Blaze committee conducts site visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po today conducted a site visit to learn more about the actual situation at the estate.

Committee chairman David Lok, along with members Chan Kin-por and Rex Auyeung, inspected various indoor and outdoor locations at Wang Fuk Court.

They aimed to gain a better understanding of the estate’s actual environment and conditions, the causes and circumstances that led to the fire and its rapid spread, the fire service installations and equipment used in the buildings, the materials used in building maintenance and renovation works, and construction safety matters.

New mercury controls set for Dec 31

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The control for newly regulated mercury-added products under the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance will take effect on December 31, covering eight newly regulated mercury-added products.

The Government completed the amendments to the Mercury Control Ordinance in June this year to implement amendments adopted at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury to gradually phase out mercury-added products that are harmful to human health or the environment, aiming to reduce the opportunities of the public’s exposure to these mercury-added products for safeguarding public health and protecting the environment.

The Environmental Protection Department said that once the amendments to the ordinance come into effect, the manufacture, import, export and supply of the regulated mercury-added products will be prohibited. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Under the new measure, the Government has set a grace period for the supply of newly regulated mercury-added products until January 2029. After the grace period, if anyone continues to supply the relevant regulated mercury-added products, the authorities will initiate prosecution after collecting sufficient evidence.

To help the trades understand the new control requirements, the department had earlier written to stakeholders, including importers, exporters and distributors of the mercury-added products, to detail the implementation specifics of the new controls, and has conducted visits to stakeholders to provide guidance.

Call 2838 3111 or send an email for enquiries.

Faire du sport un pilier du développement social et humain de la Nouvelle-Calédonie

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

En 2025, malgré une situation budgétaire et financière complexe, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie a poursuivi son soutien au mouvement sportif local, à travers notamment le développement de filières d’excellence, l’accompagnement des sportifs de haut-niveau et la mise en œuvre de dispositifs structurants de la performance.

D’autre part, il a engagé une série de travaux pour renforcer la structuration du mouvement sportif local et faire du sport, un pilier du développement social et humain en Nouvelle-Calédonie. «  Il nous faut voir le secteur du sport, mais aussi celui de la jeunesse, comme des fondations pour la reconstruction du pays. Pour la Nouvelle-Calédonie, le sport représente un domaine rempli d’opportunités et un formidable outil de coopération que ce soit à l’échelle de la région ou, plus largement, à l’échelle internationale », a indiqué le membre du gouvernement Mickaël Forrest.

Les chiffres clés de l’année 2025

Les subventions

Une campagne de subventions à destination des ligues et comités sportifs a été lancée pour la première fois par la direction de la Jeunesse et des sports de Nouvelle-Calédonie (DJSNC) du 23 août au 15 octobre 2024, pour l’année 2025.

Demandeurs

  • 40 ligues et comités
  • Le CTOS
  • Deux groupements d’employeurs Nord et Sud

Projets

  • 281 projets instruits en lien avec le plan stratégique de la pratique sportive (PSPS) de 2019
  • 145 projets financés par le gouvernement soit un taux d’accompagnement de 51 %

En tout, 327 millions de francs ont été dépensés en faveur du sport. Parmi eux, 93 millions de francs destinés au soutien au fonctionnement et à l’investissement des infrastructures sportives et 264 millions pour les ligues et comités répartis comme suit :

  • 144 millions de francs pour le soutien aux actions sportives ;
  • 60 millions de francs pour le soutien à la performance ;
  • 30 millions de francs pour la participation aux Mini jeux du Pacifique.

