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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Police announced today (June 26) that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases from June 29 to July 1 to facilitate the holding of the flag raising ceremonies in Wan Chai North and Tin Hau to mark the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

A. Road closure- Expo Drive East outside Golden Bauhinia Square;
– Expo Drive Central; and
– The slip road leading from the Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel (CWBT) to Expo Drive.- Eastbound Lung Wo Road between the Wan Chai portal of the CWBT and Fleming Road. – Lung Tat Path.- Traffic turning right from northbound Lung Hop Street can only enter eastbound CWBT via eastbound Lung Wo Road.- All metered and disabled parking spaces on Tung Lung Wo Road between Causeway Road and Lai Yin Lane will be suspended from 10pm on June 30 to 8am on July 1.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

The Research Grants Council (RGC) today (June 26) announced the funding results of the General Research Fund (GRF) and the Early Career Scheme (ECS) for 2026/27. Altogether, 1 483 proposals were successfully granted a funding of $1.18 billion in total.

In this round of exercise, the RGC received 4 215 GRF and 617 ECS applications from academic staff of the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee. This represents an overall increase of around 9 per cent as compared with that of the last round.

After rigorous international peer reviews, 1 277 GRF projects were approved with grants amounting to around $1.04 billion. This represents an increase of about 10 per cent in terms of funded projects as compared to the last round. The overall success rate is maintained at about 30 per cent, which is similar to that of last year. The funded proposals cover all disciplines of business studies, biology and medicine, engineering, humanities and social sciences, and physical sciences. 

The RGC also funded 206 ECS projects with a total allocation of roughly $140 million. The overall success rate remains at about 33 per cent, matching the previous year, and slightly exceeding that of the GRF to provide enhanced support for early career researchers.

The RGC Subject Panels commended the continued improvement in the overall quality of GRF and ECS research proposals. They were glad to see a wealth of strong and promising submissions, with a steady rise in application numbers that highlighted the vibrancy of Hong Kong’s research ecosystem.

The Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong said, “The RGC remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting high-quality and impactful research in Hong Kong. These outstanding research projects will play a key leading role in Hong Kong’s development into an international education hub and its deepening integration into the Greater Bay Area, laying the foundation for future academic and regional innovation.

“The GRF and ECS support basic research of all disciplines in Hong Kong by catalysing discoveries across a vast spectrum of critical fields. These schemes empower eminent scholars and junior faculty with essential resource allocations while actively fostering a research environment that nurtures original innovation.”

The RGC also continues to focus on the development of young talent in Hong Kong. Professor Tong said he welcomed the substantial number of proposals from young researchers that are being supported by the ECS this year, underscoring the scheme’s pivotal role in empowering next-generation scholars.

The GRF and the ECS are individual research funding schemes under the RGC. The GRF supplements universities’ own research support for researchers who have achieved or have the potential to achieve excellence. The ECS aims to nurture junior academics and prepare them for a career in education and research. Based on academic quality and merit, the RGC follows the international practice of a peer-review mechanism to assess research proposals.

The 2026/27 funding results of the GRF and the ECS are available on the RGC website
(GRF: www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/grf/funded_research.html;
ECS: www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ecs/funded_research.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, will depart for Macao this evening (June 26) to attend the 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Tourism Ministerial Meeting tomorrow (June 27).

Miss Law will return to Hong Kong after attending the meeting tomorrow. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, will be the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 2026, introducing a series of reforms to the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK), was today published in the Government Gazette.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau outlined that the MCHK performs important functions. This encompasses accreditation of local medical school programmes and medical interns’ training upon their graduation, registration of medical practitioners, the Licensing Examination for non-locally trained medical practitioners, continuing medical education, the formulation of professional codes and guidelines, and handling complaints concerning the professional conduct of medical practitioners.

Prof Lo added that these responsibilities are vital components in ensuring the high quality and efficiency of Hong Kong’s healthcare system.

“To enhance the executive-led structure and promote good governance, the Health Bureau has proposed to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance (MRO) after a comprehensive review of the provisions, putting forward holistic and targeted reform measures to bring relevant legislations and the professional regulatory regime up to date, supporting the MCHK to discharge their statutory duties in a more effective manner in fulfilling its mission of ensuring justice, maintaining professionalism and protecting the public.”

The bill proposes amendments across four key areas.

Firstly, it seeks to reform the composition of the MCHK to diversify the professional views represented. This includes adding three lay members, appointed by the Chief Executive, who are registered healthcare professionals but not than medical practitioners, in order to promote multidisciplinary collaboration.

The proportion of lay members would consequently be increased to 31%.

Secondly, the bill would enhance the MCHK’s complaint handling mechanism by making it more independent, fairer, more transparent and efficient. The Preliminary Investigation Committee and the Inquiry Panel will be renamed as the Medical Investigation Committee and the Medical Tribunal Panel respectively.

Furthermore, the MCHK will be required to devise and promulgate target timeframes for various stages of complaint handling.

Thirdly, the bill strengthens public protection. This includes a mechanism to immediately suspend the rights to practise of medical practitioners convicted of serious offences.

Fourthly, it introduces other relevant amendments covering the need for medical training, continuing medical education and talent attraction.

Prof Lo stressed that handling complaints and conducting disciplinary inquiries are important functions of the MCHK.

“When the professional competence or conduct of individual medical practitioners may fail to meet the required standard, the MCHK will decide through inquiries whether to impose disciplinary sanctions in accordance with its independent quasi-judicial functions empowered by the MRO.”

In drafting the bill, the Government took into account a review carried out by the MCHK on its complaint handling mechanism, as well as the Ombudsman’s direct investigation operation report on the relevant work of the MCHK secretariat. The Government also met Legislative Council (LegCo) members during the process.

The bill will be introduced in the LegCo for a first reading on July 8.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today said the long-term housing arrangement plan applicable to other blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po will also be available to Wang Chi House (Block H), as over 75% of owners there have confirmed their intention to sell their titles to the Government.

In a statement, the Government said it had received signed Letters of Acceptance from 77.8% of Wang Chi House owners confirming their intention to sell their titles to the Government. Under arrangements agreed earlier, given the strong consensus reached among owners, the long-term plan currently applicable to Blocks A to G of Wang Fuk Court will also be formally available to Wang Chi House.

All Wang Fuk Court owners who intend to sell their titles need to return signed Letters of Acceptance on or before August 31.

The Government said feedback from Wang Chi House owners has been encouraging and positive, reflecting that the long-term housing arrangement plan is deemed attractive and can assist owners in resolving the various uncertainties and complexities they face.

These include difficulties in estimating when they can move back to their flats, a reluctance to do so, handling modifications to the land lease and deed of mutual covenant, the burden of hefty maintenance costs and a potentially sharp increase in management fees, in addition to depreciation in property values and hurdles in future property transactions.

The statement highlighted that the plan offered by the Government allows owners to rebuild their long-term homes and start new lives.

As for Blocks A to G of Wang Fuk Court, the Government has received a total of 1,361 signed Letters of Acceptance from owners as of today, representing about 78.4% of the total number of units in the seven blocks. The acquisition work has been making good progress.

After selling their titles to the Government and receiving cash payments, owners of the eight buildings can purchase a home in the market right away, or participate in the Special Sales Exercise for Wang Fuk Court owners and purchase a new subsidised sale flat (SSF) either with cash or via the “Flat-for-Flat” arrangement.

Flat selection priority under the Special Sales Exercise will be determined in batches according to the date on which the Government received owners’ signed Letters of Acceptance.

The deadline for the first batch is June 30, while that for the second batch is August 31. Flat selection priority for applicants within the same batch will be further determined by sequence, as drawn in a ballot.

The Government encouraged Wang Fuk Court owners to sign and submit their Letters of Acceptance as soon as possible to secure flat selection priority.

As the long-term plan is formally available to Wang Chi House, an extra 496 units will be added to the Special Sales Exercise, on top of the about 3,900 units currently reserved.

The additional units all come from Hong Kong Housing Society SSF projects announced under the Special Sales Exercise. Among them, the number of units at the Pak Wo Road project in Fanling will increase by 200, bringing the total from 100 to 300, while the number of units at the Anderson Road Quarry Site project in Kwun Tong will increase by 296, bringing the total from 300 to 596 units.

