SUCCESS-supported Activity

The Micro-Enterprise Household — A Hands-On AI Guide for Parents (Online Course)

(This course will be live-streamed on 6 August 2026)

This course is offered by the HKPC. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This online course will share the concept of “Micro-Enterprise Household” and practical skills for everyday AI applications. (This course will be conducted in Cantonese.)

More Details and Registration (in Chinese only)

Government welcomes passage of Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Bill

​The Government welcomed the passage of the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Bill by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on 17 July 2026. The smooth passage of the Bill marks an important milestone in implementing the relevant authorisation of the Central Authorities, providing the legal basis for implementing the colocation arrangement at the redeveloped Huanggang Port, and signifies a crucial step forward in the preparatory work for the opening of the Port.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) passed the decision to authorise the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to exercise jurisdiction over the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area and Related Extended Areas (collectively referred to as the Hong Kong Port Area) on 26 June 2026. Subsequently, the State Council issued an Official Reply on 8 July 2026, stipulating the specific co-ordinates and area of the Hong Kong Port Area, and agreeing that the Hong Kong Port Area is to be commissioned beginning at 00.00 hours of 31 July 2026, and is to be subject to the jurisdiction of the HKSAR in accordance with the laws of the HKSAR. To ensure that the authorisation of the Central Authorities is duly implemented, the HKSARG is obliged to complete the relevant local legislative work before 31 July 2026.

The Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance was gazetted on 20 July 2026 and will come into effect on 31 July 2026, providing the legal basis for the HKSAR to establish the Hong Kong Port Area at the Huanggang Port and to exercise jurisdiction over the area in accordance with the law. To facilitate the actual operation of the Hong Kong Port Area, the Government will also make various pieces of subsidiary legislation for matters concerning the administration of the Hong Kong Port Area as a closed area, the designation of detention facilities, supporting arrangements for traffic and transport management, and provision of public mobile radiocommunications services, etc. After the Ordinance has been gazetted, the Government will make the various relevant pieces of subsidiary legislation in accordance with the established procedures, ensuring that they come into operation simultaneously with the commissioning of the Hong Kong Port Area on 31 July 2026. The subsidiary legislation will thereafter be tabled before the LegCo for negative vetting at its first meeting after the Council resumes. 

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, said, "The redevelopment of Huanggang Port is a key project through which the HKSARG proactively aligns with the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, better integrates into and serves the overall development of the country, and advances the connectivity of infrastructure in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. At the same time, Huanggang Port is also an important project to improve people's livelihood. Getting the Port ready for a smooth opening at an early date is the expectation of the general public and the common goal of the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, so as to facilitate cross-boundary travel and the two-way flow of people between the two places. The Ordinance provides a solid legal basis for the HKSAR to establish the Hong Kong Port Area at the Huanggang Port and exercise jurisdiction in accordance with the law, marking our full implementation of the NPCSC's Decision and the State Council's Official Reply."

He continued, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the LegCo for the intensive and highly efficient scrutiny it has conducted since the introduction of the Bill into the LegCo on 15 July 2026. The House Committee held a special meeting yesterday (16 July 2026) to conduct nearly four hours of thorough and in-depth discussion on the Bill and the relevant subsidiary legislation, and the LegCo also convened a special meeting today (17 July 2026) to resume the Second Reading debate on the Bill. I am particularly grateful to the President of the LegCo, the Hon Starry Lee, the Chairman of the House Committee, the Hon Chan Chun-ying, and all LegCo Members for their full support. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the team of the LegCo Secretariat for their hard work."

The redeveloped Huanggang Port will implement the colocation arrangement and the novel "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode to further enhance the passenger clearance experience and efficiency. The clearance time at the redeveloped Huanggang Port will be significantly reduced from around 30 minutes at the existing Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port to approximately five minutes. The design flow of the redeveloped Huanggang Port will increase to 200 000 passenger trips per day, and could be further increased to about 300 000 upon the future commissioning of the Northern Link Spur Line of the MTR Corporation Limited. 

The smooth passage of the Bill has created favourable conditions for the early opening of the Port. With the official establishment of the Hong Kong Port Area, the HKSARG and the Shenzhen side will be able to fully commence the subsequent preparatory work, including a series of joint system tests, trials and drills, to ensure that all facilities and operational arrangements are sound, comprehensive, and ready, with a view to enabling the Huanggang Port to be officially open to the public at an early date for the benefit of residents of both places.

The HKSARG will continue to work closely with the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government to press ahead with the various preparatory tasks at full steam. Upon confirmation by both sides that the Port is ready for safe and smooth operation, the Governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong will finalise the official opening date of the Huanggang Port and make timely announcements to the public.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202607/17/P2026071700638.htm.

Legislation on comprehensive smoking ban on construction sites takes effect

Taking effect on 17 July 2026, the Construction Sites (Safety) (Amendment) Regulation 2026, the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2026 and the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) (Specification of Authorities and Public Officers) (Amendment) Notice 2026 impose clear legal obligations on principal contractors and subcontractors of construction sites and any persons on construction sites that smoking is prohibited on all construction sites, to reduce fire risks and safeguard the safety of workers and the public.

All types of construction sites, including those for building repair, maintenance or renovation, are designated as no smoking areas, except for domestic premises or private quarters that are being occupied by their residents for residential purposes.
  
Occupational Safety Officers (OSOs) of the Labour Department (LD) have been empowered to carry out enforcement work related to all smoking offences on construction sites. OSOs will immediately issue a fixed penalty notice without prior warning to any person who does a smoking act on a construction site. Offenders are liable to a fixed fine of $3,000.
      
Contractors and subcontractors of construction sites shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no person uses a naked light for lighting, smokes or carries a lighted smoking product on a construction site. Offenders are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000.
      
The LD has launched a series of publicity and education initiatives over the past few months to enable the construction industry and the public to understand the requirements of the smoking ban on construction sites. These include disseminating relevant information through placing advertisements on mobile applications, bus bodies and at MTR stations, broadcasting a promotional video through television and social media platforms, broadcasting promotional messages on radio stations, and disseminating relevant information through seminars. The LD will continue to raise the law-abiding awareness of contractors, subcontractors, workers and members of the public through diverse promotional channels. The LD will also maintain ongoing communication with the construction industry to exchange views on reasonable steps that can be taken to enforce a smoking ban on construction sites, thereby assisting contractors in complying with the legislation and improving fire safety on construction sites.
      
Moreover, the LD has been collaborating with law enforcement departments responsible for the prohibition of smoking in designated areas to ensure smooth law enforcement regarding implementation of the aforementioned legislative amendments. The LD will also continue to work with the Department of Health, the Primary Healthcare Commission and other relevant organisations to promote a smoke-free culture through seminars and exhibitions, and support individuals in need of quitting smoking.
      
Meanwhile, the LD will soon issue revised codes of practices (CoPs) on scaffolding, including setting out the material requirements for scaffolding toe-boards to ensure the materials used are of sufficient strength to prevent workers and objects from falling from scaffolds, while also reducing fire risks. Moreover, CoPs will outline the requirements for protective screens in accordance with the relevant requirements in Practice Note for Registered Contractors 85, further ensuring that the protective materials meet the required fire retardant performance standards.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202607/17/P2026071600302.htm.

Hong Kong and Nigeria enter into tax pact

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, had an online bilateral meeting on 13 July 2026 with the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy of Nigeria, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, and signed on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with the Government of Nigeria.

At the meeting, Mr Hui highlighted to Mr Oyedele the latest developments of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, including its top-tier global positions in areas such as cross-boundary wealth management, global competitiveness and tax policy. Besides, with a view to developing Hong Kong into a global gold trading, clearing, and reserve hub, the Government recently commenced the trial operation of Hong Kong's new central clearing and settlement system for gold, together with a suite of targeted initiatives aiming to build a modern and full-chain gold trading ecosystem.

Mr Hui said, "Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and its gross domestic product ranks third on the continent. Nigeria is a participant in the Belt and Road Initiative and an important trading partner of Hong Kong in Africa. As I pointed out earlier, the continued expansion of our CDTA network, especially with economies along the Belt and Road, provides Hong Kong-based enterprises with greater tax certainty and avoidance of double taxation when expanding their business overseas. This can encourage corporations to centralise their fund management, asset allocation and risk management in Hong Kong. This is the 59th CDTA that Hong Kong has concluded and also the fourth one this year. We will continue to step up our efforts in this regard, aiming to create a more attractive business and investment environment."

This CDTA sets out the allocation of taxing rights between Hong Kong and Nigeria. In accordance with this CDTA, any tax paid by Hong Kong residents in Nigeria will be allowed as a credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the same income, subject to the provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO). Moreover, Nigeria's withholding tax rates for Hong Kong residents on dividends and interest, and for Hong Kong companies on royalties, which are currently at 10 per cent, will be reduced to 7.5 per cent.

The CDTA will come into force after completion of ratification procedures by both sides. In Hong Kong, the Chief Executive in Council will make an order under the IRO, which will be tabled at the LegCo for negative vetting. Details are available on the Inland Revenue Department's website.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202607/13/P2026071300526.htm.

Toll waiver and LPG fuel subsidy for commercial vehicles to end on 16 July 2026 and 30 July 2026 respectively as scheduled

The Inter-departmental Task Force on Monitoring Fuel Supply announced on 13 July 2026 that the two-month toll waiver and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel subsidy for commercial vehicles will end at 11.59pm on 16 July 2026 and 11.59pm on 30 July 2026 respectively as scheduled.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202607/13/P2026071300601.htm.

Rates and Government rent due 31 July 2026

Demands for rates and/or Government rent for the quarter from July to September 2026 have been issued, and payment should be made by 31 July 2026.

The demands have reflected the rates concession for this quarter, subject to a ceiling of $500 for each rateable tenement. Any unused concession cannot be used to offset outstanding rates in other quarters. There is no concession for Government rent.

Payment can be made:

(1) by using autopay, the Faster Payment System (FPS), PPS, Internet banking or bank automated teller machines (ATMs);
 
(2) by uploading an e-Cheque/e-Cashier Order via the Pay e-Cheque portal;
 
(3) by sending a crossed cheque to the Treasury, PO Box No. 28000, Sham Shui Po Post Office, Hong Kong (mail with insufficient postage will be rejected); or
 
(4) in person at any post office or designated convenience store in Hong Kong (i.e. 7-Eleven, Circle K or U select). For the addresses and opening hours of post offices, please call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline on 2921 2222 or visit its website.

If payers have not received the demands, they may obtain replacement demands or enquire as to the amount payable by (i) visiting the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD)'s website; (ii) calling 2152 0111; (iii) faxing 2152 0113; or (iv) visiting the RVD, 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.
 
Non-receipt or late receipt of the demand does not alter the requirement that the total amount due must be paid by 31 July 2026. A surcharge of 5 per cent will be imposed for late payment. A further surcharge of 10 per cent will be levied on the amount (including the 5 per cent surcharge) which remains unpaid six months after the last day for payment.
 
For payment by autopay, the rates and/or Government rent will be debited from payers' bank accounts on 31 July 2026. Payers should ensure that there are sufficient funds in their bank accounts to meet the payments on that date until settlement.
 
To support environmental protection, payers are encouraged to utilise the RVD's free eRVD Bill service to receive e-bills and make payments, and to settle bills by autopay or other means of e-payment (e.g. FPS, PPS, Internet banking, e-Cheque/e-Cashier Order or ATMs) to save queuing time. Application forms for autopay can be obtained by downloading from the RVD's website, visiting the RVD, District Offices and banks or by calling 2152 0111.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202607/10/P2026070800704.htm.

2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter opens for enrolment (deadline: 20 August 2026)

The 2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter (MiCHK) is now open for enrolment. Hong Kong start-ups and SMEs intending to expand into the Mainland market are welcome to join the contest. The deadline for enrolment is 20 August 2026.
      
The MiCHK 2026 is jointly organised by the Digital Policy Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China, and the China International Cooperation Association of SMEs. It is formulated by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and the Angel Investment Foundation. For more details about the contest, please visit makerinchina.hk/.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202607/09/P2026070800630.htm.

Government welcomes passage of Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026

The Government welcomed the LegCo's passage of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 on 8 July 2026 to provide for the arrangement for the calculation and payment of stamp duty arising from transactions of dual-counter stocks conducted at the Renminbi (RMB) counter in RMB.

The Government spokesperson said, "The measure will allow investors to settle both their trades and the associated stamp duty in RMB at the same RMB counter. The arrangement is expected to increase the turnover and liquidity of the RMB counter, which in turn strengthens the role of RMB as an international investment currency."

The Amendment Ordinance was published in the Gazette on 17 July 2026. The new arrangements will commence on a day to be appointed separately by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury by notice published in the Gazette to facilitate the system preparations of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the industry and relevant government departments.
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202607/08/P2026070800289.htm.

 

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