Month: December 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme between Hong Kong Customs and the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) of Peru in hybrid mode at the Customs Headquarters Building today (December 30). The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Consul-General of Peru, Mr Enrique Carlos Cardenas Arestegui, in person as well as the National Superintendent of Customs and Tax Administration of SUNAT of Peru, Mr Javier Franco Castillo, and the Deputy National Superintendent of Customs of SUNAT of Peru, Mr Carlos Adrianzen, online. Immediately after the signing, Mr Chan exchanged the signed MRA text with Mr Enrique Carlos Cardenas Arestegui.

     The MRA with Peru is Hong Kong Customs’ first MRA concluded with a Customs administration in the South American region, marking a significant step in strengthening trade ties between the two places as well as the South American region. This MRA will further facilitate the flow of legitimate cross-boundary cargo and enhance the global competitiveness of enterprises in both places.

     The Hong Kong AEO Programme was launched in 2012. The signing of the MRA with Peru brings the number of MRAs ratified between Hong Kong Customs and other Customs administrations to 18 in total. The other 17 Customs administrations which Hong Kong has signed MRAs with are the Chinese Mainland; India; Korea; Singapore; Thailand; Malaysia; Japan; Australia; New Zealand; Israel; Canada; Mexico, Indonesia; Macao, China; Bahrain; South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Under the MRA, AEOs from the signatory countries or regions can enjoy reciprocal trade facilitations including a reduced inspection rate and prioritised clearance.

     Hong Kong Customs will continue to accord priority to its discussions on MRAs with the Belt and Road economies, particularly member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, as well as African and South American countries to further expand the MRA network.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (December 30) that the validity end date of the unused subsidy/relief balances (unused balances) under the Electricity Charges Subsidy Scheme (ECSS) and the Electricity Charges Relief Scheme (ECRS) (2024-25) will be extended by one year from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026.

     A Government spokesperson said, “Taking into account that a considerable number of households have not yet used up the distributed subsidy/relief, the Government has decided to extend the validity end date of the unused balances by one year. All unused balances will be carried forward to cover billed electricity charges under the same account until December 31, 2026, or the closure of the account, whichever is earlier. The Government will keep the situation under review and consider, as appropriate, whether a further extension of the validity period is warranted.”

     The unused balances will continue to be reflected in the electricity bills of eligible accounts. For enquiries on account matters, users may contact CLP Power Hong Kong Limited’s Customer Service Hotline on 2678 2678 or the Hongkong Electric Company, Limited’s Customer Service Hotline on 2887 3411. Details of the ECSS and ECRS are available at www.fstb.gov.hk/en/treasury/fin_rel_shc/electricity-charges-subsidy-scheme.htm and www.eeb.gov.hk/en/energy/ecrs.html respectively.

ECSS
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     The Government launched eight rounds of the ECSS between 2008 and 2023 to provide a maximum total electricity charge subsidy of $14,000 to eligible residential electricity accounts. The sum was fully credited to relevant accounts from September 2008 to May 2024. The last round of the ECSS (2023) concluded in May 2024, and the original validity end date of the unused subsidy was December 31, 2025.

ECRS (2024-25)
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     Under the ECRS (2024-25), the Government provides electricity charge relief of $50 per month to eligible residential electricity accounts (to a maximum total relief of $1,200). The sum was fully credited to relevant accounts from January 2024 to December 2025, and the original validity end date of the unused relief was December 31, 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 30) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Hamm of the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen in Germany, Kalisz District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, Tewkesbury District of Gloucestershire County in the United Kingdom (UK) and Perth County of the province of Ontario in Canada, and an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Saitama Prefecture in Japan respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas, as well as from Unna District of the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen adjacent to Hamm, 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, while no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada, Hong Kong imported about 60 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Germany; about 1 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland; about 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.17 million poultry eggs from the UK; and about 1 540 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 219.73 million poultry eggs from Japan.

     “The CFS has contacted the German, Polish, British, Canadian and Japanese 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

     Planned in conjunction with the General History of China Exhibition Series held at the Hong Kong Museum of History annually, the Chinese Culture Promotion Office (CCPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold the “Archaeology of Cao Cao” Exhibition at the Lobby, 1/F, Hong Kong Museum of History, from tomorrow (December 31) to February 23, 2026. The exhibition leads visitors to explore the literary and military achievements in the life of the formidable hero Cao Cao. The exhibition traces the discovery, excavation and verification of Cao Cao’s tomb to unveil the mystery and reveal the true character of Cao Cao. Admission is free.
      
     Cao Cao (155-220 AD) was an outstanding politician, military strategist and poet during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He laid the foundation for the establishment of the Wei state and profoundly influenced the historical trajectory of the Three Kingdoms period. In 2009, Cao Cao’s tomb was discovered in Anyang, Henan Province, followed by intense debate over the authenticity of the tomb. The academic community has now confirmed Xigaoxue Tomb in Anyang as the Mausoleum of Cao Cao, and the layout of the cemetery, the burial structure and the remains and various artefacts found in the tomb form a complete chain of evidence.
      
