Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Filipino male jailed for conspiracy to defraud During a previous investigation into a case relating to overstaying former foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) who were taking up unapproved employment in Hong Kong, the Anti-Illegal Migration Agency of the Immigration Department (ImmD) detected a syndicate using false instruments to apply for FDH working visas. Upon intelligence analysis, investigators identified the target person and mounted a series of operations from May to July 2023. During the operations, over 60 persons were arrested. Under caution, the Filipino male (defendant) admitted, for the purpose of receiving a monetary reward, to have conspired with others to obtain FDH visas to work in Hong Kong illegally through the use of false residential and financial proof, as well as false FDH contracts. The defendant, later charged with conspiracy to defraud, pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment by the District Court today.
Twenty-six other arrested persons were also convicted earlier for offences such as conspiracy to defraud and making false representation to an immigration officer, and were sentenced to up to 15 months’ imprisonment. More suspects could be arrested and prosecuted as the investigation is continuing.
“It is an offence to make a false representation to an immigration officer. Offenders are liable to prosecution and to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. In addition, anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years. Furthermore, it is an offence to make, possess or use false instruments. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment,” an ImmD spokesman said.
The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Sha Tin today (November 4) in which a man died.
At around 8.16am, a private car driven by a 50-year-old man was passing through Yi Shing Square, where it scraped a taxi parking nearby. The car then turned right to Yuen Chau Kok Road, where it suspectedly went out of control and knocked down a 50-year-old male rehabilitation bus driver who was at the rear of the rehabilitation bus. The rehabilitation bus driver was trapped between the private car and his rehabilitation bus.
Police officers sped to the scene. The rehabilitation bus driver was rescued by firemen. Sustaining serious multiple injuries, he was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 9.13am.
The private car driver was injured and sent to Prince of Wales Hospital in conscious state. He was arrested for careless driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report after an accident and dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries.
Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is underway.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1346.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
With a stronger than normal upper-air anticyclone covering southern China and cooler air from the north only reaching the coast of southern China later in the month, October 2025 was exceptionally warm in Hong Kong. The monthly mean temperature of 27.4 degrees and monthly mean minimum temperature of 25.6 degrees were both the highest on record for October. Moreover, the monthly mean maximum temperature of 29.9 degrees was the second highest on record. There were also in total seven hot nights including four consecutive hot nights that started from October 16, and four very hot days in the month, all breaking records for October. The month was also much drier than usual with a total rainfall of 31.2 millimetres, only about 26 per cent of the normal of 120.3 millimetres. The accumulated rainfall this year up to October was 2 545.2 millimetres, about 8 per cent above the normal of 2 363.1 millimetres for the same period.
Under the influence of an anticyclone aloft, the local weather was generally fine and very hot on the first three days of the month. The maximum temperature at the Observatory rose to 33.6 degrees on the afternoon of October 1, the highest of the month. Moreover, Matmo formed as a tropical depression over the seas east of the Philippines on October 1. It moved west-northwestwards across Luzon, edged closer to the coast of Guangdong and progressively intensified into a typhoon in the following three days. Matmo made landfall over the Leizhou Peninsula on the afternoon of October 5. It then moved across the inland areas of Guangxi and the northern part of Vietnam and progressively weakened into an area of low pressure in the next two days. Locally, the weather remained mainly fine at first and very hot on October 4. With the approach of Matmo, local winds strengthened in the afternoon. Winds were generally strong, once reaching gale force offshore and on high ground that afternoon and the next day. The weather turned cloudy with a few squally showers and violent gusts. There were also thunderstorms on October 4. More than 10 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even exceeded 40 millimetres over parts of Lantau Island on October 5. Although it was mainly cloudy with one or two showers at first the next day, there were sunny intervals during the day as Matmo departed.
Dominated by an anticyclone aloft, apart from a few showers, it was generally fine and very hot from October 7 to 11. The maximum temperature at the Observatory rose to 33.1 degrees on October 8, the hottest Cold Dew on record. With a broad trough of low pressure edging closer to the coast of Guangdong, the weather of Hong Kong turned mainly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms on October 12, with more than 20 millimetres of rainfall recorded over Lantau Island and Hong Kong Island. A waterspout was also spotted near Lamma Island in the afternoon. The broad trough of low pressure continued to affect the coast of Guangdong in the next two days. Locally, there were showers and thunderstorms on the morning of October 14, with more than 20 millimetres of rainfall recorded over parts of the northern New Territories. With the anticyclone aloft strengthening again over southern China, apart from a few showers, the local weather turned generally fine on the afternoon of October 14 and remained so in the following five days. It was very hot on October 18 and 19. The minimum temperature recorded at the Observatory on October 19 was 28.2 degrees, making it the latest hot night of a year on record.
As well, Fengshen formed as a tropical depression over the seas east of the Philippines on the morning of October 17. It then tracked generally west-northwestwards across the central part of the Philippines and entered the central part of the South China Sea in the following two days. It intensified into a severe tropical storm and edged closer to the coast of Guangdong on October 20. It turned to move west-southwestwards across the seas south of Hainan Island and weakened progressively in the next three days. Meanwhile, an intense northeast monsoon affected southern China on October 20. Locally, winds were strong offshore. Under the combined effect of Fengshen and the intense northeast monsoon, the local winds were generally strong on October 21, occasionally reaching gale force on high ground. The outer rainbands of Fengshen also brought cloudy weather and a few rain patches to the territory. It was appreciably cooler on October 22, with temperatures over most parts of the territory in the afternoon around 15 degrees lower than those on October 19. Moreover, the temperature at the Observatory fell to a minimum of 18.2 degrees on October 22, the lowest of the month. Under the continuous influence of the monsoon and a broad band of clouds covering southern China, the weather remained generally cloudy with a few rain patches during the following six days. With the band of clouds thinning out, there were sunny periods on October 25 and 26. Affected by an easterly airstream, it was mainly cloudy with one or two rain patches on October 29 and 30. With the moderation of the easterly airstream, there were sunny periods on the last day of the month.
Four tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in October 2025.
Details of issuances and cancellations of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for October are tabulated in Table 2.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is holding the International Conference and Workshop on Phytoplankton Community Integrity Index (PCII) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) from today (November 4) to November 6. The event aims to introduce the developments and applications of the PCII, provide training, and strengthen technical exchange and collaboration among professional bodies in this field from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas.
The EPD, drawing on the latest international practices, has successfully developed a biological indicator, the PCII, to address and manage nutrient enrichment in coastal and estuarine waters. The developments and applications of the PCII and the associated study findings were reviewed by academic scholars and published in an international scientific journal in February 2024.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, highlighted that the Conference aims to create a platform for sharing and promoting the latest developments and applications of the PCII and other relevant biological indicators, so as to provide useful reference for the future development of ecologically based assessment methods on evaluating eutrophication risks and assessing ecological impacts, and to further enhance co-operation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Chinese Mainland in marine ecological environment protection, in order to achieve the target of jointly building the Greater Bay Area into a world-class beautiful bay area.
Two phytoplankton experts from the Scottish Association for Marine Science in the United Kingdom were invited to present on the theory and operation mechanism of the PCII, as well as the relevant biological indices and evaluation approaches recently developed and applied internationally (e.g. in the European Union). Chinese Mainland representatives in attendance came from the National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the World Sustainable Development Institute, the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province, and the Ecology Environment Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality. Participants from Hong Kong included representatives from government officials and academic sectors such as the EPD, the Agricultural Fisheries and Conservation Department, the HKUST, the City University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Metropolitan University.
The PCII provides an objective and scientific assessment on coastal eutrophication as it analyses the impact of nutrient levels on phytoplankton communities in marine ecosystems. The PCII can be used to supplement traditional nutrient water quality standards with key indicators of ecological or biological responses, thus improving the assessment of eutrophication risks in coastal and estuarine waters and better promoting pollution control in a precise and scientific manner. This enhances the cost-effectiveness of managing eutrophication. The EPD has already adopted the PCII to assess the eutrophication status of marine waters. For more information on the PCII and relevant monitoring data, please refer to the EPD’s dedicated website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/hkwqrc/waterquality/phy_mon.html) and the annual report on Marine Water Quality Report in Hong Kong in 2024 (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/sites/default/files/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/hkwqrc/files/waterquality/annual-report/marinereport2024.pdf).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, officiated at the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline: the New Features Launch Ceremony today (November 4). He also announced that the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline launched four new features today to offer more thoughtful, convenient, and comprehensive services, with a view to further enhancing mental health support for members of the public.
Professor Lo said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been attaching great importance to the mental health of the public and has been promoting the development of relevant services through an integrated approach. In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed a number of mental health-related measures, further enhancing mental health services through a strategy of identification, intervention and treatment, with equal emphasis on prevention, including the creation of supportive environments in schools and workplaces.
“The Government launched the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline in December 2023 to provide 24-hour, one-stop emotional and mental health support. As of the end of October this year, the Hotline has handled nearly 220 000 calls, which was an average of around 330 calls per day, demonstrating our commitment to providing round-the-clock and one-stop support for members of public.
“Drawing on 22 months of operational experience of the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline, we have introduced four new features for the Hotline to respond to various needs of the public, offering more thoughtful, convenient, and comprehensive emotional support to the public. Should any members of the public be in mental distress or have mental health needs, I encourage them to call the Hotline to seek appropriate support. The Hotline will, as always, stand ready to chat, and we are all ears.”
The four new features of the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline are as follows:
(1) WhatsApp support
Having regard to modern communication habits of the public, the Hotline now offers WhatsApp support, allowing them to send instant messages to the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline and receive immediate online support from trained personnel. This feature is not only suitable for young people and persons in need who may feel hesitant or find it inconvenient to make phone calls, but also enables citizens with hearing or speech impairments to seek assistance in a more convenient manner, thereby enhancing the service’s flexibility and accessibility.
(2) Multi-language support
The 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline now supports 12 languages. In addition to the original Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, the Hotline has expanded to support nine ethnic minority languages, namely Hindi, Nepali, Urdu, Punjabi, Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Bengali, and Thai. This enhancement improves service accessibility, enabling people using different languages to receive the support they need.
(3) Scheduled callback
Members of the public can now schedule a callback at a convenient time in advance via phone, voicemail, or WhatsApp. Trained personnel will contact them at a scheduled time, offering more flexible and thoughtful mental health support.
(4) Additional optional services
Apart from talking with personnel of the Hotline, members of the public can opt to receive information on support services and stress management techniques or listen to life stories shared by persons in mental recovery on ways to cope with difficult situations and experiences in seeking help (Real People Library). These options, available via voice navigation or WhatsApp, enable members of the public to have instant access to information on other support services and advice on emotional relief.
Professor Lo expressed gratitude to the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH), as well as all organisations and stakeholders promoting mental health services. He said, “Mental health is not only a personal matter but also a social responsibility. I believe that, with the concerted efforts of the Government, various sectors of the community and families, Hong Kong will become a more caring society that places greater emphasis on mental health.”
The Chairman of the ACMH, Dr Lam Ching-choi, who also officiated at the Launch Ceremony, said, “Mental health is a vital cornerstone of the sense of well-being in society. I hope every citizen in need will have a place to turn for help and feel the care and support. The new features of the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline address the various needs of the public, marking a significant step forward in mental health support services. By launching the new features, I hope the support services can be extended to more people, offering more diverse and flexible support options for the public.”
Other officiating guests are the Acting Director of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, and Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Eddie Lee. Members of the ACMH, as well as representatives from various non-governmental organisations and mental and emotional support service groups, also attended the Launch Ceremony to show their support for enhancing mental health initiatives.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 4) released the eighth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in October, covering 15 survey areas, as follows:​
District
Survey Area
October 2025
Area Gravidtrap Index
Area Density Index
Islands
Cheung Chau South
0.0%
N/A
Cheung Chau North
1.4%
1.0
Tung Chung
0.0%
N/A
Sham Shui Po
Cheung Sha Wan
1.8%
1.5
Lai Chi Kok
0.0%
N/A
Sham Shui Po East
0.0%
N/A
Kowloon City
Kowloon City North
0.0%
N/A
Sai Kung
Tseung Kwan O West
0.0%
N/A
Tseung Kwan O East
0.0%
N/A
Tseung Kwan O North
4.5%
1.0
Sai Kung Town
9.3%
1.2
Ngau Liu and Muk Min Shan
4.2%
1.0
Tsuen Wan
Sheung Kwai Chung
0.9%
1.0
Kwai Tsing
Kwai Chung
3.5%
1.0
Lai King
0.0%
N/A
Among the eighth batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 15 survey areas in October, all were below 10 per cent.
The FEHD has so far released eight batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in October 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 43 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index the previous month, i.e. September 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Nineteen 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
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit luncheon today (November 4):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
A very warm welcome to the Investment Summit luncheon.
Like many of you, I am very much looking forward to the fireside chat featuring Larry Fink (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock) and Ken Griffin (Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel).
Before we hear from them, allow me to offer an update of Hong Kong to whet your appetite.
Trekking a shifting terrain
History tells us that the world’s great financial centres do not stand still. Their success depends on their ability to serve the economy, anticipate what lies ahead, embrace technological advancement, and adapt to shifting mega trends.
Hong Kong is no exception. Today, once again, we are at a moment of profound transformation – one defined by shifting geopolitics, regional integration, rapid technological advancement and climate challenges. But these are not necessarily headwinds. In fact, they can be powerful tailwinds for those ready to respond with agility and vision.
A renewed role as a super connector
At the heart of our response is an elevated role for Hong Kong as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” – one that connects markets, capital, innovation and opportunity across borders and regions. That role is now being shaped by a few converging forces.
First, a global shift from globalisation to regionalisation. Trade and economic co-operation within regional blocs – like Asia – are gaining momentum. We see this in the expansion of frameworks like the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) and the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), and most recently, the FTA 3.0 between China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). These developments are reshaping global trade and investment patterns, and Hong Kong stands at a strategic position.
Second, many economies are actively seeking diversification in economies, markets, sources of capital, supply chains and others. The Middle East, for example, is increasingly looking eastward. Trade between the Gulf and emerging Asia has been growing at some 7 per cent annually over the past decade or so, and trade between Saudi Arabia and China is expected to surpass that with the West by 2027. These statistics reflect not merely a change in trade flows but a structural shift in strategic orientation and cross-border co-operation.
Third, China’s development must be reckoned on multiple fronts. Despite a complex global environment, our country continues to press ahead with high-quality development. The recent Fourth Plenary Session of the CPC Central Committee has laid out recommendations for the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. It has reaffirmed China’s commitment to high-level two-way opening up. It has placed emphasis on technological self-reliance, with strong support for technology and innovation across the entire value chain. And the deep integration of technological innovation with industry development is particularly noteworthy.
All of the above developments are elevating Hong Kong’s role as a two-way platform for trade, investments and technological collaboration.
International financial centre
As part of the national strategy, Mainland enterprises are being encouraged to go global in the attempt to reconfigure their supply chain and industry chain. As they do so, they look to Hong Kong not only for capital, but also for a full suite of high-value services.
At the same time, capital is flowing to this part of the world, too.
Investors’ optimism has grown particularly since the DeepSeek moment earlier this year – where the technological prowess of China surprised the global investment and tech communities. And their valuation is highly attractive.
Separately, we have noticed strong interest in our capital market from the Global South. They are seeking capital to support their ambitious infrastructure and economic development plans.
The Middle East is a good example. Last year, we strengthened cross-border collaboration with Saudi Arabia through mutual listing of ETF (exchange-traded fund)’s tracking each other’s market. Now, we will soon welcome the first Middle Eastern company to list on our stock exchange. In fact, our financial regulators have already signed MOUs with their respective counterparts for cross-border regulatory collaboration, paving the way for more companies to list here or to do a dual listing on both stock exchanges.
Innovation and technology: a new growth engine
Another important development in Hong Kong is our ambition in innovation and technology.
Over the past few years, we have made over HK$200 billion in related investments and laid out a clear strategic roadmap to nurture technology and innovation as a new engine of growth – from supporting basic and translational research, nurturing start-ups, to attracting global and Mainland enterprises and talent to Hong Kong, and rolling out special initiatives to promote advanced manufacturing. The aim is to integrate technology and innovation with industry development.
Our focus is on four key areas, namely AI and data science, biotech, fintech, and new energy and new materials, and the carrier of this vision is the Northern Metropolis.
If I may use AI, one of the key areas of focus, as an example to elaborate further. We adopt a twin-engine strategy: developing AI as a core industry, and promoting AI as an enabler to upgrade traditional sectors. We call this “AI+”. Our strategy rests on six pillars: computing power, algorithms, data, application scenarios, capital and talent.
Apart from building a supercomputing centre and experimenting with cross-boundary flows of data and biosamples from the Mainland to Hong Kong, we have been going all out to attract leading companies engaged in cutting-edge technologies. So far, we have attracted over 100 such enterprises.
This is supported by a vibrant ecosystem of some 4,700 tech start-ups, many of them are based in our Science Park and Cyberport.
As to talent, we have modified the various talent admission schemes since the end of 2022. To date, we have received more than 540,000 applications, approved about 360,000 of them. And more than 240,000 individuals have arrived in Hong Kong.
Of course, these technology companies need capital to scale. Beyond the full spectrum of funding options available, from angel investors to IPOs (initial public offerings), we have established the Hong Kong Investment Corporation as patient capital to channel private capital into sectors that we would like to develop, such as deep tech, biotech and green tech.
Reinventing Hong Kong
Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong’s story has always been one of reinventing itself, time and again. We capitalise on our unique strengths under the “one country, two systems” framework, and ride through the waves of changes and challenges with determination, agility and perseverance.
Thank you for walking this journey with us over the years. Your support has been highly appreciated. I wish you all an enjoyable luncheon and a thought-provoking conversation ahead. Bon appétit.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (November 4).
The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the third quarter of 2025, provisionally estimated at $26.7 billion, remained at a similar level when compared with a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants decreased by 1.0% to $8.6 billion.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 1.4% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier.
Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the third quarter of 2025 with the third quarter of 2024, total receipts of Chinese restaurants decreased by 3.5% in value and 4.8% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 3.7% in value and 3.2% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 0.3% in value, but decreased by 1.0% in volume. Total receipts of bars increased by 2.4% in value and 1.0% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 4.0% in value and 5.6% in volume.
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.8% in value and 1.7% in volume in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the preceding quarter.
Comparing the first three quarters of 2025 with the same period in 2024, total restaurant receipts remained virtually unchanged in value but decreased by 1.2% in volume.
To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 1.3%, increased by 1.2% and decreased by 3.6% respectively in July, August and September 2025, compared with the corresponding months in 2024.
After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 0.2%, increased by 0.1% and decreased by 4.6% respectively in July, August and September 2025, compared with the corresponding months in 2024.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the value of total restaurant receipts declined slightly by 0.3% in the third quarter from a year earlier. Following the increases in July and August, the value of receipts declined in September mainly due to the high base of comparison as the Mid-Autumn Festival fell in early October this year but in mid-September last year, as well as more occurrences of extreme weather conditions during the month.
Looking ahead, restaurant business performance should be underpinned by improving local consumption sentiment, the increase in employment earnings, and the sustained growth in inbound tourism.
Further information
Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the second quarter of 2025 as well as the provisional figures for the third quarter of 2025.
Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the second quarter of 2025 and the provisional indices for the third quarter of 2025.
Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.
The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the third quarter of 2025 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from December 19, 2025.
The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; e-mail: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).