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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force arrested four men, aged between 15 and 47, on July 9 and laid charges against three of them jointly with one count of “Conspiracy to Secession” today (July 11).

The case will be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon.

Another arrested man has been released on bail pending further enquiries and is required to report back to Police in early August.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government gazetted today (July 11) the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill (the Bill) to fulfil the positive obligation of the Government under Article 14 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights (BOR14) as declared by the Court of Final Appeal in the case of Sham Tsz Kit v Secretary for Justice (FACV 14/2022), whereby an alternative framework will be established through legislation for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, while providing for appropriate rights and obligations attendant on such recognition.

The Bill aims to establish a registration system for same-sex partnerships, so that same-sex partners can apply for registration of their same-sex partnerships. The content of the Bill covers the setting up of a same-sex partnership registry, the conditions for registration of same-sex partnerships, the mode of application for registration and revocation of registration, and the offences and penalty related to the registration mechanism. The Bill also amends related provisions in certain enactments to provide for rights and obligations attendant on the recognition of same-sex partnerships.

A spokesman for the Government said, “The Government respects the court’s judgment, and will proactively fulfil the related obligation under BOR14 by establishing the relevant alternative framework through legislation. The current proposal has fully taken into account the actual situations and overall interests of Hong Kong, and strived to achieve an appropriate balance. The Government will continue to actively maintain close communication with the Legislative Council (LegCo) to implement the Bill. We reiterate that establishing the alternative framework to introduce a registration system for same-sex partnerships will not compromise the Government’s established position on upholding the monogamous and heterosexual marriage system.”

The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first reading on July 16.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs on June 13 seized about 800 suspected counterfeit mobile phones with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port.

Through risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an incoming lorry at the HZMB Hong Kong Port. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit mobile phones inside the cargo compartment of the lorry. A 62-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested.

An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit mobile phones would have been transhipped to overseas regions.

The investigation is ongoing, and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against counterfeit goods and smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (July 11) invited interested parties to submit proposals to become a partner to organise the cultural and creative arts bazaar at Victoria Park (Victoria Park Bazaar).

     The Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots, led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, announced nine hotspot projects on May 20, 2025, including setting up a Victoria Park Bazaar. The bazaar will operate from mid-December 2025 to November 2026, featuring about 30 stalls and a variety of thematic activities to enhance community vibrancy and enrich visitor experience, as well as developing as a vibrant, tasteful, and appealing tourism hotspot. 

     The LCSD is inviting interested registered companies, organisations, and non-governmental organisations providing youth services or possessing experience in operating bazaars to attend a briefing session to be held at 11am on July 23, 2025 (Wednesday), at the Press Room of Victoria Park Swimming Pool (details in annex (Chinese version only)), at which the detailed arrangements for the Victoria Park Bazaar and the requirements on proposals will be explained.

     For further information, please contact Mr Lo (2890 4298) or Mr Chan (2890 4204) of the Victoria Park Management Office.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Banking (Capital) (Amendment) Rules 2025, the Banking (Disclosure) (Amendment) Rules 2025 and the Banking (Exposure Limits) (Amendment) Rules 2025 (collectively referred to as “the amendment rules”) were gazetted today (July 11) to implement the new prudential standard promulgated by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in Hong Kong.

     The amendment rules seek to implement the capital standards and the associated requirements on disclosure and exposure limits promulgated by the BCBS in relation to the prudential treatment of cryptoasset exposures, which are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, in accordance with the BCBS timeline.
 
     The opportunity is also taken to include certain amendments in the Banking (Capital) Rules (Cap. 155L) and Banking (Exposure Limits) Rules (Cap. 155S)  for better aligning the capital framework with international practices, as well as ensuring the effective operation of the exposure limits framework as informed by implementation experiences, industry feedback and regulatory developments.
 
     A Government spokesperson said, “The amendment rules aim at providing a robust and prudent regulatory framework in line with international standards for banks’ exposures to cryptoassets that promotes responsible innovation while preserving financial stability.”
 
