Month: October 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To echo World Mental Health Day 2025, the Department of Health (DH) today (October 10) is appealing to the public to pay attention to their own mental well-being and that of their close ones, adopt positive emotional management practices, build a caring and supportive community, and encourage those in need to seek professional help at an early stage. The Government launched the “18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline” in 2023, providing 24-hour one-stop support for individuals experiencing emotional distress. Since its launch up to the end of last month, more than 200 000 calls have been received. The Government’s one-stop thematic website “Shall We Talk” (shallwetalk.hk) also consolidates various mental health hotlines and support services for easy access by people in need.

The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) designates October 10 every year as World Mental Health Day to raise global awareness of mental health and to mobilise societal support. This year’s theme is “Access to Mental Health Services in Catastrophes and Emergencies”. 

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to public mental health. In the event of catastrophes and emergencies, the Hong Kong Red Cross stands ready to provide immediate mental health support services. On the other hand, the Government has long been providing mental health services to the public through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, with an aim to enhance the public’s mental well-being.

On the promotion and prevention front, the DH and the Advisory Committee on Mental Health jointly implemented the “Shall We Talk” mental health promotion and public education initiative through a one-stop thematic website (shallwetalk.hk), social media pages, television and radio programmes, as well as roving outreach programmes in tertiary institutions and the community to promote mental health messages. To facilitate early identification and provide timely interventions and treatment, the Government has launched the Healthy Mind Pilot Project at three District Health Centres (DHC)/Expresses (DHCE) to provide free mental-health assessments and follow-up services. The Government will extend the project in 2026 to cover six more DHCs (i.e. a total of nine DHCs), with follow-up services to be provided by practitioners with an academic background and training in fields such as psychology or counselling. Additionally, to support the mental well-being of ethnic minorities (EMs), the Government announced in the 2025 Policy Address that it would extend the pilot project to provide emotional support and counselling services for EMs for two years. 

To cater for the needs of different groups, the Government has also formulated different targeted strategies:

Students
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The Government will regularise the implementation of the Three-tier Emergency Mechanism in secondary schools and extend it on a trial basis to Primary Four to Six students to strengthen support for students in need. Moreover, the DH also promotes mental health at schools through the Whole School Health Programme, with guidelines and checklists provided to participating schools. Health reports will be compiled for each participating school to recommend targeted school-based measures to promote physical activity, healthy eating, mental health and social well-being to improve the physical and psychological health of students. The DH conducts annual health assessments for all primary and secondary day-school students, including psychosocial evaluations via clinical assessments or questionnaires. Students found to have psychosocial or behavioural problems will receive an immediate risk assessment and support, as well as referrals to clinical psychologists of the Student Health Service or other organisations for further assessment and treatment.

Elderly people
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The DH works with relevant departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to deliver health talks, workshops, and training for elderly people, their carers, and volunteers to promote mental well-being among the elderly and address their common mental issues, such as depression, anxiety and dementia, while raising public awareness through various media on elderly mental health, including the prevention of elderly suicide. The Elderly Health Centres under the DH also provide health assessments for members using internationally recognised health tools adapted for local elderly, aiming to detect and prevent depression and suicidal risks early among the elderly.

Working population
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The DH collaborates with the Labour Department and Occupational Safety and Health Council to execute the Mental Health Workplace Charter to encourage employers to provide mental health-friendly workplaces and commend schools and organisations that can arrange a specific number of staff members to receive mental health training, such as mental health first aid.

The Government encourages individuals in need to seek early professional help or call the Mental Health Support Hotline to obtain immediate assistance. Of the over 200 000 calls received, 509 calls were referred to the Social Welfare Department’s Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness and designated hotline for carer support, the Hospital Authority’s mental health hotlines, or NGOs for follow up.

The Government will continue to adopt a multipronged strategy to foster close collaboration among government departments and NGOs, fully utilising community resources, experience, and networks to develop a multidisciplinary tiered framework. The “Stepped Care Model for Mental Health” is expected to be finalised by the end of this year to better address mental health challenges, and build a caring and harmonious society.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 10) announced a case of severe paediatric influenza B infection. The CHP urged schools and parents to arrange for schoolchildren to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), as it is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of serious illness or death from infection.

The case involves a 13-year-old girl with good past health. She has developed a fever, a cough, sore throat and running nose since October 5. Her symptoms persisted and she collapsed at home on October 9. She was immediately sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital, and was transferred to the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital on the same day. Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza B virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza B infection complicated with encephalopathy, myocarditis and shock. She remains hospitalised in the paediatric intensive care unit and is in critical condition.

Her household contacts are currently asymptomatic. Three of her schoolmates in the same form developed mild influenza-like symptoms between October 3 and 9. None of them required hospitalisation. No outbreaks have been reported in other classes at her school so far. The CHP has advised the school on the necessary infection control measures to be implemented and will continue to put the school under medical surveillance.

     “Hong Kong is currently in the summer influenza season and there has been a significant increase in influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools since September. As of October 9, 329 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 35 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 179 cases in primary schools and 115 cases in secondary schools. Including the above case, 10 severe paediatric influenza cases involving children aged 3 to 17 have been recorded since the start of the school year. Eight of them had good past health. Members of the public, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, should seek medical advice promptly if presented with fever and respiratory symptoms, for early treatment,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

The 2025/26 SIV Programmes have commenced, offering free or subsidised SIV to eligible high-risk groups through various vaccination programmes. This year, all schools may choose to use the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV nasal vaccines) and “hybrid mode”, i.e. schools are allowed to choose both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and LAIV for the same or different outreach vaccination activities.

     “Currently around 2 300 schools (99 per cent) are going to arrange the SIV school outreach activities, with about 1 300 schools (58 per cent) scheduled to conduct outreach activities by the end of October. A number of schools have already completed their outreach activities. The school list of the 20 schools that will not arrange SIV outreach activities has been uploaded onto the CHP’s website to enable parents of the students in those schools to arrange SIV for their children. I urge all schools to arrange outreach activities as soon as possible. Parents should not hesitate. As the saying goes, ‘get vaccinated once a year and sooner is better than later’. Parents should arrange for their children to receive SIV as soon as possible to effectively prevent influenza and reduce the risk of serious illness or death from infection,” Dr Tsui said.
 
The Government has opened all 29 of the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years. Moreover, the District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 general outpatient clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For a list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP’s Vaccination Schemes page. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.

Dr Tsui reminded high-risk individuals to wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.
 
For the latest information on seasonal influenza, members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) is supporting the Asian Film Festival in presenting 10 screenings of three Hong Kong films across six cities in Sweden, highlighting Hong Kong’s dynamic film industry and its role as a hub for cultural exchanges. To celebrate the occasion, a Hong Kong-style dessert tasting session was held on October 9 (Stockholm time) in Stockholm ahead of the screening of “Little Red Sweet”, welcoming over 80 guests from the local community. 
 
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, highlighted Hong Kong’s unique role as a vibrant East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges as underpinned by the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
 
Miss Chau added, “Hong Kong cinema has long been recognised as the ‘Hollywood of the East’. Each of our films reflects the creativity of Hong Kong filmmakers, who draw inspiration from the city’s energy and cultural richness to create art that speaks to the world. With the support of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, we are committed to further enhancing the international presence of Hong Kong cinema.”
 
Running from October 1 to 19, the Hong Kong session of the Asian Film Festival is taking place in six Swedish cities, namely Stockholm, Falun, Linköping, Malmö, Norrköping and Uppsala. Featured Hong Kong films include “Little Red Sweet”, “Montages of a Modern Motherhood”, and “The Last Dance”.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government said today it will waive, for one year, fees for hawker licences, food business licences and restricted food permits.

 

The policy is applicable to either first issue or renewals of licences and permits that become effective for a year from November 1, 2025.

 

Announcing the move, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department highlighted that the measure was announced in last month’s Policy Address as a means of supporting small and medium enterprises and alleviating pressure on their business operations.

 

Starting from today, applicants, licensees and permittees can approach the department’s licence-issuing offices or visit its “Online Licence Services” website to proceed with new issue or renewals of licences and permits that come into effect during the concession period.

 

For those who have prepaid fees for licences or permits that are due to come into effect during the period, the department will contact them in writing and arrange for refunds to be paid.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), Ms Alpha Lau, is conducting a visit to Dongguan, Guangdong Province, from October 9 to 11. During the visit, she is promoting Hong Kong’s new business opportunities and how enterprises can leverage the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force)’s one-stop platform to expand their overseas business to go global via Hong Kong to local government authorities, the Office of the Financial Committee of the Dongguan Municipal Committee of the CPC, the Dongguan Songshan Lake High-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone), the Dongguan Binhaiwan New District (Binhaiwan New District) and business communities.

Ms Lau yesterday (October 9) morning held a meeting with the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee and the Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal People’s Government, Mr Lv Chengxi, and member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal People’s Government Mr Liu Guangbin. Ms Lau stated that Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages in being connected to both the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, with the aim of attracting more enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong, strengthening its headquarters economy. This is particularly well-suited for Dongguan, a major hub with world-class advanced manufacturing industrial clusters. The 2025 Policy Address announced that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will integrate multiple offices to form a one-stop platform and establish the GoGlobal Task Force to develop diversified solutions for enterprises looking to go global. She expressed the hope of better serving enterprises in the Greater Bay Area, including those in Dongguan, in realising their overseas strategies.

Ms Lau attended the Dongguan-Hong Kong Synergies: Empowered by Capital Investment exchange meeting yesterday afternoon. This event was guided by InvestHK, and the Office of the Financial Committee of the Dongguan Municipal Committee of the CPC, hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR (GDETO) and Nancheng Sub-district Office Dongguan, and organised by Listed Companies Association of Dongguan. Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal People’s Government Mr Zeng Jianpeng delivered the opening speech followed by Ms Lau, who delivered the welcome speech to the enterprises and media representatives. The Director of the GDETO, Miss Linda So, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Regional Director for Southern China, Mr Peter Wong, attended the exchange meeting.

Mr Zeng said, “Dongguan City is actively encouraging enterprises to expand through the capital market, aiming to establish a Dongguan capital market cluster with a focus on innovation and technology and advanced manufacturing. As one of the world’s most influential financial centres, Hong Kong is a preferred destination for Dongguan enterprises seeking overseas listings. Dongguan will continue to improve its policies to support initial public offerings and foster rapid growth through the capital market. This event will provide a platform for exchange and support more high-quality Dongguan enterprises in connecting with the Hong Kong capital market and achieving high-quality development.”

Ms Lau expressed great anticipation for leveraging the complementary advantages between Dongguan and Hong Kong as well as facilitating enterprises in seizing Hong Kong’s opportunities for expansion and upgrading. She said, “Dongguan and Hong Kong are in close proximity and share a common heritage. Both are key hubs in the Greater Bay Area, and can complement each other in the development of new quality productive forces. Dongguan is a major modern manufacturing hub in the Greater Bay Area, while Hong Kong boasts an international business environment, a sound legal system, a free economy, and a well-developed financial system. As of 2024, 2 620 Mainland enterprises have established operations in Hong Kong, and over 1 400 listed in Hong Kong, including 304 from Guangdong. In fact, with its business advantages as a ‘three centres and a hub’, Hong Kong has always been the preferred platform for Mainland enterprises to go global. The GoGlobal Task Force as outlined in the Policy Address will integrate Hong Kong’s overseas offices, including the InvestHK and the HKTDC, 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.” She also took the opportunity to meet with local media to further explain Hong Kong’s business advantages and promote the GoGlobal Task Force platform.

The Head of China Markets of InvestHK, Ms Ying Yu, delivered a keynote speech on Hong Kong’s business advantages and services. The Vice President, Global Issuer Services of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Mr Sam Luk, shared the latest developments of Hong Kong’s capital market. The conference also covered thematic sharing sessions, where professional services institutions were invited to discuss how Mainland enterprises can make full use of Hong Kong’s financing advantages to better realise their going-global strategies. The exchange meeting attracted more than 100 representatives from local enterprises, institutions, and the media.

Ms Lau today (October 10) conducted visits and meeting discussions with the Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone Administration Committee and key enterprises in the zone. This was the first return visit to the Committee and the zone campus led by Ms Lau since InvestHK signed a memorandum of co-operation with the Committee in August this year. The visit aims to continuously empower enterprises in the zone and help them develop solutions for global expansion. Ms Lau said, “Our team focuses on the specific needs for enterprises to go global, such as cross-border fund management and overseas networks expansion matters. A professional team will provide support services to help Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone enterprises plan their optimal global expansion strategies. The GoGlobal Task Force platform will also be provided by the Global Expansion Team based at the GDETO, serving as a one-stop contact point for the zone’s enterprises, conducting visits tailored to understand their needs.” At the meeting, Ms Lau also presented the development opportunities of the Northern Metropolis to the Committee. Vice Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal People’s Government and the Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone, Mr Chen Qingsong, greeted the InvestHK delegation.

The same day, she visited the Songshan Lake Huawei Town, the OPPO Smart Manufacturing Centre and the Binhaiwan New District, introducing the HKSAR Government’s GoGlobal Task Force to companies and encouraging them to explore Hong Kong’s thriving innovation and technology ecosystem and leverage new opportunities in the city to build overseas financing centres, research and development centres, and global management centres.

Ms Lau and the InvestHK delegation will continue their visit to Dongguan tomorrow (October 11) to discuss with a leading semiconductor materials company on how to leverage the advantages of the Hong Kong platform to upgrade their overseas strategies and realise their global expansion plans.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To enhance the capability and experience of government departments and public organisations in identifying and responding to cyberattacks, as well as improving their overall cybersecurity resilience, the Government launched this year’s Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill today (October 10). The drill is also conducted at an opportune time to better prepare for cybersecurity readiness for the upcoming 15th National Games and the Legislative Council General Election, which will be held in November and December this year respectively.
 
     The drill is spearheaded by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) in collaboration with the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited, Cyberport and the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology and is joined by various government departments and public organisations.
 
     Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, stated that “security is the bedrock of development, while stability is a prerequisite for prosperity”, underscoring the importance of a secure cyber environment in promoting Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre. He highlighted that Hong Kong’s Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill employs practical combat scenarios on Internet-facing information systems with a view to conducting a thorough and in-depth evaluation of the defence capability of participating government departments and public organisations, thereby fully bolstering Hong Kong’s cybersecurity protection and resilience.
 
     During the drill, cybersecurity professionals are invited to act as attackers (the Red Teams) and perform simulated cyberattacks in a strictly controlled environment on participating organisations’ designated information systems, which are in operation, to identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities. The defenders (the Blue Teams) deploy their technical skills and strategies to detect and fend off these attacks while managing daily operations, thereby strengthening their incident response capabilities and enhancing their experience.
 
     Following the success of the first Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill organised by the DPO last year, the overall scale of the drill this year has been further upgraded to enhance its overall effectiveness. Thirty-four Blue Teams from 25 government departments and nine public organisations are participating with their designated information systems in the drill. Meanwhile, the 15 Red Teams comprise experienced Hong Kong and Mainland cybersecurity practitioners, higher education institutions, and three leading attacking teams recommended by the Cyberspace Administration of Guangdong Province, fully reflecting the collaboration and exchange in cybersecurity between Guangdong and Hong Kong. The DPO has also invited 15 cybersecurity firms from the Mainland with extensive drill experience to provide technical support and advice, joining forces to strengthen Hong Kong’s cybersecurity defence capability. Representatives from more than 60 organisations are also attending as observers to learn more about the drill process, serving as a reference for future drills.
 
     The drill spanned three days for a total of 60 hours, and will end at 11pm on October 12.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold the Masters Games 2025/26 to encourage members of the public aged 35 or above to join competitions with peers and enjoy the fun of sports. Enrolment for different events will open from mid-October in stages.
 
     Held biennially, the upcoming Masters Games will be held from January to June next year. A total of six competition events will include badminton, distance run, swimming, table tennis, tennis and Tai Chi. Medals will be awarded to the champion, the first runner-up, the second runner-up and the third runner-up of each division for each competition event.
 
     Enrolment dates and the competition schedule are as follows:
 

Events	Dates of making e-application	Competition schedule
Table tennis	October 15 to 21, 2025	January 10 to February 8, 2026
Distance run	November 15 to 21, 2025	February 8, 2026
Tai Chi	December 15 to 21, 2025	March 15 and 22, 2026
Tennis	January 15 to 21, 2026	April 10 to June 28, 2026
Badminton	January 22 to 28, 2026	April 25 to May 10, 2026
Swimming	March 12 to 18, 2026	June 14, 2026

 
     Interested persons should make e-applications for balloting through SmartPLAY. Any remaining quotas after balloting will be released for fresh applications in the open enrolment period on a first-come, first-served basis. Details are available on the dedicated website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mg.
 
     The enrolment fees for individual and team events are $20 and $60 respectively. Participants aged 60 or above, full-time students or persons with disabilities are eligible for a 50 per cent concessionary rate. For enquiries, please call 2601 7673.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Demands for rates and/or Government rent for the quarter from October to December 2025 have been issued, and payment should be made by October 31, 2025.
        
     Payment can be made:

(1) by using autopay, the Faster Payment System (FPS), PPS, Internet banking or bank automated teller machines (ATMs);

(2) by uploading an e-Cheque/e-Cashier Order via the Pay e-Cheque portal (www.payecheque.gov.hk);

(3) by sending a crossed cheque to the Treasury, PO Box No. 28000, Sham Shui Po Post Office, Hong Kong (mail with insufficient postage will be rejected); or

(4) in person at any post office or designated convenience store in Hong Kong (i.e. 7-Eleven, Circle K, VanGo or U select). For the addresses and opening hours of post offices, please call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline on 2921 2222 or visit its website (www.hongkongpost.hk).

     If payers have not received the demands, they may obtain replacement demands or enquire as to the amount payable by (i) visiting the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD)’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk); (ii) calling 2152 0111; (iii) faxing 2152 0113; or (iv) visiting the RVD, 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.

     There will be no rates concession for this quarter. The total amount due is shown on the demand. Non-receipt or late receipt of the demand does not alter the requirement that the total amount due must be paid by October 31, 2025. A surcharge of 5 per cent will be imposed for late payment. A further surcharge of 10 per cent will be levied on the amount (including the 5 per cent surcharge) which remains unpaid six months after the last day for payment.

     For payment by autopay, the rates and/or Government rent will be debited from payers’ bank accounts on October 31, 2025. Payers should ensure that there are sufficient funds in their bank accounts to meet the payments on that date until settlement.

     To support environmental protection, payers are encouraged to utilise the RVD’s free eRVD Bill service to receive e-bills and make payments, and to settle bills by autopay or other means of e-payment (e.g. FPS, PPS, Internet banking, e-Cheque/e-Cashier Order or ATMs) to save queuing time. Application forms for autopay can be obtained by downloading from the RVD’s website, visiting the RVD, District Offices and banks or by calling 2152 0111.