Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Government declared by notice in the Gazette today (October 17) the existence of a vacant ex officio member seat in the Islands District Council.
The ex officio member, Mr Chow Yuk-tong, passed away on September 28, 2025. Pursuant to section 19A(1)(a) of the District Councils Ordinance (Cap. 547), his office has become vacant.
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) announced today (October 17) the successful completion of its third infrastructure loan-backed securities (ILBS) issuance. This is executed through a Hong Kong special purpose vehicle (SPV), Bauhinia ILBS 3 Limited (Bauhinia 3) and it builds on the HKMC’s aim of developing the ILBS asset class through regular issuances after successful issuances in 2024 and 2023. The Bauhinia issuances offer professional investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of project and infrastructure debt across multiple geographies and sectors.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the HKMC, Mr Colin Pou, said, “It is another successful issuance demonstrating the HKMC’s continued commitment to ILBS and the support for the development of Hong Kong as an infrastructure financing hub. The ongoing strong demand from new and existing investors shows that investor interest continues to grow and they increasingly recognise the benefits and diversification this asset class brings.”
The Bauhinia 3 issuance received another strong response from investors, both from new and repeated investors, with growing demand from investors outside Asia. The expanded investor base is well diversified, including asset manager, corporate, family office, financial institution, insurer, private banking, and security firm investors.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) continued to support the HKMC’s ILBS issuance as an anchor investor through its US$300 million investment programme. AIIB’s investment programme continues to fulfil its objective to mobilise private capital into the infrastructure sector.
Bauhinia 3 has a portfolio of 33 project and infrastructure loans across 28 individual projects spreading across 12 countries and 9 sub-sectors, with a total value of approximately US$450.5 million. In total, five classes of notes are issued (Class A1-SU, Class A1, Class B, Class C and Class D), with aggregate principal of US$427.9 million. The issued notes are listed on The Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The quality of the portfolio and increasing investor interest in ILBS allowed the HKMC to issue Class D at non-investment grade, the first of its kind in Asia, which further enhanced the efficiency of the capital structure. The HKMC acts as the sponsor, collateral manager and risk retention holder of the transaction.
Within the capital structure of Bauhinia 3, there is an US$117 million sustainability tranche (Class A1-SU) backed by sustainable, green and social assets. Class A1-SU is issued in accordance with the HKMC’s Social, Green and Sustainability Financing Framework, which aligns with the Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles and Sustainability Bond Guidelines released by the International Capital Market Association.
Standard Chartered Bank is the Sole Global Co-ordinator. BNP Paribas, China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch, MUFG Securities Asia Limited and Standard Chartered Bank are the Joint Bookrunners. Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited is the Co-Manager.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Town Planning Board today (October 17) announced amendments to the approved Shek Kong Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The amendments mainly involve rezoning a site to the south of Kam Sheung Road and west of Lai Uk Tsuen from “Residential (Group D)” to “Residential (Group C)”.
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.
The draft Shek Kong OZP No. S/YL-SK/10, incorporating the amendments, is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long East District Planning Office, (iv) the Yuen Long District Office and (v) the Pat Heung Rural Committee.
Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before December 17. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on “Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations” (TPB PG-No. 29C).
Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29C. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:
* If the representer fails to provide his or her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his or her Hong Kong identity card or passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29C, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and
* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.
The Guidelines and the submission form are available at the above locations (i) and (ii) as well as the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Copies of the draft Shek Kong OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The Information Services Department (ISD), in collaboration with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), has produced a mini-drama titled “Victory in War of Resistance” (Chinese only). This five-episode series aims to enhance public awareness of the War of Resistance on the Chinese Mainland and in Hong Kong, remember history, honour martyrs, and cherish and safeguard peace to cultivate patriotic feelings and foster a strong sense of national identity and belonging. The programme is available starting today (October 17) on the 80th Anniversary of Victory in War of Resistance dedicated webpage, as well as the official websites and social media platforms of the ISD and RTHK.
The mini-drama consists of five episodes and tells the story of a group of young guerrillas defending their homeland during the fall of Hong Kong. The protagonist initially plans to flee the city with his family, but later joins guerrilla forces alongside his cousin to fight bravely against the enemy. During a mission to attack Kai Tak Airport, a site occupied by the Japanese army, his cousin sacrifices himself by staying behind to detonate explosives, destroying Japanese military equipment and fulfilling a noble cause.
The mini-drama features a cast of young actors, including Angus Yeung, Venus Lam and Tomi Ng. To enhance authenticity, the production team referenced a wealth of historical photographs during the filming of the mini-drama. They utilised computer-generated effects and AI technology to colourise black-and-white historical photos, integrating them into the drama. This immersive approach allows audience to vividly experience the hardships of the wartime era. The scene depicting the guerrilla raid on Kai Tak Airport was meticulously recreated with high historical accuracy.
