Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
　　The Transport Department today (December 28) reminded members of the public that the 69th round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) will be open from 10am tomorrow (December 29) to 11.59pm on January 1, 2026, and the ballot result will be announced on January 2.
　　Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk). Successful balloting applicants are required to submit applications for the scheme within the designated application period.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Customs officers intercepted an 83-year-old incoming male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on December 23, and seized 400 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1,600 and a duty potential of about $1,300 from the inner pockets of a vest worn by him. He was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 15:45
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
16 local arts groups and partnered arts organisations become new round of LCSD venue partners
Venue1. 2. 4. Launched in 2009, the Venue Partnership Scheme supports arts development by promoting partnerships between LCSD performance venues and arts groups/organisations. The enhanced sixth-round Scheme seeks to nurture the artistic levels and competitiveness of venue partners, strengthen venue identities, incentivise the good use of existing facilities to present more venue-suiting programmes, and encourage the development of performing arts at the community level, thereby fostering the diversified and professional development of arts and culture. Issued at HKT 15:13
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Additional batch of Approval Letters to be issued to successful applicants under White Form Secondary Market Scheme 2024 Following the issuance of a batch of Approval and Confirmation Letters in October 2025 to successful applicants who have passed detailed vetting of their eligibility under the White Form Secondary Market (WSM) Scheme 2024 (WSM 2024), the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) will issue an additional batch of Approval and Confirmation Letters tomorrow (December 30).
“The HA’s Subsidised Housing Committee (SHC) endorsed in November 2025 a series of measures that encourage upward mobility through the housing ladder, which include, amongst others, enhancing the arrangements of the WSM. We noted that some successful applicants under the WSM 2024 awarded with a quota in October 2025 did not apply for the Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase (CEP) within the specified six-week period for purchasing a subsidised sale flats (SSF) with premium unpaid in the secondary market. To ensure full utilisation of WSM 2024 quotas, we will issue an additional batch of Approval Letters to successful applicants according to the ballot order to cover unused quotas. Moreover, any unused family quotas will be allocated to one-person applicants, which is consistent with the practice adopted for the primary SSF sale exercise,” a spokesman for the HA said.
Each successful applicant will be issued with one Approval Letter and two Confirmation Letters. The two Confirmation Letters are applicable to the HA’s Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Secondary Market and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS)’s Flat-for-Sale Scheme (FFSS) Secondary Market respectively. Within six weeks from the date of issuance, holders of Approval Letters may submit the Confirmation Letters to the HA and/or the HKHS respectively for application for the CEP to purchase a flat with the premium not yet paid in the HA’s HOS Secondary Market or the HKHS’s FFSS Secondary Market.
The CEP is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance, and no extension will be granted upon its expiry. To complete the transaction, holders of the CEP need to apply for a Letter of Nomination from the HA or the HKHS after they have entered into a Provisional Agreement for Sale and Purchase (PASP). The applicant and the family member(s) named in the application form must meet the eligibility criteria of the WSM 2024 from the date of application submission up to the date of signing the PASP. Moreover, the SSF shall be occupied by the owner and all family members named in the Application Form for the purchase of the flat.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of applications for Signature Performing Arts Programme Scheme announced On the advice of the Assessment Panel, among the 21 applications received, the Government selected two productions, namely “My Life as McDull Stage Show” by Bliss Concepts Limited and “Art Tech Dance Drama: Storm Clouds Realm of Infinite” by the Hong Kong Dance Company Limited and Pash Limited. Embodying distinctive Hong Kong characteristics and local brand intellectual property, the selected productions showcase the capacity and creativity of local arts talent, highlight the performing arts capability of Hong Kong and have potential to become long-running performances. The productions are expected to be staged in 2027.
The Assessment Panel comprises experts, veteran arts and cultural practitioners, professionals with rich business acumen and experience and representatives from the Government. The Assessment Panel has examined each application’s artistic merits, effectiveness in consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for cultural exchange, representativeness of Hong Kong, marketing and promotion strategy, attractiveness to a broad range of local and overseas audience, as well as viability and potential for being a long-running performance.
SPAPS aims to nurture world-class performing arts productions and international cultural brands that represent Hong Kong. Each selected production must stage at least 15 performances in Hong Kong and attract at least 10 000 paid audience members. Each selected production will receive a direct subsidy of up to $10 million and a matching subsidy of up to $5 million. Issued at HKT 14:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government launches industry consultation on proposed legislative amendments to facilitate digitalisation of business-to-business trade documents International trade involves presentment or submission of various trade documents, including “Business-to-Government” (B2G) documents (such as import and export declarations, cargo manifests and various licences or permits) and B2B documents (such as bills of lading and bills of exchange). While the trade may already submit most of the B2G trade documents through the Government Electronic Trading Services and the Trade Single Window, transactions involving certain B2B trade documents still rely largely on paper-based means due to legal requirements and industry practice. As technology advances, the digitalisation of these documents has emerged as a new trend.
As announced in the 2025-26 Budget and the 2025 Policy Address, the Government will make reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) advocated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and consider legislative amendments to facilitate digitalisation of trade documents. Upon careful consideration by relevant authorities, the consultation paper outlines and seeks industry opinions on the proposed framework to amend the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553) (ETO) and relevant legislation for implementing MLETR provisions, covering various key aspects including the scope of application, assessment of reliability and operational requirements.
The legislative amendments will provide the legal basis for the use of electronic transferable records, which are the electronic version of transferable documents or instruments. Suitable MLETR provisions will be codified into the ETO as far as practicable, with a view to aligning with international standards and promote cross-border interoperability.
A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) said, “The Government endeavours to maintain a business-friendly environment to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness in international trade. Digitalisation of B2B trade documents may reduce processing time and costs, enhance transparency and integrity, and facilitate international trade. We hope that the legislative proposal would empower the industry to develop technical solutions that suit their actual needs, thereby further enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international financial, maritime and trade centre.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government today (December 29) reminds members of the public that the fixed penalties for illegal parking and 19 traffic contraventions related to road safety and traffic congestion have been adjusted and will take effect on January 1, 2026.
The resolution to increase such fixed penalties (including the effective date) was passed by the Legislative Council on July 30. The relevant traffic contraventions and the adjusted penalty charges are as follows:
The fixed penalty for illegal parking offences under the Fixed Penalty (Traffic Contraventions) Ordinance (Cap. 237) will be increased from $320 to $400; and
Fixed penalties for 19 traffic contraventions related to road safety and traffic congestion under the Fixed Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance (Cap. 240) will be increased from the current range of $320 to $1,000 to a revised range of $480 to $1,500 (see details in the Annex).
The spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, “The fixed penalties for illegal parking and many traffic contraventions have remained unchanged for 31 years. Compared with other jurisdictions, Hong Kong’s current penalty levels are significantly lower, and their deterrent effect has gradually diminished due to inflation. To address the persistent – and in some cases rising – trend of traffic contraventions, measured adjustments to the relevant penalty charges will help enhance road safety and traffic flows. At the same time, the Government will strive to increase the supply of parking spaces to meet public demand and will strengthen publicity and education efforts on road safety.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKMA announces total quota allocated for RMB Business Facility and list of participating banks from Phase 2 onwards The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (December 29) the expanded list of 40 participating banks (see Annex) starting from Phase 2 of the RMB Business Facility (RBF), with the total quota allocated to participating banks increased to RMB100 billion, from RMB50 billion in the previous phase.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Advisory Committee on Cruise Industry announced The membership of the ACCI with effect from January 1, 2026, is as follows:————- Commissioner for Tourism———— Mr Anthony Lau Chun-hon (Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, ex-officio member) Mr Tommy Tam Kwong-shun (Chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, ex-officio member) Mr Benjamin Bouldin* Ms Gee Chan Mr Roger Chen Ranfeng* Mr Dickson Chin Lap-kong Ms Eunice Lee Sau-yan Ms Leong Mei-cheng Mr Jerry Leong Wai-loon * Mr Ricky Li Wai-keung * Mr Jason Shum Jiu-sang Mr Tim Sypko* Dr Frederick Yip Yeung-faiIssued at HKT 12:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Department of Health (DH) today (December 29) reminded the public that three amendments relating to smoking offences under the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (the Amendment Ordinance) will take effect on Thursday (January 1, 2026):
extension of statutory No Smoking Areas (NSAs) to public places that lie within three metres outside the entrances/exits exclusively used for child care centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals and specified clinics or health centres;
prohibition of smoking while queuing (including queuing to board a public transport carrier at a designated boarding location, staying in the delineated area for a designated boarding location, while queuing to enter specified premises (see Annex), or while queuing within specified premises); and
increase of the fixed penalty for smoking offences from $1,500 to $3,000.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors of the DH will prosecute any person who does a smoking act in NSAs without prior warning. Offenders will be liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000.
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) has prepared FAQs, pamphlets and other resources to help the public comply with the new law. Members of the public may visit the TACO website for more detailed information. To ensure smooth implementation of the new measures, TACO has enhanced publicity and education efforts over the past few months, such as Announcements in the Public Interest on TV and radio; advertisements on public transport areas at bus stops and at MTR stations; enhanced social media promotion; and the production of guidelines to educate the public. For visitors, TACO has stepped up anti-smoking promotions at all boundary control points, major tourist attractions and bus stops, including distributing leaflets in major tourist spots in collaboration with district councillors and has created an infographic “Visitors’ Guide” to enhance visitors’ understanding of the new measures. TACO is also promoting to visitors through Chinese Mainland social media.
TACO has also issued implementation guidelines and enhanced interdepartmental co-ordination mechanisms for the new offences under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance to ensure smoother enforcement. Briefings have been held for venue managers to explain the details of the amendment and their enforcement. Beyond enforcement, TACO continues to promote smoking prevention and cessation services, including conducting smoke-free publicity and education in the community to raise public awareness of smoking hazards.
The new phase of tobacco control measures will be implemented in phases. Among them, the increased penalties for illicit cigarettes and the prohibition on provision of smoking products to persons under the age of 18 have already taken effect upon the gazettal of the Amendment Ordinance (September 19, 2025). The provision prohibiting the possession of alternative smoking product (ASP) substances (e.g. e-cigarette liquids/cartridges/ and heat sticks) in public places will take effect on April 30, 2026, i.e. four years after the implementation of the ban on the importation and sale of ASPs. TACO will continue to strengthen publicity, education, etc, in the future to ensure the effective implementation of the relevant tobacco control measures.
For the health of individuals, families and the community, the Government urges smokers to quit smoking as soon as possible. Members of the public may call the Department of Health Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183. The hotline is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referral to a wide range of free smoking cessation services.