Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is a question by the Hon Yiu Pak-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (February 12):
 
Question:
 
     In recent years, the Government has been committed to developing Sha Tau Kok (STK) into a tourist hotspot, including launching the First Phase “STK Pier opening up scheme” and the second phase of the STK opening-‍up plan, upgrading the tourism supporting facilities in STK, as well as providing photo-taking spots. In addition, there are views that the official opening of the Robin’s Nest Country Park on November 2 last year has added more highlights to the STK area. On making good use of the tourism resources in the STK area, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective numbers of individual visitors and tour group visitors visiting STK each month since the launch of the second phase of the STK opening-up plan in January last year, and among which the numbers of non-local visitors (set out in Table 1);
 
Table 1

Month	Total number of visitors	Number of individual visitors (among which the number of non-local visitors)	Number of tour group visitors (among which the number of non-local visitors)

 
(2) of the respective numbers of individual visitors and tour group visitors on the 10 dates with the highest number of visitors to STK last year, and among which the numbers of non-local visitors (set out in Table 2);
 
Table 2

Date	Total number of visitors	Number of individual visitors (among which the number of non-local visitors)	Number of tour group visitors (among which the number of non-local visitors)

 
(3) as it is learnt that the Police can generally complete the processing of applications for electronic Tourism Closed Area Permits for access to STK at an earlier time (which originally required a minimum of three working days), of the distribution of the time taken by the Police to vet and approve such permits last year (i.e. (i) within four ‍hours, (ii) more than four hours to 12 hours, (iii) more than 12 hours to 24 hours, (iv) more than 24 hours to 48 hours, (v) more than 48 ‍hours to 72 hours, and (vi) more than 72 hours), and set out in Table 3 a breakdown by the type of applicants (i.e. (a) individual visitors and (b) tour group visitors, and (I) local visitors and (II) ‍non-‍local visitors);
 
Table 3

Vetting and approval time	(a)		(b)
	(I)	(II)	(I)	(II)
(i)
……
(vi)
Total

 
(4) as some members of the industry have relayed that it takes time for non-local visitors to apply for electronic Tourism Closed Area Permits to gain access to STK, which is not conducive to travel agencies promoting relevant tourism products to tourists, whether the authorities will consider introducing visa-on-arrival arrangements for tour groups visiting on a “group in, group out” basis, so as to facilitate travel agencies in arranging for more tourists to visit STK;
 
(5) as it is learnt that currently the seven MacIntosh Forts built along the Shenzhen River are no longer in practical operational use, and two of them have undergone basic revitalisation works and are conditionally open to the public, whether the authorities have considered fully opening these two revitalised forts; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether the authorities will consider using the forts as visitor service centres or open museums to make good use of heritage resources, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of Robin’s Nest Country Park;
 
(6) given that the “contactless channels” at the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in STK became operational on December 23 last year, of the progress of exploring the possibility of allowing Hong Kong tour groups to enter Chung Ying Street via such checkpoint on a “group in, group out” basis (including the estimated earliest implementation date); and
 
(7) given that with effect from January 24 this year, the Security Bureau has opened a specified section of road within the frontier closed area near Lin Ma Hang Village in STK, exempting the requirement to apply for a closed area permit for people travelling by green minibus passing through this section of road, with a view to facilitating tourists to travel to Robin’s Nest Country Park, whether the authorities will consider allowing tourist coaches to access this section of road, so as to facilitate the launch of relevant tourism products by the industry?
 
Reply
 
President,
 
     The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) published the Action Plan on Sha Tau Kok Cultural Tourism Zone on December 30, 2024, in tandem with the promulgation of the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0. The CSTB will continue to promote the tourism development in Sha Tau Kok (STK) under the overall principle of “low density, high quality” and through enriching its historical and cultural elements. Specifically, the Government is progressively opening up STK Frontier Closed Area (FCA) for tourism, including rolling out of the second phase of the STK Opening-up Plan in January 2024, under which local and non-local visitors are allowed to enter STK FCA (except Chung Ying Street) for sightseeing. In light of its proximity to the Robin’s Nest Country Park, STK has effectively linked up various tourists spots of the Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle of the district, serving as a starting point for visitors travelling by ferry to the surrounding islands and areas, such as Lai Chi Wo, Kat O and Ap Chau.
 
