Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by SCST at completion ceremony of Hong Kong Maritime Museum Jockey Club Anchor Plaza (English only)
Mr Hext (Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Mr Richard Hext), Mr Hunsworth (Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Nicholas D Hunsworth), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. As they say, weathering choppy waters is perhaps the trick of the trade of the maritime industry. So, here we are, a trail to our professionalism. It is my great pleasure to join you all today at the completion ceremony of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Jockey Club Anchor Plaza. Even despite the weather, it is worth taking a good look at our anchor and hearing what Richard will have to say later, introducing what the Anchor’s importance is.
Founded in 2005, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum has long been preserving and promoting the unique maritime history and culture of Hong Kong. As it approaches its 20th anniversary this year, the Maritime Museum’s journey has been remarkable. From its origins at Murray House in Stanley to its current home at Central Pier No. 8, the Museum has evolved into a cultural treasure, showcasing an impressive collection of maritime heritage, welcoming around 100 000 visitors every year, and establishing itself as a vital maritime landmark in Hong Kong over the past two decades. I am also glad to know that the Hong Kong Maritime Museum has been increasingly popular among tourists, with over 20 000 visitors from the Mainland of China and overseas recorded just last year.
Today, I am delighted to witness the completion of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Jockey Club Anchor Plaza, one of the Chief Executive’s Community Projects. This milestone, achieved after years of dedicated efforts, represents an exciting new chapter in the development of the Museum. Featuring a striking anchor about 7 metres high and a ship-like pavilion, the Anchor Plaza will provide a brand-new public learning space, inviting visitors to explore Hong Kong’s maritime culture while adding yet another vibrant attraction to the iconic Victoria Harbour. I believe that the Anchor Plaza will draw more people to come and appreciate Hong Kong’s unique history and culture as a port city.
The next part of my speech is actually to give you an idea of what we give to have the museum and the support to the arts and culture scenes. But I think you would rather hear from Richard the story of the Anchor than listen to my speech. So I’m sure when I issue it as the press release, you will be able to learn about it.
As you are all aware, the Government has been sparing no effort in fostering the development of arts and culture in recent years. Museums play an important role in preserving and disseminating cultural heritage. Apart from continuously improving public museum services, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department have been actively providing robust support for private institutions like the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. From thematic exhibitions like “Across Victoria Harbour” that revisit the past of Hong Kong, to the upcoming 2025 Forum for Asia-Pacific Maritime Culture to be held at the Museum, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum has played an integral role in enriching Hong Kong’s cultural landscape and fostering international cultural exchange that complements the Government’s work in a truly meaningful way.
In addition to support from the Government, the successful completion of the great Anchor Plaza and the remarkable achievements of the Museum would not be possible without the dedication of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum team and the unwavering support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, other patrons of the Museum, and the wider community. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this project and to the ongoing growth of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. Let’s join hands to make lasting contributions to the cultural development of Hong Kong.
Let me wish the completion ceremony and the future of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum to weather through the choppy weather like right now, and I wish everybody a good day. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 15:10
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HYAB invites organisations to operate youth facilities
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HYAB invites organisations to operate youth facilities
As announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, the HYAB will set up a physical platform for interaction for Youth Link members in the Nam Cheong District Community Centre and the adjacent Tung Chau Street Temporary Market, which includes youth facilities such as multifunction areas, a youth culture and creativity bazaar, and small-scale performance spaces. The goal is to provide a gathering place for ongoing interaction among Youth Link members and establish a base for implementing the Youth Development Blueprint measures to encourage communication and collaboration among the Government, the Youth Development Commission and young people participating in various youth development programmes.
In addition, to strengthen support for unleashing the potential of young people, the HYAB will convert part of the Youth Square to establish a new interactive space for young people to gather for exchanges, to develop personal potential and participate in different activities. The HYAB will roll out the Good Stories of Hong Kong Youth Programme by reserving part of the Youth Square for setting up a video studio for young people to produce video clippings to promote good stories of Hong Kong youths, and providing relevant training on the production and filming of video clippings.
The operating organisations of the youth facilities are required to organise on-site events during the operation period. Activities may include workshops, cultural performances, collaborative projects, seminars and youth-led initiatives. The operating organisations are also required to manage the facilities and food and beverage corners.
