Author Archives: hksar gov

     Regarding the suspected closure of certain private healthcare facilities, the Department of Health (DH) today (May 14) appealed to members of the public who have received laboratory or diagnostic radiology services through the private healthcare facilities in question, and cannot obtain and follow up on the laboratory test reports through their doctors, to contact the DH’s telephone hotline for appropriate follow-up action.
      
     As announced on May 2, the Government set up an inter-departmental dedicated team to follow up on the incident. The team comprises representatives from the Security Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the DH and the Consumer Council.
      
     The DH has set up a telephone hotline, email and a WhatsApp account since May 3 for public enquiries on related issues. As at 5pm today, a total of 149 enquiries were received. Most of the enquiries were related to vaccines for children or other age groups. One enquiry about laboratory services has been received.

Laboratory reports
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     After learning that the private health care facilities in question had used the laboratory services of a local private hospital for laboratory services, the DH also took the initiative to contact the private hospital and offer assistance in delivering 11 laboratory reports to the referring doctor so that the cases of relevant members of the public could be followed up appropriately.
      
     For the sake of prudence, the DH is also reaching out to local registered professionals operating medical laboratories and radiological imaging services, inviting them to contact the DH for assistance if they are unable to deliver any laboratory reports to referring doctors from the private healthcare facilities in question.
      
     Anyone who has received laboratory or diagnostic radiological imaging services through the private healthcare facilities in question and has not yet been able to obtain the report from their doctor may call the DH hotline (2125 1188), which operates from 9am to 5pm daily, or send an email to dhhelpdesk_2501@dh.gov.hk or WhatsApp messages to 6170 8006 for assistance.
      
Childhood immunisation
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     All 29 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) under the DH provide vaccination services for infants and young children from birth to 5 years of age under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP). Parents of the affected infants and young children in the above age group, whether Hong Kong residents or not, may make appointments at the nearest MCHCs of the DH (see Annex) for timely completion of the vaccines included in the HKCIP based on scientific evidence. The vaccination is free of charge for eligible persons and payable by non-eligible persons. As of yesterday, the MCHCs of the DH have provided support to 54 parents of affected infants and young children including health advice to parents or arranging vaccinations for their children at MCHCs.

     For other vaccines that are not included in the HKCIP based on scientific evidence, the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) has engaged with family doctors and healthcare facilities. Currently, there is a stable supply of relevant vaccines in the private sector, and the service providers are ready to provide vaccination services to people in need. To this end, the PHC Commission has reminded family doctors listed in the Primary Care Directory (PCD) to update their practice information, particularly on the provision of vaccination services, to enable citizens in need to identify suitable family doctors. Members of the public can search for the practice information of relevant family doctors by selecting immunisation (including various vaccines for children) under “Services Provision” in the PCD (apps.pcdirectory.gov.hk/Public/EN/AdvancedSearch?ProfID=RMP). They are advised to contact the relevant family doctors in advance to confirm service details, fees and other relevant matters before making vaccination arrangements.
     
Public enquiries
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     The DH has provided appropriate health information and vaccination-related professional advice to meet the different needs of the enquirers. The DH has also assisted parents in need in arranging for their children to receive vaccinations at the DH’s MCHCs and advised them on how to receive vaccines not included in the HKCIP according to scientific evidence or vaccines for other age groups.
      
     The DH has compiled a series of Frequently Asked Questions from recently received enquiries and uploaded them to the DH’s website for public reference.
      
     The DH will continue to join hands with other members of the inter-departmental dedicated team to follow up on the incident and take appropriate actions, with a view to handling all cases as soon as possible and provide assistance to those affected by the incident. read more

     The Haw Par Mansion guided tour will include a new attraction, the “Virtual Reality: The ‘Ten Courts of Hell’ of Tiger Balm Garden” exhibition, starting from May 16. In addition to touring the private garden and most of the interior of the Mansion, members of the public who join the tour can also explore the former “Ten Courts of Hell” of the Tiger Balm Garden using virtual reality devices.
      
     Co-organised by the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the Development Bureau (DEVB), the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Chu Hai College, the “Virtual Reality: The ‘Ten Courts of Hell’ of Tiger Balm Garden” exhibition is sponsored by the Aw Boon Haw Foundation and with venue support from the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office of the DEVB.
      
     Premised on a virtual reality metaverse platform developed by the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Chu Hai College, the exhibition focuses on reconstructing the former “Ten Courts of Hell” of the Tiger Balm Garden. Participants wearing virtual reality headsets can explore details of the murals of the “Ten Courts of Hell” and learn about the historical and cultural contexts through an interactive interface. There will also be display boards introducing the “Ten Courts of Hell” and videos of the project.
      
