Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
In-situ land exchange arrangements for San Tin Technopole to invite applications
In accordance with the in-situ land exchange arrangements for the Enhanced Conventional New Town Approach (refer to Practice Note No. 13/2023), the scope for land exchange applications this time covers some of the sites planned for private residential development (about 17.7 hectares), mixed residential and commercial development (about 7.5 ha) and modern industry sites mainly for logistics and storage uses within the STT (about 8.8 ha).
The deadline for submitting applications is October 16, 2026, while the deadline for acceptance of binding basic terms offer (with premium) is August 17, 2027. If an application cannot be concluded within the specified deadline, the Government will proceed to initiate land resumption procedures in taking forward the development of the new development area so as not to delay the overall works programme.
Besides, the Pilot Scheme on “Pay for What You Build” will also be applicable to non-residential use developments (refer to Practice Note No. 2/2026) under the scope for land exchange applications in the subject Practice Note.
Together with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at the Loop, the STT has a total development area of over 600 ha, half (300 ha) of it will be I&T land. The I&T land is capable of accommodating a gross floor area of about 7 million square metres, equivalent to 17 Science Parks, and comparable to the size of the 300-hectare I&T zone in Shenzhen on the other side of the Shenzhen River.
Issued at HKT 19:38
NNNN
Land exchange open for applications
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Lands Department today issued Practice Note No. 8/2026 inviting in-situ land exchange applications for designated development sites within the San Tin Technopole.
The land exchange arrangement covers approximately 17.7 hectares of land planned for private residential development, about 7.5 hectares for mixed residential and commercial use, and around 8.8 hectares of modern industry sites mainly intended for logistics and storage.
The deadline for submitting applications is October 16, 2026. Applicants must accept the binding basic terms offer with premium by August 17, 2027.
If an application cannot be concluded within the specified timeline, the Government will initiate land resumption procedures to avoid delaying the overall works programme of the new development area.
Applicants may choose standard rates for premium assessment as an alternative to the conventional case-by-case assessment mechanism. The applicable level of standard rates will be announced later.
Furthermore, this round of land exchange applications allows applicants to surrender eligible land they own within designated Northern Metropolis projects to offset the land premium. The Government will calculate the value of the surrendered land based on the applicable ex-gratia compensation rates for land resumption.
The Pilot Scheme on “Pay for What You Build” will also apply to non-residential developments within the scope of this land exchange exercise.
Govt’s efficacy enhancement set
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government today announced that the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team has facilitated and implemented its first batch of 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects. The initiatives are being rolled out in phases starting from mid-2026.
Led by Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing, the team was established following the 2025 Policy Address to co-ordinate and steer departments in applying artificial intelligence (AI) technology, exploring process re-engineering and driving technological reforms.
The initial phase involves 13 government departments and includes 10 high-impact flagship projects. These cover public and business sectors closely connected to daily life, including transport licences, food business licences, leisure and sports facilities, environmental hygiene, complaint handling and environmental protection.
The 30 projects mainly optimise public service queuing and application processing workflows to deliver a faster, more user-friendly experience. In certain cases, the integration of AI has drastically cut waiting or processing times by up to 90%.
Internal government procedures are also being streamlined. Through process re-engineering and AI technology, some workflows have been compressed from several days to just a few hours. Additionally, the time required for case analysis or triage has been shortened by half or more.
Mr Cheuk noted that a dedicated AI task force, comprising experts from the Digital Policy Office and the Census & Statistics Department, is collaborating with leading AI enterprises to support these departments partnerships. “This arrangement ensures AI applications match with the actual operational needs of departments and new developments and trends of AI,” he explained.
“With the objectives of achieving pragmatic implementation and a swift rollout, we are striving to launch Efficacy Enhancement Projects progressively in 2026 and 2027,” he added. “Launching these projects within a short period of time reflects the Government’s determination and execution capability in smart transformation.”
Mr Cheuk pointed out that the first batch of projects has also shown the potential of promoting AI across departments.
