MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (July 18) that a tender of 1-year RMB Institutional Government Bonds (Bonds) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, for settlement on Monday, July 28, 2025.
 
A total of RMB1.5 billion 1-year RMB Bonds will be tendered. The Bonds will mature on July 28, 2026 and will carry interest at the rate of 1.48 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrear.
 
Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of RMB50,000 or integral multiples thereof.
 
Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK ) and Refinitiv (IBPGSBPINDEX). The publication time is expected to be no later than 3pm on the tender day.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Information

Tender information of 1-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

Issue Number	:	01GB2607001
Stock Code	:	85038 (HKGB1.48 2607-R)
Tender Date and Time	:	Thursday, July 24, 2025 9.30am to 10.30am
Issue and Settlement Date	:	Monday, July 28, 2025
Amount on Offer	:	RMB1.5 billion
Maturity	:	1 year
Maturity Date	:	Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Interest Rate	:	1.48 per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrear
Interest Payment Dates	:	January 28 and July 28 in each year, commencing on the Issue Date up to and including the Maturity Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Institutional Issuances Information Memorandum of the Infrastructure Bond Programme and Government Sustainable Bond Programme (Information Memorandum) published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.
Method of Tender	:	Competitive tender
Tender Amount	:	Each competitive tender must be for an amount of RMB50,000 or integral multiples thereof. Any tender applications for the Bonds must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the latest published list.
Other Details	:	Please see the Information Memorandum available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website or approach Primary Dealers.
Expected commencement date of dealing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited	:	Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Use of Proceeds	:	The Bonds will be issued under the institutional part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Proceeds will be invested in infrastructure projects in accordance with the Infrastructure Bond Framework published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (July 18) that the Financial Secretary, under the authority delegated by the Chief Executive pursuant to the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571), has reappointed Ms Christina Choi Fung-yee, Mr Rico Leung Chung-yin and Mr Michael Duignan as the Executive Directors of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for a term of three years from August 1, 2025, August 28, 2025, and November 1, 2025, respectively.
 
A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “Ms Choi, Mr Leung and Mr Duignan have made valuable contributions to the work of the SFC. We are confident that they will continue to contribute towards the effective performance of the SFC’s statutory functions to foster market development and sound regulation.”
 
Ms Choi was appointed as the Executive Director (Investment Products) of the SFC in 2016. She will continue to serve as Executive Director (Investment Products) until October 31, 2025, and assume the post of Executive Director (Corporate Finance) of the SFC with effect from November 1, 2025.
 
Mr Leung was appointed as the Executive Director (Supervision of Markets) of the SFC in 2019. He will continue to assume the management responsibility for Supervision of Markets.
 
Mr Duignan was appointed as the Executive Director (Corporate Finance) of the SFC in 2022. He will assume the post of Executive Director (Enforcement) in the new term.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, met with the President of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, Dr Liu Xiaochun, in Shenzhen today (July 18) to discuss development and collaboration in the field of sports dispute resolution between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
 
     After the meeting, Dr Cheung said that the Department of Justice (DoJ) is committed to promoting the diversified development of sports dispute resolution services in Hong Kong and is actively promoting co-operation in sports dispute resolution services between Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as other regions overseas, with a view to building Hong Kong into a sports dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
 
     Dr Cheung said that Hong Kong has always been recognised and trusted by the international community for its arbitration and mediation services, and maintains a rich pool of talent in sports dispute resolution services. Shenzhen has long been a close partner of Hong Kong in arbitration, and has been actively participating in the national development of sports arbitration in recent years. He expressed hope that Hong Kong and Shenzhen can strengthen co-operation in sports dispute resolution, giving full play to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s advantages of “one country, two systems and three jurisdictions” and promoting the development of sports dispute resolution services in the two places with innovative thinking.

     Dr Cheung also mentioned that the DoJ is taking forward the pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution as announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” at full steam on the local level. The invitation for the industry to submit proposals for operation of the pilot scheme began at the end of last month, with the aim of identifying a suitable administering body and a technology service provider to provide a fast, reliable and neutral resolution mechanism for sports disputes. The period for submission of proposals will end on July 31 and the pilot scheme is expected to be launched in the second half of the year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulation 2025 and the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (collectively the Amendment Regulations) were gazetted today (July 18). The Amendment Regulations seek to provide greater convenience for cross-boundary vehicles by streamlining the arrangements of Closed Road Permits (CRP) and International Circulation Permits (ICP).

A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, “With the increasingly frequent traffic flow among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Government has been proactively enhancing the relevant licensing services of the Transport Department in order to assist drivers and more effectively respond to the growing demand for cross-boundary travel. The Amendment Regulations will streamline the application procedures and requirements, and are expected to reduce and simplify the procedures for applicants/permit holders of the regular quota schemes, Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and the recently announced Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles schemes, bringing them greater convenience.”

The major proposed amendments in the Amendment Regulations include:

(1) CRP: extending the maximum validity period of CRP from 12 months to 60 months for cross-boundary vehicles, and adjusting the fee levels for CRP to cost-recovery levels; and exempting vehicles participating in designated cross-boundary driving schemes that meet the specified requirements from applying for a CRP based on risk control consideration. As the CRP will either be exempted or with its validity extended, the CRP fees payable by users will generally be reduced; and

(2) ICP: introducing electronic ICPs (e-ICP) with a streamlined application and collection process, allowing applicants to submit applications and supporting documents online, and to collect e-ICP with self-printing.

