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Test results of seasonal food surveillance project on mooncakes all satisfactory

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 16) announced the results of a seasonal food surveillance project on mooncakes. The results of 365 samples tested were all satisfactory.

A spokesman for the CFS said that samples covering traditional, snowy, ice-cream and other types of mooncakes had been collected from various retailers (including online retailers) and food factories for chemical and microbiological tests and nutrition content analysis.

Chemical tests covered colouring matters, aflatoxins, metallic contaminants, preservatives, antioxidants and mineral oil. Microbiological tests covered various pathogens and hygiene indicators. For nutrition content analyses (covering the contents of energy, protein, total fat, saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, carbohydrates, sodium and sugars), the samples were tested to see if they complied with the food labelling requirements.

The spokesman reminded members of the public to maintain a balanced diet and avoid excessive consumption of mooncakes as they are generally high in sugar and fat. Some types of mooncakes also contain relatively high levels of salt. Eating too much fat will increase the risk of being overweight and obese, while dietary sugar intake is a determinant of body weight and dental caries. In addition, excessive sodium intake will increase the risk of developing hypertension, fatal stroke and coronary heart disease.

He advised people to refer to the nutrition labels of mooncakes, particularly on the sugar, salt and fat contents, to make a healthier choice. People should avoid choosing mooncakes with high levels of fat or sugar, i.e. containing more than 20 grams of total fat or more than 15g of sugar per 100g of food. As for reducing salt intake, people can choose low-sodium mooncakes, i.e. containing no more than 120 milligrams of sodium per 100g of food.

The spokesman said that people should consider their health conditions and consume mooncakes in an appropriate amount during the Mid-Autumn Festival. He advised people to share mooncakes with their family members and friends, as this not only enhances the festive atmosphere, but also allows them to taste mooncakes of different flavours and avoid over-consumption.

Members of the public should heed the following points in the purchase, storage and consumption of mooncakes to prevent food-borne diseases:
 

  • Buy mooncakes from reliable outlets rather than patronising unlicensed hawkers. Check whether the mooncakes are properly packaged, pay attention to the expiry dates before purchase and eat them before the expiry dates;
  • Store mooncakes according to the instructions on the package if they are not to be consumed immediately. Keep snowy mooncakes at 4 degrees Celsius or below, and ice-cream mooncakes at minus 18 degrees C or below, and consume them as soon as possible after taking them out of the refrigerator;
  • Use an icebox to carry snowy or ice-cream mooncakes outdoors and consume them as soon as possible;
  • Wrap mooncakes properly and separate them from raw food when storing them in a refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination; and
  • Maintain good personal hygiene. Wash hands properly with liquid soap and running water before handling and consuming mooncakes.

The spokesman also reminded food traders to adhere to the Good Hygiene Practices. Apart from purchasing food ingredients from reliable suppliers, they should also comply with legal requirements when using food additives.

“Snowy and ice-cream mooncakes, which do not undergo a baking process at high temperature, need to be handled hygienically during processing, transportation and storage to avoid contamination and growth of germs,” he said.

  

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Tribute sites set for Tung Chee Hwa

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Home Affairs Department will set up condolence points from September 18-20 for the public to mourn Tung Chee Hwa, the former Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the first and second-term Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Mr Tung passed away on September 8 aged 89.

The condolence books will be available for signing at the Moreton Terrace Activities Centre in Causeway Bay, Kai Tak Community Hall in Kai Tak and Sai Lau Kok Garden in Tsuen Wan.

The public can visit the venues to sign the books from 9am to 9pm this Friday and Saturday, and from 9am to noon this Sunday. 

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Fertility measures realistic: CE

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today said that the package of 11 measures designed to promote local fertility rates aims to help remove hurdles for couples wishing to bear children, stressing that the policies were made realistically according to the local situation.

Elaborating on his Policy Address at a press conference this afternoon, Mr Lee explained that he had considered different groups of couples in formulating the measures. Among them, he respects the choice of those who plan to remain childless.

“For those who have made up their mind not to bear any child, I think no matter what we try to (do to) help, the effect will not be significant,” he said.

For couples who want to bear a child but face difficulties for medical reasons, Mr Lee stated that the Government tries to help them by medical means. He laid out in his Policy Address that the Hospital Authority will increase the service quotas of in-vitro fertilisation treatment to 1,900 treatment cycles per year in phases over the next three years.

Other measures proposed include increasing the newborn baby bonus for the second or subsequent child born from $20,000 to $30,000 for a period of three years.

The standard annual tax allowance for a second or subsequent child will rise from $140,000 to $160,000. Additionally, the temporary top-up allowance granted during the first two years following childbirth will see a matching increase to $160,000.

Mr Lee explained these measures are to help those families who already have one child as it will be much easier to encourage them to have a second child. The Chief Executive also noted that a large number of couples have not made up their mind due to apprehensions, and the Government is there to help them to make the decision.