     Incorporating replicas of excavated artefacts and drawing upon the research of Chair Professor of Humanities at the Southern University of Science and Technology, and former researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Professor Tang Jigen, the exhibition reveals the true character of the formidable hero Cao Cao, while offering a glimpse into the social and political landscape of the late Eastern Han dynasty. In addition to panels for children and videos, visitors can explore Cao Cao’s multifaceted personality through an interactive rotating cube installation that showcases well-known anecdotes. There is also a photo spot where visitors can savour the grandeur of Cao Cao’s literary and military achievements.
      
     The exhibition is organised by the CCPO, and supported by the Hong Kong Museum of History. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website: www.ccpo.gov.hk/en/programme/archaeology-of-cao-cao-exhibition.​

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (December 30) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 27, at Hong Kong International Airport on November 16. About 58 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $237,700 and a duty potential of about $191,700 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 today.

     As well, Customs officers intercepted another incoming male passenger, aged 42, at the airport on the abovementioned date. About 19 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $77,900 and a duty potential of about $62,800 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 today.

     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced today that the end date of unused subsidy/relief balances under the Electricity Charges Subsidy Scheme and the Electricity Charges Relief Scheme for 2024/25 will be extended by one year to December 31, 2026.

The Government explained that the extension is being granted as a considerable number of households have not yet used up the subsidy/relief disbursed to them.

All unused balances will be carried forward to cover billed electricity charges up until December 31, 2026, or the date of account closure, whichever is earlier. This will be reflected in the bills of eligible accounts.

The Government added that it will keep the situation under review and consider whether a further extension is necessary.

For enquiries on account matters, CLP Power Hong Kong users can call 2678 2678, while Hongkong Electric Company users can call 2887 3411.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Two new sections of the GreenWay in the Kai Tak Development Area opened today for use by pedestrians and cyclists.

The two sections, each approximately 400 metres in length, are located at Kai Tak Promenade, as well as Shing Kai Road Garden and Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) Dining Cove.

The opening of these two sections fully connect the 2km-long scenic GreenWay on the runway’s western side, extending from Shing Kai Road Garden through KTSP Dining Cove to Kai Tak Promenade, overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Consistent with existing sections, the newly opened parts of the GreenWay feature speed-reducing rumble strips to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists. The area also provides bicycle parking and a parallel barrier-free walkway, offering a convenient alternative for the public.

To accommodate various events, KTSP will adjust GreenWay opening hours at Dining Cove and apply crowd management measures as necessary.

The GreenWay in Kai Tak is about 13km long, about 4.3km of which is open within the Kai Tak Development Area. The remaining sections are expected to be opened progressively from 2026 onwards in coordination with government and private development projects in the area.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced its Hong Kong Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2025-2030, which introduces a new risk-based hepatitis B screening programme and other measures to strengthen prevention and control of viral hepatitis.

The measures are designed to reduce the transmission of viral hepatitis and lower related morbidity and mortality, including deaths from liver cancer attributable to viral hepatitis.

The target is to eliminate the public health threat posed by viral hepatitis by 2030, in line with the World Health Organization’s global goal. 

According to data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, liver cancer is the third largest cause of cancer deaths in Hong Kong. In 2023, there were 1,408 deaths from liver cancer, accounting for 9.5% of all cancer deaths. Over 70% of hepatocellular carcinoma cases were associated with hepatitis B.

In addition to the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority, the action plan also enlists the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Commission and other relevant organisations.

It is estimated that approximately 410,000 people in Hong Kong have hepatitis B. Among these, 40% are unaware of their condition and 70% are not receiving appropriate follow-up care.

The action plan will bolster efforts to prevent and control viral hepatitis along four strategic axes, namely heightening awareness, tracking the health sector’s response, preventing new infections, and expanding access to screening, care and treatment.

The PHC Commission will launch a Chronic Disease Co-care Platform to introduce risk-based hepatitis B screening and management on a pilot basis, in addition to testing for high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.

It will target Hong Kong residents born in or before 1988 whose family members or sexual partners have contracted chronic hepatitis B, as well as residents who have no known medical history of chronic hepatitis B or related symptoms.

A participant diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B through the platform will receive subsidised medical consultations, medication and liver ultrasonography services, and undergo regular liver cancer surveillance.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced that a disciplinary investigation into an incident relating to the procurement of bottled drinking water has been completed, and that it is consulting the Department of Justice regarding disciplinary actions to be taken.

The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau made the announcement while giving an update on the work of the “Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime”.

Subsequent to the implementation of a series of measures in October to strengthen protection against fraudulent acts, the task force, chaired by Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, is exploring further enhancement measures.

The bureau said that the additional measures are expected to be ready next month and will be announced in tandem with the task force’s report, which will conclude the case.

Meanwhile, the Government Logistics Department has launched an open tender for the contract to supply bottled drinking water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and parts of the outlying islands.

In alignment with new guidelines promulgated in October, requirements have been strengthened with regard to the preparation of tender documents, tender evaluations and contract management, to help procurement officers guard against fraudulent acts and selecting competent suppliers.