Month: December 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (December 31) invited tenders for the contract for Ground Investigation Works for Development of San Tin Technopole (Phase 2) (Contract No. ND/2025/04). The closing time for the tender is noon on January 23, 2026.

     The ground investigation works mainly include drillholes, trial pits, groundwater monitoring and associated in-situ and laboratory tests.

     The works are scheduled to commence in February 2026 and will take about 16 months to complete. 

     The CEDD has commissioned AECOM-AtkinsRealis Joint Venture to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors can obtain the tender forms and other particulars from the company at 13/F, Wharf T&T Centre, Harbour City, 7 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

     Details of the tender notice are available on the CEDD website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html). For enquiries, please call AECOM-AtkinsRealis Joint Venture at 2972 1000 during office hours.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (December 31) the membership of the Trade and Industry Advisory Board (TIAB) in the new term for two years from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

     The 10 new members appointed are Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen, Mr Leslie Choy Chi-fai, Professor Thomas Ho On-sing, Ms Rose Kay Lo-hei, Mr Anthony Lam Sai-ho, Mr Bosco Law Ching-kit, Mr Lee Shing-kan, Mr Roden Tong Man-lung, Mrs Annie Tse Yau On-yee and Mr Desmond Yip Koon-shing, and 17 incumbent members are reappointed.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED), Mr Algernon Yau, thanked the 27 members for accepting the appointments. He said, “The TIAB serves an important function of advising the Government on promoting the development of Hong Kong’s trade and industry, in particular on matters concerning how Hong Kong can leverage the opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, and how to cope with the changes in the global economic and trade landscape. With the experience and expertise of members in their respective sectors, I am confident that they will provide valuable advice and strong support on promoting our work.”

     He thanked the 11 outgoing members, namely Mr Chan Chak-ming, Mr Ivan Chu Kwok-leung, Dr Steve Chuang Tzu-hsiung, Ms Miranda Kwan Ching-yi, Dr Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Mr Willy Lin Sun-mo, Dr Dennis Ng Wang-pun, Mr Shiu Ka-fai, Mr Sunny Tan, Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung and Mr Harold Wong Tsu-hing, for their support and contributions to the work of the TIAB.

     The TIAB advises the SCED on matters affecting Hong Kong’s trade and industry, including trade in textiles and garments, trade relations with the Mainland, the Belt and Road Initiative, the development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and related matters.

     The 2026-27 membership list of the TIAB is as follows:

Chairman
————
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development

Non-official members
—————————–
Mr Chan Chuen-wai
Mr Calvin Chan Ka-wai
Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin
Ms Jennifer Chan Pui-kwan
Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen
Mr Leslie Choy Chi-fai
Professor Thomas Ho On-sing
Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit
Ms Rose Kay Lo-hei
Mr Andrew Kwok Chi-wah
Mr Michael Lai Cheuk-pun
Mr Anthony Lam Sai-ho
Mr Bosco Law Ching-kit
Mr Ian Lee Eon
Mr Lee Shing-kan
Dr Wingco Lo Kam-wing
Mr William Shum Wai-lam
Mr Chester Szeen Pok-yung
Mr Augustus Tang Kin-wing
Mr Roden Tong Man-lung
Mrs Annie Tse Yau On-yee
Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai
Ms Karmen Yeung Ka-yin
Mr Gary Yeung Man-yui
Dr Yim Fung
Mr Desmond Yip Koon-shing
Ms Elsa Yuen May-yee

Ex-officio members
—————————–
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs (or representative)
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (or representative)
Director-General of Trade and Industry (or representative)
Director-General of Investment Promotion (or representative)
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (or representative)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Digital Policy Office (DPO) announced its collaboration with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited to launch the Digital Corporate Identity (CorpID) Sandbox Programme today (December 31). This Programme provides a free simulated environment for service providers interested in supporting the CorpID (including public and private organisations as well as government departments) to conduct proof-of-concept testing and develop applications, thus supporting the design of application scenarios and solutions for different industries and markets. This initiative aims to kick-start the ecosystem development of the CorpID with a view to assisting and facilitating Hong Kong corporations to accelerate their digital transformation, thereby further enhancing the business environment for Hong Kong corporations.
 
CorpID Platform
 
     To speed up the process of digital economy development in Hong Kong, the DPO is planning to launch the CorpID Platform by the end of 2026 for use by Hong Kong corporations with gradual extension of services. The Platform will provide one-stop digital corporate identity authentication and related services for Hong Kong corporations established or registered under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and local businesses registered under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310), thereby facilitating e-business activities between Hong Kong corporations and the Government as well as other public and private organisations.
 
     The main functions of the Platform include digital corporate identity authentication, digital signing, pre-filling of forms and storage of digital licences and permits, etc., which facilitate Hong Kong corporations to undergo corporate identity authentication and corporate signature verification in a secure and convenient manner when using e-government services and conducting online  transactions, hence alleviating the complicated procedures of submitting and verifying duplicate copies of related original documents and company chops. At the same time, it enables corporations to reuse information previously provided when using different electronic services, saving processing time and reducing human errors, hence facilitating the digital transformation of corporations.
 