The Government consulted the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport on the above streamlining arrangements for CRP and ICP respectively, and received general support from the Members. The Amendment Regulations will be tabled at the LegCo on July 23 for negative vetting. Subject to scrutiny by the LegCo, the exemption arrangement for CRP and the streamlining measures for ICP under the Amendment Regulations will be effective on October 1 this year; and the arrangements for extension of CRP validity period and fees adjustment will be effective on January 1, 2026. The Transport Department will continue to enhance different cross-boundary transport measures, providing a better travel experience for Hong Kong citizens and cross-boundary travellers.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office (GBA Office) today (July 18) held the GBA Via Hong Kong luncheon seminar in Xian to promote the vast opportunities brought about by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the growth potential of Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis to enterprises in Shaanxi. Over 260 participants attended the event.
 
     The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, delivered a video speech at the seminar. She said that to fully leverage Hong Kong’s advantage of connecting with both the Mainland and the world, the GBA Office not only expends efforts on overseas publicity and promotion, but also strengthens domestic ties by actively promoting development opportunities in the GBA to different Mainland cities. Commencing the visit in Xian – a national central city in the heart of China – signified a pivotal step in the GBA’s “northbound empowerment” and its connection with the Silk Road Economic Belt. With the support from the Central Authorities and the concerted efforts of various GBA cities, the GBA has continued to flourish in terms of economic strength and competitiveness, advancing towards the goal of becoming a world-class bay area. As a core city and regional development engine of the GBA, and with the unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, Hong Kong is an ideal partner for Shaanxi enterprises to expand into the GBA and explore the global market. She encouraged enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong and leverage the city as an internationalised platform to go global.
 
     The Deputy Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Aubrey Fung, delivered a keynote speech titled “GBA’s development opportunities and Hong Kong’s advantages in empowering Shaanxi enterprises to go global”. She said that the GBA is of immense strategic significance in national development, presenting boundless business opportunities for Shaanxi and global enterprises. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong possesses an excellent business environment that is highly market-oriented and internationalised, underpinned by the rule of law, with distinctive strengths in financial services, innovation and technology, and trade and logistics, etc. With the further deepening of co-operation between Shaanxi and Hong Kong, the city’s unique strengths and Shaanxi’s solid industrial foundation and vibrant technological innovation would create synergy, thereby fostering a win-win outcome and resource complementarity between the two places, and injecting new impetus into the country’s high-quality development.
 
     The Deputy Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Ms Pecvin Yong, said at the seminar that the Northern Metropolis, aligning with the national development strategy and abutting Shenzhen with a global outlook, can contribute to the GBA becoming a world-class top-notch bay area. The Northern Metropolis also offers development and investment opportunities for Shaanxi’s enterprises. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to adopt an industry-oriented approach in planning and implementing the Northern Metropolis as well as diversified land disposal approaches, including large-scale land disposal, with a view to attracting talent and resources to Hong Kong, helping the Northern Metropolis to become a new engine for Hong Kong’s economic growth.
 
     Today’s seminar was co-organised by the GBA Office, the Shaanxi Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government. The seminar also featured a question-and-answer session to facilitate exchanges, enabling participants to gain a deeper understanding of the development potential of the GBA and the Northern Metropolis, and providing a high-value exchange platform for enterprises of the two regions.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police today (July 18) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Yuen Long.

Marma Swe Sai Nu, aged 19, went missing after she was last seen in Ma Tin Pok on June 30 afternoon. Police received the report on July 2 morning.
    
She is about 1.7 metres tall, 54 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a long face with yellow complexion and long straight black hair. She was last seen wearing a pink T-shirt, brown trousers and khaki flip-flops.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3113 or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government today (July 18) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Somalia) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (the Amendment Regulation), which came into operation today.
 
     “The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Somalia) Regulation 2019 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2776 in respect of Somalia,” a Government spokesman said.
 
     The amendments mainly relate to the requirements of the licences for the supply, sale, transfer or carriage of weapons, ammunition or military equipment to Somalia or to certain persons.
 
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People’s Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Government today (July 18) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (the Amendment Regulation), which came into operation today. 
 
“The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulation 2019 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2769 in respect of Libya,” a Government spokesman said.
 
The amendments renew the sanctions measures in respect of preventing illicit petroleum exports from Libya, and reflect the latest exemption arrangements in respect of arms embargo and asset freeze.
 
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People’s Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A woman who went missing in Tsim Sha Tsui has been located.
      
     Lam Kit-man, aged 38, went missing after she was last seen on Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade on July 15 morning. Her family made a report to Police after she went missing.

     The woman was located at Tai Wo Estate, Tai Po last night (July 17). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government today (July 18) gazetted the Public Health and Municipal Services (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (Amendment Regulation) to tie in with the implementation of the Registered Fire Engineer (RFE) Scheme.

The RFE Scheme will offer licence applicants of general restaurants, light refreshment restaurants, food factories (whether or not for preparation of bakery products only), factory canteens and composite food shops an additional option. Applicants may continue with the established practice of using the fire safety risk assessment and certification services of the Fire Services Department (FSD) or engage the services of RFEs. To tie in with the implementation of the Scheme, the Government made the Fire Services Department (Reports and Certificates) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 to revamp the fee structure for FSD services, including the fees for the issue of certificates for ventilating systems by the FSD prescribed in the Fire Services Department (Reports and Certificates) Regulations (Cap. 95C).

In view of the revamp of the fee structure for FSD services, the Amendment Regulation will specify the corresponding fee deduction for the issue of certificates for ventilating systems by the FSD from the fees for the granting of full food business licences, so that applicants will not be double charged for the same service.

The Government will table the Amendment Regulation before the Legislative Council at its sitting on July 23. Upon the completion of negative vetting, the Amendment Regulation will come into effect with the revamped fee structure for FSD services on November 1, 2025.