Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EPD convictions in January Four of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, eight were under the Noise Control Ordinance, 14 were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, one was under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, six were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and one was under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
A company was fined $80,000, which was the heaviest fine in January for carrying out prescribed construction work not in accordance with the conditions of a construction noise permit. Issued at HKT 15:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February
District
District Among the fourth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering three survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 10 survey areas in February, most of the areas recorded 0 per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
The FEHD has so far released four batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February 2026, covering 51 survey areas. Among these 51 survey areas, 50 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. January 2026, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Only one area recorded a slight increase, but the index was lower than 10 per cent. 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 chikungunya fever (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#Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
TD approves pilot licence for autonomous vehicles in cross-district trial connecting Airport Island in North Lantau with Tung Chung Town Centre and Sunny Bay(2) increasing the number of AVs approved to operate simultaneously from 10 to 20 for the open road passenger-carrying trial on Airport Island, and from three to eight for the Tung Chung Town Centre trial; and (3) during the Airport Island trial, in addition to having onboard backup operators, remote backup operators at the remote control centre will also operate the AVs, with a view to collecting more trial data prior to the orderly achievement of driverless operations, i.e. AVs with remote backup operators only in lieu of in-vehicle backup operators.Issued at HKT 17:15
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH announces latest Legionnaires’ disease case From February 15 to 21, the CHP recorded one community-acquired LD case, involving a 46-year-old female patient who had underlying illnesses. She lives in Yuen Long District.
The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify the potential source of infection and high-risk exposure. Initial investigation revealed that this is a sporadic case. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
As of February 21, 10 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2025 and 2024, there were 167 and 135 LD cases respectively. The public should observe the health advice below: The public may visit the CHP’s LD pageIssued at HKT 17:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tsing Yi Nature Trails reopens this evening following completion of environmental remediation work Reopening of Tsing Yi Nature Trails —————————————
Given that five local cases of Chikungunya Fever (CF) had acquired the infection in the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or its surrounding area in late November last year, the CHP held a interdepartmental meeting in early December last year with representatives from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Home Affairs Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Lands Department, and the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and announced the temporary closure of the trails to the public on December 9 last year to facilitate large-scale mosquito control and environmental remediation work by relevant government departments to minimise the mosquito infestation and safeguard public health.
The last local CF case related to the Tsing Yi Nature Trails visited the trails on November 30, 2025. Subsequently, no other local cases have been recorded. The CHP’s case tracing also confirmed that local cases infected along the trails did not further spread in the local community. The relevant transmission chain was interrupted. Over the past two months, the aforementioned government departments have conducted comprehensive environmental remediation and mosquito control along the trails. The trails stretch approximately seven kilometres, with various natural or man-made breeding grounds for vectors in the complex surroundings, including discarded containers left by hikers and workers, miscellaneous items and garbage that could collect water, and puddles on soil surfaces. The government departments concerned have conducted multiple inspections to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites and remove waste conducive to mosquito breeding. Intensive fogging operations continue to eliminate adult mosquitoes and mosquito trapping devices have been installed along the trails. At the same time, the FEHD has been monitoring the mosquito infestation levels using mosquito traps along the trails. Data recorded over the past month has remained at a low level.
The CHP held another interdepartmental meeting today to assess the latest situation. After evaluating the current environmental hygiene of the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, the CHP believes that the Tsing Yi Nature Trails no longer pose a threat to public health. Therefore, the Tsing Yi Nature Trails will be reopened this evening. The FEHD will continue to enhance the vector surveillance at the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and in the surrounding area.——————————————————-
As of 5pm today, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, all of which were imported cases. Last year, Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases. Among them, 11 were local cases and the rest were imported cases. 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.
With the 2026 Lunar New Year approaching, markets across Taiwan are bustling with shoppers stocking up on holiday goods, adding to the festive atmosphere. To ensure accurate measurements and fair transactions, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Friday (Feb. 6) that it has completed pre-holiday inspections of weighing scales. Results show a nationwide pass rate of 99.9%, allowing consumers to shop for New Year supplies with confidence.
The BSMI inspected 14,089 scales at 201 locations nationwide, including traditional markets, large retail outlets, and supermarkets. Of these, 10,488 scales passed, while one scale was found to be noncompliant, labeled “Suspended”, and will remain under follow-up monitoring. Vendors using the unqualified scales may face fines ranging from NT$15,000 to NT$75,000 under The Weights and Measures Act.
The BSMI emphasized its commitment to ongoing vigilance by conducting year-round inspection projects to monitor the accuracy of weighing scales used in transactions. Consumers are encouraged to report any scales that do not bear the verification mark “(Picture as attachment file)” or those they suspect of being inaccurate. Reports can be made by calling the BSMI at 02-23434567. Investigations will be carried out to protect the interests of both buyers and sellers, ensuring a fair and reliable marketplace.
This initiative made by the BSMI not only safeguards consumer rights but also promotes trust and transparency in the market during this significant cultural celebration.
The Buildings Department approved 11 building plans in December, with two on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and five in the New Territories.
Of the approved plans, six were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for community services developments, and one was for factory and industrial development.
Consent was given for works to start on four building projects which, when completed, will provide 12,187 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 341 units, and 1,528 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.
Additionally, the department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for six building projects.
It also issued 19 occupation permits – five on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.
The buildings certified for occupation comprise 41,983 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 892 units, and 38,154 sq m for non-domestic use.
Meanwhile, the department received 3,250 reports about unauthorised building works in December and issued 292 removal orders. Two demolition consents were issued.
On February 10, 2026, the Trade Remedy Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) made an affirmative preliminary determination in its injury investigation involving cold-rolled, flat-rolled non-oriented electrical steel products from Korea and China.
The Trade Remedy Commission found that there is a reasonable indication that the domestic cold-rolled, flat-rolled non-oriented electrical steel products industry is materially injured by reason of imports from Korea and China that are alleged to have been sold in Taiwan (ROC) at less than normal value.
Under the jurisdiction set forth in the Regulations Governing the Implementation of Countervailing and Antidumping Duties, the MOEA is in charge of investigation into whether a Taiwan (ROC) industry is injured by reason of imports. As a result of the MOEA’s affirmative preliminary determinations, the Ministry of Finance will continue to conduct a dumping investigation on imports of cold-rolled, flat-rolled non-oriented electrical steel products from Korea and China, and its preliminary determination will be made within 70 days (unless extended) after the day following receipt of notification of the aforementioned determination.
The public version in Chinese of the preliminary injury investigation report will be available after March 10, 2026 on the International Trade Administration’s website https://www.trade.gov.tw/.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) officially announced the “R.O.C. 2026 Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) and Calculation Formulas.” During the public consultation process, the FIT Review Committee evaluated the opinions from stakeholders. Overall, the policy continues to offer incentives for diverse renewable energy installations and promoting the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies.
MOEA indicated that the incentives and supporting mechanisms under the 2026 FIT are designed to sustain the momentum of renewable energy development in Taiwan, while certain mechanisms have been introduced or adjusted in response to practical implementation experience in order to further enhance installation incentives.
For solar PV, a repowering mechanism has been newly introduced to encourage the replacement of aging equipment with higher-efficiency products. For conventional geothermal power, given that the domestic commercial model remains at an early stage of development and to ensure financial stability for project operators, the committee decided to maintain the tiered FIT structure. The FIT rates for each category of renewable energy in 2026 are detailed in the attached tables.
MOEA further noted that during the public consultation period, stakeholders raised concerns regarding the FIT classification of floating offshore wind, geothermal capacity thresholds, and the categorization the appropriateness of waste-to-energy FIT rates. MOEA will also continue to collect information and make rolling adjustments in response to market and technological developments.
Finally, MOEA emphasized that the 2026 FIT review process followed a fair, transparent, and rigorous procedure to ensure that the tariffs, together with related incentives and supporting measures, are well aligned with Taiwan’s renewable energy development. Records of the public consultation and FIT Review Committee meetings have been published on the official website (https://gov.tw/Z4K). MOEA will continue to polish the institutional design thereof, so to strengthen the foundation for the steady development of renewable energy in Taiwan.
Spokesperson for Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs: Deputy Director-General, Chung-Hsien Chen
Phone: 02-2775-7770
Mobile: 0919-998-339
Email: ctchen2@moeaea.gov.tw
Business Contact (Solar PV, Biomass Energy, Waste to Energy, Small Hydropower): Director, Shih-Wei Liao
Phone: 02-2775-7620
Mobile: 0920-091-081
Email: swliau@moeaea.gov.tw
Step into Casa Sierra and discover a space where elderly-friendly design features are everywhere.
More than just a splash of colour, the mailboxes feature high-contrast designs and big numbers specifically crafted for easy reading. Beyond their vibrant appearance, they also hide thoughtful, age-friendly details.
For an elderly resident living on the 8th floor, for instance, a distinct light-blue colour serves as an intuitive guide. Whether they are collecting mail or returning home, these vivid cues let residents know they are in the right place.
With Hong Kong’s population ageing, the Government has been encouraging “ageing in place”. The Development Bureau has joined hands with the Green Building Council and the BEAM Society to launch a voluntary Elderly-friendly Building accreditation scheme, encouraging the industry to adopt the scheme’s recommended best practices.
Casa Sierra, the Housing Society’s dedicated rehousing estate in Fanling, is the first building project to obtain the certification.
Thoughtful details
Inside the residential units, light switches are installed between 1 to 1.3m above floor level, making them more accessible for the elderly. Bathrooms feature slip-resistant floor finishes. Faucets and doors avoid round knobs, opting for easy-to-use lever-type handles instead.
Housing Society Assistant Director (Project Management) Vincent Wong explained: “This type of handle reduces twisting of the hand, making it more convenient for older people with reduced finger and forearm strength.”
An “integrated care link system” provides a vital link in the event of an emergency.
Age-friendly design is also reflected in public areas. When heading out, elderly residents benefit from lifts equipped with seating and an audio system. Backlit control buttons are installed at specified heights, while major access routes feature minimised thresholds and steps to ensure a smooth, barrier-free journey. Outdoor areas also offer sufficient seating and senior-friendly fitness equipment.
Planning ahead
Mr Wong said the Housing Society incorporated a wide range of elderly-friendly design elements in the planning stage of Casa Sierra, including 15 specific features that adopt the recommended best practices for elderly-friendly building design.
“The Housing Society has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in developing housing for older people. Based on that experience, as well as residents’ habits and feedback, we have continually refined the elderly-friendly design elements in our flats,” he said. “As residents grow older and their physical needs change, a flat that supports day-to-day living can help promote ageing in place.”
Completed last July, the estate is now welcoming new residents. It provides about 1,200 rental and subsidised sale flats, as well as 261 elderly units under the Senior Citizen Residences Scheme.
In addition to the recommended best practices, the Housing Society has added other elderly-friendly features to some flats, such as a storage rack for canes, umbrellas and keys, and extra clothes-drying rails in bathrooms.
Voluntary certification
The Elderly-friendly Building accreditation scheme applies to both new and existing buildings. Applicants must adopt at least 10 recommended best practices. Once the project passes assessment by the BEAM Society, it is eligible for certification by the Green Building Council.
Ho Chi-shing, BEAM Society Chief Executive Officer, said the recommended best practices draw on international standards while taking into account Hong Kong’s living environment and the practical needs of older people.
“For instance, many elderly have weaker eyesight, so colours and contrast need to be more distinct to help them differentiate. They are also more prone to falls, so design must consider whether there are sufficient handrails.”
He added that the Beam Society assesses applications based on objective evidence. Applicants should submit layout plans and photos to demonstrate that their applications meet the standards for elderly-friendly building design. Their designs should be practical and made with suitable materials.
To date, the BEAM Society has received applications from five residential projects.
By achieving certification, these developments may meet one of the “specific standards” required for the Buildings Department to grant gross floor area concessions.