Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
District
District Among the third batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering two survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 24 survey areas in December, all were below 10 per cent and most of the areas recorded a zero 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 December 2025, covering 50 survey areas. Among these 50 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. November 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Three 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 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 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 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 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee announced The Selection Committee’s full membership for the new term is as follows:
Chairman ———- Chief Secretary for Administration
Non-official members ———————— Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee Mr Martin Liao Cheung-kong Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi Mr Chan Kin-por Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har Mr Stanley Ng Chau-pei Mr Tam Yiu-chung Mr Frederick Lam Tin-fuk Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen
Official members ——————- Financial Secretary Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Chairman, Public Service Commission Director, Chief Executive’s Office Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Ho Duc Phoc, today (December 19) to exchange views on deepening co-operation between the two places. Also attending the meeting were the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui.
Mr Lee welcomed Mr Ho and his delegation to Hong Kong. Mr Lee noted that Vietnam is Hong Kong’s sixth-largest trading partner with close economic and trade relations. In the first three quarters of this year, bilateral merchandise trade reached US$ 49 billion, representing a significant increase of 67 per cent compared to the same period last year. Last year, Mr Lee led a high-level business delegation to Vietnam, during which the two sides signed 30 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering various areas including trade, investment, education, tourism, and finance. He expressed confidence that Hong Kong and Vietnam will continue to strengthen multifaceted co-operation and achieve mutual benefit.
Mr Lee highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has relaxed immigration arrangements for Vietnamese citizens visiting, working, or pursuing post-secondary studies in Hong Kong. In March this year, new measures were introduced to provide more convenient immigration arrangements for invited persons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, including Vietnam. These measures will further promote people-to-people exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Vietnam in trade, professional services, and other sectors.
Noting that Hong Kong will actively play its role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” and fully leverage its unique advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said Hong Kong will promote pragmatic co-operation with Vietnam in high value-added areas such as finance, innovation and technology, trade, and the green and digital economy.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Thirty-seven landlords of subdivided units (SDUs), who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance), pleaded guilty and were fined between $800 and $19,200, amounting to a total of $121,350, on December 5, December 12 and today (December 19) at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts. Since the Ordinance came into force, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) has continuously strengthened enforcement actions and has prosecuted a total of 1 397 cases to date. Among the 1 024 cases dealt with by the court, all were successfully convicted, which involved a total of 897 SDU landlords, amounting to a total of $2,742,560 in fines. In addition, 373 cases are pending a hearing.
The offences of these 37 landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; and (2) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (including requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance).
The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon a comprehensive investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted the landlords.
A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting landlords from doing any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of members of the tenant’s household, with the intention of causing the tenant to give up occupation of the SDU; or requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded tenants of their rights under the Ordinance, including a four-year (i.e. two years plus two years) security of tenure. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether they have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance. In addition, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work to enhance public awareness about the key offences and penalties, emphasising that the RVD proactively checks whether landlords have committed the offences under the Ordinance.
To help curb illegal acts as soon as possible, members of the public should report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to enable SDU tenants’ reporting to the RVD.
The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. The RVD has been issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to assist them in understanding the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and to remind them about the procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy as well as their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions. The landlords and tenants concerned are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.
For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu hosted a year-end luncheon with Mr. Johnson Hsiung and Mrs. Jennifer Li, as well as Ms. Shirley Chen, Sydney Council Members of the Overseas Community Affairs Commission (OCAC). The luncheon was held to express appreciation for their strong support for TECO in Sydney’s work and their active participation in activities within the Taiwanese community throughout 2025.
DG Wu noted that the OCAC Council Members have long played an important role in strengthening community cohesion and fostering harmony within the Taiwanese community in Sydney. He also expressed his hope for continued close cooperation in 2026, working together to advance overseas community affairs.
The Buildings Department today issued a practice note to registered contractors, setting out a new mechanism for sampling scaffold nets in Hong Kong announced last week. The new mechanism applies to scaffold nets used in repair projects, as well as to those used in new building works.
To facilitate the implementation of the new mechanism, the department announced on its website the first batch of designated laboratories and will continuously update the list.
Furthermore, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) is preparing for collective bulk procurement and co-ordinating testing services. The Hong Kong Institute of Construction San Tin Training Ground has been selected as the site for the industry to arrange off-site sampling. The Government and the CIC will work towards having the first batch of scaffold nets reinstalled within a month after procurement and testing.
Independent Committee The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po convened the first meeting today. The committee has formally commenced work.
Support fund As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.5 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.8 billion.
Accommodation support As of this morning, a total of 613 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 552 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,503 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, units from the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.
Currently, there is still a supply of more than 1,000 units that can provide affected residents with longer-term accommodation. The transitional housing and the Housing Society projects in different districts can altogether provide around 400 units at the moment. Moreover, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can provide a supply of around 900 units.
The Transport Department has been steering public transport operators to enhance services of franchised buses, green minibuses and residents’ services by deploying additional vehicles and manpower to support residents affected by the fire who have been admitted into transitional housing in various districts, facilitating transfers to other services to and from different districts.
Among them, an additional shuttle bus service will be launched connecting Lok Sin Village in Tai Po and Tai Po Market Station; while KMB will extend the service hours of route 75K.
Relief supplies On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 2,000 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. Over 29,000 donation items, covering various categories, have been distributed.
Building management The Government today invoked the Building Management Ordinance and submitted an application to the Lands Tribunal for the dissolution of the existing management committee of the owners’ corporation (OC) of Wang Fuk Court. It has also proposed appointing Hop On Management Company under the Chinachem Group as the designated administrator to assist the owners of Wang Fuk Court in handling various management and follow-up matters after the fire.
If the Lands Tribunal approves the application, the Home Affairs Department will establish a dedicated team to work closely with Hop On in closely following up on various aspects of building management. This includes handling works contracts, following up on insurance claims, financial management, and offering support to residents.
Hop On has explicitly stated that it will operate on a pro bono basis for this appointment. At the same time, Nina Wang Charity Management has also expressed that if the Lands Tribunal approves the application, it will donate $5 million to the OC to cover the costs associated with employing lawyers, accountants, or other professional services.
The Lands Department today published a third Extension Notice under the Extension of Government Leases Ordinance to extend the land leases of 28 lots for a term of 50 years.
The notice, covering eight located in Kowloon and 20 on Hong Kong Island, concern general purpose leases which are due to expire in 2032 and do not contain a right of renewal.
The department explained that while land leases extended under the ordinance do not require payment of additional premium, they are subject to an annual payment of government rent equivalent to 3% of the rateable value of the relevant land.
Encumbrances, interests and rights under the original lease will be carried forward to the extended lease term. Owners do not have to perform any procedures, nor are they required to execute lease extension documents with the Government or rearrange mortgages.
The Development Bureau remarked that the arrangement brings tremendous convenience to the public and businesses, effectively enhances the confidence of property owners and investors in the real estate market, and has received widespread support from various sectors of the community.
It added that the mechanism manifests solid safeguards for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under the implementation of the “one country, two systems’ principle”.
Chief Executive John Lee met the visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Ho Duc Phoc today to discuss deepening the co-operation between Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Welcoming Mr Ho and his delegation to Hong Kong, Mr Lee said that Vietnam is Hong Kong’s sixth-largest trading partner with bilateral merchandise trade reaching US$49 billion in the first three quarters this year, a 67% increase compared to the same period last year.
Mr Lee led a high-level business delegation to Vietnam last year, during which both sides signed 30 memoranda of understanding and agreements covering various areas. He expressed confidence that both places will strengthen co-operation with mutual benefits.
Highlighting that the Government has relaxed immigration arrangements for Vietnamese citizens visiting, working or pursuing post-secondary studies in Hong Kong, the Chief Executive said new measures were introduced in March to give convenient immigration arrangements for those invited from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries including Vietnam.
These measures will further promote people-to-people exchanges and bilateral co-operation in trade, professional services and other sectors, he added.
Noting that Hong Kong will actively play “super connector” and “super value-adder” roles and fully leverage its unique advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said Hong Kong will promote collaboration with Vietnam in areas such as finance, innovation and technology, trade and the green and digital economy.
(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)
The Government today filed an application to dissolve the owners’ corporation management committee of Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, and to appoint Chinachem Group subsidiary Hop On Management Company as the administrator, to handle the day-to-day operations of the management committee.
Announcing the application, Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak said the Government made the move in accordance with section 31 of the Building Management Ordinance.
“This action will only help the owners of Wang Fuk Court to handle the various complicated legal procedures with expert assistance.
“And Hop On Management (Company) has already stated that it will serve the Wang Fuk Court residents on a pro bono basis, and that the Nina Wang Charity trustees have agreed to contribute $5 million for professional costs or any procurement costs related to the management of Wang Fuk Court.
“So our action is to help, we try to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court to handle all the very complicated legal procedures and accounting procedures with expert assistance.”
The independent committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has formally commenced work, as committee chairman David Lok convened the first meeting with members Chan Kin-por and Rex Auyeung today.
The committee’s terms of reference have wide scope with complex and wide-ranging issues to be covered.
They include examining the causes and circumstances that led to the blaze and its rapid spread at Wang Fuk Court, construction safety and related issues concerning building maintenance and renovation works, as well as systemic problems related to the tendering process of large-scale building maintenance and renovation works.
At today’s session, the committee discussed the work priorities and work plan preparations. Mr Lok reiterated that the committee will do its utmost in discharging its duties, aiming to complete work within nine months and submit a report to the Chief Executive.
The report and recommendations will be disclosed to the public with the exception of information involving judicial proceedings, he added.