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SJ convenes meeting on AI

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee tasked with establishing the Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI (artificial intelligence).

Mr Lam emphasised that the Government must take the lead in modernising Hong Kong’s laws to create a facilitative and properly controlled legal environment for AI development in the city. He added that a prompt review is necessary to ensure Hong Kong’s legal framework remains up to date.

The proposed legal framework is expected to help the city harness AI’s benefits while protecting the interests of all affected stakeholders.

Mr Lam noted that the Government must take a proactive approach to managing the risks and regulatory requirements arising from AI development.

He said it is essential to strike a balance between promoting innovation and mitigating associated risks.

Therefore, policy bureaus and departments (B/Ds) should first conduct comprehensive and thorough reviews of existing laws to identify loopholes and deficiencies, and then formulate targeted and practicable solutions that take Hong Kong’s actual environment into account, Mr Lam added.

Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung, Acting Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong, Permanent Secretaries and Under Secretaries of various policy bureaus, as well as heads and representatives of other government departments attended the meeting.

The participants at the meeting discussed the purpose of the Working Group and its mode of operation under the superintendence of the Steering Committee.

The core members of the Working Group will be drawn from various B/Ds.

The role of the Department of Justice (DoJ) is to help each bureau remain focused on conducting a critical review of the areas of law under their policy responsibility.

After a preliminary study, the DoJ will co-ordinate different B/Ds during the course of the substantive review by the Working Group.

Noting that the establishment of the Working Group would be essential to address issues arising from the rapid development and use of AI, Mr Lam called on all B/Ds, including the Judiciary Administration, the Administration Wing and the Digital Policy Office, to lend their full support.  

The DoJ’s establishment of the Working Group is one of the key policy initiatives in the Policy Address.

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Public alerted to fake email, SMS

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today alerted the public to fraudulent emails and SMS messages purportedly issued by the department.

These emails ask recipients to settle outstanding payments by clicking a hyperlink to a website that is not the WSD’s official address. The department clarified it did not send the messages and stressed that it will not direct customers to other websites via embedded links or ask for credit card information.

The department’s official website is www.wsd.gov.hk while all eBill-related emails to its customers are sent from customer_services@wsd.gov.hk or ccbs_no_reply@ccbs.wsd.gov.hk.

Additionally, all SMS messages issued by the department will include the prefix “#” in the SMS Sender ID for easy identification.

The department recommends that customers access their account information by logging into the Electronic Services Account through the official website or by logging into the department’s integrated “eWater” mobile app to access their account details and make payments.

Anyone who has provided personal information to suspected websites should contact Police. Call 2824 5000 for enquiries.

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Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs and Environmental Protection Department urge public to stop using three types of unsafe whitening cream products      ​
     Customs and the EPD remind members of the public to observe the following tips when purchasing and using cosmetic products:     • Stop using the cosmetic products and seek medical attention immediately if feeling unwell after use; and
     • Purchase cosmetic products at reputable retail shops.
     ​
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account: (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:15

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CHP investigates first locally acquired measles case this year

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CHP investigates first locally acquired measles case this year      
     The case involves a 32-year-old female who developed a fever, sore throat, cough, red eyes and rash on February 28. She sought medical attention from a private doctor on March 4 and was immediately referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment. Her clinical specimen was tested positive for the measles virus upon nucleic acid testing. The patient is currently receiving treatment under isolation and is in stable condition.
      
     An epidemiological investigation revealed that the patient had not received measles vaccination and had no travel history during the incubation period. She has three household contacts. Five additional individuals who visited her residence during the incubation period are also classified as close contacts. All eight close contacts reported having received measles vaccination and are asymptomatic so far.
      
     During the communicable period, the patient primarily stayed at home, except when seeking medical consultation or staying outside the entrance of a primary school near her residence. The CHP has contacted the private clinic and the primary school concerned to identify any high-risk individuals. Measles vaccinations will be arranged for those who are not immune to measles. Regarding the eight close contacts, the CHP will put them under medical surveillance. 

     The CHP will continue to investigate and follow up on the case.
 
     “Many regions around the world are currently experiencing measles outbreaks. North America (including the United States, Canada and Mexico) and Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have seen persistent measles outbreaks in recent years due to low vaccination coverage rates. Over 1 100 cases have been recorded in the United States in the first two months of this year, approaching half of last year’s total and significantly higher than the same period last year. In Europe, the number of measles cases in the United Kingdom and Italy has increased recently, with 195 and 84 cases respectively since January this year. In Asia, the incidence of measles remains high in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. Japan has also seen a substantial rise in cases this year, with 71 cases recorded as of February 25, exceeding figures for the same period over the past six years. Singapore and Australia recorded 15 and 57 measles cases respectively this year, up from two and 21 cases during the same period last year. Most overseas cases mainly affected people who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. This shows the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
      
     “The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If travellers returning from places with high incidence or outbreak of measles develop symptoms of measles (e.g. fever and rash), they should seek medical advice immediately and avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially pregnant women and infants under one year old. They should also report their symptoms and prior travel history to healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities to prevent any potential spread,” Dr Tsui added.      ​For more information on measles, the public may visit the CHP’s measles thematic pageIssued at HKT 19:12

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Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe AHA exfoliating face wash gel

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe AHA exfoliating face wash gel
Customs earlier received referrals from a related organisation that a model of suspected unsafe AHA exfoliating face wash gel was being supplied on the market. Customs officers immediately conducted inspections at different districts and successfully test-purchased the product concerned for safety testing. Results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the pH value of the product concerned was 2.5, which falls below the permissible limit of 3.5 for cosmetics containing AHA as specified in the relevant safety and technical standards for cosmetics. The product was suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).

Customs officers subsequently conducted operations and searched the retailer, wholesaler and importer involved in the case.  A total of 523 bottles of suspected unsafe AHA exfoliating face wash gel were seized.

An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to closely monitor the market situation and step up patrols. If any violations are found, Customs will take appropriate enforcement action.

Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using beauty products:     Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the CGSO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:02

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Over 900 young musicians to perform at 2026 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras concert series

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Over 900 young musicians from 17 bands, choirs and orchestras under the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present beautiful music at the 2026 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras concert series in April.

     Marking the commencement of the Fiesta, the New Territories Youth Strings, the Island Youth Strings, the Kowloon Youth Strings and the Hong Kong Youth Strings will perform at the concert titled “Fairy Tales”, to be held at 3pm on April 5 (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. They will perform excerpts from the familiar animation “Frozen”, arranged by Longfield; Borodin’s masterpiece “Selections from Polovtsian Dances”, arranged by Marani; Saint-Saëns’ fantastical “Danse Macabre”; and “The Magic of Harry Potter”, an arrangement of film soundtracks by Story. This concert is one of the pre-festival programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2026.
 
     The second concert, “Faith and Love”, will be held at 7.30pm on April 11 (Saturday) at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. The Music Office Children’s Choir, the Music Office Youth Choir and the Music Office Junior Symphony Orchestra will present Althouse’s “Cantar!”, which is full of vibrant energy; the deeply moving “Come Live With Me And Be My Love” by Gilpin; Saint-Saëns’ energetic “Marche Héroïque”; and the third, fifth and sixth movements of the traditional “Irish Suite” arranged by Anderson, spreading positive energy through melodious classics.
 
     The Chinese orchestras’ concert “Chinese Music Rendezvous” will be held at 7.30pm on April 18 (Saturday) at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium Arena. The Music Office Children’s Chinese Orchestra, the Kowloon Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Island Youth Chinese Orchestra and the New Territories Youth Chinese Orchestra will perform the Kazakh folk song “Mayila”, arranged by Alfred Wong; Lo Leung-fai’s vibrant “Spring”; Kwok Hang-kei’s melodious “Scenery of Dali”; and the festive and joyful “Festival at Chang’an” by Zhao Jiping and Lu Rirong. This concert is one of the programmes of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series.
 
     The Music Office Youth Brass Band, the Kowloon Youth Symphonic Band and the New Territories Youth Symphonic Band will perform at the concert titled “The Looms of Winds” to be held at 3pm on April 19 (Sunday) at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium Arena. The repertoire includes “Gøta”, which depicts the landscape of the arctic region; the mysterious yet majestic “Terracotta Warriors” by Watson; and mesmerising musical highlights from “Enchanted”, offering a full immersion in the wonders of music to the audience.

     The concert, “Melodic Splendour”, featuring the Hong Kong Children’s Symphonic Band, the Music Office Junior Chinese Orchestra and the Music Office Junior Symphonic Band, will be held at 3pm on April 26 (Sunday) at the Tuen Mun Town Hall Auditorium. They will present the magnificent piece “The Symphony of Souls”; the first, third and fourth movements of “Medley of Folk Songs from China’s West – Somewhere Far Away”, arranged by Gu Guanren; and the uplifting “Declaration Overture”.
 
     Tickets for the first concert are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk), and tickets for the other concerts will be available one month before the concert dates. Tickets are priced at $60, $80 and $90. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2796 7523 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/traineesevents/musicnconcert/2026-Fiesta.html.
 
