Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Police Force today held its National Security Education Day 2026 and the Hong Kong Police Force Fun Day, aiming to raise public awareness of national security.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing said national security concerns the well-being of 1.4 billion compatriots, including the people of Hong Kong, and serves as the cornerstone of the country’s peace and stability.

He commended the force for its efforts to safeguard national security and curb violence and disorder, stating that it fearlessly discharges its duties, making an enormous contribution an impregnable defence of national security in Hong Kong, and rendering it one of the world’s safest cities.

Citing the white paper Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems, which was published by the State Council Information Office in February, he said that safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests remain the overarching principle of “one country, two systems”.

Mr Cheuk emphasised that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must faithfully fulfil its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security and create high-standard security in support of the “one country, two systems” policy. He added that the Government will strengthen publicity and public education on the matter, leading and supporting all sectors of society to study and comprehend the white paper’s substance and requirements, thereby enhancing citizens’ awareness of national security and better enabling them to safeguard it.

Held at Harcourt Garden in Admiralty, the event featured a national security education exhibition zone and interactive games conveying the message that safeguarding national security is everyone’s responsibility and a duty to be fulfilled.

In addition, specialised equipment from various units, including the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, and the Police Dog Unit, was on display, showcasing the force’s professionalism, as well as the diversity of its work.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

“I was scared of not being able to sleep. The more I feared it, the harder it was to fall asleep. I tossed and turned all night, like a fish being fried,” said Mr Lai, a retired truck driver who suffered from insomnia for over 10 years.

Irregular work hours led to exhausting days, dizziness and headaches that followed the sleepless nights.

The heavy toll eventually began confining him to his home, unable to enjoy his hobbies like singing and dancing.

“I knew taking sleeping pills was bad for my health. My memory was getting worse. I tried taking one pill, but if I woke up in the middle of the night, I would take another. If I still could not sleep, I would take more.”

Cycle ending

Seeking a way out of his struggle, Mr Lai visited the Tuen Mun District Health Centre last year for a mental health risk assessment under the Healthy Mind Pilot Project.

The results indicated symptoms of psychological distress and he was referred to the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association for follow-up.

Well-being Practitioner Yung Ka-yi said Mr Lai showed mild obsessive thoughts about sleep.

“He was told by his mind to change his posture when he was lying in his bed. He might also be asked to go to the washroom frequently, but in fact, he knew that it did not make sense,” she explained.

To address his chronic insomnia, the pilot project tailored a programme of low-intensity psychological therapy for Mr Lai. Over five sleep therapy sessions, he learned to correct persistent misconceptions.

“Many people believe they must get eight hours of sleep every night, which only causes anxiety and disrupts sleep,” Ms Yung explained.

The sleep therapy also taught Mr Lai to improve his sleep routine.

“Only go to bed when you truly feel sleepy,” Ms Yung advised. “If you are unable to fall asleep within 30 minutes, leave your bed to relax until you feel sleepy again, then try going back to bed.”

Mr Lai also attended six mindfulness therapy sessions, where he mastered relaxation techniques that could be done anywhere, anytime.

After six months, Mr Lai was finally able to get a good night’s sleep.

“I am so happy I can sleep until morning now. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, but after practising deep breathing, I can fall back asleep,” adding that his wife and kids were astonished and said “You just went to bed, and you are already snoring!” – something that had never happened before.

Early intervention

In August 2024, the Health Bureau partnered with the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and Mind HK to launch the Healthy Mind Pilot Project in Tuen Mun District Health Centre, Eastern and Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre Expresses.

During health risk assessments, members of District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses also complete a mental health questionnaire to screen for depression and anxiety risks. Those in need are referred to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for further assessments and follow-ups.

Yeung Tsui-yee, a clinical psychologist participating in the project noted that it has been instrumental in the early identification of, and intervention for, emotional health issues. Through low-intensity psychological therapy, participants learn to adjust thoughts and behaviours in their daily lives, helping them manage mild symptoms of depression or anxiety.

“We help them build up a more balanced life that is balanced between routine, pleasurable and important tasks to help them improve their mood and to maintain their daily functioning. For dealing with worries, this method is to help them notice that worry is here and it is affecting me, and we teach them skills to help them refocus.”

Psychological support

As of February 2026, about 48,800 individuals have undergone initial mental health assessments, of whom about 3,700 required further assessment.

Including those referred by NGOs, over 7,000 individuals have completed further assessments.

Of those evaluated, approximately 2,500 people were found to have normal emotional health.

Around 240 required referrals to specialised or high-intensity mental health services, while the remaining eligible participants could be arranged to receive low-intensity psychological therapy.

The project will gradually expand to nine district health centres starting this year.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In support of National Security Education Day, on April 15, the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Civil Aid Service (CAS) today held open days to raise public awareness of national security and showcase their accomplishments.

 

Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan attended the CSD’s open day, which was held in Stanley, at the department’s Correctional Services Museum and Community Education Experience Centre.

 

Echoing the theme of this year’s National Security Education Day – “Proactively Align with the 15th Five-Year Plan, Follow a Holistic Approach to Development and Security” – the CSD’s open day featured game booths themed around the 15th Five-Year Plan and national security, with a view to deepening understanding of these and strengthening a sense of national identity among members of the public.

 

Following the recent publication of the white paper Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems by the State Council Information Office, the event also included a game booth exploring the white paper’s content interactively.

 

In addition, the CSD today launched “National Security Education Special Edition of Rehabilitation Express”, a promotion vehicle that will visit primary and secondary schools across the city in order to disseminate national security messages to young people.

 

Some of the content carried by the vehicle will also be used in virtual-reality games for persons in custody, giving them access to accurate national security knowledge and building their sense of national identity through immersive three-dimensional virtual scenarios within correctional institutions.

 

Held at its headquarters, meanwhile, the CAS open day featured emergency rescue and mountain search and rescue demonstrations. There were also music performances, a freestyle bicycle show, game booths and interactive activities.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak said today that the Home Affairs Department has referred complaints from Wang Fuk Court residents regarding alleged forging of signatures in owners’ petitions to the Police Force and statutory bodies.

 

Miss Mak told reporters this morning that the force and the statutory bodies concerned will carry out thorough investigations.

 

She also highlighted that the Government has introduced proposed amendments to the Building Management Ordinance, explaining that these would enhance transparency and give owners more information on maintenance and repair works due to be carried out.

 

“In the current practice, owners’ committees can organise or hold briefing sessions for the owners before the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) or Annual General Meeting (AGM) at their discretion. It is more voluntary.

 

“But from our experience, if there are briefing sessions held before the EGM or AGM, owners will have more information about the works that will be carried out, and that will encourage owners to attend the EGM or AGM, and to make sensible and reasonable decisions for their buildings.

 

“That is why one of our directions and proposals for amending the Building Management Ordinance is to require all the owners’ committees to organise briefing sessions for owners before the EGM or AGM, so that owners will have more information and can make sensible and reasonable decisions at the EGM and AGM.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs shut down an underground cigarette factory in Fanling yesterday (April 9), and seized about 31.92 tons of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and 1.23 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarette. The total estimated market value of all seizure was about $220 million, while the duty potential was about $130 million. Six persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

     After in-depth investigation, Customs Officers identified a large metal hut in Ping Che, Fanling. Customs raided the metal hut yesterday morning and found a complete illegal cigarette production line which included machines for producing and packaging illicit cigarettes, a large amount of raw materials used for manufacturing illicit cigarettes and finished illicit cigarette products. Five men and one woman, aged between 21 and 52, were arrested at the scene.

The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the batch of raw materials of the illicit cigarettes and the production line-related machines. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs reminds members of the public that they must be vigilant when purchasing cigarettes. They should patronise reputable merchants or stores and not purchase cigarettes from unknown sources to avoid threats to their health.

 Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), a person shall not, except under and in accordance with a licence, manufacture tobacco. Besides, any person who 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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 10) is investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection involving a patient who travelled to Japan during the incubation period. The CHP reminds the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of contracting this serious disease.
 
The case involves a nine-year-old girl with underlying illness. On April 9, she presented with a fever, nausea and malaise, and was taken to consult a private doctor. On the same night, she developed a non-blanching rash and shock, and was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital, where she was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit. She is currently in a critical condition. Her blood specimen was tested positive for meningococcus on laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is meningococcaemia complicated with septic shock.
 
An initial investigation revealed that the patient had travelled with her family to Japan in a tour group between April 2 and 6. As her household contacts have remained asymptomatic so far, her source of infection is still under investigation. The patient has been to crowded places during her stay in Japan, it cannot be ruled out that she was infected through contact with carriers at the location she visited. As the individuals joining the same tour group had common activities and exposure risks as the patient, for the sake of prudence, the CHP is contacting the tour group members and the tour guide for follow up. The CHP will prescribe preventive drugs to them and place them under medical surveillance, with a view to rule out the occurrence of other cases. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing and further laboratory analysis of the bacterial strain will be conducted.
 
Based on the currently available information, this is a sporadic case. No epidemiological link has been found to previously confirmed cases in Hong Kong or the cluster of infections that emerged in the United Kindgom last month.
 
Meningococcal infection is a statutory notifiable disease. The CHP has recorded five cases this year so far. A total of 11 cases were recorded last year.
 
Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, of infected persons. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis). Meningococcaemia is characterised by a sudden onset of fever, an intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache, stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or rash; it can cause brain damage or even death.
 
The infection risk for the public who visit tourist spots in general is not high. For those with weak immune systems, they should wear a mask when going to crowded places and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times. To prevent meningococcal infection, the CHP urged members of the public to take the following measures:

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly, especially when they are soiled by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing, and clean hands with alcohol-based handrub when they are not visibly soiled;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, hold the saliva with a tissue, dispose of nasal and mouth discharge in a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands immediately;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Avoid close contact with patients who have a fever or severe headache;
• Consult doctors about meningococcal vaccination before travelling to high-risk areas; and
• Seek medical advice if you become ill after returning from high-risk areas, and discuss your recent travel history with your doctor.

　　
The public may visit the CHP’s website for more information on meningococcal infection.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     In response to the Construction Expenditure Forecast and the Manpower Forecast for Hong Kong Construction Industry released by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) today (April 10), a spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said that the Government will continue to collaborate with the CIC to promote professional development for the construction industry and address manpower needs through a multipronged approach.
 
As announced in the Budget in February this year, the Government’s estimated capital works expenditure for 2026/27 is about $128 billion. From 2027/28 to 2030/31, the annual capital works expenditure on average is expected to remain at a similarly high level. Furthermore, with the recovery of the economy including the real estate market, a gradual resurgence of the volume of private sector projects is expected. Together with the anticipated increase in other public sector projects (such as railway and public housing projects), the CIC estimates the total construction expenditure of the industry to reach $305 billion to $360 billion in 2030/31. The medium-to long-term outlook for the construction industry remains robust, and the overall construction expenditure of the industry is expected to grow steadily.
 
The manpower demands across trades in the construction sector will continue to vary in response to changes of project types and trades involved. Due to the expected increase in the number of infrastructure-related projects (including land formation works for the Northern Metropolis, railway projects, etc) over the next few years, as well as the growing adoption of advanced construction technologies such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), greater manpower shortages are anticipated in certain trades, including plant and machinery operation, rigger, and electrical and mechanical installation. Meanwhile, as has been observed recently, labour shortages in some trades have eased, such as bar-bending, formwork carpentry, concreting and grouting, and plastering. However, given the projected steady increase in the total construction volume, the overall manpower demand for the construction industry is expected to remain strong over the next five years.
 
The spokesman said, “The DEVB will make reference to the forecast data released by the CIC and work with the Council to strengthen local training and drive technology adoption to enhance the overall productivity of the construction industry, while adhering to the multipronged approach and the policy of ensuring employment priority for local workers. The DEVB will continue to make effective use of the existing Labour Importation Scheme for the Construction Sector as a supplementary measure to respond flexibly to the industry’s manpower needs.”
 
The Government looks forward to the CIC making persistent efforts to make good use of government funding and its own resources to assist construction workers in upskilling and reskilling by providing training places, training subsidies and employment services under the Multi-skilled and Skill Enhancement courses.
 
Regarding construction talent, the 2026-27 Budget proposes an allocation of $65 million for the DEVB to increase on-the-job training places to 260 in relevant government departments under the Graduate Training Scheme in 2026, thereby supporting graduates from construction-related programmes in obtaining professional qualifications. At the same time, with government support, the CIC will allocate an additional $180 million in the 2026-27 financial year to subsidise the provision of on-the-job training for a total of 3 000 relevant graduates in the construction industry.
 
Meanwhile, the Government has been supporting the industry in adopting advanced construction technologies to enhance overall productivity and drive the sustainable development of the industry. The Government injected a total of $2.2 billion into the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) in 2018 and 2022. As the remaining balance is expected to be fully committed within 2026, the Government proposes in the Budget a further injection of $1 billion into the CITF, together with the CIC’s contribution of $400 million, bringing the total to $1.4 billion to continue supporting a wider adoption of innovative technologies. The Government will work with the CIC to promote a broader use of advanced construction methods and new technologies such as MiC, Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing, AI technologies, and construction robotics.
 
The spokesman said, “The healthy development of the construction industry is not only an important component of the economic development of Hong Kong, but also a cornerstone of the city’s high-quality development. Looking ahead, the Government will continue to collaborate with the CIC and industry stakeholders to address various tasks related to the construction volume and manpower needs in the sector.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region