CorpID Sandbox Programme
 
     The CorpID Sandbox Programme will provide participating service providers with appropriate technical support, reference documentations and simulated Application Programming Interface (API). It will also introduce suitable application scenarios enabling service providers to test the functions of the CorpID.
 
     Through this Sandbox Programme, government departments as well as public and private organisations can understand the API specifications related to the CorpID, and utilise these API for testing and application development, thus making adequate preparations for the adoption of the CorpID in the future.
 
     Service providers interested to participate can visit the CorpID Sandbox Programme website (sb.corpid.gov.hk) for registration.
 
     The DPO encourages the industry to actively participate in the Sandbox Programme and jointly explore the application potential of the CorpID, thereby together promoting the digital economy development of Hong Kong’s digital economy and facilitating corporations to enhance business efficiency through digital transformation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police are investigating a murder case happened in Sau Mau Ping on December 29 in which a woman died.

At around 9.40pm on December 29, Police received a report from the family of a 35-year-old local woman that she was found missing after leaving her residence in Sau Mau Ping in the small hours on the same day.

Upon further investigation, Police believed the woman had been to a unit in Hei Wah House, Lok Wah South Estate. Police officers located the woman in the unit yesterday (December 30) morning. Sustaining multiple injuries to her head and body, she was certified dead at scene. Initial investigation revealed that the deceased was suspectedly assaulted with a hard object.

Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.  

Active investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon East is under way.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 0065 or 5965 8337.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 31) instructed the trade to suspend the import of shellfishes harvested in area Étang de Thau in France. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately should they possess it.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS noted a notification from the Rappel Conso of France that shellfishes harvested in area Étang de Thau in France were suspected to be contaminated with norovirus and under recall. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately conducted investigation and contacted local major importers for follow-up. A preliminary investigation by the CFS found that a local importer, City Super Limited, had imported and sold the raw oysters harvested in the area concerned. For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import into and sale within Hong Kong of shellfishes harvested in the area concerned, and instructed the importer to stop sale of, remove from shelves and recall the affected oysters. Members of the public may call the hotline of City Super Limited at 2736 3866 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the products concerned.”

The trade should also stop selling other shellfishes products from the affected area if they possess them. 

The spokesman pointed out that as shellfishes including oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Raw or partially cooked shellfishes are high-risk foods. Susceptible groups, such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or liver diseases, should avoid eating raw oysters.

The CFS will inform the French authorities and will also notify the local trade. It will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. An investigation is ongoing.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     In light of the expected increase in hikers to country parks during the New Year holidays, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 31) urges hikers to pay attention to safety and to use the designated hiking trails managed and maintained by the AFCD.

     The AFCD has placed information boards and directory signs at appropriate locations within the country parks. Warning signs have also been installed near dangerous areas in the country parks, reminding hikers not to enter those areas to avoid accidents.

     The AFCD reminds the public that the cliffs near the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform in Sai Kung have been weathered and eroded over the years. Hikers must follow the waymarks, stay on the designated hiking trails and refrain from striding over railings. The AFCD has added barriers and placed warning signs around the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform and surrounding areas to prevent hikers from wandering into dangerous areas, hence avoiding accidents. During the New Year holidays, the AFCD will deploy additional staff to disseminate messages about hiking safety at the viewing platform and surrounding areas, to ensure the safety of hikers.

     The AFCD promotes comprehensive information about trails through the “Enjoy Hiking” website (www.hiking.gov.hk) to help hikers select suitable routes. The website also provides comprehensive database on various hiking trails, including trail length, difficulty and nearby facilities, for hikers to plan hiking trips that are suitable for themselves according their personal conditions. The website also lists out high risk locations with records of fatal and serious accidents in country parks, with a view to reminding hikers to avoid visiting those areas.

     For information on hiking safety, please visit the AFCD page (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_gac/cou_wha_whe_sat.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, the Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure), Mr Daniel Cheung, together with the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Dr Shao Jun, and the Deputy Director, Mr Qian Xiao, today (December 31) convened the second meeting of the Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Co-operation.
      
     The meeting began with Mr Wong and Dr Shao, as the heads of the Working Group, jointly presiding over a ceremony releasing the system integration achievements between “iAM Smart” and the Public Service Platform of Shanghai Municipality, and witnessing the signing of co-operation agreements by industry representatives from Hong Kong and Shanghai.
      
     Mr Cheung and Mr Qian then led the discussion of the progress on co-operation projects among the members of the Working Group, which included the successful connection between “iAM Smart” and the Public Service Platform of Shanghai Municipality. Through “iAM Smart”, Hong Kong residents can log in directly to “Government Online-Offline Shanghai” website and the booking service for marriage registration in the “Suishenban” app. The progress also covered the co-ordination work for the launch of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026.
      
