Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     In response to netizens’ comments on a social media platform about victims of the fire incident in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po being arranged to move into interim housing units with unfurnished floors, a spokesman for the Housing Department today (December 3) clarified that the relevant comments are not fact-based. No affected residents are staying in the interim housing units at the moment.

     The Housing Department reminds members of the public not to trust false comments online. Affected residents who would like to stay in transitional housing under the Housing Bureau may call 3611 8482. For enquiries on the interim housing and transit centres of the Housing Department, members of the public may call 2658 4430.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 3) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in County Cavan in Ireland, and a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Tottori Prefecture in Japan, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Ireland for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Ireland, and about 1 540 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 219.73 million poultry eggs from Japan in the first nine months of this year.

     “The CFS has contacted the Irish and Japanese authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 3) recorded another severe paediatric influenza infection case. The CHP reiterated its appeal to urge parents to arrange for their children to receive a free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) promptly, as it is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccinations also reduce the risk of serious illness or death from infection.
                          
     The case involves an 11-year-old girl with underlying illness. She developed a fever, cough and confusion on December 1 and was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the same day, where she was admitted for treatment. She was in serious condition at one point. Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. She remains hospitalised, but her condition has become stable.
                
     A preliminary investigation revealed that the girl lives overseas and arrived in Hong Kong on November 20. She has not yet received the 2025/26 SIV. Her household contacts are currently asymptomatic.
                
     Including the abovementioned case, there have been 25 severe influenza cases involving children so far this summer influenza season, including three fatal cases. The affected children were aged from 6 months to 17 years. A total of 16 cases have been recorded since the launch of this year’s SIV programmes, with only one having received this year’s SIV four days prior to the onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, these severe influenza cases are not protected by the vaccine.
                
     “According to the latest surveillance data, influenza activity has gradually declined since late October. However, it remains above the baseline thresholds. As the weather turns cooler, influenza activity may increase again. Moreover, influenza activity has continued to increase or reached a high level in most areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Members of the public who intend to travel should get vaccinated early as it takes about two weeks after receiving SIV for antibodies to develop in the body and provide adequate protection against influenza virus infection. Since influenza can cause serious complications, the CHP recommends that all persons aged 6 months or above receive the SIV, particularly high-risk individuals such as pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with underlying illnesses,” the Head of Communicable Disease Branch of the CHP, Dr Albert Au, said.
                
     He also reminded members of the public that, especially for children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, they should seek medical advice promptly for early treatment if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children’s condition. They should go to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child’s condition deteriorates, for example, if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.
                     
     Separately, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.

     In addition to issuing timely reminders to healthcare professionals and schools based on the latest seasonal influenza development, the CHP also uploads the latest seasonal influenza information on its website weekly. Members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 3) said that the next online auction of vehicle registration marks (VRMs) will be held from noon on December 18 (Thursday) to noon on December 22 (Monday) through the auction platform E-Auction (e-auction.td.gov.hk). Interested bidders can participate in the online auction only after they have successfully registered as E-Auction users.

     A spokesman for the TD said, “A total of 200 Ordinary VRMs will be available at this online public auction. The list of VRMs (see Annex) has been uploaded to the E-Auction website. Applicants who have paid a $1,000 deposit to reserve the Ordinary VRM for auction should also register as an E-Auction user in advance in order to participate in the online bidding, including placing the first bid at the opening price of $1,000. Otherwise, the VRMs reserved by them may be bid on by other interested bidders at or above the opening price. Auctions for VRMs with ‘HK’ or ‘XX’ as a prefix, special VRMs and personalised VRMs will continue to be carried out through physical auctions by bidding paddles and their announcement arrangements remain unchanged.”

     Members of the public participating in the online bidding should take note of the following important points:

(1) Bidders should register in advance as an E-Auction user by “iAM Smart+” equipped with the digital signing function; or by using a valid digital certificate and an email address upon completion of identity verification. Registered “iAM Smart” users should provide their Hong Kong identity card number, while non-Hong Kong residents who are not “iAM Smart” users should provide the number of their passport or other identification documents when registering as E-Auction users.

(2) Bidders are required to provide a digital signature to confirm the submission and amount of the bid by using “iAM Smart+” or a valid digital certificate at the time of the first bid of each online bidding session (including setting automatic bids before the auction begins) to comply with the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance.

(3) If a bid is made in respect of a VRM within the last 10 minutes before the end of the auction, the auction end time for that particular VRM will be automatically extended by another 10 minutes, up to a maximum of 24 hours.

(4) Successful bidders must follow the instructions in the notification email issued by the TD to log in to the E-Auction within 48 hours from the issuance of the email and complete the follow-up procedures, including:
 

• completing the Purchaser Information for the issuance of the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark (Memorandum of Sale); and
• making the auction payment online by credit card, Faster Payment System (FPS) or Payment by Phone Service (PPS). Cheque or cash payment is not accepted in the E-Auction.

(5) A VRM can only be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. Relevant information on the Certificate of Incorporation must be provided by the successful bidder in the Purchaser Information of the Memorandum of Sale if the VRM purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(6) Successful bidders will receive a notification email around seven working days after payment has been confirmed and can download the Memorandum of Sale from the E-Auction. The purchaser must apply for the VRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser within 12 months from the date of issue of the Memorandum of Sale. If the purchaser fails to do so within the 12-month period, in accordance with the statutory provision, the allocation of the VRM will be cancelled and a new allocation will be arranged by the TD without prior notice to the purchaser.

     The TD has informed all applicants who have reserved the Ordinary VRMs for this round of auction of the E-Auction arrangements in detail by post. Members of the public may refer to the E-Auction website or watch the tutorial videos for more information. Please call the E-Auction hotline (3583 3980) or email (e-auction-enquiry@td.gov.hk) for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Department of Justice (DoJ) is organising for the first time the Hong Kong LawTech Fest 2025 during the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025. The LawTech Fest is being held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for three days from today (December 3), focusing on the development of the integration of lawtech and AI, and featuring a dynamic blend of a thematic conference, a lawtech exhibition, live demonstrations and expert dialogues. It brings together legal practitioners, technology providers, experts, academics and more to explore how technology is reshaping the legal practice and services. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, attended the LawTech Fest today to exchange views with the sector and learn more about the latest developments in lawtech products and services.

     Mr Lam and Dr Cheung visited the LawTech Exhibition set up outside the main event venue of the Hong Kong Legal Week this morning and listened to briefings on innovative products and services by exhibitors. Fifteen exhibitors presented products and services covering areas such as legal research, drafting, contract analytics, online dispute resolution and hearing support. Apart from live demonstrations, expert consultations were also provided to allow attendees to explore how to integrate technology into real-world workflows.
 
     There was also the Insight Stage with industry leaders sharing the application of AI and lawtech in practice, in terms of case studies, governance structure, change management and skills transformation strategy from a practical and actionable perspective.

     Another highlight of the LawTech Fest will be the main stage lawtech conference The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century to be held on Friday (December 5). A keynote speech and the 2025 Final Round of the LexGoTech Roundtable Series will be featured to elevate the legal profession’s understanding of the development of lawtech and AI.

     The other events of the Hong Kong Legal Week continued today. A Symposium of the HCCH Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific on Private International Law – Transnational Litigation & Apostille: Innovating Practices under the HCCH Conventions, co-organised by the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, was held this morning. More than 500 participants, including judges, government officials, academics and legal practitioners from over 30 jurisdictions have registered for the event, sharing their experiences and the challenges faced in implementing the Hague Apostille Convention, Service Convention and Evidence Convention in the digital age and also their recommendations on the way forward.

     The Capital of Mediation event and the Hong Kong Mediation Lecture 2025 were held in the afternoon and the evening respectively. More than 740 sign-ups from participants were received. The two panel sessions of the Capital of Mediation event examined mediation’s role in managing interstate and cross-border commercial disputes, and shared insights on Hong Kong’s deepening mediation culture initiative and other mediation schemes designed to resolve civil and commercial disputes and highlighted the achievements of mediation in areas such as financial services, building management and community relations. The Hong Kong Mediation Lecture 2025 focused on the growing relevance of mediation in the entertainment industries. The two activities fully reflected Hong Kong’s comprehensive strategy for advancing dispute resolution, reinforcing the city’s position as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services and supporting Hong Kong’s development into a global mediation capital.
 
     The DoJ will organise the Basic Law 35th Anniversary Legal Summit on Constitution Day tomorrow (December 4). An expert will be invited to deliver a keynote speech on “The Basic Law – 28 Years’ Practice and Insights”. Leaders from the financial, aviation, trade and higher education sectors will share their insights on how Hong Kong leverages its institutional strengths under the Basic Law and the principle of “one country, two systems” to consolidate and enhance its status as an international centre in finance, aviation and trade, as well as to promote Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent.
 
     For more details of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, please visit the dedicated website at www.legalweek.hk. A live broadcast will be available on the dedicated website and at webcast.info.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office (the Office), under the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, will set up a booth at the Entrepreneur Day exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 4 and 5 to introduce entrepreneurial opportunities arising from the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and the various support services available.
 
     A spokesman for the Office said today (December 3) that the GBA, as one of the most open and economically vibrant regions of the country, plays a key strategic role in the overall national development. The GBA has a population of over 87 million, and its total economic output exceeded RMB14.5 trillion last year. The development of the GBA is full of vitality and opportunities. The Office has been committed to promoting the significant opportunities brought about by the development of the GBA to local, Mainland, and overseas stakeholders through diversified channels and means. By setting up a booth at the Entrepreneur Day exhibition, the Office aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs, including young people who wish to start businesses in the Mainland cities of  the GBA, with practical information on relevant policies and support measures.
 
     The booth to be set up by the Office at the exhibition will feature rich content, providing comprehensive information ranging from policy overviews to practical support services. This will help participants grasp the opportunities of the GBA’s development and create greater room for business and career development. There will also be limited-edition souvenirs distributed while stocks last.
 
     The Office booth will be located at Hall 1E (Booth 1E – F02) and will be open from 9am to 6.30pm on December 4 and from 9am to 6pm on December 5. Admission to the exhibition is free. Interested participants may preregister on the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)’s website (www.hktdc.com/event/eday/en).
 
     The Entrepreneur Day exhibition is organised by the HKTDC, and is designed to foster entrepreneurship and offer support to start-ups through abundant opportunities and customised support services. Participants can connect with fellow entrepreneurs and investors, forge partnerships, engage with industry leaders and expedite their business growth.
 
     For further information about the GBA, please visit the Office’s one-stop dedicated website (www.bayarea.gov.hk/en).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region