Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

An incoming male passenger was convicted by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (September 15) for possession of a dangerous drug and possession of apparatus fit and intended for the smoking of a dangerous drug, in contravention of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO). He was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for each of the charges that will run concurrently. 
 
Customs officers intercepted the 42-year-old incoming male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Control Point on June 26 and seized two etomidate capsules and an e-cigarette device inside the pocket of his trousers. He was subsequently arrested.
 
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DDO, any person who traffics any dangerous drug commits an offence, and 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 – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (September 17) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Chief Executive will deliver the Policy Address.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki met Head of Office of the European Union (EU) to Hong Kong Harvey Rouse this afternoon at the Central Government Offices, solemnly reiterating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly disapproves of and rejects the annual report of the European Commission.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance so as to safeguard national security according to the law, protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people, and ensure the steady and long-term implementation of “one country, two systems”.

The Hong Kong SAR Government asked for this meeting. Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung also attended the meeting.

Mr Chan stressed that it is each and every sovereign state’s inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice.

The EU exposed its double standards as it pointed fingers at Hong Kong’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, while totally disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the city to legislate, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of the national security legislation on economic development and the protection of human rights.

Mr Chan reiterated that establishing the mechanism for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR will not undermine the independent judicial power. Hong Kong SAR’s judicial system continues to be protected by the Basic Law. When adjudicating cases concerning offence endangering national security, as in any other cases, judges remain independent and impartial in performing their judicial duties, free from any interference.

At the same time, the Hong Kong SAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.

Mr Chan strongly urged the EU to respect facts, abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop its long-arm jurisdiction and interference in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau received vaccinations against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 at Sai Wan Ho General Out-patient Clinic today. Other health officials also joined the effort and received vaccinations.

Prof Lo said that seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal flu and its complications, adding that to get vaccinated once a year and to act sooner rather than later is preferable, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.

He noted that the summer influenza season has already arrived, saying: “To be prepared for the possible winter influenza season in one go, I strongly appeal to all members of the public to receive SIV early for effective protection in the coming year against the influenza strains predicted by the World Health Organization.”

With the concerted efforts of the Government and various sectors of the community, more than 2.09 million doses of vaccines were administered under various SIV programmes in the year of 2024-25, representing an increase of 11.7% compared with the previous year, reaching a record high.

The Government will launch the 2025-26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes on September 25 to provide free or subsidised SIV for people aged 50 or above, adults aged 18 to 49 with chronic medical conditions, children and adolescents aged six months to under 18 years, pregnant women and healthcare workers.

For the 2025-26 SIV programmes, the Government has procured over 1.28 million doses of four types of influenza vaccines of high quality at competitive prices.

Prof Lo added that the Government will allow all schools, ie secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens/child care centres, under the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme to freely choose both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and live attenuated influenza vaccines for the same or different outreach vaccination activities, aiming to raise the vaccination rate further with a more flexible arrangement.

The earliest school SIV outreach activity will take place on September 29.

Furthermore, to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after COVID-19 infection, those at high risk, particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities, should receive a free COVID-19 vaccine booster dose as soon as possible if they have received their last dose or had COVID-19 infection more than six months ago.

People who have not received the initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine should also get free COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible for dual protection. COVID-19 vaccine and SIV can be administered at the same time or separately.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

A Government spokesman today (September 15) cautioned members of the public not to believe in videos and related articles circulating online, which purported to be interviews with officials of the Financial Secretary’s Private Office and the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau introducing the use of “e-HKD” for dividend distribution to shareholders.

​The spokesman clarified that the videos and articles are totally fictitious and are intended to deceive. Members of the public are advised not to fall for the scam. The case has been reported to the Police for further investigation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, met with the Head of Office of the European Union (EU) to Hong Kong, Mr Harvey Rouse, this afternoon (September 15) at the Central Government Offices, solemnly reiterating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government strongly disapproves of and rejects the annual report of the European Commission. The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance so as to safeguard national security according to the law, protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people, and ensure the steady and long-term implementation of “one country, two systems”. The HKSAR Government asked for this meeting.

Mr Chan stressed that it is each and every sovereign state’s inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. The EU exposed their double standards as they pointed fingers at Hong Kong’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, while totally disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the city to legislate, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of the national security legislation on economic development and the protection of human rights.

Mr Chan reiterated that establishing the mechanism for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR will not undermine the independent judicial power. Our judicial system continues to be protected by the Basic Law. When adjudicating cases concerning offence endangering national security, as in any other cases, judges remain independent and impartial in performing their judicial duties, free from any interference.

At the same time, the HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.

Mr Chan strongly urged the EU to respect facts, abide by the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop its long-arm jurisdiction and interference in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, also attended the aforesaid meeting.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee will deliver his Policy Address in the Legislative Council on Wednesday.

People can watch the live broadcast of Mr Lee’s speech on the Policy Address website.

Once the Chief Executive has completed his speech, the full text of the Policy Address will be posted on the website and copies of it and other related publications will be available at the Home Affairs Department’s 20 Enquiry Centres.

Leaflets containing the highlights of the Policy Address will be distributed at 16 government office buildings, seven public libraries, five museums and 62 shopping centres in public housing estates.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today attended the first Government Career Fair at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and called on those who aspire to serve the community to join the civil service.

The HKU fair was the first of the Government Career Fairs to be taking place at eight local universities from mid-September to early October.

Around 30 government bureaus and departments, covering around 70 jobs, took part in today’s fair.

Mrs Yeung officiated at the opening ceremony of the fair with HKU Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Business) Prof Lin Chen.

She then toured the exhibition booths of various government departments, taking the opportunity to chat with students to learn about their future plans and career aspirations

A joint recruitment exercise for five civil service degree-level jobs, namely administrative officer, executive officer II, assistant labour officer II, assistant trade officer II and management officer II, will be open until October 3.

Mrs Yeung encouraged young people with aspirations to serve the community to apply for the above five jobs, and embark on a fruitful career, gain valuable experience and play a vital role in building Hong Kong’s future.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region