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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Police today (November 26) reminded members of the public that in order to facilitate the holding of Oxfam Trailwalker 2025, the following special traffic arrangements will be implemented in the New Territories from November 27 to 30.

Road closure
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The following roads will be closed during specified periods, except for the vehicles with a permit:

– Sai Kung Man Yee Road from a point about 3.3 kilometres south of its junction with Tai Mong Tsai Road to a point about 8.8 kilometres south of the same junction will be closed from 6am to 4pm on November 28;
– Sai Kung Man Yee Road from its junction with Tai Mong Tsai Road to a point about 3.3 kilometres south of the same junction will be intermittently closed from 7.45am to 3.30pm on November 28;
– Tai Mong Tsai Road between Pak Tam Chung Physically Handicapped and Able-bodied Site and Sai Kung Man Yee Road will be intermittently closed from 7.45am to 2.15pm on November 28;
– Shatin Pass Road between Lions Pavilion and Kwun Ping Road will be closed from 9am on November 28 to 4pm of the following day;
– Chuk Yeung Road between Shan Liu and Wong Chuk Yeung will be closed from 1pm on November 28 to 7am of the following day;
– Golden Hill Road will be closed from 1pm on November 28 to 9pm of the following day;
– Tai Mo Shan Road east of its junction with Route Twisk will be closed from 4pm on November 28 to 3pm on November 30; and
– Tsing Ying Road between the exit and entrance (Gate 1) of Harrow International School Hong Kong and the gate of Crossroads Foundation will be closed from 6pm on November 28 to 3pm on November 30.

Suspension of parking spaces
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All parking spaces (including 23 metered parking spaces and other parking spaces) in the carpark adjacent to Rotary Park on Tai Mo Shan Road will be suspended from noon on November 27 to 3pm on November 30.

All parking spaces in the public car park adjacent to Sai Sha Road Barbecue Area Site No.4 will be suspended from 10pm on November 27 to 8am on November 29.

Twenty-seven parking spaces in Pak Tam Chung Coach Carpark will be suspended from 0.01am to 3pm on November 28.

All parking spaces in the Pak Tam Chung Public Carpark will be suspended from 0.01am to 3pm on November 28.

The Police will implement appropriate arrangements subject to the prevailing traffic conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of police officers on site.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A Government spokesman announced today (November 26) that an advanced therapy product has been approved for registration under the “1+” drug approval mechanism for the first time. This advanced therapy product is used to treat patients with multiple myeloma, bringing more treatment options for patients. The Government continues to strive to accelerate the introduction of innovative drugs and medical devices so that patients can gain early access to advanced diagnoses and treatments, while developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.

New drug approved
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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has implemented the “1+” mechanism since November 1, 2023, to facilitate the registration of new drugs used for the treatment of life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases in Hong Kong. With effect from November 1 last year, the “1+” mechanism has been extended to all new drugs, including all new chemical or biological entities and new indications, and vaccines and advanced therapy products. New drugs that are supported by local clinical data and recognised by local experts can be applied for registration in Hong Kong by submitting approval from one reference drug regulatory authority (instead of two in the past).

The above new drug used for the treatment of multiple myeloma has been approved by the drug regulatory authority in the Chinese Mainland and is the first advanced therapy product approved for registration under the expanded “1+” mechanism. This new drug is both a gene therapy product and somatic cell therapy product, which is used for treatment of multiple myeloma by means of genetically modified T-cells with additional genetic sequence for chimeric antigen receptor (i.e. CAR-T cells). Having evaluated the clinical data and relevant information submitted by the applicant and advice given by local expert, the Registration Committee under the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong considered that the new drug satisfied the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality, and approved the registration of the new drug. The Department of Health (DH) has already notified the applicant of the result of the application.

Paving the way towards primary evaluation
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Since the implementation of the “1+” mechanism, a total of 16 new drugs, including the above drug, have been approved under this mechanism. Seven of them have been listed in the Hospital Authority Drug Formulary. The DH has been promoting the “1+” mechanism through different channels and so far has received more than 660 enquiries from over 170 pharmaceutical companies, including those from overseas and the Mainland. Many companies have expressed interests in submitting applications for registration of their products, including advanced therapy products, under the extended “1+” mechanism. Since the launch of the pre-new drug application consultation service in March this year, the DH has already held a number of briefing seminars and workshops. The DH will also have pre-new drug application meetings to be rolled out shortly, to enhance the efficiency in processing relevant applications.

“The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address” announced that the Government will accelerate the reform of the regulatory system of drugs and medical devices, thereby consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international health and medical innovation hub. The DH will expedite the “1+” mechanism for new drugs, piloting priority evaluation and approval of innovative drugs as recommended by the Hospital Authority for treatment of severe or rare diseases and to accelerate patients’ use of the advanced treatments. The DH will establish the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation by the end of next year, and implement “primary evaluation” for new drug registration in phases beginning next year. The DH will continue to proactively advance preparatory work for “primary evaluation” for new drug registration and progressively establish a robust approval system, providing strong momentum for the development and market expansion of the healthcare industry in the HKSAR, the Mainland, and beyond, thereby transforming Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po at 2.51pm today (November 26). The fire was upgraded to No. 3 alarm at 3.02pm, and to No. 4 alarm at 3.34pm.

As at 5pm, seven persons felt unwell and were sent to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment respectively, among which, four persons were certified dead, two persons are in critical condition and one person is in stable condition.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Due to the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, the Tai Po District Office (TPDO) today (November 26) has opened temporary shelters at Kwong Fuk Community Hall (Kwong Fuk Estate, Tai Po) and Tung Cheong Street Community Hall (1/F, Tai Po Tung Cheong Street Leisure Building, 25 Tung Cheong Street, Tai Po) for residents in need. CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School is also open to accommodate residents evacuated.

In addition, the TPDO has set up a help desk at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for assistance and public enquiries. The help desk hotline is 2658 4040.

The TPDO will closely monitor the situation, open additional temporary shelters if needed, and liaise with other government departments to provide residents with appropriate assistance.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs will set up a booth at the JMA Hong Kong International Jewelry Show (JMA), to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), from tomorrow (November 27) for four consecutive days to publicise the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime and will provide on-site counter services to assist non-Hong Kong dealers in submitting cash transaction reports during their participation in the exhibition.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs and fulfil his/her anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing statutory obligations as appropriate. All dealers in precious metals and stones must successfully obtain relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

For non-Hong Kong dealers fulfilling the prescribed conditions (including those who come to Hong Kong to participate in exhibitions), although they are exempt from registration, they are required to submit to Hong Kong Customs a cash transaction report for any cash transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 carried out in Hong Kong within one day after the transaction, or before the dealer or the person acting on behalf of the dealer leaves Hong Kong, whichever is earlier.

Non-Hong Kong dealers can make an online submission of a cash transaction report via the Regime’s webpage at www.drs.customs.gov.hk by accessing the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System. Details of the submission procedures are set out at www.drs.customs.gov.hk/information/43_nonHongKongDealers.

Non-Hong Kong dealers can also download the related form at www.drs.customs.gov.hk/download/drsform/CED418_Form%208_Cash%20transaction%20report.pdf and then submit the report in person at Hong Kong Customs’ booth at the JMA.

The Hong Kong Customs’ booth (Booth 1CON01) is located at HKCEC Hall 1 Concourse and will be open from 10am to 6.30pm on November 27, from 10am to 7pm on November 28 and 29, and from 10am to 6.30pm on November 30.

Dealers can visit the website (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html) for more information about the Regime.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Due to the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, the Tai Po District Office (TPDO) today (November 26) has opened the following additional temporary shelters for people in need:

Name	Address
Tai Po Community Centre	Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Fu Shin Community Hall	12 On Po Road, Tai Po
“Good House” (The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention)	168 Shuen Wan Chan Uk, Tai Po

The TPDO has opened temporary shelters at Kwong Fuk Community Hall (Kwong Fuk Estate, Tai Po) and Tung Cheong Street Community Hall (1/F, Tai Po Tung Cheong Street Leisure Building, 25 Tung Cheong Street, Tai Po) earlier today for residents in need. CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School is also open to accommodate residents evacuated.

In addition, apart from the interdepartmental help desk at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital set up by the TPDO earlier today (hotline:2658 4040), the Sha Tin District Office has set up an interdepartmental help desk at Prince of Wales Hospital (hotline: 3505 1555) for assistance and public enquiries.

The District Offices will closely monitor the situation, open additional temporary shelters as needed, and liaise with other government departments to provide residents with appropriate assistance.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 25) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 25 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $5.1 million.

     A 31-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong in transit from Bangkok, Thailand, to London, the United Kingdom, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and he will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 27).

     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 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.

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     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.

     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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, together with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, met the media today (November 26) on the distribution of thank you cards to voters during the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election. Following are Mr Chan’s remarks at the media session:

Reporter: Good morning. A few questions. First one, why did the Government come up with such incentives? And secondly, what do you make of private business sectors coming up with discounts and promotions on polling day? Thank you.

Chief Secretary for Administration: Thank you very much. First of all, I would like to say thank you to the many private companies and the private sector for providing some facilitation and special offers to those who vote in the LegCo election. I think encouraging more people to vote is very important, and it is also very important for the future of Hong Kong. We encourage the private sector to provide, as far as they can, facilitation and special offers to encourage (voting in) the LegCo election; it is very, very important for Hong Kong’s future. I really encourage that. Thank you. 

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today (November 26) that, to express gratitude for the public’s support in the Legislative Council General Election and for casting their valuable votes on polling day, a thoughtfully designed thank-you card will be produced and presented to voters after they have cast their votes on polling day.
 
     The theme of the thank-you card is “Together We Create a Better Future”, symbolising the collective effort of various sectors of society and the general public to jointly forge a better future for Hong Kong. The cover of the card features a futuristic design, with the election mascots, the Ballot Box Family (namely “Blue Ballot”, “Red Ballot” and “Grandpa Ballot”), expressing their thanks to citizens. The card was designed by a team at the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI) and produced by the Information Services Department and the Government Logistics Department.
 
     A Government spokesman said, “The Government has in recent years bolstered its efforts to promote artificial intelligence (AI) as a core industry for Hong Kong’s development, implementing a series of measures to foster a thriving AI ecosystem. HKGAI, funded by InnoHK, a major innovation and technology initiative of the Government, specialises in the research and development of generative AI technology, with the goal of building Hong Kong’s self-developed AI foundation models and ecosystem. The use of generative AI by HKGAI for this design resonates perfectly with the election’s theme of ‘creating the future together.'”
 
     On December 6, the day before the election, the Government will host an Election Fun Day with a series of activities across Hong Kong to welcome the election. These include:
 

• The “Let’s Vote, Together We Create the Future Gala” will be held at Wonderland of the West Kowloon Cultural District that evening, featuring performances by artists, magician and dancers;
   
• The Government will organise carnivals in various locations, such as a civic education carnival at Tai Po Waterfront Park, as well as land and water experience activities along the Wan Chai and North Point waterfronts, etc;
   
• The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold “Fun in Sports & LegCo Election” carnival activities at six venues, i.e. Southorn Playground in Wan Chai, Kowloon Park, Kowloon Walled City Park, Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Fanling Playground, and Pak Tai Temple Playground in Cheung Chau;
   
• Various policy bureaux and departments will organise exhibitions and interactive experience activities. The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will hold a roving interactive exhibition at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill; while the Environment and Ecology Bureau, in collaboration with Kowloon Motor Bus, will display vintage buses and electric buses at the Yue Lun Street Depot in Lai Chi Kok; and
   
• Eight disciplinary forces under the Security Bureau will host activities or open their facilities to the public. The Police Force will hold an event at the Urban Council Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui; while open days will be held at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O; the Customs Headquarters Building in North Point; the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum in Stanley; the Civil Aid Service Headquarters in Yau Ma Tei; the Auxiliary Medical Service Headquarters in Ho Man Tin; the Tsing Yi Fire Station; and the Government Flying Service helipads in Sai Kung, Tai Mei Tuk and Tai Mo Shan.

     To further enhance the ambience of the election to be held on December 7 and public awareness of the election, as well as to remind voters to fulfil their civic responsibility and strengthen their civic consciousness, various government departments have arranged for various facilities to be open to all citizens for free on December 6 and 7 or to provide souvenirs or special offers, including:
 

• Free admission to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, as well as public swimming pools, and the fee-charging exhibitions of the Science Museum, Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Museum of Art under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on these two days;

 

• The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY;

 

• The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will hold activities to promote the election and hand out souvenirs to citizens at certain public markets;

 

• At designated shopping centres, markets and Domain in Yau Tong under the Hong Kong Housing Authority, members of the public will enjoy extra free parking offers upon consumption of a certain amount; and

 

• The 14 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme will provide different offers, including free guided tours and consumption discount. Additionally, citizens can enrol for the free guided tours, organised by the declared monument King Yin Lei on Saturdays and Sundays, starting from December 6 onwards.

 
     Members of the public can learn about various activities of the Election Fun Day by clicking here, and know more details regarding free admission to government facilities and special offers arranged by government departments by accessing the link here. The Government is also pleased to note that quite a number of private enterprises, merchants and restaurants are taking the initiative to provide various offers on polling day. Members of the public are advised to watch out for information concerned.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region