     In consultation with the Security Bureau (SB), the Development Bureau and the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Yiu Pak-leung is as follows:
 
(1) and (2) The monthly figures of electronic Tourism Closed Area Permit (e-CAP) issued by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) for entering STK in 2024, and the ten dates with most e-CAP issued in the same year, are set out at Annex.

(3) To facilitate the implementation of the second phase of the STK Opening-up Plan starting from January 2024, the HKPF launched e-CAP on December 1, 2023. The HKPF has been committed to processing applications as soon as possible. Upon submission by applicants of all the documents required and verification of the relevant information, the vast majority of the e-CAP applications were approved within three working days. The HKPF does not maintain breakdown information of the time required for approval of e-CAP as mentioned in the question.
 
(4) and (6) Since 2022, the SB has, in collaboration with relevant bureaux and departments, formulated specific measures to progressively open-up STK FCA in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. The SB has fully consulted the local community in the process, closely monitored the implementation of the opening-up plan, as well as maintaining close liaison with relevant stakeholders to ensure timely responses to the concerns raised and implement the opening-up plan in an orderly manner.
       
     As far as Chung Ying Street is concerned, due to its unique historical background and geographical factors, Chung Ying Street directly adjoins the Mainland without any barrier as a boundary demarcation. It is also the only place in Hong Kong where there is no boundary control facilities, while cross-boundary movement of people and cargo is allowed. In light of the boundary security considerations from the SB, Chung Ying Street has not been opened to tourists for entry from Hong Kong STK over the years.
      
     With the gradual opening-up of STK FCA for tourism, the Government will continue to adopt an open stance in exploring the promotion of tourism at Chung Ying Street, as well as other feasible measures that can further facilitate the trade and tourists visiting STK FCA, with a view to fostering the development of cultural tourism in STK. The CSTB, the SB and Shenzhen Municipal Government, have been in ongoing communication with each other over the development of cultural tourism in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen STK, and will explore the feasible option of allowing Hong Kong group tours to enter Chung Ying Street for sightseeing via the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint on a “group in, group out” basis, with a view to further deepening the historical and cultural elements of STK tourism.
 
(5) For security reason, the seven MacIntosh Forts located at the boundary of New Territories are currently not opened to the public. In view of the establishment of the Robin’s Nest Country Park on March 1, 2024, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) installed an interpretation panel near the MacIntosh Fort (Kong Shan) at the Lin Ma Hang Country Trail to introduce the Forts. The AFCD also featured a thematic introduction of the Forts in an episode of the video series titled “Discovering Robin’s Nest Country Park”, which was produced in celebrating the establishment of the Robin’s Nest Country Park, covering the history of the Forts and its role in boundary defence in the past.
 
(7) Starting from January 24, 2025, a section of road within the FCA near Lin Ma Hang Village in STK has been opened for public travelling on public light buses on scheduled service (i.e. green minibuses), by exempting the requirement to apply for a closed area permit. Members of the public concerned can enter Lin Ma Hang Village via the said section of road, thereby facilitating them to visit the Robin’s Nest Country Park and nearby areas. The current exemption is applicable to passengers travelling by green minibuses, but does not apply to private vehicles, taxis or other vehicles without a valid closed road permit, and to members of the public using other means of travel such as walking or cycling. Taking into account the limitations in the road design and safety considerations of the concerned section, the said section of road is not suitable for entry by large coach buses. The Government will examine the effectiveness of the exemption and, on the premise that boundary security and traffic safety can be ensured, keep an open mind in studying the feasibility of extending the exemption arrangement in the future to cover other transportation means. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Robert Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (February 12):
 
Question:
 
     There are views that the Government should actively take forward a more comprehensive support policy to promote the development of the fund industry as a whole on all fronts. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the respective shares of capital allocations from Hong Kong’s offshore Renminbi (RMB) (liquidity pool to mutual funds, deposits, stocks, bonds and other investment vehicles, together with a breakdown by holders of such capital, i.e. retail investors, institutional investors, and enterprises; given that the Government is actively promoting the internationalisation of RMB, what measures it has in place to guide more offshore RMB capital to invest in various fund products, so as to promote the development of related businesses;
 
(2) whether it has compiled statistics on the respective shares of Mainland capital investments in Hong Kong funds and bank deposits under the constant enhancement of the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect (WMC) Scheme in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and in which types of funds the investments are mainly made; of the Government’s plans in place to discuss with the Mainland regulatory authorities about further expansion of the scope of fund products under WMC, as well as all-‍round coverage of cross-border fund sales and promotional activities;
 
(3) whether the Government will step up negotiations with the Mainland regulatory authorities to further increase the number of funds and product types under the mutual recognition of funds scheme; whether it knows if information on such recognised funds will be included in the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited’s Integrated Fund Platform to facilitate trading by investors; and
 
(4) of the respective proportions of the amounts invested in “financial assets” and “non-financial assets” by applicants of the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme after its implementation, together with a breakdown by the classification of assets; whether the Government will publish the relevant statistics on a regular basis; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Hong Kong is an international asset and wealth management centre, with assets under management exceeding HK$31 trillion. The Government has been attracting more global capital to be managed in Hong Kong through a series of measures with the aim of propelling the all-rounded development of the fund industry. In consultation with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), my reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) With the support of the Central People’s Government, Hong Kong is a premier global offshore Renminbi (RMB) business hub which possesses the world’s largest offshore pool of RMB funds, and operates the largest foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives market. Hong Kong also provides a diversified range of RMB products and services, with a leading position in RMB settlement, financing and asset management.
 
     The Government has been promoting the development of the offshore RMB business in Hong Kong, and has been actively deepening the mutual access between the Mainland and Hong Kong financial markets, so as to assist the high-level opening up of our country’s capital market. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) announced in April 2024 a series of measures to promote the expansion of the mutual access between the financial markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong. These measures include expanding the eligible product scope of equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under Stock Connect and including real estate investment trusts (REITs) under Stock Connect, which would support the Hong Kong financial market by increasing the availability of attractive investment products, providing more investment opportunities for domestic and international investors, and consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an offshore RMB business hub.
 
     In addition, the HKMA and the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) announced on January 13 this year new measures to further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global offshore RMB business hub. Relevant measures include the introduction of the HKMA RMB Trade Financing Liquidity Facility, further enhancement and expansion of Bond Connect (Southbound), development of offshore RMB repurchase business using Northbound Bond Connect bonds as collateral, inclusion of Northbound Bond Connect bonds as eligible margin collateral at OTC Clearing Hong Kong Limited, promoting cross-boundary payment facilitation and financial facilitation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). We will press ahead with the development of an offshore RMB ecosystem to promote the internationalisation of the RMB in a steady and prudent manner.
 
     In terms of financial products, besides RMB foreign exchange trading products, the offshore RMB investment products and services offered in Hong Kong also include RMB-denominated stocks, ETF, REIT, futures contracts for precious metals, and other diversified financial products. However, the Government does not maintain data on the allocation of funds within the offshore RMB pool to various investment products.
 
(2) Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect (WMC) has seen continuous and steady development since its launch in September 2021. “WMC 2.0” commenced on February 26, 2024, with enhancement measures including increasing the individual investor quota from RMB1 million to RMB3 million, lowering the threshold for participating in the Southbound Scheme to support more GBA residents to participate in the scheme, expanding the scope of participating institutions to include eligible securities firms, expanding the scope of eligible investment products, and further enhancing the promotion and sales arrangements. According to the statistics published by the PBoC, up to end-2024, over 136 000 individual investors in the GBA participated in the WMC and cross-boundary fund remittances (including Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao) amounting to over RMB99.4 billion had been recorded.
 
     Currently, the scope of eligible products under the Southbound Scheme includes all “non-complex” funds domiciled in Hong Kong and authorised by the SFC that primarily invest in Greater China equity; low-risk to medium-high-risk “non-complex” funds domiciled in Hong Kong and authorised by the SFC (excluding high-yield bond funds and single emerging market equity funds); low-risk to medium-risk and non-complex bonds; and RMB, Hong Kong dollar and foreign currency deposits. The Government does not maintain data on the proportion of Mainland capital invested in these different products.
 
     The Government and Hong Kong regulatory authorities will continue to maintain close communication with the industry and the Mainland regulatory authorities, and continuously review the implementation of “WMC 2.0” with a view to exploring further enhancement measures, including the product scope and sales arrangements.
 
(3) The Mainland-Hong Kong Mutual Recognition of Funds (MRF) arrangement (the “Arrangement”) was launched in July 2015, where eligible Mainland and Hong Kong funds can be offered to retail investors in each other’s market through a streamlined vetting process. As of end-2024, a total of 83 funds were authorised by the regulators of the two places, with aggregate net subscription amount of around RMB43.5 billion.
 
     The Arrangement has been enhanced with effect from January 1, 2025. Enhancements include relaxing the sales restriction and allowing Hong Kong funds to delegate investment management functions to overseas asset management companies within the same group. The measures will significantly increase the diversity of fund products, enhance the scale of funds, and bring positive effect to the distribution of Hong Kong MRF funds in the Mainland. The SFC will maintain close co-operation with the CSRC to continuously explore and discuss enhancement measures, so as to fully leverage Hong Kong’s distinct advantage and role as an international financial centre and a bridge for two-way capital flow to facilitate a higher level of two-way opening in the country’s capital market.
 
     On the other hand, the Integrated Fund Platform (the Platform) developed by HKEX will help lower the entry threshold of the fund industry, broaden Hong Kong’s fund distribution network, and enhance market efficiency. The first phase of the Platform (the Fund Repository) was launched in December 2024 to facilitate investors’ access to information on fund investment options. Other services of the Platform will be rolled out gradually from this year with functionalities including fund subscription and redemption (including MRF funds), settlement, and nominee services.
 
(4) The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) was open for application on March 1, 2024 to further enrich the talent pool and attract new capital to Hong Kong. An eligible applicant must make investment of a minimum of HK$30 million in the permissible investment assets, including investing a minimum of HK$27 million in permissible financial assets and/or real estate (subject to a cap of HK$10 million), and placing HK$3 million into a new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Investment Portfolio (CIES Investment Portfolio).
 
     As of end-2024, InvestHK has received over 800 applications, and approved 240 applications for Assessment for Investment Requirements. Except for the applicants’ investment in Hong Kong under the New CIES, the Government does not maintain the data on the investments made by applicants in Hong Kong outside the New CIES. Excluding the sum for investing in the CIES Investment Portfolio, the approved investment distribution is as follows:
 

	Investment amount (HK$ Million)
Eligible collective investment schemes	2,968
Equities	2,553
Debt securities	1,018
Real estate	10
Certificates of deposits	5
Total	6,554

 
     The Government will continuously review the applicants’ investment arrangement and room for enhancing the New CIES, including further enhancing the net asset assessment and calculation requirements and allowing applicants to hold assets through his/her wholly owned eligible private company with effect from March 1 this year, thereby attracting global asset owners to establish their presence in Hong Kong. read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Singapore (Singapore ETO) hosted a dinner at the Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore in Singapore yesterday (February 11) to celebrate Chinese New Year and to promote Hong Kong. Over 200 guests from the government sector, foreign embassies in Singapore, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, business associations, academic institutions and cultural organisations attended, as well as the local Hong Kong community.
 
     Speaking at the dinner, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Mr Owin Fung, reviewed the work and achievements of Hong Kong and Singapore collaboration in recent years, including the visit by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, to Singapore in 2023, during which he led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region business delegation and signed seven Memoranda of Understanding. In January this year, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, Mr Gan Kim Yong, also led a high-level business delegation to Hong Kong, engaging in high-level discussions on traditional and emerging business sectors. Furthermore, 23 Singaporean companies expanded or established operations in Hong Kong in 2023, demonstrating Singapore enterprises’ investment interest and confidence in Hong Kong. Both sides expect to further build bilateral ties.
 
     Mr Fung also took the opportunity to introduce, through a video, the Kai Tak Sports Park which is set to open on March 1. Major events and activities will be held at the park. Projects such as the Kai Tak Sports Park and the West Kowloon Cultural District exemplify Hong Kong’s cultural and soft power.
 
     During the dinner, Hong Kong singer-songwriter Chet Lam, along with four band members, performed as guest artists. They delivered a selection of Cantonese, English, and Putonghua songs, including “Singapore Pie”, a piece by Liang Wern Fook, a renowned Singaporean lyricist, composer and Xinyao singer. Earlier, they and other Hong Kong musicians participated in an outdoor concert and talk under the “Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival @ Huayi” held in Singapore. The events were sponsored and supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore.
 
     Mr Fung concluded that the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), as Hong Kong’s second-largest merchandise trading partner, presents significant opportunities. Amid global economic challenges, Hong Kong has emphasised its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, serving as a gateway between Mainland China and global markets, while reinforcing connectivity with traditional markets and exploring emerging markets in ASEAN and the Middle East, with the Greater Bay Area as a key focus for collaboration.
 
     Looking ahead, Singapore ETO will host its first Chinese New Year dinner in Ho Chi Minh City on February 28 to celebrate the Year of the Snake and the 30th anniversary of the Office, while enhancing communication with local communities in Vietnam.

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     Following is a question by the Hon Yung Hoi-yan and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, in the Legislative Council today (February 12):
 
Question:
 
     It has been reported that recently, a number of cases have occurred involving members of the public suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work (cases of luring and detention). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the number of suspected cases of luring and detention received by the Government in each month of the past two years, as well as the following information on each case: the countries involved; the respective numbers of persons who were lured and successfully rescued; the longest period of detention; the respective numbers of persons arrested, prosecuted and successfully convicted in the cases concerned; and the penalties imposed on the convicted persons;
 
(2) as it has been reported that the Security Bureau dedicated task force met with officials of the relevant law enforcement agencies in Thailand earlier on to exchange views on further strengthening co-operation in combating cross-border crimes, such as telecommunications and online frauds as well as human trafficking, of the Government’s plans in place to enhance collaboration with other law enforcement agencies in the region, including co-operation in law enforcement and exchange of information; and
 
(3) given that the modus operandi of fraudsters is changing constantly, whether the Government has plans to enhance publicity and education work focusing on the fraudsters’ latest modus operandi, so that members of the public will step up the protection for themselves and stay vigilant; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Security Bureau (SB) has always attached great importance to cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work, and has established a dedicated task force in August 2022 to co-ordinate follow-up work on the cases by relevant law enforcement agencies (LEAs), including the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Immigration Department (ImmD), with a view to providing all practicable assistance to assistance seekers.
 
     Since the second quarter of 2024, there have been signs of a resurgence in the situation where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. In view of recent developments, I led the dedicated task force comprising members from the SB, the HKPF and the ImmD to Bangkok, Thailand last month. The dedicated task force met with senior officials including the Minister of Justice (MoJ) of Thailand, Mr Tawee Sodsong, who is a member of the Anti-Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand, and the heads of the enforcement departments under the MoJ, as well as the Royal Thai Police, to further follow up on related cases.
 
     The dedicated task force reflected the situation regarding relevant request-for-assistance cases, exchanged intelligence and discussed strengthening collaboration, with a view to assisting safe and early return of assistance seekers to Hong Kong as soon as possible. The Thailand authorities demonstrated great importance to the assistance cases and offered positive feedback. Moreover, the Thailand authorities expressed that they would further strengthen the prevention and combat of transnational crimes, and exchanged views on further strengthening co-operation and communication, as well as jointly combating cross-border crimes such as telecommunications, online fraud and human trafficking.
 
     Members of the dedicated task force were sent again to Thailand by the SB in late January 2025 to co-ordinate with various units, and held meetings with the Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police, Mr Phanthana Nutchanart, and the Director of Special Investigation and the Director of Human Trafficking under the MoJ of Thailand, with a view to arranging the return of the rescued Hong Kong residents as soon as possible. They will continue to actively assist and follow up on all relevant request-for-assistance cases of Hong Kong residents who have yet to return, striving for their return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.
 
     My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Yung Hoi-yan is as follows:
 
(1)  From 2023 to January 2025, the LEAs have received a total of 28 request-for-assistance cases (each case involves one victim) in relation to Hong Kong residents alleged to have been detained in Southeast Asian countries and not being able to leave. Among them, 19 have already returned to Hong Kong. As for the remaining nine persons, we believe that eight are in Myanmar while one is in Cambodia. The dedicated task force will continue to follow up and provide appropriate and practicable assistance to the assistance seekers or their families. The monthly breakdown of the number of request-for-assistance cases received by the LEAs, the countries involved, and the number of persons who have returned to Hong Kong are at Annex. 
 
     As regards Hong Kong, from 2023 to January 2025, the HKPF arrested a total of 11 persons in connection with this type of job scam cases where victims were lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work, for offences such as conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and obtaining property by deception. Besides, during the same period, two persons, who were arrested in 2022, were charged with conspiracy to defraud and convicted, and sentenced to 36 months’ and 56 months’ imprisonment respectively.
 
(2)  After I led the dedicated task force comprising members from the SB, the HKPF and the ImmD to Bangkok, Thailand to meet with Thai authorities last month, the dedicated task force has established direct contacts with relevant Thai authorities to enhance future communication and exchange of intelligence, with a view to following up on the cases more effectively. Moreover, the ImmD will continue to maintain close contact with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions there to actively follow up on the cases.
 
     Meanwhile, the Secretary for Security also met with the Consuls-General of Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia in Hong Kong in mid-January 2025 to exchange views, share information and discuss strengthening future follow-up work. The SB received positive feedback from the Consuls-General during the meetings with all parties expressing hope to assist more assistance seekers in returning to Hong Kong safely as soon as possible.
 
(3)  Since 2022, the HKPF has noticed the modus operandi of the scams and started broadcasting anti-fraud videos through various channels and platforms to remind residents of the prevalent modus operandi of scams and to exercise caution in order to avoid those scams. In view of the recent cases, the Government will continue to strengthen publicity, including promotion on social media platforms, distributing the “anti-scam” leaflets to travellers heading to Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia at the departure level of the Hong Kong International Airport, and through media reports, etc. In light of cases where the suspects met the victims in bars and entertainment establishments, the HKPF has also sent officers to distribute leaflets in various bar districts and entertainment establishments.
 
     Moreover, in view of recent developments and having regard to the latest situation of relevant countries, the SB raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) level for south-eastern regions of Myanmar on January 17, 2025, including Myawaddy district, Hpapun district, Hpa-An district and Kawkareik district, to red, while maintaining an amber OTA for the rest of the country. The SB also updated the OTA webpage on the same day regarding supplementary information for Cambodia with a view to reminding residents to exercise caution and beware of overseas job scams. Besides, the SB has put on alerts on overseas job scams under the Other Travel Information section of the OTA webpage, urging residents to pay extra attention to online recruitment advertisements or comments and exercise due caution against claims of ways to earn money quickly and jobs offering extraordinarily high remuneration without specific requirements for academic qualification or working experience.
 
     Thank you, President. read more

     A woman who went missing in Tin Sum has been located.      Lau Suet-ying, aged 31, went missing after she got on a train towards Wu Kai Sha at MTR Hin Keng Station on February 10 morning. Her family made … read more