     A Hong Kong Monetary Authority spokesperson added, “In formulating the amendment rules, we have conducted several rounds of consultations with the industry and taken local circumstances into account.”
 
     The amendment rules will be tabled at the Legislative Council on July 16, 2025. They will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 11) announced that the tender period for the design, build and operate contract for the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 2 (I∙PARK2) (Contract No. EP/SP/312/24) has been further extended to noon on October 10, 2025.

The EPD invited tenders for the contract on December 20, 2024. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on June 27, 2025. It was announced on June 6, 2025, to extend the tender period to noon on July 18, 2025.

The further extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available on the EPD’s website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/business_job/business_opp/tender.html).

The EPD has commissioned Binnies Hong Kong Limited as the project’s engineering consultant. For enquiries, please contact the person-in-charge, Mr Colin Chan (Telephone: 2601 1000; Fax: 2601 3988; E-mail: BinniesHK@binnies.com).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Development Bureau said today that it has issued a notification to the contractor involved in a fatal industrial incident at a non-governmental construction site in Chek Lap Kok on July 10 suspending it from tendering for public works contracts in the roads and drainage category with immediate effect.

The contractor involved was on the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works. As the body responsible for procuring services for public works, the bureau stressed that it attaches great importance to site safety at all construction sites under the purview of contractors on the list.

It explained that the contractor has been instructed to conduct an independent safety audit to review its safety management system, submit an improvement action plan based on the audit, and then implement measures with a view to demonstrating that its safety management system is effective. A lifting of the suspension will be considered once these steps are taken.

The suspension from tendering is not limited to future tender exercises – it is also applicable to tender exercises which have been initiated but not concluded.

The Labour Department is investigating the industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law.

Subject to the findings of the department’s investigations, the bureau may carry out further regulating actions against the contractor. These may include extending the suspension period or even removal from the list.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

From July 17, individuals can apply via SmartPLAY to enjoy free use of a number of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department’s fee-charging facilities on Sport For All Day due to be held on August 3.

The free sessions will be allocated via SmartPLAY through a balloting process. Each user can submit a total of three choices of sessions in one application. Choices must be submitted by July 23.

The computer balloting results will be announced on July 26. Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system.

Individuals who have not been allocated any free session via ballot or did not apply through the ballot, can book the remaining free sessions via SmartPLAY on a first-come, first-served basis from July 28.

The department appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time to make the best use of the booked facilities.

No prior application will be required for using public swimming pool facilities. People may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

The department will also organise a series of free recreation and sports programmes from 2pm to 6pm on August 3 at designated sports centres across the 18 districts.

To tie in with Sport For All Day, a number of organisations will open up their facilities for free use or roll out free recreation and sports programmes on the day for the public.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau today invited tenders for two Light Public Housing (LPH) operation and management contracts pertaining to Phase 2 of the project at Olympic Avenue in Kai Tak.

The two contracts are for the operation and management of about 4,500 and 3,200 units at the Olympic Avenue LPH project. This includes the management of property and occupants, daily maintenance, provision of social services, and the management and operation of ancillary facilities.

To encourage participation by different stakeholders in the community, the bureau said it welcomes tenders from all capable and experienced service providers, including non-government organisations and those with a valid property management company licence, or collaborations between different organisations.

The bureau remarked that two separate contracts are being drawn up due to the project’s relatively scale, and to encourage participation from different organisations.

To ensure service quality, the bureau will carry out technical assessments based on organisations’ management capabilities, relevant experience and past service performance, as well as their proposed modes of operation and management, the social services they will provide, the feasibility of their exit plans, and their intended use of innovation and information technology. The tender price will then be evaluated to form a consolidated assessment before the contracts are awarded.

Interested organisations can download the tender documents from the bureau’s website or via the e-Tendering System. They may also contact the Dedicated Team on Light Public Housing directly.

The tender references are HB2025/OPR-LPH-OA2 and HB2025/OPR-LPH-OA3.

Tenderers must submit their tenders by noon on August 29, either electronically via the e-Tendering System or by deposit in the Government Secretariat Tender Box situated at the lobby of the public entrance on Ground Floor, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar. Late tenders will not be accepted.