April 12, and sought medical attention at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on April 16. He was admitted for treatment and is currently in stable condition. His blood sample tested positive for dengue virus upon laboratory testing.
Initial investigations revealed that the patient lives in Tai Wo Estate in Tai Po and works at a road construction site near Long Yan Road in Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island. He had no travel history during the incubation period (March 29 to April 9). During this period, he mainly stayed in the vicinity of the construction site in Penny’s Bay and his home. He reported being bitten by mosquitoes recently near his workplace. He did not recall being bitten by mosquitoes in any other places, including Tai Wo Estate in Tai Po. His household contacts and other workers at the same construction site are currently asymptomatic. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing and no epidemiological linkage has been found so far between this case and other previously recorded imported DF cases in Hong Kong.
Including the above cases, a total of 13 DF cases have been recorded so far this year. All cases other than the one mentioned above were imported. Last year (2025), 59 DF cases were recorded, all of which were imported. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.
Government’s comprehensive follow-up actions
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“The DH is conducting comprehensive follow-up actions in collaboration with relevant departments, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Housing Department, the Tai Po District Office and the Labour Department. The CHP has conducted inspections and epidemiological investigations in the vicinity of patient’s residence and his workplace. Environmental inspections revealed that the area near the road construction site on Long Yan Road in Penny’s Bay is a natural green space with multiple sites conducive to mosquito breeding, including drainage channels clogged with weeds and dead leaves, as well as stagnant water in some containers and construction equipment. The First Phase Area Gravidtrap Index for the patient’s residential estate area (Tai Po West) in April is 1.8 per cent, which is an extremely low level. Based on the information available at the moment, it is more likely that the patient was infected in the vicinity of Long Yan Road in Penny’s Bay. The CHP will continue to investigate the source of infection in collaboration with the FEHD. Additionally, the CHP has instructed the site supervisor to suspend work temporarily until mosquito control and other preventive measures have been completed at the site and its surrounding area. The CHP has conducted health assessments for the workers at the same construction site and they will continue to be placed under medical surveillance,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
“As the patient had been active in the Tai Wo Estate after the onset of his illness, the CHP will, as a precautionary measure, set up a health consultation booth at Tai Wo Plaza in Tai Wo Estate. The health consultation booth provides health assessments and conducts free DF antibody tests for members of the public with relevant symptoms. The health consultation booth opens until 8pm today. From tomorrow (April 22) until Friday (April 24), the service hours of the health consultation booth will be from 10am to 7pm. The CHP has also set up a hotline (tel: 2125 2373), which will operate until 8pm today and from 9am to 6pm starting tomorrow until Friday. The CHP staff will distribute leaflets with health information on DF prevention to local residents and remind the public to be aware of the relevant symptoms and to maintain good hygiene at home. The CHP will jointly organise a health talk with the Tai Po District Office and the FEHD at the Tai Wo Neighbourhood Community Centre at 6pm tomorrow, aiming to raise public awareness of how to prevent mosquito-borne diseases and encourage people to participate in prevention and control measures to protect themselves and others. The CHP will also send a letter to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions explaining the latest situation regarding DF and reminding them to remain vigilant. If there are any suspected cases, they should immediately notify the CHP for follow-up. Finally, I would like to remind the public to stay vigilant and take proper mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling. According to surveillance data of the Aedes mosquito from the FEHD, the period from April to June is typically the peak season for mosquito infestations. Therefore, we anticipate that the risk of local transmission triggered by imported cases will rise significantly in the coming months,” Dr Tsui added.
In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately taken follow-up actions, including:
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHPIssued at HKT 19:38
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DH and HA follow up on suspected case of unauthorised access to patients’ medical records by doctor undergoing specialty training while conducting clinical research
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH and HA follow up on suspected case of unauthorised access to patients’ medical records by doctor undergoing specialty training while conducting clinical research
The DH previously received an enquiry from a member of the public regarding access to electronic health records (eHRs) and launched an investigation. The DH found that, in March this year, a doctor undergoing specialty training accessed the medical records of patients not under the doctor’s direct care without authorisation through the clinical information management system of the Social Hygiene Clinics and eHealth system, involving a total of 47 patients.
The doctor in question has been deployed to the DH’s Social Hygiene Service since 2023, where the doctor undergoes regular training on a weekly basis, participates in clinical service and provides medical consultations to patients.
According to individual specialty College’s requirements, doctors under specialty training are required to participate in research projects as part of their specialty training. It is understood that the doctor in question was conducting a clinical research project that had been approved by the HA’s Institutional Review Board. The scope of the approval was limited to patients’ records from public hospitals and did not cover the DH’s patient records. The doctor accessed the relevant records without obtaining separate authorisation from the DH.
In response to the incident, the DH has immediately suspended the doctor’s training and referred to the Police for follow up. The DH has also reported the case to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, the Commissioner for Electronic Health Record and the HA, which employed the doctor. The DH is currently notifying the affected individuals.
According to the DH’s internal guidelines, healthcare personnel must protect patient privacy and comply with the relevant laws and regulations when accessing patients’ medical records. When accessing eHealth data, they must also comply with the Electronic Health System Ordinance (Cap. 625) and the relevant code of practice. Healthcare personnel must obtain prior consent from the patients and adhere to the principles of “Need to Know” and “Patient Under Care” before accessing patients’ medical records through any of the DH’s clinical information management systems or eHealth system. At the system level, all activities on access to eHRs stored in the eHealth system are logged for later audit and prevention of abuse.
The HA earlier received the DH’s notification and learned that the DH had reported the incident to law enforcement and regulatory authorities. The HA will fully co-operate with the investigation.
“The HA believes that although this is an isolated incident related to clinical research, the procedure was inappropriate. The HA will take this matter seriously and strengthen staff training on the precautions they should take when using patient data for clinical research,” an HA spokesman said.
Both the DH and the HA reiterated that they attach great importance to protecting patient privacy. There are established mechanisms to regulate staff conduct and discipline.
Issued at HKT 19:40
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DEP visits Ministry of Ecology and Environment
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, visited the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) in Beijing today (April 21), and held technical exchanges with representatives from the Department of Marine Ecology and Environment of the MEE, the National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province, and the Ecology Environment Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality on the building of “Beautiful Bays” and the development of assessment standards for estuarine bay areas.
In December 2025, the MEE announced the fourth batch of national “Beautiful Bays”, and Hong Kong’s Mirs Bay was selected as an “Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays” with an excellent overall score. Dr Chui said that Mirs Bay’s recognition highlights the efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in marine ecological environment protection, and represents a significant achievement of the HKSAR Government in jointly building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into an international, first-class beautiful bay area. The HKSAR Government will actively advance the building of “Beautiful Bays” and is committed to enhancing the quality of the marine ecological environment through the prevention and control of nearshore pollution, co-ordinated ecosystem protection and shoreline remediation.
At the exchange meeting, Dr Chui shared the HKSAR Government’s work on the building of “Beautiful Bays” and introduced the biological water quality indicator “Phytoplankton Community Integrity Index” developed by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). He also had an in-depth discussion with the Mainland experts on the development of assessment standards applicable to estuarine bay areas for monitoring, addressing and managing nutrient enrichment in coastal and estuarine waters.
During his visit to Beijing, Dr Chui also met with representatives of the BRI International Green Development Coalition and the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to explore collaboration on environmental technologies, aiming to jointly achieve the goal of high-quality green and sustainable development under the Belt and Road Initiative. Dr Chui was also invited to attend the launching ceremony of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers’ 50th anniversary event “Hong Kong Engineering Legacy Exhibition@Capital” yesterday (April 20). He shared at the ceremony the EPD’s experience in winning the Grand Award in the Innovation Category (2010-present) of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers’ 50th Anniversary Legacy Award for its Territory-wide Sewage Surveillance Programme.
SJ calls on central ministries and authorities in Beijing
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SJ calls on central ministries and authorities in Beijing
In the morning today (April 21), Mr Lam visited the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) Beijing Representative Office to learn about how the office assists the HKIAC in further developing the Mainland market following its establishment in Beijing. The opportunities brought about by the revised Arbitration Law of the People’s Republic of China were also discussed.
In the afternoon, Mr Lam visited the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council to discuss opportunities for co-operation in areas such as capacity building programmes and talent training between the two sides.
Mr Lam also met with Vice Minister of Justice Ms Wu Zeng to discuss issues relating to legal matters concerning the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), including “allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong”, the development of the GBA lawyers’ scheme, and the co-operation between Mainland and Hong Kong law firms.
In the morning yesterday (April 20), Mr Lam called on the Supreme People’s Court to meet with the President of the Supreme People’s Court, Mr Zhang Jun. They discussed the mutual legal assistance arrangements and training for foreign-related legal talent between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Mainland.
In the afternoon, Mr Lam called on the Ministry of Commerce. He introduced to Deputy China International Trade Representative Mr Jiang Chenghua the DoJ’s measures to strengthen Hong Kong’s professional services sectors in supporting Mainland enterprises going global, and ways to encourage Mainland enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law as the applicable law while expanding overseas and to choose Hong Kong as the destination for dispute resolution.
During the meeting with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Hua Chunying, both sides exchanged views on issues such as supporting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the DoJ in collaborating with international legal organisations and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services.
Accompanying Mr Lam on the visit were the Law Officer (International Law), Dr James Ding; the Solicitor General, Mr Llewellyn Mui; the Law Officer (Civil Law), Mr Clifford Tavares, and government counsel from various legal divisions.
Mr Lam will continue his visit to Beijing tomorrow (April 22).
Issued at HKT 20:17
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Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases with suspected controlled injection and pharmaceutical products worth over $39 million seized
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
In view of the increasing demand of injections and medicines from society recently, Hong Kong Customs has strengthened enforcement against the smuggling of controlled injection substances and medicines. As a result, two related cases, with suspected controlled injection and pharmaceutical products worth over $39 million, were detected. Three persons were arrested.
Hong Kong Customs on March 30 detected one smuggling case involving a river trade vessel departing from Hong Kong for Macao. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including about 4 million suspected pharmaceutical products, about 26 000 suspected controlled injection substances, and about 7 kilograms of cigars, with a total estimated market value of approximately $35 million, were seized.
Moreover, Hong Kong Customs detected a case of smuggling suspected controlled injection and pharmaceutical products on April 8. Customs officers on that day identified a shop in Sheung Shui which was suspected of smuggling controlled pharmaceutical products. A 28-year-old male consignee suspected to be connected with the case, and a 32-year-old male shop keeper were arrested. Customs further arrested a 33-year-old female person-in-charge of the shop concerned. Customs seized a total of 5 600 weight loss jabs and about 30 000 pharmaceutical tablets, with an estimated market value of about $4.77 million, in the case.
Investigations are ongoing, and the three arrestees have been released on bail.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Any person who imports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid import licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited Annual Results Highlights for 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) today (April 21) announced the highlights of its annual results for 2025.
Business Highlights
In 2025, the HKMC and its subsidiaries continued to fulfil their core missions and social objectives, contributing to the steady growth of Hong Kong’s economy amid an increasingly complex and evolving environment. The missions of the HKMC are to promote: the stability of the banking sector, wider home ownership, the development of the local debt market, and the development of the retirement planning market.
Asset Purchase and Securitisation
- Acquired HK$6.9 billion of loan assets (2024: HK$3.9 billion)
- Purchased HK$158 million of loans (2024: HK$52 million) under the Dedicated 100% Loan Guarantee Schemes (DLGS)
- Completed the third issuance of infrastructure loan-backed securities. The issuance consists of multiple classes of US dollar-denominated secured notes backed by the cash flows from a diversified portfolio of project and infrastructure loans across different geographies and sectors, with a total size of approximately US$450.5 million
- Outstanding balance of loan portfolio was HK$78.6 billion as at December 31, 2025 (December 31, 2024: HK$95.5 billion)
Debt Issuance
- Issued corporate debts totalling HK$70.5 billion (2024: HK$103.5 billion), continued to be the most active issuer in the domestic Hong Kong dollar (HKD) corporate bond market
- Successfully completed the issuance of multi-currency benchmark bonds across four tranches totalling HK$25.3 billion, marking the HKMC’s largest-ever public issuance. Notably, the 30-year HKD social bond tranche is the largest-ever 30-year HKD bond issued in Hong Kong. It is also the first social bond issuance in Asia Pacific with proceeds being used to support the HKMC’s Reverse Mortgage Programme that provides essential financing for the elderly in Hong Kong
- Outstanding balance of debt securities issued was HK$155.2 billion as of December 31, 2025 (December 31, 2024: HK$148.3 billion)
- Credit ratings of AA+ from S&P Global Ratings and Aa3 from Moody’s, same as those of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP)
- New MIP loans drawn down amounted to HK$35.2 billion (2024: HK$47.9 billion), of which 60 per cent were secured on properties in the secondary market
- It had facilitated home purchase for about 242 000 families in total since its launch in 1999, with an aggregate loan drawdown of HK$905 billion
SME Financing Guarantee Scheme
- For the 80% Guarantee Product, more than 29 300 applications were approved with a total loan amount of approximately HK$125.7 billion since its launch in 2012. For the 90% Guarantee Product, over 18 600 applications were approved with a total loan amount of approximately HK$32.7 billion since its launch in 2019. The application period for the 80% Guarantee Product has been extended for two years until end-March 2028, while the one for the 90% Guarantee Product has expired at end-March 2026
- In respect of the Special 100% Loan Guarantee, more than 67 100 applications were approved with a total loan amount of approximately HK$143.9 billion since its launch in 2020. An equivalent amount of loan assets was purchased by the HKMC. The application period has expired at end-March 2024
- Since the inception of each Guarantee Product, the 80% and 90% Guarantee Products had benefitted around 25 100 local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and more than 409 000 related employees. The Special 100% Loan Guarantee had benefitted more than 40 000 local SMEs and around 400 000 related employees
Dedicated 100% Loan Guarantee Schemes
- Under the DLGS for Travel Sector and the DLGS for Cross-boundary Passenger Transport Trade, 227 applications were approved with a total loan amount of approximately HK$0.22 billion since the launch of the DLGS in 2023. Their application periods expired in October 2024
- In respect of the DLGS for Battery Electric Taxis, more than 630 applications were approved with a total loan amount of approximately HK$0.21 billion since its launch in 2023
Annuity Business
- The annuity business has taken a total of over 16 530 policies (2024: 10 835 policies), with total premiums of approximately HK$9 billion (2024: HK$4.4 billion)
- Since its launch in 2018, it had helped about 34 000 senior citizens to convert their savings into lifelong stable income
Reverse Mortgage Programme
- 937 applications were approved (2024: 1 033 applications), with an average property value of HK$4.1 million and an average monthly payout of HK$9,400
- Since its launch in 2011, 8 861 applications were approved
Financial Highlights
The audited consolidated loss after tax of the HKMC for 2025 was HK$109 million (2024: consolidated loss after tax of HK$418 million). The improved results were primarily driven by increased income from placements with the Exchange Fund which was bolstered by rising annuity premiums and capital injections made to HKMC Annuity Limited (HKMCA) (Notes 1) in 2025 and HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMCI) (Notes 2) in late 2024, coupled with a recovery in the local property market benefitting the reverse mortgage business, the increase in net interest income and the revaluation gains of US dollar-denominated exposures in cash and debt investments. Such gains were partially offset by the higher accounting loss in the annuity business resulting from a surge in new policies written and the negative accounting impact of lower discount rates on insurance liabilities revaluation.
In line with its mandate to promote the development of the retirement planning market in Hong Kong, the HKMC is dedicated to advancing the annuity and reverse mortgage businesses which are subject to the increasing sensitivity and volatility of mark-to-market accounting effect. To better reflect its core financial performance, after excluding (i) the accounting results of the HKMCA; (ii) the impact of property price changes on the long-term reverse mortgage business; and (iii) the consolidation adjustments in respect of loan portfolios with insurance cover provided by the HKMCI, the adjusted profit after tax of the HKMC for 2025 was HK$1,497 million (2024: HK$787 million). Accordingly, the return on equity and cost-to-income ratio stood at 5.2 per cent and 19.3 per cent respectively (2024: 4.8 per cent and 27.6 per cent respectively).
At the end of 2025, the embedded value of the annuity business was about HK$24.4 billion on the basis of the Insurance Ordinance, which comprised HK$21.5 billion of total equity and HK$2.9 billion of present value of future profits. This indicates a solid financial position of the HKMCA to develop the annuity business in the long term.
In accordance with the Guidelines on Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), the calculation of capital ratio follows the basis of consolidation for financial reporting with the exclusion of regulated subsidiaries which are subject to separate requirements on the maintenance of adequate capital (i.e. the HKMCA and the HKMCI, both being regulated by the Insurance Authority (IA)). Excluding the investment cost of such unconsolidated regulated subsidiaries, the HKMC’s CAR remained solid at 18.1 per cent as at December 31, 2025 (December 31, 2024: 19.9 per cent), well above the minimum requirement of 8 per cent stipulated by the Financial Secretary.
The solvency ratios of the HKMCA and the HKMCI as at December 31, 2025, calculated in accordance with the Insurance (Valuation and Capital) Rules under the Risk-based Capital regime, were about 2 times and 3.9 times respectively (December 31, 2024: 1.7 times and 4 times respectively), each well above the minimum regulatory requirements stipulated by the IA.
Amid uncertain market conditions, the HKMC adopted a prudent prefunding strategy and proactively communicated with local and international investment communities for debt issuance to support its loan purchases and fulfil its refinancing needs.
As at December 31, 2025, the HKMC’s shareholder’s equity, cash and short-term funds and investment securities were at HK$51.2 billion, HK$64.5 billion and HK$30.1 billion respectively (December 31, 2024: HK$38.9 billion, HK$52.6 billion and HK$18.8 billion respectively). With strong financing capability, solid capital and liquidity positions, the HKMC’s core operations remain resilient and stand ready to cope with any financial turbulence ahead in performing its strategic policy roles and attaining its social objectives.
The 2025 Annual Report of the HKMC containing detailed information of the financial results will be published on the HKMC’s website in due course.
Notes:
- A wholly-owned subsidiary of the HKMC that carries on long term insurance business
- A wholly-owned subsidiary of the HKMC that carries on general insurance business
Hong Kong celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Intellectual Property Department (IPD) today (April 21) hosted a reception to celebrate the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2026. The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the reception and officiated at the toasting ceremony.
In addressing the reception, Mr Chan highlighted the substantial economic value of IP in the region. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) now has close to 820 000 valid invention patents, representing nearly one-sixth of the national total.
Mr Chan said that the country fully supports Hong Kong’s development as a regional IP trading centre, as reaffirmed in the National 15th Five-Year Plan. He underlined that in the Budget this year, the Government is advancing the IP agenda on three key fronts: strengthening the tax regime, promoting IP valuation and financing, as well as nurturing talent.
He highlighted that the Government completed the trade consultation on tax deductions for capital expenditure incurred on IP acquisitions. The aim is to amend the Inland Revenue Ordinance this year.
He also said that the Government has launched the IP Financing Sandbox, which allows stakeholders to experiment the full lifecycle of IP financing arrangements. Moreover, the Government supports the Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre to launch a Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme to help SMEs ascertain the value of their patent assets, with reference to the national standards, or Guobiao.
Mr Chan also highlighted that on the talent front, the Government has allocated $52 million for a two-year pilot scheme to establish an IP Academy. The Academy will commence operations by the end of this year and will offer practical, on-the-job training aligned with the Qualifications Framework.
In his welcoming remarks, the Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, said that the Government is pioneering efforts in helping enterprises fully leverage their IPs for financing and commercialisation and promoting IP education by providing relevant training to working individuals from different sectors. He emphasised that the Government’s sustained investment in fostering the development of IP is a key pillar for consolidating the development of a knowledge-based economy.
The World Intellectual Property Organization set the theme of this year’s World IP Day as “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!”. Exhibits of the 15th National Games were displayed at the venue. They showcased the power and commercial value of IP, as demonstrated by the huge volume of sale of merchandise associated with the two official mascots that have attracted widespread attention across the GBA.
About 180 guests including stakeholders from the legal community and IP-related associations, academics, consulate representatives, government officials and representatives from the public and business sectors attended the reception.
Celebrated annually on April 26, the World IP Day aims to increase general understanding of IP, pay tributes to inventors and creators, and explore how IP helps shape the world. The IPD promoted the World IP Day and related activities through various channels, including sponsoring the “Licensing Academy” workshops of the Asian Licensing Conference to offer industry players insights into new developments in IP licensing.
LegCo Panel on Health Services visits CUHK Medical Centre
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Health Services visited the CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) today (April 21) to learn about the hospital’s clinical services, operational model and latest developments.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Council of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Professor John Chai, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the CUHK, Professor Dennis Lo, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the CUHK, Professor Patrick Yung, and the Chief Executive Officer of the CUHKMC, Dr Chung Kin-lai, Members gained an understanding of the development of the CUHK, its Faculty of Medicine and the CUHKMC, as well as the synergy of their tripartite partnership at the History Gallery.
Members toured the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre, the Endoscopy Centre and the Day Surgery Centre; and they were presented with the surgical robotic system designed by the CUHK team. Members noted that the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre delivered comprehensive rehabilitation services catering to both elite athletes and the general public, and observed the application of advanced equipment such as the gait analysis system and exoskeleton. Members also learnt how medical innovations developed by the CUHK were being applied in advanced endoscopic surgeries at the Endoscopy Centre.
Members noted the hospital’s adoption of medical technology, including the use of surgical robotic system to successfully complete more than 130 urological surgeries. The system is specifically optimised for performing procedures within the narrow confines of the pelvic cavity. The clinical data indicates that the system contributes to reduced postoperative complications and accelerated recovery. Moreover, the hospital has introduced the Unity MR-Linac system, one of only two such systems in Hong Kong, to deliver high-precision radiotherapy to cancer patients.
Members then received a briefing from the representatives of the CUHKMC on the latest situation of the hospital. They noted that the hospital had been proactively introducing measures on generating revenue and managing costs. Members also exchanged views with the representatives of the CUHKMC on how to continuously improve the the CUHKMC’s financial and operational situations.
A total of 13 members and non-members of the Panel on Health Services participated in the visit.