Tag Archives: China

     The Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board has completed a disciplinary inquiry under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) and decided that a Registered General Building Contractor (RGBC) and its Authorized Signatory (AS) should be disciplined for having been negligent and/or misconducted themselves in building works (including foundation and superstructure works).

     The Board ordered the RGBC to be fined $170,000, and the AS be reprimanded. Also, the RGBC and its AS are to pay $148,200 extra in total, being the costs of the Board and the Buildings Department (BD) for conducting the inquiry. 

     The Board’s written decision and order issued on June 10, was published in the Gazette today (June 20). Details are available at the following link: www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20252925/egn202529253644.pdf.

     The case involved a construction site at Tai Shu Ha Road West in Yuen Long. Upon investigation by the BD, it was found that the RGBC and its AS had knowledge of the construction of unauthorised concrete walls below the ground floor of all houses and the club house at the site, which deviated from the approved plans in a material way. In view of the investigation results, the BD notified the Board for its consideration of disciplinary action against the RGBC and its AS under the provisions of sections 13(1) and 13(3) of the BO.

     A spokesperson for the BD reiterated that any registered contractors who have been negligent or have misconducted themselves in building works may be subject to disciplinary action under the BO. 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 toda… read more

     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