MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A total of 19 nomination forms for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election were received today (October 27) by the Returning Officers for the 10 geographical constituencies, the 28 functional constituencies and the Election Committee constituency.

     This brings to 50 the total number of nomination forms received since the start of the nomination period on October 24. The nomination period will continue until November 6.

The number of nomination forms received for each geographical constituency is as follows:
 

Geographical constituency	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Hong Kong Island East	0	2
Hong Kong Island West	1	3
Kowloon East	0	1
Kowloon West	0	1
Kowloon Central	0	3
New Territories South East	3	5
New Territories North	1	1
New Territories North West	2	3
New Territories South West	1	4
New Territories North East	1	2
Total	9	25

The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
 

Functional constituency	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Heung Yee Kuk	1	1
Agriculture and fisheries	0	0
Insurance	0	0
Transport	0	0
Education	0	0
Legal	0	1
Accountancy	0	0
Medical and health services	0	0
Engineering	0	0
Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape	0	0
Labour	1	3
Social welfare	1	1
Real estate and construction	0	0
Tourism	0	0
Commercial (first)	0	0
Commercial (second)	0	0
Commercial (third)	0	0
Industrial (first)	0	0
Industrial (second)	1	1
Finance	0	0
Financial services	0	1
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication	0	0
Import and export	0	0
Textiles and garment	0	0
Wholesale and retail	0	1
Technology and innovation	0	0
Catering	0	0
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the National People’s Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and representatives of relevant national organisations	1	1
Total	5	10

     The number of nomination forms received today for the Election Committee constituency is five and the cumulative total number is 15.

Particulars of the nominated persons received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will officiate at the unveiling ceremony and award presentation for the 2025 National Games Architectural Installation Design Competition tomorrow (October 28).

     The ceremony will be held at 4.45pm at the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section). Media coverage is invited. Media registration will start at 4.15pm. Information Officers will be on-site to assist. A fixed press position will be set up at the venue. Photographers are advised to bring foldable ladders and telephoto lenses.
      
     Other guests attending the ceremony will include the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, and the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), Mr Yeung Tak-keung.

     The two winning architectural installations are located at Kai Tak Station Square and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section). A media tour of the architecture installation at Kai Tak Station Square, which will last around an hour, will be held at 2.30pm at Kai Tak Station Square (near Kai Tak Mall 2), 20 Muk On Street, Kowloon City. Media representatives who wish to join the media tour should arrive by 2.15pm. After the media tour at Kai Tak Station Square, coaches arranged by the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) will take media representatives to the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) for the media tour of the architecture installation there scheduled at 4pm and the subsequent ceremony.  

     The 2025 National Games Architecture Installation Design Competition is organised by the NGCO and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, commemorating the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, which will be cohosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao for the first time.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the BEA Union Investment’s 18th Anniversary Celebration today (October 27):
 
Brian (Co-Chief Executive of The Bank of East Asia, Limited (BEA), Mr Brian Li), Adrian (Co-Chief Executive of BEA, Mr Adrian Li), Mr Haagmann (member of the Executive Board of Union Investment, Mr André Haagmann), Janet (Chief Executive Officer of BEA Union Investment, Ms Janet Li), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     It is my great honour to address you today at BEA Union Investment’s 18th Anniversary Celebration. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to BEA Union Investment for hosting this distinguished gathering and for your remarkable 18 years of outstanding performance in serving Hong Kong’s asset management sector. It is a privilege to join you in celebrating this milestone, and to reflect on the bright future ahead for Hong Kong’s asset and wealth management industry.
 
Hong Kong’s strength in asset and wealth management
 
     Over the past years, we have witnessed remarkable performance for the asset and wealth management sector of Hong Kong. Hong Kong has firmly established itself as Asia’s leading fund management hub, with our asset and wealth management business reaching an impressive HK$35 trillion last year, equivalent to 11 times of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product). This growth was driven by an 81 per cent surge in net fund inflows, fueled by facilitating policies that have attracted new capital for management in our city. Notably, 54 per cent of these assets were sourced from investors outside the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, reinforcing our status as an international wealth management hub. This momentum has continued into this year, with Hong Kong-domiciled SFC (Securities and Futures Commission)-authorised funds recording net inflows of HK$270 billion in the first half of the year. Also, in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, Hong Kong maintained the top three positions globally in the “banking”, “investment management”, “insurance” and “finance” sectors, underscoring our position as Asia’s premier asset and wealth management hub as recognised by international investors.
 
     The robust fund management ecosystem in Hong Kong is a cornerstone of our ambition as a global financial centre, attracting diverse capital and expertise that promote economic growth and innovation. The presence of world-class fund managers strengthens our position as a centre for international investment, connecting Asia with global markets. Our city is home to over 650 private equity firms, managing over US$230 billion in capital as of June this year, making Hong Kong the second-largest private equity hub in Asia. Also, Hong Kong hosts at least 2 700 single family offices, and we are Asia’s largest cross-boundary wealth management centre. Market research indicates that we are on track to become the global leader for cross-boundary wealth management in a few years’ time.
 
Progressive regulatory reforms on asset and wealth management
 
     Our regulatory framework continues to evolve in support of this vibrant industry. In February this year, regulators issued a circular clarifying requirements for authorising closed-ended funds that invest mainly in private and less liquid assets, such as private equity, private credit, and infrastructure equity or debt. This encourages sizable alternative asset funds, particularly those with regular income streams, to list in Hong Kong. Additionally, the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Schemes Authority clarified in May this year that MPF funds may invest in approved listed private equity funds, providing greater flexibility in their fund allocation choices.
 
     To enhance operational efficiency, regulators have issued a circular to streamline suitability assessments for sophisticated professional investors. This initiative simplifies processes, improves client experiences, and facilitates more seamless transactions, ensuring that sophisticated professional investors can operate and allocate assets with agility in our dynamic market. These measures reflect Hong Kong’s unwavering commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment catering to the needs of global wealth management.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, I congratulate BEA Union Investment once again on 18 years of excellence and leadership in Hong Kong’s wealth management industry. Your success is a testament to the strength and dynamism of our financial ecosystem. Hong Kong’s forward-thinking policies and strategic vision position our city as the ultimate destination for wealth management. I invite global investors, family offices, and financial institutions to leverage our robust platform to achieve their wealth preservation and growth objectives. Together, let us continue to build a vibrant and prosperous future for Hong Kong as the world’s leading wealth management hub.
 
     Before I conclude, I encourage all financial market participants to actively participate in the coming Legislative Council General Election on December 7 by casting your votes. It is of utmost importance for accelerating the development of Hong Kong’s economy and our markets. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan, accompanied by Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Donald Ng, today inspected enhanced preventive work to combat chikungunya fever at Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin and the surrounding area.

Mr Tse was informed that officers from the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had investigated the vicinity of the first local chikungunya fever case to be detected and found both mosquito breeding and stagnant water at a residential estate.

They instigated a prosecution and issued a statutory notice to the property management company concerned, asking it to eliminate the mosquito breeding grounds. The department also inspected nearby construction sites and again found mosquito breeding and stagnant water. It instigated a prosecution and issued four statutory notices to the contractors involved.

Additionally, the FEHD has inspected schools, elderly homes and childcare facilities in the surrounding area and installed new mosquito traps in the schools to strengthen mosquito prevention and control.

Mr Tse said the Government will enhance mosquito control efforts and called on people to support efforts by seeking medical advice and contacting the Centre for Health Protection if they have a fever, rash or joint pain.

He added that property management personnel should inspect public areas within buildings and housing estates such as flower beds, refuse rooms, and rooftops, to thoroughly eliminate stagnant water.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A torch relay will be held in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou and Shenzhen this Sunday ahead of the official opening of the 15th National Games on November 9, with 50 torchbearers taking part in the exercise along a 10km route in Hong Kong.

 

Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Yeung Tak-keung said at a press briefing today that the relay will start at 9.30am on Sunday and last for about two hours. It will start at the Central Government Offices in Tamar and end at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP).

 

The route will pass through the Central & Western District Promenade (Central Section), the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade, the Monument in Commemoration of the Return of Hong Kong to China and Golden Bauhinia Square.

 

The torch will then cross Victoria Harbour by ferry and proceed along its Tsim Sha Tsui route. It will be carried from the Star Ferry Bus Terminus on Salisbury Road to Mody Lane, passing by the Cultural Centre and the Museum of Art. From there, the torch will be taken on an open-top bus to the bus terminal at the KTSP.

 

The last leg of the route will pass by the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and the Kai Tak Sports Avenue, before arriving at KTSP Central Square.

 

“The torch relay route, we hope, can arouse the public’s interest in the 15th National Games and also show the best side of Hong Kong to our Mainland and overseas friends and audience,” Mr Yeung said.

 

Stressing that the relay route has been chosen to highlight Hong Kong’s unique cultural and sporting characteristics, he said the torchbearers will include representatives from various sectors of the community, including sports, sponsors, volunteers, youths, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities.

 

Road sections of the Central & Western District Promenade (Central Section), Golden Bauhinia Square and the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade will be temporarily closed during the relay.

 

“Normally on Sunday mornings, the traffic is less busy, so we chose this time for the torch relay. We think that would minimise the disruption to our economic and other activities.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     A total of 180 wet goods stalls and four fast food stalls were all successfully let in an auction for stalls at the 2026 Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair starting today (October 27).

     Nearly 480 people attended the auction at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, from 9am to about 8pm today, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said.

     The average bid price for the wet goods stalls was $23,910, with the successful bids ranging from $6,530 to $71,000. The highest bid of $71,000 was about 10.9 times the opening price of $6,530.

     The auction of wet goods stalls fetched a total of $4,303,766, compared with $3,555,258 last year.

     The successful bids of the four fast food stalls ranged from $130,000 to $230,000 with an average of $163,750, against an opening price of $120,470.

     The auction for the 216 dry goods stalls, including 170 regular size dry goods stalls and 46 large size dry goods stall, will be held at 9am tomorrow (October 28) and on Thursday (October 30) at the same venue.

     The spokesman reminded the successful bidders to comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Environment & Ecology Bureau today convened a special meeting of the interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee.

 

It urged relevant departments to strengthen anti-mosquito measures after the first locally acquired case of chikungunya fever (CF) was recorded recently.

 

The committee heard from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Home Affairs Department, the Housing Department, and others, on ways to prevent CF from taking root locally.

 

Hong Kong has recorded a total of 47 CF cases so far this year. One male patient with underlying chronic diseases passed away, but the remaining cases all showed only mild symptoms.

 

In light of the first local case being detected, the CHP, co-operating with various other departments and organisations, will initiate infection control measures in an effort to prevent CF from taking root locally and to minimise the public health impact of the disease in Hong Kong.

 

This includes providing medical surveillance and health advice to household contacts of the case and anyone with common exposure to the source of infection. The centre will arrange for laboratory testing if such individuals present with symptoms.

 

Besides carrying out questionnaire surveys, the CHP has set up a health consultation booth at Fung Tak Shopping Centre, Fung Tak Estate, where the local case was reported, to provide assessments to any residents with symptoms. An inquiry hotline, 2125 2373, has also been set up.

 

Together with the FEHD, the centre has inspected locations near the patient’s residence, and conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations, to minimise the risk of local transmission. It has also issued letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions, providing the latest information on CF and reminding them to stay vigilant.

 

In the meeting, the FEHD reported on mosquito infestation conditions in the area where the case was detected, and on follow-up actions taken, including intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250m radius of relevant locations in order to kill adult mosquitoes.

 

During the Chung Yeung Festival, the department will enhance cleaning and mosquito prevention efforts at public cemeteries and columbaria.

 

People should clear stagnant water and refuse after tomb-sweeping to prevent mosquito breeding. Managers of private cemeteries have also been urged to implement mosquito prevention measures.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region