Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) held the “Health in Your Hand – HA Go Just One Click Away” campaign launching ceremony today (October 27), marking the beginning of a new large-scale promotional initiative to encourage the public to download the HA Go mobile application for easier access to public hospital services. 
 
The launching ceremony took place at the HA Head Office and across seven hospital clusters. During the ceremony, the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, presented designated uniforms to the representatives of the HA Go volunteer team. The latest promotional video for HA Go was also premiered at the event, aiming to enhance the public’s understanding of the diverse functions of HA Go, enabling them to manage their health with just one click.
 
The HA Chief Executive, Dr Libby Lee, said, “Since its launch in 2019, HA Go has been well-received by the public. With HA Go, citizens can access various public hospital services more conveniently, quickly and smoothly, while also helping them manage their personal and family health more effectively. We will continue to enhance the functions of HA Go, aiming to make it an essential ‘health manager’ on every citizen’s smartphone.”
 
As of the third quarter of this year, HA Go has recorded over 4.12 million downloads, with more than 3.25 million registered full members and over 370 000 registered carers.
 
Mr Fan said, “The HA’s promotion of HA Go marks a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s public healthcare services.”
 
Mr Fan added, Hong Kong is advancing from stability to prosperity. I urge citizens not only to download and use HA Go, but also to care about Hong Kong’s future. Let us fulfill our civic responsibilities by voting in the Legislative Council General Election on December 7, electing capable LegCo members to jointly promote the development of Hong Kong and build a better public healthcare system together.
 
The HA will launch a three-week large-scale promotional campaign to highlight HA Go’s features and benefits across various platforms. Hospital clusters will set up promotional booths and arrange for patient service ambassadors and volunteer teams to organise a series of promotional and educational activities to encourage more citizens to download and use HA Go, thereby enhancing the service experience at public hospitals.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Strive and Rise Programme has started recruiting 4 000 mentees for the fourth cohort today (October 27).

     Secondary One to Secondary Four students from underprivileged families, particularly those living in subdivided units, may submit applications through the Programme’s mobile application starting today and approach their schools or the non-governmental organisations that assist the Government in implementing the Programme (see Annex) for enquiries if they are interested. Applications will close on November 16.

     The Programme is formulated and implemented by an interdepartmental task force led by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Through tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, the Programme provides focused support for Secondary One to Secondary Four students from underprivileged families, particularly those living in subdivided units. The Programme comprises three key elements, including mentorship, personal development plans and financial support. Through a one-year intensive foundation training that includes mentorship and a structured programme covering orientation, basic training, mentor-mentee interaction, diverse group activities, Mainland study and exchange tours, etc, the Programme will help mentees broaden their horizons, reinforce self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life, explore more possibilities for personal development, set goals for the future and strive for upward mobility. 

     In addition, each mentee will be provided with start-up financial support of $5,000 under the Programme. Mentors will assist and guide mentees in developing positive financial planning concepts and implementing their personal development plans. Upon successful completion of the Programme, a scholarship of $5,000 will be awarded to the mentees for their personal pursuits by applying the financial planning concepts that they have learned. 

     Upon successful completion of the one-year intensive foundation training of the Programme, mentees will automatically become members of the Alumni Club where they will continue to expand their social network and horizons by participating in diverse activities and job tasting/internship programmes.

     For more information about the application details of the fourth cohort and the mobile application of the Programme, please visit the designated website: www.striveandrise.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 27) the external merchandise trade statistics for September 2025. In September 2025, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 16.1% and 13.6% respectively.
 
     In September 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 16.1% over a year earlier to $462.3 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 14.5% in August 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 13.6% over a year earlier to $512.5 billion in September 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 11.5% in August 2025. A visible trade deficit of $50.2 billion, equivalent to 9.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in September 2025.
 
     For the first nine months of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 13.4% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 13.1%. A visible trade deficit of $293.9 billion, equivalent to 7.2% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first nine months of 2025.
 
     Comparing the third quarter of 2025 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods decreased by 0.7%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods remained virtually unchanged.
 
Analysis by country/territory
 
     Comparing September 2025 with September 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 18.3%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+50.9%), Malaysia (+40.0%), Taiwan (+31.9%), India (+19.5%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+16.7%).
 
     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular Switzerland (+138.5%) and Germany (+27.6%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular the United Kingdom (+70.3%), Vietnam (+68.7%), Singapore (+33.2%), the Mainland (+19.4%) and Japan (+12.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Taiwan (-19.0%).
 
     For the first nine months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+52.4%), Malaysia (+44.7%), Taiwan (+38.9%), the Mainland (+16.5%) and Japan (+13.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-11.9%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+79.5%), the United Kingdom (+46.3%), Taiwan (+22.6%), Malaysia (+18.9%) and the Mainland (+12.7%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-17.1%).
 
Analysis by major commodity
 
     Comparing September 2025 with September 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $43.7 billion or +22.8%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $6.5 billion or +14.5%). 
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $40.1 billion or +20.3%), “miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly jewellery, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ wares)” (by $9.5 billion or +33.6%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $9.4 billion or +18.6%).
 
     For the first nine months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $253.7 billion or +15.9%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $117.6 billion or +30.1%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $259.8 billion or +16.2%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $105.3 billion or +32.5%).
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to grow visibly by 16.1% in September over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland and most other Asian markets saw robust growth, and exports to the United States and the European Union also grew moderately. Meanwhile, exports of most major commodities increased, particularly for exports of electrical equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances which continued to see strong growth.
 
     Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s merchandise trade performance should continue to be underpinned by the sustained expansion in the global economy. The Government’s ongoing endeavour in enhancing economic and trade ties with different markets also helps. Yet, the United States’ trade policy will continue to cast uncertainties on the near-term outlook of international trade flows. The Government will monitor the situation closely and stay vigilant.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for September 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to September 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
 
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for September 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
 
     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for September 2025.
 
     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for September 2025 will be released in mid-November 2025.
 
     The September 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in September 2025 and will be available in early November 2025. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will launch a vocal lecture series entitled “The Human Voice in 4 Parts” on four consecutive Wednesdays in January next year. Curated and hosted by voice pedagogue Chan Siu-kwan, each of the four lectures will feature one of the four main voice types (namely bass, alto, soprano and tenor) in Western classical music. Accompanied by selected excepts from Western opera works, the speaker will examine the roles portrayed by each voice type, and introduce the respective iconic legends along with their vocal features, guiding audiences to understand and appreciate the unique charm of different voice types.

     Details of each lecture are as follows:

Lecture 1: Bass
———————–
Date: January 7 (Wednesday)

     Two of the lowest male voice types are the bass and the baritone. In this lecture, drawing on performance excerpts of renowned singers such as baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and bass Boris Christoff, the speaker will analyse the moments when these two voice types assign to take the leading male roles in opera. 

Lecture 2: Alto
———————–
Date: January 14 (Wednesday)

     The speaker will examine why mezzo-sopranos and altos are often cast as supporting roles such as mothers, ladies-in-waiting or villainesses in opera, alongside the moments when these two voice types assume leading roles. This lecture will also introduce the “castrati”, a dark chapter in music history, and the countertenors. 

Lecture 3: Soprano
———————–
Date: January 21 (Wednesday)

     Through a selection of compelling excerpts, the speaker will explore why female leads in opera are predominantly performed by sopranos. Recordings of celebrated performances by divas such as Maria Callas and Joan Sutherland will be presented to illustrate what composers expect of the prima donna. 

Lecture 4: Tenor
———————–
Date: January 28 (Wednesday)

     In the Romantic period, male leads in opera are mainly dominated by tenors. By featuring treasured recordings of Nicolai Gedda and Luciano Pavarotti, who was hailed as the “King of High-Cs”, among others, this lecture will delve into the unique charm of the tenor voice. 

     Chan is an eminent vocalist and expert in choral singing in Hong Kong. She currently teaches voice at the music departments of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Baptist University. She also serves as the vocal advisor of the Hong Kong Children’s Choir. Chan often gives vocal masterclasses, and conducts vocal workshops for singers and choir conductors, in addition to serving as adjudicator in singing competitions. 

     All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese and will start at 7.30pm at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Each lecture will run for about one hour and 30 minutes. Tickets priced at $80 (for each lecture, with free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings and concessionary schemes, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1924.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Director of Audit, Professor Nelson Lam, departs for Egypt today (October 27) for the 25th Congress of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. Senior Auditor of the Audit Commission Mr Toby Cheung will also join him on the trip.
      
     At the invitation of the National Audit Office of the People’s Republic of China (CNAO), Professor Lam and Mr Cheung will take part in the said event as members of the People’s Republic of China Delegation led by the Auditor General of CNAO, Mr Hou Kai. Hosted by the Accountability State Authority of Egypt, the Congress will be held from October 27 to 31 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, with the themes “The Role of Supreme Audit Institutions in Auditing Central Banks and Government Activities during Financial and Economic Crises” and “Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Auditing”.

     Professor Lam and Mr Cheung will return to Hong Kong on November 1.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (October 27) reminded candidates and those interested in sitting the Taxi Written Test that the Test has been further enhanced, and will be applicable from November 3, encouraging newcomers to join the taxi industry.

     The new Written Test (for fresh candidates or repeaters) comprises Part A “Taxi Operation” and Part B “Road Users’ Code”. Part A “Taxi Operation” will include new questions relating to the series of new measures introduced for enhancing taxi service quality (e.g. taxi fleet regime and the Taxi-Driver-Offence Points system). The questions on prominent locations and route identification have been substantially reduced and simplified in consideration of the development of navigation technology. Part B “Road Users’ Code” will include knowledge on road traffic regulations and safe driving. The Written Test is conducted in the form of multiple-choice questions, and the total number of questions has been adjusted from 90 to 75, while the passing criteria and time allowed for each part remain unchanged. To score an overall pass result, a candidate must meet the passing criteria in both Parts A and B.

     A spokesman for the TD said, “The further enhanced Taxi Written Test will better align with the practical needs of the taxi trade while maintaining the level of assessment, ensuring that taxi drivers possess the necessary professional knowledge and qualities. We hope that more newcomers will be attracted to join the taxi industry to foster the healthy development of the taxi trade in the long run. Furthermore, following the passage of the bill on ride-hailing service, taxi driving licence holders can apply for a ride-hailing vehicle driving permit in future without having to sit an additional test.”

     The TD has issued letters to the taxi trade introducing the scope of the new Written Test, and distributed the updated Guide to Taxi Written Test and Taxi Operation Booklet to candidates concerned. Candidates can refer to the TD’s website and book a Taxi Written Test online via GovHK.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (October 27) that new licence fee payment arrangements for a Temporary Food Factory Licence will be implemented from November 1. The arrangements aim to further streamline the application process and expedite the issuance of licences, in order to provide convenience to food business operators participating in public functions of a short duration.

In accordance with the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), any person who intends to prepare and/or manufacture food for sale for human consumption off the premises must obtain a food factory licence issued by the FEHD before commencement of such a business. For a food business which involves the operation of a stall/kiosk of a temporary nature for sale of heating up/warming precooked food and/or cooking of preprepared, ready-to-cook food for human consumption off the premises in conjunction with a public function (e.g. exhibition, show, concert, sporting contest) of a short duration, a temporary food factory licence must be obtained. The validity period of a temporary food factory licence shall not exceed seven days, and the licence fee is $220.

In order to streamline the application process and shorten the time for applicants to obtain a licence, the FEHD is enhancing the payment arrangements for licence fees. Upon submission of a temporary food factory licence application, the applicant will have to enclose the fee payment for the granting of a licence. The FEHD will process the application as usual. Upon the approval of an application, the FEHD will issue the notification letter and relevant licence to the applicant.

Applicants may submit their applications, pay the licence fees, and collect the licences via electronic means, in person or by authorising another person to visit the Licence Issuing Office on their behalf, or by post.

If a licence application is eventually not approved or cancelled by the applicant, he or she may apply to the FEHD for a refund.

For details about the new arrangements, please visit the FEHD’s website or contact the relevant Licence Issuing Office.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will depart for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in the afternoon today (October 27) to begin an official visit. The visit aims to promote collaboration between Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises in going global and seizing new business opportunities together. It also seeks to strengthen Hong Kong’s ties with the Middle East in areas such as trade, finance, and innovation and technology, while promoting Hong Kong’s unique advantages and telling the good stories of Hong Kong and China.

Mr Chan will lead a delegation of around 40 members, comprising representatives from financial institutions, as well as founders and executives of enterprises engaged in artificial intelligence, biomedical technology, e-commerce, green energy, construction technology and other sectors, from both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Members of the delegation also include representatives from the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is assisting in organising the programme.

During the visit, the delegation will attend the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative, where Mr Chan will take part in a panel discussion and deliver speeches at various luncheons and dinners to update participants on Hong Kong’s latest developments and emerging opportunities. He will also meet with local government officials, public institutions, business leaders and corporate and financial executives. Delegation members will participate in business matching activities with local enterprises.

Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong at noon on October 31. During his absence, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, will act as Financial Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (October 27) that the auction for stalls at the 2026 Fong Ma Po (FMP) New Year Fair at Lam Tsuen in Tai Po will be put up for open auction on November 10 (Monday).

     An FEHD spokesman said that the annual FMP New Year Fair will be held for 15 consecutive days from February 17 to March 3 next year. A total of 21 dry goods stalls and six wet goods stalls will be put up for auction, with upset prices of $780 and $770 respectively.
 
     The open auction will be held at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, on November 10 (Monday), from 2pm until the completion of the auction.
 
     Bidders for FMP New Year Fair stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. Anyone can bid for more than one stall. A bidder must pay the bid price and register in person with his or her own name as the licensee of the stall immediately after successfully bidding for a stall. The bidder is also required to sign at once a licence agreement with the FEHD, or he/she will forfeit the rights to operate the stall.
 
     The FMP New Year Fair will be made available to the licensees three days in advance of the fair (from February 14 to 16, 2026) for the setting up of stalls. In the event of any unforeseeable incident that will cause a reduction of the whole licence period (including the duration for setting up stalls and the business period of the fair), the Government has the right to postpone the commencement date and shorten the duration of the period. The bidding price (licence fee) paid will be refunded to the successful bidder on a pro-rata basis without interest.
 
     The FEHD reminded licensees that the stalls are solely for the purpose of selling and promoting the sale of the permitted commodities, and no other activities are allowed in the licensed area. If the FEHD considers that any activity conducted by the licensee to publicise, promote, display, show, sell or gift any permitted commodities in the venue is unlawful, contrary to the interest of national security, immoral or incompatible with the object of the FMP New Year fair, the FEHD is entitled to direct the licensee to stop conducting such activity and the licensee must immediately comply with such direction.
 
     Stall licensees should not destroy, damage or abandon any unsold commodities at or in the vicinity of the stall. They must completely remove the stall structure and all paraphernalia, together with all refuse, debris and unsold commodities (whether damaged or not) before 6pm on March 3, 2026.
 
     According to the licence agreement, except inside designated stalls, licensees must not keep, store or use any compressed helium cylinders in the licenced area. Whereas licensees of the designated stalls may keep, store or use helium cylinders in the licenced area, the quantity of helium should be such that a licence is not required pursuant to the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulation 2012 (Cap. 295E), i.e. equivalent to 150 litres of helium. Sales of floating LED glowing balloons and aquarium fish by stall licensees are prohibited at the FMP Fair.
 
     In addition, as stated in the licence agreement, the height of dry goods stalls must not exceed three metres from ground level. The height of wet goods stalls must not exceed 4.5m from ground level. For wet goods stalls with a height of more than 3m from ground level, the licensee must, at their own cost, provide the FEHD with the original certificate issued by an authorised person, a registered structural engineer, or a competent person under the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (Cap. 59I) to certify the structural safety of the structure in the licensed area before the fair is opened to the public. The licensee must also affix a copy of the aforesaid certificate on the structure of the stall. Also, each corner and anchor point of the marquee (if any) shall be securely fastened using appropriate ballast weights, such as sandbags or purpose-designed marquee water weights. During the period when the Strong Monsoon Signal is in force or is to be issued, the licensee shall immediately inspect the stall and adopt reinforcement measures as necessary.
 
     Successful bidders shall comply with all the stipulations and provisions set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.
 
     Details of the 2026 FMP New Year Fair, such as the public notice, the location and layout of the fair venue, commodities allowed for sale at the fair stalls, open auction arrangements and relevant rules, and a sample of the licence agreement, are available on the FEHD’s website (www.fehd.gov.hk). Interested bidders may visit the website or contact the FEHD’s Tai Po District Environmental Hygiene Office (3183 9162 or 2657 1137) for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Communications Authority (CA) today (October 27) launched the new Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) (Private) Licence in support of the development of low-altitude economy (LAE).  
 
     A spokesperson for CA said, “As announced in the 2025 Policy Address, the Government will enhance core infrastructure facilities, including by designating spectrum, to advance Hong Kong as a major hub for low-altitude innovative applications. Under the UAS (Private) Licence regime, licensees will be assigned with the 1430 – 1444 MHz band (1.4 GHz band) as the dedicated spectrum for establishing, maintaining and operating radiocommunications installation for UAS operations. It offers an additional communications solution to UAS operators beyond the current use of wireless local area networks and 4G or 5G mobile network for data transmission and control, enhancing support for the safe and efficient operation of UAS and fully supporting the development of the LAE ecosystem in terms of communications networks.”
 
     The UAS (Private) Licence is now open for application to organisations participating in the LAE Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects. Interested parties can submit their application together with the relevant information to CA, including information of the UAS they operate, the approval from the Civil Aviation Department on specific flight paths and details of the radio base stations anticipated to be installed. CA will rigorously review the applications based on the submitted information and closely monitor the use of the dedicated UAS spectrum to ensure compliance with licence conditions and effective utilisation of spectrum resources.
 
     For details of the UAS (Private) Licence, including application eligibility, procedures and technical requirements, please refer to the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA)’s thematic webpage. For enquiries, please contact OFCA at 2961 6333.