Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Relaunch of invitation for quotations on harbourfront event space in Hung Hom for short-term use
The Pier is currently a vacant site. The DEVB earlier announced the long-term development proposal for sites around the Hung Hom waterfront areas (including the Pier) with a view to transforming these areas into a new harbourfront landmark. The DEVB also indicated that, before the long-term development thereon, the Pier site will be revitalised, as a short-term measure, into a character-filled event space and public open space.
The DEVB had invited open quotations mid-year for the aforesaid short-term revitalisation project. However, in view of the availability of an additional piece of land adjacent to the Pier site, which can be included in the project in one go, and the Government’s wish to strengthen the provisions on venue management, the DEVB has decided to cancel the aforesaid quotation exercise and relaunch it after strengthening the relevant terms and requirements.
For the land adjacent to the waterbody to the right of the Pier, it will become part of the event space site, expanding its area from approximately 1.5 hectares to 1.8 hectares.
Furthermore, in response to the incident at the Central Harbourfront Event Space this September regarding the cancellation of the passenger-carrying hot air balloon ride after the sale of tickets due to the failure to secure the relevant permit, the DEVB has beefed up the terms and requirements in the quotation documents to place a heavier onus on the venue operator (i.e. the successful bidder of this quotation exercise) in monitoring future event organisers and to regularise the communication and alert mechanisms so as to enable the DEVB, as the venue owner, to intervene in a timely manner. These strengthened provisions are aimed at better leveraging harbourfront resources to bring positive experiences for visitors as well as to better safeguard consumer rights. Relevant terms and requirements include:
(1) The venue operator is required to assess the credentials and experience of the applicants, their capability in hosting events, the feasibility of the proposed events, etc, before confirming approval of venue applications from event organisers. The venue operator shall submit regular assessment reports to the DEVB;
(2) The venue operator shall closely monitor the progress of event preparation and alert the DEVB in a timely manner, such as whether the event is in alignment with the original proposal, whether the relevant licenses or permits have been applied for and obtained in a timely manner, and whether the ticketing arrangement is proper; and Issued at HKT 20:05
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SED expresses deep sorrow over passing of the Most Venerable Jing Yin
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SED expresses deep sorrow over passing of the Most Venerable Jing Yin
Dr Choi said, “The Most Venerable Jing Yin was a highly respected figure of great virtue who was deeply committed to education and cared greatly for students. He had served as the Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies of the University of Hong Kong, a member of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education, the Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies of Hong Kong Chu Hai College, and the School Supervisor of Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College, among other roles. He actively promoted the development of Buddhist studies and education, benefiting the education sector and society at large. With a compassionate mind and a dedication to education, he was held in high esteem by teachers, students and the community. His spirit and ethos are deeply admirable.”
“We are grateful for the Most Venerable Jing Yin’s contributions to education, and he will always be remembered.”
Issued at HKT 19:56
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FSD clarifies commentary about fire service installation and equipment
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FSD clarifies commentary about fire service installation and equipment
According to regulation 7 of the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations (Cap. 95B), no person other than a registered fire service installation contractor shall maintain, inspect or repair any FSI in any premises. Any person contravening commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 5 (i.e. $50,000). Any person who is not a registered fire service installation contractor attempts to interfere with FSIs may be in breach of the law. The FSD will follow up stringently.
Maintenance, repair or inspection of FSIs must be carried out by registered fire service installation contractors, who will exercise professional judgement and carry out the relevant work in accordance with the FSD’s instructions. Personnel responsible for building maintenance works have no authority to shut down FSIs. It is an extremely irresponsible behaviour for any frontline personnel to shut down FSIs in order to avoid false alarms triggered by the works.
In fact, the FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2021 has already stipulated that disruption to the normal operation of FSIs caused by its shutdown should be kept to the minimum. When carrying out the works, the contractor concerned should adopt a systematic approach in shutting down the affected FSI by phrases and resume its normal operation as soon as practicable. If the affected portion of the system could not be reinstated to normal working condition by the end of a working shift, arrangements should be made for the portion to be isolated with the remainder of the system to be reinstated. Upon completion of the relevant works, the contractor shall issue the relevant Certificate of Fire Service Installations and Equipment in due course.
In respect of the above matters, the FSD earlier held a meeting with the Association of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors of Hong Kong. The trade expressed its full support and indicated its willingness to implement the relevant measures in accordance with the statutory requirements and guidelines.
Issued at HKT 19:48
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Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport today (December 22) and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cocaine and arrested a man. Afterwards, Customs officers also seized three suspected gravity-operated steel batons and two suspected controlled air pistols in the man’s residential premises. The total estimated market value of the seized items was about $4 million.
A 25-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 5kg of suspected cocaine concealed in the false compartments of his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
Later, Customs officers further seized three suspected gravity-operated steel batons and two suspected controlled air pistols in the arrested man’s residence.
The investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, any person found guilty of possession of arms without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.
Under the Weapons Ordinance, any person found guilty of possessing any prohibited weapon is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three years.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).
Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Poland, Sweden and Japan suspended
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 22) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Swedish Board of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Kartuzy District of Pomorskie Region and PoddÄ™bice District of Å�ódzkie Region in Poland, and in Municipality of Höör in Sweden; and an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Okayama 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 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, Hong Kong imported about 1 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland; about 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Sweden; and about 1 540 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 219.73 million poultry eggs from Japan.
“The CFS has contacted the Polish, Swedish 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.
Strategic Committee on Commodities convenes first meeting (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Strategic Committee on Commodities convenes first meeting
Mr Chan said, “Driven by the interplay of several major trends, including the geopolitical situation, technological transformation and green transition, the global supply and demand landscape for commodities such as precious metals, non-ferrous metals, traditional energy and materials related to new energy is undergoing profound changes. As one of the world’s major consumers and importers and exporters of commodities, our country is pressing ahead with high-quality development, firmly advancing towards its dual carbon goals, and stepping up investment in green industries. These developments highlight our country’s strengths in building a global hub for commodity resource allocation. As an international financial, trade and shipping centre, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, with the free flow of capital, goods and information, together with its efficient financial, logistics and professional services and a well-connected transport network. Hong Kong possesses enormous potential in developing the commodities market, enabling it to serve and contribute to the development of our country and the world on this front, while creating more diversified development opportunities for itself.
“In the past year or two, Hong Kong has been actively building a more vibrant commodities ecosystem, from joining the global warehousing network of the London Metal Exchange to facilitate physical metal delivery, to expediting the establishment of an international gold trading market, and we have already taken solid steps in this regard. Looking ahead, Hong Kong needs to, through high‑level government coordination, formulate and implement a comprehensive development strategy for commodities in order to seize future development opportunities.”
He continued, “The Committee brings together leaders from across the commodities trading ecosystem, including finance, commerce and trade, shipping, logistics and professional services sectors to conduct in-depth and comprehensive research into global commodities market trends, thoroughly review the current landscape and trends in areas such as physical trade, financial and derivative trading, as well as shipping and logistics. It will also study the opportunities for developing businesses of various major and emerging categories of commodities in Hong Kong, enhance market mechanisms and regulatory framework, build an industry ecosystem, and explore mutual market access with the Chinese Mainland. The Committee will also provide specific recommendations on the positioning, development planning and promotion strategy for Hong Kong’s commodities market.”
At today’s meeting, the Committee received a briefing on global commodities market trends and Hong Kong’s development potential, and discussed the categories of commodities and key areas that should be prioritised for in-depth study and discussions.
In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed the establishment of the “Strategic Committee on Commodities” to bring together industry representatives with the aim of strengthening the top-down design and long-term strategy of our commodity policy. The membership of the Committee is as follows:
Chairman
——————
Financial Secretary———————————
Mr Angad Banga
Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin
Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen
Ms Clara Chan Yuen-shan
Mr Gary Cheng
Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi
Mr Vincent Chui Yik-chiu
Mr Richard Hext
Mr Ken Huang Jianhua
Ms Liu Sha
Dr Wingco Lo Kam-wing
Mr Dario Pong Chiu-yee
Mr Sham Man-fai
Mr Tiger Shi Chenghu
Mr Harold Wong Tsu-hing
Ms Zhang Hanying
Ms Zhu Jing————————
Deputy Financial Secretary
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Secretary for Development
Secretary for Transport and Logistics
Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit
Government Economist
Representatives from the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, the Insurance Authority, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board and the Airport Authority Hong Kong will attend the meeting as necessary.
Issued at HKT 18:30
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Dispositif d’arrêt de la circulation de la RT1 au niveau du col de la Pirogue
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Le gouvernement, via sa direction des Infrastructures, de la topographie et des transports terrestres (DITTT) informe les usagers de la route de l’installation d’un dispositif d’arrêt de la circulation sur la RT1, au niveau de La Tamoa dans la commune de Païta.
Ce dispositif, implanté entre les routes d’accès aux lotissements de la Tamoa et à la tribu de Saint-Laurent, est destiné aux véhicules circulant dans le sens Tontouta-Nouméa.
Il est composé de feux rouges clignotants, ainsi que d’un signal de danger lumineux et d’un panneau à message variable.
Ce dispositif d’arrêt sera déclenché en cas d’accident de la route ou d’incident sur la chaussée (éboulement, obstacle sur la chaussée, ou autres) dans le col de la Pirogue afin d’arrêter la circulation en direction de Nouméa et de permettre aux services de secours d’intervenir rapidement sur les lieux.
Au déclenchement des feux rouges clignotants, les usagers devront obligatoirement s’arrêter au niveau du dispositif. Une fois l’intervention des secours terminée, la remise en circulation sera effectuée par les forces de l’ordre.
Des essais seront opérés au cours du 1er trimestre 2026 avant la mise en service définitive du dispositif.
Le gouvernement remercie les usagers de la route de respecter les prescriptions, pour leur sécurité et celle des services de secours. La sécurité est l’affaire de tous.
Faire du sport, un pilier du développement social et humain de la Nouvelle-Calédonie
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
À la suite du 2e Haut conseil du sport calédonien, qui s’est tenu jeudi 18 décembre 2025, Mickaël Forrest, membre du gouvernement chargé notamment de la jeunesse et des sports, a animé un point presse afin de présenter :
- les chiffres clés du sport calédonien pour l’année 2025 ;
- les travaux engagés afin de renforcer la structuration du mouvement sportif local ;
- les perspectives et priorités pour l’année 2026.
Deux ans après la signature de la Charte Romain Jacob : renforcer la dynamique commune pour l’accès aux soins des personnes en situation de handicap
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
À l’initiative de Naia Wateou, membre du gouvernement chargée notamment du secteur du handicap, une rencontre consacrée à l’accès aux soins des personnes en situation de handicap a été organisée au Médipôle, à l’occasion des deux ans de la signature de la Charte Romain Jacob en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Ce temps fort, qui a réuni les partenaires institutionnels, sanitaires, médico-sociaux, sociaux et associatifs, avait pour ambition de partager les expériences, d’identifier collectivement les besoins et de dégager des pistes d’amélioration concrètes pour faciliter le parcours de soins.
La Nouvelle-Calédonie officiellement intégrée au programme australien de mobilité des travailleurs (PALM)
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie se félicite de la décision du gouvernement australien d’accorder formellement l’intégration de la Nouvelle-Calédonie au Programme australien de mobilité des travailleurs du Pacifique (PALM – Pacific Australia Labour Mobility), à travers le lancement d’un programme pilote.
Cette décision a été officialisée par un courrier en date du 5 décembre 2025, adressé au président du gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, Alcide Ponga, par la ministre australienne des Affaires étrangères, Penny Wong, et le ministre australien pour le Pacifique, Pat Conroy.