Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee (PCSC) provided updates today (December 12) on interdepartmental mosquito control and prevention work progress against chikungunya fever (CF) at Tsing Yi Nature Trails. 

     PCSC members, including the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), and various bureaux and departments, have been working closely in mosquito prevention and control. In 2025, the PCSC held a number of meetings to monitor the mosquito infestation situation, and provide steer to interdepartmental anti-mosquito actions:

(1) At the meeting on March 14, the PCSC discussed the follow-up actions of various departments in response to the anti-mosquito work plan for 2025 that was discussed at the previous meeting at the end of last year;

(2) At the meeting on July 23, the PCSC examined the latest mosquito infestation situation and anti-mosquito measures taken by various departments and discussed measures to prevent CF, particularly in response to a significant increase in CF cases in neighboring areas and some overseas countries. Given the frequent travel of Hong Kong residents to various places, there was a potential risk of local transmission. The PCSC also urged departments to promptly initiate a new round of mosquito prevention and control actions to clear potential breeding grounds after Typhoon Wipha that hit Hong Kong, and thereafter continue to proactively implement mosquito control measures;

     In addition, on August 1, the Chairperson of the PCSC, along with the representatives from the CHP and the FEHD, met with trade representatives to discuss the latest situation regarding CF and the situation overseas, as well as Hong Kong’s risk assessment, border control, emergency preparedness, and public education work. The meeting also urged the trade representatives to step up anti-mosquito work at venues under their purview;

     Furthermore, between July 24 and August 12, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology and the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology conducted inspections in various districts respectively to assess the relevant response work against CF;

(3) On October 27, following the first local CF case, the PCSC convened a special meeting, urging relevant departments to strengthen mosquito control efforts in areas under their purviews. The District Offices of the FEHD also held interdepartmental meetings at the district level to undergo risk assessment and conduct targeted measures;

     Besides, on October 27, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology visited Fung Tak Estate, where the first local CF case was reported, to inspect the mosquito control work;

(4) The FEHD has consistently acted upon notifications from the CHP of CF and other mosquito-borne diseases by immediately informing relevant departments of their follow-up to the taken. Upon receiving notifications on November 13 of a case involving for the first time a patient who had visited Tsing Yi Nature Trails and reported mosquito bites, the FEHD promptly initiated response measures at the trail and simultaneously informed relevant departments for their follow-up actions to be taken;

     On November 24, in response to several imported CF cases reportedly being bitten by mosquitoes while hiking along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails before symptoms onset, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology visited the vicinity of Tsing Yi Nature Trails to learn about the progress of the response work carried out by the FEHD and other relevant departments since November 13;

     At the meeting on November 28, the PCSC reviewed the latest situation regarding CF and the corresponding response efforts, particularly on Tsing Yi Nature Trails:

(a) The progress of the FEHD’s operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes and remove mosquito breeding sites, including the use of large ultra-low volume foggers and trial of robotic dogs to enhance effectiveness. The FEHD also installed new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could lead to stagnant water, and applied larvicidal oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that could not be immediately cleared. Pamphlets were distributed to hikers in the area to raise awareness about mosquito infestations; and

(b) The progress made by the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District Lands Offices, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) and the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) in strengthening their actions along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails.

     On the same day, the District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Kwai Tsing) of the FEHD held a meeting of the inter-departmental task forces to discuss the latest developments related to the situation and to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders to strengthen mosquito prevention and control measures in venues and areas under their purview;

     On November 28, the CHP determined, based on epidemiological investigation and genome analysis results, that two cases in which the patients visited Tsing Yi Nature Trails, should be classified as locally cases;

(5) In response to the announcement of another local case on December 1 who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, the Committee Chairperson sent an email to the members on December 2 to inform them of the update and asked them to report on the progress of the follow-up work as requested by FEHD in mid-December. On December 4, the CHP, based on epidemiological investigation and genome analysis results, announced another local case who had also visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. On December 6, the CHP announced the determination of another case which had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Having conducted inspections, the FEHD informed individual departments on December 10 of the outstanding follow-up work. On the same day (December 10), the CHP announced another local case who had also visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails.

     In the meeting, planned to be held in the later half of December, apart from the anti-mosquito work plan for 2026 originally put on the agenda, the PCSC will also examine the progress of follow-up work by various departments in detail. 

     The FEHD has been conducting regular monitoring of vectors for dengue fever and CF, and has been carrying out comprehensive mosquito control measures across Hong Kong to reduce the risk of transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. The FEHD has set up Aedes albopictus mosquito traps in 64 monitoring areas and all port areas across Hong Kong to monitor the distribution and density of Aedes albopictus in various districts, and to carry out targeted mosquito control work. In addition, the FEHD conducts regular inspections to understand the mosquito situation in various districts and to take early action to control mosquito problems. The mosquito control efforts of the FEHD and relevant departments will not slacken under the cooler weather, and the territory-wide mosquito control campaign is still on-going. The work of various departments is co-ordinated through the PCSC to enhance effectiveness.

