Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, continued his visit to Sydney, Australia, today (August 14) to promote Hong Kong’s advantages as an international trade centre and a premier destination for business and investment.
 
Mr Yau first met with the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, the Minister for Industry and Trade, the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, the Minister for Building, and the Minister for Corrections of New South Wales of Australia, Mr Anoulack Chanthivong, to exchange views on enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Australia in various areas. Mr Yau also gave him an update on Hong Kong’s latest developments and policy measures to give impetus to the city’s economy, such as the reduction in liquor duty and promotion of the silver economy.
 
Mr Yau then met with the National President of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC), Mr David Olsson, to brief him on the direction of Hong Kong’s economic development and new initiatives to promote trade, such as developing the city into a multinational supply chain management centre. They also had an exchange on enhancing business and investment collaboration between Hong Kong and Australia.
 
Mr Yau also attended a business roundtable luncheon with ACBC members to brief them on Hong Kong’s role as a springboard for Australian businesses looking to tap into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the broader Asian markets. He said that with its world-class infrastructure, simple and low tax regime and common law system, Hong Kong provides a stable, efficient and business-friendly environment for companies seeking to grow beyond their borders, capitalising on the city’s roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.
 
     In addition, Mr Yau toured a leading incubator for start-ups and met with some start-up operators to learn more about their operation and developments. He told them that the number of start-ups in Hong Kong reached a record high of approximately 4 700 in 2024, underlining Hong Kong’s vibrant start-up ecosystem and its ideal business environment for innovators to thrive.
　
In the evening, Mr Yau attended a cultural exchange concert presented by young Hong Kong musicians to showcase a mix of Eastern and Western musical works and instruments, highlighting Hong Kong’s unique role as a bridge between East and West.
　
Mr Yau will continue his visit to Sydney tomorrow (August 15).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 14) released the third batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 10 survey areas, as follows:
 

Among the third batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering two survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering eight survey areas in August, all were below 10 per cent, except Ma On Shan.

The FEHD has so far announced three batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 25 survey areas. Among these 25 survey areas, 15 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared with the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. July 2025, representing the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained at a low level. Eight other areas recorded a slight increase but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. As for So Kwun Wat in Tuen Mun and Ma On Shan in Sha Tin, each with an index higher than 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the recent chikungunya fever (CF) situation that strengthens mosquito control work in areas with the gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, which was originally activated when the gravidtrap index reaches 20 per cent or above, the department is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestation and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. Additionally, the FEHD will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify the residential estates subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and join hands in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap indexes in these two areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue joining hands 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 collection 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 surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest Gravidtrap Index and the Density Index are available, the FEHD will disseminate 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 of the two weeks’ 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

Hong Kong Customs conducted a special operation from July to early August to combat smuggling endangered species through importation of air cargo. During the operation, Customs seized 419 suspected endangered live tortoises and 1,574 suspected endangered live coral, with a total estimated market value of about $4.31 million.
 
Through risk assessment, Customs inspected batches of express parcels originating from the United States and the Philippines, which were declared as clothes, toys and food, and seized the batch of endangered species. Five persons, who collected or assisted in collecting the parcels and are suspected to be connected with the case, were arrested. 
 
An investigation is ongoing. The five arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.
 
The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in smuggling activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
 
According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction.
 
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).