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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Education Bureau (EDB) reminded parents today (May 29) that the EDB will inform them of the results of the Central Allocation for Primary One Admission (POA) 2026 next Wednesday and Thursday (June 3 and 4).
 
Release of the Central Allocation results
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“A total of 16 345 children took part in Primary One Central Allocation 2026. Among them, 14 093 children were allocated to schools of their first three choices,” an EDB spokesman said.
 
“Taking into account discretionary places and the number of children allocated to schools of their first three choices in the Central Allocation, the overall satisfaction rate was 93.6 per cent.”

The Central Allocation for the POA is composed of two parts. Ten per cent of the places for the Central Allocation, which are not restricted by school nets, are under Part A and parents may choose up to three schools in any school net. The remaining 90 per cent of the places for the Central Allocation are under Part B and parents are required to select schools in the school net/Choice of Schools List in respect of the applicant child. Of the children participating in the Central Allocation, 1 865 are allocated under Part A and 14 480 are under Part B.

Parents who completed the Choice of Schools Form for the Central Allocation on or before January 25 this year can obtain the allocation results by the following means:

(i) Parents who have activated their POA e-Platform (ePOA) account via “iAM Smart” or “iAM Smart+” (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) can check the Central Allocation results through the ePOA from 10am on June 3;

(ii) Parents who have provided a mobile phone number on the Choice of Schools Form and indicated their consent to receive the allocation results via the mobile phone number will also receive the Central Allocation results via SMS on June 3; and

(iii) Parents will also receive the Primary One Registration Form with the Central Allocation results, delivered by Hongkong Post through the Local CourierPost service on June 3 and 4. If door delivery by Hongkong Post fails, a Mail Collection Notification Card will be left for parents to collect it from the designated post office starting from the afternoon of the following working day. If parents have not received the mail concerned or the Mail Collection Notification Card issued by Hongkong Post by June 5, they can collect the Primary One Registration Form at the designated collection centre on June 6 or 7. Please refer to the EDB’s POA System webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/index.html) for details. 

Please refer to the related videos and Parents’ Guide on the EDB’s Resources on POA e-Platform webpage (https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html) for details of the procedures for activating and logging into an ePOA account and for checking allocation results via the e-Platform.     
 
Student registration procedures
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Parents are required to register their child with the school allocated during school hours on June 9 (Tuesday) or June 10 (Wednesday).
 
The spokesman reminded parents that if they are unable to complete the registration procedures on the above dates due to important matters, they should contact the person-in-charge of registration at the school allocated in advance to make alternative arrangements. Otherwise, they will be considered to have given up the school place allocated.
  
Arrangements for special circumstances
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Should parents decide to give up the place allocated because of special circumstances, such as relocating to another district far from the school allocated, they should not register their child with the school allocated. Under such circumstances, they are advised to go to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section, Podium Floor, West Block, Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, to make necessary arrangements for transfer. They should bring along the Primary One Registration Form, the original and copies of documents showing proof of the new address (such as a rental contract, rates demand notes, or water or electricity bills bearing the name of the parent or the guardian of the child).
 
If a student needs to transfer schools after completing the registration due to special circumstances, parents are strongly advised to obtain an assurance of acceptance from another school before retrieving the Primary One Registration Form from the original school because retrieval of the registration form means cancellation of the allocated school place.
 
In case of inclement weather or other special circumstances during the period for the announcement of results or on any day(s) designated for registration, parents should pay attention to announcements on radio and television for special arrangements for the Central Allocation or registration.
 
Enquiries
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Parents wishing to obtain general information regarding the POA procedures can call the EDB’s 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service at 2891 0088. Further enquiries can be made to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section at 2832 7610 (for Hong Kong Island and Islands), 2832 7620 (for Kowloon), 2832 7635 (for New Territories West), 2832 7659 (for New Territories East) and 2832 7700/2832 7740 (for general enquiries) during office hours, as well as from 9am to 4.30pm on June 6 (Saturday) and June 7 (Sunday).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government published in the Gazette today (May 29) the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 to provide for the calculation and payment of stamp duty arising from transactions of dual-counter stocks conducted at the Renminbi (RMB) counter in RMB.
 
“‘The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address’ announced that the Government will implement the arrangement for paying the stamp duty arising from RMB counter stock transactions in RMB, which allows investors to settle both their trades and the associated stamp duty and other levies or charges in RMB at the same RMB counter. The arrangement is expected to increase the turnover and liquidity of the RMB counter, which in turn strengthens the role of RMB as an international investment currency, further consolidating Hong Kong’s status as a leading offshore RMB business hub,” the Government spokesperson said.
 
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading on June 10, 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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 29) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Special Area No. 4 of the Province of Alberta in Canada, 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, no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada in the first three months of this year.

     “The CFS has contacted the Canadian 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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     HKMC Annuity Limited (HKMCA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, announced today (May 29) that, in response to Hong Kong’s ageing population and evolving retirement paradigms, the HKMCA will promote the sustainable retirement lifestyle concept throughout the second half of this year. To encourage the public to make prudent financial arrangements for retirement, a limited-time premium discount offer will be launched on June 1.
 
Achieving dual honours – recognising the commitment to quality service for the silver-aged

Following its receipt of the Investor and Financial Education Award from the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC) in 2023 and 2024, the HKMCA has been awarded the Silver Award in the Public/Professional Body and NGO (non-governmental organisation) category in 2025, recognising the HKMCA’s sustained commitment to advancing public education. Additionally, the HKMC Annuity Plan (Plan) (Note 1) has been registered as a “silver-friendly financial product” by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, confirming that the Plan’s design and service standards meet the needs of the silver-aged community. These accolades and certifications reflect the HKMCA’s continuous efforts to advance retirement financial planning and public education.
 
Promoting sustainable retirement lifestyle in response to longevity trends

With Hong Kong’s average life expectancy continuing to rank among the highest globally and retirement periods extending up to several decades, the HKMCA is promoting the sustainable retirement lifestyle concept in the second half of 2026. The initiative aims to encourage the public to proactively address longevity-related challenges and build a retirement lifestyle that balances financial security, health, social participation, and personal value adaptation post retirement. This concept is based on the multi-dimensional retirement planning framework for active ageing developed by the Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies (RCGFS) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The framework encompasses important dimensions including health, finance, social participation, family life, and long-term care, integrating academic rigour with practical lifestyle application. The HKMCA aims to empower the public to manage longevity-related challenges effectively, enhance retirement planning awareness, and provide insights across six major dimensions, including health, diet, housing, mobility, mind, and finance. Supported by the RCGFS, this initiative is grounded in solid academic research and aims to inspire the public to achieve a fulfilling and joyful retirement.
 
Director of the RCGFS and Non-Executive Director of the HKMCA, Professor Bai Xue, stated, “A solid financial foundation serves as the ‘bedrock’ of retirement. However, when facing a retirement that may span decades, a holistic lifestyle plan encompassing multiple dimensions is the true key to unlocking a sustainable retirement. We are delighted to collaborate with the HKMCA to drive the sustainable retirement lifestyle concept and support the public in making comprehensive preparations for retirement through multi-dimensional planning.”
 
Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the HKMCA, Mr Daniel Leong, said, “We extend our sincere gratitude to the RCGFS for its invaluable support in promoting the sustainable retirement lifestyle concept. The research team’s professional insights and multi-dimensional framework on active ageing have provided us with a strong academic foundation, enhancing the vision and practicality of our outreach. By integrating theories with real-life application, we aim to help the public plan their retirement more comprehensively, thereby realising a long-lasting, sustainable, and fulfilling life.”
 
Focusing on the needs of the silver-aged community and promoting the development of the retirement financial planning market

A recent survey commissioned by the HKMCA indicates that some respondents are considering sojourning or settling outside Hong Kong after retirement, with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) being the preferred destination. In response to the growing demand for cross-boundary retirement solutions, the HKMCA will actively explore providing ancillary services in financial management and healthcare support to facilitate Hong Kong residents pursuing retirement in the GBA. Furthermore, the HKMCA will continue to collaborate closely with the insurance industry to further expand the distribution network of the Plan and promote further development of the local annuity market.
 
Limited-time premium discount offer (Note 2)

Schedule a sales appointment on or before August 31, 2026 and successfully apply for the Plan between June 1 and September 30, 2026 (both dates inclusive) to enjoy a 3 per cent premium discount on eligible policies, subject to the eligibility requirements. Interested parties may visit the HKMCA website (www.hkmca.hk) to schedule an appointment. For enquiries, please contact the customer service hotline at 2512 5000.
 
Note 1: The Plan is a life insurance product subject to terms and conditions and involves risks. The information is for reference only and intended for use in Hong Kong only. It shall not be construed as an offer to sell, solicitation to purchase or provision of any products outside Hong Kong by the HKMCA. Please refer to the product brochure for detailed terms and conditions, risks and important notes.

Note 2: Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the HKMCA website or promotional leaflet for details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Artist Alley, a dedicated zone set up within Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 (HKCC), was launched today (May 29) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Artist Alley runs until May 31 and is open to HKCC attendees.

As a core zone of HKCC, Artist Alley features a total of some 50 artist booths, comprising local Hong Kong creators and internationally renowned artists representing major global franchises. The initiative is expected to draw around 50 000 attendees, generating immediate revenue and commercial opportunities for participating artists through their original works, limited-edition prints and custom commissions.

Participating local artists in Artist Alley include Man Tsang (the first Hong Kong comic artist appointed by Disney to adapt a “Star Wars” novel “Thrawn” into a comic) and Fung Chin-pang (the first key animator of the animation film “Another World”), as well as Pen So, Linus Liu, Jerry Cho and many others. They are joined by prominent international legends: Bob Layton (the co-creator of “Iron Man”), David Roman (a Disney veteran), Alan Quah and Stephen Segovia (artists of “DC Comics” and “Marvel Comics”). The project fosters direct exchange, knowledge transfer and long-term co-operative relationships between Hong Kong and international artists.

In addition, two cultural intellectual property (IP) projects sponsored by CCIDA are also showcased inside HKCC, creating opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration. One of them, “Bucket Man”, is created by Hong Kong actor and director Stephen Fung. The project aims to assist in enhancing the visibility of Hong Kong’s creative industry on the international streaming media landscape by nurturing and expanding the IP’s value of “Bucket Man”. A thematic booth has also been staged for the other project, “Another World Eternity”, offering a sneak peek at further cross-sectoral content development for “Another World” and launching merchandise for its characters.

CCIDA is committed to supporting Hong Kong comic writers, illustrators and animators in accessing global opportunities and will continue to support local creators in showcasing their works and exploring commercial partnerships. For further information on Artist Alley, “Bucket Man” and “Another World Eternity”, please visit the respective websites www.hkcomiccon-artistalley.com/, bucket-man.com/about/ and www.instagram.com/movieanotherworld/.