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LCQ3: Impact of rising fuel surcharges on air cargo industry

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by Dr the Hon Chan Han-pan and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):

Question:

Some members of the industry have relayed that, given the Government’s implementation of cargo fuel surcharge (CFS) liberalisation last year, followed by significant increase in CFS of certain airlines this year, they are concerned that the rising operating costs may undermine the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s air cargo industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether the Government has monitored and assessed the changes in the levels of CFS levied on cargo routes originating from Hong Kong since implementation of the liberalisation; of the measures put in place by the Government in response to the significant increases in CFS to stabilise the costs of air cargo services in Hong Kong, and whether it will step up monitoring efforts and require airlines to enhance the transparency of their CFS adjustment mechanisms, including disclosure of the basis for determining the levels of CFS;

(2) whether it has assessed the actual impact of rising costs of air cargo services on the air cargo throughput and competitiveness of the Hong Kong International Airport; of the specific measures in place to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international air cargo hub and the international gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; and

(3) whether the Government will introduce targeted support measures or re-launch appropriate measures to regulate CFS as an effort to alleviate the cost pressures faced by the industry (particularly small and medium sized freight forwarders and cross-border e-commerce logistics service providers), as well as establish mechanisms and maintain communication with the industry to regularly review the cost structures of Hong Kong’s air cargo industry?

Reply:

President,

In response to the impact of the Middle East situation and aviation fuel prices on airlines and the cargo industry, the Government has maintained close communication with the industry, responded promptly to their concerns, and facilitated the industry in turning challenges into opportunities by exploring new cargo potential and reinforcing Hong Kong’s leading position in air cargo.

My reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon Chan is as follows:

(1) Over the past two months, the Government has held multiple meetings with local airlines and arranged two joint meetings between local airlines and the cargo industry to better understand the situation and urge local airlines to strengthen communication with the trade. As aviation fuel prices have eased slightly recently, several local airlines have made two rounds of downward adjustments to their cargo fuel surcharges (CFS). Local airlines have also introduced a new medium haul category for CFS to respond more flexibly to market demand. The Government will continue to closely monitor adjustments to fuel surcharges to ensure the process remains reasonable and transparent.

(2) Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) retained its position as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2025, handling 5.07 million tonnes of cargo, marking its 15th time topping the global ranking since 2010. HKIA boasts a robust network of airlines and destinations. Currently served by approximately 140 airlines, it connects to some 220 destinations worldwide, providing competitive capacity and service support for Hong Kong’s air cargo industry.

Hong Kong’s flight approval process is efficient and transparent, enabling airlines to flexibly adjust capacity to meet sudden surges in passenger and cargo demand arising from the Middle East situation. Since early March 2026, the Civil Aviation Department has approved about 820 additional flight applications and expedited the processing of around 4 100 flight adjustment applications. We are actively engaging airlines to encourage them to deploy extra cargo capacity to connect HKIA with destinations currently experiencing service shortfalls due to the Middle East situation. In fact, as of April this year, HKIA recorded 1.63 million tonnes of cargo throughput, representing a 3.7 per cent year-over-year increase, while cargo flight movements rose by 3.2 per cent, i.e. approximately 25 000 additional movements, compared with the same period last year.

To further expand the air cargo network, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) launched the Freighter Network Development Programme in March 2026, offering financial incentives to encourage cargo airlines to increase their freighter services at HKIA, thereby enhancing cargo connectivity and network resilience. The programme is expected to boost freighter flight frequencies by more than 15 per cent.

In terms of regional collaboration, the AA is strengthening logistics co-operation in the Greater Bay Area and facilitating cross-boundary intermodal cargo transshipment. Through the innovative HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park project, we are enhancing connectivity between HKIA and manufacturing and logistics hinterland in the Greater Bay Area via sea-air intermodal transshipment. Upon full operation of the logistics park, operating costs are expected to be reduced by around 50 per cent, while cargo processing time can be shortened by approximately one-third. To further facilitate cargo transshipment, the Government will amend the relevant legislation within this year to extend the current arrangements under the Air Transshipment Cargo Exemption Scheme to cover other intermodal transshipment modes, including sea-to-air transshipment.

