Month: August 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun will depart tomorrow morning for Chengdu, where he will join in activities organised as part of a Mainland study tour under the Strive & Rise Programme, and meet Sichuan officials.

Mr Sun will visit Sichuan University along with the study tour participants and attend a welcome dinner for them.

He will also call on Sichuan provincial leaders, and meet officials from the Department of Civil Affairs and the Department of Human Resources & Social Security.

Mr Sun will return to Hong Kong on Tuesday afternoon.

In his absence, Under Secretary for Labour & Welfare Ho Kai-ming will be Acting Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle technology are driving smart construction in Hong Kong – and nowhere has this been more evident than in the Development Bureau’s pioneering use of drones in the management of a large construction site at Nui Po Shan.

The drones at the site – where existing sewage treatment facilities are being relocated to purpose-built underground caverns – have been deployed not only to capture photos and video, but also to record spatial data, enabling remote monitoring of progress and safety.

The deployment is one of the first pilot projects under the Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, who chairs the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy, commented when he inspected the project: “Low-altitude economy is a new concept in Hong Kong and the city should seize the opportunity to develop the initiative.”

High payload

Deputy Secretary for Development Tony Ho highlighted three key technological breakthroughs in the bureau’s drones, namely a high payload capacity, use of beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) with automatic operation flight technology and cutting-edge docking stations that allow for efficient battery management.

With regard to payload, the aircraft can carry up to 6kg, meaning that they can be equipped with a laser imaging, detection and ranging (LIDAR) scanner, as well as an infrared thermal imaging camera.

Mr Ho added that the bureau’s self-developed smart platform, “SmartEye”, analyses the data collected by comparing images over time to measure soil and rock volumes, slope gradient, the verticality of structures, and more.

“For example, if we are excavating a 45-degree slope, we can use the data to verify if the excavation matches the required gradient. This allows us to detect early, follow up timely and resolve issues early.”

Enhanced efficiency

Explaining the benefits of BVLOS technology, Mr Ho said it has allowed the bureau to achieve automated operation of its drones.

“This allows unmanned aircraft to follow pre-determined flight paths and monitor construction sites at scheduled times. As a result, operators can manage multiple drones simultaneously across different sites.”

Moreover, with longer flights requiring greater endurance, the bureau’s advanced docking stations – which enable drone batteries to be replaced automatically in about a minute – make a huge difference.

“This innovation not only prevents interruptions from long charging times, but also cuts down on labour costs associated with battery management. As a result, the endurance of the drones is greatly enhanced, enabling continuous operations and broader coverage.”

Extensive applicability

The bureau aims to achieve three goals through its participation in the Government’s Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Projects – namely to leverage drones for site management, for asset management and also for emergency response operations.

The Civil Engineering & Development Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Water Supplies Department will implement the technology across 12 pilot sites, including the Yuen Long Kam Tin River and reservoirs.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart tonight on a visit to New Zealand and Australia to promote Hong Kong’s business environment.

Mr Yau will also update the two countries’ political and business sectors on developments in Hong Kong with a view to forging closer economic and trade relationships.

During his trip, he will meet local trade representatives to promote Hong Kong’s advantages as a wine and liquor trading hub.

Additionally, he will officiate at a reception to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Sydney.

Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on August 16. In his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 8) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.4 million.

A female passenger, aged 63, arrived in Hong Kong from Freetown, Sierra Leone, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine in the false compartment of her check-in suitcase. She wassubsequently arrested.

The arrested woman has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on August 11.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

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 Information Services

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department today released the first batch of figures for August in the gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus.

Among the 13 areas surveyed areas, the gravidtrap index in So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun District reached 16.4%, while the index recorded in the other 12 areas ranged from 0% to 7.4%.

The density index for the 13 areas was released along with the gravidtrap index.

In response to the recent chikungunya fever situation, the department has activated a mechanism that strengthens mosquito control work in areas where the gravidtrap index is between 10% and 20%. Previously the mechanism was only activated when the index reaches 20% or above.

It will collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestation, and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures.

Click here for more information on the gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today that it strongly opposes untrue and biased remarks made by the US and Group of Seven Rapid Response Mechanism (G7 RRM) members and associate members with regard to Hong Kong’s pursuit of persons wanted in connection with national security offences.

The other G7 RRM members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the European Union.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.

It outlined that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and under the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applicable to the Hong Kong SAR, are protected in accordance with the law.

Legislation that safeguards national security only targets a very small number of organisations and individuals that endanger national security, the Hong Kong SAR Government added.

It iterated that the Police Force’s National Security Department announced on July 25 that 16 absconders, along with three individuals – Yuan Gong-yi, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da – who were specified as absconders in June and December 2024, had been placed on the wanted list.

These 19 absconders are suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law by organising, establishing, or participating in, outside of the Hong Kong SAR, a subversive organisation named the “Hong Kong Parliament”.

In response to applications by Police, arrest warrants against these 19 persons at large have been issued.

On August 4, the Secretary for Security exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify the above-mentioned group of 16 persons as absconders, and issued notices in the Government Gazette regarding measures to be applied against them.

The statement said the absconders are subject to arrest warrants not because they had “exercised freedom of expression”, but because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security outside of Hong Kong.

The “Hong Kong Parliament” is an organisation aiming to subvert the state’s power. Its objectives include promoting “self-determination”, promulgating the so-called “Hong Kong Constitution”, and overthrowing or undermining the People’s Republic of China’s basic system and central power, or the authorities of the Hong Kong SAR, by unlawful means.

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that endangering national security is a very serious offence, and that such acts can bring very serious consequences. It added that it has the responsibility to pursue, in accordance with the law, persons suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law or other offences endangering national security outside of Hong Kong.

The statement stressed that it is a demonstration of hypocrisy by any external forces to attack the Hong Kong SAR’s efforts to dutifully and faithfully safeguard national security in accordance with the law.

It added that the Hong Kong SAR’s law enforcement agencies take actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with the political stances, background or occupations of those individuals or entities.

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that it has the responsibility to pursue those who are suspected to have committed offences endangering national security and absconded overseas.

It added that absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong and that ultimately they will be liable for their acts. Furthermore, it said that any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts amounts to advocating for special privileges to break the law, which runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.

It also reiterated that the Constitution and the Basic Law steadfastly safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. It said that attempts by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s situation only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and will be doomed to fail.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to unwaveringly discharge its duty in safeguarding national security, it added.