Housing Secretary Mourns Passing of Dr. Donald Liao, Pioneer of Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong

Secretary for Housing expresses condolences over passing of Dr Donald Liao

The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, today (March 13) expressed sorrow over the passing of the former Secretary for Housing, the first Director of Housing, and the former Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Dr Donald Liao, and extends her deepest condolences to his family.

The former Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Dr Donald Liao, Photo source: online image

Dr Liao was the first Director of Housing from 1973 to 1980 and the Secretary for Housing from 1980 to 1985.

Ms Ho said, "I met Dr Liao for the first time when we were filming the documentary series which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the HA. My colleagues and I were instantly impressed by his warmth and care for the younger generations amid robust exchanges on public housing, architecture and design, as well as community planning.

"As the pioneer of the Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong, Dr Liao established the subsidised sale housing system to facilitate not only the turnover of public rental housing, but also encourage upward mobility for the grassroots families. At his young age, he took charge of the entire development projects of Ma Tau Wai Estate and Wah Fu Estate, where he had placed particular emphasis on the integration of public spaces, ancillary facilities and natural environments in public housing designs. Dr Liao's career journey in public housing has been an inspiration to our team and he will remain our role model as we continue to strive our best in the design of public housing.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Donald Liao and would like to express deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the Housing Bureau, the HA, and the Housing Department."

The Housing Authority (HA), Photo by Bastille Post

Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2026 gazetted

The Government today (March 13) published in the Gazette the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2026. The Notice seeks to update the safety standards for toys and four classes of children's products listed in Schedule 2 (Schedule 2 products) under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (Cap. 424).

The four classes of Schedule 2 products are (i) children's high chairs and multipurpose high chairs for domestic use, (ii) children's paints, (iii) playpens for domestic use, and (iv) wheeled child conveyances. The Notice will take effect on August 1, 2026.

The Ordinance stipulates that a person must not manufacture, import or supply a toy or a Schedule 2 product unless it complies with all the applicable requirements contained in any one of the safety standards (international standards or standards adopted by major economies) specified in Schedule 1 (applicable to toys) or Schedule 2 (applicable to Schedule 2 products). The Government keeps in view any updates or amendments to the safety standards to apply up-to-date and operative versions of the standards to toys and Schedule 2 products supplied in Hong Kong. The last updates to Schedules 1 and 2 came into operation in August 2025.

Photo source: Design image