 Aide à la performance des sportifs : 88 380 000 francs

Sur l’année 2025, 88 380 000 francs ont été destinés au soutien de projets de performance, traduisant une politique résolument orientée vers l’accompagnement des sportifs de haut niveau, des filières d’excellence et des dispositifs structurants de la performance en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

  • 20 200 000 francs d’aides directes ont été versés aux sportifs de haut niveau inscrits sur les listes ministérielles des sports. Ce poste constitue le premier socle de financement de la performance individuelle, en visant prioritairement la préparation, la continuité des parcours et le maintien des meilleurs niveaux sportifs.
  • 1,64 million de francs de subvention aux projets de performance calédoniens et 1,8 million de francs aux projets océaniens afin de permettre aux sportifs calédoniens de construire et de conduire des projets de performance structurants et indispensables à leur développement sportif : accès à des compétitions de référence, confrontations de niveau régional et international, mises en situation propices à la progression à l’échelle océanienne et internationale. Ces fonds constituent ainsi un levier essentiel pour sécuriser les trajectoires vers le haut niveau et renforcer la compétitivité des sportifs calédoniens sur la scène internationale.
  • 29 740 000 francs pour la structuration et l’encadrement des filières d’excellence qui s’inscrivent dans une logique de vision globale et cohérente des parcours calédoniens d’accession vers le haut niveau et du haut niveau lui-même. Mis en place à partir de 2025, les labels de filière permettent d’identifier, d’organiser et de mieux accompagner les disciplines engagées dans une démarche de performance durable. Ils offrent au gouvernement une lecture transversale des parcours sportifs, tout en facilitant l’apport d’une expertise technique et d’un soutien financier adapté. La labellisation ouvre par ailleurs l’accès à des lignes de crédit spécifiques, destinées à renforcer l’encadrement, la détection, la préparation et la performance des sportifs concernés.
  • 30 millions de francs ont été alloués à la préparation aux Mini Jeux du Pacifique (via le CTOS). Cette somme est destinée à accompagner les structures et les collectifs engagés dans cette échéance majeure, en couvrant les besoins liés à la préparation sportive, à l’organisation technique, ainsi qu’à la coordination des dispositifs nécessaires à l’optimisation de la performance des sportifs calédoniens.
  • 5 millions de francs d’indemnités compensatoires ont été allouées dans le cadre du dispositif des congés pour l’exercice d’une activité bénévole. Ce mécanisme vise à compenser les pertes de revenus liées à l’exercice de congés pour activité bénévole, notamment en qualité d’organisateur, d’officiel technique, d’entraîneur, d’encadrant ou de dirigeant d’une association sportive. Au 27 novembre 2025, ce dispositif a donné lieu à l’émission de 52 attestations. Il joue un véritable rôle structurant dans la sécurisation de l’engagement des acteurs, indispensable à la performance sportive, tant à l’échelle territoriale qu’à l’occasion des grandes échéances internationales.

Mesures structurantes en cours et perspectives 2026

En 2025, le gouvernement a initié une série de travaux destinés à mieux structurer le mouvement sportif calédonien. Ces projets de textes réglementaires seront finalisés et applicables en 2026.

Création d’un fonds de soutien à la pratique sportive

La pratique du sport constitue un véritable atout en faveur de l’animation locale, de la cohésion sociale et produit des bienfaits sur la santé. Néanmoins, afin de consolider l’activité sportive en Nouvelle-Calédonie, le gouvernement étudie la création, par voie de délibération, d’un fonds de soutien destiné à faire face à plusieurs constats et besoins :

  • baisse des dotations budgétaires allouées au sport ;
  • diminution du bénévolat ;
  • faible professionnalisation du secteur sportif ;
  • besoins en formation ;
  • part très faible des financements dédiés au secteur de la performance ;
  • dimensions sociale et sanitaire des APS non valorisées ;
  • interruption des actions des ligues suite aux événements de 2024.

Ce projet a pour ambition de stabiliser le tissu associatif en permettant le développement de  nouveaux projets. Il vise également à améliorer les performances sportives en soutenant de manière renforcée les parcours de haut niveau.

D’autre part, en accord avec les ambitions du plan stratégique de la pratique sportive, cette délibération a pour objectif de favoriser la prise en charge de la jeunesse (lutte contre la sédentarité, l’obésité et les addictions), d’augmenter le nombre d’usagers touchés (santé/social). Ces mesures permettront de développer le poids économique du secteur du sport en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Loi du pays relative au bénévolat sportif

Le bénévolat constitue le socle du sport calédonien. Chaque jour, des femmes et des hommes s’engagent, souvent dans l’ombre, pour faire vivre les clubs et les comités, encadrer les jeunes, organiser les compétitions et transmettre les valeurs du sport.

La future loi de pays vise à mieux définir, reconnaître et valoriser le statut des bénévoles à travers un ensemble de dispositifs :

  • conditions d’honorabilité pour devenir bénévole ;
  • gain de points de retraite ou bonification ;
  • aménagement de la durée de travail ;
  • congés sportifs ;
  • réduction d’impôts.

L’objectif est clair : sécuriser et encourager l’engagement bénévole, indispensable à la vitalité et à la pérennité du mouvement sportif.

Point d’étape sur la convention collective « sport »

En Nouvelle-Calédonie, il n’existe pas d’application directe du code du sport français ni de la convention collective nationale du sport.

La démarche engagée vise donc à élaborer une convention collective propre au secteur sportif calédonien, afin d’encadrer juridiquement les relations entre employeurs et salariés.

Cette convention permettra :

  • de protéger les dirigeants et les structures sportives ;
  • de garantir aux salariés des droits sociaux adaptés ;
  • et d’améliorer la qualité du service rendu aux pratiquants.

« Il s’agit, au travers notamment de cette mesure, de construire un cadre légal sécurisé, spécifique et en adéquation avec les réalités locales du sport », a indiqué Grégory Armien, directeur de la DJS.

Modification de la délibération n° 251 concernant les agréments et les missions du CTOS

La délibération n° 251 du 16 octobre 2001 constitue le socle de l’organisation du sport en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Elle définit les rôles du CTOS et du HCSC, ainsi que le cadre juridique et administratif applicable aux ligues et comités sportifs.

Afin de mieux répondre aux réalités du terrain, une modification du texte est à l’étude pour :

  • atteindre certains objectifs du plan stratégique de la pratique sportive, voté en 2019 au Congrès ;
  • simplifier le cadre réglementaire et améliorer la lisibilité du dispositif pour les usagers ;
  • réformer la notion d’agrément.

 Affiliation de la Nouvelle-Calédonie à l’ORADO

Du 15 au 19 septembre 2025, la Nouvelle-Calédonie a participé à la Convention internationale contre le dopage dans le sport, organisée par l’UNESCO avec Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) et l’Organisation régionale antidopage d’Océanie (ORADO).

Les travaux ont souligné l’importance du renforcement de la coopération océanienne, notamment en perspective des grands événements sportifs à venir, tels que les Jeux olympiques et paralympiques de Brisbane 2032.

Dans ce cadre, l’intégration de la Nouvelle-Calédonie au sein de l’ORADO constitue une étape stratégique pour structurer et renforcer durablement la lutte antidopage sur le territoire, en cohérence avec les standards internationaux et régionaux.

Accession à un statut de membre permanent du CIO d’ici 2032

Un travail est actuellement engagé afin d’obtenir le statut de membre permanent du comité international olympique (CIO) à l’horizon 2032, avec pour objectif une première participation de la Nouvelle-Calédonie aux Jeux olympiques de Brisbane.

Une participation aux Jeux olympiques constituerait un véritable levier de dynamisation pour le mouvement sportif calédonien et ouvrirait de nouvelles perspectives et ambitions pour les sportifs locaux.

Toujours dans cette optique de participation aux JO de Brisbane, le gouvernement a fait appel à Laurent Calleja, ancien judoka de haut niveau et entraîneur renommé, afin de structurer la préparation à cette échéance. « L’objectif est d’accompagner au mieux les athlètes en devenir pour que leur parcours dans le haut niveau soit un succès » a-t-il indiqué.

Dénomination des infrastructures sportives

Cette année, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie a engagé une série de dénominations d’infrastructures du territoire. Cette démarche vise à rendre hommage à de grands sportifs qui, par leur investissement et leur passion, ont œuvré durant de nombreuses années au développement et au rayonnement du sport calédonien.

