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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.4 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.7 billion.

Concurrently, 1,392 residents have been accommodated, through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, in youth hostels, camps, or hotel rooms. Another 3,163 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Housing Society.

On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 1,800 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. About 19,600 donated items, covering various categories, have been distributed.

The Housing Department continued to remove the burnt scaffolding on the external walls of Wang Cheong House, Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House.

For the sake of safety, the department will conduct assessments along with the Police Force on a timetable for removing the scaffolding on the remaining four affected buildings. Additionally, the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit has completed the extraction of concrete core samples from the seven affected buildings at Wang Fuk Court.

The Development Bureau earlier announced a new mechanism for sampling and testing scaffold nets for external walls in Hong Kong. The Buildings Department is preparing a new practice note for registered contractors and will meet with the industry next week.

The bureau is also moving ahead at full steam arrangements to ensure there are sufficient designated laboratories and a suitable site for off-site sampling work.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, initiated by the Department of Justice with support from the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), was officially launched today, marking a new stage of collaborative support from Hong Kong’s professional services sector for Mainland enterprises going global.

Under the steer of Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, the platform implements an initiative announced in the Chief Executive’s Policy Address. He will work to promote Hong Kong’s legal services and collaborate with other professional service sectors such as accounting and finance to support Mainland enterprises with ambitions to expand overseas.

Mr Cheung said at a launch ceremony that professional services firms in Hong Kong are renowned for their international outlook, uncompromising professional standards and nuanced understanding of both Chinese and global contexts, and can offer Mainland enterprises comprehensive support.

Since the establishment of the CEDB’s Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (the GoGlobal Task Force), many Mainland enterprises have expressed a strong desire to use Hong Kong as a “launchpad” for global expansion, he added.

The goal of the Professional Services GoGlobal Platform is to collaborate with the Trade Development Council in building a deeper and broader cross-professional services platform, enabling enterprises to enjoy a customized experience.

It will provide useful reference material for Mainland enterprises by integrating information related to Hong Kong’s professional services, including their previous successes in supporting Mainland enterprises expanding overseas. It will also publish lists of professional services providers supporting overseas expansion, facilitating precise connections between Mainland enterprises and Hong Kong’s providers.

Mr Cheung added that to promote the platform’s work and provide a source of strategic advice, the Department of Justice will establish the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global, consisting of Mainland and Hong Kong experts from the legal, financial, accounting and business sectors.

Highlighting that matching Mainland enterprises with Hong Kong professional service firms is a common goal of the GoGlobal Task Force and the platform, Mr Cheung said the latter will bring the city’s firm’s together to support enterprises going global while the task force will directly engage with Mainland enterprises, serving as a pivotal contact point for them to leverage Hong Kong as a launchpad.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said at the ceremony that as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, Hong Kong possesses unique advantages.

He said the city can assist Mainland enterprises in expanding their business overseas and addressing various challenges and difficulties they may encounter when going global, such as cross-border capital management, risk management, laws and regulations, cultural differences and talent recruitment.

At the launch ceremony, Dr Cheung released the inaugural edition of the Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global, which includes case studies spanning various professional domains across different industries and investment locations.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today expressed sorrow over the passing of former Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory So, and extended his condolences to Mr So’s family.

Mr So joined the Government in 2008 as Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development, and served as Secretary from 2011 to 2017. He also served on various advisory and statutory bodies, spanning areas such as public healthcare services, education and district governance.

“Mr So had dedicated years of service to the community through his work in the Government and different public offices, contributing to the city’s development in the economy, trade, tourism, information technology, telecommunications and creative industries,” said Mr Lee. 

“He had made significant contributions to Hong Kong with his professional knowledge and dedication. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2012.

“I am saddened by the passing of Mr So. I extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau also expressed deep sorrow over Mr So’s passing.

He said: “Mr So had made immense contributions to Hong Kong’s economic and trade developments by taking forward various policies and measures, and forging co-operation between Hong Kong and other economies.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Police Force’s National Security Department has arrested nine men on suspicion of committing “unlawful drilling” offences under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The arrestees, aged between 20 and 25, were netted in an operation mounted recently in various districts.

Investigations found that a syndicate conducted unlawful drilling inside a unit of an industrial building in Kowloon. The training encompassed firearm drills, use of tactical knives and combat techniques.

Offensive weapons were seized in the operation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Task Force on Mental Health Support Following the Tai Po Fire under the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) held the second meeting today (December 12) to discuss multiple measures to provide mental health support to families and members of the public affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The ACMH adopted the stepped care model on mental health and provides services covering prevention, early identification, targeted assessment and referral to specialist services, to take care of the mental health needs of the affected residents and members of the public from different aspects.

     The Chairman of the ACMH, Dr Lam Ching-choi, said, “In the face of this unfortunate incident, we must build a more comprehensive mental health support network. The Task Force is co-ordinating and enhancing multiple measures, aiming to provide timely and appropriate support to every affected family, accompany them through their pain, and help them rebuild their lives.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs detected a trafficking case involving air cargo and a drug trafficking case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport, and shut down a suspected dangerous drugs distribution centre in Tai Po, seizing a total of about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine, 1kg of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules of suspected etomidate, 660 grams of suspected liquid etomidate, 8g of suspected cannabis oil and 1.7kg of suspected heroin, with a total estimated market value of about $8.9 million. Three males were arrested.

In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers on December 4 inspected an air parcel, arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium declared as carrying an office display product, at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, about 15kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $6.1 million, was found concealed inside the parcel.

After follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (December 11) and arrested two male consignees, aged 46 and 29, in Sha Tin and Tai Po respectively. Customs officers then escorted the 29-year-old arrested man to his premises in Tai Po for a search and further seized about 1kg of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules of suspected etomidate, 660g of suspected liquid etomidate and 8g of suspected cannabis oil, with a total estimated market value of about $2.1 million.

The second case involved a 25-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today (December 12). During customs clearance, Customs officers found 1.7 kg of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $680,000, concealed in his carry-on suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

The investigation of the first case is ongoing. The arrested person in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and he will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (December 13).

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.

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

     Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, on matters related to the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po at a media session today (December 12):

Reporter: Good afternoon, Mr Lee, some English questions. Firstly, would the Independent Committee have less investigative power to summon evidence and witnesses unlike a commission of inquiry, especially when the circumstances may not have officially been constituted as a crime yet? How would the Government intend to address this potential issue? With regard to your nine-month time frame as you mentioned, is this enough time? And do you foresee a possibility that you’ll have to extend due to, as you mentioned, the complex and large-scale issues that the committee has to face? And the second question, on the potential redevelopment of Wang Fuk Court, what’s the Government’s plan and time frame on it so far? Does it have an idea where these funds will come from? And also, do you foresee a challenge in getting a consensus from the thousands of residents involved? Thank you. 

Chief Executive: First of all, it is a mammoth task for the Independent Committee (Independent Committee Established in Relation to the Fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po) to achieve examining two very big issues. The first is regarding the causes and circumstances that led to the fire, including the examination of fire service installations and equipment in the buildings, and the supervision and responsibility for their effective operation; whether the construction safety requirements, standards, supervision and day to day maintenance regime for the building maintenance and renovation works were adequate; regarding the building maintenance and renovation works, whether the prevailing list of materials meeting safety standards is comprehensive, and whether related verification and testing systems are effective; the roles and responsibilities of personnel with supervisory roles across all stages, including government offices, authorised professionals, contractors and others; and the liabilities arising from the aforementioned issues. For just this theme, under this topic, you can say the amount of issues to be examined is already a lot. 

     Then the Independent Committee will have to look at another very important issue, which is, regarding large-scale building maintenance and renovation works, to examine whether there are systemic problems such as undue connected interests, conflicts of roles, or improper collusion across all stages of the works; and whether bid-rigging corruption or irregularities were involved in the tendering process of these works. You can see this second issue is an issue that has been troubling a lot of Hong Kong people, because we all live in buildings, and we all, at some stage, will be doing large-scale renovation work, so it affects everybody. We have been seeing cases where a lot of problems have arisen. We should indicate that there are systemic problems, as I have highlighted in this second topic. 

     So you are right, nine months is a very challenging time indeed, but I want to solve the problem as quickly as possible. I want to give what I regard as a realistic time frame, provided the Independent Committee is given sufficient means to manoeuvre. While ensuring the examination is just, they can streamline the procedure and be given more flexibility, so that they can finish their work within the nine months. I also have given them a reserve power; that is, if the Independent Committee considers, while examining all these complicated issues, there may be one which they think, by exercising the power that is given to a statutory commission of inquiry, will help them complete their work, then I am very willing to consider a recommendation by the Independent Committee to seek appointing them as the commission of inquiry. This is the reserve power I will give to them. First, to tell everybody that we must co-operate and assist the Independent Committee to do its very important job, because when the Independent Committee wants to exercise statutory powers, they will be given according to the law and the procedure with the CE-in-Council, considering the recommendation and then deciding to appoint a commission of inquiry with the Independent Committee functioning as such. That will help the Independent Committee to finish all the different issues they want to address within the nine months. 

     I also have mentioned that the Independent Committee can always submit interim reports for issues that they believe have finished their work and let the Government take immediate action. I am very grateful to Mr Justice Lok, because he wants to really help Hong Kong as a whole to address and solve all these problems. He shares the same belief as I do, to ensure that we can do it as soon as possible. I must express my sincere gratitude to the three members of the Independent Committee. It is a big responsibility and challenging tasks within only nine months, but they all have the passion and the love for Hong Kong to be so courageous to take up this responsibility. I am really thankful to them. I take my hat off to them.

     Regarding the long-term housing issues for the victims and the families who suffer in this Tai Po big fire, of course, I am very concerned about the arrangements that may be made possible to take care of their needs, but they have very divergent needs, obviously, because we have so many families, and each family may have their own thinking. There have been a lot of views about what we can do, and I have explained them in my opening. What is important is to listen to what they want. I think they may want things very differently, and whether we will be able to have different options for different families to choose is important, so collecting views from them is very important. Everybody has a very good heart, trying to help them, but I think it will be up to them to tell us what they want, even though there may be different wants and different needs. At the same time, they are still undergoing a difficult period of big transition. While I ask the Task Force (Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements) to collect views, I think they have to do it in a very tactful manner. We do not want to upset the families while they are at this difficult time. There may be a process for the Task Force to go through to talk to the families in a tactful and right way at the right moment of time as well. That may take a little bit of time, but as I have always asked my people to do, we always want to finish all these things as soon as possible, because the sooner we address all these issues and problems, the quicker we can recover our normal life. I do remember the important message given by Dr CC Lam (Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, Dr Lam Ching-choi) when he talked about the importance of mental health and psychological health, which is we should try to come back to normal, day-to-day life as soon as possible. That will be helping not just society but, most importantly, helping the victims and helping their families to go through this difficult time. We will work on that.

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee (PCSC) provided updates today (December 12) on interdepartmental mosquito control and prevention work progress against chikungunya fever (CF) at Tsing Yi Nature Trails. 

     PCSC members, including the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), and various bureaux and departments, have been working closely in mosquito prevention and control. In 2025, the PCSC held a number of meetings to monitor the mosquito infestation situation, and provide steer to interdepartmental anti-mosquito actions:

(1) At the meeting on March 14, the PCSC discussed the follow-up actions of various departments in response to the anti-mosquito work plan for 2025 that was discussed at the previous meeting at the end of last year;

(2) At the meeting on July 23, the PCSC examined the latest mosquito infestation situation and anti-mosquito measures taken by various departments and discussed measures to prevent CF, particularly in response to a significant increase in CF cases in neighboring areas and some overseas countries. Given the frequent travel of Hong Kong residents to various places, there was a potential risk of local transmission. The PCSC also urged departments to promptly initiate a new round of mosquito prevention and control actions to clear potential breeding grounds after Typhoon Wipha that hit Hong Kong, and thereafter continue to proactively implement mosquito control measures;

     In addition, on August 1, the Chairperson of the PCSC, along with the representatives from the CHP and the FEHD, met with trade representatives to discuss the latest situation regarding CF and the situation overseas, as well as Hong Kong’s risk assessment, border control, emergency preparedness, and public education work. The meeting also urged the trade representatives to step up anti-mosquito work at venues under their purview;

     Furthermore, between July 24 and August 12, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology and the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology conducted inspections in various districts respectively to assess the relevant response work against CF;

(3) On October 27, following the first local CF case, the PCSC convened a special meeting, urging relevant departments to strengthen mosquito control efforts in areas under their purviews. The District Offices of the FEHD also held interdepartmental meetings at the district level to undergo risk assessment and conduct targeted measures;

     Besides, on October 27, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology visited Fung Tak Estate, where the first local CF case was reported, to inspect the mosquito control work;

(4) The FEHD has consistently acted upon notifications from the CHP of CF and other mosquito-borne diseases by immediately informing relevant departments of their follow-up to the taken. Upon receiving notifications on November 13 of a case involving for the first time a patient who had visited Tsing Yi Nature Trails and reported mosquito bites, the FEHD promptly initiated response measures at the trail and simultaneously informed relevant departments for their follow-up actions to be taken;

     On November 24, in response to several imported CF cases reportedly being bitten by mosquitoes while hiking along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails before symptoms onset, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology visited the vicinity of Tsing Yi Nature Trails to learn about the progress of the response work carried out by the FEHD and other relevant departments since November 13;

     At the meeting on November 28, the PCSC reviewed the latest situation regarding CF and the corresponding response efforts, particularly on Tsing Yi Nature Trails:

(a) The progress of the FEHD’s operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes and remove mosquito breeding sites, including the use of large ultra-low volume foggers and trial of robotic dogs to enhance effectiveness. The FEHD also installed new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could lead to stagnant water, and applied larvicidal oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that could not be immediately cleared. Pamphlets were distributed to hikers in the area to raise awareness about mosquito infestations; and

(b) The progress made by the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District Lands Offices, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) and the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) in strengthening their actions along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails.

     On the same day, the District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Kwai Tsing) of the FEHD held a meeting of the inter-departmental task forces to discuss the latest developments related to the situation and to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders to strengthen mosquito prevention and control measures in venues and areas under their purview;

     On November 28, the CHP determined, based on epidemiological investigation and genome analysis results, that two cases in which the patients visited Tsing Yi Nature Trails, should be classified as locally cases;

(5) In response to the announcement of another local case on December 1 who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, the Committee Chairperson sent an email to the members on December 2 to inform them of the update and asked them to report on the progress of the follow-up work as requested by FEHD in mid-December. On December 4, the CHP, based on epidemiological investigation and genome analysis results, announced another local case who had also visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. On December 6, the CHP announced the determination of another case which had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Having conducted inspections, the FEHD informed individual departments on December 10 of the outstanding follow-up work. On the same day (December 10), the CHP announced another local case who had also visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails.

     In the meeting, planned to be held in the later half of December, apart from the anti-mosquito work plan for 2026 originally put on the agenda, the PCSC will also examine the progress of follow-up work by various departments in detail. 

     The FEHD has been conducting regular monitoring of vectors for dengue fever and CF, and has been carrying out comprehensive mosquito control measures across Hong Kong to reduce the risk of transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. The FEHD has set up Aedes albopictus mosquito traps in 64 monitoring areas and all port areas across Hong Kong to monitor the distribution and density of Aedes albopictus in various districts, and to carry out targeted mosquito control work. In addition, the FEHD conducts regular inspections to understand the mosquito situation in various districts and to take early action to control mosquito problems. The mosquito control efforts of the FEHD and relevant departments will not slacken under the cooler weather, and the territory-wide mosquito control campaign is still on-going. The work of various departments is co-ordinated through the PCSC to enhance effectiveness.

     In response to the CF cases, the FEHD has adopted various methods to eliminate vector mosquitoes. These include intensive fogging treatments using ultra-low volume sprayers, which significantly reduce the adult mosquito population in the shortest possible time. Additionally, efforts are made to target the larval stage of mosquitoes by eliminating breeding grounds and applying larvicides, thereby reducing the chance of vertical transmission of the virus in vector mosquitoes (i.e. transmission to the next generation). Furthermore, the FEHD will set up mosquito traps in relevant locations to assess the effectiveness of mosquito control measures. Given that the typical lifespan of a female mosquito is about one month, the related mosquito control efforts will continue for more than a month to eradicate virus-carrying female mosquitoes. Adjustments or extensions will be made based on the latest developments and assessment results of the cases.

     The Tsing Yi Nature Trails are situated in a countryside environment and cover a vast area, with the hiking trails stretching approximately 7 000 metres. Compared with urban settings, mosquito control work there faces greater challenges. Along both sides of the trails, various natural breeding grounds for vectors, including puddles on soil surfaces and fallen leaves, increase the risk of mosquito breeding.

     Currently, tools such as large ultra-low volume foggers and robot dogs have been deployed by the FEHD to conduct 49 fogging operations to kill adult mosquitoes along the hiking trails, covering the entire trails and the perimeter. The FEHD has also eliminated about 1 800 potential mosquito breeding sites, applied larvicide oil or larvicides at around 240 areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately, and installed 29 new mosquito trapping devices. The department is also actively exploring the use of stairlifts and drones to assist in fogging operations. Furthermore, the department has set up 40 temporary mosquito traps at the trail to monitor the effectiveness of the measures and the mosquito situation, and collect adult mosquitoes for vector surveys.

     In addition, pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging the public to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD also visited nearby schools and childcare facilities to provide information and assistance on mosquito prevention and control.

     The FEHD has stepped up inspections of construction sites and residential premises near the trails, instituted two prosecutions against parties responsible for violations related to mosquito breeding, and issued eight statutory notices requiring the elimination of stagnant water.

     The Kwai Tsing District Office (K&TDO), responsible for the maintenance of the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, has instructed its contractor to enhance mosquito prevention and control measures, including grass cutting, clearing blockages in drainage, conducting fogging operations, and application of larvicide oil or larvicides. In addition, the K&TDO has displayed posters at the entrances, pavilions and sitting-out areas along the trails to remind visitors and hikers to use insect repellents and take protective measures. K&TDO also continuously disseminates information on mosquito prevention to residents in the district through the local networks of the District Council Members, Area Committees and Care Teams.

     The DSD has conducted multiple drainage cleaning operations in the vicinity of the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, removing silt and debris from drainage facilities to ensure smooth drainage and prevent stagnant water and mosquito breeding.

     The District Lands Office of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing has progressively removed illegal cultivations, structures, metal canopies, and bamboo sticks on relevant government land. 

     The CEDD has requested contractors and site supervisory staff to arrange site inspections, including its surrounding areas, to ensure that the mosquito prevention measures taken are as effective as possible. Mosquito prevention and control measures include conducting regular inspections, removing stagnant water, applying larvicidal oil, and setting up mosquito traps on-site with regular checks and replacement of baits.

     The PCSC emphasised that it will continue to closely monitor the mosquito situation in Hong Kong and, as always, convene meetings in a timely manner before the rainy season and when necessary to discuss and follow up on inter-departmental mosquito control efforts.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force conducted an enforcement operation yesterday (December 11) and arrested nine men aged between 20 and 25 in various districts. They were suspected of committing the offence of “unlawful drilling” under Section 13 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
 
     Investigation revealed that a syndicate has been conducting unlawful drilling inside a unit of an industrial building in Kowloon. The training content includes firearms drills, knife techniques and combat techniques.

     Police conducted searches at the unit suspected of being used for unlawful drilling and seized offensive weapons associated with the unlawful drilling.

     The arrested persons are now being detained for further enquiries. The operation is ongoing.