“Despite the diverse functions and responsibilities of different departments, there are similarities in daily workplace scenarios, such as online reservations, license applications, audits and assessments, responding to enquiries and environmental monitoring,” he said.
“If a solution could be successfully applied in a pilot department, the relevant experience, technologies and operation models can be extended to other departments and similar work scenarios with suitable adjustments,” he added.
Taiwan FDI Statistics Summary Analysis (July 2026)
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
According to the statistics, from January to July 2026, 1,389 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total approved amount of US$ 13,916,690,000 were recorded. This represents a 11.48% increase in the number of cases, and a 78.13% increase in the FDI amount compared with the same period in 2025.
Regarding inward investment from Mainland China, 12 cases with a total approved amount of US$4,067,000 were recorded from January to July 2026. This reflects a 7.69% decrease in the number of cases and a 95.97% decrease in the investment amount compared with the same period in 2025.
In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 395 projects were registered from January to July 2026, with a total amount of US$ 61,255,651,000. This represents a 20.36% decrease in the number of cases, but a 208.43% increase in the investment amount, compared with the same period in 2025.
As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 142 applications were approved from January to July 2026, marking a 10.94% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The approved investment amount totaled US$ 572,895,000, representing a 25.87% decline compared with the same period in 2025.
Woman convicted of operating unlicensed employment agency
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
A woman was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for operating an employment agency (EA) without a valid licence in violation of the requirements under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) (EO). The woman was convicted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (August 17) and was fined $7,000. The court also ordered the woman to refund the service fee of $26,388 to the employer concerned.
In March 2022, the LD received a complaint from an employer. As subsequent investigations revealed sufficient evidence that the woman was operating an EA without a valid licence, the LD took out prosecution against her.
All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining employment for another person or supplying personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations (Cap. 57A). Irrespective of the mode of operation or the types of jobs referred, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities. Except for the EA licence holder or his or her associates, no one shall operate, manage or assist in the management of an EA. Offenders may face prosecution.
The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of licence. The maximum penalty for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commissions from job seekers is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about suspected violations of EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon).
AI Efficacy Enhancement Team announces implementation of 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
AI Efficacy Enhancement Team announces implementation of 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects
The first batch of 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects involves 13 departments and includes 10 high-impact flagship projects covering areas closely related to the public and business, such as transport licences, leisure and sports facilities, food business licences, environmental hygiene, complaint handling and environmental protection.
These 30 Efficacy Enhancement Projects mainly optimise the workflow of various application processing matters or public service queuing, to make them easier and faster, thereby enhancing users’ experience. For example, the adoption of AI has drastically reduced the processing or waiting time for certain cases by 90 per cent. Meanwhile, some projects have streamlined internal government procedures to improve work efficiency. For instance, through AI technology application and/or process re-engineering, the processing time for certain workflow has been compressed from several days to several hours, while the time required for case triage or analysis has also been shortened by half or more.
“The implementation of these projects resulted from the support and efforts by relevant departments. The Team has also established an AI dedicated task force comprising experts in AI and data science from the Digital Policy Office and the Census and Statistics Department. The task force collaborates with leading AI enterprises to assist government departments in taking forward projects in partnership by using AI technology. This arrangement ensures AI applications match with the actual operational needs of departments and new developments and trends of AI,” said the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing.
“With the objectives of achieving pragmatic implementation and a swift rollout, we are striving to launch Efficacy Enhancement Projects progressively in 2026 and 2027. Launching these projects within a short period of time reflects the Government’s determination and execution capability in smart transformation.
“The first batch of the projects has also demonstrated the potential in promoting AI across departments. Despite the diverse functions and responsibilities of different departments, there are similarities in daily workplace scenarios, such as online reservations, license applications, audits and assessments, responding to enquiries and environmental monitoring. If a solution could be successfully applied in a pilot department, the relevant experience, technologies and operation models can be extended to other departments and similar work scenarios with suitable adjustments,” he said.
The Government will continue to promote further AI adoption, explore more AI application scenarios, replicate and scale up the successful experience from the first batch of the projects to further improve government operational efficiency and service quality, and continuously optimise public services, so that citizens and enterprises can have a real sense of the convenience and benefits brought by digital intelligence transformation.
In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the setting up of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to co-ordinate and steer government departments to effectively apply AI technology to their work, explore process re-engineering, and promote technological reform in departments to improve efficacy. The Team is led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, with the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry as well as Legislative Council Member Mr Duncan Chiu as Deputy Leaders.
Issued at HKT 14:42
NNNN
Flat selections for Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2025 to commence from August 25
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Flat selections for Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2025 to commence from August 25
Flat selections for the Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Flats 2025 (GSH 2025) of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) will commence from August 25. The HA will invite eligible applicants in batches to select flats for sale under GSH 2025, via mail or email, at the designated time at the office of the HA’s GSH Sales Unit in Kwun Tong (GSH Sales Office), according to the priority under the respective application category.
Flat selections for GSH 2025 to commence first enhancing the housing ladder
“The HA has long been striving to enhance the housing ladder through the provision of various types of subsidised sales flat (SSF) schemes and continuous enhancement of relevant arrangements in order to assist Public Rental Housing (PRH) tenants with better financial capabilities and other eligible applicants to achieve upward mobility by purchasing SSFs. The HA jointly launched the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2025 (HOS 2025), GSH 2025 and the White Form Secondary Market Scheme 2025 with applications invited in April. The ballots for three schemes were separately drawn on July 10. Given that flat selections for GSH 2025 are set to commence from August 25, we encourage the eligible applicants to seize the opportunity and fulfil their home ownership aspirations early,” a spokesman for the HA said today (August 17).
Convenient location of Shing Chi Court and diversified choices of flats
Flats for sale under GSH 2025 include over 800 flats from the conveniently located new GSH development, Shing Chi Court, in Kowloon Bay with saleable areas ranging from about 26.0 square metres to about 43.6 sq m (about 280 square feet to about 469 sq ft) (see Annex 1). In addition, about 120 resale GSH flats and a new batch of about 400 recovered Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) flats will be offered for sale under GSH 2025.
Affordable pricing to facilitate home ownership
The selling prices of flats in Shing Chi Court under GSH 2025, range from about $1.68 million to $3.54 million. The mortgage payment is about $11,500 per month, assuming a flat selling price of $2.7 million (saleable area of around 35.3 sq m or 380 sq ft) and that the buyer takes out a mortgage at 95 per cent of the flat price for a mortgage repayment period of 30 years at a prevailing mortgage interest rate of about 3.5 per cent.
Priority flat selection for families with newborns or elderly and extra support for single applicants (see Annex 2)
The order of priority for flat selection by eligible applicants will be determined by the application category, quota allocation and ballot results. Affected tenants of the HA’s announced PRH clearance projects (i.e. Wah On House, Wah Lok House, Wah Cheong House, Wah Tai House and Wah Kin House of Wah Fu Estate; Pik Hoi House, Kam Pik House and Tan Fung House of Choi Hung Estate; Geranium House and Narcissus House of Ma Tau Wai Estate and Sai Wan Estate) who would like to purchase an SSF in lieu of PRH will be accorded priority in flat selection over other applicants under GSH 2025.
Diversified information and exhibitions for easy understanding of the developments
Project models of the new development and doll houses of GSH typical flats, virtual videos of samples of GSH flats, virtual reality tours of the interiors of samples of GSH and recovered TPS flats, exhibition panels/electronic panels and other information on GSH developments and TPS estates will be available for public viewing at the GSH Sales Office and on the designated website.
During the flat selection period, video clips of the interiors of all recovered TPS flats for sale will be provided at the GSH Sales Office and on the designated website. Arrangements will be made with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the viewing of these recovered TPS flats as far as practicable.
Flat selections for HOS 2025 to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026 helping to achieve the homeownership aspirations
Applicants may call the 24-hour HA Sales Hotline at 2712 8000 for enquiries.
Issued at HKT 17:00
NNNN
Credit card lending survey results for second quarter 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Credit card lending survey results for second quarter 2026
Total card receivables decreased by 2.1 per cent in the second quarter to HK$154.6 billion at end-June 2026, as compared to a decrease of 3.8 per cent in the previous quarter.
The combined delinquent and rescheduled ratio was 0.42 per cent at end-June 2026, compared with 0.45 per cent at the previous quarter-end. The charge-off ratio for the second quarter of 2026 was 0.61 per cent, compared with 0.56 per cent in the previous quarter.
Issued at HKT 16:30
NNNN
“Carrying the Legacy – Lung Kim-sang Cantonese Opera Excerpts” featuring Lung Kim-sang to stage six performances at Sha Tin Town Hall in October
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)’s new “Pass It On! A Cantonese Opera Fiesta!” series will open with the stage programme “Carrying the Legacy – Lung Kim-sang Cantonese Opera Excerpts” from October 10 to 15 at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Cantonese opera virtuoso Lung Kim-sang will serve as the artistic director of the programme. She will also take the stage to perform classic excerpts from Cantonese opera masterpieces “Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom” and “Princess Changping”, alongside rising local talents, imparting the artistry to pass on the legacy of Cantonese opera.
The first half of the programme features selected excerpts from “Butterfly and Red Pear Blossom”, including “‘Stealing Glances at the Tipsy Beau’ and ‘Reunion at the Pavilion'”, “Ode to the Pear Blossoms” and “Three Misunderstandings during an Official Journey”. These scenes vividly portray the intricate love story of the talented scholar Zhao Ruzhou and the famous courtesan Xie Suqiu, from their meeting at the prefect’s mansion without acknowledging each other, to pouring their hearts out using red pear blossoms in the back garden, and culminating in a courtroom trial where all misunderstandings melt away, finalising their twist-filled romance. The second half brings the timeless tragedy of “Princess Changping”, featuring the excerpts “‘Reunion in the Nunnery’ and ‘Recognition'”, “Welcome Princess”, “Presenting the Memorial” and “The Fragrant Death”. It brings the wartime romance of Princess Changping and the imperial son-in-law Zhou Shixian leaping onto the stage, recreating their poignant moments as they recognise each other in a nunnery after surviving countless vicissitudes, feign allegiance to the Qing court, and ultimately wed under a camphor tree before drinking poison to die for their country.
The roles of Zhao Ruzhou and Zhou Shixian will be played by Lung Kim-sang, who will alternate with Lai Yiu-wai and Vong Seng-pan. Yue Ling-lung will portray Xie Suqiu, while Leung Tsz-kei will play the role of Princess Chang Ping. Leung Wai-hong, Lo Lai-see, Fu Shu-wang and Kwan Hoi-shan will also join the cast. The cast will showcase the artistic depth of Cantonese opera that endures through the ages.
Tickets for this programme will be available through two methods: “Online Public Sale” and “Registration for Ticket Ballot”.
“Online Public Sale” arrangements
————————————–
| Applicable performances: | October 10, 11, 12 and 15 (four performances) |
| Sale date: | August 24 (Monday) from 10am |
| Ticketing methods: | Internet booking (www.urbtix.hk), mobile ticketing app, or telephone booking ((852) 3166 1288) via URBTIX (there will be no counter booking nor self-service ticketing kiosk) (Payment by credit card only. Each credit card is limited to a maximum cumulative purchase of two tickets.) |
“Registration for Ticket Ballot” arrangements
—————————————————-
Tickets for the performances on October 13 and 14 (two performances) will be sold through “Registration for Ticket Ballot”. Applicants can choose up to two tickets, of which at least one must be a concessionary ticket for senior citizens (cannot be upgraded to standard-price tickets afterwards). Successful applicants of the ticket ballot will have seats assigned by a computer system, and receive an SMS notification containing a dedicated purchase code. Successful applicants shall purchase their assigned tickets at URBTIX ticketing outlets at any LCSD performance venue within a designated period. The timetable for balloting registration and ticket purchase is as follows:
| Date/Period | ||
| Methods to register for ticket ballot*: | Via URBTIX website | From 10am on August 25 (Tuesday) to 9pm on August 27 (Thursday) |
| Via Registration Service Counters (located at Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and Sha Tin Town Hall) | From August 25 (Tuesday) to 27 (Thursday), from 10am to 9pm |
|
| Announcement of ballot result: | September 3 to 5 (Thursday to Saturday) (Successful applicants will receive SMS notification with dedicated purchase code) |
|
| Ticket purchase period for successful applicants: | September 6 to 9 (Sunday to Wednesday) Successful applicants must visit an URBTIX outlet at any LCSD performance venue, present their SMS containing the dedicated purchase code to purchase assigned tickets |
|
* Each person will be eligible to register for just one ballot. All registrations have an equal chance of being selected from the random ballot. There is no need to rush to register.
For details regarding the balloting registration and ticketing procedures, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_2008.html.
“Carrying the Legacy – Lung Kim-sang Cantonese Opera Excerpts” will be held at 2.30pm from October 10 to 15 at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Lyrics come with Chinese surtitles. Tickets are priced at $380, $580, $780 and $980. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit the above-mentioned programme website. For any problems encountered during the ticket ballot registration and purchase period, please email urbtix@maoyan.com.hk or call URBTIX’s ticketing enquiries and customer service hotline at 3166 1100. (Office hours are between 10am and 8pm, Monday to Sunday (including public holidays)).
Short-Duration Thundery Showers On Some Days In The Second Fortnight Of August 2026
Source: Government of Singapore
17 August 2026 – Southwest Monsoon conditions are prevailing over Singapore and the surrounding region, and are expected to persist in the coming fortnight, with winds blowing from the southeast or southwest.
2 Localised short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of the island during the late morning and afternoon on some days. There may also be several fair and occasionally windy days. The total rainfall for the second fortnight of August 2026 is forecast to be below average over most parts of the island.
3 In the second fortnight of August 2026, the daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. On a few days, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of 35 degrees Celsius. Most nights may also be warm and humid, with temperatures staying above 27 degrees Celsius.
4 With the dry conditions in the surrounding region, hotspots with smoke plumes have been observed, mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan. The dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming days. Under the prevailing southeasterly or southwesterly winds, Singapore may experience hazy conditions should the fires intensify. The National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates if the situation changes. Should the 24-hour PSI enter the Unhealthy range, NEA will provide daily haze advisories.
5 For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.
REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 16 August 2026)
6 Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of August 2026, with winds blowing mostly from the southeast or south.
7 The first half of August 2026 was mostly dry, with only a few days of brief showers over Singapore. These conditions were attributed to suppressed rain cloud formation caused by a dry air mass over Singapore and the surrounding region. Thundery showers affected parts of the island on a few days during this period. The highest rainfall recorded in the first half of August 2026 was a daily total of 39.2mm, registered at Seraya Road on 2 August 2026 and Paya Lebar on 15 August 2026.
8 In the first half of August 2026, daily maximum temperatures exceeded 33 degrees Celsius on all but one day. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.9 degree Celsius was recorded at Pulau Ubin on 14 August 2026. The nights were warm, with minimum night-time temperatures remaining above 27 degrees Celsius across many parts of the island.
9 Well-below-average rainfall was recorded across the island in the first half of August 2026. The highest anomaly of 100 per cent below-average was recorded at Changi.
CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS
| Long-term Statistics for August (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Average daily maximum temperature: | 31.4 | °C |
| Average daily minimum temperature: | 25.3 | °C |
| Average monthly temperature: | 28.1 | °C |
| Average rainfall: | 146.9 | mm |
| Average number of rain days: | 14 | |
| Historical Extremes for August (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929) |
||
| Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature: | 32.7 | °C (2019) |
| Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature: | 23.0 | °C (1962) |
| Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded: | 526.8 | mm (1878) |
| Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded: | 11.8 | mm (2019) |
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE
17 Aug 2026
~~ End ~~
For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.