Month: November 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government announced today (November 21) the reappointment of four incumbent members, as well as the appointment of five new members, namely Professor Steve Fong Fu-fai, Ms Joyce Lee Yuen-sum, Dr Ada Li Yuen-yung, Miss Yanice Mak Wing-yan and Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho, to the Social Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC). Their appointments will take effect on December 1 for a term of two years.
 
     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “SWAC advises the Government on social welfare policy and from time to time assists the Government in reviewing relevant services. The reappointed and newly appointed members come from a diverse background. I look forward to their valuable advice on the work of SWAC.”

     The membership list of SWAC with effect from December 1, 2025, is as follows:

Chairman
———-
Dr Ko Wing-man

Non-official members
———————–
Miss Chow Tsz-ki
Professor Steve Fong Fu-fai
Ms Hsu Siu-man
Professor Patrick Ip
Dr Sanly Kam Shau-wan
Ms Alice Lau Oi-sze
Ms Anthea Lee Shuk-wai
Ms Joyce Lee Yuen-sum
Dr Ada Li Yuen-yung
Dr Wingco Lo Kam-wing
Miss Yanice Mak Wing-yan
Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho
Mr Francis Ngai Wah-sing
Dr Chloe Suen Yin-wah
Miss Sze Lai-shan
Ms Rebecca Tsai Ching-yu
Professor Hector Tsang Wing-hong
Dr Rizwan Ullah
Mr John Wong Chung
Mr Barry Wong Man-sing
Ms Wendy Yuen Miu-ling

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 21) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Limburg Province in Belgium, and the District of Verden of the State of Niedersachsen and the District of Recklinghausen of the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen in Germany, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas 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 30 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Belgium, and about 60 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Germany in the first nine months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the Belgian and German authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. 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 Social Welfare Department (SWD) signed today (November 21) Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK), and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) (ICBC (Asia)) respectively to establish a collaborative arrangement for the cross-border disbursement of portable cash assistance.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Mr Darryl Chan; the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the BOCHK, Mr Sun Yu; and the Chairman and Executive Director of the ICBC (Asia), Dr Liu Yagan, witnessed the signing by the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Edward To; the General Manager, Personal Banking Product Department of the BOCHK, Mr Arnold Chow; and the Head of Institutions Department of the ICBC (Asia), Mr Yin Qinjun.

     Mr Chris Sun was pleased to see the SWD and the two major banks collaborate to launch a new arrangement for the cross-border disbursement of portable cash assistance. The ceremony today formally establishes the partnership between the Government and the two banks to implement the initiative outlined in the 2025 Policy Address to facilitate Hong Kong elderly recipients retiring in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the BOCHK and the ICBC (Asia) for taking forward this cross-border initiative with full support in professional services and resources, in realisation of their corporate social responsibility. He thanked the HKMA for its tremendous efforts and close co-ordination with the banking sector and regulatory authorities on the Mainland to facilitate the smooth launch of this new service.

     Hong Kong elderly recipients of social security who are residing in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces can apply for the Government’s portable cash assistance, including the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) amount under the Portable CSSA Scheme, and the Old Age Living Allowance and the Old Age Allowance under the Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme of the Social Security Allowance Scheme. Currently, the cash assistance is deposited into the Hong Kong bank accounts of the elderly recipients by the SWD. In recent years, the SWD and the HKMA have introduced various measures to facilitate remote remittances and withdrawals for Hong Kong elderly persons on the Mainland.

     To provide further convenience for the elderly concerned, the SWD will collaborate with the BOCHK and the ICBC (Asia) to launch a new service that allows Hong Kong elderly recipients of social security retiring in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces to opt to receive portable cash assistance from the SWD directly through their Mainland bank accounts with the Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

     The new service for cross-border disbursement of portable cash assistance is expected to be officially launched in mid-next year. The SWD will announce further details in due course.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The 15th National Games (NG) concludes today (November 21). Noting that this year’s NG is jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed gratitude to the Central Government’s trust and the General Administration of Sport of China’s support, and congratulated Hong Kong, China athletes’ on their historic achievements at the 15th NG. Mr Lee commended their excellent performance and perseverance, and thanked various sectors of the community for their support to the 15th NG and the athletes.
 
