Month: January 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) published a Gazette notice today (January 2) to invite applications for a passenger service licence for the operation of a package of New Territories public light bus (scheduled) route (green minibus route) covering one route in total, plying between Fanling North and Kwu Tung North.
 
     Application documents are available free of charge from the following TD offices and the TD website:
 

1. The TD New Territories Regional Office, 7/F, Mongkok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon;
2. The TD Public Light Bus Section, 11/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon;
3. The TD Urban Regional Office (Hong Kong), 37/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; and
4. The TD Hong Kong Licensing Office, 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong.

 
     A spokesman for the TD reminded applicants to refer to the details and requirements of the green minibus route concerned and the “Guidance Notes for Applicants” attached in the application document. They should also follow the guidelines when completing the application form.
 
     Completed application forms and relevant supporting documents must be submitted in a plain envelope sealed and marked on the outside of the envelope with “Application for Passenger Service Licence in respect of the Package of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Route Gazetted in January 2026”. They must be placed in the tender box located at the reception counter of the TD Headquarters at 10/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, before noon on February 27, 2026 (Friday). Applications by any other means or late submissions will not be considered.
 
     For enquiries, please call the hotline at 2804 2600.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     On the second day (January 2) of the implementation of the Hospital Authority public healthcare fees and charges reform (fees and charges reform), public hospitals maintained smooth operation. The HA will continue to deploy additional manpower across various departments at hospitals to assist patients in need.

     On the first day (January 1) of the fees and charges reform, 3 888 patients attended the Accident and Emergency departments (A&E) of 18 public hospitals, a decrease of about 25 per cent when comparing to New Year’s Day last year. From midnight to 2pm yesterday (January 2), 2 329 patients attended all A&E, approximately 30 per cent fewer than the same time period of January 2 of last year. Among the patients seeking medical consultation, there were 34 critical cases and 82 emergency cases. According to the new fees and charges arrangement, these two categories of patients will have their A&E charges fully exempted. The other cases subject to the new fees and charges arrangement include 986 urgent cases, 1 171 semi-urgent cases, and 56 non-urgent cases. The average waiting times for semi-urgent and non-urgent cases was around 55 minutes, which is shorter compared to the average waiting time for the same period last year (approximately 147 minutes) for semi-urgent and non-urgent cases.

     Additionally, the HA’s 75 Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) providing family medicine outpatient services also operated smoothly yesterday. As of 2pm yesterday, approximately 10 000 patients attended these FMCs, with overall service usage remaining similar to that before the implementation of the measures.

     The HA has deployed additional manpower to expedite the processing of patients’ medical fee waivers applications. As of 2pm yesterday, public hospitals received approximately 3 300 applications in total for the day, with nearly 90 per cent approved, amounting to about 2 900 applications. The remaining cases will be processed as soon as possible. Compared to the 14 000 individuals who were approved for medical fee waivers in 2023/24, the HA has approved approximately 35 000 applications since early November last year, benefiting citizens in need.

     Furthermore, patients who had previously scheduled non-urgent radiology services or pathology services will be receiving payment notifications through mail or the HA mobile application HA Go starting from January 1. The HA reminds patients with recent appointments can arrange payment as early as practicable upon receiving the notification. For patients with distant appointment dates, payment can be arranged at their convenience after receiving the notification. Patients are not required to settle the payment immediately. Patients undergoing non-urgent radiology services must settle the payment at least 14 days before their appointment date, while patients requiring pathology services must settle the payment before testing. If patients have questions regarding payment items, they can inquire with healthcare staff during follow-up appointment, and specialist out-patient clinics will also have Integrated Patient Service Centres to provide detailed explanations about payment arrangements.

     The HA reminds patients that the fees and charges reform has been implemented. Patients are advised to familiarise themselves with the new fees and charges arrangements before visiting public hospitals or outpatient clinics. Some medical service procedures have also been modified. Every cluster has set up hotlines (see table below) for patients to inquire about the fees and charges reform arrangements. Patients can also visit the HA website to learn about the new arrangements.

Hotlines for Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform

Clusters	Hotlines
Hong Kong East Cluster	6460 4303
Hong Kong West Cluster	2255 4177
Kowloon Central Cluster	3506 7198
Kowloon East Cluster	5215 7326
Kowloon West Cluster	3467 7575
New Territories East Cluster	6273 3551
New Territories West Cluster	2468 5353

Service hours: January 2-11, 2026, 8am to 8pm

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (January 2) that open auctions for a total of 464 stalls in 42 public markets will be held in January. Market stalls not taken at open auctions will be available to the public for renting at their upset prices on January 23 on a first-come, first-served basis.

(1) Open auctions

     The types of stalls to be auctioned this time cover cooked food, frozen meat, fresh meat, fresh fish, frozen (chilled) poultry, fruits, vegetables, food-related dry goods and wet goods, non-food related dry goods and wet goods, tradesman/service trades, siu mei and lo mei, newspaper, etc. The tenancy agreement is a three-year fixed term from February 1, 2026, with no right of renewal upon expiry of the tenancy agreement. The upset prices of the monthly rent of the stalls vary depending on the sizes, locations and vacancy periods of the individual stalls. The upset prices for the stalls in an open auction will be initially fixed at 80 per cent of the open market rent (OMR) if the stalls have been vacant for over six months, and at 60 per cent of the OMR if the vacant period has been over eight months. Relevant information is available on the FEHD website.

     The date of the auctions and the number of stalls are as follows:

Hong Kong Island and Islands District (1)
————————————————–
Auction date: January 8 (Thursday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 101

Hong Kong Island and Islands District (2)
————————————————–
Auction date: January 9 (Friday) (am)
Number of stalls: 46

Aberdeen Market
——————-
Auction date: January 9 (Friday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 16

Kowloon (1)
————–
Auction date: January 12 (Monday) (am)
Number of stalls: 71

Kowloon (2)
————–
Auction date: January 12 (Monday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 50

Kowloon (3)
————–
Auction date: January 13 (Tuesday) (am)
Number of stalls: 47

New Territories (1)
———————
Auction date: January 14 (Wednesday) (am)
Number of stalls: 68

New Territories (2)
———————
Auction date: January 14 (Wednesday) (pm)
Number of stalls: 65

     The open auctions will be held at Room 410, 4/F, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Nam Cheong Offices and Vehicle Depot, 87 Yen Chow Street West, Kowloon. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The admission tickets will be issued 30 minutes prior to the commencement of each auction. Persons who want to attend the auctions must wait at the waiting area of the auction venue and produce their Hong Kong identity card or passport for registration. The registered person will then be provided with an admission ticket for the auctions. In addition, eligible bidders after verification will be issued with a bidding paddle for the auction. The FEHD has also invited representatives of the Police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption to monitor the auctions at the auction venue in order to ensure that the open auctions are conducted in an orderly and fair manner.

(2) Renting at upset prices on first-come, first-served basis
     
     The tenancy agreement of market stalls renting on a first-come, first-served basis is a three-year fixed term from March 1, 2026, with no right of renewal upon expiry of the tenancy agreement. The upset prices of the monthly rent of the stalls vary depending on their sizes, locations, vacancy periods and the reduced upset prices from the last open auction of the individual stalls. The tenancy agreement of market stalls at Stanley Waterfront Mart is a short-term five-month tenancy from February 1, 2026, tenants must return the stall upon expiry of the tenancy. Relevant information is available on the FEHD website after the open auction.
          
     ​Members of the public who are interested in renting a market stall at its upset price should approach the following FEHD offices, as appropriate, to apply in person from 9.30am to 12.30pm or 2.30pm to 4.30pm on January 23 (Friday):
 

Districts in which the market stalls are located	Venues for selection of market stalls
Hong Kong Island and Islands District	Hawkers and Markets Section (Hong Kong and Islands) Office, 8/F, Lockhart Road Municipal Services Building, 225 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Kowloon	Hawkers and Markets Section (Kowloon) Office, Room 301-302, 3/F, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Nam Cheong Offices and Vehicle Depot, 87 Yen Chow Street West, Kowloon
Kwai Tsing District	Kwai Tsing District Environmental Hygiene Office, 9/F, Kwai Hing Government Offices, 166-174 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories
North District	North District Environmental Hygiene Office, 4/F, Shek Wu Hui Municipal Services Building, 13 Chi Cheong Road, Sheung Shui, New Territories
Sai Kung District	Sai Kung District Environmental Hygiene Office, 7/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories
Sha Tin District	Sha Tin District Environmental Hygiene Office, Units 1201-1207 and 1220-1221, 12/F, Tower 1, Grand Central Plaza,  138 Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin, New Territories
Tai Po District	Tai Po District Environmental Hygiene Office, 3/F, Tai Po Complex, 8 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po, New Territories
Tsuen Wan District	Tsuen Wan District Environmental Hygiene Office, 3/F, Yeung Uk Road Municipal Services Building, 45 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Tuen Mun District	Tuen Mun District Environmental Hygiene Office, 1/F, Tuen Mun Government Offices Building, 1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories
Yuen Long District	Yuen Long District Environmental Hygiene Office, 2/F, Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories

     
     A spokesman for the FEHD said, “Bidders or applicants for the market stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. To allow more people to bid for or select the stalls and increase customer choices by enhancing the diversity in terms of the variety of stalls, there will be a restriction on the number of stalls to be rented in the same market by a single tenant. Any person who is currently a stall tenant is not allowed to bid in the first round of auction for any stall in the same market, and will only be allowed to bid for one stall in the second round of auction or to select one stall in the same market on a first-come, first-served basis (except Stanley Waterfront Mart). The existing tenants under the new three-year fixed-term tenancy scheme are allowed to bid for a stall in the auction or select a stall on a first-come, first-served basis in the same market, but shall vacate the current stall and return it to the FEHD before the effective date of commencement of the new tenancy agreement.”

     Details of the open auctions and the public market stalls concerned (including stalls for open auction at reduced upset prices) have been uploaded to the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/tidy_market/open_auction_coming.html). Details on renting public market stalls (including Stanley Waterfront Mart) on a first-come, first-served basis will be uploaded to the FEHD website after open auctions (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/tidy_market/FCFS/index.html). Interested bidders or applicants may visit the department website or contact the respective District Environmental Hygiene Office.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (January 2) released the review results report on CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP)’s power supply system. The report has been uploaded to the following website: www.emsd.gov.hk/filemanager/ReviewResultsReport(Eng).pdf.
      
     Under the supervision of the Steering Committee on Review of CLP’s Power Supply System, comprising local experts and scholars, the EMSD has completed the review and submitted the report to the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB). The review comprehensively analysed the causes of all incidents of power supply interruptions and voltage dips of CLP from 2021 to June 2024. Targeting the existing condition of CLP’s power supply system, the review results report proposed five action objectives, formulated 11 action strategies, and put forward 43 recommendations based on the said action objectives.
      
     The EEB will work with the EMSD to closely monitor CLP’s implementation of the recommendations in the review results report, particularly on fostering CLP to establish a more proactive maintenance culture, with a view to further enhancing the stability and reliability of CLP’s power supply system and reducing the likelihood and impacts of power incidents in the future.
      
     The spokesperson for the EEB said, “The Government attaches great importance to the power companies’ abilities to maintain a safe and reliable power system. In light of the multiple power incidents that occurred with CLP in the first half of 2024, the EEB requested the EMSD to conduct a comprehensive review of CLP’s power supply system and make targeted recommendations. These recommendations should be focused on reducing power supply interruptions and voltage dips, as well as minimising the impact of such incidents on the public. The EEB deeply appreciates the relentless efforts of the Steering Committee led by Mr Kelvin Lo and their professional advice tendered for the review.”
      
     Under the supervision of the EMSD, CLP had started to implement some of the improvement measures before completion of the review. Measures include using the Intelligent Management System Grid-V to detect risks in the vicinity of power supply equipment, installing additional lightning protection systems, and adding floodgates or flood protection facilities at more critical substations. The number of CLP’s large-scale power interruption incidents affecting over 2 000 households in 2025 were reduced by half year-on-year, and CLP’s power supply system remained generally intact during the passage of Super Typhoon Ragasa and Typhoon Wipha when Hurricane Signals No. 10 were issued.
      
     As regards the power interruption incident that occurred in Kowloon City during the afternoon of December 18, 2025, CLP activated interconnectors to allocate backup power and conducted remote operations, restoring supply to over 70 per cent of affected customers within four minutes, which proved that the recommendation “to increase the number of interconnectors in the urban distribution network” in the review report may effectively reduce the scope and duration of incident impacts on customers. CLP, in accordance with the newly established service pledge, dispatched a maintenance team to the site within 22 minutes after the incident to conduct a power outage inspection.
      
     To ensure that CLP fully and systematically implements the recommendations of the report, thereby further enhancing the stability and reliability of its power supply system, CLP has established an action plan timetable per the Government’s request. The five action objectives and their recommendations in the review results report mainly include:

(1) Reduce incidents of power supply interruptions and voltage dips

• expedite the digitisation of equipment maintenance;
• conduct tests on high-risk underground circuits;
• proactively collaborate and follow up with road excavation contractors; and
• improve the lightning protection systems of power stations.

(2) Alleviate the impact of power supply interruptions and voltage dips on customers

• increase the number of interconnectors in the urban distribution network to strengthen mutual backup ability;
• formulate a joint crisis response drill plan with major public service providers; and
• strengthen incident response drills with property management companies.

(3) Expedite power restoration after power supply interruption incidents

• optimise the incident handling and power restoration workflows; and
• increase flexibility in deploying temporary power supply sources and improve standard operating procedures for mobile generator deployment. 

(4) Leverage innovative technologies for maintenance and monitoring of equipment conditions

• extend the application of the Intelligent Management System Grid-V;
• uplift construction site activity monitoring by deploying AI-powered cameras to reduce the risk of third-party damage to transmission and distribution cables; and
• leverage smart meter and data analytics of advanced metering infrastructure to reduce low voltage power incidents.

(5) Promote a more proactive maintenance culture comprehensively

• explore the feasibility of establishing an independent material sampling and testing mechanism for quality assurance; and
• establish comprehensive communication channels with contractors to enhance contract management.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (January 2).

     The value of total retail sales in November 2025, provisionally estimated at $33.7 billion, increased by 6.5% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in October 2025 increased by 6.9% compared with a year earlier. For the first 11 months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales increased by 0.4% compared with the same period in 2024.

     Of the total retail sales value in November 2025, online sales accounted for 11.2%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $3.8 billion, increased by 28.4% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of online retail sales in October 2025 increased by 27.2% compared with a year earlier. For the first 11 months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales increased by 11.4% compared with the same period in 2024.

     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in November 2025 increased by 4.4% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in October 2025 increased by 5.3% compared with a year earlier. For the first 11 months of 2025 taken together, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales decreased by 0.9% in volume compared with the same period in 2024.

     Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing November 2025 with November 2024, the value of sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified increased by 38.6%. This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+3.6% in value); other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+5.5%); wearing apparel (+3.0%); commodities in department stores (+3.8%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+2.0%); medicines and cosmetics (+9.2%); and optical shops (+7.3%).

     On the other hand, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 2.1% in November 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of motor vehicles and parts (-3.1% in value); fuels (-11.1%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-4.3%); furniture and fixtures (-6.1%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-10.6%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-1.8%).

     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 3.9% in the three months ending November 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 2.2%.
 
Commentary

     A government spokesman said that retail sales sustained its recovery momentum in November. The value of total retail sales increased notably further by 6.5% over a year earlier. Sales of many broad retail outlet types increased.

     Looking ahead, the gradual improvement in local consumption sentiment amid sustained economic growth, coupled with the vibrant growth in inbound visitors, will continue to benefit retail businesses.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for October 2025 as well as the provisional figures for November 2025. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first 11 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

     Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for October 2025 as well as the provisional figures for November 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 11 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

     Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for October 2025 as well as the provisional figures for November 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 11 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

     Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

     The classification of retail companies follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

     These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail companies and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail companies through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail companies with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

     The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

     Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication “Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component” for more details.

     More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530).

     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email: mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Lands Department announced today that a non-industrial site in Ngau Tau Kok, included on the 2025-26 Land Sale List, will be sold by public tender from January 9 to February 6.

Located on Choi Ha Road in Ngau Tau Kok, New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6675 is designated for non-industrial purposes excluding its use as a godown, hotel and petrol filling station.

The area of the site is about 3,132 square metres and the minimum gross floor area is 16,913 sq m.

The maximum gross floor area for private residential purposes is 23,490 sq m.

The maximum gross floor area for non-industrial purposes, excluding private residential, godown, hotel and petrol filling station purposes, is computed according to the relevant special condition in the Conditions of Sale.

The land sale documents will be available on the department’s website from January 9.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today released a report on CLP Power Hong Kong’s (CLP) power supply system.

The Environment & Ecology Bureau explained that in light of multiple power incidents that occurred with CLP in the first half of 2024, it requested the EMSD to conduct a comprehensive review of CLP’s power supply system and make targeted recommendations which should be focused on reducing power supply interruptions and voltage dips, as well as minimising the impact of such incidents on the public.

Under the supervision of the Steering Committee on Review of CLP’s Power Supply System comprising local experts and scholars, the EMSD completed a review and submitted its report to the bureau. The review, which analysed the causes of all incidents of power supply interruptions and voltage dips of CLP from 2021 to June 2024, proposed five action objectives, formulated 11 action strategies and put forward 43 recommendations based on the action objectives.

Under the EMSD’s supervision, CLP had started to implement some of the improvement measures before completion of the review. Measures include using the Intelligent Management System Grid-V to detect risks in the vicinity of power supply equipment, installing additional lightning protection systems, and adding floodgates or flood protection facilities at more critical substations.

The bureau highlighted that in 2025, the number of CLP’s large-scale power interruption incidents affecting over 2,000 households was reduced by half year-on-year. CLP’s power supply system also remained generally intact during the passage of Super Typhoon Ragasa and Typhoon Wipha, during which Hurricane Signals No. 10 were issued.

As regards the power interruption incident that occurred in Kowloon City on December 18, 2025, CLP activated interconnectors to allocate backup power and conducted remote operations, restoring supply to over 70% of affected customers within four minutes, which proved that the recommendation “to increase the number of interconnectors in the urban distribution network” in the review report may effectively reduce the scope and duration of incident impacts on customers. Moreover, CLP, in accordance with the newly established service pledge, sent a maintenance team to the site within 22 minutes after the incident to conduct a power outage inspection.

The bureau added that it will work with the EMSD to closely monitor CLP’s implementation of the recommendations in the report, particularly on fostering CLP to establish a more proactive maintenance culture, with a view to enhancing the stability and reliability of CLP’s power supply system and reducing the likelihood and impacts of power incidents in the future.