Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Extension of e-Appointment services to applications for warrants of distress in District Court Registry
Applicants can make online appointments via www.judiciary.hk/en/court_services_facilities/dtci_index.html
With the above extension, the e-Appointment services will be available for a wide range of services in different court registries and offices, including the Apostille Service Office of the High Court Registry, the Probate Registry, the High Court Registry, the Appeals Registry at the Clerk of Court’s Office of the High Court, the Family Court Registry, the Integrated Mediation Office, the Labour Tribunal Registry, and the Lands Tribunal Registry.
E-appointment services aim at saving court users’ time and costs. To provide greater convenience for court users, with effect from next Tuesday, the auto form-filling function of “iAM Smart” will be extended to cover the majority of e-Appointment services of the court registries and offices (Note). Details are available at www.judiciary.hk/en/court_services_facilities/es_index.html
Note: This is not yet available for the Probate Registry (submitting applications for grant with a will) and the Labour Tribunal Registry (filing of claims).
Issued at HKT 11:00
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SED expresses deep sorrow over passing of the Most Venerable Jing Yin
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SED expresses deep sorrow over passing of the Most Venerable Jing Yin
Dr Choi said, “The Most Venerable Jing Yin was a highly respected figure of great virtue who was deeply committed to education and cared greatly for students. He had served as the Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies of the University of Hong Kong, a member of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education, the Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies of Hong Kong Chu Hai College, and the School Supervisor of Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College, among other roles. He actively promoted the development of Buddhist studies and education, benefiting the education sector and society at large. With a compassionate mind and a dedication to education, he was held in high esteem by teachers, students and the community. His spirit and ethos are deeply admirable.”
“We are grateful for the Most Venerable Jing Yin’s contributions to education, and he will always be remembered.”
Issued at HKT 19:56
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New control on regulated mercury-added products to take effect on December 31
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The control for newly regulated mercury-added products under the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance (Cap. 640) will take effect on December 31, 2025, covering eight newly regulated mercury-added products (see Annex).
The Government completed the amendments to the Mercury Control Ordinance in June this year to implement amendments adopted at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury to gradually phase out mercury-added products that are harmful to human health or the environment, so as to reduce the opportunities of the public’s exposure to these mercury-added products for safeguarding public health and protecting the environment.
An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said, “Once the amendments to the Ordinance come into effect, the manufacture, import, export and supply of the relevant regulated mercury-added products will be prohibited. Anyone who contravenes the above regulations commits an offence and, upon conviction, is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.”
Under the new measure, the Government has set a grace period for the supply of newly regulated mercury-added products (not applicable to production, import and export of the related product) until January 2029. After the grace period, if anyone continues to supply the relevant regulated mercury-added products, the authorities will initiate prosecution after collecting sufficient evidence.
To help the trades understand the new control requirements, the EPD has earlier written to stakeholders, including importers, exporters and distributors of the concerned mercury-added products, to detail the implementation specifics of the new controls, and has conducted visits to stakeholders to provide guidance.
Relevant information has been uploaded to the EPD’s dedicated website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/international_conventions/mercury/mco.html). For any enquiries regarding the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance, please contact the EPD at 2838 3111 or via email at enquiry@epd.gov.hk.
Relaunch of invitation for quotations on harbourfront event space in Hung Hom for short-term use
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Relaunch of invitation for quotations on harbourfront event space in Hung Hom for short-term use
The Pier is currently a vacant site. The DEVB earlier announced the long-term development proposal for sites around the Hung Hom waterfront areas (including the Pier) with a view to transforming these areas into a new harbourfront landmark. The DEVB also indicated that, before the long-term development thereon, the Pier site will be revitalised, as a short-term measure, into a character-filled event space and public open space.
The DEVB had invited open quotations mid-year for the aforesaid short-term revitalisation project. However, in view of the availability of an additional piece of land adjacent to the Pier site, which can be included in the project in one go, and the Government’s wish to strengthen the provisions on venue management, the DEVB has decided to cancel the aforesaid quotation exercise and relaunch it after strengthening the relevant terms and requirements.
For the land adjacent to the waterbody to the right of the Pier, it will become part of the event space site, expanding its area from approximately 1.5 hectares to 1.8 hectares.
Furthermore, in response to the incident at the Central Harbourfront Event Space this September regarding the cancellation of the passenger-carrying hot air balloon ride after the sale of tickets due to the failure to secure the relevant permit, the DEVB has beefed up the terms and requirements in the quotation documents to place a heavier onus on the venue operator (i.e. the successful bidder of this quotation exercise) in monitoring future event organisers and to regularise the communication and alert mechanisms so as to enable the DEVB, as the venue owner, to intervene in a timely manner. These strengthened provisions are aimed at better leveraging harbourfront resources to bring positive experiences for visitors as well as to better safeguard consumer rights. Relevant terms and requirements include:
(1) The venue operator is required to assess the credentials and experience of the applicants, their capability in hosting events, the feasibility of the proposed events, etc, before confirming approval of venue applications from event organisers. The venue operator shall submit regular assessment reports to the DEVB;
(2) The venue operator shall closely monitor the progress of event preparation and alert the DEVB in a timely manner, such as whether the event is in alignment with the original proposal, whether the relevant licenses or permits have been applied for and obtained in a timely manner, and whether the ticketing arrangement is proper; and Issued at HKT 20:05
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CE officiates at opening ceremony of Hong Kong Park in the Loop
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (December 22) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone). The Hetao Co-operation Zone is one of the four major co-operation platforms among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Park is envisioned to develop into a world-class hub for technological innovation that connects the Chinese Mainland with the international community, and to serve as an important source for fostering and advancing new quality productive forces for the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee remarked that, “The development objective of the Hetao Co-operation Zone is set out to become a world-class innovation platform. As a major national technological innovation co-operation zone, it spans across two different social systems geographically, leveraging the strengths of the respective economic frameworks and judicial regimes.”
“We will continue to drive forward the construction and development of the Hong Kong Park by optimising institutional integration, strengthening policy support, actively attracting high-quality enterprises and world-class research teams, etc. I am confident that the Hetao Co-operation Zone will emerge as a bridgehead and testing ground for Hong Kong’s I&T development. It will also become a showcase for pioneering policies within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the global innovation landscape. It is a powerful Hong Kong engine for growth.”
The Hong Kong Park is developed in batches under two phases. Out of the eight buildings in the first batch of Phase 1 development, two wet-laboratory enabled buildings and a talent accommodation building have been completed, providing about 32 000 square metres of floor area and 100 apartment units respectively. Over 60 institutions and enterprises have already begun moving into the wet laboratory buildings, while the talent accommodation welcomed their first batch of tenants this month. Construction works of the foundation and superstructures for the remaining five buildings have commenced and will be completed progressively starting from 2027 onwards.
Meanwhile, the planning and development layout for the Park’s Phase 2 development has been finalised. The two phases together will offer a total floor area of up to 2 million square meters. Functionally, the Park will be divided into different technological zones focusing on pillar industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, new technologies and advanced manufacturing, thereby fostering the integrated development of upstream, midstream and downstream industries and building a comprehensive I&T industry chain.
To expedite the construction works of the Park, the Park Company has rolled out an expression of interest exercise to gauge the market’s interest in selected plots of the remaining land of Phase 1 development, with a view to leveraging market forces to develop the Park in an accelerated and efficient manner. The Park Company received 27 responses and is currently analysing them with a view to preparing for launching the land plots in an orderly manner starting from 2026. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will carefully consider releasing the land parcels to the market through tender or other land disposal models, thereby achieving the objective of making best use of market resources to jointly develop the Park.
At the ceremony, Mr Lee also announced the official commencement of the “Western Cross-River Link Bridge Project” which will connect the two parks in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This project will open up the transportation network of the Hetao Co-operation Zone, effectively facilitating the cross-boundary flow of personnel and showcasing the advantages of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong boundary facilities and innovative management policies. The two sides will adopt a design concept of integrating the cross-boundary bridge with the surrounding ecological environment and with an emphasis on low-carbon technology, safety and convenience, and a pleasant scenery, as well as adopting a “single-span across the river” approach in construction, which will serve as a new landmark to connect the two parks under the concept of “one zone, two parks” while creating an innovation network in the Greater Bay Area.
The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Zhou Ji, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Mr Luo Huangho, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and Chairman of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, Mr Kevin Choi, also attended the opening ceremony.
Mr Lee also visited the wet laboratory buildings of the Hong Kong Park to learn about its facilities, environment and the facilitation measures provided for the tenant enterprises by the Park Company. He also exchanged views with representatives of the I&T enterprises which have already set foot in the Park.
DEP and members from three District Councils conducted site inspection with significant improvement in nearshore water quality affirmed (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, today (December 22) conducted a site inspection with District Council members from Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, and Sham Shui Po to review the outcomes of improvements to near-shore water quality and odour in the Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po areas.
Dr Chui met with the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Billy Au, the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Edric Leung, the Acting District Officers (Sham Shui Po), Miss Stella Wong and Miss Agnes Chan; and around 40 members of District Council from the three districts. They reviewed the progress in improving water quality and odour along both sides of Victoria Harbour, particularly in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po. On-site demonstrations were given of innovative multi-dimensional monitoring technologies across sea, land, and air platforms, including an “Artificial Intelligence Environmental Air Nuisance Investigation Robot Dog” (AI Dog), “Ground Penetrating Radar”, “Drone for Sampling and Monitoring”, and “Unmanned Sampling Boat”, etc. The attending councillors gave highly positive feedback on the environmental improvements in the relevant areas.
Dr Chui said, “The 2022 Policy Address set a target of reducing by half the pollution load from seriously polluted outfalls along Victoria Harbour, including areas such as Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po, by the end of 2024 while Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing districts also share the same water body. Through a series of source control measures and the application of innovative technologies, the reduction of pollution load significantly exceeded the target. By the end of last year, the overall pollution load at the relevant stormwater outfalls was reduced by nearly 90 per cent. Today, no noticeable odour was detected at the Tsuen Wan and Cheung Sha Wan waterfronts, indicating a remarkable improvement in the environmental conditions along the coastal areas of these three districts.”
Over the past three years, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has proactively used innovative technologies in identifying and rectifying sewer misconnections to improve nearshore odour problems along Victoria Harbour. By the third quarter of this year, EPD teams had inspected over 5 000 manholes and tested more than 1 200 water samples in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, and Sham Shui Po districts, identifying 191 pollution cases equivalent to pollution load from 300 000 people. Through inter-departmental collaboration, the total pollution load from outfalls in Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po districts has been reduced by nearly 90 per cent, leading to substantial improvement in nearshore odour. Hydrogen sulfide monitoring devices installed at the Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po waterfronts indicated that the average concentrations have decreased from the previous 36 parts per billion (ppb) and 18 ppb, respectively to currently both below 5 ppb (see photos).
Dr Chui thanked the three District Councils for their affirmation of the EPD’s work and their valuable opinions. He concluded, “We will continue to leverage smart technologies, work closely with District Councils, and harness community wisdom to jointly build greener, healthier and more liveable communities.”
Support fund reaches $4.1b
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.8 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, the fund now amounts to around $4.1 billion.
Currently, more than 1,000 units are still available to affected residents as longer-term accommodation. The transitional housing and the Housing Society projects in different districts can altogether provide around 500 units at the moment. Moreover, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can provide around 900 units.
As of this morning, 516 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 568 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,513 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.
On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 2,000 registrations have been received. Over 45,000 donated items have been distributed.
CE opens Hetao zone HK Park
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee today officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
The Hetao Co-operation Zone is one of the four major co-operation platforms among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Park is envisioned to develop into a world-class hub for technological innovation that connects the Chinese Mainland with the international community, and to serve as an important source for fostering and advancing new quality productive forces for the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee remarked that the development objective of the Hetao Co-operation Zone is set out to become a world-class innovation platform. As a major national technological innovation co-operation zone, it spans across two different social systems geographically, leveraging the strengths of the respective economic frameworks and judicial regimes.
“We will continue to drive forward the construction and development of the Hong Kong Park by optimising institutional integration, strengthening policy support, actively attracting high-quality enterprises and world-class research teams, etc.
“I am confident that the Hetao Co-operation Zone will emerge as a bridgehead and testing ground for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development. It will also become a showcase for pioneering policies within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the global innovation landscape. It is a powerful Hong Kong engine for growth.”
The Hong Kong Park is developed in batches under two phases. Out of the eight buildings in the first batch of Phase 1 development, two wet-laboratory enabled buildings and a talent accommodation building have been completed, providing about 32,000 sq m of floor area and 100 apartment units respectively.
More than 60 institutions and enterprises have begun moving into the wet laboratory buildings, while the talent accommodation welcomed the first batch of tenants this month. Construction work of the foundation and superstructures for the remaining five buildings have commenced and will be completed progressively starting from 2027 onwards.
The planning and development layout for the park’s Phase 2 development has been finalised. The two phases together will offer a total floor area of up to 2 million sq m. Functionally, the park will be divided into different technological zones focusing on pillar industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, new technologies and advanced manufacturing, thereby fostering the integrated development of upstream, midstream and downstream industries and building a comprehensive I&T industry chain.
To expedite the park’s construction work, the park company has rolled out an expression of interest exercise to gauge the market’s interest in selected plots of the remaining land of Phase 1 development, with a view to leveraging market forces to develop the park in an accelerated and efficient manner. The park company received 27 responses and is currently analysing them with a view to preparing for launching the land plots in an orderly manner starting from 2026.
At the ceremony, Mr Lee also announced the official commencement of the Western Cross-River Link Bridge Project which will connect the two parks in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This project will open up the transportation network of the Hetao Co-operation Zone. The two sides will adopt a design concept of integrating the cross-boundary bridge with the surrounding ecological environment and with an emphasis on low-carbon technology, safety and convenience, and pleasant scenery, as well as adopting a “single-span across the river” approach in construction, which will serve as a new landmark to connect the two parks under the concept of “one zone, two parks” while creating an innovation network in the Greater Bay Area.
Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Qifang, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR Zhou Ji, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Luo Huangho, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn also attended the opening ceremony.
Mr Lee also visited the park’s wet laboratory buildings to learn about its facilities, environment and the facilitation measures provided for the tenant enterprises by the park company. He also exchanged views with representatives of the I&T enterprises which have already set foot in the park.
FSD clarifies media report claims
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Fire Services Department today clarified that a media commentary claiming the trade doubts whether the department’s suggestion to shut down fire service installation and equipment (FSI) by phases during building maintenance works is feasible, does not fully reflect the facts.
According to the Fire Service (Installations & Equipment) Regulations, no person other than a registered fire service installation contractor shall maintain, inspect or repair any FSI in any premises.
Any person contravening the regulations is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000. Any person who is not a registered fire service installation contractor who attempts to interfere with FSIs may be in breach of the law and the department will follow up stringently.
Maintenance, repair or inspection of FSIs must be carried out by registered fire service installation contractors, who will exercise professional judgement and carry out the relevant work in accordance with the department’s instructions.
Personnel responsible for building maintenance works have no authority to shut down FSIs and it is extremely irresponsible for any frontline personnel to shut down FSIs in order to avoid false alarms triggered by the works.
The department’s Circular Letter No. 1/2021 stipulates that disruption to the normal operation of FSIs caused by its shutdown should be kept to the minimum.
When carrying out the works, the contractor concerned should adopt a systematic approach in shutting down the affected FSI by phases and resume normal operation as soon as practicable.
If the affected portion of the system could not be reinstated to normal working condition by the end of a working shift, arrangements should be made for the portion to be isolated with the remainder of the system to be reinstated.
Upon completion of the relevant works, the contractor shall issue the Certificate of Fire Service Installations & Equipment in due course.
The department earlier held a meeting with the Association of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors on the matter, and the trade expressed its full support and willingness to implement the relevant measures in accordance with the statutory requirements and guidelines.
Commodities strategy meeting held
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Strategic Committee on Commodities, chaired by Financial Secretary Paul Chan, convened its first meeting today.
Members received a briefing on global commodities market trends and Hong Kong’s development potential, and discussed the categories of commodities and key areas that should be prioritised for in-depth study and discussions.
Mr Chan said: “The committee brings together leaders from across the commodities trading ecosystem, including finance, commerce and trade, shipping, logistics and professional services sectors to conduct in-depth and comprehensive research into global commodities market trends, thoroughly review the current landscape and trends in areas such as physical trade, financial and derivative trading as well as shipping and logistics.
“It will also study the opportunities for developing businesses of various major and emerging categories of commodities in Hong Kong, enhance market mechanisms and regulatory framework, build an industry ecosystem, and explore mutual market access with the Chinese Mainland.
“The committee will also provide specific recommendations on the positioning, development planning and promotion strategy for Hong Kong’s commodities market.”
In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed the establishment of the strategic committee to bring together industry representatives with the aim of strengthening the top-down design and long-term strategy of Hong Kong’s commodity policy.