To further deepen public understanding of the War of Resistance, each episode concludes with a “History Insight” segment. Presented in an engaging format, this segment introduces historical facts to help audiences build accurate historical knowledge and perspectives, and to deepen their appreciation and respect for this chapter of history.
All five episodes of the mini-drama will be available on the following platforms:
RTHK will also broadcast the series on RTHK TV 31 at 9.30pm starting today for five consecutive nights.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Tsim Sha Tsui Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
“The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Tsim Sha Tsui area”, a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (October 17).
The planning scheme area, covering about 192 hectares, is located at the southern tip of Kowloon Peninsula. It is bounded by Victoria Harbour to the south, southwest and southeast; Jordan Road and Gascoigne Road to the north; and Hung Hom Bay Reclamation to the east.
The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft Tsim Sha Tsui OZP No. S/K1/29, which mainly involve revising the building height restriction from 45 metres above Principal Datum (mPD) to 90mPD for the “Government, Institution or Community” zone currently occupied by the main campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University at Yuk Choi Road.
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP have been amended to reflect the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.
The approved Tsim Sha Tsui OZP No. S/K1/30 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Tsuen Wan and West Kowloon District Planning Office and (iv) the Yau Tsim Mong District Office.
Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Government announced today (October 17) the reappointments of Mr Chu Kin-wing and Miss Barbara Wong as the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman respectively of the Consumer Goods Safety Appeal Board Panel, as well as the reappointments of six incumbent members and the appointments of three new members to the Panel for a term of two years with effect from October 20, 2025.
The incumbent members who have been reappointed are Mr Chan Chi-ho, Ms Cindy Chan Chui-bik, Mr Chau Chi-chung, Ms Roberta Veronica Cheung, Mr Leung Chi-ho, and Mr Jan Noel Shih. The new members are Ms Rebecca Lee Pui-yi, Dr Mung Wai-yin and Mr Franky Wong Chun-ho.
Established under section 14 of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, the Consumer Goods Safety Appeal Board Panel is responsible for hearing appeals against enforcement decisions or actions taken by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise under the Ordinance.
The Panel’s membership with effect from October 20, 2025, will be as follows:
Chairman
————
Mr Chu Kin-wing
Deputy Chairman
———————
Miss Barbara Wong
Members
———–
(1) Scientists or technologists with relevant expertise in consumer goods
Mr Chan Chi-ho
Mr Leung Chi-ho
Dr Mung Wai-yin
(2) Persons from the consumer goods industry
Ms Rebecca Lee Pui-yi
Mr Jan Noel Shih
Mr Franky Wong Chun-ho
(3) General public
Ms Cindy Chan Chui-bik
Mr Chau Chi-chung
Ms Roberta Veronica Cheung
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Tseung Kwan O Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
“The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Tseung Kwan O area,” a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (October 17).
The planning scheme area, covering about 1 761 hectares, is located at the southern part of Sai Kung District in the South East New Territories. It is bounded by Clear Water Bay Peninsula to the east, Junk Bay to the south, Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping areas to the west, and Tseng Lan Shue and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to the north. The area is surrounded by steep sloping hills in the north, east and west, and is physically segregated from East Kowloon and Clear Water Bay Peninsula.
The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft Tseung Kwan O OZP No. S/TKO/31, which mainly involve (i) incorporation of two sea areas in Fat Tong O into the planning scheme boundary and zoning/rezoning of these sea areas and adjoining Tseung Kwan O Area 137 for primarily residential and government, institution or community developments; and (ii) incorporation of another sea area in Chiu Keng Wan of Tseung Kwan O Area 132 into the planning scheme boundary and zoning it primarily for public facility developments.
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP have been amended to reflect the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.
The approved Tseung Kwan O OZP No. S/TKO/32 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Sai Kung and Islands District Planning Office, (iv) the Sai Kung District Office, and (v) the Hang Hau Rural Committee.
Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (October 17) that a total of four government sites in North District, Yuen Long and Tai Po will be let by way of short-term tenancy through tender to eligible brownfield operators affected by the land resumption and clearance exercises before or within the fourth quarter of 2028 under relevant government development projects.
Brownfield operators, which were invited to participate in previous relevant tenders for a short-term tenancy two or more times after the completion of clearance exercises of relevant government development projects, will be excluded from this tender.
The tender commences today and will close on November 19. Details of the four sites and the list of relevant government development projects involved are described in a Government Notice gazetted today.
