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2025
A scheme for the Smart & Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon was published in the Government Gazette today. Construction of the proposed 7km-long rapid transit line will commence once the scheme – which is in accordance with the Railways Ordinance – is authorised, and the work is expected to be completed by 2033 or earlier. The system comprises nine stations. Its two termini will be connected to MTR Choi Hung Station and MTR Yau Tong Station respectively, with the line passing through Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat, Ma Yau Tong and Lam Tin North. It will serve more than over 300,000 residents in Kwun Tong’s uphill areas. The Government said the system will provide convenient transport feeder services to these areas, improving access to MTR Choi Hung Station and MTR Yau Tong Station and unleashing the development potential of East Kowloon. The estimated journey time from Po Tat to Yau Tong or Choi Hung under the new scheme will be around ten to 15 minutes, which is about half of the journey time using road-based transport during peak hours. Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public have the chance to object to the scheme, and can register their objections from today until August 19. Those with compensable interests can claim compensation.
The Government today raised the outbound travel alert for Israel and Iran to black in view of the latest developments there. It advised Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Israel and Iran. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safe regions immediately. The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation in Israel and Iran and issue updates through the media, the bureau’s mobile app and its outbound travel alert webpage. In addition to attending to their personal safety, the bureau advised Hong Kong residents in Israel and Iran to pay attention to announcements made by local authorities and the Chinese Embassy there. Hong Kong residents in Israel and Iran who need assistance can call the Immigration Department’s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the department’s mobile app. They can also send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit an online assistance request form. Alternatively, they may contact the local Chinese Embassy by calling the Embassy in Israel at (972) 35459520 or the Embassy in Iran at (98) 9122176035. Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the Immigration Department to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means on a timely basis when necessary.
(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.) Chief Executive John Lee said today that actions taken by the Secretary for Security and the Police Force in relation to a mobile application were necessary to safeguard national security. In remarks ahead of this morning’s Executive Council meeting, he emphasised that the Government will always take strict enforcement action in accordance with the law with regard to all activities and acts endangering national security. “According to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China (PRC), all citizens have the obligation to uphold national security. So Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of the PRC, the residents of Hong Kong have that constitutional obligation. “The mobile application in question was released under the guise of a game with the aim of promoting secessionist agendas of ‘Taiwan independence’ and ‘Hong Kong independence’. This endangers national security. “The Secretary for Security and the Hong Kong Police have taken action in accordance with the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, carrying out their responsibilities and duties to safeguard national security – they are doing the right thing.”
The Security Bureau today reminded the public to stay vigilant against suspicious calls purportedly made by Security Bureau staff, alleging that the citizen was suspected of breaking the law and required to visit the bureau office in person for verification. The bureau solemnly clarified that this is untrue and condemned such deception tactics. The bureau has displayed an alert message on its official website to remind the public to stay vigilant against scams. In addition to reminding people not to disclose their personal information to any suspicious or unidentified individuals, the bureau stressed that in case of doubt, they should call the Anti Scam Helpline 18222 for enquiries. Those who have provided personal information to suspicious individuals or suspect they have been scammed should contact Police, the bureau added.
Police today officially launched the digitalisation of Fixed Penalty Notices, and will issue penalty tickets for illegal parking and moving traffic offences electronically from now on. Additionally, a thematic portal and mobile application have also been launched to facilitate vehicle owners and drivers to verify and settle their fines using electronic payment methods. The force will issue electronic penalty tickets (ePTs) according to the verified e-contact means (ECM) submitted by offenders to the Transport Department - SMS tickets for those who have provided a Hong Kong mobile phone number, and email tickets for those who have provided an email address. It will continue to issue printed paper penalty tickets to those that have not submitted their verified ECMs. At the initial stage of implementation, Police will adopt a “dual-track” transitional arrangement. Offenders will receive both ePTs and printed paper tickets, and they are only required to settle their fines using either one. Members of the public are encouraged to use ePTs. The formats of penalty tickets have also been updated to include new payment information and methods. The force reminds the public that all SMS tickets are issued under the SMS sender name “#HKPF-eTT”, and a purported SMS ticket that is not sent under this sender name must be fake. Moreover, all SMS or email tickets do not contain any hyperlinks, and people should avoid clicking on any suspicious hyperlinks or providing any personal information. Lastly, the platform’s thematic portal has a domain ending with “.gov.hk”. Websites that do not end with “.gov.hk” are not government official websites.
The Mainland Civil & Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concluded today, attracting about 300 participants from the local legal sector. The two-day course is the first course held by the academy specifically for local barristers, solicitors, in-house counsel and dispute resolution practitioners. It aims to deepen the local industry’s understanding of the Mainland’s civil and commercial laws and practical operations, and promote exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland's legal and dispute resolution sectors. Addressing the opening ceremony, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said that Hong Kong and the Mainland have become more closely connected since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, with economic and trade activities becoming increasingly frequent. While many Mainland enterprises leverage Hong Kong as an internationalised platform to go global, overseas enterprises also invest in the Mainland through Hong Kong. The academy specially organised this course to enable the local legal industry to gain in-depth understanding of the practice of civil and commercial law on the Mainland so that they can meet the actual needs arising from growing cross-boundary business, while improving their own competitiveness and expanding the room for their career development, Mr Lam added. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan pointed out that Hong Kong’s leading position in international arbitration continues to be reinforced and enhanced. Mr Cheung highlighted the Department of Justice’s commitment to promoting the city’s leading position in arbitration in the Greater Bay Area and the international community, and providing legal services of higher quality and competitiveness to the Mainland and around the world, so as to further establish Hong Kong's position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region. The course covers various key areas of the Mainland civil and commercial legal practice. Through lectures and seminars, the course further enhances the understanding and knowledge of Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution sectors on the practice and operation of the Mainland civil and commercial legal system, while providing a platform for exchange and co-operation between the Hong Kong and Mainland legal sectors. Speakers of the course comprise Mainland judges, academics, legal professionals, corporate representatives, arbitration practitioners and members of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee.