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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Swire Properties White Christmas Street Fair 2025 today (December 11):

Tim (Chief Executive of the Swire Properties, Mr Tim Blackburn), Tammy (Editor-in-Chief of the South China Morning Post, Ms Tammy Tam), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 11) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in December, covering 21 survey areas, as follows:
 

District	Survey Area	December 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Eastern	Chai Wan West	0.0%	N/A
	North Point	0.0%	N/A
Southern	Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau	0.0%	N/A
	Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay	0.0%	N/A
Wan Chai	Tin Hau	0.0%	N/A
	Wan Chai North	0.0%	N/A
	Happy Valley	0.0%	N/A
Yau Tsim	Tsim Sha Tsui	0.0%	N/A
Mong Kok	Mong Kok	0.0%	N/A
Kowloon City	Ho Man Tin	0.0%	N/A
	Kai Tak North	2.7%	1.0
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O West	0.0%	N/A
Sha Tin	Tai Wai	0.0%	N/A
	Sha Tin East	0.0%	N/A
	Ma On Shan	1.6%	1.0
	Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan	0.0%	N/A
Tai Po	Tai Po East	0.0%	N/A
North	Sheung Shui	0.0%	N/A
Yuen Long	Tin Shui Wai	0.0%	N/A
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun South	0.0%	N/A
Tsuen Wan	Ma Wan	0.0%	N/A

　
Among the first batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 21 survey areas in December, all were below 10 per cent.

Among these 21 survey areas, 20 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. November 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Another area recorded a slight increase, but the index was lower than 10 per cent.

The eggs of Aedes albopictus can withstand long periods of desiccation and will hatch when the temperature becomes suitable and water is present. Members of the public should continue to take mosquito control measures during winter to eliminate mosquito eggs.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
• change the water in flower vases and clear the water in saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans; and
• scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

​Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in UnitedXR Europe 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, from December 8 to 10 (Brussels time).

     Sponsored by CCIDA, the Hong Kong Pavilion at UnitedXR Europe showcased Hong Kong’s innovative capabilities of 20 Hong Kong digital entertainment companies in extended reality (XR), virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across gaming, training and education, animation, art-tech, and immersive experiences. During the exhibition period, CCIDA also organised a series of exchange activities, business meetings and company visits to enable the exhibiting Hong Kong companies to explore business and collaboration opportunities with their international counterparts and to enhance their understanding of the European XR market and industry development trends.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion on December 9 (Brussels time), the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, remarked that CCIDA is dedicated to supporting local creative talent in applying leading XR technologies to Hong Kong’s creative industries, as well as engaging and collaborating with XR ecosystems worldwide. The Hong Kong Pavilion at UnitedXR Europe not only presents Hong Kong’s cutting-edge technologies and creative applications in digital entertainment but also demonstrates its commitment to advancing creative technologies and strengthening Hong Kong’s connections with Europe and the global community.  

     The Hong Kong Pavilion is also supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels. The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, also attended the opening ceremony.

     UnitedXR Europe this year combines the Augmented World Expo EU and Stereopsia for the first time to launch Europe’s leading XR event. For more information about UnitedXR Europe 2025 and the Hong Kong Pavilion, please visit unitedxr.eu/ and www.hkpavilion.com/ respectively.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The total gross value of construction works (GVCW) performed by main contractors in the third quarter of 2025 decreased by 1.5% in nominal terms over a year earlier to $73.4 billion, according to the provisional results of the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output released today (December 11) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).
 
After discounting the effect of price changes, the provisional results showed that the total GVCW performed by main contractors decreased by 5.5% in real terms over the same period. GVCW in real terms is derived by deflating the corresponding nominal value with an appropriate price index to the price level in the base period of 2000.
 
Analysed by type of construction works, the GVCW performed at private sector sites totalled $16.9 billion in the third quarter of 2025, down by 18.1% in nominal terms over a year earlier. In real terms, it decreased by 20.8%. The GVCW performed at public sector sites increased by 7.7% in nominal terms over a year earlier to $34.1 billion in the third quarter of 2025. In real terms, it increased by 2.0%.
 
The GVCW performed by main contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $22.4 billion in the third quarter of 2025, slightly up by 0.7% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. In real terms, however, it slightly decreased by 0.4%. Construction works at locations other than construction sites included minor new construction activities and decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings; and electrical equipment installation and maintenance works at locations other than construction sites.
 
Analysed by major end-use group, the GVCW performed at construction sites in respect of residential buildings projects amounted to $21.3 billion in the third quarter of 2025, slightly up by 0.9% in nominal terms over a year earlier. Over the same period, the GVCW performed at construction sites in respect of transport projects down by 32.3% in nominal terms to $7.6 billion in the third quarter of 2025.
 
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, the GVCW performed by main contractors increased by 1.8% in nominal terms and 0.1% in real terms in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the second quarter of 2025.
 
Table 1 shows the provisional figures on the GVCW performed by main contractors in the third quarter of 2025. Table 2 shows the revised figures for the second quarter of 2025.
 
Owing to the widespread sub-contracting practices in the construction industry, a construction company can be a main contractor for one contract and a sub-contractor for another contract at the same time. The GVCW performed by main contractors covers only those projects in which the construction company takes the role of a main contractor, but not projects in which it takes only the role of a sub-contractor. However, sub-contractors’ contribution to projects should have been included in the GVCW performed by main contractors for whom they worked.
 
The classification in the construction sector follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
 
More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1090002&scode=330).

For enquiries about the survey results, please contact the Construction and Miscellaneous Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 6965; email: building@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA), upon invitation from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), is collaborating with the HKADC for the first time to participate in the Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, Italy, from May to November 2026. The HKMoA and the HKADC will jointly present selected works of Hong Kong artists Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui at the exhibition to showcase Hong Kong’s artistic diversity on the international stage.
 
     Curated by the HKMoA, the exhibition explores the poetic rhythms of everyday life, engaging in a dialogue with the curatorial theme “In Minor Keys” of the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Drawing on familiar yet fleeting moments from daily life in Hong Kong, the exhibition guides visitors on a journey of self-discovery within the flow of life.
 
     Born and raised in Hong Kong, the two participating artists excel in drawing inspiration from Hong Kong’s cultural context and quotidian experiences, reinterpreting daily-life rhythms and aesthetics through varied mediums such as light, sound and installation. Ng, an established media artist, is known for his poetic, site-specific installations that extend the viewer’s perceptions of life. His works have been presented extensively in notable exhibitions locally and internationally. Hui, a promising emerging artist, is skilled at integrating traditional Chinese cultural elements with contemporary artistic language, recreating everyday objects to evoke cross-cultural artistic possibilities. Together, the two Hong Kong artists, as keen observers of the nuances of urban daily life, are transforming their reflections into creative inspirations for connecting Hong Kong and Venice – two international metropolises from various perspectives, thereby demonstrating the vitality and accomplishment of Hong Kong art to the international audience.
 
     Established in 1895, the International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia is the world’s oldest international exhibition of contemporary visual arts. In each edition, some 100 countries and regions join the national pavilions and collateral events. Since 2001, the HKADC has been participating in the International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia through a collateral event, aiming to promote Hong Kong’s art development as well as cultural exchanges at international art platforms.
 
     To foster broader participation from fellow art practitioners and create opportunities for Hong Kong artists to advance their careers on the international stage, the selection of artists to participate in the exhibition was guided by a nomination and assessment process. The HKMoA had invited nominations from local tertiary institutions as well as professional art organisations. Artists or artist collectives directly commissioned by the museums and offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in recent years were also included. The nomination list covered over 200 artists. A professional selection panel then shortlisted artists for the HKMoA’s final consideration. The HKMoA has selected Ng and Hui from the shortlist.
 
     The curatorial team of the HKMoA is deeply honoured to be curating the Hong Kong Exhibition at the International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Established in 1962, the HKMoA is the city’s first public art museum. For over six decades, it has been committed to collecting and promoting Hong Kong art, as well as fostering strong collaborative relationships within the sector. It has built up a wide network and extensive experience, nurturing the growth of local artists and actively fulfilling its role as “the art museum of Hong Kong”. The HKMoA expressed hope that, by joining hands with the two artists, representative Hong Kong art will be impressively brought onto the global stage.

     The members of the selection panel are: Guest Professor of School of Intermedia Art of the China Academy of Art Professor Johnson Chang; Museum Expert Adviser of the LCSD Dr William Lim; Senior Advisor of the Mori Art Museum, Japan, Mr Fumio Nanjo; the Chairman of the Museum Advisory Committee of the LCSD, Professor Douglas So; Professor Wang Huangsheng from the Central Academy of Fine Arts; the Museum Director of the HKMoA, Dr Maria Mok; and the Curator (Modern and Hong Kong Art) of the HKMoA, Ms Prudence Ma.

     The Hong Kong Exhibition at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia is presented by the LCSD and the HKADC and organised by the HKMoA and the HKADC. It will be held in Venice, Italy (Campo della Tana, Castello 2126, 30122), from May 9 to November 22, 2026.

     For details of the two participating artists, please refer to the Annex.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs detected two suspected smuggling cases involving two river trade vessels on November 19 and 20 respectively. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $75 million was seized.
 
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, two river trade vessels departing from Hong Kong for Macao were selected for inspection on the abovementioned dates. Upon examination, Customs officers aboard the vessels found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, suspected scheduled endangered mobula plate gills and plants, dried seafood, cigars, and electronic products.
 
Investigations are ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
 
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant crimes.
 
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
 
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region