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Golden Week visitors reach 1.77m

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that the number of visitors to Hong Kong reached around 1.77 million for the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland from February 15 to yesterday, with various arrangements for receiving visitors rolling out smoothly.

During the nine-day Golden Week, the Immigration Department recorded around 1.77 million visitors to Hong Kong, with Mainland visitors accounting for about 1.5 million. The daily average of Mainland visitors was around 170,000.

Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at around 210,000 on February 18, the second day of the Chinese New Year. The Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point received the highest number, followed by the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.

They visited different parts of Hong Kong during Golden Week, with high visitor flow seen at major tourist attractions, including the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Peak Tram and Ngong Ping 360.

The hotel occupancy rate during this period generally reached 90%.

Around 2,400 Mainland inbound tour groups came to the city during Golden Week, with around 74% engaging in overnight itineraries. These tour groups covered around 84,000 visitors.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the interdepartmental working group, noted that the diverse and enriching celebration events held in Hong Kong during this period were well received by the public and visitors alike.

The events included the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, the fireworks display and the Chinese New Year Raceday, taking place on the first three days of the Chinese New Year respectively. There was also the Chinese New Year Cup football match on the fifth day of the festival.

Mr Chan thanked all relevant government departments, organisations and industry partners for their collaborative efforts and close co-ordination in receiving visitors, which provided citizens and visitors with a warm and welcoming festive experience in Hong Kong.

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DCS chairs 11th meeting of Task Force on District Governance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DCS chairs 11th meeting of Task Force on District Governance (with photo) 
      Mr Cheuk said, “The Task Force has continuously steered departments in implementing the strategies formulated by the Steering Committee, introducing various policies and measures targeting district issues of key public concern and achieving fruitful results. The Task Force will continue to lead departments in addressing people’s livelihood concerns through concrete actions, comprehensively enhancing district governance and building a better community. The Task Force will also strengthen the promotion of work achievements to enhance citizens’ sense of happiness and fulfillment.”
 
      The Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration has formulated strategies for 12 district issues (Note), including various measures to strengthen community support and enhance district facilities, thereby creating a higher-quality living environment for the public. At the meeting, the Task Force followed up on the implementation progress and outcomes of relevant initiatives.
 
     The meeting discussed the achievements of the Care Teams, which completed their first-term services in October 2025.  Over the two-year period, Care Teams made around 610 000 visits to elderly households and other households in need, provided around 100 000 instances of basic home or other support services, and organised around 50 000 district-level activities. Their achievements are evident to all. Moreover, Care Teams assisted in emergency and incident responses. In the event of emergencies and incidents in the districts (such as during the Wang Fuk Court Fire in Tai Po, the discovery of wartime bombs in Quarry Bay, Super Typhoon Ragasa, and successive heavy rainstorms affecting Hong Kong), Care Teams swiftly mobilised their members and volunteers to attend to the needs of affected individuals and provide them with adequate assistance. In particular, during the aftermath support for the Wang Fuk Court Fire, more than 1 900 Care Team members and volunteers from all 18 districts across Hong Kong responded promptly to the Government’s call and actively participated in emergency assistance. In terms of resources, the Government provided the Care Teams with part of the funding they need, while the operating organisations supported the Care Teams’ services through sponsorships, donations, or internal resources of the organisations. The total expenditure for the overall service plan of the first-term Care Teams was $444 million, of which $411 million was covered by Government funding disbursed according to the funding agreements (i.e., 92 per cent), while the remaining expenditure (i.e., 8 per cent) was met by community resources gathered by the Care Teams. Notably, the Government allocated $452 million as funding for the first-term Care Teams, but only 91 per cent of this amount was ultimately utilised, despite services exceeding the key performance indicator requirements that were delivered. This reflects the Care Teams’ prudent use of public funds in accordance with guidelines and their effective mobilisation of community resources. To enable the public to better understand the work of the Care Teams’ services, the Work Reports of the first-term Care Teams have been released today. Members of the public can visit the Care Teams website (www.had.gov.hk/tc/public_services/district_services_community_care_teams/index.htm 
     The meeting also followed up on the progress of 12 district initiatives. In terms of care for the elderly, as at end-January 2026, the Care Teams in all districts had visited or reached out to over 91 000 singleton and doubleton elderly households, carers of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. More than 2 900 households (involving over 3 470 elderly persons or persons with disabilities) were referred by the Care Teams to receive subsidies for installation of emergency alarm systems.

