Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Another owner of a detached house on Redhill Peninsula was convicted by the court for carrying out unauthorised building works (UBWs) in contravention of section 14(1) of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO), namely, knowingly undertaking building works without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD). The owner pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (September 4) and was fined $150,000 in total.

The BD conducted a large-scale operation in September 2023 to inspect houses along the coastal area of Redhill Peninsula. UBWs were found in a number of detached houses, including the aforementioned house. Investigation by the BD found that the owner of the house had knowingly carried out the UBWs without the prior approval and consent from the BD, including adding structures to the garden, courtyard, living room and bedroom floors, and the rooftop, as well as erecting a trellis and a swimming pool, thus contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Hence, the BD instigated prosecution action against the owner under section 40(1AA) of the BO in August last year. 

“The BD has already instigated prosecution actions against 30 detached houses on Redhill Peninsula. This is the twelfth conviction for the UBWs in the same estate, contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Court hearings for the remaining cases are being rolled out.” a BD spokesman said today (September 5).

The spokesman said that property owners should consult building professionals before carrying out building works to ensure compliance with the BO.

Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) (i.e. commencement or carrying out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD), commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000 and imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

The Government will submit a bill to the Legislative Council to amend the BO in the first half of 2026, which will include increasing penalties for offences against serious UBWs to enhance deterrence.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) received a police report yesterday evening (September 4) regarding the discovery of a suspected whale carcass in Mirs Bay. The AFCD staff, together with personnel from Ocean Park Hong Kong and Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK), immediately attended the scene for investigation.
 
     Upon preliminary assessment by a veterinarian of Ocean Park response team, the whale carcass measured approximately 10 metres in length. Due to the severe decomposition, the species could not be identified currently, though it is preliminarily believed to be a baleen whale. Given the advanced state of decomposition, further necropsy to determine the cause of death was not possible. Staff will continue processing the carcass today, with completion expected this evening.
 
     The deceased whale was not a local species. Based on the degree of decomposition of the carcass, it is estimated to have been dead for some time. It is believed that the carcass drifted into the waters of Mirs Bay from outside area with ocean currents.
 
     According to records, baleen whales are distributed almost globally across oceans, with different species inhabiting distinct waters. Baleen whales typically forage in the cold, high-latitude waters around the Arctic and Antarctic during the summer. In the winter, they migrate to warmer, low-latitude or tropical waters for breeding and nurturing their young.
 
     To enhance co-operation in marine ecological protection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong and Shenzhen signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Joint Rescue Mechanism for Large Aquatic Wild Animals on August 15, to jointly safeguard the marine environment and biodiversity in adjacent waters. In this incident, the AFCD maintained close communication with Shenzhen authorities, promptly exchanging relevant information to facilitate follow-up actions.
 
     The AFCD urges the public to report any whale sightings or stranded cetaceans immediately by calling 1823 or using the 1823 mobile application. Members of the public are reminded to maintain a safe distance from cetaceans, refrain from approaching or disturbing them, and prioritise personal safety to avoid dangerous situations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 5) announced a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent contracting influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
           
The case involved a 17-year-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose on September 3. He went to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital yesterday (September 4) and was arranged to admit to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock. He is still hospitalised and is in serious condition.

The boy had no travel history during the incubation period. His household contacts, so far, are asymptomatic. 
 
The CHP investigation showed that the boy did not receive the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). Five other students in his class recently developed mild flu symptoms between September 2 and 3. They have sought medical treatment and none of them required hospitalisation. There is no outbreak in other classes so far. Officers of the CHP have conducted onsite inspection, and advised the schools on necessary infection controls measures, including advising students of the concerned class to wear masks in school, opening windows where appropriate for better ventilation in individual activity rooms and classrooms, thorough cleaning and disinfection, and stopping inter-class and inter-grade activities. The CHP also recommended the teachers and students to check their temperature every day before going to school. If they develop symptoms or fever, they should not go to school. The CHP will continue to put the school under medical surveillance.

The CHP’s latest surveillance data showed that local influenza activity increased further last week and slightly exceeded the baseline threshold. The CHP will cautiously monitor the short-term trend of influenza activity to determine whether Hong Kong has entered the summer influenza season.

     Vaccination is the first line of defence against seasonal influenza, reducing the chance of serious complications or death after infection. Parents are advised to arrange for their children to participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) outreach activities at school or to visit their family doctor for the SIV at the start of the new school year to enhance personal protection. 
  
To protect their health and that of their family members, the public should continue to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and take the following measures to prevent contracting seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses: 
 

• Persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) should wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses; high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should also wear surgical masks when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Practise hand hygiene frequently, wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid sharing personal items;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider refraining from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

​​For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.      

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with members of the University Grants Committee (UGC) today (September 5) to exchange views on the latest developments in higher education in Hong Kong. The discussion covered themes including institutional governance, strategic development directions of local and overseas universities, the contribution of higher education to development, and the relationship between research and knowledge transfer. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, Dr Stephen Wong; and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms May Chan, also joined the meeting.

The UGC Chairman, Mr Tim Lui, briefed Mr Lee on the various initiatives being advanced by the UGC, particularly the strategic development directions under the Planning Exercise 2025-28 and the importance of institutional governance. The UGC will continue to collaborate with UGC-funded universities to nurture local talent and attract elites from around the world, promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and actively contributing to establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for higher education.

Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to UGC members from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas countries for their suggestions on the development of Hong Kong’s higher education. He acknowledged the UGC’s contributions to promoting the internationalisation and diversification of UGC-funded universities. He noted that Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100, and that the Government and the UGC have been working together to nurture talent, enhance research and knowledge transfer, and support the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for education and high-calibre talent. Highlighting the Government’s efforts towards the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, Mr Lee expressed his aspiration that the UGC will continue to encourage local universities to collaborate with overseas and Mainland institutions, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world. He added that through flexible and innovative development models, more research collaborations and exchange programmes can be established, enhancing the international influence of Hong Kong’s academic and research endeavours and promoting the development of Hong Kong’s new quality productive forces.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

At the invitation of the National Audit Office of the People’s Republic of China (CNAO), the Director of Audit, Professor Nelson Lam, in the company of Assistant Director of Audit Ms Flora Wan and Senior Auditor Mr Alex Lau, attended the 9th Meeting of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Big Data in Harbin as representatives of the People’s Republic of China. During the trip, Professor Lam briefed the Auditor General of the CNAO, Mr Hou Kai, on the recent work of the Audit Commission (Audit).  

Themed “Partnering for New Advancement in Auditing in the AI Era”, the meeting was organised by the CNAO, chair of the said working group, and attended by over 60 representatives from 22 national supreme audit institutions of different countries and international audit organisations. During the meeting, representatives from various regions had comprehensive exchanges and discussions on issues such as AI and big data auditing, with a united aim to explore better ways to apply emerging technologies to audit work, which would promote audit efficiency and quality, and support the sector to navigate the ever-changing landscape of auditing.  
   
Professor Lam thanked the CNAO for the numerous opportunities it offered, which allowed Audit personnel to take part in international audit events as national representatives. On this occasion, Audit personnel were able to gain up-to-date knowledge on the development of AI and big data auditing, engage in exchanges with industry experts from around the world, and get access to the latest audit technologies and practices. All these would drive Audit to grow with the times. He added that the highly authoritative International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Big Data, which is chaired by the CNAO, has been issuing series of guidelines, research reports and dissertation collections since its establishment nearly 10 years ago, providing solid support for the exchanges and co-operation in the realm of big data auditing among national supreme audit institutions of different regions. Professor Lam said he looked forward to continued opportunities for Audit personnel to contribute to the working group.  

The 9th Meeting of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Big Data was held between September 1 and 3. Having taken part in the meeting sessions on the first two days, Professor Lam departed for Beijing in the afternoon of September 2 to attend the commemorative rally of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Ms Wan and Mr Lau, returned to Hong Kong on September 3 after concluding the visits and field studies on projects arranged by the organiser.  

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Environmental Protection Department today said that the smart recycling bin located in the shopping mall at Ocean Shores Phase 3 on O King Road in Tiu Keng Leng, commonly known as the GREEN@SAI KUNG TOWN – TIU KENG LENG BRANCH, will be relocated to the nearby Metro City Shopping Mall for operation in mid-September.
 
The department explained that it has noticed recent misunderstandings among some media and community members, who thought that the recycling services at the above location were being terminated, raising concerns about the potential inconvenience for residents in the area participating in waste separation and recycling.
 
The department hereby clarifies that the relocation of the smart recycling bin is solely due to the expiration of lease at the current site. It will be moved to another location in the same district to continue providing convenient recycling services to the public. A notice regarding the relocation has been posted on the smart recycling bin to inform the public of the arrangements.
 
As the Metro City Shopping Mall is currently undergoing internal renovation works, the department is keeping close communication with the management office. The smart recycling bin is tentatively scheduled to commence operation on September 15.
 
The department thanks the public for their continued support and calls on everyone to continue actively carrying out green actions, working together to contribute to Hong Kong’s environmental protection efforts.
 
Moreover, to further facilitate public participation in recycling, GREEN@SAI KUNG TOWN will set up a Recycling Spot on the pavement outside Exit A2 of Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station every Tuesday and Saturday morning starting from September 16.
 