Currently, the Housing Bureau is assisting owners who have signed and submitted a Letter of Acceptance to complete Agreement for Sale & Purchase and the Assignment procedures.

As for Wang Chi House, the bureau will arrange for owners accepting the Government’s acquisition to sign the Agreement for Sale and Purchase on or before October 15. There will be a clause stipulating that, if fewer than three-quarters of owners ultimately sign the agreement, the Government reserves the right to discontinue the acquisition.

The statement also noted that $4 billion is earmarked in the Budget for the acquisition of Blocks A to G of Wang Fuk Court. The estimated total acquisition cost for Wang Chi House is about $1 billion. The Government will seek additional funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.

The engagement team co-ordinated by the Housing Bureau will continue to maintain communication with Wang Fuk Court owners. Owners can contact their designated engagement team member or call the hotline at 2129 8133 for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government is helping both local and Mainland businesses to expand their global reach. In an exclusive interview with news.gov.hk, Chief Executive John Lee outlined that the establishment of the “GoGlobal Task Force” last year was aimed squarely at supporting enterprises in navigating their pathways to international markets.

Mr Lee said: “When we talk about being a ‘Super Connector’, we can of course introduce and connect – but it is more than connect – we do value-adding.”

The Chief Executive explained the Government adds value to firms’ operations. This includes sharing networks and knowledge, advising on business plans, explaining how professional services can help, offering guidance on raising money, and advising on compliance with local laws, all areas in which the Government has good experience.

He elaborated that the Hong Kong SAR Government’s networks can help to ease the path for Mainland businesses to gain a foothold in other countries.

“That is why I have done my recent visit to Central Asia, taking with me a big delegation comprising both Hong Kong and Mainland delegates, including professionals, and industries which are involved in mining, logistics, solving water problems, or new energy.”

Mr Lee explained that through hands-on partnerships, these Mainland businesses gain a deeper understanding of what Hong Kong can offer.

“Through doing it with us, they understand what Hong Kong can do for them. It is not just by reading about information. In the process, the experience has told me that they really appreciate much more what Hong Kong can do for them.”

Highlighting the potential of both traditional overseas markets and new ones, Mr Lee stressed that Hong Kong aims to engage with established markets in the US and Europe, while also exploring opportunities in the Middle East and Central Asia.

“It is important to first examine whether it would be a good idea to set up an economic and trade office in Central Asia so that they can start doing the groundwork to take things further, to build or even consolidate the path, and also to create a momentum for two-way flow.”

Looking ahead, the Chief Executive hopes to make the GoGlobal platform better understood and appreciated by enterprises so that it can serve more clients and expand its reach in terms of locations.

He said users will be asked which services they find most beneficial and helpful, and which needs remain unmet, so that the platform can function at its best. He added that the task force will continue to reflect on how support can be delivered most efficiently while producing measurable returns.  

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai presides over eighth meeting of Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee
On the afternoon of June 25, President Lai Ching-te presided over the eighth meeting of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. In his opening statement, President Lai stated that China’s authoritarian expansionist actions clearly demonstrate that it is the one attempting to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and undermining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The president emphasized that Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its self-defense capabilities, maintain the status quo of peace and stability, and safeguard a free and democratic way of life are absolutely not acts of provocation. The president underscored that “the more prepared we are, the safer we will be.” He noted that the government will assess Taiwan’s overall ability to respond to hybrid risks and threats through cross-ministerial and cross-disciplinary cooperation, discussion, and verification, thereby further enhancing Taiwan’s security and defense resilience. President Lai added that Taiwan will also continue to work closely with like-minded countries, standing together to demonstrate the strength of deterrence and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows:
This morning, our Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee conducted a tabletop exercise focused on gray-zone aggression and high-intensity maritime coercion. I want to thank the advisors, committee members, and colleagues from the administrative team for their hard work and contributions to our nation’s security and resilience.
In recent years, China’s gray-zone aggression, threats, and infiltration of neighboring countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines have caused unease among Indo-Pacific countries and the international community.
This is particularly evident in China’s recent maritime operations in the East and South China Seas and areas around the Taiwan Strait, ostensibly for law enforcement, patrol, or surveying purposes. These are no longer simply routine technical operations. Rather, they are acts of expansion performed under the pretext of law enforcement. Such actions undermine the status quo of security, peace, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the rules-based international order.
The joint statement issued by the leaders of the G7 last week clearly underscored the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law and reaffirmed their firm opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas and across the Taiwan Strait by force or coercion.
I want to emphasize once again: These authoritarian expansionist actions clearly demonstrate that China is the one attempting to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and undermining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its self-defense capabilities, maintain the status quo of peace and stability, and safeguard our free and democratic way of life are absolutely not acts of provocation.
Taiwan will respond to the G7’s call and will engage in collective defense and burden-sharing. We will continue to work closely with like-minded countries, standing together to demonstrate the strength of deterrence and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
In the face of China’s operations, I would like to thank our men and women in the military and coast guard for their proactive efforts on the frontline in safeguarding national security. I also want to emphasize that upholding national sovereignty and security is not simply a defense issue but a society-wide responsibility. Modern security challenges are not isolated events, but long-term, complex, and cross-disciplinary stress tests. A strongly defensive, resilient nation needs a stable administrative system and a social structure capable of maintaining order and public confidence in times of crisis.
Therefore, in promoting whole-of-society defense resilience, we constantly emphasize that “the more prepared we are, the safer we will be.” In today’s tabletop exercise, we once again assessed our overall ability to respond to hybrid risks and threats through cross-ministerial and cross-disciplinary cooperation, discussion, and verification, thereby further enhancing Taiwan’s security and defense resilience.
Today’s agenda will begin with a report from Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) on the progress of items listed in the seventh committee meeting. This will be followed by a report from Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council Wen Lii (李問) on the results of this morning’s tabletop exercise.
Next, I would like to invite all advisors and committee members to offer suggestions on items from this morning’s exercise or areas where whole-of-society defense resilience can be strengthened. Let us work together to advance steadily toward our common goal. Thank you.
Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on the progress of items listed in the seventh committee meeting by Minister Liu, who also serves as one of the committee’s executive secretaries, and a report on the tabletop exercise for conducting supply operations under conditions of high-intensity maritime coercion by NSC Deputy Secretary-General Lii. Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.
 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Talent engagement has been one of the core policies of the current-term Government.

In an interview with news.gov.hk marking his fourth year in office, Chief Executive John Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s strong progress in drawing global talent, noting that more than 290,000 professionals have arrived through various talent schemes, a figure that readily surpasses the Government’s targets.

In the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025, Hong Kong advanced to fourth place worldwide and ranked top in Asia.

Mr Lee described this rise in talent competitiveness as a success story under his leadership, and proof that the Government’s talent policy is working in the right direction.

“This is important because talent will be positive for us if the talent joins me, but will probably be negative to me if it goes to my competitor because he becomes more competitive and I become less competitive.”

Mr Lee also emphasised the substantial economic value the talent schemes continue to deliver for the city.

He cited studies indicating that talent is expected to contribute around 1.2% to Hong Kong’s gross domestic product, but stressed that the actual figure is likely to be higher, as individual talents bring in their family members and contribute to the broader economy.

Mr Lee singled out the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), which recruits graduates from the world’ top 100 universities, for recognition. The influx of personnel via the TTPS is boosting key sectors, including innovation and technology, finance, trading and shipping.

Looking ahead, he underscored that retaining these high-achieving individuals is just as vital as attracting them in the first place.

“That is another challenge because a talent will continuously be offered very attractive terms by other places, even though he is already in Hong Kong.”

Mr Lee expressed satisfaction that the TTPS has recorded an extension rate of at least 50%, and added that he expects that to grow towards 60%.

The Chief Executive remarked that the post-pandemic acquisition target of 35,000 professionals a year is no longer sufficient. To maintain its competitive edge, he said, Hong Kong must aim higher.

He added that the Government will continue to strive to attract more talented individuals and ensure that they become an integral part of the city’s workforce.