Source: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu met with PS for Roads and Regional Transportation Anna Watson MP
49th round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles to be open March 24 to 27
Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 10:00
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CE to attend Boao Forum annual conference in Hainan
Source: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu met with PS for Roads and Regional Transportation Anna Watson MP
​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will depart for Hainan tomorrow (March 25) to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future”. Mr Lee will attend the opening plenary of the annual conference and deliver a speech at the Global Free Trade Port Development Forum. Additionally, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, will attend and speak at the “Enhancing Digital Capacity Building & Bridging Digital Divide” Forum.
During his visit to Hainan, Mr Lee will also witness the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the People’s Government of Hainan Province. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, and the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo, will join relevant parts of the visit.
Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on March 27. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive.
CHP responds to media enquiries on cluster of students participating in exchange tour developed gastroenteritis symptoms
Source: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu met with PS for Roads and Regional Transportation Anna Watson MP
In response to media enquiries about a number of students of a secondary school in Tsing Yi developed gastroenteritis symptoms after joining an exchange tour to the Mainland, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health responded today (March 23) as follows:
“According to the information provided by the Education Bureau, the CHP yesterday (March 22) learnt of a suspected cluster case of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in an exchange tour, and immediately commenced an epidemiological investigation. It was learnt that 135 teachers and students from a secondary school in Tsing Yi went on a three-day exchange tour to Zhaoqing on March 20. Subsequently, 20 students and one teacher developed symptoms compatible with norovirus infection, including vomiting, diarrhea, and fever during the period from around 11am on March 21 to 8am the next day. Among them, 18 patients sought medical attention in Zhaoqing. All are in stable condition and have been discharged, and eight have tested positive for norovirus.
The CHP is investigating the possible source of this norovirus outbreak from different aspects, including the possibility of transmission through person-to-person, or contaminated food or environment. Preliminary investigations result revealed that all 21 affected persons had not consumed any common food items other than the group meals and there has not been any outbreak of AGE in the school recently. After analysis of the onset time of the cases, at this stage, the CHP could not preliminarily rule out that the cases were infected by consuming contaminated food. The CHP has notified the Guangdong health authority of the relevant information of epidemiological investigations, and has been informed that the Mainland has commenced investigation into the case.
The CHP has provided health advice to the affected school on the transmission, prevention and infection control measures related to AGE. The CHP will continue to follow up on the incident and conduct epidemiological investigations, including collecting stool specimens from the cases for laboratory testing. The CHP has also alerted the Education Bureau to the situation.
Apart from the Mainland, there have been recent outbreaks of AGE in other popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens. In Japan, the number of patients seeking medical attention for infective gastroenteritis has been at high level in recent weeks, and large-scale food poisoning outbreaks caused by norovirus have been reported in various places in recent months. In Singapore, the number of medical consultations related to acute diarrhoeal illnesses was higher than the same period last year. In Taiwan, the number of diarrhea outbreaks has remained highest in five years. Test results showed that the majority of the outbreaks were caused by norovirus. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of being infected while travelling.
Locally, the activity of AGE has been on the rise since the end of December last year and has remained at a relatively high level in recent months. In January and February this year, there were 57 and 49 outbreaks of AGE cases respectively, and in March up to March 15, a total of 21 outbreaks of AGE cases were recorded. Most of these outbreaks were caused by norovirus.
Viral gastroenteritis is more commonly seen in cooler months and can be caused by a variety of viruses, most commonly norovirus and rotavirus. The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are diarrhoea and vomiting. Other symptoms include headache, fever, and abdominal cramps. In general, the symptoms begin one to two days following infection with a virus that causes gastroenteritis. Depending on the type of viruses causing the illness, the symptoms may last for one to 10 days.
Alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses frequently causing AGE, for example, norovirus. To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are advised to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene. When eating out, the following points should be observed:
- Ensure proper personal hygiene;
- Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
- Wear gloves and surgical mask when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
- Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
- Maintain good indoor ventilation;
- Pay attention to food hygiene;
- Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
- Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
- Drink boiled water; and
- Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.
The public may visit the CHP’s website for more information and preventive advice on viral gastroenteritis.”
Former registered minor works contractor, its authorised signatory, contractor, its sub-contractor and worker fined over $130,000 in total for contravention of Buildings Ordinance
Source: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu met with PS for Roads and Regional Transportation Anna Watson MP
A former registered minor works contractor (RMWC), its authorised signatory (AS), a contractor, its subcontractor and a worker were fined $137,000 in total at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on March 5, for contravention of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO).
The case involved a fatal incident at a composite building at Cheung Wong Road, Mong Kok, when carrying out the removal works of an unauthorised flat roof structure in February 2023. The removal works, being a minor works item, were required to be carried out by a prescribed registered contractor (PRC) in accordance with the simplified requirements of the Minor Works Control System (MWCS). During the removal works, a flat steel bar fell onto the street and struck a pedestrian, who was subsequently certified dead.
SED to attend International Summit on the Teaching Profession and Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition
Source: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu met with PS for Roads and Regional Transportation Anna Watson MP
SED to attend International Summit on the Teaching Profession and Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition
On March 25 (Reykjavík time), Dr Choi will lead a delegation of Hong Kong principals and education experts to attend the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland, to discuss the latest trends in global education development with education ministers from around the world. She will also visit local schools and meet education experts there.
On March 27 (Delhi time), she will depart for Delhi, India, and lead a delegation of representatives of the University Grants Committee (UGC) and UGC-funded universities to attend the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2025 Conference and Exhibition, during which she will deliver a speech on “Study in Hong Kong”. The Secretary-General of the UGC, Professor James Tang, will join part of the visit.
Dr Choi will conclude her visit on March 28 (Delhi time) and return to Hong Kong. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Small-scale Test Survey of 2026 Population Census
Source: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu met with PS for Roads and Regional Transportation Anna Watson MP
Small-scale Test Survey of 2026 Population Census
Hong Kong will conduct population census in 2026. The purpose is to obtain up-to-date benchmark information on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population of Hong Kong and on its geographical distribution. Such information is important to the Government for planning and policy formulation, and the private sector and academia for business and research purposes respectively.
A sample of some 9 000 quarters located in the Eastern District, Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan has been selected by the C&SD for the Small-scale Test Survey. Households in the selected quarters will be required to provide information on demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The C&SD will also invite households to provide opinions on the questionnaire design and the census operation.
Households selected for this Survey will receive a notification letter issued by the C&SD. They can follow the information provided in the notification letters to complete the questionnaires through the “Online Questionnaire System”, or call the Census Hotline 18 2026 to conduct telephone interviews. Census officers of this Department will also visit households not yet responded to conduct face-to-face interviews.
The C&SD reminded households that if they have not provided the C&SD with their contact information, the C&SD will not initiate call, send email or SMS to them. Each census officer will wear a vest uniform and carry a Government Identity Card / Enumerator Identity Card and a Certificate of Identity issued by the C&SD for verification. Households can call 18 2026 to check the identity of census officer.
This Survey is conducted under Part IIIA of the Census and Statistics Ordinance (Chapter 316). Information collected regarding individual persons and households will be kept in strict confidence.
For enquiries about the Survey, please call 18 2026.
Issued at HKT 10:00
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Leading Mainland supply chain and logistics service provider JD Logistics leverages Hong Kong’s status as multinational supply chain management centre to expand Hong Kong operation (with photos)
Source: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu met with PS for Roads and Regional Transportation Anna Watson MP
Leading Mainland supply chain and logistics service provider JD Logistics leverages Hong Kong’s status as multinational supply chain management centre to expand Hong Kong operation
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Charles Ng said, “The expansion of JD Logistics in Hong Kong reinforces the city’s status as an international supply chain management centre. We look forward to closer collaboration with them to enhance supply chain efficiency and inject new momentum into Hong Kong’s economic growth and innovation development.”
Since its service upgrade in Hong Kong, JD Logistics has opened four operations centres in Kwun Tong, Kwai Tsing, Sha Tin, and Yuen Long. To increase coverage on Hong Kong Island, a fifth operations centre has been established in Chai Wan, with an area of over 10 000 sq ft. Equipped with automated sorting equipment, the efficiency of the operations centre is expected to double.
The Director of Public Affairs at JD Logistics, Mr Lin Ruibin, said, “The opening of our new operations centre in Hong Kong is not only a commitment to the local market but also an essential step in enhancing supply chain efficiency. The centre is equipped with advanced logistics technologies and automation equipment to ensure rapid delivery and precise management of goods.”
He continued, “Last year, daily package deliveries increased 24-fold in Hong Kong and 14-fold in Macao, while the volume of cross-border packages between Mainland China and Hong Kong grew by 16 times, resulting in double-digit growth overall in our express delivery volume. This reflects the enormous business opportunities in the local market. With the rapid development of e-commerce, JD Logistics will further enhance its operational capacity in Hong Kong to provide customers both locally and across Asia with more convenient logistics solutions.”
He added, “JD Logistics has been strategically positioned in Hong Kong for years, recognising Hong Kong’s strong purchasing power and its importance as a key node in the Greater Bay Area. Since starting operations in Hong Kong a year ago, we have hired over 450 local employees and will continue to recruit more to meet business needs in the future.”
For more information about JD Logistics, please visit www.jdl.com/en
To get a copy of the photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720324566538Issued at HKT 10:00
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Emergency repair works on sewer at Seaview Promenade, Deep Water Bay
Source:
A spokesman for the Drainage Services Department (DSD) said today (March 24) that the DSD received a report on sewer leakage at Seaview Promenade, Deep Water Bay, in the evening yesterday (March 23). An investigation was immediately conducted and it was confirmed that the concerned sewer is a 450 millimetres diameter pressurised sewage main. The DSD is carrying out emergency repair works. The quality of the nearby waters will potentially be affected. Members of the public are advised not to swim at Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay Beach or the nearby waters to protect public health.
The DSD commenced the construction and rehabilitation of sewage rising mains in Southern District in January this year, to construct about 8.8 kilometres of sewage rising mains connecting the sewage pumping station at Island Road, Southern District, to the sewerage system at Ap Lei Chau Bridge Road, including the construction of about 1.5km subsea twin pressurised sewer to replace the above concerned pressurised sewage main, to enhance the overall stability of the sewage system.
More than 400 volunteers take part in Green Recycling Day activities in support of Hong Kong Flower Show (with photos)
Source:
More than 400 volunteers take part in Green Recycling Day activities in support of Hong Kong Flower Show
More than 400 volunteers, in support of the Hong Kong Flower Show, assisted in separating and collecting reusable and recyclable materials at the showground for waste reduction today. These volunteers came from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, corporates, local organisations and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau’s youth network Youth Link. There were also LCSD staff volunteers, as well as those recruited under the department’s Green Volunteer Scheme.
In addition, around 3 500 pots of flowers in good condition and suitable for replanting were distributed to the public at the park’s Sugar Street entrance today.
Some flowers suitable for replanting were also distributed to schools, environmental groups and non-governmental organisations via the “Give the Flowers a New Home!” Jockey Club Flower Replanting Scheme to encourage greening in the community. This year, over 10 000 potted plants were distributed to more than 80 organisations.
Meanwhile, some landscape displays will be relocated to designated parks in the 18 districts, enabling members of the public to appreciate the gorgeous landscape designs, as well as boosting the colour of the parks.
As in previous years, the LCSD has implemented various green measures at different stages of the flower show, encouraging all stakeholders including exhibitors, contractors, volunteers and members of the public to apply the 3R principles, namely “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”.
During the preparation phase, stakeholders were provided with guidelines on waste reduction. Exhibitors were encouraged to use recyclable or reusable materials in their display designs. While cleaning up the exhibits, they were reminded to collect reusable materials and separate the leftover materials properly before delivering them to recycling spots set up at the showground.
During the show period, visitors were encouraged to bring their own water bottles and reusable shopping bags. QR codes were displayed at the showground for visitors to download the location map and information on the theme flower, landscape displays and more. A free tableware rental service was also provided to reduce the use of disposable plastic tableware, as part of the effort to reduce waste. Recyclables collection points were also set up to facilitate the collection of carton boxes, plastic flower pots and other plastics, soil, metals, wooden planks and more. Collection points for wilted flowers were also available for collecting so that they can be delivered to the Animal Waste Composting Plant in Ngau Tam Mei to be recycled into useful organic compost.
The LCSD hopes to gather community power through implementing various green measures to achieve the goal of a “Green Flower Show for All”.