     In response to the CF cases, the FEHD has adopted various methods to eliminate vector mosquitoes. These include intensive fogging treatments using ultra-low volume sprayers, which significantly reduce the adult mosquito population in the shortest possible time. Additionally, efforts are made to target the larval stage of mosquitoes by eliminating breeding grounds and applying larvicides, thereby reducing the chance of vertical transmission of the virus in vector mosquitoes (i.e. transmission to the next generation). Furthermore, the FEHD will set up mosquito traps in relevant locations to assess the effectiveness of mosquito control measures. Given that the typical lifespan of a female mosquito is about one month, the related mosquito control efforts will continue for more than a month to eradicate virus-carrying female mosquitoes. Adjustments or extensions will be made based on the latest developments and assessment results of the cases.

     The Tsing Yi Nature Trails are situated in a countryside environment and cover a vast area, with the hiking trails stretching approximately 7 000 metres. Compared with urban settings, mosquito control work there faces greater challenges. Along both sides of the trails, various natural breeding grounds for vectors, including puddles on soil surfaces and fallen leaves, increase the risk of mosquito breeding.

     Currently, tools such as large ultra-low volume foggers and robot dogs have been deployed by the FEHD to conduct 49 fogging operations to kill adult mosquitoes along the hiking trails, covering the entire trails and the perimeter. The FEHD has also eliminated about 1 800 potential mosquito breeding sites, applied larvicide oil or larvicides at around 240 areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately, and installed 29 new mosquito trapping devices. The department is also actively exploring the use of stairlifts and drones to assist in fogging operations. Furthermore, the department has set up 40 temporary mosquito traps at the trail to monitor the effectiveness of the measures and the mosquito situation, and collect adult mosquitoes for vector surveys.

     In addition, pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging the public to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD also visited nearby schools and childcare facilities to provide information and assistance on mosquito prevention and control.

     The FEHD has stepped up inspections of construction sites and residential premises near the trails, instituted two prosecutions against parties responsible for violations related to mosquito breeding, and issued eight statutory notices requiring the elimination of stagnant water.

     The Kwai Tsing District Office (K&TDO), responsible for the maintenance of the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, has instructed its contractor to enhance mosquito prevention and control measures, including grass cutting, clearing blockages in drainage, conducting fogging operations, and application of larvicide oil or larvicides. In addition, the K&TDO has displayed posters at the entrances, pavilions and sitting-out areas along the trails to remind visitors and hikers to use insect repellents and take protective measures. K&TDO also continuously disseminates information on mosquito prevention to residents in the district through the local networks of the District Council Members, Area Committees and Care Teams.

     The DSD has conducted multiple drainage cleaning operations in the vicinity of the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, removing silt and debris from drainage facilities to ensure smooth drainage and prevent stagnant water and mosquito breeding.

     The District Lands Office of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing has progressively removed illegal cultivations, structures, metal canopies, and bamboo sticks on relevant government land. 

     The CEDD has requested contractors and site supervisory staff to arrange site inspections, including its surrounding areas, to ensure that the mosquito prevention measures taken are as effective as possible. Mosquito prevention and control measures include conducting regular inspections, removing stagnant water, applying larvicidal oil, and setting up mosquito traps on-site with regular checks and replacement of baits.

     The PCSC emphasised that it will continue to closely monitor the mosquito situation in Hong Kong and, as always, convene meetings in a timely manner before the rainy season and when necessary to discuss and follow up on inter-departmental mosquito control efforts.

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 $3.3 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.6 billion.

The fund will provide a living allowance to each affected household. As of today, 1,838 cases had been processed.

The fund will also provide the families of each deceased victim with a $200,000 token of solidarity, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. As of today, a total of 128 cases had been processed.

Welfare arrangements

As of this morning, 1,451 residents had been accommodated under the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau in youth hostels, camps or hotel rooms. Another 3,059 residents have moved into transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS).

With the generous community support and donations, all the units currently available in transitional housing and HKHS projects are equipped with furniture and appliances such as bed frames, mattresses, induction cookers and water heaters, enabling the residents to settle in comfortably.

Meanwhile, a number of organisations have stationed their staff members in some projects to provide residents in need with various forms of support, including free medical and legal consultation services.

Relief supplies

On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 1,800 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. Over 19,600 donated items, covering various categories, have been distributed.

Regulation work 

Upon liaison with Police, the Housing Department started to remove burnt scaffolding on the external walls of Wang Cheong House, Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House today.

Meanwhile, the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit has completed strengthening works such as concrete grouting and erecting temporary props, in a small number of units that may be subject to more serious damage

On the new mechanism for sampling and testing scaffold nets for external walls in the city, the Buildings Department is preparing a new practice note to issue to registered contractors, and will meet the industry next week.

As of 4pm today, the Labour Department had inspected 467 construction sites, issued a total of 249 written warnings and 112 improvement notices, and taken out 25 prosecutions.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The latest Infrastructure Bond Report reveals that up to March 31, the Government issued infrastructure bonds totalling around $105.2 billion since the inception of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. 

The Infrastructure Bond Report 2025, released today, sets out the allocation of the proceeds the Government has raised from infrastructure bond issuances.

The proceeds have been fully allocated or earmarked for infrastructure projects, including 10 major infrastructure projects in the Northern Metropolis, such as: San Tin Technopole, including the Loop; Kwu Tung North/Fanling North New Development Area (NDA); Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA; and Yuen Long South NDA.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the funds raised are credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund for investment in infrastructure projects to promote their early completion, and support the economy and people’s livelihoods, which will boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness.

Infrastructure bonds are also a safe and reliable investment option offering steady returns for the public, he added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Police announced today (December 12) that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in the vicinities of Causeway Bay and Tin Hau to facilitate the holding of the 59th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park from December 13, 2025 to January 5, 2026. The Police urge members of the public travelling to areas subject to road traffic control to make use of public transport as far as possible.

Road closure

Depending on the crowd and traffic conditions, the following road closures may be implemented partially or at the same time from 4pm to 10pm daily between December 13, 2025  and January 5, 2026, except for vehicles with a permit:

(I)
– Southbound Gloucester Road between Kingston Street and
Causeway Road; and
– Sugar Street.

(II)
– Northbound Gloucester Road between Kingston Street and
Causeway Road, except for northbound traffic from Moreton Terrace flyover; and
– Sugar Street.

(III)
– Great George Street;
– Paterson Street between Kingston Street and Great George Street; and
– Westbound Kingston Street between northbound Gloucester Road and Paterson Street.

(IV)
– Cleveland Street;
– Kingston Street; and
– Paterson Street between westbound Gloucester Road and Kingston Street.

(V)
– Hing Fat Street will be intermittently closed, except for franchised buses and green minibuses;
– Electric Road between Yacht Street and Hing Fat Street will be intermittently closed, except for taxis and vehicles accessing Park Towers;
– Lau Li Street between Hing Fat Street and Ngan Mok Street will be intermittently closed; and
– The general lay-by along northbound Hing Fat Street near Tsing Fung Street.

B. Traffic diversions

In connection with the above-mentioned road closure arrangements, the following traffic diversions may be implemented partially or at the same time:

(I)
– Traffic along Victoria Park Road flyover will be diverted via westbound Gloucester Road; and
– Traffic along eastbound Yee Wo Street cannot enter Sugar Street.

(II)
– Traffic along northbound Moreton Terrace flyover cannot turn left to westbound Kingston Street; and
– Traffic along eastbound Yee Wo Street cannot enter Sugar Street.

(III)
– Traffic along southbound Paterson Street will be diverted via eastbound Kingston Street; and
– Traffic along southbound Cleveland Street will be diverted via eastbound Kingston Street.

(IV)
Traffic along westbound Gloucester Road cannot enter Cleveland Street and Paterson Street.

(V)
Traffic along Causeway Road cannot enter Hing Fat Street.

C. Implementation of pedestrianisation

Pedestrianisation will continue to be implemented on the following road sections from 4pm to midnight on weekdays, and from noon to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays:

– Lockhart Road east of Cannon Street;
– East Point Road; and
– Great George Street west of Paterson Street.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

The Hing Fat Street Public Car Park (excluding the disabled parking spaces) will be suspended during the following periods, except for vehicles with a permit:

– From 8am to 8.59pm daily between December 10 and 12, 2025; – From 8am to 7.59pm daily between December 13, 2025 and January 4, 2026;
– From 8am to 11.59pm on January 5, 2026; and
– From 8am to 8.59pm on January 6, 2026.

During the road closure period, vehicles may not be permitted to access or leave The Park Lane Hong Kong and all car parks on Great George Street. All illegally parked vehicles will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

The Police will implement appropriate arrangements subject to the prevailing traffic and crowd conditions. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience, and take heed of instructions of police officers on site.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government gazetted today (December 12) the proposed road works at Sha Tau Kok to cater for the redevelopment of the Sha Tau Kok Control Point, including the proposed construction of a passenger clearance building.

Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

North Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories

District Lands Office, North,
6/F, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, New Territories

The gazette notice, scheme, plans and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.

Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
​

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than February 10, 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Two incoming passengers were sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and four months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (December 12) for dealing with and possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
 
Customs officers intercepted a 32-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on December 10 and seized about 20 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 11 400 alternative smoking products with an estimated market value of about $127,000 and a duty potential of about $68,000 from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 in contravention of the DCO and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. Parts of the two sentences run concurrently, making for a total of four months’ imprisonment.
 
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 21-year-old incoming male passenger at HKIA yesterday (December 11) and seized 5 200 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $23,000 and a duty potential of about $17,000 from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 in contravention of the DCO today.
 
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
 
Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
Under the IEO, a person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).