MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Fourth-term Human Resources Planning Commission convenes seventh meeting 
     At the meeting, the Census and Statistics Department briefed members on the latest situation and characteristics of Hong Kong’s labour force, employment and population. Under the influence of factors such as population ageing, Hong Kong’s overall labour force participation rate has been on a downward trend, which has nevertheless been alleviated by the various talent admission and labour importation measures. Members noted that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly from 3.7 per cent in May-July 2026 to 3.8 per cent in June-August 2026, and that the youth unemployment situation warrants attention. Members understood that the rise in unemployment and the youth employment situation are structural challenges faced by most advanced economies worldwide, and Hong Kong is no exception. They were also pleased to note that the Government continues to invest heavily in education and skills training to enhance the skills and competitiveness of the local workforce, including launching the two-year 30 000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme announced in the 2026 Policy Address to facilitate youth employment and development. The Labour Department will also launch the “Youth Employment Link” online service portal to facilitate young people’s access to employment information and support services. Looking ahead, the continued expansion of the local economy is expected to underpin overall labour market conditions.
 
     The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) also briefed members at the meeting on the results of the report on the Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection. The report indicates that the overall manpower shortage in Hong Kong has been alleviated, benefiting from the various talent admission and labour importation measures implemented by the Government over the past three years. The overall manpower shortage in 2028 is projected to narrow from the previous projection of approximately 180 000 to some 130 000. The demand for emerging AI experts continues to grow, particularly for “composite talent” who possesses both AI application skills and sector-specific knowledge. The Government will formulate corresponding measures in response to the results of the mid-term update, including strengthening local training and enhancing the talent admission measures. Members were pleased to note that the Government will continue to promote “AI for All” and support lifelong learning, ensuring that the skills of the labour force remain aligned with Hong Kong’s future economy.

     The Hong Kong’s First Five-Year plan promulgated in the middle of last month clearly sets out that, on the premise of protecting local workers, the Government will closely monitor changes in labour supply and demand, and dynamically adjust the types and number of workers to be imported.
 
     The LWB will soon commence a new round of review of the Talent List. In the course of the review, reference will be made to the latest developments of various industries and the manpower demand situation as set out in the report, with the addition of more talent categories relating to AI application. Members expressed their views on the review at the meeting and supported the Government in continuing to closely monitor the labour market and in formulating and refining forward-looking manpower policies on a rolling basis, with a view to maintaining manpower supply to support economic development while safeguarding the employment priority for local workers.
 
     Members also received a briefing from the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau on the latest progress in promoting new industrialisation in Hong Kong, covering the overall strategy and key measures. The briefing set out how Hong Kong will drive industrial transformation and reshape a new industrialisation system with distinctive local advantages through a series of measures to accelerate the translation of mid-stream research outcomes and support downstream industrial development, including sustaining traditional industries through technological upgrading and transformation; cultivating emerging industries to accelerate their integration into and serve the nation’s modern industrial system; planning for future industries to seize the first-mover advantage for high-quality development; and strengthening producer services. Members recognised the Government’s efforts in promoting new industrialisation, and hoped to see Hong Kong’s competitive advantages consolidated and sustainable economic development fostered.
Issued at HKT 19:15

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Council on Human Reproductive Technology approves full resumption of services at “Heal Fertility Limited”      
     The Council on Human Reproductive Technology (Council) convened a special meeting today (October 5) to review the licence of “Heal Fertility Limited” (Heal Fertility). In view of the earlier incident involving a mix-up in embryo biopsy specimens at Heal Fertility, Council members thoroughly reviewed the information obtained from a follow-up on-site inspection, and confirmed that Heal Fertility has properly implemented all remedial and improvement measures. Therefore, the Council allowed Heal Fertility to fully resume all 17 treatment services covered by its licence starting tomorrow (October 6).
      
     Since July 8, the Council had suspended Heal Fertility’s 14 treatment services out of 17, with the exception of three services related to the storage of gametes or embryos, and had set up an investigation committee to investigate the matter. The Council had convened a special meeting on September 3 to review the investigation report and the licence matters of Heal Fertility.  
      
     This meeting followed up on a special meeting      
     On September 22, the Council conducted another unannounced on‑site inspection of Heal Fertility, focusing on all aspects of the remedial measures.
      
     The Council was satisfied and convinced that Heal Fertility had refined its internal sample‑handling procedures, strengthened staff training, and upgraded laboratory management and security systems in accordance with the Council’s requirements, including the implementation of CCTV surveillance on the premises, the installation of biometric locks on all cryostorage tanks, and the enhancement of sample identification and verification. The Council also noted that the main personnel involved in the incident had already left Heal Fertility, and that Heal Fertility has recruited new staff and provided training. After thoroughly reviewing the relevant reports and inspection results, the Council therefore allowed Heal Fertility to resume normal operations starting tomorrow. The Council will continue to closely monitor Heal Fertility’s performance to safeguard the continuous provision of safe and high-quality services to individuals seeking human reproductive technology services.
      
     Moreover, the Council has commenced a review of the Code of Practice on Reproductive Technology and Embryo Research. Key areas include reviewing the incident reporting mechanism and optimising the security and handling procedures of biological samples, with a target completion date of next year. 
Issued at HKT 18:35

Import of poultry meat and products from areas in US and UK suspended      
     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 24 190 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 20.2 million poultry eggs from the US, and about 340 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat from the UK in the first six months of this year.
      
     “The CFS has contacted the American and British 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.
Issued at HKT 18:18

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HKSAR LegCo strongly opposes and disapproves of remarks by UK FCDO official on Hong Kong Alliance case 
     The LegCo spokesperson stated that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. LegCo firmly supports the Court of First Instance of the High Court in handing down sentences in the case in accordance with the law, considering that the judgment demonstrates legal justice and strongly safeguards the HKSAR’s constitutional order established by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (the Constitution) and the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the PRC (the Basic Law). LegCo resolutely opposes any foreign forces making malicious smears, slanderous attacks, and taking the opportunity to interfere in China’s internal affairs regarding the case.
 
     The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that, as pointed out earlier by the HKSAR Government in response to the UK’s so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong, the core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is about China’s resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It did not authorise the UK to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs after its return to the motherland. Thereafter, the UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong.
 
     The LegCo spokesperson pointed out that the allegation, which was made by the UK FCDO’s official responsible for Indo-Pacific affairs, that the defendants in the case were convicted merely for “peaceful acts of remembrance” completely disregards facts and misleads the public. The court pointed out in its reasons for sentence that the defendants were not on trial for their political thoughts or acts prior to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). The convictions were purely because, after the HKNSL came into effect, they continued to pursue the goal of overthrowing and undermining the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as established under the Constitution by committing various incitement criminal acts. Those acts attempted to cause Hong Kong citizens to lose trust in the Communist Party, thereby achieving the objective of undermining the fundamental system of the state, gravely endangering national security. The UK official’s attempt to glorify criminal acts endangering national security as peaceful activities is a blatant trampling on the spirit of the rule of law.
 
     The LegCo spokesperson also reiterated that the Constitution is the fundamental law of the state, clearly specifying that the CPC’s leadership is the core and foundation of the state’s constitutional order. No country’s constitution allows its citizens to subvert the established constitutional order and fundamental system of the state. The UK itself maintains various stringent laws safeguarding national security, yet makes unreasonable criticisms against the legitimate measures of the HKSAR in safeguarding national security in accordance with the law. This is a typical act of hypocrisy with double standards. The LegCo spokesperson requests the British side immediately stops the acts of interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs.
 
     In fact, since the implementation of the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s rule of law has become more solid, and the various freedoms lawfully enjoyed by citizens have received more substantial protection. Various international indicators and rankings show that Hong Kong is a safe and stable city suitable for living and investment. As an integral member of the HKSAR’s governing team, LegCo firmly supports the HKSAR Government in fully and faithfully implementing laws safeguarding national security, safeguarding high-quality development of the country and Hong Kong with high-level security, and ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle.
Issued at HKT 18:05

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HKMA hosts CargoX Solution Day to promote regional trade data connectivity  
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (October 5) successfully organised the CargoX Solution Day. The event served as a platform for key stakeholders in the cargo and trade data ecosystem to exchange insights and showcase the innovative solutions in enhancing trade data connectivity to regional levels under the CargoX Pilot Programme.
      
     Themed “From local to regional trade data connectivity: shaping the future of trade finance through innovative CargoX pilots”, the Solution Day attracted over 300 industry professionals from banks, cargo and trade data providers, government agencies and partners of Commercial Data Interchange (CDI). The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions and solution presentations, focusing on strengthening trade data connectivity with Hong Kong’s key trading partners, such as the Chinese Mainland and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economies, as well as integrating CDI with key government cargo and trade data platforms.
      
     A highlight of the CargoX Solution Day was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the HKMA and the PAA Digital Trade Alliance (PAA) (Note 1) to promote trade finance digitalisation. The two parties will commence joint innovation projects on enhancing cargo and trade data connectivity between Hong Kong and PAA member economies, thereby catalysing data-driven innovation in financial services and enhancing trade finance availability in the region.
      
     During the Solution Day, the HKMA also shared results achieved under the CargoX Pilot Programme, particularly its progress in enhancing connectivity with key trade corridors. In collaboration with the Shanghai Data Bureau (SDB), the HKMA has successfully established a link-up between CDI and a digital trade platform developed by the SDB. Known as “CargoX Connect”, this collaboration has enabled five pilot banks (Note 2) to access and utilise trade declaration data from the Yangtze River Delta region, serving as the first pilot cohort. This development facilitates various trade finance processes, such as trade verification and due diligence on trade counterparts, resulting in faster loan drawdowns for Hong Kong businesses engaging in both onshore and offshore trade. To date, this pilot has enabled the approval of ten trade finance loans amounting to HK$180 million. The HKMA intends to extend this successful model to other provinces and cities in the Chinese Mainland as the next phase of development.
      
     Building on these encouraging developments in collaboration with the SDB and the PAA, through CargoX, the HKMA will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector to strengthen trade data connectivity along key corridors, including the Chinese Mainland and ASEAN. The ultimate goal is to enhance the transparency of cross-border trade transactions, thereby unlocking trade finance opportunities and supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region.
      
     Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Howard Lee said, “Today’s CargoX Solution Day serves as a vital platform to showcase how the CargoX Pilot Programme is translating strategic recommendations into tangible actions. Building on the encouraging progress of the CargoX pilot projects, the signing of the MoU with the PAA marks a significant milestone in our endeavour to enhance regional trade data connectivity, including ASEAN economies, for more streamlined SME trade financing. By leveraging our CDI data infrastructure, CargoX will continue to expand from local to regional levels, building a more efficient and inclusive digital trade ecosystem across borders. This ultimately contributes to SME growth and fosters seamless international trade.”
      
     The Chair of the PAA, Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, said, “The signing of this MoU with the HKMA marks a transformative step forward for cross-border trade finance in the region. By seamlessly bridging the PAA’s robust regional network with Hong Kong’s cutting-edge CDI infrastructure, we are unlocking the true power of data-driven finance. Together, we will eliminate the traditional frictions in international trade, giving SMEs across ASEAN and neighbouring economies unprecedented access to capital. We are excited to co-create a more inclusive, resilient, and fully digitised regional trade ecosystem.”

Note 1: The PAA is a global alliance comprising trade single window operators and e-commerce service providers from 15 economies, including ASEAN member states.Issued at HKT 18:00

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