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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee and senior government officials will attend a flag-raising ceremony and a National Day reception on October 1 to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The flag-raising ceremony will be held at 8am at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Community leaders and members of uniformed groups will attend the ceremony. No public viewing area will be set up.

The Police Band will perform at the ceremony, and a choir from N.T. Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School and Yuen Long Public Secondary School will sing the national anthem led by singers Alex Tam and Phoebe Tam. The performances will be followed by a disciplined services fly-past and sea parade.

The National Day reception, officiated by the Chief Executive, will be held at the Grand Hall on Level 3 of the Convention & Exhibition Centre following the flag-raising ceremony.

Police will implement special traffic arrangements around Golden Bauhinia Square during the celebrations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, together with the President of Lingnan University (LU), Professor Joe Qin, visited the Government Career Fair at the university today (September 29). Mrs Yeung encouraged university students to learn more about the work of various government departments, as well as the diverse employment opportunities, job requirements and promotion prospects offered by the Government to young people, and to plan ahead for their future.

The application period for this year’s joint recruitment exercise for six graduate grades will close this Friday (October 2). Mrs Yeung reminded students of bachelor’s degree programmes who are graduating in the academic year of 2026-27 or 2027-28 to seize the opportunity to submit online applications before the deadline.

The Government, in collaboration with LU, organised the career fair to provide university students with one-stop and practical recruitment information. Many students visited the booths in their spare time and took the opportunity to raise questions and exchange views with serving civil servants from various grades.

Mrs Yeung said, “As set out in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) we strive to build an efficient government. Through active recruitment and publicity, we will encourage talent with aspirations and commitment to join the Government. The roving career fairs held by the Government at 10 universities are one such example, which deepen the younger generation’s understanding of government work on the one hand, and attract new blood who are keen to serve the public to join the Government on the other. Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen civil service management and training, enhance the attractiveness of civil service jobs, and build a civil service team that is highly committed, dares to innovate, and moves with the times.

“The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) co-ordinates the provision of diversified internship opportunities for young people and university students by bureaux and departments annually. In 2026-27, the Government and public organisations will offer around 3 600 short-term internship placements. Students who aspire to pursue a career in public service may take the opportunity to broaden their horizons and better plan for their career development.”

Those who aspire to serve the community and contribute to the country and Hong Kong may now apply for the posts of Administrative Officer, Executive Officer II, Assistant Information Officer (General), Assistant Trade Officer II, Management Services Officer II and Transport Officer II. Applicants must submit their applications through the online application system on the CSB website (www.csb.gov.hk). The application deadline is 11.59pm on October 2.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

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

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (September 29) published its Half-Yearly Monetary and Financial Stability Report (September 2026 Issue).
 
The Half-Yearly Report provides detailed analyses of the global and local economy, as well as the monetary and financial conditions in Hong Kong. It also examines the recent performance and risks of the local banking sector.
 
The Half-Yearly Report can be viewed on and downloaded from the HKMA website. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (September 29) on the traffic and public transport (PT) arrangements for the upcoming National Day Golden Week of the Mainland (October 1 to 7).

As the passenger and vehicle traffic at land boundary control points (BCPs) will significantly increase during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week, especially amid the expected inbound peak on Sunday (October 4) afternoon and evening when waiting times for PT services will be longer, the Transport Department (TD) urged cross-boundary travellers to plan their trips early and properly, allow sufficient travelling time, avoid travelling during peak hours as far as possible and heed the latest broadcasts at major stations and BCPs.

Enhancing services for travel convenience

The TD has been steering local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to strengthen their services during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week for the convenience of residents and visitors, including:
 

• The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau Stations at different times from September 30 to October 7 based on passenger demand;
• The train service of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link between Hong Kong West Kowloon and designated Mainland stations will operate additional trips (see details at the 12306.cn website);
• The frequencies of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) will be increased to an average of about one minute and two minutes respectively during peak hours;
• The quota of cross-boundary coaches will be increased to strengthen services; and
• The frequency of local franchised bus B routes connecting various land BCPs will also be increased beyond the normal weekend level, and the operators concerned will reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand.

Travel during non-peak hours

It is anticipated that the waiting time for PT services, including the Gold Bus and the franchised bus B routes, may be longer. Travellers should avoid travelling during peak hours as far as possible. Passengers are advised to maintain order while queuing and heed the advice of on-site Police and staff of PTOs concerned. Passengers planning to take cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.

HZMB users travelling to Zhuhai should note that the temporary link bridge connecting the HZMB Zhuhai Port and Qinglu South Road has been closed to all traffic, and the traffic at Zhuhai Port and neighbouring roads has become very busy during holiday peak periods. They should use PT services as far as possible, plan their trips early, allow sufficient travelling time and remain patient while waiting.

As for motorists of cross-boundary private cars, they are advised that special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Port, subject to actual traffic conditions, during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week to secure smooth access for PT vehicles to the above BCPs. Cross-boundary private cars may experience longer waiting times for crossing the BCPs during peak periods. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. In case of traffic congestion, they should remain patient and follow the instructions of on-site Police.

Information dissemination

To plan their journeys ahead, members of the public can make use of the TD’s HKeMobility mobile app or website (hkemobility.gov.hk/en/traffic-information/live/cctv) to access snapshots of traffic conditions of major connecting roads to BCPs and the inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time traffic conditions of the vehicle clearance plaza of the Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts “hzmbzhport” or “zhuhaifabu” (traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/) (Chinese only). Moreover, motorists are reminded to always comply with traffic control measures implemented by the Zhuhai authority when driving on the HZMB Main Bridge. Vehicles must not occupy the emergency lane unless instructed by the Zhuhai authority.

The public and visitors may visit the one-stop information platform on immigration clearance “Easy Boundary” (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound) of the Security Bureau or the HKeMobility for the latest updates on various land BCPs more conveniently. The TD will provide information on the services and waiting times of the Gold Bus, the Yellow Bus and the MTR. Members of the public are advised to check the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) and HKeMobility. PTOs and relevant departments of BCPs will also disseminate the latest information to passengers through public announcement systems and other channels at major stations and BCPs.

The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre operates round the clock to closely monitor the traffic conditions and PT services across various districts, BCPs and major stations, and to implement contingency measures when necessary to meet service demand.

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 29) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in phases on September 30 (Wednesday) and October 1 (Thursday) on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the flag-raising ceremonies at Wan Chai North, Central and Tin Hau, and the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour on October 1 to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

(I) Flag-raising ceremonies

Road closures

     Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in the vicinity of Wan Chai North, Central and Tin Hau from 0.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1 until the closed roads reopen to traffic.
 
Public transport arrangements 
 

1. In connection with the above road closures, Citybus route Nos. 2, 5X, 81, H3, cross-harbour route Nos. 104, 900, 914, 961, A11 and H2K operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted, and the associated bus stops of the said roads within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated; and
2. The taxi stand and the fleet taxi stopping places at Expo Drive will be suspended from 0.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1, and the cross harbour taxi stand at Harbour Road westbound opposite Harbour Centre will be suspended from 5.30am to 1pm on October 1. 

 
(II) National Day Fireworks Display
 
Road closures

     In connection with the National Day Fireworks Display at Victoria Harbour at 8pm on October 1, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in Central District, Wan Chai and Eastern District on Hong Kong Island from about 6.30pm. Moreover, the section of Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (except for franchised buses) from 7.55pm until the reopening of roads.

     In Kowloon, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from about 5pm in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom and West Kowloon Cultural District until the crowd disperses and the roads reopen.

     During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), the fleet taxi stopping places, public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.
 
Public transport arrangements 
 

1. In connection with the road closures, the franchised bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;
2. MTR services on the Island Line, South Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, East Rail Line, Tuen Ma Line and Tung Chung Line will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;
3. The tram service will be enhanced subject to passenger demand;
4. Star Ferry, Sun Ferry, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Discovery Bay Transportation Services, Park Island Transport and Fortune Ferry will gradually adjust and suspend part of their services from 5.05pm on October 1 to facilitate the fireworks display; and
5. For the short-haul cross-boundary coach services to Huanggang Port, the following temporary stopping arrangements will be implemented:

• The terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Wan Chai and Huanggang Port at Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from about 5.30pm until the roads reopen. A temporary terminus will be provided on Hennessy Road westbound near Southorn Centre; and
• A temporary pick-up point for the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port will be added at the coach pick-up/drop-off area on Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station from about 8pm to 11pm while the en-route stop of this service at China Ferry Terminal Bus Terminus will be suspended from about 7pm. 

 
Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System arrangements

     The service of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System will be extended to 2am on October 2.
 
     Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic along Hong Kong Island North and its vicinity (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the Island Eastern Corridor), the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom and West Kowloon Cultural District in Kowloon, and the Cross Harbour Tunnel as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience, drive with care and follow the instructions of the Police on site.

     Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements, subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile app HKeMobility.

     For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or its mobile app HKeMobility. Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hongkong Post announced today (September 29) that, as advised by the postal administration of Thailand, mail delivery services to postcode areas 10xxx-13xxx, 15xxx, 20xxx-27xxx, 30xxx-32xxx, 36xxx and 60xxx may be subject to delays due to flooding in the central and eastern parts of Thailand.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the welcome speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, to the financial delegation visiting the Northern Metropolis today (September 29):

Distinguished guests, colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. First of all, a big welcome to you all. It is a good and fruitful occasion where we meet again to discuss the potential of the Northern Metropolis. I know how precious time is and how important time is to all of you. So I will try to minimise my speech in such a way that you have more time to see for yourself what the Northern Metropolis is all about. As all of you can see, Hong Kong’s financial sector is not just an observer in terms of the city’s growth, but rather we have been an active engine driving its strategic transformation.

     As the Chief Executive set out in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan which was unveiled just two weeks ago: “Finance is the foundation and the greatest strength of Hong Kong.” Today, we are putting this strategy into practice. The Northern Metropolis is, among all, the most important growth engine for Hong Kong’s future. It is where technological innovation, high-end professional services, and cross-boundary integration converge. But above all, it is the primary arena where finance meets the real economy.

     That’s why we are arranging today this half-day visit to offer you first-hand insights into the land, the infrastructure, and the policy support underpinning this mega project. We have three primary objectives today:

     First, to achieve “first-mover insight” and bridge the information gap. The Northern Metropolis is moving at an unprecedented speed. By walking the ground together today, we want you to gain first-hand, direct insight into the works progress and timelines, as well as the positioning of these three key zones. You are here to see beyond maps and blueprints—to understand the real-economy landscape before major capital deployments take place, ensuring that your institutions or organisations can position yourselves ahead of the curve.

     Second, to drive the “Finance+” strategy and match capital with real economy demand. A financial centre cannot thrive in isolation; its ultimate value lies in serving the real economy. Through our three stops today — the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at the Loop, the Kwu Tung North New Development Area (NDA), and the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA—we want to create a direct match between your capital strength and the distinct financial needs of these new areas.

     Last but not least, to co-create market-driven financing models alongside Government policy. This partnership is critical in transforming the Northern Metropolis into a sustainable and globally competitive business hub. By blending public resources with private capital, we can ensure that infrastructure and innovation projects are efficiently financed, while also generating long-term economic returns. Your insights and participation today will help shape these collaborative frameworks. I encourage you to engage actively with the project teams today, identify synergy points for your respective institutions or organisations, and work with us closely in the coming future. 

     We are here today to forge an active partnership. The Northern Metropolis offers the physical scale and industrial complexity that will allow Hong Kong’s financial market to enhance its core functionality, diversify its asset classes, and expand its global competitiveness.

     Thank you once again for joining us today. I wish you all an insightful and fruitful journey ahead. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, today (September 29) led a delegation of local financial sector representatives to visit the Northern Metropolis, receiving briefings from the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office and relevant park companies on the latest developments and construction progress in the area. The delegation comprised senior management from various sectors, including asset management, private equity, insurance, accounting, and fintech, as well as senior representatives from financial regulatory bodies.

     Mr Hui and the delegation visited three core development areas in the Northern Metropolis, namely the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (i.e. the Loop Hong Kong Park), the Kwu Tung North New Development Area (NDA), and the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA, to gain an in-depth understanding of the industrial layout as well as potential investment and financing opportunities in each district.

     Through on-site inspections of the three areas, the delegation gained a comprehensive understanding of the unique development advantages of “one river, two banks” and “one zone, two parks” in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, as well as its synergistic development with the adjacent San Tin Technopole, including support for the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town; the taking-shape infrastructure and housing development in the Kwu Tung North NDA; and the strategic positioning of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA as a hub for high-end professional services and logistics, particularly its geographical advantage in being adjacent to Qianhai.

     During the visit, they explored the role of financial services in supporting technological innovation and project financing; the financing needs arising from the Kwu Tung Station, the Northern Link, housing development plans in the Kwu Tung North NDA, and various project developments; as well as the latest developments and immense growth potential of various sectors, including the Hung Shui Kiu Industrial Park, large-scale district development, and the University Town.

     During the visit, Mr Hui said, “The Chief Executive explicitly stated in the newly announced Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan that ‘finance is the foundation and the greatest strength of Hong Kong’. As the most important new growth engine for Hong Kong’s future, the Northern Metropolis serves as the optimal setting to realise the ‘dual integration’ of ‘Finance+’ strategy with the real economy. Over the years, Hong Kong’s financial sector is not just an observer in terms of the city’s growth, but rather an active engine driving its strategic transformation. We organised this visit precisely to enable the financial industry to have the first-hand insights into the land, with a view to comprehensively promoting the integrated development of the financial sector and the real economy.

     “The development of the Northern Metropolis must be closely combined with the deployment of financial resources. Leveraging market forces and social capital to provide diversified and sustainable financial support for the infrastructure, commercial projects, and industry parks in the Northern Metropolis is a key strategy for the Government to accelerate and enhance efficiency for the development. This is also the most vivid embodiment of our full-fledged efforts to drive Hong Kong’s evolution from a ‘financial city’ into a ‘finance-empowered city’, using finance as a catalyst to boost development in technology, green transition, and livelihoods,” he added.

     As of July this year, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council has approved over $180 billion in funding for public works projects related to the Northern Metropolis, demonstrating the Government’s firm commitment to supporting infrastructure development in the area. In addition, the Government will inject $10 billion each into three park companies – the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited, and the San Tin Technopole Company Limited – and has reserved $10 billion to support the development of the Hung Shui Kiu University Town campus area by way of loans, thereby engaging market forces to accelerate project development.

     At the same time, the 2026 Policy Address stated that efforts will be stepped up to attract long-term capital investment into the Northern Metropolis and deepen the alignment of ‘Finance + Northern Metropolis Development’. The Northern Metropolis Financial Advisory Taskforce, established by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks, which currently comprises 23 participating banks, will tailor financing solutions for enterprises setting up in the Northern Metropolis and provide targeted support for the Northern Metropolis development.

     Mr Hui added, “The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, together with the HKMA, are exploring ways, under the current regulatory capital framework for banks, to facilitate financing for government-related entities such as park companies and funded universities developing in the Northern Metropolis, thereby unlocking greater financing flexibility to advance related projects in the area. Furthermore, following the enhancement to the risk-based capital regime for the insurance industry, preferential capital treatment will be provided for infrastructure investments, including those in the Northern Metropolis, starting from December 31 this year. We expect that with this new measure, more insurance capital will be injected to infrastructure projects under the Northern Metropolis development.”

     Delegation members considered that the visit was enlightening in deepening the industry’s understanding of the positioning and commercial growth potential of the Northern Metropolis, laying a strategic foundation for the financial sector’s subsequent participation in investment projects across various domains in the area.