With “Beyond Fantasy” as this year’s theme, the LCSD presents the fourth Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival. Over the years, Hong Kong pop culture has continued to evolve through music, images and text, as well as stage and cross-media creations. Shaped by the interplay of inheritance, circulation, fusion and breakthroughs, it has distilled a style that is uniquely Hong Kong. The Festival will continue to join audiences and local creators in crossing boundaries within everyday rhythms, and create warm, resonant and moving works while inspiring the limitless possibilities of pop culture.

     The concert “Chinese Music Rendezvous” is one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.ccpo.gov.hk/en/.

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Fraudulent websites related to Mastercard

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Fraudulent websites related to Mastercard 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release      
     The fraudulent website reported by the retail payment system (RPS) operator known at the time is as follows:
     hxxps[:]//mastercard[.]hk-priceless[.]icu/hk
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that anyone who has provided his or her personal information or account credentials, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website concerned, should contact the relevant RPS operator, and report to the Police or contact the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the Police at 18222.
Issued at HKT 18:00

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Special traffic and transport arrangements in Chai Wan during Ching Ming Festival

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Special traffic and transport arrangements in Chai Wan during Ching Ming Festival 
(i) Temporary prohibited zone
 
     The section of Cape Collinson Road to the east of Lin Shing Road (i.e. the left-turning movement from Lin Shing Road to Cape Collinson Road leading to the Chinese Permanent Cemetery) will be temporarily designated as a private car and light goods vehicle prohibited zone from 7am to 3pm daily from March 14 to April 26. All private cars and light goods vehicles, except those with permits, will be prohibited from entering the prohibited zone.
 
(ii) Road closures
 
     In connection with the implementation of road closures at Cape Collinson Road and its vicinity by the Police, except for the exempted vehicles, Lin Shing Road and Cape Collinson Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 7am to 5pm on the specified dates.
 

Road closures arrangements(Ching Ming Festival)B. Public Transport Services
 
(i) The following special bus services will be operated on the specified dates, and the bus services will be strengthened depending on the passenger demand and traffic conditions.
 

Routes 
– between Chai Wan Station Bus Terminus and Chai Wan Cemeteries(Ching Ming Festival) 
– between Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus and Chai Wan Cemeteries(Ching Ming Festival)(ii) CTB route X9 will operate additional departures from Shek O to Central (Central Ferry Piers) from noon to 2pm on April 5 (Ching Ming Festival).
 
(iii) CTB routes 8X, 9 and 780 and cross harbour routes 106, 118 and 606, and GMB route 18M will be strengthened subject to passenger demand. 

(iv) GMB route 18M service will be temporarily suspended during Phase 2 of road closures.  
　　Grave-sweepers are advised to plan their journey early and allow more travelling time. If they would like to go to the cemeteries along Cape Collinson Road in Chai Wan outside the above-mentioned road closure periods, they should use public transport services as far as possible. They can take GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X or 18M at Chai Wan MTR Station to Cape Collinson Road, or take CTB Route 9 at Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to Shek O Road near Cape Collinson Road. Grave-sweepers heading to the Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium may also make use of the escalators and pedestrian access route connecting San Ha Street at Chai Wan (near Chai Wan MTR Station Exit A) and the said columbarium.
 
　　The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Cape Collinson Road, Lin Shing Road and Wan Tsui Road in Chai Wan will be busy. Motorists are advised not to drive to the congested and affected areas and should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion and observe the instructions given by the Police.
 
　　Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television. They may also visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:00

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Approved Mai Po and Fairview Park Outline Zoning Plan amended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Approved Mai Po and Fairview Park Outline Zoning Plan amended  
     Opportunity is also taken to amend the Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP to reflect the above amendments and to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.     * The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.Issued at HKT 16:00

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Family of brave deceased fireman given financial assistance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Family of brave deceased fireman given financial assistance 
     The late Mr Ho sacrificed his life on November 26, 2025, while conducting a search and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
     
     The Chairman of the Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others which approved the grant, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, paid tribute to the late Mr Ho for his gallant act.
 
     “Mr Ho demonstrated exceptional courage and a high degree of gallantry to save and protect the lives of others, which commands our greatest respect,” Mr Sun said.
 
     “We deeply mourn the loss of such an excellent and devoted public servant. The grant represents the Government’s recognition of the late Mr Ho’s gallantry and selflessness of the highest order.”
 
     The Scheme was set up in January 2002 to provide financial assistance to family members of those who lost their lives when attempting to save or protect others. Under the Scheme, the amount of financial assistance for each approved application is worked out according to a formula having regard to the age, normal retirement age of the deceased and the prevailing median monthly employment earnings, with the minimum and maximum levels currently set at $6.15 million and $12.3 million respectively.
Issued at HKT 11:00

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