Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 30) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Hamm of the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen in Germany, Kalisz District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, Tewkesbury District of Gloucestershire County in the United Kingdom (UK) and Perth County of the province of Ontario in Canada, and an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Saitama Prefecture in Japan respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas, as well as from Unna District of the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen adjacent to Hamm, with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of this year, while no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada, Hong Kong imported about 60 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Germany; about 1 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland; about 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.17 million poultry eggs from the UK; and about 1 540 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 219.73 million poultry eggs from Japan.

     “The CFS has contacted the German, Polish, British, Canadian and Japanese 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 Government special administrative region

     Planned in conjunction with the General History of China Exhibition Series held at the Hong Kong Museum of History annually, the Chinese Culture Promotion Office (CCPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold the “Archaeology of Cao Cao” Exhibition at the Lobby, 1/F, Hong Kong Museum of History, from tomorrow (December 31) to February 23, 2026. The exhibition leads visitors to explore the literary and military achievements in the life of the formidable hero Cao Cao. The exhibition traces the discovery, excavation and verification of Cao Cao’s tomb to unveil the mystery and reveal the true character of Cao Cao. Admission is free.
      
     Cao Cao (155-220 AD) was an outstanding politician, military strategist and poet during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He laid the foundation for the establishment of the Wei state and profoundly influenced the historical trajectory of the Three Kingdoms period. In 2009, Cao Cao’s tomb was discovered in Anyang, Henan Province, followed by intense debate over the authenticity of the tomb. The academic community has now confirmed Xigaoxue Tomb in Anyang as the Mausoleum of Cao Cao, and the layout of the cemetery, the burial structure and the remains and various artefacts found in the tomb form a complete chain of evidence.
      
     Incorporating replicas of excavated artefacts and drawing upon the research of Chair Professor of Humanities at the Southern University of Science and Technology, and former researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Professor Tang Jigen, the exhibition reveals the true character of the formidable hero Cao Cao, while offering a glimpse into the social and political landscape of the late Eastern Han dynasty. In addition to panels for children and videos, visitors can explore Cao Cao’s multifaceted personality through an interactive rotating cube installation that showcases well-known anecdotes. There is also a photo spot where visitors can savour the grandeur of Cao Cao’s literary and military achievements.
      
     The exhibition is organised by the CCPO, and supported by the Hong Kong Museum of History. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website: www.ccpo.gov.hk/en/programme/archaeology-of-cao-cao-exhibition.​

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (December 30) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 27, at Hong Kong International Airport on November 16. About 58 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $237,700 and a duty potential of about $191,700 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 today.

     As well, Customs officers intercepted another incoming male passenger, aged 42, at the airport on the abovementioned date. About 19 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $77,900 and a duty potential of about $62,800 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 today.

     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect 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.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced today that the end date of unused subsidy/relief balances under the Electricity Charges Subsidy Scheme and the Electricity Charges Relief Scheme for 2024/25 will be extended by one year to December 31, 2026.

The Government explained that the extension is being granted as a considerable number of households have not yet used up the subsidy/relief disbursed to them.

All unused balances will be carried forward to cover billed electricity charges up until December 31, 2026, or the date of account closure, whichever is earlier. This will be reflected in the bills of eligible accounts.

The Government added that it will keep the situation under review and consider whether a further extension is necessary.

For enquiries on account matters, CLP Power Hong Kong users can call 2678 2678, while Hongkong Electric Company users can call 2887 3411.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Two new sections of the GreenWay in the Kai Tak Development Area opened today for use by pedestrians and cyclists.

The two sections, each approximately 400 metres in length, are located at Kai Tak Promenade, as well as Shing Kai Road Garden and Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) Dining Cove.

The opening of these two sections fully connect the 2km-long scenic GreenWay on the runway’s western side, extending from Shing Kai Road Garden through KTSP Dining Cove to Kai Tak Promenade, overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Consistent with existing sections, the newly opened parts of the GreenWay feature speed-reducing rumble strips to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists. The area also provides bicycle parking and a parallel barrier-free walkway, offering a convenient alternative for the public.

To accommodate various events, KTSP will adjust GreenWay opening hours at Dining Cove and apply crowd management measures as necessary.

The GreenWay in Kai Tak is about 13km long, about 4.3km of which is open within the Kai Tak Development Area. The remaining sections are expected to be opened progressively from 2026 onwards in coordination with government and private development projects in the area.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced its Hong Kong Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2025-2030, which introduces a new risk-based hepatitis B screening programme and other measures to strengthen prevention and control of viral hepatitis.

The measures are designed to reduce the transmission of viral hepatitis and lower related morbidity and mortality, including deaths from liver cancer attributable to viral hepatitis.

The target is to eliminate the public health threat posed by viral hepatitis by 2030, in line with the World Health Organization’s global goal. 

According to data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, liver cancer is the third largest cause of cancer deaths in Hong Kong. In 2023, there were 1,408 deaths from liver cancer, accounting for 9.5% of all cancer deaths. Over 70% of hepatocellular carcinoma cases were associated with hepatitis B.

In addition to the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority, the action plan also enlists the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Commission and other relevant organisations.

It is estimated that approximately 410,000 people in Hong Kong have hepatitis B. Among these, 40% are unaware of their condition and 70% are not receiving appropriate follow-up care.

The action plan will bolster efforts to prevent and control viral hepatitis along four strategic axes, namely heightening awareness, tracking the health sector’s response, preventing new infections, and expanding access to screening, care and treatment.

The PHC Commission will launch a Chronic Disease Co-care Platform to introduce risk-based hepatitis B screening and management on a pilot basis, in addition to testing for high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.

It will target Hong Kong residents born in or before 1988 whose family members or sexual partners have contracted chronic hepatitis B, as well as residents who have no known medical history of chronic hepatitis B or related symptoms.

A participant diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B through the platform will receive subsidised medical consultations, medication and liver ultrasonography services, and undergo regular liver cancer surveillance.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced that a disciplinary investigation into an incident relating to the procurement of bottled drinking water has been completed, and that it is consulting the Department of Justice regarding disciplinary actions to be taken.

The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau made the announcement while giving an update on the work of the “Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime”.

Subsequent to the implementation of a series of measures in October to strengthen protection against fraudulent acts, the task force, chaired by Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, is exploring further enhancement measures.

The bureau said that the additional measures are expected to be ready next month and will be announced in tandem with the task force’s report, which will conclude the case.

Meanwhile, the Government Logistics Department has launched an open tender for the contract to supply bottled drinking water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and parts of the outlying islands.

In alignment with new guidelines promulgated in October, requirements have been strengthened with regard to the preparation of tender documents, tender evaluations and contract management, to help procurement officers guard against fraudulent acts and selecting competent suppliers.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced today the handover of a residential site, Tung Chung Area 122 (TC122), to the Housing Society, for the development of subsidised sale flats (SSFs).

The Tung Chung site was originally among several government sites identified for tender under the Private Subsidised Sale Flat – Pilot Scheme. The site has now been handed over to the Housing Society for development as one of its SSF projects. A preliminary estimate indicates that around 1,600 SSFs will be completed at the site in 2031-32. 

The bureau said that the Government always takes a pragmatic approach in adjusting development arrangements at different sites based on demand and actual circumstances.

The Housing Society is a close partner of the Government in housing matters and has profound experience in the development of SSFs. Having assessed the situation, the Government believes handing over TC122 to the Housing Society will expedite the development of SSFs at the site.

The Government announced a policy framework for the pilot scheme, aimed at tapping market forces and boosting overall development capacity, in June 2023. It is now monitoring the market closely with a view to assessing whether adjustments need to be made to the scheme’s parameters or to future tender arrangements. Further announcements will be made in due course.

The Government stressed that the handover of TC122 to the Housing Society is in line with its policy objectives of boosting SSF supply, helping grassroots households achieve home ownership and encouraging upward mobility. It believes the move will be welcomed by the public.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (December 30) that it will respectively consult the Central and Western District Council and the Kowloon City District Council next month about the clearance and rehousing arrangements for the redevelopment of Sai Wan Estate (SWE) and Phase 1 of Ma Tau Wai Estate (MTWE).
 
     “The HA conducts assessments on aged public rental housing (PRH) estates from time to time in order to ensure the buildings are in a safe condition and suitable for accommodating residents. The actual circumstances will also be considered in a prudent manner when deciding whether to redevelop a PRH estate,” a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     The HA has reserved adequate rehousing resources for the affected tenants for the clearance and rehousing proposals of the two aforementioned PRH estates. The proposed clearance and rehousing of SWE can be carried out under a single phase in 2029 so that all affected tenants will be rehoused to Phase 1 of the Ka Wai Man Road public housing development (Annex I) nearby in one go. With the thoughtful arrangements by the project team, this proposal will allow all affected tenants to move into the new estate together with their neighbours, maintaining warm neighbourhood relationships and continuing the sense of community. There are currently 636 flats in SWE. It is expected that the number of flats will increase by 460 to about 1 100 flats after the redevelopment to cater for more residents in need.
 
     As for the MTWE redevelopment, in consideration of the unanimous views of the residents and the community that the clearance and rehousing arrangement should be expedited, the HA proposes using part of the new Mei Tung Estate public housing development as additional rehousing resources on top of the reception estate at To Kwa Wan Road public housing development so that the phases of redevelopment can be reduced from three to two, thereby significantly shortening the rehousing period for all MTWE residents from 14 years to seven years. The clearance in Phase 1 will cover Geranium House and Narcissus House and the rehousing of the affected tenants is anticipated to commence in 2028. The clearance and rehousing for Phase 2 will be announced in due course (Annex II). After the redevelopment of the entire estate, the number of flats in MTWE is expected to increase from more than 2 000 to about 4 000 flats, providing over 2 000 additional units for residents in need.
 
     In addition, the HA also proposes offering domestic tenants affected by the clearance a domestic removal allowance to help meet part of their moving expenses. Eligible one-person and two-person households, regardless of age, may also opt to receive a cash allowance in lieu of rehousing to a PRH unit as an alternative option to suit their needs. For example, elderly persons may move into residential care homes for the elderly, settle in the Chinese Mainland, or live with their children, etc. Furthermore, the HA also proposes to accord priority to affected tenants of HA’s announced clearance projects who would like to purchase subsidised sale flats (SSFs) in lieu of PRH in flat selection over other applicants in the SSFs sale exercise(s) launched before the target clearance date.
 
     The HA will establish an on-site Community Service Team in SWE and MTWE to help maintain effective communication with the affected households, especially the elderly, to provide help and fully assist them in vacating their existing flats and adapting to their new living environment throughout the project.