Month: February 2026

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Hospital Authority announces service arrangements of family medicine and Chinese medicine clinics during Lunar New Year holidays

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Region9am – 1pm
February 19
9am – 1pm9am – 1pm
February 19
9am – 1pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 5pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 5pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 5pm3107 4113 (General Enquiry)9am – 4pm9am – 1pm
February 19
9am – 1pm9am – 5pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 5pm8am – 1pm;
2pm – 6pm9am – 1pm
February 19
9am – 1pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 5pm9am – 12.30pm;
2pm – 5.30pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 5pm
February 19
9am – 1pm;
2pm – 5pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 6pm9am – 1pm
February 19
9am – 1pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 6pm9am – 1pm;
2pm – 5pm
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Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution opens for online applications from today

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution opens for online applications from today      
     The Pilot Scheme, as one of the initiatives under the Policy Address, will run for a period of two years. The Pilot Scheme aims to provide the sports sector with a fair, efficient and convenient mechanism for resolving sports disputes through mediation and arbitration. The DoJ officially launched the Pilot Scheme in December last year. Following an open invitation for joint proposals for the operation of the Pilot Scheme, the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) was selected to administer the Pilot Scheme, and the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre to provide the technological infrastructure and online technical support required for the operation of the Pilot Scheme.
      
     The Deputy Secretary for Justice and Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, said that establishing a mechanism that is efficient, credible and dedicated to resolving sports disputes is an important foundation for advancing the development of the sports industry and enhancing the corporate governance of the sports sector.
      
     Dr Cheung also expressed delight that the panels of mediators and arbitrators have been established under the Pilot Scheme. These panels comprise 53 mediators and 43 arbitrators from the local legal and sports sectors and 23 jurisdictions, including experts in international sports mediation and arbitration. He stated that the diverse pool of international dispute resolution talent will help Hong Kong develop into a regional and international sports dispute resolution hub, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.
      
     The DoJ will collaborate with AALCO-HKRAC and other stakeholders to organise a series of promotional and capacity-building activities to advance the development of sports mediation and arbitration in Hong Kong.
      
     For details of the Pilot Scheme, please visit AALCO-HKRAC’s dedicated websiteIssued at HKT 17:15

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Consultation conclusions on enhancements to Banking Ordinance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (February 13) the conclusions of a public consultation on enhancements to the Banking Ordinance. 

The consultation set out the enhancement proposals on the regulation of bank holding companies, the engagement of skilled persons, and a range of technical amendments to the Banking Ordinance and other banking-related legislation. The proposed enhancements aimed to increase regulatory clarity and effectiveness while reducing compliance burden. Respondents generally expressed support for the proposed enhancements. The consultation feedback and the HKMA’s responses are provided in the conclusions paper.

The HKMA will continue to work on the related legislative amendments, with a view to introducing an amendment bill into the Legislative Council in 2026.

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Hong Kong’s trade in services statistics for 2024

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (February 13) the Hong Kong’s trade in services (TIS) statistics for 2024, with detailed breakdowns by service component and by main destination/source.

Comparing 2024 with 2023, the value of total exports of services rose by 9.9% to $835.5 billion, and that of total imports of services increased by 12.9% to $698.1 billion. An invisible trade surplus at $137.4 billion, equivalent to 19.7% of the value of total imports of services, was recorded in 2024. This was smaller than the corresponding surplus of $141.6 billion in 2023, equivalent to 22.9% of the value of total imports of services in 2023.

Analysis by service component

Analysed by service component, transport was the largest component in exports of services, accounting for 32.0% of the value of total exports of services in 2024. This was followed by financial services (25.9%) and travel (21.0%).

As for imports of services, travel accounted for 31.9% of the value of total imports of services in 2024, followed by transport (22.1%) and other business services (15.1%).

Amongst various service components, the net exports of financial services contributed most significantly to the overall invisible trade surplus, at $145.8 billion in 2024. This was followed by transport ($112.6 billion) and other business services ($14.4 billion). 

On the other hand, manufacturing services imported by Hong Kong in outward processing were substantial, resulting in a deficit of $89.3 billion in 2024. This was followed by travel ($47.5 billion) and charges for the use of intellectual property ($7.2 billion).

Analysis by main destination/source 

Chinese Mainland and the United States of America (the USA) were the top two main destinations of exports of services of Hong Kong, accounting for 28.6% and 18.2% respectively of the value of total exports of services in 2024. They were followed by the United Kingdom (the UK) (9.1%), Singapore (5.4%) and Taiwan (4.5%).

Chinese Mainland and the USA were also the top two main sources of imports of services, accounting for 40.8% and 10.9% respectively of the value of total imports of services in 2024. They were followed by Japan (7.8%), the UK (7.5%) and Singapore (4.9%).

Analysed by region, Asia was the most important destination of the exports of services of Hong Kong, accounting for 52.8% of the value of total exports of services in 2024, followed by North America (20.2%) and Western Europe (20.0%).

For imports of services, Asia was also the most important source, accounting for 66.8% of the value of total imports of services in 2024, followed by Western Europe (15.8%) and North America (12.5%).

Further information

Table 1 presents exports, imports and net exports of services by service component in 2023 and 2024.

Table 2 presents exports of services by main destination and imports of services by main source in 2023 and 2024. 

Table 3 presents exports, imports and net exports of services by region of destination/source in 2023 and 2024. 

More detailed TIS statistics will be given in the report “Hong Kong Trade in Services Statistics in 2024”. Users can browse and download this report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020011&scode=240) as from end-February 2026.

The TIS statistics have incorporated the latest international recommendations given in the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services 2010. For details, please refer to the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode240.html). They are compiled mainly based on data obtained from the Annual Survey of Imports and Exports of Services conducted by the C&SD, supplemented by data from other relevant sources. The TIS statistics for 2024 are subject to minor revision when more data from supplementary sources become available.

For enquiries about TIS statistics, please contact the Trade in Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7415; email: tis@censtatd.gov.hk).

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Approved Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan amended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Approved Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan amended     
     The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.      
     Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before April 13, 2026. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on “Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations” (TPB PG-No. 29C).* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.Issued at HKT 16:00

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Tenders invited for Development of the Loop: Main Works Package 1 – Contract 5 – Sewage Treatment Facilities and Other Infrastructure Works

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Tenders invited for Development of the Loop: Main Works Package 1 – Contract 5 – Sewage Treatment Facilities and Other Infrastructure Works     
     The works mainly include:
      The works are scheduled to commence in July 2026 and will take about 53 months to complete.

     The CEDD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors may download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS). Tenders must be submitted in electronic format via the e-TS.
      
     Details of the tender notice are available on the CEDD website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.htmlIssued at HKT 15:05

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Government announces works arrangements for part of site at the Loop

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Government announces works arrangements for part of site at the Loop 
1. The Government will transfer the isolation facilities on a site of approximately 3.6 hectares at the eastern end of the Loop for site formation works, such that the site can be released in mid-2026 for the construction of a sewage treatment works, a fire station and an ambulance depot. These facilities will meet the sewage treatment, fire and ambulance service needs of Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park under the Co-operation Zone. The Government will commence the tendering of relevant construction works progressively; and 

2. The Government will gradually transfer the temporary storage facilities, temporary sewage treatment facilities and underground power cables on a site of approximately 4.2 hectares in the middle portion of the Loop, with a view to releasing the site from March 2027 to facilitate the construction of the planned railway station of the Northern Link Spur Line at the Loop and the nearby connecting roads.      
     In January 2024, the Government announced the release of an approximately 5-hectare community isolation facility site at the southern end of the Loop for the construction of the first batch of five buildings under Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park. The construction of the buildings is under way. In addition, the Government announced in March 2025 the release of a 14-hectare community isolation facility site at the western end of the Loop. Relevant site formation works have been completed to align with the construction of the remaining batch of Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park. 
Issued at HKT 15:00

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DH continues to step up enforcement actions against illegal use of pharmacy logo and title with approach of Chinese New Year holidays

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DH continues to step up enforcement actions against illegal use of pharmacy logo and title with approach of Chinese New Year holidays—————————
 
     Last year, seven limited companies and a proprietor of a retailer, all of which were not pharmacies, were convicted of displaying a logo resembling the prescribed form of a pharmacy at their premises and were fined from $3,500 to $10,000. Two other limited companies, which were also not pharmacies, committed the same offence and were convicted and fined $5,000 and $32,000 respectively in January this year.
      
     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), only persons authorised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong as ASPs are allowed to conduct the relevant retail business of selling poisons at premises registered by the Board, including poisons listed in Part 1 and Part 2 of the Poisons List at Schedule 10 to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A). Displaying a logo in the prescribed form of a pharmacy or a logo, which resembles the logo in the prescribed form at premises other than the registered premises of a pharmacy, or using the Chinese term “藥房” or the terms such as “pharmacy”, “dispensary”, or “drug-store” in connection with any business engaged in the retail sale of poisons, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
      
     The use of a pharmacy logo or its title as stipulated by the Ordinance is applicable to all retailers, including those that are not licensed by the Board. The DH reminded non-pharmacy businesses to refrain from illegitimate use and will continue to collect intelligence through different channels. If any retailer is suspected of illegally displaying a pharmacy logo in the prescribed form or pharmacy title, the DH will follow up and carry out an investigation immediately and conduct joint operations with relevant departments when necessary.——————————————    
 
    To enable the public to identify registered pharmacies, the DH has formulated a label (see Annex 2) for identification of ASPs, and the labels have been sent to each pharmacy for display in a conspicuous position in the pharmacy. ​Members of the public and tourists can download the eHealth app from the website (app.ehealth.gov.hkIssued at HKT 12:30

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Bun Scrambling Competition on Cheung Chau to open for application on February 23

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Bun Scrambling Competition on Cheung Chau to open for application on February 23 
     The maximum capacity for the Bun Scrambling Competition is 200 participants. Places will be allocated by ballot via the SmartPLAY system. Applicants who reside in, work or study on Cheung Chau will be accorded priority in the ballot.
 
     Interested persons should complete the user registration and identity authentication at SmartPLAY and submit their e-ballot applications via the system’s mobile app (My SmartPLAY), website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home 
     All selected applicants are required to complete safety training sessions on bun tower climbing and prevention of falls on April 12 in order to qualify for the final selection exercise of the Bun Scrambling Competition on April 26. At the selection exercise, the 24 contestants recording the shortest time in the preliminary round (including no fewer than six female participants) will be eligible to enter the semi-final on the same day to compete for the 12 finalist places (including no fewer than three female participants).
 
     The 12 finalists will enter the Bun Scrambling Final on May 24 night. Trophies will be awarded to the champion as well as the first and second runners-up in the men’s division, and to the champion in the women’s division. The contestant who bags the highest number of buns within the time limit will win the “Full Pockets of Lucky Buns” prize.
 
     To recognise the outstanding performance of the winners and enhance the atmosphere of the event, the male or female athlete who has been the champion for three times in the Bun Scrambling Competition since 2016 will become the “King of Kings” or the “Queen of Queens” of the competition and be awarded a trophy.
 
     The 2026 Bun Carnival is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Besides the Bun Scrambling Competition, the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay will be held on May 10 morning. Local tertiary institutions, Government Departments, public utilities as well as commercial and industrial organisations will be invited to join. At the Climbing Carnival to be held in the afternoon, there will be bun tower climbing activities, game stalls, handicraft-making activities and variety shows. A Wishing Bun Tower will be set up. The winning entries of the Student Drawing Competitions will also be displayed. Members of the public are welcome to enjoy the carnival fun.

     Details of the events are available at the SmartPLAY website, the mobile app (My SmartPLAY) and the 2026 Bun Carnival dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/bun/index.htmlIssued at HKT 11:00

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Special traffic arrangements during Lunar New Year

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

　　The Police announced today (February 13) that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in various districts on Lunar New Year’s Eve and during the Lunar New Year holidays. Members of the public are urged to plan their journeys in advance and to make use of public transport services as far as possible.

Hong Kong Island
—————– Northbound Gloucester Road between Causeway Road and Great George Street.- Kingston Street;
– Paterson Street; and
– Cleveland Street.- Northbound Gloucester Road between the Gloucester Road flyover and Victoria Park Road;
– Hing Fat Street between Causeway Road and Lau Li Street, except for franchised buses and green minibuses (GMBs);
– Electric Road between Yacht Street and Hing Fat Street;
– Eastbound Hennessy Road between Percival Street and Yee Wo Street, eastbound Yee Wo Street between Hennessy Road and Causeway Road, eastbound Causeway Road between Yee Wo Street and Tung Lo Wan Road, and westbound Causeway Road between Tung Lo Wan Road and Moreton Terrace, except for franchised buses, GMBs and trams.- East Point Road; and
– Great George Street between East Point Road and Paterson Street. 
     Learner drivers cannot use the following roads from 4pm to 8am of the following day:- Tin Lok Lane;
– Caroline Hill Road;
– Eastern Hospital Road;
– Tai Hang Road north of Lai Tak Tsuen Road;
– Tung Lo Wan Road;
– Electric Road south of Gordon Road;
– Morrison Hill Road north of Queen’s Road East;
– Hennessy Road;
– Yee Wo Street;
– Causeway Road;
– King’s Road;
– The service road of Gloucester Road;
– Hing Fat Street;
– Westbound Tin Hau Temple Road west of Cloud View Road; and
– Eastbound Wan Chai Road.- All parking spaces at Hing Fat Street Public Car Park will be suspended from 8am on February 16 to 7am of the following day; and
– All on-street parking spaces along Tung Lo Wan Road will be suspended from 8pm on February 16 to 7am of the following day.——— The unnamed road connecting Wong Tai Sin Temple and Wong Tai Sin Road, except for designated vehicles.- Apliu Street between Nam Cheong Street and Wong Chuk Street;
– Southbound Nam Cheong Street between Cheung Sha Wan Road and Hai Tan Street;
– Hai Tan Street between Nam Cheong Street and Boundary Street;
– Yee Kuk Street between Boundary Street and Shek Kip Mei Street; and
– Shek Kip Mei Street between Yee Kuk Street and Apliu Street.- Two disabled parking spaces on eastbound Hoi Bun Road near Hoi Bun Road Park; and
– Ten motorcycle parking spaces on westbound Hoi Bun Road near Kwun Tong Promenade.—————- The motorcycle parking spaces at Kai Hong Close will be suspended; and
– The metered parking spaces (Nos. 20177A/B, 20178A/B, 20179A/B, 20180A, 20183B and 20184A/B) on Hoi Pa Street will be suspended.- San Hong Street between Tsun Fu Street and Fu Hing Street.- San Tsoi Street; and
– Fu Hing Street between San Hong Street and San Tsoi Street.- The motorcycle parking spaces on San Lok Street will be suspended from 6pm on February 16 to 4am of the following day.- San Hop Lane;
– Hung Cheung Road between Tin Hau Road and its southern junction with San Ping Circuit;
– Southbound Hung Cheung Road between its northern and southern junction with San Ping Circuit;
– San On Street from its southern junction with Hung Cheung Road to a point about 50 metres north of the same junction; and
– Hing Wong Street from its junction with Hung Cheung Road to a point about 50 metres north of the same junction.- Traffic along southbound Tin Hau Road cannot turn to Pui To Road; and
– Hung Cheung Road between its northern and southern junction with San Ping Circuit will be rerouted one-way northbound.- The cycle track along the western riverside of Tuen Mun River Channel between Pui To Road and Yau Oi Bridge will be suspended.- Traffic along Tak Hau Street cannot go straight to Sha Tin Sports Ground Car Park.