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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today introduced three legislative amendments in the Legislative Council to impose clear legal obligations and prohibit smoking at all construction sites.

The move aims to reduce fire risks and safeguard the safety of workers and the public.

The three legislative amendments are the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2026, the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) (Specification of Authorities and Public Officers) (Amendment) Notice 2026, and the Construction Sites (Safety) (Amendment) Regulation 2026.

The Government will publish the Amendment Order and the Amendment Notice in the Gazette on Friday.

The Amendment Order designates construction sites as no smoking areas and the Amendment Notice specifies that Occupational Safety Officers (OSOs) of the Labour Department will carry out enforcement work in relation to all smoking offences at construction sites under the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance.

Any person smoking in a construction site commits an offence. OSOs can issue a fixed penalty notice to offenders with a fixed fine of $3,000.

The Amendment Order is applicable to all types of construction sites, including building maintenance sites. Domestic premises and private quarters occupied by residents are not included.

Meanwhile, the Amendment Regulation requires that contractors and subcontractors must take all reasonable steps to ensure that no person smokes or carries a lighted smoking product, or uses a naked light to light a smoking product, at a construction site.

Those violating the Amendment Regulation are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000.

The Amendment Order and the Amendment Notice will be subject to the negative vetting procedure, while the Amendment Regulation will be subject to the positive vetting procedure.

The Government will strive to facilitate LegCo’s scrutiny work and looks forward to having the chamber’s support for early passage of the three amendments, enabling the smoking ban at all construction sites to be implemented as soon as possible. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee said today the Government will consider views from all parties and strike a balance among different factors when it comes to enacting subsidiary legislation on ride-hailing.

The Government put in place a legal framework for the regulation of ride-hailing services, and enacted principal legislation, last October. This stipulated that it is necessary for the Government to impose control on the total number of ride-hailing vehicle permits issued.

Ahead of this morning’s Executive Council meeting this morning, Mr Lee said a balance will be struck among three factors at the first stage of implementing overall control.

He remarked: “First, address the public’s travel needs so that their riding experience remains more or less the same.

“Second, take into account Hong Kong’s unique circumstances, including road capacity and the fact that nearly 90% of daily passenger trips are made using public transport services.

“Third, establish a mechanism to monitor actual market operations and data. Conduct dynamic assessments and reviews.”

Mr Lee reaffirmed that the Government’s objective in setting up the regulatory regime for ride-hailing services is to ensure that they operate within a lawful, appropriate and safe framework, while also fostering healthy competition and complementarity between taxi and ride-hailing services, thereby enhancing the overall quality of point-to-point transport services and providing the public with more convenience and options.

The Chief Executive added that while putting a regulatory regime in place, the Government will introduce enhanced penalties and tighten vehicle empowerment arrangements to combat unlicensed vehicle operations, so as to protect lawful and compliant operators, as well as passengers.

The Government will consider views from all parties, as well as relevant data, and aim to submit subsidiary legislation to the Legislative Council within the first half of this year.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong has been increasingly connecting with Central Asia through financial and trade ties. In this regard, Chief Executive John Lee will lead a delegation on a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to explore more business opportunities.

The two countries are both Hong Kong’s key trading partners in Central Asia, taking up 59.7% and 13.2% of Hong Kong’s total exports to the area respectively.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council stated that the ongoing economic reform and diversification in Central Asia present new opportunities for bilateral collaborations.

The council’s Director of Research Bruce Pang noted that almost every Central Asia country has ambitious plans to upgrade their logistic facilities and to uplift their logistic capacity.

“Like in Kazakhstan, they are looking at how to upgrade their airport, air freight, logistics sectors, etc.

“And so we think that Hong Kong logistics firms, they actually have the potential to co-operate with all these countries to provide our solutions from warehouse automation as well as supply chain management.”

Kazakhstan is also leveraging Hong Kong’s financial advantages to develop fintech and digital assets.

The council also pointed out that the youthful demographic of Uzbekistan implies a large consumption market, and local enterprises see Hong Kong as a hub for fundraising and financing.

The council’s Principal Economist Alice Tsang highlighted that Central Asia countries are working towards developing light industries.

“So, I think Hong Kong companies can get the first-mover advantage by establishing or actually collaborating with the factories or companies in Uzbekistan to develop their products over there.”

Ms Tsang added that it is striving to establish the brand “Made in Uzbekistan” and that Hong Kong enterprises can serve as a “super connector” to help Uzbekistan companies tap into different markets.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​ Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Welcome Dinner for the Global Prosperity Summit 2026 today (May 18):
      
     Vice President Han Zhiqiang (Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Mrs Regina Ip (Chairperson of Savantas Policy Institute and Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good evening. It’s a pleasure to join you, tonight, for the welcome dinner of the third Global Prosperity Summit. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 18) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Haute-Garonne Department in France and Jarocin District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas 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 410 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 400 000 poultry eggs from France, and about 690 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland in the first three months of this year.

     “The CFS has contacted the French and Polish authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to US President Trump’s comments to the media following the Trump-Xi summit

May 16, 2026  
 
We note that the United States has repeatedly stressed that its long-standing policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. This position has been reaffirmed by President Donald Trump.
 
Our position is clear: Taiwan will continue to contribute to regional peace and stability. We are determined to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. This has consistently been the stance of President Lai Ching-te and the firm commitment of the 23 million people of Taiwan. It is self-evident that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign democratic country. Beijing has no right to claim jurisdiction over Taiwan. The government of Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with the United States, maintain peace through strength, and ensure that the security and stability of the Taiwan Strait are not threatened or undermined. This serves the shared interests of Taiwan, the United States, and democracies around the world.
 
China’s military threat remains the primary source of regional instability, driving countries in the first island chain to strengthen their defense capabilities in coordination with the United States. US arms sales to Taiwan are both part of US security commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act and a key element of collective deterrence against regional threats. We are grateful for President Trump’s continued support for cross-strait security since his first term, including announcements of weapons sales that have reached record highs. Taiwan-US cooperation has always been demonstrated through concrete actions and we look forward to the United States continuing to fulfill its commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act. Taiwan will further work with the United States and other democratic partners worldwide to address the risks that authoritarian regimes pose to geopolitical security and global order and stability.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the welcoming speech by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, at the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026 today (May 18):

(Chief Engineer of the National Energy Administration, Mr Liu Deshun);  (Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Department (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office) of the State Administration for Market Regulation, Mr Zhu Zhongliang);  (Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Ye Shuiqiu); Deputy Minister Mr Jeong Eui-kyung (Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea), honourable speakers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

Good morning. It is my great honour to welcome you all to the International Hydrogen Development Symposium in Hong Kong.

This Symposium is a flagship event of the Hydrogen Week 2026 and gathers over 1 000 guests, experts, and participants locally, from the Chinese Mainland and abroad. Co-organised with the China Hydrogen Alliance, this mega event provides an interactive platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing experience, leveraging innovations, and shaping the future. On behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), I wish to extend my warmest greetings to every participant joining us from near and far.

Tackling climate change is an urgent global priority. A rapid and effective green transition is essential for our future, and hydrogen represents one of the most promising pathways towards a sustainable energy landscape. Around the world, governments and industries are ramping up efforts to advance hydrogen technologies and infrastructure, recognising them as a key enabler of this clean energy transition.

Our country is committed to reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. To align with our country’s “dual carbon” goals, the HKSAR Government has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions by half from the 2005 level before 2035, and to achieve full carbon neutrality before 2050.

In Chapter 2 of our country’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, it states that forward-looking plans should be put in place for industries of the future. We need to explore diverse technology roadmaps, typical application scenarios, feasible business models and market regulation rules and work to foster new drivers of economic growth. Hydrogen is mentioned as one of the examples.

The challenges ahead are significant. In preparation for the opportunities presented by hydrogen development, the HKSAR Government set up in mid-2022 the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel to remove barriers and facilitate the commencement of local hydrogen applications. By now, 37 hydrogen energy trial projects are under way or under preparation. These projects cover, among other things, hydrogen fuel cell double-decker buses and street washing vehicles, a public hydrogen refilling station in the New Territories, hydrogen fuel cell gensets for use in construction sites and a hydrogen-powered generator used at the 15th National Games. More trial projects are expected to commence progressively, including hydrogen fuel cell coaches and goods vehicles and production of hydrogen through landfill gas. You are cordially invited to visit the booths showcasing these trial projects in our exhibition hall.

Also, through the Green Tech Fund and the New Energy Transport Fund, we are actively promoting and encouraging the trial of innovations in hydrogen-related technologies, products, applications and business models, with a view to achieving breakthroughs in the bottlenecks in the technology and the market, and strengthening the competitiveness of the supply chain of the hydrogen industry as a whole.

“The Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong” was released in June 2024. The Strategy sets out four major strategies, namely “Improving legislation”, “Establishing standards”, “Aligning with the market” and “Advancing with prudence”, with a view to creating a local environment conducive to the development of hydrogen energy in a prudent and orderly manner.

The Gas Safety (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 was enacted in July 2025. Hydrogen used as fuel will be brought under the safety regulatory framework of the Gas Safety Ordinance. New subsidiary legislation on the regulation of hydrogen will be introduced into the Legislative Council for negative vetting within 2026, covering the importation, manufacture, storage, transport, supply and use of hydrogen as fuel. Our target is that the Ordinance and the subsidiary legislation will come into effect on the same day.

We are actively advancing green hydrogen standards, including the introduction of a hydrogen standard certification scheme. The HKSAR Government commenced a dedicated study in August 2024, with a view to proposing a preliminary green hydrogen certification framework that is backed by our country’s standards, aligned with global practices, and tailored to Hong Kong’s actual circumstances. Green hydrogen and low-carbon hydrogen have been included in the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance Phase 2A published by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in January 2026. We are also collaborating with relevant stakeholders, such as the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, with the target of establishing the relevant certification system by 2027.

In support of our country’s policy directive to build a clean and low-carbon energy system, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the State Administration for Market Regulation signed the Memorandum of Co-operation in December 2024 for establishing a platform to accelerate hydrogen development through (i) collaborative alignment with national and international hydrogen standards; (ii) cross-boundary data sharing and mutual recognition of hydrogen pressure vessel approvals; and (iii) formulation of a green hydrogen certification framework suitable for Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the world, bridging regional and global practices.

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has also been working with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China for (i) establishing the “Green Corridor” for the transport of hydrogen samples from Hong Kong to the Chinese Mainland for hydrogen quality testing and certification; and (ii) simplifying customs clearance arrangements for hydrogen conveyance vehicles to facilitate cross-boundary transportation of hydrogen from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong.

To strengthen cross-boundary collaboration, the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, and the Foshan Municipal Government plan to sign a memorandum to establish a collaborative framework on hydrogen development. Our aim is to capitalise on opportunities and enhance competitive advantages, with a view to promoting green and low-carbon transformation of the energy system. We are also working closely with Guangdong Province on the development of the Greater Bay Area Hydrogen Corridor.

I am happy to note that, later this week, many of you will participate in a technical visit to the Yangtze River Delta Region. This visit will help showcase the cutting-edge technologies emerging on the Chinese Mainland and facilitate deeper co-operation among industry players. These initiatives broaden our engagement with the Chinese Mainland and the world, deeply integrating Hong Kong into the country’s overall development.

Today, I am particularly delighted to witness further collaboration between the Republic of Korea and Hong Kong, through the signing of three key Memoranda of Understanding. These include government-level agreements between our Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and both the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, alongside a strategic business-to-business Memorandum of Understanding uniting enterprises from Korea and Hong Kong. Together, these agreements relating to hydrogen mark a significant milestone that demonstrates our shared vision and paves the way for tangible, on-the-ground co-operation for accelerating the green transition towards carbon neutrality. Through these partnerships, we will actively exchange expertise on hydrogen policies, safety standards, and green certification. We also look forward to sharing emerging technologies across the entire hydrogen value chain (from production to refuelling infrastructure), while fostering joint ventures, facilitating the launch of demonstration projects, and driving capacity building.

Hong Kong offers an exceptional and rigorous testing ground for advanced hydrogen infrastructure and mobility solutions. We firmly believe that if cutting-edge green technologies can be applied and scaled up successfully in Hong Kong’s densely populated environment, it could serve as a positive model and avail choices of highly viable options for reference by modern cities worldwide. By combining Korea’s world-class technological capabilities and Hong Kong’s strategic urban context, I am confident that we can create a powerful synergy that advances the green transition for both of our economies.

Technology and policy cannot succeed without capital. I am highly encouraged by the participation of guests and experts from the financial sector today. Looking ahead, with our roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, Hong Kong will position itself as a demonstration base for hydrogen technologies, facilitating the export of innovations developed on the Chinese Mainland. Crucially, we will leverage our strengths as an international financial centre to provide the green financing and professional services required to scale up these hydrogen initiatives regionally and globally. Governments, innovators, and the financial sector must all work together to make this transition a reality.

Ladies and gentlemen, the development of hydrogen and other new energy in Hong Kong is not only a vital step towards achieving carbon neutrality, but also a treasured opportunity to reshape our energy landscape. Building a truly sustainable future is an ongoing mission – one that requires a continuous injection of talent and fresh perspectives. For this reason, engaging our youth is a core focus of this week’s agenda. Through the H2Future for Good and HydroRace Challenges, we are empowering students to interact directly with green technologies, sparking their curiosity and equipping them to be the future drivers of our green transition.

This Symposium is designed for you to share your success stories, discuss the lessons learned, and forge new partnerships and networking. Please make the best use of this gathering to promote collaboration across borders and disciplines. Together, let us inspire one another and push the boundaries of what is possible. Thank you, and I wish you all a highly fruitful Symposium, as well as an enjoyable week in Hong Kong.

Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs and the Vocational Training Council (VTC) today (May 16) held a launch ceremony for the Hong Kong Customs and VTC co-operation plan and prize presentation for a puppy-naming competition at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Kwai Chung). With the theme “Caring for animals, zero tolerance for pet smuggling”, the event aimed to promote animal welfare and anti-pet smuggling through public engagement and educational initiatives.

Apart from combating various smuggling activities at the forefront, including animal smuggling, Hong Kong Customs also attaches great importance to professional training and public education. The department therefore has partnered with the VTC to launch a one-year co-operation plan in areas of professional exchange and community promotion, with the core philosophy of “entering the campus, reaching the community”. The collaboration covers areas including basic canine handling training, pet medical care, and grooming training with the Health and Life Sciences Discipline of the VTC. Customs detector dogs will also work alongside VTC VCare Ambassadors to visit the community to promote anti-smuggling and animal protection messages.

​Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, said that while Customs is committed to combating animal smuggling with determination, the department also places strong emphasis on public education. He hoped that the event would help raise public awareness of animal protection and preventing pet smuggling. He also appeals to the public to report any suspected pet smuggling activities to Hong Kong Customs. The Chairman of the VTC, Mr Jeffrey Lam, welcomed the co-operation plan, noting that it embodies the VTC’s dedication to connecting vocational and professional education and training with the community. He looked forward to further collaboration between both parties in the future to benefit students and the community.

Another highlight of the event was the prize presentation ceremony for the puppy-naming competition. Following the birth of the Customs detector dog puppies, “EXCELSIOR”, in November last year, Hong Kong Customs organised the naming competition to promote the messages of animal protection and welfare. The naming was based on the letters of “EXCELSIOR”, representing the hope that these nine new puppies will pursue excellence in training and law enforcement. The competition received an enthusiastic response with a total of 130 entries from the public.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region