Month: August 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today led Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government representatives on a visit to Macau, where they met Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai and toured local infrastructure facilities.

 

The Hong Kong delegation included Financial Secretary Paul Chan; Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang; Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau; Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan; and Director of Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip.

 

During in-depth discussions with Mr Sam on Hong Kong-Macau co-operation and the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area, Mr Lee said that establishing the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin demonstrates strategic planning to enrich the “one country, two systems” arrangement, and will benefit Macau’s long-term prosperity and stability, as well as advancing its integration into national development.

 

Highlighting that Hong Kong and Macau are both special administrative regions that enjoy distinctive advantages under “one country, two systems”, Mr Lee said the two cities enjoy close geographical ties, frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and solid economic and trade relations.

 

He also stressed that Hong Kong and Macau are both integral parts of the bay area, and will continue to promote its development together.

 

By upholding the principle of “one country” and leveraging the benefits of “two systems”, Mr Lee said Hong Kong and Macau can achieve complementarity, jointly seize development opportunities, and continue to strengthen co-operation, contributing to the promotion of the bay area’s high-quality development.

 

Mr Lee and the Hong Kong officials also visited the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. They toured the Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Experience Center there to learn about the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and cultural tourism, before visiting the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin Planning Exhibition Hall where Mr Lee spoke to local officials about the zone’s management, construction, development models and achievements.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today said that while the persistent rainstorm caused flooding and landslides across extensive areas of Hong Kong, relevant departments responded promptly with every effort to minimise the impact of the heavy rain.

Since late last night, the Government’s Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre has been operating continuously, with directorate officers from the departments concerned closely monitoring the situation.

They have been swiftly co-ordinating responses and actions, remaining on high alert and efficiently orchestrating all government departments to take action to minimise the impact of adverse weather on the public.

The Drainage Services Department activated its Emergency Control Centre at 10.35 last night and deployed emergency response teams to proactively inspect flooding-prone locations. It mobilised 180 emergency response teams, involving 620 personnel and powerful pumping robots, and worked closely with other works departments to handle flooding cases and clear drainage channels.

As of 3pm today, 29 flooding cases have been confirmed with 24 of them resolved, including the case at Queen Mary Hospital. The affected roads have mostly resumed normal operation.

The Emergency Control Centre of the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) was activated soon after the landslip warning was issued. As of 2.30pm, 15 reports of landslides were received in areas including Sai Kung, Tai Po, Kwai Chung, Lantau, Southern, Mid-levels, Wan Chai, Sha Tin and Peng Chau.

The GEO has arranged inspections of the landslide locations and liaised with relevant departments for emergency slope works.

By 4pm, the Fire Services Department handled 42 reports of people trapped in lifts, 175 reports from automatic fire alarm systems, 36 reports of fallen trees, seven reports of landslides and 69 reports of flooding. Assistance was provided to six people to safe places in two of the flooding incidents.

The Highways Department’s Urban & New Territories Emergency Control Centres were activated after the red rainstorm warning signal was in force last night to co-ordinate road emergencies, including clearing debris at road sections in Southern District, Tai Po and Sai Kung where landslides occurred, so that at least one traffic lane could be reopened as soon as possible.

Urgent slope repair works were also being followed up and roadside gullies were cleared of muddy water and debris, with affected road sections reopened immediately.

The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Coordination Centre continues to operate round the clock and escalated its operational level while the black rainstorm warning signal is in force. The centre expedites assessment of the rainstorm impact on traffic and closely liaises with relevant departments and public transport operators to steer public transport services.

During the black rainstorm warning signal, frontline police officers remained steadfast in assisting people affected by the heavy rain and handled vehicles stranded due to flooding as well as cleared blocked drains in rural areas to ensure smooth traffic flow.

The Home Affairs Department has opened 15 temporary shelters for people in need. Its Emergency Co-ordination Centre has been in operation since the early hours to co-ordinate work and information dissemination in 18 districts in addition to promptly following up on incident reports.

District offices also have initiated response measures and mobilised District Councillors, members of “the three committees” and District Services & Community Care Teams to disseminate weather information to residents in flood-prone areas.

The Housing Department’s Communication Centre was activated to handle emergencies soon after the red rainstorm warning signal was in force. As of 4pm, it received 49 enquiries from residents, which were immediately relayed to relevant teams for follow-up, including a case of temporary power failure in a block of Kwai Shing West Estate, where the power supply has resumed after emergency repairs.

The department’s frontline staff were dedicated to their duties, taking precautionary measures against the heavy rain. The overall operation of housing estate facilities remained unaffected.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led representatives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to visit Macao today (August 5), where he met with the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Sam Hou-fai, and visited local infrastructure facilities. Representatives of the HKSAR Government included the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.
 
Mr Lee met with Mr Sam for an in-depth discussion on promoting Hong Kong’s co-operation with Macao on various fronts and the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Mr Lee said he is pleased to meet Mr Sam again following Mr Sam’s earlier visit to Hong Kong. He said that establishing the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin demonstrates the key strategic planning to enrich the practice of “one country, two systems”, benefitting Macao’s long-term prosperity and stability and integration into the overall national development. Noting that Hong Kong and Macao are the country’s special administrative regions that enjoy distinctive advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said that the two cities enjoy close geographical ties, with frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, alongside solid economic and trade relations, while Hong Kong and Macao have been working closely in such areas as economy, cross-boundary infrastructure, tourism and culture.
 
Mr Lee pointed out that Hong Kong and Macao are both integral parts of the GBA and will continue to promote the development of the GBA together. By firmly upholding the principle of “one country” and leveraging the benefits of “two systems”, Hong Kong and Macao will achieve complementarity and jointly seize development opportunities, and continue to strengthen co-operation between the two cities, contributing to the promotion of the high-quality development of the GBA.
 
Mr Lee and the officials also visited the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. They first toured the Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Experience Center of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao to learn about the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and the cultural tourism industry. They then visited the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin Planning Exhibition Hall, which features over 600 exhibits on new products and technologies. Mr Lee discussed and exchanged views with attending officials on the management, construction, development models and achievements of the Cooperation Zone.
 
Mr Lee and the officials returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

A Government spokesman said today (August 5) that the persistent rainstorm has caused flooding and landslides across extensive areas of Hong Kong. Relevant government departments have responded promptly, making every effort to minimise the impacts of the heavy rain.
 
Since late last night (August 4), the Government’s Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre has been operating continuously, with directorate officers from relevant departments closely monitoring the situation across Hong Kong in real time. They have been swiftly co-ordinating responses and actions, remaining on high alert and efficiently orchestrating all government departments to fully mobilise in addressing flooding, landslides, fallen trees, and road blockages, striving to minimise the impact of adverse weather on the public.
 
The Drainage Services Department (DSD) has been maintaining close liaison with the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) and making preparations. The DSD activated the Emergency Control Centre at 10.35pm last night and deployed emergency response teams to proactively inspect flooding-prone locations, including Chai Wan and Wong Tai Sin. Various locations experienced flooding due to the heavy rainfall. The DSD mobilised a total of 180 emergency response teams, involving about 620 personnel and several powerful pumping robots, including three Mobile Powerful Pumping Robots, and worked closely with other works departments to handle flooding cases and clear drainage channels across the territory. As of 3pm today, 29 flooding cases have been confirmed, with 24 of them resolved, including the case at Queen Mary Hospital. The affected roads have mostly resumed normal operation. The DSD emergency response teams are working at full capacity to handle the remaining flooding cases.
 
The Emergency Control Centre of the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) was activated soon after the HKO issued a landslip warning. As of 2.30pm today, a total of 15 reports of landslides were received in areas including Sai Kung, Tai Po, Kwai Chung, Lantau, Southern, Mid-levels, Wan Chai, Sha Tin and Peng Chau. The GEO has arranged inspections of the reported landslide locations and contacted relevant departments for necessary emergency slope works.
 
During rainstorm warnings, the Fire Services Department, by 4pm today, handled a total of 42 reports of people trapped in lifts, 175 reports from automatic fire alarm systems, 36 reports of fallen trees, seven reports of landslides, and 69 reports of flooding incidents. Among these, assistance was provided to six people to safe places in two of the flooding incidents.
 
The Urban and New Territories Emergency Control Centres of the Highways Department were activated after the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal was in force last night to co-ordinate the handling of road emergencies, including clearing debris at road sections in Southern District, Tai Po and Sai Kung where landslides occurred, with the goal of reopening at least one traffic lane for public use as soon as possible while continuing to follow up urgent slope repair works; and quickly clearing roadside gullies blocked by muddy water and debris in various districts where flooding occurred, with affected road sections reopened immediately afterwards.
 
The Emergency Transport Coordination Centre (ETCC) of the Transport Department (TD) continues to operate round the clock and escalated its operational level when the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force to closely monitor the traffic and transport conditions of important routes including trunk roads, tunnels and bridges across the territory. The ETCC expedites assessment of the impact of the rainstorm on traffic and maintains close liaison with relevant departments and public transport operators to steer and co-ordinate public transport services to meet passenger demand.
 
The TD conducts ongoing review of various trunk roads and link roads in locations without alternatives, aiming to promptly identify locations affected by flooding or obstructed by objects requiring higher priority clearance. This facilitates the clearance work of departments concerned, with a view to reopening blocked roads and resuming public transport services, thereby minimising impact on the public’s commute.
 
During the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, frontline police officers remained steadfast in assisting members of the public affected by the heavy rain across multiple districts. They also handled vehicles stranded due to flooding and cleared blocked drains in rural areas to ensure smooth traffic flow.
 
The Government urges members of the public to stay away from slopes as the landslip warning is still in force. Drivers should avoid driving in hilly areas or parking their vehicles below slopes. Residents living close to slopes should stay in rooms furthest from the slopes or on high floors if possible. When a notification to evacuate is received, members of the public should follow rescuers’ instructions and move immediately to a safe shelter. If they witness a landslide, they should leave immediately and call the Police when safe to do so.
 
The Home Affairs Department (HAD) has so far opened a total of 15 temporary shelters for people in need. The Emergency Co-ordination Centre of the HAD has been in operation since the early hours to co-ordinate work and information dissemination in 18 districts as well as prompt follow-up on various incident reports. District Offices have immediately initiated relevant response measures, including co-ordinating with other departments and organisations to provide support. They have also mobilised District Council members, members of “the three committees” and Care Teams to disseminate the latest weather information to residents in flood-prone areas, reminding them to pay attention to safety.
 
The Housing Department (HD) Communication Centre was promptly activated to handle emergencies after the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal was in force. As of 4pm, the Centre received 49 enquiries from residents, which were immediately relayed to relevant teams for follow-up to provide swift assistance. This included a case of temporary power failure in a block of Kwai Shing West Estate, where power supply has since been resumed after emergency repair. Frontline staff of the HD also remained dedicated to their duties, taking precautionary measures against the heavy rain and stepping up patrols. The overall operation of housing estate facilities remained unaffected. The HD will continue to work with other departments to ensure the safety of public housing residents.
 
Hong Kong’s weather conditions remain unstable. The Government reminds the public to stay updated on the latest weather and traffic reports. Government departments will continue to make every effort to carry out coping measures and relief work, while Care Teams will provide ongoing support to members of the public in need.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
The Immigration Department announced that due to the hoisting of the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, services at the Registration of Persons – Kwun Tong (Temporary) Office and the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks and Personal Documentation Collection Kiosks at the Immigration Headquarters will be suspended today (August 5).
 
Members of the public who had booked but were unable to apply for identity cards at the Registration of Persons Offices as scheduled may approach the office on any subsequent working days for applications without the need to make a new appointment. Subject to the situation of the day, the waiting time for processing may be longer.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
As the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal will remain in force at least until 5pm, the arrangements of the Legislative Council (LegCo) committee meeting today (August 5) and public services in the LegCo Complex are as follows:
 
LegCo Committee meeting
 
The meeting of Subcommittee on Prison (Amendment) Rules 2025 originally scheduled at 2.30pm will not be held today.
 
Public services in LegCo Complex
 
The services of the LegCo Public Complaints Office, the LegCo Library, the LegCo Archives, as well as guided tours and education service, will be suspended for the whole day.