Hetao park ceremony held

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

A topping-out ceremony was held today for three buildings in Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

Buildings 8 and 9 are wet laboratory-enabled, while Building 11 is intended for talent accommodation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee said the Hong Kong Park is a “super platform” that will help Hong Kong serve as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”.

“We will make good use of Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city and an international hub for high-calibre talent to build the Hetao Co-operation Zone into a bridgehead for I&T (innovation and technology), and a showcase and incubator for high-end achievements for the country.”

Comprising about 87 hectares, the park will be developed in two phases from west to east. Following the completion of the above-mentioned three buildings, it will enter into its operational phase when the first batch of tenants from pillar industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence, and data science, move in from the second half of this year.

The construction of another five buildings is in full swing. The Government has earmarked $3.7 billion to expedite the provision of infrastructure and public facilities for the park’s Phase 1 development and detailed planning of the second phase will be completed within the current year.

French air firm to expand in HK

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Elior Group SA today announced its intention to strengthen its presence in Hong Kong, after it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the city’s Airport Authority on February 19.

Witnessed by Financial Secretary Paul Chan, the MoU was signed by the authority’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Vivian Cheung and Elior Group SA Chairman and CEO Daniel Derichebourg.

Mr Chan mentioned in the 2025-26 Budget last month that under the co-ordination of InvestHK the authority had signed an MoU with a leading overseas professional aeronautic services company to explore the possibility of providing services such as aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and related training in Hong Kong, thereby establishing Hong Kong as Asia’s first aircraft parts processing and trading centre.

The company, Elior Group SA, is based in France, and is part of Derichebourg SA.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau highlighted that under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, Hong Kong boasts a high degree of internationalisation, a favourable business environment, a strategic location, a robust legal framework, and a low tax regime. He added that the city has always been a prime location for foreign investment and international conglomerates.

Mr Yau said Hong Kong will continue to play its unique role of connecting the Mainland and the world, thereby attracting more companies from around the world to set up in the city.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said she was pleased that Elior Group SA and the authority are exploring the possibility of introducing aircraft parts handling and trading services in Hong Kong, as this will enrich the city’s standing as an international aviation hub and support aviation development in China and the wider Asian region.

Aviation safety regulations amended

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Starting from April 7, local airlines should not allow their passengers to use lithium battery power banks nor store these in overhead compartments during flights, the Civil Aviation Department announced today.

 

The department said it is highly concerned over recent safety breaches suspected to have been caused by passengers carrying and using power banks on aircraft.

 

After departmental officials met representatives from local airlines on Friday, the department issued its updated requirements regarding power banks today, with a view to enhancing safety.

 

Passengers are advised to direct any queries about the latest regulations to relevant airlines before flying.

Cultural ambassador scheme opens

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme 2026 is now open for applications, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department announced today.

Under the scheme, selected artists and arts groups will take performing arts activities into communities by organising outreach activities in various districts next year.

Applicants should be registered local non-profit-making performing arts groups or artists, have experience of performing in public, and demonstrate that they have been active in the performing arts scene in the past year.

Each applicant is required to submit a proposal with a brief description of their project theme and content. Projects should involve at least one performing arts category from the following list: Chinese opera, operatic singing, dance, music, theatrical arts, and multimedia.

Proposals should mainly focus on touring performances and may include workshops, excerpts from full performances, demonstrations, talks, exhibitions or a combination of these activities.

The application deadline is noon on May 6.

Call 2591 1611 or send an email to the Audience Building Office for enquiries.

14 building plans approved in Jan

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Buildings Department approved 14 building plans in January – five on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon and six in the New Territories.

Eight of the plans approved were for residential or residential-commercial developments, two were for commercial developments, one was for factory and industrial development, and three were for community service developments.

Consent was given for works to start on five building projects. Combined, these will provide 25,433 sq m of gross floor area for domestic, and 206,432 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

The department also received notification of commencement in relation to superstructure works for three building projects.

Furthermore, it issued 16 occupation permits – four on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and seven in the New Territories.

The buildings certified for occupation comprise 85,225 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 1,886 units, and 23,398 sq m for non-domestic use.

Meanwhile, the department received 2,551 reports about unauthorised building works in January and issued 422 removal orders.

Choi Yuk-lin bound for Iceland

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin will lead a delegation of Hong Kong principals and educationalists in attending the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland, from tomorrow.

After visiting Iceland, Ms Choi and her delegation will visit India. Their itinerary is aimed at promoting Hong Kong’s advantages as an international post-secondary education hub.

Besides discussing trends in global education with education ministers from around the world at the Reykjavík forum, Ms Choi will also visit local schools and meet Icelandic educationalists.

The education chief will fly to Delhi on Thursday to attend the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2025 Conference & Exhibition.

She will be accompanied by representatives from the University Grants Committee (UGC) and UGC-funded universities, and will give a speech at the Delhi event about studying in Hong Kong.

Ms Choi will return to Hong Kong on Friday. During her absence, Under Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai will be Acting Secretary.

Judiciary launches LinkedIn page

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Judiciary today launched a LinkedIn page with the aim of fostering professional understanding and enhancing transparency with regard to its work, both locally and internationally.

On the platform, the Judiciary will share updates on significant court judgments, major professional exchanges with other jurisdictions, key events, and important initiatives.

CS meets Macau CE

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Legal liaison:  Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung meets Macau’s Secretary for Administration & Justice Sonia Chan.

Legal liaison:  Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung meets Macau’s Secretary for Administration & Justice Sonia Chan.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung visited Macau today, meeting its Chief Executive Fernando Chui and signing a bilateral legal agreement.

Mr Cheung and Mr Chui discussed the latest developments and co-operation between Hong Kong and Macau in economic and trade, cross-boundary infrastructure and youth matters.

Mr Cheung said the forthcoming opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development will greatly boost bilateral co-operation and development opportunities.

Mr Cheung signed the Arrangement for Mutual Service of Judicial Documents between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region & the Macao Special Administrative Region with Macau’s Secretary for Administration & Justice Sonia Chan.

The pact will set up an official channel for Hong Kong to request Macau’s service of judicial documents in civil and commercial cases, and enhance the existing mechanism for handling requests for service of judicial documents made by the two places.

Mr Cheung also visited the Macao Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre to see how it helps local young people set up their own businesses.

Duty visits beneficial: CE

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Chief Executive Carrie Lam says her recent Saudi Arabia visit was fruitful and she is planning more duty visits for next year to promote Hong Kong’s business, trade and professional services.

Speaking to the media before today’s Executive Council meeting, she said she has conducted all of her visits abroad for this year.

She will conduct a duty visit to Beijing later this month.

Mrs Lam added she was warmly welcomed to Saudi Arabia and met King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and several officials.

She said she attaches great importance to Hong Kong’s external affairs, and conducting overseas visits can enhance the city’s international status and expand business opportunities.

LegCo decision respected

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Chief Executive Carrie Lam respects an arrangement by the Legislative Council President to amend LegCo’s Rules of Procedure.

Making the statement to the media before today’s Executive Council meeting, she said Andrew Leung’s decision is reasonable.

Mr Leung decided all proposals from different camps will be combined into a single debate to finalise rule changes before Christmas.

Mrs Lam said she appreciates that he took a well-balanced approach to accept amendments by the pro-democracy camp, while formulating the arrangement based on Basic Law Article 75.

“We hope that things in the Legislative Council will be brought back to normal as soon as possible,” she said.

Mrs Lam urged legislators to respect Mr Leung’s decision.

When asked about the timing of the upcoming March 11 LegCo by-election, Mrs Lam said the Electoral Affairs Commission’s decision has already been gazetted.