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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A total of 400 stalls were let out at the 2026 Victoria Park Lunar New Year (LNY) Fair open auction which concluded today, with a total revenue of $9,030,526.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department said the stalls included 170 for regular size dry goods, 46 for large size dry goods, 180 for wet goods, and four for fast food. The successful bids for the dry goods stalls ranged from $8,540 to $60,000.

Separately, the department said the auction for stalls of the Tat Tung Road Garden LNY Fair in Tung Chung will be held tomorrow from 9am at Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon.

The auctions for stalls of the LNY fairs in Fa Hui Park in Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan Playground in Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong Recreation Ground in Kwun Tong and To Kwa Wan Recreation Ground in Kowloon City will be held at the above-mentioned venue from November 3 to 6. The morning session will run from 9am to 12.30pm, and the afternoon session will start at 2pm.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Primary Healthcare Commission announced the Community Drug Formulary (CDF) mechanism and promulgated the Guidelines of Practice for Community Pharmacy today.

The move establishes a clear framework for the services of community pharmacies and their pharmacists, with a view to paving the way for the launch of the Community Pharmacy Programme (CPP) in the fourth quarter of next year.

According to the mechanism of the CDF, drugs listed therein will be mainly selected from the Hospital Authority (HA) Drug Formulary. The HA will co-ordinate the procurement through a collaborative mechanism established between the Government and the HA.

The CDF will cover drugs commonly used in primary healthcare, including preventive drugs, drugs for managing chronic diseases, and drugs for treating episodic illnesses.

It will be classified into three tiers, each with different drug inclusion mechanisms, scope of applications, as well as co-payment models. Tier 1 will mainly comprise non-patented drugs, Tier 2 will cover individual patented drugs and specified drugs, and Tier 3 will consist of drugs classified as special category.

The drug application of the CDF will be launched in the second half of next year in an orderly manner. By then, citizens participating in the Government’s primary healthcare programmes, such as the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme), can be provided with primary healthcare drugs listed in the CDF with doctors’ prescriptions under a co-payment model through doctors under the programmes or community pharmacies participating in the CPP.

The PHC Commission is currently formulating the CDF drug list, and establishing procurement agreements with drug suppliers and pressing ahead with the preparatory work of relevant information systems through the HA.

The CDF will be based on the drug list of the CDCC Pilot Scheme and cover over 100 drug items upon its launch. It will be gradually expanded based on patient needs, with the long-term scope of covering up to 200 to 400 drug items. The Government will review the drug list in a timely manner and allow flexibility to include new drugs in the future to meet the needs of the society.

Meanwhile, the Guidelines of Practice for Community Pharmacy promulgated today, devise clear standards and establish a service framework, with a view to promoting community pharmacies and their pharmacists to play a more crucial role in the healthcare system, enhancing professional standards and service quality, and ensuring members of the public can receive consistent, high-quality and safe care services.

The guidelines will serve as the fundamental standard for the CPP and cover four key areas of community pharmacies.

They are standards for management and staff involved in the operation; requirements for the premises; daily operation procedures; and scope of services. The guidelines stipulate the operation models and practical guidance of service provisions of a community pharmacy under the existing legal and regulatory framework in a systemic manner.

In the long term, only registered pharmacies that have been vetted by the Government as meeting the service standards and quality assurance requirements outlined in the guidelines will be recognised as community pharmacies under the primary healthcare service network.

The guidelines will initially apply to community pharmacies participating as service outlets in the District Health Centre network.

The PHC Commission will launch the CPP in phases starting from the fourth quarter of next year. The CPP will adopt two service models – the Community and the Residential Care Homes (RCH).

Under the CPP (Community), participating community pharmacies will dispense designated drugs in batches to patients of the HA’s Family Medicine Out-patient Services eligible for drug dispensing services before their next follow-up consultation with a view to enhancing patients’ drug compliance and avoiding excess storage of drugs, thereby reducing risks and potential wastage.

As for patients enrolled in primary healthcare programmes, such as the CDCC Pilot Scheme, they may also opt to obtain drugs from community pharmacies under the CPP, offering them a convenient alternative for obtaining drugs and medication counselling services other than their family doctors’ clinics.

Under the CPP (RCH), HA-prescribed drugs will be regularly dispensed to HA patients residing in RCHs for the elderly and persons with disabilities to improve the current practice of daily drug sorting and distribution by RCH staff, with a view to enhancing patients’ drug compliance and reducing the risks associated with overstocking of drugs. The services of the CPP (RCH) include drug distribution, reconciling, and prepackaging of the daily required drugs.

In addition, pharmacists will assist RCHs in adopting information technology for drug management to enhance drug safety in RCHs.

Pharmacies participating in the CPP will also provide a range of professional value-added pharmaceutical services according to the actual needs of patients and RCHs. Apart from general drug consultations and counselling, drug reconciliation and drug safety information, pharmacies under the CPP (Community) also provide services such as drug management, chronic disease management, smoking cessation and oral health promotions.

As for the CPP (RCH), value-added services include the establishment of drug administration systems, drug management and storage for RCHs, health education and staff training, thereby ensuring safe and accurate drug administration, as well as enhancing management of drug safety in RCHs.

The first-stage tender exercise for the CPP (Community) will commence in the fourth quarter of this year, with phased implementation starting from the fourth quarter of next year.

In the initial phase, the CPP (Community) will be piloted at four districts, each with approximately four to five community pharmacies, and will be extended to cover all 18 districts across the city by the fourth quarter of 2027.

Meanwhile, the first-stage tender exercise for the CPP (RCH) is expected to commence in the first quarter of next year, with phased implementation beginning in the first quarter of 2027.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk, entitled “Work and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases”, on November 6 (Thursday). The talk will introduce healthy lifestyles and tips on protecting the heart and brain in the workplace to enhance employers’ and employees’ awareness of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

The talk will be given by the LD’s occupational health nurse at 7.15pm at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay.

The LD will hold another talk, entitled “Occupational Health of Office Workers Series (II) Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Office Workers” on November 12 (Wednesday) to raise office workers’ awareness of musculoskeletal disorders of the back and upper limbs arising from prolonged repetitive movements or improper sitting postures. The talk will cover the causes of and preventive measures for musculoskeletal disorders among office workers.

The talk will be given by the occupational hygienist and occupational health nurse at 3.30pm at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Both talks will be given in Cantonese. Admission is free but pre-registration is required. Interested participants can register online (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en). For enquiries, please call 2852 4040.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his official visit to Saudi Arabia yesterday (October 29, Riyadh time), leading a delegation to participate in activities of the Future Investment Initiative (FII). During the visit, Mr Chan engaged in in-depth exchanges with local political and business leaders, and visited local innovation and technology institutions, as well as urban planning and conservation projects.

In the morning, Mr Chan attended a breakfast session hosted by HSBC at the FII and took part in a fireside chat, during which he shared his insights on the prospects for strengthening economic, trade and financial ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East.

Mr Chan noted that against the backdrop of increasing global geopolitical and economic fragmentation, economic and financial links between China as well as other parts of Asia and the Middle East continue to deepen. Hong Kong will further leverage its role as an international financial centre and provider of world-class professional services to support Mainland enterprises in going global, expanding their industrial and supply chains, and tapping into overseas markets. At the same time, Hong Kong stands ready to offer capital and professional services to Middle Eastern businesses seeking to enter the Mainland and Asian markets. Furthermore, with its highly internationalised financial system, diversified financing channels, and innovative financial solutions, Hong Kong is well placed to promote cross-border capital flows as well as provide diversified and flexible infrastructure financing models, such as infrastructure loan securitisation.

Mr Chan added that Hong Kong is accelerating cross-border financial and innovation and technology collaboration with the Middle East. This includes enhancing capital market connectivity, such as mutual listing of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and encouraging Middle Eastern businesses to list in Hong Kong. In terms of innovation and technology, a number of start-ups and tech companies from Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have already established a presence in the Middle East. In response to questions, Mr Chan said Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to develop artificial intelligence (AI), both as a core industry and as an enabler to help upgrade and transform various sectors. The Government is also taking the lead in adopting AI to enhance efficiency and service quality.

Later in the day, Mr Chan and the delegation visited the Saudi National Bank, the largest state-owned commercial bank in the country, and attended a meeting with its senior management. Members of the Hong Kong delegation introduced their respective businesses and conveyed interest in connecting with financial institutions, investors and enterprises in Saudi Arabia in order to explore opportunities in the Middle Eastern market. In the concluding remarks, Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s active role in fostering two-way investment and capital flows with Saudi Arabia, particularly in supporting Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises to invest and establish businesses in the region. He expressed the hope that both sides would enhance co-operation and seize greater business opportunities.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the headquarters of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and met with its Director-General, Dr Hajar El Haddaoui. The DCO is a multilateral international organisation based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed at fostering co-operation and coordinated development among member states in the digital economy. Currently comprising 16 member countries from the Middle East, Asia and Africa, and 39 observers including non-regional countries, international organisations and business entities, the DCO’s core objectives include enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting inclusive and innovative technology, increasing youth and women participation in technology, and establishing international co-operation platforms conducive to the growth of digital enterprises.

During the meeting, members of the delegation outlined their core business areas and future development directions. The DCO warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed interest in facilitating greater exchanges between start-ups and innovation enterprises from its member states and the Hong Kong delegation, with a view to promoting innovation and industrial co-operation between the two sides.

The delegation also visited The Garage, an innovation and technology incubation platform under the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, to gain a deeper understanding of its operations and the local government’s policies in nurturing start-ups. Both sides discussed potential collaboration in areas such as incubation, talent exchanges and scientific research.

Subsequently, the delegation visited Diriyah and visited the At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They also learnt more about the Diriyah Gate Project, a major urban revitalisation initiative. The visit provided insights into local strategies and latest developments in heritage conservation, city planning and the diversification of the tourism sector.

In the evening, Mr Chan attended a welcome dinner hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade for Chinese and Saudi business communities.

Mr Chan will continue his visit in Riyadh today (October 30, Riyadh time) before concluding the trip and returning to Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

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

The Hong Kong Academy of Finance (AoF) Financial Leaders Programme (FLP) concluded its field trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 20 to 23 October. The trip was attended by 35 FLP participants, including all members of the 2025 cohort and 12 alumni.
 
The objectives of the trip are to deepen the participants’ understanding of Saudi Arabia’s financial market eco-system and
strategic priorities, foster knowledge exchange between Hong Kong’s future financial leaders and key market practitioners and regulators in Saudi Arabia, promote opportunities for deeper financial and business collaboration, and expand professional networks of the participants within the Kingdom.
 
The delegation engaged with senior officials and representatives from leading institutions, including the Saudi Central Bank, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Tadawul Group, Fintech Saudi, and the Middle East and North Africa Fintech Association. 
 
Through a series of meetings, in-depth discussions were held on topics of mutual interest, including Saudi Arabia’s economic development and transformation, fintech innovation, digitalisation, green and sustainable finance, and financial infrastructure development. The participants gained valuable insights into Saudi Vision 2030 and other initiatives driving the Kingdom’s economic transformation, the roles of key stakeholders in advancing strategic goals, and the potential for collaboration between the financial markets of Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. The participants also shared updates on the latest developments in Hong Kong as an international financial centre, particularly in the field of fintech, with their counterparts. The delegation also attended a luncheon with Chinese corporates operating in the Kingdom to learn about their experiences, opportunities, and challenges in the region.
 
“This trip not only broadened the FLP participants’ global perspectives but also reinforced the strategic roles of Hong Kong and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as key gateways between Asia and the Middle East,” said the Chief Executive Officer of the AoF, Mr Enoch Fung. “This journey has laid a strong foundation for future collaboration in fintech, green finance, and cross-border talent development.”

About the Hong Kong Academy of Finance

The AoF was set up with full collaboration amongst the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, the Insurance Authority and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. It aims at facilitating financial talents’ development and fostering collaboration for applied researches.

About the Financial Leaders Programme

Launched in 2022, the FLP is a programme designed to inspire Hong Kong’s future financial leaders (currently at around two levels below the CEO position), equipping them with the strategic mindset to lead with a macro perspective, and expand their professional network. Participants are nominated by their CEOs. The 2026 intake will open for applications in November 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 30) that in view of notifications from the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in Hungary, the United Kingdom (UK) and France respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

The relevant areas are as follows:

Hungary
—-
(1) Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County

UK
—-
(2) West Suffolk District of Suffolk County

(3) Denbighshire County of Wales

France
—-
(4) Cher Department

(5) Haute-Marne Department

(6) Vendée Department

(7) Lot-et-Garonne Department

A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Hungary for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 110 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Hungary; about 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.17 million poultry eggs from the UK; and about 830 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 50 000 poultry eggs from France in the first nine months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the Hungarian, British and French authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Two incoming male passengers were each sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and four months’ imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (October 30) for importing alternative smoking products, as well as for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers respectively, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO) and the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO). One of them was also fined $1,500.
 
Customs officers intercepted a 50-year-old and a 32-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on August 5 and October 29 respectively. About 11 200 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $33,600, were seized from the personal baggage of the 50-year-old incoming male passenger. Also, about 46 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $209,000 and a duty potential of about $153,000 in total, were seized from the 32-year-old male passenger’s personal baggage. The two persons were subsequently arrested.
​
The 50-year-old male passenger was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by the court today for contravening the IEO, while the 32-year-old male passenger was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and fined $1,500 for contravening the DCO.
 
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
 
Under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, began his visit programme in Korea today (October 30). 
 
     This morning in Busan, Mr Lee received President Xi Jinping, who will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and pay a state visit to Korea.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Lee met and exchanged views in Busan with Hong Kong people and business representatives based in Korea to learn more about their daily lives and developments. Mr Lee encouraged them to leverage their strengths to tell the good stories of Hong Kong and contribute to the economic and trade co-operation, as well as people-to-people exchanges, between the two places.
 
     In the evening, Mr Lee, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, will attend a dinner with Hong Kong, China’s representative to the APEC Business Advisory Council in Gyeongju to exchange views on various issues including the promotion of Hong Kong’s advantages and the enhancement of regional co-operation.
 
     Mr Lee will participate in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests, the APEC Business Advisory Council Dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders, and the Gala Dinner hosted by the organiser for participating leaders tomorrow (October 31).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that MKS PAMP, a global Swiss precious metals firm, inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Hong Kong today (October 30), leveraging the city’s position as a premier international gold trading centre to expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. The inauguration was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by senior executives from MKS PAMP, representatives of InvestHK, and key stakeholders from the financial and precious metals sectors.
      
     MKS PAMP has maintained a substantial presence in Hong Kong for many years, with established offices and deep client relationships in the region. Building on this foundation, the inauguration of its new regional headquarters in the Central district represents an important expansion of the company’s regional footprint. This strategic development elevates Hong Kong to the status of one of the company’s three global trading hubs, alongside Geneva and New York. This provides seamless, round-the-clock coverage across all major time zones and assures the highest level of service to its regional clientele.
      
     Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK Ms Loretta Lee said, “We are delighted to support MKS PAMP’s expansion in Hong Kong. This decision not only reinforces the city’s status as a leading international financial centre but also aligns with the Government’s ongoing efforts to promote the city as an international hub for gold trading. MKS PAMP’s expansion is a testament to Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a destination for global businesses seeking to grow in the Asia-Pacific region.”
      
     The Chief Executive Officer of MKS PAMP, Mr James Emmett, said, “Hong Kong’s world-class infrastructure and established role as a global financial centre make it a natural choice for this expansion. We see Hong Kong not only as a vital link to the Chinese Mainland’s gold market but also its position at the nexus of Asia Pacific’s precious metals market.”
      
     He added, “We value the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s ongoing initiatives to strengthen its status as an international gold trading centre. This vision aligns seamlessly with our own, with Hong Kong consequently playing a strategic role in our regional and global aspirations.”
      
     He further explained, “As part of its regional growth strategy, MKS PAMP is expanding its team in Hong Kong and across the Asia-Pacific region. The Hong Kong headquarters will serve as the regional hub for the company’s comprehensive suite of precious metals trading and financial services. Core functions based here will include regional sales and client relationship management, precious metals trading, treasury activities, and operational support.”
      
     For more information about MKS PAMP, please visit www.mkspamp.com.

     For a copy of the photo, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720329862261.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, led a delegation to attend the meeting of “1+2” co-ordination mechanism among the Chinese Mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions immigration management authorities in Chongqing on October 28 with the immigration authorities of the Mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. The meeting brought together representatives from the Exit and Entry Administration of the People’s Republic of China, the Macao Public Security Police Force, and the Macao Identification Services Bureau to exchange views on various immigration matters, including immigration management service arrangements for the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China, travel document issuance, immigration clearance facilitation and talent mobility.
 
     Mr Kwok stated that the Immigration Department will strengthen collaboration with the Mainland and Macao counterparts to ensure the 15th National Games are held safely and smoothly. The Department will make advance immigration management service arrangements and deploy manpower as appropriate at control points to facilitate efficient immigration clearance for participating athletes, organisers and visitors travelling among the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.
 
     The three sides agreed to continue close collaboration and deepen exchanges to safeguard national security and social stability and to support the successful hosting of the 15th National Games.
 
     At the meeting, the three authorities also discussed measures to further facilitate the travel of residents between the Mainland and the two Special Administrative Regions and to apply innovation and technology to enhance immigration services. Consensus was reached on various initiatives, including expanding the scope of talent endorsement policies, improving identification document processing and immigration clearance efficiency, and improving residency and service facilities arrangements. These aim to provide more convenient and efficient immigration services and to support Hong Kong and Macao in developing into international talent hubs.
 
     Since its launch in 2019 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, the “1+2” co-ordination mechanism has served as a key platform for co-operation in immigration management between the Mainland and the two Special Administrative Regions. Established under the leadership of the Exit and Entry Administration of the People’s Republic of China with the participation from the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Public Security Police Force and Identification Services Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the “1+2” co-ordination mechanism aims to enhance co-ordination and planning in immigration management across the three regions, facilitate smoother personnel exchanges, and better integrate Hong Kong and Macao into the national development strategy.