Month: October 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     A spokesperson for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said today (October 31) that to help the trade better understand the content and the application arrangements of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Inspection, Quarantine and Hygiene Requirements for Meat Products Exported from Hong Kong to the Mainland and the Cooperation Arrangement for the Export of Dairy Products from Hong Kong to the Mainland (collectively referred to as co-operation agreements), the EEB, together with the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Trade and Industry Department, held two briefing sessions for the trade on October 24 and October 30. The sessions received strong support from nearly 100 members of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong.
 
     The sessions introduced the requirements and procedures for exporting meat products and dairy products manufactured in Hong Kong to the Mainland (including how to apply for “Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Foods” from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) and “Recommendation on Food Manufacturer Registration” from the CFS), the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, as well as the preference of zero tariff under the Trade in Goods Agreement. These efforts aim to encourage food enterprises to seize the opportunity and export food products that satisfy the prescribed requirements to the Mainland. Representatives of Invest Hong Kong also attended the event to address questions from the trade.
 
     The EEB and the GACC signed co-operation agreements in Hong Kong on May 19 this year, facilitating food trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The operational details of the aforesaid co-operation agreements have been finalised by the CFS and the GACC as of now. The respective application platform of the CFS (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/export/export_fem/recommendation_meat_and_dairy_product.html) and that of the GACC (www.singlewindow.cn/#/) are now open for applications to be submitted.    
 
     Details of the co-operation agreements, frequently asked questions by the trade, and relevant application guidelines have also been uploaded to the above-mentioned CFS website. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association 70th Anniversary Cocktail Celebration today (October 31):

Mr Eric Sun (Chairman of the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

A total of 25 nomination forms for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election were received today (October 31) by the Returning Officers for the 10 geographical constituencies, the 28 functional constituencies and the Election Committee constituency.

     This brings to 134 the total number of nomination forms received since the start of the nomination period on October 24. The nomination period will continue until November 6.

The number of nomination forms received for each geographical constituency is as follows:
 

Geographical constituency	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Hong Kong Island East	0	5
Hong Kong Island West	0	5
Kowloon East	0	2
Kowloon West	1	3
Kowloon Central	0	6
New Territories South East	0	5
New Territories North	1	5
New Territories North West	0	5
New Territories South West	0	5
New Territories North East	0	5
Total	2	46

The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
 

Functional constituency	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Heung Yee Kuk	1	2
Agriculture and fisheries	1	2
Insurance	1	1
Transport	0	2
Education	0	1
Legal	0	2
Accountancy	0	2
Medical and health services	0	2
Engineering	0	0
Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape	0	0
Labour	1	5
Social welfare	0	2
Real estate and construction	1	2
Tourism	0	1
Commercial (first)	0	2
Commercial (second)	0	0
Commercial (third)	0	2
Industrial (first)	2	2
Industrial (second)	1	2
Finance	1	1
Financial services	0	2
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication	0	2
Import and export	2	2
Textiles and garment	2	2
Wholesale and retail	0	2
Technology and innovation	1	2
Catering	1	2
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the National People’s Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and representatives of relevant national organisations	0	2
Total	15	49

     The number of nomination forms received today for the Election Committee constituency is eight and the cumulative total number is 39.

Particulars of the nominated persons received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong’s economy in the third quarter increased 3.8% year-on-year, picking up from the 3.1% growth in the preceding quarter.

The Census & Statistics Department announced the figures today as it released its advance estimates on gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, real GDP rose further by 0.7%.

Commenting on the figures, the Government said Hong Kong’s economy staged a robust performance in the third quarter, driven by a continued surge in exports and sustained expansion in domestic demand.

Total exports of goods continued to grow markedly in the third quarter, propelled by strong demand for electronic-related products and buoyant regional trade flows.

Exports of services also expanded notably, mainly supported by continued growth in inbound tourism and vibrant cross-boundary financial activities amid rises in global stock markets.

Domestically, private consumption expenditure grew further. Overall investment expenditure saw an accelerated increase alongside the economic expansion and stabilisation in the residential property market.

Looking ahead, the Hong Kong economy should see further solid growth for the rest of 2025. Sustained moderate growth of the global economy in the near term, together with the persistent stellar demand for electronic-related products of late, should provide further support to Hong Kong’s exports of goods.

Continued increase in visitor arrivals and vibrant financial market activities should provide further impetus to exports of services.

On the domestic front, the renewed interest rate cuts in the US since last month are conducive to boosting asset market sentiment.

Coupled with a gradual recovery in consumption confidence and also a visible improvement in business sentiment from earlier this year, these developments should lend support to local consumption and investment activity.

The Government’s various measures to develop the economy and diversify markets will also provide support.

Nevertheless, external uncertainties, especially those arising from the ongoing impacts of trade barriers on the global economy, international trade and financial conditions still warrant close monitoring, the Government added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The men’s handball competition of the 15th National Games (NG) will commence at the Kai Tak Arena of the Kai Tak Sports Park at 2pm tomorrow (November 1) and will run until November 10.
 
