Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for third quarter 2025
The payment card statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (Note 1). The HKMA began to publish the payment card statistics on a quarterly basis in June 2010 to enhance transparency of the payment card industry in Hong Kong, in line with international practice.
According to the quarterly statistics, the total number of credit cards in circulation (Note 2) was 25.08 million by the end of Q3/2025. The figure represents a 10.0 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 23.6 per cent increase from the previous year. The number and value of credit card transactions (including retail sales and cash advances) (Note 3) are susceptible to seasonal factors and the general economic environment, making the trends more prone to fluctuation. The total number of credit card transactions was 382.61 million for Q3/2025, representing a 6.2 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 16.3 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. The total value of credit card transactions was HK$285.6 billion for Q3/2025, representing a 6.4 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 14.8 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. Of the total transaction value, HK$173.3 billion (60.7 per cent) was related to retail spending in Hong Kong, HK$103.1 billion (36.1 per cent) in retail spending overseas and HK$9.1 billion (3.2 per cent) in cash advances.
The total number of debit cards in circulation is not available due to overlapping of debit card brands in a single card. Like the number and value of credit card transactions, the number and value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments (Note 4) are also affected by seasonal factors. On a quarterly basis, the total number of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments decreased by 9.6 per cent to 52.31 million while the total value decreased by 5.6 per cent to HK$62.7 billion in Q3/2025. When compared to the same period in 2024, the total number decreased by 3.2 per cent and the total value dropped by 8.3 per cent in Q3/2025.
Note 1: The payment card statistics are compiled from data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by both authorized institutions (AIs) and non-authorized institutions (non-AIs) under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (“the card operators”). The card operators, in alphabetical order, are American Express International, Inc., Discover Financial Services (Hong Kong) Limited, EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited (EPSCO), JCB International (Asia) Ltd, Joint Electronic Teller Services Ltd. (JETCO), MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., UnionPay International Co. Ltd and Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited.
Note 2: A credit card issued in Hong Kong only carries one credit card brand. The total number of credit cards in circulation refers to the total number of credit cards (i.e. cards with a credit function) issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (but excluding EPSCO and JETCO, which do not operate a credit card scheme). Some of these credit cards carry debit card functions, i.e. the credit card can be used for making purchases/payments or cash withdrawal at ATMs through directly debiting cardholders’ bank accounts.
Note 3: The total number/value of credit card transactions refer to the total number/value of transactions made via credit card accounts of credit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (excluding EPSCO and JETCO). Starting from March 2015, a Hong Kong/overseas spending breakdown of credit card retail sales transactions is provided.
Note 4: The total number/value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales/bill payments refers to the total number/value of those transactions made via debiting cardholders’ bank accounts. Some of the eight card operators do not operate a debit card scheme. Care should be exercised in combining the credit card retail sales figures and the debit card retail sales/bills payment figures because of the possibility of double counting.
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Import of poultry meat and products from Calvados Department in France suspended
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 19) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Calvados Department in France, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 830 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 50 000 poultry eggs from France in the first nine months of this year.
“The CFS has contacted the French authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
HKMA Quarterly Bulletin (December 2025 Issue)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKMA Quarterly Bulletin (December 2025 Issue)
Starting from 2026, the Quarterly Bulletin will be renamed as the Bulletin. It will be published as needed to provide regular updates (e.g. banking sector developments) and discuss topical matters. The HKMA will also continue to flexibly use various publications, including inSight, Research Memorandum, and Half-Yearly Monetary and Financial Stability Report, to share the latest information relating to the HKMA’s work.
The Bulletin will continue to be available on the HKMA websiteIssued at HKT 16:30
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EIA report for Development at Ngau Tam Mei Area approved with conditions
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced, regarding the application submitted by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), that the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) yesterday (December 18) approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Development at Ngau Tam Mei Area (the Project) with conditions.
The Project is a designated project (DP) under Schedule 3 of the EIAO (i.e. an urban development or redevelopment project covering an area of more than 50 hectares). It includes two DPs under Schedule 2 of the EIAO requiring an environmental permit for its construction and operation, including the new distributor roads and part of the revitalisation of the Ngau Tam Mei Drainage Channel (NTMDC) and river diversion works.
The CEDD has exhibited the EIA report for public inspection from October 6 to November 4, 2025, in accordance with the EIAO. During the public inspection period, the EPD received a total of seven public comments. The EIA Subcommittee of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) discussed in detail the EIA report and the public comments at its meeting on December 5, 2025. Subsequently, the ACE unanimously recommended that the EPD approved the EIA report with conditions and recommendations at its meeting on December 11, 2025.
A spokesperson for the EPD said that the DEP considers that, through the implementation of mitigation measures recommended in the EIA report, the Project will bring multiple environmental benefits to the area. These include addressing the existing adverse environmental impacts caused by scattered and disorganised brownfield operations within the project area, thereby enhancing land-use efficiency and improving the overall environmental quality of the district. Furthermore, by widening and revitalising the NTMDC into a multifunctional blue-green spine, the ecological value and function of the project area and its surroundings can be enhanced. In addition, through wetland compensation connecting nearby isolated wetlands, the Project will increase the overall ecological value of the area.
The spokesperson stressed that the EPD has thoroughly considered the requirements of the EIA Study Brief and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process, comments on the environment and ecological impacts raised by the public during the public inspection period of the EIA report, suggestions and data given by green groups in respect of the EIA report (including the State of Hong Kong Biodiversity 2025 published by the WWF-Hong Kong), and the response from the CEDD during the ACE meeting, as well as comments and recommended conditions raised by the ACE on approving the EIA report. The EPD decided to approve the EIA report with conditions.
The approval conditions mainly include requiring the CEDD to:
(i) submit a detailed Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) as recommended in the EIA report to the DEP for approval no later than three months before the commencement of construction of the Project, and consult the Agricultural, fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD);
(ii) submit an Implementation Plan for Ecological Enhancement Features Design (IPEEFD) for the NTMDC to the DEP for approval no later than three months before commencement of construction of the Project, and consult relevant government departments, including the AFCD, the Drainage Services Department, and the Planning Department;
(iii) set up an Environmental Committee to provide professional and stakeholders’ advice on the preparation of HCMP and IPEEFD, and on the effectiveness of the ecological mitigation/enhancement measures as recommended in the EIA report and the two approved abovementioned plans; and
(iv) submit a Bird-Friendly Design Guideline for buildings and noise barriers within the Project area to the DEP for approval before commencement of construction of the Project.
In addition, the CEDD shall review the progress of the implementation of various plans, the environmental monitoring results, and the effectiveness of ecological mitigation/enhancement measures. The EPD will continue to closely liaise with relevant government departments to follow up on the abovementioned approval conditions.
The approved EIA report and the approval conditions have been uploaded to the EPD’s EIAO website (www.epd.gov.hk/eia). Members of the public may also visit the EIAO Register Office at 27th floor, Southorn Centre, Wan Chai, to inspect these documents.
Remarks by SHYA at media session regarding management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (with photo/video)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Remarks by SHYA at media session regarding management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (with photo/video)
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: As I just said, the Government has acted according to the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) section 31 to apply to the Lands Tribunal today to submit an application to dissolve the owners’ corporation committee and to appoint Hop On Management Company Limited which is a subsidiary of Chinachem Group as the administrator to handle all the day to day operation of the management committee. This action will only help the owners of the Wang Fuk Court to handle various complicated legal procedures with expert assistance. Hop On Management Company has already stated that they will serve the Wang Fuk Court residents on a pro bono basis, and the Nina Wang Charity Trustees has agreed to contribute five million for professional costs or any procurement costs related to the management of Wang Fuk Court. We try to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court handle all the complicated legal procedures and accounting procedures with expert assistance.
Reporter: Could you please detail the roles of the existing owners’ corporation and the upcoming property manager? Does it include a fire safety? What will you do with the existing property manager? As at this point, do you think it is responsible for the fire safety?
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: As I said, the Hop On Management Company will serve those Wang Fuk Court owners on a pro bono basis and provide them with professional property management services. This act will help the owners to get professional assistance when they decide how to execute or how to make a decision for Wang Fuk Court. The existing management committee and the property management company, as far as we know, the existing contract with the property management company will end by the end of this month. No matter whether they will extend the contract or not, we see that there will be a need for Wang Fuk Court owners to get professional assistance from a professional property management company. We think this is a way to help residents and owners of Wang Fuk Court.Issued at HKT 20:33
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Third “Extension Notice” published under Extension of Government Leases Ordinance
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Third “Extension Notice” published under Extension of Government Leases Ordinance
A spokesperson for the Development Bureau said, “The arrangement of extending land leases without having to execute a new contract under the Ordinance 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. The mechanism manifests the solid safeguards for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under the steadfast and successful implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.”Issued at HKT 18:43
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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $10.9 million (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs on December 12 and yesterday (December 18) seized a total of about 20 kilograms of suspected liquid methamphetamine, 10 suspected cannabis oil vape capsules, about 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, about 3 grams of suspected cocaine and about 270 grams of suspected cracked cocaine with an estimated market value of over $10.9 million at Hong Kong International Airport and in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Through risk assessment, Customs inspected two air parcels, declared as food and candy and arriving in Hong Kong from Mexico on December 12. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the parcels contained about 20 kilograms of suspected liquid methamphetamine disguised as protective liquid for natural stones in five plastic bottles.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday and arrested two female suspects in Yuen Long and Tsim Sha Tsui, aged 28 and 45 respectively. Later, Customs further seized about 10 suspected cannabis oil vape capsules, about 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, about 3 grams of suspected cocaine and about 270 grams of suspected cracked cocaine upon premises search in Tsim Sha Tsui. The investigation of the case is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Customs reminds people to pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught. Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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/).
2026 Population Census to commence in January next year
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) announced today (December 19) that the 2026 Population Census will be conducted from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
Speaking at a press conference, the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, remarked that the Census helps the Government to understand Hong Kong’s demographic and socio-economic characteristics by providing vital statistical information for future planning and development. As a major step to modernise the mode of Hong Kong’s population censuses, several re-engineering initiatives will be implemented from the 2026 Population Census to streamline and improve workflow. Every five years, the C&SD will randomly select only 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong for detailed enquiry. The remaining 90 per cent of households will not be required to fill out any questionnaire. In addition, while data collection will be conducted throughout the year, instead of concentrated within 1.5 months as in the past, selected households are only required to submit one questionnaire within the data collection period. Government administrative data will also be used more extensively to simplify the content of the questionnaire.
Mr Yu emphasised that the C&SD strives to protect the data privacy of all persons and households. Information collected in the Census will be kept in strict confidence and only be used to compile aggregate statistics. Such information will not be disclosed to any unauthorised parties. All completed questionnaires will also be destroyed by December 31, 2027.
About 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong (i.e. some 300 000 households) will be selected through random sampling to participate in the 2026 Population Census. The C&SD will issue notification letters in purple envelopes to the sampled households in batches starting from the end of this month.
Sampled households (including owner-occupiers or tenants) who have received the notification letter can submit the required information via one of the following means:
(1) Completing the online questionnaire (by accessing the Online Questionnaire through scanning the QR code on the notification letter or visiting the website (oq.census2026.gov.hk)); or
(2) Conducting a telephone interview (by calling the Census Hotline at 18 2026).
Sampled households are encouraged to complete the online Census questionnaire with ease by smartphones, desktop computers or mobile tablets. Census officers will also visit households with outstanding response and assist them in completing the questionnaire. When visiting households, census officers will wear a grey vest uniform, and carry an Enumerator Identity Card and a Census Officer Certificate of Identity issued by the C&SD for identification purposes.
The C&SD reminds the public to be aware of scamming activities. Households will not be required to provide information on their Hong Kong identity card, bank accounts or credit cards in the Census. If households have not provided the C&SD with their contact information, the C&SD will not initiate calls, send emails or SMS messages to them. The caller ID “18 2026” or SMS sender ID “#C&SD” will be displayed when the C&SD calls or sends SMS messages to households in Hong Kong. To report suspected deception cases or verify the identity of census officers, members of the public should call the Census Hotline 18 2026.
The Census Hotline will operate from 9 am to 10 pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) throughout the data collection period (from January to December 2026). Members of the public can call the Census Hotline at 18 2026 or visit the thematic webpage of the 2026 Population Census (www.census2026.gov.hk) for more information if they require assistance in completing the questionnaire.
The Census is conducted under Section 9 of the Census and Statistics Ordinance (Cap. 316). All persons specified are obliged to provide the required information. It is an offence if any persons contravene the legal requirement for completing the Census questionnaire.
Appointment of Deputy Leader of AI Efficacy Enhancement Team announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointment of Deputy Leader of AI Efficacy Enhancement Team announced
The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration and Leader of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, welcomes the appointment. He said, “As the Government accelerates the promotion of artificial intelligence applications, it is especially important to draw on the advice of the industry. Mr Duncan Chiu, as a Legislative Council Member for the Technology and Innovation Constituency since 2022, has insightful views on promoting technology adoption, AI application, and smart city development. He will bring new perspectives and front-line market experience to the Team, helping to spur government departments’ technological innovation through AI empowerment.”
In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the setting up of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to co-ordinate and steer government departments to effectively apply AI technology to their work, explore process re-engineering, and promote technological reform in departments to improve efficacy. The Team comprises:Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (Deputy Leader)
Mr Duncan Chiu (Deputy Leader)
Head of Chief Executive’s Policy Unit
Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)
Permanent Secretary for Housing
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Commissioner for Census and Statistics
Commissioner for Digital Policy (Secretary-General)
Commissioner for Labour
Commissioner for Transport
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene
Director of Home Affairs
Director of Leisure and Cultural Services
Issued at HKT 18:50
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FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
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