“It is sometimes due to lacking the opportunity to take care of the child when he or she is born. We will try to help with facilitation and with some tax concessions, plus some cash bonuses.

“When they want to have better accommodation, we will help them to buy a flat as much as we can.

“Basically, it is a package and we have to be realistic to make our policy in accordance with the local situation,” Mr Lee added.

Those new measures include granting eligible families who purchase a residential property within the period of one year preceding or two years following the birth of a child a stamp duty waiver of up to $20,000. The maximum mortgage loan-to-value ratio for White Form family applicants with newborns will be raised to 95% starting from the next Home Ownership Scheme sales exercise.

To alleviate child care challenges, the Government will set up three more aided standalone child care centres, which are expected to provide around 1,800 additional day care places for children under the age of three by the end of 2030. Furthermore, the School-based After School Care Service Scheme will be regularised starting from the 2027-28 school year, and professional support for the After School Care Programme for Pre-primary Children will be strengthened.

The $20,000 newborn baby bonus for the first child will also be extended for another three years.

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HK to build ‘AI City Brain’ System

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

An “AI City Brain” integrated city management system will anchor Hong Kong’s upgraded governance framework, as Chief Executive John Lee announced in his Policy Address today.

The artificial intelligence (AI)-driven system will link big data across government works, the environment, transportation and emergency response to create a data-sharing environment for multi-directional empowerment, according to the Policy Address.

The initiative will enable departments to receive real-time information, strengthening their capabilities in day-to-day city management and emergency handling.

A dedicated Task Force on the “AI City Brain” System will be formed to examine and develop the platform, with the digital infrastructure of the Security Bureau’s Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre scheduled for integration in the first phase.

Beyond the city management system, AI will be deployed to optimise broader public services under the “AI+” initiative. The government will improve public rental housing estate management using AI technologies, while the Hospital Authority will leverage them to facilitate service arrangements and reduce average triage times.

Additionally, drone applications will be expanded across emergency response and crime prevention to safeguard citizens.

To boost infrastructure reliability, the government will launch a water supply network upgrading programme to replace or rehabilitate 350km of aged water mains with higher leakage risks over the next five years. This represents an average rate of 70km per year – doubling the target for 2026-27 – with an initial focus on Shau Kei Wan, Wong Tai Sin and Kwai Tsing.

An Intelligent Water Network Closed-loop Management Chain will also be established to perform AI predictive maintenance.

Meanwhile, public services under the 1823 hotline will be upgraded to achieve “prompt referral and successful resolution”. A lead department will be designated and authorised to coordinate inter-departmental service requests and complaints, while each department will assign a directorate officer to monitor handling efficiency.

The system will leverage AI to identify recurrent problems for departments to review, shifting government response from post-complaint management to a proactive approach. The Deputy Chief Secretary will review progress regularly and brief the Steering Committee on District Governance.

Visit Chapter VIII of the Chief Executive’s Policy Address for more details.

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Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District

     Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and introduced to residents Customs’ enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes, and reminded them that the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes has been increased to a $2 million fine and seven-years’ imprisonment. Customs also explained to estate security personnel how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.
      
     Customs officers also introduced the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong to members of the District Council, residents, newspaper stall keepers and cigarette retailers. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded early this year. The department will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and optimise the design and implementation details of the system. Customs expects the Duty Stamp System to achieve the ultimate goal of effective distinguishment of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat “cheap whites”.
      
     Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.Issued at HKT 15:00

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Hospital Authority announcement on report of unidentified gas at Princess Margaret Hospital

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hospital Authority announcement on report of unidentified gas at Princess Margaret Hospital 
     The Hospital Authority spokesperson made the following announcement today (September 16) regarding a report of unidentified gas at Princess Margaret Hospital:
      
     Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) received a report of unidentified gas at around 9am this morning. The affected areas are 12/F to 14/F in block G of the hospital. The floors affected are the working area of the Pathology Department, where no patient services nor treatment facilities are located.
      
     The hospital arranged for the working staff and visitors on the floors affected to leave immediately.
      
     Firemen and police subsequently arrived to handle the situation. PMH will work with the Fire Services Department to investigate the source of the unidentified gas. Emergency service at PMH is not affected.
Issued at HKT 10:29

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Full text of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (2)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Full text of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (2)Strengthen the Four Centres, Develop the Hub for High calibre Talent, Consolidate and Enhance Our Edge in Global Competition

