Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Starting from tomorrow, the service hours of the Police Force’s Tai Po fire casualty enquiry hotline, 1878 999, will be adjusted.
The new service hours will be 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
The force explained that the latest adjustment was made in view of public demand for the service.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Summer influenza season nears its end and winter influenza season yet to begin Public must remain vigilant despite influenza activity declines
Latest surveillance data
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“Hong Kong entered the summer influenza season in early September last year. The seasonal influenza activity peaked in mid-to-late October last year and has since been gradually declining. The latest surveillance data shows that the percentage of respiratory specimens tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week (December 21 to 27, 2025) decreased to 4.97 per cent from 7.81 per cent and 6.17 per cent in the previous two weeks (the baseline level is 4.94 per cent). The influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.28 cases per 10 000 population (lower than the 0.49 and 0.37 cases per 10 000 population recorded in the previous two weeks, with the baseline level of 0.27 cases per 10 000 population). Regarding outbreaks of influenza-like illness in schools, the number rose sharply from 15 outbreaks in the first week of the new school year last September to 170 outbreaks in mid-October, before gradually declining to 43 outbreaks in mid-November. After a slight rebound to 71 outbreaks in early December last year, the number has steadily decreased over the past few weeks, falling from over 30 outbreaks per week to just four outbreaks last week. The CHP will continue to closely monitor local surveillance data. Should relevant indicators persistently fall below the baseline levels, the CHP will assess next week whether this summer influenza season has concluded,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
The predominant virus circulating during this seasonal influenza season is influenza A (H3) virus strain. As in the past, severe or death cases associated with seasonal influenza primarily affect the elderly and children. As of January 1, this summer influenza season has recorded 25 severe paediatric influenza cases, including three fatal cases. The affected children aged between six months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, the case was not protected by the vaccine. Therefore, it is not counted as vaccinated). During the same period, 502 severe influenza cases were recorded among adults, including 339 deaths. Among adult fatalities with available clinical data, over 80 per cent had underlying illnesses.
”Although the summer influenza season shows signs of ending and the winter influenza season has not yet begun, influenza activity may rise again as the weather gradually turns colder in the first quarter of this year. It cannot be ruled out that the circulating virus strains may change. Therefore, I once again urge all individuals aged six months or older, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received SIV to act promptly. Although there are some antigenic differences between the currently circulating influenza A (H3) virus strain and the virus strain contained in the vaccine, SIV can still offer protection against the variant strain of subclade K, as well as the influenza A (H1) and influenza B strains included in the vaccine. Those who contracted influenza during the summer influenza season should still receive the 2025/26 SIV, if they have not yet done so, to guard against other circulating virus strains that may emerge during the forthcoming winter influenza season,” Dr Tsui added.
2025/26 SIV Programmes
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Getting vaccinated against influenza is one of the most effective ways to prevent influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risk of serious illness or death from infection. With the concerted efforts of all sectors of the community (including the medical sector, schools, parents and residential care homes), as of December 28, 2025, over 1.89 million doses of influenza vaccine were administered under various SIV programmes in the year 2025/26, representing an increase of approximately 4.7 per cent compared with the same period in the previous influenza vaccination season. Regarding schools, to boost SIV rates, enrolment for the SIV School Outreach Programme has started earlier since the beginning of June last year. The CHP has also introduced enhancement measures, allowing all schools to choose either the live attenuated influenza vaccines (i.e. nasal LAIV) and the “hybrid mode”, which allows schools to choose both the injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and the nasal LAIV during the same or different outreach vaccination activities. Vaccination rates among schoolchildren in different age groups are two per cent to nine per cent higher compared to the same period last year.
“The SIV coverage rate for children aged six months to under two years remains relatively low at about 22 per cent. Although this represents approximate five per cent point increase compared to the same period last year, it is still lower than that of other age groups. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to give consent for their children to receive SIV. The Government has opened all 29 of the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged six months to under two years to receive the vaccine; as well as the District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For the list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP’s Vaccination Schemes
He reminded the members of the public to maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Furthermore, high-risk persons should receive COVID-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death. Public with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly to lower the risk of spreading the disease to high-risk persons.
Members of the public may refer to the CHP’s COVID-19 & Flu ExpressIssued at HKT 20:00
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 2) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Żagań District of the Lubuskie Region in Poland, and an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland, about 1 540 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 219.73 million poultry eggs from Japan in the first nine months of last year.
“The CFS has contacted the Polish and Japanese authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
To promote the development of the local artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, the Government has allocated $3 billion for the launch of a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme to support eligible organisations such as local universities, research institutes and enterprises in leveraging the computing power of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) to achieve scientific breakthroughs.
Popular applications
Projects from around 20 universities, institutions and companies have been approved for funding, with the average subsidy reaching 70% of the list price for the services.
Deployment of the AISC started in December of 2024 and its average utilisation rate has been nearly 80%.
The University of Hong Kong is one of the institutions participating in the programme.
Researchers at the university’s Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering have developed a generative AI capable of real-time 3D scene generation and rendering.
