Hong Kong News Today: Overview of Economic Development, Labor Welfare, and Social Safety
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po briefed the Legislative Council Panel on Financial Affairs today on the latest economic situation in Hong Kong. He noted that the government is closely monitoring the impact of the global economic environment on Hong Kong and is committed to promoting stable local economic growth. Meanwhile, the Minimum Wage Commission announced that the next review of the statutory minimum wage level will be completed by the end of February 2027 at the latest, a task of great significance for protecting the rights and interests of grassroots workers.
Regarding food safety, the Centre for Food Safety discovered during routine monitoring that a sample of follow-up formula for young children may contain heat-stable toxins produced by Bacillus cereus. The Centre took immediate action, requesting the relevant merchants to stop sales and recall the affected products to ensure the dietary safety of infants and young children. Parents should pay attention to the relevant information and avoid letting young children consume this specific formula.
In law enforcement, Hong Kong Customs detected a case of drug trafficking via passenger luggage at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday, seizing approximately five kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a market value of about HK$900,000. Additionally, the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts last week fined three owners nearly HK$130,000 in total for failing to comply with removal orders. The government reminds all owners that they must comply with the Buildings Ordinance and promptly address unauthorized building works.
To maintain public health and safety, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is stepping up inspections of dog licenses starting today to ensure that dog owners regularly vaccinate their pets against rabies and obtain valid licenses. Regarding outdoor activity safety, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced that a red flag has been hoisted at Shek O Beach due to big waves, reminding the public not to swim there to avoid danger.
In vocational training and social order, the Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department is now accepting applications for training courses from July to September 2026, aiming to enhance the safety awareness of working individuals. Separately, staff at Pik Uk Correctional Institution successfully stopped an incident yesterday where ten inmates attacked two others. The injured individuals have received medical examinations, and the Correctional Services Department emphasized that illegal acts will be dealt with severely.
Finally, the Civil Aid Service (CAS) Cadet Corps held the "CAS Cadet Corps Prize Presentation Ceremony 2026" yesterday. The Director of Government Logistics, Ms. Kwok Wong Wing-ki, attended the ceremony to commend cadets for their outstanding performance over the past year and encouraged young people to develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility through participation in social services to contribute to society.