Details of the projects, the application criteria and the briefing sessions are set out in the invitation of proposals, which is available on the HYAB website (www.hyab.gov.hk
The deadline for application is 5pm on August 19.
Issued at HKT 15:00
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Hong Kong House at Echigo-Tsumari Art Field 2025 to stage in Tsunan, Japan, from tomorrow (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong House at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field 2025 – The Whispers of Stone, organised by the Art Promotion Office (APO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be staged in Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, from tomorrow (July 19) until November 9. This year’s Hong Kong artists of the exhibition, Chris Cheung and Sim Shum, create a whimsical space using water stones as a medium, alongside sound, light and painting, combining the ancient legend of “The Talking Stone of Weiyu” about “speaking stones” from the Spring and Autumn period. The exhibition intertwines the themes of nature and humanity in an art space of sight and sound, offering audiences an immersive sensory experience of the environment.
The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, held every three years, is one of the world’s largest international outdoor art festivals. With the support of the Tsunan Town Government and in collaboration with the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale Executive Committee and the NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization, the APO has launched the Hong Kong House in Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, since 2018, serving as a platform for artist residencies, exchanges and exhibitions.
Cheung and Shum were deeply touched by the uniquely shaped water stones of the Shinano River in Echigo-Tsumari, and their art works whisper the stories found in the lyrics of folk songs from the two places, diffusing emotions and memories. They referenced Morse code to develop a language system for the water stones and created the ink art work “The Ode of Stone” and the light installation “The Shades of Stones”, facilitating interaction with audiences. The other two installations, “The Book of Stones” and “The Blessings of Stone” draw inspiration from the Japanese garden design concept “Suikinkutsu” and sacred stones.
The artists will also organise workshops to guide participants in creating a light installation, projecting their inner thoughts into the space through light and shadows.
In addition, the activity collaborator, Make A Difference Institute, will organise a community-based food culture project “Minna no Tsukemono”, inviting participants to taste preserved foods from around the world.
For details of the exhibition, please visit the APO’s website www.apo.hk/en/web/apo/there_hkh2025_the_whispers_of_stone.html, or Hong Kong House’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/apo.hkhouse and Instagram at www.instagram.com/hongkonghouse.
Appointment of supervisory committee to conduct investigation into alleged misconduct of District Council member
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (SHYA), Miss Alice Mak, appointed a supervisory committee today (July 18) to investigate alleged misconduct of Tuen Mun District Council (DC) member Mr Kenneth Yip Kat-kong.
The Chairman and three members of the Tuen Mun DC initiated an investigation into Mr Yip’s alleged misconduct pursuant to the District Councils Ordinance (Cap. 547) on July 15. The SHYA appointed a supervisory committee according to the Ordinance to conduct the investigation, and the five committee members are Mr Li Tak-hong, Ms Luparker Wong Shuk-fan, Mr Ng King-wah, Ms Janus Lau Yuen-yee, and Mr Lau Kar-wah. The supervisory committee will establish whether the facts on which the allegation is based are true; give its opinion on whether the established facts constitute grounds for imposing a sanction under section 72D of the Ordinance; and if there is ground for imposing a sanction, give its opinion on the appropriate sanction to be imposed on the DC member concerned. After completing the investigation, the supervisory committee will submit a report to the SHYA for consideration. The SHYA will make a decision after considering the report and announce such a decision in due course.
Miss Mak said, “The Government places strong emphasis on the conduct and integrity of DC members, and they should conduct themselves in a manner that is in line with public expectations and commensurate with the reputation of the DC and its members. Under the Ordinance, the Government may investigate DC members’ misconduct and impose sanctions according to the performance monitoring mechanism for DC members to ensure that every DC member upholds their duties faithfully to serve the people.”
Miss Mak continued, “The five members of the supervisory committee include one person who is not a DC member and four DC members from districts other than Tuen Mun. They have diverse backgrounds and rich district experience. The supervisory committee will handle the investigation in a robust, fair, just, impartial, independent and objective manner in accordance with the established mechanism.”
The supervisory committee was appointed pursuant to section 72C of the Ordinance. In order to avoid impacting the impartiality of the supervisory committee’s investigation, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will not comment on the case during the supervisory committee’s investigation.
SHYA continues visit to Sichuan (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, continued her visit to Sichuan today (July 18). She first called on leaders of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, and visited the Shabanqiao community in Chengdu to learn about community governance.
In the morning, Miss Mak called on the Director of the HKMAO of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, Ms Zhang Tao. Miss Mak introduced the latest developments and work in youth development, district governance, and women’s development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and learned about Sichuan Province’s work experience in related areas. She expressed her hope for more opportunities to co-operate and exchange between the two places.
Miss Mak also visited the Shabanqiao community in Chengdu. The Shabanqiao community is committed to providing services that improve people’s livelihoods and focus on serving citizens. She also gained insights into their community governance experience.
Miss Mak concluded her visit and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.
15 milliards d’investissement privé et 200 emplois créés pour verdir le mix énergétique calédonien
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Christopher Gygès, membre du gouvernement chargé de l’énergie, a organisé vendredi 18 juillet à 10 heures sur le site TotalEnergies Renouvelables Pacific, le lancement de plusieurs projets liés aux énergies renouvelables sur la commune de Boulouparis. Aux côtés du maire de la commune de Boulouparis Pascal Vittori, ainsi que des représentants de TotalEnergies Renouvelables France, de la société Akuo Energy et d’Enercal, il a notamment présenté la future Grande batterie de Boulouparis et la ferme photovoltaïque 60 MWc Boulouparis 3.
La Nouvelle-Calédonie s’est dotée en 2016 d’une stratégie énergétique à travers le schéma pour la transition énergétique de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (STENC). En août 2023, ce schéma a été révisé et approuvé par le Congrès. Le STENC 2.0 a vocation à impulser des actions nouvelles et définitives dans la décarbonation de la métallurgie, la mobilité décarbonée et la maîtrise des consommations énergétiques.
Repris dans la version 2.0 du STENC, l’objectif de montée en puissance des énergies renouvelables dans le mix énergétique de la Nouvelle-Calédonie est sur la bonne voie avec trois grands projets entrepris sur la commune de Boulouparis et portés par des entreprises privées, à savoir :
- la concrétisation de la phase 3 de la ferme photovoltaïque de Boulouparis ;
- le lancement imminent de la construction de la grande batterie de stockage d’électricité ;
- les travaux lancés par Enercal pour adapter ses infrastructures à ces deux grands projets.
« Ces initiatives privées font partie des plus grands projets nationaux et européens. Ils témoignent d’une vraie volonté de verdir le mix énergétique de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et surtout d’offrir une énergie peu chère et décarbonée, à la fois aux Calédoniens mais aussi au secteur de la métallurgie », a indiqué Christopher Gygès.
Ces projets sont également une opportunité pour le territoire de renforcer son autonomie énergétique, de créer de l’emploi dans ce secteur d’avenir et de relancer l’économie (notamment le secteur du BTP) au travers de chantiers d’ampleur.
« Avec ces 15 milliards d’investissement privé et les 200 emplois créés par la suite, nous avons là la possibilité de construire une filière avec à la clé, la formation de jeunes Calédoniens qui pourront faire vivre ce secteur d’activité », a ajouté le membre du gouvernement.
Une signature entre TotalEnergies et Enercal pour le projet Boulouparis 3
Dans la continuité de la tranche 1 (12 MWc) et de la tranche 2 (16 MWc + 10 MWh de stockage) de la ferme photovoltaïque Boulouparis, mises en service respectivement en 2017 et 2019, TotalEnergies et Enercal ont signé le contrat d’achat de l’énergie, étape cruciale pour le lancement de la tranche 3 de ce projet. Les trois tranches feront de ce site la plus grande centrale photovoltaïque de Nouvelle-Calédonie et l’une des cinq premières de France, avec une capacité totale de près de 90 MWc.
La centrale Boulouparis 3 en quelques chiffres
- 94 000 tonnes de rejets de CO2 évitées chaque année
- 92 GWh de production annuelle (l’équivalent de la consommation de 84 000 personnes)
- 100 000 panneaux sur 58 hectares
- 6 milliards de francs d’investissements (dont 2,5 milliards en sous-traitance aux entreprises calédoniennes
- 150 personnes employées sur une durée d’environ 24 mois pour la construction
Lancement imminent de la plus grande batterie de stockage d’Europe
Autre projet stratégique pour la Nouvelle-Calédonie, la construction par la société Akuo Energy de la Grande batterie de Boulouparis. Entrée dans sa phase finale de financement, cette opération permettra à la Nouvelle-Calédonie de se doter d’une infrastructure de pointe. Avec une capacité de 150 MWh et une puissance délivrée de 50 MW pendant 3 heures, la Grande batterie de Boulouparis deviendra l’un des plus importants systèmes de stockage d’électricité en France et en Europe.
Elle offrira des fonctions techniques qui répondent directement aux besoins du territoire :
- report de charge : stockage de l’énergie solaire en journée pour une restitution en soirée, évitant l’écrêtement des centrales solaires ;
- soutien réseau : régulation dynamique de fréquence et de tension ;
- black start : redémarrage du réseau en cas de blackout général ;
- substitution aux centrales thermiques : capacité à fournir rapidement de l’énergie renouvelable en remplacement des unités fossiles ;
- accélération de l’intégration des énergies renouvelables : en augmentant la capacité installée pilotable.
Le projet a également été pensé pour lui offrir un ancrage local fort, avec la participation des GDPL Wiwa et Wije au capital du projet et selon une approche exigeante en matière de gestion des risques industriels, avec une étude de dangers complète, ainsi qu’une collaboration active avec la direction de la Sécurité civile de la gestion des risques (DSCGR) de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et les pompiers de Boulouparis.
La Grande batterie de Boulouparis en quelques chiffres
- 150 MWh de capacité
- Une puissance délivrée de 50 MW pendant 3 heures
- 9 milliards de francs d’investissements
- 30 emplois directs pendant la phase de construction
- Environ 450 millions de francs de droits de douanes générés pour le budget de la Nouvelle-Calédonie
Enercal adapte ses infrastructures pour le déploiement de ces grands projets
Afin de pouvoir connecter la centrale de production solaire et la batterie de stockage de Boulouparis au réseau de transport de la Grande Terre qui permet d’acheminer l’électricité vers les consommateurs, Enercal a entrepris des travaux sur son poste source de Boulouparis.
Un poste source assure la jonction entre le réseau de transport (haute tension) et les réseaux de distribution (moyenne tension) en abaissant ou en élevant la tension de l’électricité. Il permet donc de raccorder un tiers (producteur, consommateur ou stockeur) à un réseau électrique et de répartir l’électricité entre les différentes lignes de réseau au bon niveau de tension.
Pour rendre possible la transition énergétique et livrer aux consommateurs les énergies renouvelables disponibles grâce aux deux nouvelles infrastructures, la capacité du poste de Boulouparis a été doublée de façon à :
- augmenter la puissance de transformation : de 45 MVA à 100 MVA pour faire transiter toute l’électricité produite par les centrales renouvelables de la zone ou provenant de la batterie de stockage vers les consommateurs ;
- d’assurer toute maintenance sur une partie du poste sans pénaliser l’alimentation électrique des calédoniens.
Par ailleurs, différents travaux ont été réalisés dans le poste existant pour renforcer sa fiabilité et garantir une continuité d’alimentation électrique :
- sécurisation de l’alimentation électrique de secours du poste ;
- fiabilisation des protections électrique et des contrôles commandes ;
- intégration du pilotage des centrales renouvelables de la zone au réseau de télécommunications d’Enercal ;
- mise en place d’un système de pilotage local de secours pour redémarrer les centrales et la batterie en cas d’incident sur le réseau.
En parallèle, les travaux effectués sur le réseau permettront de connecter la future centrale Boulouparis 3 et la future batterie de stockage au poste source de Boulouparis.
Ces travaux comportent :
- la réalisation des points de raccordements au poste ;
- la création d’un réseau 33 kV enfoui entre la centrale Boulouparis 3 et le poste pour évacuer l’électricité produite par la centrale solaire vers le réseau de transport ;
- la création d’un réseau enfoui 33 kV entre la batterie de stockage et le poste pour charger et décharger la batterie.
- Grâce aux installations d’Enercal, la production de la centrale Boulouparis 3 et la gestion de la Grande batterie de Boulouparis seront pilotées depuis le bureau de conduite centralisée de l’électricité calédonienne situé au siège d’Enercal à Nouméa.
Ce pilotage permettra d’optimiser la production solaire et sa consommation tout au long de la journée au moment où les foyers calédoniens en ont besoin.
Les travaux en quelques chiffres
- Deux ans de travaux sur le poste de Boulouparis et 12 à 24 mois de travaux de réseaux (à partir du lancement de la construction de la batterie)
- 117 millions de francs de budget prévisionnel pour les travaux de réseaux
- 530 millions de francs engagés pour les travaux sur le poste
- 60 personnes et 19 entreprises intervenantes mobilisées pour les travaux sur le poste
Local firms hit record 1.49m
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Companies Registry today announced that 84,293 local companies were newly registered during the first half of 2025, bringing the total number of registered local companies to an all-time high figure of 1,494,806.
Meanwhile, 761 non-Hong Kong companies have newly established a place of business in the city and were registered under the Companies Ordinance. The total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies reached 15,509 as at the end of June, which is also a record high.
In line with the Government’s policies on facilitating business as well as attracting enterprises and investments, two improvement measures for the Companies Ordinance came into operation during the first half of 2025.
The first measure enabled listed companies incorporated in Hong Kong to hold shares bought back in the treasury and dispose of them. The second one introduced a company re-domiciliation regime in Hong Kong, offering non-Hong Kong corporations a simple and cost-effective route to re-domicile to the city while preserving their legal identity and operational continuity.
From January to June, the number of charges on properties of companies received for registration was 5,970, while the number of notifications of payments and releases was 9,915. There were also 1,678,809 documents delivered to the registry for registration.
For electronic search services, 2,615,652 searches of document image records were carried out.
As for the licensing of trust or company service providers, 350 licences were granted, resulting in 6,971 licensees up to mid-2025.
Appointments to Elderly Commission announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Elderly Commission announced———–
Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung ————————
Professor Bai Xue
Dr Johnnie Casire Chan Chi-kau
Ms Grace Chan Man-yee
Ms Ip Shun-hing
Professor Daniel Lai Wing-leung
Professor Linda Lam Chiu-wa
Mr Lau Tat-chuen
Mr Lee Shing-kan
Dr Jenny Lee Shun-wah
Mr Horace Lit Hoo-yin
Dr James Luk Ka-hay
Mr Theodore Ma Heng
Ms Queenie Man Wei-yin
Mr Godfrey Ngai Shi-shing
Mr Kyrus Siu King-wai
Mr Albert Su Yau-on
Ms Macy Wong Chor-kei——————-
Secretary for Labour and Welfare or representative
Secretary for Health or representative
Secretary for Housing/Director of Housing or representative
Director of Health or representative
Director of Social Welfare or representative
Chief Executive, Hospital Authority or representative
Issued at HKT 12:00
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Human Reproductive Technology (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 and Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Notice 2025 gazetted
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Human Reproductive Technology (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 and Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Notice 2025 gazettedIssued at HKT 11:04
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Candidates interested in applying for five civil service posts reminded to take part in Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law and National Security Law Test
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (July 18) that the next round of recruitment exercises for the posts of Administrative Officer (AO), Executive Officer II (EOII), Assistant Labour Officer II (ALOII), Assistant Trade Officer II (ATOII) and Management Services Officer II (MSOII) will begin in September 2025.
As part of the entry requirements, applicants for these posts will need to attain:
(a) Level 2 in the two language papers (Use of Chinese and Use of English) in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) or other results which are accepted as equivalent;
(b) a pass result in the Aptitude Test paper in the CRE; and
(c) a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) (Degree/Professional Grades).
Candidates who wish to apply for the posts mentioned above but have not attained the requisite results in CRE should apply through an online application system on the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) website from tomorrow (July 19) to August 1 to take the relevant paper(s) in the CRE tentatively scheduled to be held on September 27 in Hong Kong in order to be considered for appointment. Details and the online application system will be made available on the CSB website at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/cre.html during the application period.
With the launch of Digitalised BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades) this year, which accepts applications year-round, candidates who are interested in applying for the above vacancies but have not attained a pass result in the BLNST must separately apply for Digitalised BLNST (application details are available at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/dblnst.html) and obtain a pass result before the specified date (i.e. November 29) in order to be considered for appointment.
Candidates located outside Hong Kong can still apply for the CRE and the BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades) tentatively scheduled to be held in Beijing, Shanghai, London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney on November 29. Application details will be announced in September.
Students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, and graduating in the years of 2025-26 or 2026-27 academic years are also eligible to apply for the posts and/or apply to take the CRE and the BLNST.
Details of the 2025-26 AO, EOII, ALOII, ATOII and MSOII recruitment exercises will also be announced in September.