Mr Lee said, “Since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has participated as a host city for the first time in this country’s highest-level and largest-scale multisport event, marking a significant milestone in its sports development. The eight competition events and one mass participation event Hong Kong hosted, along with two cross-boundary events it co-hosted, aiming for the highest standards in preparations, were completed successfully. This fully demonstrated the close collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and reflected the country’s firm support in collaborative developments in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), laying a solid foundation for hosting more major international mega events in the GBA.
 
“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) sent its largest-ever delegation to this year’s NG. We are thrilled that Hong Kong athletes gave their utmost in the competitions and fully demonstrated their abilities, achieving historic results with a total of 19 medals, including nine gold, two silver, and eight bronze medals in sailing, cycling, tennis, swimming, rugby, triathlon and fencing. Their perseverance, outstanding performances, and professional sportsmanship have won them warm applause and high regard, making the people of Hong Kong and myself deeply encouraged, moved, and proud.

“Hong Kong athletes have excelled in multiple events at this year’s NG. In addition to their training efforts, their success is also attributed to the selfless contributions of coaches from the Hong Kong Sports Institute, relevant National Sports Associations and their affiliated clubs, medical personnel and support teams. I recognise and appreciate their contributions. I would also like to thank various sectors of the community for their support and assistance to the 15th NG, ensuring the smooth running of events in the Hong Kong competition region. The enthusiastic cheers and applause from Hong Kong citizens, who wholeheartedly supported the athletes, have further boosted the community’s passion for sports.”
 
Mr Lee remarked that the HKSAR Government has been sparing no effort in promoting sports development through the policy objectives of promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism, and developing sports as an industry. The HKSAR Government will leverage the successful experience of the 15th NG and continue to promote sports development through different initiatives. These include strengthening support for athletes, stepping up publicity in the community, leveraging advantages of the Kai Tak Sports Park, and attracting more international sports events to Hong Kong to drive the city’s “sports + mega events” development. Hong Kong will further deepen co-operation with GBA cities, which will complement each other’s strengths to jointly advance the development of sports and the sports industry in the GBA.
 
The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games will be held from December 8 to 15, with Hong Kong hosting four competition events and one mass participation event. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong will continue to do its utmost in hosting the events to conduct a simple, safe and wonderful Games with Guangdong Province and Macao. He expressed his confidence that various sectors of society will continue to support Hong Kong athletes to shine in the events and showcase their indomitable spirit.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (November 21) alerted members of the public to fraudulent website addresses and emails that pretend to be the HKeToll (see the HKeToll website for details) and seek to deceive users into making payments and obtaining their credit card information.
 
     The TD clarifies that the fraudulent websites and emails have no connection with the HKeToll and has referred the case to the Police for follow up. The TD reiterates that users or vehicle owners must log in to the HKeToll website or mobile app to pay outstanding tolls online.
 
     Members of the public should stay alert when receiving any unidentified messages, and should not visit suspicious websites or disclose any personal information. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned should contact the Police. For enquiries about the HKeToll, please call 3853 7333.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

With the 15th National Games (NG) drawing to a close today, Chief Executive John Lee expressed gratitude to the central government for its trust in Hong Kong as a games co-host and to the General Administration of Sport of China for it support, and congratulated athletes representing Hong Kong, China on their historic achievements at the games.

Mr Lee highlighted that this was the first time Hong Kong had participated as a host city in the country’s highest-level and largest-scale multisport event, and therefore a significant milestone in the city’s sports development.

Hong Kong hosted eight competition events and one mass participation event, and co-hosted two cross-boundary events, demonstrating close collaboration with Guangdong, and Macau. Mr Lee said this reflected the central authorities’ firm support for the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), laying a solid foundation for it to stage more international mega events.

He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region sent its largest-ever delegation to this year’s NG.

“We are thrilled that Hong Kong athletes gave their utmost in the competitions and fully demonstrated their abilities, achieving historic results with a total of 19 medals, including nine gold, two silver, and eight bronze medals in sailing, cycling, tennis, swimming, rugby, triathlon and fencing. Their perseverance, outstanding performances and professional sportsmanship have won them warm applause and high regard, making the people of Hong Kong and myself deeply encouraged, moved and proud.”

As well as congratulating the athletes, Mr Lee also acknowledged the selfless contributions of coaches from the Hong Kong Sports Institute, relevant National Sports Associations and their affiliated clubs, and also medical personnel and support teams.

“I recognise and appreciate their contributions. I would also like to thank various sectors of the community for their support and assistance to the 15th NG, ensuring the smooth running of events in the Hong Kong competition region. The enthusiastic cheers and applause from Hong Kong citizens, who wholeheartedly supported the athletes, have further boosted the community’s passion for sports.”

Mr Lee stressed that the Hong Kong SAR Government spares no effort in pursuing its policy objectives of promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing sports professionalism, and developing sports as an industry.

The Hong Kong SAR Government aims to leverage the achievements of the 15th NG and will continue to promote sports development through various initiatives. These include strengthening support for athletes, stepping up publicity in the community, leveraging the advantages of the Kai Tak Sports Park, and attracting more international sports events to Hong Kong to drive the city’s “sports + mega events” development.

The Chief Executive said that Hong Kong will deepen co-operation with other GBA cities, adding that through complementing each other’s strengths the various cities will jointly advance the development of sports in the GBA.

The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games will be held from December 8 to 15, with Hong Kong hosting four competition events and one mass participation event.

Mr Lee said Hong Kong will do its utmost to stage a simple, safe and wonderful games along with Guangdong and Macau. He expressed his confidence that various sectors of society will continue to support Hong Kong athletes, spurring them to demonstrate their indomitable spirit in each event.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today removed its Amber Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Belgium, France, Indonesia, and the coastal regions of eastern Sabah in Malaysia.

The Government explained that from time to time it reviews the situation of the countries covered by the OTA system and makes corresponding adjustments to the OTA level.

The latest OTA information is available on the Security Bureau’s OTA webpage. The bureau will also issue updates through the media, the bureau’s mobile app and the OTA webpage.

Hong Kong residents who need assistance when travelling outside of Hong Kong can call the Immigration Department’s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868. Alternatively, they can call the 1868 hotline using network data, use the 1868 Chatbot via the department’s mobile application, send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, or submit an online assistance request form.

Moreover, before travelling abroad, Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service to register their contact details and itinerary, to allow the department to send them practical information when necessary.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre and the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre have been selected to serve, respectively, as the administering body and the technology provider for a sports dispute resolution pilot scheme.

The Department of Justice today announced the results of an invitation for joint proposals for the scheme’s operation.

To be launched by the end of this year, it will operate for a period of two years and provide a dedicated mechanism for resolving sports disputes through mediation and arbitration.

The administering body will provide institutional support for mediation and arbitration procedures. This includes compiling specific rules, recruiting and appointing mediators and arbitrators, devising fee structures, and administering proceedings.

The technology provider will provide the technological infrastructure and support required for the pilot scheme’s operation, with a view to promoting wider use of lawtech and online dispute resolution.

The two selected institutions will immediately commence relevant preparation work.

The Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, comprising representatives from the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong conducted a review of the proposals received based on a set of published assessment criteria.

These covered a wide range of aspects, including organisations’ institutional expertise; their corporate governance frameworks; proposed mechanisms for avoiding conflict in handling cases; and their local and regional networks for promoting sports dispute resolution.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Vice President of the Organising Committee of the 15th National Games (NG) and Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today today attended a press conference held by the Organising Committee of the 15th NG in Shenzhen, alongside relevant officials from the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), Guangdong Province and the Macau Special Administrative Region.

Mr Chan reflected at the press conference that this year’s NG represents an unprecedented example of sports collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, showcasing infinite possibilities for the joint development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

He said the successful staging of the NG not only enhances Hong Kong’s ability to host large-scale sporting events but also promotes deep integration and collaboration among GBA cities, fostering people-to-people exchanges within the GBA and laying a solid foundation for the three places to co-host future mega events.

Mr Chan outlined that this year’s games marked the eighth time Hong Kong has participated in the NG, and were also the city’s most successful NG as it won a total of 19 medals: nine golds, two silvers and eight bronzes. He said this reflects not only the abilities of Hong Kong’s athletes but also that Hong Kong is moving in the right direction in terms of training elite athletes and formulating policies on sports development. He added that it also demonstrates the effectiveness of joint efforts by the Government and various sectors of the community to promote the development of sports over the years.

The Chief Secretary highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has allocated abundant resources to support sports development. It has designated over $1 billion for the Hong Kong Sports Institute in 2025-26 to facilitate training and support for over 1,600 elite athletes. 

He added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to seek to attract international mega sports events to Hong Kong, further promote the local sports industry, enhance professionalism and industrialisation, and leverage large-scale events to boost sports tourism, related support services and relevant innovative services, all with a view to building a more comprehensive sports industry ecosystem.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will also continue to promote sports at the community and school levels, increase and optimise sports and recreational facilities, and encourage all sectors to jointly cultivate a strong sporting culture, Mr Chan said.

He stressed that the historic results achieved by Hong Kong athletes in the 15th NG present a golden opportunity for Hong Kong’s sports development, and explained that the Hong Kong SAR Government will work together with all sectors to convert that success into long-term momentum, improve local sports standards and promote a culture of sports for all. This will position sports as a vital force in uniting society and enriching cultural life, thereby benefitting ordinary people, he said.

Mr Chan added that hosting the 15th NG has not only elevated the international image of the entire GBA, but will also result in substantial and lasting benefits in areas such as infrastructure, talent development and regional collaboration. These outcomes will continue to exert a positive influence and inject new momentum into Hong Kong’s long-term development, he said.

He stated that world-class facilities such as the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) are significant platforms for promoting Hong Kong’s sports and tourism industries. The KTSP hosted rugby sevens, handball and fencing events during the 15th NG, demonstrating its ability to host international competitions. In particular, the Kai Tak Stadium, which accommodates 50,000 spectators, significantly enhances Hong Kong’s competitiveness in hosting large-scale competitions.

The Chief Secretary remarked that the NG fully demonstrated Hong Kong’s capabilities in event organisation and management. In preparing for the games, he said, Hong Kong cultivated a group of professionals who have a global perspective and will continue to play key roles promoting and supporting the development of Hong Kong’s sports industry. In addition, the Hong Kong competition region appointed over 16,000 volunteers, forming the largest-ever event volunteer team, a powerful social force that establishes a solid societal foundation for Hong Kong’s long-term sports development.

Mr Chan underlined that the 15th NG has significantly enhanced the overall international image and influence of the GBA, further solidified Hong Kong’s status within the international sports arena, and generated tangible benefits in areas such as tourism promotion and talent attraction. He said these achievements will greatly contribute to Hong Kong’s development. foster regional integration and promote cultural exchanges and trade collaboration in the GBA.

He added that Hong Kong will maintain close co-operation with the GASC to further promote the joint development of the sports industry in the GBA and attract more major events, thereby contributing to the establishment of a world-class bay area and the country’s efforts to become a sporting powerhouse.

Other officials attending today’s press conference included GASC Deputy Director Tong Lixin; Vice President of the Organising Committee of the 15th NG and Standing Committee member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Wang Xi; and Vice President of the Organising Committee of the 15th NG and Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture of the Macau Special Administrative Region Government O Lam.