Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 4) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Benavente of Santarém District in Portugal, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Portugal in the first six months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the Portuguese authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, had a bilateral meeting with the Ambassador of Jordan to China, Mr Hussam Al Husseini, in Beijing today (September 4) and signed on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with the Government of Jordan. Mr Hui said that the signing of the CDTA demonstrated Hong Kong’s continuous efforts in deepening co-operation with Belt and Road countries, and is an excellent starting point to enhance the financial, economic and trade connections between Hong Kong and Jordan.
 
At the bilateral meeting, Mr Hui presented to Mr Hussam Al Husseini the advantages and latest developments of Hong Kong’s financial market, including the efforts made to promote the continuous vibrant development of the financial market and establish Hong Kong as an international gold trading centre.
 
Mr Hui said, “Jordan is a participant in the Belt and Road Initiative. The CDTA signifies the determination of the HKSAR Government in expanding Hong Kong’s CDTA network and its enhanced collaboration with tax jurisdictions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
 
“The CDTA sets out the allocation of taxing rights between Hong Kong and Jordan, which will help investors better assess their potential tax liabilities from cross-border economic activities. I have every confidence that it will be an excellent starting point to enhance the financial, economic and trade connections between the two places. This CDTA is the 53rd one that Hong Kong has concluded. We will continue to expand Hong Kong’s CDTA network to enhance the city’s attractiveness as a business and investment hub, and consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international economic and trade centre.”
 
In accordance with the newly signed CDTA, Hong Kong residents can avoid double taxation in that any tax paid in Jordan will be allowed as a credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the same income, subject to the provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112).
 
Moreover, Jordan’s withholding tax rates for Hong Kong residents on dividends, interest and royalties, currently at up to 10 per cent, will be capped at 5 per cent.
 
The Hong Kong-Jordan CDTA will come into force after completion of ratification procedures by both sides. In Hong Kong, the Chief Executive in Council will make an order under the Inland Revenue Ordinance, which will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting. Details of the CDTA are available on the Inland Revenue Department’s website.
 
Mr Hui will return to Hong Kong this evening.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Kuehne & Nagel Limited was fined $60,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (September 4) for violating the Occupational Safety and Health Regulation. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
 
The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on July 15, 2024, at a warehouse in Kwai Chung. A security guard fell to the ground from a platform 1.2 metres high. He sustained a head injury and passed away on August 29, 2024.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today said that the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest Hong Kong is a commercial event, and the organiser has the responsibility to ensure its safe execution including conducting and arranging demonstration for compliance with all licence and permit specifications and requirements to secure approvals from relevant departments.

In response to media enquiries, the Government made it clear that because the event is a commercial one, it is not organised, co-organised or funded by the Government. It stressed that it has prioritised safety when endeavouring to facilitate the smooth staging of the event throughout the approval process.

The Government explained that following the organiser’s notification to organise a hot air balloon event, relevant government departments communicated with it through multiple meetings. They provided professional advice, details and requirements for applying for necessary licences and permits, and participated in on-site hot air balloon demonstrations.

The organiser conducted an on-site demonstration on August 20, but the results were unsatisfactory. Relevant departments observed that the hot air balloon operation was highly susceptible to wind strength and direction, with instances of difficulty in stabilising control on-site, posing significant safety risks.

The Government pointed out that the organiser conducted another demonstration yesterday, the day before the event took place, and after cautious and comprehensive consideration of public safety, relevant government departments approved the display of hot air balloons.

However, given insufficient time to conduct another demonstration of passenger carriage to assess its safety, the approval does not include the carriage of passengers, it added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui had a bilateral meeting with Ambassador of Jordan to China Hussam Al Husseini in Beijing today, and signed on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with the Jordanian government.

 

In accordance with the CDTA, Hong Kong residents can avoid double taxation in that any tax paid in Jordan will be allowed as a credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the same income, subject to the provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Moreover, Jordan’s withholding tax rates for Hong Kong residents on dividends, interest and royalties, currently at up to 10%, will be capped at 5%.

 

At the bilateral meeting, Mr Hui presented to the Jordanian official the advantages and latest developments of Hong Kong’s financial market, including the efforts made to promote the growth of the financial market and establish the city as an international gold trading centre.

 

Mr Hui said, “The CDTA signifies the determination of the Hong Kong SAR Government in expanding Hong Kong’s CDTA network and its enhanced collaboration with tax jurisdictions participating in the Belt & Road Initiative.”

 

He also highlighted that the CDTA sets out the allocation of taxing rights between Hong Kong and Jordan, which will help investors better assess their potential tax liabilities from cross-border economic activities.

 

“I have every confidence that it will be an excellent starting point to enhance the financial, economic and trade connections between the two places.”

 

Additionally, Mr Hui stated that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to expand Hong Kong’s CDTA network to enhance the city’s attractiveness as a business and investment hub, and consolidate its status as an international economic and trade centre.

 

The Hong Kong-Jordan CDTA is the 53rd such pact that Hong Kong has concluded. It will come into force after completion of ratification procedures by both sides.

 

In Hong Kong, the Chief Executive in Council will, under the Inland Revenue Ordinance, make an order which will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill 2025 will be published in the Government Gazette tomorrow with the aim of introducing a regulatory regime for ride-hailing services to enhance public safety for travellers.

 

Under the proposed regulatory regime, platforms, vehicles and drivers providing ride-hailing services must obtain appropriate licences/permits and meet their conditions as imposed by the Transport Department.

 

The Government will set entry thresholds based on operational experience, proof of financial capacity, capital investment, and directors’ qualifications for platforms applying for operation. Additionally, the company concerned must be registered in Hong Kong.

 

The platforms must also maintain appropriate and efficient services and conduct due diligence on their vehicles and drivers.

 

Regarding ride-hailing vehicles, the Government proposes that vehicles must be registered in the name of an individual and can only be operated by their registered owners. Furthermore, such vehicles must hold appropriate third-party risk insurance and display identification markings for identification purposes.

 

As for ride-hailing vehicle drivers, the applicants must meet a series of conditions and complete a specified test. These conditions include being at least 21 years of age, holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card, and having no serious traffic conviction records within the five years preceding the application date.

 

The Transport & Logistics Bureau explained that in devising the legal framework, the Government has prioritised public safety, adding that the aim is to provide the public with more safe, legally compliant and diverse travel options, while ensuring the healthy and orderly development of the overall point-to-point transport service industry and creating a competitive environment.

 

The Government also proposes introducing new measures to combat illegal activities of carrying passengers for hire or reward, the bureau added.

 

The amendment bill will be tabled at the Legislative Council on September 10 for first and second readings following its gazettal.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 4) investigating a suspected ciguatoxin poisoning case cluster, involving two patients who consumed marine fish.

A 61-year-old female and a 70-year-old male bought coral trout at the Hung Hom Market yesterday (September 3). They cooked and ate the fish at home. About three hours later, both of them developed nausea and diarrhoea. The female patient also developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning, including facial and limb numbness. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital, and remains hospitalised. She is in serious condition. Symptoms of the male patient are mild and he did not experience numbness. He did not seek medical advice.

The CHP notified the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the case.

Ciguatoxin poisoning is mainly associated with the consumption of large coral reef fish that prey on small fish in coral reef areas. The small fish may have consumed toxic algae. The toxins accumulate in large coral reef fish, particularly in their internal organs. Larger fish may contain higher levels of toxins. It is difficult to tell whether a fish is toxic based on its appearance. Cooking the fish does not break down the toxin.

People affected by ciguatoxin poisoning may have symptoms such as numbness in the mouth and limbs, vomiting, diarrhoea, alternating sensations of coldness and hotness, and joint and muscle pain.

While most people affected by ciguatoxin do not suffer from long-term effects, excessive toxin intake can affect the circulatory and nervous systems. To prevent ciguatoxin poisoning, the public should:

• Eat less coral reef fish;
• Eat small portions of coral reef fish at a time, and avoid having a “whole fish feast” in which all the dishes may come from a single large coral reef fish;
• Avoid eating the head, skin, intestines and roe of coral reef fish, as these parts usually accumulate more toxins;
• Refrain from consuming alcohol, peanuts or beans when eating coral reef fish to prevent aggravating ciguatoxin poisoning;
• Seek medical treatment immediately should symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning appear; and
• Buy coral reef fish from reputable seafood vendors. Do not buy fish of an unknown origin.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Closing Panel of the World Football Summit Hong Kong 2025 today (September 4):

Mr Jan Alessie (Co-founder and Managing Director of the World Football Summit), Eric (Chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, Mr Eric Fok), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon, and it is my great pleasure to finally join you at this Closing Panel of the World Football Summit. I actually came back from Beijing late last night to make myself available for at least the closing part of this important summit, which is a fitting final act of a thrilling international football season or football summer here in Hong Kong. So allow me to say really more than a few words, because this is the only opportunity that I can speak to such a distinguished audience. Let me first extend my very warmest welcome to all influential football stakeholders who gathered here for the first time in Hong Kong to share insightful views on trends in the global football industry. I hope everyone had fruitful and rewarding exchanges at the two-day Summit, filled with multiple panels on a wide range of topics.

