Month: February 2026

Posted on

CNY visitor preparations discussed

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired an interdepartmental working group meeting to co-ordinate government-wide preparatory efforts for the Chinese New Year Golden Week.

According to the Immigration Department’s estimates, 1.43 million Mainland visitors will visit Hong Kong during the nine-day holiday, which runs from February 15 to 23.

Compared with last year’s golden week, the daily average visitor arrivals are expected to increase by about 6%.

An estimated 2,200 inbound tour groups will visit Hong Kong over the holiday, with daily averages significantly higher compared to the Mainland’s Labour Day and National Day Golden Week last year.

Mr Chan stated that the Government is committed to providing a high-quality visitor experience. Key efforts include streamlining public transportation and boundary control points (BCPs), while maintaining close liaison with the travel trade to ensure effective crowd management and timely information dissemination.

Following a review of current circumstances and discussions with Mainland authorities, the Government has decided to maintain the existing operating hours at the BCPs during the Chinese New Year holiday. The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port will continue 24-hour operations as usual.

The MTR Corporation will significantly enhance East Rail Line services at various times between February 13 and 23. Additionally, most local railway lines will provide overnight services on Lunar New Year’s Eve.

Services on the relevant railway lines will be boosted after the Night Parade on February 17 and the Fireworks Display on February 18 to accommodate residents and visitors. 

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law, Under Secretary for Transport & Logistics Liu Chun-san, Under Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong and representatives from other relevant government departments also attended the meeting.

Posted on

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing prohibited articles not under and in accordance with import licence

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing prohibited articles not under and in accordance with import licence (with photo)     
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 42, at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point on February 5. About 2 174 duty-not-paid cigarettes and five tablets of pharmaceutical products labelled as containing Part I Poisons, with a total estimated market value of about $11,000 and a duty potential of about $7,100, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
     
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
     
     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
     
     Under the IEO, any person who imports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid import licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
     
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:10

NNNN

Posted on

Government announces Transport Strategy Blueprint

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Government announced the Transport Strategy Blueprint today (February 6), with the vision of “Implementing a people-centric approach, Strengthening connectivity with both the Mainland and the world, Promoting efficient travel, and Embracing green lifestyle”. It establishes three major themes for future transport development, and proposes six strategies with a total of 25 recommendations to drive the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s transport system.

The three major themes are “Enjoyable Journeys”, “Well-connected City”, and “Healthy Mobility”. “Enjoyable Journeys” adheres to a public transport-oriented policy, enhancing local and cross-boundary transport infrastructure to connect the economic core areas of Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories, driving economic development and optimising passenger travel experiences. “Well-connected City” focuses on leveraging advanced technology to promote digitalised traffic management, improving transport efficiency, including more flexible scheduling of public transport services based on individual passenger needs, promoting autonomous driving, and sharing more transport data with the public for trip planning, fostering smart mobility. “Healthy Mobility” integrates the concept of sustainable communities into urban planning, actively promoting green travel modes such as walking, cycling, and electric mobility devices.

     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, said, “Transportation is a cornerstone of modern urban development, shaping economic growth, regional integration, and the daily lives of citizens. The Blueprint sets out future objectives, strategies, and directions, articulating short-, medium-, and long-term measures to advance Hong Kong’s economic development and enhance the convenience for its people. This year, we have ten key measures, and the Blueprint also outlines transport strategies for the next two decades, allowing us to maintain our global leadership in public transport, consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a regional and national transportation hub; at the same time, through actively embracing smart technology, providing more convenient and diverse transportation options for citizens and tourists, making Hong Kong a city ideal for living, working and travelling.

The Blueprint comprehensively considers Hong Kong’s population trends, travel demands, urban and technological development, and other factors. Key contents include a new layout of “Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal” infrastructure projects, planning for a new generation of Transport Interchange Hubs, flexible “Smart Demand-responsive Public Transport Mode” services, enhancing the application of artificial intelligence in traffic management, promoting the development of autonomous vehicles, actively increasing parking spaces, developing low-altitude economy, and enhancing pedestrian environments. The implementation of the Blueprint will promote Hong Kong’s economic growth and sustainable development, while facilitating the movement of people and goods within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

The full text of the Blueprint has been uploaded to the Transport and Logistics Bureau website (www.tlb.gov.hk). 

Posted on

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau holds first training session in 2026 for members of District Councils

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) held the first training session for members of the District Councils (DC) in 2026 at the Central Government Offices today (February 6). The training covered the Government’s support and response work after the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po. It aimed to provide guidance to the DC members on how to respond to and help affected residents in the event of a major disaster, as well as enhancing the collaboration with District Committee members and Care Teams, thereby giving full play to the functions of the “troika” in district governance. DC members were also requested to assist in improving the efficacy of building management in their daily work in order to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents.
 
