Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The men’s individual competition of the 15th National Games (NG) China Mobile Cup road cycling event will be staged at 9am on November 8 and is expected to conclude at 2.30pm. It is the sole event of the 15th NG that will span across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

     The race covers a total distance of 231.8 kilometres, comprising a 55.8km section in Hong Kong. The race convoy will travel through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and go through the Hong Kong Port, North Lantau Highway and Penny’s Bay Highway. The athletes will return after passing by the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and head back to Zhuhai via the HZMB and Hengqin. It is anticipated that the race convoy will enter the Hong Kong section around 10.20am and spend about one and a half hours in the Hong Kong section.

     To facilitate the holding of the race, temporary control measures will be implemented on the HZMB Hong Kong Port, the HZMB and some roads on that day. Members of the public and visitors should pay attention to the following key points:
 

• Temporary control measures will be implemented on the HZMB westbound from Hong Kong towards Zhuhai/Macao from 7.30am to 12.30pm. The Departure Hall of Passenger Clearance Building and Outbound Vehicle Clearance Plaza of the HZMB Hong Kong Port will close at 6.30am. Travellers or vehicles wishing to leave Hong Kong for Zhuhai or Macao before the implementation of the temporary control measures are required to arrive at the Departure Hall of Passenger Clearance Building or Outbound Vehicle Clearance Plaza of the HZMB Hong Kong Port before 6.30am on the event day in order to undergo departure and clearance procedures.
   
• Cross-boundary (CB) public transport services travelling on the HZMB between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, including the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus), CB coach and bus services of SkyPier Terminal Transfer Coach of Hong Kong International Airport, will be suspended during the implementation of the temporary control.
   
• Temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the North Lantau Highway and roads near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort during the race. Travel time to and from the airport via the North Lantau Highway is expected to increase by about 30 minutes. Travel time to and from the park, hotels and the Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre via Penny’s Bay Highway, Sunny Bay Road, Magic Road and Fantasy Road may be also increased by about 30 minutes. Members of the public and travellers should plan their trips in advance and allow sufficient travel time. They are advised to use railway services, including the Airport Express, the Tung Chung line and the Disneyland Resort line, and avoid driving to the above road sections. Drivers who need to drive to the airport can also consider using the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel.
   
• The departure and clearance services at the HZMB Hong Kong Port will resume after 12.30pm on that day. It is expected that traffic will be busy. Members of the public should note that as the roads within Zhuhai are still closed for the race until about 2.30pm, the Gold Bus from Hong Kong to Zhuhai is expected to provide limited service from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Members of the public are advised to avoid heading to the Hong Kong Port in haste. The Gold Bus from Zhuhai to Hong Kong will resume service at 2.30pm. Meanwhile, the Gold Bus services to/from Macao will resume at 12.30pm. The Transport Department (TD) has instructed the Gold Bus operator to draw up manpower arrangements in advance and reserve sufficient backup vehicles to meet passenger demand upon the resumption of normal boundary-crossing services. Members of the public and travellers who need to travel between Zhuhai and Macao on that day are advised to plan their journeys early and use other land Boundary Control Points (BCPs) as far as possible and pay attention to the traffic control arrangements within Zhuhai.
   
• The Police will set up a temporary restricted flying zone (RFZ), extending 2km outwards from the race track from 9am to 1.30pm on November 8. No small unmanned aircraft, except those authorised, will be permitted to enter the zone. Details of the temporary RFZ will be shown on the electronic portal for small unmanned aircraft “eSUA”.
   
• For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements for the race, please refer to the TD Notice: www.td.gov.hk/en/traffic_notices/index_id_83562.html.
   
• The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) has liaised with relevant government departments and organisations to disseminate information on the relevant BCPs clearance services and transportation arrangements to be implemented for the event to the public, travellers and stakeholders through various channels, including:
   
• The Airport Authority of Hong Kong (AAHK) has reminded airlines to notify members of the public and travellers taking flights on that day to allow sufficient time to travel to the airport and has also issued a circular to inform travellers that CB coach services via the HZMB will be affected. Meanwhile, the AAHK will also issue relevant notices through its website and social media platform.
   
• The Tourism Commission (TC) has informed the hotel sector through their trade associations to remind their guests of the special transportation arrangements. The TC has also informed licensed travel agents through the Travel Industry Authority and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong to avoid bringing tour groups across the HZMB on the event day. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also notified its trade partners and disseminated the relevant information on its website (www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.html) to facilitate visitors’ itinerary planning.
   
• The TD has informed trades including CB goods vehicles, public transport operators (PTOs) such as Gold Bus, CB coach, local non-franchised bus, franchised bus, taxi operators and MTR of the arrangements on that day. The PTOs have been issuing notices gradually to inform passengers. Alert messages were also issued to applicants of Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and the HZMB closed road permit holders on the temporary control measures of the HZMB and the Hong Kong Port on that day. In addition, the TD will alert motorists to the latest traffic information through Full Variable Message Signs in tunnels and control areas concerned. Meanwhile, MTR Corporation Limited will assist to step up public broadcast in all heavy railway stations. The TD will also urge CB and local travellers and members of the public to take heed of various public transport arrangements in CB traffic, travelling to and from the airport and Tung Chung as well as the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and plan their journeys early, via the HKeMobility mobile application, radio, TV and Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk).
   
• The Islands District Office has disseminated the relevant message to residents in the district through the district network (including District Councils, Area Committees and District Committees, Youth Committees, as well as District Services and Community Care Teams). Some Care Teams in the district have set up street stalls and distributed leaflets at various locations in the area for several days before the event day and posted relevant information on social media, so that residents could be informed of the special transportation arrangements on the day of the event and thus plan and adjust their travel accordingly. The Care Teams have also assisted in contacting property management companies and village representatives in the district and requested them to post the above TD notice at conspicuous places for residents’ information. On the day of the event, the Care Teams will deploy staff to inspect the district and provide appropriate assistance to members of the public in need.
   
• The Marine Department has contacted CB ferry operators to increase the frequency of ferry services to Macao according to operational situation on the morning of the event day.
   
• The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has also reminded visitors planning to visit the resort via its official website (www.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/special-notice) and mobile application about the special traffic arrangements on the event day. There may be a possible increase in travel time to and from the resort and the Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre via Magic Road and Fantasy Road due to traffic control measures.
   
• Hong Kong Customs has informed the transport trades of the traffic arrangements on that day and to use other land BCPs as far as possible for entry and exit. Customs has also posted notices at the clearance facilities of the Hong Kong Port and informed the public through its website (www.customs.gov.hk/en/home/index.html) and social media platform.
   
• The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has informed food traders of the arrangements and posted relevant information on the Food Trader Portal and its official website.
   
• The Immigration Department (ImmD) will update the situation of the Hong Kong Port in real time through its mobile application on the event day. Tourists can check the queuing situation of the HZMB Hong Kong Port through the ImmD’s mobile application before travelling, to better plan their itineraries and minimise queuing time.
   
• The Police will also remind the public of the temporary traffic control arrangements through its social media platform (www.facebook.com/HongKongPoliceForce).

     In addition, the 15th NG road cycling (women’s individual) event will be held on November 9. Though the race course will mainly be located in Zhuhai and will not affect the HZMB and clearance services at the port, some of the roads in Zhuhai will be closed due to the event. No regular public transport services will be provided for the artificial island of Zhuhai. From 7.30am to 11.30am that day, only limited services for routes departing for Zhuhai will be provided by Gold Bus. Members of the public are advised to avoid taking Gold Bus to Zhuhai during the abovementioned periods. Moreover, some of the ferry services between Hong Kong and Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port will also be suspended on November 8 and 9.

     To facilitate a better viewing experience, a public viewing zone will be set up on the footpath of Fantasy Road located outside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which can accommodate a few hundred spectators. Members of the public may come to cheer the athletes and enjoy the race there. The Police will implement crowd management measures subject to area conditions. Members of the public are advised to follow instructions of the Police and staff on site. As temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the race route at the North Lantau Highway, members of the public should take the MTR to the Disneyland Resort station as far as possible to reach the designated viewing zone. The Guangdong competition region has commissioned the China Central Television as the host broadcaster to provide live webcast of the event. All rights-holding broadcasters, including the three local free television broadcasters and Radio Television Hong Kong, will be conferred the live signal.
    
​A spokesperson for the NGCO said that as the NG is the country’s highest-level event, this event has to meet stringent requirements regarding race course selection and organisational arrangements to ensure athletes’ safety. Relevant departments will work together to facilitate the special traffic and transportation arrangements to minimise the impact on the public and travellers who usually use the HZMB and other related road sections. Members of the public and travellers who need to travel to and from Zhuhai or Macao are urged to plan their itineraries in advance and use other control points and public transport as far as possible. The spokesperson thanked the public and travellers for their understanding, as well as the contributions of various organisations and departments implementing the relevant arrangements.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The men’s individual competition of the 15th National Games (NG) China Mobile Cup road cycling event will be held on November 8, starting at 9am and expected to conclude at 2.30pm. To facilitate the holding of the race, temporary control measures will be implemented on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port, the HZMB and nearby roads.

Such measures will be imposed on the HZMB westbound from Hong Kong towards Zhuhai/Macau from 7.30am to 12.30pm. The HZMB Hong Kong Port’s Passenger Clearance Building Departure Hall and Outbound Vehicle Clearance Plaza will close at 6.30am.

Cross-boundary public transport services on the HZMB between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau, including the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus), cross-boundary coach and bus services of the SkyPier Terminal Transfer Coach of Hong Kong International Airport, will be suspended.

Traffic control measures will be implemented on the North Lantau Highway and roads near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort during the race. As such, travel time to and from the airport via the North Lantau Highway is expected to increase by about 30 minutes. Travel time to and from the park, hotels and the Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre via Penny’s Bay Highway, Sunny Bay Road, Magic Road and Fantasy Road may be also increased by about 30 minutes. Drivers who need to drive to the airport may consider using the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel.

The departure and clearance services at the HZMB Hong Kong Port will resume after 12.30pm on November 8.

As the roads within Zhuhai are still closed for the race until about 2.30pm, the Gold Bus from Hong Kong to Zhuhai is expected to provide limited service from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. The Gold Bus from Zhuhai to Hong Kong will resume service at 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Gold Bus services to and from Macau will resume at 12.30pm.

Separately, the 15th NG road cycling (women’s individual) event will be held on November 9. Though the race course will mainly be located in Zhuhai and will not affect the HZMB and clearance services at the port, no regular public transport services will be provided for the artificial island of Zhuhai. From 7.30am to 11.30am that day, only limited services for routes departing for Zhuhai will be provided by Gold Bus.

Click here for the latest traffic notices.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 5) released the ninth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in October, covering six survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	October 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Kowloon City	Hung Hom	11.5%	1.3
	Kai Tak North	15.0%	1.3
North	Fanling	0.0%	N/A
Yuen Long	Tin Shui Wai	0.8%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Tsuen Wan Town	0.0%	N/A
	Ma Wan	2.1%	N/A

Among the ninth batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas in October, all were below 10 per cent, except two survey areas, Hung Hom and Kai Tak North in Kowloon City District.

For the two survey areas in Kowloon City District that recorded an index over 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the recent chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. In particular, the gravidtrap data for Hung Hom and Kai Tak North showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, public housing estates and construction sites. The relevant departments and stakeholders are actively following up on the mosquito control work. The FEHD will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify the residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together on mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD continues to strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap indexes in these two areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

The FEHD has so far released nine batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in October 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 43 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index the previous month, i.e. September 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Nineteen other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
• change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD is disseminating the relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

​​Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (November 5) that stalls at the 2026 Che Kung Festival (CKF) Fair will be put up for open auction on November 19 (Wednesday).