     As regards enhancing district facilities, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is expediting the renovation of public markets and cooked food markets. The stall enhancement works in the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre and the Luen Wo Hui Market Cooked Food Centre will be completed by April and July this year respectively, while the stall enhancement works in the Yue Wan Market Cooked Food Centre are expected to commence in March this year. The Highways Department has selected 14 suitable footpath locations for surface material replacement works, under which the existing paving slabs will be replaced with concrete pavement to enhance durability by minimising problems such as loosening or breakage of paving slabs resulting from load-bearing, compression or heavy usage; the Housing Department has also been carrying out minor improvement works at public housing estates to enhance the environment, and has so far completed external wall repainting works at five estates.
 
     In respect of enhancing the environment, relevant departments plan to complete six beautification projects in 2026, including thematic planting in various park projects and housing development schemes.  The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has already completed the planting of flowering trees, such as pink trumpet trees and silk floss trees, along the main pedestrian pathways at Sha Tin Park and Che Kung Miu Road Playground in January this year, bringing vibrant colours to the community.
 
      Mr Cheuk thanked all departments for their dedicated efforts in advancing the above work and achieving notable results. He encouraged all departments to continue their efforts in the new year and to respond to public expectations through more solid and effective work, tangibly enhancing the quality of life and well-being of the public.
 
Note: The 12 key issues are: (1) expanding after-school care and enhancing support for parents; (2) caring for the elderly and enhancing community support; (3) fostering clean markets and mobilising the community to participate in anti-rodent work; (4) enhancing public order and combating crimes on all fronts; (5) improving pedestrian facilities and ensuring road safety; (6) enhancing the community environment and strengthening local characteristics; (7) improving the environment of public housing estates and creating comfortable homes; (8) caring for the elderly and promoting digital inclusion; (9) improving the waiting environment at public transport interchanges to enhance the travel experience; (10) combating air-conditioner water dripping to improve community environment; (11) cleaning pedestrian walkways to improve city streets; and (12) strengthening thematic planting.
Issued at HKT 18:20

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SED officiates at opening ceremony of APAIE 2026 Conference and Exhibition

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (February 24) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, where she exchanged views with education officials and representatives from various regions on international education development trends and co-operation.

     The APAIE Conference and Exhibition ranks among the world’s top three international higher education conferences. This year’s event is expected to attract nearly 3 000 leading international education professionals to explore the latest trends and critical issues in higher education.

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Appointment of Law Officer (Civil Law)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Appointment of Law Officer (Civil Law) —————————-
     Ms Cheung was admitted as a solicitor in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong in 1989 and 1996 respectively. She was appointed as Senior Crown Counsel in 1995 and promoted to Deputy Principal Government Counsel in 2001, and Principal Government Counsel in 2008. She was appointed Law Officer in 2015 and has since held the position of Law Officer (Civil Law). Ms Cheung has served in the Civil Division of the DoJ for over 30 years. She was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2025.—————————-
     Mr Tavares was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2002. He was appointed as Government Counsel in 2002 and promoted to Senior Government Counsel in 2007, Deputy Principal Government Counsel in 2012 and Principal Government Counsel in 2019. Mr Tavares has served in the Civil Division of the DoJ for over 20 years. He served in the Legal Enhancement and Development Office under the Secretary for Justice’s Office between 2022 and 2024. 
Issued at HKT 16:00

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HKSAR Government lodges strong protest against forceful takeover of two ports by Panamanian government

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

HKSAR Government lodges strong protest against forceful takeover of two ports by Panamanian government 
​     A Government spokesman reiterated that the earlier ruling made by the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama, which declared the operation of the two Panamanian ports by the company concerned unconstitutional, disregarded facts and breached faith. The company concerned had already initiated and commenced arbitration proceedings. However, the forceful takeover of the two ports by the Panamanian government yesterday gravely damaged the legitimate rights and interests of the Hong Kong enterprise and undermined the spirit of contracts. The HKSAR Government condemns such a blatant act.

​     The HKSAR Government urged the Panamanian government again to respect the spirit of contracts and provide a fair and just business environment for companies operating legally there, ensuring that the legitimate rights of enterprises are free from any interference. Hong Kong enterprises operating and investing in Panama should receive fair and reasonable treatment and protection.Issued at HKT 16:24

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Applications selected for 56th personalised vehicle registration marks exercise

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Applications selected for 56th personalised vehicle registration marks exercise 
     A spokesman for the TD said, “The applicants have already been sent an acknowledgement of receipt bearing an application number. They may check the list to see whether their applications have been selected. Applicants will also be notified of the ballot results by post in batches.”
 
     The TD will later check the proposed PVRMs selected against the basic combination requirements. If, among the selected applications, more than one applicant proposes the same PVRM, only the one on which the lot falls first out of those applications will be further processed.
 
     If the selected PVRMs meet the basic requirements, the TD will send notices by registered mail to the applicants in batches, requiring them to pay a deposit of $5,000 within the period specified in the notice. If an applicant fails to pay the deposit within that period, his or her application will be cancelled automatically and will not be further processed.
 
     Upon receipt of the deposit, the Commissioner for Transport will determine, with the assistance of a vetting committee, whether an application should be approved or rejected. PVRMs approved in the 56th exercise will be put up for auction in batches. Auction details will be published in newspapers and on the TD’s website in due course.
 
     For enquiries, applicants can call the TD Hotline at 2804 2600.
Issued at HKT 11:41

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Visitor arrivals to Hong Kong surge during Chinese New Year holidays

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (February 24) announced that the nine-day Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland (February 15 to 23) concluded smoothly yesterday. According to the Immigration Department (ImmD), around 1.77 million visitors arrived in Hong Kong over the Golden Week, representing an increase of 14 per cent over the same period last year. Mainland inbound visitors accounted for around 1.5 million, representing an increase of 14 per cent. The number of non-Mainland inbound visitors was around 270 000, also representing an increase of 14 per cent.

     Mr Chan said, “During this Chinese New Year Golden Week, Hong Kong was filled with a festive atmosphere, with residents and visitors alike participating in a wide array of celebratory activities, including the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of the Chinese New Year, the fireworks display on the second day, the Chinese New Year Raceday on the third day, and the Chinese New Year Cup football match on the fifth day. These diverse and enriching events were well received by both residents and visitors, not only creating a joyous atmosphere throughout the city but also effectively attracting crowds, stimulating consumption, and bringing opportunities to various industries such as retail, catering and tourism, showcasing Hong Kong’s vibrant and welcoming metropolitan charm.”     
     During the nine-day Chinese New Year Golden Week, the daily average of Mainland visitors was around 170 000. The arrival of Mainland visitors peaked on February 18 (the second day of Chinese New Year) with around 210 000 Mainland visitors arriving in Hong Kong. During the Golden Week, the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point received the highest number of Mainland visitors, followed by the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. 

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Budget-related materials to be available tomorrow

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Budget-related materials to be available tomorrow 
     The public can also watch the live broadcast of the delivery of the speech by the Financial Secretary at the Legislative Council, the Budget-related press conference, a television forum and a radio programme on the above-mentioned website.
 
