Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Road Traffic (Safety Equipment)(Amendment) Regulation 2026 gazetted and commenced today
The Regulation aims to repeal the provision added by the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 to the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations (Chapter 374F) relating to the requirement for passengers to wear seat belts on buses (i.e. regulation 8D), and makes consequential amendments. Upon repealing and amending the relevant provisions, there is no longer any statutory requirement for passengers to wear seat belts on franchised or non-franchised buses.
The statutory requirement for the wearing of seat belts on other types of vehicles (including private cars, taxis, goods vehicles, light buses, special purpose vehicles, student service vehicles) other than franchised and non-franchised buses remains in effect. When the non-franchised buses are used for student services, passengers must wear seat belts in accordance with Regulation 8G of the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations (Chapter 374F).
Going forward, the Government will undertake a fresh review of the arrangements for wearing seat belts on buses and initiate a public consultation to solicit broad input from the community. Concurrently, we will engage subject matter experts to examine issues relating to design, installation and effectiveness of seat belt arrangements, and formulate recommendations on the directions and details of implementation. Meanwhile, we will continue to enhance publicity and education efforts to encourage the voluntary wearing of seat belts on buses.
Relevant information is featured in the Legislative Council Brief issued by the Government today.
Issued at HKT 20:48
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Speech by FS at Inaugural Francis Chan Lecture 2025 (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Inaugural Francis Chan Lecture 2025 today (February 6):
Francis (Choh-Ming Li Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Francis Chan), Philip (Dean of Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Philip Chiu), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
The third area to make the best use of our unique strength under “one country, two systems” is international connectivity. Beyond supporting Mainland enterprises to “go global”, Hong Kong also serves as an ideal showcase and validation platform, helping Chinese product standards and practices gain broader international recognition. We are already contributing to international rule making and standard setting in areas such as financial regulation, green and sustainable finance, construction services and dispute resolution. But we can—and should—do more. Our professionals’ and businesses’ deep understanding of both Chinese and global systems gives us a distinct and valuable advantage.
Legislative amendment proposals and related measures for reforming Medical Council of Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Health Bureau (HHB) today (February 6) submitted a paper to the Panel on Health Services of the Legislative Council (LegCo) on the legislative amendment proposals to the Medical Registration Ordinance (MRO) (Cap. 161) formulated to support the reform of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK), with a view to ensuring that the MCHK can continue to uphold medical professional standards and discharge its statutory functions, as well as strengthening the support provided by the Department of Health (DH) and the Secretariat of the MCHK to the work of the MCHK, including relevant supporting measures to enhance the MCHK’s handling of complaints concerning doctors’ professional conduct.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “The Government expects the reform of the MCHK’s system will bring about enhanced medical professional standards, safeguards to the health of citizens and consolidation of the mutual trust between doctors and patients, supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub. I am grateful to various stakeholders, including the MCHK, professional bodies, patient groups and other relevant stakeholders, for offering valuable views over the past few weeks. The Government will make every effort to take forward the work of amending the MRO, with a view to introducing an amendment bill into the LegCo in the first half of this year, and to implement the related reform measures progressively.”
Medical Council reform paper set
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Health Bureau today submitted a paper to the Legislative Council’s Panel on Health Services on the legislative amendment proposals to the Medical Registration Ordinance (MRO) formulated to support the reform of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK).
Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said that the Government will make every effort to take forward the work of amending the MRO, with a view to introducing an amendment bill into LegCo in the first half of this year.
At present, the MCHK comprises 24 medical practitioner members and eight lay members. To reform the council’s composition of the MCHK, the Government proposed to increase the number of lay members in the council; to suitably adjust the composition of medical practitioner members; and to include representation from primary healthcare.
Having considered the report submitted by the MCHK, the Office of The Ombudsman’s investigation report and the views of relevant stakeholders, the Government proposed amendments to the MCHK’s complaints handling mechanism.
