Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases 11th batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in August
District
District Among the 11th batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering two survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering nine survey areas in August, all were below 10 per cent.
The FEHD has so far released 11 batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in August 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 44 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. July 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Fifteen other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD will disseminate the relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
???Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes, to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data of the two weeks’ surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 17:00
Major Sports Events Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng said: “This world-class event, gathering Olympic medallists and badminton elites from around the globe, will attract many local, overseas and Mainland badminton enthusiasts, thereby promoting tourism and boosting the economy.”
He added that he believes the Hong Kong, China team will give its best on home ground and strive for excellent results.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Land Registry releases statistics for August——————- * The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in August was 6 462 (-10.4 per cent compared with July 2025 but +36.6 per cent compared with August 2024)————- * The number of searches of land registers made by the public in August was 388 762 (-8.3 per cent compared with July 2025 and -1.9 per cent compared with August 2024)Issued at HKT 15:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
An August with outbreaks of heavy rain Under the influence of a southwesterly airstream, the weather of Hong Kong was very hot with sunny periods on the first day of the month. There were also heavy showers and thunderstorms in some areas in the afternoon with more than 70 millimetres of rainfall recorded over the North District. An active southwest monsoon and upper-air disturbances brought heavy showers and squally thunderstorms to the coast of Guangdong from August 2 to 5. The outbreaks of heavy showers necessitated the issuance of Black Rainstorm Warnings three times in just four days. The Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters registered a record-breaking daily rainfall of 368.9 millimetres on August 5, the highest daily rainfall in August since records began in 1884. This daily rainfall amount was already more than 80 per cent of the August normal rainfall. The accumulated rainfall recorded at the Observatory during these four days was nearly 600 millimetres, with rainfall even exceeding 800 millimetres over Tseung Kwan O and Tsz Wan Shan. In the midst of the incessant downpour, the temperature at the Observatory dropped to the month’s lowest of 24.0 degrees on the morning of August 5.
While showery conditions persisted on August 6, with the establishment of an anticyclone aloft, apart from a few showers, it was generally fine with prolonged heat from August 7 to 12. The maximum temperature at the Observatory rose to 34.4 degrees on the afternoon of August 10, the highest of the month. Meanwhile, Typhoon Podul over the western North Pacific moved west-northwestwards towards Taiwan on August 12. It further intensified into a severe typhoon before making landfall over the southeastern part of Taiwan the next day. Under the influence of its outer subsiding air, the weather in Hong Kong was mainly fine apart from isolated showers on August 13. It was also extremely hot in the afternoon. Podul rapidly weakened into a tropical depression as it moved into inland Guangdong on August 14. Under the influence of its outer band of intense thundery showers, it was overcast with heavy showers and severe squally thunderstorms in Hong Kong. More than 100 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even exceeded 200 millimetres over Lantau Island, Tuen Mun and parts of Hong Kong Island. The incessant downpour necessitated the issuance of the Black Rainstorm Warning for the fifth time this year, breaking the previous record of three times set in 2000 and 2006 since the commencement of the rainstorm system operation in 1992. While there were still a few showers on August 15, with the dissipation of Podul and the establishment of a ridge of high pressure over southeastern China, local weather turned mainly fine on August 16.
Meanwhile, the broad area of low pressure over the central part of the South China Sea intensified into a tropical depression on August 16. It moved west-northwestwards towards the seas south of Hainan Island on August 17 and skirted across Beibu Wan the next day. Under the combined effect of the tropical depression and the ridge of high pressure over southeastern China, it was windy with squally showers and thunderstorms on August 17. The heavy showery weather continued on August 18 with more than 100 millimetres of rainfall recorded over many places in Hong Kong.
The weather remained unsettled on August 19 under the influence of an active southerly airstream. More than 30 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over most parts of the territory, and rainfall even exceeded 100 millimetres over parts of Kowloon and the New Territories. With the strengthening of an anticyclone aloft, local weather was generally fine and very hot from August 20 to 22.
The area of low pressure over the seas west of Luzon intensified into a tropical depression on the night of August 22 and was later named Kajiki. Kajiki moved westwards across the central part of the South China Sea and intensified progressively into a severe tropical storm the next day. It rapidly intensified into a severe typhoon over the seas south of Hainan Island on August 24 and made landfall over the northern part of Vietnam the next night. Locally, it was mainly fine on August 23 apart from a few showers and squally thunderstorms at night. There were sunny periods during the following two days. Under the influence of a ridge of high pressure over southeastern China, apart from isolated showers and thunderstorms over the western part of the New Territories in the afternoon, local weather was mainly fine and very hot on August 26 and 27. Affected by upper-air disturbances, it was mainly cloudy with a few showers and squally thunderstorms locally on August 28. Moreover, Nongfa formed as a tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea that afternoon and moved northwestwards towards the seas south of Hainan Island. The Standby Signal, No. 1 was issued that night, for the eighth time this year, breaking the highest record between January and August since 1946. Nongfa intensified into a tropical storm and tracked across the seas south of Hainan Island on August 30. It made landfall over central and northern Vietnam that afternoon and then weakened into a tropical depression at night. Locally, it was very hot with sunny periods on August 29. It was also windy under the combined effect of a ridge of high pressure over southeastern China and Nongfa. An easterly airstream affected the coast of Guangdong on August 30 and the weather of Hong Kong was mainly cloudy with a few showers. The weather turned generally fine and very hot on the last day of the month.