     The guided tours of the Haw Par Mansion are free of charge and conducted in Cantonese from Fridays to Sundays and on public holidays (except for the first three days of Lunar New Year). Four sessions will be held per day, and each session can accommodate 24 participants. Docents will guide participants through the private garden and the Mansion’s interior, introducing its history, architectural features and heritage value, followed by the “Virtual Reality: The ‘Ten Courts of Hell’ of Tiger Balm Garden” exhibition. The public can enrol in the guided tours through the AMO’s website (www.amo.gov.hk/en/visitor-centre/docent-services/public/haw-par-mansion/index.html). For enquiries, please call the AMO on 2208 4406 or 2208 4407 during office hours.
      
     Located at No. 15A, Tai Hang Road, Hong Kong, the Haw Par Mansion was the residence of Mr Aw Boon Haw, an overseas Chinese merchant. It was accorded Grade 1 historic building status in 2009. read more

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (May 14) attended the 7th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Education Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Jeju, Korea. Under this year’s theme, Bridging Educational Gaps and Promoting Sustainable Growth in the Era of Digital Transformation, Dr Choi exchanged views with education ministers of the APEC economies and introduced the advantages of Hong Kong’s education system.
 
     Speaking at the thematic session AI·Digital Transformation and Personalized Education Innovation, Dr Choi said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has established the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education to gather collective wisdom and insights on promoting digital transformation of school education. Also, the Education Bureau (EDB) provides subsidies for students in need, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities in their access to e-learning. The EDB invests in e-learning platforms and has launched curricula on innovation and technology, and coding education for junior secondary and upper primary students to boost their digital literacy and skills.
 
     Moreover, the EDB endeavours to enhance teachers’ competencies in using AI to assist in teaching. In addition to professional development programmes, the EDB organises Mainland study tours and a large-scale learning and teaching expo to keep teachers abreast of the latest developments in e-learning and the application of AI in teaching. The EDB has also launched the Digital Education Centre of Excellence Scheme to provide on-site support for schools to share teaching practices on e-learning.
 
     At the thematic session on Educational Cooperation and Expanding Access to Opportunities, Dr Choi said that Hong Kong is committed to developing into an international post-secondary education hub and a cradle for talent. Five publicly funded universities in Hong Kong rank among the world’s top 100. All top four spots in the ranking of the world’s most international universities published by the Times Higher Education in 2025 were also claimed by Hong Kong publicly funded universities.
 
     The HKSAR Government has doubled the enrolment ceiling for non-local students at publicly funded universities from 20 per cent to 40 per cent. It has also established a scholarship fund to subsidise students from Belt and Road countries or regions to study in Hong Kong, and support local students to participate in global learning activities.
 
     Speaking at the thematic session Strengthening Quality Education and Sustainable Economic Growth, Dr Choi said that Hong Kong’s education system provides all students with high-quality education, thereby fostering social mobility. The EDB encourages schools to adopt the Whole School Approach in supporting students with special educational needs, and provides schools with additional resources, professional support and teacher training to promote an inclusive learning environment.
 
     At the closing of the 7th AEMM, the participating ministers issued a joint declaration. The meeting recognised the importance of education in addressing global challenges such as bridging digital divides. They also emphasised the need to enhance digital and AI competencies of educators, and called for collaborative efforts to promote appropriate integration of AI in education.
 
     Yesterday (May 13), Dr Choi met the Acting President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of Korea, Dr Lee Ju-ho, and education ministers of other APEC economies to engage in exchanges on education policies. She also delivered a speech at the APEC Global Education Reform Conference to share Hong Kong’s practical experience in information technology education and development as an international post-secondary education hub. On the same day, she met the Vice Minister of Education of Korea, Dr Oh Seok-hwan, to exchange views on strengthening education collaboration between Korea and Hong Kong.
 
    Dr Choi will continue her visit to Korea tomorrow (May 15).

              

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 13) detected a case involving a local jewellery company that conducted multiple transactions of precious products, with each transaction valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. A director of the company was arrested.

     The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), the Regime came into effect on April 1, 2023. Any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones in Hong Kong and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with the Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     Hong Kong Customs reminds all dealers that the transitional period for registration under the Regime has ended. Any dealers in precious metals and stones must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

     For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Hong Kong Customs’ webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

     Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration 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). read more

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), annou… read more