Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Secretary for Health meets Director-General of Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Professor Lo said, “The National 15th Five-Year Plan proposes advancing the inheritance and innovation of CM and promoting CM to go global. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government actively dovetails with the national strategies to promote comprehensive, high-quality, and high-standard development of CM. The HKSAR Government, for the first time, has formulated the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan), comprehensively and proactively aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Interconnected with Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, the 2026 Policy Address announced by the Chief Executive last month puts forward a number of specific policy measures to promote CM development. These include the launch of 24-hour in-patient services at The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) by the end of this year, the establishment of the International Consortium of Herb-Drug Interaction, the continued development of the Hospital Authority’s integrated Chinese-Western Medicine services, and the sponsoring of regional and international CM conferences and exhibitions, signifying more breakthroughs and opportunities ahead for the development of CM in Hong Kong. At the same time, with the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint as an anchor, Hong Kong will continue to advance the development of CM in an orderly manner and leverage the two flagship institutions, CMHHK and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, to further promote CM development in Hong Kong on all fronts.”
Professor Lo expressed his gratitude to the Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for its continuous support for CM development in Hong Kong. He said he hoped that the two places would continue to deepen exchanges and collaboration in areas including CM policy measures, clinical services, talent cultivation, and the commercialisation of scientific and technological achievements, thereby promoting high-quality CM development in both places.
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, and the Controller-designate for Medical Products Regulation, Mr Li Zili, also attended the meeting. Professor Lo will lead a delegation tomorrow (October 17) to attend the World Conference on Traditional Medicine 2026 to be held in Beijing for two consecutive days, and will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon of October 18.
Issued at HKT 17:08
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Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launches new round of HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Internship in the Mainland
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launches new round of HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Internship in the Mainland
The Government attaches great importance to youth development. The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) emphasises enhancing youth development opportunities and supporting young people in pursuing their dreams. The Government will step up its focus on young people’s education, employment, entrepreneurship and home ownership. It will nurture talent who can serve the needs of the country and leverage the strengths of Hong Kong. Through the HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Internship in the Mainland, the HYAB and the YDC provide funding for NGOs to organise youth internship projects on the Mainland for young people to experience the actual workplace environment there first-hand and deepen their understanding of the Mainland’s employment market, workplace culture and development opportunities. It will help young people set their future career goals, accumulate work experience, build interpersonal networks and boost their employment prospects.
Details of the new round of the funding scheme are available on the YDC website (www.ydc.gov.hk/en/programmes/ip/ip_fundingscheme.htmlIssued at HKT 18:00
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Appointment of non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of Court of Final Appeal
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, today (October 16) welcomed the acceptance by the Chief Executive of the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on the appointment of the Honourable Sir Terence Arnold as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal. The Chief Justice noted that the Government would be seeking the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended appointment.
The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance (Cap. 484) provides for a list of non-permanent Hong Kong judges and a list of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions. Currently, there are four non-permanent Hong Kong judges and five non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions. The maximum number of non-permanent judges is 30. In hearing and determining an appeal, the Court of Final Appeal is constituted by five judges, i.e. the Chief Justice, three permanent judges and one non-permanent Hong Kong judge or one non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction.
The recommended appointment of Sir Terence Arnold to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal will increase the number of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions from five to six. This will provide greater flexibility in dealing with the caseload of the Court of Final Appeal.
CFS finds samples of mung bean starch sheet and its related product not in compliance with requirement on preservative
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CFS finds samples of mung bean starch sheet and its related product not in compliance with requirement on preservativeWeight: 500 grams
Manufacture dates: June 27, 2026; July 9, 2026
Place of origin: China
Sole distributor: Zhuang Ji Food Trade CompanyIssued at HKT 21:00
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Remarks by STL at media session
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Remarks by STL at media session
Reporter: Given that there are only 150 berths at five anchorages, are you worried about running out of space during peak seasons? Under what circumstances will the Government consider capping daily visits and setting up more berth spots in the future?
Secretary for Transport and Logistics: Having regard to the potential demand and the existing supply of mooring facilities in Hong Kong, we consider that there are adequate facilities for the mooring and docking of Mainland yachts to Hong Kong. At the present moment, we have allowed these Mainland yachts to dock or moor at five designated mooring anchorage areas, in addition to the existing mooring facilities in yacht clubs. We consider that this could meet the demand. Coupled with the real-time dynamic monitoring system, the Marine Department can communicate with the Mainland yacht captains so as to facilitate their travel in Hong Kong waters.
We are also planning ahead. The Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government are planning for the development of four major new yacht parking facilities in different parts of Hong Kong, including the Airport island, Aberdeen, Lamma Island, and Hung Hom waterfront. We are working steadfastly on that. The Airport Authority Hong Kong is actually moving fast in inviting expressions of interest for the Yacht Bay on the Airport island. We expect they will invite tenders next year.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Issued at HKT 19:38
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Five more nomination forms for Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections received today
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Eight pieces of subsidiary legislation gazetted today to implement title registration system on new land
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Development Bureau (DEVB) gazetted eight pieces of subsidiary legislation today (October 16), proposing to make four new pieces of subsidiary legislation under the Land Titles Ordinance (Cap. 585) (LTO), and to amend four pieces of subsidiary legislation under the Land Registration Ordinance (Cap. 128) (LRO), the High Court Ordinance (Cap. 4) and the District Court Ordinance (Cap. 336), with a view to setting out implementation details for the title registration system to be implemented on new land in the first half of next year, and aligning certain practices under the current deeds registration system with the title registration system.
A spokesperson for the DEVB said, “The Registration of Titles and Land (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2025 was passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) in September last year to amend the LTO, which was enacted in 2004 but has not yet come into operation, so as to implement the title registration system on new land first. To facilitate the implementation of the title registration system in the first half of next year, the DEVB and the Land Registry (LR) immediately commenced preparatory work to implement the new system, including the drafting of relevant subsidiary legislation. Once the new legislation comes into operation, new land will be registered under the new system, whilst existing land under the LRO will continue to be governed by the current deeds registration system until it is converted to the title registration system.”
“New land” refers to land held under a government lease granted on or after the date on which the amended Title Ordinance comes into operation. Generally speaking, this will include land granted on or after the operation date by way of land sale, by private treaty grant, and by land exchange.
The eight pieces of subsidiary legislation gazetted set out the operational details for the title registration system, including the requirements and procedures for applications for registration, and operational matters relating to the processing of the applications by the LR; the management of the Land Titles Indemnity Fund and the procedures for claiming indemnity; new fee items; the introduction of arrangements such as electronic applications under the current deeds registration system, bringing it in line with the title registration system; and matters relating to proceedings to be brought before the Court. These eight pieces of subsidiary legislation comprise:
- Land Titles Regulation;
- Land Titles Indemnity Regulation;
- Land Titles (Fees and Levies) Regulation;
- Land Titles (Determination of Indemnity Cap) Notice;
- Land Registration (Amendment) Regulation 2026;
- Land Registration Fees (Amendment) Regulation 2026;
- Rules of the High Court (Amendment) Rules 2026; and
- Rules of the District Court (Amendment) Rules 2026.
The spokesperson added, “Hong Kong is among the few economies that still run a deeds registration system. The implementation of the title registration system on new land will provide certainty in land ownership and simplify property transfer procedures, including eliminating the need to verify documents to confirm title during property transactions and the requirement to keep title deeds for many years. This will benefit the public and the business community, whilst bringing Hong Kong’s land registration system in line with other jurisdictions. The LR will continue to carry out publicity and education campaigns to ensure that the public and industry practitioners understand the detailed implementation arrangements under the new system.”
The eight pieces of subsidiary legislation will be tabled at the LegCo next Wednesday (October 21) for negative vetting. Upon passage, certain provisions relating to electronic applications under the Land Registration (Amendment) Regulation 2026 and the Land Registration Fees (Amendment) Regulation 2026 will come into force on October 4, 2027, in tandem with the e-lodgement system. The amended LTO and other subsidiary legislation will come into operation on a date to be specified separately by the Secretary for Development in the first half of 2027.
LegCo to debate motion on “Improving the elite sports training and support systems to enhance the international competitiveness of Hong Kong athletes”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting next Wednesday (October 21) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on “Improving the elite sports training and support systems to enhance the international competitiveness of Hong Kong athletes”. The motion, moved by Mr Vincent Cheng, is set out in Appendix 1.
Mr Ken Lee will move a motion on “Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong collaboration in technology talent education to promote talent cultivation diversification and employment”. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Mr Tang Fei, Ms Michelle Tang and Mr Chan Pok-chi will move separate amendments on Mr Lee’s motion.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary for Administration will present the Government Minute in response to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee No. 85 of July 2026 and the Government Minute in response to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee No. 86 of July 2026, and address the Council.
Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting is available on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.
15 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Twilight”, a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed “Rainbow”, joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) codenamed “Champion”, a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) codenamed “Flabbergast”, a joint operation with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and a joint operation with Hong Kong Customs, the HKPF, the FEHD and the LCSD from October 9 to yesterday (October 15). During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, retail stores and industrial buildings, etc. Twelve suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer, one suspected aider and abettor and one overstayer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised eight men and four women, aged 20 to 54. Among them, one man was holding a recognisance form which prohibits him from taking any employment. One woman aged 47 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was arrested. The suspected aider and abettor arrested was a woman aged 28. Furthermore, the arrested overstayer was a man aged 43. An investigation into the suspected employer is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years.”
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.
FS attends Thai meetings
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
As a member of the Chinese delegation, Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended the plenary session of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mr Chan also took part in discussions organised by financial media and a think tank, met senior executives of international financial institutions and enterprises, and hosted a dinner for financial leaders.
At a fireside chat organised by Bloomberg, Mr Chan outlined how Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, providing clear development directions and goals for the public and businesses.
He said that Hong Kong would focus on developing its “four centres and one hub”, thereby reinforcing and enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre. He said Hong Kong would also leverage its strengths and work in tandem with other cities in the Greater Bay Area to advance its development as an innovation and technology (I&T) centre.
Mr Chan stressed that financial development must serve the real economy, adding that Hong Kong will deepen its “Finance+” strategy to empower different industries, support enterprises in their upgrading and transformation efforts, and provide venture capital, patient capital and long-term funding for I&T to accelerate the development of emerging industries.
He remarked that Hong Kong’s international character is a core strength that must be continuously reinforced and enhanced. While strengthening ties with mature markets such as Europe and the US and attracting international capital, Hong Kong will also deepen co-operation with emerging markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia. Mr Chan elaborated that Hong Kong will open up two-way investment opportunities by bringing together capital and industries to meet development needs across these markets.
Beyond promoting business and trade exchanges, he said, Hong Kong will leverage its strengths in financial and professional services, including green and sustainable finance and trade finance, to support infrastructure, supply chain and industrial development in the region.
On the topic of offshore renminbi business, Mr Chan said Hong Kong is expanding its range of investment products, enhancing custody and collateral management infrastructure, and increasing liquidity to add depth and breadth to the market.
He stressed that “one country, two systems” provides Hong Kong with an institutional advantage in its long-term development, adding that talent is a key driving force for its future growth.
He said Hong Kong will remain free, open, diverse and inclusive, welcoming enterprises and talent from around the world to set up and pursue careers in the city, and young people to study in it.
Mr Chan also took part in a broadcast fireside chat hosted by the Atlantic Council, a US think tank.
He described the latest developments in Hong Kong’s financial markets and how its first five-year plan will advance I&T, promote the integrated development of education, technology, talent and industries in the Northern Metropolis, and deepen co-operation with other bay area cities in I&T industries.
In addition, Mr Chan met WBG Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer Zhang Wencai for an exchange of views on the global and regional economic outlook and deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and the WBG.
Mr Chan also met the management of a major European digital bank to discuss fintech development, digital banking services and cross-boundary payments, and outlined opportunities in Hong Kong’s financial markets.
In the evening, Mr Chan attended a dinner organised by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok. He spoke of developments in Hong Kong’s economy and financial services sector, and discussed opportunities to strengthen financial co-operation.