Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ8: Water seepage problems in public housing
Year Among the cases being processed as of 2025, 419 were received after November 2025 and are still being processed mainly because the property owners could not cater inspection arrangements or repair schedules. There are no cases remained unsolved for an extended period of time. Over 60 per cent of the cases were found in estates built over thirty years ago, with the source of leakage most commonly found on bathroom floor surfaces or walls. The primary causes include ageing of waterproofing layers, natural deterioration of building materials, or damage to waterproofing layers or pipes during renovations arranged by tenants. The HKHA will generally re-lay waterproofing layers to affected areas to resolve the issue. The HD will continue to actively co-ordinate inspection and repair arrangements and facilitate successful completion of cases by enforcement measures.
Furthermore, to facilitate the smooth handling of water seepage or leakage issues, the HD will enforce the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement against PRH tenants who refuse to co-operate with inspections or repairs. Under this Scheme, refusal to allow the HKHA or its authorised representatives to conduct leakage inspections or carry out works within their units will incur a deduction of seven points. Over the past three years, the HD has deducted points from 21 PRH tenants for the aforesaid reason.
Year The majority of the aforementioned cases about SSF involved minor issues, such as debris left in window frames during construction or adjustments to window hinges affecting the seal, leading to slight water seepage in winds and rains, etc. No serious problem was found, and all cases were resolved. Given the minor nature of the required repairs, over 90 per cent of the cases were completed within seven days after the arrangement of repairs was confirmed. The remaining individual cases were basically completed within 14 days.
(3) and (4) The HKHA has always placed great emphasis on the construction quality of public housing and maintains a rigorous system for monitoring contractors’ workmanship. The Specification Library issued by the HD stipulates the building materials and workmanship specifications; testing methods; and acceptance standards under new development works contracts. The HKHA requires contractors to complete works in accordance with approved quality standards and contractual provisions regarding workmanship and building materials prior to handover. For all newly completed public housing units, the HD conducts watertightness tests on windows by nozzles with pressure from the outside, as well as simulated shower spray tests on waterproof areas in bathrooms. In response to recent concerns about water seepage through pipe sleeves penetrating walls, we have enhanced the existing acceptance procedures by adding watertightness tests by nozzles with pressure for pipe sleeves and random inspections prior to project completion and handover. Furthermore, additional random inspections are conducted on pipe sleeves for each project to thoroughly inspect whether the packing around the sleeves is fully filled, thereby strengthening quality control and eradicating instances of water seepage.Issued at HKT 16:54
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Exchange Fund Position at end-December 2025 The Exchange Fund recorded an investment income of HK$331.0 billion in 2025. The main components were: Fees on placements by the Fiscal Reserves and placements by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government funds and statutory bodies were HK$16.5 billion (Note 3) and HK$14.7 billion respectively in 2025, with the rate of fee payment at 4.4 per cent for 2025.
The Abridged Balance Sheet shows that the total assets of the Exchange Fund increased by HK$70.4 billion, from HK$4,081.0 billion at the end of 2024 to HK$4,151.4 billion at the end of 2025. Accumulated surplus stood at HK$936.1 billion at end-December 2025.
The Exchange Fund recorded an investment return of 8.0 per cent in 2025 (Note 4). Specifically, the Investment Portfolio achieved a rate of return of 12.4 per cent and the Backing Portfolio gained 5.2 per cent. The Long-Term Growth Portfolio (LTGP) recorded an annualised internal rate of return of 11.2 per cent since its inception in 2009 up to the end of September 2025.
Commenting on the performance of the Exchange Fund in 2025, the Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, “The global financial markets experienced significant volatility in the first half of 2025 due to factors such as trade conflicts and geopolitical tensions. In particular, following the announcement of a series of tariff measures by the US Government in early April, global equity and bond markets fell sharply. As we entered the second half of the year, the investment environment improved notably, bolstered by the smaller-than-expected impact from trade conflicts as well as the swift advancement of artificial intelligence technology which attracted investment flows. Policy rate cuts by major central banks during the year also helped boost market sentiment.
“Overall, the global financial markets showed strong resilience in 2025. Major stock markets saw broad-based gains, with many of them setting record highs. The S&P 500 finished the year up 16 per cent. Benefitting from capital inflows into the Hong Kong stock market, the Hang Seng Index rose by 28 per cent in 2025. The US Treasuries also performed decently on the back of the US Federal Reserve’s rate cuts. On foreign exchange, the US dollar depreciated by approximately 9 per cent against other major currencies.
“Against this backdrop, the Exchange Fund’s investment income in 2025 was a record high. Its bond and equity holdings, and the LTGP all achieved positive returns. The Exchange Fund also registered a positive currency translation effect on its non-Hong Kong dollar assets due to the weakening of the US dollar.
“It is exceptional for all main components of the Exchange Fund to record positive returns in a single year. This has occurred only two times over the past 15 years in 2017 and 2020. In addition, the investment of the Exchange Fund entails costs and expenses, such as fees on placements by the Fiscal Reserves and by the HKSAR Government funds and statutory bodies, as well as interest payment on Exchange Fund Bills and Notes and other expenses.”
Mr Yue said, “The exceptional confluence of multiple favourable factors in the global financial markets in 2025 may not last for a long time. Looking ahead to 2026, factors such as global economic conditions, monetary policies of major central banks, developments in artificial intelligence, and geopolitical conflicts could affect the performance of financial markets. Should market conditions deteriorate, the financial markets could fluctuate significantly.
“In the face of the complex and volatile investment environment, the HKMA will continue to adhere to the principle of capital preservation first while maintaining long-term growth. We will continue to manage the Exchange Fund with prudence and flexibility, implement appropriate defensive measures, and maintain a high degree of liquidity. We will also continue our investment diversification to strive for higher long-term returns, and ensure that the Exchange Fund remains effective in achieving its purpose of maintaining monetary and financial stability of Hong Kong.”
Note 1: This is primarily the effect of translating foreign currency assets into Hong Kong dollar after deducting the portion for currency hedging. Note 2: This is the valuation change of investments held by investment holding subsidiaries of the Exchange Fund. This figure reflects the valuations at the end of September 2025. Valuation changes of these investments from October to December are not yet available. Note 3: This does not include the 2025 fee payment to the Future Fund because such amount will only be published when the composite rate for 2025 is available. Note 4: This return excludes the performance of the Strategic Portfolio and only includes the performance of LTGP up to the end of September 2025. The audited full year return will be published in the 2025 annual report. Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ7: Implementation of fees and charges reform for public healthcare
Triage category The latest statistics of A&Es indicate that the fees and charges reform for public healthcare can effectively help the “acute” patients among the “poor, acute, serious, critical” patients who are most in need. Resources of A&Es are now better directed towards critical and emergency patients. Directing some non-urgent patients or patients with other medical needs to seek more appropriate healthcare services other than A&Es can also help reduce the overall waiting time and alleviate overcrowding at A&Es, thereby achieving the original intent of the fees and charges reform for public healthcare to concentrate resources and treat patients with urgent medical needs more effectively, as well as improving the clinical environment at A&Es.
(2), (4) and (5) As an essential component of the fees and charges reform for public healthcare, the HA has concurrently expanded its medical fee waiver mechanism. In addition to the some 600 000 people who have been benefiting from medical fee waivers both before and after the reform (including Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients, Old Age Living Allowance recipients aged 75 or above and Level 0 Voucher Holders of the Residential Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly), the number of other eligible low-income individuals is estimated to significantly increase from approximately 300 000 to about 1.4 million, i.e. an additional 1.1 million low-income individuals can potentially benefit. This enables limited healthcare resources to be more precisely directed to help the “poor” patients among the “poor, acute, serious, critical” patients who are most in need, while ensuring that no patient is denied medical care due to lack of means.Issued at HKT 17:13
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ9: Promoting development of local agriculture (1) of the number of farms engaged in farming and their respective cultivated area in each of the past five years, with a breakdown by (i) accredited farms, (ii) farms with certifications issued by the aforesaid certification organisations, and (iii) other farms;
(2) of the local production of vegetables and fruit in each of the past five years, with a breakdown by (i) accredited farms, (ii) farms with certifications issued by the aforesaid certification organisations, and (iii) other farms;
(3) of the number of local and Mainland farms currently participating in the Scheme; among them, the number of farms which are “inactive” (i.e. their agricultural land has been abandoned and no commercial crop production is taking place); and the number of accredited farms delisted by the AFCD due to inactivity in each of the past five years;
(4) of the current eligibility criteria for becoming an accredited farm; whether it knows the conditions adopted by the aforesaid certification organisations for granting organic certification; and the support and facilitation measures provided by the AFCD to farms participating in the Scheme and to farms with organic certification;
(5) the number of investigations conducted by the authorities on local vegetables and fruits by way of sample testing in each of the past five years, and the number of cases where unsatisfactory samples were detected, with a breakdown by (i) accredited farms, (ii) farms with certifications issued by the aforesaid certification organisations, and (iii) other farms; and how the authorities follow up on unsatisfactory samples, including whether they will conduct investigations into the farms from which such samples originate;
(6) of the current requirements for becoming an “accredited retailer”; whether the AFCD has compiled statistics on the number of “accredited retailers” which sell only agricultural produce from accredited farms, and whether it requires retail outlets selling agricultural produce from non-accredited farms to distinguish such produce by labelling; and
(7) given that the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries published by the Government in 2023 proposes the building of local agricultural products brand, will the authorities consider integrating the Scheme and the organic certification services of the aforesaid certification organisations to introduce a centralised certification system for grading local agricultural products so as to enhance their attractiveness and recognition?
Year(hectares)(hectares)(hectares)(hectares) The AFCD conducts regular visits to “accredited farms” in both Hong Kong and the Mainland. If a farm was found left fallow for a long time or no longer engaged in commercial production, its “accredited farm” status would be lifted. The number of farms withdrew from the Accredited Farm Scheme over the past five years due to operational inactivity is tabulated as follows:
Year(2) According to the AFCD’s records, the total local crop production volumes from 2021 to 2025 were approximately 15 300 tonnes, 15 100 tonnes, 15 800 tonnes, 15 300 tonnes and 15 400 tonnes respectively. The AFCD does not maintain a breakdown of
Year”accredited vegetables” from “accredited farms” (Tonnes) (Note 2)(4) Participation in the Accredited Farm Scheme is voluntary in nature. Participating farms are required to adhere to the good agricultural practices drawn up by the AFCD, such as the proper use of pesticides and the keeping of cultivation records. The AFCD will carry out pre-harvest sampling of crops for pesticide residue analysis, and provide guidance to farmers on the proper use of pesticides, adoption of environmentally-friendly crop production methods and good horticultural practices, so as to enhance the quality of crops and create a premium and safe brand.
On the other hand, the HKORC has established a set of organic crop production standards with reference to the standards set out by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, and provides organic certification service to local farms. Farms being certified are required to comply with the operational rules specified in these production standards and maintain proper production records. The HKORC also conducts inspections of certified farms to ensure that their produce meets the standards. Moreover, the AFCD will visit “accredited farms” and “certified organic farms” to conduct pre-harvest sampling of crops for testing of pesticide residues and heavy metal. The number of samples collected by the AFCD for testing and that with unsatisfactory findings over the past five years are tabulated as follows:
Year(pre-harvest)(pre-harvest) When crop sample from an “accredited farm” is suspected of containing pesticide residues or heavy metal content exceeding the prescribed limits, the AFCD will immediately require the farm to delay the harvesting of the crops and step up inspections and collect follow-up samples to ensure pesticides have been used properly and that the crops meet the food safety standards before being sold. Farms with three violations within six months will have their “accredited farm” status lifted.
If crop sample from a “certified organic farm” is unsatisfactory, The AFCD and the HKORC will visit the farm for follow-up investigation and require the farm to stop the sale of the concerned batch of crops. If a non-compliance with the organic crop production standard is confirmed, the HKORC will suspend or revoke the organic certification of the farm. Note 2: Since some “accredited farms” choose to distribute vegetables through direct sales or other channels, the market throughput of “accredited vegetables” has gradually decreased year on year.
Note 3: The production of crops from other farms includes crops grown by local “accredited farms” that are not “accredited vegetables” (i.e. crops not marketed through the VMO). The AFCD does not maintain the breakdown of the concerned items. Note 5: Samples containing pesticides mentioned in the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM) or other synthetic pesticides, or with a heavy metal content higher than the maximum level specified in the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), are regarded as unsatisfactory. Issued at HKT 17:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Caritas Medical Centre appeals to public for missing patient A 48-year-old male patient left the orthopaedic ward without notifying hospital staff at around 7.45pm yesterday (January 27).
CMC is very concerned about the incident. Hospital security guards were deployed to search for the patient at the hospital and the surrounding vicinity but were unsuccessful. The hospital reported the case to the Police immediately.
The patient is about 1.6 metres tall and has a normal build, black and grey shoulder-length hair, and a beard. He was wearing patient clothes when he left the hospital. The hospital appeals to the public to contact Cheung Sha Wan Police Station at 3661 1644 if they know the whereabouts of the patient.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. Issued at HKT 18:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ1: Round-the-Island Trail Question:
The Chief Executive proposed in the 2022 Policy Address the development of a “Round-the-Island Trail” (Island Trail) on Hong Kong Island to connect a number of promenades and countryside walking trails between the northern part of Hong Kong Island and the Southern District. To date, 85 per cent of the Island Trail has been connected. Regarding further improvements to its connectivity and accessibility, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as it is learnt that a number of waterfront sites in the Central and Western District have not been designated as land for the waterfront promenade due to operational needs or private ownership, etc, whether the Government has studied extending the waterfront promenade to these sites; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will conduct such studies;
(2) as there are views pointing out that the road section outside New Praya in Kennedy Town lacks a footpath for public use, and the entrance to Belcher Bay Promenade is separated by a bus terminus and obstructed by old trees, whether the Government will construct a boardwalk along the waterfront of the praya to connect the waterfront spaces on both sides, so as to enhance the accessibility of the Island Trail; if so, of the details and timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) of the works progress of the uncompleted road sections of the waterfront promenade in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, and the respective construction timetables?
Reply:
President,
The “Round-the-Island Trail” (the Trail) spans approximately 60 kilometres, connecting the harbourfront promenades on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island and a number of existing promenades and countryside walking trails in the Southern District. The project commenced in phases since 2023 to expedite the connection of the missing links of the Trail and improve some of the existing sections. So far, 85 per cent of the Trail has been connected , with the target of connecting 90 per cent of the Trail within next year and completing the remaining works by the end of 2031.
The reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) Following the opening of the Eastern Section of the East Coast Boardwalk last month, the approximately 13-kilometre long harbourfront from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan has now been connected. Regarding the waterfront sites in the Central and Western District, most of them are connected in the form of promenades. While certain waterfront sites cannot offer promenades due to reasons such as operational needs or private ownership, pedestrian links are provided in the vicinity of the sites which connect to the adjacent waterfront areas. These sites in the Central and Western District are as follows:
(i) Shun Tak Centre: The lot is privately owned and primarily used for vehicular access at-grade. Pedestrian links are available in the vicinity which connect to other waterfront areas. However, these paths are rather circuitous involving several pedestrian walkways surrounding the Shun Tak Centre and crossing roads, or taking a nearby footbridge and through the Centre’s shopping mall. The Government will continue to liaise with the landowner to explore options for enhancing the at-grade pedestrian access at this location. In taking forward the Trail or enhancing the waterfront, we have adopted the approach of “tackling the simple issues first before the difficult ones” as well as the “incremental approach”, both of which are pragmatic and beneficial to the public. The Development Bureau will continue to follow this approach to provide more popular waterfront spaces and walking trails. Thank you, President. Issued at HKT 18:15
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ12: Enhancing management of property maintenance and fire safety Question:
There are views that in light of the outbreak of a No.5 alarm fire during maintenance works at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Government should clearly define the respective roles of property management companies (PMCs) and owners’ corporations (OCs) in major building repair works (overhauls), leverage technology to assist in inspection and review, and improve the management of building fire safety. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it will review the delineation of the respective powers and responsibilities of PMCs or OCs at various building overhaul stages, including early-stage tendering, construction, and completion inspection, and study the feasibility of stipulating in deeds of mutual covenant that PMCs shall provide advice on building management for stakeholders’ reference at different overhaul stages;
(2) whether it will, drawing on the Mainland’s experience, establish a Construction Project Management System under which the Buildings Department appoints an independent supervisor responsible for oversight of overhauls (including examination of maintenance consultants’ reports, maintenance recommendations, material recommendations, maintenance tender details, and tender analysis reports) and co-ordinate the roles of all relevant stakeholders in works projects, so as to eradicate bid-rigging and enhance regulatory oversight, safety and efficiency of projects;
(3) as it is learnt that during the fire disaster at Wang Fuk Court, fire alarms did not go off, fire hydrants were not supplied with water, and fire doors in the buildings were found to be often left open, whether the authorities will leverage technology in building planning by mandating the adoption of intelligent firefighting and safety technology standards, including establishment of Internet of Things fire detection systems and installation of online sensors at critical public locations to instantly transmit alerts to PMCs and residents’ mobile phones in the event of abnormal situations; addition of intelligent automatic fire extinguishing devices; and utilisation of Building Information Modelling technology to conduct fire simulations and evacuation analyses for improvement of layouts;
(4) as it is learnt that following the outbreak of the Wang Fuk Court fire, the country mandated nationwide deployment to launch an inspection and rectification campaign targeting major fire risks and hazards in high-rise buildings, whether the Government will, by drawing on the Mainland’s experience, examine fire hazards in all buildings across the territory, and comprehensively leverage technology to improve building firefighting designs, while working in parallel to raise public awareness of fire safety through education and extensive publicity; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(5) whether it will consider, by drawing reference from Macao’s Legal Regime for the Administration of the Common Parts of the Condominium, studying the enactment of legislation or stipulation in deeds of mutual covenant requiring buildings to establish a common reserve fund to cover unforeseen expenditures and other necessary expenses arising from the maintenance of their common parts;
(6) whether it will leverage its Common Spatial Data Infrastructure to create a high-precision 3D digital Visualisation Map model of Wang Fuk Court and integrate relevant data for an in-depth investigation and review of the fire incident, such as through simulated re-enactment, cause analysis and system review; and
(7) whether it will establish a whole-process information management platform based on geoblockchain technology for property overhaul projects, and make use of blockchain technology to assist in monitoring standards compliance of the construction materials in use and tracing their procurement sources, while the platform can also record information relevant to the building overhaul projects, including records of OCs’ and owners’ meetings, background information of all bidding companies, due diligence on successful bidding companies and the entire construction process, so as to realise immutable, transparent whole-chain traceability, thereby effectively reducing the risk of human falsification and enhancing industry quality?
Reply:
President,
Building safety is the foundation of a liveable city and a subject to which the Government attaches great importance. The fire incident in Tai Po has highlighted the importance of management of building maintenance works, strict compliance with fire safety requirements, and the enhancement of building management. Relevant Government departments are actively reviewing how to further clarify the responsibility and improve the regulatory framework regarding property management and works supervision, as well as the application of technology to enhance building maintenance and fire safety.
Having consulted the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Security Bureau, the replies to the various parts of the question are as follows:
(1) Private property rights not only confer entitlements but also entail responsibilities for management and maintenance. When owners jointly own the common areas of private buildings, they must collectively undertake the management and maintenance responsibilities for these areas. The Building Management Ordinance (BMO) aims to provide a legal framework that allows owners to perform building management duties on behalf of all owners by establishing an owners’ corporation (OC) as an independent legal entity. Specifically, under section 16 of the BMO, after the establishment of an OC, all rights and responsibilities of the owners regarding the common parts of the building are exercised and fulfilled by the OC. In other words, the OC is legally obligated to properly manage and maintain the common areas of the building, including major repair works related to the building.
Meanwhile, during the repair process of properties, licensed property management companies (PMCs) have to participate in co-ordinating and communicating for the project in accordance with the contracts signed with owners or the OC. In addition, the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) has issued the Code of Conduct on “Handling Building Works” (the Code) and relevant Best Practice Guide under the Property Management Services Ordinance (PMSO) to assist PMCs in handling building works in a professional and effective manner. Among other things, the Code stipulates the general roles and responsibilities of PMCs, such as posting notices in prominent areas of the property before the commencement of works to inform owners and relevant parties about the details of the works, conducting appropriate monitoring and record-keeping during the works period, and carrying out proper clear-up after completion and adequately restoring damaged facilities due to the works.
If the PMSA has reasonable grounds to suspect that a licensee has failed to comply with the Code, it may initiate an investigation. Upon completion of the investigation and if a disciplinary offence is confirmed, the PMSA may conduct a hearing and impose penalties according to the PMSO, including verbal warnings or written reprimands, fines, imposing or varying a condition of the licence, temporarily suspending the licence, or revoking the licence.
(2) At present, most building maintenance works are designated as Class II minor works, for which only the appointment of a contractor is required for carrying out the works. In response to the fire incident in Tai Po, the Government is further reviewing the Buildings Ordinance with a proposal to upgrade major building maintenance works to Class I minor works. In the future, apart from appointing a contractor, it will also be necessary to appoint a third-party building professional to submit prescribed plans, precautionary measures, and supervision plans. This building professional, who must be independent of the contractor, will assist the owners in supervising the works. The Buildings Department (BD) will step up audit checks and enforcement action. Penalties will be imposed if works are found not to be carried out in accordance with the submitted plans.
On the other hand, the Development Bureau, in collaboration with the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), introduced the “Smart Tender” service in 2016. Independent consultants would provide owners with independent third-party professional advice on major building maintenance works, covering areas such as whether the scope of works compiles with the requirements of the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme and the reference prices for the works projects, etc. Upon review, the Government will strengthen the URA’s “Smart Tender” service, including the formulation of a more rigorous “pre-qualified list” of consultants and contractors. In addition to considering technical and manpower requirements as well as records of criminal convictions and disciplinary actions, more indicators reflecting performance will be taken into account. Consultants and contractors must also pass background checks by the Police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption before they can be included in the list and participate in tendering. Delisting arrangements and regular reviews of the list will also be introduced. Furthermore, the URA will conduct the tendering and tender assessment work for owners participating in the “Smart Tender” platform. If the owners concerned have applied for Government subsidies for building maintenance, they must accept the consultants and contractors determined by the URA as a condition for the subsidies. As for other buildings that have not applied for Government maintenance subsidies, the URA will also provide recommendations on the successful bidder to the owners. For buildings applying for Government maintenance subsidies, after the commencement of works, the URA will require consultants and contractors to report to the URA at critical project junctures, such as significant amendments to the scope of works or increases in project costs, so that the URA may offer independent advice to the owners.
The Government is currently discussing the details of the above reform directions with the URA. It is believed that the above will attract quality consultants and contractors to participate in building maintenance works, while reducing opportunities for illicit collusion among consultants, contractors and individual owners, thereby promoting the healthy development of the construction industry as a whole.
(3) The Fire Services Department (FSD) introduced the Pilot Scheme on the Internet of Things Fire Detection System (IoT FDS) at the end of 2025 with the objective of enhancing fire safety standards in old buildings. At present, the IoT FDS is being installed in ten old buildings of six storeys or less across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. This allows the buildings concerned to be exempted from the installation of fire service equipment such as fire hose reels, fire water tanks, and water pumps, further assisting owners of the target buildings to comply with Fire Safety Directions in a more convenient and safe manner.
The IoT FDS offers real-time monitoring and rapid transmission of fire alarm signals. Upon detection of a fire, the system will instantly alert the Fire Services Communications Centre to handle the incident, enabling the prompt dispatch of fire appliances at the incipient stage of a fire, even in circumstances where no report has yet been made by the public. Moreover, the IoT FDS incorporates a system status monitoring function. If an individual detector malfunctions, the system will instantly transmit a signal to notify the FSD and the service provider to initiate follow-up actions. In addition, the system collects fire-related data to support the FSD’s application of big data analytics in assessing relevant risk factors.
The FSD is conducting ongoing evaluations of the effectiveness of the Pilot Scheme. The first phase of assessment is expected for completion in the second quarter of 2026. Subject to satisfactory results, consideration will be given to extending the IoT FDS to all relevant buildings.
In parallel, the FSD actively promotes the use of standalone fire detectors to strengthen warning during the incipient stage of a fire and self-rescue capabilities among the public. In recent years, the market has seen the introduction of smart standalone fire detectors with interconnectivity functions, enabling integration with home surveillance cameras and smartphone applications. When the detector emits a fire alarm signal, users will not only receive instant alert notification but can also view live footage of the home’s actual conditions via remote monitoring, thereby facilitating rapid assessment of the fire situation and enabling the most appropriate response. The FSD will continue to promote smart fire safety equipment to the public through short videos on social media and community seminars.
With regard to the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM), the FSD is fully aligned with the Government’s initiative to promote the wider adoption of BIM within the construction industry. The department is examining the development of a dedicated BIM platform to leverage functions such as automated checking for reviewing fire service installations and equipment in building plans, thereby improving the efficiency of the approval process.
The FSD will also examine the feasibility of integrating BIM databases with IoT devices to enable real-time monitoring of fire services systems. Research efforts on related technologies will continue to strengthen fire prevention measures and evacuation design in buildings.
(4) Following the fire at Wang Fuk Court, the Government immediately established the Task Force on Strengthening Fire Safety Governance to implement both immediate measures and medium-to-long-term initiatives in inspection and enforcement, technology application, publicity and education, with the aim of enhancing fire safety standards.
For inspection and enforcement, the FSD’s dedicated inspection team completed the first phase of inspections on fire service installations and equipment (FSIs) in 256 buildings undergoing major repair works on January 13 this year. In addition, since its establishment in December last year, the FSD’s round-the-clock Quick Response Team has been deployed 183 times to conduct immediate on-site inspections and enforcement of FSIs at fire scenes. Furthermore, the FSD has launched a two-month operation to inspect the fire alarm systems of approximately 1 500 higher-risk buildings.
For technology application, the FSD will continue to closely monitor the latest trends in advanced fire service equipment and will, in a timely manner, introduce technologies that are proven to be mature and safe, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of firefighting and rescue operations.
For publicity and education, the FSD will continue to promote basic fire safety knowledge to the public through various channels, including newspaper interviews, press releases, short videos, and a wide range of activities. The FSD also provides additional basic fire safety training to members of the public and appoints them as FSD Community Emergency Responders. Furthermore, under the Community Emergency Responder Scheme, the FSD has newly established the Building Emergency Responders which provides specialised training for property management personnel, representatives of OCs, and residents on building fire safety, such as the correct usage, management, and maintenance responsibilities of FSIs, as well as key considerations when conducting fire inspections. These Building Emergency Responders can assist in identifying potential safety hazards within housing estates, participate in fire safety inspections, and report risks to the FSD or PMCs. Besides, at the district level, the Government has strengthened the role of the 18 District Fire Safety Committees in fire prevention promotion, publicity, inspections and co-ordination.
(5) Section 20 of the BMO stipulates that an OC must establish and maintain a general fund to cover the expenses incurred in exercising its powers or performing its duties under the BMO and the deed of mutual covenant, as well as the day-to-day general expenses of the building. In addition, an OC may also set up a contingency fund to meet emergency needs or shortfalls in the general fund. The amount to be contributed by owners to these two funds is determined in accordance with the needs of the building by the owners.
As more buildings age, ensuring their structural safety requires repair works of varying scales. To alleviate the financial pressure on owners when handling repairs, there have been suggestions in the community to establish a mandatory repair reserve fund, enabling advance financial preparation for future repairs. Since this proposal involves matters related to building maintenance and repairs, the affordability and willingness of owners, etc, the relevant Government departments will conduct research and gather views from stakeholders.
(6) On November 28, 2025, following the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Government established an Inter-departmental Fire Investigation Task Force led by the FSD. The task force is investigating both the cause of the fire and the reasons for its spread, reviewing all relevant evidence and making full use of available technologies to assist in the investigation.
(7) The Government maintains an open attitude towards the use of technology to enhance the monitoring of building material standards or the tracking of building materials. Taking scaffolding nets as an example, the BD issued a Practice Note on December 19, 2025 to ensure that protective materials overlaid on external wall scaffolding meet fire retardant performance standards. The Practice Note requires Registered Contractors to adopt reliable systems (such as QR codes, Near Field Communication (NFC) devices, or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology) to facilitate the verification and tracking of material batches. In accordance with the requirements of the Practice Note, the Construction Industry Council previously provided a special arrangement for collective procurement of fire-retardant protective nets and utilised blockchain technology to ensure the transparency of the procurement process. From order placement, reporting of production progress, laboratory testing, and logistics delivery to the signing of receipt, the system records data from every key juncture to the blockchain. This forms a clear and immutable audit trail to prevent future alteration or falsification, setting a good example for the industry. As the materials involved in construction works are diverse, the BD will adopt a risk-based approach, and review which other types of building materials under the existing mechanism require enhanced regulation over material standards or tracking.
Separately, the BMO sets out clear requirements for the retention of documents. The Building Management (Amendment) Ordinance 2024, which came into effect in July 2025, further introduces criminal liability for failure to properly keep books of account, minutes of meetings, tender documents, and instruments of proxy. As for the format of document retention, it may be decided by the management committee of the OC. Issued at HKT 18:20
The Department of Health announced today that it has referred to law enforcement agencies the case of a Dental House Officer (DHO) suspected of gaining unauthorised access to patients’ medical records.
The department revealed that an enquiry from a member of the public had been referred it by the Electronic Health Record Registration Office. The enquiry was prompted by an SMS notification about his electronic health records being accessed by a healthcare officer from the department despite the fact he had not used any of the department’s services recently.
Preliminary investigations by the department revealed that a DHO employed under non-civil service terms had repeatedly accessed the electronic medical records of 16 individuals without their consent. None of the individuals were the DHO’s patients, but he claimed to know them.
The department has reported the case to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, the Commissioner for Electronic Health Record and the Dental Council of Hong Kong, and has notified the individuals affected. The DHO has been suspended from duty.
To prevent similar incidents from reoccurring, the department said it will review and optimise internal system security measures.
It has also reminded all staff and healthcare personnel to strictly observe internal guidelines on information technology security and the use of eHealth.
The department said it attaches great importance to the conduct and integrity of its staff, including contract staff. It elaborated that in cases where employees are suspected of misconduct, thorough investigations will be conducted, with all cases being impartially.
The event will be held from February 3 to 8 at the Kai Tak Arena.
Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng said the high level of cuemanship in store and the excitement around the event are not in doubt, as the World Grand Prix is only open to the 32 top-ranked snooker professional players in the world.
He added that the event not only gives snooker enthusiasts the opportunity to watch world-class players perform, but also promotes the further development of snooker in Hong Kong.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu welcomed the hosts and production team of the Taiwanese programme A Table for the World during their visit to Sydney, where they shared plans to engage with local communities in Australia through food, culture, and people-to-people exchange under the Sydney sky.
Director General Wu noted that culinary culture is an important vehicle for cultural diplomacy, fostering mutual understanding and friendship across borders. He welcomed initiatives that highlight Taiwan’s openness, creativity, and warmth, and expressed appreciation for the programme’s efforts to strengthen cultural connections between Taiwan and Australia through shared dining experiences.