Category: MIL-OSI

20 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photo) 
     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including retail stores, restaurants, warehouses and flats under renovation. Sixteen suspected illegal workers and four suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised six men and 10 women, aged 35 to 64. Among them, two women were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment, and three women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. A man and three women, aged 50 to 66, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.” 
 
     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”
 
     The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:12

Summer Library Festival 2026 to discover treasures of soul in reading  
      Storytelling workshops under the themes “Train of Harmony”, “Train of Dream” and “Train of Discovery” will be held at various public libraries, combining stories, games, conversations and creative activities, guiding parents and children to find happiness in their hearts and mind, in society and everyday life. At the same time, parents will learn how to use stories to understand and communicate with their children to build harmonious family relationships. The storytelling workshops will be conducted in Cantonese, Putonghua or English.
 
      Parent-child workshops will be held at public libraries in various districts, including making dried flower night lamps, creative pipe cleaner flower wreaths, wishing bottles, pencil box decorations and cat paw-shaped squishy toys. Through focusing on the creative process, participants can relieve stress, learn to discover and feel happiness in everyday life.
 
      Parents and children can also participate together in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) workshops to create marine life with a 3D printing pen or models of celestial bodies to develop creativity and problem-solving thinking, while learning scientific knowledge. Hand-painted planet lamps and crewel embroidery workshops are available for teenaged and adult readers to experience turning their creativity and emotions into unique works of art.
 
      In collaboration with Q plus A Art Foundation, the HKPL will organise outreach activities at the Stone Houses Family Garden, located at a Grade III historic building in Kowloon City, on July 25 and 26. Activities include guided tours and workshops at the sensory-inclusive “Bus A”, for participants to explore happiness with sensory experiences through touch, sight, and sound. Guided tours of the historic building at the Stone Houses Family Garden, as well as Story Ambassador storytelling sessions will also be arranged at the venue.
 
      In addition, singer-song writer, actress and sound therapist Jocelyn Chan will host the Reading × 
      The HKPL will also launch an online programme series with the theme “Finding Happiness in the Journey to Space”. In the series, transmedia astronomy educator Exodus Sit will share the five elements to maintain happiness using his knowledge and experience in STEAM and astronomy. The programme videos will be uploaded onto the HKPL YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/hkplgovhkchannel 
      Public libraries in Kwun Tong District, Sham Shui Po District, Yau Tsim Mong District, North District, Tuen Mun District, Yuen Long District, Islands District and Wan Chai District will also organise various activities including cultural experience workshops, thematic photo-taking areas, STEAM workshops, library ambassador programmes, various subject talks, and more.

      All activities are free of charge. Seat reservations are required for some of the programmes. For details, please visit the SLF 2026 website. Members of the public can also visit the “Reading is Joyful” Facebook page (www.facebook.com/readingisjoyfulIssued at HKT 15:45

Secretary for Health visits Hong Kong Children’s Hospital      ​
     During the visit, Professor Lo gained a further understanding of the hospital’s specialist outpatient services, which cover over 100 consultation categories across paediatric subspecialties, surgery, and clinical genetics. Dedicated multidisciplinary clinics have been established for patients with complex rare diseases to formulate more co-ordinated and personalised treatment plans. The SOPC also provides one-stop services, arranging follow-up consultations, examinations, and rehabilitation across specialties for patients on the same day where possible.Issued at HKT 18:50

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Land Registry releases statistics for June     
Land registration

*   The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in June was 9 434 (+10.5 per cent compared with May 2026 and +29.7 per cent compared with June 2025)Issued at HKT 15:00

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Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever                
Dengue fever
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     From June 26 to yesterday (July 2), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. Both patients had travelled to Thailand during the incubation period.
       
     Hong Kong has recorded 25 DF cases so far this year, comprising 23 imported cases and two local cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, comprising 156 imported cases and five local cases.
     
     According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. In 2025, over 5 million cases and over 4 000 DF-related deaths were reported in over 90 countries/territories. From January to May 2026, over 1.4 million cases and over 500 DF-related deaths have been reported from over 80 countries/territories.
 
     DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Guangdong Province has recorded over 3 500 local cases in 2025. In 2026, up to May, Guangdong Province has recorded 131 DF cases; and among them 46 cases were recorded in May. 
Chikungunya fever
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     Therefore, the CHP reminds members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
      ​The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
     
     ​The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHPIssued at HKT 17:15

CE commends teachers for teaching excellence      
     Approximately 200 nominations were received from secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools for the CEATE (2025/2026). After assessment, two nominations (comprising eight teachers) were presented with the Award for Teaching Excellence, along with two nominations (comprising six teachers) presented with the Certificate of Merit, two nominations (comprising two teachers) presented with the Award for Budding Teachers, and one nomination (comprising one teacher) presented with the Award for Education Innovation. Please visit the CEATE website (www.ate.gov.hk           
     Other officiating guests at today’s ceremony included the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms May Chan; the Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals, Professor Tam Kar-yan; the Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr David Wong; the Chairperson of the Curriculum Development Council, Professor Isabella Poon; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, Professor Paul Lam; and the Chairman of the CEATE Assessment Working Group (2025/2026), Professor Lo Ming-tung.
           
     Sharing activities involving the CEATE-awarded teachers are being rolled out gradually to disseminate excellent teaching practices. Details will be announced on the CEATE website and the Education Bureau’s Training Calendar.
           
     The CEATE (2026/2027) will cover three themes and two awards, namely “Arts Education Key Learning Area”, “Technology Education Key Learning Area”, “Special Educational Needs”, the Award for Budding Teachers, and the Award for Education Innovation. Nominations will be accepted from July 6 to October 2. Relevant details will be available on the CEATE website from July 6.
Issued at HKT 17:40

Antenatal service of DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres to be integrated into Hospital Authority in phases      
     The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address proposed a comprehensive reform of the healthcare system, under which the Government will conduct a comprehensive review of the positioning and objectives of the healthcare system, and reform the functions and division of work among the HA, the DH and the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC). The DH will continue to perform its public health functions, and regulatory and enforcement roles. Meanwhile, clinical services will be gradually integrated into the HA or the PHCC according to the plan. 
      
     Currently, antenatal services in the public sector are jointly provided by the HA’s obstetrics department and the DH’s MCHCs through the antenatal shared-care programme. Under this programme, antenatal services for high-risk pregnant women are provided by the HA’s obstetric department, while related services for women with low-risk pregnancies are jointly provided by the obstetrics department of hospitals under the HA and MCHCs.
      
     The service integration will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will commence on July 6 this year and involves the integration of antenatal services from 15 MCHCs into nine public hospitals, namely Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Tsan Yuk Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, United Christian Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, North Lantau Hospital, Tseung Kwan O Hospital and Tuen Mun Hospital. The second phase will be implemented next year (2027) and will involve Prince of Wales Hospital and three MCHCs. The exact date and related arrangements will be announced in due course. The list of MCHCs and public hospitals involved in the two phases is set out in the annex.
      
     After the service integration, the obstetrics department of the HA will provide one-stop antenatal services to all pregnant women planning to give birth in public hospitals. In the first phase, starting from July 6, 2026, all new case service, that is the first antenatal visit, will be provided by the HA’s obstetrics department. Expectant mothers may schedule appointments through established procedures, such as submitting an application for a new case appointment with the obstetrics department via the “BookHA” feature (booking services for Specialist Out-patient Clinics) of the “HA Go” mobile application, or submitting an application in person.
      
     Expectant mothers who have already booked antenatal services at an MCHC for July or later simply need to attend their next appointment at the originally scheduled MCHC at the appointed time. Staff at the MCHC will explain future service arrangements in detail, including specifics regarding subsequent antenatal service at public hospitals. The DH will collaborate closely with the HA to arrange and co-ordinate the appointment process, ensuring a seamless transition of services.
      
     The integration is one of the measures to optimise service management and follow-up arrangements. The existing antenatal service, fee arrangements and target service groups will remain unchanged. Pregnant women will continue to receive regular antenatal check-ups, blood tests, screenings and vaccinations. They will also receive health education on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and infant and young child feeding.
      
     Additionally, after the service integration, time slots previously allocated for antenatal services at the MCHCs will be reallocated to other maternal and child health services, including child health and postnatal services, to promote maternal and child health.
      
     Pregnant women currently under the antenatal shared-care programme who have any enquiries regarding the arrangements for antenatal service may contact the MCHCIssued at HKT 11:00

LCSD’s new measures to combat touting activities to take effect from July 7 
     SmartPLAY users not intending to use “iAM Smart” can continue to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues to make bookings from 7.15am each day. 
 
     The LCSD strongly encourages SmartPLAY users aged 11 or above to register as “iAM Smart” users for making priority bookings of leisure and sports facilities/venues from 7am each day. Members of the public who wish to register as “iAM Smart” users, or understand the procedures of identity authentication of SmartPLAY users via “iAM Smart”, may refer to the Annex.
 
     The LCSD once again reminds SmartPLAY users not to permit any third party to use their “iAM Smart” accounts, and not to provide their account information to touts for making bookings. Any users who have ever used touting services or provided their account information to others should change their passwords as soon as possible. The LCSD will continue to strictly enforce the Conditions of Use of SmartPLAY. For any users who breach the conditions concerned by using computer programmes or automated tools to make bookings or interfere with the normal operation of the system, regardless of whether they have logged into the SmartPLAY system via “iAM Smart” and whether any booking or transaction has been made, the LCSD will suspend their accounts for 360 days without any prior notice. 
Issued at HKT 11:30

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