Month: January 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 6) that in view of a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland about outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Parczewski District, the Radzyński District and the Bialski District of Lubelskie Region in Poland, and notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 and H5N5 avian influenza in Orleans County of the State of Vermont and Saint Clair County of the State of Illinois in the United States (US) respectively, and outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Nord Department and Côtes-d’Armor Department in France, 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, Hong Kong imported about 1 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland; about 40 060 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 2.62 million poultry eggs from the US; and about 830 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 50 000 poultry eggs from France in the first nine months of last year.

     “The CFS has contacted the Polish, American and French 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 Information Services

The Government today welcomed the Lands Tribunal’s decision of formally approving the dissolution of the incumbent management committee (MC) of the Wang Fuk Court owners’ corporation (OC) and appointing Hop On Management Company (Hop On) under the Chinachem Group as the estate’s administrator.

The judge agreed with the Government’s submission that there are limitations in the capabilities of the current MC, whereas Hop On possesses sufficient experience and resources to provide appropriate assistance.

The Government believes that having a professional team take over the management of the OC can more effectively handle the complex issues currently faced by the OC and better safeguard the rights and interests of all owners and residents.

The administrator will only temporarily assume the functions of the original MC, acting on behalf of the OC to handle management matters of the estate. The OC as a statutory body established under the law will continue to exist.

The appointment will not affect the ultimate decision-making power of Wang Fuk Court’s owners on important management matters. All major decisions must strictly follow the provisions of the Building Management Ordinance, to be decided by owners through resolutions passed at owners’ meetings, ensuring that owners’ rights are fully respected.

Upon completion of the appointment procedures, Hop On will commence work immediately. Firstly, Hop On will conduct a handover with the former management company, clarifying the legal liabilities and entitlements of the OC and the owners under contracts already entered into by the OC, and examining the accounts of the OC.

Meanwhile, Hop On will also start preparing to hold briefing sessions to explain to owners and residents its role and duties as the administrator, and to collect their views and requests, ensuring residents have sufficient understanding of and participation in the management arrangements. Staff from the Home Affairs Department (HAD) will also attend.

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak said: “To ensure the orderly progress of various tasks, the HAD has established a dedicated follow-up team, which will work closely with Hop On and provide necessary support. In accordance with the court order, Hop On is required to submit monthly reports to the Government.”

Miss Mak reiterated that the administrator will not charge any fees for this appointment. Nina Wang Charity Management has also pledged to donate a total of $10 million to cover the administrator’s day-to-day operational expenses.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to transnational repression by Chinese state media targeting Taiwan Legislator Shen

January 3, 2026  
 
Chinese state media have recently used social media platforms to spread satellite photos of the Taipei residence and work location of Legislator Puma Shen in a malicious attempt to intimidate the people of Taiwan and conduct long-arm jurisdiction and transnational repression. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns these actions. 
 
MOFA solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other and that China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan nationals.
 
Having previously threatened to arrest Taiwan Legislator Puma Shen anywhere in the world, Chinese state media have recently employed malicious digital authoritarian tools to jeopardize the safety of Taiwan nationals, attempting to sow fear in Taiwan’s democratic society and thereby create a chilling effect. These contemptible actions contravene provisions in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the protection from arbitrary interference with privacy, family, or home. In addition, they constitute a comprehensive violation of people’s privacy and show a complete lack of civilized norms. 
 
MOFA once again reiterates that China’s transnational repression, harassment, and interference against nationals of Taiwan or any other country gravely contravene the spirit of international law and international human rights. Such behavior clearly shows that the Beijing authorities have no regard for the fundamental values of human rights and privacy common in civilized nations. Any Taiwan nationals targeted by transnational repression will be protected by the government. Furthermore, anyone in Taiwan cooperating with China’s transnational repression will be subject to legal sanctions. 
 
MOFA will continue to coordinate with other government agencies, strengthen cooperation with the international community, and bolster the emergency response and assistance mechanisms of overseas missions so as to safeguard Taiwan nationals’ safety. At the same time, MOFA calls on the international community to jointly condemn China’s malicious actions aimed at undermining human rights and people’s privacy and block China’s inappropriate efforts to conduct long-arm jurisdiction and transnational repression.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Labour Department will host the Bright Career Paths Job Fair at the Tin Ching Community Hall in Tin Shui Wai on Thursday and Friday, with over 50 participating organisations providing nearly 2,300 job vacancies in total.

Some 25 organisations will host booths and conduct recruitment each day of the fair. Job seekers can submit applications during the event and may be selected for on-the-spot interviews.

Among the vacancies, close to 1,500 are in the catering, retail, transport or property management sectors.

Positions on offer include electrical engineer, occupational therapist, IT assistant, programme assistant, store manager, laboratory technician, cook, waiter/waitress, sales associate, cutlery packer, guest services supervisor, clerk, show administrator, aircraft maintenance mechanic, elderly health worker, security guard, tailor, and taxi driver.

Around 86% of the openings are full-time. Most offer monthly salaries ranging from $12,000 to $23,000, while about 96% require a Secondary 7 education level or below. Around 53% are open to job seekers without relevant work experience.

The job fair will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at the Tin Ching Community Hall, Tin Ching Estate, Tin Wah Road, Tin Shui Wai. Admission is free and the final admission time is 5pm each day.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (January 5) that an open tender by the Lands Department is underway for the new tenancy of the Central Harbourfront Event Space (Event Space), which has an area of about 3.7 hectares (location plan in Annex). The tender invitation lasts for about 6 weeks and will close on February 13. The new tenancy is expected to be awarded before April and will commence in July for a fixed term of five years. The existing tennacy will expire on June 30.
      
     A DEVB spokesperson said, “The Government has, by way of adopting a management model involving the letting of the Event Space to external party, driven over the years the successful hosting of a multitude of large-scale signature events, such as the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, Art Central, Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival, etc. Such management model will be maintained under the tender exercise, but there will be enhancements in two areas to further unleash the potential of the Event Space, promote mega-event economy, and strengthen venue management with a view to enhancing visitors’ experiences.”
      
     First, the DEVB has refined the tenancy terms to encourage the tenant (i.e. the successful bidder in this tender exercise) to optimise the use of the Event Space and its prime location, and bring in a rich diversity of events. The DEVB consulted the Harbourfront Commission on these refinements last year and received support from members. Relevant terms include:
      

1. While a two-envelope approach is maintained in this tender exercise, the weighting given to the technical proposal is increased from 40 per cent in previous exercises to 70 per cent, and only 30 per cent is accorded to the price proposal. The assessment on the technical proposals would take into account not only whether the events are diverse and capable of enhancing the vibrancy of the harbourfront, but also their appeal to visitors, so as to provide on-going support for the mega-event economy;
    
2. The fixed term of the new tenancy is extended from three years to five years, with a view to incentivising the tenant to make long-term investments and planning as well as to deliver events with due emphasis on both quality and quantity;
    
3. The tenant is required to provide, within one year from the commencement of the new tenancy and on a regular basis, food and beverage facilities with a floor area of not less than 100 square metres in the northern part of the Event Space adjacent to the promenade area. Apart from synergising with the events to be held at the Event Space, the facilities would also serve visitors to the harbourfront outside the period of any particular events; and
    
4. The requirement will continue for the tenant to run events for the public for at least about 30 per cent of days in its annual schedule. In addition, to avoid under-utilisation of the Event Space when no events or events relatively small in scale are taking place, in case no less than about one-third of the Event Space remains unused for events or is left unrented for a period of three consecutive days or above, the tenant is required to open that portion of the Event Space for public enjoyment and leisure activities free of charge.

 
     Second, the DEVB has beefed up the terms and requirements in the tender documents to place a heavier onus on the tenant in monitoring future event organisers and to regularise the communication and alert mechanisms, so as to enable the DEVB, as the venue owner, to intervene in a timely manner. Similar clauses have also been introduced in the tender exercise for the harbourfront event space in Hung Hom launched earlier (December 22, 2025). Such clauses include:
 

1. The tenant is required to assess the credentials and experience of the applicants, their capability in hosting events, the feasibility of the proposed events, etc., before confirming approval of venue applications from event organisers. The tenant shall submit regular assessment reports to the DEVB;
    
2. The tenant shall closely monitor the progress of event preparation and alert the DEVB in a timely manner, such as whether the event is in alignment with the original proposal, whether the relevant licenses or permits have been applied for and obtained in a timely manner, and whether the ticketing arrangement is proper; and
    
3. The tenant and event organisers are required to hold a tripartite meeting with the DEVB prior to the events to confirm the progress of the final stage preparation and the arrangements made. 
    

     The spokesperson said that the tenant shall organise events and manage the Event Space in accordance with the commitments made in the technical proposal of the tender submission. A clause will be added in the new tenancy to the effect that if the actual number of event days held at the Event Space as rented out each year falls short of the commitment, the tenant is required to pay a compensation amount to the Government (equivalent to 10 per cent of the monthly rent of the Event Space for each day of shortfall). The arrangement aims to ensure the tenant would fully utilise the Event Space, maximising its efficiency.
      
     Furthermore, with the concerted efforts of various parties involved, the Government has minimised the impact of the Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel project being planned by the MTR Corporation Limited on the Event Space. The aboveground facilities of the railway project will be located outside the Event Space, and the temporary works areas required during the works period will only occupy the fringe of the site, with substantial reduction in the area and duration involved. The location of the required works area has been specified in the tender documents. With the above, when the railway project commences during the five-year fixed term of the Event Space, only minimal impact is envisaged on the use and operation of the Event Space.
      
     Details of the tender exercise and the tender documents are available on the website of the Lands Department (www.landsd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (January 5) announced that the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays concluded smoothly yesterday (January 4), with around 950 000 visitors arriving in Hong Kong between December 31, 2025, and January 4, 2026, representing an increase of about 40 per cent over the same period last year. All aspects of receiving visitors to Hong Kong operated smoothly. Benefitting from the Mainland’s “adjusted holiday” arrangement, Mainland inbound visitors accounted for over 740 000, representing an increase of about 48 per cent year on year. The number of non-Mainland inbound visitors was around 210 000, representing an increase of about 19 per cent.

     Mr Chan said, “The New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays coincided with a three-day New Year public holiday on the Mainland (January 1 to 3). Coupled with an array of festive activities, including the Hong Kong New Year Countdown, these events attracted visitors to experience the festive ambience in the city. The series of festive events, fully showcasing Hong Kong’s multifaceted charm, were popular among local citizens and visitors and created a lively atmosphere in the community.”

Visitor flow, situation at control points, and traffic and public transport arrangements

     In view of the countdown activities, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and relevant departments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality implemented two special boundary-crossing arrangements, including extending the passenger clearance service at the Lo Wu Control Point to 2am of the New Year’s Day, as well as extending the passenger and passenger vehicle clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point to operating overnight, in order to facilitate the passenger flow between Hong Kong and the Mainland for citizens and visitors to enjoy the festive season. During the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, Mainland inbound visitor arrivals peaked on January 1, with around 220 000 visitors arriving in Hong Kong. During this period, the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point received the highest number of Mainland visitors, followed by the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. 

     To cope with the increased passenger flow during the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, relevant departments have deployed additional manpower and operated additional counters and channels to facilitate passenger and vehicular flows. The public may visit “Easy Boundary”, a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance, to obtain information on the average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land boundary control points (BCPs), as well as for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to plan their cross-boundary trips. The Security Bureau also activated the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre during the holidays, to closely monitor and co-ordinate public order across various districts, including various BCPs. The overall operation of the control points and traffic were smooth and in order.

     The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the Transport Department (TD) also operated round the clock to holistically monitor traffic conditions and public transport services across the territory, including BCPs, major stations and various tourist hotspots. The TD steered local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to enhance their carrying capacity, including increasing the frequency of bus services connecting various land-based BCPs and strengthening cross-boundary coach services, to meet passenger demand. In addition, PTOs deployed additional staff to maintain order and reserved sufficient vehicles and manpower to further enhance services when necessary. During the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, the overall traffic conditions were generally smooth. 

Mega events and major tourist attractions

     The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s countdown event held on New Year’s Eve at the Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct in Central attracted a lot of residents and visitors. A variety of countdown events also took place across Hong Kong, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere for both residents and visitors. Relevant special traffic arrangements and crowd control measures were implemented smoothly.

     Visitors went to various major tourist attractions in Hong Kong during the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Ngong Ping 360, the Peak Tram, and the West Kowloon Cultural District. All major tourist spots were operating with high patronage and in good order.

     During the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, many visitors visited attractions within country parks, including the East Dam of High Island Reservoir at Sai Kung and Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods at Tai Lam Country Park. Through concerted efforts of various departments, orders at the East Dam and Tai Tong were well maintained, and the traffic conditions were generally smooth. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) enhanced promotional efforts on reminding visitors to use hiking trails properly and promoted hiking safety and hiking etiquette, as well as published visitor flow information of the East Dam area on the “Enjoy Hiking” website and red leaf index of the Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods on the “Nature In Touch” website, enabling visitors to better plan their trips. 

     The Government has noted a significant increase in visitors to other popular countryside attractions and campsites during the holiday period. The AFCD and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have arranged for contractors to enhance cleaning services according to the situation and closely monitored the hygiene conditions at the attractions and campsites.  The FEHD will deploy additional staff during future holidays according to needs to handle cleaning duties. 

     To cater for the needs of passengers travelling to Sai Kung High Island Reservoir East Dam, the TD requested the operator to arrange flexible deployment of vehicles to enhance the service of Green Minibus Route No. 9A (Pak Tam Chung – The East Dam, High Island Reservoir) with regard to passenger demand in co-ordination with the Police’s traffic control measures to ease passenger waiting times. The overall services were generally smooth.

Inbound tour groups and hotel occupancy rates

     In terms of Mainland inbound tour groups, around 630 Mainland inbound tour groups brought over 23 000 visitors to Hong Kong during the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, with around 60 per cent engaged in overnight itineraries. The tour groups were generally in good order. The overall hotel occupancy rate reached 90 per cent in general.

      Mr Chan expressed gratitude to all relevant government departments, organisations, and industry partners for their collaborative efforts in preparing to welcome visitors, providing visitors and citizens with an enjoyable holiday experience and celebrating the New Year together.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to U.S. tariff adjustments and the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on December 2, 2025 launched an updated initiative titled “Supporting Enterprises in Expanding into Diverse Markets and Securing Overseas Orders.” With a budget of nearly NT$10 billion, the program aims to help Taiwanese companies more rapidly identify buyers, enter target markets, and expand global sales.

Since taking office, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-Hsin has consulted with industrial groups across key sectors-including machinery, tools, and hardware-to gain insights for guiding the MOEA’s diversified market expansion program.

The initiative consolidates key resources to boost global competitiveness, tripling subsidies to manufacturers for exhibitions and doubling subsidies to associations for Taiwan Pavilions, product launches, and buyer networking events.

This initiative of nearly NT$10 billion integrates key resources for industries to boost the following aspects for global expansion:

1) Increased Exhibition Subsidies: Tripling of subsidies for manufacturers and doubling of subsidies for associations to support Taiwan Pavilions, product launches, and buyer networking events.

2) Buyer Direct Access and Flagship Taiwan Pavilions: Overseas buyers are invited to visit factories and witness product testing in Taiwan, while large-scale themed Taiwan Pavilions showcase domestic industrial strengths at major trade shows in the U.S., Japan, and Europe.

3) Upgraded Digital Marketing and Overseas Services: Offering AI marketing tools, trade data dashboards, and dedicated consulting to increase outreach to buyers. Flexible support is available for showrooms, service centers, warehouses, or subsidiaries. Taiwan Trade and Investment Centers provide one-stop guidance for overseas expansion.

All measures will take effect on January 1, 2026 and are expected to serve over 40,000 companies, thereby strengthening Taiwan’s competitiveness in global markets.

For more details about market expansion, companies may call this toll-free hotline 0800-609-889 for assistance or visit the website of the International Trade Administration (TITA).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Development Bureau announced today that an open tender by the Lands Department is underway for the new tenancy of the Central Harbourfront Event Space and the tender invitation will close on February 13.

The new tenancy is expected to be awarded before April and will commence in July for a fixed term of five years. The existing tenancy will expire on June 30.

While a two-envelope approach is maintained in this tender exercise, the weighting given to the technical proposal is increased from 40% in previous exercises to 70%, and only 30% is accorded to the price proposal.

The assessment on the technical proposals would take into account not only whether the events are diverse and capable of enhancing the vibrancy of the harbourfront, but also their appeal to visitors.

The fixed term of the new tenancy is extended from three years to five years, with a view to incentivising the tenant to make long-term investments and planning as well as to deliver events with due emphasis on both quality and quantity.

The tenant is required to provide, within one year from the commencement of the new tenancy and on a regular basis, food and beverage facilities with a floor area of not less than 100 sq m in the northern part of the Event Space adjacent to the promenade area.

Apart from synergising with the events to be held at the event space, the facilities would also serve visitors to the harbourfront outside the period of any particular events.

The requirement will continue for the tenant to run events for the public for at least about 30% of days in its annual schedule.

To avoid under-utilisation of the event space when no events or events relatively small in scale are taking place, in case no less than about one-third of the event space remains unused for events or is left unrented for a period of three consecutive days or above, the tenant is required to open that portion of the event space for public enjoyment and leisure activities free of charge.

The bureau has beefed up the terms and requirements in the tender documents to place a heavier onus on the tenant in monitoring future event organisers and to regularise the communication and alert mechanisms, enabling the bureau, as the venue owner, to intervene in a timely manner.

The tenant shall closely monitor the progress of event preparation and alert the bureau in a timely manner, such as whether the event is in alignment with the original proposal, whether the relevant licences or permits have been applied for and obtained in a timely manner, and whether the ticketing arrangement is proper.

The tenant and event organisers are required to hold a tripartite meeting with the bureau prior to the events to confirm the progress of the final stage preparation and the arrangements made.

The bureau said that the tenant shall organise events and manage the event space in accordance with the commitments made in the technical proposal of the tender submission.

A clause will be added in the new tenancy to the effect that if the actual number of event days held at the event space as rented out each year falls short of the commitment, the tenant is required to pay a compensation amount to the Government.

Furthermore, the Government has minimised the impact of the Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel project being planned by the MTR Corporation on the event space.

The aboveground facilities of the railway project will be located outside the event space, and the temporary works areas required during the works period will only occupy the fringe of the site, with substantial reduction in the area and duration involved.

Click here for details of the tender exercise and documents.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that around 950,000 visitors arrived in Hong Kong over New Year holidays between the New Year’s Eve and yesterday, representing an increase of about 40% over the same period last year.

The working group remarked that all aspects of receiving visitors to Hong Kong operated smoothly.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the working group, said the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays coincided with a three-day New Year public holiday on the Mainland. Coupled with an array of festive activities, including the Hong Kong New Year Countdown, visitors were attracted to experience the festive ambience in the city.

During the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, Mainland inbound visitors accounted for over 740,000, representing an increase of about 48% year-on-year. Whereas the number of non-Mainland inbound visitors was around 210,000, representing an increase of about 19%.

Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at around 220,000 on January 1.

Visitors went to various major tourist attractions in Hong Kong during the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays as well as attractions within country parks, including the East Dam of High Island Reservoir at Sai Kung and Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods at Tai Lam Country Park.