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, shared the Government’s handling of the fire, in particular areas under the purview of the HYAB team. These included immediately opening community halls as temporary shelters, mobilising Care Teams to assist residents, helping with the receipt and distribution of supplies and the disbursement of emergency subsidies, establishing the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to render assistance to residents of Wang Fuk Court and support various related initiatives, and co-ordinating with operators of hotels and youth hostels/camps to provide emergency short-term accommodation for the residents. The Government also invoked for the first time section 31 of the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) (BMO) to apply for dissolution of the then management committee of the owners’ corporation (OC) of Wang Fuk Court, and appointment of an administrator to assist in clarifying the legal liabilities and entitlements of the OC and the owners, and examining the accounts of the OC.  
 
Miss Mak said that under the leadership of the Chief Executive, the Government was pressing ahead with improvement measures on various fronts and implementing systemic reforms to break down barriers of vested interests. The HYAB and the Home Affairs Department are conducting a comprehensive review of the BMO following five preliminary amendment directions. The HYAB will consult the property management sector, OCs and owners on proposals for further amendments to the BMO, and will also collect views at district level through the Working Group on Building Management (WGBM) of DCs to take forward the subsequent legislative amendment exercise.
 
Miss Mak told DC members that the incident had highlighted the advantages of the executive-led system after improving district governance, where districts could effectively mobilise the “troika” and the HYAB had greatly enhanced its capability to take actions. The Wang Fuk Court fire had heightened concerns among different sectors of the community and the general public about building management and safety in repair work. Miss Mak reminded DC members that, at the frontline of district governance, they should proactively assist owners and residents in need in handling matters relating to building management, and make good use of the WGBM of DCs to provide suggestions to the Government. Miss Mak encouraged DC members to enhance the communication and interactions with residents and listen to their imminent concerns, with a view to identifying, intervening and resolving problems faced by the people at an early stage. She also expected that DC members would work together with the Government to drive the post-fire reforms to build a safer Hong Kong.
 
The HYAB will continue to arrange different training sessions and visits to enhance the DC members’ capabilities in discharging their duties and improve the efficacy of district governance to deliver tangible benefits for the people.

  

Posted on

56 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

56 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations  
     In the joint operation with the Home Affairs Department and the Labour Department, Immd investigators raided multiple locations, including targeted guesthouses in Yau Tsim Mong District. Seven persons were arrested including six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer. The arrested illegal workers comprised two men and four women, aged 29 to 51. Three of them were current foreign domestic helpers, who were found performing room cleaning duties in the guesthouses. A woman aged 75 was suspected of employing illegal workers and was the person-in-charge of the guesthouses. The remaining three illegal workers were illegal odd job workers including two men holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment in Hong Kong and an overstayed former foreign domestic helper.
 
     During other anti-illegal worker operations, investigators raided multiple target locations including restaurants, cleaning companies and flats under renovation. Thirty-seven suspected illegal workers and 12 suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 35 men and two women, aged 26 to 56. Among them, a man was holding recognisance form which prohibits him from taking any employment in Hong Kong. Nine men and three women, aged 33 to 61, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. An 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. Moreover, after entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, an imported worker admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract and cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors. Change of the employer, post or place of work (unless stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract) is not permitted. 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, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:45

NNNN

Posted on

Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees  
     The Chairman of the HKCTC, Professor Wong Wing-tak, highlighted that talent was a vital asset for the sustainable development of the industry. The Award Scheme fully demonstrated the industry’s commitment to nurturing talent and showcased the rich pool of talent in the T&C industry. The success of the industry depended on the participation and collaboration of its practitioners to build a better society.
 
     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, spoke highly of the T&C industry’s contributions to Hong Kong’s economy and innovation and technology development. He said that the professional integrity of the T&C industry has forged the prestigious brand of “Tested in Hong Kong, Certified in Hong Kong”. It plays a key role in supporting the development of Hong Kong’s trade, industrial, and other service sectors. He said he hopes the industry will continue to contribute its professional expertise to the development of Hong Kong and the country. 
     Applications received for the two categories of awards were respectively assessed (including conducting interviews with applicants for the Professional Award) by two independent Assessment Panels, which comprised members from academia, public bodies and industrial associations, to decide on the awardees. The lists of awardees are available on HKCTC website (www.hkctc.gov.hk/en/events-promotion/award-scheme2526Issued at HKT 17:10

NNNN

Posted on

EPD utilises innovative acoustic metamaterials to reduce noise impact and enhance project efficiency

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 6) said that, together with the Highways Department (HyD), they have collaboratively implemented the innovative acoustic metamaterials made from recycled plastics in an HyD road resurfacing work on Wan Tau Kok Lane in Tai Po. The new innovative acoustic metamaterials significantly minimised noise impact on nearby residents and hence compressed the construction work period from the originally three nights to one whole day.

