Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FSD introduces new measures to enhance fire service installations management and information transparency
FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2026 stipulates that when there is any defect in FSIs such as hose reels and manual call points, RFSICs must affix a Damage Notice complying with standard requirements in a prominent position on the FSI to facilitate easy identification. Members of the public can therefore avoid using non-operable FSIs during emergencies. In addition, RFSICs are required to apply seals on the main power switches of FSI systems to prevent power from being turned off by mistake, and facilitate inspections by property management staff to identify the status of power supply and take necessary follow-up actions in a timely manner.
FSD Circular Letter No. 2/2026 reminds RFSICs that before turning off any FSIs for works, pre-assessment should be conducted on whether functions of other FSIs will be affected. All areas being affected should be reported concurrently to the FSD. RFSICs must put up large-sized notices at prominent locations such as main building entrances and lift lobbies, clearly outlining information including dates of FSI operation suspension and areas being affected, to keep occupants, property management staff, and other relevant parties informed. Occupants will therefore be reminded to raise awareness of fire safety when the FSIs are not in working order or being shut down.
The FSD emphasises that RFSICs must strictly adhere to the new requirements. Any misconduct or negligence may result in disciplinary actions by the FSD, including being removed from the register of RFSICs.
The FSD has been committed to enhancing building fire safety through regulation, inspection, and public education. It will continue to review and enhance various fire safety measures.
Details of the two circular letters are available on the FSD’s website:
Issued at HKT 18:15
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Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform Strengthens Protection for Poor, Acute, Serious and Critical Patients Number of Waiver Recipients is 3.5 times Annual Total of Previous Year
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced today (January 9) that in addition to the 600 000 people who have been benefiting from medical fee waivers both before and after the reform (including Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients, Old Age Living Allowance recipients aged 75 or above, and holders of Residential Care Service Voucher Scheme Level 0 vouchers), as of January 7, the HA has approved 49 310 medical fee waiver applications. This figure is 3.5 times of approximately 14 000 patients who received medical fee waivers in previous year, demonstrating that the enhanced medical fee reduction mechanism has significantly strengthened support for low-income families and underprivileged groups. Over the past week, many patients have benefited from the enhanced medical fee waivers mechanism, receiving immediate fee reduction when using Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E), outpatient and inpatient services.
Medical fee waivers take effect covering more than 10 000 poor patients
As an essential component of the public healthcare fees and charges reform, the HA expanded its medical fee waivers mechanism at the same time, which significantly increased the number of eligible individuals from approximately 300 000 to about 1.4 million – around 4.6 times the previous number of beneficiaries. This ensures that limited medical resources can be more precisely directed to help those most in need: the poor, acute, serious, and critical patients. As of January 7, among the 49 310 medical fee waiver applications approved by the HA, 32 249 cases have completed assessment and received formal waiver certificates valid for up to 18 months but claimed . For patients who claim to meet the medical fee waivers eligibility criteria but are unable to submit supporting documents for financial assessment, the HA has exercised flexible arrangements to approve 17 061 “conditional waivers”, allowing patients to obtain immediate medical fee reductions when using public healthcare services. These patients must submit relevant documentation within three months.
After the fees and charges reform, many patients are benefited for the first time from the expanded medical fee waivers mechanism, changing from paying full fees to receiving free services. From January 1 to 7, excluding the number of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients, Old Age Living Allowance recipients aged 75 or above, and holders of Residential Care Service Voucher Scheme Level 0 vouchers who can continue to use their medical fee waivers, there are over 11 200 patients benefitted from the enhanced medical fee waivers mechanism, including:
- About 500 poor patients at A&Es, who were triaged as urgent, semi-urgent and non-urgent, received medical fee waivers, triple of last year’s figure;
- About 2 100 poor patients received medical fee waivers for inpatient services, 3.5 times of last year’s figure; and
- About 8 600 poor patients received medical fee waivers for specialist outpatient services, six times of last year’s figure.
The HA spokesperson stated, “The data concerned shows obviously that the enhanced medical fee waivers mechanism, which is newly introduced in line with the public healthcare fees and charges reform, can allocate resources more precisely to strengthen protection for poor, acute, serious and critical patients, ensuring that no patient is denied from medical care due to lack of means.”
The current situation regarding patients’ applications and usage of medical fee waivers aligns with the HA’s projection. The HA will continue to strengthen its manpower to provide assistance to patients in need. To ensure the integrity of the medical fee assistance system and prevent abuse, the HA will conduct regular reviews of approved cases.
Number of non-urgent A&E patients reduced significantly while treatment efficiency for emergency patients improved
Regarding A&E services, from January 1 to 7, 32 147 patients attended the 18 A&Es under the HA, significantly decreased by about 11.9 per cent of the same period last year. Among the cases, 1 807 patients were classified as critical and emergency cases, and 14 077 patients were classified as urgent cases, showing a slight increase compared to the same period last year. The remaining 16 263 patients were classified as semi-urgent and non-urgent cases, showing a significant decrease of 17.8 per cent compared to the same period last year. Since the implementation of the public healthcare fees and charges reform, the operations of public hospital A&E services has initially met expected results, including:
- Significant decrease in average daily A&E attendances by about 11.9 per cent;
- In the past seven days, about 1 800 critical and emergency patients exempted from A&E fees under the new fees and charges reform. These patients were required to pay the fees before the reform;
- For patients classified as urgent cases, the percentage of those being treated within 30 minutes – meeting the service pledge target – increased from 82.7 per cent last year to 88.8 per cent, with average waiting time reduced from 22 to 19 minutes; and
- Among the five triage categories, semi-urgent and non-urgent patients decreased from 54.2 per cent in the same period last year to 50.6 per cent.
The HA spokesperson said, “The service data of the past week shows that the fees and charges reform allowed A&Es to perform their emergency care function more effectively. A&Es can better concentrate resources, treat patients with urgent medical needs more effectively, and improve treatment efficiency for urgent cases.”
The HA will continue to closely monitor the fees and charges reform as well as the overall operations of services of public hospitals, in order to ensure achieving the aim of protecting poor, acute, serious or critical patients.
CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters with epidemiological linkage
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters with epidemiological linkage
The first cluster involves 12 boys and 16 girls aged between 6 and 11. They attend a primary school in Sham Shui Po. The investigation revealed that the affected students developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea approximately three to 31 hours after eating school lunch containing fish, chicken cutlets, sauce, garnish and rice, which was provided by the abovementioned school lunch supplier on January 6.
While investigating the first cluster, the CHP of the DH traced the supply chain of the school lunch supplier and identified another cluster, involving eight boys and three girls, aged between 10 and 12, who attend a primary school in Diamond Hill. The investigation revealed that the affected students developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea approximately five to 15 hours after eating lunch containing chicken, cervelat sausage, sauce and fusilli at school yesterday (January 8). The food concerned was also provided by the same school lunch supplier.
None of the affected students required hospitalisation and they are all currently in stable condition.
Officers of the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch, have inspected the food factory of the school lunch supplier concerned and the kitchen of the first school. They inspected the food storage, the food preparation process and environmental hygiene. Investigation revealed that some food items, such as meat and sauce, were prepared at the food factory, while the other food items, such as rice and garnish, were prepared at the school kitchen. It is suspected that some food items were prepared too early in advance. The CFS immediately instructed the premises concerned to suspend operations for thorough cleaning and disinfection, improve food preparation process and hygiene standards. The CFS has provided food safety and environmental hygiene education to the staff. Food and environmental samples were collected for testing.
The investigation of the CHP and CFS is ongoing. Issued at HKT 22:47
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Tender for re-opening of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds to be held on January 15
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender for re-opening of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds to be held on January 15
An additional amount of RMB1.25 billion of the outstanding 3-year Bonds (issue no. 03GB2807001) will be on offer. The Bonds will mature on July 28, 2028 and will carry interest at the rate of 1.59 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrear. The Indicative Pricings of the Bonds on January 9, 2026 are 99.47 with a semi-annualised yield of 1.805 per cent.
Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk
Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK
| Issue Number9.30am to 10.30amthe Stock Exchange of Hong Kong LimitedIssued at HKT 16:30 NNNN New measures boost fire safetySource: Hong Kong Information Services The Fire Services Department yesterday introduced new measures, with immediate effect, to enhance the management of fire service installations and the transparency of relevant information. The department issued two circular letters to regulate registered fire service installation contractors (RFSICs). The letters direct RFSICs to enhance the management of fire service installations and equipment (FSI) and to increase the transparency of information relating to the operational status of FSIs. When there is any defect in FSIs such as hose reels and manual call points, RFSICs must affix a Damage Notice complying with standard requirements in a prominent position on the FSI to facilitate easy identification. This is to guide the public to avoid using non-operable FSIs during emergencies. In addition, RFSICs are required to apply seals to the main power switches of FSI systems to prevent power from being turned off by mistake. They must also facilitate inspections by property management staff to assess power supply status and ensure timely follow-up actions. The department also reminds RFSICs that before turning off FSIs for works, pre-assessment should be conducted on whether functions of other FSIs will be affected, and all areas being affected should be reported concurrently to the FSD. RFSICs must put up large-sized notices at prominent locations such as main building entrances and lift lobbies, clearly outlining information including dates of any FSI operation suspension and areas that will be affected, to keep occupants, property management staff, and other relevant parties informed. This is to raise occupants’ awareness of fire safety when FSIs are not in working order or being shut down. The department emphasises that RFSICs must strictly adhere to the new requirements. Any misconduct or negligence may result in disciplinary actions by the department, including being removed from the register of RFSICs. MOFA response to China listing Taiwan officials as “diehard Taiwan independence advocates”Source: Republic of China Taiwan MOFA response to China listing Taiwan officials as “diehard Taiwan independence advocates” January 7, 2026 On January 7, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office listed Taiwan Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang and Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao as “diehard Taiwan independence advocates” and Prosecutor Chen Shu-yi from the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office as an “accomplice” in related activities. China’s government has repeatedly engaged in heavy-handed transnational repression and long-arm jurisdiction, targeting individuals from Taiwan and other countries through intimidation, harassment, and interference. These actions have infringed upon these individuals’ human rights, shown complete disregard for the rule of law and civilized norms, and gravely contravened the spirit of international law and international human rights standards. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns these actions and calls on the international community to jointly stop China’s malicious behavior and illegal transnational repression. MOFA solemnly reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other and that China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan nationals. All Taiwan nationals targeted by transnational repression will be protected by the government. Furthermore, anyone in Taiwan cooperating with China’s transnational repression will be subject to legal sanctions. MOFA will continue to coordinate with other government agencies, strengthen cooperation with the international community, and bolster the emergency response and assistance mechanisms of overseas missions so as to safeguard Taiwan nationals’ safety. MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Pakistan foreign ministersSource: Republic of China Taiwan MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between PRC and Pakistan foreign ministers January 6, 2026 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar cochaired the seventh round of the China-Pakistan foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue in Beijing on January 4. The joint communiqué issued after the meeting contained statements that blatantly contradicted the facts, including the claim that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns the Chinese government for continuing to spread absurd and distorted information in the international community that denigrates Taiwan’s sovereignty, and expresses deep regret at the government of Pakistan’s repeated submission and compliance with China’s authoritarian behavior. MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, and that the Chinese Communist Party regime has never governed Taiwan. No country has the right or the power to deny the objective existence of Taiwan through a so-called joint press communiqué. MOFA calls on Pakistan to stop complying with China’s disregard for the truth and cease its endorsement of declarations that have aggressive intentions and undermine regional peace and stability. Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to the people of Taiwan. Only they can decide Taiwan’s future. Global peace, stability, and prosperity must be upheld by all nations. As a force for good in the international community, Taiwan will continue to defend the values of freedom and democracy and strengthen cooperation with its partners in the democratic camp to jointly curb authoritarian expansionism, safeguard cross-strait peace and security, and maintain freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Govt to sell Shau Kei Wan siteSource: Hong Kong Information Services The Lands Department announced today that it will put a piece of land on Shau Kei Wan Main Street East up for sale by public tender from January 16 until February 13. The site, located at Shau Kei Wan Inland Lot No. 860, has an area of 1,349.2 sq m and is designated for “non-industrial (excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station)” use. If the site is used for private residential purposes, its gross floor area will be between 7,286 sq m and 12,142 sq m. Alternatively, if it is used for “non-industrial (excluding private residential, godown, hotel and petrol filling station)” purposes, the maximum gross floor area will be computed according to the “special condition” in the Conditions of Sale. In any event, the gross floor area will exclude space used for the sub-base of a district elderly community centre, which will be constructed by the purchaser as Government Accommodation under the Conditions of Sale. Land sale documents will be available for download from the Lands Department’s website from next Friday. The sale plan will be available for inspection by the public from the same day until the close of the tender. Within the tender period, hard copies of the sale plan can also be purchased at the Lands Department’s Survey & Mapping Office at 6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point. The particulars of the tender will be published in the Government Gazette next Friday. ‘GoGlobal’ expert committee formedSource: Hong Kong Information Services The Department of Justice announced today the establishment of an “Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global“, which will advise it on leveraging Hong Kong’s legal and other professional services sectors in support of Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to “go global”. Chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, the 13-strong committee comprises, for a term of two years, experts from the legal, financial and accounting sectors from both the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as outstanding business and corporate representatives. It will provide advice and assistance to better meet the needs of Chinese Mainland enterprises looking to expand overseas, and will co-ordinate with Hong Kong’s professional services sectors, including its legal, accounting and financial sectors, to support these efforts. Mr Cheung highlighted that the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, officially launched by the department on December 13 with the support of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, marks a new phase of collaborative support for Mainland enterprises going global. The expert committee will support and promote the work of the platform by gathering strategic advice from its members. Cyber-crime legislation proposedSource: Hong Kong Information Services The Law Reform Commission today published Cyber-Dependent Crimes & Jurisdictional Issues, a report that recommends the introduction of new legislation to address five types of “cyber-dependent” crimes. The Government said it welcomed the report and will conduct a thorough study of its recommendations. The five types of “cyber-dependent” crimes identified are ones that can be committed only by using information and communications technology, namely illegally accessing programs or data, illegal interception of data, illegal interference with data, illegal interference with computer systems, and making available a device, program or data for use in committing a cyber-related crime. The commission’s Cybercrime Sub-committee has studied current laws in Hong Kong, as well as corresponding legislation in Australia, Canada, the Chinese Mainland, New Zealand, Singapore, the US, and England and Wales. It highlighted that, at present, different computer-related offences are covered in Hong Kong’s Crimes Ordinance and the Telecommunications Ordinance, but that some of these are outdated. Moreover, all of the other jurisdictions studied have legislated against the five types of cyber-dependent crime identified either through bespoke cyber-crime legislation or amending parts of existing codified laws. One of the report’s recommendations is that accessing programs or data without lawful authority should be a summary offence. It stresses that an aggravated form of the offence arises if the unauthorised access is accompanied by intent to carry out further criminal activity. The commission also recommends that unauthorised interception of computer data carried out for dishonest or criminal purposes should be an offence. It says this would protect both private and non-private communications, and would apply to data generally. In addition, the report proposes that both illegal interference with computer data and computer systems, and knowingly making available a device, program or data for use in committing a cyber-related crime, should be offences. In line with international norms, it recommends that Hong Kong law should provide for the extra-territorial application of the five cyber-dependent offences proposed. It adds that Hong Kong courts should have jurisdiction in cases where connections with Hong Kong exist. The report also advises that, as the severity of the harms caused by cyber-crime are wide-reaching, each of the proposed offences should carry a maximum sentence for summary convictions of two years’ imprisonment, and one of 14 years’ imprisonment for convictions on indictment. For aggravated forms of Interference Offences involving danger to life – for example, interference with a railway signal system – the proposed maximum penalty is life imprisonment. The commission said the report represents its first set of findings following the issuance of a consultation paper by its Cybercrime Sub-committee in 2022, and that responses to the paper were taken into account in formulating the recommendations contained in the report. It added that the report adopted the guiding principle of balancing the rights of users of information and communications technology and the interests of persons in the information technology industry against the need to protect the public against being disturbed or attacked when using or operating computer systems. In a statement, the Security Bureau said the Government will carefully consider how to follow up on the report and implement its recommendations. The commission’s Cybercrime Sub‑committee is also conducting further research into other aspects relating to cybercrime. The Government said it will study all of the commission’s findings carefully and thoroughly with a view to formulating comprehensive legislation that addresses the challenges to public order arising from advancements in information technology. |