Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH urges public to be cautious of fraudulent advertisement regarding “Government dental implant subsidy scheme”
The DH clarified that it has not launched such scheme. The case has been reported to the Police. The social media platform has also been informed to follow up on the fraudulent advertisement. Members of the public who have clicked on any unknown hyperlink of the advertisement or provided his/her personal information to any suspicious website should contact the Police immediately.
A dental implant is a biocompatible (e.g. titanium) structure embedded in the jawbone, It is used to support false teeth such as crowns, bridges or dentures, to replace a lost tooth, or in combination with bridges or dentures to replace multiple or all lost teeth. Generally, a dental implant requires an oral surgical procedure. Depending on the general and oral health conditions, not everybody is suitable to receive implant treatment. The DH reminded the public that if they decide to have dental implant treatment outside Hong Kong, they should pay attention to the following points:
To safeguard the public’s oral health, the Government adopts the strategy of widely promoting among citizens across all age groups prevention-oriented primary oral healthcare, with a view to putting into action prevention, early identification and timely intervention of dental diseases with the objective of retaining teeth. At the same time, the Government provides appropriate oral health and dental care services for underprivileged groups with financial difficulties and special needs in a bid to ensure access to essential dental care services by these groups.
In May 2025, the DH launched the Community Dental Support Programme (CDSP) to provide targeted and subsidised dental services, including oral health assessments, medication for dental pain relief (if necessary), X-ray examinations, and dental fillings or extractions to the underprivileged groups with financial difficulties to encourage service users to retain teeth when deemed appropriate by dentists. Since January this year, the CDSP has expanded the service scope, supplanted the Community Care Fund Elderly Dental Assistance Programme, and included the homeless. The new service items include dental scaling, root canal treatment, removal of bridges and crowns and fitting of removable dentures. For more information, please visit the DH’s thematic webpageIssued at HKT 18:30
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CHP investigates two confirmed Mpox cases and recommends high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (September 18) that it is investigating two confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) cases. Due to the recent increase in Mpox cases, the CHP strongly urged individuals who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact, particularly with strangers, to remain vigilant and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving the Mpox vaccination, and avoid close physical contact with anyone suspected of having contracted Mpox. Moreover, unsafe sexual contact can increase the risk of infection. The CHP has stepped up public education and outreach efforts, including setting up an Mpox hotline (2125 2373) to provide health assessments and advice to people concerned, strengthening Mpox prevention and control campaigns on social media platforms, and sending a letter to doctors across Hong Kong reminding them to immediately notify the CHP of suspected Mpox cases for follow-up.
Case details
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The first new case involves a 28-year-old man who developed rashes over his body starting on September 9, including genital organs, forearm, abdomen and face. He sought medical attention at a social hygiene service clinic (SocHS) under the DH on September 15 and was arranged to receive isolation treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital.
The other new case involves a 26-year-old man who developed a fever, sore throat, myalgia, fatigue and lymphadenopathy on August 30. Subsequently, a rash appeared in various parts of his body, including his genital organs, chest and limbs. As his symptoms persisted, he respectively sought medical attention on September 8 and 15. The CHP subsequently arranged him to receive isolation treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Upon laboratory testing by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, the two individuals’ clinical specimens tested positive for the monkeypox virus, and are in stable condition.
According to information provided by the two patients, both have had high-risk contact with other men respectively in Hong Kong during the incubation period.
No epidemiological linkages between these two cases, nor with other confirmed Mpox cases recorded earlier in Hong Kong, have been identified so far. The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations of the two cases, and will endeavour to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with them. The CHP will also report these two cases to the World Health Organization.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 109 Mpox cases (87 local cases and 22 imported cases), including the above-mentioned cases. All patients were males. Since this August, the number of Mpox cases in Hong Kong has seen an increase. As of today, 25 cases have been recorded this year, including 20 local cases and five imported cases. Among them, 16 are new cases reported since August. Epidemiological investigations showed that among the 16 recently identified cases, all patients reported having sexual activities with men. No epidemiological links were found between the cases. All patients reported engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours during the incubation period, including having sex with male strangers or having sex without a condom. In 10 of these cases, patients reported using dating apps to find sexual partners.
Stepping up public education
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Epidemiological analysis shows that high-risk sexual contact between males (including having sex with unknown men or multiple partners without using condoms) is a risk factor for Mpox infection. The CHP urges people who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact to seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with Mpox, such as a rash, fever or swollen lymph nodes. The CHP has set up an Mpox hotline (2125 2373) to provide health assessments and advice to people concerned, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm.
The CHP also stepped up its Mpox prevention and control outreach on social media platforms (including dating apps), and will further coordinate and communicate with relevant non-governmental organisations to strengthen health promotion efforts for Mpox prevention among target groups.
Getting vaccinated to prevent Mpox
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The Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for high-risk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:
- individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
- healthcare workers responsible for caring for patients with confirmed Mpox;
- laboratory personnel handling zoonotic pox viruses; and
- animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH’s SocHS (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH’s Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, without prior appointments.
Meanwhile, the DH’s Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority’s Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.
For more details, please visit the CHP’s webpages on Mpox and Mpox Vaccination Programme.
73 new measures to manage ageing
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)
Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing today announced the Report on Ageing Society Strategies, which outlines 73 strategic measures consisting of new innovative initiatives alongside enhanced ones.
Mr Cheuk noted Hong Kong’s population aged 65 and above is expected to reach 2.74 million by 2046, accounting for more than one-third of the total population.
“In view of the challenges brought by an ageing society, the Government and all sectors of society must plan ahead. Since its establishment in November last year, the Working Group on Ageing Society Strategies has comprehensively reviewed and explored the policies and measures of various bureaus in response to our ageing society, and has submitted the Report to the Chief Executive.
“The Report puts forward 73 strategic measures, including innovative and new measures as well as enhanced measures, representing the collective effort of cross-departmental collaboration to address the challenges brought by an ageing society,” he added.
The proposed measures span 11 core areas, including elderly health care, elderly residential care services, cross-boundary elderly care, and elderly community and living support. They also cover leveraging technology for “smart ageing”, elderly-friendly urban planning and design. elderly travel, social life and learning, elderly financial security and safety, human resources and public finances, silver economy, industries and opportunities, and after-death planning.
Regarding elderly health care, the Health Bureau will strengthen healthcare services, facilities and manpower. This year, it will integrate the services of Elderly Health Centres by increasing service points and capacity to deliver more comprehensive health assessments. It will also reduce waiting times through appropriate referrals to the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network for chronic disease management.
For elderly residential care and community care services, the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) will increase subsidised long-term care places for the elderly by around 3,500 by the end of 2027. Furthermore, the bureau will provide newly built premises to the industry for self-financed operations to expand overall residential care home capacity, giving service providers greater flexibility to offer diversified elderly residential care services tailored to market demands.
To promote smart ageing, a welfare information sharing e-platform will be established to integrate social welfare data across relevant government departments and non-governmental organisations. The platform will utilise artificial intelligence to facilitate the early identification of high-risk individuals or families, enabling timely intervention and targeted responses.
To support silver economy development, the Office of the Government Economist will analyse changes in the socio-economic characteristics and consumption patterns of the elderly population to help formulate silver economy measures. Meanwhile, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau will actively expand certification schemes for elderly products and services while exploring their broader application with relevant organisations.
The Government will continuously review and update relevant strategies based on the latest data. For instance, the LWB will review the planning ratios for elderly facilities in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines based on the results of the 2026 Population Census.
AI safety for minors to be enhanced
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said today that the Government will adopt a multi-pronged approach and reference overseas experiences to enhance the protection of minor users when managing artificial intelligence (AI) risks.
The Chief Executive’s Policy Address outlined that a dedicated task force on minors’ use of social media will be established under a working group spearheaded by the Department of Justice. The task force will co-ordinate with relevant bureaus and departments to review the risks associated with the use of social media by minors, and assess the need for more targeted solutions, including legislative and administrative measures.
Mr Lam highlighted that the Government must take into account the particular circumstances of Hong Kong when identifying and designing the best possible solution.
