Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
District
District Among the third batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering two survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 24 survey areas in December, all were below 10 per cent and most of the areas recorded a zero per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
The FEHD has so far released three batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December 2025, covering 50 survey areas. Among these 50 survey areas, 47 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. November 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Three other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. 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 has been disseminating 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#Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) announced today (December 19) that the 2026 Population Census will be conducted from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
Speaking at a press conference, the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, remarked that the Census helps the Government to understand Hong Kong’s demographic and socio-economic characteristics by providing vital statistical information for future planning and development. As a major step to modernise the mode of Hong Kong’s population censuses, several re-engineering initiatives will be implemented from the 2026 Population Census to streamline and improve workflow. Every five years, the C&SD will randomly select only 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong for detailed enquiry. The remaining 90 per cent of households will not be required to fill out any questionnaire. In addition, while data collection will be conducted throughout the year, instead of concentrated within 1.5 months as in the past, selected households are only required to submit one questionnaire within the data collection period. Government administrative data will also be used more extensively to simplify the content of the questionnaire.
Mr Yu emphasised that the C&SD strives to protect the data privacy of all persons and households. Information collected in the Census will be kept in strict confidence and only be used to compile aggregate statistics. Such information will not be disclosed to any unauthorised parties. All completed questionnaires will also be destroyed by December 31, 2027.
About 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong (i.e. some 300 000 households) will be selected through random sampling to participate in the 2026 Population Census. The C&SD will issue notification letters in purple envelopes to the sampled households in batches starting from the end of this month.
Sampled households (including owner-occupiers or tenants) who have received the notification letter can submit the required information via one of the following means:
(1) Completing the online questionnaire (by accessing the Online Questionnaire through scanning the QR code on the notification letter or visiting the website (oq.census2026.gov.hk)); or
(2) Conducting a telephone interview (by calling the Census Hotline at 18 2026).
Sampled households are encouraged to complete the online Census questionnaire with ease by smartphones, desktop computers or mobile tablets. Census officers will also visit households with outstanding response and assist them in completing the questionnaire. When visiting households, census officers will wear a grey vest uniform, and carry an Enumerator Identity Card and a Census Officer Certificate of Identity issued by the C&SD for identification purposes.
The C&SD reminds the public to be aware of scamming activities. Households will not be required to provide information on their Hong Kong identity card, bank accounts or credit cards in the Census. If households have not provided the C&SD with their contact information, the C&SD will not initiate calls, send emails or SMS messages to them. The caller ID “18 2026” or SMS sender ID “#C&SD” will be displayed when the C&SD calls or sends SMS messages to households in Hong Kong. To report suspected deception cases or verify the identity of census officers, members of the public should call the Census Hotline 18 2026.
The Census Hotline will operate from 9 am to 10 pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) throughout the data collection period (from January to December 2026). Members of the public can call the Census Hotline at 18 2026 or visit the thematic webpage of the 2026 Population Census (www.census2026.gov.hk) for more information if they require assistance in completing the questionnaire.
The Census is conducted under Section 9 of the Census and Statistics Ordinance (Cap. 316). All persons specified are obliged to provide the required information. It is an offence if any persons contravene the legal requirement for completing the Census questionnaire.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKMA Quarterly Bulletin (December 2025 Issue) Starting from 2026, the Quarterly Bulletin will be renamed as the Bulletin. It will be published as needed to provide regular updates (e.g. banking sector developments) and discuss topical matters. The HKMA will also continue to flexibly use various publications, including inSight, Research Memorandum, and Half-Yearly Monetary and Financial Stability Report, to share the latest information relating to the HKMA’s work.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for third quarter 2025 The payment card statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (Note 1). The HKMA began to publish the payment card statistics on a quarterly basis in June 2010 to enhance transparency of the payment card industry in Hong Kong, in line with international practice.
According to the quarterly statistics, the total number of credit cards in circulation (Note 2) was 25.08 million by the end of Q3/2025. The figure represents a 10.0 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 23.6 per cent increase from the previous year. The number and value of credit card transactions (including retail sales and cash advances) (Note 3) are susceptible to seasonal factors and the general economic environment, making the trends more prone to fluctuation. The total number of credit card transactions was 382.61 million for Q3/2025, representing a 6.2 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 16.3 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. The total value of credit card transactions was HK$285.6 billion for Q3/2025, representing a 6.4 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 14.8 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. Of the total transaction value, HK$173.3 billion (60.7 per cent) was related to retail spending in Hong Kong, HK$103.1 billion (36.1 per cent) in retail spending overseas and HK$9.1 billion (3.2 per cent) in cash advances.
The total number of debit cards in circulation is not available due to overlapping of debit card brands in a single card. Like the number and value of credit card transactions, the number and value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments (Note 4) are also affected by seasonal factors. On a quarterly basis, the total number of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments decreased by 9.6 per cent to 52.31 million while the total value decreased by 5.6 per cent to HK$62.7 billion in Q3/2025. When compared to the same period in 2024, the total number decreased by 3.2 per cent and the total value dropped by 8.3 per cent in Q3/2025.