Under the prevailing arrangements, business operators affected by government development projects will be offered statutory compensation in accordance with the law, or ex-gratia allowances as an alternative, subject to the fulfilment of relevant eligibility criteria.
A spokesperson for the LandsD said that in order to facilitate brownfield operators’ relocation of businesses or operations, and to optimise the utilisation of land resources, the department has been identifying suitable vacant sites on government land to let through tender by way of a short-term tenancy.
The four sites to be let through tender are suitable for a range of uses including industrial use, open storage, godown, workshop, recovery and recycling or reprocessing business and fee-paying public carpark.
The spokesperson stressed that the LandsD will continue to identify vacant sites suitable for use by those brownfield operators required to be displaced, and these sites will be let through tender by way of a short-term tenancy.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs, in the capacity of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Vice-Chair for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) Region, hosted the 35th WCO A/P Regional Contact Points Meeting starting October 14 for four consecutive days, with the meeting concluding today (October 17).
The meeting gathered more than 70 representatives from A/P Customs administrations and the WCO’s regional entities. The agenda featured a series of thematic presentations and discussions that facilitated participants in exchanging views on Customs initiatives, enforcement strategies and training experiences from diverse perspectives, deepening co-operation and connections among A/P members.
The meeting commenced on October 14 with a welcoming speech delivered by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, in the capacity of the WCO Vice-Chairperson for the A/P Region (APVC). Mr Chan emphasised that the meeting provided a vital platform for A/P members and regional entities to discuss and formulate policies for the global Customs community. He encouraged members to take the opportunity to share their experiences and innovative ideas and explore future Customs developments. He also highlighted Hong Kong Customs’ proactive efforts during its first year as the APVC and the impactful events organised that have brought together representatives and experts worldwide to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration across the region.
In his concluding remarks today, Mr Chan highlighted the fruitful outcomes of the four-day meeting, including discussions on current and future regional development strategies and exchanges of experiences in domestic Customs policies. The participants took part in in-depth discussions on an innovative initiative led by Hong Kong Customs in the capacity of the APVC, which was about a blockchain-based validation platform for digital documents designed to accelerate regional logistics and economic development. At the same time, Mr Chan expressed gratitude for all delegates’ active participation, stressing that all the insightful proposals and collective commitment to advancing regional development contributed to the meeting’s success.
The welcoming reception featured a wonderful performance by the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Dragon and Lion Dance Association. Also, the performance by the Ying Wa Primary School Senior Choir at the opening session added brilliance to the meeting, showcasing the talent, creativity, and potential of both Customs officers and Hong Kong’s young generation.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the special visit arranged by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA) to the “United in Arms, Standing for Peace: 80th Anniversary of Chinese Victory in the War of Resistance Exhibition” today (October 17):
Deputy Commissioner Li (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Li Yongsheng), Consuls-General, Chamber representatives, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. A very warm welcome to the Hong Kong Museum of History.
Thank you for joining this special tour of the “United in Arms, Standing for Peace” exhibition.
Today, you are not just attending an exhibition. You are looking at a pivotal chapter in the history of China and the world.
The war began in 1931. For 14 long years, the Chinese nation fought with great courage and a strong will to protect the homeland. The cost was immense. Millions of lives were lost.
The exhibition shows this history through more than 180 exhibits. Eighty-two of them are from the National Museum of China. About 60 items are being shown for the first time. Eight of these are top-level national treasures.
Each item tells a story of struggle and sacrifice. They also show Hong Kong’s role in supporting the national effort.
The exhibition is about education and remembrance. We must never forget the sacrifices made. We remember the past not to keep hatred alive, but to cherish the peace we have today. We remember to learn from history and to build a better, brighter future for all.
The exhibition, which runs until mid-December, is a team effort. It is jointly organised by our Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Hong Kong Museum of History, and the National Museum of China. We also thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Bank of China (Hong Kong) for their generous support.
The exhibition is just one part of our effort. We are also organising a variety of related events and activities, including visits to war sites, seminars, thematic lectures, film screenings, book fairs and photo exhibitions across Hong Kong. The goal is to help the public understand the spirit of unity and resilience of the Chinese people in the fight for peace.
As announced in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address, we are repairing war sites in every district with a view to integrating them into tourism routes and educational activities.
We will also collaborate with Shenzhen to promote a new red educational route, under the theme of “Chinese Cultural Celebrity Rescue” history, to enhance understanding among people of Hong Kong and tourists of the history of the War of Resistance in Hong Kong.
Ladies and gentlemen, this exhibition shows the great horrors of war. But it is presented in the name of peace.
Thank you.