The proposed amendments include requiring the MCHK to set target time frames for different stages of the overall complaints handling mechanism, and establish a system to monitor overall case progress; allowing both the complainant and the doctor concerned to apply to the MCHK for review of the Inquiry Panel’s (IP) decision, or lodge an appeal to the court; the IP should adopt the court’s findings of fact made upon conviction; and if a doctor is convicted of a serious offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a specified term, the doctor may be removed from the register immediately.
In view of the continued shortage of doctors and intensifying global competition for healthcare talent, it is proposed to allow both non-Hong Kong permanent residents and Hong Kong permanent residents to apply for special registration.
At present, to assist the MCHK in discharging its statutory functions, the Department of Health provides resources to establish the Secretariat.
The Government will explore with the MCHK how to enhance the Secretariat’s support to the MCHK.
It proposed to actively explore the establishment of a dedicated team to support complaint investigations; actively explore increasing legal support and administrative personnel to handle the growing number of complaints; to systematically arrange experts from different medical specialties to provide advice on complaint cases and participate in inquiries regularly at the invitation of the MCHK; and to provide appropriate training and support for newly appointed assessors to ensure that they can participate in the complaints handling process.
Transport blueprint announced
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government announced the Transport Strategy Blueprint today, with the vision of “Implementing a people-centric approach, Strengthening connectivity with both the Mainland and the world, Promoting efficient travel, and Embracing green lifestyle”.
It establishes three major themes for future transport development, and proposes six strategies with a total of 25 recommendations to drive the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s transport system.
The three major themes are “Enjoyable Journeys”, “Well-connected City”, and “Healthy Mobility”.
“Enjoyable Journeys” adheres to a public transport-oriented policy, enhancing local and cross-boundary transport infrastructure to connect the economic core areas of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, driving economic development and optimising passenger travel experiences.
“Well-connected City” focuses on leveraging advanced technology to promote digitalised traffic management, improving transport efficiency, including more flexible scheduling of public transport services based on individual passenger needs, promoting autonomous driving, and sharing more transport data with the public for trip planning, fostering smart mobility.
“Healthy Mobility” integrates the concept of sustainable communities into urban planning, actively promoting green travel modes such as walking, cycling, and electric mobility devices.
Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said that the blueprint sets out future objectives, strategies and directions, articulating short-, medium-, and long-term measures to advance Hong Kong’s economic development and enhance the convenience for its people.
“This year, we have 10 key measures, and the blueprint also outlines transport strategies for the next two decades, allowing us to maintain our global leadership in public transport, consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a regional and national transportation hub; at the same time, through actively embracing smart technology, providing more convenient and diverse transportation options for citizens and tourists, making Hong Kong a city ideal for living, working and travelling.”
The blueprint comprehensively considers Hong Kong’s population trends, travel demands, urban and technological development, and other factors.
Key contents include a new layout of “Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal” infrastructure projects, planning for a new generation of Transport Interchange Hubs, flexible Smart Demand-responsive Public Transport Mode services, enhancing the application of artificial intelligence in traffic management, promoting the development of autonomous vehicles, actively increasing parking spaces, developing low-altitude economy, and enhancing pedestrian environments.
The implementation of the blueprint will promote Hong Kong’s economic growth and sustainable development, while facilitating the movement of people and goods within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.
Click here for the full text of the blueprint.
DC training session held
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) held the first training session of the year for members of the District Councils (DC) at the Central Government Offices today, during which Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak shared the Government’s handling of the fire.
The training covered the Government’s support and response work after the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po.
It aimed to provide guidance to the DC members on how to respond to and help affected residents in the event of a major disaster, as well as enhancing the collaboration with District Committee members and care teams, thereby giving full play to the functions of the “troika” in district governance.
DC members were also requested to assist in improving the efficacy of building management in their daily work in order to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents.
Miss Mak shared the Government’s handling of the fire, in particular areas under the purview of the HYAB team. These included immediately opening community halls as temporary shelters, mobilising care teams to assist residents, helping with the receipt and distribution of supplies and the disbursement of emergency subsidies, establishing the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to render assistance to residents of Wang Fuk Court and support various related initiatives, and co-ordinating with operators of hotels and youth hostels/camps to provide emergency short-term accommodation for the residents.
The Government also invoked for the first time section 31 of the Building Management Ordinance to apply for dissolution of the then management committee of the owners’ corporation (OC) of Wang Fuk Court, and appointment of an administrator to assist in clarifying the legal liabilities and entitlements of the OC and the owners, and examining the accounts of the OC.
Miss Mak said that the Government was pressing ahead with improvement measures on various fronts and implementing systemic reforms to break down barriers of vested interests.
The HYAB and the Home Affairs Department are conducting a comprehensive review of the Building Management Ordinance following five preliminary amendment directions.
The HYAB will consult the property management sector, OCs and owners on proposals for further amendments to the ordinance, and will also collect views at the district level through the DCs’ Working Group on Building Management (WGBM) to take forward the subsequent legislative amendment exercise.
Miss Mak told DC members that the incident had highlighted the advantages of the executive-led system after improving district governance, where districts could effectively mobilise the “troika” and the HYAB had greatly enhanced its capability to take action.
She reminded DC members that being at the frontline of district governance, they should proactively assist owners and residents in need in handling matters relating to building management, and make good use of the WGBM to provide suggestions to the Government.
Miss Mak encouraged DC members to enhance communication and interaction with residents and listen to their imminent concerns, with a view to identifying, intervening and resolving problems faced by the people at an early stage.
She also expects DC members to work together with the Government to drive the post-fire reforms to build a safer Hong Kong.
CNY visitor preparations discussed
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired an interdepartmental working group meeting to co-ordinate government-wide preparatory efforts for the Chinese New Year Golden Week.
According to the Immigration Department’s estimates, 1.43 million Mainland visitors will visit Hong Kong during the nine-day holiday, which runs from February 15 to 23.
Compared with last year’s golden week, the daily average visitor arrivals are expected to increase by about 6%.
An estimated 2,200 inbound tour groups will visit Hong Kong over the holiday, with daily averages significantly higher compared to the Mainland’s Labour Day and National Day Golden Week last year.
Mr Chan stated that the Government is committed to providing a high-quality visitor experience. Key efforts include streamlining public transportation and boundary control points (BCPs), while maintaining close liaison with the travel trade to ensure effective crowd management and timely information dissemination.
Following a review of current circumstances and discussions with Mainland authorities, the Government has decided to maintain the existing operating hours at the BCPs during the Chinese New Year holiday. The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port will continue 24-hour operations as usual.
The MTR Corporation will significantly enhance East Rail Line services at various times between February 13 and 23. Additionally, most local railway lines will provide overnight services on Lunar New Year’s Eve.
Services on the relevant railway lines will be boosted after the Night Parade on February 17 and the Fireworks Display on February 18 to accommodate residents and visitors.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law, Under Secretary for Transport & Logistics Liu Chun-san, Under Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong and representatives from other relevant government departments also attended the meeting.
Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees
The Chairman of the HKCTC, Professor Wong Wing-tak, highlighted that talent was a vital asset for the sustainable development of the industry. The Award Scheme fully demonstrated the industry’s commitment to nurturing talent and showcased the rich pool of talent in the T&C industry. The success of the industry depended on the participation and collaboration of its practitioners to build a better society.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, spoke highly of the T&C industry’s contributions to Hong Kong’s economy and innovation and technology development. He said that the professional integrity of the T&C industry has forged the prestigious brand of “Tested in Hong Kong, Certified in Hong Kong”. It plays a key role in supporting the development of Hong Kong’s trade, industrial, and other service sectors. He said he hopes the industry will continue to contribute its professional expertise to the development of Hong Kong and the country.
