Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that Mainland perfume brand To Summer officially opened its first store in Hong Kong today (September 5), marking a pivotal moment in the brand’s global expansion strategy, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique position as an international hub for culture, art, and commerce.

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “We are delighted to welcome To Summer to Hong Kong, a city that serves as a vital bridge between Mainland China and the global market. Hong Kong’s unique position as an international financial and cultural hub provides an unparalleled platform for brands like To Summer to showcase their products and connect with a diverse international audience.”

Founded in Beijing in 2018, To Summer, known for its modern interpretation of Eastern aesthetics, chose Hong Kong as the location for its first store outside Mainland China due to the city’s rich cultural heritage and its role as a gateway to international markets, according to the brand.

The spokesperson for To Summer, said, “Hong Kong’s unique blend of Eastern and Western inspiration aligns perfectly with our brand’s vision. This store is not just a retail space but a cultural bridge that connects Eastern fragrance traditions with global audiences. We are excited to deepen our connection with Hong Kong’s vibrant culture and community.”

The spokesperson added, “We will focus on the development of the Hong Kong market and our local clientele first. With the Causeway Bay store as a core base, we will then continue to invest resources and steadily expand our operations. We plan to use Hong Kong as a base to expand its influence across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and beyond, with a focus on Southeast Asian and international markets.”

The new store in Causeway Bay offers an immersive brand experience, showcasing To Summer’s full range of products, including art perfumes, home fragrances, and body care items. The store also features cultural publications and collaborative projects with local artists and designers, highlighting the brand’s dedication to shared cultural creativity.

For more information about To Summer, please visit www.tosummer.cn/en.

For a copy of the photo, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720328775853.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) will hold an online briefing about the employment of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) at 7pm on October 10 (Friday). Enrolment is now open.

The briefing will provide an overview of the employment rights and obligations of employers of FDHs. A representative from the Equal Opportunities Commission will also share best practices for creating an inclusive workplace for FDHs. Employers of FDHs, especially first-time employers, are welcome to attend.

The online briefing will be conducted in Cantonese via Zoom, and admission is free. Interested parties may register online at the LD’s dedicated FDH Portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk/en/home.html), or download the enrolment form (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk/res/pdf/Enrolment_Form_ER.pdf) and submit it by email (fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk) or by fax (3101 0604). The deadline for enrolment is October 8 (Wednesday). The quota will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For enquiries, please contact the LD at 3582 8995.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong:

     The Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong today (September 5) announced that applications for the 2026 Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination will open on September 22, 2025. 

     Applicants who are non-listed Chinese medicine practitioners taking the Licensing Examination for the first time should submit their applications by October 31, 2025. Listed Chinese medicine practitioners or repeaters who wish to undertake the 2026 Licensing Examination should submit their enrolments from December 1, 2025, to January 30, 2026.

     The 2026 Licensing Examination consists of Part I Written Examination and Part II Clinical Examination. The written examination will be held in late May or June 2026, while the clinical examination will be held from late July to August 2026.

     According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), any person who wishes to apply for registration as a registered Chinese medicine practitioner must first undertake and pass the Licensing Examination. Other than listed Chinese medicine practitioners who are required by the Board to undertake and pass the Licensing Examination before they are eligible for registration as registered Chinese medicine practitioners, a person is eligible to undertake the Licensing Examination if the applicant has satisfactorily completed an undergraduate degree course of training in Chinese medicine practice or its equivalent as approved by the Board.    

     The undergraduate degree courses of training in Chinese medicine practice of no less than five years’ duration offered by the universities and Chinese medicine institutes stated in Table 1 of the “Candidates’ Handbook for the 2026 Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination” are recognised by the Board. Other than clinical internship and clinical practice, the course must be fully conducted in the university/institute awarding the bachelor’s degree in Chinese medicine.

​The “Candidates’ Handbook for the 2026 Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination”, the application form and the enrolment form are available at the Council’s Secretariat at Room 2201, 22/F Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the Department of Health, and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres. To obtain relevant information, please visit the Council’s homepage (www.cmchk.org.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (the Amendment Regulation) comes into effect today (September 5), updating the safety standards for metal content in food. The amendments aim to enhance consumer protection, facilitate the food trade, and keep local food safety standards on par with international standards.

A Government spokesman said that the Amendment Regulation has taken into account factors such as the metallic contamination standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, relevant standards adopted by major sources of food import, local food consumption patterns and dietary practices, and risk assessment results. It adds 27 new maximum levels (MLs) of specified metals (including lead, cadmium and methylmercury) in specified foods (food pairs), and updates nine MLs of lead in the existing relevant food pairs. As a result, the total number of MLs stipulated in the Amendment Regulation has increased from 144 to 171.

To allow the trade sufficient time to adapt to the updated MLs and food safety standards, the Amendment Regulation provides a grace period of 18 months. During the said period, any food product would be deemed compliant as long as it complies wholly with the pre-amendment or revised requirements under the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V). Upon the lapse of the grace period on March 5, 2027, all food must fully comply with the requirements of the Amendment Regulation.

The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has issued updated user guidelines to facilitate the trade’s compliance. For details of the Amendment Regulation, please refer to the webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fstr/whatsnew_fstr_PA_Food_Adulteration_Metallic_Contamination_2.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government published in the Gazette today (September 5) the Banking (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (Commencement) Notice to appoint November 3 as the commencement date for the Banking (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (23 of 2025) (the Ordinance) to come into operation.
 
     The Ordinance was gazetted on June 13. The Ordinance introduces a voluntary mechanism for banks and relevant law enforcement agencies to share with each other, swiftly and safely via electronic means, information of corporate and individual accounts through secure platforms designated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, when banks become aware of suspected prohibited conduct (i.e. money laundering, terrorist financing or financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction). The Ordinance also provides legal protection for banks that disclose relevant information. The mechanism will enable banks and relevant law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to intercept illicit funds and expedite intelligence gathering.
   
     A Government spokesperson said, “The commencement of the Ordinance will enable timely implementation of the new mechanism. This important measure will provide better protection to the general public of Hong Kong from fraud and associated money laundering activities.”
 
     The Notice will be tabled before the Legislative Council next Wednesday (September 10) for negative vetting.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman: 

     The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (September 5) announced the completion of a full investigation into the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA)’s complaint handling mechanism, with 14 recommendations on improvement measures made.
 
       A statutory body established under the Property Management Services Ordinance, the PMSA is empowered to investigate complaints against licensed property management companies and licensed property management practitioners for suspected disciplinary offences or where it is alleged that they no longer meet any prescribed criteria required for holding a licence. Upon receiving information from a complainant, the PMSA will conduct a preliminary assessment and assign the case to an investigator if an investigation is warranted.  The PMSA pledges to conclude complaints within six months upon receipt of sufficient information. During this period, the PMSA will acknowledge receipt within 10 calendar days and give the complainant monthly updates in writing or by other proper means. If the investigation reveals prima facie evidence supporting the complainant’s allegations against the complainee, the PMSA will consider initiating disciplinary proceedings.

      Mr Chan said, “The Office received a complaint in which the complainant alleged that the PMSA had failed to take action against a certain property management company (Company A) in response to her complaint. The complainant also alleged that the PMSA had not provided any substantive replies on the investigation progress or results, other than repeating that the complaint was being followed up in accordance with procedures. 

      “The Office’s investigation found that the PMSA had continued its contact, investigation and follow-up with Company A. As the complainant raised further allegations and provided supplementary information on multiple occasions, the PMSA had to seek further information from Company A. The complainant’s case involved complex issues, including interpretation of legal provisions and the deed of mutual covenant, tendering procedures, conflict of interest, and disciplinary offences. Given the complexity of the case, it is understandable that the investigation took time.

      “However, in its acknowledgement letter and interim replies to the complainant, the PMSA merely reiterated that it was following up on her complaint in accordance with procedures, without providing any substantive update. While the PMSA took a longer time in processing the complainant’s complaint due to factors including the complexity of the case, for almost a year, the complainant received only repetitive and brief messages, making it difficult for her to know the progress of the investigation. This may have led her to believe that the PMSA had not taken any substantive action at all, which is far from satisfactory.”

      The Office is pleased to note that the PMSA has responded positively to the full investigation and has proactively proposed measures to improve its procedures and mechanism for responding to public complaints. This Office has incorporated the Authority’s views into this investigation report. Overall, the Office has made 14 recommendations for improvement to the Authority and all the recommendations have been accepted by the PMSA.

      The recommendations for improvement include:
 

• properly informing complainants through interim replies that more time may be required to process a case if it is complex or involves new allegations or supplementary information;
• considering publishing cases, summary of cases or adapted cases via the website or annual report of the PMSA for public and industry reference;
• considering revising and formulating performance pledges for investigating and responding to complaints based on the complexity of cases, and announcing any revised and newly formulated performance pledges;
• exploring the use of mediation to handle simple complaints wherever possible as a feasible solution for resolving complaints swiftly and amicably; and
• stepping up publicity and education to raise awareness of the benefits of mediation, and encouraging voluntary participation of the public and industry to achieve win-win outcomes.

 
      The full investigation report has been uploaded to the website of the Office of The Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.hk for public information.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said today (September 5) that the contractor involved in the fatal industrial incident that happened on September 4 at a public housing construction site in Kwu Tung was on the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works. 
 