Concept shaping
The department’s Associate Professor Ngai Wong said this generative AI can turn concepts or product ideas into images, creating something from nothing.
“For example, if we do interior design, we do not need to physically build the interior or the model for it. We can just use a voice prompt to change the interior design into a different style.”
“Another big application scenario is in the gaming industry. So, I can create some fancy environment. I can just voice it out and then the AI model will generate and create that for me.”
The technology is suitable for various applications, ranging from professional industry presentations to video game design.
Mr Wong added that unlike many global AI initiatives, the department is focused on compressing these models. By making them compatible with low-end edge devices, such as mobile phones and desktop computers, the team aims to broaden the market reach.
Research empowerment
Cyberport said in order to speed up AI development in Hong Kong, a ready-to-use AI supercomputing centre could help to support all these projects.
“The reason is if every applicant has to purchase the Graphics Processing Unit resources and then host the resources and form an IT team to maintain it, it is actually not only a problem of cost and also a problem of time,” explained Cyberport Head of Business Development Crystal Fok.
“Cyberport aims to introduce more diverse types of AI models to enhance the AI ecosystem, enabling the technology to benefit society and assist various industries,” she added.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The 101 Senior Friendship Society of Australia hosted a luncheon today to celebrate Christmas and members’ birthdays. Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu, accompanied by colleagues, attended the event today.
DG Wu expressed his sincere appreciation to President Hsieh Mei-Feng, all former presidents present, and overseas community affairs members for their long-standing support for TECO and Taiwan. DG Wu also extended his warm wishes to all the birthday celebrants for a happy birthday, and wished everyone a joyful Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government proposes to construct a new pier within an area of approximately 0.89 hectares of foreshore and seabed to the west of Yim Tin Tsai. The extent of the area foreshore and seabed affected is described in a notice gazetted today (January 2).
The proposed works will provide additional berths and barrier-free facilities to enhance the convenience and safety of pier users while boarding and alighting. The proposed works are scheduled to commence as early as the second half of 2027 for completion in approximately two years. During the construction period, the existing pier will maintain normal operation.
The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:
* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);
* Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Sai Kung District Office (G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories); and
* Lands Department’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.
Enquiries regarding the proposed works can be addressed to the Port Works Division, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, as stated in the notice.
Any person who considers that he has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the gazette date, i.e. on or before March 2. The objector shall describe in the notice of objection his interest, right or easement, and the manner in which he will be allegedly affected.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government proposes to carry out reclamation works within an area of about 240 hectares of foreshore and seabed at Lung Kwu Tan. The extent of the area of foreshore and seabed affected is described in a notice gazetted today (January 2).
The proposed works include filling of the seabed to form about 145 hectares of land, reprovisioning of a submarine outfall, and construction of a seawall. The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence in 2028.
The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:
* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);
* Tuen Mun Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Tuen Mun District Office (2/F, Tuen Mun Government Offices, 1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories); and
* Lands Department’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.
According to the environmental impact assessment carried out by the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the proposed reclamation works at Lung Kwu Tan are not expected to cause an adverse ecological impact, and the proposed reclamation area is away from the habitat of the Chinese White Dolphins at the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, with the existing Urmston Road Fairway in between serving as a natural buffer zone. It is expected that the proposed reclamation works would only cause relatively minor impact on the Chinese White Dolphins. The relevant Environmental Impact Assessment Report is made available for public inspection from today.
Enquiries regarding the proposed works can be addressed to the Land Works Division, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, as stated in the notice.
Any person who considers that he has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the gazette date, i.e. on or before March 2. The objector shall describe in the notice of objection his interest, right or easement, and the manner in which he will be allegedly affected.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Department of Health (DH) today (January 2) urged members of the public to support Cervical Cancer Awareness Month by adopting healthy lifestyles and taking effective precautionary measures against cervical cancer, including receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and undergoing regular cervical screening.
“The Government attaches great importance to cancer prevention and control. We have consistently pursued the goal of ‘early prevention, early detection and early treatment’ through vaccination. The Cervical Screening Programme has been launched since 2004. HPV vaccination has been included under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP) since 2019, and a high vaccination rate of about 90 per cent has been maintained in recent years. This significantly lowers the risk of cervical cancer in Hong Kong females. The DH also launched a one-off HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme in December 2024, with over 48 000 doses administered so far. The Government will further expand cervical screening services to encourage more women to undergo screening and safeguard their health,” said Dr Edwin Tsui, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) designated January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and motivate actions against cervical cancer, with the goal of eliminating this public health concern within the next century.
In Hong Kong, cervical cancer was the seventh most common female cancer in 2023 and the ninth leading cause of cancer deaths among females. As most cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV, women are recommended to receive HPV vaccination before having sexual relations, undergo regular cervical screenings and practise safe sex (such as using condoms and avoiding multiple sexual partners) to prevent HPV infection. In addition, smoking should be avoided as it can increase the risk of cervical cancer.
HPV vaccination
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“HPV vaccination is among the most effective measures for cervical cancer prevention, especially for those who have never been exposed to HPV infection, i.e. before their first sexual encounter. Since the 2019/20 school year, the DH has been providing free HPV vaccinations to eligible Primary 5 schoolgirls under the HKCIP. The DH’s School Immunisation Teams provide the first dose of vaccine to Primary 5 female students at their schools, and the second dose will be given to them when they reach Primary 6 during the following school year. The second dose coverage rates of HPV vaccination for Primary 6 girls in the school year 2024/25 has reached 92 per cent,” Dr Tsui said.
In December 2024, the DH launched a one-off HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme, offering free catch-up vaccinations to female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed their HPV vaccination. Eligible persons only need to register with eHealth, and can schedule an appointment through the website or by calling 2855 1333 to receive a free HPV vaccination at Women Wellness Satellites (WWSs) or designated District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses (DHCEs) under the Primary Healthcare Commission of the Health Bureau. The programme is to last for about two years. Details can be found on the DH’s website.
Cervical screening
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Infection with HPV or early stages of cervical cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms. Therefore, women aged 25 to 64 who have had sexual experience should undergo regular cervical screenings. Members of the public can access information about cervical screenings via the DH website. The DH also regularly sends reminders to eligible women via the Cervical Screening Information System and the eHealth mobile app to schedule their screenings.
Cervical screening services are available at Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) of the DH, WWSs, as well as through non-governmental organisations and private healthcare providers. Common screening methods include HPV testing and/or a cytology examination (also called a cervical smear or pap smear) performed by healthcare professionals. The WHO has also recommended vaginal self-sampling for HPV testing as another reliable method for cervical screening. Starting in 2024, the DH initiated HPV testing of self-collected samples at 11 MCHCs to study the feasibility and acceptability of vaginal HPV self-sampling locally. Moreover, HPV testing of self-collected samples is planned to be rolled out in WWSs in the first quarter of 2026. Details will be announced later on the WWS’s website.
It is important to note that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence in Hong Kong or internationally to support the use of self-collected menstrual blood or urine samples for cervical screenings. The DH will continue to review the latest scientific evidence.
Women who wish to receive a cervical screening at MCHCs can schedule an appointment through the 24-hour hotline at 3166 6631, or contact WWSs via its website or 18 DHCs/DHCEs (website) for personalised primary healthcare services for women including cervical cancer screening. For further information on cervical cancer and screenings, please visit the DH’s website.
Life course preventive care plan
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At the same time, the Primary Healthcare Commission is actively promoting the life course preventive care plan. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated to address the health needs of citizens across different life stages with reference to the latest evidence. Family doctors and primary healthcare professionals will collaborate to provide health advice and education on chronic diseases and cancer screening as well as healthy lifestyles according to age, sex and personal factors such as family history. The WWSs offer personalised primary healthcare services for women, including health assessments, individual consultations, cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, etc and will refer cases to family doctors for follow-ups when necessary.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Transport Department (TD) today (January 2) announced that auctions of personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be held on January 17 (Saturday) and 18 (Sunday) in Meeting Room N101, L1, New Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
“A total of 223 approved PVRMs will be put up for public sale at each auction. The lists of the marks have been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.
The reserve price of each of these marks is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.
People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following points:
(1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after a successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser (if the purchaser and the successful bidder are different persons);
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the purchaser is a body corporate); and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for the mark assignment can be completed. Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.
(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted.
(3) A PVRM can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
(4) The display of a PVRM on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.
(5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed.
(6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the PVRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the PVRM within 12 months, allocation of the PVRM will be cancelled and arranged for reallocation by the Commissioner for Transport in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
“Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman added.
For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRMs, which is available at the department’s licensing offices or can be downloaded from its website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
New round of tenders invited for Standing Offer Agreement for supply of IT professional services to government departments
Since its initial launch in 2005, the SOA-QPS scheme has always been an important part of the Government’s strategy to promote the development of the local IT industry, drive the innovative application of IT, and improve the efficiency and quality of public services. As part of the Government’s IT outsourcing strategy, the scheme has been an effective means of addressing the Government’s large demand for IT professional services. It also provides promising business prospects for the local IT industry and helps to bring innovative and creative IT services to government departments. The total value of the contracts awarded in the past four years under the prevailing scheme is over $3.9 billion. It is anticipated that the total contract value of the coming scheme will be even higher.Category B: information security, data privacy, independent testing, independent quality control and quality assurance as well as dedicated management services;
Category C: deployment and maintenance of IT application systems common to government bureaux and departments; and
Category D: services same as Category A but specifically for IT systems adopting diversified, secure and reliable technologies
The new round of the SOA-QPS scheme also strengthens the regulation and monitoring procedures of contractors’ performance by taking into account contractors’ performance in contracts awarded under the previous round of the scheme. During the 48-month contract period, government bureaux and departments (B/Ds) may invite contractors in the relevant categories and groups to submit proposals for individual IT projects. Contractors will be selected based on both technical and price assessments. B/Ds will award a service contract to the contractor whose proposal meets the technical requirements and attains the highest combined score according to the marking scheme. Contractors with continuous subpar performance may be suspended by the DPO from further bidding under the scheme until their performance improves.Issued at HKT 9:30
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