People can also visit the nearby GREEN@KIN MING located in Kin Ming Estate or use the waste separation and recycling facilities in their housing estates for continuous participation in clean recycling.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​The Digital Policy Office (DPO) today (September 5) alerted members of the public to two fraudulent “iAM Smart” website addresses (iamsmart-services[.]icu, iamsmart-services[.]info), seeking to deceive members of the public into providing their personal information.
 
     The DPO stresses that the fraudulent websites have no connection with the “iAM Smart” and has referred the case to the Police for follow-up. The DPO reiterates that the “iAM Smart” thematic website (www.iamsmart.gov.hk) is an information website which will not request any personal information from the members of the public.
 
     Members of the public should stay alert when receiving any unidentified emails or messages and should not visit any suspicious websites and disclose any personal information. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned should contact the Police. For enquiries about the “iAM Smart”, please call hotline at 182 123.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Anti-drug Summit, jointly organised by the Security Bureau’s Narcotics Division and the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), was held in Hong Kong today, marking the first anti-drug summit hosted by Hong Kong with the Greater Bay Area as the focus.
 
The summit brought together representatives from about 40 government agencies and community anti-drug organisations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to share insights on three major anti-drug topics.
 
Representatives from Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau also joined the meeting upon invitation and shared their anti-drug experiences with attendees. Around 300 participants from the GBA and overseas attended the discussion.
 
Delivering his opening remarks, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said that the summit marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s anti-drug history. It holds particular significance as it is the first anti-drug summit connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau since the release of the Outline Development Plan for the bay area.
 
Executive Secretary-General of National Narcotics Control Commission & Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Public Security Wei Xiaojun; Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Narcotics Control Commission & Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Liang Ruiguo; Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung; and Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region Leong Man-cheong delivered their keynote speeches during the event’s morning session.
 
Mr Wei said that currently, the global drug trend has undergone complex and significant changes. As regards the GBA, it is where drug imports are destined and where drugs are transhipped. It is where transnational cross-boundary drug trafficking activities are plotted and where they are organised and carried out. Drug crimes have been escalating in different forms.
 
Apart from stressing that the National Narcotics Control Commission attaches great importance to the situation of anti-drug work in Hong Kong and Macau, he added that the commission will also fully support the deepening of anti-drug co-operation between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.
 
Mr Liang said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao regions enjoy close geographical ties, share the same cultural roots and are interdependent. Building a drug-free GBA together is a shared responsibility and a mission that must be shouldered.
 
He has made proposals in three aspects: firstly, to continuously deepen co-operation in law enforcement against drug crimes; secondly, to continuously enhance joint handling of drug problems; and thirdly, to continuously deepen anti-drug exchanges.
 
Mr Tang pointed out that it has been 10 years since the GBA was formally incorporated into national policies. At this significant juncture, it is timely to review past anti-drug efforts and look ahead to the future. Over six decades of combatting drugs, Hong Kong has progressively established a comprehensive anti-drug protection net comprising legislation and law enforcement, prevention and education, treatment and rehabilitation, and international co-operation.
 
Looking forward, he said that it must remain highly vigilant in the face of the complex and evolving drug situation and advance future anti-drug co-operation within the bay area.
 
During a panel forum titled “Youth Collaboration for a Drug-free Greater Bay Area”, youth representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau shared their experiences in anti-drug work and their perspectives on drug problems.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 5) said that the smart recycling bin located in the shopping mall at Ocean Shores Phase 3 on O King Road in Tiu Keng Leng, commonly known as GREEN@SAI KUNG TOWN – TIU KENG LENG BRANCH, will be relocated to the nearby Metro City Shopping Mall for operation in mid-September.

A spokesperson for the EPD said that it has noticed recent misunderstandings among some media and community members, who thought that the recycling services at the above location were being terminated, raising concerns about potential inconvenience for residents in the area participating in waste separation and recycling. The EPD hereby clarifies that the relocation of the smart recycling bin is solely due to the expiration of lease at the current site. It will be moved to another location in the same district to continue providing convenient recycling services to the public. A notice regarding the relocation has been posted on the smart recycling bin to inform the public of the arrangements.
 
“As the Metro City Shopping Mall is currently undergoing internal renovation works, the EPD is keeping close communication with the management office. The smart recycling bin is tentatively scheduled to commence operation on September 15. The EPD thanks the public for their continued support. We call on everyone to continue actively carrying out green actions, working together to contribute to Hong Kong’s environmental protection efforts,” the spokesman said.

Moreover, to further facilitate public participation in recycling, GREEN@SAI KUNG TOWN will set up a Recycling Spot on the pavement outside Exit A2 of Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station every Tuesday and Saturday morning starting from September 16. Members of the public can also visit the nearby GREEN@KIN MING located in Kin Ming Estate or use the waste separation and recycling facilities in their housing estates for continuous participation in clean recycling.

Details about the GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling network can be found on the website: www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk/waste-reduction-programme/greencommunity.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region