Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, and the HA Chief Executive, Dr Libby Lee, attended the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election Kick-off Ceremony today (October 23). The HA fully supports the LegCo General Election to be held on December 7 and will actively call on all staff to vote, electing a new term of LegCo Members to jointly build a better future for Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Fan said, “Hong Kong is advancing from stability to prosperity. Over the past four years, the LegCo has restored rationality. The executive and legislative branches, adhering to the principles of an executive-led system and ‘patriots administering Hong Kong’, have effectively engaged in positive interaction. The high quality and efficiency of legislative deliberations are evident for all to see. I urge everyone to cast their ballots on December 7 to elect LegCo Members with patriotism and affection for our country and Hong Kong, governing capability and passion for service, jointly promoting good governance and forging ahead.”
 
     The HA will leverage various platforms to encourage all staff to vote on election day. Also, the HA will assist candidates from different constituencies in reaching voters working in public hospitals in a fair and just manner, so that voters can better understand the manifestoes of different candidates and make the most prudent choice.
 
     Dr Lee said, “Although many healthcare staff will be on shift duty on polling day, the HA will encourage colleagues to vote. If colleagues’ work schedules conflict with voting hours, the HA will implement flexible arrangements by temporarily releasing colleagues to fulfil their civic responsibility, without affecting patient services.”
 
     The HA has always maintained a good co-operative relationship with the LegCo. Both Mr Fan and Dr Lee are looking forward to engaging and collaborating with all Members as soon as possible after the new LegCo term is formed. They also call on all voters to cast their votes on December 7 to elect the eighth LegCo Members who are competent, visionary, dedicated, and pragmatic, to jointly promote Hong Kong’s development for the benefit of its citizens.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 23) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Sorø Municipality in Denmark, West-Vlaanderen Province in Belgium and the District of Oberhavel of the State of Brandenburg in Germany, 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, Hong Kong imported about 210 tonnes of frozen poultry meat, and about 150 000 poultry eggs from Denmark; about 30 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Belgium, and about 30 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Germany in the first six months of this year. 

     “The CFS has contacted the Danish, Belgian and German 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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) held the Jockey Club Project ReBond kick-off ceremony at Lo Wu Correctional Institution today (October 23), implementing a policy initiative announced by the Chief Executive in the 2025 Policy Address to provide one-stop rehabilitation services for persons in custody (PICs) serving sentences of less than one year, covering both their incarceration and post-release periods, and to track and research their rehabilitation situation.

The Jockey Club Project ReBond is a collaborative initiative created and funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and co-created by the CSD and SideBySide with the University of Hong Kong serving as the knowledge partner.

Addressing the kick-off ceremony, the Acting Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Ng Chiu-kok, said that the CSD has been committed to enhancing its rehabilitative efforts to assist PICs in rehabilitating through appropriate rehabilitation programmes. He expressed gratitude to various stakeholders in society for their support in rehabilitation work. He noted that the project applies the theory of desistance, extending rehabilitation services from correctional institutions to the community. This approach will help reduce recidivism among rehabilitated persons, rebuild their law-abiding identity and reconnect them with society, as well as support them in giving back to society, thereby gradually transforming their lives.

The Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Winnie Ying, in her address said that appropriate assistance for rehabilitated persons can effectively reduce recidivism and transform them into social talent capital. The Hong Kong Jockey Club aims to, through the project and donation, help short-term PICs equip themselves starting from within the correctional institutions and rebuild themselves after release with this innovative one-stop approach, enabling them to better reintegrate into society and contribute to Hong Kong.

In his address, the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of SideBySide, Mr Justice Poon Siu-tung, highlighted that the project seeks to accompany PICs and rehabilitated persons by providing them with seamlessly connected and diversified support services from correctional institutions to the community. It will assist them in setting goals and gradually rebuilding relationships with others, so that they can reintegrate into society and become contributors to the community. This marks a historical milestone.

The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Eric Fong, noted that the project is an interdisciplinary collaboration integrating expertise and research strengths across diverse fields to provide comprehensive and multidimensional support services for rehabilitated persons. Moreover, it also marks the first time in Hong Kong that a randomised control group scientific method has been adopted to evaluate the project’s effectiveness, providing valuable empirical data for rehabilitation services, which will facilitate the future development of more diverse and effective rehabilitation approaches.

The Jockey Club Project ReBond will be implemented at Lo Wu Correctional Institution, Pik Uk Prison, Tong Fuk Correctional Institution and Tai Lam Correctional Institution. It provides one-stop rehabilitation services for voluntary participants serving sentences of less than one year. These include arranging suitable personal growth group activities for PICs to develop personal strengths, establish positive values and life goals, and strengthen their law-abiding awareness through assessments by professional social workers, thereby reinforcing their resolve to rehabilitate. Additionally, the project offers employment-related assistance and continues to follow up on the cases after their release from the correctional institutions. Through community activities, it helps PICs establish positive social networks and facilitates their successful reintegration into society.

Under the project, the Correctional Rehabilitation Research Unit of the CSD will collaborate with the University of Hong Kong to conduct a three-year study to track and research the rehabilitation situation of service users after their release.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Delegation of National Model Workers and Craftsmen concluded its four-day visit to Hong Kong this morning (October 23). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government hosted a farewell ceremony at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port before their departure.

At the farewell ceremony, the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, expressed his sincere gratitude to the delegation for visiting Hong Kong, which allowed Hong Kong citizens to experience the remarkable contributions and noble spirit demonstrated by the National Model Workers, National Advanced Workers and National Great Craftsmen in their respective fields, and to gain a deeper understanding of the profound essence of the spirit of craftsmanship. He said that the professionalism, wealth of experience and passion for work demonstrated by the delegates have profoundly inspired and encouraged members of the public in Hong Kong, particularly the younger generation.

The Deputy Director-General of the Social Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wu Xiaochuan, and the Deputy Commissioner for Labour (Labour Administration), Mr Raymond Ho, also attended the farewell ceremony.

During the visit to Hong Kong, the delegation attended various activities and engaged in exchanges with members of the public as well as people from various sectors. The delegation commenced its visit to Macao after departing Hong Kong today.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

An owner was convicted and fined $98,315 in total, of which $90,315 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (October 22) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 40 square metres on the flat roof of a composite building at Argyle Street, Mong Kok. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failure to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today (October 23), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety.”

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, will depart for Suzhou this afternoon (October 23) to attend the 2025 International Forum on Energy Transition tomorrow (October 24).

The forum will be cohosted by the National Energy Administration (NEA), the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government and the International Renewable Energy Agency. It was first held in 2015 and the theme for this year is “A Decade of Collaboration Drives Energy Transitions for a Green Future”. Heads of energy authorities, international organisations, as well as representatives of relevant enterprises from various economies will join the forum to discuss global energy security and energy transition, and promote the forging of global clean energy partnerships.

Mr Tse will also sign the Cooperation Arrangement on Promoting Interconnectivity of Charging Facilities in the Greater Bay Area with the NEA to promote the construction of supporting infrastructure for new energy vehicles, as well as the interconnectivity and green low-carbon transportation development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong on October 25. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, will be the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

An incoming passenger was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (October 23) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
 
Customs officers intercepted the incoming male passenger, aged 29, at Hong Kong International Airport on October 21. About 20 700 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $93,000 and a duty potential of about $68,000, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
 
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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 Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, continued to attend the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting in Incheon, Korea, today (October 23).

In the morning, Mr Lam met with the Deputy Minister of Trade of Indonesia, Ms Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, before the ministerial meeting and discussed matters of mutual interest, including capacity building on online dispute resolution.

Mr Lam then attended the third and fourth discussion sessions of the ministerial meeting. On the topic of how structural reform can promote prosperity for all, Mr Lam stated that Hong Kong, China has always been committed to sharing the fruits of prosperity with members of the public. The Chief Executive’s Policy Address this year, with the theme “Deepening Reforms for Our People and Leveraging Our Strengths for a Brighter Future”, perfectly reflects this policy objective. During the discussion session, Mr Lam introduced Hong Kong, China’s measures in housing, labour, healthcare, and support for the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. He also elaborated on Hong Kong, China’s vision of further improving people’s livelihoods and building a fair and just society through legislation, updating laws, and developing the economy through reforms.

Mr Lam visited the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific in the afternoon and met with the Head of the Centre, Ms Athita Komindr. He thanked the Commission for its support to the Department of Justice (DoJ), emphasising the close and fruitful collaboration between the two sides over the years. The 6th UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Judicial Summit, a biennial flagship event jointly organised by UNCITRAL and the DoJ, will be held in Hong Kong during the Hong Kong Legal Week this December. To align with the theme “Linking Laws, Bridging Worlds” of the Legal Week this year, the summit will explore topics related to the application of digital economy, virtual assets, artificial intelligence, and other relevant subjects in the judicial field. Legal and dispute resolution professionals and academics from around the world will attend the summit.

In the evening, Mr Lam paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Korea, Mr Dai Bing, to brief him on the co-operation between the DoJ and the Ministry of Justice of Korea, and the future work on strengthening the promotion of the advantages of Hong Kong’s legal services overseas.

Mr Lam will continue his visit to Korea tomorrow (October 24).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A woman who went missing in Kwun Tong has been located.
     
Ma Lai-har, aged 83, went missing after she was last seen outside Shui Wo Street Municipal Services Building on October 20 morning. Her family then made a report to Police.

The woman was located on Yuet Wah Street this morning (October 23). She sustained abrasion to her head and legs, and was sent to United Christian Hospital in conscious state. No suspicious circumstances were detected.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 23) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for September 2025. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 1.1% in September 2025 over the same month a year earlier, the same as that in August 2025. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in September 2025 was 1.0%, slightly smaller than that in August 2025 (1.1%).
 
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending September 2025 was 0.3%, the same as that for the 3-month period ending August 2025. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were 0.1% and 0.2%.
 
Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 0.9% and 0.8% respectively in September 2025, as compared to 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively in August 2025. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.4%, 0.9% and 0.8% respectively in September 2025, as compared to 1.4%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively in August 2025.
 
On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending September 2025, the average monthly rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending August 2025 were 0.4%, 0.3% and 0.3% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending September 2025 were all 0.1%, and the corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending August 2025 were all 0.2%.
 
Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in September 2025 for transport (2.2%), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (2.0%), housing (1.7%), miscellaneous services (1.6%), meals out and takeaway food (1.2%), miscellaneous goods (0.4%), and electricity, gas and water (0.4%).
 
On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in September 2025 for clothing and footwear (-3.7%), and durable goods (-3.1%).
 
As for basic food, the Composite CPI in September 2025 remained unchanged over a year earlier.
 
Taking the first 9 months of 2025 together, the Composite CPI rose by 1.5% over a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.0%, 1.3% and 1.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.1%, 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively.
 
In the third quarter of 2025, the Composite CPI rose by 1.1% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.7% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.0%, 1.4%, 0.9% and 0.8% respectively.
 
For the 12 months ending September 2025, the Composite CPI was on average 1.5% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.9%, 1.3% and 1.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.2%, 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively.
 
Commentary
 
A Government spokesman said that consumer price inflation remained modest in September. The underlying Composite CPI increased by 1.0% over a year earlier, broadly similar to the increases in recent months. Price pressures across major components were largely stable.
 
Looking ahead, overall inflation should stay modest in the near term, as domestic cost pressures remain contained and external price pressures are subdued.
 
Further information
 
The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for September 2025 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.
 
More detailed statistics are given in the “Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270).
 
For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).