Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Bun Scrambling Competition on Cheung Chau to open for application on February 23
The maximum capacity for the Bun Scrambling Competition is 200 participants. Places will be allocated by ballot via the SmartPLAY system. Applicants who reside in, work or study on Cheung Chau will be accorded priority in the ballot.
Interested persons should complete the user registration and identity authentication at SmartPLAY and submit their e-ballot applications via the system’s mobile app (My SmartPLAY), website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home
All selected applicants are required to complete safety training sessions on bun tower climbing and prevention of falls on April 12 in order to qualify for the final selection exercise of the Bun Scrambling Competition on April 26. At the selection exercise, the 24 contestants recording the shortest time in the preliminary round (including no fewer than six female participants) will be eligible to enter the semi-final on the same day to compete for the 12 finalist places (including no fewer than three female participants).
The 12 finalists will enter the Bun Scrambling Final on May 24 night. Trophies will be awarded to the champion as well as the first and second runners-up in the men’s division, and to the champion in the women’s division. The contestant who bags the highest number of buns within the time limit will win the “Full Pockets of Lucky Buns” prize.
To recognise the outstanding performance of the winners and enhance the atmosphere of the event, the male or female athlete who has been the champion for three times in the Bun Scrambling Competition since 2016 will become the “King of Kings” or the “Queen of Queens” of the competition and be awarded a trophy.
The 2026 Bun Carnival is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Besides the Bun Scrambling Competition, the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay will be held on May 10 morning. Local tertiary institutions, Government Departments, public utilities as well as commercial and industrial organisations will be invited to join. At the Climbing Carnival to be held in the afternoon, there will be bun tower climbing activities, game stalls, handicraft-making activities and variety shows. A Wishing Bun Tower will be set up. The winning entries of the Student Drawing Competitions will also be displayed. Members of the public are welcome to enjoy the carnival fun.
Details of the events are available at the SmartPLAY website, the mobile app (My SmartPLAY) and the 2026 Bun Carnival dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/bun/index.htmlIssued at HKT 11:00
NNNN
Special traffic arrangements during Lunar New Year
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Police announced today (February 13) that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in various districts on Lunar New Year’s Eve and during the Lunar New Year holidays. Members of the public are urged to plan their journeys in advance and to make use of public transport services as far as possible.
Hong Kong Island
—————– Northbound Gloucester Road between Causeway Road and Great George Street.- Kingston Street;
– Paterson Street; and
– Cleveland Street.- Northbound Gloucester Road between the Gloucester Road flyover and Victoria Park Road;
– Hing Fat Street between Causeway Road and Lau Li Street, except for franchised buses and green minibuses (GMBs);
– Electric Road between Yacht Street and Hing Fat Street;
– Eastbound Hennessy Road between Percival Street and Yee Wo Street, eastbound Yee Wo Street between Hennessy Road and Causeway Road, eastbound Causeway Road between Yee Wo Street and Tung Lo Wan Road, and westbound Causeway Road between Tung Lo Wan Road and Moreton Terrace, except for franchised buses, GMBs and trams.- East Point Road; and
– Great George Street between East Point Road and Paterson Street.
Learner drivers cannot use the following roads from 4pm to 8am of the following day:- Tin Lok Lane;
– Caroline Hill Road;
– Eastern Hospital Road;
– Tai Hang Road north of Lai Tak Tsuen Road;
– Tung Lo Wan Road;
– Electric Road south of Gordon Road;
– Morrison Hill Road north of Queen’s Road East;
– Hennessy Road;
– Yee Wo Street;
– Causeway Road;
– King’s Road;
– The service road of Gloucester Road;
– Hing Fat Street;
– Westbound Tin Hau Temple Road west of Cloud View Road; and
– Eastbound Wan Chai Road.- All parking spaces at Hing Fat Street Public Car Park will be suspended from 8am on February 16 to 7am of the following day; and
– All on-street parking spaces along Tung Lo Wan Road will be suspended from 8pm on February 16 to 7am of the following day.——— The unnamed road connecting Wong Tai Sin Temple and Wong Tai Sin Road, except for designated vehicles.- Apliu Street between Nam Cheong Street and Wong Chuk Street;
– Southbound Nam Cheong Street between Cheung Sha Wan Road and Hai Tan Street;
– Hai Tan Street between Nam Cheong Street and Boundary Street;
– Yee Kuk Street between Boundary Street and Shek Kip Mei Street; and
– Shek Kip Mei Street between Yee Kuk Street and Apliu Street.- Two disabled parking spaces on eastbound Hoi Bun Road near Hoi Bun Road Park; and
– Ten motorcycle parking spaces on westbound Hoi Bun Road near Kwun Tong Promenade.—————- The motorcycle parking spaces at Kai Hong Close will be suspended; and
– The metered parking spaces (Nos. 20177A/B, 20178A/B, 20179A/B, 20180A, 20183B and 20184A/B) on Hoi Pa Street will be suspended.- San Hong Street between Tsun Fu Street and Fu Hing Street.- San Tsoi Street; and
– Fu Hing Street between San Hong Street and San Tsoi Street.- The motorcycle parking spaces on San Lok Street will be suspended from 6pm on February 16 to 4am of the following day.- San Hop Lane;
– Hung Cheung Road between Tin Hau Road and its southern junction with San Ping Circuit;
– Southbound Hung Cheung Road between its northern and southern junction with San Ping Circuit;
– San On Street from its southern junction with Hung Cheung Road to a point about 50 metres north of the same junction; and
– Hing Wong Street from its junction with Hung Cheung Road to a point about 50 metres north of the same junction.- Traffic along southbound Tin Hau Road cannot turn to Pui To Road; and
– Hung Cheung Road between its northern and southern junction with San Ping Circuit will be rerouted one-way northbound.- The cycle track along the western riverside of Tuen Mun River Channel between Pui To Road and Yau Oi Bridge will be suspended.- Traffic along Tak Hau Street cannot go straight to Sha Tin Sports Ground Car Park.
Dispute scheme platform launches
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Department of Justice today announced that an online platform for sports dispute resolution under the “Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution” has been officially launched and is open for applications for mediation and arbitration of sports disputes.
Deputy Secretary for Justice and Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution Cheung Kwok-kwan said establishing a mechanism that is efficient, credible and dedicated to resolving sports disputes is an important foundation for advancing the development of the sports industry and enhancing corporate governance in the sector.
Mr Cheung also expressed satisfaction that panels of mediators and arbitrators have been established under the pilot scheme.
The panels comprise 53 mediators and 43 arbitrators. They are from Hong Kong’s own local legal and sports sectors and 23 other jurisdictions, and include experts in international sports mediation and arbitration.
Mr Cheung stated that this diverse pool of international dispute resolution talent will help Hong Kong to develop as a regional and international sports dispute resolution hub, reinforcing the city’s position as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Department of Justice said it will collaborate with the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre and other stakeholders to organise a series of promotional and capacity-building activities.
The pilot scheme was launched by the Department of Justice in December and will run for two years. It aims to provide the sports sector with a fair, efficient and convenient mechanism for resolving sports disputes through mediation and arbitration.
Sites to be released at Loop
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government announced today that part of the site of the former community isolation and treatment facilities at the Lok Ma Chau Loop will be put to use in Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and in the construction of road infrastructure and a planned Northern Link Spur Line railway station at the Loop.
The Government will transfer the isolation facilities and aims to release the site, which is at the eastern end of the Loop and approximately 3.6 hectares in size, in mid-2026, to enable construction of a sewage treatment works, a fire station and an ambulance depot.
These facilities will meet the needs of Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park area. The Government will commence tendering for relevant construction works in phases.
The Government also aims to release a site of approximately 4.2 hectares in the middle portion of the Loop from March 2027, to facilitate the construction of road infrastructure at the planned railway station. The site currently encompasses temporary storage facilities, temporary sewage treatment facilities and underground power cables.
To align with the principle of maximising the use of facilities constructed with the support of the central government, as far as is practicable the Government will retain the facilities removed from both sites and deliver them to suitable locations for reconfiguration and reuse. This includes repurposing them as site offices and ancillary facilities, such as staff rest rooms and material storage rooms for government works projects.
Taiwan FDI Statistics Summary Analysis (January 2026)
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
According to the statistics, from January to January 2026, 212 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total approved amount of US$837,605,000 were recorded. This represents a 73.77% increase in the number of cases, but a 24.64% decrease in the FDI amount compared with the same period in 2025.
Regarding inward investment from Mainland China, no cases with a total approved amount of US$0 were recorded in January 2026. This represents a 100% decrease in both the number of cases and the investment amount compared with the same period in 2025.
In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 56 projects were registered in January 2026, with a total amount of US$ 1,553,076,000. This represents a 30.23% increase in the number of cases, and a 267.76% increase in the investment amount, compared with the same period in 2025.
As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 14 applications were approved in January 2026, marking a 22.22% decrease compared with the same period in 2025. The approved investment amount totaled US$ 88,913,000, representing a 2.74% decline compared with the same period in 2025.
Bun scrambling applications to open
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Applications for the Cheung Chau Bun Scrambling Competition, the finale of 2026 Bun Carnival, will be accepted via e-ballot from February 23, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department announced today.
The finale will take place on May 24 on the soccer pitch at Pak Tai Temple Playground on Cheung Chau from 11.30pm to 12.45am.
Physically-fit adults are welcome to apply to participate in the event, in which competitors scale a bamboo tower while attempting to snatch buns attached to it.
Those interested should complete SmartPLAY user registration and identity authentication, and submit their electronic ballot applications via the website, the My SmartPLAY mobile app or Smart Self-service Stations by March 6.
The maximum number of entrants is 200, with places being allocated by ballot via SmartPLAY. Those who live, work or study on Cheung Chau will be given priority.
A selection exercise will be held on April 26. A total of 24 contestants – including at least six women – will enter the semi-finals to compete for 12 places in the final.
All selected applicants must undergo safety training on April 12 to be eligible to compete.
For enquiries, call the Islands District Leisure Services Office at 2852 3220.
1 more blaze patient discharged
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Health Bureau said today that one more resident injured in the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po has recovered and been discharged from hospital.
Out of the 79 people injured in the incident, 78 have been discharged while the remaining patient is in stable condition.
Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said he is very pleased to learn that another resident injured in the fire has been released from hospital before the Chinese New Year.
He noted that treating burn patients involves significant challenges and uncertainties, adding that through their professionalism and extensive experience, the Hospital Authority healthcare staff have helped the 79 injured people make steady progress towards recovery.
Prof Lo also expressed gratitude for their wholehearted dedication in treating the injured.
Transfert des opérations d’Air Calédonie de Magenta vers l’aéroport international de La Tontouta – Visite des infrastructures
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Dans le cadre du transfert des opérations de la compagnie Air Calédonie de Magenta vers l’aéroport international de La Tontouta, le gouvernement, en partenariat avec la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie (CCI) et Air Calédonie, vous convie à une visite des infrastructures concernées.
Mardi 17 février
9 heures
Aéroport international de La Tontouta
(RDV devant le Point Information CCI dans le hall d’accueil)
Cette visite sera précédée d’une conférence de presse animée par :
- Alcide Ponga, président du gouvernement ;
- Nicolas Leroux, élu CCI, président de la commission Aéroports ;
- Daniel Hombouy, directeur d’Air Calédonie.
CE officiates at commendation ceremony for HKSAR Delegations to 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games of People’s Republic of China
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE officiates at commendation ceremony for HKSAR Delegations to 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games of People’s Republic of China (with photos/video)
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to medalists and prize winners in the Games.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG were jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time, which fully demonstrated our country’s firm support for the collaborative development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It also signified Hong Kong’s practical integration into the overall development of our country which is of great significance and profound impact.
Mr Lee added that the Government’s estimated expenditure for promoting sports development in this financial year exceeded $9.2 billion, more than doubling the $4.3 billion allocated ten years ago. The athletes’ outstanding achievements reflected the enhancement of Hong Kong’s sports prowess as well as the results of athletes’ strenuous training, while affirming that the Government’s long-standing commitment to training elite athletes and strengthening the policy on sports developments is on the right direction.
Other attending guests included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Head of the HKSAR Delegations, Miss Rosanna Law; the President of the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Delegations, Mrs Jenny Fung; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and Honorary Adviser of the Delegations, Ms Vivian Sum; the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services and Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Delegations, Ms Manda Chan; and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Delegations, Mr Cheng King-leung.
The 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG were jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time. First-time events also included the cross-boundary marathon between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and the road cycling race spanning Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The 15th NG was held from November 9 to 21, 2025, followed by the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG from December 8 to 15, 2025. The ever largest HKSAR Delegations comprised more than 1 300 athletes in 28 competition events and 23 mass participation events at the 15th NG; and over 280 athletes in 14 competition events and four mass participation events of the 12th NGD as well as seven events of the 9th NSOG. They achieved the best-ever performance at the 15th NG, having won 31 medals, comprising 12 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze; entered the quarter-finals in 19 events; and won one first prize, two second prizes, and one third prize in the competition events and mass participation events. At the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, they won 142 medals, comprising 52 gold, 50 silver and 40 bronze. The competition results and relevant information are available on the dedicated webpage set up by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ngames/2025/index.htmlIssued at HKT 21:07
NNNN
Tokyo ETO holds reception in Seoul to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tokyo ETO holds reception in Seoul to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties
In her welcoming remarks, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, once again congratulated Korea for successfully hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings last year, which was a landmark achievement. She noted that the high-level exchanges between Hong Kong and Korea in recent years provided a valuable platform for both places to strengthen collaboration and achieve results across a wide range of areas.
She highlighted Hong Kong’s unique position under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, underscoring Hong Kong’s continued commitment to serving as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” linking the Chinese Mainland, Korea and the wider region. As a measure announced in the 2025 Policy Address, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau has set up the Economic and Trade Express. The platform focuses on supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups by proactively organising overseas business missions including Korea, while at the same time facilitating more enterprises to invest in and establish operations in Hong Kong, thereby promoting the two-way flow of enterprises and investments.
Miss Au also remarked that Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul, held last year, showcased Hong Kong’s East-meets-West creative strengths and drew over 540 000 attendees. The wide span of cultural performances and artistic showcases brought together about 800 Hong Kong and Korean artists and cultural practitioners through over 65 programmes.
Tokyo ETO will continue to work closely with regional partners, including Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to promote economic co-operation and people-to-people exchanges.
Issued at HKT 20:20
NNNN