â€‹The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, together with representatives from the four civil service central consultative councils, jointly visited several floors of the Queensway Government Offices today (May 13) to appeal to colleagues to actively register as voters and to cast their votes in the Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election to be held on December 7 this year to fulfil their civic responsibility.

     The Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo, and the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, were also present to appeal to colleagues to actively register as voters. They also distributed leaflets on voter registration and updates of particulars to visitors of the building to convey the message.

     Mr Chan said, "As the backbone of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, civil servants bear the responsibility of implementing and supporting the administration in accordance with the law. Today, together with the representatives from the four civil service central consultative councils, I visited colleagues in different government departments to appeal to those who are eligible but have not yet registered as voters to actively do so, and to remind those who have already registered as voters to check the accuracy of their registration details through the online system and submit an application to update their details in a timely manner if necessary, to ensure their voting rights are not affected. We also appeal to our colleagues to convey this message to their families and friends to get well prepared for the LegCo General Election to be held at the end of this year and to vote enthusiastically to fulfil their civic duties and elect patriotic, capable, and dedicated legislators devoted to serving the people, Hong Kong and our country."

     The 2025 Voter Registration Campaign is under way. Eligible persons/bodies who have not yet registered as voters are advised to submit registration applications to the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) as early as possible on or before the statutory deadline of June 2. Registered voters who have any change in their residential address or other registration particulars should also submit applications for change of particulars to the REO on or before June 2. Both applications for new registration and change of particulars can be submitted through the "iAM Smart" app, or by email, mail or fax with the completed specified forms. For details, please visit the Voter Registration website (vr.gov.hk).

                

     â€‹The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will begin her visit to Korea today (May 13). She will visit Jeju and Seoul, and attend the 7th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Education Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Jeju.

     The theme of AEMM this year is "Bridging Educational Gaps and Promoting Sustainable Growth in the Era of Digital Transformation". Dr Choi will speak at thematic sessions to introduce Hong Kong's advantages as an international hub for post-secondary education, and share the developments and achievements in the city's digital education. She will also exchange views with education ministers of the APEC economies.

     During her trip to Korea, Dr Choi will visit local schools to learn about the latest developments in education.

     Dr Choi will conclude her visit to Korea on May 16. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.

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 today (May 13) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, will depart Qatar for Jeju, Korea, today (May 13) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting.
           
     Under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow" for APEC this year, the meeting will focus discussions on topics under three priorities: "Connect, Innovate, Prosper". During the two-day (May 15 and 16) meeting, Mr Yau and trade ministers of other member economies will participate in sessions entitled "AI Innovation for Trade Facilitation", "Connectivity through Multilateral Trading System" and "Prosperity through Sustainable Trade".
           
     Mr Yau will also meet with other trade ministers to exchange views on issues of mutual interest on the sidelines of the MRT Meeting.
           
     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on the morning of May 17. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supports the architecture exhibition "Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive", staged at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – Biennale Architectettura 2025 – at La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale) in Venice, Italy, from May 10 until November 3, 2025. 
      
     Addressing at the grand opening of the Hong Kong Exhibition on 9 May (Venice time), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union in Brussels, Miss Shirley Yung, highlighted Hong Kong’s unique urban identity: "From cooperative housing and multifunctional public complexes to modernist industrial buildings, the exhibition showcases how creativity, community, and sustainability underpin Hong Kong’s architectural energy". Miss Yung added: "As a city where East meets West; Hong Kong’s architecture embodies a vibrant balance of tradition and innovation, local character and international vision, sustainability and forward-thinking design."
      
     "Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive" is a Collateral Event of the Venice Biennale. It is organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation, Hong Kong Institute of Architects and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and sponsored by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, HKETO, Brussels and other partners.