Month: November 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today welcomed a delegation led by State Councillor Shen Yiqin to Hong Kong to inspect competition facilities and witness events at the 15th National Games (NG).

At Government House, Mr Lee also spoke to Ms Shen of Hong Kong’s preparatory work for the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, and of enhanced co-operation in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) on sports.

Expressing gratitude to Ms Shen and the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) for their ongoing assistance in Hong Kong’s preparations, Mr Lee highlighted that the games – which are being jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau – mark the first time Hong Kong has participated as a host city in the country’s largest-scale multisport event, adding that this reflects the country’s trust in Hong Kong and its support for collaboration across the GBA.

The Chief Executive remarked that Hong Kong made extensive preparations for the games and has been promoting them enthusiastically on the Mainland and overseas. He elaborated that the eight competition events being hosted in Hong Kong have so far gone smoothly in all aspects. Applauding the participating teams for their excellent sportsmanship and prowess, he also observed that audiences in Hong Kong have created an electric atmosphere.

Mr Lee said Hong Kong will spare no effort, in collaboration with Guangdong and Macau, to guarantee a simple, safe and wonderful games, and to fully seize on opportunities and potential they offer.

He also mentioned that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is advancing sport via five policy objectives: namely the promotion of sport in the community; supporting elite sports; maintaining the city’s status as a centre for major international sports events; enhancing professionalism; and developing sports as an industry.

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (November 11) at Government House, welcomed State Councillor Ms Shen Yiqin and her delegation to Hong Kong to inspect competition facilities and events of the 15th National Games (NG) in the Hong Kong competition region and also report on Hong Kong’s preparatory work for the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), and the enhancement of sports co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Director of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), Mr Gao Zhidan, as part of the delegation also attended, while attending officials of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government included the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; and the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), Mr Yeung Tak-keung.

　　Mr Lee expressed gratitude to Ms Shen and the GASC for their ongoing advice and guidance on the preparation work for the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG. He said that the 15th NG is jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, marking the first time that Hong Kong has participated as a host city in the country’s highest-level and largest-scale multisport event since its return to the motherland. This reflects the country’s trust in Hong Kong and support for the collaborative development of the GBA, which is of great significance.

　　Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong competition region has made comprehensive preparations for the relevant competition events of the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, and is actively promoting the Games on the Mainland and overseas to showcase the charm of 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG. The eight competition events hosted in the Hong Kong competition region have been commenced progressively, with smooth operations in all aspects. The participating teams have demonstrated their excellent sportsmanship and skills while audiences have been fully engaged in cheering for the athletes, creating an electric atmosphere. Hong Kong will continue to spare no effort in sustaining the positive momentum and enthusiasm for sports and hosting the events to conduct a simple, safe and wonderful Games with Guangdong Province and Macao, and fully seize the opportunities and potential of the Games.

　　Mr Lee noted that the HKSAR Government has been actively promoting sports development through the five 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. 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 to be held in Hong Kong and the GBA, thereby contributing to build a world-class bay area and the country’s efforts to become a sporting powerhouse.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 11) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in November, covering 15 survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	November 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Islands	Tung Chung	0.0%	N/A
Sham Shui Po	Cheung Sha Wan	0.0%	N/A
	Lai Chi Kok	0.0%	N/A
Kowloon City	Kowloon City North	0.0%	N/A
Kwun Tong	Kwun Tong Central	4.7%	1.5
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O West	0.0%	N/A
	Sai Kung Town	0.0%	N/A
	Ngau Liu and Muk Min Shan	4.0%	2.0
Yuen Long	Yuen Kong	0.0%	N/A
	Ki Lun Shan	0.0%	N/A
	Sung Shan	0.0%	N/A
Tsuen Wan	Tsuen Wan West	0.0%	N/A
	Sheung Kwai Chung	1.9%	1.0
Kwai Tsing	Lai King	0.0%	N/A
	Tsing Yi South	1.7%	1.0

Among the first batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 15 survey areas in November, all were below 10 per cent.

Among these 15 survey areas, 13 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index the previous month, i.e. October 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Two other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
• change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

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 is disseminating 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 from the two weeks of 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#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (November 11) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for October 2025.
 
The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs increased from 43.8 in September 2025 in the contractionary zone to 44.8 in October 2025, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. November 2025) outlook DI on business receipts was 47.5. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts for majority of the surveyed sectors rose in October 2025 as compared with previous month, particularly for the restaurants (from 38.8 to 40.7) and retail trade (from 42.8 to 44.5).

The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades increased from 46.5 in September 2025 to 47.1 in October 2025, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. November 2025) was 47.6.
 
Commentary
 
A Government spokesman said that business sentiment among SMEs and their outlook in one month’s time both improved further in October, sustaining the uptrend since entering the second half of the year. The overall employment situation remained stable.
 
Looking ahead, local business sentiment will be well underpinned by further solid growth of the Hong Kong economy, yet the ongoing external uncertainties still warrant attention. The Government will monitor the situation closely.
 
Further information
 
The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to companies with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent companies in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.
 
The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own companies rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
 
More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300).
 
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The annual Cantonese Opera Day, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), returns to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) this year with outdoor and indoor performances. Under the theme “Cantonese Opera Fun, Legacy for the Future”, a full afternoon of exciting performances and activities will be offered to the public on November 30 (Sunday), including excerpts of Cantonese opera, a fairy-tale adaption told in Cantonese opera, a trail performance workshop, demonstration workshops, talks, booth activities, autograph sessions, guided tour sessions, Chinese music performances and an exhibition. Admission is free, while online registration is required for certain activities starting tomorrow (November 12) on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     Now in its 23rd edition, this year’s Cantonese Opera Day features a range of highlights. At the HKCC Foyer, “Young Stars in the Making” will present children’s performances of Cantonese opera excerpts. The young performers will have the opportunity to model on a catwalk, showcasing the features of their costumes and makeup. Meanwhile, the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong will present a “Fairy-Tales Told in Cantonese Opera” with the play “The Monkey King’s Tricks to Borrow the Iron Fan” from “Journey to the West”, a captivating performance full of charm and artistry.
 
     At the HKCC Piazza Area, winners of the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival Cantonese Opera Competition and young Cantonese opera students will take the stage for the “Cantonese Opera Arias Busking & Experience Sharing Session”. Alongside live excerpts, they will present a demonstration of basic skills and a medley of classic tunes, followed by a sharing session among students and their parents. The “Amazing Debuts” segment will feature emerging talent performing a series of classic excerpts, while the LCSD’s Music Office will present talented young musicians performing well-known Cantonese melodies and classic Chinese music pieces.
 
     In addition, the “Cantonese Opera Carnival” will offer various family-friendly booth workshops. Participants can create their own handcrafted cultural and innovative products – from making Cantonese opera-themed magnets, tote bags, to hairpin accessories, multipurpose cards, coasters, paper doll crafting of opera characters and colouring activities. A photo corner with Cantonese opera costumes and props will also be available for memorable snapshots.
 
     The popular “Cross-Generation Stars Autograph Session” will feature renowned artists including Yuen Siu-fai, Wan Fai-yin, Lee Lung, Leung Siu-ming, Cheng Wing-mui, Chan Wing-yee, Wang Zhiliang, Leung Sum-yee, Leung Jackie, and Liang Zhenwen. Opera fans can meet their idols and take photos together.
 
     To enable citizens to learn more about Cantonese opera, a world intangible cultural heritage item, from multiple perspectives, the Cantonese Opera Day will include a “Families’ Workshop on Cantonese Opera” where parents and children can don costumes and props to experience the joy of performing guided by instructors, with a chance to showcase their learning on the HKCC Foyer stage later that day. The “Workshop on Stylised Movements and Postures of Cantonese Opera” will let participants try the horsewhip and tasseled-spear techniques, illustrating the dedication behind stage artistry. Demonstration workshops on Cantonese opera make-up and dress-up will also be held. This year, a new interactive Cantonese opera music workshop on wind, plucked, bowed and percussion will also be introduced, where instructors from the School of Chinese Opera, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, will explain the characteristics of instruments and ensemble arrangements, with chances to try playing specialised instruments. Topics of the talks will include the work of the stage manager – the commander behind the scene – as well as the aesthetics and organisation of actors’ costume trunks.
 
     The “Elegant and Gentle, the Legend of the Young Master: Yam Kim Fai” exhibition, which is curated by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, will be held at the Foyer Exhibition Area, offering a glimpse into the enduring legend of Yam, dubbed as the “Opera Fans’ Lover”.
 
     Guided tours in Cantonese, English and Putonghua will be available throughout the day, introducing basic knowledge of Cantonese opera and leading participants through performance zones, workshops and exhibitions. Moreover, participants can redeem a souvenir by collecting stamps at designated locations while stocks last.

     Online registration is required for certain activities, including “Workshop on Stylised Movements and Postures of Cantonese Opera”, “Families’ Workshop on Cantonese Opera”, Cantonese opera make-up and dress-up demonstration workshops, the “Interactive Cantonese Opera Music Workshop – Wind, Plucked, Bowed and Percussion”, and the two talks. Registration will open tomorrow at 10am (https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1926.html#tab_10_0). Each person may register for up to two programmes, with a maximum of two spaces per programme. Admission is free for all programmes and on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     For venues and time of the performances and activities of Cantonese Opera Day 2025, please see the Annex. For related event and online registration information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1926.html or call 2268 7325.
 
     In support of Cantonese Opera Day 2025, the Hong Kong Film Archive is presenting an exhibition titled “75 Years of Cinematic Glamour – An Exhibition of Sil-Metropole Film Stills and Posters”. In addition, a free screening of “Butterfly Beauty” (1959) will be held on November 30 at 7pm. Please visit the above-mentioned website for more information.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 11) that, as the weather forecast shows that the daily average air temperature will continuously decrease to 23 degrees Celsius or below, the LCSD’s 30 public swimming pools (see Annex) will provide heated water starting from today.

     Four swimming pools will be temporarily closed for maintenance works at different periods. Details are as follows:
 

Swimming pool	Period of temporary closure
Wan Chai Swimming Pool	December 1, 2025, to January 20, 2026
Victoria Park Swimming Pool	February 20 to April 21, 2026
Sham Shui Po Park Swimming Pool	February 24 to April 15, 2026
Kwun Tong Swimming Pool	January 2 to February 21, 2026

     For details of the opening arrangements and the schedule of the weekly cleaning operations of the public swimming pools, please visit the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro/swimlocation.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The 2025 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony will be held on November 15 at the ballroom of Government House. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will present honours and awards at the ceremony.

The first session of the ceremony will be broadcast live from 9.30am that day. Members of the public can view it on the website of the Information Services Department (webcast.info.gov.hk) and the news.gov.hk’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/govnews.hk). Radio Television Hong Kong TV 32 will also broadcast the first session of the ceremony.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA thanks US for supporting Taiwan’s equal participation in 2026 APEC activities in China

Date：2025-11-07
Data Source：Department of International Organizations

November 7, 2025No. 454The United States Department of State and Republican members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee have publicly refuted highly inappropriate statements by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which said that the political prerequisite for Taiwan’s involvement in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings would be participating as a regional economy under the so-called “one China principle.” They have also voiced strong backing for Taiwan’s equal participation in APEC. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses sincere gratitude for these expressions of support.In response to related media inquiries, a spokesperson of the Department of State said that the United States insisted on the full and equal participation of all APEC member economies, including Taiwan, in line with APEC guidelines, rules, and established practices. The spokesperson also noted that China had made a commitment on this matter when it offered to host APEC in 2026. In addition, Republican members of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee stated on the X platform that China had raised the bar for Taiwan’s participation in 2026 APEC despite its earlier promise to allow Taiwan’s equal participation, adding that this was the latest example of Beijing’s coercive and reckless behavior.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely thanks the US administration and Congress for extending firm support for Taiwan’s equal participation in APEC. He emphasizes that Taiwan, as a full member of APEC, enjoys the same rights as other member economies. Minister Lin adds that China’s unilateral imposition of political conditions on Taiwan’s attendance at APEC meetings in China not only violates APEC norms, conventions, and practices but also repudiates its own commitment made during the 2024 APEC meeting in Lima.Minister Lin stresses that Taiwan categorically rejects China’s malicious intentions in seeking to undermine and block Taiwan’s participation in APEC next year. Taiwan will coordinate with like-minded countries to jointly defend the core principle and practice that all APEC members enjoy equal status. (E)

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA expresses sincere condolences following typhoon damage in central Philippines

Date：2025-11-06
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

November 6, 2025  
No. 453  

Typhoon Kalmaegi recently caused severe flooding in central Philippines, including the province of Cebu. To date, over 110 people have perished and more than 700,000 have been evacuated.
 
Taiwan and the Philippines both face the challenge of natural disasters. In the wake of Typhoon Kalmaegi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO) were quickly alerted to the situation, and TECO promptly extended sincere condolences and sympathies to the Philippines. 
 
According to information currently available to TECO, no Taiwan nationals have been stranded or injured. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. MOFA and TECO will continue to closely follow developments and local rescue efforts.
 
MOFA reminds Taiwan nationals who require assistance while in the Philippines to immediately contact TECO’s 24-hour emergency hotline at 0917-819-4597. (E)