À travers ces dénominations, la Nouvelle-Calédonie reconnaît et valorise des parcours exemplaires, porteurs des valeurs de solidarité, d’engagement et de dépassement de soi.

 

En 2026, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie entend poursuivre et amplifier les chantiers engagés afin de structurer durablement le mouvement sportif local, d’accompagner l’ensemble de ses acteurs et de renforcer la place du sport dans la société calédonienne.

Au-delà de la performance, le sport est un levier majeur de cohésion sociale et de construction citoyenne. Il véhicule des valeurs essentielles telles que le respect, la solidarité, l’engagement, le dépassement de soi, l’équité, l’inclusion, la transmission et le partage entre les générations et les cultures.

« L’année 2026 s’inscrira ainsi dans une dynamique de consolidation et de projection, avec l’ambition de faire du sport un pilier du développement social et humain de la Nouvelle-Calédonie », a ajouté Mickaël Forrest.

New control on regulated mercury-added products to take effect on December 31

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The control for newly regulated mercury-added products under the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance (Cap. 640) will take effect on December 31, 2025, covering eight newly regulated mercury-added products (see Annex).
 
     The Government completed the amendments to the Mercury Control Ordinance in June this year to implement amendments adopted at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury to gradually phase out mercury-added products that are harmful to human health or the environment, so as to reduce the opportunities of the public’s exposure to these mercury-added products for safeguarding public health and protecting the environment.
 
     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said, “Once the amendments to the Ordinance come into effect, the manufacture, import, export and supply of the relevant regulated mercury-added products will be prohibited. Anyone who contravenes the above regulations commits an offence and, upon conviction, is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.”
 
     Under the new measure, the Government has set a grace period for the supply of newly regulated mercury-added products (not applicable to production, import and export of the related product) until January 2029. After the grace period, if anyone continues to supply the relevant regulated mercury-added products, the authorities will initiate prosecution after collecting sufficient evidence.
 
     To help the trades understand the new control requirements, the EPD has earlier written to stakeholders, including importers, exporters and distributors of the concerned mercury-added products, to detail the implementation specifics of the new controls, and has conducted visits to stakeholders to provide guidance.
 
     Relevant information has been uploaded to the EPD’s dedicated website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/international_conventions/mercury/mco.html). For any enquiries regarding the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance, please contact the EPD at 2838 3111 or via email at enquiry@epd.gov.hk.

Extension of e-Appointment services to applications for warrants of distress in District Court Registry

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Missing woman in Ngau Tau Kok located

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     A woman who went missing in Ngau Tau Kok has been located.

     Lau Amelia Waisin, aged 32, went missing after she left her residence on Wai Yip Street on December 13 morning. Her family made a report to Police on December 16.

     The woman was located at her residence this morning (December 23). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Pest Control Steering Committee reviews follow-up work at Tsing Yi Nature Trails in preventing chikungunya fever and discusses next year’s work plan in mosquito and rodent control (with photos/video)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee (PCSC) held its 22nd meeting today (December 22) to review in details the follow-up work in preventing chikungunya fever (CF) at Tsing Yi Nature Trails (the Trails) by departments and stakeholders. It also discussed the 2026 work plans in mosquito and rodent control, to assist departments in formulating corresponding prevention and control measures in areas under their purview in the coming year.

Prevention and control of CF       Specifically targeting confirmed cases who visited the Trails or the surrounding area, the FEHD has promptly allocated resources to carry out targeted actions in the area upon receiving notifications on November 13 of the first case involving a patient who had visited the Trails and reported mosquito bites. The FEHD has continuously applied a combination of methods to eliminate vector mosquitoes. In addition to ultra-low volume knapsack sprayers to eliminate adult mosquitoes, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed at suitable locations, and a robot dog has been put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has been collaborating with related departments (including the Kwai Tsing District Office, the District Lands Office of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Drainage Services Department (DSD)) and stakeholders in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and potential sites with mosquito problems. Efforts include clearing discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water and applying larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has also started a trial to use drones in identifying mosquito breeding grounds and set up new mosquito trapping devices to control and reduce vector density. At the same time, the FEHD has conducted inspections in the area, initiating prosecution and issuing statutory notices requiring the elimination of stagnant water to responsible persons at construction sites and residential premises found with mosquito breeding or water accumulation. The FEHD has also distributed pamphlets to residents of nearby housing estates, urging the public to remain vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites.

     The Kwai Tsing District Office, the District Lands Office of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, the CEDD and the DSD have respectively strengthened efforts in areas under their purview along the Trails in eliminating potential mosquito breeding grounds.

DH reminds public to stay vigilant against infectious diseases while enjoying the coming winter holidays

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 22) reminded the public to practise strict personal, food and environmental hygiene as well as get seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) early to guard against some common and travel-related infectious diseases, regardless of staying in Hong Kong or travelling abroad during the coming Christmas and New Year holidays.
 
Seasonal influenza and other respiratory diseases
 
“The latest surveillance data showed that the local influenza activity remained at a high level. Based on past experience, Hong Kong’s winter influenza season typically occurs between January and March. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the local influenza activity will further increase, leading to an overlap of the current influenza season with the winter influenza season early next year. For areas outside Hong Kong, influenza activity has continued to increase or reached a high level in most areas of the North Hemisphere, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, South Korea, Japan and the Chinese Mainland. According to the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO), a strain of influenza A (H3) virus known as subclade K has been rapidly increasing globally since August of this year. The detection of this virus strain increased in multiple countries and regions worldwide, including Hong Kong. Influenza A (H3) virus belonging to subclade K has been detected in more than 34 countries, but the current epidemiological data does not indicate that this strain causes more severe illness. Preliminary overseas scientific research data indicates that this season’s influenza vaccines continue to provide protection to both children and adult, reducing the risk of seeking medical treatment or hospitalisation due to influenza. Although there are some antigenic differences between the currently circulating influenza A (H3) virus strain and the virus strain contained in the vaccine, the SIV can still offer protection against the variant strain of subclade K, as well as the influenza A (H1) and influenza B strains,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
 
Dr Tsui emphasised that receiving SIV is still one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from infection. Public should receive vaccination as soon as possible regardless of staying locally or plan to travel abroad, as it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against influenza virus. Since influenza can cause serious complications, the CHP recommends that all persons aged six months or above receive the SIV, particularly high-risk individuals such as pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with underlying illnesses.
 
Regarding other respiratory diseases, the COVID-19 activity currently maintains at a low level recorded before April this year. Epidemiological data from local and other regions worldwide shows that there are generally periodic upsurges in the COVID-19 activity level approximately every six to nine months.
 
“It has been over five months since the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity. Members of the public should receive COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19. Under the current Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged six months or above are eligible for free initial vaccine doses. High-risk priority groups can receive booster doses for free at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously,” Dr Tsui said.
 
Regarding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the RSV activity started to increase in many regions in North America and Europe. Prevention of RSV infection is the same as that for other respiratory diseases. Members of the public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Public with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask, refrain from going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. They should maintain hand hygiene before putting on and after removing a mask.
 
Acute gastroenteritis, norovirus infection and food poisoning
 
“Norovirus infection typically causes acute gastroenteritis. In general, norovirus is more active in winter (around December to March). As norovirus is highly contagious, individuals may become infected after being exposed to even a small amount of norovirus. The virus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contacting with the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and contacting with contaminated objects, which may lead to a large-scale outbreak,” Dr Tsui said.
 
To prevent acute gastroenteritis and norovirus infection, members of public should perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before handling food or eating, and after using the toilet. Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds, then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. Since alcohol is not effective in killing norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water.
 
During the festive season, members of public have more opportunities to have parties with food delivery services or hotpot. To prevent food poisoning, apart from maintaining personal hygiene, they should also consume thoroughly washed and cooked food. For shellfish, the shells should be well scrubbed and the internal organs be removed before consumption. In addition, never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce. Use different chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination. For more food safety tips, please visit the webpage of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
 
Mosquito-borne diseases
 
As of December 18, Hong Kong has recorded 57 dengue fever (DF) cases, all are imported cases. The imported cases were mainly from Indonesia (11), the Philippines (11), India and Thailand (nine each). Besides, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 81 confirmed chikungunya fever (CF) cases this year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported. The patients have visited the Chinese Mainland, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Mexico.
 
The WHO information showed that, from January to July 2025, over four million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths have been reported in 97 countries/territories. DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. Indonesia, India and Vietnam have each recorded over 100 000 cases so far this year; Malaysia and Thailand have each recorded over 40 000 cases; and Singapore has also recorded over 3 500 cases. Regarding CF, since the beginning of 2025 and as of September 30, over 440 000 CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have been reported in 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
 
 “Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. Public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body. Travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong,” Dr Tsui said.
 
Measles
 
     The number of measles cases in some overseas countries has remained at a relatively high level recently. The outbreaks in North America (including the United States and Canada), Europe and neighbouring areas (including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) are ongoing due to the relatively low vaccination rate. Furthermore, an increasing number of measles cases have also been recorded in Japan and Australia this year. Hong Kong has recorded eight cases this year. Among them two cases (25 per cent) were classified as imported cases.
 
Those who plan to travel to places with outbreaks or a high incidence of measles should review their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received or are not sure if they have received two doses of measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination. For people born outside Hong Kong, they should pay special attention as they might not have received a measles vaccination during childhood.
 
“Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles or rubella, as well as children aged under one year who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella-combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme are advised not to travel to places with outbreaks of measles. The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If such symptoms appear after returning from measles-endemic areas, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under one year old, and should consult their doctors as soon as possible,” Dr Tsui said.
 
For more details of the above infectious diseases, please visit the CHP’s pages on seasonal influenza, Coronavirus Disease 2019, food poisoning, norovirus infection, chikungunya fever, dengue fever and measles. In addition, those planning to travel can also visit the Travel Health Service’s website for the latest travel health news and advice.

DEP and members from three District Councils conducted site inspection with significant improvement in nearshore water quality affirmed (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, today (December 22) conducted a site inspection with District Council members from Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, and Sham Shui Po to review the outcomes of improvements to near-shore water quality and odour in the Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po areas.
      
     Dr Chui met with the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Billy Au, the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Edric Leung, the Acting District Officers (Sham Shui Po), Miss Stella Wong and Miss Agnes Chan; and around 40 members of District Council from the three districts. They reviewed the progress in improving water quality and odour along both sides of Victoria Harbour, particularly in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po. On-site demonstrations were given of innovative multi-dimensional monitoring technologies across sea, land, and air platforms, including an “Artificial Intelligence Environmental Air Nuisance Investigation Robot Dog” (AI Dog), “Ground Penetrating Radar”, “Drone for Sampling and Monitoring”, and “Unmanned Sampling Boat”, etc. The attending councillors gave highly positive feedback on the environmental improvements in the relevant areas.
      
     Dr Chui said, “The 2022 Policy Address set a target of reducing by half the pollution load from seriously polluted outfalls along Victoria Harbour, including areas such as Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po, by the end of 2024 while Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing districts also share the same water body. Through a series of source control measures and the application of innovative technologies, the reduction of pollution load significantly exceeded the target. By the end of last year, the overall pollution load at the relevant stormwater outfalls was reduced by nearly 90 per cent. Today, no noticeable odour was detected at the Tsuen Wan and Cheung Sha Wan waterfronts, indicating a remarkable improvement in the environmental conditions along the coastal areas of these three districts.”
      
     Over the past three years, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has proactively used innovative technologies in identifying and rectifying sewer misconnections to improve nearshore odour problems along Victoria Harbour. By the third quarter of this year, EPD teams had inspected over 5 000 manholes and tested more than 1 200 water samples in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, and Sham Shui Po districts, identifying 191 pollution cases equivalent to pollution load from 300 000 people. Through inter-departmental collaboration, the total pollution load from outfalls in Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po districts has been reduced by nearly 90 per cent, leading to substantial improvement in nearshore odour. Hydrogen sulfide monitoring devices installed at the Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po waterfronts indicated that the average concentrations have decreased from the previous 36 parts per billion (ppb) and 18 ppb, respectively to currently both below 5 ppb (see photos).
      
     Dr Chui thanked the three District Councils for their affirmation of the EPD’s work and their valuable opinions. He concluded, “We will continue to leverage smart technologies, work closely with District Councils, and harness community wisdom to jointly build greener, healthier and more liveable communities.”

                 

CE officiates at opening ceremony of Hong Kong Park in the Loop

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (December 22) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone).  The Hetao Co-operation Zone is one of the four major co-operation platforms among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Park is envisioned to develop into a world-class hub for technological innovation that connects the Chinese Mainland with the international community, and to serve as an important source for fostering and advancing new quality productive forces for the country.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee remarked that, “The development objective of the Hetao Co-operation Zone is set out to become a world-class innovation platform. As a major national technological innovation co-operation zone, it spans across two different social systems geographically, leveraging the strengths of the respective economic frameworks and judicial regimes.”

     “We will continue to drive forward the construction and development of the Hong Kong Park by optimising institutional integration, strengthening policy support, actively attracting high-quality enterprises and world-class research teams, etc. I am confident that the Hetao Co-operation Zone will emerge as a bridgehead and testing ground for Hong Kong’s I&T development.  It will also become a showcase for pioneering policies within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the global innovation landscape. It is a powerful Hong Kong engine for growth.”

     The Hong Kong Park is developed in batches under two phases. Out of the eight buildings in the first batch of Phase 1 development, two wet-laboratory enabled buildings and a talent accommodation building have been completed, providing about 32 000 square metres of floor area and 100 apartment units respectively. Over 60 institutions and enterprises have already begun moving into the wet laboratory buildings, while the talent accommodation welcomed their first batch of tenants this month. Construction works of the foundation and superstructures for the remaining five buildings have commenced and will be completed progressively starting from 2027 onwards. 

     Meanwhile, the planning and development layout for the Park’s Phase 2 development has been finalised. The two phases together will offer a total floor area of up to 2 million square meters.  Functionally, the Park will be divided into different technological zones focusing on pillar industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, new technologies and advanced manufacturing, thereby fostering the integrated development of upstream, midstream and downstream industries and building a comprehensive I&T industry chain.

     To expedite the construction works of the Park, the Park Company has rolled out an expression of interest exercise to gauge the market’s interest in selected plots of the remaining land of Phase 1 development, with a view to leveraging market forces to develop the Park in an accelerated and efficient manner. The Park Company received 27 responses and is currently analysing them with a view to preparing for launching the land plots in an orderly manner starting from 2026. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will carefully consider releasing the land parcels to the market through tender or other land disposal models, thereby achieving the objective of making best use of market resources to jointly develop the Park.

     At the ceremony, Mr Lee also announced the official commencement of the “Western Cross-River Link Bridge Project” which will connect the two parks in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This project will open up the transportation network of the Hetao Co-operation Zone, effectively facilitating the cross-boundary flow of personnel and showcasing the advantages of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong boundary facilities and innovative management policies. The two sides will adopt a design concept of integrating the cross-boundary bridge with the surrounding ecological environment and with an emphasis on low-carbon technology, safety and convenience, and a pleasant scenery, as well as adopting a “single-span across the river” approach in construction, which will serve as a new landmark to connect the two parks under the concept of “one zone, two parks” while creating an innovation network in the Greater Bay Area.

     The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Zhou Ji, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Mr Luo Huangho, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and Chairman of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, Mr Kevin Choi, also attended the opening ceremony.

     Mr Lee also visited the wet laboratory buildings of the Hong Kong Park to learn about its facilities, environment and the facilitation measures provided for the tenant enterprises by the Park Company.  He also exchanged views with representatives of the I&T enterprises which have already set foot in the Park.