Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SWD and ICAC announce investigation into suspected fraudulent act seeking to obtain subsidies from Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly
Launched as a pilot programme in September 2013 and regularised in 2023, the Scheme provides needy elderly persons with more options in community care services so that they can enjoy their lives in familiar environments. Adopting the “money-following-the-user” concept, the Scheme not only allows elderly users to purchase suitable community care services from RSPs for meeting their needs, but also allows them to switch RSPs in a flexible manner. The services include nursing care, rehabilitation services, carer training, home safety assessments and home modification recommendations, meal delivery and escort services, etc.
The SWD received a report last year that an RSP was suspected of making use of the Scheme to deceive Government subsidies by submitting false service records to the SWD and encouraging families or carers of the elderly persons to make fraudulent claims on their service uses. While making an immediate referral to the ICAC, the SWD also provided the ICAC with relevant information to assist their investigation.
The SWD stressed that it will continue to perform its monitoring role and take follow-up actions on all suspected cases seriously. Unannounced service-monitoring visits, sampling checks as well as reviews on records and documents are conducted to ensure that RSPs have been providing services to the voucher holders according to the SWD’s service requirements.
The SWD will require RSPs to make improvements on their services or sanctions will be imposed on them if there are any irregularities. Should any RSPs fail to provide services or make improvements in accordance with the relevant requirements, the SWD will consider suspension or termination of the service agreements with the RSPs.Issued at HKT 16:45
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Meeting on HK-SZ control points held
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Hong Kong and Shenzhen officials today held a task force meeting with regard to the planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points.
The meeting, held in Shenzhen, was attended by a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation led by Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, and a Shenzhen Municipal Government delegation led by Shenzhen Vice Mayor Luo Huanghao.
The two parties discussed the planning and development of land boundary control points (BCPs), including the redevelopment of BCPs in Huanggang and Sha Tau Kok, and the transfer of the Man Kam To BCP food control function.
Mr Tang remarked that Hong Kong-Shenzhen BCPs are key transportation hubs in the Greater Bay Area and serve as vital channels for economic exchange. He added that professional planning and efficient management can bring residents and enterprises in both regions more convenience.
He also expressed gratitude to Shenzhen for arranging a visit to the Huanggang port tower, and said he was pleased to learn that the new Huanggang Port redevelopment project is progressing smoothly. He highlighted that Hong Kong lawmakers voiced their support for the project when it was presented to the Legislative Council Panel on Security last month.
Concluding the meeting, the Hong Kong security chief said he will continue to work on ensuring the BCP projects’ smooth implementation, and to adjust strategies where necessary in order to address challenges, realise the modernisation of control points and meet citizens’ needs.
Other Hong Kong officials attending the meeting included representatives from the Transport & Logistics Bureau, the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, the Environment & Ecology Bureau, the Customs & Excise Department, the Immigration Department, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Transport Department.
Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in June 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in June 2025
In June 2025, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 10.3% and 9.2% respectively over June 2024.
Comparing the first half of 2025 with the same period in 2024, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 10.4% and 10.2% respectively.
Comparing the second quarter of 2025 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 3.4% and 4.4% respectively.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing June 2025 with June 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 1.6% and 1.8% respectively.
As regards price changes in the first half of 2025 over the same period in 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods both increased by 1.9%.
Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2024, the index decreased by 0.2% in June 2025 and 0.1% in the first half of 2025.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing June 2025 with June 2024, increases were recorded for the total export volume to Vietnam (34.7%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (17.2%), India (12.6%) and Taiwan (2.6%). On the other hand, the total export volume to the USA decreased by 12.3%.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to Taiwan (4.8%), Vietnam (2.2%), the Mainland (1.2%) and the USA (0.8%) increased. On the other hand, the total export prices to India decreased by 1.5%.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing June 2025 with June 2024, increases were recorded for the import volume from Vietnam (45.6%), the Mainland (16.5%), Singapore (5.9%) and Taiwan (3.8%). On the other hand, the import volume from Korea decreased by 29.6%.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Korea (3.2%), Taiwan (3.1%), Vietnam (2.8%), Singapore (1.9%) and the Mainland (1.0%).
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the June 2025 issue of “Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers”. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020006&scode=230
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918).
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Mid-year population for 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Mid-year population for 2025
A net inflow of 18 200 Hong Kong residents (i.e. inflow more than outflow) was recorded during the period from mid-2024 to mid-2025. Over the same period, a natural decrease (i.e. deaths surpassing births) of 14 800 was recorded, with 35 200 births and 50 000 deaths.
Among the total population at mid-2025, 7 247 600 were Usual Residents and 279 900 were Mobile Residents. The revised figure for the year-end population for 2024 was 7 500 600. The number of Usual Residents was revised to 7 219 900 and the number of Mobile Residents to 280 700. The rate of change in population from end-2023 to end-2024 was also revised to -0.4%.
Table 1 presents estimated total population as at mid-2025, while Table 2 presents population figures from mid-2014 to mid-2025.
Commentary
A Government spokesperson pointed out that Hong Kong continues to benefit from various measures on talent attraction and labour importation. Over the past few years, many people have moved to Hong Kong from the Mainland and other places around the world. This has offset the impact of natural population decrease, stabilising the overall population in mid-2025, which increased by over 0.18 million compared to mid-2022.
Further information
“Usual Residents” refer to two categories of people: (1) Hong Kong Permanent Residents who have stayed in Hong Kong for at least three months during the six months before or for at least three months during the six months after the reference time-point, regardless of whether they are in Hong Kong or not at the reference time-point; and (2) Hong Kong Non-permanent Residents who are in Hong Kong at the reference time-point.
For those Hong Kong Permanent Residents who are not “Usual Residents”, they are classified as “Mobile Residents” if they have stayed in Hong Kong for at least one month but less than three months during the six months before or for at least one month but less than three months during the six months after the reference time-point, regardless of whether they are in Hong Kong or not at the reference time-point.
Under the current practice, the latest population estimate is released on a provisional basis in each round. The revised estimate will be released six months later. In other words, while the provisional population estimate for mid-2025 is released today, the corresponding revised estimate will be released in February 2026.
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Theme-based exercise under Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2025-26 results announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) announced today (August 14) the results of the theme-based exercise specially launched for education-related policies under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) 2025-26.
In light of the policy priorities of the Government to nurture future talent and promote the development of an international hub for high-calibre talent, the CEPU, in collaboration with the Education Bureau, launched the theme-based exercise under its administered PPRFS to support research studies on education-related policy initiatives for the Government’s reference.
A total of 76 applications were received under the theme-based exercise. On the advice of the Assessment Panel, the CEPU has supported eight projects with a total funding of about $5.6 million. These eight projects cover various policy areas that are in line with the future strategic positioning and development needs of Hong Kong, including attracting and retaining talent to pursue further studies and development in Hong Kong, with a view to promoting Hong Kong as an international education hub; facilitating effective collaboration between post-secondary institutions and the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to deepen the integrated development of industry, academia and research sectors; further promoting the development of vocational and professional education and training and universities of applied sciences to create diversified career pathways for students; and exploring the positioning of the Northern Metropolis University Town in the education and research domain to foster it as an engine for the development of various industries in the GBA.
The PPRFS aims to encourage local think tank experts and scholars (including universities and civil society think tanks) to apply their expertise to conduct evidence-based research on key public policy issues, facilitate the knowledge transfer of research findings to policy considerations, and serve as a channel for the Government to tap into the public policy research expertise of society. Applications are assessed by an Assessment Panel that comprises experienced academics and professional experts. Research quality and relevance of the proposal to the public policy needs are the principal criteria of assessment. The Assessment Panel will also take into account comments of external reviewers who are experienced academics and professional experts during the assessment process, as well as views of relevant government bureaux/departments. A declaration of interests system is in place to ensure that the assessments are fair and impartial.
Details of the funded projects have been uploaded to the CEPU’s website (www.cepu.gov.hk/en/PRFS/ppr-granted.html).
Electronic poll drill held
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) and the Digital Policy Office (DPO) hosted a drill on technical support for regular and contingency arrangements of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) System today.
The drill is for comprehensive preparation and detailed planning for the Election Committee Subsector By-elections to be held on September 7 and the Legislative Council General Election to be held on December 7.
The REO said that the EPR System will be used for issuing ballot papers at the two major elections this year.
It highlighted that today’s drill aims to simulate monitoring of the ballot papers issuance system by the technical support teams throughout the polling day, and to test the instant response capabilities of the technical support teams and the system’s resilience under special circumstances.
The drill adopts the principle of “respond instantly, recover rapidly” and combines multilayered system monitoring with a comprehensive contingency plan.
It also simulates the immediate activation of corresponding contingency plans when the system monitoring indicators exceed their pre-defined thresholds, with an aim to resume system operations within the shortest period of time and ensure the smooth issuance of ballot papers at the elections.
Commissioner for Digital Policy Tony Wong acted as the Information Technology Commander for the drill with the participation of technical support teams from the DPO and REO as well as the EPR System contractor. Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman David Lok was also present.
The REO pointed out that the relevant tasks in system development, including high-intensity stress tests and security tests, have been conducted in accordance with the EAC’s three-tier confirmation mechanism.
It added that it has submitted the system modifications and testing results to the Technical Advisory Committee for consideration and endorsement.
Rating and Valuation Department issues requisition forms
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Rating and Valuation Department issues requisition formsIssued at HKT 11:00
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World-renowned pianist Nikolai Lugansky to make his Hong Kong recital debut in September (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
World-renowned pianist Nikolai Lugansky to make his Hong Kong recital debut in September (with photo)Issued at HKT 11:00
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Man convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
​A 49-year-old man was convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment at the District Court today (August 13) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs intercepted a container vessel in the waters off Lamma Island on July 24, 2024. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized 30.4 million duty-not-paid cigarettes on the vessel, with an estimated market value of about $137 million and a duty potential of about $100.5 million. The male coxswain, aged 49, was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offence.
Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the IEO, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction. Moreover, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary illicit cigarette smuggling activities with firm enforcement action.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).
Secretary for Health continues visit to Singapore (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and his delegation continued their visit to Singapore today (August 13) to meet with senior officials of the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore and the Centre of Regulatory Excellence (CoRE) at Duke-NUS Medical School.
During the meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the HSA of Singapore, Professor Raymond Chua, Professor Lo said, “Protecting public health and tackling public health challenges transcend borders. International co-operation is indispensable in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs and medical devices, as well as in enhancing tobacco control to protect community health. I look forward to Hong Kong and Singapore collaborating to create synergy and share the best practices to bolster public health protection and promote medical innovation, thereby further strengthening the healthy and steady development of the healthcare systems in both places.”
After the meeting, Professor Lo and Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and the Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, jointly witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on regulation of drugs and medical devices and tobacco control policy by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, and Professor Chua. The MOU aims to enhance the co-operation between the two places in areas such as regulation of drugs and medical devices, promoting tobacco control policy and enforcement, as well as regulatory capacity enhancement and training, with a view to jointly promoting the high-quality development of the regulation of drugs and medical devices.
During the meeting with the founding Executive Director of CoRE, Professor John Lim, Professor Lo introduced the initiatives put forward by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, including strengthening the approval regimes for drugs and medical devices, as well as establishing the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation by the end of 2026 to foster growth in the local healthcare and biotechnology industries.
Professor Lo also gained insights on CoRE’s significant contributions to Singapore’s healthcare regulatory system over the past decade through capacity building, strengthening collaboration and fostering innovation.
Professor Lo said, “Hong Kong is pressing ahead with reforms of the regulatory system of drugs and medical devices to address evolving healthcare needs and the rapid development of advanced treatment technologies. The valuable experience of CoRE in nurturing talent and promoting regulation of drugs and medical devices provides practical and useful reference for our ongoing reforms.”
Apart from Dr Lam, members of the delegation include Deputy Secretary for Health Ms Elaine Mak and a representative from the Hospital Authority. They will visit the National Cancer Centre Singapore, a polyclinic and a pharmaceutical company tomorrow (August 14), and depart for Hong Kong in the evening.