Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

All verified cases of the Tai Po fire have been processed for financial and welfare support so far.

The Government earlier announced it would provide a $100,000 living allowance to each affected household from the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, while families of each deceased victim would be provided with a token of solidarity of $200,000, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. All verified cases have been processed so far.

Regarding accommodation support, as of this morning, 504 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 554 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,557 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 11.52 million passengers, including Hong Kong residents and visitors, will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods.

Releasing the information today, the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary, noted that the period ranges from December 24 to 28, December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 9.65 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points.

The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher this Thursday and coming Sunday, with around 689,000 passengers and 695,000 passengers respectively.

The ImmD estimates that passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 225,000, 201,000 and 161,000 passengers respectively.

Residents and visitors may also visit Easy Boundary, a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director-General David Cheng-Wei Wu caught up with Mr. Eddie Yeh, China Airlines’ GM for Oceania & Australia, and his Sydney team for a year-end luncheon. It was a great chance to share festive blessings and celebrate a year of fantastic teamwork.
DG Wu expressed his heartfelt thanks to China Airlines for their constant support of TECO in Sydney and their active role in Taiwanese community events. He especially thanked the team for their professional airport facilitation and assistance in welcoming visiting delegations.
As a key partner in public diplomacy, China Airlines does a brilliant job promoting Taiwan’s brand in the skies. We look forward to working together even more closely to grow Taiwan’s presence across Australia and the Oceania region.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member and LDP Executive Acting Secretary-General Hagiuda Koichi  
On the morning of December 22, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Member of the Japanese House of Representatives and Executive Acting Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hagiuda Koichi. In remarks, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae for continuously expressing support for the friendship between Taiwan and Japan since taking office, and for demonstrating concern over peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He also expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue to support each other, strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges, and work together to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I want to extend a warm welcome to Representative Hagiuda as he leads another delegation to Taiwan. I saw Representative Hagiuda this past September when Taiwan’s National Chengchi University held an inauguration ceremony for its Abe Shinzo Research Center, and I am happy to welcome the delegation to the Presidential Office today. We have many friends who have come from Hachioji City in Tokyo, and their presence here is very meaningful.
Since taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi has continuously expressed support for the friendship between Taiwan and Japan and demonstrated concern over peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait at the United States-Japan leaders’ summit, the Japan-ASEAN summit, the APEC annual meetings, and various public venues. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to convey our gratitude. The Takaichi Cabinet has continued to enjoy strong support from the Japanese people since it took office. I am confident that Japan will make even greater contributions to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region going forward. I hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue expanding cooperation in such areas as national strategy, regional cooperation, economic security, high-tech industries, and enhancing societal resilience, and that we can work together to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan and Japan must treasure such friendly ties as ours, and support each other and continue to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanges, for that is the only way we can together confront future challenges. All democratic nations must join forces in order to avoid being picked off one by one, and to defend our cherished values of democracy and freedom, as well as promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. I want to again thank Representative Hagiuda and our good friends here for their long-term support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and for promoting friendly ties between Taiwan and Japan.
Representative Hagiuda then delivered remarks, first expressing gratitude for having the opportunity to come to Taiwan again to meet with President Lai, and conveying condolences for the deaths and injuries caused in an indiscriminate attack in Taipei a few days earlier to the victims and their families.
Representative Hagiuda mentioned that Taiwan and Japan are important partners and friends sharing universal values and enjoying close economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. At the recent APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, he said, Prime Minister Takaichi engaged in bilateral talks with Leader’s Representative Lin Hsin-i (林信義) on enhancing cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in the economy and disaster preparedness. In addition, he said, the LDP has long conducted exchanges with Taiwan through its Youth Division, with the two sides having a longstanding friendship. Representative Hagiuda expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan can build on our firm foundation of friendship to further enhance cooperation and exchanges.
Representative Hagiuda noted that this past November, Taiwan lifted restrictions on imports of Japanese food products and resumed ordinary import regulations, which is very helpful for rebuilding and revitalization in the disaster-stricken area of Fukushima. He extended respect and gratitude to those who helped facilitate the process, and expressed hope that the people of Taiwan will have more opportunities to enjoy delicious Japanese foods. Turning to the subject of economic and trade cooperation, Representative Hagiuda noted that the first fab built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Kumamoto began mass production in December of last year, and construction of a second fab began this past October. Cooperation in the semiconductor industry stands as the best model of bilateral industrial cooperation between the two countries, he said, and expressed confidence that Taiwan and Japan can also create win-win situations in emerging fields such as AI and information and communications technology. He also expressed hope that this approach can spread into even more fields, and that both countries can promote cooperation in trade and technological exchanges, enhance each other’s supply chain resilience, and train the relevant talent, together creating bilateral win-wins.
Representative Hagiuda stated that according to the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s latest survey on Taiwanese public perception of Japan, Japan was the favorite country of the Taiwanese people, and a corresponding survey in Japan showed that nearly 80 percent of Japanese people feel a sense of closeness toward Taiwan. He said that he felt the foundation of the deep friendship between the peoples of Taiwan and Japan was established when each offered the other aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and after natural disasters, and through frequent people-to-people exchanges. Representative Hagiuda stated that the current Taiwan-Japan relationship is seen as the best it has ever been, and expressed hope that it can continue to be further enhanced.
The delegation also included Chairman of the Hachioji-Taiwan Friendship Exchange Association Kurosu Ryuichi, and was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po today conducted a site visit to learn more about the actual situation at the estate.

Committee chairman David Lok, along with members Chan Kin-por and Rex Auyeung, inspected various indoor and outdoor locations at Wang Fuk Court.

They aimed to gain a better understanding of the estate’s actual environment and conditions, the causes and circumstances that led to the fire and its rapid spread, the fire service installations and equipment used in the buildings, the materials used in building maintenance and renovation works, and construction safety matters.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The control for newly regulated mercury-added products under the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance will take effect on December 31, covering eight newly regulated mercury-added products.

The Government completed the amendments to the Mercury Control Ordinance in June this year to implement amendments adopted at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury to gradually phase out mercury-added products that are harmful to human health or the environment, aiming to reduce the opportunities of the public’s exposure to these mercury-added products for safeguarding public health and protecting the environment.

The Environmental Protection Department said that once the amendments to the ordinance come into effect, the manufacture, import, export and supply of the regulated mercury-added products will be prohibited. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Under the new measure, the Government has set a grace period for the supply of newly regulated mercury-added products until January 2029. After the grace period, if anyone continues to supply the relevant regulated mercury-added products, the authorities will initiate prosecution after collecting sufficient evidence.

To help the trades understand the new control requirements, the department had earlier written to stakeholders, including importers, exporters and distributors of the mercury-added products, to detail the implementation specifics of the new controls, and has conducted visits to stakeholders to provide guidance.

Call 2838 3111 or send an email for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (December 22) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone).  The Hetao Co-operation Zone is one of the four major co-operation platforms among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Park is envisioned to develop into a world-class hub for technological innovation that connects the Chinese Mainland with the international community, and to serve as an important source for fostering and advancing new quality productive forces for the country.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee remarked that, “The development objective of the Hetao Co-operation Zone is set out to become a world-class innovation platform. As a major national technological innovation co-operation zone, it spans across two different social systems geographically, leveraging the strengths of the respective economic frameworks and judicial regimes.”

     “We will continue to drive forward the construction and development of the Hong Kong Park by optimising institutional integration, strengthening policy support, actively attracting high-quality enterprises and world-class research teams, etc. I am confident that the Hetao Co-operation Zone will emerge as a bridgehead and testing ground for Hong Kong’s I&T development.  It will also become a showcase for pioneering policies within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the global innovation landscape. It is a powerful Hong Kong engine for growth.”

     The Hong Kong Park is developed in batches under two phases. Out of the eight buildings in the first batch of Phase 1 development, two wet-laboratory enabled buildings and a talent accommodation building have been completed, providing about 32 000 square metres of floor area and 100 apartment units respectively. Over 60 institutions and enterprises have already begun moving into the wet laboratory buildings, while the talent accommodation welcomed their first batch of tenants this month. Construction works of the foundation and superstructures for the remaining five buildings have commenced and will be completed progressively starting from 2027 onwards. 

     Meanwhile, the planning and development layout for the Park’s Phase 2 development has been finalised. The two phases together will offer a total floor area of up to 2 million square meters.  Functionally, the Park will be divided into different technological zones focusing on pillar industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, new technologies and advanced manufacturing, thereby fostering the integrated development of upstream, midstream and downstream industries and building a comprehensive I&T industry chain.

     To expedite the construction works of the Park, the Park Company has rolled out an expression of interest exercise to gauge the market’s interest in selected plots of the remaining land of Phase 1 development, with a view to leveraging market forces to develop the Park in an accelerated and efficient manner. The Park Company received 27 responses and is currently analysing them with a view to preparing for launching the land plots in an orderly manner starting from 2026. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will carefully consider releasing the land parcels to the market through tender or other land disposal models, thereby achieving the objective of making best use of market resources to jointly develop the Park.

     At the ceremony, Mr Lee also announced the official commencement of the “Western Cross-River Link Bridge Project” which will connect the two parks in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This project will open up the transportation network of the Hetao Co-operation Zone, effectively facilitating the cross-boundary flow of personnel and showcasing the advantages of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong boundary facilities and innovative management policies. The two sides will adopt a design concept of integrating the cross-boundary bridge with the surrounding ecological environment and with an emphasis on low-carbon technology, safety and convenience, and a pleasant scenery, as well as adopting a “single-span across the river” approach in construction, which will serve as a new landmark to connect the two parks under the concept of “one zone, two parks” while creating an innovation network in the Greater Bay Area.

     The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Zhou Ji, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Mr Luo Huangho, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and Chairman of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, Mr Kevin Choi, also attended the opening ceremony.

     Mr Lee also visited the wet laboratory buildings of the Hong Kong Park to learn about its facilities, environment and the facilitation measures provided for the tenant enterprises by the Park Company.  He also exchanged views with representatives of the I&T enterprises which have already set foot in the Park.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, today (December 22) conducted a site inspection with District Council members from Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, and Sham Shui Po to review the outcomes of improvements to near-shore water quality and odour in the Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po areas.
      
     Dr Chui met with the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Billy Au, the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Edric Leung, the Acting District Officers (Sham Shui Po), Miss Stella Wong and Miss Agnes Chan; and around 40 members of District Council from the three districts. They reviewed the progress in improving water quality and odour along both sides of Victoria Harbour, particularly in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po. On-site demonstrations were given of innovative multi-dimensional monitoring technologies across sea, land, and air platforms, including an “Artificial Intelligence Environmental Air Nuisance Investigation Robot Dog” (AI Dog), “Ground Penetrating Radar”, “Drone for Sampling and Monitoring”, and “Unmanned Sampling Boat”, etc. The attending councillors gave highly positive feedback on the environmental improvements in the relevant areas.
      
     Dr Chui said, “The 2022 Policy Address set a target of reducing by half the pollution load from seriously polluted outfalls along Victoria Harbour, including areas such as Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po, by the end of 2024 while Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing districts also share the same water body. Through a series of source control measures and the application of innovative technologies, the reduction of pollution load significantly exceeded the target. By the end of last year, the overall pollution load at the relevant stormwater outfalls was reduced by nearly 90 per cent. Today, no noticeable odour was detected at the Tsuen Wan and Cheung Sha Wan waterfronts, indicating a remarkable improvement in the environmental conditions along the coastal areas of these three districts.”
      
     Over the past three years, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has proactively used innovative technologies in identifying and rectifying sewer misconnections to improve nearshore odour problems along Victoria Harbour. By the third quarter of this year, EPD teams had inspected over 5 000 manholes and tested more than 1 200 water samples in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, and Sham Shui Po districts, identifying 191 pollution cases equivalent to pollution load from 300 000 people. Through inter-departmental collaboration, the total pollution load from outfalls in Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po districts has been reduced by nearly 90 per cent, leading to substantial improvement in nearshore odour. Hydrogen sulfide monitoring devices installed at the Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po waterfronts indicated that the average concentrations have decreased from the previous 36 parts per billion (ppb) and 18 ppb, respectively to currently both below 5 ppb (see photos).
      
     Dr Chui thanked the three District Councils for their affirmation of the EPD’s work and their valuable opinions. He concluded, “We will continue to leverage smart technologies, work closely with District Councils, and harness community wisdom to jointly build greener, healthier and more liveable communities.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 22) reminded the public to practise strict personal, food and environmental hygiene as well as get seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) early to guard against some common and travel-related infectious diseases, regardless of staying in Hong Kong or travelling abroad during the coming Christmas and New Year holidays.
 
Seasonal influenza and other respiratory diseases
 
“The latest surveillance data showed that the local influenza activity remained at a high level. Based on past experience, Hong Kong’s winter influenza season typically occurs between January and March. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the local influenza activity will further increase, leading to an overlap of the current influenza season with the winter influenza season early next year. For areas outside Hong Kong, influenza activity has continued to increase or reached a high level in most areas of the North Hemisphere, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, South Korea, Japan and the Chinese Mainland. According to the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO), a strain of influenza A (H3) virus known as subclade K has been rapidly increasing globally since August of this year. The detection of this virus strain increased in multiple countries and regions worldwide, including Hong Kong. Influenza A (H3) virus belonging to subclade K has been detected in more than 34 countries, but the current epidemiological data does not indicate that this strain causes more severe illness. Preliminary overseas scientific research data indicates that this season’s influenza vaccines continue to provide protection to both children and adult, reducing the risk of seeking medical treatment or hospitalisation due to influenza. Although there are some antigenic differences between the currently circulating influenza A (H3) virus strain and the virus strain contained in the vaccine, the SIV can still offer protection against the variant strain of subclade K, as well as the influenza A (H1) and influenza B strains,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
 
Dr Tsui emphasised that receiving SIV is still one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from infection. Public should receive vaccination as soon as possible regardless of staying locally or plan to travel abroad, as it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against influenza virus. Since influenza can cause serious complications, the CHP recommends that all persons aged six months or above receive the SIV, particularly high-risk individuals such as pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with underlying illnesses.
 
Regarding other respiratory diseases, the COVID-19 activity currently maintains at a low level recorded before April this year. Epidemiological data from local and other regions worldwide shows that there are generally periodic upsurges in the COVID-19 activity level approximately every six to nine months.
 
“It has been over five months since the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity. Members of the public should receive COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19. Under the current Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged six months or above are eligible for free initial vaccine doses. High-risk priority groups can receive booster doses for free at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously,” Dr Tsui said.
 
Regarding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the RSV activity started to increase in many regions in North America and Europe. Prevention of RSV infection is the same as that for other respiratory diseases. Members of the public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Public with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask, refrain from going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. They should maintain hand hygiene before putting on and after removing a mask.
 
Acute gastroenteritis, norovirus infection and food poisoning
 
“Norovirus infection typically causes acute gastroenteritis. In general, norovirus is more active in winter (around December to March). As norovirus is highly contagious, individuals may become infected after being exposed to even a small amount of norovirus. The virus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contacting with the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and contacting with contaminated objects, which may lead to a large-scale outbreak,” Dr Tsui said.
 
To prevent acute gastroenteritis and norovirus infection, members of public should perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before handling food or eating, and after using the toilet. Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds, then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. Since alcohol is not effective in killing norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water.
 
During the festive season, members of public have more opportunities to have parties with food delivery services or hotpot. To prevent food poisoning, apart from maintaining personal hygiene, they should also consume thoroughly washed and cooked food. For shellfish, the shells should be well scrubbed and the internal organs be removed before consumption. In addition, never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce. Use different chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination. For more food safety tips, please visit the webpage of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
 
Mosquito-borne diseases
 
As of December 18, Hong Kong has recorded 57 dengue fever (DF) cases, all are imported cases. The imported cases were mainly from Indonesia (11), the Philippines (11), India and Thailand (nine each). Besides, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 81 confirmed chikungunya fever (CF) cases this year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported. The patients have visited the Chinese Mainland, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Mexico.
 
The WHO information showed that, from January to July 2025, over four million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths have been reported in 97 countries/territories. DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. Indonesia, India and Vietnam have each recorded over 100 000 cases so far this year; Malaysia and Thailand have each recorded over 40 000 cases; and Singapore has also recorded over 3 500 cases. Regarding CF, since the beginning of 2025 and as of September 30, over 440 000 CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have been reported in 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
 
 “Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. Public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body. Travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong,” Dr Tsui said.
 
Measles
 
     The number of measles cases in some overseas countries has remained at a relatively high level recently. The outbreaks in North America (including the United States and Canada), Europe and neighbouring areas (including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) are ongoing due to the relatively low vaccination rate. Furthermore, an increasing number of measles cases have also been recorded in Japan and Australia this year. Hong Kong has recorded eight cases this year. Among them two cases (25 per cent) were classified as imported cases.
 
Those who plan to travel to places with outbreaks or a high incidence of measles should review their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received or are not sure if they have received two doses of measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination. For people born outside Hong Kong, they should pay special attention as they might not have received a measles vaccination during childhood.
 
“Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles or rubella, as well as children aged under one year who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella-combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme are advised not to travel to places with outbreaks of measles. The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If such symptoms appear after returning from measles-endemic areas, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under one year old, and should consult their doctors as soon as possible,” Dr Tsui said.
 
For more details of the above infectious diseases, please visit the CHP’s pages on seasonal influenza, Coronavirus Disease 2019, food poisoning, norovirus infection, chikungunya fever, dengue fever and measles. In addition, those planning to travel can also visit the Travel Health Service’s website for the latest travel health news and advice.