Hong Kong Academy of Finance admits participants to Financial Leaders Programme 2026
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Academy of Finance (AoF) announced the admission of 22 senior executives to the Financial Leaders Programme (FLP) 2026 today (March 24). The 22 participants represent a diverse spectrum of financial sub-sectors, including banking, insurance, investment banking and asset management, professional services, and financial regulatory bodies.
The AoF launched the FLP in 2022, with the aim to inspire and nurture the next generation of senior financial leaders for Hong Kong. The FLP equips participants with a leadership mindset, enhances their understanding of financial issues from macro and systemic perspectives, and expands their professional networks. It also provides a unique platform for participants to engage in dialogue with top leaders in financial services and other sectors.
The FLP admits senior executives from diverse backgrounds who are typically one or two levels below the Chief Executive Officer position. A total of 86 participants from nearly 50 public and private institutions have graduated from the past four cohorts, forming a robust pool of financial leadership for Hong Kong.
The FLP 2026 was open for applications from November 12 to December 14, 2025, receivingenthusiastic response and many high-quality applications. Following a competitive selection process, the Membership Committee of the AoF approved the admission of 22 applicants.
Further information about the FLP and the 2026 cohort are available on the AoF website.
Photo source: aof.org.hk
FEHD combats unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (March 23) that the department has carried out a series of blitz operations across the territory over the past weekend, targeting unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food, with particular focus on crowded areas such as locations where foreign domestic helpers gather. During the operations, FEHD officers arrested four foreign nationals in Central/Western District, Wan Chai District, and Mong Kok District for suspected illegal hawking and causing obstruction in public places. A total of seven prosecutions were initiated. As it is suspected that the individuals involved have also contravened the Immigration Ordinance, the cases have been referred to the Immigration Department for follow-up.
The spokesman said that about 150 kilograms of food items, including desserts, grilled fish, fried snacks, lunch boxes, sauces and instant beverages, were seized during the operations. To safeguard food safety and maintain environmental hygiene, the FEHD will continue to adopt an intelligence-led approach, deploying flexible enforcement strategies, stepping up inspections at high-risk locations, and conducting blitz operations. FEHD officers also distributed leaflets to foreign domestic helpers, reminding them not to engage in unlicensed hawking and explaining the relevant laws and consequences of violations.
The FEHD has long adopted a balanced approach in handling the issue of unlicensed hawkers. However, if the sale of cooked food, food from unknown sources, expired items, or food that is prohibited or restricted for sale is involved, the department will take stringent enforcement actions, including immediate arrests without prior warning, to safeguard food safety and public health. In the first two months of this year, the FEHD initiated 28 prosecutions against such violations and seized over 240 kg of food items in question.
According to the relevant ordinances, unlicensed hawking is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment. If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction of passageways, offenders may be fined $25,000 or imprisoned for three months. In addition, any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi and sushi) without permission or sells expired food commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
The FEHD urges members of the public not to patronise food from unknown sources or illegal street hawkers. The public may report hawkers selling suspicious food to the FEHD. Immediate follow-up actions will be taken.
The FEHD reaffirmed its commitment to relentlessly curbing unlicensed hawking activities, particularly when it involves food sales, and called on the public to work together to safeguard food safety and environmental hygiene.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) carried out a series of blitz operations across the territory over the past weekend, targeting unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food, with particular focus on crowded areas such as locations where foreign domestic helpers gather. Photo shows the food seized by the FEHD staff during the operations. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) carried out a series of blitz operations across the territory over the past weekend, targeting unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food, with particular focus on crowded areas such as locations where foreign domestic helpers gather. Photo shows the food seized by the FEHD staff during the operations. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
