MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection will set up a vaccination station at the airport from tomorrow to provide airport staff with free measles vaccinations.

The centre made the announcement today after three backend support staff who work on aircraft repair and maintenance, all at the same company, contracted measles. They did not know whether they had been vaccinated against the disease.

The centre added that it has implemented comprehensive communicable disease control measures. This includes medical surveillance of close contacts and providing “mop-up” vaccinations for contacts who lack immunity to measles. 

The workplace associated with the cases has about 2,500 employees, approximately 900 of whom are non-local residents. Data collected during the centre’s epidemiological investigations found that around 30% of the employees were unsure whether they are immune to measles.

As of 1 pm today, no new cases of measles – including secondary transmission among close contacts of the three people infected – had been recorded, while the centre had provided vaccinations to more than 370 of the company’s employees.

The centre highlighted that measles outbreaks have been on the rise worldwide. Given that airport staff frequently come into contact with large numbers of travellers and that a higher proportion of those in the airport workforce are not born locally and may not have been vaccinated against measles in childhood, the risk of measles transmission is relatively high.

To prevent a measles outbreak among airport staff, the centre will set up a vaccination booth at the airport from tomorrow to provide local airport staff with free measles vaccinations.

The service targets Hong Kong airport staff who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine and have never had measles. If an airport employee has undergone a blood test confirming a positive reaction to measles antibodies (IgG), vaccination is not required.

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Edwin Tsui urged all airport staff, especially those not born locally, to review their vaccination records as soon as possible. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Overall consumer prices rose 1.7% year on year in March, more than the 1.5% average rate of increase in January and February, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1.6% in March, also larger than the average rate of increase in January and February.

Compared with March 2025, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in the following categories: miscellaneous services; transport; electricity, gas and water; miscellaneous goods; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; basic food; housing; and meals out and takeaway food. 

Meanwhile, year-on-year decreases were logged for durable goods as well as clothing and footwear.  

The Government said that consumer price inflation accelerated somewhat but stayed moderate in March. The underlying Composite Consumer Price Index rose by 1.6% from a year earlier, up from 1.3% in January and February combined.

It added that the acceleration mainly reflected the faster increases in prices of fuel-related components during the month, amid a surge in international oil prices due to the Middle East conflict.

Meanwhile, price pressures on other components were largely contained.

Looking ahead, the Government said elevated international oil prices will likely continue to gradually feed through to relevant components in consumer prices in the near term, with the final impacts hinging on the evolving situation in the Middle East.

However, the price pressures from other sources generally stay contained, which should help rein in potential upward pressure on overall inflation.

The Government said it has introduced short-term targeted measures to address the recent increase in fuel prices, and will continue to monitor the development closely.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 22) seized 26 illegally imported live birds of suspected scheduled endangered species and 215 live birds, with an estimated market value of about $58,000, at the Lo Wu Control Point. 

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming 61-year-old female passenger at the Arrival Hall of the said control point yesterday. Upon examination, the batch of live birds was seized from her personal baggage. Officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) attended the scene for inspection and confirmed that the 26 live birds were of endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance in Hong Kong. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.

     Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

     According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

     Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations, it is an offence to import any bird unless it is accompanied by a valid health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 23) released the third batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in April, covering 25 survey areas, as follows:
 

District	Survey Area	April 2026
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Central and Western	Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui	7.7%	1.0
Eastern	Chai Wan	8.1%	1.0
	Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho	10.7%	1.5
Wan Chai	Happy Valley and Tai Hang	1.8%	1.0
Islands	Tung Chung	2.0%	1.0
Kowloon City	Ho Man Tin	3.6%	1.0
	Kowloon Tong	8.5%	1.4
Sham Shui Po	Cheung Sha Wan	7.5%	1.3
	Lai Chi Kok	7.0%	1.0
	Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei	4.9%	1.0
Yau Tsim	Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei	4.8%	1.0
North	Fanling North	0.0%	N/A
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O East	7.3%	1.0
	Tseung Kwan O North	11.4%	1.6
	Tseung Kwan O West	3.6%	1.0
Tai Po	Tai Po West	1.8%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Sheung Kwai Chung	3.7%	1.0
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun South	14.5%	1.0
Yuen Long	Yuen Long Town	3.4%	1.5

 

District	Survey Area	April 2026
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Central and Western	Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun	3.5%	1.0
Southern	Pok Fu Lam	4.3%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin West	2.8%	1.0
Sai Kung	Sai Kung Town	16.8%	1.4
Kwai Tsing	Lai King	6.6%	1.0
Yuen Long	Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan	3.2%	1.3

Among the third batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 19 survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas in April, all were below 10 per cent, except for the First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes of Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District, Tseung Kwan O North in Sai Kung District, and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, as well as the Area Gravidtrap Index of Sai Kung Town in Sai Kung District.

For Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District, Tseung Kwan O North and Sai Kung Town in Sai Kung District, and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. In particular, the gravidtrap data for Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools and private housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Tseung Kwan O North showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools, and public and private housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Sai Kung Town showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, sports grounds, schools, and public and private housing estates; and the gravidtrap data for Tuen Mun South showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks and public housing estates. The FEHD and the relevant departments are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

The FEHD has so far released three batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April 2026, covering 33 survey areas. Among these 33 survey areas, three recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. March 2026), representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Twenty-five other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

The average temperature and rainfall in April this year were higher than those of the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. The latest First Phase Gravidtrap Index recorded in Sheung Shui reached 21.3 per cent, corresponding to Level 3 alert level. Indexes in other survey areas are also expected to rise. The FEHD has implemented rapid response measures and deployed targeted actions. Members of the public should also step up mosquito prevention efforts and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites in advance, thereby reducing the risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
• change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
• scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and DF. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA), the HKFA will present three editions of the programme series ”Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks” in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, winner of the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Golden Horse Awards and the Golden Rooster Awards, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Chan will also attend the pre- or post-screening talks with film critic Thomas Shin to share with audiences his cinematic world spanning different cultures and generations.
 
     Chan entered the film industry in the 1980s. In 1991, his debut directorial work, “Alan & Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye” (1991), won actor Eric Tsang the Best Actor award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. This firmly established Chan as a prominent director. During the 1990s, Chan co-founded United Filmmakers Organization Ltd, which produced a series of urban comedies, including ”Comrades, Almost a Love Story” (1996), which was directed by him and swept nine accolades at the Hong Kong Film Awards. In addition to directing for Hollywood, he also collaborated with other Asian directors on various high-quality productions. Since 2005, he has expanded into the Chinese Mainland film market and successfully combined commercial appeal with artistic vision in many of his works. Chan’s works are rooted in artistic sensibilities, while maintaining a unique Hong Kong perspective and embodying a blend of Eastern and Western cultures.
 
     The selected films are matched into three pairs of screenings. The first pair includes two timeless cinematic romances. In “Comrades, Almost a Love Story”, Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung play the roles of two new immigrants in Hong Kong, where their lives become intertwined. After drifting apart in their different pursuits, they unexpectedly reunite in another country, while the news of the passing of singer Teresa Teng away from home echoes in the air. Michael Curtiz’s “Casablanca” (1942) follows the protagonist, played by Humphrey Bogart, who is nonchalant about the ongoing war until he is reunited with his former lover, played by Ingrid Bergman. With the rekindled old feelings and resurfaced past, the two have to choose between their undying love and the noble and higher ideals.
 
     The second pair of film is “American Dreams in China” (2013), directed by Chan, and “Tom, Dick & Hairy” (1993), directed by Chan and Lee Chi-ngai. The former follows three college friends, played by Huang Xiaoming, Deng Chao and Tong Dawei, in their venture into business together and the yearning, frustration, insecurity and pride in their pursuit of success in the world. Starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tony Leung Ka-fai and Lawrence Cheng, the latter is a playful urban romantic comedy about three bachelors struggling with love and marriage.
 
     The third pair of films is set against the background of war. In Chan’s “The Warlords” (2007), Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro star as three blood brothers who face life and death together on the battlefield. However, their loyalty and promises are ultimately sacrificed to political intrigue and self-interest, culminating in a heart-wrenching tragic fratricide. Directed by Lewis Milestone, “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1930) (2K Digital Restored Version) is an adaptation of the eponymous classic German novel. The film follows young Paul, who is full of dreams and ideals about joining the military and eventually meets his own tragic end on the battlefield after witnessing his peers, superiors and friends fall one after another amid the brutality of war.
 
     Tickets priced at $60 will be available from tomorrow (April 24) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. There is a 20 per cent discount for each purchase of two or more regular-priced tickets for different screenings in the same designated pair.
 
     In addition, a free screening of “Perhaps Love” (2005), directed by Chan, will also be held at the Cinema of the HKFA on June 19. The film tells of the complicated affairs between two film stars, played by Zhou Xun and Takeshi Kaneshiro, and a film director, played by Jacky Cheung, in front of and behind the camera during a film production.
 
     Admission by ticket is required for the free screening. Starting from April 24, ticket holders of any two screenings of the programme can collect a ticket for the free screening by presenting the purchased tickets at the box office of the HKFA on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Limited walk-in seats will also be available on the day of the free screening. Members of the public are welcome to queue up at the G/F lobby of the HKFA 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.
 
     The screening times of the films are as follows:
 

The First Pair
May 23 (Saturday)	11am	“Comrades, Almost a Love Story”
May 23 (Saturday)	2.30pm	“Casablanca”
The Second Pair
May 23 (Saturday)	6.30pm	“American Dreams in China”
May 24 (Sunday)	11am	“Tom, Dick & Hairy”
The Third Pair
May 24 (Sunday)	2.30pm	“The Warlords”
May 24 (Sunday)	7pm	“All Quiet on the Western Front”
Free Screening
June 19 (Friday)	2pm	“Perhaps Love”

     For programme details, please visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/peter-ho-sun-chan/pe-event-2026-peter-ho-sun-chan.html or call 2739 2139.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in March showed a rise of 325 cases, representing an increase of 0.2 per cent compared with that of February, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (April 23).
      
     The total CSSA caseload at the end of March stood at 194 549 (see attached table), with a total of 256 221 recipients.
      
     Analysed by case nature, permanent disability cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 0.3 per cent to 16 272 cases. 
      
     Low-earnings cases registered an increase of 0.6 per cent to 1 271 cases. Unemployment cases increased by 0.5 per cent to 15 240 cases. Both old age cases and ill-health cases increased by 0.2 per cent to 111 678 cases and 28 234 cases respectively. Single parent cases increased by 0.1 per cent to 17 913 cases.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender of 10-year RMB institutional Government Bonds through the re-opening of existing Government Bond (issue number 10GB3505001) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (April 23).
 
A total of RMB1.5 billion 10-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB10.235 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 6.82. The average price accepted is 103.24, implying an annualised yield of 1.908 per cent.
 
HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
 
Tender results of 10-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:

Tender Date	:	April 23, 2026
Issue Number	:	10GB3505001 (Re-open)
Stock Code	:	85024 (HKGB2.29 3505-R)
Issue and Settlement Date	:	April 27, 2026
Tenor	:	10 years
Maturity Date	:	May 15, 2035
Coupon Rate	:	2.29 per cent
Amount Applied	:	RMB10.235 billion
Amount Allotted	:	RMB1.5 billion
Bid-to-Cover Ratio*	:	6.82
Average Price Accepted (Yield)	:	103.24 (1.908 per cent(Note) )
Lowest Price Accepted (Yield)	:	103.23 (1.909 per cent(Note) )
Pro-rata Ratio	:	About 40 per cent
Average Tender Price (Yield)	:	102.67 (1.977 per cent(Note) )

* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

Note: The yields stated above are annualised yields. For reference, the semi-annualised yields corresponding to the average price accepted, lowest price accepted, and average tender price are 1.899 per cent, 1.900 per cent and 1.967 per cent respectively.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender of 3-year RMB institutional Government Bonds through the re-opening of existing Government Bond (issue number 05GB2912002) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (April 23).

A total of RMB1.0 billion 3-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB11.374 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 11.37. The average price accepted is 102.85, implying an annualised yield of 1.563 per cent.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results

Tender results of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:

Tender Date	:	April 23, 2026
Issue Number	:	05GB2912002 (Re-open)
Stock Code	:	84596 (HKGB2.37 2912-R)
Issue and Settlement Date	:	April 27, 2026
Tenor	:	3 years
Maturity Date	:	December 10, 2029
Coupon Rate	:	2.37%
Amount Applied	:	RMB11.374 billion
Amount Allotted	:	RMB1.0 billion
Bid-to-Cover Ratio*	:	11.37
Average Price Accepted (Yield)	:	102.85 (1.563% (Note))
Lowest Price Accepted (Yield)	:	102.77 (1.586% (Note))
Pro-rata Ratio	:	About 100%
Average Tender Price (Yield)	:	102.54 (1.651% (Note))

* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

Note: The yields stated above are annualised yields. For reference, the semi-annualised yields corresponding to the average price accepted, lowest price accepted, and average tender price are 1.557 per cent, 1.580 per cent and 1.644 per cent respectively.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Asia Food Licence Engineering Company Limited and its responsible officer, a manager, were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company and its responsible officer pleaded guilty at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (April 23) and were fined a total sum of $95,000. The company and its responsible officer were also ordered to pay the employees concerned an outstanding sum of about $159,000.
 
The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay five employees’ wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and termination of the employment contract, totalling about $157,000. The company also failed to pay the awarded sum of about $159,000 in total to the five employees within 14 days after the date set by the Labour Tribunal (LT). The responsible officer concerned was prosecuted and convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.
 
“The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO, as well as the sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board,” a spokesman for the LD said.
 
“The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (April 23) that the short-term tenancy of the Central Harbourfront Event Space (Event Space), covering an area of about 3.7 hectares, has been awarded to Central Grand Limited (CGL), a joint-venture company formed by Henderson Land Development Company Limited and YW Company Limited, for a fixed term of five years commencing on July 1. CGL shall manage and maintain the Event Space for the hosting of events pursuant to the strengthened terms and requirements on venue management.
 
A two-envelope approach was adopted in the tender exercise, with the technical proposal weighted at 70 per cent and the price proposal at 30 per cent. A total of six tenders were received. Upon assessment of the tenders on the proposed large-scale signature events, the number of days for commercial events and the number of free public events, as well as their commitments on various parameters including the arrangement on opening up the Event Space for free public enjoyment on days when no events are held, the tender is awarded to CGL which achieved the highest combined score for its technical and price components. During the tenancy term, the successful tenderer will pay the Government a monthly rental of $1,518,000 in accordance with its tender proposal.

After evaluating the six tenders, the Government considered that large-scale signature commercial events featured in the successful tenderer’s proposal would best utilise the harbourfront resources and the site space, with a strong appeal to the public and visitors, and would also help promote a mega-event economy and enhance the vibrancy of the harbourfront. CGL’s proposal also outlines practical implementation plans, such as offering flexible package options during large-scale signature events as proposed in the tender proposal, which provide promotional information and discounts of other tourist attractions and gourmet hotspots in Hong Kong, with the aim of enhancing the overall appeal of the Event Space and extending visitors’ stays in Hong Kong.
 
As regards space sharing, CGL will not only open up the Event Space to the public for free on days when no events are held in accordance with the tender conditions, but will also provide free facilities such as jogging trails or leisure facilities. In addition, even with ongoing commercial events or rehearsals, if more than one-third of the site area has no events taking place, CGL will implement flexible venue layouts and adaptive boundary arrangements to open up the non-event area for public use. Such flexible arrangements will enhance pedestrian accessibility and visual permeability of the harbourfront.
 
CGL is required to implement events and manage the venue in accordance with the undertakings in the technical proposal.  A clause will be added in the new tenancy to the effect that if the actual number of event days held at the Event Space as rented out each year falls short of the commitment, the tenant is required to pay a compensation amount to the Government (equivalent to 10 per cent of the monthly rent of the Event Space for each day of shortfall). The arrangement aims to ensure the tenant would fully utilise the Event Space, and deliver on its commitments as stated in the tender proposal.
 
The Central Harbourfront Event Space is a significant landmark at Victoria Harbour and has hosted a multitude of large-scale outdoor events and performances over the years, gaining widespread popularity. The DEVB has refined the tenancy terms to encourage the successful tenderer to bring in a rich diversity of events and enable the public to better enjoy the unique appeal of the Central Harbourfront. Relevant terms include:
 
(1) While a two-envelope approach was adopted in this tender exercise, the weighting given to the technical proposal was increased from 40 per cent in the previous exercise to 70 per cent. The assessment of the technical proposals considered not only the diversity of events and their ability to enhance the vibrancy of the harbourfront, but also their appeal to visitors, so as to provide ongoing support for the mega-event economy;

(2) The fixed term of the new tenancy is extended from three years to five years, with a view to incentivising the successful tenderer to make long-term investments and planning as well as to deliver events with due emphasis on both quality and quantity;

(3) The successful tenderer is required to provide, within one year from the commencement of the new tenancy and on a regular basis, food and beverage facilities with a floor area of not less than 100 square metres in the northern part of the Event Space adjacent to the promenade area. Apart from synergising with the events to be held at the Event Space, the facilities would also provide service to harbourfront visitors outside the period of any particular events; and

(4) The requirement will continue for the tenant to run events for the public for at least about 30 per cent of days in its annual schedule. In addition, to avoid under-utilisation of the Event Space when no events or events relatively small in scale are taking place, if no less than about one-third of the Event Space remains unused for events or is left unrented for a period of three consecutive days or longer, the tenant is required to open that portion of the Event Space for public enjoyment and leisure activities free of charge.