Swire Properties’ “BOOKS FOR LOVE @ $10” Collection Drive Launches on 1 January 2026 Promoting mental wellness and family harmony through the joy of reading

Swire Properties’ much-loved annual charity initiative, “BOOKS FOR LOVE @ $10”, returns in January with a fresh focus – promoting mental wellness and strengthening family bonds through the simple yet powerful act of reading.

The month-long book collection kicks off on 1 January, with 45 drop-off points across Hong Kong. Book lovers are invited to donate their pre-loved books in good condition, helping to reduce waste while sharing the joy of reading with others.

The month-long book collection kicks off on 1 January, with 45 drop-off points across Hong Kong. Book lovers are invited to donate their pre-loved books in good condition, helping to reduce waste while sharing the joy of reading with others. Every book donation helps spread knowledge, love, and emotional wellbeing throughout the community.

Dedicated volunteers from Swire Properties Community Ambassadors, together with the two charity partners,will carefully sort the collected items to make it easier for book lovers to discover their favourites.

“BOOKS FOR LOVE @ $10” is sponsored by Swire Properties and co-organised by the Swire Properties Community Ambassador Programme, The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong (BGCA), and the Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS). Dedicated volunteers from the organisers will sort and prepare thousands of donated books for the upcoming online and in-person charity sale events.

An online pre-sale featuring a hand-picked selection of high-quality children’s books will run from 24 March to 14 April 2026.

An online pre-sale featuring a hand-picked selection of high-quality children’s books will run from 24 March to 14 April 2026. The highly anticipated eight-day charity book sale will take place in May 2026 at Taikoo Place, offering book lovers a chance to discover hidden treasures for just HKD10 each.

The highly anticipated eight-day charity book sale will take place in May 2026 at Taikoo Place, offering book lovers a chance to discover hidden treasures for just HKD10 each.

Now in its 14th year, “BOOKS FOR LOVE @ $10” has become one of Hong Kong’s most impactful community and cultural events. All proceeds from this year’s book sale will once again go to the “Treasure Trove” project led by BGCA, and AVS’ work to develop sustainable volunteerism.

The highly anticipated eight-day charity book sale will take place in May 2026 at Taikoo Place, offering book lovers a chance to discover hidden treasures for just HKD10 each.

This event also kicks off celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Swire Properties Community Ambassador Programme, with more volunteering and engagement activities planned throughout 2026.

FSTB issues progress update on work of Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime and related disciplinary investigation

The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) today (December 30) issued a progress update on the report of the Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime and the disciplinary investigation of the incident on procurement of bottled drinking water. An FSTB spokesman said that subsequent to the announcement and implementation of a series of quick-win measures in October to strengthen protection against fraudulent acts, the Task Force chaired by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, has been exploring further enhancement measures and has completed its review on the existing government procurement regime. The disciplinary investigation of the incident on procurement of bottled drinking water was also completed recently. The Government is studying the investigation report and consulting the Department of Justice to determine suitable disciplinary actions to be taken. Relevant results will be announced as soon as possible and are expected to be ready next month. The results will then be announced together with the Task Force report to conclude the incident.

Furthermore, the Government Logistics Department launched an open tender today for the contract to supply bottled drinking water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and parts of the outlying islands. Following new guidelines promulgated this October, this tender exercise has strengthened relevant requirements at various stages, including preparation of tender documents, tender evaluation and contract management, to help procurement officers guard against fraudulent acts more effectively and to select a supplier competent to ensure a stable supply of bottled drinking water in accordance with contract terms.

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