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Applications invited for 56th Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks exercise

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 19) announced that the 56th Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be open for applications from January 1 to 31, 2026.
 
     Starting from January 1, 2026, applications will be invited for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the TD no later than January 31, 2026. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot.
 
     The application form (TD 569) and the Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_application/index.html) or obtained from the TD’s Licensing Offices as well as the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.
 
     Interested persons should complete and submit the application form through one of the following ways:
 
(a) By post to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Applications received by post will be dated by the postmark; 
 
(b) Via the drop-in box at any of the TD’s Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin. For easy identification, please mark “PVRM Application” on the envelope of the application; or
 
(c) Through the online application service on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/ospvrm.htm) if the applicant possesses an “iAM Smart+” account with the digital signing function (for Hong Kong residents only) or a digital certificate.
 
     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application form. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service on the GovHK website.
 
     No payment of deposit is required when submitting an application. Each applicant can submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, all of his or her applications will not be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
 
     Upon successful submission of an online application, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement immediately. Those who submit applications by post or drop-in box will receive the TD’s acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call 2804 2600.

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Appointments to Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (December 19) the appointment of Dr Levin Wang Lei as a new member, and the reappointments of incumbent members, Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu and Dr Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for a term of two years.
 
     The term of Dr Chai and Dr Wang will take effect from January 1, 2026, while that of Dr Wong will commence on February 1, 2026.
 
     Meanwhile, incumbent member Dr Lin Yong will retire from the HKTDC upon completion of his term on December 31, 2025. A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau expressed gratitude to Dr Lin for his devoted services and contributions towards various aspects of the HKTDC’s work.
 
     Appointments of members to the HKTDC are made by the Financial Secretary in exercise of the powers delegated to him by the Chief Executive and pursuant to section 11(1)(d) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Ordinance (Chapter 1114).

     The composition of the HKTDC with effect from February 1, 2026, is as follows:
 
Chairman
————
Professor Frederick Ma Si-hang
 
Members
————-
Ms Shirley Chan Suk-ling
Ms Ronna Chao Wei-ting
Mr Victor Chu Lap-lik
Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu
Dr Kennedy Wong Ying-ho
Dr Levin Wang Lei
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Director of Information Services
Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries
President of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong
Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong
Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board
Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Banks
Representative member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Representative member of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries
Representative member of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong
Representative member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong

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Tenders invited for reclamation and site formation works for development off Tseung Kwan O Area 132

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (December 19) gazetted a notice to invite tenders for the contract for Development off Tseung Kwan O Area 132 – Reclamation and Site Formation Works (Contract No. ED/2025/02). The closing time for the tender is noon on February 27, 2026.

     The works mainly include the design and construction of the following works:
 

  • reclamation of about 19 hectares of land off Tseung Kwan O Area 132 by non-dredged method, e.g. deep cement mixing, including associated seawalls;
  • site formation works including slope cutting and natural terrain hazard mitigation measures;
  • stormwater drainage system including a box culvert and main trunk drainage system; and
  • implementation of environmental monitoring and mitigation measures for the works mentioned above.

     The works are scheduled to commence in mid-2026 and will take about 36 months to complete.

     The CEDD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited to supervise the works. Interested contractors may download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS). Tenderers must submit tenders in electronic format via the e-TS.

     Details of the tender notice are available on the CEDD website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html). For enquiries, please call AECOM Asia Company Limited at 3922 9000 during office hours.

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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $10.9 million (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Hong Kong Customs on December 12 and yesterday (December 18) seized a total of about 20 kilograms of suspected liquid methamphetamine, 10 suspected cannabis oil vape capsules, about 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, about 3 grams of suspected cocaine and about 270 grams of suspected cracked cocaine with an estimated market value of over $10.9 million at Hong Kong International Airport and in Tsim Sha Tsui.
      
     Through risk assessment, Customs inspected two air parcels, declared as food and candy and arriving in Hong Kong from Mexico on December 12. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the parcels contained about 20 kilograms of suspected liquid methamphetamine disguised as protective liquid for natural stones in five plastic bottles.
      
     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday and arrested two female suspects in Yuen Long and Tsim Sha Tsui, aged 28 and 45 respectively. Later, Customs further seized about 10 suspected cannabis oil vape capsules, about 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, about 3 grams of suspected cocaine and about 270 grams of suspected cracked cocaine upon premises search in Tsim Sha Tsui. The investigation of the case is ongoing.
      
     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 to 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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
      
     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.
      
     Customs reminds people to pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught. 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/).

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Remarks by SHYA at media session regarding management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (with photo/video)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Remarks by SHYA at media session regarding management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (with photo/video) 
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs:  As I just said, the Government has acted according to the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) section 31 to apply to the Lands Tribunal today to submit an application to dissolve the owners’ corporation committee and to appoint Hop On Management Company Limited which is a subsidiary of Chinachem Group as the administrator to handle all the day to day operation of the management committee. This action will only help the owners of the Wang Fuk Court to handle various complicated legal procedures with expert assistance. Hop On Management Company has already stated that they will serve the Wang Fuk Court residents on a pro bono basis, and the Nina Wang Charity Trustees has agreed to contribute five million for professional costs or any procurement costs related to the management of Wang Fuk Court. We try to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court handle all the complicated legal procedures and accounting procedures with expert assistance.
 
Reporter:  Could you please detail the roles of the existing owners’ corporation and the upcoming property manager? Does it include a fire safety? What will you do with the existing property manager? As at this point, do you think it is responsible for the fire safety?
 
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs:  As I said, the Hop On Management Company will serve those Wang Fuk Court owners on a pro bono basis and provide them with professional property management services. This act will help the owners to get professional assistance when they decide how to execute or how to make a decision for Wang Fuk Court. The existing management committee and the property management company, as far as we know, the existing contract with the property management company will end by the end of this month. No matter whether they will extend the contract or not, we see that there will be a need for Wang Fuk Court owners to get professional assistance from a professional property management company. We think this is a way to help residents and owners of Wang Fuk Court.Issued at HKT 20:33

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43 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

43 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photo) 
     During operation “Silver Wing”, ImmD officers raided 10 target locations, including restaurants and a laundry factory. Seventeen suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 10 men and seven women, aged 21 to 49. Among the arrestees, two were visitors, while the remaining 15 were imported workers who were suspected of breaching their conditions of stay by performing duties at a non-contractual workplace or by performing duties that were not stipulated in the contract. Two men, aged 33 and 50, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
 
     During a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed “Lightshadow”, investigators raided 102 target locations, and a total of three suspected illegal workers were arrested for allegedly engaging in food delivery work. The three arrested suspected illegal workers are non-ethnic Chinese males, aged 31 to 42, who were non-refoulement claimants holding recognizance forms that prohibit them from taking any employment in Hong Kong.
 
     During other anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers targeted different industries and raided multiple locations including renovation flats, a leather repair store, warehouses and restaurants etc. Fourteen suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and four overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised six men and eight women, aged 22 to 62. Among them, a woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Three Hong Kong female residents, aged 62 to 88, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
 
     Investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Moreover, after entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the imported worker admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract and cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors. Change of the employer, post or place of work (unless stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract) is not permitted. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”
 
     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years.”
 
     The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:07

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CE meets Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Ho Duc Phoc, today (December 19) to exchange views on deepening co-operation between the two places. Also attending the meeting were the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Ho and his delegation to Hong Kong. Mr Lee noted that Vietnam is Hong Kong’s sixth-largest trading partner with close economic and trade relations. In the first three quarters of this year, bilateral merchandise trade reached US$ 49 billion, representing a significant increase of 67 per cent compared to the same period last year. Last year, Mr Lee led a high-level business delegation to Vietnam, during which the two sides signed 30 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering various areas including trade, investment, education, tourism, and finance. He expressed confidence that Hong Kong and Vietnam will continue to strengthen multifaceted co-operation and achieve mutual benefit.
      
     Mr Lee highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has relaxed immigration arrangements for Vietnamese citizens visiting, working, or pursuing post-secondary studies in Hong Kong. In March this year, new measures were introduced to provide more convenient immigration arrangements for invited persons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, including Vietnam. These measures will further promote people-to-people exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Vietnam in trade, professional services, and other sectors.
      
     Noting that Hong Kong will actively play its role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” and fully leverage its unique advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said Hong Kong will promote pragmatic co-operation with Vietnam in high value-added areas such as finance, innovation and technology, trade, and the green and digital economy.

  

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Appointment of Deputy Leader of AI Efficacy Enhancement Team announced

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Appointment of Deputy Leader of AI Efficacy Enhancement Team announced 
     The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration and Leader of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, welcomes the appointment. He said, “As the Government accelerates the promotion of artificial intelligence applications, it is especially important to draw on the advice of the industry. Mr Duncan Chiu, as a Legislative Council Member for the Technology and Innovation Constituency since 2022, has insightful views on promoting technology adoption, AI application, and smart city development. He will bring new perspectives and front-line market experience to the Team, helping to spur government departments’ technological innovation through AI empowerment.”

     In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the setting up of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to co-ordinate and steer government departments to effectively apply AI technology to their work, explore process re-engineering, and promote technological reform in departments to improve efficacy. The Team comprises:Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (Deputy Leader)
Mr Duncan Chiu (Deputy Leader)
Head of Chief Executive’s Policy Unit
Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)
Permanent Secretary for Housing
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Commissioner for Census and Statistics
Commissioner for Digital Policy (Secretary-General) 
Commissioner for Labour
Commissioner for Transport
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene
Director of Home Affairs
Director of Leisure and Cultural Services
Issued at HKT 18:50

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Third “Extension Notice” published under Extension of Government Leases Ordinance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Third “Extension Notice” published under Extension of Government Leases Ordinance      
     A spokesperson for the Development Bureau said, “The arrangement of extending land leases without having to execute a new contract under the Ordinance brings tremendous convenience to the public and businesses, effectively enhances the confidence of property owners and investors in the real estate market, and has received widespread support from various sectors of the community. The mechanism manifests the solid safeguards for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under the steadfast and successful implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.”Issued at HKT 18:43

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EIA report for Development at Ngau Tam Mei Area approved with conditions

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced, regarding the application submitted by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), that the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) yesterday (December 18) approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Development at Ngau Tam Mei Area (the Project) with conditions.

     The Project is a designated project (DP) under Schedule 3 of the EIAO (i.e. an urban development or redevelopment project covering an area of more than 50 hectares). It includes two DPs under Schedule 2 of the EIAO requiring an environmental permit for its construction and operation, including the new distributor roads and part of the revitalisation of the Ngau Tam Mei Drainage Channel (NTMDC) and river diversion works.

     The CEDD has exhibited the EIA report for public inspection from October 6 to November 4, 2025, in accordance with the EIAO. During the public inspection period, the EPD received a total of seven public comments. The EIA Subcommittee of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) discussed in detail the EIA report and the public comments at its meeting on December 5, 2025. Subsequently, the ACE unanimously recommended that the EPD approved the EIA report with conditions and recommendations at its meeting on December 11, 2025.

     A spokesperson for the EPD said that the DEP considers that, through the implementation of mitigation measures recommended in the EIA report, the Project will bring multiple environmental benefits to the area. These include addressing the existing adverse environmental impacts caused by scattered and disorganised brownfield operations within the project area, thereby enhancing land-use efficiency and improving the overall environmental quality of the district. Furthermore, by widening and revitalising the NTMDC into a multifunctional blue-green spine, the ecological value and function of the project area and its surroundings can be enhanced. In addition, through wetland compensation connecting nearby isolated wetlands, the Project will increase the overall ecological value of the area.

     The spokesperson stressed that the EPD has thoroughly considered the requirements of the EIA Study Brief and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process, comments on the environment and ecological impacts raised by the public during the public inspection period of the EIA report, suggestions and data given by green groups in respect of the EIA report (including the State of Hong Kong Biodiversity 2025 published by the WWF-Hong Kong), and the response from the CEDD during the ACE meeting, as well as comments and recommended conditions raised by the ACE on approving the EIA report. The EPD decided to approve the EIA report with conditions.

     The approval conditions mainly include requiring the CEDD to:

     (i) submit a detailed Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) as recommended in the EIA report to the DEP for approval no later than three months before the commencement of construction of the Project, and consult the Agricultural, fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD);

     (ii) submit an Implementation Plan for Ecological Enhancement Features Design (IPEEFD) for the NTMDC to the DEP for approval no later than three months before commencement of construction of the Project, and consult relevant government departments, including the AFCD, the Drainage Services Department, and the Planning Department;

     (iii) set up an Environmental Committee to provide professional and stakeholders’ advice on the preparation of HCMP and IPEEFD, and on the effectiveness of the ecological mitigation/enhancement measures as recommended in the EIA report and the two approved abovementioned plans; and
     
     (iv) submit a Bird-Friendly Design Guideline for buildings and noise barriers within the Project area to the DEP for approval before commencement of construction of the Project.

     In addition, the CEDD shall review the progress of the implementation of various plans, the environmental monitoring results, and the effectiveness of ecological mitigation/enhancement measures. The EPD will continue to closely liaise with relevant government departments to follow up on the abovementioned approval conditions.

     The approved EIA report and the approval conditions have been uploaded to the EPD’s EIAO website (www.epd.gov.hk/eia). Members of the public may also visit the EIAO Register Office at 27th floor, Southorn Centre, Wan Chai, to inspect these documents.