Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (November 15) congratulated Hong Kong, China swimming athlete Siobhan Bernadette Haughey on winning a gold medal in the Women’s 100m Freestyle at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China (NG).

Miss Law said, “Siobhan Bernadette Haughey’s performance has lived up to expectations. After winning the gold medal in the Women’s 200m Freestyle event, she won the gold medal for Hong Kong in the Women’s 100m Freestyle event. Her superb swimming skills and strong fighting spirit make all Hong Kong citizens proud, and I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to her.”

Miss Law also congratulated Aaron Ho on historically winning a silver medal in the Men’s Sabre Individual, Oscar Louis Coggins on winning a bronze medal the Men’s Individual in the triathlon event, Kaylin Hsieh on winning a bronze medal in the Women’s Épée Individual and Adam Mak on winning a bronze medal in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke today, and encouraging them to keep up the remarkable performance and achieve great results in the future. Miss Law said the athletes have successfully written a new glorious chapter in the NG for the Hong Kong, China Delegation, and wishing them great success in the remaining events to win honour for Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong, China Delegation has so far won ten medals, namely five golds, one silver and four bronzes, in sailing, cycling, tennis, swimming, rugby, triathlon and fencing at the 15th NG.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+, one of the highlight programmes of the Asia+ Festival 2025, was held this afternoon (November 16) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and Foyer. With staunch support from various consulates-general and overseas cultural organisations in Hong Kong, the event brought together cultural and artistic aspects of around 30 countries and regions from Asia and along the Belt and Road. Presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the event featured ethnic music, dance, traditional costume displays, handicrafts, and signature delicacies, presenting a vibrant and diverse cultural experience. It drew over 33 000 local residents and tourists, and was met with great enthusiasm.
 
     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, noted in her opening remarks of the Asia+ Festival ceremony that the Festival aims to create a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges across Asia and the Belt and Road regions. This flagship festive event reaffirms Hong Kong’s role as an East-‍‍‍meets-‍West centre for international cultural exchanges. Leveraging the city’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, the festival actively fosters people-to-people connectivity and cultural integration. The Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+, launched today, unveils the legendary sounds of classical and folk music from different regions, showcasing the charm of diverse cultures.
 
     Other officiating guests included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, as well as representatives from consulates-general in Hong Kong of various participating countries of the Asia+ Festival.
 
     Following the ceremony, a series of captivating ethnic performances commenced. Artistic troupes from participating countries and regions presented traditional music and folk dance performances, offering the audience an immersive multicultural experience. The event opened with a dazzling performance by an Egyptian dancer of the Tanoura, a dance known for its rich spiritual and ritual symbolism.
 
     The venue also featured numerous cultural booths showcasing exquisite handicrafts from various countries and regions alongside stalls offering traditional snacks. Interactive workshops were held on-site, allowing visitors to experience ethnic dance and musical instruments, as well as participate in craft making and umbrella painting, activities suitable for all ages.
 
     In addition, the “Vibrant Dance – National Costume Exhibition” is being held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Foyer from today to November 23, displaying distinctive traditional attire and dance costumes from various countries and regions. The exhibition is free of charge and open to the public.
 
     This year’s Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+ will feature participation from various countries and regions, namely Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, China and Macao, China. 
 
     Highlights from today’s performances will be edited into a recap video and made available online on November 30 via the LCSD’s Community Programmes Office website: www.cpo.gov.hk/zh-hk/activity/tc-aecp-2025-carnival.
 
     The Asia+ Festival is held annually from September to November with the aim of creating a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges. While focusing on Asia, the Festival this year also connects Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Now in its third edition, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, are taking part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. Apart from stage programmes, there is also an outdoor carnival, a thematic exhibition, workshops, a backstage tour, masterclasses, talks, outreach performances and more. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The golf and triathlon competitions of the 15th National Games (NG) concluded today (November 16). A total of seven gold medals were awarded in these the two events.

The golf competition was held at the Fanling Golf Course of the Hong Kong Golf Club, featuring men’s and women’s individual and team events, with a total of four gold medals awarded. More than 80 athletes from 17 teams representing the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao took part, including four male and four female athletes from Hong Kong. The winning athletes and teams are as follows:

Men’s individual:

Gold	Kuang Yang (Zhejiang)
Silver	Chai Bowen (Shanghai University of Sport)
Bronze	Wu Ashun (Shanghai)

Women’s individual:

Gold	Zhang Weiwei (Guangdong)
Silver	Yin Ruoning (Tianjin)
Bronze	Wang Xinying (Chongqing)

Men’s team:

Gold	Shanghai team
Silver	Tianjin team
Bronze	Shaanxi team

 
Women’s team:

Gold	Guangdong team
Silver	Shanghai team
Bronze	Tianjin team

The triathlon competition took place at the Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour, comprising men’s individual, women’s individual and mixed relay events. Eighty-eight athletes from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao participated, including three male and three female athletes from Hong Kong. Among them, Hong Kong athlete Oscar Coggins captured the bronze medal in the men’s individual event, while the Hong Kong team won the silver medal in the mixed relay event. The winning athletes and teams are as follows:

Men’s individual:

Gold	Fan Junjie (Henan)
Silver	Chen Qi (Liaoning)
Bronze	Oscar Coggins (Hong Kong)

Women’s individual:

Gold	Huang Anqi (China Public Security Sports Association)
Silver	Lin Xinyu (Sichuan)
Bronze	Wei Wen (Sichuan)

Mixed relay:

Gold	Shandong team
Silver	Hong Kong team
Bronze	China Public Security Sports Association team

Other competition events in the Hong Kong competition region, including basketball (Men’s U22), track cycling and fencing, are ongoing. Members of the public are welcome to purchase tickets to watch the competitions and cheer for the athletes in person. Tickets can be purchased through various channels, including the 15th NG official ticketing website (ticket.baygames.cn) or by searching for the “15th NG official ticketing” official mini programme on WeChat, after completing a real-name account registration. Additionally, the public can visit 11 designated sales outlets (ww2.ctshk.com/articleDetail?id=4&channelId=-1) of the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited to buy paper tickets for events in the Hong Kong competition region. Physical tickets for events held at the relevant venues are also available at the competition area ticket office.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A man who went missing in Lok Ma Chau has been located.

     Mow Chun-hung, aged 67, went missing after he left his caring home on Ho Sheung Heung Pai Fung Road last night (November 14). Staff of the caring home then made a report to Police.

     The man was located in Wai Loi Tsuen, Sheung Shui tonight (November 15). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Regarding the appearance of black particles in the drinking water of some buildings in Taikoo Shing, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) had earlier collected water samples from some households, sump and roof drinking water tanks for testing. A spokesman for the WSD stated tonight (November 16) that the analysis has just been completed, showing that all water samples have met Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards. The small amount of black particles found in the samples were confirmed to be bitumen. It is believed that water pressure changes caused by WSD’s temporary redirecting of water supply near Taikoo Shing last night stirred up bitumen sediments inside the pipes. These sediments are inert substances and pose no harm to human health.

The spokesman said that the WSD had already issued a press release earlier today explaining the cause of the incident (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202511/16/P2025111600466.htm), adding that the damaged filter at the estate’s public water inlet was repaired last night, and pipe flushing has been strengthened. To minimise inconvenience to residents, the WSD, together with the estate’s property management company, arranged for cleansing of the sump drinking water tanks of affected buildings starting tonight at off-peak water usage hours (around 12:30am), expected to finish by dawn. Cleansing of roof drinking water tanks will follow tomorrow morning during off-peak water usage hours, with completion expected within the day. After these follow-up actions, the situation of black particles in drinking water is expected to improve significantly.

Further investigation showed that the affected buildings are mainly in phases four and five, totalling 14 blocks, about 20 per cent of the estate. WSD staff have been dispatched to work with the property management office to assist residents in flushing water meters and water heater inlets. As of 9pm today, about 100 water meters have been flushed, and more than 20 technicians have been arranged to flush electric water heater inlets. These actions will continue tomorrow.

To reassure residents, the WSD will continue to place water trucks and tanks in the estate to provide temporary water supply services, and set up a service counter and work together with the property management office to answer residents’ enquiries immediately. If residents notice abnormalities in their drinking water, they should notify the management office at once or call the WSD customer service hotline at 2824 5000, and arrangements will be made promptly for follow-up.

The spokesman added that to prevent occurrence of similar incidents in the future, the WSD will not only conduct routine regular inspections of the estate’s inlet filters, but also check the filters before and after pipe maintenance works to ensure they remain in good condition and can effectively block sediments stirred up during such works.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (November 17) the November 2025 issue of the “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” (HKMDS).
 
Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled “Statistics on Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong, 2024” and “Drug Situation in Hong Kong in 2024”. Statistics presented in the “Drug Situation in Hong Kong in 2024” article are based on the data source from the Security Bureau, Government Secretariat.
 
“Statistics on Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong, 2024”
 
Chinese medicine has a long history in Hong Kong. The Government has been adopting a multipronged approach to facilitate the development of the Chinese medicine sector in Hong Kong. The Chinese medicine sector comprises : (a) manufacture of Chinese medicines; (b) distribution of Chinese medicines, including import/export, wholesale and retail trades; and (c) practising Chinese medicine, including Chinese medicine practitioners of general practice, acupuncture and bone-setting.
 
This feature article discusses the updated situation of some Chinese medicine activities including the manufacture of Chinese medicines and the distribution of Chinese medicines, as well as the external trade of Chinese herbal medicines.
 
For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7398; email: asw@censtatd.gov.hk).
 
“Drug Situation in Hong Kong in 2024”
 
This feature article gives an overview of the drug situation in Hong Kong in 2024 by making reference to statistics derived from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse. Moreover, statistics on the “2023/24 Survey of Drug Use among Students” and law enforcement on drug offences are presented. These statistics and findings provide useful information on the latest drug situation in Hong Kong, and support an evidence-based approach to the formulation of anti-drug policy and measures. The drug problem has continued to ameliorate through the concerted efforts of the government and the community. According to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse, the total number of reported drug abusers has dropped by around 40% over the past decade. However, phenomena such as increases in the reported number of young drug abusers in recent years, a high proportion of reported number of young adult drug abusers, and the involvement of young people in drug offences still warrant our attention.
 
For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Statistics Unit of the Security Bureau, Government Secretariat (Tel: 2867 2753; email: sb_stat@sb.gov.hk).
 
Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460).
 
Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published today (November 17) the credit card lending survey results for the third quarter of 2025.

Total card receivables increased by 1.4 per cent in the third quarter to HK$151.0 billion at end-September 2025, as compared to a decrease of 2.5 per cent in the previous quarter.
 
The combined delinquent and rescheduled ratio remained unchanged at 0.45 per cent at end-September 2025. The quarterly charge-off ratio also remained unchanged at 0.64 per cent.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference 2025 today (November 17):

Honourable Deputy Minister Almaz Turgunbaev (Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Kyrgyz Republic), Professor Frederick Ma (Chairman, Hong Kong Trade Development Council), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. It’s a great pleasure to welcome you to the 15th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference, and to Hong Kong, Asia’s logistics capital.

     A special welcome to Mr Turgunbaev, the Kyrgyz Republic’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications. He’s here to share with you the latest logistics developments, and business and investment opportunities, in Kyrgyzstan. And I am sure he’s eager to hear from you, too.

     After all, some 2 300 high-profile logistics leaders and professionals from more than 40 countries and regions are here for this year’s two-day conference. Here to learn more about prospects in Central Asia and the Middle East in special conference sessions. Here, too, for insight and intelligence spotlighting supply chain diversification, sustainability and green energy, innovation and technology, the low-altitude economy and much more.

     The conference theme this year, “Collaboration and Growth in the New Trade Landscape”, is a timely response to rising geopolitical tensions and the volatile global trade policies, which present considerable challenges for our maritime, aviation and logistics industries, from route planning and shipping fleet deployment to inventory and warehouse management.

     Nevertheless, as the Chinese saying goes, “where there are challenges, there are opportunities”. Geopolitical risks can be overcome by market diversification. Increased costs related to supply chain concerns can be offset, at least partially, by technology-enabled efficiencies.

     Hong Kong is well-positioned to weather the storm and seize new opportunities. We are an international shipping and trading centre strategically located in the heart of Asia, and a pivotal player in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. As the world’s largest manufacturing base, the Greater Bay Area commands an extensive air and sea transport network.

     Hong Kong is also the world’s busiest air cargo hub and one of its busiest sea ports. And I am confident we will create new and rewarding collaborations, while taking full advantage of the latest technologies to maintain the sustainable growth of our maritime, aviation and logistics sector.

     We are, for example, deepening our connections with both traditional and emerging markets. And we are exploring new opportunities in the Belt and Road countries.

     Today, I am particularly pleased to announce that Hong Kong has established Partner Port relationships with Guangxi port and Dalian port in the Chinese Mainland, and Port San Antonio in Chile. These ports are of strategic importance, and true to our character and policy priorities. As an international maritime centre, we connect the Chinese Mainland with the world and seek partners who support an open, international trade order.

     Hong Kong is also committed to building a sustainable future powered by digital and green transformation. Harnessing the power of AI, blockchain, cloud computing and other cutting-edge technologies, we are developing a Port Community System. Launching in January, it will enable real-time cargo tracking and facilitate data exchange across transport modes, boosting trade and capital flows digitally. That opens up new opportunities, from trade financing to more efficient customs declaration.

     The low altitude economy represents another promising growth area. Building on our initial regulatory sandbox pilot projects, we will introduce an advanced regulatory sandbox for complex scenarios, aimed at expanding the low altitude economy. This will facilitate its application in logistics and other innovative business sectors.

     We are also committed to Hong Kong’s rise as a green maritime fuel bunkering hub. It’s been a year since our Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering was published. With its orderly implementation, Hong Kong is emerging as a major port offering regular commercial bunkering services for multiple types of fuel.

     Our ambitions, however, are larger than that. We are looking to build the necessary infrastructure for Hong Kong to become a global centre of trade for green maritime fuel, especially those produced in the Chinese Mainland, by far the world’s biggest supplier.

     An equally green endeavour is our pursuit of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) expertise in the logistics field. In June, we published an ESG roadmap for the logistics industry, providing a clear pathway to ESG compliance. It will help strengthen the competitiveness of our logistics industry players, particularly SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), putting us at the forefront in the world’s continuing pursuit of sustainability.

     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong has long thrived in the face of adversity. Resilience defines us as an international maritime centre and aviation and logistics hub.

     With Hong Kong as your partner, you can confidently ride the wave of opportunities this region has to offer, building strong supply chains together through our extensive business and transport networks and internationally recognised institutional strengths.

     My thanks to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for organising this year’s Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference. It is one of the two anchor events of this year’s Hong Kong Maritime Week, alongside the World Maritime Merchants Forum, which also opened today and continues through tomorrow.

     Hong Kong Maritime Week runs through November 22, packed full of forums, conferences, seminars, tours, visits, receptions, and much more, all under the theme “Navigating to a Greener Future” – where we all want to be.

     I wish you the best of business at the conference, and a memorable stay in Hong Kong, Asia’s world city, and the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025 cum World Maritime Merchants Forum 2025 today (November 17):

Honourable Vice Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Honourable Director Zhou Ji (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (CPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Vice Minister Fu Xuyin (Vice Minister of Transport), Deputy Head Chen Feng (Deputy Head, Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR), Acting Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR), Chairman Miao Jianmin (Chairman of China Merchants Group), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. A very warm welcome to Hong Kong, Asia’s world city, and to the opening of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025 and the fifth World Maritime Merchants Forum, which bring together our maritime cluster, and underline Hong Kong’s status as one of the world’s leading maritime centres.

     The theme for the Hong Kong Maritime Week, “Navigating to a Greener Future”, signals our shared destination. Complementing this, the theme of the World Maritime Merchants Forum, “Steering Sustainability Through Changes”, is our navigational chart for the journey ahead.

     In a world being reshaped by geopolitical discord, technological disruption and climate change, these themes are more than aspirational. They sound an alarm, a wake-up call to collective action.

     In this era of profound and complex transformation, Hong Kong’s role as a stable, reliable and dynamic maritime hub has never been more vital. The principle of “one country, two systems” is the cornerstone of our success, providing us with an unshakeable foundation.

     As our country’s only bilingual common law jurisdiction, Hong Kong offers a simple and low tax regime, free port status and the unfettered flow of capital, information and talent.

     Our standing is consistently acknowledged, and endorsed, by the international community. For the sixth consecutive year, Hong Kong ranked fourth, globally, in the International Shipping Centre Development Index. This pays tribute to our strengths in port infrastructure, maritime services and overall operating environment.

     Hong Kong is home to more than 1 200 port and maritime-related companies, a thriving cluster of global leaders in ship management, finance, insurance and law. The Hong Kong Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association’s launch ceremony, in just a few minutes, will mark a milestone development, further enriching our maritime services and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”.

     Our tax concession regime for high value-added maritime services continues to attract global businesses. And we are planning to extend half-rate tax concessions to physical commodity traders, further integrating the critical pillars of trade, commodities and shipping here in Hong Kong.

     Beyond our business-friendly foundations, our focus is firmly on the future. And the imperative for green growth is the defining challenge, and opportunity, of our generation. 

     With the International Maritime Organization’s Net-Zero Framework targeting to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in international shipping by around the year 2050, Hong Kong is determined to be at the forefront, as a premier green maritime fuel-bunkering centre.  

     Since publishing our Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering a year ago, we have materialised regular commercial liquefied natural gas and biodiesel bunkering. 

     Our vision is to become the epicentre of the global green maritime fuel trade. And our proximity to the Chinese Mainland, the world’s largest producer of green maritime fuel, is a critical advantage. We will continue to collaborate with maritime associations and business partners globally to drive the transition towards sustainability.

     Indeed, collaboration on an unprecedented scale is essential as we face challenges from geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism, technological disruption, and the climate crisis – issues too vast for any single economy to solve alone. 

     Let’s work together to build green shipping corridors and digital trade lanes that will define the future of safe, efficient and sustainable global shipping.

     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is ready to be your partner. Our policy support, expertise, strategic vision and unwavering commitment can play a pivotal role in navigating the next era of shipping. Together, we can steer a course towards a more sustainable, prosperous and collaborative future.

     I wish you all a rewarding Hong Kong Maritime Week, a productive World Maritime Merchants Forum, and fair winds and following seas, in business as in life. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Buildings Department approved nine building plans in September, with four on Hong Kong Island and five in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, three were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial development, one was for a community services development, and one was for a factory and industrial development.

     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on eight building projects which, when completed, will provide 11 985 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 216 units, and 14 785 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for three building projects.

     The department also issued 16 occupation permits, with four on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon, and eight in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 51 721 sq m involving 1 004 units, and 100 005 sq m was for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of new buildings completed in September totalled about $4.1 billion.

     In addition, three demolition consents were issued.

     The department received 2 485 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in September and issued 898 removal orders on UBWs.

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for September can be viewed on the Buildings Department homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).