The Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) announced today that the Director of Architectural Services has established an independent investigation team in relation to the Light Public Housing (LPH) projects at Lok On Pai in Siu Lam, Yan Po Road in Tuen Mun, and Sheung On Street in Chai Wan.
After the discovery of quality issues in the Siu Lam project at the end of August, the department said that last month it stepped up inspections for the three LPH projects at Siu Lam, Tuen Mun and Chai Wan, which are under the same contractor, Able & Chun Wo Joint Venture.
Through proactive inspections and in-depth examinations, more on-site installation issues have been found, the department pointed out.
The investigation team will directly report to the Housing Bureau and the Development Bureau.
The ArchSD clarified that the incident involves on-site works procedures rather than the quality of Modular Integrated Construction.
It added that it has instructed the contractor to submit proposals for remedial measures immediately. The remedial measures are expected to take at most four to five months to complete.
The ArchSD will urge the contractor to expedite the external works, with a view to completing the projects by the completion dates as committed to the Public Works Subcommittee. Meanwhile, the Housing Bureau stressed it is deeply concerned with this issue, and has instructed the ArchSD to follow up seriously to ensure timely completion of LPH projects with high quality and utmost safety standards.
Subject to the investigation outcome, the Government will hold the parties involved accountable in accordance with the terms of the contract, and take regulatory actions against the contractor and related personnel pursuant applicable laws, including the Buildings Ordinance.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases ninth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September
DistrictAmong the ninth batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas in September, all were below 10 per cent.
The FEHD has so far released nine batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 53 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. August 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation had improved or maintained a low level. Ten other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD will disseminate the relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks’ surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 17:10
Emphasis on encouraging good recycling habits amongst students, e-waste recycling and public hygiene this year.
Singapore, 6 October2025 – Over 1200 Clean & Green activities, involving more than 400,000 participants from schools, grassroots, NGOs and corporates have been held across Singapore throughout 2025. The activities included learning journeys to sites of environmental interests, sustainability-themed community events, and volunteer deployments to raise public awareness on the need for greater environmental stewardship. These ground-up initiatives continue the decades-long Clean & Green Singapore (CGS) movement, inviting everyone to adopt sustainable practices, conserve biodiversity, and foster a more gracious society.
2 The National Environment Agency (NEA)’s annual CGS flagship event, CGS Day, will be held on 1 November 2025. Leading up to CGS Day, we are partnering four key partners to showcase a range of the wider community’s contributions to our sustainable development journey:
Launch of REHub for Cora School Recycling League
6 Oct 2025 (Mon), 7am–9.30am @ Mee Toh School
3 Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh Hanyan will join Cora Environment to launch REHub, a Smart Recycling Hub, at Mee Toh School, featuring four separate compartments for paper, metal cans, plastic bottles and drink cartons. Each bin is equipped with a smart sensor that will alert the waste management company when it is 80 per cent full, to prevent overflowing recycling bins.
4 Mee Toh School was selected in recognition of the school’s achievement as the 2024 Gold award recipient in the primary school category of the School Recycling League (SRL). SRL is a recycling competition amongst schools organised by Cora Environment (previously known as SembWaste) since 2023, which aims to promote good recycling habits amongst students and help develop a strong culture of environmental responsibility. The launch of the REHub at Mee Toh School, which is also a 2019 President’s Award for the Environment recipient, symbolises the efforts of our corporate partners to engage the community and encourage sustainable lifestyle practices. It is also a testament to the developing partnerships between schools and corporates. Please see theAnnexfor more information.
International E-Waste Day 2025
12 October 2025 (Sun), 11.30am to 5.00pm @ Bedok Town Square
5 Senior Minister of State Janil Puthuchearywill attend the annual International E-Waste Day (IEWD) event to raise public awareness about electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) and its impact on the environment. This year’s theme, ‘Step Up E-waste Recycling’ featues the launch of ALBA’s revamped STEP-UP mobile app, which helps users locate recycling points, check interesting recycling events and learn more about recycling. In addition to booths showcasing partners e-waste and sustainability solutions, IEWD will spotlight various lead-up activities for the community, such as a competition for students to design e-waste bins, a photography contest, and e-waste and battery recycling challenges. IEWD also recognises efforts from stakeholders who have contributed to e-waste management and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme in Singapore.
Race to Sustainability! 2025
21 Oct 2025,9.00am – 11.30am @ Gardens by the Bay
6 This year’sRaceto Sustainability!event for primary and secondary schools will be headlined by local sustainability champion Biogirl MJ, featuring an exclusive SG60Comic Trail of 10 larger-than-life panels conceptualised and designed by her.Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamadwill flag off the race for more than 4,000 students over the two-day event. The comic trail showcases diverse elements of sustainability in Singapore – from the OneMillionTrees movement and hornbill conservation, to solar-powered Supertrees and water-saving ecosystems – conveyed in a light-hearted and enjoyable way. These 10 comics will double up as race stations for students to solve puzzles and complete challenges. Nine public agencies – NEA, BCA, CAAS, HDB, LTA, MPA, MAS, SFA and URA – will also come on board to display interactive installations to showcase Singapore’s collective efforts in building a green nation.
7 Race to Sustainability!will continue to be extended beyond programmes for schools. The SG60 comic trail, talks and workshops will be open to the public from 21 October to 30 November 2025.
Eco Paddle with Ola
25 Oct 2025 (Sat), 9am – 12pm @ Ola Beach Club, Sentosa
8 Minister GraceFuwill join 90 participants from various corporate partners at Ola Beach Club’s Eco Paddle at Sentosa. This “paddle to preserve” approach combines adventure with environmental action as volunteers kayak through Sentosa’s southern waters to remove debris that threatens our marine ecosystem. Experienced guides will lead participants through Singapore’s marine biodiversity hotspots, revealing how everyday choices impact creatures living beneath our waves.
9 The session wraps up with an upcycling workshop where collected sea glass and driftwood are transformed into unique accessories and keepsakes. By turning waste into something meaningful, the programme shows how fun and creativity can inspire people to care for the environment. Ola Beach Club will host six additional public sessions from May to December 2025, inviting more Singaporeans to take part in this blend of adventure, learning and conservation.
CGS Day 2025
1 Nov 2024 (Sun), 9am–12pm @ Tampines Park and Our Tampines Hub
10 The four partner events will be capped off by CGS Day 2025, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Gan Kim Yong as Guest-of-Honour. The event will feature traditional tree-planting near Our Tampines Hub, the presentation of the Environmental Services Star Awards and Community-In-Bloom Ambassador Awards and exhibits showcasing Singapore’s Clean & Green journey, in the context of SG60. CGS Day is hosted by the North-East District this year and is held in conjunction with the Tampines Go Green Festival. In addition, the Public Hygiene Council will be supporting CGS Day with the launch of a new CleanPod (where the public can borrow tools for community clean-ups) at Tampines Park.
11 CGS Day celebrates the environmental efforts of schools, grassroots, corporate partners and outstanding individuals this past year, as well as reaffirm the community’s commitment to keeping Singapore clean and green. More details on CGS Day will be available closer to date.
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Launch of REHub, a Smart Recycling Hub, at Mee Toh School, together with Cora Environment.
L-R: Lim Yuin Chien, Group Director, Public Engagement Group NEA;
Lee Kok Kin, Group Chief Executive Officer, Cora Environment;
Goh Hanyan, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment
Kelvin Tay Hsien Chuan, Principal , Mee Toh School
Chief Executive John Lee met Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit today to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
Welcoming Mr Skerrit and his delegation to Hong Kong, Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong is the world’s freest economy and maintains its position as third globally and first in the Asia-Pacific as an international financial centre according to the newly published Global Financial Centres Index.
The Chief Executive added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will actively leverage the dual advantage of national and global opportunities under “one country, two systems”, deepen international co-operation, further explore emerging markets including the Commonwealth of Dominica, and attract more enterprises to use Hong Kong as the platform to go global.
He also expects that Hong Kong and the Commonwealth of Dominica will explore more co-operation opportunities and enhance trade and business exchanges.
Noting that the Commonwealth of Dominica is a Belt & Road economy with Hong Kong as a key link in the Belt & Road Initiative, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government’s commitment to serving as a functional platform, leveraging the advantages of being closely connected to both the Mainland and the world, and promoting participation in green co-operation in the initiative.
He welcomed enterprises from the Commonwealth of Dominica to leverage Hong Kong’s role as “super connector” and “super value-adder” and its highly internationalised and market-oriented business environment with pool of professional services talent to explore overseas and Mainland markets, jointly seizing the opportunities from the Belt & Road Initiative to achieve win-win outcomes.
Chubb UTS Hong Kong with Humansa will be held from October 14 to 15 at Kai Tak Arena, while the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2025 is scheduled for October 25 to November 2 at Victoria Park.
Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng said the two premier tennis events, each with a distinct style, complement each other perfectly.
The innovative Chubb UTS Hong Kong with Humansa offers a fresh experience for fans with a fast-paced and highly interactive format, whereas the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, as a traditional world tour event, attracts world-level women’s tennis players from around the globe.
“Bringing together international tennis elites, these two events attract numerous local and overseas fans. They will boost sports development locally while promoting the tourism industry and bringing economic benefits,” Mr Ng added.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 4) detected a drug trafficking case at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and seized about 850 grams of suspected etomidate powder and one suspected etomidate capsule with an estimated market value of about $2.4 million.
Customs officers yesterday intercepted an incoming private car at the HZMB Hong Kong Port for Customs clearance and found the batch of suspected etomidate powder concealed inside plastic bottles of health product in a parcel placed inside the vehicle. A 41-year-old male driver and a 49-year-old male passenger were subsequently arrested. Later, one suspected etomidate capsule was found in the personal belongings of the arrested male passenger.
The arrested driver has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The arrested passenger has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 6).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).
Staged ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a lantern workshop organised by the Talent+ Volunteer Programme, run by Hong Kong Talent Engage, gives a flavour of the Government’s efforts to bring talented incomers and local residents together.
“Fa Ho Yuet Yuen” is a phrase that uses the full moon as a metaphor for family harmony.
“It is festive and nice,” said 26-year-old Mahir Taher, who has a PhD in interdisciplinary biomedical research and came to Hong Kong from the UK last December via the Top Talent Pass Scheme.
During his first year in Hong Kong, Mahir has not only immersed himself in his research work but also taken the opportunity to explore the city and local culture.
“I always wanted to leave the UK because I want to try settling somewhere else different and also want to try a culture shock,” he revealed.
Community participation
Ahead of his first Mid-Autumn Festival, Mahir painted a lantern at a workshop alongside Wan Chai residents as part of the Talent+ Volunteer Programme, run by Hong Kong Talent Engage.
He wrote the Chinese words “Fa Ho Yuet Yuen” on the lantern after practising only a couple of times.
“My parents are Bangladeshi,” he said. “I came from an Asian culture growing up so a family-oriented culture is still quite nice to be surrounded by.”
At the workshop, Mahir chatted with other volunteers and local residents. “It has been quite nice to paint lanterns and also see other locals and talk through how they feel about not only the festival and get to understand a bit better what the festival is about,” he reflected.
The volunteers then collaborated to string hundreds of lanterns together and hang them around Wan Chai’s Blue House as a decoration.
Guided by a local resident, Mahir also had the chance to tour the Grade I historic building to learn about Hong Kong’s “tong lau” or traditional shophouses, and about neighbourhood life and the revitalisation of local heritage.
“This is something I do not think I would regularly notice just by walking around in the area, but having actually taken part in today’s event, it has definitely opened my eyes on what the Government is trying to do to encourage community.”
As he integrates into life in Hong Kong, Mahir is also settling into a new job.
Last month, he joined City University, where he is employed in the field of cancer therapy research.
“Hong Kong has a lot of funding opportunities going in research itself, as well as to commercialise research that you do. There are a lot of schemes and generally the mindset of a lot of colleagues here that I have met is to come up with a project that is innovative and can really do well in a commercial landscape. And so I think that is probably where the direction in biomedical engineering is going.
“I do not have a formed long-term plan, but I do want to stay here.”
Fostering integration
Since launching a year ago, the Talent+ Volunteer Programme has collaborated with the Agency for Volunteer Service and various non-governmental organisations to host a number of activities, such as a “fai chun” writing workshop and Putonghua classes. It will also arrange for participants of various talent admission schemes to volunteer in support of the upcoming National Games in November.
Hong Kong Talent Engage Deputy Director Anna Au explained: “This can help participants to enhance their understanding of the community and also the history of Hong Kong and foster closer ties with the local people and other volunteers, so that they can enlarge their social network. This can foster their sense of belonging to Hong Kong and also bring them some satisfaction.”
Since the Government launched a series of talent admission policies from end-2022, by August 2025, more than 230,000 individuals have come to Hong Kong to work and develop their careers. To enhance global talent recruitment, Hong Kong Talent Engage will visit Beijing, the UK and Switzerland this month to attract professionals across accounting, engineering, architecture, and hospitality management.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) concluded a groundbreaking trip to North America from September 16 to 27. Since InvestHK set up a dedicated sustainability team in 2022, this was the first time that InvestHK visited North America with a primary focus in green tech, green finance, and sustainability more broadly. The goal is to help leading companies from North America to expand to Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and Asia, a region with an unwavering commitment to embrace and foster sustainable development.
The Global Head of Financial Services, Fintech & Sustainability at InvestHK, Mr King Leung, and the Senior Vice President (Sustainability) for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at InvestHK, Ms Olivia To, in partnership with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP), visited Toronto, New York and San Francisco to promote Hong Kong’s strengths and opportunities, build new partnerships and kick-start two-way business engagements.
One highlight of the trip was the Scale for ClimateTech Innovation Showcase 2025 (S4C) event held on September 23 (New York time) during Climate Week NYC 2025, the largest climate and sustainability event in the United States (US). Organised by SecondMuse and supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Mr Leung of InvestHK spoke at a panel discussion with over 300 industry leaders, sharing insights on Hong Kong’s advantages as a springboard for scaling green-tech start-ups and scale-ups. He said, “Our engagements at Climate Week NYC highlighted Hong Kong’s commitment to be a leading green finance and green tech centre and the city’s contribution to global sustainable development. North American companies can tap into our world-class capital markets and vast family office and venture investor networks to explore fundraising and expand in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and Asia. Hong Kong is perfectly positioned to help innovators scale globally.”
At the S4C event, 18 finalists of climate tech companies showcased their transformative solutions in clean energy, carbon capture, sensing technologies, etc. Mr Leung attended their business plan presentations and exchanged views with their executives on how Hong Kong can help them attract new clients and capital.
The Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SecondMuse, Mr Todd Khozein, said, “We were delighted to welcome Invest Hong Kong as a partner for our Scale for ClimateTech Innovation Showcase, and help facilitate connections with high-impact climate solutions that can scale. Hong Kong has demonstrated real momentum in green finance – mobilising significant capital and building infrastructure to support sustainable innovation. Hong Kong’s evolving position as a hub for climate finance creates meaningful opportunities for continued collaboration to support entrepreneurs and innovations that can drive global impact.”
To explore longer-term partnerships, the InvestHK team also held important discussions with VentureLAB, Canada’s dedicated incubator and lab for hardtech; MaRS Discovery District, Canada’s leading urban innovation hub with a strong focus in clean tech and life science; SOSA New York, a company that facilitates the US market entry and expansion for global start-ups; and Plug and Play, a global innovation platform and early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Silicon Valley.
The Chief Executive Officer of VentureLAB, Mr Hugh Chow, stated, “As a leading innovation hub in Canada, we are eager to collaborate with InvestHK to connect Canadian firms with Hong Kong’s dynamic ecosystem. By leveraging Hong Kong’s access to the the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), cutting-edge research and development (R&D) infrastructure, and robust investment opportunities, Canadian green tech companies can accelerate their growth and make a significant impact in Asia’s sustainable markets.”
Besides accelerators, the team further engaged with business and investment leaders to explore collaborative opportunities in green tech, green finance, financial services, and fintech through two business luncheons hosted in Toronto and New York respectively. Co-organised with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, these roundtables featured InvestHK in presenting the latest economic developments in sustainability and finance in Hong Kong. The discussions provided North American business leaders and potential investors with insights into Hong Kong’s strategic role in bridging North American innovation with Asia’s growing demand for sustainable solutions and other finance-related opportunities.
To connect with the global investors interested in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland markets, extensive discussions were also made with Artesian, Cathay Innovation, Eminence Ventures, E.ON Group Innovation, and Olive Tech Ventures, etc.
Besides inbound investment promotion, InvestHK also has a strategic mandate in supporting companies with a presence in Hong Kong to “go global”. InvestHK visited CSI Solar, one of the world’s largest solar technology and renewable energy companies with a presence in 23 countries that is expanding its operations in Hong Kong. During the visit, the team met with senior management from CSI Solar, as well as its subsidiaries EternalPlanet Energy and e-STORAGE.
The President of CSI Solar, Mr Zhuang Yan, said, “InvestHK’s visit to our Global headquarters in North America has forged a robust foundation for strengthening ties between Hong Kong and North American sustainability and green technology. As global geopolitical challenges increase, Hong Kong’s strategic position will become even more significant. Thus, our residential storage subsidiary, EternalPlanet Energy, is planning to establish a Hong Kong branch as its international business hub, leveraging the GBA to access global markets.”
“The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address” highlights the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, focusing on the development of the new energy sector and green technologies. The city is implementing the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong, and significantly investing in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. These efforts aim to develop Hong Kong into a demonstration base for green technology, accelerate innovation, create quality jobs, and foster a robust industry value chain.
The Director of Sustainability of the HSITP, Mr Victor Cheng, said, “Participating in this North American trip reinforced the HSITP’s role in cross-boundary green tech collaboration. The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park offers unparalleled opportunities for North American firms to integrate with Asia’s innovation corridor, and I am confident that our strong partnership with InvestHK will further advance development, particularly in the space of new energy and new materials.”
Hong Kong’s commitment as a global green finance and green tech hub is driven by its world-class R&D facilities and research institutes, fostering cutting-edge innovation. As the world’s third-largest financial centre, the city boasts a proven track record in initial public offering funds raised, supported by a robust capital market with international institutional and savvy family office investors, as well as a robust green finance ecosystem.
This visit to North America underscores Hong Kong’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and contributing to the global transition to a sustainable future. By attracting more Canadian and US companies and investors in green tech, Hong Kong aims to cement its role as a premier destination for sustainable innovation and investment.
The Environment & Ecology Bureau said today it is pleased to note the direct import of hairy crabs from the Mainland in the current season.
The first two batches of hairy crabs from Jiangsu Province, weighing 300kg, arrived in Hong Kong via direct shipments from the Mainland.
In addition to noting that it has maintained communication with the General Administration of Customs of China on the import of hairy crabs to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government also thanked the central government for its assistance in streamlining the import arrangements.
The direct import of hairy crabs from the Mainland can shorten transit time, reduce the trade’s operating costs, as well as offer the public more choice, the bureau added.