Month: January 2026

Transport and Logistics Bureau and Civil Engineering and Development Department invite industry to attend briefing sessions on Smart and Green Mass Transit System in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area Phase 1 projectIssued at HKT 19:20

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35 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations  
     In the anti-illegal worker focused operations targeting housekeeping and renovation services, ImmD officers found that social media platforms have recently been utilised by suspects to advertise housekeeping and renovation services in Hong Kong. After an in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, ImmD officers identified the suspected persons and initiated an operation. Officers disguised themselves as customers on social media platform to enquire about and book the services. The illegal workers were subsequently arrested while providing services in Hong Kong. The four arrested illegal workers were visitors from the Chinese Mainland, comprising two men and two women, aged 32 to 58. Two of them were housekeepers, while the other two were renovation workers.
 
     During the remaining anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, guesthouses and retail stores. Twenty-five suspected illegal workers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 15 men and 10 women, aged 20 to 59. Among them, three women were holding recognizance forms prohibiting them from taking any employment. In addition, a man was suspected of using and being in possession of a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Four men and two women, aged 22 to 61, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. The investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
 
     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”
 
     The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:00

United Christian Hospital achieves accreditation under China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) (with photo)      
     The Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Libby Lee, said, “UCH became the third public hospital accredited under the national hospital accreditation standards, further reaffirming that the service quality and management standards of Hong Kong’s public hospitals have aligned with national systems and reached international levels. The HA will continue to co-ordinate and encourage more public hospitals’ participation in accreditation, continually enhancing the quality and safety of public healthcare services to international standards.”
      
     Dr Lee stated that hospital accreditation serves as a significant opportunity for hospitals to evaluate services thoroughly and enhance their overall services comprehensively. The HA expresses gratitude to the expert team from the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Center (Research Center) and local experts for their valuable suggestions to the hospitals during the on-site survey. The suggestions are valuable for continuously strengthening the quality of public healthcare.
      
     The expert team from the Research Center praised UCH for its commitment to healthcare quality and technical management. The expert team also highlighted the hospital’s strong focus on patient safety and risk management, and its dedication to community engagement, all of which were crucial for obtaining accreditation. The expert team recognised that the hospital has a robust management structure, efficient emergency response capabilities, and a dedication to providing patient-centred healthcare services, as well as continuous innovation in healthcare technology and service models. These factors were recognised as essential foundations for a hospital seeking international standards.
      
     Dr Deacons Yeung, who led the accreditation efforts at UCH, thanked the support from the Health Bureau and the HA Head Office. He said, “The successful accreditation of UCH is the best affirmation to the hospital’s long-standing commitment to patient safety and high-quality service. It also symbolises that the healthcare quality, management and service levels of the hospital have reached international standards, laying a strong foundation for its future development.”
      
     Dr Yeung noted that the smooth progress towards accreditation was reliant on the professional contributions and teamwork of every colleague in the hospital. Through the accreditation process, the hospital conducted a comprehensive review of its existing services and engaged in candid exchanges with experts, which allowed the hospital to learn from their expertise, as well as enabling the hospital to continuously improve and enhance its service, and provide patients with higher quality healthcare services.
      
     “In the future, the UCH will continue to enhance service quality and strengthen community connections to put the concept of ‘Hospital Without Walls’ into practice, allowing patients to fully experience the hospital’s care for them,” said Dr Yeung.
Issued at HKT 18:05

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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $1.6 million (with photo)      
     During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Shau Kei Wan yesterday evening, Customs officers intercepted a suspicious man and seized about 1.1kg of suspected ketamine in a recycle bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted him to a mini-storage nearby for a search and further seized about 3.5kg of suspected ketamine.
      
     The arrestee, who claimed to be a renovation worker, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and will appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 31).
      
     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:25

SITI visits Malaysia       
     Upon his arrival in Kuala Lumpur, Professor Sun immediately called on the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia, Mr Chang Lih Kang. They had an in-depth exchange on the innovation and technology (I&T) developments, industry policies and co-operation direction between the two places. Professor Sun said that Hong Kong will continue to leverage its distinctive advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, as it enjoys the strong support of the motherland and its close connections to the world, adding that Hong Kong provides industry chain support from research and development (R&D), pilot production to production through key platforms such as the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Hong Kong Park). He said he looked forward to further strengthening the collaboration between Hong Kong and Malaysia in areas of innovative R&D, strategic industries development and nurturing start-ups, and that the two places could jointly enhance I&T collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
      
     Professor Sun then visited the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) to learn more about the innovation ecosystem built by MRANTI there. MRANTI is committed to promoting demand-driven R&D in technology across industries and fostering the partnering of enterprises, academia and public organisations through different support programmes. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen co-ordination among MRANTI, the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hetao Hong Kong Park, with a view to facilitating exchanges and project matching for tech enterprises of the two places.
      
     Professor Sun also called on the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Ouyang Yujing, and introduced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s latest plans in I&T. They also exchanged views on how Hong Kong can support the deepening co-operation of I&T and industries between the country and Malaysia.

     Today (January 30), Professor Sun visited Universiti Malaya to explore opportunities for exchanges in R&D and talent as well as industry collaboration, with a view to driving the innovative development of Hong Kong and ASEAN. He said that the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park will provide ideal development platforms for outstanding Malaysian talent and enterprises, and will seize development opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the world. Professor Sun toured the university’s display showcasing its achievements in AI robotics technology and outcome transformation of industry co-operation.
      
     Professor Sun then met with the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association and exchanged views on collaboration opportunities in the R&D and manufacturing of semiconductors as well as the industry chain. Both sides agreed to leverage complementary strengths in advancing high value-added manufacturing and technology innovation, make use of the R&D edges of the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, and pilot transformation capabilities of the Hetao Hong Kong Park, as well as foster technology co-operation and market connections.
      
     He also visited a service-robotics enterprise to learn about its business focusing on designing and developing customised robotics products and solutions. The enterprise leverages vision AI and advanced analytics to develop humanoid and service robots for customer engagement, education, and various commercial environments. Professor Sun encouraged the enterprise to explore collaboration opportunities with Hong Kong’s R&D institutions and consider establishing R&D or test bases in the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hetao Hong Kong Park in the future.
      
     The Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, Mr Vincent Ma, joined the visit.
      
     Professor Sun concluded his visit and returned to Hong Kong in the evening.
Issued at HKT 16:48

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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit watches worth $1.5 million (with photo)      
     Through risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an incoming lorry at the HZMB Hong Kong Port. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit watches inside the cargo compartment of the lorry. A 55-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested.

     An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit watches would have been transhipped to overseas regions.
      
     The investigation is ongoing, and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
      
     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against counterfeit goods and smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
      
     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
      
     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, 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.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 15:00

Visa-free access to Azerbaijan for HKSAR passport holders 
     An Immigration Department spokesman said, “Azerbaijan is along the Belt and Road. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, this visa-free arrangement will bring travel convenience to HKSAR passport holders and strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places.”
 
     Including Azerbaijan, 175 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders. Please visit the following website for details: www.immd.gov.hk/eng/service/travel_document/visa_free_access.htmlIssued at HKT 11:00

Residential mortgage survey results for December 2025      
     The number of mortgage applications in December decreased month-on-month by 5.1 per cent to 7 612.
      
     Mortgage loans approved in December increased by 7.1 per cent compared with November to HK$31.2 billion. Among these, mortgage loans financing primary market transactions increased by 8.2 per cent to HK$11.7 billion and those financing secondary market transactions increased by 7.6 per cent to HK$16.8 billion. Mortgage loans for refinancing decreased by 0.6 per cent to HK$2.7 billion. 
      
     Mortgage loans drawn down during December increased by 1.7 per cent compared with November to HK$20 billion. 
      
     The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to HIBOR decreased from 90.7 per cent in November to 89.8 per cent in December. The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to best lending rates increased from 1.1 per cent in November to 1.3 per cent in December.
      
     The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased month-on-month by 0.2 per cent to HK$1,917.5 billion at end-December. 
      
     The mortgage delinquency ratio stood at a low level of 0.14 per cent and the rescheduled loan ratio was unchanged at nearly 0 per cent.
Issued at HKT 16:30

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Advance release calendar for monthly financial results      
     The timetable for the release of the monthly data for the 2026-27 financial year is as follows: