Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH steps up enforcement ahead of Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week to combat illegal use of pharmacy logos/titles and illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products (with photo)
Stepping up efforts to crack down on illegal use of pharmacy logo
————————————————————————–
To address the illegal use of pharmacy logos and titles by shops, the DH reminded the public, including tourists, that they can use the pharmacy logo (see Annex 1) to verify whether a shop is a registered pharmacy when purchasing medicines in Hong Kong.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance), LSPs can only conduct the retail business of selling poisons listed in Part 2 of the Poisons List and sell only common drugs, such as cold and flu medicines. Such vendors do not have a registered duty pharmacist in the shop and cannot use the pharmacy logo or title. Displaying a pharmacy logo in the prescribed form, or a logo resembling the prescribed form, at premises other than a registered pharmacy, or using the Chinese term “藥房” or terms such as “pharmacy”, “dispensary” or “drugstore” in connection with any business engaged in the retail sale of poisons, constitutes an offence. Furthermore, illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons, or illegal sale of Part 2 poisons, is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, seven limited companies and one retail proprietor, none of which were registered pharmacies, were convicted of displaying logos on their premises that resembled the pharmacy logo in the prescribed form. They were fined amounts ranging from $3,500 to $32,000. During the same period, 24 limited companies and five individuals were convicted of illegal sale and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products. They were fined amounts ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 and sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.
Clamping down on illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Chinese herbal medicines
———————————————————————————————————————————
To tackle the illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products, Part 1 poisons, including anti-obesity drugs, and Chinese herbal medicines, the DH has been actively gathering intelligence through various channels (including online sales platforms, instant messaging apps, and social media), conducting proactive inspections and enforcing the law rigorously. Joint operations with relevant law enforcement departments will also be conducted when necessary.
A proprietor of a beauty parlour was convicted by the court for selling and possessing Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products, which involved an anti-obesity medicine containing liraglutide, and was sentenced on April 20 to a 120-hour Community Service Order for each charge, to be served concurrently. Over the past month, the DH took enforcement actions against the premises of two unlicensed medicine shops for the illegal use of pharmacy logos, the illegal possession of Part 1 Poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products, as well as the illegal sale of Part 2 Poisons, and against three ASPs for the illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and failing to store Part 1 Poisons in a locked receptacle, among others. During the operation, over 100 items of controlled drugs were seized from the premises.
In addition, between April 2025 and March 2026, two cases involving the illegal sale or possession of Chinese herbal medicines listed in Schedule 2 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549) were convicted by the court.
The DH reminded the public that illegal sale of medicines controlled under the Ordinance, regardless of the sales channel, including online sales platforms, instant messaging applications or social media, incurs criminal liability. Members of the public should not risk breaking the law.
Points to note when purchasing medicines
———————————————–
The DH reminded members of the public that all registered pharmaceutical products and proprietary Chinese medicines carry a Hong Kong registration number on their packaging. Registered pharmaceutical products are labelled with a number in the format of “HK-XXXXX”, while registered proprietary Chinese medicines follow the format “HKC-XXXXX” (where “XXXXX” is a five-digit number). The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products and unregistered proprietary Chinese medicines are not guaranteed. Members of the public should not self-purchase or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. Self-purchasing controlled medicines (including anti-obesity drugs such as liraglutide) poses health risks. Besides the lack of a doctor’s assessment of an individual’s health condition, it is difficult to ascertain the legitimate source of the drugs. It is also impossible to know whether the drugs were properly stored during transportation (especially for drugs requiring cold-chain storage). This leaves their safety, quality and efficacy unguaranteed. Anti-obesity medicines containing liraglutide should be used under a doctor’s direction and must be supplied on the premises of a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor’s prescription.
To help the public identify registered pharmacies, the DH has formulated a label (Annex 2) for identification of ASPs. The labels have been sent to each registered pharmacy for display at a conspicuous place on their premises. Consumers can obtain information on the registered pharmacy by scanning the QR code on the label displayed in the pharmacy.
Members of the public and tourists can also download the eHealth app from the website (app.ehealth.gov.hk
Members of the public can also visit the website
In addition, to help Mainland visitors distinguish pharmacies in Hong Kong, the DH has provided detailed information on its official WeChat account
For more information on the safety of buying and safe use of medicines, please visit the websiteIssued at HKT 16:38
NNNN
External merchandise trade statistics for March 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (April 28) the external merchandise trade statistics for March 2026. In March 2026, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 35.8% and 41.2% respectively.
In March 2026, the value of total exports of goods increased by 35.8% over a year earlier to $618.4 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 24.7% in February 2026. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 41.2% over a year earlier to $707.5 billion in March 2026, after a year-on-year increase by 29.9% in February 2026. A visible trade deficit of $89.1 billion, equivalent to 12.6% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in March 2026.
For the first quarter of 2026 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 32.0% over the same period in 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 37.0%. A visible trade deficit of $168.4 billion, equivalent to 9.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first quarter of 2026.
Comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 18.4%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 20.0%.
Analysis by country/territory
Comparing March 2026 with March 2025, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 37.8%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Singapore (+125.0%), Malaysia (+62.3%), Thailand (+61.7%), Taiwan (+50.9%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+39.5%).
Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the USA (+80.8%) and the Netherlands (+37.1%). Meanwhile, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Kingdom (-29.1%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular the United Kingdom (+118.5%), Korea (+112.2%), India (+88.1%), Vietnam (+85.7%), the USA (+66.0%) and the Mainland (+48.8%).
Comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the same period in 2025, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+81.1%), Singapore (+71.2%), Taiwan (+56.5%), the USA (+47.5%) and the Mainland (+34.9%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular the United Kingdom (+128.2%), India (+112.2%), Korea (+100.8%), Vietnam (+93.4%) and the Mainland (+42.3%).
Analysis by major commodity
Comparing March 2026 with March 2025, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $99.8 billion or +47.9%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $40.2 billion or +94.7%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $10.2 billion or +175.9%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $106.2 billion or +49.5%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $45.3 billion or +93.0%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $30.4 billion or +403.6%).
Comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the same period in 2025, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $220.3 billion or +40.2%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $78.3 billion or +63.8%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $24.8 billion or +169.1%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $231.3 billion or +42.4%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $103.2 billion or +81.6%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $62.3 billion or +340.7%).
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that merchandise exports continued to stage a strong performance in March. The value of merchandise exports grew by 35.8% over a year earlier on the back of strong global demand for AI-related electronic products. Exports to most markets and of most major commodities sustained strong growth.
Looking ahead, the heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have led to an upsurge in international energy prices, posing downside risk to the near-term global economic outlook, with potential disruptions to global trade flows and supply chains. Nonetheless, global demand for AI-related electronic products remains robust and should provide staunch support to the performance of Hong Kong’s merchandise exports. The Government will continue to monitor the evolving external environment closely and stay vigilant.
Further information
Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for March 2026. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2023 to March 2026, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for March 2026 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for March 2026.
All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for March 2026 will be released in mid-May 2026.
The March 2026 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in March 2026 and will be available in early May 2026. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).
Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2592).
Auction of vehicle registration marks to be held on May 16
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Transport Department (TD) today (April 28) announced that the auction of vehicle registration marks will be held on May 16 (Saturday) at Meeting Room S221, L2, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
“A total of 200 traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) will be put up for public auction in the morning session, and 120 personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be put up for auction in the afternoon session. The lists of marks have been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.
For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with “HK” or “XX” and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.
The reserve price of each PVRM is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also attend the physical auction and participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.
People who wish to participate in the bidding at the physical auction should take note of the following points:
(1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. Any bidder who wishes to bid for both TVRMs and PVRMs on the same day, should bring along at least two crossed cheques for payment of auction prices (for an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed). Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.
(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Vehicle Registration Mark or the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted.
(3) A registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
(4) The display of a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.
(5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed.
(6) Special vehicle registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special vehicle registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special vehicle registration mark shall be cancelled.
(7) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the vehicle registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the registration mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation by the Commissioner for Transport in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
“Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman added.
For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of TVRMs (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html) and Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRMs (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html).
Vetting Committee supports another application under New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Innovation and Technology Commission announced today (April 28) that the New Industrialisation Vetting Committee (the Vetting Committee) under the Innovation and Technology Fund has supported in principle an application under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS) submitted by Hiharbor Tech HK Limited, a subsidiary of Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. The project plan is to set up a production line in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park producing high-capacity energy storage batteries under the advanced manufacturing technology sector. The estimated total investment amount is over $200 million, and the expected NIAS funding amount will be around $80 million.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, “We are pleased to see the application of Hiharbor Tech HK Limited under the NIAS being supported by the Vetting Committee, which fully reflects the Government’s support for enterprises in developing advanced manufacturing industries in Hong Kong. It is the first project supported by the Vetting Committee with a total project cost of less than $300 million since the NIAS application threshold was relaxed in November last year, indicating the effectiveness of the enhancement measures in helping enterprises to develop innovation and technology industries. Moreover, it is also the first time that an enterprise in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone will set up pilot and smart production lines through funding under the NIAS. With the gradual release of land resources in areas such as the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Co-operation Zone, more industrial land will be provided. The Government will continue to promote new industrialisation and accelerate the development of new productive forces in Hong Kong, thereby enabling the city to integrate into our country’s overall planning of new industrialisation.”
The NIAS provides funding support on a 1 (Government): 2 (enterprise) matching basis for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies) and contributing no less than $100 million to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. Each enterprise can receive up to $200 million of funding under the NIAS. In addition, the Government also provides additional funding for relevant enterprises to engage research talent and/or technical personnel.
The NIAS is open for applications throughout the year. Details are available on the website of the Innovation and Technology Fund (www.itf.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the scheme (Tel: 3543 5904; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).
Med centre loan issue clarified
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Health Bureau today clarified that the Government never requested the CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) to repay its government loan ahead of schedule.
The bureau noted that the proposal for early repayment was initiated jointly by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the CUHKMC.
In a press statement, the bureau said the CUHKMC formally notified the Government in writing on April 22 of its proposal to fully repay the loan ahead of schedule, citing its gradually stabilising financial position.
Taking into account various considerations, the Government has agreed to the proposal in principle that the CUHKMC may repay the full loan amount on March 19 next year. Specific arrangements are being finalised.
The bureau added that the Government will maintain close liaison with the CUHK and the CUHKMC to complete the necessary procedures. It will also closely monitor the CUHKMC’s compliance with deed-related obligations to ensure proper operations before and after the repayment.
The Government, the CUHK and the CUHKMC will report the latest updates on the loan arrangement to the Legislative Council Panel on Health Services on May 8.
‘Third medical school is taking shape’
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee
It is a great pleasure to be here today for the groundbreaking of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) Medical Education & Research Complex. I am delighted to witness this milestone with you – Hong Kong’s third medical school is now taking shape.
The National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in becoming an international hub for high-calibre talent. A new medical school will help turn that vision into reality, attracting and training top talent in healthcare and higher education. It will also contribute to a Healthy China, one of the Five-Year Plan’s key goals, by deepening collaboration with the Chinese Mainland.
Equally important, the new medical school will ensure better quality, greater efficiency, and higher capacity in our healthcare and medical services. It will increase local doctor training, easing manpower shortages. It will help us meet the challenges of an ageing population.
Beyond these, HKUST’s medical school will develop differently from our two existing ones. That will create synergy, drive innovation, generate multiplier effects, and raise our medical-education capabilities. Hong Kong is fast emerging as an international centre for medical training, research and innovation. Building a third medical school will get us there that much faster.
We are moving decisively to bring these benefits to Hong Kong. Last November, I approved HKUST’s proposal, agreeing in principle to launch a four-year, graduate-entry medical programme. It offers a combined bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery degree. About 50 students will make up the first cohort, starting in the 2028-29 academic year.
HKUST’s winning bid followed a rigorous assessment process by the Task Group on New Medical School and its expert advisors. They fully recognised HKUST’s innovative strategy, its financial commitment and its ability to deliver.
To turn this decision into reality, the Government has set up three working groups under the Task Group. The members include relevant government departments and outside experts, such as the Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong.
These groups will now work with HKUST on every stage of implementation, advising on curriculum, finances and more. I am sure HKUST will also work closely with the Medical Council to complete course accreditation and advance all fronts.
Our goal is clear: to ensure that the new medical school and its teaching hospital become a key pillar of Hong Kong’s medical teaching and service system. The Government is backing this commitment with substantial resources. We have set aside funding, on a matching basis, to support HKUST.
We have also reserved land at Ngau Tam Mei in the Northern Metropolis. That land is for the medical school’s permanent campus and an integrated hospital of medical education, research and patient care. We will also work with HKUST on the development and operational model for the new hospital.
Today’s groundbreaking ceremony, here at the Clear Water Bay campus, is a tangible step forward. The eight-storey complex will rise as one of the core facilities of the medical school. It is scheduled for completion in mid‑2028, just in time to welcome the first cohort of students. It will support the school’s phased development, and its technology-enabled teaching, for years to come.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have every confidence in HKUST. It enjoys an outstanding international reputation in science and life sciences, as well as engineering and business. The new medical school will take full advantage of these formidable strengths to create its own medical education and research foundations.
It will nurture a new generation of doctors with professional expertise, technological command, a global perspective, and a patient-centred philosophy. It will raise Hong Kong’s research and medical-education capabilities.
This is the future we are building – for Hong Kong, and for every patient who will one day be healed by the doctors trained here. Let’s build it together.
Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the HKUST Medical Education & Research Complex on April 28.
BIP breaks ground on Park III in Nanzih, ASE invests NT$ 17.8 billion to construct an advanced packing and testing base.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held a groundbreaking for the third park of the Nanzih Technology Industrial Park (Nanzih Third Park), marking the official launch of the park’s expansion project. The development has been awarded priority investment rights to ASE (Advanced Semiconductor Engineer Inc.), ASE Electronics Inc., and Hung Ching Development and Construction Co., Ltd., which will jointly invest NT$17.8 billion to build advanced packaging and testing facilities as well as logistics infrastructure. The project is expected to create approximately 1,470 job opportunities and generate an annual output value of about NT$4.63 billion per hectare. The project will not only alleviate the long-standing land shortage in the Nanzih park but also further strengthen the semiconductor industry cluster in southern Taiwan, injecting new momentum into the government’s “Greater Southern New Silicon Valley” development corridor.
BIP indicated that Nanzih Technology Industrial Park I and II have long maintained a high utilization rate, with land fully leased and strong demand from enterprises seeking expansion. In response to industrial development needs, BIP conducted a comprehensive review of available land resources and selected a site east of Chaoren Road in Nanzih District-formerly the Nanzih Factory under the Veterans Affairs Council-for the development of the third park. The site covers approximately 3.35 hectares and enjoys a strategic location near the Nanzih interchange of National Freeway No. 1, with only about a 10-minute drive to the existing park, offering excellent transportation access and strong industrial linkages. The overall development will be implemented in phases. The first phase, covering 2.45 hectares, received approval from the Executive Yuan for land allocation in February 2024, enabling the project to proceed swiftly.
BIP also emphasized during the ceremony that the Nanzih third park development is part of a broader strategy to expand industrial space in line with the government’s “Greater Southern New Silicon Valley” initiative. By linking the semiconductor S Corridor in southern Taiwan, the government continues to respond to corporate investment demand while expanding the scale of industrial clusters. Several additional industrial park development projects are being promoted in parallel. The expansion of the Pingtung Technology Industrial Park is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with a total development area of 26.86 hectares. Investment promotion is currently underway, and the project is expected to attract approximately NT$5 billion in investment, generate NT$10 billion in annual output value, and create around 790 job opportunities. The Renwu Technology Industrial Park, covering approximately 7.35 hectares, is expected to provide about 4.07 hectares of industrial land and create around 1,900 job opportunities. It is currently undergoing environmental impact assessment and urban planning procedures. In addition, the first building of Phase II of the Kaohsiung Software Park-the Asia New Bay Smart Technology Building-is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, adding approximately 33,000 square meters of office space and generating an estimated annual output value of NT$1.7 billion.
With multiple industrial park projects advancing simultaneously, BIP is systematically strengthening industrial space in southern Taiwan and building a comprehensive environment for technology industry development, thereby advancing the goal of balanced regional development under the “Balanced Taiwan” policy.
Two more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Two more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel
The said projects concern two applications submitted by Concord Bus Company Limited and Sun Sang Tourist Company Limited respectively, with each project involving trying out two hydrogen fuel cell coaches for local passenger services.
The spokesperson for the EEB stated, “The Working Group has promptly initiated the examination process upon receipt of detailed information regarding the trial projects. The Working Group gave agreement-in-principle to these two applications on April 22.”Issued at HKT 18:33
NNNN
CE meets Governor of Hubei Province
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Governor of Hubei Province, Mr Li Dianxun, at Government House today (April 27) to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hubei and Hong Kong. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa, also attended the meeting.
Mr Lee welcomed Mr Li and his delegation to Hong Kong. He said that Hubei and Hong Kong established the Hong Kong/Hubei co-operation mechanism in 2021 and have maintained close co-operation in areas including economic and trade, finance, innovation and technology (I&T), aviation, and education. Hong Kong is Hubei Province’s largest source of external investment. As of 2025, more than 4 660 Hong Kong-invested projects have been established in the province, reflecting close economic and trade ties between the two places. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has established the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to better serve Mainland enterprises, including those from Hubei, in expanding into overseas markets. Hong Kong will continue to play its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to work with Hubei for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and contribute to the country’s high-quality development.
Mr Lee said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in developing into an international I&T centre and an international hub for high-calibre talents. The HKSAR Government is making every effort to formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, which will be completed within this year, to better integrate into and serve the country’s overall development. Hubei Province continues to promote the development of I&T and new industrialisation, while Hong Kong is expediting the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, advancing new industrialisation and the digital economy, and deeply engaging in I&T development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. There are broad opportunities for co-operation between the two places. The Hubei Provincial and Hong Kong governments established the co-operation mechanism in 2021 to promote collaborative development across different areas, particularly in 13 key areas including finance, trade, logistics and technology. He expressed confidence that Hubei and Hong Kong will further deepen co-operation, leverage each other’s strengths, and jointly promote high-quality development.
Mr Lee said that Hubei Province possesses rich higher education resources and that a good number of Hong Kong students choose to pursue studies there. He thanked the Hubei Provincial Government for its care and support for Hong Kong young people and said the HKSAR Government will continue to encourage Hong Kong young people to seize the opportunities on the Mainland. The HKSAR Government is accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. He welcomed more students from Hubei to come to Hong Kong for study and development. Hong Kong will continue to strengthen exchanges and co-operation with Hubei in areas including education and youth development to nurture talent for the country’s development.
Import of poultry meat and products from Clay County of State of Arkansas in US suspended
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 27) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Clay County of the State of Arkansas in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 54 830 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 4.33 million poultry eggs from the US last year.
“The CFS has contacted the American authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.