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2026
The Department of Justice announced today the establishment of an "Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global", which will advise it on leveraging Hong Kong’s legal and other professional services sectors in support of Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to “go global”. Chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, the 13-strong committee comprises, for a term of two years, experts from the legal, financial and accounting sectors from both the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as outstanding business and corporate representatives. It will provide advice and assistance to better meet the needs of Chinese Mainland enterprises looking to expand overseas, and will co-ordinate with Hong Kong’s professional services sectors, including its legal, accounting and financial sectors, to support these efforts. Mr Cheung highlighted that the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, officially launched by the department on December 13 with the support of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, marks a new phase of collaborative support for Mainland enterprises going global. The expert committee will support and promote the work of the platform by gathering strategic advice from its members.
The Fire Services Department yesterday introduced new measures, with immediate effect, to enhance the management of fire service installations and the transparency of relevant information. The department issued two circular letters to regulate registered fire service installation contractors (RFSICs). The letters direct RFSICs to enhance the management of fire service installations and equipment (FSI) and to increase the transparency of information relating to the operational status of FSIs. When there is any defect in FSIs such as hose reels and manual call points, RFSICs must affix a Damage Notice complying with standard requirements in a prominent position on the FSI to facilitate easy identification. This is to guide the public to avoid using non-operable FSIs during emergencies. In addition, RFSICs are required to apply seals to the main power switches of FSI systems to prevent power from being turned off by mistake. They must also facilitate inspections by property management staff to assess power supply status and ensure timely follow-up actions. The department also reminds RFSICs that before turning off FSIs for works, pre-assessment should be conducted on whether functions of other FSIs will be affected, and all areas being affected should be reported concurrently to the FSD. RFSICs must put up large-sized notices at prominent locations such as main building entrances and lift lobbies, clearly outlining information including dates of any FSI operation suspension and areas that will be affected, to keep occupants, property management staff, and other relevant parties informed. This is to raise occupants’ awareness of fire safety when FSIs are not in working order or being shut down. The department emphasises that RFSICs must strictly adhere to the new requirements. Any misconduct or negligence may result in disciplinary actions by the department, including being removed from the register of RFSICs.
The Government today reminded members of the public that, starting from January 25, all seated passengers on public transport and in commercial vehicles must wear seat belts. In addition, drivers of all vehicles must not place more than two mobile telecommunications devices (MTDs) in front of themselves during driving. Under new rules, all passenger seats on public and private buses, all rear passenger seats on private light buses and goods vehicles, and all driver seats and passenger seats on special purpose vehicles must be equipped with seat belts if the vehicles are first registered on or after January 25. Drivers and passengers occupying seats of these types of vehicles, whether newly registered or not, will be required to wear seat belts if they are provided. Going forward, offending vehicle owners, drivers or passengers will all be liable to a maximum fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for up to three months. The Government said that around 3,500 franchised buses are now equipped with seat belts, representing about 60% of the entire fleet in Hong Kong. As for the MTD requirement, from January 25 drivers must have more than two devices – whether mobile phones, tablet computers or laptop computers – in front of them as they drive. The diagonal length of individual screens must not exceed 19 cm, and MTDs must not obstruct a driver’s view of the road or of any device fitted for viewing roads. Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $2,000. Call 2804 2600 for details.