Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 3) released the seventh batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 15 survey areas, as follows: 
 

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The indexes are higher from April to June. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. As compared with last year, the temperature began to climb earlier this year and the rainfall in April and May increased substantially, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further but the overall trend of gravidtrap indexes this year is similar to those of previous years. 

In response to the rise in gravidtrap indexes in recent months, the FEHD has stepped up mosquito prevention and control work across all districts in Hong Kong, including inspecting construction sites, parks, public and private housing estates, and locations with higher mosquito infestations. Between Apr 1 and June 2 this year, the FEHD has initiated 71 prosecutions against the management companies or responsible persons-in-charge of these venues following the discovery of mosquito breeding, and issued 183 statutory notices requiring the clearance of stagnant water or stagnant water containers. 
    
Furthermore, for survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures, including eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and ensuring that mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations are operating properly. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders also strengthen efforts in publicity and education, including organising exhibitions, distributing leaflets and posters, and notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.  

The FEHD is actively adopting and piloting innovative technologies. At present, an intelligent mosquito trapping device imported from the Mainland, which uses specially formulated mosquito attractants to lure and capture adult mosquitoes, is undergoing a field trial. The device also features artificial intelligence to assist in identifying the species and number of mosquitoes collected in order to provide real-time data to assist in continuous monitoring of mosquito infestation. The FEHD will review the operation of the device to assess the feasibility of its widespread application. 
  
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
• change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
• scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
   
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).     

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, expressed sorrow at the passing of Hong Kong theatre veteran Dr Chung King-fai and extended her deepest condolences to his family.

Dr Chung dedicated his life to the performing arts and directed numerous productions. He was committed to promoting the development of theatrical arts in Hong Kong and made remarkable achievements. Drawing on his extensive experience and professional knowledge, Dr Chung served as a member of the Committee on Performing Arts under the then Home Affairs Bureau, a member of an Art Form Panel (now known as the Art Form Sub-committee) under the Programme and Development Committee of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and Arts Advisor (Drama) to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. In these roles, he provided the Government with valuable advice on theatre programming. In 2013, he was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star.
​
Miss Law said, “King Sir directed and performed in many classic stage productions over the years, including ‘West Side Story’, ‘A Sentimental Journey’, ‘Death of a Salesman’ and ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’. He also appeared in a number of films, leaving us with cherished collective memories. As a teacher at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, he nurtured numerous renowned artists. His passing is a tremendous loss to Hong Kong’s performing arts sector. We will always treasure the memory of this stage veteran and remain deeply grateful for his distinguished contributions to the performing arts in Hong Kong.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Government of Uzbekistan exchanged notes today (June 3, Tashkent time), agreeing to discuss the implementation details of a mutual visa-free arrangement, which would allow a visa-free period of 30 days for visitors from both sides. Witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Mr Bakhtiyor Saidov, representatives from both governments exchanged notes today to confirm the establishment of a mutual visa-free arrangement. Following the exchange of notes, the governments of both places will immediately advance the discussions of the detailed arrangements to strive for early implementation.

Currently, HKSAR passport holders can visit Uzbekistan visa-free for 10 days. Holders of diplomatic and service passports from Uzbekistan can visit Hong Kong visa-free for 14 days, while holders of ordinary passports from Uzbekistan must apply for a visa to visit Hong Kong.

To build closer bilateral relations, the HKSAR Government and the Government of Uzbekistan are establishing a mutual visa-free arrangement. This will extend the visa-free period for HKSAR passport holders visiting Uzbekistan from the current 10 days to 30 days, while all passport holders from Uzbekistan will be able to visit Hong Kong visa-free for 30 days.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government stated that following the relaxation of the application criteria for multiple-entry visas for business and travel to Hong Kong for nationals from Uzbekistan in September 2025, establishing a mutual visa-free arrangement with Uzbekistan will help further promote economic, trade, and tourism development between Hong Kong and Central Asia.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today continued his trip to Kazakhstan by visiting a local university and meeting its President to exchange views on strengthening higher education collaboration between the two places.

In the morning, Mr Lee led a delegation to visit Nazarbayev University in Astana and was greeted by its President Prof Waqar Ahmad.

Following a meeting with the professor, Mr Lee attended a signing ceremony for Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the university and Hong Kong higher education institutions.

He iterated that Hong Kong is promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and offering the Belt & Road (B&R) Scholarship. Currently, about 500 Kazakhstani students are studying in Hong Kong, making them one of the largest groups among Hong Kong’s B&R student community.

Mr Lee welcomed more Kazakhstani students to come to Hong Kong for study and career development, and further promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two places.

He noted that Nazarbayev University is Central Asia’s No. 1 university, and the place where President Xi Jinping first proposed the joint building of the Silk Road Economic Belt in 2013, marking the profoundly significant genesis of the B&R Initiative.

Nazarbayev University today signed MOUs with the Education University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to continuously deepen academic exchanges and research collaboration. Today’s signings followed an 2025 MOU that were signed with the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology to launch a bachelor programme in Eurasian business administration.

“These agreements will deepen academic and research collaboration. They will strengthen people-to-people ties between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. This growing network of institutional partnerships is precisely how we build enduring foundations for long-term co-operation and mutual rewards,” said the Chief Executive.

He added that the partnerships today are just the beginning for more education collaboration between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan in the future to jointly nurture talent with a global vision and contribute to the talent pool of the Belt & Road Initiative.

Mr Lee attended a luncheon hosted by Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Kazakhstan Han Chunlin, before heading for Uzbekistan.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law today expressed sorrow over the passing of Hong Kong theatre veteran Dr Chung King-fai and extended her deepest condolences to his family.

Miss Law said Dr Chung directed and performed in many classic stage productions over the years, including West Side Story, A Sentimental Journey, Death of a Salesman and Tuesdays with Morrie.

“He also appeared in a number of films, leaving us with cherished collective memories. As a teacher at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, he nurtured numerous renowned artists. His passing is a tremendous loss to Hong Kong’s performing arts sector.

“We will always treasure the memory of this stage veteran and remain deeply grateful for his distinguished contributions to the performing arts in Hong Kong,” she said.

Dr Chung dedicated his life to the performing arts, directing numerous productions and making remarkable achievements in developing local theatrical arts. Leveraging his extensive experience and professional knowledge, Dr Chung advised the Government on theatre programming.

He previously served as a member of the Committee on Performing Arts under the then Home Affairs Bureau, and as a member of the Art Form Panel (now the Art Form Sub-committee) under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s Programme and Development Committee. He was also an Arts Advisor (Drama) to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

Dr Chung was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2013 in recognition of his significant contributions.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (June 3):

President Professor Waqar Ahmad (President of Nazarbayev University), faculty members, students, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is an honour to be here, with you today, at Nazarbayev University, a leading centre of education and innovation in the heart of Eurasia.

I was delighted to learn that your university, Central Asia’s No.1, has been ranked among the top quartile of international research universities. And you achieved this just 16 years after your founding. This is an outstanding record.

Nazarbayev University has made news, and history, in many ways. One of them is the visit in 2013 by President Xi Jinping of my country, the People’s Republic of China. Here, at this very university, President Xi delivered a landmark speech, publicly proposing, for the first time, the joint building of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

That historic moment marked the genesis of today’s Belt and Road Initiative. It is a strategic blueprint for connectivity, shared development and common prosperity. And it has reshaped global co-operation.

Since its inception, the Belt and Road has developed a comprehensive framework for global partnership. It’s anchored in policy co-ordination, infrastructure connectivity, free and unfettered trade, financial integration and, critically, people-to-people bonds.

More than a decade on, the foundations laid here are delivering rewarding results: new trade corridors, stronger financial flows, and a clearer recognition that shared prosperity is the most sustainable path forward.

Lasting prosperity requires shared knowledge, talent, and trust across borders – and that begins with education. Right here at Nazarbayev University, that vision is taking shape. One pioneering partnership is with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Last year, at the 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement includes the launch of a joint Bachelor of Business Administration programme in Eurasian business. The programme features a joint curriculum, with students spending two years at each institution.

This landmark initiative is the first of its kind in Asia. It demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing higher education co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative. I am confident that the new degree programme will offer far‑reaching benefits for our students and our economies.

Today, we will take another encouraging step forward. After my speech, Nazarbayev University will reach MOUs with Hong Kong’s Education University and Polytechnic University.

These agreements will deepen academic and research collaboration. They will strengthen people‑to‑people ties between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.

This growing network of institutional partnerships is precisely how we build enduring foundations for long-term co-operation and mutual rewards.

Now, why is Hong Kong the right partner? For many reasons. And I’ll tell you a few of them now. Hong Kong, like Kazakhstan, is an active contributor and beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong serves as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”. We add value to everything we do – and to every economy, company and institution we partner with.

An international financial, trade and legal services hub, Hong Kong’s prosperity is underpinned by the common law system, the free flow of capital, and a deep pool of talent. In fact, Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five of the top 100 universities. This talent environment is reinforced by our global standing: last year, Hong Kong ranked first in Asia, and fourth globally, in the World Talent Ranking.

We have long been committed to international co-operation, enabling our companies and professionals to seize opportunities worldwide. And that very much includes the Belt and Road Initiative, and the educational collaborations it enables.

These collaborations do more than grant degrees. Through academic exchanges and joint research, students gain an international mindset, adaptability, and communication and problem-solving skills. These skills help them manage uncertainty, and identify pathways to shared growth.

This year, more than 6,000 students from Belt and Road countries are studying in programmes funded by Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. I am pleased to note that some 500 of them are from Kazakhstan. That makes Kazakhstani students one of the largest groups of students among our Belt and Road student community.

The HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government’s Belt and Road Scholarship scheme sets aside 150 scholarships annually for post-secondary students from Belt and Road countries. Together with the “Study in Hong Kong” initiative, internships, and youth exchange programmes, these efforts are building a shared Belt and Road talent pool.

These initiatives, let me add, go well beyond education. They foster the lasting friendships and mutual understanding that transcend borders. Every student who studies abroad becomes an ambassador for their home country and a bridge to their host community.

The Kazakh community in Hong Kong is growing. And I invite you to look to Hong Kong for your future, too, students here. We welcome talented youth and entrepreneurs with open arms. The opportunities are wide open, too.

Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading financial centres, a rising innovation and technology hub, an arts and culture, sports and entertainment metropolis. And a whole lot more.

And, like you, we Chinese enjoy eating. Last night, I took the delegation for a classic Kazakh dinner – beshbarmak and baursak. We all enjoyed the boiled meat and the deep-fried dough balls. Let me add that Hong Kong has its first Central Asian restaurant opened just a few months ago. I always believe that food is a place’s best ambassador. I look forward to Kazakh restaurants filling up the streets of Hong Kong, so that the over 500 Kazakh students can help introduce their culture in Hong Kong.

Ladies and gentlemen, the partnerships we celebrate today are just the beginning. Each agreement, each student exchange, each shared research project brings our universities and our youth closer together. That is how we turn a vision of shared prosperity into daily reality.

I wish Nazarbayev University every success ahead. I wish the students here bold dreams and bright futures. And I wish Hong Kong and Kazakhstan a partnership that grows stronger with every passing year. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by Dr Hon Elvin Lee and a reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (June 3):
 
Question:
 
     According to a research paper issued by the Legislative Council Secretariat last month, the unemployment rate of young people in Hong Kong has been rising in recent years. Last year, about 36 200 young people were “NEETs” (i.e. young people not in employment, education or training), accounting for about 6.3 per cent of the total youth population. It has been reported that the development of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to a reduction in the recruitment of young people for entry-level positions by enterprises. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether the Government will, in the face of the aforesaid situation, conduct a comprehensive review of youth policies and their actual effectiveness at a macro level, so as to improve the support for youth development and assist young people in seeking employment; if so, of the details; 

(2) given that AI technologies are replacing some entry-level positions, whether the Government will systematically introduce training in AI application skills for young people to help them acquire new skills, thereby enhancing their employability; if so, of the specific policy measures and implementation timetable; and 

(3) given that the proportion of NEETs among young people in Hong Kong is higher than those in Singapore and Japan, whether the Government will formulate targeted support and publicity strategies to provide them with appropriate assistance, enhance their incentive to work, and motivate them to join the labour market; if so, of the specific details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:
 
President,

     The Government attaches great importance to and is committed to promoting youth development. In consultation with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), the Education Bureau (EDB), and the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), a consolidated reply to the Member’s question is as follows:

(1) The Government released the Youth Development Blueprint (Blueprint) in December 2022, outlining the overall vision and guiding principles for the Government’s long-term youth development work in future. In the Blueprint, various policy bureaux and departments put forward over 160 specific actions and measures, with enhancing the employability of young people being one of the action agendas. The HYAB has been collaborating with various policy bureaux and departments to actively implement the Blueprint and keep under view the latest developments in the society and young people community. This ensures that the Blueprint is progressing with the times and can continue to respond to the evolving needs of young people. Since the release of the Blueprint, relevant policy bureaux have additionally introduced a total of about 130 youth-related new measures, including initiatives to strengthen AI education and training.

(2) The rapid development of AI brings challenges but also creates new opportunities. Various studies have indicated that while automation technologies such as AI could replace part of existing jobs, they would also create new employment opportunities at the same time. Their impacts on the labour market are far-reaching, spanning across all trades and industries as well as jobs at different levels. To keep abreast of the impacts of AI on Hong Kong’s overall labour market as well as various industries and occupations, the Labour and Welfare Bureau is currently conducting a comprehensive analysis and the findings of which will be incorporated into the mid-term update of the Manpower Projections, which is expected for release in the fourth quarter of 2026, to provide a more comprehensive statistical basis for policy formulation in the future.
 
     On education and training, the Government has encouraged the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities to offer programmes which cater for Hong Kong’s development needs, expand the talent pool of important areas such as innovation and technology, and strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness. The 2022 Policy Address set out the target that, by the 2026/27 academic year, 35 per cent of the students of the UGC-funded universities will be studying STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) subjects and 60 per cent will be studying subjects relevant to Hong Kong’s development into the “eight centres” (including an international innovation and technology centre) in the 14th Five-Year Plan. In 2023, the UGC also allocated $100 million to establish the Fund for Innovative Technology-in-Education which aims to encourage universities to leverage technology to advance teaching innovation and enrich learning experience, fostering a new generation of well-rounded talent for the digital economy.
 
     In addition, the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) implemented by the EDB subsidises students to pursue designated self-financing undergraduate and sub-degree programmes (including computer science) that meet Hong Kong’s socio-economic development needs. From the 2027/28 academic year onwards, priority will be given to the inclusion of AI-related programmes under SSSDP. Besides, the Vocational Training Council has included relevant AI content in the compulsory modules on Information Technology for its Higher Diploma (HD) programmes starting from the 2025/26 academic year, and the coverage will be extended to all HD programmes by the 2026/27 academic year.
 
     Meanwhile, the Government is preparing to upgrade the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) to Upskill Hong Kong. Apart from continuing to provide dedicated training programmes for young people aged 15 to 29 covering training on various vocational and generic skills, the ERB will also offer more skill-based training courses on such areas as AI applications to meet market demands, helping service targets including young persons acquire emerging skills to enhance their competitiveness in the job market.

(3) Based on the data from the C&SD, from 2023 to 2025, the number of young people aged 15 to 24 who were not in employment, education, or training (i.e. NEETs) ranged from 33 700 to 36 100, accounting for 5.7 per cent to 6 per cent of the population in that age group (excluding foreign domestic helpers). Historical data reveals that even in years with robust economic growth and keen manpower demand in the labour market, the youth NEET rate in Hong Kong mostly hovered around 6 per cent to 7 per cent, which reflects that local youth generally require a longer time to explore their career directions and secure suitable employment, and therefore have longer job-seeking periods.
 
     The Government has launched a number of comprehensive and diversified measures to assist and promote youth employment. The generally higher unemployment rate among young people is primarily due to the fact that many of them are first-time job seekers lacking work experience. The Labour Department (LD) implements the Youth Employment and Training Programme to provide dedicated and free training and employment support services to young people aged 15 to 29 with an educational attainment at sub-degree level or below. Employers engaging trainees in on-the-job training are eligible to receive a monthly on-the-job training allowance of up to $5,000 per trainee for six to 12 months. The LD also operates two Youth Employment Resource Centres named Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.), which offer one-stop integrated support services on employment and self-employment.
 
     In addition, the LD implements the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme, encouraging enterprises to employ Hong Kong young people aged 29 or below with sub-degree or higher qualifications to work in Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, thereby broadening their career horizons. Enterprises participating in the Scheme may apply for a maximum monthly allowance of $12,000 for each Hong Kong young person employed under the Scheme for up to 18 months.
 
     The LD will review its services in a timely manner in light of changes in the youth employment situation with a view to providing young people with appropriate employment support.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region