Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH announces latest smoking situation in Hong Kong and “Quit in June” campaign
Survey results
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The Census and Statistics Department published the latest Thematic Household Survey Report today. According to the Thematic Household Survey on smoking habits conducted from July to October last year, around 540 000 Hong Kong citizens had a daily habit of smoking conventional cigarettes at the time of the survey, accounting for 8.5 per cent of all persons aged 15 and above. The relevant rate was 9.1 per cent in 2023.
Regarding alternative smoking products, the proportion of persons aged 15 and above who habitually used e-cigarettes daily in 2025 was 0.1 per cent of the population, while the relevant rate was 0.2 per cent in 2023. Meanwhile, the proportion of daily users of heated tobacco products dropped from 0.1 per cent in 2023 to a level beyond accurate estimation.
The Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH, Dr Manny Lam, said, “The decline of Hong Kong’s smoking rate to a record low is the result of years of concerted efforts by various sectors of the community and members of the public, making Hong Kong an international role model for successful tobacco control. Furthermore, since the ban on alternative smoking products took effect in April 2022, the number of users has continued to fall, demonstrating the effectiveness and importance of implementing the ban. The DH will continue to closely monitor smoking trends and guard against the prevalence of new smoking products in Hong Kong.”
Following the gazettal of the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 last year, the Government is progressively implementing the next phase of tobacco control measures. Measures that have already taken effect include strengthening the legal framework for combating illicit cigarettes, expanding the statutory no-smoking areas, further imposing a comprehensive ban on the possession of alternative smoking products in public places, alongside the sustained enhancement of public education and smoking cessation services. The Government plans to fully implement the plain packaging requirement for conventional smoking products and the duty stamp system by December next year to further reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products and strengthen efforts in combating illicit cigarettes.
Dr Lam added that one of the core tenets of the Government’s “10 Tobacco Control Measures” is to reduce the appeal of smoking products, including alternative smoking products and various flavoured cigarettes, thereby preventing the new generation from becoming addicted to tobacco. The latest survey results also show that smoking rates among younger age groups remain at very low levels, reflecting that the younger generation no longer accepts smoking behaviour, which is highly aligned with the Government’s goals and societal expectations.
The Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Mr Henry Tong, said that the Council endeavours to fully support the Government in implementing the next phase of tobacco control measures. He pointed out that implementing plain packaging for conventional smoking products and banning flavoured cigarettes would effectively reduce the promotional effect and appeal of tobacco products, serving as important measures to counter tobacco companies’ marketing to the public, especially the younger generation.
“Quit in June” campaign
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Dr Lam said, “The Government has always adopted a multipronged and gradual approach to reduce the harm caused by smoking products to the public and society. In addition to legislation, taxation, publicity, education and enforcement, providing comprehensive smoking cessation services is also an indispensable part of this. To help smokers successfully quit, the DH has been subventing a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide diverse and free smoking cessation services and support. In support of the World Health Organization’s World No Tobacco Day on May 31 each year, the DH launched the ‘Quit in June’ campaign in 2021 to encourage smokers to try to quit smoking, thereby reducing the risk of smoking-related diseases and death. Over the past few years, the campaign has achieved encouraging results, with an increasing number of participants.”
This year, the DH will continue to distribute free one-week smoking cessation drug trial packs through over 300 community pharmacies, smoking cessation clinics, District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses, and DH clinics, as well as free Chinese medicine ear points patches through designated Chinese medicine clinics to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms in smokers who wish to quit.
In response to the Government’s implementation of a smoking ban on all construction sites, Dr Lam said that the DH has stepped up smoking cessation publicity and support for the construction industry. The NGOs subvented by the DH will proactively provide free smoking cessation drug trial packs and Chinese medicine ear points patches to the construction industry through outreach activities.
In addition, the DH has collaborated with the School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong to launch a pilot AI-assisted smoking cessation counselling service – “Chat to Quit” this year. The AI provides accurate and appropriate smoking cessation information instantly, and offers personalised smoking cessation counselling according to users’ smoking history and quitting preferences. It can also provide emotional support and help users practise skills in refusing cigarettes. Smokers who wish to quit can scan the QR code (see annex) to access the service anytime, anywhere, free of charge. For users who require real-person counselling, smoking cessation medication support or Chinese Medicine acupuncture smoking cessation service, “Chat to Quit” will also make referrals accordingly.
