For enhancing customer experience and user-friendliness, we introduced the following features in December 2022, March and June 2023 respectively:

• The user interface of the desktop version of the IRIS Online Services was enhanced to provide better user experience;

• New function for searching land registers by map was introduced in the desktop version of the IRIS Online Services;

• “iAM Smart” was introduced for ad hoc and Self-service Search Terminal (SST) users to authenticate identity and login the IRIS Online Services such that the requirement for filling in the personal identification document number on the “Personal Information Collection Statement and Customer Confirmation Statement” page can be obviated. In addition, if the ad hoc and SST user authorises his/her “iAM Smart” account to provide his/her name to the IRIS Online Services, his/her name will be pre-filled on the page by the system. The same function was already introduced to subscribers in June 2021. By now, the “iAM Smart” is fully supported in the public search functions;

• New payment platform was adopted for online payment by VISA and Mastercard to enhance the security of online transactions for users;

• The functions of the mobile version of the IRIS Online Services was enhanced to provide similar functionality to that of the desktop version, e.g. enabling search by map and ordering of certified copies via the mobile version; and

• A new “Change Account Particulars” function for subscribers was introduced in the desktop version of the IRIS Online Services. Subscribers may update their account particulars in real time by this function.

The latest editions of the SI and CRT were released for sale on 28 April 2023. They are useful tools to help customers correlate property addresses, building names or lot numbers for conducting land searches.

In the new edition of the SI, 525 amendments with five new streets and 49 new lots/sections/subsections have been added. For the new edition of the CRT, 991 amendments have been made and nine new streets and 777 new lots/sections/subsections have been added.

The price of the SI and CRT on compact disc is HK$370 each. The respective licence fees are HK$2,960 for a computer network linked to less than 50 terminals and HK$5,920 if linked to 50 terminals or more. You can obtain the information leaflets and order forms here.

The SI and CRT are also available online on the LR website for free browsing. Both publications are also accessible through the hyperlink on the IRIS Online Services website.

We continue to actively pursue the implementation of the land title registration system on newly granted land first (“new land first” proposal). Further to receiving the support of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Development on the “new land first” proposal on 19 December 2022, a meeting of the Land Titles Ordinance Steering Committee, comprising representatives from key stakeholders and relevant Government departments, was held on 10 January 2023. At the meeting, we updated members on the latest developments and the implementation plan, of which the members were supportive.

We are making preparation for the legislative amendments to the Land Titles Ordinance (LTO) and aim to introduce the Land Titles (Amendment) Bill into the LegCo in early 2024, according to the latest planning. We will continue to engage key stakeholders to work out the implementation details and undertake other preparatory work.