Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 16) announced the details of the 2026 Peach Blossom Trees (PBTs) Recycling Programme (2026 Programme). To encourage the recovery and recycling of yard waste in the community, the EPD has organised the PBTs Recycling Programme since 2017. The PBTs collected from the programme will be processed and turned into recyclable products, such as bulking agents for composting and mulch for gardening. The 2026 Programme will be held after the Lunar New Year holiday this year, and the arrangements are as follows:
Members of the public and commercial and industrial (C&I) organisations can deliver their PBTs to Y·PARK directly during operation hours (9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday).
An EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that the 2026 Programme is limited to the recycling of PBTs. All decorations, including fai chun and tape, should be removed before delivery to facilitate the subsequent recycling processes. The public is also encouraged to replant small potted plants such as tangerine trees and reuse festival decorations to help reduce waste and conserve resources. The EPD also welcomes other organisations and associations to provide their own recycling services for PBTs to help the public, and C&I organisations support waste reduction and carbon reduction for all.
Participants who deliver PBTs to Y·PARK or any GREEN@COMMUNITY Recycling Station for recycling will receive an e-certificate upon the submission and verification of their enrolment form. Those who deliver PBTs to the GREEN@COMMUNITY Recycling Stations will also receive a gift while stocks last. For details of the Programme, please visit the following website:
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February
District Among the third batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 37 survey areas in February, all recorded 0 per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
The FEHD has so far released three batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February 2026, covering 48 survey areas. Among these 48 survey areas, 47 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. January 2026, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Only one area recorded a slight increase, but the index was lower than 10 per cent. Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating 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 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 (DF). At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, 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 of 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 12:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender awarded for site in Shau Kei Wan(2) Charter Fame Limited (Sino Land Company Limited and Great Eagle Holdings Limited); (3) China Vision Engineering Limited (Kam Wah Investment Company Limited); (4) Ever Maple Limited; (5) Flylux Limited (China Merchants Land Limited); (6) Maxjet Company Limited (China Overseas Land & Investment Limited); and (7) Million Weal Limited (K. Wah International Holdings Limited).Issued at HKT 12:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Principal Officials of HKSAR Government continue year-end household visits across 18 districts Accompanied by the District Officer (Southern), Ms Sandy Cheung, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, together with District Council (DC) members and representatives from the District Services and Community Care Team (Care Team) of Southern District, visited an elderly doubleton and an intergenerational household living in South Horizons to understand their daily lives and present them with Chinese New Year blessing bags.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Tuen Mun), Mr Michael Kwan, the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, together with a DC member and Care Team members of Tuen Mun District, visited a grassroots family, an ethnic minority household and an elderly singleton living in Sam Shing Estate to chat with them and express care.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Edric Leung, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, together with a DC member and representatives from the Care Team of Kwai Tsing District, visited a middle-class household and elderly doubletons living in Cheung On Estate to learn about their daily lives and extend seasonal greetings.
In addition, accompanied by the District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Kelvin Ma, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, together with DC members and representatives from the Care Team of Yuen Long District, visited a family with youths studying in school and an elderly couple living in Tin Yiu Estate. Accompanied by the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Thomas Wu, the Acting Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, together with DC members and representatives from the Care Team of Wong Tai Sin District, visited a young family and a doubleton elderly household living in Upper Wong Tai Sin Estate.
The POs of the HKSAR Government will continue to visit different families tomorrow (February 16) to jointly welcome the Chinese New Year with the community. Issued at HKT 18:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Public reminded to keep venues clean while enjoying fireworks display The LCSD, in collaboration with the law enforcement teams of relevant departments, will strengthen patrols at LCSD venues with large crowds, including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Salisbury Garden, Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Urban Council Centenary Garden, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park, Kai Tak Sky Garden, Kai Tak Promenade, Kwun Tong Promenade and Cha Kwo Ling Promenade along the Kowloon waterfront, as well as the Tamar Park, Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and East Coast Park (Phase 1) at the waterfront of the Hong Kong Island.
The LCSD reminded members of the public to take their belongings with them when leaving the venues and not to leave trash behind.
The LCSD also reminded members of the public that the above venues will be very crowded during the fireworks display. It will be important to remain patient, pay attention to safety, observe the crowd management measures at the venues, and comply with the Police’s instructions.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
February 2026 issue of “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” now available Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains a feature article entitled “Trends of Infant Mortality in Hong Kong, 1951 to 2024”. Statistics presented in the “Trends of Infant Mortality in Hong Kong, 1951 to 2024” article are based on the data source from the Health Statistics Division, Department of Health.
“Trends of Infant Mortality in Hong Kong, 1951 to 2024”
Infant mortality refers to death of those aged below 1 year old. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is the number of registered infant deaths in a year per 1 000 registered live births in that year. IMR is a useful indicator of the health status not only of infants, but also of the whole population and of the socio-economic conditions under which they live.
This feature article describes the trends of infant mortality in Hong Kong from 1951 to 2024 and analyses the infant mortality by sex and by major causes of deaths.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu was pleased to welcome Ms. Tsui-Yi Lu, the new President of the Sydney Chapter of Dharma Drum Mountain, along with Vice President Ms. Wei-Yi Liu and Ms. Ping Lin. They exchanged views on the chapter’s recent activities and community engagement.
Ms. Lu shared this year’s blessing theme, “Harmony, Joy and Abundance,” and presented symbolic gifts conveying peace and well-being. Director General Wu expressed his appreciation for the visit and extended his best wishes for a successful year ahead.
The Lands Department today announced that the tender for a site at Shau Kei Wan Main Street East has been awarded on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $1.383899 billion.
Shau Kei Wan Inland Lot No. 860 was awarded to Fine Century Holdings, a subsidiary of Kerry Properties.
It has a site area of about 1,349.2 sq m and is designated for non-industrial purposes, excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station.
The site’s maximum gross floor area for private residential purposes is 12,142 sq m. This excludes the gross floor area for government accommodation, specifically a sub-base of a district elderly community centre, which is to be constructed by the purchaser under the Conditions of Sale.
As the Year of the Horse nears, Hong Kong’s streets and alleyways are pulsing with energy, filled with crowds rushing to stock up on festive essentials in a final festive shopping spree.
In Sheung Wan, a stall tucked beside a traditional grocery store holds firm to tradition, offering handwritten fai chun banners to welcome new year with custom blessings.
Further north in Sheung Shui Wai, the pace slows as villagers faithfully carry on the century-old custom of making rice cookies, preserving their rural heritage.
In Sham Shui Po’s Pei Ho Street, long-established pastry shops draw steady crowds eager to purchase festive favourites.
Victoria Park’s Lunar New Year Fair is a sea of colour as shoppers weave through crowds picking out the perfect blooms to welcome spring and invite good fortune for the new year ahead.
Throughout the city, colourful lanterns and bright decorations add a festive sparkle, creating a luminous trail of New Year joy.
The News.gov.hk team wishes all our readers enduring success and good health in the prosperous Year of the Horse.
Chinese New Year is the festival we eagerly anticipate, a time when every household decorates and prepares to welcome new beginnings.
As the spirited steed gallops forward, leaving the old year behind, we stand united to embark on a new journey.
The horse, symbolising speed and stamina, boldly charges ahead, covering vast distances every day. It embodies the tenacity and resilience of Hong Kong people.
As we step into the Year of the Horse, let us continue to move with agility and steadiness, seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges, and propelling Hong Kong forward.
My wife and I wish for every sector in Hong Kong to lead the way, for every endeavour to meet with swift success, and for the Year of the Horse to bring good fortune and joy to all.
This is a translation of the Chinese New Year message delivered by Chief Executive John Lee on February 16.