Two property owners fined over $230,000 for not complying with removal orders
Two owners were convicted and fined $234,500 in total yesterday (June 23) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).
The first case involved an unauthorised structure of about 22 square metres on the roof of a residential building on San Fung Avenue, Sheung Shui. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner had been prosecuted by the BD and was fined a total of $9,700 upon conviction by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the second time, and was fined $155,700 in total, of which $95,700 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts.
The Fanling Magistrates' Courts, the Fanling Law Courts Building
The second case involved structures on the external wall and approved canopy, a metal gate obstructing the means of escape, and door openings formed in the staircase enclosure wall, at a composite building on Jordan Road, Yau Ma Tei. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, and they obstructed the means of escape and means of access for firefighting and rescue as well as affecting the fire-resisting construction of the building, contravening the Building (Planning) Regulations and the Building (Construction) Regulation, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner had been prosecuted by the BD and was fined a total of $27,000 upon conviction by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the second time, and was fined $78,800 in total, of which $58,800 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts.
The Buildings Department, Photo source: reference image
A spokesman for the BD said today (June 24), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take stringent enforcement action and instigate prosecutions against owners again if they persist in not complying with removal orders to ensure building and public safety."
Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
Source: AI-found images
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) led its first New Energy and Sustainability Mission to the United Kingdom (UK) from June 16 to 24 (London time), co-organised with the UK's Department for Business and Trade, to champion Hong Kong as the premier launch pad for Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland green tech companies going global, while attracting UK clean tech firms and investors to the city.
Led by the Global Head of Financial Services, Fintech and Sustainability of InvestHK, Mr King Leung, and accompanied by the Senior Vice President (Sustainability) for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship of InvestHK, Ms Olivia To, the delegation represented the full breadth of Hong Kong's new energy and green tech ecosystem, bringing together 25 companies - spanning listed, pre-IPO (initial public offering) and start-up businesses alongside active investors. Backed by two ecosystem partners, namely the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, this assembly brought together deep expertise across areas such as battery and energy storage, renewable energy and hydrogen, smart electric vehicle infrastructure, new materials and AI. The Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO), Miss Fiona Chau, also participated in part of the delegation's visit.
In Scotland, delegates explored the UK's energy transition at scale, with the itinerary deliberately tracing the journey from heavy industry decarbonisation to next-generation clean energy. Visits to major green industrial clusters and Forth Green Freeport sites in the Edinburgh and Aberdeen areas - the heart of the UK's pivot from North Sea oil and gas to clean energy and hydrogen - offered a live case study in cluster reinvention potentially relevant to Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), while engagements with the representatives from the University of Edinburgh and the City of Edinburgh Council opened strategic dialogues on offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture.
The delegation timed its London leg to coincide with London Climate Action Week, one of the largest gatherings of its kind globally and a magnet for the policymakers, investors and innovators shaping the net-zero agenda. At Reset Connect London - the UK's premier sustainability and green investment event - representatives from four companies scaling operations across bilateral markets took to the stage to profile Hong Kong's green tech credentials and their own solutions before an international audience of capital allocators. These companies and investors are now planning to scale up their investments and project rollouts in both Hong Kong and the UK. The delegation also attended the Octopus Energy Tech Summit and met with their China market representatives to explore collaboration.
InvestHK also cohosted networking receptions in Edinburgh and London on June 19 and 23 respectively, alongside the London ETO. Attended by delegates, local partners, and industry stakeholders, these initiatives aimed to turn the connections built during the tour into practical and productive opportunities.
Mr Leung said, "As both economies pivot toward net zero, the synergistic alignment between Hong Kong and the UK has never been clearer. Hong Kong and London are the world's pre-eminent green finance centre, and Hong Kong is Asia's ultimate 'super connector', uniquely bridging the Chinese Mainland green tech enterprises with global markets under the 'one country, two systems' framework. This mission is the practical infrastructure of that bridge, connecting patient capital, technology partners and corporate buyers to drive real commercial outcomes, and demonstrating how Hong Kong serves as the launch pad for companies scaling into the US$2 trillion GBA and the wider region."
The Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the InvestHK London Office, Ms Daisy Ip, added, "This mission highlights InvestHK's evolving role, from attracting capital, talent and standards into Hong Kong to actively supporting companies as they go global. Our delegates raised their profile alongside the InvestHK team at the UK's leading sustainability forums, while UK clean tech firms, investors and research institutions saw first-hand the strength of Hong Kong's green finance and innovation ecosystem. Through InvestHK's extensive global network, we are committed to facilitating these two-way opportunities."
The Director General for Trade and Investment, British Consulate General Hong Kong, Mr Chris Woodward, said, "Few partnerships are as complementary as the UK and Hong Kong on the net-zero transition. Britain's strengths in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture are matched by Hong Kong's unrivalled ability to mobilise capital and open doors across the GBA and Asia. That is what makes this delegation so valuable. It puts UK clean tech firms, investors and researchers directly in front of the companies and capital that can scale British innovation regionally. We were delighted to cohost a mission that turns shared climate ambition into tangible commercial outcomes."
The Director of Europe at RelyEZ, Ms Michelle Cross, said, "As a global integrated energy service provider spanning project development, proprietary R&D (research and development), and equipment manufacturing, the company has deployed over 200 global projects worldwide, with a total storage capacity of 13 GWh to date. We see Hong Kong as the natural bridge between Chinese energy-storage capabilities and international markets. We are building the city into our global financing headquarters and the platform through which international capital can access high-quality energy transition assets worldwide - drawing on its capital markets, professional expertise and connectivity to the GBA. This mission demonstrates how that ecosystem can connect directly with UK and European partners, capital and policymakers to turn shared ambition into lasting partnerships."
InvestHK remains at the forefront of cementing Hong Kong's status as Asia's pre-eminent hub for green technology and sustainable finance. By driving targeted initiatives like the Energy and Sustainability Mission, the department acts as a critical catalyst, connecting UK clean tech innovators, investors, and research institutions into Hong Kong's dynamic ecosystem, while empowering Mainland and local enterprises to scale globally. Backed by a robust financial architecture, world-class universities for R&Ds and professional services, and seamless connectivity to the US$2 trillion GBA and broader Asian markets, Hong Kong continues to reinforce its position as a unique launch pad for cross-border sustainability collaboration and commercial growth.
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK leads first dedicated new energy and sustainability delegation to UK to drive bilateral green investment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
