Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Relocation of Kwun Tong District Office and Kwun Tong Special Enforcement Team of Labour Inspection Division of Labour Department
The address of the new offices is Room 303, 3/F, North Tower, Tseung Kwan O Government Offices, 30 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung, New Territories (via Exit B1 of MTR Tseung Kwan O Station or Exit A2 of MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station). The office will be open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6.15pm, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. New telephone numbers of the Kwun Tong District Office and the Kwun Tong Special Enforcement Team are 3863 0141 and 3863 0139 respectively. The fax number of these offices will remain unchanged.
To facilitate the relocation, the current office at 6/F, Kowloon East Government Offices, 12 Lei Yue Mun Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, will be closed after the service hours on December 19 (Friday).
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Hong Kong Shipping Registry’s Regional Desk in Dubai commences services
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Shipping Registry’s Regional Desk in Dubai commences services
The Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat, said, “According to the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report 2025, Hong Kong has ranked fourth globally for the sixth consecutive year. Hong Kong’s shipping registration is also widely recognised around the world and ranks among the top globally in terms of gross tonnage. The establishment of the HKSR’s eighth offshore service location in Dubai will facilitate the expansion of its international service network, thereby further promoting the HKSR’s world-renowned and high-quality shipping registration services, as well as highlighting Hong Kong’s leading position as a global maritime capital.”
The Dubai Regional Desk will provide shipowners and ship operators in the Middle East with speedy and highly efficient services, including providing technical support to Hong Kong-registered ships and their operating companies, and offering services relating to Hong Kong ship registration in the region. It will also maintain close liaison with maritime authorities and other stakeholders in the Middle East.
The MD has been dedicated to enhancing the services and coverage of the HKSR, which has currently set up regional desks in London, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, San Francisco, Tokyo, Toronto and Dubai respectively. For more information, please visit the MD’s websiteIssued at HKT 11:00
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Government announces appointment of Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Advisory Board member
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government announces appointment of Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Advisory Board member
The Government also expressed gratitude to the outgoing member, Mr Timothy Lee Kwok-lam, for his staunch support to the work of the Advisory Board during the past six years.
The HKECIC was established in 1966 to provide insurance protection for Hong Kong exporters against non-payment risks arising from commercial and political incidents. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government guarantees its liabilities.
The composition of the HKECIC Advisory Board with effect from January 1, 2026, is as follows:
Chairperson
———–
Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen
Members
———–
Mr Kelvin Au Wai-kuen
Ms Natalie Chan Wo-mi
Ms Helen Hui
Mr Henry Ko Hok-han
Mr Michael Li Chi-fung
Mr Robert Lok Pak-keung
Mr Bernie Ting Wai-cheung
Ms Winnie Wong Chi-shun
Principal Assistant Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council or his representative (ex-officio)
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Proposed road works for redevelopment of Sha Tau Kok Control Point gazetted
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Government gazetted today (December 12) the proposed road works at Sha Tau Kok to cater for the redevelopment of the Sha Tau Kok Control Point, including the proposed construction of a passenger clearance building.
Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:
Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
North Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories
District Lands Office, North,
6/F, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories
The gazette notice, scheme, plans and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.
Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
​
- By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
- By fax to 2868 4643; or
- By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.
A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than February 10, 2026.
Opening remarks by SITI at Hong Kong Science Summit (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Opening remarks by SITI at Hong Kong Science Summit (English only) (with photo)
Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all today at the Hong Kong Science Summit. This summit gathers distinguished scientists and academic leaders from around the world to exchange views on the latest global scientific developments. Science and technology are instrumental for scientific progress. I am glad that we are here together to build a better future for the younger generations and make Hong Kong, and even this world, a better place in our pursuit for scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs.
In recent years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been investing vigorously in innovation and technology (I&T). With three major I&T parks and five key research and development institutions as the framework, we are poised to promote the co-ordinated development of, and positive interaction among, the research and development in the upstream, technology transfer in the midstream and development of industry in the downstream. We hope to leverage Hong Kong’s traditional strengths in research and development to drive industrial innovation and build a healthy I&T ecosystem.
Our efforts are gradually bearing fruit. With the staunch support of our country, as well as our close collaboration with neighboring cities, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has ranked first for the first time in the 2025 Global Innovation Index Ranking of the World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters. Riding on our tremendous potential in technology development, Hong Kong also rose to rank fourth globally in digital competitiveness in the latest World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025. These achievements are a testament to our dedication and the innovative spirit of our city, laying a robust foundation for high-quality development.
To keep up the momentum, we are expediting the development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park in the Loop, with a view to joining hands with Shenzhen to create an international talent hub. Together with Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport, the Hong Kong Park in the Loop would further propel our I&T development. The Government has also been bolstering its efforts to nurture local talents and attract overseas and Mainland professionals. The existing two InnoHK research clusters, namely AIR@InnoHK and Health@InnoHK, have already pooled over 3 000 experts from around the globe. Building on the success of the two clusters, we are taking forward the establishment of the third InnoHK research cluster, namely SEAM@InnoHK. This new cluster will focus on research areas such as sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials, and is expected to broaden our high-calibre talent pool. We have also launched the $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme in September this year to provide funding support to universities in attracting international top-notch scientific researchers to Hong Kong, so as to spearhead basic research in frontier technologies. These recent measures signify our commitment to developing Hong Kong as an international I&T centre and talent hub.
Hong Kong’s development is underpinned by our unique “one country, two systems” principle, which makes us the only world city which enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. With the enormous opportunities arising from the development of the Greater Bay Area, we are at the dawn of an unprecedented golden era for Hong Kong’s I&T development. Nurturing young talents is vital to bringing Hong Kong’s I&T development to a whole new level. The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, including its Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, has been our close partner in empowering the next generation of scientists. As this year marks an important milestone of the 10th anniversary of the Academy, let us continue to join hands in building a vibrant I&T ecosystem and nurturing more talents who will contribute to the high-quality development of both Hong Kong and the country.
In closing, may I wish you all a fruitful and inspiring experience at the summit. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 10:56
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Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for dealing with and possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Two incoming passengers were sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and four months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (December 12) for dealing with and possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted a 32-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on December 10 and seized about 20 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 11 400 alternative smoking products with an estimated market value of about $127,000 and a duty potential of about $68,000 from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 in contravention of the DCO and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. Parts of the two sentences run concurrently, making for a total of four months’ imprisonment.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 21-year-old incoming male passenger at HKIA yesterday (December 11) and seized 5 200 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $23,000 and a duty potential of about $17,000 from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 in contravention of the DCO today.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the IEO, a person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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/en).
Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe magnetic wireless charging stand
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe magnetic wireless charging stand (with photo)
Customs earlier received information alleging that a charging stand had an overheating problem, and then test-purchased that model of charging stand for safety testing. Testing results revealed that when using the wireless charging function, if a metal foreign object is placed between the charging stand and the device being charged, the temperature of the foreign object could reach 148.1 degrees Celsius, exceeding the permissible limit of 85 degrees C. Overheating was also observed in the charging stand. Therefore, the product did not comply with relevant international product safety standards, and is suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).
Customs officers later conducted an operation and searched the premises of the retailer involved in the case. No charging stand concerned was found. A prohibition notice was then served to the subject retailer, prohibiting the sale of the suspected unsafe charging stand concerned.
Furthermore, Customs officers have conducted spot checks and inspections in various districts and have not found any sales of the charging stand concerned so far. The investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to adhere to following safety tips when purchasing and using charging stands:
Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the CGSO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 15:40
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Labour Department completes territory-wide special enforcement operation
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
A spokesperson for the Labour Department (LD) said today (December 12) that the LD completed a two-week special enforcement operation today, targeting building maintenance work sites with large-scale scaffolding erected. The LD will continue to focus on inspecting the improvement progress of construction sites with violations detected and work sites where scaffold nets have been removed from the external walls of buildings.
During the special enforcement operation starting from November 28, the LD inspected 467 construction sites, with 249 written warnings and 112 improvement notices issued as well as 25 prosecutions initiated, which mainly involved the prohibition of smoking at sites, as well as violations such as failure to maintain fire escapes and fire-fighting appliances in good condition, unsafe working at height, and failure to provide personal protective equipment.
The LD will continue to follow up on the improvement progress of the construction sites with violations. If unsafe working conditions persist, the LD will take actions in accordance with the law. The LD will also continue to inspect work sites where scaffold nets have been removed from external walls of buildings. If work on external walls is still being carried out on scaffolds, the LD will notify relevant departments to follow up. If imminent risks such as objects falling from scaffolds are detected, the LD will take enforcement actions immediately, including issuing suspension notices and taking out prosecutions, without issuing prior warning.
The LD reiterated that contractors must strictly implement all site safety measures to ensure the occupational safety and health of employees. Under the general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, employers are obligated to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant legislation with serious circumstances are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
14 Hong Kong arts projects supported by China National Arts Fund
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Council of the China National Arts Fund recently announced the list of arts projects to be funded by the China National Arts Fund 2026. After assessment, the adjudication panel of the China National Arts Fund selected 879 projects out of 11 523 formal applications. Fourteen arts projects of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been selected, which marks a record high.
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, said today (December 12), “I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to our country for the support and recognition of the arts and culture sectors of Hong Kong, and congratulate the 14 selected Hong Kong arts projects. The projects selected this year cover a wide variety, and some of the arts groups have again gained recognition from the China National Arts Fund, fully showcasing the thriving and diversified arts and cultural achievements of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote the high-quality development of the arts, culture and creative industries to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”
The China National Arts Fund was opened up for projects from Hong Kong and Macao in 2022. A total of 57 Hong Kong arts projects have been selected so far. Those selected for 2026 cover areas such as large-scale productions, small and medium-scale productions, visual arts creations, cultural exchange, training of arts talents, and youth in arts creation.
The HKSAR Government has implemented a number of policy measures to support the awardees of the China National Arts Fund in Hong Kong, including presenting relevant projects at its annual flagship event, the Chinese Culture Festival, as well as providing funding for the projects to go global and conduct exchanges, promoting the inheritance and development of Chinese culture and telling good stories of Hong Kong. The selected Hong Kong arts projects for this round will continue to benefit from these measures.
Proposed land resumption for Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area in Yuen Long gazetted
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Proposed land resumption for Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area in Yuen Long gazetted
The proposal involves the resumption of 1 094 private lots with an area of about 66 hectares in total. Details were published in the notice gazetted today. The notice is affixed in a conspicuous place on or near the land proposed to be resumed. A copy of the notice and resumption plan are also available on the LandsD’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/resources/gov-notices/acq.html The owner, occupier of the land or any person having any right in relation to the land to be resumed, who wishes to object to the proposed resumption, is required to submit a written objection to the Director of Lands. The written objection must sufficiently identify the aforementioned identity of the objector and describe how the objector will be affected by the proposal. Objectors are requested to provide contact details and deliver written objections to the Director of Lands on or before February 10, 2026 via one of the following means:
Issued at HKT 15:55
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