Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs extends Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme
Hong Kong Customs implemented the FTA Scheme on December 20, 2015, to provide traders with Customs supervision services and issue the Certificate of Non-manipulation to certify transshipment cargoes that have not undergone any further processing during their stay in Hong Kong. For applications, please visit www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/trade-facilitation/fta/procedure/index.htmlIssued at HKT 9:00
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Speech by CS at Nobel Heroes Forum: Shaping Science and Future (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Nobel Heroes Forum: Shaping Science and Future today (January 12):
Dr Wong (Chairman of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Council, Dr Peter Wong), Professor Zhang (President and Vice-Chancellor of the HKU, Professor Zhang Xiang), Mr Turner (Executive Director of Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, Mr Nikolaus Turner), distinguished Nobel Laureates, esteemed scientists, ladies and gentlemen,
Our strategy follows a powerful cycle: promoting technology with talent, leading industries with technology, and attracting talent with industries.
Major Sports Events Committee awards “M” Mark status to “Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026” and “Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show 2026”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to the “Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026” (January 18) and the “Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show 2026” (January 30 to February 1).
The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (January 12), “With the beginning of 2026, more ‘M’ Mark events will follow one after another. Among them, the Hong Kong Marathon stands out as one of the city’s most popular running events. It attracts professional and amateur runners from around the world to showcase their competitive spirit against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s unique urban landscape. As for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show to be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo, it will showcase the elegance and power of equestrianism splendidly. These two events allow local citizens and tourists to experience the allure of sports and highlight Hong Kong’s diverse culture and vibrant energy, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a centre for major international sports events.”
The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local National Sports Associations and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events. The “M” Mark System aims to promote the development of major sports events, cultivate a sustainable sporting culture, enhance Hong Kong’s image as a centre for major international sports events and bring tangible economic benefits to the community.
For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.
EDB reminds parents to choose primary schools under Central Allocation process for their children
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (January 12) reminded parents that children who have joined the Primary One Admission (POA) System for 2026 but have not yet secured a discretionary place can take part in the Central Allocation process for a Primary One (P1) place in a government or aided primary school. Parents concerned should make their choice of schools within the period from January 19 to 25.
Digitalisation of POA
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New District Officer for Yuen Long assumes office (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Mr Kelvin Ma will assume the post of District Officer (Yuen Long) tomorrow (January 12), succeeding Mr Gordon Wu.
Since joining the Administrative Service in 2011, Mr Ma has served in various bureaux and departments, including the then Home Affairs Bureau, the then Transport and Housing Bureau, the Labour and Welfare Bureau, and the Chief Executive’s Office.
He was the Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport and Logistics at the Transport and Logistics Bureau before taking up the new post of District Officer (Yuen Long).
Transhipment scheme extended
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Customs & Excise Department today extended the Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme to cover transhipment cargo from the Mainland to Peru via Hong Kong.
The scheme originally covered transhipment cargo from 71 economies to the Mainland via Hong Kong under 23 trade agreements. Also covered were Mainland cargo transhipments to Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Myanmar and Australia via Hong Kong under eight trade agreements.
Effective today, local traders can apply to Customs for a certificate of non-manipulation to claim preferential tariffs under the China-Peru Free Trade Agreement for cargo from the Mainland transhipped to Peru via Hong Kong.
Launched in December 2015, the scheme offers a customs supervision service that provides traders with certificates of non-manipulation, verifying that transhipment cargo has not undergone further processing during its stay in Hong Kong.
Click here for the certificate application details.
Yuen Long district officer named
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government announced that Kelvin Ma will assume the post of District Officer (Yuen Long) tomorrow, succeeding Gordon Wu.
Mr Ma joined the Administrative Service in 2011. He has served in various bureaus and departments, including the then Home Affairs Bureau, the then Transport & Housing Bureau, the Labour & Welfare Bureau, and the Chief Executive’s Office.
Before taking up the new post, Mr Ma was Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport & Logistics at the Transport & Logistics Bureau.
Hospital Authority proactively assists patients and majority of medical fee waiver applications approved on same day
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hospital Authority proactively assists patients and majority of medical fee waiver applications approved on same day
The HA reported that 54 658 medical fee waiver applications have been approved to date, including 33 759 cases have completed assessment and received formal waiver certificates. Under normal circumstances, waivers will be issued within approximately one hour of submitting all required documents. For patients who require urgent medical services but are unable to provide the necessary documentation for financial assessment, the HA has exercised flexible arrangements. By signing a declaration stating their financial situation meets the medical fee waiver eligibility criteria, patients can receive approval for “conditional waivers” within as fast as 15 minutes. The HA has exercised flexible arrangements to approve 20 899 “conditional waivers”. These patients must submit the relevant documents for financial assessment within three months. If patients fail to submit the required documents within the deadline or do not meet the eligibility criteria, they will be required to settle all applicable fees (if any).
“Patients should allow sufficient time for medical fee waiver applications. For patients without immediate medical needs, it is advisable to begin the application process approximately one to two months before their scheduled appointments. Members of the public can also access information about medical fee waivers, including application procedures and required documents, in advance through the HA website or mobile application HA Go. They can also use the means test calculator to preliminarily evaluate their eligibility, ensuring a smoother application process,” the HA spokesperson reminded.
The spokesperson emphasised that the enhanced medical fee waiver mechanism is a crucial measure of the public healthcare fees and charges reform to strengthen protection for patients facing financial hardship, and therefore requires financial assessment and not everyone will be eligible. Each application must be handled with due diligence for the use of public money. Patients have the responsibility to provide complete, accurate, truthful, and appropriate information for assessment and verification, ensuring that assistance reaches those truly in need.
While ensuring that no patient is denied from medical care due to lack of means, it is also essential to uphold the principle of prudent use of resources to prevent the limited and precious public resources being abused. Moreover, the supporting documents required for medical fee waiver applications are similar to those required for other social welfare or government subsidy schemes.
Patients need to submit income and asset proof documents for financial assessment while applying for medical fee waivers. In addition to common documentary proof such as land or non-owner-occupied property, cash in hand, bank savings, investments in stocks and shares, some applicants may keep cash in other accounts such as e-wallets, Hong Kong Jockey Club betting accounts, or have accessible insurance savings. Patients are also required to provide relevant supporting documents for these assets to accurately assess their eligibility for medical fee waivers. To ensure appropriate use of medical resources and prevent abuse, the HA will conduct regular reviews of approved cases randomly.
The HA has relaxed eligibility criteria and simplified the application procedures with the implementation of enhanced medical fee waiver mechanism. Patients or their family members who are currently receiving Old Age Living Allowance may be exempted from submitting certain documentary proof for financial assessment, with details as follows:
Furthermore, if a patient has household members included in the financial assessment who already possess approved medical fee waiver, the patient will not need to undergo a complete financial assessment. The HA will refer to the financial information submitted during their household member’s medical fee waiver application and, depending on the actual circumstances, will only request necessary or missing information from the patient rather than conducting a full review from scratch. The patient will receive a waiver with the same validity period as their household member.
The HA is gradually enhancing its electronic system “Medical Fee Assistance Domain” (the domain) to support medical fee waiver applications. Patients can now upload required documents for financial assessment through the domain, receive push notifications about key application status, and check application details. Starting from the second quarter of 2026, patients will also be able to submit applications through the domain.
Issued at HKT 19:40
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Missing woman in Lok Ma Chau located
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Missing woman in Lok Ma Chau located
A woman who went missing in Lok Ma Chau has been located.
The woman was located on Tai Tong Road, Yuen Long, last night (January 9). She was sent to hospital for examination. No suspicious circumstances were detected.
Issued at HKT 19:56
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CFS to follow up certain batches of powdered infant and young children formula with possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 10) said that, it took initiative to meet with Nestlé Hong Kong again today, and confirmed the company’s today announcement of an additional batch of powdered infant and young children formula suspected to have possibly used the raw material concerned. Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall. The CFS has collected samples of powdered infant and young children formula from the market for Bacillus cereus testing, the test results so far were satisfactory. The Environmental and Ecology Bureau is also closely monitoring the supply situation of other formula milk powder and maintaining communication with other major suppliers. It is noted that there is sufficient formula milk powder to meet the demand.
The spokesman said, the CFS has been actively following up on Nestlé company’s voluntary and precautionary recalls of certain batches of its powdered infant and young children formula in certain areas in Europe due to possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus in the individual raw material. According to the latest information from Nestlé Hong Kong today, an additional batch of its powdered infant and young children formula imported into Hong Kong might have used the raw material concerned. The CFS had earlier enhanced surveillance in the market and collected a sample from the above batch for testing of Bacillus cereus. The test result of the sample was satisfactory. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall.Batch number: 51670742F2
Best-before date: June 16, 2027
Place of Origin: GermanyEmail: consumerservices@hk.nestle.com
WhatsApp: 5283 4139 (NESTLÉ®️ NAN®️) / 2599 8871 (Wyeth®️ Nutrition)
Online form: forms.office.com/e/BhqMhWfsUG?origin=lprLink
Consumers may choose to bring along the products (brand new or opened) for refund at place of purchase, or at exclusive service counters of Nestlé Nutrition Services from January 13 (Tuesday) onwards, to settle the recall and refund of the batches of the products concerned. Details of the exclusive service counters are as follows:
Kowloon Services Counter
Address: G/F, Park Hovan Commercial Building, 18 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Jordon Station Exit D)
Contact number: 3996 8196
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm; Sunday, 1pm to 5.30pm (except public holidays)Address: 1/F, Ka Nin Wah Commercial Building, 423-425 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong (MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B)
Contact number: 3996 8197
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm (except Sundays and public holidays)
The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted earlier that certain batches of Nestlé powdered infant formula were being voluntarily recalled in Europe due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS has immediately initiated follow up actions, published food incident posts to inform the public and the trade about the issue, and has been actively following up on the incident and enhanced surveillance.
Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
The spokesman urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batches of the products, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately.