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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced that if 75% or more of the owners of Wang Chi House, at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, confirm their intention to sell their titles to the Government on or before June 30, the long-term housing plan already in place for the rest of the estate will also apply to Wang Chi House.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said the move comes in response to a strong consensus among Wang Chi House owners regarding the desirability of joining the plan.

He highlighted that the Housing Bureau’s Engagement Team has successfully contacted 99% of Wang Chi House owners, with around 77% indicating their wish to join the plan and sell their titles.

The Government proposes to acquire Wang Chi House units by extending the acquisition plan already offered to the estate’s other seven blocks. The acquisition price under the plan is $8,000 per sq ft for flats with premiums unpaid, and $10,500 per sq ft for flats with premiums paid.

Wang Chi House owners in favour of accepting the acquisition plan must sign a Letter of Acceptance to formally confirm their intention to accept the Government’s acquisition offer.

If 75% of Wang Chi House owners, of more, sign Letters of Acceptance on or before June 30, confirming their intention to sell, the long-term housing plan will be formally extended to Wang Chi House. Otherwise, the plan will not cover Wang Chi House.

Wang Chi House owners who sign the Letter of Acceptance on or before June 30 will enjoy first-round priority in flat selection when purchasing new subsidised sale flats under the Special Sales Exercise for Wang Fuk Court.

Those who do not sign by June 30 but later decide to sell must sign Letters of Acceptance on or before August 31.

The Government will arrange for Wang Chi House owners who accept the Government’s acquisition to sign the Agreement for Sale and Purchase on or before October 15.

The Government will include a clause stipulating that if fewer than three-quarters of owners ultimately sign this agreement, the Government reserves the right to discontinue the acquisition.

Mr Wong said the estimated total acquisition cost for Wang Chi House is about $1 billion. The Government will seek approval for the additional funding from the Legislative Council Finance Committee in due course.

The Housing Bureau’s Engagement Team will approach Wang Chi House owners from tomorrow to clearly explain the details of the long-term housing plan and address their questions.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Science & Technology (UST) Medical Education & Research Complex, marking a milestone in the establishment of Hong Kong’s third medical school.

Joining Mr Lee were Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Zhou Ji, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong SAR Li Yongsheng, Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau, and Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin.

Located at the UST’s Clear Water Bay campus, the complex is a core facility of the new medical school. Scheduled for completion by mid-2028, it will admit its first cohort of students that same year and serve as an interim campus until the permanent facility in the Northern Metropolis is completed.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said the National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for high-calibre talent. He noted that the new medical school will help realise this vision by attracting and training top healthcare and education professionals, while enhancing the quality, efficiency and capacity of local healthcare services.

The Chief Executive added that the UST’s medical school will adopt a unique development model to create synergy with existing schools, drive innovation and boost the capabilities of the city’s scientific research and medical education.

Mr Lee stated that the new medical school and its teaching hospital will become a key pillar of Hong Kong’s medical teaching and service system, and that the Government is backing this commitment with substantial resources. He added that today’s groundbreaking is a tangible step forward, and it will support the new medical school’s phased development for years to come.

Prof Lo thanked the Medical Council of Hong Kong for swiftly establishing an accreditation committee to begin preparatory work. This will ensure the medical school’s new four-year graduate-entry programme meets the quality and standards of the city’s medical education.

Meanwhile, Ms Choi said the Government looks forward to the new medical school complementing the existing two medical schools to create a more comprehensive and diverse medical education ecosystem. She added that it will nurture outstanding medical talent with global vision, humanistic care and innovative thinking.

In November last year, the Chief Executive in Council approved the establishment of the third medical school and gave approval-in-principle for it to be established by the UST, with a target of admitting its first cohort of 50 students in the 2028-29 academic year.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced details of arrangements for residents of Wang Chi House, at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, to again return to their units to collect personal belongings.

Residents of the building, which was the only tower in the estate not to be set ablaze in November’s fire, were previously allowed access to their units in December. They will return in batches over five days from May 13 to 17, starting with the lower floors.

Seven floors will be open on the first day, followed by six floors per day over the next four days.

On each day, odd-numbered units, i.e. Units 1, 3, 5 and 7 on each floor, will be open in the morning, while even-numbered units, i.e. Units 2, 4, 6 and 8 on each floor, will be open in the afternoon.

The arrangements for Wang Chi House are largely similar to those for the estate’s other blocks. The morning session will run from 9am to 1pm, and the afternoon session from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.

A maximum of four residents per unit will be allowed to enter at the same time, and they will be able to stay in the unit for up to three hours. Lifts will be operational, and residents can make multiple trips during the permitted period.

Under the “one social worker per household” service, social workers will assist households with pre-registration ahead of their return visits and provide them with guidance notes.

On their day of return, pre-registered residents must first register at Kwong Fuk Community Hall. They are required to wear safety helmets when passing through outdoor areas within the estate until they enter Wang Chi House.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced today (April 28) that free quota for the import of 18 regulated hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (see attachment) for local consumption, applicable to the 2026 period under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403), is now open for applications.
 
To implement the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer adopted by the United Nations, the Government has implemented an HFCs import quota system since December 1, 2025, to control the total import amount of HFCs in fulfilling Hong Kong’s obligations under the Amendment. The annual import quota is divided into normal quota and free quota at a ratio of 7:3. The import free quota for 2026 to be allocated is 327 kilotonnes CO2 equivalent.
 
An EPD spokesperson said, “Free quota will be allocated to newly registered persons, end-users who intend to import HFCs directly, as well as to existing registered importers who had exhausted their normal quota for the year.”
 
Applicants are requested to submit the completed application form along with the necessary supporting documents via the online system (olpo.epd.gov.hk/olposystem) by 5pm, June 9, 2026 (Tuesday), or submit a hard copy by post or in person to the Air Science and Modelling Group of the EPD via the following address. Applications received after the aforesaid deadline will not be processed.
 
12/F, North Tower
Tseung Kwan O Government Offices
30 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O
New Territories
 
For details about the import free quota application and quota allocation guidelines, please visit the EPD’s website (olpo.epd.gov.hk/olposystem). Enquiries can also be made by phone at 3153 2384 or via email at olpoenq@epd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) 2026, organised by the Digital Policy Office (DPO), opens for enrolment today (April 28). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the HKICTA, celebrating two decades of excellence in Hong Kong’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Locally developed ICT products and solutions are invited to compete for the Grand Awards in the eight award categories and the top accolade of the competition – the Award of the Year. Enrolment is free of charge and the deadline is July 20, 2026.
 
There are eight award categories in the HKICTA and each award category is led by a local industry association or professional body. The award categories and respective leading organisers are listed below:
 

Award categories	Leading organisers
Digital Entertainment Award	Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association
FinTech Award	The Hong Kong Institute of Bankers
ICT Startup Award	Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association
Smart Business Award	Hong Kong Computer Society
Smart Living Award	Hong Kong Information Technology Federation
Smart Mobility Award	GS1 Hong Kong
Smart People Award	The Hong Kong Council of Social Service
Student Innovation Award	Hong Kong Innovative Technology Development Association

A Grand Award will be granted in each category, and the Award of the Year will be selected by a Grand Judging Panel from the eight Grand Awardees.
 
In a bid to foster the innovative use of AI, the Best Use of AI award winner will be selected in each of the eight categories to magnify and honour outstanding achievements in harnessing the power of AI in respective areas.   
 
Since its establishment in 2006, the HKICTA has become an annual signature event of the local ICT industry with an aim to recognise and promote outstanding local ICT inventions and applications, thereby encouraging the pursuit of innovation and excellence among Hong Kong’s ICT professionals and enterprises to develop innovative applications meeting business and social needs, use innovation and technology (I&T) to bring benefits to the community, and foster Hong Kong’s I&T and smart city development.
 
Through concerted efforts of the ICT sectors, academia and the Government, the HKICTA has long been highly regarded by the information technology industry. Winners not only gain authoritative recognition but also have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in regional and international competitions, as well as receive sponsorships to participate in overseas I&T exhibitions. Beyond offering encouragement and recognition, the HKICTA also helps the products enter both the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets. The winners will also be invited to join the “HKICTA Winner Circle”, in recognition of their outstanding contribution, while fostering innovation and technological exchange in the I&T industry, and collectively advancing the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s ICT sector.
 
Details of the HKICTA are available on the thematic website (www.hkictawards.hk). Enquiries can be made to the DPO at 3974 5224 or by emailing hkictawards@digitalpolicy.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28):
 
Honourable Director Zhou Ji (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR), Professor Harry Shum (the Council Chairman of the HKUST), Professor Nancy Ip (the President of the HKUST), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good morning. It’s a great pleasure to be here today for the groundbreaking of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Education and Research Complex. I am delighted to witness this milestone with you – Hong Kong’s third medical school is now taking shape.
 
The National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in becoming an international hub for high-calibre talent. A new medical school will help turn that vision into reality, attracting and training top talent in healthcare and higher education. It will also contribute to a Healthy China, one of the Five-Year Plan’s key goals, by deepening collaboration with the Chinese Mainland.
 
Equally important, the new medical school will ensure better quality, greater efficiency, and higher capacity in our healthcare and medical services. It will increase local doctor training, easing manpower shortages. It will help us meet the challenges of an ageing population.
 
Beyond these, HKUST’s medical school will develop differently from our two existing ones. That will create synergy, drive innovation, generate multiplier effects, and raise our medical-education capabilities. Hong Kong is fast emerging as an international centre for medical training, research and innovation. Building a third medical school will get us there that much faster.
 
We are moving decisively to bring these benefits to Hong Kong. Last November, I approved HKUST’s proposal, agreeing in principle to launch a four-year, graduate-entry medical programme. It offers a combined bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery degree. About 50 students will make up the first cohort, starting in the 2028/29 academic year.
 
HKUST’s winning bid followed a rigorous assessment process by the Task Group on New Medical School and its expert advisors. They fully recognised HKUST’s innovative strategy, its financial commitment and its ability to deliver.
 
To turn this decision into reality, the Government has set up three working groups under the Task Group. The members include relevant government departments and outside experts, such as the Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong.
 
These groups will now work with HKUST on every stage of implementation, advising on curriculum, finances and more. I’m sure HKUST will also work closely with the Medical Council to complete course accreditation and advance all fronts.
 
Our goal is clear: to ensure that the new medical school and its teaching hospital become a key pillar of Hong Kong’s medical teaching and service system. The Government is backing this commitment with substantial resources. We have set aside funding, on a matching basis, to support HKUST.
 
We have also reserved land at Ngau Tam Mei in the Northern Metropolis. That land is for the medical school’s permanent campus and an integrated hospital of medical education, research and patient-care. We will also work with HKUST on the development and operational model for the new hospital.
 
Today’s groundbreaking ceremony, here at the Clear Water Bay campus, is a tangible step forward. The eight-storey complex will rise as one of the core facilities of the medical school. It is scheduled for completion in mid‑2028, just in time to welcome the first cohort of students. It will support the school’s phased development, and its technology-enabled teaching, for years to come.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, I have every confidence in HKUST. It enjoys an outstanding international reputation in science and life sciences, as well as engineering and business. The new medical school will take full advantage of these formidable strengths to create its own medical education and research foundations.
 
It will nurture a new generation of doctors with professional expertise, technological command, a global perspective, and a patient-centred philosophy. It will raise Hong Kong’s research and medical-education capabilities.
 
This is the future we are building – for Hong Kong, and for every patient who will one day be healed by the doctors trained here. Let’s build it together. Thank you.

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 latest information today (April 28) on the traffic and public transport arrangements during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week (May 1 to 5):
 
     During the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week, in anticipation of a large number of members of the public, visitors and cross-boundary vehicles visiting land-based boundary control points (BCPs), the Transport Department (TD) appealed to cross-boundary travellers to use public transport services travelling between Hong Kong and the Mainland or Macao, plan their trips early and allow sufficient travelling time.
 
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 Labour 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 April 30 to May 5 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 Futian Stations will be enhanced from April 30 to May 3, with 13 additional pairs of trains (i.e. 26 train trips) operating daily. On May 4 and 5, there will be one additional pair of trains operating daily between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Futian Stations, and between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Shenzhenbei Stations respectively. One additional pair of temporary sleeper train trips operating between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Beijingxi Stations will also be added on April 30 and from May 5 to 7 daily;
• Increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to an average of about one minute during peak hours, if needed;
• Increasing the frequency of the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to an average of about two minutes during peak hours, if needed;
• Increasing the quota of cross-boundary coaches to strengthen services; and
• The frequency of local franchised bus B routes connecting various land-based BCPs will also be increased to a level higher than that of normal weekends, 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 public transport services, including the Gold Bus and the franchised bus B routes, may be longer. Passengers are advised to travel during non-peak hours, maintain order while queuing and heed advice from 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 HZMB Zhuhai Port and Qinglu South Road has been closed to all traffic. They should use public transport services as far as possible, plan their trips early and allow sufficient travelling time. The traffic of Zhuhai Port and neighbouring roads may also be affected, and passengers should remain patient while waiting.
 
     As for motorists of cross-boundary private cars crossing the border, they are advised that special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau BCP and the Shenzhen Bay Port, subject to actual traffic conditions, during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week to secure smooth access for public transport 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
 
     For the HZMB, 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 at inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time situations 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 the 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 information on various land-based 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 the HKeMobility.
 
     The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre operates round the clock to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services of various districts, the BCPs and major stations, and to implement contingency measures when necessary to meet service demands.
 
     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 Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week, 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

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the “Guangdong-Hong Kong collaboration begins at the Greater Bay Area – Guangdong enterprises’ going global and international development promotion seminar” in Guangzhou today (April 28). The seminar was jointly organised by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Council for the Promotion of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Enterprises Overseas Professional Service Alliance. It explored how Mainland enterprises can leverage Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities to realise their overseas expansion strategies.

     This is the first large-scale promotion event held in Guangdong Province by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force), steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. Mr Yau and the Director General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Ms Chen Liwen, delivered speeches at the event. Other guests included the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress and Deputy Secretary of the Leading Party Group of the Committee, Mr Huang Ningsheng.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, together with the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zhou Ji; the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Mr Li Yongsheng; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28), marking a new phase in the establishment of the third medical school.

     Located in the HKUST’s Clear Water Bay campus, the Medical Education and Research Complex is one of the core facilities of the new medical school. It is expected to be completed by mid-2028 to admit the first cohort of students in the same year, and it will serve as an interim campus before the permanent campus in the Northern Metropolis is completed. The Government has also reserved a site in Ngau Tam Mei in the Northern Metropolis for the permanent campus of the new medical school, and for the development of an integrated medical teaching and research hospital. The Government will reserve resources for this purpose and fully support the early commencement of construction works.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in becoming an international hub for high-calibre talent, and that a new medical school will help turn that vision into reality, attracting and training top talent in healthcare and higher education. He added that, equally important, the new medical school will ensure better quality, greater efficiency and higher capacity in local healthcare and medical services. He also noted that HKUST’s medical school will develop differently from the two existing ones, creating synergy, driving innovation, generating multiplier effects, and raising the city’s medical-education capabilities.

     Mr Lee said that the Government’s goal is to ensure that the new medical school and its teaching hospital become a key pillar of Hong Kong’s medical teaching and service system, and that the Government is backing this commitment with substantial resources. Today’s groundbreaking of the HKUST Medical Education and Research Complex is a tangible step forward, he said, and it will support the new medical school’s phased development for years to come.

     Professor Lo said, “The HKSAR Government fully supports the HKUST in actively advancing the preparatory work for the new medical school. The Task Group on New Medical School has set up three working groups. Relevant government departments and experienced experts in related fields have been invited to join the working groups to offer advice and support to the HKUST on areas such as curriculum development and financial arrangements of the new medical school. The three working groups have already held their first meetings to follow up with every effort on all aspects of the work for establishing the new medical school. They will report the progress to the Task Group on a regular basis to ensure the preparatory process is smooth and on track. I would like to express my gratitude in particular to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for swiftly setting up the accreditation committee to start the preparatory work for programme accreditation, with a view to ensuring the upcoming four-year graduate-entry programme offered by the new medical school will meet the quality and standards of medical education in Hong Kong.”

     Dr Choi said, “The establishment of the new medical school is a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s higher education. It will not only effectively expand capacity and enhance quality of medical education, but also further strengthen and enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub. The Government will continue to provide full support to the HKUST in establishing the new medical school and work hand-in-hand with the University to advance this strategically important project. We look forward to the new medical school complementing the existing two medical schools in a synergistic manner, creating a more comprehensive and diverse medical education ecosystem, and nurturing more outstanding medical talent with global vision, humanistic care, and innovative thinking. Through the establishment of the new medical school, Hong Kong will further strengthen its competitive edge in international higher education and medical training, attracting more outstanding academics, students, and research projects. Members of the Task Group will continue to work closely together to ensure the high-quality, high-standard development of the new medical school, with a view to injecting strong momentum into the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and complementing with the talent backing for our country and Hong Kong.”

     In November last year, the Chief Executive in Council approved the establishment of the third medical school and gave approval-in-principle for the new medical school to be established by the HKUST, which shall aim to admit the first cohort of 50 students in the 2028/29 academic year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region