Month: December 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A spokesperson for the Labour Department (LD) said today (December 12) that the LD completed a two-week special enforcement operation today, targeting building maintenance work sites with large-scale scaffolding erected. The LD will continue to focus on inspecting the improvement progress of construction sites with violations detected and work sites where scaffold nets have been removed from the external walls of buildings.

During the special enforcement operation starting from November 28, the LD inspected 467 construction sites, with 249 written warnings and 112 improvement notices issued as well as 25 prosecutions initiated, which mainly involved the prohibition of smoking at sites, as well as violations such as failure to maintain fire escapes and fire-fighting appliances in good condition, unsafe working at height, and failure to provide personal protective equipment.

The LD will continue to follow up on the improvement progress of the construction sites with violations. If unsafe working conditions persist, the LD will take actions in accordance with the law. The LD will also continue to inspect work sites where scaffold nets have been removed from external walls of buildings. If work on external walls is still being carried out on scaffolds, the LD will notify relevant departments to follow up. If imminent risks such as objects falling from scaffolds are detected, the LD will take enforcement actions immediately, including issuing suspension notices and taking out prosecutions, without issuing prior warning.

The LD reiterated that contractors must strictly implement all site safety measures to ensure the occupational safety and health of employees. Under the general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, employers are obligated to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant legislation with serious circumstances are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (December 12) that the Pre-hospital Stroke Diversion Scheme (Primary Diversion Scheme) will be launched starting from 8.30am on December 15 in the New Territories East Cluster (NTEC) and the New Territories West Cluster (NTWC) of the HA.

Since 2021, the HA and the FSD have collaborated to implement the Pre-hospital Stroke Notification mechanism on a territory-wide basis. The FSD’s ambulance personnel will perform a pre-hospital stroke assessment before patients arrive at the hospital, utilising standardised medical evaluations to determine if the patient exhibits suspected acute stroke symptoms. In case a patient is assessed as requiring notification, the ambulance personnel will immediately call the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of the public hospital concerned, enabling the hospital’s stroke team to make advance arrangements for examination and treatment.

In line with the objectives set out by the Chief Executive in the 2025 Policy Address on strengthening the emergency stroke service network and further optimising service workflows to improve patients’ survival rate and functional recovery, the FSD and the HA will strengthen collaboration and initiate to implement the Primary Diversion Scheme in the NTEC and the NTWC. Under the scheme, patients preliminarily assessed by ambulance personnel as having suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) will be directly conveyed to designated HA hospitals within the service catchment areas for early treatment. Specifically, patients from Sha Tin, Tai Po and North districts will be taken to Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) in the NTEC, while those from Tuen Mun and Yuen Long districts will be sent directly to Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) in the NTWC. By triaging patients promptly at the pre-hospital stage and conveying them directly to designated hospitals capable of providing appropriate treatment services, the scheme can avoid the need for inter-hospital transfers and repeated assessments, further shortening the overall time for treatment, gaining more “golden time” for patients and reducing their risk of brain damage and long-term disability.

Suspected LVO patients will receive immediate examinations and diagnosis upon arrival at the public hospital AED. If LVO is confirmed, the stroke team will provide suitable treatments based on the patient’s clinical condition, which may include intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) to dissolve blood clots. If clinically appropriate, patients may also receive intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) surgery to restore blood flow to the brain as quickly as possible. Currently, PWH and TMH offer both IVT and IAT along with related support services. By directing suspected LVO patients to these two designated hospitals, healthcare staff can promptly arrange necessary examinations and procedures, thereby reducing the duration of cerebral ischemia and improving treatment outcomes. For stroke patients in other Clusters, the FSD’s ambulance personnel will continue to swiftly convey patients to the public hospital AED for treatment in accordance with the established Pre-hospital Stroke Notification mechanism.

The HA spokesperson reminded the public that all public hospital AEDs are capable of providing appropriate treatment for stroke patients. If individuals suspect themselves or someone nearby are suffering from stroke, they should promptly attend the nearest AED, where healthcare staff will arrange necessary assessments and examinations. Members of the public calling the FSD’s ambulance service for assistance are also advised to co-operate with the professional assessments and judgments conducted by the ambulance personnel, who will convey patients to a suitable hospital for further diagnosis.

To ensure the smooth implementation of the Primary Diversion Scheme, the HA and the FSD have conducted multiple drills in advance. Both parties will closely monitor the progress of the Scheme and review its effectiveness to continuously enhance the efficiency of stroke patient management and actively consider extending the Scheme to other Clusters in an orderly manner.

Strokes can be generally classified into two types, namely hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. Treatment approaches differ for patients with each type. For ischemic strokes, all public hospital AEDs currently offer 24-hour IVT services. Since March of this year, PWH, TMH, Princess Margaret Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital have also been providing 24-hour IAT services, supporting stroke patients across Hong Kong through a comprehensive service network.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     China will be the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2026. The Central Government announced today (December 12) that the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) 2026 will be held in Hong Kong in October 2026.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “Our country will be the host of APEC 2026, and the APEC FMM 2026 will be held for the first time in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in October 2026. The HKSAR Government will spare no effort in making comprehensive and meticulous preparations to support our country in successfully hosting APEC 2026. We are grateful for the Central Government’s trust and support. The HKSAR Government will leverage Hong Kong’s experience and strengths as an international financial centre to ensure the successful organisation of the FMM in Hong Kong. Hong Kong will also seize this opportunity to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, better integrating into and serving the overall national development.”
 
     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, with the staunch support of our country, the role of Hong Kong as an international financial centre has continued to develop, with its status steadily reinforced and elevated. We are truly grateful to our country for choosing to host the FMM in Hong Kong. This not only allows us to showcase Hong Kong’s comprehensive development in the economic, financial and social dimensions to participating economies and the international community but also helps deepen our collaboration with other APEC member economies, thereby fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super connector’.”
 
     China, as the host of APEC 2026, will be responsible for preparing for and chairing the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, as well as a series of ministerial and other meetings next year. The FMM will be hosted by the Ministry of Finance and will be held in Hong Kong under the arrangements and organisation of the HKSAR Government. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will lead a dedicated task force for co-ordinating relevant planning and preparatory work.
 
     Heads of finance departments of APEC member economies and representatives of relevant international organisations will gather in Hong Kong for this meeting. This will allow them to experience the unique charm of Hong Kong as an international metropolis, as well as Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world, thereby helping to tell good stories of the country and Hong Kong.
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Council of the China National Arts Fund recently announced the list of arts projects to be funded by the China National Arts Fund 2026. After assessment, the adjudication panel of the China National Arts Fund selected 879 projects out of 11 523 formal applications. Fourteen arts projects of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been selected, which marks a record high.

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, said today (December 12), “I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to our country for the support and recognition of the arts and culture sectors of Hong Kong, and congratulate the 14 selected Hong Kong arts projects. The projects selected this year cover a wide variety, and some of the arts groups have again gained recognition from the China National Arts Fund, fully showcasing the thriving and diversified arts and cultural achievements of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote the high-quality development of the arts, culture and creative industries to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”

 The China National Arts Fund was opened up for projects from Hong Kong and Macao in 2022. A total of 57 Hong Kong arts projects have been selected so far. Those selected for 2026 cover areas such as large-scale productions, small and medium-scale productions, visual arts creations, cultural exchange, training of arts talents, and youth in arts creation.

The HKSAR Government has implemented a number of policy measures to support the awardees of the China National Arts Fund in Hong Kong, including presenting relevant projects at its annual flagship event, the Chinese Culture Festival, as well as providing funding for the projects to go global and conduct exchanges, promoting the inheritance and development of Chinese culture and telling good stories of Hong Kong. The selected Hong Kong arts projects for this round will continue to benefit from these measures.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government gazetted today (December 12) the proposed road works in Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area. 

Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building,
269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories

District Lands Office, Yuen Long,
9/F, Yuen Long Government Offices,
2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories

The gazette notice, scheme, plans and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.          

Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than February 10, 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Lands Department (LandsD) today (December 12) announced the proposal for resumption of land for the redevelopment of Sha Tau Kok Control Point and associated works in Sha Tau Kok under the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124).  
 
The proposal involves the resumption of 25 private lots with an area of about 10 510 square metres. Details were published in the notice gazetted today. The notice is affixed in a conspicuous place on or near the land proposed to be resumed. A copy of the notice and resumption plan are also available on the LandsD’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/resources/gov-notices/acq.html). Members of the public may also inspect the above-mentioned documents at the following government offices during office hours:
 

• Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre, G/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong;
• North Home Affairs Enquiry Centre, G/F, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories; and
• District Lands Office, North, 6/F, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories.

 
The owner, occupier of the land or any person having any right in relation to the land to be resumed, who wishes to object to the proposed resumption, is required to submit a written objection to the Director of Lands. The written objection must sufficiently identify the aforementioned identity of the objector and describe how the objector will be affected by the proposal. Objectors are requested to provide contact details and deliver written objections to the Director of Lands on or before February 10, 2026, via one of the following means:
 

• by post or by hand to the District Lands Office, North, 6/F, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories;
• by fax to 2675 9224; or
• by email to gendlon@landsd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 12) reminded the public that it has been over five months since the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity cycle and COVID-19 vaccine should be received in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19.
 
     “After the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of COVID-19 every six to nine months. Taking into account local and global epidemiological data in recent years, the CHP believes that COVID-19 has evolved into an endemic disease with a cyclical pattern. According to the CHP’s analysis, the active periods are associated with the changes in the predominant circulating strains and a decline in herd immunity in Hong Kong. Since late March 2025, the local predominant strains have changed from KP.2 and KP.3 to NB.1.8.1. The latest surveillance data indicates that NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1 are currently the co-circulating strains in the local community. Currently, the approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1. There is no evidence suggesting that NB.1.8.1 or LP.8.1 would cause a more severe disease. Nevertheless, the continuous evolving nature of the virus should not be taken lightly. The CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation regarding variant strains, in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations, guarding against the possible emergence of more virulent or vaccine-mismatched strains of the virus,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
 
Under the current Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged 6 months or above are eligible for free initial vaccine doses. High-risk priority groups can receive booster doses for free at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously. â€‹High-risk priority groups include:

• older adults aged 50 or above, including those living in residential care homes;
• persons aged 18 to 49 years with underlying comorbidities;
• persons with immunocompromising conditions aged 6 months and above;
• pregnant women; and
• healthcare workers.

 
The WHO and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (Joint Scientific Committees) under the CHP earlier recommended either the JN.1 vaccine or the LP.8.1 vaccine as the vaccine choice in 2026. Given that the stock of JN.1 vaccines currently provided to toddlers is about to be exhausted, the Government has procured approximately 4 500 doses of Spikevax LP.8.1 vaccine for toddlers and children.
 
Eligible persons may continue to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment via the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme booking system. Starting from 9am on December 18, toddlers and children aged 6 months to 11 years who schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments via the booking system will be arranged to receive the LP.8.1 vaccine.
 
Toddlers and children may receive the COVID-19 vaccination at designated Maternal and Child Health Centres or Student Health Service Centres under the DH, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital or designated Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Station. Details are available on the webpage. 
 
The Government will continue assisting elderly people aged 60 or above living in the community to make COVID-19 vaccination bookings online. Relevant arrangements are outlined in an earlier press release.
 
As persons who contract influenza and COVID-19 at the same time are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP strongly recommends that high-risk individuals receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death. The WHO has also pointed out that high-risk individuals should receive booster doses at appropriate times to mitigate the risk of serious illness and death.
 
For citizens who have not yet received SIV while receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, they can check with vaccination venues for arrangements for influenza vaccination. According to scientific evidence, COVID-19 vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccines can be administered at the same time to provide dual protection.

Members of the public may visit the CHP’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and seasonal influenza webpage for more details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3

The Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) will subsidise a total of 4 781 places in 57 undergraduate programmes, covering 3 425 places in 57 first-year-first-degree (FYFD) programmes and 1 356 places in 45 top-up degree (TUD) programmes of eight post-secondary institutions (including Hong Kong Chu Hai College, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Saint Francis University, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Tung Wah College, UOW College Hong Kong and Vocational Training Council – Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong) for the cohort to be admitted in the 2026/27 academic year.

The programmes and number of subsidised places, which fall under 10 disciplines with keen manpower demand, namely architecture and engineering, computer science, creative industries, financial technology, health care, insurance, logistics, sports and recreation, testing and certification, and tourism and hospitality, are determined by the Education Bureau in consultation with relevant policy bureaux and departments. The programmes include the 16 applied degrees programmes, which will receive additional subsidies, with a view to further strengthening the vocational and professional education and training progression pathway at the post-secondary level.

In the 2026/27 academic year, the annual subsidy amounts for non-laboratory-based programmes and laboratory-based programmes are up to $46,780 and $81,450 respectively. For applied degree programmes, with the additional annual subsidies, the total annual subsidy amounts will be up to $89,620 for laboratory-based applied degree programmes and $51,880 for non-laboratory-based applied degree programmes. The subsidy amounts are applicable to both new and continuing eligible students. The subsidy is tenable for the normal duration of the programmes concerned. Subsidised students will pay a tuition fee with the subsidy applied. Students in need may still apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable.

Allocation of the subsidised first-year intake of the FYFD programmes will mainly go through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS); participating institutions are allowed to admit non-JUPAS local students via direct admission of no more than 20% of the subsidised places of each designated programme, and the non-JUPAS admission may take place in parallel with JUPAS admission. Non-JUPAS local applicants should refer to the relevant institutions’ websites for their admission arrangements including the commencement date and deadline of the application.

The subsidised places of the TUD programmes are allocated according to existing admission arrangements of the self-financing TUD programmes, i.e. through direct admission by institutions.

For details of the SSSDP, please visit www.cspe.edu.hk/sssdp.