Asia stands today as the world’s largest and fastest-growing football market, driven by large fan bases and rapidly expanding sponsorship opportunities. Over the last two days, many useful exchanges should have taken place on how such positive features could be utilised to better shape the future of football in Asia, both commercially and in terms of elevating the standard and quality of football in this part of the world. In this connection, I trust you also have had a glimpse of why Hong Kong stands out in Asia as holding the keys to football’s regional future. But do please allow me to share a few of my views on the strengths of Hong Kong and our collective offering.

First, Hong Kong has the infrastructure. The Kai Tak Sports Park, the US$4-billion, largest-ever sports and entertainment infrastructure that the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government has ever invested in, was commissioned officially in March this year. Some of you, such as friends from Tottenham Hotspur who played at Kai Tak Stadium just five weeks ago, and if, on top of football you are also rugby fans, you would have already experienced the state-of-the-art high-tech hardware in this 50 000-strong capacity Stadium. From what I have heard thus far from the teams that have played in the Stadium, reviews on Kai Tak Stadium since its debut have been very positive.

In just seven months since its commissioning, we have already hosted matches including Liverpool (FC), Arsenal and Spurs from the English Premier League, AC Milan from Serie A and the India national team. At the risk of “over-marketing”, Kai Tak Stadium is an all-weather, fully air-conditioned venue, which you would especially appreciate over Hong Kong’s very hot summer.

In addition to Kai Tak Stadium, the 40 000-seat Hong Kong Stadium, which some of you may have visited in the past, has also played host to a number of important football matches this year. The annual Guangdong – Hong Kong Cup and Chinese New Year Cup featuring Legends from major European leagues in the first quarter of 2025; Manchester United, my favourite but struggling team, versus the Hong Kong, China Representative Team in May; and the series of exciting games of Saudi Super Cup in August, all took place at Hong Kong Stadium, which might be less eye-catching technology-wise, but more than compensated for its nostalgic value and central location of being only a few steps away from the bustling Causeway Bay and Wan Chai area.

Together, these two large-scale venues now provide the perfect conditions for Hong Kong to serve as a launchpad of Asia’s football development.

Second, Hong Kong has the market. Located at the centre of Asia, where the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is home to more than 87 million people, where the rest of China and most East and Southeast Asian countries, which are home to half of the world’s population, are within hours’ flight time, and where more direct flights from locations, such as Riyadh, to Hong Kong are now in operation, Hong Kong has a unique global appeal to Asian markets in the world of premium international football. With our proximity to the Mainland of China, which has the largest football fan base in the world, Hong Kong is a natural gateway for clubs, federations and investors seeking collaboration opportunities across the Mainland market. And if you have just joined one of the games I mentioned just now, you will testify to the electrifying atmosphere, created by our civilised, but raving at all times fans, and agree with me that it is like the best party in the world.

On top of the games themselves, Hong Kong’s world-class tourism infrastructure, featuring a wide range of luxurious to value-for-money hotels, diverse dining options at different price points, and one of the most efficient transportation systems in the world, provides the ideal environment for hosting large-scale football events that can, most important of all, draw regional and international visitors, but also an attractive vacation destination for players, staff and their families.

Now let the numbers speak for themselves. The depth and breadth of our market is best showcased by the popularity of the several key football matches held in Hong Kong this year. The first-ever overseas North London Derby, featuring Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, held in Hong Kong on July 31, attracted a record-breaking attendance of 49 975. The series of matches in the Saudi Super Cup, which is a relatively new brand for fans in this part of the world, has achieved an aggregated attendance of over 80 000; a great number of them are actually fans from the Middle East and elsewhere.

Hong Kong’s third point of strength lies with our proven expertise in organising international matches and mega events. Eric, our Chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, will of course be even better placed to share with you the experts and professionals we possess in Hong Kong. But I believe I will sound convincing enough when I point you to the consecutive successes of all the important football matches in Hong Kong that are staged this year and the wonderful reports, social media posts and photos that accompanied these matches.

Last but not least, I should state to you clearly the commitment of the Hong Kong SAR Government in supporting football development. We invest in venues. We invest in youth training. We also invest in cultivating spectators. The solid partnership between the Government and HKFA (Football Association of Hong Kong, China) under Eric’s leadership provides a super-effective platform for the football industry to thrive.

Ladies and gentlemen, I can go on to talk more, such as about broadcast innovation, advanced technologies, live-streaming platforms, etc, which of course adds a lot of value to driving football development in Hong Kong and elsewhere. But you need to just take away these important points, and remember Hong Kong’s world-class infrastructure, huge international market, our proven capability and the positive attitude and commitment of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Joining our hands together, we will shape the future and drive the growth of football as both a sport and an industry in Asia.

On this note, I thank you all for joining us at this rewarding Summit and wish you an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong.

Thank you.