Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) continues to clamp down on activities that are in breach of relevant laws regulating tobacco control. Yesterday (September 2), a woman was arrested at the airport and subsequently prosecuted for illegally importing alternative smoking products (ASPs). An enforcement operation was also carried out in Tsim Sha Tsui against illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas with five fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued.
 
Illegal import of alternative smoking products
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     TACO was notified by Hong Kong Customs yesterday that 20 600 ASPs had been intercepted in the luggage of a woman arriving from Japan. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the individual. She was sentenced today at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts to three months’ imprisonment.
 
     Since the amendments to the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which conferred arrest powers on TACO inspectors, took effect on September 19, 2025, TACO has prosecuted 30 cases involving the importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Thirty-two persons have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four weeks to eight months.
 
     According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Chapter 60), a person who imports alternative smoking products, including electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years; or liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
     Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Chapter 371) (the Ordinance), no person may promote, manufacture, sell, or possess for commercial purposes alternative smoking products. An offender is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
Illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas
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     TACO conducted an operation codenamed “Cloudcrush” in Tsim Sha Tsui last night. During the inspection, TACO issued three FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes in two bars, and issued two FPNs to a person for smoking and possessing a heated tobacco product inside the bar.
 
     During the inspections conducted from January 2024 to date, the DH issued a total of around 300 FPNs for smoking waterpipe tobacco illegally in indoor no smoking areas, in addition to around 150 summonses to the staff of the bar for aiding and abetting smoking in indoor no smoking areas.
 
     Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.
 
     In addition, any person who possesses specified ASPs, including e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes, in public places is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000.
 
     “Members of the public must not try or continue consuming ASPs or waterpipes based on the misconception that these products contain less harmful substances. Currently, there is no evidence to show that heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes are less harmful or beneficial for smoking cessation. On the contrary, ASPs have been proven to emit numerous toxic substances that can lead to addiction, illness, or even death. Waterpipe is also a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning,” the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam said.
 
     He stressed that TACO will continue to closely monitor and rigorously enforce the law against illegal activities such as waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas, illegal sales and promotions of smoking products, as well as illegal imports of ASPs.
 
     Dr Lam urged that smokers quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. Members of the public may call the DH’s Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visit TACO’s website for information on smoking cessation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (September 3) released the statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the second quarter of 2026.

In the second quarter of 2026, total port cargo throughput decreased by 0.2% to 42.3 million tonnes over a year earlier. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased by 3.8% to 24.3 million tonnes, while outward port cargo increased by 5.2% to 18.0 million tonnes.

For the first half of 2026, total port cargo throughput increased by 1.0% to 84.4 million tonnes over a year earlier. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased by 1.6% to 49.0 million tonnes, while outward port cargo increased by 4.8% to 35.4 million tonnes.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput decreased by 6.4% in the second quarter of 2026. Within this total, inward port cargo and outward port cargo decreased by 7.7% and 4.6% respectively compared with the preceding quarter. The seasonally adjusted series enables a more meaningful shorter-term comparison to help identify possible variations in trends.

Port cargo

In the second quarter of 2026, within port cargo, seaborne cargo decreased by 3.2% to 25.6 million tonnes over a year earlier, while river cargo increased by 4.8% to 16.7 million tonnes over a year earlier.

In the first half of 2026, within port cargo, seaborne cargo decreased by 2.7% to 51.0 million tonnes over a year earlier, while river cargo increased by 7.3% to 33.4 million tonnes over a year earlier.

Comparing the second quarter of 2026 with a year earlier, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Chinese Mainland (+10.3%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Singapore (-54.4%), Korea (-40.5%), Taiwan (-32.4%), Japan (-21.9%) and Vietnam (-12.2%). For outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Brazil (+37.4%), Taiwan (+16.6%) and Vietnam (+11.9%). Conversely, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Thailand (-16.6%) and Japan (-13.4%).

Comparing the first half of 2026 with a year earlier, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Chinese Mainland (+10.0%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Singapore (-28.1%), Chile (-19.4%), Korea (-17.7%), Taiwan (-14.4%) and Vietnam (-13.9%). For outward port cargo, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Brazil (+35.6%). Conversely, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Thailand (-26.7%) and Japan (-11.7%).

Comparing the second quarter of 2026 with a year earlier, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo of “petroleum, petroleum products and related materials” (-24.4%) and “artificial resins and plastic materials” (-12.0%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of “live animals chiefly for food and edible animal products” (+11.3%).

Comparing the first half of 2026 with a year earlier, double-digit decrease was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo of “artificial resins and plastic materials” (-12.2%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded in the tonnage of “stone, sand and gravel” (+16.6%) and “pulp and waste paper” (-14.2%).

Containers

In the second quarter of 2026, the port of Hong Kong handled 3.24 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers, representing an increase of 1.1% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden containers increased by 2.5% to 2.64 million TEUs, while empty containers decreased by 4.4% to 0.60 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers increased by 1.6% and 3.5% to 1.39 million TEUs and 1.26 million TEUs respectively.

For the first half of 2026, the port of Hong Kong handled 6.38 million TEUs of containers, representing a decrease of 3.0% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden containers increased by 0.2% to 5.17 million TEUs, while empty containers decreased by 14.8% to 1.21 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward containers decreased by 0.8% to 2.73 million TEUs, while outward containers increased by 1.4% to 2.44 million TEUs.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput decreased by 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026. Within this total, inward and outward laden containers decreased by 3.5% and 0.1% respectively.

In the second quarter of 2026, seaborne and river laden containers increased by 1.0% and 6.0% to 1.84 million TEUs and 0.81 million TEUs respectively over a year earlier.

In the first half of 2026, seaborne laden containers decreased by 1.3% to 3.59 million TEUs over a year earlier, while river laden containers increased by 4.0% to 1.58 million TEUs.

Vessel arrivals

Comparing the second quarter of 2026 with a year earlier, the number of ocean vessel arrivals increased by 5.0% to 5 145, increasing the total capacity by 1.7% to 75.2 million net tons. Meanwhile, the number of river vessel arrivals decreased by 2.1% to 19 680, while the total capacity increased by 0.9% to 23.8 million net tons.

Comparing the first half of 2026 with a year earlier, the number of ocean vessel arrivals increased by 5.7% to 9 942, increasing the total capacity by 3.9% to 150.3 million net tons. Meanwhile, the number of river vessel arrivals decreased by 0.2% to 39 800, while the total capacity increased by 4.0% to 48.6 million net tons.

Further information

Port cargo and laden container statistics are compiled from a sample of consignments listed in the cargo manifests supplied by shipping companies and agents to the C&SD. Vessel statistics are compiled by the Marine Department primarily from general declarations submitted by ship masters and authorised shipping agents. Since 2026, statistics on pleasure vessels and fishing/fish processing vessels plying exclusively within the river trade limits have been covered.

Table 1 presents the detailed port cargo statistics.

Table 2 and Table 3 respectively present the inward and outward port cargo statistics by main countries/territories of loading and discharge.

Table 4 and Table 5 respectively present the inward and outward port cargo statistics by principal commodities.

Table 6 presents the detailed container statistics.

Table 7 presents the statistics on vessel arrivals in Hong Kong.

More detailed statistics on port cargo, containers and vessels are published in the report “Hong Kong Shipping Statistics, Second Quarter 2026”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020008&scode=230).

For enquiries about port cargo and container statistics, please contact the Electronic Trading Services and Cargo Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2473 or email: shipping@censtatd.gov.hk). For enquiries about vessel statistics, readers may contact the Statistics Section under the Planning, Development and Port Security Branch of the Marine Department (Tel: 2852 3662 or email: st-sec@mardep.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     With the support and facilitation of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), The Festival of Connoisseurs, an international flagship exhibition showcasing superyachts and premium lifestyles, will make its debut in Hong Kong this November. The staging of this new exhibition in Hong Kong will inject new impetus into the local convention and exhibition (C&E) industry, fully underscoring Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international business centre and a premier C&E hub.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (September 3) attended the press conference held by the exhibition organiser. He said that the C&E industry plays an important role in consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre. The decision by Informa Markets, a world‑class exhibition organiser, to stage The Festival of Connoisseurs in Hong Kong is a testament to the strength of the city’s C&E industry and its favourable business environment. Premium exhibitions of this kind will help drive local consumption, tourism, professional services and related industries, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s leading position in the global C&E industry.

     The Government has been supporting the development of the C&E industry through diverse measures. As announced earlier, the Government has earmarked $100 million to attract large-scale, high-quality international exhibitions with new elements to Hong Kong, with a view to developing Hong Kong into the first-choice platform for showcasing Mainland and international brands, attracting high-spending business visitors to Hong Kong and driving high value-added economic activities.

     The Festival of Connoisseurs is the first exhibition to receive support from the $100 million funding initiative. The CEDB, in collaboration with the venue operator, AsiaWorld-Expo, have facilitated the staging of this international premium exhibition in Hong Kong. Bringing together leading international and Mainland brands, the event will showcase premium lifestyle products spanning superyachts, supercars, high-end jewellery, etc. It will adopt an innovative, experiential curatorial approach to offer visitors a unique connoisseurship experience.

     Mr Yau added that the Government will continue to proactively attract more major international exhibitions featuring new elements and diverse themes. By leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantage as a hub connecting the Mainland with the rest of the world, and building on the C&E industry’s distinctive edge in brand building, the Government is committed to developing Hong Kong’s C&E industry into a two way platform that enables Mainland brands to go global while bringing international brands into the Mainland market.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​BlueSky Information Technology (Int’l) Company Limited and its director were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company and its director pleaded guilty at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (September 3) and were fined a total sum of $117,000.  

The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay three employees’ wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods, totalling about $307,000. The director concerned was prosecuted and convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offence.

“The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO,” a spokesman for the LD said.

“The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau today announced that more than three-quarters of the owners of Wang Chi House (Block H) of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po have signed the Agreement for Sale & Purchase as of September 2. This accounts for 188 households, representing approximately 75.8% of the total number of flats in that block.

In line with the follow-up arrangements announced earlier, the Government confirmed that it will proceed with the acquisition work of Wang Chi House. Assignments with its owners with be progressively signed to finalise the title acquisition procedures.

The deadline for Wang Fuk Court owners to accept the Government’s acquisition offer has expired. Factoring in the Letters of Acceptance received after the deadline with a postmark on or before August 31, a total of 1,971 owners – about 99.3% – across all eight buildings (Blocks A to H) have signed and returned the letters to confirm their intentions to sell their properties to the Government.

As of yesterday, the Government has signed the Agreement for Sale & Purchase with 1,595 households, or about 80.4%, across the entire complex.

The Government will continue to follow up on the remaining title acquisition procedures at full speed to advance the overall exercise.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today launched the tenth phase of recruitment under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth, with applications open until October 5.

The latest phase covers advisory committees spanning a wide spectrum of policy areas. This includes the District Youth Community Building Committees and the District Youth Development and Civic Education Committees across all 18 districts, which were established by the Home Affairs Department.

To be eligible for appointment, applicants for the district-level youth committees must be aged between 16 and 35, while applicants for the other advisory committees must be aged between 18 and 35.

Candidates are required to submit an explanation of their suitability for their chosen committee in either Chinese or English. This can be done via a written statement of no more than 600 words, or a video or audio clip no longer than three minutes.

Assessment panels will interview candidates and evaluate their commitment to community service, their understanding of the relevant policy areas, and their analytical and communication skills. Generally, each participating advisory committee will offer two seats for appointment, while the district-level youth committees across the 18 districts will offer more than 300 seats in total.

Subject to the volume of applications and the progress of the assessments, the recruitment exercise is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.

The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau noted that the scheme has received an enthusiastic response since its inception, drawing a total of over 16,000 applications from the Pilot Scheme through to Phase 9. Aiming to engage more young people in public affairs and enhance mutual trust, the Government has actively expanded the scheme.

The target is to increase the number of participating advisory committees from around 60 in 2022 to no less than 180 within the current term of the Government. The bureau stated that this milestone will be successfully achieved with the implementation of the tenth phase.

Currently, young people hold about 680 posts on various government advisory and statutory bodies through direct or indirect appointments via the scheme. Reflecting this progress, the overall ratio of youth members on these bodies has risen from 7.8% at the end of 2017 to 15.5% in mid-2026.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Health (DH) and Police today arrested two people and seized over 50 vials of unregistered injectable pharmaceutical products during raids on premises offering an alleged cancer vaccine.

In a new series of raids targeting premises that offer the “Wilms’ tumour 1” (WT1) vaccine under false claims of cancer prevention, officers searched over 10 locations across Hong Kong and seized the vials from two of them.

So far, a man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance.

The DH’s Controller of Regulatory Affairs Dr Fung Ying highlighted that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong, and no person shall illegally sell or possess unregistered pharmaceutical products.

“Any advertisement claiming to provide this vaccine for cancer prevention is misleading and constitutes suspected fraud,” she added.

The DH previously conducted multiple inspections at “HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre”, which is suspected of involvement, as well as other companies and related organisations that claimed on social media to offer the WT1 vaccine. 

Dr Fung said the department is also tracing the source of the products and has investigated the company suspected of supplying the WT1 reagent to the relevant institutions.

As the case may involve illegal importation of unregistered pharmaceutical products into Hong Kong, the DH has notified Customs for follow-up.

“The DH will continue to work closely with relevant departments to monitor the situation, gather intelligence, conduct in-depth investigations, and crack down on illegal activities involving the sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products,” Dr Fung emphasised.

The department will also send letters to all doctors and private healthcare facilities in the city, reminding them that they must comply with the law in Hong Kong and must not administer illegal pharmaceutical products to patients.

In response to allegations that a registered doctor and nurse provided the WT1 vaccine to clients, the DH has referred the cases to the Medical Council of Hong Kong and the Nursing Council of Hong Kong for follow-up.

The DH also determined that the advertisements by the premises in question are suspected of violating the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance.

The department previously issued warning letters requesting the removal of the advertisements. If they are not taken down, the department will prosecute those responsible.

The DH also notified the relevant Mainland law enforcement authorities regarding the publication of these advertisements on Mainland social media platforms.

The department has not received any reports of adverse effects from members of the public in relation to the injection of WT1. Dr Fung reminded members of the public to consult a registered doctor regarding any queries about disease prevention and treatment, and not to blindly trust unproven medical claims.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today expressed sorrow over the passing of veteran Hong Kong actor and dancer Lau Siu-ming and extended heartfelt condolences to his family.

Commending his artistic legacy, Miss Law said Mr Lau made significant contributions to the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s cultural sector through his professionalism and passion.

“He devoted his life to dance and the performing arts. His talent and dedication will always be remembered. We deeply mourn his passing and pay the highest tribute to his outstanding artistic achievements,” she added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee and senior government officials today attended an official ceremony at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden to commemorate Victory Day in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The event featured the playing and singing of the national anthem, a flag raising, a police rifle volley, the observation of silence in mourning and bowing in tribute.

Guests included the Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), representatives of the central people’s government organisations in Hong Kong, the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, the former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council.  

They were joined by war veteran groups, Hong Kong deputies to the National People’s Congress, Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the CPPCC, representatives from the District Councils, Heung Yee Kuk, district organisations, uniformed groups and youth representatives.