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
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong 37th Annual Awards Dinner today (June 19):
Josephine (Chair of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Ms Josephine Orgill), Consul-General Gareth Williams (Consul-General of Australia to Hong Kong and Macao), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It is a pleasure to be with you tonight as we celebrate the 37th anniversary of AustCham in Hong Kong.
Let me begin by extending my heartfelt congratulations to you all. For nearly four decades, you have evolved from a casual lunch club into the largest offshore Australian Chamber of Commerce.
And through your Community Awards, you not only honour excellence in sustainability, women’s leadership, sports, entertainment and entrepreneurship; you have also strengthened the vibrant ties between Hong Kong and Australia.
We value your friendship, your contributions and your wise counsel over the years.
Tonight’s celebration brings back fond memories of my visit to Australia last September. I was moved by the energy, the innovation and the genuine enthusiasm of Australian businesses to deepen collaboration with Hong Kong. The potential for partnership is vast and growing.
Trade and investment are cornerstones of our relationship. Since the Hong Kong–Australia Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement came into force in 2020, our economic ties have continued to flourish. The merchandise trade between us grew by 5 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter this year.
And we have a diverse and vibrant community of about 160 Australian companies in Hong Kong who have contributed to the dynamism of the city’s business scene and economic progress. And the 10 000 Australian nationals residing in Hong Kong, who have brought with them experience and expertise in various fields ranging from finance and education to legal services, construction engineering and more.
For example, I trust you would be proud of the significant involvement of Australian companies in the building and management of our world-class Kai Tak Sports Park.
As a staunch advocate of free trade, Hong Kong is eager to contribute more to regional trade and economic integration. Our application to join RCEP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, underscores that commitment. We are grateful for AustCham’s support all the way, and we look forward to Australia’s active endorsement as well.
In a world challenged by rising unilateralism and protectionism, like-minded economies must come together. Hong Kong and Australia share a firm commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system. That shared belief is the foundation for stronger co-operation and mutual prosperity.
Of course, our ties go beyond trade. Our people-to-people exchanges are thriving. In the first five months of this year, nearly 200 000 Australian visitors came to Hong Kong, a 35 per cent increase year-on-year. These visits not only help promote mutual understanding, but also lay the foundation for long-term collaboration in business and beyond.
Ladies and gentlemen, looking into the future, Hong Kong continues to offer a world-class and unique platform for Australian companies seeking access to the vast Chinese Mainland market.
Our commitment to the “one country, two systems” framework remains firm and steadfast. This is the foundation that underpins our competitiveness. As consistently acknowledged in various international rankings, Hong Kong continues to perform well in government efficiency, business environment, rule of law, infrastructure and connectivity, quality education, lifestyle and more. These strengths have made Hong Kong a highly attractive destination for global businesses.
Indeed, in recent months we have seen a notable inflow of international capital into Hong Kong. Our stock market is gaining momentum, and bank deposits have risen by over 7 per cent last year, and another 4 per cent so far this year, reaching HK$18 trillion. These are strong indicators of renewed confidence in our markets and the opportunities offered by this city.
In March, a new amendment to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into force. This brings good news for Australian businesses. Two key highlights: first, Australian companies established in Hong Kong can benefit from immediate priority access to the Mainland market. Second, they can opt for common law and choose Hong Kong as the place of arbitration for eligible contracts within the Greater Bay Area.
Hong Kong is also charting an ambitious path forward. From major infrastructure projects like the Northern Metropolis, to innovation and technology development, to deeper economic integration with the Greater Bay Area, the opportunities are vast. We warmly welcome our Australian friends to be part of this exciting journey.
In closing, I would like to thank AustCham once again for your continued partnership and support. Congratulations to all award recipients this evening. Your achievements inspire us all.
Enjoy the dinner, and have a wonderful evening ahead. Thank you.
The “Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition, organised by the Information Services Department (ISD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to showcase the charm and vibrancy of Hong Kong through interactive art technology, opened in Shanghai today (June 19).
Co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (Shanghai ETO) and with the theme of “Hong Kong – Where the World Looks Ahead”, the exhibition invites visitors from Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta to explore the unique opportunities and potential for tourism, education, business and investment in Hong Kong.
The exhibition enables visitors to delve into different virtual scenes representing the city, with a creative twist. The five thematic zones, namely “Financial Bridgehead”, “I&T Brain Bank”, “Blossoming Creativity”, “Diversity and Greenery” and “Buzzing Sports Action”, feature multiple interactive art projections, light box installations and naked-eye 3D displays, representing the multifaceted appeal of Hong Kong.
Visitors may also enjoy Hong Kong’s vibrant and colourful skyline, illustrated by Hong Kong artist Messy Desk (Jane Lee), at a photo corner in the venue. Promotional videos on Hong Kong and digital panels with information about the city, as well as insights from Mainland companies about their experiences in Hong Kong, are also on display, explaining why the city is one of the most desirable places to visit, study, live, work and invest.
Speaking at the opening ceremony today, the Director of Information Services, Mrs Apollonia Liu, said that the exhibition will be held in three Mainland key node cities along the Belt and Road with Shanghai as the first stop, followed by Qingdao and Chengdu.
She said, “Hong Kong and Shanghai are two pearls of the country, one being the core city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the other being the leading city in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. There have been many fruitful outcomes from Shanghai-Hong Kong co-operation over the years. Taking economic and trade ties as an example, Hong Kong is Shanghai’s major export market and Shanghai’s largest source of investment outside Mainland China.”
Mrs Liu added that Shanghai and Hong Kong enjoy close arts and cultural ties, noting that the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority is also staging their WestK Shanghai Week 2025 in co-operation with a number of arts institutions in Shanghai and with the staunch support of the Shanghai Municipal Government to showcase the new landscape of Hong Kong’s arts and cultural development. She looked forward that WestK Shanghai Week 2025 would achieve a synergistic effect with the “Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition.
Introducing the highlights of the exhibition, Mrs Liu said that the thematic zone “Buzzing Sports Action” was especially set up to serve as pre-event publicity for the 15th National Games to be co-hosted by Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao in November this year. She also said that China’s national treasures, giant pandas, are featured in naked-eye 3D displays and interactive games for the first time, inviting visitors to experience the vibrancy of Hong Kong as an “events capital”.
Mrs Liu hoped that the exhibition could attract friends from the Mainland to learn more about Hong Kong and spark their interest in visiting the city, and come to Hong Kong in future for business and investment, employment and entrepreneurship, injecting impetus to the further growth of Hong Kong.
To give Shanghai audiences a taste of Hong Kong’s cultural offerings, a jazz performance by two young Hong Kong music talents, harmonicist Cy Leo and pianist Freeman Lok, will be staged at the exhibition venue on June 21.
An interactive game, “Snap a cool shot @Immersive Hong Kong”, which will be held during the exhibition period, will offer attractive prizes sponsored by Cathay Pacific for two winners. The winner of the Grand Prize will receive a pair of round-trip business class air tickets from Shanghai to Hong Kong, while the runner-up will receive a pair of round-trip economy class air tickets of the same itinerary.
The exhibition is being held at Xintiandi Style I, a major Hong Kong-based shopping centre in Shanghai, until June 29. Admission is free.
Shanghai is the sixth stop of the exhibition, following its successful staging by the ISD in cities on the Mainland, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Middle East between July 2023 and January 2025.
In addition to the Shanghai ETO, other supporting organisations of the exhibition include the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Hong Kong Talent Engage, Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Kai Tak Sports Park and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.
More information on the exhibition is available on the dedicated page on the Brand Hong Kong website and the Shanghai ETO website. read more