Note 1: The payment card statistics are compiled from data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by both authorized institutions (AIs) and non-authorized institutions (non-AIs) under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (“the card operators”). The card operators, in alphabetical order, are American Express International, Inc., Discover Financial Services (Hong Kong) Limited, EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited (EPSCO), JCB International (Asia) Ltd, Joint Electronic Teller Services Ltd. (JETCO), MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., UnionPay International Co. Ltd and Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited.
Note 2: A credit card issued in Hong Kong only carries one credit card brand. The total number of credit cards in circulation refers to the total number of credit cards (i.e. cards with a credit function) issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (but excluding EPSCO and JETCO, which do not operate a credit card scheme). Some of these credit cards carry debit card functions, i.e. the credit card can be used for making purchases/payments or cash withdrawal at ATMs through directly debiting cardholders’ bank accounts.
Note 3: The total number/value of credit card transactions refer to the total number/value of transactions made via credit card accounts of credit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (excluding EPSCO and JETCO). Starting from March 2015, a Hong Kong/overseas spending breakdown of credit card retail sales transactions is provided.
Note 4: The total number/value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales/bill payments refers to the total number/value of those transactions made via debiting cardholders’ bank accounts. Some of the eight card operators do not operate a debit card scheme. Care should be exercised in combining the credit card retail sales figures and the debit card retail sales/bills payment figures because of the possibility of double counting. Issued at HKT 16:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Statistics on persons engaged and vacancies for September 2025 Persons engaged statistics
In September 2025, the selected industries as a whole engaged 2 710 200 persons. The import and export trade engaged 342 700 persons, followed by professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) engaging 314 800 persons, financing and insurance 238 500 persons, retail trade 230 000 persons, and food and beverage services 217 500 persons.
Movements in the number of persons engaged in different surveyed industries varied when compared with a year earlier. Increases were mainly observed in the industries of human health services (3.6% or 5 700 persons), financing and insurance (3.5% or 8 000 persons), and manufacturing (2.1% or 1 600 persons). On the other hand, the number of persons engaged decreased mainly in the industries of construction sites (manual workers only) (-6.2% or -7 600 persons), import and export trade (-3.7% or -13 000 persons), retail trade (-3.0% or -7 100 persons), and cleaning and similar services (-2.6% or -2 200 persons). Number of persons engaged for selected major industries are shown in Table 1.
Vacancies statistics
Among the 51 450 private sector vacancies in September 2025, 5 860 were from the industry of financing and insurance, 5 260 from education, 5 120 from professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services), 4 830 from human health services, and 4 230 from residential care and social work services.
Vacancies decreased in majority of the selected industries in September 2025 over a year earlier. Decreases were mainly observed in the industries of transportation, storage, postal and courier services (-2 260 or -45%), food and beverage services (-1 820 or -33%), human health services (-1 760 or -27%), and arts, entertainment, recreation and other services (-1 620 or -38%). On the other hand, vacancies increased in the industries of financing and insurance (860 or 17%), and information and communications (260 or 11%). Job vacancies figures for selected major industries are shown in Table 2.
Analysed by major occupation category, private sector vacancies were observed mainly in the categories of service and sales workers (16 920 vacancies), professionals (9 580 vacancies), and associate professionals (9 340 vacancies). Job vacancies figures by major occupation category are shown in Table 3.
Seasonally adjusted statistics
For discerning the latest trend in the number of persons engaged and vacancies in the private sector, it is useful to look at changes over a three-month period in the respective seasonally adjusted figures. Compared with June 2025, the seasonally adjusted total number of persons engaged and total vacancies in the surveyed industries increased by 0.2% and decreased by 1.7% respectively in September 2025. The changes over three-month periods in the seasonally adjusted series of persons engaged and vacancies are shown in Table 4.
Other information
The above statistics on persons engaged and vacancies were obtained from the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies and the Quarterly Employment Survey of Construction Sites conducted by the C&SD. In the former survey, some economic activities (e.g. those dominated by self-employment, including taxi operators and hawkers) are not covered. Therefore, the respective figures for persons engaged and vacancies relate only to those selected industries included in the survey. In the latter survey on construction sites, the number of persons engaged and vacancies relate to manual workers only.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu hosted a year-end luncheon with Mr. Johnson Hsiung and Mrs. Jennifer Li, as well as Ms. Shirley Chen, Sydney Council Members of the Overseas Community Affairs Commission (OCAC). The luncheon was held to express appreciation for their strong support for TECO in Sydney’s work and their active participation in activities within the Taiwanese community throughout 2025.
DG Wu noted that the OCAC Council Members have long played an important role in strengthening community cohesion and fostering harmony within the Taiwanese community in Sydney. He also expressed his hope for continued close cooperation in 2026, working together to advance overseas community affairs.
The Buildings Department today issued a practice note to registered contractors, setting out a new mechanism for sampling scaffold nets in Hong Kong announced last week. The new mechanism applies to scaffold nets used in repair projects, as well as to those used in new building works.
To facilitate the implementation of the new mechanism, the department announced on its website the first batch of designated laboratories and will continuously update the list.
Furthermore, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) is preparing for collective bulk procurement and co-ordinating testing services. The Hong Kong Institute of Construction San Tin Training Ground has been selected as the site for the industry to arrange off-site sampling. The Government and the CIC will work towards having the first batch of scaffold nets reinstalled within a month after procurement and testing.
Independent Committee The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po convened the first meeting today. The committee has formally commenced work.
Support fund As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.5 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.8 billion.
Accommodation support As of this morning, a total of 613 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 552 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,503 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, units from the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.
Currently, there is still a supply of more than 1,000 units that can provide affected residents with longer-term accommodation. The transitional housing and the Housing Society projects in different districts can altogether provide around 400 units at the moment. Moreover, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can provide a supply of around 900 units.
The Transport Department has been steering public transport operators to enhance services of franchised buses, green minibuses and residents’ services by deploying additional vehicles and manpower to support residents affected by the fire who have been admitted into transitional housing in various districts, facilitating transfers to other services to and from different districts.
Among them, an additional shuttle bus service will be launched connecting Lok Sin Village in Tai Po and Tai Po Market Station; while KMB will extend the service hours of route 75K.
Relief supplies On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 2,000 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. Over 29,000 donation items, covering various categories, have been distributed.
Building management The Government today invoked the Building Management Ordinance and submitted an application to the Lands Tribunal for the dissolution of the existing management committee of the owners’ corporation (OC) of Wang Fuk Court. It has also proposed appointing Hop On Management Company under the Chinachem Group as the designated administrator to assist the owners of Wang Fuk Court in handling various management and follow-up matters after the fire.
If the Lands Tribunal approves the application, the Home Affairs Department will establish a dedicated team to work closely with Hop On in closely following up on various aspects of building management. This includes handling works contracts, following up on insurance claims, financial management, and offering support to residents.
Hop On has explicitly stated that it will operate on a pro bono basis for this appointment. At the same time, Nina Wang Charity Management has also expressed that if the Lands Tribunal approves the application, it will donate $5 million to the OC to cover the costs associated with employing lawyers, accountants, or other professional services.
The Lands Department today published a third Extension Notice under the Extension of Government Leases Ordinance to extend the land leases of 28 lots for a term of 50 years.
The notice, covering eight located in Kowloon and 20 on Hong Kong Island, concern general purpose leases which are due to expire in 2032 and do not contain a right of renewal.
The department explained that while land leases extended under the ordinance do not require payment of additional premium, they are subject to an annual payment of government rent equivalent to 3% of the rateable value of the relevant land.
Encumbrances, interests and rights under the original lease will be carried forward to the extended lease term. Owners do not have to perform any procedures, nor are they required to execute lease extension documents with the Government or rearrange mortgages.
The Development Bureau remarked that the arrangement brings tremendous convenience to the public and businesses, effectively enhances the confidence of property owners and investors in the real estate market, and has received widespread support from various sectors of the community.
It added that the mechanism manifests solid safeguards for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under the implementation of the “one country, two systems’ principle”.
Chief Executive John Lee met the visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Ho Duc Phoc today to discuss deepening the co-operation between Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Welcoming Mr Ho and his delegation to Hong Kong, Mr Lee said that Vietnam is Hong Kong’s sixth-largest trading partner with bilateral merchandise trade reaching US$49 billion in the first three quarters this year, a 67% increase compared to the same period last year.
Mr Lee led a high-level business delegation to Vietnam last year, during which both sides signed 30 memoranda of understanding and agreements covering various areas. He expressed confidence that both places will strengthen co-operation with mutual benefits.
Highlighting that the Government has relaxed immigration arrangements for Vietnamese citizens visiting, working or pursuing post-secondary studies in Hong Kong, the Chief Executive said new measures were introduced in March to give convenient immigration arrangements for those invited from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries including Vietnam.
These measures will further promote people-to-people exchanges and bilateral co-operation in trade, professional services and other sectors, he added.
Noting that Hong Kong will actively play “super connector” and “super value-adder” roles and fully leverage its unique advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said Hong Kong will promote collaboration with Vietnam in areas such as finance, innovation and technology, trade and the green and digital economy.
(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)
The Government today filed an application to dissolve the owners’ corporation management committee of Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, and to appoint Chinachem Group subsidiary Hop On Management Company as the administrator, to handle the day-to-day operations of the management committee.
Announcing the application, Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak said the Government made the move in accordance with section 31 of the Building Management Ordinance.
“This action will only help the owners of Wang Fuk Court to handle the various complicated legal procedures with expert assistance.
“And Hop On Management (Company) has already stated that it will serve the Wang Fuk Court residents on a pro bono basis, and that the Nina Wang Charity trustees have agreed to contribute $5 million for professional costs or any procurement costs related to the management of Wang Fuk Court.
“So our action is to help, we try to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court to handle all the very complicated legal procedures and accounting procedures with expert assistance.”