     Due to daytime traffic constraints, road maintenance works are generally conducted at night or on general holidays during road closure. The EPD will issue a construction noise permit under the Noise Control Ordinance, requiring contractors to minimise the construction noise impact on the surrounding environment during construction works. As a result, the planning and scheduling of road works must co-ordinate with temporary traffic arrangements and the limitation imposed by noisy powered mechanical equipment, such as handheld breakers that can generally only operate before midnight on weekdays, which further limit the daily project scale. Three nights are needed to complete the road resurfacing work in phases on Wan Tau Kok Lane by traditional construction methods.

     Through co-ordination among the EPD, the HyD, relevant departments and the contractor, the construction work on Wan Tau Kok Lane in Tai Po adopted advanced quiet electric handheld breakers and an acoustic metamaterial enclosure. This successfully reduced the noise levels from road breaking work by 15 decibels A, significantly minimising the impact of the project on nearby residents and the community, thus meeting the needs of residents’ daily lives and various community activities.

     The construction work on the approximately 300-metre-long road was completed on February 1 (Sunday), from 8am to 10pm, encompassing processes such as removing the previous asphalt surface, breaking, cleansing, resurfacing and compacting, and the road section concerned was reopened at 10pm after a whole day of construction. This not only improved work efficiency compared to the original plan, which required three nights, but also minimised the impact on residents’ lives over several days of construction. In addition, the acoustic metamaterial enclosure was lighter and more movable than the traditional enclosure, and the three-side louver design ensured good ventilation, enhancing workers’ health and significantly improving the construction environment.

     Throughout this project, the EPD maintained close communication with stakeholders, including local district council members, nearby residents, churches, homes for the elderly, and the Police. This collaboration successfully demonstrated a win-win model, and local residents and community groups responded positively to this road resurfacing work.

     In Hong Kong’s densely developed urban environment, roadworks present numerous challenges. Moving forward, the EPD will continue to collaborate with project proponents to widely apply the innovative technology in road projects, aiming to reduce necessary nighttime roadworks from several nights to one whole day on general holidays and minimise public impact.

           

Posted on

Applications open for HKO public course on weather observation

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Applications open for HKO public course on weather observation (with photo)     ​
     The course consists of lectures and weather observation practices, which will be conducted by experienced meteorological personnel from the HKO. The content includes basic weather observation techniques and methods, such as cloud observation and classification. Speakers will also introduce various weather phenomena and hazards and explain how to interpret weather charts and proverbs, as well as the application of weather observation in weather forecasting. The course aims to enhance participants’ understanding of weather and equip them to respond appropriately to changing weather conditions.

     In addition, speakers will introduce the use of weather information on the “MyObservatory” mobile app and the HKO website and explain how to share weather information through the Community Weather Observing SchemeIssued at HKT 15:00

NNNN

Posted on

CS chairs interdepartmental working group meeting on festival arrangements

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (February 6) chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements to holistically co-ordinate and steer the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland (i.e. from February 15 to 23). The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-sun; the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, and representatives from other relevant government departments also attended. 

     Mr Chan said, “We are approaching the nine-day Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland. Various celebration activities will take place to create a rich New Year ambience for residents and visitors. We estimate a notable increase in visitor arrivals during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will make good preparations for receiving visitors, including diligently co-ordinating the ancillary arrangements of boundary control points (BCPs) and transportation, as well as maintaining close liaison with relevant organisations and the travel trade to prepare well for crowd management, information dissemination and arrangements of public transportation and BCPs, with a view to ensuring the smooth operation of various aspects in receiving visitors and offering a high-quality experience to them.”

Posted on

Crowd management measures and special traffic arrangements for Mong Kok Flower Market Road area

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Crowd management measures and special traffic arrangements for Mong Kok Flower Market Road area 
     The following roads will be closed, except for vehicles with a permit:
 
– Flower Market Road;
– Yuen Ngai Street;
– Yuen Po Street; and
– The service road of Prince Edward Road West between Sai Yee Street and Yuen Po Street.
 
     Depending on the traffic and crowd conditions, the following roads may be closed:- Fa Yuen Street between the service road of Prince Edward Road West and Boundary Street;
– Playing Field Road between Tung Choi Street and Sai Yee Street; and
– The service road of Prince Edward Road West between Nathan Road and Sai Yee Street. 
     The parking spaces on the following roads will be suspended:
 
– The metered parking spaces on Fa Yuen Street between the service road of Prince Edward Road West and Boundary Street;
– The metered parking spaces on Tung Choi Street between the service road of Prince Edward Road West and Boundary Street;
– The metered parking spaces on Playing Field Road between Tung Choi Street and Sai Yee Street;
– The motorcycle parking spaces on Tung Choi Street near Playing Field Road;
– The motorcycle parking spaces on Playing Field Road between Fa Yuen Street and Tung Choi Street;
– The motorcycle parking spaces under the Prince Edward Road West flyover between Tung Choi Street and Sai Yee Street;
– The disabled parking spaces on Fa Yuen Street near Boundary Street; and
– The disabled parking spaces on Playing Field Road near Tung Choi Street.Issued at HKT 18:06

NNNN