Author Archives: hksar gov

     Six pieces of subsidiary legislation setting out detailed operational and regulatory matters of the uncertificated securities market (USM) regime were gazetted today (February 14), with a view to enhancing the efficiency and infrastructure of the Hong Kong securities market, as well as providing better investor protection and transparency. A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said the implementation of the USM regime would reinforce Hong Kong’s competitiveness and status as an international financial centre.
 
     The subsidiary legislation are for the implementation of the USM regime, which is meant to remove the need of using paper documents to evidence and effect transfers of legal title to securities. The six pieces consist of:

(i)     Securities and Futures (Uncertificated Securities Market) Rules;
(ii)    Securities and Futures (Approved Securities Registrars) Rules;
(iii)   Securities and Futures (Stock Market Listing) (Amendment) Rules 2025;
(iv)   Securities and Futures (Open-ended Fund Companies) (Amendment) Rules 2025;
(v)    Securities and Futures Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 8) Order 2025; and
(vi)   Securities and Futures Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 5) Notice 2025.
 
     The spokesman said, “In collaboration with the industry, the Government and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) have formulated details on the operational and regulatory arrangements for the USM regime and the subsidiary legislation. Extensive market consultations were also conducted by the SFC on the subsidiary legislation, codes and guidelines under the USM regime with consultation conclusions published last July.”
 
     The subsidiary legislation will be tabled before the Legislative Council for negative vetting on February 19. Subject to vetting, the legislation will come into operation on a date to be appointed by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury in the form of a Gazette notice. read more

     The Government announced today (February 14) the reappointment of Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee as the Chairman and the appointment of Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai as the Vice-Chairman to the Human Organ Transplant Board. Meanwhile, the appointments of three new substantive members and seven new panel members, as well as the reappointments of one substantive member and one panel member, were also made.

     Among the appointments, Dr Chan Kwok-ki, Ms Louisa Chu Wai-san and Mr Jason Joseph Lee Kwong-yee are appointed as new substantive members, while Dr Li Chak-ho is reappointed as a substantive member. Moreover, Dr Ambrose Wong Chi-hong, Dr Foo Ka-chung, Dr Lilian Wong Hiu-lei, Dr Cheng Pak-wing, Ms Yvonne Yeung Kin-ha, Ms Ingrid Ip Sin-nam, and Mrs Lillian Okusako Chan Pui-shan are appointed as new panel members, whereas Dr Loletta So Kit-ying is reappointed as a panel member. All appointments will take effect from February 15 for a three-year term. 
      
     The incumbent Vice-Chairperson, Dr Mark Li Kin-yin; serving substantive members, namely Dr Raymond Lo See-kit, Ms Samantha Ko Kit-mui and Ms Priscilla Wong Wai-yee; as well as serving panel members, namely Dr Joan Fok Pui-chu, Dr Grace Lui Chung-yan, Dr Joyce Tang Shao-fen and Mr Jonathan Lee Wing-fung, will retire from the Board upon completion of their term today. A spokesman for the Health Bureau expressed appreciation for their service and contributions to the Board.

     Established under section 3 of the Human Organ Transplant Ordinance (Cap. 465), the Human Organ Transplant Board is tasked to consider applications made for the Board’s written approval to carry out restricted organ removals and/or restricted organ transplants, to receive prescribed information about transplant operations and certificates accompanying imported organs, and to perform any other functions that the Board is required or permitted to perform under the Ordinance.

     The membership of the Board with effect from February 15, 2025, is as follows:
 
Substantive members
—————————-
Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee (Chairman) #
Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai (Vice-Chairman) *
Dr Li Chak-ho #
Dr Chan Kwok-ki *
Dr Emmy Li Yuen-mei
Dr Thomas Yau Chung-cheung
Ms Louisa Chu Wai-san *
Mr Wong Tim-wai
Mr Jason Joseph Lee Kwong-yee *

Panel members
—————————-
Dr Ambrose Wong Chi-hong *
Dr Foo Ka-chung * 
Dr Lilian Wong Hiu-lei *
Dr Loletta So Kit-ying #
Dr Chan Ka-yee
Dr Cheng Pak-wing * 
Professor Carmen Wong 
Professor Vincent Mok Chung-tong
Ms Yvonne Yeung Kin-ha *
Ms Hsu Siu-man
Mr Joseph Chow Shiu-wing
Ms Helen Au Hiu-lam
Ms Ingrid IP Sin-nam *
Mrs Lillian Okusako Chan Pui-shan * 
 
* New appointees
# Reappointees  read more

     The Government today (February 14) published in the Gazette the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2025. The Notice seeks to update the safety standards for toys and seven classes of children’s products listed in Schedule 2 (Schedule 2 products) under the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Cap. 424).
 
     The seven classes of Schedule 2 products are (i) babies’ dummies; (ii) baby walking frames; (iii) bottle teats; (iv) bunk beds for domestic use; (v) carry cots and similar handled products and stands; (vi) children’s paints; and (vii) wheeled child conveyances. The Notice will take effect on August 1, 2025.
 
     The Ordinance stipulates that a person must not manufacture, import or supply a toy or a Schedule 2 product unless it complies with all applicable requirements contained in any one of the safety standards (international standards or standards adopted by major economies) specified in Schedule 1 (applicable to toys) or Schedule 2 (applicable to Schedule 2 products). The Government keeps in view any updates or amendments to the safety standards to apply up-to-date and operative versions of the standards to toys and Schedule 2 products supplied in Hong Kong. The last updates to Schedules 1 and 2 came into operation in August 2024. read more

     The Government announced today (February 14) the appointment of a new member and the reappointments of three incumbent members to the Management Committee of the Consumer Legal Action Fund for a term of two years.   New … read more

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 (February 14) that… read more