Month: October 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee said today that he respects those current Legislative Council members who have decided not to run in the next Legislative Council General Election, recognising that they have made personal choices.

Commenting ahead of this morning’s Executive Council meeting, he stated that it is normal for any organisation to see changes of personnel during a change of term.

“These are their personal choices,” he said. “I respect their decisions. I have always attached great importance to the opinions of LegCo members. Every year, my Policy Address incorporates many of the suggestions of LegCo members. I thank them for their work during the term and their contributions to Hong Kong.”

Mr Lee urged patriots with a passion for the country and Hong Kong, and talented individuals who are committed to serving the city, to actively seek nomination and register to run for election.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The steering committee for the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force), chaired by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, held its first meeting today (October 14).
 
     To better support Mainland enterprises in going global, the 2025 Policy Address outlined integrating Hong Kong’s overseas offices, including those under Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, as well as Hong Kong offices on the Mainland, to set up a one-stop platform, the GoGlobal Task Force, to proactively attract Mainland enterprises seeking to expand their overseas business to “go global” via Hong Kong. The GoGlobal Task Force was officially launched on October 6.
 
     Mr Yau said, “The GoGlobal Task Force aims to build a bridge for Mainland enterprises to the world by gathering professionals from various sectors, encouraging more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a springboard to successfully expand globally in an orderly way. The GoGlobal Task Force will strengthen collaboration across policy bureaux, departments, organisations and sectors, proactively providing a more comprehensive and timely support platform for Mainland enterprises.”
 
     Mr Yau added, “By leveraging the global network and extensive experience of its partners, the GoGlobal Task Force will be able to provide comprehensive support to Mainland enterprises. In line with the national policy and direction of encouraging Mainland enterprises to ‘go global’, it will assist these enterprises to expand their international business in an orderly manner, transforming the GoGlobal Task Force into a new driver for Hong Kong’s economy, and further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international business and trade hub.”
 
     The steering committee approved its terms of reference at its meeting today and discussed the overall strategies of the GoGlobal Task Force in the future and related publicity and promotion work.
 
     Members of the steering committee for the GoGlobal Task Force include:
 
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Chairman)
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services)
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Executive Director, Hong Kong Productivity Council
Commissioner, Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation
Director-General of Investment Promotion

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) today (October 13) hosted a briefing and demonstration session for Legislative Council (LegCo) Members on the operation of the electronic counting system to be adopted in the functional constituencies (FCs) in the Legislative Council General Election (LCGE) this year.

The Election Committee subsector by-elections held on September 7 this year were conducted smoothly, and the operation of the new electronic counting system was overall completed in an orderly and efficient manner. The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) will introduce the electronic counting system for the first time for the FCs in the 2025 LCGE scheduled for December 7, with the aim of ensuring that the election will be conducted openly, honestly and fairly, while at the same time applying technology to enhance counting efficiency for a more accurate and smoother counting process.

Representatives from the REO briefed the LegCo Members on the counting process and the electronic counting system for the FCs, followed by a demonstration on the operation of the high-speed scanner, which included scanning of ballot papers and consolidation of counting results of individual FCs. The LegCo Members also received a presentation by REO representatives on the various stringent tests and audits conducted for the operation of the electronic counting system, including independent tests by third parties, computer audit, as well as stress tests and red team security tests arranged by the Digital Policy Office for large-scale information technology systems.

After the demonstration, the LegCo Members engaged in constructive exchanges with the REO representatives on the practical operation of the electronic counting system. They discussed details of counting arrangements and ways to ensure that the counting process will be conducted in an efficient and orderly manner.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the EAC will keep enhancing the election processes and arrangements in a stable and progressive manner as in the past. The REO has been successively arranging a series of drills and training sessions to familiarise electoral staff with the workflow of electronic counting. Efforts are also being made to strengthen the co-ordination and response capabilities among staff taking different responsibilities for making detailed and comprehensive preparations for the LCGE and ensuring a smooth counting process.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Three incoming male passengers were sentenced between three to six months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 to $1,200 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (October 13) for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

A 54-year-old incoming male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, on July 19. During Customs clearance, Customs officers seized about 94 600 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $255,000 from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by the court today in contravention of the IEO.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 40 and 47, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 12). About 24 800 and 27 800 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from their personal baggage. The estimated market values were about $101,600 and $113,900 respectively, and the duty potential was about $81,900 and $91,900 respectively. They were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and 14 weeks’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,200 respectively in contravention of the DCO by the court today.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Under the IEO, any 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.

Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes 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 or smuggling 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/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 13) announced that a sample of bottled preserved bean curd was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus. Members of the public should not consume the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Salted bean curd cubes in brine with chili (with sesame oil)
Brand: Giant Tree
Place of origin: China
Net weight: 130 grams
Best-before date: August 19, 2027
Distributor: Foundation Agents Ltd.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Wan Chai for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 180 000 per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.”

The spokesman said that the CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and has instructed it to stop sales and to remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The distributor concerned has initiated a recall of the affected batch of the product according to the CFS’s instructions. Members of the public may call the distributor’s hotline at 2330 6340 during office hours for enquiries about the product recall.

“Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea,” the spokesman said.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 13) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Blue Earth County of the State of Minnesota in the United States (US), 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, Hong Kong imported about 24 650 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.61 million poultry eggs from the US in the first six months of this year.

     “The CFS has contacted the American 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

“Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema”, a Hong Kong film tour showcasing new and restored Hong Kong films, returns to Berlin. The film programme taking place from October 10 to 12 (Berlin time) is financially supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, presented by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin).
 
Prior to the screening of the opening film “Papa” on October 10 (Berlin time), Mr Indiana Wong, the Director of HKETO Berlin, highlighted that the film festival showcased the vibrant diversity and creativity of Hong Kong movies, and helped strengthen cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the German community. 

“Movies bridge geographical and societal distances, and showcase the richness of our human experiences. With the support of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, we are happy to see the extraordinary stories of Hong Kong movies offer fresh and distinctive perspectives to the German audience.” Mr Wong explained.
 
HKETO Berlin hosted a reception before the screening, welcoming guests from the cultural, business, and media sectors.  The festival also featured five other Hong Kong films, namely “Four Trails”, “Montages of a Modern Motherhood”, “Good Game”, “Last Song for You”, and “Cesium Fallout”. 

About HKETO Berlin

HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Police are investigating an infanticide and suicide case happened in Aberdeen today (October 13) in which a woman and a baby girl died.

     At about 4.10pm, Police received a report from a foreign man that his wife was found hanging and his daughter was lying unconsciously in a unit on Shouson Hill Road.

     Police officers sped to the scene and found the 34-year-old foreign woman hanging with a belt while the seven-month-old baby girl lying unconsciously in a basin of water. The baby girl sustained no superficial injury. The woman and girl were certified dead at scene.

     Initial investigations revealed that the woman committed suicide after killing her daughter in the unit. The case was classified as infanticide and suicide.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

     Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Western District is underway.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The 15th National Games (NG) road cycling (men’s individual) event will be held on November 8. The Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao competition regions today (October 13) held a joint press conference in Zhuhai to introduce details of the event and the relevant arrangements and preparations.
 
The men’s individual competition of the 15th NG “China Mobile Cup” road cycling event, will be staged on November 8. As the sole event of the 15th NG that will spread across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the entire track is around 231.8 kilometres long, of which the section in Hong Kong is about 55.8 km. It is expected that 104 athletes from 25 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao will compete in the event.
 
Today’s press conference was attended by Vice Chairperson of the Zhuhai Executive Committee of the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) and Vice Mayor of Zhuhai Mr Huang Zhenqiu; the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Head of the Preparatory Office in Macao, Mr Pun Weng-kun; and the Director of the Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports, Mr Min Yuntong.
 
Mr Huang said the track makes use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to link city roads in Hong Kong, Macao and Zhuhai, as well as the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. He added that the three competition regions organised a test event last November and made a timely review afterwards. Improvements including adjustments to the race route of the men’s individual competition and establishment of competition command structure have been made. Mr Huang also noted a comprehensive drill for the men’s road cycling event was conducted on September 30 to inspect and test the operation and connection of various systems, with good results achieved.
 
Mr Yeung stated that, as the only competition event spanning across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the road cycling competition fully demonstrates the distinctive feature of the 15th NG jointly co-hosted by the three places, pioneering the holding of major sports events in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He added that, as the event involves the three places, every detail required joint planning and close coordination among the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Such a cross-regional mode of collaboration has not only enhanced the overall capability and co-operation mechanism of the Greater Bay Area in staging major sports events, but also fostered stronger people-to-people bonds and promoted the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism in the Greater Bay Area.
 
Mr Pun said that the race route in Macao would pass through locations such as the Macao Bridge and the Taipa Ferry Terminal. He hoped that the event would display Macao’s unique charm. He believed that a historic cross-boundary race could certainly be staged with the concerted efforts of the three places.
 
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will hold a press conference in Hong Kong tomorrow (October 14) to brief the public in detail on the road closure and traffic arrangements on the event day. For more information on the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG in Hong Kong, please visit the thematic website (www.2025nationalgames.gov.hk/en/index.html), as well the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/2025nationalgames.hk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/2025nationalgames.hk).