2.1 To ensure Hong Kong’s long term prosperity and stability, we must fully leverage our city’s existing advantages while expediting development and enhancing new quality productive forces. By consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as international financial, maritime and trade centres, and developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre and a global hub for high calibre talent, we will further sharpen our city’s competitive edge. Advancing the development of the “four centres and one hub” at full steam will help drive and sustain Hong Kong’s economic development. The arising development dividends will improve people’s livelihood, continuously enhancing social well being. Meanwhile, deepening the development of the international legal and dispute resolution services centre, the regional intellectual property trading centre, and the East meets West centre for international cultural exchange, among others, will provide staunch support for the development of the “four centres and one hub”, fostering the promotion of scientific research and innovation as well as industry development, and fully leveraging Hong Kong’s unique strengths of connecting with the Mainland and the world under “one country, two systems” and its world city status. With this, we shall further sharpen our edge amid global competition. 
Renminbi Business Hub, International Asset and Wealth Management Centre, and International Risk Management Centre 

Table 2 Strengthening Hong Kong’s Role as a Global Offshore RMB Business Hub2.4 We shall bolster Hong Kong’s status as a world leading cross-boundary wealth management centre. We will provide quality services for global sovereign wealth funds and family offices to develop their businesses in Hong Kong, and strengthen our city’s functions in asset allocation and wealth management for Mainland and global investors. We aim to encourage more international and Mainland family capital and long term capital to establish and expand their operations in Hong Kong through enhancing the regulatory and market infrastructure, enriching the professional services ecosystem, promoting the development of family offices, and enhancing the tax regimes for funds, single family offices, as well as carried interest. We are also committed to promoting the development of our fund market by diversifying the range of asset classes under management and product offerings, including diversified asset management instruments such as alternative asset funds and real estate investment trusts, thereby deepening and broadening our overall asset and wealth management capabilities.

2.5 We shall strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international risk management centre. We endeavour to deepen regulatory co-operation with the Mainland and overseas markets, and fully leverage our competitive edge in the international insurance, reinsurance, and capital markets to advance the synergised development of traditional insurance and non traditional risk management tools. These will enable us to unleash the synergy effect of multi layered risk transfer and pooling mechanisms through insurance linked securities, captive insurers, and a marine specialty risk pool, consolidating our strategic role as a regional and global catastrophe and specialty risk management hub. In the meantime, we will strengthen the insurance industry’s risk based capital regime, promote the investment of insurance capital in infrastructure projects in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and enhance the industry’s risk prevention and control capabilities as well as risk management culture. 

Table 3 Finance+Section 5 Strengthen Financial Risk Prevention

2.15 We will safeguard our financial security, improve long term mechanisms, and enhance our capabilities in financial risk monitoring, early warning, and prevention response. We will also improve the cross market and cross agency joint prevention and control mechanism. In the meantime, we will strengthen our risk monitoring in key areas, while enhancing financial infrastructure and the data security protection system, thereby fortifying cybersecurity and consolidating our capabilities in fintech regulation and anti-money laundering. 

Table 4 Advancing the Green Transformation of the Maritime Industry2.18 We will promote high quality collaborative development among ports and deepen co-operation with Mainland and international shipping ports. We will strengthen our status as an international transhipment hub and strive to integrate into the country’s logistics hub network, thereby contributing to the country’s efforts in increasing its competitiveness and influence in the international shipping landscape. Through co-operation and leveraging the complementary advantages of the Southeast Asia routes of both ports, Hong Kong and Yangpu Ports can establish a “dual-hub” model, which will facilitate the export of cargoes through either port. By making good use of the comparative advantages that Hong Kong enjoys in terms of Central and South America routes, we will collaborate with national key cold chain logistics bases in other Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities to develop Hong Kong into an international centre of cold chain trade in South China, thereby contributing to the country’s development of an international cold chain logistics corridor between South China and South America. We will continue to develop a comprehensive “rail-sea-land-river” intermodal transport system. By pursuing cross-province operation of and licensing regime reform for cross-boundary goods vehicles, as well as the mutual recognition of commercial vehicle driving licences issued by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, we strive to reduce the cost of cargo transhipment via Hong Kong and achieve the goal of stabilising container throughput.
 

Table 5 Promoting High-Quality Collaborative Development among PortsSection 2 Develop a High Value-added Maritime Services Ecosystem

2.19 We will strengthen high value-added maritime services. By further enhancing Hong Kong’s ship registration regime, we aim to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a premier registry for international shipowners and attract more vessels to register in Hong Kong, thus broadening the scale of the Hong Kong registered fleet. We will also uphold quality enhancement as the major direction to support the upgrading and development of the high value-added maritime services cluster, while fully leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in maritime services such as ship management, ship financing, marine insurance, maritime arbitration services, etc. We will assist enterprises from the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries in developing the Mainland and Asian markets. Through driving industry stakeholders and training institutions to collaborate in further developing a systematic training framework that consolidates existing resources and professional strengths, we seek to build a stable talent pool for the high value-added maritime services.
 

Table 6 Elevating the International Reputation and Competitiveness of Hong Kong’s High Value-added Maritime ServicesSection 3 Enhance Hong Kong’s Status as an International Aviation Hub

2.20 We will strive to enhance Hong Kong’s competitive edge as an international aviation hub by continuously launching new routes, strategically attracting local and non-local airlines to develop new destinations and increase flight frequencies, and strengthening Hong Kong’s long haul network, particularly connections with the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries. We will also deepen international co-operation by actively participating in international civil aviation conferences and proactively reach out to aviation partners to negotiate new air services agreements or expansion of traffic rights, with priority focus on regions with further development potential and new growth areas, such as South America, Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. We will press ahead with the development of the “Airport City” to drive high end commercial and tourism activities, and to strengthen the appeal of the Hong Kong International Airport as a transit hub.
 

Table 7 Development of the International Aviation Hub2.21 We will deeply engage in the development of the national aviation network. Building on the existing highly internationalised network, we will proactively align with the national aviation network development strategy by fully leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world, and actively integrating into the country’s “one circle, six corridors, and five channels” development⁶. In doing so, we will support and serve our country in enhancing the global reach of the aviation network to strengthen the resilience and connectivity of the national aviation network as a whole, allowing us to be better prepared for the reshaping of the global aviation network landscape. We will strengthen co-operation with the airport cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in terms of operational co-ordination, airspace optimisation, intermodal arrangement, and other aspects. By promoting resource sharing and complementary functions within the airport cluster, we will enhance our overall operational efficiency and service quality, thereby boosting the global competitiveness of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area airport cluster.
 

Table 8 Active Integration Into the National Aviation Development Strategy of “Trunk-Branch Connectivity, Whole-Network Linkage”Section 4 Develop a New Ecosystem for the Aviation Industry

2.22 We shall develop an aviation industry ecosystem with a global edge. We will strive to develop an aircraft parts processing and trading industry ecosystem to establish a “front shop, back factory” industry cluster and Asia’s first aircraft parts processing and trading centre. We will actively participate in the R&D and certification of home developed aircraft and leverage our bridging role to help home developed aircraft tap into the global market through Hong Kong. By leveraging Hong Kong’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production base in Dongguan, we will advance SAF value chain development in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area (including the construction of an SAF blending facility in Hong Kong), thereby supporting our country’s SAF development.
 

Table 9 Developing an Aviation Industry Ecosystem with a Global Edge2.23 We shall develop Hong Kong into the Asia-Pacific hub for innovative low-altitude applications. We will formulate and implement the Action Plan on Developing Low-Altitude Economy. We will enhance the regulatory regime, set standards, and develop infrastructure, while proactively enhancing R&D, talent nurturing and alignment with international standards in LAE-related fields. We will give full play to our roles as a leader, connector, and illustrator and explore developing a demonstration and compliance base for LAE to go global, on the basis of strengthening effective alignment with the Mainland’s regulatory framework. We will also study jointly advocating for the establishment of an international LAE co-operation organisation with the Mainland.

2.24 We will advance the development of cross-boundary low-altitude logistics in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. By fully leveraging the industry foundation and geographical advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and drawing on our pioneering explorative experiences of collaboration with neighbouring Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, we will strive to connect the key resources in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to broaden application scenarios for cross-boundary low-altitude logistics in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, thereby expediting the development of an integrated and scaled cross-boundary low-altitude logistics network covering the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 

Table 10 Developing an LAE Ecosystem2.25 We will strive to enhance the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s intermodal network. We will focus on advancing the development of the Hong Kong International Airport Dongguan Logistics Park, expediting smart and integrated collaboration for airport operations. We will also develop more intermodal transport models, continuously enhance the “Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong” initiative⁷, and enhance the convenience for the transport of passengers and goods in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to and from all around the world. With a view to strengthening the Hong Kong International Airport’s connectivity with other Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities, we will leverage the “sea-air intermodal cargo transhipment mode” at the Hong Kong International Airport Dongguan Logistics Park to enhance the connectivity of the two places, facilitate cargo flow, and strengthen the collaboration between aviation logistics and e-commerce.

2.26 We will strive to take the lead in the interactive development mode that harnesses the complementary strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area airport cluster. We will promote the integrated development of aviation and maritime sectors between Guangdong and Hong Kong, explore co-operation with the airports of Macao and Shenzhen to facilitate collaborative airspace management, and optimise air routes, thereby improving flight efficiency and capacity as well as strengthening co-operation in cargo, maintenance, and training.

Table 11 Optimising the Intermodal Network of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay AreaChapter 8 International Trade Centre

2.27 We shall consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre. We will expand our networks, enhance our competitive edge, and create new room for growth, while pursuing upgrades with the goal of achieving “digitalisation” and “diversification” and leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages as financial and treasury centres, thereby strengthening our role as a platform for offshore trade. We will encourage manufacturing, technology, and logistics enterprises to engage in high value added activities such as taking international orders, conducting foreign exchange, trade finance, and supply chain management, etc. through Hong Kong, so as to develop our city into an integral hub serving the global industry and supply chains. We will bring together global enterprises to participate in high quality Belt and Road co-operation, while reaching out to markets around the world, so as to enhance Hong Kong’s resilience and strategic significance as an international trade centre.Issued at HKT 11:21

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Full text of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (1)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Full text of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (1)Open up New Horizons and Unfold a New Chapter 

Table 1     Hong Kong’s International Rankings in Economic and Social DevelopmentChapter 4 Underlying Principles of the Five Year Plan

Adhere to the “one country, two systems” Principle 
A Pragmatic and Proactive Planning

Description(2025
unless otherwise specified)change / cumulative change(2024)(2024)of Manufacturing and
New Industrialisation‑
related Industries to GDP (%)(2024)(2021‑22 to 2025‑26)(2026‑27 to 2030‑31)(2021‑22 to 2025‑26)(2026‑27 to 2030‑31)(2024/25
 academic
year)(2029/30
 academic
year)($ billion)(2024)(2030)(2024)(2024‑25)(2024)(Cumulative % reduction in 2030 against the 2024 level)(2024)¹ The crux of government administration lies in policy formulation and allocation of public resources; that the government proactively organises social forces and spells out the directions of development; and the people oriented approach, which takes long term development into account and does not simply pursue profits through market mechanisms.

² In Hong Kong Dollars unless otherwise specified. 
⁴ It refers to the unconditional probability of dying between ages of 30 and 70 from four major non-communicable diseases, namely cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases.
Issued at HKT 11:12

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TAC Chairman welcomes Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and Policy Address

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Wong Sze-chun, welcomed the long-term plans and strategies for advancing transport development set out in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address (Policy Address) delivered by the Chief Executive today (September 16).

     Professor Wong said, “The Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address complement each other in transport strategy and infrastructure development, providing a clear medium- and long-term outlook for Hong Kong’s land transport development and helping to lay a solid foundation for the city’s future economic growth.

     “The Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan adheres to an infrastructure-led approach development model, expediting heavy rail and road projects related to the Northern Metropolis and cross-boundary connections. Proposals to overcome the technical limitations of conventional heavy rail construction in the smart and green mass transit system projects, so as to address the transport challenges posed by Hong Kong’s unique terrain, are highly forward-looking.
 
     “Numerous specific transport infrastructure projects in the Policy Address are equally anticipated, including the full commissioning of Route 6 within this year, as well as the successive commissioning of the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section), the Tsing Lung Bridge, and various heavy rail projects in the future. The TAC is also pleased to note the policy measures to enhance the application of transport technology, which fully demonstrate the Government’s firm commitment to improving transport efficiency and optimising the commuting experience of the public.

     “The TAC will continue to provide professional advice to the Government on various transport policies and measures, and fully support the Government’s efforts in implementing initiatives to build and enhance our transport system.” 

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Full text of “The Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address” (6)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Chapter V  Expedite the Development of the Northern Metropolis

183. The land area and projected population of the NM account for about one-third of Hong Kong’s total. No longer merely a blueprint, it has begun to deliver tangible results and will gradually enter its maturity phase.

184. The NM will rise as an important strategic vehicle for advancing high-quality post-secondary education, integrating I&T and industry, and pooling international high-calibre talent. It will become a major platform for Hong Kong’s deepening engagement with the GBA and integration into and serving the overall national development. It also serves as a new engine to develop new quality productive forces.

185. To foster the integrated development of education, technology and talent, the NM will take the university town as the main focus of its development, converging the five elements of education, technology, industry, talent and a suitable living environment. We will drive the NM’s high-quality development, while facilitating the infrastructure links between the NM and the Harbour Metropolis to improve Hong Kong’s spatial planning.

(A) Northern Metropolis University Town

Drive the Northern Metropolis Development with University Towns and Leading Industry Development through Technology

186. We will develop three university towns, which are the San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling university towns in the NM, based on the concept of town area comprising campus area, technology area, industry area and living community area, and planned around “One Town, Five Elements” (education, technology, industry, talent and urban development), to drive the overall development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT). “Education–industry–urban development” will power the synergistic development of “technology–industry”, establishing a talent hub for the GBA and the world. We will build high-quality university towns that are suitable for education, research, innovation and living. Adopting the strategic positioning that integrates the four pillars of “talent cultivation, scientific research, transformation of outcomes, industry development”, we will drive the synergistic development among the Government, industries, academia, research and investment sectors, in a bid to achieve the integrated development of education, technology and talent.

187. The campus areas of the three university towns in San Tin²¹, Hung Shui Kiu²² and Ta Kwu Ling²³ amount to about 300 hectares. Together with the surrounding technology areas, industry areas and living community areas, the overall planned areas of the three university towns will exceed 1 000 hectares.

188. The San Tin University Town will focus on the development of medicine, life and health technology, AI, robotics, microelectronics and emerging industries, with its campus area covering the land near the future Northern Link’s San Tin Station and Ngau Tam Mei Station. Its technology area and industry area will cover the Loop Hong Kong Park and San Tin Technopole. The Loop Hong Kong Park, which opened in 2025, is home to the established GBAICTI, which has been in operation. The GBAICTI is wholly owned by the Government, with the University of Hong Kong as the operator. The GBAICTI works in collaboration with the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center, located in the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, to promote medical innovation and clinical trial development. It also houses a biobank, jointly managed by the HA and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Building 1 of the Loop Hong Kong Park, scheduled for completion by the end of the year, will be positioned as the flagship project for launching of the NMUT, bringing together the frontier research capabilities of leading local and non-local universities and institutions, including InnoHK and other new initiatives. It will promote interaction and connection between universities, R&D and industries. In line with its strategic positioning, the building will be named “Loop Academy One”, which reflects the tripartite mission anchored by academia, with R&D a core part, and underpinned by technology. In addition, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust will allocate $3 billion to support the construction of another integrated teaching and scientific research building. It will focus on educational and scientific exchange, as well as the cultivation of scientific research talent, and will make available its facilities for other institutions to use. The two buildings will complement one another, marking the start of a new chapter in the development of the NMUT.

189. The Government will invite the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited and the San Tin Technopole Company Limited to join the development of university towns and participate in related construction works, so as to accelerate such projects.

190. The campus area of the Hung Shui Kiu University Town and its adjoining technology and industry areas (including Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park, the Lau Fau Shan Digital Technology Hub, Yuen Long InnoPark and the MRDI) will be developed as a “Centre for Applied Post-secondary Education in Smart Manufacturing and Global Talent Cultivation”. This year, the Government will invite applications from post-secondary institutions for the construction of campuses to kick-start Hung Shui Kiu University Town campus development.

191. The Ta Kwu Ling University Town will integrate arts and “blue-green” development elements. It will support comprehensively the development of emerging and traditional industries, as well as new industries. Strategic space will also be reserved for future development needs, establishing a university town with a unique style that integrates the “One Town, Five Elements”, along with an arts and leisure ecosystem.

Innovation-driven Industry-academia-research Collaboration across Institutions

192. The Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, will be upgraded to become the Committee on Construction and Development of the University Town, and include non-official expert members. The Committee will provide high-level steer with respect to the long term strategic development of the NMUT, while promoting inter-departmental collaboration, and facilitating the development of an internationally competitive university town.

193. The Committee will explore measures to facilitate and incentivise NMUT institutions to pursue the transformation of research outcomes. They include providing funding for technology transfer, introducing accelerators and incubators, and channelling capital input to promote the institutions’ commercialisation and marketisation of research outcomes.

194. To dovetail with the development of the NMUT, and raise Hong Kong’s scientific research capabilities, the Government will support the capacity expansion and enhancement of post-secondary education:

(i) Gradually increase the number of UGC-funded research postgraduate places by around 30% from the current level of 7 200 to 9 600 in the 2030/31 academic year, so as to support the vibrant development of basic research in Hong Kong.

(ii) Starting from the 2027/28 academic year, gradually increase the annual quota of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme from 400 to 550 places by the 2029/30 academic year.

(iii) Starting from the 2027/28 academic year, an additional funding of $20 million per academic year will be provided to support knowledge transfer, thereby accelerating the transformation of innovative outcomes.

(iv) Starting from the 2029/30 academic year, $40 million a year will be provided under the Fund for Innovative Technology-in-Education to promote the widespread use of AI and emerging technologies in the higher education sector.

(B) Promote Development of Innovation and Technology and Industries

The Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone

195. Since the Loop Hong Kong Park was officially commissioned last December, over 100 I&T enterprises and institutions have been gradually moving in. The two wet laboratory buildings have been fully leased. The results of the two open tender exercises for the eight land parcels in the remaining batches of Phase 1 will be announced by the end of the year.

196. To implement “institutional innovation and alignment of rules and mechanisms” at Hong Kong Park and Shenzhen Park for realising the development concept of “one river, two banks” and “one zone, two parks” of the co-operation zone, the Government will advance the cross-river connection project on the western side of the Loop and related construction, and proactively facilitate the efficient, convenient and safe flow of researchers and data between the two parks of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

Establish the National Manufacturing Innovation Centre

197. The HKSAR Government and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) signed the Co-operation Agreement on Advancing the Joint Establishment of Manufacturing Innovation Centre by the Ministry and Hong Kong in July, preparing for the establishment of Hong Kong’s first national manufacturing innovation centre, which the MRDI will take the lead in operating. The MRDI has moved into the Microelectronic Centre in Yuen Long. Its two pilot lines, focusing on the R&D and trial production of third generation semiconductors, are being set up in full speed with a target for commencing operation by the end of the year.