Applications received for the two categories of awards were respectively assessed (including conducting interviews with applicants for the Professional Award) by two independent Assessment Panels, which comprised members from academia, public bodies and industrial associations, to decide on the awardees. The lists of awardees are available on HKCTC website (www.hkctc.gov.hk/en/events-promotion/award-scheme2526Issued at HKT 17:10
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56 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
56 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
In the joint operation with the Home Affairs Department and the Labour Department, Immd investigators raided multiple locations, including targeted guesthouses in Yau Tsim Mong District. Seven persons were arrested including six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer. The arrested illegal workers comprised two men and four women, aged 29 to 51. Three of them were current foreign domestic helpers, who were found performing room cleaning duties in the guesthouses. A woman aged 75 was suspected of employing illegal workers and was the person-in-charge of the guesthouses. The remaining three illegal workers were illegal odd job workers including two men holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment in Hong Kong and an overstayed former foreign domestic helper.
During other anti-illegal worker operations, investigators raided multiple target locations including restaurants, cleaning companies and flats under renovation. Thirty-seven suspected illegal workers and 12 suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 35 men and two women, aged 26 to 56. Among them, a man was holding recognisance form which prohibits him from taking any employment in Hong Kong. Nine men and three women, aged 33 to 61, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Moreover, after entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, an imported worker admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract and cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors. Change of the employer, post or place of work (unless stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract) is not permitted. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:45
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Home and Youth Affairs Bureau holds first training session in 2026 for members of District Councils
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) held the first training session for members of the District Councils (DC) in 2026 at the Central Government Offices today (February 6). The training covered the Government’s support and response work after the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po. It aimed to provide guidance to the DC members on how to respond to and help affected residents in the event of a major disaster, as well as enhancing the collaboration with District Committee members and Care Teams, thereby giving full play to the functions of the “troika” in district governance. DC members were also requested to assist in improving the efficacy of building management in their daily work in order to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents.
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, shared the Government’s handling of the fire, in particular areas under the purview of the HYAB team. These included immediately opening community halls as temporary shelters, mobilising Care Teams to assist residents, helping with the receipt and distribution of supplies and the disbursement of emergency subsidies, establishing the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to render assistance to residents of Wang Fuk Court and support various related initiatives, and co-ordinating with operators of hotels and youth hostels/camps to provide emergency short-term accommodation for the residents. The Government also invoked for the first time section 31 of the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) (BMO) to apply for dissolution of the then management committee of the owners’ corporation (OC) of Wang Fuk Court, and appointment of an administrator to assist in clarifying the legal liabilities and entitlements of the OC and the owners, and examining the accounts of the OC.
Miss Mak said that under the leadership of the Chief Executive, the Government was pressing ahead with improvement measures on various fronts and implementing systemic reforms to break down barriers of vested interests. The HYAB and the Home Affairs Department are conducting a comprehensive review of the BMO following five preliminary amendment directions. The HYAB will consult the property management sector, OCs and owners on proposals for further amendments to the BMO, and will also collect views at district level through the Working Group on Building Management (WGBM) of DCs to take forward the subsequent legislative amendment exercise.
Miss Mak told DC members that the incident had highlighted the advantages of the executive-led system after improving district governance, where districts could effectively mobilise the “troika” and the HYAB had greatly enhanced its capability to take actions. The Wang Fuk Court fire had heightened concerns among different sectors of the community and the general public about building management and safety in repair work. Miss Mak reminded DC members that, at the frontline of district governance, they should proactively assist owners and residents in need in handling matters relating to building management, and make good use of the WGBM of DCs to provide suggestions to the Government. Miss Mak encouraged DC members to enhance the communication and interactions with residents and listen to their imminent concerns, with a view to identifying, intervening and resolving problems faced by the people at an early stage. She also expected that DC members would work together with the Government to drive the post-fire reforms to build a safer Hong Kong.
The HYAB will continue to arrange different training sessions and visits to enhance the DC members’ capabilities in discharging their duties and improve the efficacy of district governance to deliver tangible benefits for the people.