The DH has started broadcasting the “We are all in this together. Quit Now” television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, and has stepped up promotional advertisements on public transport networks and social media to encourage smokers to quit and accompany them through the tobacco-free month.
The DH also operates an integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline (1833 183) to handle general enquiries about smoking cessation, and provide professional counselling and referral services. Members of the public can visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk
Dr Lam emphasised that smokers of any age can reap immediate and long-term health benefits from quitting smoking. For the sake of their own health and that of their families, he urged smokers not to hesitate, but to act now and quit smoking in June. They should also adopt a healthy lifestyle and help build a tobacco-free Hong Kong.
Issued at HKT 12:30
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LCQ11: Promoting transnational and cross-boundary joint programmes
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is a question by the Hon Hung Kam-in and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
Question:
In recent years, some local institutions have collaborated with universities in the Mainland and overseas to introduce “2+2 degree programmes” or “joint degree programmes”, allowing students to complete their studies in different regions and obtain qualifications recognised by institutions in multiple regions concurrently. There are views that while current institutional collaborations are concentrated in the Greater Bay Area or the Mainland, there is also potential to further expand them to overseas to establish a transnational and cross-boundary institutional network, so as to nurture talent who can connect Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the institutions in Hong Kong which are currently collaborating with Mainland and overseas institutions to offer cross-boundary programmes, and the academic disciplines covered by such programmes; of the respective numbers of local and non-local students enrolled in such programmes in the past three years; whether the Government knows if any institutions in Hong Kong are exploring the implemetation of “multilateral joint programme” mode in collaboration with institutions in Southeast Asia or other overseas regions; if so, of the details;
(2) whether it knows the employment situations of and degree recognition for graduates upon completion of “multilateral joint programmes”; whether graduates who have completed such programmes currently meet the requirements of the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates; if not, whether the Government will study the provision of relevant arrangements so as to attract such graduates to work in Hong Kong;
(3) apart from mutual recognition of programmes, whether the Government has studied or promoted multilateral recognition of vocational and professional education and training programmes, or other more attractive arrangements, such as encouraging institutions to collaborate with enterprises in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas in designing programmes, so as to enhance the competitiveness of graduates and make it easier for them to be employed in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas; and
(4) whether the Government has plans in the next three to five years to encourage more institutions to participate in transnational and cross-boundary joint programmes and set a specific timetable, so as to strengthen the role of Hong Kong’s institutions in international education collaboration and enhance Hong Kong’s strengths in nurturing and retaining talent as well as building international interpersonal networks?
Reply:
President,
The Government actively encourages local universities to collaborate with the Chinese Mainland and overseas institutions in offering dual/joint-degree programmes to expand the pool of high-calibre talent across various fields and propel Hong Kong’s development into an international post-secondary education hub. Regarding the question asked by the Hon Hung Kam-in, the reply is as follows.
(1) and (2) Over the past three academic years (AYs), six University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, namely City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Hong Kong, have partnered with Chinese Mainland and overseas institutions to offer undergraduate dual/joint-degree programmes including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Japan, as well as Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Over the past three AYs, around 60 undergraduate dual/joint-degree programmes were offered annually, spanning fields such as STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), social sciences, humanities, law, economics and business administration, admitting approximately 4 000 to 5 500 local and non-local undergraduate students. The total number of students enrolled in these programmes is as follows:
Number of enrolment of undergraduate dual/joint-degree programmes from the 2023/24 to 2025/26 AYs
| AY | Number of enrolment | ||
| Local | Non-local | Total | |
| 2023/24 | 14 066 | 3 932 | 17 998 |
| 2024/25 | 15 530 | 4 700 | 20 230 |
| 2025/26 (Provisional figures) |
16 751 | 5 911 | 22 662 |
In the 2023/24 and 2024/25 AYs, these programmes recorded over 4 800 graduates annually, with non-local students accounting for approximately 20 per cent of the total. The Government does not keep the information on the pathways of the graduates concerned. Under the prevailing Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, non-local graduates who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time locally accredited programme in Hong Kong may apply to stay in/return to Hong Kong for 24 months without other conditions of stay. They do not need a job offer to be eligible for the arrangement if they apply within six months after graduation. Further details on the eligibility criteria can be found on the Immigration Department’s website.
As for local students, the Government has launched the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies starting from the 2025/26 AY to encourage local students to pursue designated taught postgraduate programmes and nurture high-calibre talent needed for Hong Kong’s future. Awardees are required to sign an undertaking that he/she would contribute towards relevant industries/sectors either through relevant full-time employment or entrepreneurial activities in Hong Kong or within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, upon graduation, in support of the Government’s policy objective of attracting, nurturing and retaining talent.
As regards self-financing non-local post-secondary programmes, over the past three AYs, post-secondary institutions operating full-time locally accredited self-financing non-local post-secondary programmes in collaboration with overseas institutions include the Hong Kong Institute of Technology, UOW College Hong Kong, the School of Continuing and Professional Education of the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Art School, the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong, the College of International Education of the Hong Kong Baptist University and the School for Higher and Professional Education under the Vocational Training Council (VTC). These programmes mainly cover the field of business and management studies, computer science and information technology, social sciences, media, journalism and communications, arts, design and performing arts, architecture and town planning, biological sciences, education as well as engineering and technology. The total number of students enrolled in these programmes is as follows:
Number of enrolment of full-time locally accredited self-financing non-local post-secondary programmes from the 2023/24 to 2025/26 AYs
| AY | Number of enrolment | ||
| Local | Non-local | Total | |
| 2023/24 | 2 096 | 20 | 2 116 |
| 2024/25 | 1 943 | 19 | 1 962 |
| 2025/26 (Provisional figures) |
1 833 | 3 | 1 836 |
The Government does not keep information on the annual number of graduates and their pathways.
The Government will continue to encourage institutions to explore innovative models for dual/joint-degree programmes and endeavour to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, with a view to nurturing versatile talent with both specialised academic knowledge and global vision to meet Hong Kong’s long-term development needs.
(3) The Government endeavours to promote the development of vocational and professional education and training (VPET), and supports institutions in strengthening collaboration with the Chinese Mainland and overseas enterprises and education institutions to enhance students’ competitiveness in employability.
Among others, as the largest VPET provider in Hong Kong, the VTC has been proactively promoting collaboration with the Chinese Mainland in areas including student admission and employment, education and training, as well as teacher and student exchanges, and has established partnerships with over 110 Chinese Mainland Government departments, education institutions and organisations. To facilitate cross‑boundary learning and development, the VTC also encourages students to pursue dual award collaborative programmes in the Chinese Mainland and at the same time provides a comprehensive articulation pathway to attract Chinese Mainland students to enrol in VTC’s programmes in Hong Kong. In addition, the VTC has established the Vocational and Professional Education Services (Shenzhen) Company Limited in Shenzhen to strengthen institution‑enterprise collaboration, promote student internships and innovation and technology training, and support teachers and students in participating in study tours, exchange programmes and skills competitions, with a view to further enhancing connection with the Chinese Mainland industries. In addition, the VTC has established collaboration with various overseas VPET organisations and institutions to promote students’ participation in diversified outbound activities. These include student exchange programmes, semester-based overseas studies and industrial attachments across a wide range of overseas destinations, such as Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
To further enrich students’ learning experience, the VTC has also invited scholars and industry practitioners from the Chinese Mainland and overseas to visit Hong Kong to share the latest industry developments, including emerging trends, practical insights and professional expertise through thematic seminars and interactive workshops, thereby enhancing students’ employability in the Chinese Mainland and overseas.
(4) The Education Bureau (EDB) has always attached importance to promoting co-operation between local post-secondary institutions and institutions from the Chinese Mainland and overseas. The EDB encourages institutions to establish partnerships with high-quality post-secondary education institutions around the world on a mutually beneficial basis, including the joint delivery of cross-border programmes, with a view to facilitating student exchanges and enhancing the quality of teaching. Post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong will negotiate and agree on specific programme arrangements with overseas institutions in accordance with their academic development strategies and curriculum design through establishing various forms of co-operation including student exchange programmes and operating dual-degree programmes, providing students with diverse learning opportunities. The EDB will continue to maintain communication with relevant Government departments and organisations from the Chinese Mainland and overseas and provide support measures (e.g. the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong and the UGC’s funding in the 2022-25 triennium for the Heads of Universities Committee’s Standing Committee on Internationalisation jointly set up by the eight UGC-funded universities), with a view to supporting institutions in expanding their international networks to promote Hong Kong’s strengths as an international post-secondary education hub to their partners from the Chinese Mainland and abroad, and to jointly exploring models for cross-regional co-operation and areas for exchange, thereby laying a solid foundation for continuously enhancing international collaboration and promoting broader academic co-operation among institutions.