　    Hong Kong will stage the men’s handball events, and one gold medal will be awarded. A total of about 180 athletes from 10 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao will participate in the competition. Among them, Hong Kong will send 18 athletes to compete. After the heat and knockout rounds, the final will be held on November 10. The competition schedule is as follows:
 

• Heat: 2pm – 9.30pm, November 1 to 5
• Knockout round: 9am – 9.30pm, November 7; 2pm – 9.30pm, November 8
• Final: 2pm – 9.30pm, November 10
   

      The Hong Kong team will battle against an Anhui team, a Shanghai team and a Macao team respectively from November 1 to 3 at 8pm, as well as compete with a Beijing team on November 4 at 4pm.
 
     Members of the public can purchase e-tickets through the 15th NG official ticketing website (ticket.baygames.cn) or by searching for the “15th NG official ticketing” official mini programme on WeChat, after completing a real-name account registration. Services are also available for physical ticket purchases at the ticket office of the competition area. Real-name registration for ticket sales is adopted. Spectators who purchased tickets for their family members or friends using their own accounts via the 15th NG official ticketing platform should transfer the tickets to their family members or friends 24 hours prior to the start of the relevant session. Each person should carry their own e-tickets to facilitate verification and multiple entries/exits.
 
     An official franchised merchandise store will be set up on-site, selling a variety of franchised products with Hong Kong characteristics incorporated and related to the competition events. Members of the public are welcome to visit and make purchases.
 
     There will also be a competition village with various game booths in Kai Tak Station Square, including digital interactive games and booth games themed around the competition events hosted by Hong Kong, art workshops, handball experience activities, and photo spots. The competition village will be open on November 7, 8 and 10 from 11am to 9pm. Members of the public are welcome to try the games and purchase tickets to watch the competitions and cheer for athletes in person.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

From tomorrow, the Government will expand the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors, enabling more non-local talent to participate in specified short-term activities as visitors without the need to apply for employment visas/entry permits.

Specifically, the scheme will cover five new sectors, ie “Environment”, “Occupational Safety & Health”, “Maritime”, “Think Tanks” and “Others”, with the addition of more authorised organisations and specified short-term activities in seven existing sectors.

The Immigration Department explained that the “Others” sector aims to enable policy bureaus/departments to invite non-local talent to come to Hong Kong under the scheme to take part in events or activities they host, co-host and/or support as necessary, thereby helping more non-local talent to visit Hong Kong for exchanges.

Following the expansion, the scheme will cover 17 sectors with a total of some 490 authorised organisations. Other arrangements will remain unchanged after the expansion.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A fire broke out at a warehouse near Ki Lun Tsuen in Sheung Shui at 1.18pm today (October 31) and was upgraded to No. 3 alarm at 2.03pm. The fire was surrounded at 5.04pm.

Firemen are using three jets and mobilising three breathing apparatus teams to fight the blaze. 33 persons were self-evacuated to places of safety.

No casualties have been reported so far.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To align with the Government’s fees and charges reform for public healthcare on January 1, 2026, the Department of Health (DH) today (October 31) announced that the fees for certain public services at DH clinics will be adjusted starting January 1 next year. The new fee schedule was published in the gazette today. Additionally, due to the new measures by the Hospital Authority (HA), the DH clinics will implement new arrangement for drug dispensing service starting January 1 next year as well.

Fee adjustments
——————-

Under the established mechanism, the fees for clinical services provided by the DH are linked to the fees for similar or comparable services provided by the HA (such as consultation services at the Family Medicine Out-patient Services or Specialist Out-patient Services). This ensures consistency in fee levels for similar medical services across the entire public healthcare system.

In response to the previously announced fees and charges reform, which is set to take effect on January 1 next year, the DH will also adjust the fees for certain public services (see annex) at the same time. This primarily involves consultation fees and drug charges, with fee levels based on those for similar HA services.

New arrangement for drug dispensing service
—————————–

The DH will also optimise the arrangement of drug dispensing service starting from January 1 next year, with a view to reducing drug wastage, optimising the use of precious public healthcare resources, and preventing patients from stockpiling drugs which could lead to potential issues on the safe use of drugs. Starting from January 1, 2026, patients will receive a maximum supply of medication for 24 weeks after each consultation at DH clinics. Patients who have been prescribed more than 24 weeks of medication will be given the first 24 weeks’ supply together with a “Refill Slip” when they pick up their medication. They can then collect the remaining medication at the same dispensary on a specified date. Each chargeable unit covers a duration of up to a four-week supply of a drug item.

At the same time, the DH will exercise discretion to provide more than a 24-week supply of medication in one go, taking into account the health conditions and circumstances of individual patients, such as elderly with mobility issues or wheelchair users etc.

When prescribing “as required” medications, doctors of DH clinics will prescribe the actual quantity required according to patients’ clinical needs. If patients confirm that they have a sufficient quantity of the same drug at home, doctors will adjust the prescribed amount accordingly to minimise drug wastage and prevent patients from stockpiling drugs, which may pose potential risks to drug safety.

For more information and Frequently Asked Questions about the new dispensing arrangement at DH clinics, please visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH.