Month: August 2025

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Enterprises Cherish Water Campaign Awards Ceremony commends over 1 000 commercial and industrial organisations for water conservation (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) and the Green Council jointly organised the Enterprises Cherish Water Campaign (ECH2O) and held the 2nd ECH2O Awards Ceremony today (August 11) to commend the outstanding contributions to water conservation by the participating commercial and industrial organisations, their premises, and staff. Officiating guests at the ceremony included the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Green Council, Ms Linda Ho.

This campaign continues to receive enthusiastic support from the commercial and industrial sectors, with participation increasing from over 600 organisations or premises during the first campaign to more than 1 000 organisations during the current one. Since the campaign’s launch in 2022, all participating organisations or premises have achieved an aggregate reduction of total water consumption over these years amounting to about 1.6 million cubic metres, which is equivalent to 640 Olympic-size swimming pools.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr Wong said that under the impact of global climate change, extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent, and are placing unprecedented pressure on water resources management. The Government has implemented the Total Water Management Strategy, with an emphasis on strengthening water conservation and exploiting diversified water resources to ensure sustainable use of water resources. He highlighted that non-domestic water consumption accounts for about 40 per cent of fresh water consumption in Hong Kong, and most of it is closely related to use in commercial and industrial sectors. Active participation in the ECH2O is therefore crucial in driving water-saving efforts. He praised participating organisations for their innovative approaches, and for implementing various water-saving initiatives, with some even formulating 10-year water conservation plans, reflecting a forward-thinking commitment.

The ECH2O provides a collaborative platform for commercial and industrial organisations to cherish water together through various initiatives, including the signing of a charter, appointment of an ECH2O Manager, promotion and education, promoting the installation of water-saving devices and recognition programmes, etc, to encourage non-domestic consumers to reduce water consumption, thereby contributing to Hong Kong’s goal of moving towards a water-saving city.

The awards presented at this ceremony included the Grand Cherishing Water Promotion Award, Outstanding ECH2O Manager Award, and Grand Water Reuse and Recycling Award. The Cherishing Water Recognition Award and the Water Efficient Device Installation Commendation Scheme were also presented to encourage industry participation. The list of winners is available on the ECH2O website (www.greencouncil.org/ech2o).

     

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Import of poultry meat and products from Mid Devon District of Devon County in UK suspended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 11) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Mid Devon District of Devon County in the United Kingdom (UK), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 390 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 830 000 poultry eggs from the UK in the first six months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the British authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

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Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 11) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for July 2025.
 
     The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs increased from 41.6 in June 2025 in the contractionary zone to 42.1 in July 2025, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. August 2025) outlook DI on business receipts was 45.5.  Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts, despite below the 50-mark, rose in July 2025 as compared with previous month for many surveyed sectors, particularly for the real estate (from 44.2 to 46.2) and business services (from 43.5 to 44.8).
  
     The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades remained at 45.0 in July 2025, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. August 2025) was 47.0.
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that business sentiment among SMEs and their outlook in one month’s time both improved slightly in July. Meanwhile, the overall employment situation remained largely stable.
 
     Looking ahead, the elevated uncertainties in the external environment would continue to affect the local business sentiment. Nonetheless, the resilient local economy and steady economic growth in Asia, particularly in the Mainland, should provide support. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.
 
Further information
 
     The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to establishments with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent establishments in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.
 
     The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own establishments rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
 
     More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300).
 
     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk).

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Appeal for information on missing man in Hung Hom (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police today (August 11) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Hung Hom.
     
Yin Zihong, aged 51, went missing after he was last seen at MTR Hung Hom Station on August 9 night. His family then made a report to Police.
   
He is about 1.6 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of fat build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a green short-sleeved Polo Shirt, black jeans and black sport shoes.
     
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

     

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100 candidates for 2025 Election Committee Subsector By-elections and 10 nominees determined as validly nominated

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee (CERC) today (August 11) announced that the nomination of 100 candidates for the Election Committee (EC) Subsector By-elections and 10 nominations for EC members have been determined as valid. In addition, the CERC also determined eight registrations of ex-officio EC members as valid.
 
Candidates nominated for EC subsectors election
 
As regards the 93 vacancies in the EC membership to be returned by the 2025 EC Subsector By-elections, by the close of nominations on August 4, the Returning Officers (ROs) received a total of 101 nomination forms for candidates. Upon review, the CERC has determined 100 candidates as validly nominated. One candidate had passed away during the nomination period. The CERC thus determined his nomination as invalid in accordance with relevant electoral law.
 
Members returned by nominations for EC subsectors
 
As for the 10 members to be returned through supplementary nominations by designated bodies, the ROs received a total of eight nomination forms submitted by designated bodies, involving 11 nominees. According to section 12(2) of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure)(Election Committee) Regulation (Cap. 541I), the CERC is only required to determine the validity of nominations for the number that are necessary for filling the assigned seats of the subsector-concerned. In this connection, the CERC has determined 10 nominations, according to the priorities indicated by the designated bodies, are sufficient for filling the number of seats assigned to the subsectors. The CERC had not determined the eligibility of an additional nominee.
 
Registrations of ex-officio EC members
 
In accordance with section 5J of the Schedule to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (Cap. 569), a person holding a specified office under Part 2A of the Schedule may register as an ex-officio EC member. If the specified person concerned is not eligible to be registered as an ex-officio member or is the holder of more than one specified office, he/she may designate another person who is holding an office in a relevant body in relation to the specified office to be registered as an ex-officio member.
 
The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) has received eight registrations for ex-officio members. Upon review, the CERC has determined that these eight registrations are valid. The subsectors and specified offices involved are listed below:
 

Subsector Specified Office
Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape
  • the President of The Hong Kong Institute of Planners
  • the Chairman of the Community Involvement Committee on Greening
  • the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance and the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance
Engineering
  • the President of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
  • the Chairman of the Building Contractors Committee
  • the Chairman of the Lift and Escalator Safety Advisory Committee
Medical and health services
  • the Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Prince Philip Dental Hospital
Social welfare
  • the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of The United Labour Chi Hong Association Limited

 
The REO and respective ROs will inform all registrants for ex-officio members, nominees and candidates about the CERC’s determination. The relevant gazette notices, upon publication, will also be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk) and REO’s website.
 
The CERC is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, with three official members (Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak Mei-kuen) and three non-official members (Miss Elsie Leung Oi-sie, Mrs Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai and Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee). In accordance with Annex I to the Basic Law, the CERC is responsible for reviewing and confirming the eligibility of candidates for EC membership (including ex-officio members). The CERC decides whether such persons comply with the legal requirements and conditions of upholding the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and bearing allegiance to the HKSAR of the PRC.

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LCSD presents film screening programme “Cine Memories of the War of Resistance” (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCSD presents film screening programme “Cine Memories of the War of Resistance”  
     The film “Roar of the People” (1941) tells the story of the protagonist and a group of grassroots people joining the guerrillas against corrupt merchants who collude with military officials to embezzle war supplies and sell them to the enemy. In another film, “Ten Thousand Li Ahead” (1941), driver Ko Wah, who declines to transport ammunition for the enemy, and Siu-fung, who flees the war and comes to Hong Kong, steadfastly refuse to compromise their integrity for the sake of their livelihood. In the end, they return to the Mainland to contribute their efforts to the war of resistance. “Camel Caravan” (2012) tells the story of a group of armed escorts transporting war supplies to the front line, hunted down by a fast-shooting squad of enemy soldiers, who eventually succeed in delivering the supplies to the destination. “The Grass in Wind” (2015) tells the love stories between several men and women in an ancient town in northern Sichuan during the later stage of the war, as well as their longing for life and peace.
 
     Two documentaries will also be included. “Life Goes On” (2024) recounts the story of a group of university teachers and students in southern China who endure great hardships during the war, relocating to northern Guangdong and persevering in their educational pursuits despite adverse circumstances. “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” (2024) is about a Japanese cargo ship during the war period carrying a group of British prisoners of war, which was sunk by American forces. The Japanese soldiers escape and shoot the British prisoners of war. In the critical moment, a group of Chinese fishermen come to the rescue, braving gunfire.
 
     “Roar of the People”, “Ten Thousand Li Ahead” and “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” will be screened at the HKFA Cinema. Free tickets will be distributed from August 15 (Friday) at the HKFA information counter from 10am to 8pm on Mondays and from Wednesdays to Sundays. Each person can obtain up to two tickets for each screening, while stocks last. Limited walk-in tickets will be available. Members of the public may queue up at the HKFA’s 1/F Foyer 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can obtain one ticket on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last.
 
     “Camel Caravan”, “The Grass in Wind”, “Life Goes On” and “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” will be screened at the MWRCD, HKMH and HKHM. No advance ticket pick-up is required. Members of the public may queue up outside the screening venue 45 minutes before the screening begins. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited.
 
     The Southern Film Culture Foundation is the partner organisation of this film screening programme. For programme details, please visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2025/war-resistance/pe-event-2025-war-resistance.htmlIssued at HKT 14:00

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Mainland study aid scheme opens

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) 2025-26 is open for applications from Hong Kong students until October 13, the Education Bureau announced today.

 

The MUSSS covers 201 designated Mainland institutions, including 145 institutions participating in the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions for the 2025-26 academic year.

 

As the MUSSS is not subject to any quota, the Education Bureau expects that it will benefit most Hong Kong students who pursue undergraduate studies on the Mainland and have financial needs.

 

Students may apply for a means-tested subsidy or a non-means-tested subsidy. Both are disbursed based on the distance between Hong Kong and the locations of the Mainland institutions.

 

Furthermore, the aid is granted on a yearly basis, with the subsidised period covering the normal duration of the undergraduate programme concerned.

 

Applications have to be submitted via the MUSSS Electronic Application Platform or by post to the Education Bureau. The bureau plans to notify applicants of the results in phases from the first quarter of 2026.