In addition, the AA has been actively promoting smart development and spearheading the digitalisation of the air cargo supply chain. The one-stop digital platforms HKIA Cargo and HKIA Cargo Connect, managed by the AA, provide an innovative, smart and interconnected digital ecosystem for the industry. More than 50 per cent of Hong Kong’s import and export cargo volume is now handled through these platforms, improving operational efficiency and helping companies explore new business and partnership opportunities.

(3) Airlines can now decide whether to impose fuel surcharges and at what level for flights departing from Hong Kong. To ensure transparency, airlines have published on their websites or on the AA’s digital platform HKIA Cargo the maximum CFS levels applicable to flights departing from Hong Kong as required.

In response to the recent downward adjustment in fuel prices, local airlines have correspondingly lowered their CFS, demonstrating that the existing mechanism provides sufficient flexibility for local airlines to make appropriate adjustments according to market conditions. At the same time, the Government’s recent diesel subsidy and tunnel toll waiver have also helped relieve pressure on the local cargo and logistics sector arising from rising operating costs. The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Thank you, President.

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LCQ18: Protecting children from sexual abuse

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Elizabeth Quat and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
 
Question:
 
     In recent years, cases of sexual abuse against children have aroused public concern. There are views that the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet technology is exposing children to more porn traps, while cases of persistent sexual abuse involving children are also encountering difficulties in terms of evidence collection and conviction. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the respective numbers of cases among the cases of sexual abuse against children in the past three years involving social media or online pornographic materials, and AI deepfake technology;
 
(2) of the measures put in place by the Government to prevent children from accessing online pornographic materials; whether it will draw reference from overseas experience and study regulating children’s use of social media; and
 
(3) given that child victims in sexual abuse cases often have immature mental development and cognitive abilities and do not know how to seek help in a timely manner, and that in cases involving long-term or repeated abuse, young victims usually have difficulty in accurately recalling and describing all the case details, resulting in difficulties in evidence collection, whether the Government will study amending the legislation or introducing targeted measures in view of such circumstances; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government attaches great importance to the welfare of children, and has been striving to protect children from various kinds of harm, combat sexual offences against children and foster the healthy growth of children. The Government protects children through enforcement, promotion and education, and enhancement of protection under the law. In consultation with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Health Bureau, the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Department of Justice (DoJ), the reply to the Member’s question is provided as follows:
 
(1) The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) recorded 2 156 child sexual abuse cases in the past three years.

     In view of the gravity of child abuse cases related to online child sexual grooming, the HKPF systematically maintains related figures starting from 2025 to provide an evidential basis for formulating more effective strategies to address the problem. Online child sexual grooming cases involve sex offenders aged 18 or above getting to know victims aged under 17 through the Internet (via channels such as communication applications, social media platforms and mobile game applications), with an aim to sexually abuse the victim. A total of 100 cases related to online child sexual grooming were recorded in 2025. Forty cases were recorded in the first four months of 2026.
 
(2) To prevent children from accessing online pornographic materials, the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration (OFNAA) has been implementing publicity and education measures to enhance the understanding of the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance (Cap. 390) among children and young people, develop the concept of proper use of the Internet, and encourage relevant stakeholders to help them use the Internet wisely. Apart from continuing to organise programmes such as the “Healthy Information Student Ambassadors Scheme”, the “Healthy Student Video Contest”, and seminars in schools, etc, OFNAA introduced in-school mobile promotion stations in the 2025/26 school year to further promote the concept of rejecting harmful information in primary and secondary schools through interactive games, case sharing, role play, quiz competitions and exhibitions, etc. A total of 20 sessions of the relevant programme were held as of February 2026, reaching about 4 000 participants in total. In addition, OFNAA arranged about 100 roving drama performances for schools and eight roving exhibitions at different shopping malls and Government premises, promoting the relevant message to primary and secondary students as well as all sectors of the community respectively. 
 
     OFNAA has also strengthened inter-departmental and inter-organisational collaboration, working with the Education Bureau, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the HKPF, the Customs and Excise Department, and the Immigration Department, etc, in organising multiple talks on “Wise Use of Internet” for different stakeholders including children and young people, parents, teaching staff and the public. The talks involve sharing on common online pitfalls to help them develop proper values while deepening their understanding of Cap. 390.
 
     The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address also announced that the Department of Health would update the relevant guidelines to mitigate the impact of social media on the health of children and adolescents. The Advisory Group on Health Effects of Screen and Social Media Use for Children and Adolescents was established in October 2025 and is currently reviewing the latest scientific evidence as well as the relevant development and experiences in other countries and regions while consolidating expert opinions, with a view to issuing updated health recommendations on the use of electronic screens and social media by children and adolescents within 2026. 
     To support child victims who testify against perpetrators, and reduce their stress and secondary damages in criminal proceedings, the HKPF, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Judiciary adopt special measures in the collection of evidence and during court hearings (such as arranging children to give evidence through video-recorded interviews conducted in a comfortable home-like environment by specially trained personnel, allowing children to testify by means of a live television link in the company of trained witness-support persons, and the Courts granting anonymity orders to protect the privacy of victims). Furthermore, the HKPF established the Vulnerable Witness and Child Protection Task Force jointly with the DoJ and the SWD in 2022 to speed up and improve the evidence collection, prosecution and follow-up work. In the same year, the HKPF also established the Vulnerable Witness Support Cadre to assist child victims through 250 professionally-trained members. These measures effectively support child victims in testifying against the perpetrators in sexual abuse cases, in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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LCQ15: Bus route rationalisation

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hok-fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
      
 Question:

     In response to the continuous expansion of the land transport network, franchised bus companies implement bus route rationalisation plans from time to time, including cancellation and amalgamation of routes. Some members of the public have complained to me that franchised bus companies disregard the needs of passengers and use bus route rationalisation as a means to maximise profits. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

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LCQ19: Visual fire alarm system

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Tang Ka-piu and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
 
Question:

     It is learnt that the fire alarm systems currently used in residential buildings in Hong Kong are primarily audible ones, while visual fire alarm systems (visual alarm systems) are mainly used in common areas rather than installed in units. There are views that in the event of a fire, persons with hearing impairment will miss the opportunity to escape because they are unable to notice audible alarms, which will even endanger their lives. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: 
President,

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Film Archive to present screening programme “Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Film Archive to present screening programme “Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time”  
     “Journey to the West” is a well-known fantasy novel about the adventures of a master and his disciples who defeat and vanquish demons and monsters. By blending cautionary philosophies with meticulous characterisations, it established its own distinct style which inspired countless film productions. From monk Xuanzang’s real-life epic journey, to the gods and demons depicted by a Ming dynasty novelist, and waves of film adaptations in post-war Hong Kong, this Chinese cultural gem remains engaging and inspiring to this day through constant dialogue and innovations across time.
 
     The opening screening will feature the HKFA’s newly 4K digitally restored versions of “A Chinese Odyssey Part One – Pandora’s Box” (1995) and “A Chinese Odyssey Part Two – Cinderella” (1995). Departing from the original novel, the film focuses on the plight of the Monkey King, played by Stephen Chow, becoming a bandit after reincarnation and his emotional attachments under the vivid imagination of director and screenwriter Jeff Lau. Amidst Chow’s brilliant comedic performance, the Monkey King is embroiled in a doomed romance that pulls at the heartstrings, making the films an enduring legend in Hong Kong comedy cinema.
 
     “The Monkey Goes West” (1966) and “Princess Iron Fan” (1966) by the Shaw Brothers showcase the prowess of major film studios at the time with gorgeous costumes, meticulous set designs and intensive special effects. “The Monkey Goes West” follows the encounters between the Monkey King, his master and fellow apprentices and the White Dragon Horse on their westward journey to seek sacred scriptures, while “Princess Iron Fan” tells the stories of the Monkey King putting out the flames of the Fiery Mountains and his fights against the White Bone Demons to rescue his master. As fine specimens of how a literary classic is reimagined as intriguing fantasies with songs and dance in the 1960s, the Monkey King, played by Elliot Yueh, sings songs in the style of huangmei diao in “The Monkey Goes West”, while in “Princess Iron Fan”, the brilliant fighting scenes of the White Bone Demons, played by emerging actresses Cheng Pei-pei and Lily Ho, are interspersed with songs and dances.
 
     In “The Monkey King” (2014), directed by Soi Cheang, the unique Hong Kong-style action design is buttressed by advanced computer-generated imagery. The story also adds a layer of sincerity and an innocent pursuit of freedom to the classic character of the Monkey King, played by action star Donnie Yen, highlighting the spree of oppressions by the celestial gatekeeper before the Monkey King wreaks havoc and breaks through the gate. In “The Monkey King 2” (2016), the costume design and special effects of the White Bone Demon, played by Gong Li, exude feminine grace and allure with stunning glamour. The film also adds a tragic backstory that drives the White Bone Demon to villainy with infernal determination, breathing modern sensibility into the traditional tale.
 
     The screening times of the three pairs of film are as follows:
 

First pairThe Hall, EKCCCinema, HKFACinema, HKFA     Tickets for screenings at the EKCC priced at $70 and those for screenings at the HKFA priced at $60 will be available from May 22 (Friday) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk 
     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 will be held from June to September. It will host various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visit www.ccf.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:45

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Public Service Commission (Investigation) Regulation to be gazetted on Friday

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Public Service Commission (Investigation) Regulation to be gazetted on Friday      
     The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address announced the establishment of the Heads of Department Accountability System (HoD Accountability System), which aims to strengthen departmental execution capacity and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the departments’ work by clearly spelling out and institutionalising that Heads of Departments (HoDs) have to be accountable for their departments’ work, as well as the introduction of a new two-tier investigation mechanism, which will enhance the credibility of the investigation process and result.
      
     If a problem occurs in the Government and the problem is serious, or is a widespread or repetitive, systemic one, or there are indications that the relevant HoD or permanent secretary of the policy bureau concerned is implicated in the problem, a Tier II investigation may be activated. The investigation will be activated based on the problem identified, and the investigation will cover all personnel involved in the relevant problem, irrespective of their ranks.
      
     The main provisions of the Regulation set out the conditions for the Government’s referral of problems to the PSC for investigation; provide that the PSC must conduct an investigation on referral; provide for the formation of the Investigation Team, its investigative functions and proceedings; and set out that the Investigation Team must prepare and submit a report to the Government upon completion of the investigation.
 
     A spokesperson for the Civil Service Bureau said today (May 20), “Under the leadership of the Chief Executive, we have established a result-oriented Government. At the same time, we have been fostering a culture within the civil service characterised by proactiveness, responsibility, loyalty and dedication. The Administrative Responsibility Two-tier Investigation Mechanism aims to investigate into the cause(s) of the problem and identify the party(ies) to be responsible for the problem should a problem arise in any area of government work.”
      
     “The PSC is an independent statutory advisory body comprising members with diverse professional backgrounds; entrusting it with the conduct of the Tier II investigations would enhance the credibility of the investigations,” the spokesman added.
      
     The Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on May 27. Subject to the completion of the legislative procedures, the Regulation will come into effect on July 17, 2026.
Issued at HKT 17:23

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LCQ16: Regulation of Basic Housing Units and operation of transitional housing

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Grace Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
 
Question:

     It has been reported that since the Basic Housing Units Ordinance (Cap. 658) came into effect on March 1, 2026, quite a number of tenants of subdivided units (SDUs) in residential buildings have been requested by their landlords to move out. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has assessed the number of households residing in SDUs and the number of Notices of Tenancy involving SDUs endorsed by the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) in each of the past three years; of the enforcement actions taken by the Government against SDU landlords who failed to submit a Notice of Tenancy to the RVD, as well as the number of landlords who have been prosecuted and the number of SDUs involved in the relevant enforcement actions, in each of the past three years, together with a tabulated breakdown;
 
(2) of the respective numbers of application forms for verification of Category C tenants of transitional housing (TH) submitted by SDU households that were received by the six Subdivided Unit District Service Teams (DSTs) commissioned by the Housing Bureau since October 3, 2025; among them, the respective numbers of cases that were verified and issued reference numbers by DSTs, and those which were ultimately successfully allocated with TH units (with a breakdown by the six DSTs);
 
(3) of the number of cases since October 3, 2025 in which a reference number could not be issued by DSTs due to failure to obtain from the owner or operator a Declaration of Early Termination of Tenancy Agreement Due to the Alteration Works of Subdivided Units in Residential Buildings in accordance with the Basic Housing Units Ordinance (with a breakdown by the six DSTs); and
 
(4) given that currently the rents and other charges (e.g. management fees) of different TH projects are not standardised, if TH applicants or tenants have views on the rents or charges, of the formal channels and procedures through which they can reflect to or communicate with the Government or the operating organisations; whether the Government will consider establishing a communication platform for multi-party dialogues among the operating organisations, tenants, applicants and the Administration, so as to improve the operational effectiveness of TH projects; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The current-term Government is determined to tackle the long-standing, big and difficult issue of substandard subdivided units (SDUs) in Hong Kong. The relevant Basic Housing Unit (BHU) regime is rolled out starting from March 1, 2026 under the principle of “registration first, enforcement later”, with applications for registration of pre-existing SDUs, as well as applications for BHU recognition of SDUs complying with minimum standards of living conditions being accepted concurrently.
 
     The BHU regime provides a 48-month transitional arrangement (i.e. a 12-month registration period followed by a 36-month grace period upon successful registration) to allow reasonable time for SDU owners/operators to gradually adapt to the statutory requirements, with the aim of eradicating substandard SDUs in an orderly manner and improving the living conditions of grassroots households. Pre-existing SDUs, regardless of whether they comply with the minimum standards of living conditions or not, are welcome to apply for registration for free to obtain the grace period for more time in planning the next steps for the units (e.g. reaching flexible and people-oriented rental arrangements with tenants, carrying out alteration works gradually, applying for BHU recognition, etc).
 
     The criminal offence of illegal letting of SDUs with no registration and no recognition under the BHU regime will only come into effect 12 months after the commencement of the regime (i.e. effective from March 1, 2027). Flats that have been successfully registered and obtained a grace period can continue to be let out under their pre-existing tenancies until the grace period expires (i.e. on or before February 28, 2030). Therefore, the Housing Bureau (HB) will not immediately take enforcement actions in one go. Instead, the HB will adopt a pragmatic, people-oriented and risk-based approach when taking enforcement actions in a reasonable, compassionate and orderly manner against illegal letting of SDUs, so as to ensure that SDU households will not be displaced due to relevant enforcement actions.
 
     On the understanding that there may be situations in the market where SDU owners and tenants need to discuss their rental arrangements for various reasons, the HB has made strategic arrangements before the start of the grace period under the BHU regime. It is worth mentioning that since the six Subdivided Unit District Service Teams (DSTs) (website: www.hb.gov.hk/eng/policy/housing/policy/tenancy_control/dist_serv_teams.html 
     Prior to the roll-out of the BHU regime, some SDU tenants at Yee Wa Building in Cheung Sha Wan were requested in end-2025 to move out by their landlords. Once this incident had come to the HB’s notice, the HB immediately co-ordinated with the six DSTs, especially those operated by the Hong Kong Single Parents Association and the New Home Association, to provide continuous and comprehensive support to the affected tenants. To date, DSTs have contacted the vast majority of about 150 affected households renting SDUs in Yee Wa Building. Amongst them, about 110 households have already moved out of Yee Wa Building over the past period, including relocating to LPH, TH, Hostels for Single Persons, etc with the assistance of DSTs. For the remaining 40 households that have not yet moved out and are still considering their future plans, DSTs will continue to proactively provide them with all feasible assistance to help them identify suitable accommodation. This incident reflects DSTs’ ability to effectively handle unexpected cases involving relatively more households, where they have assisted the households in relocating to new accommodation through their continued liaison and co-ordination with relevant stakeholders (including landlords, principle tenants, tenants, operating organisations of LPH/TH/Hostels for Single Persons, estate agents, etc).
 
     After the roll-out of the BHU regime, DSTs have so far received 35 cases from different buildings where individual households renting SDUs were asked by their landlords to vacate within a short period of time. DSTs has assisted 10 such households in need to apply for TH, while the remaining 25 cases are being proactively followed up to ensure relevant tenants will not be displaced. Besides, to plan in advance and prevent potential forced evictions, the HB proactively identifies target buildings with SDUs that may undergo alteration works soon through various intelligence channels (such as news reports on investment and transaction of SDUs, DSTs’ observations and communication with the local community). The HB will then accord priority in arranging for DSTs to conduct preventive home visits at relevant buildings, providing comprehensive support to households in need as early as possible. On the road to eradicating substandard SDUs, the HB will make utmost efforts to support affected grassroots households in improving their living conditions.
 
     Having consulted the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Grace Chan is as follows:
 
(1) The Census and Statistics Department regularly conducts population censuses and compiles statistics on persons living in SDUs in residential buildings. The most recent population census was conducted in 2021, while the 2026 Population Census commenced in January 2026. The results of the 2021 Population Census showed that there were about 108 200 SDUs in Hong Kong, providing accommodation for a total of about 107 400 households.
 
     Besides, Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) which implements tenancy control on SDUs, came into effect since January 2022. It requires landlords to submit for each SDU tenancy a completed Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the RVD within 60 days after the term of the tenancy commences to notify the RVD of the particulars of the tenancy, including the address, rent, tenancy term, and the area and facilities of the SDU, etc. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses or neglects to comply with this requirement, the landlord commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000). As at end-April 2026, the RVD processed 86 332 Form AR2s, and the relevant breakdown by year is as follows:
 

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LCQ5: Combating the distribution of leaflets on duty-not-paid cigarettes in public housing estates

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Pui-kong and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):

Question: 
(i) Upstream interception of smuggling: The C&ED combats smuggling via cargo and postal parcels through maintaining intelligence exchange with the Mainland law enforcement agencies and overseas law enforcement agencies. Currently, penalties for duty-not-paid cigarettes have been significantly increased. The number of large-scale cigarette smuggling cases detected by the C&ED rose from 40 in 2024 to 126 in 2025. The C&ED has strengthened enforcement at control points, with a real-time notification mechanism established with the Mainland to stop passengers from bringing in excessive duty-free cigarettes using the “ant-moving-home” tactic. Penalties for offences of failing to declare to Customs Officers compoundable have been increased; the number of cases by imposing a penalty on offences compoundable intercepted by the C&ED at control points rose from 19 071 in 2024 to 26 982 in 2025. The rise in the number of cases involving the seizure of illicit cigarettes reflects the effectiveness of the C&ED’s enhanced efforts in combating illicit cigarettes, and the success of these enforcement strategies does not imply that the scale of illicit cigarette activities has expanded. To further combat illicit cigarettes, the Government will fully implement the Duty Stamp System by December 2027, requiring duty-paid cigarette packs to be affixed with stamps so that law enforcement officers and the public can clearly distinguish between duty-paid and duty-not-paid cigarettes.

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Appointment of Director of Public Prosecutions

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Appointment of Director of Public Prosecutions       
     Welcoming the appointment, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said, “Mr Chau is a seasoned lawyer deeply committed to the pursuit of justice. I have every confidence that, with his solid professional knowledge and experience in criminal law and leadership prowess, he will steer the Prosecutions Division through the challenges ahead and continue to discharge his role with utmost professionalism.”
      
     Mr Lam also expressed his gratitude to Ms Yang for her dedication and significant contributions during her term of service and wished her a fulfilling and happy retirement.
      
     Ranked at the Law Officer (DL6) level, the Director of Public Prosecutions is responsible for directing public prosecutions and advising on the development, enforcement and implementation of the criminal law.
      
     Brief biographical notes on the two officers are set out below:
      
Ms Maggie Yang Mei-kei
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     Ms Yang was admitted as a solicitor in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong in 1992 and 1993 respectively, and was subsequently called to the Bar in 2021. She joined the DoJ in 1994 as Crown Counsel, and was promoted to Senior Crown Counsel in 1996, Deputy Principal Government Counsel in 2012 and Principal Government Counsel in 2019. She was appointed Law Officer in 2021 and has since held the position of Director of Public Prosecutions. She has served largely in the Prosecutions Division during her service in the DoJ.
      
Mr Anthony Chau Tin-hang
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LCQ21: Regulation of supply and use of antimicrobials

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Shiu Ka-fai and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):

Question:

     It has been learnt that the Government plans to initiate legislative amendments in a timely manner to launch the Computerised Transaction Record System (the system platform), mandating licensed pharmaceutical traders (including pharmacies) to systematically record prescriptions and dispensing of antimicrobials (including antibiotics) through electronic means. However, members of the sector have relayed that some private medical practitioners currently purchase large quantities of medicines such as antibiotics through channels such as pharmaceutical manufacturers and then resell them to pharmacies via intermediaries for profit. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the latest progress of the legislative amendment exercise for the implementation of the system platform, and whether it has deliberated with stakeholders of the sector on such exercise; if so, the details;

(2) whether the Department of Health has identified any acts by the aforementioned medical practitioners involving suspected purchase and resale of large quantities of antibiotics in violation of regulations; if so, of the number of such cases received over the past five years;

(3) how it currently ascertain the quantities and sources, as well as the utilisation and usage, of medicines such as antibiotics purchased by individual medical practitioners; and

(4) whether it has any plans to mandate private medical practitioners to record antimicrobial prescriptions and dispensing on the system platform; if so, of the details; if not, whether it will consider separately formulating a systematic mechanism to comprehensively record the total quantities of medicines such as antibiotics purchased by private medical practitioners?

Reply:

President,

     Having consulted the Department of Health (DH), the reply to the Hon Shiu Ka-fai’s questions is as follows:

Control of sale and supply of antibiotics

     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and the Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap. 137), licensed wholesale dealers are legally required to record all information related to pharmaceutical products (including antimicrobials) acquired or disposed of by way of wholesale dealing, which includes the acquired quantity, supplied quantity, name of the supplier, and the person to whom they are supplied (including licensed pharmacies, registered medical practitioners, and more). Furthermore, a registered medical practitioner can only sell or supply antibiotics for the purpose of treatment and must maintain the relevant records of the antibiotics obtained by him. Any person who contravenes the relevant requirements regarding the control of the sale and supply of antibiotics commits an offence and is liable to a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for 12 months. Any person who contravenes the requirement of maintaining records shall also be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a $5,000 fine.

Effort against the threat of antimicrobial resistance

     Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) (Note 1) is listed as one of the global public health threats by the World Health Organization. To tackle the threat of AMR to public health, the Government set up the High Level Steering Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance in 2016 with a view to encouraging the collaboration, synergy and cross-fertilisation among all professional sectors under the “One Health” framework. In 2022, the Government launched the second Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (the Action Plan) to map out response strategies towards the threat of AMR for 2023 to 2027.

     One of the recommendations of the Action Plan is to strengthen the regulation of over-the-counter purchases of prescription-only antimicrobials, which includes reviewing and considering amending relevant ordinance(s) to mandate the systematic recording of antimicrobial prescription and dispensing data through electronic means. According to the recommendations in the Action Plan, the Government has been developing the antimicrobials computerised transaction record system platform by phases to systematically record information on the acquisition and supply of antimicrobials in the supply chain (from wholesale to supply to end users) electronically, so that the legitimate use of antimicrobials in the market can be more effectively monitored. The Action Plan formulated the collection of electronic antimicrobials usage data in community pharmacies and in private clinics in 2025 and 2027 respectively.

     Phase 1 of the system platform was launched in June 2025 for voluntary participation by licensed drug dealers of antimicrobials, including manufacturers, wholesale dealers, and retailers (i.e. authorised sellers of poisons, which are commonly referred to as pharmacies). As of May 11, 2026, 54 per cent of the relevant licensed drug dealers had completed their registration on the system platform. The Government is preparing to develop Phase 2 of the system platform to collect antimicrobials usage data covering private clinics targeting to launch in 2027.

     In setting up Phase 1 of the system platform, the Government had extensively communicated with and collected views from various stakeholders, which included inviting licensed drug dealers with a large transaction volume of antimicrobials to attend the first and second user acceptance tests held from August to September 2024 and in February 2025 respectively. Furthermore, the DH organised four briefing sessions from October 2024 to May 2025 to introduce the development and progress of the antimicrobials computerised transaction record system platform to the industry and encourage them to use the system platform.

     On the other hand, the Electronic Health Record System Ordinance (Cap. 625) empowers the Secretary for Health to require specified healthcare providers to deposit specified health data into the personal eHealth accounts of citizens registered with eHealth. Among these, the Government will consider specifying important medication records, such as antimicrobial prescriptions and dispensing records, as a specified health data category. This will assist citizens in depositing relevant information into their eHealth accounts, thereby supporting clinical diagnosis and more effectively addressing the public health risks posed by AMR.

Enforcement actions

     In the past three years (from 2023 to 2025), the Drug Office of the DH conducted around 3 800 unannounced inspections of local pharmacies. During the same period, it handled 21 conviction cases involving the illegal sale of prescription drugs (including but not limited to antimicrobial drugs) by pharmacies. Among these 21 cases, the highest fine imposed was $72,000 (the total fine for all counts of offences), and there was a convicted person sentenced to two months’ imprisonment (suspended for three years).

     According to records, in the past five years, there have been no cases involving registered medical practitioners contravening the Antibiotics Ordinance. The Medical Council of Hong Kong also does not have any disciplinary sanction records related to registered medical practitioners purchasing large quantities of medicines such as antibiotics for resale for profit.

     The DH will continue to collect intelligence from different channels and, in accordance with established mechanisms, monitor the acquisition and supply of medicines (including antimicrobials) in the market. If the DH detects any persons suspected of illegal acquisition or sale of prescription drugs and antibiotics, it will promptly investigate and deal with the irregularities in accordance with the law.

     The DH will also continue to mobilise various professional sectors to effectively implement the recommendations under the six key areas stated in the Action Plan and collaborate with the World Health Organization to jointly address the threat posed by AMR to public health.

Note 1: AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve and become resistant to previously effective medications. When patients are infected with drug-resistant bacteria, their illness may be prolonged, and their risk of death may even increase. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics are the major factors leading to the development of drug-resistant bacteria.