     Meanwhile, the Shanghai officials confirmed that they would participate in the Sandbox Programme of the “Digital Corporate Identity” Platform launched today by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) to facilitate the technical integration of cross-boundary identity authentication of enterprises in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. Since the establishment of the Service Station for Outbound Data Ecology (Hong Kong) in April this year, more than 10 matchmaking and exchange sessions for enterprises going global were held, and arrangements were successfully made for five enterprises to set up businesses in Hong Kong.
      
     Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Shanghai and Hong Kong on Digital Economy Co-operation (the MoU) by the DPO and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data in April this year, Hong Kong and Shanghai have set up practical and feasible co-operation projects in line with innovation and technology (I&T) developments in both places and in accordance with the MoU. These projects include facilitating mutual recognition of corporate identity, connecting the public service platforms of both places, and supporting innovative applications of open data and enterprises to go global. In the first meeting held in August this year, Hong Kong and Shanghai confirmed the establishment of the Working Group and conducted preliminary exchanges on co-operation projects. The establishment of the Working Group aims to enhance the joint development of I&T and the digital economy between Hong Kong and Shanghai, thereby achieving mutual benefits.
      
     At the meeting, Mr Cheung expressed his gratitude for the Working Group members’ efforts. He expected that more livelihood-related Shanghai public services that currently have a higher utilisation rate by Hong Kong residents will be directly accessible to “iAM Smart” users. In addition, he encouraged industry representatives attending the Working Group meeting to closely engage with units of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in October this year, and continue to assist and support Shanghai’s I&T enterprises to set up business in Hong Kong and expand their international business.
      
     Mainland representatives who attended the meeting included officials from the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data and the Shanghai Municipal Cyberspace Administration. Industry representatives from Hong Kong and Shanghai, including the Hong Kong and Shanghai Data Society, Shanghai Data Group, the Shanghai New Electric Vehicle Public Data Collecting Monitoring and Research Center, and the Shanghai Digital Globalization Association, also attended the meeting.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (December 31) the reappointment of Dr Chan Hon-fai as Chairperson and Professor Irene Lo Man-chi as Vice Chairperson of the Drinking Water Safety Advisory Committee. In addition, eight incumbent members were also reappointed and four new members were appointed. The appointments are for a two-year term starting January 1, 2026.
      
     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said, “I would like to express my gratitude to the Committee for their valuable advice and recommendations on the policy initiatives and issues relating to drinking water safety in Hong Kong over the past two years. I look forward to working with the members of the new term. I would also like to thank the outgoing members Dr May Chui Ting-fong, Professor Liu Hongbin, Ms Michelle Tang Ming-sum and Professor Kelvin To Kai-wang for their contributions.”
      
     The Committee was set up on January 1, 2018, to advise the Development Bureau on the formulation of a regulatory regime for drinking water safety in Hong Kong, the review of Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards, as well as policies and operational strategies and measures relating to drinking water safety. In addition, the Committee reviews global concerns on matters related to water safety, as well as the directions for new research in light of international practices, trends and developments.
      
     The membership list of the Committee with effect from January 1, 2026, is as follows:
 
Chairperson
——–
Dr Chan Hon-fai
 
Vice Chairperson
————-
Professor Irene Lo Man-chi
 
Non-official members
——————–
Mr Antonio Chan Chi-ming
Dr Jones Chan Chun-man
Professor Renee Chan Wan-yi*
Mr Arthur Cheung Man-to
Mr Chung Chi-ming
Dr David Anthony Cunliffe
Dr Gray Ho Koon-sing
Professor Vivian Lee Wing-yan
Mr Alan Man Hoi-leung*
Professor Kaimin Shih*
Dr Gloria Tam Lai-fan
Professor Martin Tsui Tsz-ki*
 
Ex-officio members
——————
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) or representative
Director of Health or representative
Director of Water Supplies or representative
 
* New members

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 31) that in view of notifications from the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Municipality of Sjöbo in Sweden, the Lemvig Municipality in Denmark and the Province of Lleida of Catalonia in Spain respectively, 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, in the first nine months of this year, Hong Kong imported about 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Sweden; about 230 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 180 000 poultry eggs from Denmark; and about 70 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 80 000 poultry eggs from Spain.

     “The CFS has contacted the Swedish, Danish and Spanish 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

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     ​The spokesperson for Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH) made the following appeal today (December 31) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without notification:
      
     A 70-year-old female patient left the medical ward without notifying hospital staff at around 10.15am today.
      
     Security guards were deployed to search for the patient within the hospital compound but were unable to locate her. The hospital also immediately informed the patient’s family and reported the incident to the Police for assistance. The hospital is very concerned about the incident and will fully co-operate with the Police in order to locate the patient.
      
     The patient is about 1.6 metres tall with medium body build and medium-length black hair. She was wearing a black top when leaving the hospital. The hospital appeals to the public to contact the Police or the hospital at 2689 2002 if they know the whereabouts of the patient.
      
     AHNH has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.