The DEVB, being the party to procure services for public works, attaches great importance to the site safety performance of all construction sites under the purview of contractors on the List, regardless of whether the sites are public works construction sites or not. The DEVB issued a notification to the contractor concerned today to suspend it from tendering for public works contracts in the buildings category with immediate effect pursuant to the regulating regime. The contractor concerned has to conduct an independent safety audit to review its safety management system. Taking cognisance of the outcome of the independent safety audit, the contractor is required to submit an improvement action plan and implement improvement measures, with a view to demonstrating that it has an effective safety management system before the lifting of the suspension from tendering can be considered. The suspension from tendering is not only confined to tender exercises within the period of suspension from tendering, but is also applicable to tender exercises with procedures initiated but not concluded.

The Labour Department is investigating this industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB may impose further regulatory actions on the contractor concerned later on, including an extension of the period of suspension from tendering for public works contracts and even removal from the List.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government announced today (September 5) that Mr Wong Sai-fat will take up the appointment as Director of Marine on September 8, 2025, following an open-cum-in-service recruitment exercise. 

     Commenting on the appointment of Mr Wong, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, “Mr Wong was a seasoned directorate civil servant who had served in the Marine Department for almost 28 years. He has fully demonstrated his outstanding leadership and management skills, extensive maritime experience, and in-depth knowledge of the shipping industry throughout his service, especially during his tenure as the Acting Director of Marine. I have every confidence that Mr Wong will continue to lead the Marine Department to provide high-quality services to the public and meet future challenges. His profound knowledge of the maritime industry will also help strengthen communication and collaboration with the shipping industry, thereby fostering the future development of the industry and strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre.”  

Mr Wong Sai-fat
——————–

     Mr Wong joined the Marine Department as Surveyor of Ships in June 1997. He was promoted to Principal Surveyor of Ships in December 2011, to Assistant Director of Marine in September 2014, and to Deputy Director of Marine in September 2016. He was the Acting Director of Marine from late January 2024 to June 2025. The Transport and Logistics Bureau conducted an open-cum-in-service recruitment exercise for the post of Director of Marine in March 2025. Mr Wong was appointed to this post after a selection process.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will conduct an open lot drawing and computer balloting at 10am on September 26, 2025 (Friday) for the allocation of new extendable public niches of Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling, Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in Eastern District and Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin.

Upon completion of the open lot drawing and computer balloting, applicants can check the ballot results immediately on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) using their application numbers and identity card numbers. In addition, the FEHD will notify the successful applicants by WhatsApp/SMS and email or letter of the designed niche number allocated. Applicants can also visit the department’s Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria offices, the Public Niche Allocation Office or call the hotline 2841 9111 to check the results from the day after the lot drawing and computer balloting.

The FEHD reminds the public that the Shek Mun Columbarium, which will soon commence operation, will fully implement “smoke-free worshipping”. All allocated niches will be smoke free, with no facilities for burning joss sticks and offerings, and the burning of such offerings will be completely prohibited. In addition to the columbarium, the site also includes a Garden of Remembrance for ash scattering and a Garden of Forever Love for abortus keeping. Both facilities will accept public applications on September 26.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (September 5) held an unveiling ceremony for a commemorative plaque at a historic site of the Communist Party of China in the War of Resistance in Hong Kong at Sai Sha Road, Kei Ling Ha, Sai Kung in Ma On Shan Country Park, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
 
The unveiling ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; Deputy Director-General of the New Territories Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Wang Hui; Legislative Council Members Mr Stanley Li and Ms Lam So-wai; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai; and the First Vice-Chairman of the Sai Kung North Rural Committee, Mr Lam B. Other guests attending included the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Patrick Lai, and relevant members of the local community.
 
In his speech, Mr Tse stated that the location of this commemorative plaque, Kei Ling Ha, was an important sea-crossing point for the Secret Rescue operation during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, where anti-Japanese cultural figures arrived at the bay of Kei Ling Ha before evacuating Hong Kong by sea. He emphasised that this unveiling ceremony holds exceptional significance, as it not only commemorates the spirit of those who fought in the War of Resistance and fearlessly sacrificed their lives to defend their country, but also enables more citizens and future generations to learn about this important period of history and be inspired by the historical wisdom and national spirit.
 
The AFCD has been committed to conserving, revitalising, and promoting historic resources in country parks to enhance public awareness of the history of the War of Resistance. Examples include revitalising the Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine at the Robin’s Nest Country Park into an open museum, producing videos introducing the history of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Robin’s Nest, and establishing the Lion Rock War Relics Trail and Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail. Currently, the AFCD is implementing enhancement works for the Shing Mun War Relics Trail and Luk Keng War Relics Trail, and conducting a study on the establishment of an open museum at the Shing Mun Redoubt. The AFCD will continue to deepen citizens’ understanding of the historic sites of the War of Resistance in country parks through publicity and education, enabling more people to learn about and appreciate this precious history, thereby understanding the significant meaning of the victory.
 
The AFCD has installed commemorative plaques at nine historic sites of the Communist Party of China in the War of Resistance in Hong Kong located in country parks. Through these historically significant sites, members of the public can learn more about the deeds of the martyrs during the War of Resistance, experience their courage and indomitable spirit, and together carry forward the spirit of patriotism.