Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced, regarding the application submitted by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), that the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) yesterday (December 18) approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Development at Ngau Tam Mei Area (the Project) with conditions.
The Project is a designated project (DP) under Schedule 3 of the EIAO (i.e. an urban development or redevelopment project covering an area of more than 50 hectares). It includes two DPs under Schedule 2 of the EIAO requiring an environmental permit for its construction and operation, including the new distributor roads and part of the revitalisation of the Ngau Tam Mei Drainage Channel (NTMDC) and river diversion works.
The CEDD has exhibited the EIA report for public inspection from October 6 to November 4, 2025, in accordance with the EIAO. During the public inspection period, the EPD received a total of seven public comments. The EIA Subcommittee of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) discussed in detail the EIA report and the public comments at its meeting on December 5, 2025. Subsequently, the ACE unanimously recommended that the EPD approved the EIA report with conditions and recommendations at its meeting on December 11, 2025.
A spokesperson for the EPD said that the DEP considers that, through the implementation of mitigation measures recommended in the EIA report, the Project will bring multiple environmental benefits to the area. These include addressing the existing adverse environmental impacts caused by scattered and disorganised brownfield operations within the project area, thereby enhancing land-use efficiency and improving the overall environmental quality of the district. Furthermore, by widening and revitalising the NTMDC into a multifunctional blue-green spine, the ecological value and function of the project area and its surroundings can be enhanced. In addition, through wetland compensation connecting nearby isolated wetlands, the Project will increase the overall ecological value of the area.
The spokesperson stressed that the EPD has thoroughly considered the requirements of the EIA Study Brief and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process, comments on the environment and ecological impacts raised by the public during the public inspection period of the EIA report, suggestions and data given by green groups in respect of the EIA report (including the State of Hong Kong Biodiversity 2025 published by the WWF-Hong Kong), and the response from the CEDD during the ACE meeting, as well as comments and recommended conditions raised by the ACE on approving the EIA report. The EPD decided to approve the EIA report with conditions.
The approval conditions mainly include requiring the CEDD to:
(i) submit a detailed Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) as recommended in the EIA report to the DEP for approval no later than three months before the commencement of construction of the Project, and consult the Agricultural, fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD);
(ii) submit an Implementation Plan for Ecological Enhancement Features Design (IPEEFD) for the NTMDC to the DEP for approval no later than three months before commencement of construction of the Project, and consult relevant government departments, including the AFCD, the Drainage Services Department, and the Planning Department;
(iii) set up an Environmental Committee to provide professional and stakeholders’ advice on the preparation of HCMP and IPEEFD, and on the effectiveness of the ecological mitigation/enhancement measures as recommended in the EIA report and the two approved abovementioned plans; and
(iv) submit a Bird-Friendly Design Guideline for buildings and noise barriers within the Project area to the DEP for approval before commencement of construction of the Project.
In addition, the CEDD shall review the progress of the implementation of various plans, the environmental monitoring results, and the effectiveness of ecological mitigation/enhancement measures. The EPD will continue to closely liaise with relevant government departments to follow up on the abovementioned approval conditions.
The approved EIA report and the approval conditions have been uploaded to the EPD’s EIAO website (www.epd.gov.hk/eia). Members of the public may also visit the EIAO Register Office at 27th floor, Southorn Centre, Wan Chai, to inspect these documents.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Remarks by SHYA at media session regarding management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (with photo/video) Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: As I just said, the Government has acted according to the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) section 31 to apply to the Lands Tribunal today to submit an application to dissolve the owners’ corporation committee and to appoint Hop On Management Company Limited which is a subsidiary of Chinachem Group as the administrator to handle all the day to day operation of the management committee. This action will only help the owners of the Wang Fuk Court to handle various complicated legal procedures with expert assistance. Hop On Management Company has already stated that they will serve the Wang Fuk Court residents on a pro bono basis, and the Nina Wang Charity Trustees has agreed to contribute five million for professional costs or any procurement costs related to the management of Wang Fuk Court. We try to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court handle all the complicated legal procedures and accounting procedures with expert assistance.
Reporter: Could you please detail the roles of the existing owners’ corporation and the upcoming property manager? Does it include a fire safety? What will you do with the existing property manager? As at this point, do you think it is responsible for the fire safety?
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: As I said, the Hop On Management Company will serve those Wang Fuk Court owners on a pro bono basis and provide them with professional property management services. This act will help the owners to get professional assistance when they decide how to execute or how to make a decision for Wang Fuk Court. The existing management committee and the property management company, as far as we know, the existing contract with the property management company will end by the end of this month. No matter whether they will extend the contract or not, we see that there will be a need for Wang Fuk Court owners to get professional assistance from a professional property management company. We think this is a way to help residents and owners of Wang Fuk Court.Issued at HKT 20:33
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Third “Extension Notice” published under Extension of Government Leases Ordinance A spokesperson for the Development Bureau said, “The arrangement of extending land leases without having to execute a new contract under the Ordinance brings tremendous convenience to the public and businesses, effectively enhances the confidence of property owners and investors in the real estate market, and has received widespread support from various sectors of the community. The mechanism manifests the solid safeguards for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under the steadfast and successful implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.”Issued at HKT 18:43
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs on December 12 and yesterday (December 18) seized a total of about 20 kilograms of suspected liquid methamphetamine, 10 suspected cannabis oil vape capsules, about 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, about 3 grams of suspected cocaine and about 270 grams of suspected cracked cocaine with an estimated market value of over $10.9 million at Hong Kong International Airport and in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Through risk assessment, Customs inspected two air parcels, declared as food and candy and arriving in Hong Kong from Mexico on December 12. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the parcels contained about 20 kilograms of suspected liquid methamphetamine disguised as protective liquid for natural stones in five plastic bottles.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday and arrested two female suspects in Yuen Long and Tsim Sha Tsui, aged 28 and 45 respectively. Later, Customs further seized about 10 suspected cannabis oil vape capsules, about 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, about 3 grams of suspected cocaine and about 270 grams of suspected cracked cocaine upon premises search in Tsim Sha Tsui. The investigation of the case is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Customs reminds people to pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught. Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) announced today (December 19) that the 2026 Population Census will be conducted from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
Speaking at a press conference, the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, remarked that the Census helps the Government to understand Hong Kong’s demographic and socio-economic characteristics by providing vital statistical information for future planning and development. As a major step to modernise the mode of Hong Kong’s population censuses, several re-engineering initiatives will be implemented from the 2026 Population Census to streamline and improve workflow. Every five years, the C&SD will randomly select only 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong for detailed enquiry. The remaining 90 per cent of households will not be required to fill out any questionnaire. In addition, while data collection will be conducted throughout the year, instead of concentrated within 1.5 months as in the past, selected households are only required to submit one questionnaire within the data collection period. Government administrative data will also be used more extensively to simplify the content of the questionnaire.
Mr Yu emphasised that the C&SD strives to protect the data privacy of all persons and households. Information collected in the Census will be kept in strict confidence and only be used to compile aggregate statistics. Such information will not be disclosed to any unauthorised parties. All completed questionnaires will also be destroyed by December 31, 2027.
About 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong (i.e. some 300 000 households) will be selected through random sampling to participate in the 2026 Population Census. The C&SD will issue notification letters in purple envelopes to the sampled households in batches starting from the end of this month.
Sampled households (including owner-occupiers or tenants) who have received the notification letter can submit the required information via one of the following means:
(1) Completing the online questionnaire (by accessing the Online Questionnaire through scanning the QR code on the notification letter or visiting the website (oq.census2026.gov.hk)); or
(2) Conducting a telephone interview (by calling the Census Hotline at 18 2026).
Sampled households are encouraged to complete the online Census questionnaire with ease by smartphones, desktop computers or mobile tablets. Census officers will also visit households with outstanding response and assist them in completing the questionnaire. When visiting households, census officers will wear a grey vest uniform, and carry an Enumerator Identity Card and a Census Officer Certificate of Identity issued by the C&SD for identification purposes.
The C&SD reminds the public to be aware of scamming activities. Households will not be required to provide information on their Hong Kong identity card, bank accounts or credit cards in the Census. If households have not provided the C&SD with their contact information, the C&SD will not initiate calls, send emails or SMS messages to them. The caller ID “18 2026” or SMS sender ID “#C&SD” will be displayed when the C&SD calls or sends SMS messages to households in Hong Kong. To report suspected deception cases or verify the identity of census officers, members of the public should call the Census Hotline 18 2026.
The Census Hotline will operate from 9 am to 10 pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) throughout the data collection period (from January to December 2026). Members of the public can call the Census Hotline at 18 2026 or visit the thematic webpage of the 2026 Population Census (www.census2026.gov.hk) for more information if they require assistance in completing the questionnaire.
The Census is conducted under Section 9 of the Census and Statistics Ordinance (Cap. 316). All persons specified are obliged to provide the required information. It is an offence if any persons contravene the legal requirement for completing the Census questionnaire.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointment of Deputy Leader of AI Efficacy Enhancement Team announced The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration and Leader of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, welcomes the appointment. He said, “As the Government accelerates the promotion of artificial intelligence applications, it is especially important to draw on the advice of the industry. Mr Duncan Chiu, as a Legislative Council Member for the Technology and Innovation Constituency since 2022, has insightful views on promoting technology adoption, AI application, and smart city development. He will bring new perspectives and front-line market experience to the Team, helping to spur government departments’ technological innovation through AI empowerment.”
In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the setting up of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to co-ordinate and steer government departments to effectively apply AI technology to their work, explore process re-engineering, and promote technological reform in departments to improve efficacy. The Team comprises:Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (Deputy Leader) Mr Duncan Chiu (Deputy Leader) Head of Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) Permanent Secretary for Housing Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Commissioner for Census and Statistics Commissioner for Digital Policy (Secretary-General) Commissioner for Labour Commissioner for Transport Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Director of Home Affairs Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Issued at HKT 18:50
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
District
District Among the third batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering two survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 24 survey areas in December, all were below 10 per cent and most of the areas recorded a zero per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
The FEHD has so far released three batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December 2025, covering 50 survey areas. Among these 50 survey areas, 47 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. November 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Three other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. 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#Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee announced The Selection Committee’s full membership for the new term is as follows:
Chairman ———- Chief Secretary for Administration
Non-official members ———————— Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee Mr Martin Liao Cheung-kong Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi Mr Chan Kin-por Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har Mr Stanley Ng Chau-pei Mr Tam Yiu-chung Mr Frederick Lam Tin-fuk Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen
Official members ——————- Financial Secretary Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Chairman, Public Service Commission Director, Chief Executive’s Office Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Ho Duc Phoc, today (December 19) to exchange views on deepening co-operation between the two places. Also attending the meeting were the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui.
Mr Lee welcomed Mr Ho and his delegation to Hong Kong. Mr Lee noted that Vietnam is Hong Kong’s sixth-largest trading partner with close economic and trade relations. In the first three quarters of this year, bilateral merchandise trade reached US$ 49 billion, representing a significant increase of 67 per cent compared to the same period last year. Last year, Mr Lee led a high-level business delegation to Vietnam, during which the two sides signed 30 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering various areas including trade, investment, education, tourism, and finance. He expressed confidence that Hong Kong and Vietnam will continue to strengthen multifaceted co-operation and achieve mutual benefit.
Mr Lee highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has relaxed immigration arrangements for Vietnamese citizens visiting, working, or pursuing post-secondary studies in Hong Kong. In March this year, new measures were introduced to provide more convenient immigration arrangements for invited persons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, including Vietnam. These measures will further promote people-to-people exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Vietnam in trade, professional services, and other sectors.
Noting that Hong Kong will actively play its role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” and fully leverage its unique advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said Hong Kong will promote pragmatic co-operation with Vietnam in high value-added areas such as finance, innovation and technology, trade, and the green and digital economy.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Thirty-seven landlords of subdivided units (SDUs), who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance), pleaded guilty and were fined between $800 and $19,200, amounting to a total of $121,350, on December 5, December 12 and today (December 19) at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts. Since the Ordinance came into force, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) has continuously strengthened enforcement actions and has prosecuted a total of 1 397 cases to date. Among the 1 024 cases dealt with by the court, all were successfully convicted, which involved a total of 897 SDU landlords, amounting to a total of $2,742,560 in fines. In addition, 373 cases are pending a hearing.
The offences of these 37 landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; and (2) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (including requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance).
The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon a comprehensive investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted the landlords.
A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting landlords from doing any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of members of the tenant’s household, with the intention of causing the tenant to give up occupation of the SDU; or requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded tenants of their rights under the Ordinance, including a four-year (i.e. two years plus two years) security of tenure. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether they have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance. In addition, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work to enhance public awareness about the key offences and penalties, emphasising that the RVD proactively checks whether landlords have committed the offences under the Ordinance.
To help curb illegal acts as soon as possible, members of the public should report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to enable SDU tenants’ reporting to the RVD.
The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. The RVD has been issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to assist them in understanding the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and to remind them about the procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy as well as their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions. The landlords and tenants concerned are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.
For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information.