Month: November 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today officiated at the unveiling ceremony of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC), marking its formal opening.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the EKCC, as a new cultural landmark, is not only a major milestone in the Government’s efforts to promote the development of arts and culture, but also represents a key element in consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.

He also said that the Hall of the EKCC is specifically reserved for long-running performances to facilitate the staging of iconic productions for a longer period of time and foster the sustainable development of the performing arts industry.

The EKCC is the Leisure & Cultural Services Department’s first performance venue committed to promoting world-class integration of arts and technology, equipped with cutting-edge professional stage technology and flexible stage setups to facilitate experimentation and innovation.

It provides five performing facilities with 120 to 1,200 seats -The Hall, which is ideal for large-scale events; The Theatre, with a thrust stage; The Turns, which facilitates full-wall projection; The Beats, equipped with professional audio mixing and amplifying systems; and The Lab, which is a versatile arts technology testbed studio.

From November to February 2026, the EKCC Opening Season will present 17 programmes, including HighLights – The Memories of Charles Kao premiering on November 15.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at the Biopharmaceutical Session of the Global Bay Area Economic Forum 2025 today (November 3):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is my honour to join you at the Biopharmaceutical Session of Global Bay Area Economic Forum 2025. On behalf of the Health Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I extend my thanks to Our Hong Kong Foundation, the Guangzhou Institute of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Macao Foundation for convening this meaningful dialogue.

In an era of complex global dynamics, the vibrant economic Global Bay Area clusters serve as engines of innovation and growth. Today, I will articulate the role and outlook of Hong Kong, not merely as a participant, but as a critical “super connector” within the biomedical innovation ecosystem of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Just two years ago, in late 2023, the HKSAR Government articulated a clear and ambitious vision to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. This was a strategic imperative, supported by our nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan. This vision aligns perfectly with the decisions of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which emphasised deepening healthcare reform and establishing robust mechanisms to support innovative drugs and medical devices. The HKSAR is uniquely positioned to advance these national priorities, with our intrinsic strengths such as our international connectivity, rule of law, high-quality and efficient healthcare systems, robust data integrity, world-leading financial centre, and life-science research backed by two of the world’s top medical schools.

We are systematically transforming that vision into tangible reality in the GBA. A world-class biomedical innovation hub requires a world-class regulatory regime. We embarked on a landmark reform towards primary evaluation for medical products. Our first step was the launch of the “1+” mechanism in November 2023, which allows new drugs supported by local clinical data, to be registered in Hong Kong with approval from just one reference regulatory authority, instead of two. Today, we have already approved 15 new drugs under this mechanism, with seven of them being listed on the Hospital Authority (HA) Drug Formulary, bringing real benefits to patients.

In June this year, we announced a roadmap to establish the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation next year, with a view to establishing the centre as an internationally recognised regulatory authority for medical products. we will start implementing “primary evaluation” for new drug registration in phases. To further accelerate patient access to the most advanced treatments, we will also pilot a priority evaluation and approval of innovative drugs recommended by the HA for treatment of clinically urgent, severe or rare diseases. Furthermore, the HA is establishing a dedicated Office for Introducing Innovative Drugs and Medical Devices. It will proactively facilitate the entry of innovative, cost-effective treatments into Hong Kong, ensuring our patients are among the first to benefit from global breakthroughs.

The Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI), which we envisioned in 2023, is now fully operational in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. Operating under the innovative “one zone, two parks” model with our Shenzhen counterparts, BAY TRIAL (Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center) in Shenzhen park, the GBAICTI combines Hong Kong’s world-class clinical standards, data integrity, and international recognition with the vast patient population and diverse disease profile in the GBA.

In May this year, the GBAICTI started a partnership with the medical faculties of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong to provide comprehensive support for over 70 new clinical trial projects in the coming year. This will effectively consolidate Hong Kong’s world-class research capabilities into a unified force.

At the same time, we establish collaboration across the boundary. In July, the GBAICTI signed a pivotal MOU with its Shenzhen counterpart, the GBA International Clinical Trials Center, or BAY TRIAL, and established a unified GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform. This platform streamlines matching services through artificial intelligence, provides a one-stop platform for applications, protocol approval and execution; and builds shared talent pools. This partnership has already yielded its first major project, a cross-border Phase II clinical trial for ICVAX, a therapeutic HIV vaccine co-developed by ImmunoCure and the AIDS Institute of HKU.

The Real-World Study and Application Centre is set to launch by the end of this year. Its core function is to systematically harness the high-quality and comprehensive real-world data from Hong Kong’s public healthcare system, which covers over 11 million patient records.

The Centre will provide robust real-world evidence to support multiple functions, such as to accelerate the development, regulatory approval, and market access of innovative medical products, particularly through data integration across the GBA. A key part of this strategy is the establishment of a unified GBA Real-World Data Platform, which will standardise and connect clinical data from both sides of the boundary, creating a seamless data ecosystem.

Ladies and gentlemen, the biomedical innovation landscape is rapidly evolving, and so are we. Over the past two years, we have systematically transformed vision into infrastructure, infrastructure into capability, and capability into tangible results – 15 new drugs approved, over 70 clinical trials in the pipeline, and a regulatory body ready to serve the region and the world. But our ambition extends beyond our shores. We envision Hong Kong as the nexus where Eastern and Western medical innovation converge.

For international companies, we offer a trusted gateway: conduct trials here under globally accepted standards with patients recruited from the 86 million population in the GBA. Our legal framework, intellectual property protection, and capital mobility provide the confidence needed for bold investment. For our nation’s burgeoning biotech sector, we provide the springboard to the world: leverage our ecosystem to conduct international multicentre trials, access global capital markets, and use Hong Kong registration as your passport to international markets.

Hong Kong will continue to strengthen its role as the unparalleled “super connector” in the global biomedical landscape, building a healthier future for the region and the world. The Government’s good efforts need the support of the community. The Legislative Council (LegCo) election day, the important day, will be on December 7 this year. We will be electing a highly competent and supportive LegCo for the new term. And hopefully, the new LegCo will work with the Government together and with all the stakeholders here to drive Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. Thank you so much and I wish you a wonderful afternoon. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will lead a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation to visit Shanghai tomorrow (November 4) and will attend the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Members of the HKSAR Government delegation include the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.

On November 5, Mr Lee will attend the opening ceremony of the eighth CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, and he will visit the Hong Kong exhibition area to show support for Hong Kong enterprises.

Mr Lee said, “The CIIE attracts international attention and will feature participation from over 3 200 enterprises across more than 110 countries and regions in the Enterprise and Business Exhibition, offering vast business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises.

“Hong Kong has always actively participated in and supported the CIIE. In addition to the attendance of senior government officials, over 350 Hong Kong enterprises from various industries are exhibiting at the Expo this year. This record-high participation reflects that Hong Kong enterprises consider the CIIE the premier platform for tapping into the domestic market and showcasing Hong Kong brands and their innovative strengths.”

In addition, Mr Lee will officiate at the Hong Kong – The Ideal Platform for Mainland Enterprises in Going Global Promotion Conference hosted by the HKSAR Government. This will be the first large-scale publicity event on the Mainland organised by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global, newly established by the HKSAR Government, bringing together cross-sector speakers to highlight the strengths of Hong Kong as an international platform for going global.

Mr Lee will meet with leaders of Shanghai during his visit to deepen Hong Kong-Shanghai co-operation. He will also engage with Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Shanghai.

Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on November 6. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) announced a sentinel event involving a patient suspected suicide today (November 2):

A 52-year-old male patient was admitted to a ward of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics in PWH on October 20 because of abdominal pain.

At around 6.45pm today, the patient was found missing in the ward. The ward staff promptly notified hospital security to conduct a local search within the hospital compound, reported the incident to the Police for assistance, and kept communicating with the patient’s family. The hospital was informed by the Police at around 7.20pm that the patient was found fell from height and was subsequently certified dead.

The patient was not found to have suicidal risk during admission screening, and his emotional status was stable all along. The hospital was deeply saddened by the incident and expressed deep condolences to the patient’s family. The hospital will provide assistance to the family and will co-operate with the Police investigation.

The hospital is very concerned about the incident. The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. A root cause analysis panel will be formed to investigate the incident.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Link Hong Kong Open 2025 Prize Giving Ceremony today (November 2):

Peter (President of the Hong Kong Golf Club, Dr Peter Lam), Andy (Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club, Mr Andy Kwok), George (Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Link Asset Management Limited, Mr George Hongchoy), Andrew (President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung), Kenneth (President of Golf Association of Hong Kong, China, Mr Kenneth Lam), Minn Thant (Commissioner and Chief Executive Officier of the Asian Tour, Mr Cho Minn Thant), Dominic (Regional Managing Director Asia Pacific of the R&A, Mr Dominic Wall), esteemed guests, golfers, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon, everyone. It is my great pleasure to present the Hong Kong Open trophy to our champion, Mr Tom McKibbin, in recognition of a truly exceptional achievement on winning total of 27-under-par, the lowest-ever tournament record. Congratulations!

I would like to commend every golfer here for their marvelous performance – a true reflection of their wonderful talent, unwavering devotion and tireless practice. Their commitment, embodied in every skillful swing and precise putt, inspires all of us to strive for excellence.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China and the Hong Kong Golf Club. Their vision and dedication have made this annual event one of Asia’s most prestigious professional tournaments, earning the winner a place at the 2026 Masters Tournament and the 154th Open Championship. As a long-established “M” Mark event, held alongside with LIV Golf Hong Kong, it showcases Hong Kong’s prowess in hosting world-class golf tournaments and reinforces our status as a centre for major international sports events.

A special note of thanks goes to our distinguished guests and avid fans who have travelled from far and wide. Your deep passion for the game infuses every shot with excitement and every hole with anticipation, creating a truly vibrant spectacle.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see at the clubhouse there, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council election will take place on December 7. I encourage all registered voters among us to cast our vote on the day, to elect capable, dedicated legislators who are committed to serving the people of Hong Kong and contributing to our country.

Finally, my sincere thanks to everyone here for making this event an unforgettable extravaganza, filled with masterful golf and cherished memories.

To our esteemed golfers, we wish you continued success. May you continue to swing into victory. Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A lorry driver, aged 59, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (November 3) for attempting to export unmanifested cargo and prohibited articles not under and in accordance with a licence, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO) (Cap. 60).

Through risk assessment, Hong Kong Customs officers earlier intercepted an outbound lorry declared as carrying hair clips at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. A batch of unmanifested cargo, including 240 human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, 96 tablets of pharmaceutical products, 100 blood collection tubes, three mobile phones and 120 tablets of health products, with an estimated market value of about $830,000, was found in the cargo compartment.   

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

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the IEO, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction. Any person who exports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
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Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

       A spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said today (November 3) that the contractor involved in the fatal industrial incident that happened on November 2 at a non-governmental construction site in Sau Mau Ping was on the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works. 
 
      The DEVB, being the party to procure services for public works, attaches great importance to the site safety performance of all construction sites under the purview of contractors on the List, regardless of whether the sites are public works construction sites or not. The DEVB issued a notification to the contractor concerned today to suspend it from tendering for public works contracts in the buildings category with immediate effect pursuant to the regulating regime. The contractor concerned has to conduct an independent safety audit to review its safety management system. Taking cognisance of the outcome of the independent safety audit, the contractor is required to submit an improvement action plan and implement improvement measures, with a view to demonstrating that it has an effective safety management system before the lifting of the suspension from tendering can be considered. The suspension from tendering is not only confined to tender exercises within the period of suspension from tendering, but is also applicable to tender exercises with procedures initiated but not concluded.

      The Labour Department is investigating this industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB may impose further regulating actions on the contractor concerned later on, including extension of the period of suspension from tendering for public works contracts and even removal from the List.