San Tin Technopole

198. The Government has established the San Tin Technopole Company Limited, which will adopt a multi-pronged approach for leveraging market forces in expediting land formation for the development of the 210-hectare I&T land.

Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park

199. The Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited (Park Company) established by the Government is working to attract enterprises and investments. It has entered into substantive negotiations with several established companies, including those in areas of advanced construction, and testing and certification. The Park Company is also engaging with the Authority of Qianhai of the Shenzhen Municipality and will sign an MoU to establish a mutually beneficial collaboration model, capitalising on their combined industry strengths.

Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster

200. The construction works of the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster have begun. The computing power of the cluster is expected to reach 180 000 peta-floating point operations per second by 2032. That is equivalent to 36 times Hong Kong’s current computing power. It will support the development of Hong Kong’s intelligent computing industry. Its estimated cumulative investment is expected to reach at least $23.8 billion.

201. The Government will inject $1 billion into the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme to support the AIRDI in applying high-performance computing power for frontier research, accelerating innovative breakthroughs. We will assess the market demand for computing power, adopting “high efficiency computing power, stable electricity supply, low-carbon transition” as our core direction. This will optimise the operation of Hong Kong’s data centres and city-level layout of computing power, supporting the healthy development of the intelligent computing industry.

Advanced Construction Industry Park

202. We have earmarked 30 hectares of land in the NM to develop a large-scale, advanced construction industry park. It will accommodate steel reinforcing bar prefabrication yards and innovative concrete batching plants. The industry park will also introduce facilities for promoting testing and certification of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP), as well as R&D of the construction methods and their training, production and demonstration. In the first half of 2027, the Government will invite the market to submit expressions of interest for the development of an advanced construction industry park of about 10 hectares in Yuen Long South, with a view to commencing the tendering process for the first batch of land no later than the first half of 2028.

(C) Build a Northern Metropolis Ideal for Living, Work and Travel

Commencement of All Nine New Development Areas in the Northern Metropolis

203. Development of the NM is well underway. A cumulative total of about 120 hectares of “spade-ready sites” have been produced up to 2025-26, while no less than 200 hectares of “spade-ready sites” will be produced in 2026-27 and 2027-28.

204. Among the nine NDAs in the NM²⁴, construction works have begun at four of them: Kwu Tung North/Fanling North, Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long South and San Tin Technopole and the Loop. Together, they involve about 800 hectares of land. Site formation and infrastructure works for the fifth NDA (Ngau Tam Mei) will start in the first half of next year, with “spade-ready sites” available progressively, starting at the end of 2028.

205. As for the remaining four NDAs, we will begin statutory planning and related procedures for Lau Fau Shan NDA this year, and progressively next year for the over 200-hectare Priority Development Area (including part of the university town) of Ta Kwu Ling NDA, Au Tau NDA and part of Ma Tso Lung NDA.

Enhance Development Speed and Efficiency

206. The Government will expedite innovative and diverse development to accelerate the development and attract industries to the NM. Various measures proposed in last year’s Policy Address, including the “Pay for What You Build” Pilot Scheme, flexible land-grant arrangements and the arrangement of allowing land owners to voluntarily surrender land to offset payable land premiums, have been implemented in an orderly manner.

207. Following the August award of tender under large-scale land disposal in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA, we will launch the tender for the second pilot area in Fanling North at the end of the year at the earliest.

208. The Government will continue to streamline procedures to cut the time and costs of the NM development:

(i) Chaired by the Deputy Financial Secretary, the Working Group on Planning and Development co-ordinates departments to expedite approval processes. Measures include using a digital platform to shorten the approval time for works projects by three to six months; reducing the time for the first approval for building plans of new railway projects by half to 30 days; boosting the bearing capacity of rock layers in foundation designs to save about $1.4 billion in the construction costs of NM public housing; and introducing time limits on approval processes and an escalation mechanism for private developments.

(ii) The Government will adopt a framework procurement model to increase cost effectiveness, and other mechanisms such as Early Contractor Involvement to shorten construction time.

(iii) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will expand the application scope of the Hong Kong Environmental Database, consolidating over 200 environmental datasets and optimising planning with AI. The database significantly reduces the time needed for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to about 15 to 24 months from 36 to 48 months, significantly improving project efficiency and reducing costs²⁵. For the NM-related projects, the time needed for the EIA process is targeted at about 15 to 20 months.

Introduce Dedicated Legislation for the Northern Metropolis

209. The Government is working to secure passage of the Northern Metropolis Development Bill in the LegCo this year, and will submit the first batch of five pieces of subsidiary legislation to cover town planning processes, land compensation, building works approval, noise control and cross-boundary flows of people, streamlining procedures to accelerate NM development and facilitating industry operation.

Step Up Efforts to Attract Enterprises and Investments and Intensify Industry Development

210. The Government has implemented the mechanism on preferential policy packages to attract enterprises and investments, as announced in last year’s Policy Address. The cross-departmental committee, led by the Financial Secretary, will consider factors such as resources invested by the enterprises, related economic benefits and development potential, to formulate dedicated preferential policy packages. These may cover land grant, land premium concession, financial subsidies and tax concessions, attracting international and national brands and strategic enterprises to establish business operations in Hong Kong. The committee is now reviewing relevant applications from strategic emerging industries, including aerospace and new materials, to establish business operations in Hong Kong.

211. The FSTB plans to introduce an amendment bill into the LegCo by year-end, providing preferential tax rates of 5%, or half-rate, for selected enterprises operating in key sectors such as finance, advanced manufacturing, R&D in I&T, headquarters activities and logistics and supply chain management.

212. The HKIC will continue, through investments, to mobilise market resources, supporting enterprises in establishing a presence in the NM and other GBA cities.

Step up Efforts to Attract Long-term Capital Investment to the Northern Metropolis

213. The Northern Metropolis Financial Advisory Taskforce, jointly established by the HKMA and the Hong Kong Association of Banks in April, will explore public-private partnership approaches and financing arrangements for NM development with the Government and industry park companies. The 23 banks participating in the Taskforce will offer tailored financing solutions for companies moving into the NM, so as to provide precise support for the NM development.

214. The IA will implement lowered capital requirements for eligible investment in infrastructure at the end of the year, releasing more insurance capital to participate in Hong Kong’s infrastructure projects, including the NM development.

Achieve Higher Living Standards in the Northern Metropolis

215. For subsidised sale-flat (SSF) projects in the NM to be completed from 2031-32 onwards, the HKHA will increase the proportion of larger flats (those with a saleable area of about 45 square metres or more) from 20% to 25%. The public can enjoy more spacious housing, raising their overall living quality.

Establish the New Territories North Cluster

216. The HA will plan the establishment of the New Territories North Cluster from 2027 onwards, and press ahead with the construction of an integrated teaching and research hospital in Ngau Tam Mei. It will assess the need and feasibility of constructing Hung Shui Kiu Hospital.

Cultural Facilities in the Northern Metropolis

217. The LCSD will develop various cultural facilities in the NM, with construction of the Hong Kong Conservation Repository (formerly the Heritage Conservation and Resource Centre) in Tin Shui Wai and the New Territories East Cultural Centre in Fanling expected to be completed in 2028 and 2030 respectively.

Promote Urban-rural Integration

218. The Government has announced the launching of the $200 million NM Urban-rural Integration Fund. Applications will be invited and the first batch of projects approved next year, capitalising on community wisdom to promote rural tourism.

219. We will publish the Guidelines on Promoting Urban-rural Integration in the NM within this year. The first signature project to be launched next year, the “San Tin Timewalk”, will link attractions with features of traditional rural architecture as well as historical and cultural heritage, creating distinctive landmarks and tourist attractions in collaboration with villagers.

Advance Transport Infrastructure

220. The Government is conducting an investigation for the Northern Metropolis Highway. It will prioritise the San Tin Section to serve NDAs, including Kwu Tung North, San Tin Technopole and Ngau Tam Mei, with the target of inviting tenders for the main construction works next year. Suitable national and overseas design standards, alongside advanced construction technologies, will be adopted, with a view to bringing forward the commissioning of the San Tin Section by two years to 2034.

221. The Government will take forward the Tsing Lung Bridge project at the southern end of Route 11, aiming for commissioning in 2033, to meet north south transport demands arising from the NM development.

222. Kwu Tung Station is expected to begin operation next year and become the 100th heavy rail station. As for Hung Shui Kiu Station, an MiC method will be adopted to enhance speed and efficiency, with commissioning of the station targeted for 2030.

223. We will present a preliminary proposal for the southern extension of the Hong Kong Shenzhen Western Rail Link next year to strengthen connectivity between HKIA and the NM, as well as the Mainland.

²¹Located in the San Tin Technopole and Ngau Tam Mei New Development Areas (NDAs).

²²Located in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA.

²³Located in the Ta Kwu Ling NDA (formerly known as the New Territories North New Town).

²⁴The nine NDAs are Kwu Tung North/Fanling North, Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long South, San Tin Technopole and the Loop, Ngau Tam Mei, Lau Fau Shan, Ta Kwu Ling, Ma Tso Lung and Au Tau.

²⁵Take one of the road works in the NM as an example. By using the database to compare alignment proposals, the project team has reduced the affected ecologically sensitive area by nearly 70% while shortening the tunnel section length from about five kilometres to 0.8 kilometres, substantially reducing the project cost (about $40 billion) and its environmental impact.

(To be continued.)