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Hong Kong Legislative Council Approves Temporary Diesel Subsidy; Kai Tak Hospital to Begin Outpatient Services in October
Legislative Council Approves Temporary Diesel Subsidy to Combat Rising Fuel Costs
The Hong Kong Legislative Council Finance Committee has approved an application for a temporary diesel subsidy of HKD 1.8 billion. This measure aims to assist industries affected by rising fuel prices due to recent tensions in the Middle East. The subsidy will be provided over a two-month period to sectors that rely on diesel fuel. Michael Wong, Acting Financial Secretary, expressed deep concern for small and medium-sized enterprises and emphasized the government's commitment to strictly safeguarding public funds. He stated that the government would dynamically assess the needs of various industries and consider further support if necessary.
Kai Tak Hospital to Launch Services, Cross-Strait Leaders Advocate for Peaceful Development
The new Kai Tak Hospital is slated to begin providing general and specialist outpatient services in October, with its second phase, including inpatient and emergency room services, expected to commence in 2028. The hospital will offer a range of primary care services, including family medicine and specialized outpatient clinics. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Eric Chu, Chairman of the Kuomintang, in Beijing to discuss cross-strait relations. Xi Jinping affirmed that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of one large family. He stressed the importance of adhering to the '1992 Consensus' and opposing 'Taiwan independence' as a political foundation for promoting peaceful cross-strait development. He added that the future of cross-strait relations rests in the hands of the Chinese people.
Smooth Operation of Hong Kong Taxi Electronic Payment System
The Hong Kong Transport Department announced that starting this month, taxis must offer at least two electronic payment methods: one QR code-based and one non-QR code electronic payment option. Guo Huiying, Deputy Commissioner for Transport, reported that the overall operation has been smooth so far. She noted that approximately 49,000 taxi drivers have registered on the Octopus payment platform. The department aims to continuously improve services to provide passengers with a convenient and smart travel experience.
*Source: YouTube: RTHK (2026-04-10)*
