MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today chaired the first consultation meeting with patient groups to hear their views on improving the complaint handling mechanism of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK).

The Government launched the consultation as it will introduce a bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of this year to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance.

Prof Lo said the public has high expectations of the MCHK in discharging its primary responsibility for safeguarding doctors’ professional standards and ethical conduct, noting that the patient groups are important stakeholders.

“They offered highly constructive suggestions at today’s meeting. I look forward to continuing in-depth discussions with other stakeholders to explore proposals to improve the complaint handling mechanism of the council,” he said.

At the request of the Secretary for Health, the MCHK earlier submitted a report on improving its complaint handling mechanism to the Health Bureau.

The bureau is reviewing the report and the supplementary information provided by the MCHK, and will consider the report’s recommendations and the council’s operational needs in proposing amendments to the ordinance.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

More than 200 companies, organisations and schools were awarded for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection in 2024 during a ceremony held today at the Data Technology Hub in Tseung Kwan O InnoPark.

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan officiated at the 2024 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) Presentation Ceremony, in which 54 organisations won gold, silver or bronze awards, and 183 received certificates of merit.

A record high number of 3,999 entries competed for the 2024 HKAEE, the Environment & Ecology Bureau said.

In a video speech at the ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee commended the winning organisations for integrating environmental concepts into their daily operations, and injecting green momentum into Hong Kong’s high-quality development.

Mr Lee said the Government will continue to work to enhance environmental management and support green transformations, including promoting the development of the new energy industry, building a demonstration base for green technology, and continuously optimising community recycling services and facilities.

He added that the Government will keep working alongside various sectors to promote low-carbon development and jointly create more green opportunities for Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards were also announced on the same occasion to encourage local organisations to address environmental challenges using innovative green solutions to achieve environmental benefits.

In addition, to commend company managers and employees for their dedication to enhancing the environmental performance of their firms and the community, one Most Outstanding Green Achiever, four Outstanding Green Achievers and five Green Achievers were selected.

Meanwhile, 24 organisations were honoured as Outstanding Promotional Partners, and 22 were recognised as Excellent HKAEE Promotional Partners.

The HKAEE is jointly organised by the Environmental Campaign Committee, and co-organised by the Environment & Ecology Bureau along with other organisations and chambers of commerce.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau today invited tenders for the operation and management contract of Light Public Housing (LPH) at Tsing Fat Street, Tuen Mun. The deadline is noon on March 6.

The LPH project will provide about 4,200 units, with intake tentatively scheduled in the third quarter of this year.

Same as the previous contracts of other LPH projects, the operation and management services mainly cover occupant management, property management and daily maintenance, as well as the provision of social services, and management and operation of ancillary facilities.

To encourage participation of different stakeholders in the community, the bureau said it welcomes tenders from all capable and experienced service providers, including non-government organisations and those with a valid property management company licence, or a collaboration between them.

The bureau added that it has awarded six LPH operation and management contracts so far. It is now evaluating the tenders for the seventh to the 10th operation and management contracts, which cover the LPH projects at Olympic Avenue, Kai Tak (Phase 2), and Yan Po Road, Tuen Mun.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department today announced that enhancements for Hong Kong residents using automated passenger clearance services in the Macao Special Administrative Region will take effect on January 19.

The enhancements will be launched in collaboration with the Public Security Police Force, the Identification Services Bureau and the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau of Macao.

The new measures include adjusting the eligible age for mutual use of automated immigration clearance services and relaxing the requirements for the use of self-service enrolment kiosks for enrolment of such services.

At present, Hong Kong residents aged 11 or above holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card are eligible for using the automated passenger clearance services in the Macao Special Administrative Region after enrolment.

Under the new measure, Hong Kong residents aged seven to 10 holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card will also be eligible for using the automated passenger clearance services in the Macao SAR after enrolment.

Similarly, Macau residents aged seven to 10 holding a valid Macau permanent identity card may use e-Channels to complete the automated immigration clearance after enrolment.

Moreover, Hong Kong non-permanent residents aged 18 or above, holding a valid Hong Kong identity card and a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Document of Identity for Visa Purposes with a validity of more than 90 days may perform the self-service enrolment for using the automated passenger clearance services in the Macao SAR at designated locations in Macau.

Under the new measure, these people may also do so at the enrolment kiosks installed at designated control points or at various Registration of Persons Offices in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Macau residents aged 18 or above holding a valid Macau non-permanent identity card and a valid visit permit for residents of Macau to the Hong Kong SAR may also perform the self-service enrolment for using e-Channel services at designated locations in the Macao SAR.

For enquiries, call 2824 6111, fax 2877 7711 or send an email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport & Logistics Bureau announced today the implementation of multiple measures to promote smart, green, sustainable and modern logistics development.

They include the formal rollout of the Port Community System (PCS) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Data Collection Tools, as well as the release of the findings of the planning study on the development of a modern logistics cluster in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA).

In terms of smart logistics, the PCS, a critical digital infrastructure developed by the Government with over $200 million in funding, was formally rolled out today.

It provides one-stop, round-the-clock, real-time cargo tracking and links up sea, land, and air transport networks, thereby holistically enhancing the transparency, efficiency and interconnectivity of the logistics chain.

Apart from its core function of real-time cargo tracking, the system will also offer value-added electronic services such as the “One-Data-Multiple-Declarations” function. By facilitating cargo import and export declarations by the industry, the system will provide one-stop services for local logistics and trading companies, thereby supporting the upgrading of the industry.

At today’s PCS rollout ceremony, the bureau also signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with the Logistics & Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre and a local logistics startup company, FUNDel, to accelerate the connection between the PCS and data platforms of the logistics industry, as well as study the utilisation of the trusted cargo flow data on the PCS to help financial institutions assess trade finance applications filed by relevant logistics small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thereby supporting the sustainable development of the logistics industry.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said the Government will follow the guidance of the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world to maintain Hong Kong’s position as the region’s leading international logistics hub, thereby better integrating into and serving the overall national development.

ESG is a new international development trend for the logistics trade. Further to the Government’s announcement of the Roadmap for ESG Development for Logistics Industry last June which outlined a clear way forward for adopting ESG by logistics SMEs, the bureau today further released a set of ESG Data Collection Tools (the Toolkit) tailored for logistics SMEs, with a view to assisting them in taking the first step towards putting ESG into practice.

The Toolkit includes a user-friendly data collection template, a data dictionary and a user manual. It aims to equip SMEs with the ability to collect and record ESG data early and use the collected data to prepare ESG data reports that fulfil international ESG disclosure requirements.

In the long run, logistics SMEs may even utilise the data for reviewing and improving their ESG performance, thereby helping to build up the Hong Kong logistics industry’s sustainability credentials and enhance its competitiveness.

Interested companies may register online to obtain the toolkit for free.

As for the findings of the planning study on the development of  a modern logistics cluster in the HSK/HT NDA, the study suggests that the logistics cluster should adopt three major development directions – enterprise-oriented, have a market-enabling environment and an innovative approach to drive industry development.

It also suggests measures such as providing tailor-made entry terms for anchor enterprises and increasing the flexibility of development modes, with a view to ensuring the development of the logistics cluster meets the trends and demands of the market.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau and the Development Bureau today accepted the findings of an investigation report submitted by the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) regarding the construction malpractices at three Light Public Housing (LPH) sites in Siu Lam, Tuen Mun and Chai Wan, and imposed penalties on the contractor, structural engineer and project management consultant involved.
 
The ArchSD submitted the independent investigation report to the two bureaus in November 2025, covering the LPH sites at Lok On Pai, Yan Po Road and Sheung On Street in the three respective districts. Upon a thorough review, both bureaus accepted the report findings and imposed the punitive measures accordingly.
      
The Development Bureau served notices of the penalties to the companies involved in accordance with the regulatory mechanisms.
 
Able Engineering Company Ltd (Able), the contractor responsible for the construction and associated quality assurance, is suspended for one year from eligibility to tender under all relevant categories of the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works & the List of Approved Suppliers of Materials & Specialist Contractors for Public Works.
 
Chun Wo Construction & Engineering Company Ltd, which formed a joint venture with Able, is not subject to the punitive measures as its major involvement is to provide strategic advice on construction planning and has not been involved in site works or supervision.
 
C M Wong & Associates Ltd, the structural engineer employed by the contractor to provide and manage the resident structural engineer concerned, is suspended for one year from eligibility to tender under all relevant categories of the List of Consultants of the Architectural & Associated Consultants Selection Board (AACSB).
 
Wong Tung & Partners Ltd, the project management consultant employed by the ArchSD to manage the resident site supervisors, is suspended for six months from eligibility to tender under all relevant categories of the List of Consultants of AACSB. The suspension is set with due consideration that not all of the project sites under its management were discovered to have supervision deficiencies.
 
Meanwhile, the Housing Bureau has tasked the ArchSD to continue strict supervision of the contractor conducting the remedial works and the remaining construction works, and closely monitor construction quality and progress.
 
With the original completion dates are to be adhered to, efforts shall be made to ensure all projects comply with the safety requirements. As directed by the department, the contractor has promptly implemented remedial measures from early November last year, including shifting and reinstalling the modules involved, and will bear all costs related to the remedial measures.
 
Should the remedial measures result in any delay in the contract completion dates, the contractor will be liable for liquidated damages.
 
In addition to requiring the contractor to replace all site supervision personnel, including site agents, works supervisors and resident structural engineers, the ArchSD has demanded that the project management consultant replace all of its resident site supervisors.
 
At the same time, the department has strengthened supervision by deploying full-time government site supervisors to monitor the works and arranged for its structural engineers to conduct additional on-site checks and audits to ensure strict quality control.
 
As Able is suspected of serious negligence or misconduct in the construction works based on preliminary evidence, the department will inform the Building Authority to refer the case to the Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board under the Buildings Ordinance.

Source: Government of Singapore

16 January 2026 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions are expected to continue into the second fortnight of January 2026, with the low-level winds over Singapore and the surrounding region blowing mostly from the northeast or northwest.

2.           Moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over most parts of the island in the afternoon and evening on the first few days of the second fortnight of January 2026. Thereafter, conditions should turn relatively drier, though brief localised thundery showers may still occur on several afternoons. A few days may be dry and occasionally windy. Overall, rainfall for the second fortnight of January 2026 is forecast to be below average across most parts of the island.

3.           For the rest of January 2026, the daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 32 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius on most days and may reach around 34 degrees Celsius on a few days.

4.          For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 15 January 2026)

5.            Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of January 2026. During this period, the low-level winds blew from the northwest or northeast.

6.           The Northeast Monsoon brought relatively dry and windy conditions to Singapore and the surrounding region on most days in the first two weeks of 2026. Short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the afternoon on some days. On 7 January 2026, heavy thundery showers affected the southern, western and central parts of Singapore in the afternoon and evening. The daily total rainfall of 81.6mm recorded at Jurong Island that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the first half of January 2026.

7.           The first half of January 2026 was relatively cool with daily maximum temperatures below 33 degrees Celsius on all days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 32.7 degrees Celsius was recorded at Tuas South, Choa Chu Kang, and Jurong Island on 1, 5, and 13 January 2026 respectively.

8.           Most parts of the island recorded well below-average rainfall in the first half of January 2026. The area around Ang Mo Kio registered rainfall of 93 per cent below-average, and the area around Jurong Pier registered rainfall of 78 per cent above-average.

 

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for January   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	30.6	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	24.3	°C
Average monthly temperature:	26.8	°C
Average rainfall:	221.6	mm
Average number of rain days:	13
Historical Extremes for January   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	31.8	°C (2016, 2018)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	21.6	°C (1933)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	818.6	mm (2006)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	15.4	mm (1932)

—————||————–

 

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

16 Jan 2026

~~ End ~~

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display is poised to transform Victoria Harbour into a theatre of light on February 18 at 8pm to welcome the Year of the Horse.

Themed “Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong”, the extravaganza will be presented in eight scenes. The 23-minute fireworks performance will showcase 31,888 pyrotechnic shells.

The spectacular show will kick off with a dazzling 15-second burst of high-density fireworks simulating the energy of galloping horses, and bid a rousing farewell to the previous year.

Next, fireworks in the shape of the number 8 and golden ingots will illuminate the night sky over Victoria Harbour, conveying wishes of prosperity and abundance in the Year of the Horse.

Star-like fireworks will dance across the sky in the fourth scene, resembling peaceful horses galloping on the horizon, symbolising love and hope for the world. This scene will also display fireworks of a Chinese character meaning good fortune.

The show’s finale will showcase many crown-shaped and “dragon egg” fireworks, as well as a rapid-fire cascade of high-density bursts, extending heartfelt wishes for national prosperity.

Residents can enjoy the show from both sides of Victoria Harbour, including Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of January 15, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Member of the Japanese House of Representatives and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu. In remarks, President Lai thanked Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae for continuing to express support for the friendship between Taiwan and Japan at international venues and for underlining the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait. The president noted that we signed a Taiwan-Japan Digital Trade Agreement and a memorandum of understanding on regional customs cooperation in December last year, and expressed hope of further deepening our friendship based on our outstanding achievements.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I would like to extend a warm welcome to Representative Kato on his first visit to Taiwan, and also welcome Representatives Nishime Kosaburo and Fukuhara Junji as they visit again. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and unwavering support for Taiwan. I remember that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan and Japan both faced serious challenges. As chief cabinet secretary during that period, Representative Kato actively promoted the provision of a large number of free vaccines to Taiwan from the Japanese government to help us make it through the pandemic ordeal. The people of Taiwan will always remember that act of friendship. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again to Representative Kato and the Japanese government.
As we face the continued expansion of China’s authoritarian influence, I especially want to thank Prime Minister Takaichi for repeatedly expressing support for the friendship between Taiwan and Japan at major international venues and for underlining the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. I believe that under Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership, Taiwan and Japan will be able to expand cooperation and deepen exchanges in more areas, and contribute even more to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
After taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi announced that she would focus on investing in 17 strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and aerospace. This aligns well with the Five Trusted Industry Sectors that I proposed after taking office as president. In December last year, we also signed a Taiwan-Japan Digital Trade Agreement and a memorandum of understanding on regional customs cooperation. These initiatives show that, going forward, there are even greater opportunities for cooperation in regional security, economic security, and high-tech industries.
In closing, I would like to thank Representatives Kato, Nishime, and Fukuhara once again for their long-term efforts to promote parliamentary exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. I look forward to further deepening our profound friendship based on our outstanding achievements of the past. Japan is currently celebrating the start of the New Year, so I would like to wish everyone a happy Year of the Horse, and all the best.
Representative Kato then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for taking the time out of his busy schedule to meet with his delegation. He noted that President Lai personally met with numerous delegations from the Liberal Democratic Party that visited Taiwan last year, amply demonstrating the great importance that President Lai places on Taiwan-Japan relations, adding that it was very moving.
Representative Kato mentioned that last year during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi and Taiwan’s Leader’s Representative Lin Hsin-i (林信義) discussed cooperation in such areas as economic affairs and disaster preparedness. He pointed out that Taiwan and Japan share a commitment to the same fundamental values and maintain close relations in economic and trade cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges. Moreover, he stated, we are important partners who support each other when either one encounters difficulties. He then gave the examples of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 and the Kumamoto earthquakes of 2016, recalling that Taiwan was quick to lend a helping hand. He also mentioned that last November Taiwan resumed normal management of Japanese food products, saying that this measure will be very encouraging to the people of the area who have been affected by the disaster.
Speaking on the topic of cooperation between Taiwan and Japan, Representative Kato stated that the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) fabrication plant in Kumamoto Prefecture now stands as an important symbol of economic cooperation between Taiwan and Japan. He said that the fab began mass production the year before last and expressed hope for further expansion and development. He also said he hopes that Taiwan and Japan can enhance cooperation in such diverse fields as investment, people-to-people exchanges, and supply chain resilience. Representative Kato thanked Taiwan for providing Japan with disease prevention supplies during the COVID pandemic and for sharing its experience in digital transformation and public health, which prompted Japan to actively promote digital transformation in healthcare. He expressed hope that the two countries will continue working together in the fields of public health and disease prevention and cooperate closely in the World Health Organization and other international bodies.
Representative Kato remarked that Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai was a big success, thanks in part to support received from Taiwan, and he expressed hope for continued interaction in future events, such as the World Horticultural Exhibition in Yokohama. He noted that public opinion polling has indicated that mutual favorability between Taiwan and Japan is at an all-time high, and that the current time is regarded as the best period in our bilateral relations. He expressed hope that such friendly relations will continue flourishing in the years ahead.
The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Companies Registry announced today that 195,343 local and re-domiciled companies were registered in 2025, bringing the total number of registered companies to a record high of more than 1.55 million.

Under the Companies Ordinance, a total of 1,532 non-Hong Kong companies established a presence in the city in 2025, bringing the total number of such registrations to 15,586 by year-end, a 3% rise over 2024.

Implemented in May last year, the company re-domiciliation regime has received a positive market response.

By the end of 2025, the Companies Registry had received more than 420 enquiries and 30 re-domiciliation applications. Six corporations from Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda – including an insurance company – have already successfully relocated their domiciles to Hong Kong. 

The Companies Registry received 12,912 charges on properties and 20,789 notifications of payments and releases in 2025, contributing to a total of more than 3.36 million documents delivered for registration throughout the year.

A total of 5,229,202 electronic document image record searches were carried out.

As for the licensing of trust or company service providers, 760 licences were granted, bringing the total number of licensees to 7,220 by the end of 2025.