Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
A woman who went missing in Sham Shui Po has been located.
Lung Wai-yan, aged 64, went missing after she was last seen on Cheung Sha Wan Road on May 6 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on May 28.
The woman was located in Tung Chau Street Park this afternoon (May 30). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $2.6 million (with photo)Issued at HKT 16:50
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 29) seized about 2 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine and 654 suspected “space oil drug” capsules with a total estimated market value of about $2.6 million in Tin Shui Wai. A 25-year-old man and a 29-year-old man were arrested.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tin Shui Wai yesterday, Customs intercepted two men. Customs officers later escorted them to a residential premises nearby for a search and seized the batch of suspected crack cocaine and suspected “space oil drug” capsules. A batch of suspected drug-packing paraphernalia and tools were also found therein. The two men were subsequently arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Residential Mortgage Survey Results for April 2025Issued at HKT 16:30
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the results of the residential mortgage survey for April 2025.
The number of mortgage applications in April decreased month-on-month by 7.8 per cent to 7 795.
Mortgage loans approved in April increased by 2.4 per cent compared with March to HK$25.3 billion. Among these, mortgage loans financing primary market transactions decreased by 7.5 per cent to HK$9.3 billion and those financing secondary market transactions increased by 17.6 per cent to HK$13.7 billion. Mortgage loans for refinancing decreased by 23.5% to HK$2.3 billion.
Mortgage loans drawn down during April increased by 7.7 per cent compared with March to HK$17.1 billion.
The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to HIBOR increased from 90.4 per cent in March to 91.8 per cent in April. The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to best lending rates decreased from 3.2 per cent in March to 2.3 per cent in April.
The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased month-on-month by 0.2 per cent to HK$1,881.9 billion at end-April.
The mortgage delinquency ratio stood at a low level of 0.13 per cent and the rescheduled loan ratio was unchanged at nearly 0 per cent.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hospital Authority releases Medication Safety Bulletin Issued at HKT 16:00
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The Hospital Authority (HA) today (May 30) published the biannual issue of the Medication Safety Bulletin (MSB). This issue focuses on etomidate, a drug that is commonly used in clinical practice to induce anaesthesia or to facilitate sedation. Recently, etomidate has been used illegally as a narcotic and is known as the space oil drug. Since etomidate has been upregulated as a Dangerous Drug, healthcare professionals should comply with relevant requirements on storage, issuance, etc, and maintain regular inspection. The latest issue also reminds healthcare professionals that the “On Long Term Steroid Replacement Alert” has been implemented in the Clinical Management System to safeguard patients receiving longterm hydrocortisone replacement therapy. In addition, the Kowloon Central Cluster shares its experience in enhancing dispensing accuracy with the implementation of the Pick-to-light system in the General Outpatients Clinics. The publication has already been posted on the HA homepage for sharing with healthcare staff. Members of the public are also welcome to browse its content at the following link: www.ha.org.hk/msb. The MSB is published every six months, during the last week of May and November. The next issue will be published in November 2025.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today attended the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Ministerial Meeting, aimed at strengthening regional collaboration on the development of information and communications technology, in Tokyo, Japan.
Whilst in Tokyo, the commerce chief also took the opportunity to meet Japanese political and business leaders.
Speaking at a discussion session at the ministerial meeting, Mr Yau spoke about Hong Kong’s efforts in building sustainable and accessible information and communications technology infrastructure, and its commitment to a more inclusive and resilient digital future.
Mr Yau said in the wake of the full liberalisation of its telecommunications market in 2003, Hong Kong’s telecommunications sector has become one of the most advanced, open, and dynamic markets globally.
He highlighted that Hong Kong leads the world on mobile voice affordability, ranks second globally on mobile broadband affordability, and is seventh on fixed broadband affordability. The city’s 5G availability also ranks first in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Yau emphasised that Hong Kong’s robust infrastructure provides a strong foundation for sustainable telecommunications development, including future 6G deployment and other cutting-edge services.
The 6G Global Summit held in Hong Kong earlier this month, which was the summit’s first edition in the Asia-Pacific region, also focused support for 6G development.
With regard to innovation and technology (I&T), Mr Yau explained that the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint, promulgated in 2022, set out clear development directions and strategies including, including accelerated development of new digital infrastructure.
He added that artificial intelligence (AI) opens up vast new opportunities for global economic development and scientific research, and that Hong Kong is developing its AI ecosystem on various fronts. This include the launch of the AI Supercomputing Centre at Cyberport to meet demand for high-performance computing power.
Mr Yau said Hong Kong will continue to work hand in hand with APT members and other stakeholders to advance sustainable infrastructure and promote eco-friendly information and communications technology for a connected future.
Meanwhile, Mr Yau also paid a courtesy call on Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League Chairman and House of Councillors Member Jimi Hanako to update her on Hong Kong’s latest economic and trade developments.
Upon arriving in Tokyo yesterday, Mr Yau paid a courtesy call on Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Miyaji Takuma.
Noting the close bilateral relations between the two places, Mr Yau updated Mr Miyaji on Hong Kong’s robust economic developments on various fronts under the “one country, two systems” principle, and solicited Japan’s support for Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Mr Yau also met Japan Association of Corporate Executives representatives to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages and investment opportunities.
The commerce chief will return to Hong Kong tomorrow after the APT Ministerial Meeting concludes.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Regarding an acute gastroenteritis incident involving three oncologists at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), having completed its investigation, confirmed today that the illnesses of the three doctors were not related.
On February 10, the CHP received a notification from PMH that three doctors in its oncology department had developed acute gastroenteritis symptoms, and one of them unfortunately passed away on February 7.
PMH’s preliminary investigation revealed that a stool sample from one of the doctors, who had mild symptoms, tested positive for Shiga toxin genes by nucleic acid testing. Hence, the hospital suspected that the cluster might be associated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection.
The CHP immediately conducted a comprehensive epidemiological investigation with the help of an expert team led by Hong Kong University Chair of Infectious Diseases Prof Yuen Kwok-yung.
For the doctor suspected of having a STEC infection but with mild symptoms, the CHP found that the bacterial culture of the doctor’s stool sample did not grow any viable STEC bacteria.
Additionally, the CHP collected 34 environmental samples as well as 27 food samples from the oncology department and relevant food premises at PMH, all of which were negative for STEC.
The CHP also enhanced surveillance on the oncology department’s staff, and detected no other related cases.
Based on the available information, apart from confirming that there was no STEC outbreak in PMH’s oncology department, the CHP determined that there was no linkage between the illnesses of the three doctors.
Concerning the doctor’s cause of death, PMH’s pathology department conducted an autopsy and pathological examination, but the post-mortem examination could not determine the exact cause of the pathological changes that led to his death.
Separately, experts from the Hong Kong University Department of Microbiology detected group C rotavirus in various tissue samples of the deceased using nucleic acid testing. However, the virus was not detected in the stool samples of the other two doctors.
The experts were of the view that the initial acute gastroenteritis in the late doctor was caused by group C rotavirus. They also said that the direct relationship between group C rotavirus and the cause of death was uncertain, while other contributing factors could not be ruled out.
According to the Hospital Authority, there have been no deaths from rotavirus infection in public hospitals in the past 10 years, the CHP added.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 30) following up on a confirmed case of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) involving a secondary school student and reminds members of the public to seek medical advice promptly if they have symptoms, such as persistent cough, blood in sputum, weight loss, fever and night sweating. Those diagnosed with TB should follow their doctor’s instructions and complete the entire course of anti-TB treatment.
On May 14, the CHP received a notification from Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) that an 18-year-old male secondary school student with good past health had attended QEH the previous day (May 13) due to shortness of breath, persistent cough, blood in sputum, fever and weight loss. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment on the same day. His sputum specimen tested positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient did not receive Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine as recommended by the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme.
The patient was discharged against medical advice on May 25. He was referred to the CHP’s Chest Clinic for follow-up as he needed to continue receiving directly observed treatment. He attended the Chest Clinic on May 26 for consultation and received one dose of anti-TB treatment, but did not continue to attend as scheduled. Medical staff of the Chest Clinic repeatedly reminded the patient and his family of the importance of continuing the treatment. Since the patient has only received anti-TB treatment for a short period of time, discontinuing the treatment would worsen the infection, increase the risk of transmission and emergence of drug-resistant TB, posing a public health threat. Given the above, the CHP issued an Isolation Order today and the patient was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation and treatment.
The CHP is arranging screening for teachers, staff and students of the same grade as the patient at the school. No other cases of infection have been recorded so far.
“TB is an airborne disease. When a TB patient coughs or sneezes, small droplets containing the tubercle bacilli are generated and spread in the air. If another person breathes in these small airborne droplets, he or she may be infected with the germ. However, prolonged exposure is usually the prerequisite for the disease to be effectively transmitted. Members of the public should always be vigilant against TB and adopt a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, avoid smoking and alcohol, and have suitable exercise and adequate rest to minimise the chance of contracting the disease. BCG vaccine is effective in preventing serious cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (such as TB meningitis). Parents should arrange for their children under 15 who have not received the BCG vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
People with symptoms such as persistent cough, blood in sputum, weight loss, fever and night sweating should seek prompt medical advice. Early identification of TB cases and prompt initiation of anti-TB treatment remain the mainstay of TB control. The Chest Clinics under the CHP provide TB patients with free outpatient consultation and treatment. If TB disease is diagnosed, the patient should strengthen their respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, and receive TB treatment under the doctor’s advice.
The CHP will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate actions.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs has appointed three new members to the Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony (CPRH), a Government spokesman announced today (May 30). Three incumbent members have also been reappointed to the Committee in the same appointment exercise. Their term of office will run from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2027.
The following is a list of the non-official members of the CPRH:
New members:
Ms Zareenah Ho Sau-yin
Ms Jody Kwok Fu-yung
Ms Kalsoom Syed
Reappointed incumbent members:
Mr Zaman Minhas Qamar
Ms Himeshika Samaradivakara
Mr Deep Singh Vinner
Other incumbent members:
Mr Mohammad Ilyas
Mr Vishal Melwani
Mr Syed Mohammed Mohiuddin
Mrs Marina Rai
Ms Tika Rana
Mr Baljinder Singh
Mr Yeung Tsz-hei
Mr Eric Yuon Fuk-lung
The CPRH is a non-statutory advisory body set up to advise the Government on matters relating to fostering racial harmony in the community and to enhance mutual understanding among people of different ethnic origins. Chaired by the Deputy Director of Home Affairs, the Committee includes representatives from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Labour Department and the Information Services Department. The Race Relations Unit of the Home Affairs Department provides secretariat support to the Committee.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Japanese medical and life science companies join business mission to understand Hong Kong’s investment environment and explore business opportunities
This is the fourth sector-specific business mission organised by InvestHK and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) in recent years, following the last innovation and technology mission in May 2024, and two food and beverage missions, which were held in February 2025 and April 2023 respectively.
Tying in with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Asia Summit on Global Health and the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair 2025, on May 26 and 27, the delegation attended a series of visits, themed seminars, networking sessions, as well as business matching meetings with potential investors, investees and business partners.
At the welcome dinner held on May 26, the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “With the highest life expectancy in the world, Hong Kong has proven itself as a hub of healthcare excellence and technological innovation. Home to two of the world’s top 30 medical schools, a first-class research talent pool, and globally recognised clinical trial data, our city is a powerhouse for biotech advancement.”
On May 27, the delegates visited the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to attend a briefing session on the business environment and opportunities available in Hong Kong, followed by a tour of the HKSTP’s Japanese tenants’ lab and other facilities. The delegates then attended a networking dinner organised by InvestHK.
Issued at HKT 14:45
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Framework agreement on co-operation in Mirs Bay pilotage between Hong Kong and Shenzhen renewed
The purpose of the framework agreement is to enhance the navigational safety of vessels in the waters of Mirs Bay and to improve the efficiency of vessels calling at the Shenzhen East Port Area. The framework agreement specifies the scope of pilotage services for vessels, pilot deployment, charging arrangements, pilot management and entry/exit arrangements. According to the framework agreement, vessels that are required to be under compulsory pilotage as stipulated in the laws of both Hong Kong and Shenzhen will be piloted by a single Hong Kong or Shenzhen qualified pilot throughout the entire voyage to or from the Shenzhen East Port Area through Mirs Bay, and the service will be charged once. Compared with the previous requirement for vessels to be guided by pilots from Hong Kong and Shenzhen in separate segments, the pilotage co-operation arrangement effectively reduces operating costs of shipping and port entities, and improves the efficiency and safety of pilotage operations.
A spokesperson for the MD said, “Since the initial signing of the framework agreement in 2022, the pilotage co-operation in Mirs Bay between Hong Kong and Shenzhen has been smooth and efficient, and well-received by the trade. Therefore, we welcome the renewal of the framework agreement with Shenzhen in order to continue to provide convenience for the trade in marine transportation, deepen co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in pilotage services, as well as foster the high-quality development of ports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”
Issued at HKT 14:00
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