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HK to align with 15th Five-Year Plan

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced today that the Chief Executive will lead a cross-bureau, cross-departmental task force for Hong Kong to align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and formulate Hong Kong’s own five-year plan.  

Delivering his 2026-27 Budget, Mr Chan said that Hong Kong will integrate more actively into overall national development by aiming to drive high-quality, high value-added and diversified economic growth.

Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan outline China’s economic and social development goals for the next five years.

Mr Chan said the recommendations provide support for Hong Kong to better integrate with national development, consolidating and enhancing the city’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, while developing into an international innovation and technology centre and an international hub for high‑calibre talent.

The Financial Secretary said that Hong Kong will drive “Finance+”, leveraging its financial sector to support the real economy and competitive industries. The move aims to foster mutual growth between the financial and innovation and technology sectors, while utilising the city’s strengths to meet national needs.

He added that Hong Kong will continue to nurture local talent to align with the country’s development while attracting top global talent in various sectors, particularly leading experts in the fields of scientific research. 

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HK economy grew 3.5% last year

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Announcing the 2026-27 Budget this morning, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said Hong Kong’s economy grew 3.5% over the past year, allowing the Government to reinforce support for people and enterprises, backed by stable and high-quality development at a national level.

Introducing the Budget’s theme – “Driving High-quality, Inclusive Growth with Innovation and Finance” – Mr Chan said 2025 marked a third consecutive year of growth, with further expansion of 2.5% to 3.5% forecast for 2026.

Describing the city’s economy in 2025 as buoyant, he said external trade remained strong, with private consumption rebounding, and fixed investment accelerating. 

Total exports of goods from Hong Kong grew by 12% in real terms, while exports of services rose by 6.3%. Visitor arrivals surged by 12%, with cross-boundary financial services and traffic recording sustained growth.

In terms of domestic demand, private consumption expenditure rose by 1.7%, reversing a downward trend from the second quarter of 2025. Overall investment expenditure grew 4.3%.

The residential property market saw increases in both prices and transaction volumes. Total transactions reached a four-year high of nearly 63,000 for the year, while property prices rose by 3.3% for the year, ending a three-year decline, and rental prices rose by 4.3%. Non-residential property transactions also rebounded, with declines in rentals and prices narrowing.

In the second half of the year, the labour market stabilised. In the fourth quarter, the median monthly employment earnings of full-time employees increased by 4.2% year on year, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.8%.

Meanwhile, inflation remained mild. Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1.1%last year.

Mr Chan also remarked that the stock market delivered a “stellar” performance. The Hang Seng Index rose by 28% over the year, while daily turnover surged by 90% to an historic high of close to $250 billion.

Bright prospects 

Looking ahead, Mr Chan observed that global trade tensions have moderated and stated that the Chinese Mainland will be the key driver of economic momentum, providing firm support for Hong Kong, with a strong foundation being laid for the period of the 15th Five Year Plan.

He predicted that investments in artificial intelligence and other new technologies will continue to underpin trade expansion in Asia, and that market expectations of further interest rate cuts in the US will bolster confidence.

The finance chief said exports of Hong Kong goods and services are expected to sustain decent growth, while a stable labour market and rising household incomes will drive private consumption. He said improving business sentiment will boost asset markets and investments, but cautioned that the international environment remains complex and uncertain.

Forecasting growth of 2.5% to 3.5% in Hong Kong this year, Mr Chan said the Government anticipates further real terms growth of 3% on average per annum from 2027 to 2030. He added that inflation is expected to be moderately higher than last year, with the underlying inflation rate and the headline inflation rate reaching 1.7% and 1.8% respectively.

The financial secretary also outlined that Hong Kong intends to proactively align with the 15th Five Year Plan, better integrate with and serve national development, and continue to participate in developing the Greater Bay Area.

He said the current-term Government is committed to expanding economic capacity and enhancing competitiveness, expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis, driving growth through innovation and technology (I&T) and a focus on talent, and developing new quality productive forces tailored to local circumstances.

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Retrait de lots de Doliprane 2,4 % suspension buvable : la Nouvelle-Calédonie n’est pas concernée à ce stade

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

À la suite de la décision du 23 février 2026 de l’Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM) portant sur le retrait de 27 lots de Doliprane 2,4 % suspension buvable, le gouvernement, via sa direction des Affaires sanitaires et sociales (DASS) informe la population que, à ce stade, la Nouvelle-Calédonie n’est pas concerné par cette mesure.
 

  •      Ce qu’il faut retenir

·         Le retrait concerne 27 lots de Doliprane 2,4 % suspension buvable.

·         Le défaut identifié porte sur la pipette doseuse : les graduations peuvent s’effacer progressivement après un rinçage à l’eau tiède.

·         Il ne s’agit pas d’un défaut du médicament lui-même, mais d’un problème de lisibilité de la pipette pouvant entraîner un risque potentiel d’erreur de dosage.

  •      La situation en Nouvelle-Calédonie

Les vérifications engagées immédiatement auprès des différents acteurs de la chaîne d’approvisionnement pharmaceutique indiquent que :

·         Pour la filière ambulatoire (grossistes-répartiteurs et officines) : aucun des lots concernés n’a été importé sur le territoire.

·         Pour les établissements de santé (pharmacies à usage intérieur – PUI, y compris celles des provinces) : tous les établissements ayant répondu à ce stade se déclarent non concernés.

  •      Une chaîne d’approvisionnement sécurisée

En Nouvelle-Calédonie, pour la filière de ville (hors circuits spécifiques tels que les PUI), les médicaments transitent par les grossistes-répartiteurs. Ce maillon constitue un élément essentiel de sécurisation :

·         traçabilité des produits ;

·         capacité de vérification rapide des lots ;

·         diffusion immédiate des alertes auprès des officines en cas de signalement sanitaire.

Le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie reste pleinement mobilisé et toute évolution de la situation fera l’objet d’une communication spécifique.

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Vigilance orange fortes pluies – Rappel des consignes de sécurité

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

À la suite de certains comportements à risque, le gouvernement, via sa direction de la Sécurité civile et de la gestion des risques (DSCGR), rappelle à la population l’importance du strict respect des consignes de sécurité en période de vigilance orange pour fortes pluies :

➔ Ne vous déplacez qu’en cas de nécessité.
➔ Ne franchissez pas, à pieds ou en voiture, les ravines ou les rivières en crues ou qui peuvent l’être soudainement ainsi que les radiers ou routes submergés.
➔ Ne pas entreprendre un sport ou un loisir de pleine nature et interrompre toute séance en cours.
➔ Tenez les enfants à distance des caniveaux, ravines et rivières qui peuvent à tout moment déborder
➔ Signalez votre départ, votre destination et votre arrivée à vos proches.
➔ Prévoyez des moyens d’éclairage de secours et constituez une réserve d’eau potable.
➔ Faites attention à l’eau du robinet qui est susceptible d’être impropre à la consommation au moins
48 h après l’arrêt des pluies.
➔ Dans tous les cas, si la situation de votre domicile l’exige (zone inondable, bordure de ravine…), prenez toutes les précautions nécessaires à la sauvegarde de vos biens face à la montée des eaux, préparez-vous à l’évacuation éventuelle de votre domicile.
➔ Facilitez le travail des sauveteurs qui vous proposent une évacuation et conformez-vous à leurs instructions.

Concernant le réseau routier, la RT1 est de nouveau praticable. En revanche, la RT3 demeure difficilement accessible. La plus grande prudence est recommandée.
Le gouvernement appelle l’ensemble de la population à faire preuve de responsabilité et à respecter scrupuleusement ces consignes.

Pour toute demande d’information ou en cas d’urgence, la population est invitée à composer le 18 afin de joindre les sapeurs-pompiers, qui les aiguilleront vers les dispositifs appropriés.

Le gouvernement invite chacun à suivre l’évolution de la situation via les médias et les canaux d’information officiels et remercie la population pour son sens des responsabilités.

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Speech by CE at 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025 (English only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025 today (February 24):

Mr Joe Tsai (Chairman of the South China Morning Post (SCMP)), Ms Nikki Ng (Non-Executive Director of the Sino Group), Mr Paulo Pong (Chairperson of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards Judging Panel), Ms Tammy Tam (Publisher of the SCMP), Spirit of Hong Kong Awards judges and nominators, awardees and finalists, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Good evening. We are gathered here, once again, for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, now in its 13th edition.

On this evening, we honour remarkable individuals who live among us. They are ordinary people who, through their selfless and sometimes painstaking efforts, their optimism and firm determination, and their innovation and compassionate leadership, make an extraordinary difference for Hong Kong, our home. For all of us.

We call them “unsung heroes”. But tonight, we are here to sing their praises, to thank them for their beautiful and boundless spirit – the guiding spirit of Hong Kong.

The Spirit of Hong Kong winners and finalists will be announced this evening, and from 10 categories. They range from the spirit of community and culture, to that of innovation and entrepreneurship; from perseverance to teamwork, youth and the Lion Rock People’s Choice Award, chosen by the people of Hong Kong.

Our nominees and winners tonight are role models for Hong Kong – for each and every one of us, young and old. I am very grateful for your dedication to our community. We are immensely proud of you, as we are of Hong Kong. Our city. Our home.

And, as we put a deserving spotlight, tonight, on this inspiring group of Hong Kong people, it is also heartening to know that the Hong Kong community, as a whole, is united and committed to helping their fellow citizens in need, to contributing to the collective good of Hong Kong.

The spirit of mutual support, I’m glad to note, can be seen everywhere in Hong Kong. When our elderly feel lonely, scores of volunteers would deliver warm meals to them and offer companionship. When our young feel fragile, different NGOs would take them under their wing and nurse them to recovery. When our athletes compete on the world stage, the people of Hong Kong would stay up late just to cheer them on, supporting them no matter what the results will be.

Such is the quiet, persistent strength of Hong Kong – a community that uplifts one another not because it is asked, but because it is who we are. This is important to note because, after all, heroism takes many forms. And central to it, central to the spirit of Hong Kong, is dedication, resilience, empathy and, above all, unity.

My thanks to the organisers of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, the South China Morning Post and the Sino Group. My thanks, too, to the Awards’ panel of judges, who come from a variety of professions and backgrounds.

Ladies and gentlemen, this special evening is about more than celebration. It is also about gratitude and renewal. It is about drawing strength from those who have given so much to society, and committing ourselves to carry forward the spirit they embody.

And I wish to join you here to welcome the Year of the Horse, let’s stride along with renewed purpose, and the enduring spirit of Hong Kong.

Enjoy the evening. Thank you very much.

Ends/Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:50
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CFS urges public not to consume batch of prepackaged chocolate product suspected to contain plastic fragments

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CFS urges public not to consume batch of prepackaged chocolate product suspected to contain plastic fragmentsBrand: Furuta
Place of origin: Japan
Pack size: 122 grams per pack
Batch number: 2026.10/JG+FM
Importer: Man Tung Trading Company Limited
Retailer: APITA and UNY
Best-before date: End of October, 2026Issued at HKT 21:11

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Latest COVID-19 vaccination arrangements announced

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Latest COVID-19 vaccination arrangements announced　　
High-risk priority groups
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    　The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) under the CHP earlier discussed and updated the booster vaccination recommendation for high-risk priority groups in 2026. Starting from March 1, the Government will offer COVID-19 vaccine to relevant high-risk priority groups based on the recommendations, including:
      In addition, the JSC encouraged healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for their personal protection. Hence, the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will continue to provide free COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare workers.
      
     Those who do not belong to the high-risk priority groups recommended for booster vaccination (such as individuals aged 18 to 49 with chronic illnesses and healthy individuals aged 50 to 64) and would like to receive a booster dose may consult their family doctor about registered COVID-19 vaccines available in the private market, and consider to receive vaccination at their own expense for personal protection.
 
Choice of COVID-19 vaccine
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　　In light of the JSC’s earlier recommendation to choose either the JN.1 vaccine or the LP.8.1 vaccine, the Government has provided LP.8.1 vaccines to infants and children aged six months to 11 years since December last year. The Government has now procured Spikevax LP.8.1 vaccines for individuals aged 12 and above, and vaccinations for eligible individuals will begin on March 1. The Government will continue to help elderly people aged 60 or above living in the community make online appointments for COVID-19 vaccination. More information can be found in an earlier press release—————————————————————————–      
     Members of the public may visit the CHP’s COVID-19 Vaccination ProgrammeIssued at HKT 19:55

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Golden Week visitors reach 1.77m

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that the number of visitors to Hong Kong reached around 1.77 million for the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland from February 15 to yesterday, with various arrangements for receiving visitors rolling out smoothly.

During the nine-day Golden Week, the Immigration Department recorded around 1.77 million visitors to Hong Kong, with Mainland visitors accounting for about 1.5 million. The daily average of Mainland visitors was around 170,000.

Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at around 210,000 on February 18, the second day of the Chinese New Year. The Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point received the highest number, followed by the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.

They visited different parts of Hong Kong during Golden Week, with high visitor flow seen at major tourist attractions, including the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Peak Tram and Ngong Ping 360.

The hotel occupancy rate during this period generally reached 90%.

Around 2,400 Mainland inbound tour groups came to the city during Golden Week, with around 74% engaging in overnight itineraries. These tour groups covered around 84,000 visitors.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the interdepartmental working group, noted that the diverse and enriching celebration events held in Hong Kong during this period were well received by the public and visitors alike.

The events included the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, the fireworks display and the Chinese New Year Raceday, taking place on the first three days of the Chinese New Year respectively. There was also the Chinese New Year Cup football match on the fifth day of the festival.

Mr Chan thanked all relevant government departments, organisations and industry partners for their collaborative efforts and close co-ordination in receiving visitors, which provided citizens and visitors with a warm and welcoming festive experience in Hong Kong.

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DCS chairs 11th meeting of Task Force on District Governance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DCS chairs 11th meeting of Task Force on District Governance (with photo) 
      Mr Cheuk said, “The Task Force has continuously steered departments in implementing the strategies formulated by the Steering Committee, introducing various policies and measures targeting district issues of key public concern and achieving fruitful results. The Task Force will continue to lead departments in addressing people’s livelihood concerns through concrete actions, comprehensively enhancing district governance and building a better community. The Task Force will also strengthen the promotion of work achievements to enhance citizens’ sense of happiness and fulfillment.”
 
      The Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration has formulated strategies for 12 district issues (Note), including various measures to strengthen community support and enhance district facilities, thereby creating a higher-quality living environment for the public. At the meeting, the Task Force followed up on the implementation progress and outcomes of relevant initiatives.
 
     The meeting discussed the achievements of the Care Teams, which completed their first-term services in October 2025.  Over the two-year period, Care Teams made around 610 000 visits to elderly households and other households in need, provided around 100 000 instances of basic home or other support services, and organised around 50 000 district-level activities. Their achievements are evident to all. Moreover, Care Teams assisted in emergency and incident responses. In the event of emergencies and incidents in the districts (such as during the Wang Fuk Court Fire in Tai Po, the discovery of wartime bombs in Quarry Bay, Super Typhoon Ragasa, and successive heavy rainstorms affecting Hong Kong), Care Teams swiftly mobilised their members and volunteers to attend to the needs of affected individuals and provide them with adequate assistance. In particular, during the aftermath support for the Wang Fuk Court Fire, more than 1 900 Care Team members and volunteers from all 18 districts across Hong Kong responded promptly to the Government’s call and actively participated in emergency assistance. In terms of resources, the Government provided the Care Teams with part of the funding they need, while the operating organisations supported the Care Teams’ services through sponsorships, donations, or internal resources of the organisations. The total expenditure for the overall service plan of the first-term Care Teams was $444 million, of which $411 million was covered by Government funding disbursed according to the funding agreements (i.e., 92 per cent), while the remaining expenditure (i.e., 8 per cent) was met by community resources gathered by the Care Teams. Notably, the Government allocated $452 million as funding for the first-term Care Teams, but only 91 per cent of this amount was ultimately utilised, despite services exceeding the key performance indicator requirements that were delivered. This reflects the Care Teams’ prudent use of public funds in accordance with guidelines and their effective mobilisation of community resources. To enable the public to better understand the work of the Care Teams’ services, the Work Reports of the first-term Care Teams have been released today. Members of the public can visit the Care Teams website (www.had.gov.hk/tc/public_services/district_services_community_care_teams/index.htm 
     The meeting also followed up on the progress of 12 district initiatives. In terms of care for the elderly, as at end-January 2026, the Care Teams in all districts had visited or reached out to over 91 000 singleton and doubleton elderly households, carers of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. More than 2 900 households (involving over 3 470 elderly persons or persons with disabilities) were referred by the Care Teams to receive subsidies for installation of emergency alarm systems.

     As regards enhancing district facilities, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is expediting the renovation of public markets and cooked food markets. The stall enhancement works in the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre and the Luen Wo Hui Market Cooked Food Centre will be completed by April and July this year respectively, while the stall enhancement works in the Yue Wan Market Cooked Food Centre are expected to commence in March this year. The Highways Department has selected 14 suitable footpath locations for surface material replacement works, under which the existing paving slabs will be replaced with concrete pavement to enhance durability by minimising problems such as loosening or breakage of paving slabs resulting from load-bearing, compression or heavy usage; the Housing Department has also been carrying out minor improvement works at public housing estates to enhance the environment, and has so far completed external wall repainting works at five estates.
 
     In respect of enhancing the environment, relevant departments plan to complete six beautification projects in 2026, including thematic planting in various park projects and housing development schemes.  The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has already completed the planting of flowering trees, such as pink trumpet trees and silk floss trees, along the main pedestrian pathways at Sha Tin Park and Che Kung Miu Road Playground in January this year, bringing vibrant colours to the community.
 
      Mr Cheuk thanked all departments for their dedicated efforts in advancing the above work and achieving notable results. He encouraged all departments to continue their efforts in the new year and to respond to public expectations through more solid and effective work, tangibly enhancing the quality of life and well-being of the public.
 
Note: The 12 key issues are: (1) expanding after-school care and enhancing support for parents; (2) caring for the elderly and enhancing community support; (3) fostering clean markets and mobilising the community to participate in anti-rodent work; (4) enhancing public order and combating crimes on all fronts; (5) improving pedestrian facilities and ensuring road safety; (6) enhancing the community environment and strengthening local characteristics; (7) improving the environment of public housing estates and creating comfortable homes; (8) caring for the elderly and promoting digital inclusion; (9) improving the waiting environment at public transport interchanges to enhance the travel experience; (10) combating air-conditioner water dripping to improve community environment; (11) cleaning pedestrian walkways to improve city streets; and (12) strengthening thematic planting.
Issued at HKT 18:20

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SED officiates at opening ceremony of APAIE 2026 Conference and Exhibition

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (February 24) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, where she exchanged views with education officials and representatives from various regions on international education development trends and co-operation.

     The APAIE Conference and Exhibition ranks among the world’s top three international higher education conferences. This year’s event is expected to attract nearly 3 000 leading international education professionals to explore the latest trends and critical issues in higher education.