Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government published in the Gazette today (June 20) the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Order 2025 (the Amendment Order), which takes effect on the same day. The Amendment Order aims to put the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) and three financial infrastructure-related institutions (namely, the Hong Kong FMI Services Limited (HKFMI), the OTC Clearing Hong Kong Limited (OTC Clear) and the CMU OmniClear Limited (CMU OmniClear)) under the regulatory regime of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201) (the Ordinance).
 
     The Amendment Order specifies the HKIC, the HKFMI, the OTC Clear and the CMU OmniClear as public bodies that are subject to various restrictions under the Ordinance. Furthermore, persons doing business with the four public bodies are subject to the relevant sections of the Ordinance.
 
     A spokesperson for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “The HKIC is entrusted by the Government to support the development of innovation and technology, as well as strategic industries in Hong Kong through investment. The other three financial infrastructure-related institutions have public functions to manage and operate financial market infrastructures. In view of the important role played by the four public bodies in Hong Kong’s financial system and economic development, it is in the public interest to cover them under the regulation of the Ordinance.”
 
     The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on June 25 for negative vetting.
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Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more

     The Government today (June 20) announced the new term of membership of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Control of Release) Expert Group. The appointments are for a term of two years with effect from June 20, 2025. &nb… read more

​     The Government gazetted today (June 20) the Basic Housing Units (BHUs) Bill (the Bill), which seeks to introduce a regulatory regime for the letting of subdivided units (SDUs) in residential buildings for ensuring the provision of reasonable and safe living conditions in SDUs, thereby tackling the “long-standing, big and difficult” issue of substandard SDUs in an orderly and comprehensive manner. The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for first and second readings on July 9.
 
     The Bill requires SDUs in residential buildings to comply with a set of minimum standards of living conditions, including internal floor area, headroom, fire safety, structural safety (i.e. loading), lighting and ventilation, toilet, water supply point, as well as water and electricity meters, and to obtain BHU recognition before they are allowed to be let out for habitation. There would be criminal liability on the person who lets out unrecognised SDUs, while the tenants concerned will not be held liable.
 
     A Government spokesperson said, “As a transitional arrangement to implement the BHU regulatory regime progressively, the Government will set up a 12-month registration system for residential flats with pre-existing SDUs, under which a 36-month grace period will be provided to SDUs in registered flats for carrying out necessary alteration works and making applications for BHU recognition. Unregistered SDUs, registered SDUs with grace period expired, as well as new SDUs entering the market must apply for recognition as up-to-standard BHUs before they can be lawfully let out for habitation.”
 
     The spokesperson added, “Since the establishment of the Task Force on Tackling the Issue of Subdivided Units in October 2023, the Government has extensively consulted various stakeholders on the handling of the SDU issue. A two-month stakeholder consultation exercise was conducted in December 2024 on the legislative proposals for the BHU regulatory regime. The LegCo Panel on Housing was also consulted in December 2024 and March 2025 respectively. During the period, nearly 40 engagement sessions were organised with nearly 700 participants met, and a total of some 2 200 written submissions of views (including around 1 600 template submissions) were received. Stakeholders generally supported the policy objective and legislative framework of the BHU regulatory regime. The Bill has suitably reflected the views received. Overall speaking, stakeholders and society have responded positively to the legislative proposals.”
 
     The Government will make every effort to facilitate the LegCo’s scrutiny work and strive for the LegCo’s passage of the Bill as soon as possible, with a view to rolling out the BHU regulatory regime in March 2026, which represents a significant milestone in eradicating substandard SDUs. read more

     The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, today (June 19) in Hong Kong, met with patriotic groups dedicated to the nation and Hong Kong, as well as with representatives of higher education institutions. He also visited local cultural and tourism spots.

     In the morning, Mr Xia, in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, held an engagement session with patriotic groups dedicated to the nation and Hong Kong. The session was attended by representatives from political and community groups with an affection for the country and the city.

     In the afternoon, Mr Xia, accompanied by Mr Lee and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended another engagement session to exchange views with representatives of Hong Kong’s major higher education institutions, including chairmen of university councils and university presidents.

     Mr Xia then visited the Kai Tak Sports Park with Mr Lee; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; and the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, touring Kai Tak Stadium and the Kai Tak Gallery. read more