Eleven tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in August 2025.
Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for August are tabulated in Table 2. Issued at HKT 15:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to the LI-NING Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2025 part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500, which will be held from September 9 to 14 at the Hong Kong Coliseum.
The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (September 2), “This world-class event, gathering Olympic medallists and badminton elites from around the globe, will attract many local, overseas and Mainland badminton enthusiasts, thereby promoting tourism and boosting the economy. I believe that the Hong Kong China team will give their best on home ground and strive for excellent results.”
The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local National Sports Associations and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events. The “M” Mark System aims to promote the development of major sports events, cultivate a sustainable sporting culture, enhance Hong Kong’s image as a centre for major international sports events and bring tangible economic benefits to our community.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (September 1) visited Singapore to have exchanges with the political and business sectors to forge an even closer relationship between Hong Kong and Singapore, leveraging the complementary advantages of the two places.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Singapore, a milestone underscoring the enduring partnership between Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole.
Speaking at a celebration dinner hosted by the Singapore ETO, Mr Yau said that the Singapore ETO, which also covers Vietnam, Laos and India, is the first ETO that Hong Kong has set up in Southeast Asia, followed by the ones in Indonesia and Thailand, and hopefully another one soon in Malaysia. ASEAN is now the fourth-largest economic bloc in the world and has also become Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner.
Noting that ASEAN is Hong Kong’s strategic partner at both the regional and global levels, Mr Yau highlighted the importance of partnerships among economies especially in turbulent times, when conflicts destabilise global relations, and tariff-induced uncertainties impede world trade.
Mr Yau stressed that the world economy in the long term is not a zero-sum game and economies can grow together through innovation, investment and trade, and also create new values, generate new wealth and opportunities hand in hand. He added that what exists among economies does not have to be competition, it can be collaboration for a brighter and shared future.
Mr Yau also shared with around 200 guests from the government sector, Chinese and foreign embassies in Singapore, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, business associations, academic institutions and cultural organisations, etc Hong Kong’s economic outlook and resilient growth in trade despite the tariff shocks. He added that sparing no efforts to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, Hong Kong will forge more partnerships with other economies. He also expressed gratitude for the Singapore Government’s long-standing support for the Singapore ETO and extended his congratulations to the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Other notable guests of honour at the dinner included the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry of Singapore, Ms Gan Siow Huang, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, Mr Zhu Jing. Both acknowledged the efforts and achievements of the Singapore ETO over the past three decades and aspired for even closer co-operation in the years ahead.
The dinner featured photos highlighting the Singapore ETO’s diverse engagements over the past 30 years. The Director of the Singapore ETO, Mr Owin Fung, noted that through hosting high-level official visits, leading business delegations, and organising events, forums and cultural performances, the office has fostered ever closer ties between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries. An ensemble was also staged by young talented musicians from Hong Kong and Singapore using a vibrant fusion of Chinese and Western instruments to embody the “East meets West” spirit, cultural diversity and creative energy of both places.
In addition to attending the celebration dinner, Mr Yau earlier in the day met with the Minister for Manpower and the Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology of Singapore, Dr Tan See Leng, to brief him on Hong Kong’s latest developments such as the Northern Metropolis development, and the vast business opportunities in Hong Kong and also the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for Singaporean enterprises. They also exchanged views on deepening collaboration between the two places in various areas to bring mutual benefits.
During the visit, Mr Yau also took the opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the development and potential of e-commerce in Singapore and ASEAN markets. As well, Mr Yau visited a family edutainment company specialising in offering fun play activities for young children’s learning, social interaction and development. The company now has four outlets in Hong Kong and the fifth one will open soon. Mr Yau had a good exchange with the company’s senior management and encouraged the company to continue to use Hong Kong as a base to expand business and tap into the Mainland market.
Mr Yau concluded his visit to Singapore and will proceed to Beijing tomorrow (September 2). He will return to Hong Kong on September 3.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Digital Policy Office (DPO) today (September 1) alerted members of the public to a fraudulent “iAM Smart” website address (iamsmarts-service[.]info), seeking to deceive members of the public into providing their personal information.
The DPO stresses that the fraudulent website has 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 website concerned should contact the Police. For enquiries about the “iAM Smart”, please call hotline at 182 123.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Two male and one female incoming passengers were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (September 1) for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance(IEO).
Customs officers intercepted a 42-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on July 4 and seized about 92 600 alternative smoking products from his personal baggage with an estimated market value of about $278,000. In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 21-year-old incoming female passenger and a 27-year-old incoming male passenger at HKIA on July 5 and seized about 91 000 alternative smoking products respectively from their personal baggage with an estimated market value of about $546,000 in total. The three passengers were subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Under the IEO, a person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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/en/).