A spokesman for the FEHD said that the annual CKF Fair will be held for 18 consecutive days from February 14 to March 3, 2026, at Chui Tin Street Soccer Pitch in Sha Tin. A total of 48 dry goods stalls will be put up for auction, with an upset price of $2,770.

The auction will be held at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon on November 19 (Wednesday) from 9am until completion of the auction.

Bidders for CKF Fair stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. Anyone can bid for more than one stall. A bidder must pay the bid price and register in person with his or her own name as the licensee of the stall immediately after successfully bidding for a stall. The bidder is also required to sign at once a licence agreement with the FEHD, or he/she will forfeit the right to operate the stall.

The CKF Fair site will be made available to the licensees two days in advance of the fair (February 12 and 13, 2026) for the setting up of stalls. In the event of any unforeseeable incident that will cause a shortening of the whole licence period (including the duration for setting up stalls and the business period of the fair), the Government has the right to postpone the commencement date and shorten the duration of the period. The bidding price (licence fee) paid will be refunded to the successful bidder on a pro-rata basis without interest.

The FEHD reminded licensees that the stalls are solely for the purpose of selling and promoting the sale of the permitted commodities, and no other activities are allowed in the licensed area. If the FEHD considers that any activity conducted by the licensee to publicise, promote, display, show, sell or gift any permitted commodities in the venue is unlawful, contrary to the interest of national security, immoral or incompatible with the object of the CKF Fair, the FEHD is entitled to direct the licensee to stop conducting such activities, and the licensee must immediately comply with the direction.

Stall licensees should not destroy, damage or abandon any unsold commodities at or in the vicinity of the stall. They must completely remove the stall structure and all paraphernalia, together with all refuse, debris and unsold commodities (whether damaged or otherwise) from the licensed area before 10pm on March 3, 2026.

According to the licence agreement, licensees shall not keep, store or use any compressed helium cylinders in the licenced area. Sales of floating LED glowing balloons and aquarium fish by stall licensees are prohibited at the CKF Fair.

In addition, as stated in the licence agreement, the height of dry goods stalls must not exceed 3 metres from ground level. Also, each corner and anchor point of the marquee (if any) shall be securely fastened using appropriate ballast weights, such as sandbags or purpose-designed marquee water weights. During the period when the Strong Monsoon Signal is in force or to be issued, the licensee shall immediately inspect the stall and adopt reinforcement measures as necessary.

Successful bidders shall comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the FEHD is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.

Details of the 2026 CKF Fair such as the public notice, the location and layout of the fair venue, commodities allowed for sale at the fair stalls, open auction arrangements and related rules as well as a sample of the licence agreement, are available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call the FEHD’s Sha Tin District Environmental Hygiene Office at 2634 0134.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Yuen Long this morning (November 5) in which a woman died.

The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hongkong Post announced today (November 5) that six sets of special stamps on various themes will be issued from January to June 2026. Each stamp issue has its own ingenious design and distinctive style, making the stamps valuable collectables for philatelists and the public.

With profound cultural value, the 12 Chinese zodiac signs are an important symbol of Chinese tradition. To welcome the Year of the Horse, Hongkong Post will release the third issue of the fifth Lunar New Year special stamp series. Against backgrounds of festive colours, the set of four stamps and two stamp sheetlets features horses in various poses, embellished with auspicious motifs. The overall design vividly conveys an atmosphere of galloping horses in celebration of the Year of the Horse. The motif on the $50 laser-cut paper art stamp sheetlet is laser-cut with exquisite technique to create a classic, delicate silhouette of a horse, rendering the stamp sheetlet a prestigious collectible in the Year of the Horse. In addition, Hongkong Post will present a Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Snake/Horse as a token of good wishes for the new year. The snake and the horse on the stamps are adorned with silver and 22-carat gold hot foil stamping respectively for a lustrous and elegant charm, adding an auspicious touch to the Lunar New Year. In addition, China Post, Hongkong Post and Macao Post and Telecommunications will jointly issue the “Year of the Horse” Joint Souvenir Pack. The Joint Souvenir Pack contains the souvenir sheet jointly issued by the three postal administrations, demonstrating that the three places share the same roots and cultural lineage. Relevant details and sales arrangements will be announced in due course.

Xubaizhai Collection of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy was founded by the renowned art connoisseur Mr Low Chuck-tiew (1911–1993) as a home for the collection he donated to the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 1989. It encompasses masterpieces dating from the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties through to the 20th century. Hongkong Post will issue under the “Hong Kong Museums Collection” series themed “Xubaizhai Collection” stamps. This set of stamps features paintings selected from the exhibition “Life Planning of the Chinese Literati: Selected Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Xubaizhai Collection”, showcasing the artistic expression of traditional Chinese literati.

Subsequent to the release of the “Old Master Q” special stamps in 2019, Hongkong Post will issue a new set of special stamps themed “Old Master Q II” featuring various festive celebrations, including the Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas. Characters from the Old Master Q comics are depicted immersed in the rich festive atmosphere, showcasing Hong Kong’s vibrancy and unique charm in the miniature wonders.

Succinct, expressive and full of philosophies of life, Chinese idioms serve as an important resource for language learning and cultural inheritance. Following the “Chinese Idioms and Their Stories” stamps issued in 2006, 2011 and 2024, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps on the theme of “Children Stamps – Animals in Chinese Idioms” to enhance children’s knowledge of and interest in Chinese language, as well as to inspire their positive thinking, through lively illustrations of Chinese idioms containing animal elements.

To raise public awareness of road safety, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps and a stamp sheetlet on the theme of “Road Safety”. The stamps adopt vivid colours and compositions to depict different scenarios, demonstrating the correct attitudes of drivers, pedestrians, passengers and cyclists in using the roads, with a view to reminding the public about road safety.

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade was inscribed onto the third National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011 and the first Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in 2017. Legend has it that Tai O was hit by a plague over a century ago, and fishermen carried the deity statues they received from four local temples onto sampans, which were towed by dragon boats to parade along the waterways. To this day, traditional fishermen’s associations in Tai O remain committed to preserving and promoting this folk tradition. Hongkong Post will release special stamps on the theme of “Intangible Cultural Heritage – Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade” to promote this intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong, letting the public appreciate the essence of local traditional culture.

Customers may place advance orders for the above new stamp products from today on Hongkong Post’s online shopping platform ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk). Customers may also visit the Facebook page “郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps” (www.facebook.com/HKPStamps) for more details. Customers who place orders by November 21 (Friday) will receive attractive gifts and bonus points. Further information about placing orders can be obtained from the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025 today (November 5):

Professor Timothy Tong (Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum), Dr Colin Lam (Vice Chairman of Henderson Land Group and Director of Lee Shau Kee Foundation), Dr Raymand Chan (Chair of The Shaw Prize Foundation), Shaw Laureates, young scientists, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a great pleasure to join you today for the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum, the second edition.

I’m delighted and honoured to welcome the distinguished Shaw Laureates, together with 200 exceptional young scientists from Hong Kong and around the world.

As Professor Tong noted, this Forum was created to support science, globally and locally, and to fast-track Hong Kong’s rise as an innovation and technology hub. Today’s venue, the Hong Kong Science Park, our flagship I&T centre, perfectly reflects that ambition.

Hong Kong is fast emerging as an international I&T centre. In September, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster topped the Global Innovation Index ranking of the world’s top 100 innovation clusters.

Talent drives technology. Hong Kong recognises the important role young scientists play in advancing science and technology, which is why we invited some 200 of you here for this year’s four-day Forum.

It’s also why our Government has developed a series of policies to attract strategic talent to Hong Kong.

The results are encouraging. Hong Kong ranked first in Asia, and fourth in the world, in this year’s World Talent Ranking. And we topped the world in the “graduates in sciences” category.

In September, we launched HK$3 billion, approximately US$386 million, the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme. It’s designed to help our eight publicly funded universities recruit top scientists and researchers to Hong Kong, and to build the facilities they need to conduct breakthrough research.

Hong Kong is home to five universities that rank among the global top 100. They are producing cutting-edge researches and training the next generation scientists and innovators.

We are also establishing an advanced I&T system, integrating three major I&T parks and five key research and development institutes.

We’re doing so under the principle of promoting technology with talent, leading industries with technology and attracting talent with industries. The goal is to grow our talent pool, boost innovation, and support our country’s science and technology development.

This Forum has a packed schedule. Our young scientists can look forward to panel discussions, a public forum and, for some, a day trip to Shenzhen. Shaw Laureates will be speaking at many of these events.

And, of course, the many chances to meet and exchange ideas will be equally rewarding. I have no doubt that the Forum, and all those taking part in it, will spark fresh insights and new collaborations.

For that, I am grateful to the organiser, the Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum. My thanks also go to the principal sponsor, the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, and to the Forum’s major partner, the Shaw Prize Foundation.

Science needs brilliant minds, and our society needs engaged citizens. For those of you from Hong Kong, I encourage you to vote at the December 7 Legislative Council election, to bring your dedication from the laboratory to the ballot box.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all the best in your scientific work, and a memorable week here in Hong Kong.

Our city is also a rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. From the West Kowloon Cultural District, one of the world’s largest arts and culture developments, to our beautiful country parks, our famous food and our vibrant night life, the good life is all around you. Enjoy it all.

Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) announced today (November 5) that the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme) will be enhanced starting tomorrow (November 6) to offer participants with more convenient and flexible medical laboratory service arrangements in the community.

     The Government launched the CDCC Pilot Scheme in November 2023 to enable Hong Kong residents aged 45 or above with no known medical history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension to receive screening for related chronic diseases through medical laboratory services in the private sector. To continuously enhance the medical laboratory services for the CDCC Pilot Scheme, participants may opt to receive blood taking, return specimens and receive other laboratory services at any service point of participating medical laboratories by presenting the laboratory service request note issued by their participating family doctors from November 6 onwards, and they will no longer be confined to going to the service points of the single designated medical laboratory as in the past. The number of service points for medical laboratories will also increase from 24 to 63, while the laboratory service co-payment fees for participants will remain unchanged. All medical laboratories participating in the CDCC Pilot Scheme have been accredited under the eHealth+ Connectivity Accreditation Scheme, and citizens’ laboratory reports will be deposited into their personal eHealth account for access by citizens as well as their authorised healthcare personnel and caregivers.

     Apart from receiving services at service points of participating medical laboratories, CDCC Pilot Scheme participants can also make appointments at the District Health Centres/Expresses in all 18 districts in Hong Kong to receive blood taking or return specimens. To offer more convenience for participants, individual family doctors also provide the value-added service option of blood taking and specimen collection directly to participants at their clinics. If participants opt for this service, their family doctors may charge them an additional fee on top of the laboratory service co-payment fees.

     The aforementioned enhancement measures will also apply to the General Outpatient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme (GOPC PPP) under the Hospital Authority. (Note) Participants in the CDCC Pilot Scheme and the GOPC PPP may scan the QR code on the laboratory service referral note, refer to the following websites of the Scheme/Programme, or call relevant hotlines for information on the applicable service points of designated laboratory service providers, opening hours, and co-payment details:

CDCC Pilot Scheme
Website: www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc/en
Hotline: 2157 0500 (answered by dedicated staff from 9am to 9pm, Mondays to Saturdays)

GOPC PPP
Website: www.ha.org.hk/ppp/gopcppp
Hotline: 2300 7300 (answered by dedicated staff from 9am to 9pm, Mondays to Saturdays)

     The PHC commission will continue to deepen the development of the CDCC Pilot Scheme to cover more target diseases and health conditions, as well as to develop related support services, including nursing, allied health, pharmacy, laboratory, pharmaceutical, and radiological diagnostics.

Note: The GOPC PPP is expected to end in 2028; patients participating in the Programme will be invited to join the CDCC Pilot Scheme in a progressive manner to receive continued and comprehensive care from family doctors in the community.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs detected two air freight smuggling cases of suspected precious metal on October 3 and 16, and seized about 60 kilograms of gold-silver alloy and about 80kg of suspected gold, with a total estimated market value of about $100 million, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Based on risk assessment, Customs examined an outbound air cargo consignment, declared as carrying ceramic tea trays departing for Japan, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA on October 3, and examined an outbound air cargo consignment, declared as carrying garment materials, labels and fabric samples departing for Vietnam, on October 16. Upon inspection, Customs officers found 126 gold-silver alloy discs weighing about 60kg in total and three suspected gold cuboids weighing about 80kg in total from the cargo consignments respectively.

An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
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Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Chen Jiachang co-chaired the 19th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee held in Hong Kong today (November 5).

Professor Sun said at the meeting that the National 15th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub. This demonstrates the country’s expectation and confidence that Hong Kong will play a more active role in building a technologically advanced nation in the future, and reflects the country’s affirmation of the commitment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in innovation and technology (I&T) development. The HKSAR Government will proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan, seize the significant opportunities brought about by the country’s development, and leverage its own unique advantages.

Professor Sun said that the HKSAR Government is implementing in an orderly manner the direction and strategies as set out in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, strategically allocating resources to strengthen the efficient collaboration among the Government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors with a view to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. With three major I&T parks and five key research and development (R&D) institutions as the development framework, the HKSAR Government will proactively promote the synergistic development among upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem, with a view to supporting Hong Kong’s high-quality development, and serving the country’s needs with Hong Kong’s own strengths.

Professor Sun also expressed his gratitude to the Central Government and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) for their staunch support for Hong Kong’s I&T development over the years. In addition to the restructuring of the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong, Mainland ministries and commissions have continuously expanded the national science and technology (S&T) programmes open to Hong Kong, allowing more in-depth participation of Hong Kong scientists in the national S&T programmes, thereby further deepening the I&T co-operation and exchanges of the two sides, and allowing Hong Kong to further contribute to the S&T development of the country. 

Looking ahead, Professor Sun said that the HKSAR Government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to deepen the co-operation and exchanges in I&T with the Mainland. Among them, promoting the cross-boundary flow of innovation elements in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone) is a key area in deepening the co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Capitalising on the “one zone, two parks” advantage, the HKSAR Government will continue to liaise closely with relevant parties on the future development of the Hetao Co-operation Zone with a view to implementing the measures on the cross-boundary flow of innovation elements. 

“As a core city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) serving as one of the core engines for regional development, the HKSAR Government will continue to collaborate with GBA sister cities for joint developments, promote the high-quality I&T development of the region, better integrate into and serve the overall national development, and contribute to the high-quality development and high-level technological self-reliance of the country. We will continue to establish Hong Kong as an international I&T centre at full strength and full speed, and accelerate the formation and development of new quality productive forces with Hong Kong’s competitive edge. We will also continue to proactively capitalise on Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, and Hong Kong’s dual roles in bringing in and going global, with a view to becoming a bridge connecting the country and the world, including Belt and Road countries and regions, in I&T collaboration, and to better serve the country’s high-quality development”, he added.

Mainland members attending the meeting included representatives from MOST, 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, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, the Beijing-Hong Kong Exchange of Personnel Centre, the National Health Commission, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, the Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and the Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality.

The Hong Kong delegation comprised representatives from the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Digital Policy Office, the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre, the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering and the Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians.