Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

I still remember that when I addressed the inaugural Summit in 2022, a time when the world was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, I said the event showed that Hong Kong was onstage again.

Three years on, I am proud to say that Hong Kong now shines on the global stage, radiating prosperity, confidence and much-needed reassurance.

Do not just take my word for it. In September, the Canadian-based Fraser Institute ranked Hong Kong as the freest economy in the world – that is number one in economic freedom. Also this September, the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), in its World Talent Ranking, rated us fourth in the world and first in Asia – our highest-ever ranking in the report.

Still with the IMD, Hong Kong finished third in its World Competitiveness Yearbook this year, up two places from 2024. And in the Global Financial Centres Index, we placed third in the world, just one point back of London, and two behind New York.

Ladies and gentlemen, you are here, some 300 global financial leaders from all over the world, including more than 100 group chairpersons and CEOs, to see Hong Kong for yourselves. You are here, too, to get the latest financial and investment insight and intelligence, from the summit’s high-profile speakers, and to network with a world of like-minded aficionados of finance.

I am sure you enjoyed last night’s Welcome Dinner at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, where East meets West in a dazzling integration of modern architecture and traditional Chinese cultural elements. Because more than global rankings, Hong Kong also dazzles with cultural diversity.

The theme of this 2025 Summit, “Trekking through Shifting Terrain”, resonates with yet another facet of Hong Kong’s inimitable appeal. I am talking about our remarkable network of prized hiking trails. You can explore them in our 25 country parks, covering about 40% of Hong Kong’s total land area. Waiting for you, and your hiking boots.

Trekking through trails, marked and unmarked, shares a good many similarities with what financial leaders – all of you here today –  face every day in this time of geopolitical uncertainty, market volatility and headlong technological advance.

I am here to tell you that there’s firm footing in Hong Kong, your steadfast partner. We offer certainty and clarity, together with confidence and opportunity, for global investors and businesses seeking to diversify their assets and minimise risks.

For the next few minutes, allow me to put a spotlight on two elements of compelling interest to all of you here: our financial markets and fintech.

Hong Kong’s financial markets remain vibrant, despite the uncertain global outlook. Our stock market has soared over 30%, year-to-date, while average daily turnover has exceeded US$32 billion, nearly double that of last year.

In the first ten months of the year, Hong Kong recorded 80 initial public offerings (IPOs), raising over US$26 billion – and that, I am pleased to say, puts us number one in IPO fundraising worldwide.

To maintain the momentum, we are pressing ahead with reforms to the listing regime, enabling the financing of overseas companies, enhancing trading and risk management efficiency, and promoting the trading of stocks in renminbi.

In September, we published a Roadmap for the Development of Fixed Income & Currency Markets. It is designed to attract primary market issuance, boost secondary market liquidity, expand our offshore renminbi business, and develop next-generation infrastructure.

It will offer global investors more choices, as they seek to re-allocate assets, and help companies raise funds in these mutable times.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is poised to become the world’s largest cross-boundary wealth management centre in the next few years. To fast track that development, we are enhancing the preferential tax regimes for funds, single-family offices and carried interest, to make the sector all the more attractive.

We are also pursuing new growth areas, including building an international gold trading market. That rides on the substantial global demand for gold as a hedging investment product and reserve asset.

Then there is financial technology. Blockchain and artificial intelligence are reshaping financial markets at an unprecedented pace. They can bring tangible benefits to financial markets and the real economy, enhancing efficiency and reducing transaction costs.

Hong Kong is home to more than 1,200 fintech companies. In September’s Global Financial Centres Index, we ranked number one, globally, in fintech.

No surprise to the 37,000 professionals here from more than 100 economies, for Hong Kong Fintech Week and the StartmeupHK Festival, which opened yesterday. It is, by the way, the 10th anniversary editions of both international gatherings, drawing in fintech and startup enthusiasts to our enterprising city.

In June, we published our second policy statement on digital asset development, a refreshed take on our determination to establish Hong Kong as a global hub for digital assets.

We are working with our regulators on a future-proof regulatory regime, key to enabling the healthy and sustainable development of digital assets in Hong Kong.

Licensing aside, our sandboxes allow promising fintech applications to be tested in controlled environments. Among them, Project Ensemble explores the tokenisation of assets, and the development of common industry standards.

The Monetary Authority will promote live transactions of tokenised assets, exploring tokenisation’s potential in digital trade and other areas.

Trekking through shifting terrain is not a recommended solitary behaviour, for companies or for economies. It is why I am grateful for the continuing support of market leaders – of all of you here today.

Hong Kong was built on reaching out, on seeking international partnerships and mutual opportunities. Our unique “one country, two systems” framework enables that, allowing Hong Kong to reach out to a world of prospects, while maintaining unparalleled access to China, our country.

I have just returned, this Sunday, from Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting. There, I had the pleasure of representing Hong Kong, China, a full and separate member of APEC, and meeting and working with leaders from a world of economies, to advance the important cause of open trade and multilateralism.

Later today, I will depart for Shanghai to attend the China International Import Expo. Also joining the expo will be 380 Hong Kong companies, which will promote their products and services, and put a bright spotlight on the Hong Kong brand.

The Shanghai trip will also mark the first major promotional event by the newly established GoGlobal Task Force. The task force will make it easy for Mainland companies to find foreign markets and global capital, as the world looks to our country for its quality products and services.

In finance, the term “leverage” refers to the use of borrowed funds for further investments. Here in Hong Kong, we leverage more than funds. We leverage our financial prowess for the benefit of investors, economies and, importantly, humanity.

I am pleased to note that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) announced, just yesterday, that it will set up an office in Hong Kong. The AIIB is a multilateral development bank that supports developing countries in infrastructure improvements.

As a committed member of the AIIB, Hong Kong will do all we can to support its establishment of an office here. That includes leveraging our vibrant capital markets, world-class professional services, and diversified products. We will also help the AIIB in project financing, bond issuance, investment management, and much more.

These examples, ladies and gentlemen, are more than business missions, meeting dignitaries and commercial operations. They are “one country, two systems” hard at work. They are shining examples of how the principle – how Hong Kong – helps connect the world with the Chinese market.

My thanks to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, this summit’s main organiser, and to each and every one of you for your invaluable presence.

When you are here, do make the most of all that Hong Kong has to offer. That includes the scenic hiking trails I have mentioned. That also includes this very hotel we are at, which I am glad to say has just been crowned number one in the World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking. And our many Michelin-starred restaurants and award-winning bars – one of which came first in the World’s 50 Best Bars last month, recognised as the world’s best bar.

Asia’s best, world’s best – all here for you to experience. To eat, drink, sleep, and spend some good time in. Some good money in!

Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit on November 4.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, at the Super Terminal Expo 2025 today (November 4):

Fred (Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam), Ms Zhang (Director General of Department of Development Planning of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Ms Zhang Qing), Margaret (President and Chief Executive Officer of Informa Markets in Asia, Ms Margaret Ma Connolly), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong ranks fourth globally in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) 2025, published by the International Institute for Management Development.

The city’s latest ranking is up three places, having also risen three places last year.

Among the three factors under consideration, Hong Kong remains in third place on technology and fifth on knowledge, while its ranking on future readiness improved by five places to tenth.

At the sub-factoral level, Hong Kong ranks top on technological framework and adaptive attitudes, and ranks in the top five on talent and on training and education.

The Government highlighted that the ranking continues to recognise Hong Kong as one of the most digitally competitive economies in the world.

It outlined that the country supports Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, adding that the Government is striving to enhance the strategic layout of the city’s I&T infrastructure through establishing three major I&T parks and five key research and development institutions to drive I&T development and cultivate new quality productive forces.

Hong Kong enjoys staunch national support, strong international prospects, a thriving start-up ecosystem, a free, open and fair business environment, and a simple, low tax system, making it well positioned to attract enterprises, talent and technology from around the world, the Government said.

In his 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced a series of measures aimed at realising Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T centre.

Moreover, the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone will commence operations this year. The Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation &Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole will also be published this year. 

The Government stressed that going forward it will continue to promote closer collaboration with various sectors, consolidate and enhance its competitive edge in the global market, and foster the cultivation of new quality productive forces.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit today (November 4):

Honourable Executive Deputy Director Xu Qifang (Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council), Honourable Director Zhou Ji (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Honourable Deputy Governor Lu Lei (Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China), Honourable Vice Minister Zhou Liang (Vice Minister of the National Financial Regulatory Administration), Honourable Vice Chairman Li Ming (Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission), Honourable Acting Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR), Mr Eddie Yue (Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Around forty personnel from the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, the Justice Bureau of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and other mainland municipalities, the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the Department of Justice (DoJ) attended the Training Course for Legal Departments in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area today (November 3). The course, organised by the DoJ and held for the first time in Hong Kong, aims to deepen the participants’ understanding of Hong Kong’s legal system and strengthen legal exchanges and practical co-operation in the GBA.
 
     The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province Mr Chen Yongkang; and Deputy Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government Mr Iao Hin-chit, attended the opening ceremony this morning.
 
     Dr Cheung emphasised at the ceremony that in order to promote the construction of the rule of law in the GBA, personnel from the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao legal departments should have an in-depth understanding of the advantages of the three jurisdictions, and pursue joint development through enhanced understanding and collaboration. This is also the consensus of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference.
　
     Dr Cheung said the legal exchanges and practical co-operation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have deepened with fruitful results since the establishment of the joint conference mechanism. The training course, organised by the three places in rotation, is also a key training project under the joint conference mechanism. The first and second courses were held in Macao and Guangzhou in 2023 and 2024 respectively, while the third course is held in Hong Kong for the first time this year.
 
     Dr Cheung said that the three-day course in Hong Kong, organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, had three features. First, the course would focus on core topics, covering the key elements and unique advantages of Hong Kong’s common law system; and the administrative, legislative and judicial systems, as well as the law drafting and formulation process of the Hong Kong SAR Government. The lectures would be delivered by senior DoJ colleagues, public officers and industry experts with rich practical experience. Second, the course would cover a variety of visits, including visits to the legislature and law enforcement agencies, arbitration institutions and attendance in court hearings, enabling participants to understand first-hand the practice of Hong Kong’s legal system. Third, the course would cover sharing of practical experience on specific topic. Representatives from Guangdong, Macao and Hong Kong will share their experience in promoting family mediation mechanism during sharing sessions on family mediation practices to promote in-depth exchanges and mutual learning between the three places at the practical level.
 
     He encouraged the participants to raise questions and exchange actively to deepen their understanding of each other’s systems and practices.
 
Dr Cheung said that the Academy will continue to capitalise on Hong Kong’s bilingual common law system and international status and provide platforms for capacity building, knowledge and experience sharing for legal professionals including those in the GBA, and contribute to the country’s construction of foreign-related rule of law. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) welcomes the announcement by the Mainland authorities today (November 3) about a series of new measures to support high-level opening up and high-quality development. These measures include the expansion of application of the exit endorsement for talents to Tianjin, Hebei Province, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province, as well as all pilot free trade zones across the country with effect from November 5, 2025; implementation of “facial recognition” intelligent exit-entry clearance at various ports in the Chinese Mainland, including the Huanggang, Luohu, Liantang, Futian and Wenjindu Ports in Shenzhen, as well as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port; facilitating the efficient cross-boundary flow of production factors within the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (HTCZ SZ Park); and the addition of four ports connecting Hong Kong as the entry ports under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
 
The talent exit endorsement has been implemented in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on a pilot basis since February 20, 2023, with a view to facilitating specified categories of GBA Mainland talents’ travel to Hong Kong for exchanges and visits. Its scope of application was expanded to Beijing and Shanghai in May 2024. As of October 2025, more than 74 000 arrivals in Hong Kong were visitors holding the talent exit endorsement. On the solid policy foundation of promoting “southbound and northbound” two-way talent flow, the current measure of expanding the application of the talent exit endorsement will attract and bring more Mainland talents to Hong Kong for exchanges, thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s attractiveness in pooling talents and strengthening its unique role as the country’s international talent hub.
 
On the other hand, the HKSAR Government also welcomes the implementation of “facial recognition” intelligent exit-entry clearance by the Mainland authorities at various ports in the Chinese Mainland that are open for navigation and passage with Hong Kong. This arrangement allows travellers to complete clearance without presenting their physical travel documents, making cross‑boundary travel more convenient and efficient. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance clearance efficiency at the control points in Hong Kong and improve visitors’ experience, capitalising on these measures.
 
The HKSAR Government welcomes the implementation of a series of measures at the HTCZ SZ Park, which facilitate Hong Kong-Shenzhen innovation and technology collaboration and the efficient cross-boundary flow of factors of production. The Government will continue to actively collaborate with the Mainland authorities, including introducing innovative and convenient clearance arrangements at the Hong Kong Park, thereby promoting efficient and convenient cross-boundary travel for innovation and technology talents, and further contributing to the high-quality development of the GBA.
 
At the same time, the HKSAR Government also welcomes the Mainland authorities to further enhance the 240-hour visa-free transit policy by adding four ports connecting Hong Kong as the entry ports under the policy, thereby attracting international visitors to take Hong Kong as their entry stop or transit point in their multi-destination travel itineraries to our country, and fully leveraging Hong Kong’s position as an international tourism hub.
 
The HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities, with a view to facilitating exchanges through more innovative policies and enabling Hong Kong to further integrate into the national development, thereby creating stronger impetus of growth for Hong Kong and the entire GBA.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, The Hong Kong Printers Association (HKPA) today (November 3) staged an international summit and symposium to discuss the latest developments of printing standardisation and colour management, with a view to enhancing new quality productive forces in the printing industry. Certificates were also presented to 19 printing companies which completed the training and were accredited under the project sponsored by CCIDA.
 
CCIDA funded the HKPA to organise the Colour．Method．Master: GBA ReCreates the World’s Colour project last year to promote the “Requirements for calculation and application of Colour Tone Value (CTV) in print workflow” (CTV standard), which was steered and composed by the Advanced Printing Technology Centre of the HKPA, and expand the scope of its application through the CTV Pilot Scheme and Production of CTV Characterisation Dataset. The CTV standard was included by the Standardization Research Center for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in the list of GBA Standards in May 2025, making it the first GBA Standard for printing industry.

Speaking at the event, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, acknowledged the efforts by Hong Kong, as one of the four major printing centres in the world, in contributing to the development of the country’s printing industry. He said that Hong Kong has steered the first GBA Standard of printing industry which enables the printing companies in the country to have a more effective printing colour management standard and method of our own, thereby helping improve the printing quality. 

At the CTV Certificate Presentation Ceremony, Mr Lau and Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip, presented certificates of “CTV Certified Printer” to 19 printing companies from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Malaysia which completed the training under the pilot scheme. They will help promote CTV standard in China and overseas.
 
Also, the Production of CTV Characterisation Dataset recruited printing companies in the GBA to generate characterisation datasets by using the CTV standard on different printing materials to expand the scope of applications.
 
Apart from sharing by CTV certified printers, the Global Printing Standardisation and ICC Colour Symposium today also invited printing experts from the Chinese Mainland, the United States and Germany to introduce the latest developments of printing standardisation and colour management for GBA printing companies to further enhance their productivity and product quality.
 
In addition, the ISO/TC 130 39th Working Groups and Plenary Meeting will be held in Hong Kong from tomorrow (November 4) to November 8 with attendance of over 60 experts from around the world with an aim to promote the development and updating of international printing standards. The event is also sponsored by CCIDA.
 
For more information on Colour．Method．Master: GBA ReCreates the World’s Colour project, please visit www.ctv-aptec.org/colour-method-master/.   

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit Welcome Dinner today (November 3):

Deputy Commissioner Mr Hua You (Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Eddie (Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

      Good evening. It is a pleasure to join you tonight at the welcome dinner for this year’s Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit. 

      I hope you’ve brought your appetite. Tonight’s carefully curated menu features a fusion of culinary cultures – a hallmark of Hong Kong’s unique ability to blend the best of East and West.

     Of course, the essence of this evening lies in your presence, in the international diversity you represent, and in the breadth of insight and experience you bring to the Main Summit, tomorrow morning.

    This year’s theme, “Trekking through Shifting Terrain”, aptly captures the moment we’re in. From trade to finance, from geopolitics to the global economy, we are navigating uncertain, often volatile terrain.

    But before we dive into tomorrow’s full schedule, allow me to say a few words about the city that hosts you tonight: Hong Kong.

    For our financial services sector, it has been a rewarding year. By firmly adhering to the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong is shining as a preferred destination for global investors, and as a two-way platform for Mainland businesses going global and international businesses tapping into the Chinese and broader Asian markets.

   Our stock market has risen by some 30 per cent, on top of the 18 per cent increase last year. IPO (initial public offering) activity is leading the world so far, with a very strong pipeline. The asset and wealth management business is flourishing, as evidenced by the expansion of several global financial institutions in the city. In the bond market – such as green and sustainable bonds – Hong Kong stands as a regional leader in Asia. 

    And from tokenised assets to stablecoins, Hong Kong’s fintech sector is also making its mark – setting global standards and pioneering innovations that define the financial landscape of tomorrow. 

    But Hong Kong is more than just a financial centre. We are building a new engine of growth powered by innovation and technology. We know for a fact that they are central to any economy’s long-term competitiveness. They are central to a more diverse economic structure and thus the resilience of our economy, and instrumental to our commitment to inclusive growth. It is also important in the context of our role in the national development strategy of developing the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) as an I&T (innovation and technology) hub. 

    We focus on four strategic sectors: AI, biotech, fintech as well as new energy and new materials. 

    The carrier of this vision is the Northern Metropolis.

    Occupying one-third of Hong Kong’s landmass and adjacent to Shenzhen, the Northern Metropolis will become the innovation and technology hub of Hong Kong. 

    As outlined in the Policy Address by the Chief Executive this year, we are accelerating development in this new land of opportunity. Two strategic initiatives characterise our approach.

     First, policy innovation. We are dismantling barriers and embracing bold and flexible development models – such as large-scale land disposals – to fast-track our land and infrastructure development with industry development. We are also proactively attracting top-notch global and Mainland enterprises to Hong Kong by offering tailor-made incentive packages.

    Second, cross-boundary collaboration with cities in the Greater Bay Area. As you may know, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou together form the world’s top innovation cluster according to the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).

     In particular, our partnership with Shenzhen is deepening with greater impact. For example, in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-operation Zone along the Shenzhen River, infrastructure investments are ramping up. This zone will be a test bed for policy breakthroughs. That includes seamless cross-boundary flow of people, capital, goods, data and even biosamples. For example, the clinical trial institutions from both the Mainland and Hong Kong now established in the Zone will accelerate clinical trials, streamline regulatory approvals, and shorten the time to market for drugs and medical devices developed there. This is particularly attractive for global AI and biotech firms that rely on access to both Mainland and international data.

    We see tremendous potential for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to combine the best of both Silicon Valley and the New York Bay Area – where deep-tech innovation meets global financial and commercial connectivity.

    Ladies and gentlemen – whether you manage funds or sovereign wealth, scale unicorns, or steward generational legacies – I would say Hong Kong is a land of opportunities. 

    Base your regional headquarters here. Meet your clients here. And grow with us here.

    My thanks to Eddie and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for orchestrating this landmark event, and to all our supporting organisations. 

    Above all, my gratitude to each and every one of you for making this Summit one of the world’s must-go gatherings of financial leaders. 

    I wish you all flourishing business, enduring partnerships and a memorable stay here in Hong Kong.

    Thank you and bon appetit.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The second Mainland and Hong Kong Housing Forum was held in Hong Kong today (November 3). Attendees included representatives from the Housing Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD), as well as representatives of various institutions and government departments in Hong Kong. Through thematic speeches and panel discussions, the forum further promoted the exchange of innovative housing practices to enhance living standards.

In her welcoming remarks, the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, shared about the unique housing ladder in Hong Kong and introduced the work of the Housing Bureau in areas such as housing construction technology, smart estate management, and the progress of implementation of the Basic Housing Units (BHUs) Ordinance. She pointed out that to improve the living conditions of the grassroots, the HKSAR Government is actively promoting the construction of Light Public Housing (LPH) units and long-term public housing. By leveraging innovative construction technologies, the HKSAR Government aims to build a large number of units in the shortest time and with the highest efficiency, targeting the completion of 30 000 LPH units and 169 000 public housing units within the next five years. Concurrently, the HKSAR Government will strengthen the application of technology and smart management, and promote the concept of “Well-being design” to create more liveable estate environments. Furthermore, the Housing Bureau is also improving the grassroots’ living conditions through legislation regulating BHUs.

In his remarks at the forum, Deputy Director General of the Department of Standard and Norms of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Mr Wu Luyang stated that the Ministry is thoroughly executing the Central Government’s policy decisions, earnestly implementing the spirit of the central city work conference, and implementing the requirements for building “safe, comfortable, green, and smart” good houses. Housing construction will focus on five key aspects: good standards, good design, good materials, good construction, and good service, to guide the innovation of the real estate and construction industries, thereby achieving transformational development in the sector.

After the forum, participants visited the Better Housing Exhibition on display at Sham Mong Road Playground. This exhibition is organised and instructed by the Centre of Science and Technology Industrial Development of the MOHURD, technically supported by the smart low-carbon construction technology innovation centre and whole-house smart key laboratory of the MOHURD, allowing participants to learn about cutting-edge technologies and their practical applications in the housing sector. They then proceeded to Hoi Tat Estate for a site visit to a public housing development project.

The HKSAR Government and the MOHURD have maintained close contact to exchange information and share knowledge on various housing-related topics such as smart construction, smart property management, community building, and housing policies. The inaugural Mainland and Hong Kong Housing Forum was held last year in Hangzhou to strengthen mutual learning experiences.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today recorded one new local case of chikungunya fever (CF) involving a 45-year-old man living in Kwai Tsing District and working in Sheung Wan.

According to the CHP, the patient developed a fever, joint pain and rash on October 30, and sought medical attention from a private doctor on November 1. He was then referred to Princess Margaret Hospital’s accident and emergency department and admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment that day. He is in a stable condition. His blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history in the preceding three months. The CHP has classified it as a local case.

The investigation also found that during the incubation period, the patient did not visit Wong Tai Sin where two other local CF cases were logged. However, there is an overlap in the patient’s residence and usual activity areas with certain imported cases. As such, the CHP will carry out a genome analysis to ascertain whether the new case has an epidemiological linkage with the earlier imported cases.

In response to the new local case, the CHP today had an inter-departmental meeting with various departments and relevant organisations, including the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Kwai Tsing District Office to ensure that all units implement preventive and control measures in a speedy and orderly manner. The CHP and FEHD also inspected various locations in the vicinity of the patient’s residence, as well as conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations in order to minimise the risk of local transmission.

Additionally, the CHP will set up health consultation booths at Kwai Fong Estate, Cheung Hang Estate and Sheung Wan tomorrow to provide assessments to citizens with relevant symptoms.