Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government announces appointments to Energy Advisory Committee
The Energy Advisory Committee advises the Government on energy policy, including policy matters concerning energy supply and demand, energy conservation and efficiency, and other related matters.*Mr Raymond Chan Chuen-wai
*Professor Anthony Cheung Chun-yue
Ms Suki Cheung Shuk-ming
Ms Linda Choy Siu-min
*Ms Carmen Chu
*Mr Fong Chung-lun
*Dr Jeffrey Hung Oi-shing
*Dr Cathy Jim Ka-wai
*Mr Alex Kwan King-fai
*Ms Grace Kwok May-han
Ms Shirley Kwok Ho-yee
Ms Anna Mae Koo Mei-jong
*Professor Sunnie Lau Sing-yeung
Mr Li Kai-chi
Mr Arthur Mui
*Professor Nora Tam Fung-yee
Mr Tang Ka-wing
*Professor Charles Wong Man-sing
*Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) or his/her representative
*Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services or his/her representativeIssued at HKT 12:00
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Two incoming air passengers convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Two incoming air passengers were each sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (July 10) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109).
Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a special enforcement operation to combat illicit cigarette smuggling activities involving air passengers. Two Mainland male passengers aged 30 and 33, arriving in Hong Kong from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, were arrested at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 9). A total of about 130 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $590,000 and a duty potential of about $433,000, were seized from their personal baggage.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public and travellers that under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs seizes illegally imported live birds of suspected scheduled endangered species
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes illegally imported live birds of suspected scheduled endangered species (with photo)
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.hkIssued at HKT 12:40
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Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
An incoming local female passenger was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (July 10) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming 27-year-old local female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on July 3 and seized 581 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $2,900 and a duty potential of about $1,900. The female passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $3.1 million
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs on June 24 seized about 6 300 suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $3.1 million at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an incoming lorry at the HZMB Hong Kong Port. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit goods inside the cargo compartment of the lorry, including jerseys, handbags and footwear. A 59-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested.
An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods would have been transshipped to overseas regions.
The investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against counterfeit goods and smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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).
EMSD youth outreach programme wins GovMedia Awards 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Witty Bear Youth Outreach Programme – Exploring the E&M World, run by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), won the Hong Kong Outreach Project of the Year – Youth award at the GovMedia Awards 2026. The award recognises the department’s efforts in promoting electrical and mechanical (E&M) knowledge to youth and nurturing future E&M talent.
Launched in 2022 and targeting children and young people, the programme features the EMSD’s popular mascots, Witty Bear and KnowBot, as publicity ambassadors to promote E&M safety, energy efficiency, and innovation and technology. Through a continuous array of diverse activities, including a pilot STEM education programme, exhibitions, mobile promotion trucks and book fair booths, the programme introduces E&M knowledge in a lively, interesting, educational, and easy-to-understand manner, to inspire young children and guide youth to explore the professional world of E&M engineering, thereby nurturing new blood for the industry.
The GovMedia Awards recognise outstanding government initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region, commending organisations for their exceptional leadership, creativity, and impact in public service.
DH investigates hospital-acquired case of Legionnaires’ disease
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH investigates hospital-acquired case of Legionnaires’ disease
Since the patient was hospitalised at HKSH throughout the incubation period (from June 26 to July 4), the CHP considered that this is a nosocomial case and conducted an environmental investigation at the hospital in order to determine the source of the infection.
A preliminary investigation revealed that, the patient had been admitted to a single-occupancy room in the general ward during the incubation period. The CHP collected 10 water samples and six environmental samples from the water tanks of the concerned building and the patient’s ward. The results of laboratory testing are pending.
The CHP has instructed HKSH to suspend the use of the shower rooms in the ward concerned, thoroughly disinfect the water supply systems of the concerned ward and install bacterial filters as soon as possible. The CHP has also provided the hospital with health advice and medical surveillance recommendations, and will continue to closely monitor the implementation of these measures.
In addition, the CHP is arranging for other patients who were hospitalised on the same floor as the patient during the same period to undergo medical surveillance. No additional LD cases have been identified among them so far.
The CHP’s investigation and follow-up work are ongoing.
Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpool spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or ships. The public should observe the health advice below:
The public may visit the CHP’s LD pageIssued at HKT 20:54
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“Smart Parent Net” Recommendation: “HKDSE Exam Cheer Up Video (3) – Dream Ahead”(2026)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3
“Smart Parent Net” Recommendation: “HKDSE Exam Cheer Up Video (3) – Dream Ahead”(2026)
Fraudulent websites related to Octopus Cards Limited
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Fraudulent websites related to Octopus Cards Limited
The fraudulent websites reported by the SVF licensee known at the time are as follows:
https[.]//www.home-advisor24.com/…
https[.]//quickflarehit.com/…
https[.]//www.trusted-experts24.com/…
https[.]//www.trustedguides24.com/…
https[.]//www.home-adviser.com/…
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that anyone who has provided his or her personal information or account credentials, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites concerned, should contact the relevant SVF licensee, and report to the Police or contact the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the Police at 18222.
Issued at HKT 18:25
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Ballots drawn for HOS 2025, GSH 2025 and WSM 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
Ballots were separately drawn today (July 10) for the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)’s Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2025 (HOS 2025), Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Flats 2025 (GSH 2025) and White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) 2025 (WSM 2025). The Chairman of the HA’s Subsidised Housing Committee, Professor Stephen Cheung, officiated at the ballot drawings.
To streamline application arrangements for the convenience of applicants, HOS 2025, GSH 2025 and WSM 2025 were launched together. During the application period, the HA received a total of around 104 000, 31 000 and 48 000 applications for HOS 2025, GSH 2025 and WSM 2025 respectively, among which over 65 per cent of applicants applied for two schemes at the same time through the streamlined application arrangements (See Annex).
Extra ballot numbers to help young people and repeated unsuccessful applicants achieve homeownership
“It is the first time the HA has allocated an extra ballot number to young family applicants and young one-person applicants aged below 40 with White Form (WF) status who opted to join the Youth Scheme (HOS). Approximately 54 000 relevant applications for HOS 2025 have been allocated an extra ballot number,” a spokesman for the HA said.
“Following the first implementation in GSH 2024, the HA continues to allocate an extra ballot number in HOS 2025 and GSH 2025 to applicants who failed to purchase a subsidised sales flat (SSF) in the last two consecutive sale exercises of the same type of SSF, with the aim of increasing their chances of successfully purchasing SSFs. HOS and GSH will be counted separately. Approximately 20 000 applications and 10 000 applications for HOS 2025 and GSH 2025 have been allocated an extra ballot number respectively,” the spokesman said.
Same-day online announcement of ballot results
The ballot drawings separately conducted today determine the applicants’ priority sequence for HOS 2025, GSH 2025 and WSM 2025 based on the last two digits of their application numbers and the extra ballot numbers (if any). For applicants holding the same drawn digits within each application categories, their order of priority will be randomly generated by computer according to the ballot results. The flat selection order for applicants under HOS 2025 and GSH 2025 with extra ballot numbers will be determined by the ballot number with higher priority according to the ballot results.
The ballot results have been uploaded to the HA/Housing Department (HD)’s designated websites for HOS 2025 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/hos/2025), GSH 2025 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/gsh/2025) and WSM 2025 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/wsm/2025). Applicants who have submitted online applications will receive email notifications of the ballot results following the ballot drawing ceremony.
The randomly generated order of all applications will be uploaded to the designated website and displayed at the HA Customer Service Centre in Lok Fu and the office of the HA’s GSH Sales Unit in Kwun Tong this afternoon. It will also be displayed from July 13 at all Estate offices and District Tenancy Management Offices of the HA, rental estate offices of the Hong Kong Housing Society and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres. Applicants may call the HA Sales Hotline 2712 8000 for enquiries.
The HA will, in accordance with the order of priority, issue letters/emails (for applicants who submitted online applications and opted to receive electronic notifications) to invite WF applicants and applicants holding a valid Green Form Certificate to submit the income and asset declaration form and supporting documents within a specified period for detailed vetting to ascertain whether individual applicants meet the eligibility criteria for the respective application category and the final priority for flat selection of eligible applicants.
Eligible applicants to be notified by mail regarding flat selection commencing from the second half of the year
“For HOS 2025 and WSM 2025, flat selection is expected to commence from the fourth quarter and the third/fourth quarter of this year respectively. By then, the HA will send notifications in batches to invite eligible applicants according to their priority in the application category to select flats for sale at sales offices. For WSM 2025, approval letters for successful applicants are expected to be issued in the fourth quarter of this year for their applications for the Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase,” the spokesman said.
Supply of almost 8 000 flats in six projects with diverse locations and flat types
The flats for sale under HOS 2025 and GSH 2025 offer a diverse range of choices, ensuring that young families, first-time homebuyers, and applicants seeking to improve their living environment can purchase a flat that suits their needs.
HOS 2025 includes about 7 000 flats in five new HOS developments located in Kai Tak, Kam Tin, Tseung Kwan O, Ping Shan and Tung Chung, with saleable areas ranging from about 26.1 square metres to about 52.0 sq m (about 281 square feet to about 560 sq ft).
GSH 2025 includes over 800 flats from the new GSH development, Shing Chi Court, in Kowloon Bay with saleable areas ranging from about 26.0 sq m to about 43.6 sq m (about 280 sq ft to about 469 sq ft). In addition, a new batch of recovered Tenants Purchase Scheme flats will be offered for sale under GSH 2025.
WSM quota amounting to 7 000 with nearly 30 per cent allocated to young applicants
The HA further increases the quota by 1 000 to 7 000 starting from WSM 2025, of which nearly 30 per cent (a total of 2 000 quotas) are allocated to young applicants aged below 40, while the remaining 5 000 are ordinary quotas. The allocation ratio for family and one-person applicants remains at 9:1, and any unused family quotas will be reallocated to one-person applicants and vice versa.