“We have to consult overseas experience because we are all aware that in other jurisdictions, some rules and regulations, have already been introduced to regulate the use of AI by minors.
“And in some other jurisdictions, there are proposals to do so. But if you look at those rules and regulations, and look at those proposals, the content varies greatly.
“So what we have to do is to study the content of those overseas experiences and analyse to what extent they are effective.”
The Secretary for Justice emphasised that legislative intervention is only one of the options.
“For example, in the Policy Address, it is also mentioned that the Education Bureau will introduce suitable policy to educate minors (on how) to use AI in a more proper, responsible and perhaps safer manner.
“So, I would anticipate that the Government will adopt a multi-pronged approach, which may or may not involve legislative intervention, but that would depend on the results of our study and analysis.”
Mr Lam added that the Government will consult the public before launching any new measures.
Haze Situation Update (18 September 2026)
Source: Government of Singapore
Air Quality Forecast
24-hr PSI Forecast: High Moderate – Low Unhealthy
Health Advisory
Healthy persons: If 24 hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If 24 hr PSI is Unhealthy, reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1 hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1 hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), reduce strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Elderly, pregnant women & children: If 24 hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If 24 hr PSI is Unhealthy, minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1 hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1 hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Persons with chronic lung/heart disease: If 24 hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If PSI is Unhealthy, avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1 hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1 hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Refer to the 1-hr PM2.5 for immediate activities, and the 24-hr PSI forecast to plan ahead.
Singapore, 18 September 2026 – Some showers occurred over the northern parts of Singapore in the afternoon today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 31 – 61 µg/m3, in Band 1 (Normal) / Band 2 (Elevated), and the 24-hr PSI was 64 – 86, in the Moderate range.
Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation
2. Dry conditions persisted over southern Sumatra and Kalimantan. Smoke plumes from fires in Kalimantan were observed to drift towards Singapore. Some smoke plumes were also observed in southern Sumatra.
3. Dry conditions are forecast to continue over parts of southern Sumatra and Kalimantan. There is a risk of smoke haze affecting Singapore as the prevailing winds are expected to blow from the east-southeast or southeast. The 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the High Moderate – Low Unhealthy range.
Activity Guidelines
4. The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Use the 24-hr PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories for planning next day outdoor activities.
5. For updates, visit our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myENV) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at http://asmc.asean.org.
Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.
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HKETO Jakarta co-organises seminar and HKCHAM Indonesia inauguration dinner to deepen Hong Kong-Indonesia business ties
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) co-organised a seminar and the inauguration dinner of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (HKCHAM Indonesia) in Jakarta on September 17, deepening business, trade, and investment ties between Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Delivering opening remarks at the event, the Director-General of the HKETO Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, congratulated HKCHAM Indonesia on its inauguration. She said that the Chamber should aspire to be a bridge linking business sectors of the two places. She also said that the Chamber would be a key on-the-ground partner of the HKETO Jakarta in promoting two-way trade and investment, and supporting Hong Kong’s major initiatives, including the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global and the Economic and Trade Express platform.
In addition, Miss Cheng introduced key highlights of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s newly announced First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the HKSAR (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address. She emphasised that Hong Kong is driving high-quality development through the dual engines of “Finance+” and “AI+”, while playing the roles of “super-connector” and “super value-adder” in connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Mainland market with Association of Southeast Asian Nations economies, including Indonesia. She added that Hong Kong’s trusted common law system, low tax regime, world-class professional services, offshore Renminbi hub status, and pursuit of early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership enable Hong Kong to deliver a triple-win outcome for the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.
Miss Cheng highlighted the solid economic foundation between the two places, noting that bilateral merchandise trade reached close to US$6 billion in 2025. Hong Kong was Indonesia’s second-largest source of realised foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025 at US$10.6 billion, and became the top FDI source in the second quarter of 2026 for the first time.
The event also featured remarks by the Chairman of HKCHAM Indonesia, Mr Suwito, and the Director of Indonesia of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Horasis Lung, a keynote address by the Deputy for Coordination of Business and Digital Economy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, Dr Ali Murtopo Simbolon, as well as a fireside chat and a panel discussion on doing business in Indonesia from the perspectives of Hong Kong companies. Prominent speakers and guests included the President of the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, Mr Abdul Alek Soelystio, and the Managing Director, Legal & Compliance of Danantara Indonesia, Mr Daniel Ginting. Invest Hong Kong also set up a promotional booth during the event.
The event brought together over 100 representatives from the business communities, chambers of commerce, governments and relevant stakeholders from Hong Kong and Indonesia.
“Salute to the National Flag” Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams’ Beijing Visit Delegation departs
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The “Salute to the National Flag” Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams’ Beijing Visit Delegation held a departure ceremony today (September 18). The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and various guests saw off nearly 1 000 participating Hong Kong teachers and students at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.
The visit is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the Macao SAR Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the Beijing Municipal People’s Government. It enables participating tertiary, secondary and primary students from Hong Kong and Macao to witness in person the solemn flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, experience the historical culture and development achievements of the capital, deepen their sense of national identity and patriotism, enhance their understanding of the national development and the symbolic significance of the national flag, and continuously promote patriotic education while putting into practice the concept of a “walking classroom”.
Dr Choi said this high-level key youth exchange programme fully demonstrates the Central People’s Government’s high regard for the development of Hong Kong and Macao young people and is of special significance. The national flag is not merely a flag; it is also a vivid lesson in national education, reminding us that the country’s development has not come easily and that national rejuvenation requires continued efforts of generations.
During the five-day itinerary, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the country’s outstanding achievements in economic development and urban planning. Dr Choi expressed the hope that students will cherish every rare opportunity, observe and record attentively, and be able to read history and responsibility from the national flag, thereby deepening their understanding of and identification with the country.
The Hong Kong contingent of the delegation comprises nearly 1 000 members, including around 940 representatives from tertiary, secondary and primary schools that include students of flag-raising teams, as well as representatives from the Education Bureau, the Association of Hong Kong Flag-guards and the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association.
After arriving in Beijing by high-speed rail, the delegation will meet with representatives of the Macao flag-raising teams and conduct a series of visits and exchanges with schools in Beijing.
Dr Choi will depart tomorrow (September 19) for a visit to the Mainland to join the activities of the “Salute to the National Flag” delegation. During the trip, she will go to Tianjin to meet local officials to strengthen exchanges in education and youth between the two places. She will then participate in the first Beijing study tour of the Citizenship and Social Development subject, and the National Day and Professional Exchange Delegation to Beijing from the Hong Kong Education Sector.
Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on September 24. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets Director General in Guangzhou Customs District
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, yesterday (September 17) met with the Director General in Guangzhou Customs District, Mr Li Quan, in the Customs Headquarters Building to exchange views on deepening collaboration between the two Customs administrations.
Mr Chan welcomed Mr Li’s visit to Hong Kong Customs with his delegation and held a meeting with the Guangzhou Customs delegation. During the meeting, both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on multiple issues, including facilitating control and enforcement work on cargo and passenger clearance, as well as improving the prevention and control of risks, with an aim to further promote co-operation between the two Customs administrations.
The delegation also visited the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Passenger Terminal Building at Hong Kong International Airport to learn about the operations of passenger clearance of Hong Kong Customs.
Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by economic activity for the second quarter of 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (September 18) the preliminary figures of chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by economic activity for the second quarter of 2026.
GDP figures by economic activity show the value of production in respect of individual economic activities. The value of production is measured by value added or net output, which is calculated by deducting intermediate input consumed in the process of production from the gross value of output. Volume measures of GDP by economic activity, expressed in terms of chain volume measures net of the effect of price changes, enable analysis of the output growth profiles of individual economic sectors in real terms.
Statistics on persons engaged and vacancies for June 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
According to the statistics on persons engaged and vacancies released today (September 18) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), total number of persons engaged in the private sector surveyed decreased by 0.1% or 2 100 persons in June 2026 compared with a year earlier. The total number of vacancies was 45 380, representing a decrease of 8% or 4 150 over the preceding year.
Persons engaged statistics
Vacancies statistics(www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050003&scode=452″Quarterly Report of Manual Workers and Vacancies at Construction Sites, June 2026″
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050004&scode=452