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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Steering Committee on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po convened its first meeting today (December 10). The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing. 
 
The Committee noted the management arrangements for the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, as well as the latest progress of the support measures provided to residents and other affected persons as previously agreed. The Committee also agreed to launch a new special grant under the Fund to provide $100,000 to each of the flat owners of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. 
 
Mr Cheuk said, “Since its establishment, the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has implemented various support measures to assist residents in addressing their urgent needs and rebuilding their lives, providing long-term and sustained support. The new flat owner grant will provide immediate assistance to owners of the affected flats, including those who rented out their properties.”
 
The Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po was established on November 27, 2025, pursuant to the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Incorporation Ordinance (Cap. 1044). Donations received so far amount to about $3.1 billion. With the start-up capital of $300 million from the Government, the fund’s total has now reached around $3.4 billion. The Fund’s accounts will be submitted to the Director of Audit for audit pursuant to the requirements stipulated in the Ordinance. The Fund’s report will also be tabled to the Legislative Council.
 
The Steering Committee on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, convened by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, is responsible for advising on matters such as the operation of the Fund, as well as supervising and monitoring the establishment and implementation of support measures under the Fund. The terms of reference of the Committee are:
 

1. To advise on the overall strategy, operation and procedures of the Support Fund;
2. To advise on the management and allocation of the Support Fund;
3. To oversee the usage of the Support Fund and the implementation progress of the support measures; and
4. To advise on other matters relating to the Support Fund.

 
The Committee comprises:
 
Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration (Convenor)
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Secretary for Education
Secretary for Housing
Secretary for Health
Director of Information Services
Director of Social Welfare
Director of Home Affairs

Donations made to the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po are regarded as approved charitable donations made to the Government for charitable purposes. Donors can claim and be allowed tax deductions of such donations during the relevant year of assessment. To facilitate members of the public, donations made to the Fund through bank transfer with an amount of $50,000 or below will be eligible for tax deductions without the requirement of official receipts. Donors are required to retain the relevant donation receipts for verification. The detailed arrangements will be announced on the Government’s thematic website on Support Services for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (www.taipofire.gov.hk/eng/fund.html) on Monday (December 15).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) conducted a large-scale emergency exercise, code-named “Concord XXIV”, at Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution today (December 10). The exercise simulated a series of incidents, which included mass indiscipline by persons in custody (PICs), a hostage-taking situation, a PIC escape attempt, assaults on CSD staff, a fire and the discovery of explosives.

     The exercise aimed to review the response capabilities of various CSD units when handling emergencies. These included command and communication capabilities at the scene, the effectiveness of implementing contingency plans at different tiers according to the developments of emergency situations and the effectiveness of emergency responses as well as information dissemination at departmental levels. The exercise also tested the CSD’s co-ordination with other government departments when responding to emergencies. This exercise also included the use of emergency evacuation procedures in the event of a fire at a correctional institution.

     A total of more than 150 staff members from different government departments, including the Correctional Emergency Response Team and the Regional Response Team, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Government Flying Service, took part in the exercise.

     The Acting Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Services (Operations), Mr Hung Ka-lok, was in charge of the whole exercise at the CSD’s Central Control Centre in Stanley. Mr Hung said that the exercise enhanced the response capabilities of the CSD and the effectiveness of its emergency support. It also ensured effective communication and co-operation between different government departments.

     The CSD holds regular emergency exercises of different scales, including those at institutional, regional and departmental levels, with a view to ensuring that staff members are capable of handling different types of incidents, thereby safeguarding national security, providing a safe and secure custodial environment for PICs and maintaining Hong Kong as one of the safest cities in the world.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, together with the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, met the media today (December 10) on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Following are Mr Cheuk’s remarks:

Reporter: Does the Government intend to redevelop the Tai Po site, and how will authorities settle the affected residents in the long run? And how much, in number terms, from the fund will be needed to do so? And as of today, how much is left in the $3.4 billion fund, and how can the fund’s transparency be assured? And how is the progress on forming the independent committee? The government mentioned it was looking for a judge a few days ago. So when will the committee start working and investigating? Can you tell us the timeline? Thank you.

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration: I try to respond to your questions, not particularly in the order you asked those questions. I think the forming of the independent committee is being very vigorously pursued. And I think at the appropriate juncture, the Government will make the announcement. 

     As regards how much is left in in our Support Fund (Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po) for helping the persons affected by the fire, I just mentioned that so far, our commitment is about $460 million. So we have about $2.8 billion left in the Support Fund. And what’s your first and second question?

Reporter: The intention of the Tai Po site. Will it be redeveloped as considered?

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration: I also did mention that the Chief Executive has asked the Deputy Financial Secretary to look into the long-term housing and accommodation needs of the victims of this fire. So I think there are obviously many possibilities, and there are different options, many factors to consider, and I think the ultimate use of the fire site will depend on what are the propositions that we come up with. So it has to await that side of the work to be complete.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) under the Department of Health (DH) will commence phased operations tomorrow (December 11). Equipped with advanced technology and equipment, the new premises will enhance the ability to develop Chinese medicines (CM) testing methods and standard development capabilities, supporting the comprehensive and high-quality development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. The Chinese Medicines Herbarium, which opens in the first phase, showcases approximately 3 500 CM specimens, including a number of precious specimens gifted to Hong Kong by the national authorities. Together with the outdoor medicinal plant garden, the Shennong Herbal Garden, these facilities will be available for group reservations for free guided tours starting tomorrow.

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, “Established in 2017, the GCMTI under the DH is dedicated to establishing internationally recognised reference standards for CM and their testing methods. Through technology transfer, the GCMTI shares its achievements to assist the industry in adopting advanced technologies to enhance CM product quality and strengthen quality control in production. The opening of the permanent premises will allow for more efficient use of resources. This will further promote the enhancement of CM quality in Hong Kong, strengthen local and international co-operation and exchange, and promote high-quality development of Chinese medicine to go global.”

The permanent premises of the GCMTI are located at 3 Pak Shing Kok Road in Tseung Kwan O, adjacent to The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong, representing two flagship institutions for the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. The new building features the following four key components:

1. State-of-the-art laboratories
Equipped with four specialties of advanced laboratories and over 3 300 pieces of laboratory equipment and information technology equipment, the laboratories will utilise cutting-edge technology to support the development of innovative, faster, more accurate, and highly versatile testing methods for CM.

2. International Collaboration and Training Centre
Featuring multidisciplinary training and technology transfer laboratories, the new premises are designed to strengthen exchange and collaboration with relevant Mainland and international organisations in the field of CM testing technologies. It also serves as a training base for DH to support its role as the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine.

3. Chinese Medicines Herbarium and Laboratories (CMHL)
The CMHL will exhibit about 3 500 specimens. Among them are over 300 representative and precious specimens from various regions, gifted by the National Medical Products Administration. These include giant wild Astragali Radix and Cistanches Herba. Through the systematic display of these specimens, visitors will be able to understand the complete lifecycle of CM, from source plants and Chinese medicinal materials to decoction pieces ready for clinical applications and proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm), thereby enhancing public knowledge of and interest in CM. The CMHL has a special design that allows visitors to observe the work inside the laboratories. Schools and groups interested in visiting may make reservations via email at gcmti@dh.gov.hk starting from tomorrow.

4. Shennong Herbal Garden
Covering approximately 700 square metres, this medicinal plant garden showcases around 180 species of medicinal plants, with a storyline on Lingnan region’s “Local Herbal Tea” and “Seasonal Soup”. It aims to promote Chinese medicine culture and knowledge while actively advocating healthy lifestyles. Currently, the Shennong Herbal Garden is only open for school and group reservations (same reservation method as above), with public access to be announced later.

