Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board has completed two disciplinary inquiries under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) and decided that one of the registered minor works contractors (RMWC) should be disciplined for having been convicted by a court of offences relating to building works, and the other RMWC appointed as a qualified person (QP) under the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme (MWIS) should be disciplined for failing to discharge the duties or abide by the requirements imposed on a QP under the BO.

The Board’s written decisions and orders issued on November 12 were published in the Gazette today (November 28). Details are available at the following links:

Case 1: egazette.gld.gov.hk/pdf?type=egn&year=2025&volume=29&gno=48&notice_no=7440&extra=0
Case 2: egazette.gld.gov.hk/pdf?type=egn&year=2025&volume=29&gno=48&notice_no=7439&extra=0

The first case involved a fatal incident that occurred at a detached house under external renovation in Tai Po in April 2022. While three scaffolders were erecting a bamboo scaffold at the external wall of the detached house, the scaffold suddenly collapsed, causing the scaffolders to fall to the ground. One scaffolder died, and another was injured. The RMWC was prosecuted by the Labour Department for violating the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, and was subsequently convicted and fined $20,000 at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts in March 2024. In view of the conviction of the RMWC, the Buildings Department (BD) notified the Board of its consideration of disciplinary action against the RMWC under the provisions of section 13(1) of the BO.

Upon completion of the disciplinary inquiry, the Board ordered that the RMWC be removed from the register of minor works contractors for three months with effect from the date of the Gazette and be fined HK$75,000. The RMWC was also ordered to pay a total of $57,800, being the costs of the Board and the BD for conducting the inquiry.

The RMWC of the second case submitted a certificate to the BD in October 2022, certifying that a prescribed inspection had been carried out on the windows of a composite building in Wong Tai Sin, and that those windows were safe and no prescribed repair was required. The BD conducted an audit inspection and found that the rivets of some windows showed greyish-white powder or rust. The RMWC was prosecuted by the BD, and was subsequently convicted and fined $4,500 at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts in April 2024, pursuant to section 40(2B)(b) of the BO, for having carried out a prescribed inspection in a manner likely to cause a risk of personal injury or property damage. In view of the convictions and investigation results, the BD notified the Board of its consideration of disciplinary action against the RMWC under the provisions of section 13(1) of the BO.

Upon completion of the disciplinary inquiry, the Board ordered the RMWC to be prohibited from certifying any prescribed inspection, or certifying or supervising any prescribed repair of windows, for six months with effect from the date of the Gazette and to pay a total of $48,900, being the costs of the Board and the BD for conducting the inquiry.

A spokesperson for the BD reiterated that any registered contractor who contravenes the relevant provisions of the BO in carrying out building works, or is convicted by any court of an offence relating to building works, or has been negligent or has misconducted himself in building works, will be subject to enforcement action including criminal prosecution and disciplinary action under the BO.

Moreover, in order to ensure building safety, the BD attaches great importance to the quality of the prescribed window inspection and repairs by a QP under the MWIS. Any QP who contravenes the relevant provisions of the BO in carrying out the prescribed inspection and repair of windows under the MWIS is not only liable to criminal prosecution but also to disciplinary action under the BO. The BD will continue to conduct audit inspections to ensure the quality of prescribed inspections and repairs under the MWIS, the spokesperson added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 28) released the sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in November, covering 14 survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	November 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Central and Western	Central and Admiralty	0.0%	N/A
Southern	Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau	0.0%	N/A
Yau Tsim	Tsim Sha Tsui	0.0%	N/A
	Tsim Sha Tsui East	1.9%	1.0
Kowloon City	Hung Hom	5.5%	1.0
	Kai Tak North	0.0%	N/A
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin Central	0.0%	N/A
Kwun Tong	Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping	0.0%	N/A
Sha Tin	Tai Wai	1.7%	1.0
	Sha Tin East	0.0%	N/A
Tsuen Wan	Ma Wan	8.3%	1.0

District	Survey Area	November 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Wan Chai	Tin Hau	0.0%	N/A
Kwun Tong	Kowloon Bay	0.0%	N/A
Yuen Long	Tin Shui Wai	0.0%	N/A

Among the sixth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 11 survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering three survey areas in November, all were below 10 per cent.

The FEHD has so far released six batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November 2025, covering 59 survey areas. Among these 59 survey areas, 46 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. October 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Thirteen other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

The eggs of Aedes albopictus can withstand long periods of desiccation, and will hatch when the temperature becomes suitable and water is present. Members of the public should continue to take mosquito control measures during winter to eliminate mosquito eggs.

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 their 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 the water in flower vases and clear the water in saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans; and
• scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August this year, 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 chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

Following the 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 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, 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 Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Kan Kai-yan; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr Derek Armstrong Chan; and the Regional Commander of New Territories North, Ms Lam Man-han, met the media today (November 28) on the No. 5 alarm fire in Tai Po. Following are their remarks at the media session:

Reporter: Can you tell us whether there is gonna be any compensation for the residents? A lot of them right now thinking about how they can get… (inaudible). Secondly, can you give us an update on the corruption investigation regarding the construction company?

Secretary for Security: First of all, investigation regarding any corruption allegation or investigations will be done by the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption). Secondly, you talked about compensation. About financial assistance to all the victims and their families, our Government has different schemes to support their families. I also understand that a lot of private organisations are also organising it. As a matter of fact, Secretary Alice Mak (Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs) and Secretary Chris Sun (Secretary for Labour and Welfare) will hold a separate press conference later to elaborate on all the financial assistance and other kinds of assistance that we can offer to the victims and their families.

Reporter: It has been three days after the fire, why isn’t there any basic demographic of the deceased or the injured as you already got the information and condition of the people? Why don’t you release them to the public?

Secretary for Security: Thank you very much. In fact we are releasing the information right now. As a matter of fact, for the time being, there are 128 diseased individuals that we discovered, including 108 bodies we removed from the scene and four who passed away in the hospital. There are 16 burned bodies that are still inside the building. In fact, our Police, as a special team, they are going to deal with all the missing persons or identities of the deceased. Maybe we can repeat the phone number. You can make a call with the phone number.

Acting Commissioner of Police: We have set up a Casualty Enquiry Unit and a hotline. The hotline number is 1878 999, 1878 999. Thank you.

Reporter: (Inaudible)

Secretary for Security: I think we need time to get all the details. As I said, even some of the deceased we cannot fully identify. At an appropriate time, when we gather all the information, we are happy to release all the information that the public is concerned about. There is nothing the Government is unwilling to release.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government gazetted today (November 28) the proposed road works at Sha Po, Yuen Long, to serve the proposed comprehensive development project and improve the traffic facilities in that area.

Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building, 
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building,
269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories

District Lands Office, Yuen Long,
9/F, Yuen Long Government Offices,
2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories

The gazette notice, scheme, plan and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.

Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than January 27, 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     An Education Bureau (EDB) spokesman today (November 28) said that, in view of the serious impact of the No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po earlier this week, the EDB will provide a Special Incident Assistance Grant for schools in Tai Po District, continuing its full support for affected students and parents.

To support schools and students to cope with the incident, the EDB will offer $100,000 to each primary and secondary school (including special schools) and $50,000 to each kindergarten in Tai Po District under the Special Incident Assistance Grant. Schools may flexibly deploy the Grant to provide students, teachers and parents with appropriate assistance, which includes providing psychological counseling services and purchasing learning-related items for affected students.

In addition, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, with assistance of schools, will offer $5,000 to each affected student through the Jockey Club Emergency Relief Fund to address their immediate learning needs, mitigating the impact of the incident on them.

The EDB will hold five online seminars on psychological support for special incidents (Chinese only) tomorrow (November 29) and on Sunday (November 30) for teachers and parents to assist school personnel and parents in taking care of students/children with traumatic experiences. Speakers include a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a social worker. For details of the seminars (Chinese only), please visit the “Mental Health@School” website (mentalhealth.edb.gov.hk).

If any school premises was damaged due to the fire, the EDB will provide repair services through emergency repair works as soon as possible to ensure its safety.

Educational psychologists and officers of the District School Development Sections of the EDB will continue to maintain close contact with the schools and provide necessary assistance.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     According to the results of the 2024 Annual Survey of Economic Activities – Import/Export, Wholesale and Retail Trades, and Accommodation and Food Services Sectors released today (November 28) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), total receipts of the import/export, wholesale and retail trades, and accommodation and food services sectors amounted to $5,473.5 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 4.5% compared with 2023; on a per company basis, total receipts increased by 10.6% over 2023 to $38.7 million in 2024.
 
     Total operating expenditure (including operating expenses, cost of goods sold and compensation of employees) of the above sectors altogether amounted to $4,997.7 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 4.5% compared with 2023; on a per company basis, it increased by 10.6% over 2023 to $35.3 million in 2024.
 
     Gross surplus of the sectors, which is equal to total receipts less total operating expenditure, increased by 3.9% over 2023 to $475.7 billion in 2024; on a per company basis, gross surplus increased by 10.0% over 2023 to $3.4 million in 2024. For all these sectors taken together, gross surplus accounted for 8.7% of total receipts in 2024, similar to that in 2023.
 
     Industry value added of the sectors, which is a broad measure of their total contribution to Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product, increased by 3.4% over 2023 to $649.1 billion in 2024; on a per company basis, industry value added increased by 9.5% over 2023 to $4.6 million in 2024.
 
     According to the survey results, it was estimated that the aforementioned sectors comprised some 141 400 companies and engaged about 896 900 persons, or an average of 6.3 persons per company, in 2024.
 
     In the import/export trade, total receipts amounted to $4,523.3 billion while total operating expenditure reached $4,092.5 billion in 2024. Gross surplus increased from $413.2 billion in 2023 to $430.8 billion in 2024, accounting for 9.5% of total receipts in 2024. Industry value added increased by 5.6% over 2023 to $493.3 billion.
 
     In the wholesale trade, total receipts amounted to $275.2 billion while total operating expenditure reached $269.9 billion in 2024. Gross surplus decreased from $5.6 billion in 2023 to $5.3 billion in 2024, accounting for 1.9% of total receipts in 2024.  Industry value added decreased by 2.6% compared with 2023 to $19.1 billion.
 
     In the retail trade, total receipts amounted to $489.2 billion while total operating expenditure reached $458.9 billion in 2024. Gross surplus increased from $29.9 billion in 2023 to $30.3 billion in 2024, accounting for 6.2% of total receipts in 2024.  Industry value added decreased by 7.7% compared with 2023 to $68.9 billion.
 
     In the accommodation services sector which covers hotels, guesthouses, boarding houses and other companies providing short term accommodation, total receipts amounted to $46.1 billion while total operating expenditure reached $39.2 billion in 2024. Gross surplus increased from $6.1 billion in 2023 to $6.9 billion in 2024, accounting for 15.0% of total receipts in 2024.  Industry value added increased by 6.5% over 2023 to $21.8 billion.
 
     In the food services sector which mainly covers restaurants, total receipts amounted to $139.8 billion while total operating expenditure reached $137.4 billion in 2024. Gross surplus decreased from $2.9 billion in 2023 to $2.4 billion in 2024, accounting for 1.7% of total receipts in 2024. Industry value added slightly increased by 0.7% over 2023 to $46.0 billion.
 
     Selected statistics for the sectors mentioned above are shown in the attached table.  More detailed statistics will be given in the reports “Key Statistics on Business Performance and Operating Characteristics of the Import/Export, Wholesale and Retail Trades Sectors in 2024” and “Key Statistics on Business Performance and Operating Characteristics of the Food and Accommodation Services Sectors in 2024”. Users can browse and download these reports at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080014&scode=550 and www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080016&scode=540) as from end-December 2025.
 
     For enquiries about the key statistics on business performance and operating characteristics of the import/export, wholesale and retail trades, and accommodation and food services sectors, please contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7399 or email: asw@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 28) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 6 600 food samples tested (including food items purchased online) were found to be satisfactory except for eight unsatisfactory samples that were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.

A CFS spokesman said that about 1 600 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 5 000 samples were taken for chemical and radiation level tests.

The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators; the chemical tests included testing for pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others; and the radiation-level tests included testing for radioactive caesium and iodine in samples collected from imported food from different regions.

The samples comprised about 2 200 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 400 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 900 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 800 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 900 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 1 400 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).

The eight unsatisfactory samples comprised two green radish samples, a sweet potato sample and a beetroot sample detected with pesticide residues exceeding the legal limits; two ice cream samples and a raw milk sample detected with coliform bacteria counts exceeding the legal limits; and a bottled preserved bean curd sample found with excessive Bacillus cereus.

The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory samples, including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items, and tracing the sources of the food items in question.

The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.

Separately, in response to the Japanese Government’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the CFS will continue enhancing the testing on imported Japanese food, and make reference to the risk assessment results to adjust relevant surveillance work in a timely manner. The CFS will announce every working day on its dedicated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/daily_japan_nuclear_incidents.html) the radiological test results of the samples of food imported from Japan, with a view to enabling the trade and members of the public to have a better grasp of the latest safety information.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government announced today (November 28) the reappointment of two serving members and the appointment of two new members to the Hospital Authority (HA) for a period of two years from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2027.

     The serving members reappointed are Ms Maisy Ho Chiu-ha and Mr Wan Man-yee, while the two newly appointed members are Mr John Kwong Ka-sing and Mr Victor Lam Wai-kiu. 

     Mr Kwong is the Vice-President for Development of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. 

     Mr Lam is the former Government Chief Information Officer. He is currently a member of the Public Service Commission, the Advisory Committee on Post-service Employment of Civil Servants, and the Committee of the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme.

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, welcomed the two new members to the HA. He also expressed gratitude to the serving members reappointed and extended heartfelt thanks to the two outgoing members, Mr Duncan Chiu and Mr Billy Wong Wing-hoo, for their invaluable contributions to the HA. 
 
     The HA comprises a Chairman, 22 non-official members, three public officers and one principal officer from the HA. The membership list to be effective from December 1, 2025, is as follows:

Chairman
———— 
Mr Henry Fan Hung-ling

Non-official members
————————-
Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen 
Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung
Ms Margaret Cheng Wai-ching 
Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan
Ms Winnie Chiu Wing-kwan
Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei 
Ms Maisy Ho Chiu-ha
Ms Mary Huen Wai-yi
Ms Tennessy Hui Mei-sheung
Mr Jat Sew-tong
Mr Matthew Kwok Pui-ho
Mr John Kwong Ka-sing
Mr Victor Lam Wai-kiu
Mrs Sylvia Lam Yu Ka-wai
Professor Lau Chak-sing
Professor David Shum Ho-keung 
Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai
Mr Anthony Tsang Hin-fun
Dr Thomas Tsang Ho-fai
Mr Wan Man-yee
Professor Janet Wong Yuen-ha
Professor Zhang Zhang-jin

Public Officers
—————–
Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan
Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam
Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) Ms Ann Chan

HA Principal Officer
———————–
Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Libby Lee

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government announced today (November 28) the reappointment of Ms Sabrina Ho Shuk-ying and the appointment of Ms Huang Chaoni as lay members of the Council of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) for a term of two years from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2027.
 
     A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) said, “The accounting sector plays a pivotal role in Hong Kong’s success as an international financial centre. We look forward to the contribution of Ms Ho and Ms Huang to the work of the HKICPA in furthering the development of the accounting profession.”
 
     The FSTB spokesman also expressed gratitude to the outgoing member, Dr Au King-lun, for his contributions to the HKICPA Council during his tenure.
 
     The HKICPA is the statutory professional body of the accounting sector in Hong Kong. It is responsible for the registration of certified public accountants (CPAs) and various professional functions including examination and training of CPAs, as well as setting requirements for continuing professional development, and standards on professional ethics, accounting, auditing and assurance.
 
     The HKICPA Council is the governing body of the Institute. Under the Professional Accountants Ordinance (Cap. 50), the HKICPA Council comprises a maximum of 23 persons, including four lay members appointed by the Chief Executive. The power of the Chief Executive to make appointments to the Council has been delegated to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury.