Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP strongly urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as three severe paediatric influenza infection cases were recorded this week
The case involves a 14-year-old boy with good past health. He developed cough and headache on November 18, followed by a fever yesterday (November 19). He was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital today. Due to hypotension, he was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of United Christian Hospital. He is hosptialised and currently in serious condition. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock.
The boy had not yet received the 2025/26 SIV and had no recent travel history. Two of his household contacts developed mild respiratory symptoms recently, but did not require hospitalisation and have recovered. No influenza outbreaks have been reported at his school recently.
Including the abovementioned case, there have been 21 severe influenza cases involving children so far this summer influenza season, including two fatal cases. The affected children aged 11 months to 17 years. A total of 12 cases have been recorded since the launch of this year’s SIV Programmes, with only one having received this year’s SIV four days prior to the onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, in other words, these severe influenza cases are not protected by the vaccine.
“According to the latest surveillance data, influenza activity began to decline in the last week of October. However, it remains at a relatively high level. As the weather turns cooler, influenza activity may still fluctuate. Moreover, a winter influenza season may occur early next year. Therefore, I once again urge all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received the SIV to do so promptly. Compared to the winter influenza season earlier this year, there have been more severe paediatric influenza infection cases this season. Currently, among children aged below 18 years, the coverage rate of children aged 6 months to under 2 years is relatively low, at nearly 16 per cent only. Parents should not hesitate and should contact their family doctors as soon as possible to arrange for their children, as well as themselves and other family members, to receive the SIV,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
He also reminded members of the public that, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, should seek medical advice promptly if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms for early treatment. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children’s condition. They should go to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child’s condition deteriorates, for example, if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.
Separately, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.
In addition to issuing timely reminders to healthcare professionals and schools based on the latest seasonal influenza development, the CHP also uploads the latest seasonal influenza information on its website weekly. Members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenzaIssued at HKT 20:00
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Plan set for San Tin Technopole
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government today promulgated the Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation & Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole.
The conceptual outline provides a top-level design for the 210 hectares of new innovation and technology (I&T) land in the technopole in terms of development vision, objectives and positioning, industrial spatial layout and development model.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong said the San Tin Technopole development will be anchored on three key strands: providing space for prototyping, pilot production and small-scale manufacturing; developing high-quality local I&T industries; and pooling global I&T resources and talent.
Prof Sun noted that the San Tin Technopole can provide land of a larger scale to support the development of strategic I&T industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics, microelectronics and smart devices, new materials, new energy, and green technology, as set out in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint.
In terms of a layout plan, the new I&T land will be divided into three development hubs and three industry development corridors. They are the Hetao Hub, Chau Tau Hub and Ki Lun Hub from north to south, and the life and health technology corridor, AI and robotics corridor, and microelectronics and advanced industry corridor.
Prof Sun said that such planning can cater for the pace of I&T development and the relevant timetable for land resumption and site formation works undertaken by works departments, with five of development from introduction, industry ecosystem expansion, city-industry hub to consolidation.
Following the principle of a capable government and an efficient market, consideration can be given to forming a dedicated company to take forward the San Tin Technopole development in collaboration with the market, thereby leveraging market resources to accelerate development and optimise development costs, he added.
According to the consultant’s estimates, the technopole will contribute some $250 billion or more to Hong Kong’s GDP annually upon its full operation, and provide over 300,000 work positions.
CE to attend closing of games in SZ
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee will depart for Shenzhen tomorrow to attend the closing ceremony of the 15th National Games.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung and Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law will join the visit.
Mr Chan will also attend a press conference of the Organising Committee of the 15th NG on the games’ overall operations.
He will return to Hong Kong tomorrow evening.
DH introduces tiered and streamlined mechanism to expedite registration of proprietary Chinese medicines, helping businesses tap into global markets
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 20) that, starting from January 1, 2026, it will launch a pilot programme to streamline the evaluation and approval process for proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm) registration applications. Along with the existing processing procedures, two new tiers will be introduced, namely “Innovative Drugs” and “Designated Priority Products”, with specified target processing times. The new arrangement aims to expedite processing of registration applications under these new tiers, and allow applicants to plan their business and resources more effectively. This initiative aligns with the policy of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.
“Enterprises in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland holding a wholesaler or manufacturer licence in pCm, issued by the Chinese Medicines Board (CMB) under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK), may leverage the new mechanism to quickly bring suitable pCm products to the Hong Kong market. The DH will evaluate “Innovative Drugs” within 120 working days and submit them to the Chinese Medicines Committee (the Committee) under the CMB for approval. Furthermore, applicants may designate up to two products annually as “Designated Priority Products”. The DH will complete the evaluations for these products within 150 working days and submit them to the CMB for approval. Compared to the current average processing time, which takes over 250 working days, the new mechanism will significantly accelerate the process and enable the industry to select products to test the market response, establish product positioning and use Hong Kong as a springboard to tap into global markets,” the Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, said.
Applicants may refer to “Frequently Asked Questions 5.B.25” on the CMCHK website for details regarding the definitions of each tier, target processing times, and requirements for supplementary documents during the approval stages.
To help the industry better understand the new mechanism, the DH has notified licensed pCm wholesalers and manufacturers via letters in mid-November. Online seminars detailing the mechanism will be held monthly from now until January next year. Interested parties may visit the CMCHK website for details.
The new mechanism will be piloted for two years. The CMB will continuously review its operation and effectiveness, making timely adjustments for optimisation.
“Hong Kong Cultural and Creative Mosaic” event at Palace Museum Cultural and Creative Products Hong Kong Space in Beijing opens
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) has organised the “Hong Kong Cultural and Creative Mosaic” event at the Palace Museum Cultural and Creative Products Hong Kong Space inside the Palace Museum in Beijing. The event officially opened to the public today (November 20) to stage four successive events during the year ahead to showcase cultural and creative products with themes of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage, art toys, fashion and accessories, and lifestyle products.
Addressing the event in Beijing on November 12, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, said CCIDA hopes that the event not only makes the creativity and capability of Hong Kong designers visible to Chinese Mainland museums, but also encourages local designers or cultural and creative IP (intellectual property) owners to enhance collaboration with the Chinese Mainland.
The CSTB promulgated last November the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development which sets out that Hong Kong will fully capitalise on the distinctive advantages given by the strong support of the motherland to encourage designers from Hong Kong to collaborate with major museums and cultural and creative institutions on the Mainland to cocreate cultural and creative products. Last year, CCIDA signed Memoranda of Understanding with three Mainland cultural and creative brands, including one for collaboration on the Palace Museum Cultural and Creative Products Hong Kong Space, to continuously strengthen support for local original works to enter Chinese Mainland and international markets.
HKEAA submits 2025 Territory-wide System Assessment Report
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
A spokesperson for the Education Bureau (EDB) today (November 20) said that the EDB had received the 2025 Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) report submitted by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA). The data shows that the performance of the Primary Three, Primary Six and Secondary Three students participating in the assessment of the three major subjects of Chinese Language, English Language, and Mathematics this year remains generally steady and similar compared to the results of the previous assessments.
The spokesperson said, “The TSA report assists schools in understanding students’ strengths and areas for improvement in Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics. The EDB is pleased to note that schools generally agree that the TSA report can provide practical analysis and information regarding the ability and performance of students and, together with schools’ related internal assessment results, enable schools to devise more suitable curriculum plans and learning and teaching strategies to further enhance students’ learning effectiveness, fully reflecting the culture of ‘Assessment for Learning’. The EDB expresses its gratitude to the school sector for continuously adopting diversified teaching strategies and measures to cater for the different needs of students and raise teaching effectiveness.
“The EDB will continue to work closely with all stakeholders and render full support to schools, including arranging teacher training, organising diversified activities and providing appropriate school-based support services, to strengthen teachers’ professional capacities. Meanwhile, the EDB will continue to develop learning and teaching resources, such as continuing to enhance the Student Assessment Repository as a one-stop platform for learning, teaching, and assessment with the ‘Self-selected Assessments’ feature added and exploring the application of artificial intelligence in the repository, with a view to providing schools and students with a more flexible and diversified platform with instant feedback, catering for the different needs of students, and enhancing their learning interests and abilities.”
The HKEAA will later directly provide primary and secondary schools with school-level data for use as feedback on learning and teaching. With a view to promoting and supporting schools in making effective use of assessment data and information to enhance learning and teaching, the EDB will hold thematic seminars on “Promoting Assessment for Learning” in December with regard to the 2025 TSA report. Teachers can enrol via the EDB training calendar.
Student performance figures of the TSA from 2004 to 2025 are shown in the Annex. Details of the TSA are available on the HKEAA website (www.bca.hkeaa.edu.hk).
Kansu Street in Yau Ma Tei to reopen on November 29
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Kansu Street in Yau Ma Tei to reopen on November 29 Appropriate traffic signs and road markings will be in place at relevant locations. Motorists are advised to heed traffic signs and drive carefully when passing through the road sections concerned.
A Government spokesman said that the construction of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) has entered the final stage and will be completed for commissioning in December 2025.Issued at HKT 10:41
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HKSAR Government to hold seminar on promotion of spirit of Fourth Plenary Session of 20th CPC Central Committee
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Upon the invitation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, with the approval of the Central People’s Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council invited the member of the publicity delegation, the President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mr Hou Jianguo, and the member of the publicity delegation, the Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs and the Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Rural Affairs, CPC, Mr Zhu Weidong, to visit Hong Kong to speak on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC Central Committee). The HKSAR Government will hold a seminar to promote the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to people from various sectors of the community at the Central Government Offices, in the morning of November 25 (Tuesday).
“The Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan) adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee provide a top-level design and strategic blueprint for the country’s development over the next five years and are of great significance and impact to Hong Kong. All citizens of Hong Kong should earnestly study and implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session,” a HKSAR Government spokesman said.
The seminar will be held from 9.30am to 12noon on November 25. Media will be invited to cover the event. In addition to live-broadcast by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) TV 32, the RTHK website (rthk.hk/tv), Information Services Department’s website (webcast.info.gov.hk), the news.gov.hk’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/govnews.hk) and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cmab.gov.hk) will stream the seminar online simultaneously. The full version of the seminar will also be uploaded onto the website of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (www.cmab.gov.hk/en/home/index.htm).
“It is an invaluable opportunity to have the delegation speak on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in Hong Kong. Members of the public should grasp the opportunity to watch the seminar to study and implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session, as well as fully understand how the Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan will lay a more solid foundation for the country moving toward the basic realisation of socialist modernization,” the spokesman urged.
Government promulgates Conceptual Outline of Development Plan for Innovation and Technology Industry in San Tin Technopole
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Government promulgated the Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation and Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole today (November 20). The Conceptual Outline provides a top-level design for the 210 hectares of new innovation and technology (I&T) land in the San Tin Technopole in terms of development vision, objectives and positioning, industrial spatial layout, and development model, thereby setting a clear development strategy for the San Tin Technopole.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said that, “The San Tin Technopole spans across a large area. Its development takes time and needs to be conducted in an orderly manner. Based on the schedule of land supply, the Conceptual Outline proposes a phased development plan, industrial positioning and layout, co-ordinated development of various land zones, and strategy to channel market resources into development. It serves as a clear guideline for the San Tin Technopole to develop into a strategic base for I&T industries.
“The San Tin Technopole has three major advantages. It is adjacent to the Hong Kong Park in the Loop and closely connected to the I&T ecosystems of Futian and Huanggang, giving it a locational advantage. Its provision of 210 hectares of new I&T land can meet the spatial needs of different segments of the industry chain, enterprises of varying scales and different technology fields, giving it a scale advantage. It also enjoys an excellent transportation network, and is close to Shenzhen and the Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park, providing a favourable ecological environment and strengths as a liveable place.
“As a natural extension of the Loop, the new I&T land in the San Tin area can integrate with the comprehensive industry supply chains in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It can also take up the transformation and industrialisation of research outcomes derived from the Hong Kong Park. These would drive economic growth, create high-quality employment opportunities and lead to structural upgrades of industries. By focusing on the interaction between industries, talent, and space, it aims to create a virtuous cycle of enhancing the city’s quality with industries, attracting talent with the city, and developing industries with talent.”
The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau commissioned a consultant to conduct a study. With views gauged from industry-related personnel and stakeholders, including I&T enterprises, academic institutions, chambers of commerce, and I&T associations, etc, the positioning of the development of the San Tin Technopole will be anchored on three key strands: (1) providing space for prototyping, pilot production, and small-scale manufacturing, (2) developing high-quality local I&T industries, and (3) pooling global I&T resources and talent.
In terms of industry development, the San Tin Technopole can provide land of larger scale to support the development of strategic I&T industries such as life and health technology, AI and robotics, microelectronics and smart devices, new materials, new energy, and green technology, as set out in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint. It will also focus on the building of Hong Kong’s I&T industrial system with advanced manufacturing as its core.
In terms of a layout plan of the land, the new I&T land in the San Tin Technopole will be divided and developed into three development hubs and three industry development corridors (the three hubs and three corridors). They are the Hetao Hub, Chau Tau Hub, and Ki Lun Hub from north to south, and the life and health technology corridor, AI and robotics corridor, and microelectronics and advanced industry corridor. This planning structure can cater for the pace of I&T industry development and the relevant timetable for land resumption and site formation works undertaken by works departments. The development will have five phases, from introduction, industry ecosystem expansion, city-industry hub to consolidation.
In taking forward each phase of development, the development hubs will be used for co-ordinating and leading the development of its core advanced industries, emphasising a city-industry integration. This includes attracting enterprises to set up headquarters, creating commercial complexes, and providing talent accommodation which will offer various urban living amenities for I&T talent. The planning also takes into account actual circumstances and allows certain flexibility in development by reserving strategic white space for supporting emerging technology industries at subsequent phases in the future.
In terms of a development model, following the principle of a capable government and an efficient market, consideration can be given to the establishment of a dedicated company to take forward the development of the San Tin Technopole in collaboration with the market, thereby leveraging market resources to accelerate development and optimise development costs.
According to the estimates of the consultant, the San Tin Technopole will contribute some $250 billion or more to Hong Kong’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) annually upon its full operation, and provide over 300 000 full-time equivalent work positions.
The new I&T land around San Tin and the Hong Kong Park will together form a crucial node for the integrated development of upstream, midstream and downstream industries, offering full-chain support to I&T industries by providing space for offices, prototyping, test and pilot production, as well as manufacturing. Under the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong as an international I&T centre and Hong Kong’s new industrial layout of a South-North dual engine (finance-I&T) in the future, the San Tin Technopole, as an indispensable key part of Hong Kong’s I&T development, will become a stronghold for the future development of emerging technology industries in Hong Kong and an important base for developing new quality productive forces.
　　The Conceptual Outline has been uploaded to the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau’s website (www.itib.gov.hk/en/index.html).
Appointment to Culture Commission announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (November 20) the appointment of Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan as a member of the Culture Commission, from November 17, 2025, to February 28, 2027.
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, said, “Mr Chan is currently the Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA). He has been dedicated to promoting the development of Hong Kong’s arts and culture sectors over the years, and possesses extensive experience in executive management and public services. With the participation of Mr Chan, the Culture Commission will continue to bring together efforts of the cultural community to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.”
The Government also announced that Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen has resigned as a member of the Culture Commission.
Miss Law expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Mr Tang for his significant contributions during his tenure as a member of the Culture Commission. She remarked, “Mr Tang offered valuable and constructive advice to the Government during the process of formulating the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development. He actively promoted the development of arts and culture as well as creative industries, advocated for the enhancement of Hong Kong’s cultural soft power, and fostered cross-sectoral collaboration among the arts, culture and business communities. Under the leadership of Mr Tang, the WKCDA continued to play its role as a major strategic partner of the Government, elevating Hong Kong’s international cultural status and appeal through establishing a cultural landmark that combines international perspectives with local characteristics, and curating diverse performing arts and exhibition projects.”
Following this latest appointment, the membership list of the Culture Commission is as follows:
Chairman
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Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
Non-official members
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Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai (Vice-chairman)
Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan
Dr Adrian Cheng Chi-kong
Mr Vincent Cheng Wing-shun
Ms Lovinia Chiu Siu-yin
Mr Vincent Chow Wing-shing
Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong
Mr Andy Hei Kao-chiang
Ms Leonie Ki Man-fung
Dr Lam Ho-yi
Mr Peter Lau Man-pong
Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee
Dr Victor Lo Chung-wing
Ms Lo Kwong-ping
Professor Lui Yu-hon
Professor Fredric Mao Chun-fai
Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong
Mr Eric Tsang Chi-wai
Mrs Bonnie Woo Chan Tak-chi
Mr Charles Yang Chuen-liang
Mr Yang Yong
Mr Alexander Yeung Ching-loong
Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing
Mr Yu Chiu-for
Dr Allan Zeman
Official members
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Secretary for Development or his/her representative
Secretary for Education or his/her representative
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs or his/her representative