Issued at HKT 17:00
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Survey results of 2024 Annual Earnings and Hours Survey released
Source:
Survey results of 2024 Annual Earnings and Hours Survey released
According to the statistics released today (March 24) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the median monthly wage of employees in Hong Kong in May – June 2024 was $20,500. This was 3.6% higher than the median of $19,800 in May – June 2023.
The change in monthly wage in 2024 when compared with 2023 is useful in reflecting the change in take-home pay of employees between these two years.
In May – June 2024, the 10th, 25th, 75th and 90th percentile monthly wages of Hong Kong employees were $10,700, $14,800, $32,000 and $50,000 respectively. They were 3.1%, 3.6%, 2.8% and 3.1% higher than the corresponding figures in May – June 2023 respectively (Table 1).
As shown in Table 2, increase in median monthly wage was observed for both male and female employees and for all age groups, educational attainments, occupational groups and industry sections.
Hourly wage
The median hourly wage of employees in Hong Kong in May – June 2024 was $82.9, 3.5% higher than the median of $80.1 in May – June 2023. The 5th, 10th, 25th, 75th and 90th percentile hourly wages were $46.1, $49.3, $59.2, $131.5 and $209.3 respectively. The overall hourly wage distribution of employees is shown in Table 3. The number of employees analysed by selected hourly wage level is shown in Table 4.
In May – June 2024, the median hourly wage of male employees was $93.3 while that of female employees was $73.2. Analysed by age group, the median hourly wage of employees at age 35 – 44 was the highest ($97.2), followed by employees at age 25 – 34 ($86.7) and at age 45 – 54 ($83.9). The median hourly wages of employees of different sexes, age groups, educational attainments, occupational groups and industry sections are given in Table 5.
Further information
The above wage statistics were compiled based on the data obtained from the 2024 Annual Earnings and Hours Survey (AEHS). The purpose of the survey is to provide comprehensive data on the level and distribution of wages, employment details and demographic profile of employees in Hong Kong. These statistics are useful for studies on labour-related topics by the private sector and the Government. They also provide important inputs for analyses related to the Statutory Minimum Wage. A sample of about 10 000 business undertakings was selected for the survey.
Wage(s) is defined to include basic wage, commission and tips not of gratuitous nature, guaranteed bonuses and allowances, and overtime allowance paid to an employee in the survey period. It does not cover bonuses and allowances of gratuitous nature, end of year payment and payments in kind. Number of working hours is the sum of contractual/agreed working hours (including meal breaks if they are regarded as working hours according to the employment contract or agreement with the employer) and overtime hours worked at the direction of employers.
By arranging the hourly wages of all employees from the smallest to the largest value, the median hourly wage is the hourly wage of the employee who ranks in the middle of all the employees concerned. In other words, the median hourly wage is the hourly wage value that delineates the lowest 50% of all the employees concerned.
Percentile hourly wage figures are useful in discerning the distribution of hourly wage of employees. The pth percentile hourly wage is the hourly wage value which delineates the lowest p% of all the employees concerned, where p can be any integer value from 1 to 99. For instance, the 10th percentile hourly wage is the hourly wage value that delineates the lowest 10% of the employees. The 25th percentile, 50th percentile and 75th percentile hourly wages are also known as the lower quartile, median and upper quartile hourly wages respectively.
The median and percentile monthly wage figures are derived similarly as the median and percentile hourly wage figures.
Regarding the survey coverage, the AEHS covers all business undertakings irrespective of their employment sizes and industries, except those engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing activities. All employees of business undertakings falling within the scope of the survey who are under the coverage of the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO) are included in the survey. Government employees as well as student interns, work experience students and live-in domestic workers as exempted by the MWO are excluded. As it is necessary to derive the hourly wage of employees from their monthly wages and hours of work, those employees with zero working hours in the survey reference period are also excluded.
Details of the wage statistics compiled from the 2024 AEHS and the survey methodology are given in the 2024 Report on Annual Earnings and Hours Survey. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050014&scode=210
Enquiries concerning the survey results of the AEHS can be directed to the Wages and Labour Costs Statistics Section (2) of the C&SD at 3105 2369.
Issued at HKT 16:30
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