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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 29) announced a one-year extension to the application deadlines for the Ex-gratia Payment Scheme for Phasing Out Euro IV Diesel Commercial Vehicles for Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles first registered in 2010 and 2011.

     To improve roadside air quality and better safeguard public health, the EPD launched in 2020 an ex-gratia payment scheme to progressively phase out by the end of 2027 about 40 000 Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles (DCVs) including goods vehicles, non-franchised buses and light buses. Eligible vehicle owners should, during the implementation of the scheme, scrap their Euro IV DCVs through vehicle scrapping companies registered under the scheme. They should then go to the Transport Department to cancel the registration of their DCVs before the deadlines, and apply for the ex-gratia payment within three months after the cancellation of the vehicle’s registration.

     Taking into account the challenges and difficulties the transportation industry is currently facing in its operations, some owners of Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2010 and 2011 might not be able to apply for the ex-gratia payment by the deadlines for application (i.e. December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2026, respectively), hence an extension arrangement has been made.

     Under the extension arrangement, the ex-gratia payment application deadline for Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2010 will be extended to December 31, 2026; and that for Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2011 to December 31, 2027.

     The EPD spokesman reminds the owners of Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2010 and 2011 that approval of the ex-gratia payment is still subject to the applicants meeting all other prevailing eligibility criteria and completing all necessary procedures under the ex-gratia payment scheme, and submitting the applications for the ex-gratia payment on or before the new deadlines that apply.

     Moreover, in accordance with the Air Pollution Control (Air Pollutant Emission)(Controlled Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 311X), the Government will stop issuing/renewing vehicle licences to Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2010 and 2011 after December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2026, respectively. The vehicle owners concerned who need to apply for vehicle licence renewal after the deadlines shall apply to the EPD for exemption under Section 6 of the Regulation for extending the retirement deadlines.

     For details of the ex-gratia payment scheme and the above special arrangement, please refer to the EPD’s website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/Phasing_out_euro_iv_comm_veh.html) or contact the EPD by calling 2651 1100 or by email to EU4dcv@epd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said that it strongly opposes the US Department of State’s 2025 Investment Climate Statements: Hong Kong.
 
The Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that the report contains various biased assertions regarding Hong Kong’s business environment. In particular, it continues to maliciously smear and make unfounded and false accusations against the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO). For this, the Hong Kong SAR Government expresses strong discontent and firm opposition.
 
It reiterated that the implementation of national security laws has restored a safe and stable environment in Hong Kong, not only safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the general public but also making Hong Kong a more attractive and secure destination for international capital and investment.
 
“Various data clearly demonstrate that Hong Kong’s outstanding business environment remains highly appealing to enterprises and investors and capital from around the world.
 
“Our core advantages, along with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s efforts in promoting economic and social development, are widely recognised by the international community. The biased and inaccurate claims made in the report are groundless and pale in comparison to the facts.”
 
In fact, the Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that since the beginning of this year, the Hong Kong stock market has performed strongly, with the Hang Seng Index rising by around 30%. Initial public offering fundraising has surged, placing Hong Kong first globally. Bank deposits have increased by around 8%, reaching close to HK$19 trillion. The asset and wealth management industry saw assets under management grow by 13% year-on-year to over HK$35 trillion in 2024.
 
Hong Kong is on track to become the world’s largest cross-boundary wealth management centre within the next few years. These figures demonstrate that international investors are casting their vote of confidence in Hong Kong with concrete actions.
 
Additionally, Hong Kong continues to shine and rise in various international competitiveness rankings on economic freedom, finance, innovation and technology, education and talent, the Hong Kong SAR Government stated.
 
For instance, Hong Kong is recognised as the world’s freest economy, one of the top three global financial centres, ranked third in global competitiveness, and, together with Shenzhen and Guangzhou, forms the world’s leading innovation cluster.
 
Furthermore, according to the World Investment Report 2025 published by the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development, Hong Kong attracted US$126 billion in foreign direct investment in 2024, ranking third globally.
 
As of last year, nearly 10,000 companies with overseas and Chinese Mainland parent companies had chosen Hong Kong as their base, marking a historic high. Among them, nearly 1,400 were from the US, registering a 9% increase year-on-year.
 