One of the GCMTI’s key accomplishments is the implementation of the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards, covering reference standards for over 340 Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) to date. Supported by the GCMTI’s Advisory Committee, the GCMTI has also completed dozens of thematic projects that utilise cutting-edge technologies, including the development of versatile testing methods for chemical markers in pCm, micro-morphological identifications of CM, and the establishment of a three-dimensional (3D) image database for traceable medicinal materials through photogrammetry. The phased commissioning of the new building’s facilities marks a comprehensive upgrade of the DH in CM testing, standard setting and technology transfer.

Dr Lam added, “With the new premises, our multidisciplinary team of experts will continue to actively promote the inheritance and innovative development of Chinese medicine, deepening its integration into the national development strategy in Chinese medicine and fostering the comprehensive, high-quality development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. This new facility will not only serve as a hub for CM testing and standard setting but will also bear the important responsibility of disseminating Chinese medicine culture. Through the CM specimens, the Shennong Herbal Garden and professional guided tours, we will bridge the gap between the public and Chinese medicine.”

Specimens of the GCMTI and its global-first 3D CMM images can be viewed at the Digital Herbarium for Chinese Medicines (www.cmherbarium.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Tai Po District Office today (December 10) announced that the temporary shelter at Tai Po Community Centre has ceased operation as users in the shelter have all relocated to the emergency accommodations arranged by the Government for affected residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

The central supplies station and the government support centre located on the ground floor of Tai Po Community Centre will continue to provide services (from 8am to 10pm every day).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A property owner was convicted and fined $186,400 in total, of which $36,400 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (December 9) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 750 square metres on the roof of an industrial building on Hung To Road, Kwun Tong. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today (December 10), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety.”

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (December 10) that it is investigating the oil spill incident in the Tin Shui Wai Nullah. It is preliminarily suspected that the incident involved an illegal fuelling station. The EPD is conducting follow-up and enforcement actions in collaboration with the relevant departments.

     Upon receiving reports from members of the public and the Drainage Services Department (DSD) on December 8, the EPD immediately initiated investigations and follow-up actions. The EPD and the DSD quickly placed oil absorption materials at multiple locations along the nullah to contain the spread of oil, and conducted clean-up operations to mitigate environmental impact and safeguard the surrounding ecosystem. In-situ water quality monitoring was carried out, and the results confirmed that the water quality parameters remained within the normal range, with no fish deaths detected.

     Based on the EPD’s further investigation, the oil spill incident was suspected to be related to an illegal fuelling station on Tin Ha Road, Yuen Long. The department is currently collecting evidence with a view to instituting prosecutions against those responsible parties for the illegal discharge. The case relating to the illegal fuelling station has also been referred to relevant departments for follow-up action.

     An EPD spokesman said that the department will not tolerate any acts of environmental pollution and will take stringent enforcement actions against those who violate environmental legislation. The EPD will continue to closely monitor the water quality of the Tin Shui Wai Nullah and, in collaboration with the DSD, carry on with clean-up operations in the nullah.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 10) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index (MGI) for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in November was 0.9 per cent, lower than the 2.2 per cent recorded in October. This reflects the continued efforts by relevant government departments to intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations, resulting in the improvement of the overall mosquito infestation situation this month. In addition, the FEHD has strengthened the dissemination of information on the gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes so that more citizens can quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation. The department will continue its mosquito control work to further reduce the risk of transmission of chikungunya fever (CF) and dengue fever (DF).

     In November, all 64 survey areas recorded an area gravidtrap index (AGI) lower than the alert level of 20 per cent. The decreases in the MGI and the AGI are attributable to the continuous and intensified mosquito prevention and elimination operations by various government departments and stakeholders, and may also have been affected by factors such as weather. The monthly rainfall was 7.0 millimetres in November, showing a substantial decrease from the 31.2mm in October and 528.7mm in September. Overall, the MGI for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in November was 0.9 per cent, at Level 1 (indicating the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the survey areas was not extensive). Relevant departments and stakeholders will persistently intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region