Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Lands Department (LandsD) today (December 12) announced the proposal for resumption of land for the redevelopment of Sha Tau Kok Control Point and associated works in Sha Tau Kok under the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124).  
 
The proposal involves the resumption of 25 private lots with an area of about 10 510 square metres. 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). Members of the public may also inspect the above-mentioned documents 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; and
• District Lands Office, North, 6/F, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories.

 
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:
 

• by post or by hand to the District Lands Office, North, 6/F, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories;
• by fax to 2675 9224; or
• by email to gendlon@landsd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government gazetted today (December 12) the proposed road works in Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area. 

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

Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building,
269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories

District Lands Office, Yuen Long,
9/F, Yuen Long Government Offices,
2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, 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.

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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government released today (December 12) the Infrastructure Bond Report 2025, which sets out the allocation of the proceeds raised from infrastructure bond issuances. Since the establishment of the infrastructure bond programme, the Government has issued infrastructure bonds totaling around HK$105.2 billion equivalent (up to March 31, 2025), with an aim of leveraging market capital to support infrastructure works projects and fostering the development of the bond market.
 
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “The Infrastructure Bond Report 2025 provides comprehensive information on the allocation of proceeds raised from the Infrastructure Bond Programme. The funds raised are credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund for investment in infrastructure projects, such as accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, to facilitate the early completion of projects for the good of the economy and people’s livelihood, thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness. Infrastructure bonds also provide a safe and reliable investment option with steady returns for the public, as well as a greater ‘sense of participation’ and ‘sense of gain’ in support of infrastructure projects for Hong Kong’s long-term development.”
 
The proceeds raised by the Government through issuances of infrastructure bonds have been fully allocated or earmarked for infrastructure projects, including 10 major infrastructure projects in the Northern Metropolis, such as San Tin Technopole (including the Loop), Kwu Tung North/Fanling North New Development Area (NDA), Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA and Yuen Long South NDA.
 
The Infrastructure Bond Report 2025 has been uploaded to the Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk/en/infrastructurebond/infrastructurebondreport.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3

The Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) will subsidise a total of 4 781 places in 57 undergraduate programmes, covering 3 425 places in 57 first-year-first-degree (FYFD) programmes and 1 356 places in 45 top-up degree (TUD) programmes of eight post-secondary institutions (including Hong Kong Chu Hai College, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Saint Francis University, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Tung Wah College, UOW College Hong Kong and Vocational Training Council – Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong) for the cohort to be admitted in the 2026/27 academic year.

The programmes and number of subsidised places, which fall under 10 disciplines with keen manpower demand, namely architecture and engineering, computer science, creative industries, financial technology, health care, insurance, logistics, sports and recreation, testing and certification, and tourism and hospitality, are determined by the Education Bureau in consultation with relevant policy bureaux and departments. The programmes include the 16 applied degrees programmes, which will receive additional subsidies, with a view to further strengthening the vocational and professional education and training progression pathway at the post-secondary level.

In the 2026/27 academic year, the annual subsidy amounts for non-laboratory-based programmes and laboratory-based programmes are up to $46,780 and $81,450 respectively. For applied degree programmes, with the additional annual subsidies, the total annual subsidy amounts will be up to $89,620 for laboratory-based applied degree programmes and $51,880 for non-laboratory-based applied degree programmes. The subsidy amounts are applicable to both new and continuing eligible students. The subsidy is tenable for the normal duration of the programmes concerned. Subsidised students will pay a tuition fee with the subsidy applied. Students in need may still apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable.

Allocation of the subsidised first-year intake of the FYFD programmes will mainly go through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS); participating institutions are allowed to admit non-JUPAS local students via direct admission of no more than 20% of the subsidised places of each designated programme, and the non-JUPAS admission may take place in parallel with JUPAS admission. Non-JUPAS local applicants should refer to the relevant institutions’ websites for their admission arrangements including the commencement date and deadline of the application.

The subsidised places of the TUD programmes are allocated according to existing admission arrangements of the self-financing TUD programmes, i.e. through direct admission by institutions.

For details of the SSSDP, please visit www.cspe.edu.hk/sssdp.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 12) reminded the public that it has been over five months since the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity cycle and COVID-19 vaccine should be received in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19.
 
     “After the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of COVID-19 every six to nine months. Taking into account local and global epidemiological data in recent years, the CHP believes that COVID-19 has evolved into an endemic disease with a cyclical pattern. According to the CHP’s analysis, the active periods are associated with the changes in the predominant circulating strains and a decline in herd immunity in Hong Kong. Since late March 2025, the local predominant strains have changed from KP.2 and KP.3 to NB.1.8.1. The latest surveillance data indicates that NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1 are currently the co-circulating strains in the local community. Currently, the approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1. There is no evidence suggesting that NB.1.8.1 or LP.8.1 would cause a more severe disease. Nevertheless, the continuous evolving nature of the virus should not be taken lightly. The CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation regarding variant strains, in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations, guarding against the possible emergence of more virulent or vaccine-mismatched strains of the virus,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
 
Under the current Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged 6 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. â€‹High-risk priority groups include:

• older adults aged 50 or above, including those living in residential care homes;
• persons aged 18 to 49 years with underlying comorbidities;
• persons with immunocompromising conditions aged 6 months and above;
• pregnant women; and
• healthcare workers.

 
The WHO and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (Joint Scientific Committees) under the CHP earlier recommended either the JN.1 vaccine or the LP.8.1 vaccine as the vaccine choice in 2026. Given that the stock of JN.1 vaccines currently provided to toddlers is about to be exhausted, the Government has procured approximately 4 500 doses of Spikevax LP.8.1 vaccine for toddlers and children.
 
Eligible persons may continue to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment via the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme booking system. Starting from 9am on December 18, toddlers and children aged 6 months to 11 years who schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments via the booking system will be arranged to receive the LP.8.1 vaccine.
 
Toddlers and children may receive the COVID-19 vaccination at designated Maternal and Child Health Centres or Student Health Service Centres under the DH, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital or designated Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Station. Details are available on the webpage. 
 
The Government will continue assisting elderly people aged 60 or above living in the community to make COVID-19 vaccination bookings online. Relevant arrangements are outlined in an earlier press release.
 
As persons who contract influenza and COVID-19 at the same time are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP strongly recommends that high-risk individuals receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death. The WHO has also pointed out that high-risk individuals should receive booster doses at appropriate times to mitigate the risk of serious illness and death.
 
For citizens who have not yet received SIV while receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, they can check with vaccination venues for arrangements for influenza vaccination. According to scientific evidence, COVID-19 vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccines can be administered at the same time to provide dual protection.

Members of the public may visit the CHP’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and seasonal influenza webpage for more details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed the central government’s decision to hold the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) 2026 in Hong Kong.

Chief Executive John Lee said the country will host APEC 2026 while Hong Kong will, for the first time, hold the APEC FMM 2026 next October.

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is grateful for the central government’s trust and support, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government will spare no effort in making comprehensive and meticulous preparations to support our country in successfully hosting APEC 2026.

“The Hong Kong SAR Government will leverage Hong Kong’s experience and strengths as an international financial centre to ensure the successful organisation of the FMM in Hong Kong,” he said.

“Hong Kong will also seize this opportunity to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, better integrating into and serving the overall national development.”

Financial Secretary Paul Chan also thanked the country for choosing Hong Kong to hold the FMM.

“This not only allows us to showcase Hong Kong’s comprehensive development in the economic, financial and social dimensions to participating economies and the international community but also helps deepen our collaboration with other APEC member economies, thereby fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super connector’.”

As the host of APEC 2026, China will be responsible for preparing for and chairing the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, as well as a series of ministerial and other meetings next year.

The FMM, to be held in Hong Kong, will be hosted by the Ministry of Finance, and arranged and organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

The Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury will lead a dedicated task force to co-ordinate relevant planning and preparatory work.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee today announced the appointment of Judge David Lok as chairman of the independent committee tasked with reviewing the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

Mr Lee said early this month that an independent committee would be set up to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth review on the blaze, in order to reform the building work system and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

He revealed today that the independent committee is expected to submit its review report in nine months.

“Nine months (to submit the report) is a very challenging time indeed, but I want to solve the problem as quickly as possible.

“So I want to give what I regard as a time frame while ensuring the examination is just, they can streamline the procedure, and are given more flexibility, so that they can finish their work within the nine months.

“And I also have given them a reserve power, that is, if the independent committee considers while examining all these complicated issues, there may be one (issue) which they think, by exercising the powers given to a statutory commission of inquiry will help them complete their work, then I am very willing to consider a recommendation by the independent commission to appoint them as the commission of inquiry.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly disapproves of and opposes a report by the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which made biased, slandering and smearing remarks about the situation in Hong Kong.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it disapproves of the CECC’s repeated tactics to interfere in the affairs of Hong Kong through the so-called annual report, and strongly opposes the report’s absurd and untrue content regarding legislation safeguarding national security in Hong Kong.

In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states, and many common law jurisdictions including the US, the UK, Australia and Canada have enacted legislation and implemented measures to safeguard national security, the statement said.

Regarding the offences related to seditious intention, the Hong Kong courts have ruled in different cases that the provisions on sedition are consistent with those of the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights on the protection of human rights, and that a proportionate and reasonable balance has been struck between safeguarding national security and protection of the freedom of speech, the statement said.

The offence is not meant to silence the expression of any opinion that is only genuine criticism of the Government based on objective facts, it added.

Regarding the custodial arrangements for Jimmy [Lai] Chee-ying mentioned in the report, the Hong KSAR Government has stated on numerous occasions that the medical services provided to him in custody are adequate and comprehensive.

The Correctional Services Department attaches great importance to the safety and health of persons-in-custody (PICs), the statement said, adding that irrespective of the PICs’ identities, ages and nationalities, the department is committed to ensuring the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy.

The Hong Kong KSAR Government emphasised that all judicial cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law, and that all defendants will receive a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong, including the National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

The US report specifically mentioned cases on offences endangering national security involving Lai Chee-ying, wantonly smearing the law enforcement, prosecution and judicial organs of Hong Kong regarding the handling of the relevant cases, the statement said.

Their ulterior motives are obvious – to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the city by means of political power so as to procure a defendant’s evasion of the criminal justice process, the statement said, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government strongly condemns such blatant attempts to undermine the rule of law of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said it steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the Hong Kong people as protected under the law, noting that since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law.

The statement said that since the implementation of the NSL and the SNSO, the media landscape in Hong Kong has remained vibrant, but the US report deliberately fabricated facts about freedom of the press and speech in the city.

The statement said that the US Government itself does not hesitate to take action against misleading and biased news reporting, adding that it has recently set up a webpage to list misleading and biased media reporting, some of which is described as subversive.

The US CECC’s smearing of Hong Kong using double-standards is a shameful political maneuver, the statement said.

The report’s claim that women in Hong Kong face discrimination and harassment in the workplace is another absurd accusation, as the Sex Discrimination Ordinance protects women from discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation in the prescribed area of employment, the statement added.