Since the end of 2022, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises has successfully brought in over 80 strategic enterprises to set up or expand their operations in Hong Kong, many of which are global leaders in cutting-edge technologies.
 
In the first eight months of this year, Invest Hong Kong supported more than 440 enterprises in establishing or expanding their businesses in Hong Kong, representing a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. Overseas and Chinese Mainland enterprises each accounted for about half of these projects. These all demonstrate that Hong Kong continues to be an ideal location for enterprises from around the world to set up and grow their businesses.
 
The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, it continues to practise the common law and uphold the rule of law, and maintain a judiciary that exercises powers independently. Various surveys indicate that foreign businesses operating in Hong Kong generally express strong confidence in the city’s rule of law.
 
For example, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong’s annual member survey published earlier this year showed that 83% of US businesses based in Hong Kong were confident in Hong Kong’s rule of law, representing an increase of 4 and 10 percentage points compared to 2024 and 2023 respectively.
 
Meanwhile, 70% of companies stated that their operations had not been negatively impacted by the national security laws.
 
In fact, the legal provisions of the HKNSL and the SNSO, including their definitions, scope of application and target activities, are clearly defined. They also explicitly stipulate that property and investments within the Hong Kong SAR are protected by law. These laws in no way hinder the normal commercial activities or international exchanges of various organisations operating in Hong Kong.
 
Judges, in handling all cases – including those involving national security – discharge their judicial duties independently and impartially, free from any interference. In the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2024, Hong Kong maintained a high overall ranking, ahead of the US and certain countries that frequently make unfounded criticisms of Hong Kong’s rule of law and human rights.
 
The Hong Kong SAR Government said that amid the intensifying geopolitical tensions, and rising unilateralism and protectionism that disrupt the international trade system and global economic order, Hong Kong will, as always, continue to steadfastly uphold its status as a free port under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.
 
“We will maintain free trade policies and a simple, low tax regime, while ensuring the free flow of capital, information, goods and talent – fully leveraging our role as a super connector and super value-adder.
 
“We will proactively integrate into the overall national development plan and align with national development strategies. In addition to consolidating our strengths in the traditional sectors, we are committed to nurturing emerging industries and expanding into new sectors. While deepening ties with established markets, we are also making great strides in enhancing our engagement with the Global South.
 
“We cordially invite enterprises and talent from around the world to invest, establish businesses, and develop their careers in the city, and to jointly seize the promising opportunities presented by Hong Kong’s bright future,” it added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​The Drainage Services Department (DSD) completed the emergency repair works for a pressurised sewage main at Mills and Chung Path, Southern District, Hong Kong Island this morning (September 28). The repaired sewage main has resumed service. 
 
During a routine inspection on September 25, the DSD found that there were multiple damage along a section of pressurized sewage main, about 60 metres long and 450 millimetres in diameter at Mills and Chung Path, Southern District, Hong Kong Island, which was caused by the passage of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The DSD immediately suspended the use of the damaged sewage main and diverted sewage to the emergency sewage treatment facilities at the Repulse Bay Main Sewage Pumping Station. The sewage underwent chemically enhanced settlement and disinfection before being discharged into the sea, while emergency repair works on the affected sewage main were carried out. 
 
As the concerned sewage pipe is located on a natural rocky shore under Mills and Chung Path with no direct vehicular or pedestrian access, the DSD’s engineering team had to build a temporary work passage and platform for carrying out emergency repair works round-the-clock. During execution of the repair works, temporary traffic arrangements were implemented on Island Road to transport construction equipment and materials.
 
The DSD has immediately notified the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) upon completion of the repair works today. The EPD has arranged to collect seawater samples from Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay Beach for water quality testing. The test results are expected to be available tomorrow. If the results are satisfactory, the EPD will notify the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to reopen the beaches.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hydrogen energy is regarded as a low-carbon energy with development potential, as the world is striving to phase out fossil fuels and accelerate energy transition to tackle the challenge of climate change.

The Government unveiled a comprehensive strategy last year to support the development of hydrogen energy. One of the Government’s initiatives in promoting hydrogen technology is the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell street washing vehicles in June, as well as the city’s first public hydrogen refuelling station.