LCQ21: Nutrition labelling scheme for packaged food
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
Under the existing Nutrition Labelling Scheme (the Scheme), prepackaged food products are required to label the energy and seven core nutrients (i.e. total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sugars, sodium, protein and carbohydrates) “per package” or “per serving”. It has been more than 15 years since the Scheme was fully implemented in 2010. In recent years, there have been notable changes in the dietary pattern of the public and the types of prepackaged food products, and cases of discrepancies between nutrition labels and actual ingredients have aroused public concern about the effectiveness of the Scheme and the monitoring work. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
LCQ8: Building Hong Kong into international gold trading centre
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ8: Building Hong Kong into international gold trading centre
Question:
The Government is committed to establishing Hong Kong as an international centre for gold trading, storage, clearing and risk management, and has already made substantive progress. According to statistics from the World Gold Council, central banks worldwide purchased a total of 863 tonnes of gold last year, with the People’s Bank of China being one of the world’s leading buyers. There are views that, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong is an ideal place for developing an international gold trading centre. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that the Hong Kong central clearing system for gold which is managed by the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited wholly owned by the Government is scheduled to commence its trial operation within this year, of the current development of the system (including whether a systematic mode of operation, regulatory framework, risk management arrangements and interface mechanisms with existing financial market infrastructure have been established); whether the authorities will conduct industry consultations prior to the trial operation to ensure the robustness of the system and its broad connectivity with market participants;
(2) given that the Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Shenzhen Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau to jointly build a regional gold ecosystem and lay a foundation for further co-operation in processing trade between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, whether the authorities have set specific phased targets for building the ecosystem, such as gold trading volume, storage utilisation rates and the value of processing trade;
(3) regarding the promotion of the mutual access with the Mainland’s gold market, apart from Shenzhen and Shanghai, whether the Government will consider establishing similar collaboration mechanisms with other major gold producers or consumers and strengthening efforts through the Mainland Offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to promote Hong Kong’s gold storage, clearing and risk management services to relevant enterprises; and
(4) whether it will actively explore with Mainland Customs and tax authorities, with the aim of achieving a storage capacity of 2 000 tonnes within three years, suitably relaxing the declaration limits for Mainland visitors bringing gold products for personal use into Hong Kong, for example, by raising the current 50-gram limit or simplifying the tax collection process for amounts exceeding the limit, so as to promote the development of Hong Kong’s gold retail market?
Reply:
President,
Against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical uncertainties, persistent inflationary pressures and restructuring of the international monetary system, the Government is actively promoting the development of Hong Kong as an international gold trading centre to attract the storage, clearing and delivery of gold in Hong Kong and drive the development of relevant industry chain including investment trading, derivatives, insurance, storage, trade and logistics services, with a view to diversifying international financial business and further consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.
In consultation with the Security Bureau, the reply to the four parts of the question is as follows:
(1) The Hong Kong central clearing system for gold (the Clearing System) being established by the Government aims to provide efficient and reliable clearing services for gold transactions that meet international standards, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of gold trading and physical delivery in Hong Kong. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) has established the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited (PMCC), a wholly government-owned company, to serve as the governance body of the Clearing System. The Board of the PMCC comprises representatives from the Shanghai Gold Exchange, regulators and 11 banks to fully incorporate the feedback from various segments of the market. Members of the Board possess profound knowledge of international financial markets and extensive experience in the financial industry, providing valuable insights in areas such as system operation, regulation and risk management when jointly formulating the governance framework and rules of the Clearing System. Apart from the Board, the FSTB has also consulted industry stakeholders on system operation when establishing the Clearing System.
Preparation for the operation of the Clearing System has entered its final stage. We plan to commence trial operation within this year to further understand and analyse the actual operation in the industry to ensure that the services of the Clearing System remain attractive and are operationally stable, thereby attracting more Mainland and international investors and users to choose Hong Kong as the preferred hub for clearing and delivery.
(2) and (3) To attract more gold to be stored, cleared and delivered in Hong Kong and to build a comprehensive gold trading ecosystem, the Government has set a clear target for expansion of storage capacity. By encouraging the Airport Authority Hong Kong and financial institutions to expand gold storage capacity in Hong Kong, we have set a target of achieving over 2 000 tonnes within three years to propel Hong Kong into a regional gold reserve hub. The Government is also actively encouraging gold traders to establish or expand refineries in Hong Kong. Invest Hong Kong and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises have been working with relevant bureaux and departments to provide appropriate support to these enterprises, including assistance in identifying suitable factory and storage sites as well as providing relevant information and guidance. Several enterprises that are qualified to refine gold to international standards have already expressed interest in expanding into the Hong Kong market.
The outline of the National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong in developing a commodity trading ecosystem. Under the national strategic direction of accelerating the development of a financial powerhouse, the Government is actively leveraging the unique advantages of “one country, two systems” to contribute to the national strategic development, using the gold market as an entry point. The FSTB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Shenzhen Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau and a co-operation agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange respectively to prepare for future mutual market access with the Chinese Mainland to build an integrated gold ecosystem, thereby enhancing the international influence of Renminbi in gold pricing and trading. The MOU signed with Shenzhen covers support for collaboration between Hong Kong gold traders and qualified refining enterprises in Shenzhen on processing trade, with a view to leveraging Shenzhen’s refining capacity of international standard to refine gold for export to Hong Kong for trading and delivery purposes to expand the scale of Hong Kong’s gold market. The FSTB is working with the relevant Mainland authorities to finalise the implementation details. Specific measures will be announced in due course.
At the same time, the Government is also committed to deepening co-operation with Belt and Road countries and other international market participants, promoting Hong Kong’s gold storage, clearing and risk management services through overseas visits, organising events, and exploring the signing of co-operation agreements. For instance, during his earlier attendance to the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Uzbekistan, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury took the opportunity to introduce the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong’s gold market to participating finance ministers and central bank representatives. We will also make good use of the network of our Economic and Trade Offices in the Mainland and overseas to promote Hong Kong’s direction and specific measures for gold market development.
(4) At present, Hong Kong does not impose any customs duty or import/export control on passengers bringing gold products into/out of Hong Kong. The Government will, in response to market demand and when necessary, explore with the relevant Mainland authorities the feasibility of providing more convenient arrangements for passengers, with a view to promoting the development of Hong Kong’s retail gold market.
Issued at HKT 11:45
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LCQ7: Cost management and control for railway works
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Question:(2) of the measures adopted by the Government for the railway works projects mentioned in part (1) to control works costs and enhance the efficiency of railway construction; and
(3) how the Government will communicate and coordinate with Mainland departments in respect of railway works projects connecting with the Mainland (particularly the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) and the Northern Link Spur Line projects), so as to foster cost reduction and efficiency enhancement in local railway works?
LCQ9: Measures to promote sustainable development in catering industry
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Jonathan Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
Question:
LCQ22: Pet cremation services
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Chun-ying and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
Question:
It is learnt that the demand for pet hospice services is growing day by day. Given that the Government currently has no plans to establish a licensing regime for operators of pet hospice services, nor does it provide pet cremation services, most pet owners choose to entrust private organisations with the handling of their pets’ after-death arrangements, resulting in the rapid development of the relevant industry. As the cremation of animals in ordinary industrial buildings (IBs) constitutes breaches of land leases, owners intending to set up cremation facilities and provide pet funeral services in ordinary IB units must apply to the Lands Department for an amendment to lease conditions or exemption from the relevant use restrictions, which may require applying to the Town Planning Board for a change of statutory planning use or planning permission. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of applications received, approved and rejected by the relevant departments in each of the past three years concerning the amendment to lease conditions or exemption from restrictions for the setting up of pet cremation facilities in IBs;
(2) regarding the setting up of cremation facilities in IBs to provide pet funeral services, whether the relevant departments have considered streamlining the application procedures for amending lease conditions or exempting from restrictions, and providing guidelines on the application procedures; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) regarding operators of pet hospice services who have not applied for the setting up of pet cremation facilities in IBs, whether the authorities have grasped the numbers of their companies or facilities, as well as the locations thereof (e.g. IBs, brownfield sites, shopping centres and commercial buildings); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Currently, various government departments regulate pet cremation operating premises in accordance with applicable legislations or the terms of the land leases. For example, upon receipt of complaints about these premises causing sanitary nuisance, environmental pollution, fire hazard or breach of terms of the land lease, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Fire Services Department or the Lands Department (LandsD) will carry out inspections and take enforcement actions as necessary.
Having consulted the Development Bureau and the Security Bureau, the reply to the question from the Hon Chan Chun-ying is as follows:
(1) and (2) Generally, the leases of industrial buildings specify that the lot shall be used only for industrial and/or godown purposes. If an owner intends to install a cremation facility in an industrial building unit to provide pet cremation services, the owner must apply to the LandsD to modify the lease terms or waive the relevant user restrictions. In the past three years, the LandsD received only one waiver application in 2023 for the installation of pet cremation facility in an industrial building. As the application failed to meet the statutory land use zoning requirement, the LandsD rejected the application in 2024.
“Pet cremation facilities” is currently not under any existing categories of use in statutory town plans. Interested operators may submit an application to the Town Planning Board in accordance with section 12A of the Town Planning Ordinance to rezone a certain statutory planning use to a designated use for “pet cremation facilities”, or submit an application for planning approval in accordance with section 16 under appropriate circumstances if said “pet cremation facilities” are for temporary use only. If any person applies to the LandsD for modifying lease terms or waivers to install cremation facilities in industrial buildings to provide pet cremation services, upon receiving the application, the LandsD will examine whether the application meets the statutory land use zoning requirement, and will consult the relevant policy bureaux and/or departments to ascertain whether it receives policy support and complies with other laws and regulations, before considering whether to approve the application. Details can be found on the LandsD’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/land-disposal-transaction/land-transaction.html) or by contacting the District Lands Offices.
(3) Upon receipt of complaints regarding pet cremation operating premises or applications from operators on specific facilities and land leases, various government departments will follow up in accordance with their respective areas of responsibility. The Government does not maintain statistical data on the total number or locations of such facilities.
LCQ15: Sea-crossing bridge project at Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is a question by the Hon Yang Wing-kit and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
Question:
In its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the 6th of this month, the Government stated that it is studying the construction of a bridge across the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter to provide a direct linkage between the former Kai Tak runway area and Kwun Tong, thereby improving the external transportation connectivity of the former runway area, and is also exploring the option of adding vehicular lanes on the bridge. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the preliminary timetable and the scope of works for taking forward the aforesaid project;
(2) whether the Government will consider reserving space in the aforesaid project to allow the route of the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in Kai Tak to be extended to Kwun Tong, so as to meet long-term transport development needs; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether it will take into account the future need to hold major sporting events (e.g. a harbourfront marathon) when designing the aforesaid project, so as to reserve space for staging such events and providing related facilities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Government has been actively enhancing the overall transport network in Kowloon East, including the Kai Tak Development Area, to better meet the travel needs of the public. Among them, the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) was completed in 2025, while the Central Kowloon Bypass (Kowloon Bay Section) will soon be commissioned, significantly strengthening the connectivity of major transport corridors. On the other hand, the Government is pressing ahead with the Smart and Green Mass Transit System project in Kai Tak (Kai Tak Project), which serves as a light and green feeder service to the nearby railway station within the area to strengthen connections among the residential and commercial developments, facilities focused on tourism, culture and recreation, sports and the community within the area, as well as the connection with the railway network. Meanwhile, the Development Bureau (DEVB) is implementing a range of measures, including the construction of elevated walkways, to improve pedestrian accessibility and safety. Furthermore, the Government is studying the construction of a bridge across the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter (KTTS) to provide a direct linkage between the former Kai Tak runway area and Kwun Tong, thereby enhancing the external transportation connectivity of the former runway area.
In response to the Hon Yang Wing-kit’s question, after consulting the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the reply is set out below:
(1) Regarding the proposed bridge across the KTTS, the DEVB originally proposed constructing a pedestrian and cyclist bridge with travellators, of approximately 600 metres in length, to enhance the connectivity and accessibility between the former Kai Tak runway area and the Kwun Tong Promenade in a more environmentally friendly approach. In response to public views, the Government is now exploring the feasibility of incorporating vehicular access into the design. The ongoing study will assess the technical viability of different options, including the alignment of the bridge and the connection points at both ends. The study will also be co-ordinated with the latest planning circumstances of the Kai Tak Development Area and its related transport infrastructure. Upon formulating feasible proposals, we will strive to consult relevant stakeholders and invite their views next year.
(2) To ensure the early completion of the Kai Tak Project, the Government will take forward the project based on the current alignment running along the former Kai Tak runway area with the termini connecting to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the existing MTR Kai Tak Station, with a view to commencing construction works as soon as possible. After finalising the system and design adopted for the basic alignment of the Kai Tak Project, the Government will review the technical and financial feasibility of extending the system to other areas, such as Kwun Tong, in the future, and co-ordinate with the bridge project across the KTTS.
(3) The waterfront of the KTTS has been developed into a continuous promenade, parks, and event spaces, complemented by diversified recreational and public facilities. With the progressive implementation of works to connect the promenade and further enhance the waterfront sites, various organisations have successfully held a wide range of activities along the KTTS waterfront in recent years. While the DEVB has been developing high-quality waterfront spaces in Kowloon East for public enjoyment, it has also focused on providing ancillary facilities to transform the waterfront into a vibrant and dynamic public space, offering locals and visitors a more diverse and unique experience, valuing both quality and quantity. To encourage and facilitate diversified activities organised by various organisations so as to introduce new waterfront experiences to the public, the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) is committed to establishing direct communication channels between event organisers and relevant Government departments, with a view to continuously co-ordinating and streamlining the detailed arrangements of activities. Looking ahead, if events are planned to take place at the proposed bridge across the KTTS (such as a waterfront marathon), the EKEO will also provide assistance to the organisers to ensure smooth implementation and effective co-ordination.
LCQ3: Promoting engagement in philanthropy by family offices and enterprises
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is a question by the Hon Grace Chan and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
Question:
In recent years, “venture philanthropy” and impact investing have gradually emerged as new forms of philanthropic and social investments, and last year’s Policy Address also proposed to encourage family offices to implement projects that benefited the disadvantaged groups. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) apart from tax deductions for charitable donations, whether the Government will consider providing tax concessions for enterprises or family offices that engage in philanthropy in other forms (e.g. venture philanthropy, investment in social enterprises or impact investing); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) apart from the “Co-build a Caring Society Funding Scheme” proposed in last year’s Policy Address, of the specific measures put in place by the Government to promote engagement in philanthropy by family offices and assist them in connecting with local charitable institutions; if it has not formulated or has no plan to introduce relevant measures, of the reasons for that; and
(3) as there are views that issues on “environmental, social and governance” are gaining increasing attention from the business sector, whether the Government will step up efforts to promote diversified philanthropic models relating to social services, such as impact investing and venture philanthropy, as well as relevant talent training; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
There is no standardised definition in society for “venture philanthropy” and impact investing. According to a relevant research report by the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) in 2024, impact investing is a form of sustainable investing that integrates social and environmental good alongside investment returns as priorities, with a dual focus on financial return and impact being its key feature. To support the development of different philanthropic models, the Government has all along implemented a range of measures, including providing tax exemption to eligible charitable organisations, facilitating the deployment of charitable capital in Hong Kong through relevant tax arrangements, promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration to strengthen the social support system for vulnerable groups, supporting social entrepreneurs to address social needs through innovative solutions, etc, thereby strengthening social cohesion. Regarding the three parts of the question, in consultation with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Digital Policy Office, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy (HKAWL) under the FSDC, the reply is as follows.
(1) Under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO), charitable institutions are exempt from profits tax (i.e. tax-exempt charitable institutions) subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions in relation to the trade or business carried on by them. To qualify as a tax-exempt charitable institution, the object of the institution must be a solely charitable purpose at law, and the institution must be established for public benefit. To facilitate charitable institutions’ application for tax exemption pursuant to section 88 of the IRO, the IRD launched a standard application form and issued guidelines on the drafting of charitable objects in June 2023, so as to assist institutions in preparing compliant application materials, thereby shortening the time required by the IRD to process the applications. Charitable donations made by a taxpayer (including family offices (FOs), as well as companies which engage in “venture philanthropy” and impact investing) to any tax-exempt charitable institution (i.e. approved charitable donations) are deductible from the assessable profits under profits tax, net assessable income under salaries tax, or total income under personal assessment for a year of assessment, provided that the aggregate amount is not less than $100. The total deduction allowable in any year cannot exceed 35 per cent of the donor’s assessable profits or income.
On the other hand, to facilitate the deployment of charitable capital in Hong Kong by global asset owners, FOs and philanthropists, the Government has introduced relevant tax arrangements, such as allowing exempt charitable organisations to hold up to 25 per cent beneficial interest in eligible single FOs and/or their family-owned investment holding vehicles (FIHVs) under the existing concessionary tax regime for FIHVs. The Government also proposes to broaden the definition of “fund” under the unified tax regime for funds to include endowment funds, so as to facilitate these funds to utilise the tax exemption regime.
(2) and (3) The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau issued the Policy Statement on Developing Family Office Businesses in Hong Kong in March 2023, setting out the policy stance and measures on developing a vibrant ecosystem for global FOs and asset owners. Among the measures is the HKAWL established under the FSDC, which provides a platform for collaboration, networking, knowledge sharing and talent development for asset owners, wealth inheritors and the FO sector. The HKAWL launched its flagship philanthropic initiative, Impact Link, in March 2024 and has since organised 17 workshops and seminars for over 700 family participants to encourage them to explore and develop philanthropic initiatives. In June 2025, the HKAWL further introduced the Impact Link Online Portal, a dedicated depository platform for invited family philanthropists to discover scalable impact investing initiatives in Hong Kong and other regions. As of end-March 2026, the portal has been joined by 55 family philanthropists, which altogether nominated 12 non-governmental organisations and charitable projects.
On social welfare, the Government actively fosters tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community. Under the policy guidance of the Government, the business sector offers support in terms of funding, premises, technology and talent, while non-governmental organisations contribute their strengths in frontline insights, service experience and district networks, jointly promoting and implementing service projects, and to work together to build a more diverse, pluralistic and sustainable social support system. Over the past few years, the Government has launched targeted poverty alleviation schemes under the above collaboration model, including the Strive and Rise Programme, the Pilot Programme on Community Living Room and the School-based After School Care Service Scheme. These projects have achieved remarkable results, reflecting an organic integration of “a capable government” and market forces, and have enabled philanthropic resources in society to generate greater benefits. The Government will continue to support vulnerable groups through the tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, including establishing a platform to encourage FOs involved in philanthropic endeavours to provide resources for implementing projects that benefit disadvantaged groups.
In addition, the Government launched the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) in 2013, aiming to connect different sectors of the community, including businesses, non-governmental organisations, academics, philanthropies, etc to address poverty and social exclusion as well as foster the well-being and cohesion of society through innovative solutions. The SIE Fund supports the entire life cycle of innovative ventures, from supporting idea incubation, providing seed funding for implementing prototype and start-up projects, to assisting their eventual scale-up. The ultimate goal is to foster the development of the social innovation ecosystem where social entrepreneurs can thrive and potential talents can be unleashed to develop innovative ideas, products and services that can effectively meet social needs. With a total allocation of $1 billion, around $800 million has been earmarked or allocated to take forward various initiatives since its establishment. The SIE Fund has funded 755 projects, benefitting around 600 000 people in need. To optimise the use of resources and operations, the SIE Fund has appointed a consultant to conduct a strategic review on its funding mechanism and operational approach. The review will be completed by end-2026.
Thank you, President.
Provision of liquefied petroleum gas fuel subsidy to take effect from May 31 for two months
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Inter-departmental Task Force on Monitoring Fuel Supply today (May 27) announced that the Government will provide a fuel subsidy of HK$0.5 per litre of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for taxis, public light buses and school private light buses starting from 0.00am on May 31 (Sunday). The temporary measure will last for two months until 11.59pm on July 30 (Thursday).
A Government spokesman said that the temporary measure aims to alleviate the operating costs of local passenger transport commercial vehicles which primarily use LPG as fuel (namely taxis, public light buses and school private light buses (commonly known as nanny vans)), and reduce the pressure for fare increases. It is expected that about 16 900 LPG (including LPG-hybrid) taxis, about 3 440 LPG public light buses (including green minibuses and red minibuses), and about 170 LPG school private light buses would benefit from the fuel subsidy.
To provide the LPG subsidy in a simple and direct manner, oil companies will offer a discount of HK$0.5 per litre of LPG at all 66 LPG filling stations across the territory (including 12 dedicated LPG stations) for all LPG (including LPG-hybrid) taxis, public light buses and school private light buses. No registration or application is required. In order to ensure proper use of public funds, the Government has signed agreements with six oil companies (namely Sinopec, ExxonMobil, Shell, PetroChina, Chevron (Caltex), and Feoso), under which responsibilities and terms have been set out on the arrangements of implementing the LPG subsidy. These arrangements include the Government’s reimbursement to designated oil companies for the actual amount of subsidies provided; the requirement for these oil companies to maintain complete and accurate books and records; the requirement to submit reports to the Government every week, as well as the auditing arrangements upon the completion of the subsidy period. The Transport Department (TD) has steered the oil companies in completing the necessary system enhancements and testing to ensure smooth implementation.
The TD will conduct publicity from today onwards, including displaying posters at LPG filling stations and TD licensing offices. Leaflets will be distributed at major taxi stands, public light bus stands and all dedicated LPG stations across the territory to inform frontline drivers of the subsidy details. Details of the LPG subsidy will also be published on the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the HKeMobility mobile app, and notifications issued by the TD to the relevant trades.