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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.5% in the April to June period, the same as that in March to May, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

 

The underemployment rate remained at 1.4%.

 

Total employment was 3,657,300, down 7,400 from March to May, while the labour force also dropped 7,000 to 3,793,500.

 

The number of unemployed people in April to June was 136,200, about the same as that in March to May. Meanwhile, the number of underemployed people decreased 1,000 to 52,600.

 

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said various industries in Hong Kong are undergoing transition and their respective unemployment rates have different trends.

 

Looking ahead, Mr Sun explained that the trend of unemployment rate will hinge on the overall economic performance, and he elucidated that the entry of fresh graduates and school leavers during the summer may impact the overall employment situation.

 

“Nevertheless, the continued expansion of the Hong Kong economy should provide support to the labour market,” he added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said today (July 17) that the Government will publish the Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (Commencement) Notice (Commencement Notice) and the Firearms and Ammunition (Marking of Firearms) Regulation (Regulation) in the Gazette tomorrow (July 18) to fully implement the United Nation’s Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition (Firearms Protocol). The Commencement Notice and the Regulation will come into operation on July 25, 2025.
 
The spokesman said, “The Firearms Protocol entered into force in 2005 to strengthen control over licit firearms, prevent their diversion into the illegal circuit, and promote relevant law enforcement co-operation of the States Parties. The Firearms Protocol has entered into force for the People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)) since January 18, 2024. The Firearms Protocol stipulates the requirement to criminalise illicit manufacturing of or cross-border trafficking in firearms, component parts and ammunition, as well as falsifying or illicitly obliterating, removing or altering of the requisite markings on firearms.”

The Government tabled the Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the Legislative Council (LegCo) on April 2, 2025, which was passed by the LegCo on May 28, 2025. The Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (Amended Ordinance) empowers the Commissioner of Police (Commissioner) to enact subsidiary legislation to set out the detailed technical requirements for marking of firearms. Except for the parts relating to firearm marking (namely sections 8, 9, 10(1), 11, 13, 14, 15(1), (2) and (3), 16, 17, and 18 of the Amended Ordinance), the other parts of the Amended Ordinance came into effect upon gazettal on June 6, 2025.

​The spokesman added, “According to the Amended Ordinance, the parts relating to firearm marking shall come into operation on a day to be appointed by the Secretary for Security (S for S) by notice published in the Gazette. The S for S now decides that the provisions relating to firearm marking in the Amended Ordinance shall come into effect on July 25, 2025. The Commissioner also enacts the Regulation, specifying the marking requirements for firearms manufactured in or imported into the HKSAR, including the location of markings, the method of engraving, the size of markings, as well as the exemptions for imported firearms from marking and the related requirements. The Regulation will come into force on July 25, 2025.”

The Government will table the Commencement Notice and the Regulation at the LegCo on the coming Wednesday (July 23) for negative vetting.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance caseload dropped by 240 cases to 195,196 in June, down 0.1% from May, the Social Welfare Department announced today.

The total number of recipients was 261,440.

Low-earnings cases fell by 1.4% to 1,312 cases. Permanent disability cases decreased by 0.4% to 16,534 cases.

Both ill-health cases and single parent cases declined by 0.2% to 27,723 cases and 18,842 cases respectively. Old age cases dropped by 0.1% to 110,691 cases.

Meanwhile, unemployment cases remained steady at 16,150 cases.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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 17) that a tender of 10-year HKD Institutional Government Bonds (Bonds) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, for settlement on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
 
A total of HK$2.0 billion 10-year HKD Bonds will be tendered. The Bonds will mature on July 24, 2035 and will carry interest at the rate of 3.17 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 HK$50,000 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 10-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

Issue Number	:	10GB3507001
Stock Code	:	4294 (HKGB 3.17 3507)
Tender Date and Time	:	Wednesday, July 23, 2025 9.30am to 10.30am
Issue and Settlement Date	:	Thursday, July 24, 2025
Amount on Offer	:	HK$2.0 billion
Maturity	:	10 years
Maturity Date	:	Tuesday, July 24, 2035
Interest Rate	:	3.17 per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrear
Interest Payment Dates	:	24 January and 24 July 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 HK$50,000 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	:	Friday, July 25, 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

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In accordance with the Lands Resumption Ordinance, the Lands Department today posted land resumption notices to resume land at Nga Tsin Wai Road/Carpenter Road in Kowloon City for implementing an urban renewal project.

 

A total of 1,009 property interests will be resumed. The affected interests will revert to the Government on October 18.

 

This urban renewal project, included in the Urban Renewal Authority’s Business Plan for 2022-23, is expected to help improve the overall living environment in the area.

 

The 37,061 sq m project site will be redeveloped for residential use with retail/commercial facilities, at-grade landscaped diversified space, underground ancillary parking and loading/unloading facilities.

 

The project will also provide a public vehicle park, as well as government, institution or community facilities.

 

Apart from statutory compensation, eligible owners of domestic properties will also be offered an ex-gratia home purchase allowance or a supplementary allowance as appropriate. Eligible domestic tenants will be offered rehousing or an ex-gratia allowance.

 

Meanwhile, eligible commercial property occupiers, including owners and tenants, may opt for an ex-gratia allowance in lieu of the right to claim statutory compensation for business and related losses.

 

If statutory claims made by the affected owners and tenants of both domestic and commercial properties cannot be settled by agreement, the owners and tenants may apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Professional fees reasonably incurred by the claimants in making such claims may be reimbursed by the Government.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today that it will distribute free activity coupons starting July 21 for Sport For All Day 2025, which will be held on August 3.

 

Citizens with the coupons can take part in free recreation and sports programmes at designated sports centres on the event day.

 

Sport For All Day 2025’s theme is “Coalescing together for the National Games”, echoing Hong Kong’s cohosting of the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games with Guangdong Province and the Macau Special Administrative Region for the first time.

 

Cheerleading and breaking performances, rugby and golf fun activities, virtual fencing, karting and triathlon, along with table tennis fun activities for people with different abilities will be set up at Kowloon Park Sports Centre, the event’s prime venue.

 

Other designated sports centres will organise fitness programmes, health talks, sports demonstrations and a fun day for families, children, youngsters, the elderly and those with disabilities.

 

Activity coupons will be available from 8.30am on July 21 at the LCSD District Leisure Services Offices or designated venues. A portion of the coupons will be reserved for walk-in participants on the event day.

 

Various LCSD leisure facilities will be open for free use on Sport For All Day. Ballot applications for August 3 can be made via SmartPLAY from now until July 23.

 

Additionally, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China will hold the Sport for All Experience Day at GO PARK Sai Sha on August 3, where the LCSD will set up an activity booth to promote the joy of sports.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region