Month: September 2025

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Election Committee Subsector By-elections voter turnout (1000)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Election Committee Subsector By-elections voter turnout (1000) 

Subsector     The voter turnout figures are for temporary reference only.
Issued at HKT 10:25

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District governance: Optimising facilities for enhanced travel comfort

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Under heatwave conditions, waiting outside for a bus can be a challenge, with the hot air and exhaust fumes from passing buses making for a gruelling experience. Lately, however, many passengers have been able to beat the heat.

Upgraded facilities

Enhancing travel experiences is one of the key aspects of the Government’s district governance measures, and last year the authorities completed various improvement works at the Ma On Shan Town Centre Public Transport Terminus. This included the installation of a waiting hall equipped with air conditioning and seating, allowing passengers to sit comfortably in the cool while waiting for their buses.

The waiting hall, which opened in the first quarter of last year, features a real-time bus arrival display panel, providing passengers with accurate waiting times.

Welcoming these improvements, and emphasising the convenience and comfort of the air-conditioned hall, one passenger commented: “Now it is better inside this room.”

Another passenger remarked: “It is better than staying out in the heat on a day like today.”

Safety enhancements

The improvement works also include the conversion of a traditional “parallel” bus bay to a “saw-tooth” bus bay. This enhances segregation between pedestrians and vehicles, thereby improving safety.

Transport Department Principal Transport Officer Felix Yim reported that the second phase of enhancement works is already underway.

“It would mainly include the provision of two more bus passenger waiting halls and the renovation of the taxi stands. We expect all these improvement works would be completed progressively in 2026.”

All districts

Enhancement initiatives are being implemented gradually at various public transport interchanges in each district. For example, an upgrade to the ventilation system at the Tsuen Wan Bayview Garden Bus Terminus was successfully completed in the first quarter of this year.

Mr Yim explained that the works being undertaken include upgrades to lighting, improvements to ventilation systems, and the renovation and refurbishment of walls and ceilings.

The department anticipates that the completion of the works will result in more comfortable waiting environments for passengers, and encourage continued use of and support for public transport services.

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By-election arrangements inspected

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

With the 2025 Election Committee Subsector (ECSS) By-elections due to be held tomorrow, Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) Chairman David Lok today visited the Hong Kong Central Library polling station and the central counting station (CCS), as well as the Media Centre at the Convention & Exhibition Centre, and appealed to eligible voters to cast their votes in the by-elections.

Mr Lok said preparatory work for the by-elections was complete and that staff members were carrying out final rehearsals. He thanked them for their efforts, which he said would ensure that tomorrow’s polls are conducted in an orderly and smooth manner.

Twenty-eight candidates are contesting a total of 21 seats spanning six subsectors.

Five ordinary polling stations (OPSs) and one dedicated polling station located at a police station will be set up for about 3,600 voters/ authorised representatives (ARs). The polling hours will be from 9am to 6pm. Voters/ ARs are reminded to bring a valid Hong Kong identity card to cast their votes at the polling station specified on their polling card.

Mr Lok added that the Electronic Poll Register System will continue to be used at OPSs for the issuance of ballot papers to voters/ARs, so that the process can be conducted accurately and efficiently.

Once the poll closes, all ballot boxes will be delivered to the CCS at the Convention & Exhibition Centre, where the counting of votes will take place. Candidates, election agents and counting agents may enter the CCS and observe the count at designated areas of the counting zone. Members of the public and media may also enter the public area of the CCS to observe the count.

Once the counting of votes is completed, the Returning Officers will declare the election results to the candidates and their agents at the counting zone. The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) will also arrange for the Returning Officers to announce the results for each subsector again on stage at the Media Centre.

Also today, Mr Lok and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai accompanied Chief Executive John Lee on a visit to the polling station at the Exhibition Gallery of Hong Kong Central Library. They inspected the final preparatory work, including the venue’s set-up and rehearsals.

The EAC and the REO stressed that they are fully prepared on all fronts to ensure that tomorrow’s by-elections are conducted efficiently, and in an open, honest and fair manner.

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CHP urges students to receive seasonal influenza vaccination early in new school year as two cases of severe paediatric influenza A infection reported

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CHP urges students to receive seasonal influenza vaccination early in new school year as two cases of severe paediatric influenza A infection reported ​​For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenzaIssued at HKT 18:40

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Rowing competition for 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to HK concludes (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Rowing competition for 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to HK concludes  
Speaking at the event, Mr Lau said that rowing emphasises the importance of teamwork and the spirit of persistence, which is a vivid portrayal of the journey of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. Over the past 60 years, numerous project builders and construction workers from Guangdong and Hong Kong have made selfless contributions to the project and overcome many difficulties through concerted effort, echoing the spirit of unity and resilience demonstrated in the water supply collaboration. He urged everyone to reflect on how to cherish water resources – whether through conserving water or exploiting new water resources – to help Hong Kong move toward a sustainable future without water shortages.
 
Mr Wong remarked that, with a view to deepening the public’s understanding of the history of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong and its significance, the Development Bureau and the WSD have organised a number of celebration and commemoration events since September last year. Various commemoration events will also be taken forward. He pointed out that the “An Inseparable Bond, Our Blessed Origin: 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong” exhibition, co-organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the WSD, is now open for free visits at the Hong Kong Museum of History. Other celebration events include the Good Water Good Fish Logo Design Competition, the WSD’s Fun Day, and the publication of a commemorative book for the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong, which will be rolled out one after another.
 
The rowing competition is jointly organised by the WSD and the Hong Kong, China Rowing Association. The competition comprised flat water and indoor rowing. Flat water rowing includes 1 000m coxed quadruple sculls, 1 000m mixed coxed eight and 250m single board rowing (single – open group). Indoor rowing includes 4x500m team relay, 60-minute team relay and one-minute challenge (single – open group). The event attracted over 250 enrolments from 18 works departments, public service organisations, consultancy firms and universities to participate.
Issued at HKT 18:40

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CS welcomes police recruits

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today witnessed 30 probationary inspectors and 182 recruit police constables becoming members of the Police Force as he inspected a passing-out parade at the Police College.

 

He urged the graduates to meet the needs of citizens empathetically, and to efficiently respond to societal concerns.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that national security is the foundation for Hong Kong’s prosperous development. He outlined that police officers, as law enforcers, should have a deep understanding of the provisions and spirit of the Hong Kong National Security Law, take precise enforcement actions, and shoulder their legal responsibilities to safeguard the future of Hong Kong and protect the livelihoods of its citizens.

 

Mr Chan remarked that the force is professional, highly efficient and world-renowned. With its extensive experience, advanced technologies and global networks, he added, it has always been indispensable in terms of international collaboration, contributing towards a safer world.

 

He stressed that the badges worn by Hong Kong’s police officers not only represent powers and responsibilities conferred by the law, but also symbolise the trust of over 7 million citizens.

 

The Chief Secretary detailed four aspirations for the graduates, namely:

 

  • “Always be loyal and uphold the rule of law” – officers should remain loyal to their work, and ensure that each enforcement action adheres strictly to legal requirements.
  • “Be precise and professional, and embrace changes” – officers should constantly enhance their professional capabilities and application of technology, equip themselves with a global vision and insights into global policing developments, and continuously improve their enforcement capabilities under complex international circumstances.
  • “Serve the community with compassion, humanity and courage” – officers should always be accountable for the safety of the public and strive to be trustworthy protectors of citizens.
  • “Be devoted to our home and country, and expand global horizons” – officers should build a foundation in Hong Kong, serve the country, learn from advanced global experience, and further earn international reputation for the Police Force.

In conclusion, Mr Chan urged the graduates to resolutely safeguard national security and social stability through courage, professionalism and dedication, and to serve the community wholeheartedly.

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DH responds to media enquiries about pneumococcal vaccine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

In response to media enquiries about the pneumococcal vaccine, including suggestions from members of the public to include the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) in the Pneumococcal Vaccination Programme, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 5) gave the following response:

Vaccination arrangements are in line with the Scientific Committee’s recommendations
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Due to unique epidemiological factors and circumstances, pneumococcal vaccination programmes vary among different countries and regions.

The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD), under the CHP, comprises members from the public sector, private sector and the academia. All members are experts in the field of public health and communicable disease. The SCVPD regularly reviews the epidemiology of the vaccine preventable diseases in Hong Kong, the latest recommendations on immunisation from the World Health Organization, the scientific development and application of new vaccines, updates on vaccine components, cost-effectiveness studies, and experiences from other health authorities. It provides advice to the DH from a public health perspective. The DH updates various immunisation programmes periodically, taking the SCVPD’s recommendations into account.

In September 2023, the SCVPD conducted a comprehensive review of the use of the pneumococcal vaccine in Hong Kong based on the latest scientific evidence and developments at that time. After analysing and comparing the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), which was in use at that time, with two newer vaccines available on the market, namely the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV20) and the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV15), the SCVPD concluded that the PCV15 induced higher immunogenicity against Serotype 3. It was believed to be more effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by this serotype.

Since Serotype 3 is one of the most common pneumococcal strains causing IPD in Hong Kong, accounting for approximately half of all cases, the SCVPD recommended replacing the PCV13 with the PCV15 in both the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP) and the Government Pneumococcal Vaccination Programme. High-risk elderly shall administer one dose of the PCV15, followed by one dose of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine one year later.

The Government accepted the above recommendations by the SCVPD. Since last August, the PCV15 has been provided to eligible children and elderly through the HKCIP and the Government Pneumococcal Vaccination Programme respectively (including both free and subsidised).

Vaccination rates in Hong Kong are gradually increasing
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In 2024/25, the Government administered approximately 127 000 doses of the pneumococcal vaccine through various vaccination programmes, representing a 12 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023/24. Under relevant Government vaccination programmes, over 750 000 elderly aged 65 or above received pneumococcal vaccine, with a coverage rate of about 44 per cent, an increased of about 5 per cent compared to the same period in 2023/24. Approximately 65 per cent of the residents in residential care homes for the elderly received pneumococcal vaccine.

For young children, the DH regularly conducts territory-wide immunisation coverage surveys and randomly checks the immunisation records of a sample of pre-school children in Hong Kong to monitor the vaccination coverage rates among this group. The results in the 2024 survey showed that 98 per cent of children had completed the pneumococcal vaccination.

Currently, there is no universally recognised standard for pneumococcal vaccine coverage rate worldwide, and pneumococcal vaccine coverage rates vary significantly across different regions. Nevertheless, local data indicates that the pneumococcal vaccination coverage rate among the elderly is gradually increasing.

The DH will continue its multi-pronged approach, utilising various online and offline channels, including television, radio, social media platforms, websites, newspapers and public transportation, to appeal to and encourage eligible elderly to receive the pneumococcal vaccination. In addition to the Government Vaccination Programme, the DH has collaborated closely with private doctors to implement the pneumococcal vaccination programmes through a public-private partnership model.

DH and SCVPD will review the vaccination programmes as appropriate
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Furthermore, the CHP and the SCVPD will opportunely review the epidemiology situation of IPD in Hong Kong, the latest scientific evidence on the use of relevant vaccines and the development of new vaccines (such as the 21-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine). Vaccination recommendations will be updated as necessary. The Government will also review the pneumococcal vaccination programmes in Hong Kong, taking into account the SCVPD’s recommendations and other public health factors, in order to safeguard public health.