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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today (May 22) invited the market to submit expressions of interest (EOI) within one month for the upgrading of the Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works (TPSTW).

     The TPSTW is a secondary sewage treatment works with an existing design treatment capacity of 120 000 cubic metres per day in average dry weather flow, serving the Tai Po InnoPark, Tai Po, Lam Tsuen and Ting Kok areas. The objective of this project is to increase the design treatment capacity of the plant to 160 000 cubic metres per day to accommodate future development needs of Tai Po District.

     The Government proposes a single party to be responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the upgrading works, while undertaking the operation and maintenance of the existing TPSTW at the same time during the contract period. Interested developers, contractors and operators are encouraged to submit their EOIs to help the Government understand the market interest, as well as the funding and technical capabilities of parties. The views and information gathered will help the Government ascertain the technical details and implementation approach of the works, as well as determining the delivery mode and financial arrangement at a later stage. 

This EOI exercise is not a tender exercise nor part of a procurement exercise.

Interested parties must submit their EOI by noon on June 22, 2026 (Monday).

     The DSD will hold an online briefing session regarding the EOI invitation on June 2, 2026 (Tuesday). Details on the submission of the EOIs and the briefing session can be found on the DSD’s webpage (dsd.gov.hk/EN/Notices_of_Invitation_for_Expression_of_Interest/Upgrading_of_the_Tai_Po_Sewage_Treatment_Works/index.html). 

     The DSD will consider the views and suggestions gathered from the EOIs and properly formulate the requirements of the project, and thereafter determine the tender arrangement and timing by making reference to the market feedback.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government published in the Gazette today (May 22) the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (Commencement) Notice (the Commencement Notice) to appoint July 31, 2026, as the date on which the main provisions of the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (Cap. 651) (the Ordinance) come into operation. 

The Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on November 20, 2024, and was gazetted in the same month. It seeks to provide a legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders, as well as legal protection for medical professionals and rescuers when complying with AMDs and DNACPR orders, thereby respecting the wishes of terminally ill patients regarding their end-of-life treatment and care arrangements. 

Section 1(2) of the Ordinance provides that the Ordinance shall come into operation on a day to be appointed by the Secretary for Health by notice published in the Gazette. In this regard, the Secretary for Health has made the Commencement Notice to appoint July 31, 2026, as the date on which the main provisions of the Ordinance and the relevant legislative amendments come into operation.

The implementation of the Ordinance further protects the autonomous choices of terminally ill patients regarding their treatment and care arrangements, marking a new milestone in Hong Kong’s end-of-life care services.  The Government will continue to step up training for relevant professionals on the Ordinance in collaboration with stakeholders, with a view to ensuring that they can comply with the relevant statutory requirements after the Ordinance comes into operation. Relevant government departments will also join with social service organisations to continuously deepen public awareness of the Ordinance through public education and promotional activities. 

The Government will table the Commencement Notice at the LegCo next Wednesday (May 27) for negative vetting.  

For information on the Ordinance and relevant forms, please visit the webpage:  www.healthbureau.gov.hk/en/press_and_publications/otherinfo/241100_adlto/index.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (May 22):
 
     A 72-year-old male patient in the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics was confirmed on May 20 to be carrying Candida auris. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced a contact tracing investigation, which identified two additional male patients (aged 69 and 87) in the same ward as carriers of Candida auris. In addition, an 88-year-old male patient was identified as carrying Candida auris during admission screening at Kowloon Hospital following his transfer. All three patients show no signs of infection.
 
     The four patients are now being treated in isolation. One patient has been transferred to Kowloon Hospital and is in stable condition. The other three remain in isolation at Kwong Wah Hospital, all in stable condition.
 
     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards, including the environment and medical equipment;
2. enhanced medical surveillance of the patients and screening procedures for patients and the environment in the wards; and
3. applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff.

 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

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

Of the approved plans, five were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial developments, and five were for community services developments.

Consent was given for works to start on six building projects. Upon completion, they will provide 6,182 sq m of domestic gross floor area involving 172 units, and 20,687 sq m of non-domestic gross floor area.

Additionally, the department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for four building projects.

It also issued 18 occupation permits – four on Hong Kong Island, six in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.

The buildings certified for occupation comprise 31,910 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 775 units, and 48,386 sq m for non-domestic use.

Meanwhile, the department received 2,678 reports about unauthorised building works in March, issued 754 removal orders, and gave five demolition consents.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan Berik Assylov signed bilateral agreements on the surrender of fugitive offenders (SFO), mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (MLA) and the transfer of sentenced persons (TSP) today on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Kazakhstan.

“Both Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are committed players in the international efforts to fight crimes. The signing of the agreements on SFO, MLA and TSP today represents an important step forward in legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan,” Mr Tang said at the signing ceremony.

Under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong SAR Government may, with the authorisation of the Central People’s Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance.

The SFO agreement sets out the conditions for the surrender of fugitive offenders between the Hong Kong SAR and Kazakhstan and contains the usual safeguards found in similar international agreements, including that the conduct must constitute an offence according to the laws of both parties, and surrender may be refused if the offence is punishable with the death penalty.

The MLA agreement between the Hong Kong SAR and Kazakhstan contains the essential features and safeguards of international agreements of this type. Assistance covered by the agreement includes identifying and locating persons, serving documents, taking evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, providing information and confiscating proceeds of crime.

The TSP agreement embodies the shared conviction of Hong Kong and Kazakhstan that allowing sentenced persons to return to their places of origin, where there are no language or cultural barriers and where friends and relatives can pay more regular visits, is conducive to their rehabilitation. Hong Kong’s policy is therefore to facilitate such transfers between Hong Kong and other jurisdictions as far as possible.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Eligible recipients of social security payments and the Working Family Allowance (WFA) will start receiving a one-off extra allowance today, equivalent to one month of their current rate or allowance.

The extra payment is automatically available to individuals who were eligible for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance standard rate, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance on April 29, 2026. Households whose WFA applications were submitted between October 1, 2025, and April 29, 2026, and subsequently approved, are also eligible.

The funds will be credited directly to the designated Hong Kong bank accounts of eligible recipients and households starting today, with no separate application required.

The initiative involves an extra expenditure of approximately $6,486 million and is expected to benefit around 1.76 million social security recipients and 56,000 WFA households. 

For enquiries, social security recipients can call 2343 2255 or contact their respective Social Security Field Unit. WFA households can direct their enquiries to 2558 3000.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The main provisions of the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance will take effect on July 31, the Government announced today.

The ordinance establishes a comprehensive legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders. It also provides legal protection for medical professionals and emergency rescuers when complying with these directives and orders.

Describing the implementation as a significant milestone for end-of-life care in Hong Kong, the Government stated that the new law further protects the autonomy of terminally ill patients in choosing their medical and care arrangements.

Moving forward, the Government will collaborate with stakeholders to step up training for relevant professionals, ensuring full compliance with the statutory requirements once the ordinance goes into operation. Government departments will also partner with social service organisations to raise public awareness through targeted educational and promotional activities.

The ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council and gazetted in November 2024. Following this, the Secretary for Health issued the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (Commencement) Notice to formally appoint July 31, 2026, as the effective date.

The commencement notice will be tabled at the Legislative Council next Wednesday for negative vetting.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan has held a roundtable meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, to brief local financial leaders on Hong Kong’s robust market performance and economic resilience.

Meeting with senior executive from banks, asset management firms and family offices, Mr Chan highlighted that Hong Kong’s economy has maintained steady growth over the past two years, supported by an active financial market. He noted that backed by strong national support for Mainland enterprises expanding globally, an increasing number of companies are leveraging Hong Kong’s stock market to raise capital for their overseas operations.

Addressing the city’s global standing, the Financial Secretary pointed out that Hong Kong clinched the top spot globally for initial public offering funds raised last year and into this year. Amid prevailing geopolitical shifts, international investors increasingly view Hong Kong as a reliable capital safe haven and a key springboard for diversifying investments into the Mainland market.

He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government remains committed to reforming the stock market, expanding international market connectivity and boosting liquidity to offer global investors more diversified options.

Mr Chan emphasised that Hong Kong is continuously expanding its market scale and driving product innovation across fixed-income and currency markets, asset and wealth management and green finance, alongside plans to develop gold and commodities trading. He noted that strong demand for cross-border asset allocation from high-net-worth individuals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia has prompted many international wealth mangers to expand their footprint in Hong Kong, which is also actively promoting digital asset applications.

Turning to regional integration, Mr Chan highlighted that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan outlines clear goals for a modernised industrial system, high-level opening up and co-ordinated regional development. He stressed that the Greater Bay Area enjoys distinct advantages in frontier technology, advanced manufacturing and high-end talent, presenting an unmissable opportunity for international investors.

Swiss financial institutions and family offices are encouraged to scale up their operations in Hong Kong and Mainland markets to capture these growth prospects. During his visit, Mr Chan also met with executives from a major Swiss bank.

Additionally, the Financial Secretary called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich & for the Principality of Liechtenstein Chen Yun to brief her on Hong Kong’s latest economic developments and social situation and exchanged views on China-Europe relations and global political and economic trends.

Before concluding his European trip, Mr Chan was due to hold a roundtable meeting with local venture capital and private equity fund representatives this morning, with his return to Hong Kong set for tomorrow morning.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 21) that a sample of soft ice-cream was found to contain coliform bacteria and its count exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned soft ice-cream sample from a licensed itinerant hawker (mobile van) in Central for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained 310 coliform bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit.”

“The CFS has informed the person-in-charge of the licence concerned of the irregularity and instructed the person-in-charge to stop selling and to dispose all the affected soft ice-cream immediately. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to person-in-charge of the licence concerned, and instructed to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection to the mobile van,” the spokesman said.

Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 100 coliform bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months’ imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the coliform count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.