     Copies of the Budget Speech and a leaflet highlighting key Budget proposals will be available for collection at the 20 Home Affairs Enquiry Centres (HAECs) of the Home Affairs Department after the delivery of Budget.
 
* 20 HAECs:
 
Central & Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Eastern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Southern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Wan Chai Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Kowloon City Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Kwun Tong Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Sham Shui Po Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Wong Tai Sin Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Yau Tsim Mong Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Islands Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (Cheung Chau) 
Islands Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (Mui Wo)
Islands Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (Tung Chung)
Kwai Tsing Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
North Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Sha Tin Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Tai Po Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Tsuen Wan Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Tuen Mun Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre
 
     Copies of the highlights leaflet will also be available for collection at the following places after the delivery of Budget:
 
* 17 government office buildings:
 
Queensway Government Offices, Admiralty
Immigration Tower, Wan Chai
Revenue Tower, Wan Chai
Wanchai Tower, Wan Chai
North Point Government Offices
Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
Treasury Building, Cheung Sha Wan
Ho Man Tin Government Offices
Lai Chi Kok Government Offices
Mongkok Government Offices
Trade and Industry Tower, Kowloon City
To Kwa Wan Government Offices
West Kowloon Government Offices, Yau Ma Tei
Sha Tin Government Offices
Tai Hing Government Offices, Tuen Mun
Tai Po Government Offices
Tsuen Wan Government Offices
 
* Seven public libraries:
 
Hong Kong Central Library, Causeway Bay
City Hall Public Library, Central
Kowloon Public Library, Kowloon City
Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library, Yuen Long
Sha Tin Public Library
Tsuen Wan Public Library
Tuen Mun Public Library
 
*Five museums:
 
Hong Kong Museum of Art
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Hong Kong Museum of History
Hong Kong Science Museum
Hong Kong Space Museum
 
* Offices of the Labour Department (10 Offices of Labour Relations Division, 10 Job Centres and three Industry-based Recruitment Centres):
 
14 Taikoo Wan Road, Taikoo Shing
Queensway Government Offices, Admiralty
Western Magistracy Building
North Point Government Offices
Trade and Industry Tower, Kowloon City 
Mongkok Government Offices
Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices 
Treasury Building, Cheung Sha Wan 
Kowloon East Government Offices 
Tower 1, Millennium City 1, Kwun Tong 
Kwai Hing Government Offices
Tsuen Wan Government Offices 
Sha Tin Government Offices 
Landmark North, Sheung Shui 
Tuen Mun Central Square
Victory Building, Tuen Mun 
Yat Tung Shopping Centre, Tung Chung 
Tseung Kwan O Government Offices 
  
* 69 shopping centres in public housing estates:
 
Hong Kong and Islands
————————
Siu Sai Wan Plaza, Chai Wan
Wan Tsui Shopping Centre, Chai Wan
Oi Tung Shopping Centre, Shau Kei Wan
Hing Tung Shopping Centre, Shau Kei Wan
Stanley Plaza
Shek Pai Wan Shopping Centre, Aberdeen
Wah Fu (II) Commercial Complex, Aberdeen
Fu Tung Plaza, Tung Chung
 
Kowloon
———
Lei Yue Mun Plaza, Yau Tong
Yau Lai Shopping Centre, Yau Tong
Kai Tin Shopping Centre, Lam Tin
Tsui Ping North Shopping Circuit, Kwun Tong
Shun Lee Commercial Centre, Kwun Tong
Sau Mau Ping Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong
On Kay Commercial Centre, Ngau Tau Kok
Lok Wah Commercial Centre, Ngau Tau Kok
Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre
Choi Wan Commercial Complex, Ngau Chi Wan
Chuk Yuen Plaza, Wong Tai Sin
Temple Mall South, Wong Tai Sin
Fung Tak Shopping Centre, Diamond Hill
Lok Fu Place, Wang Tau Hom
Shek Kip Mei Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po
Hoi Fu Shopping Centre, Mong Kok
Oi Man Plaza, Ho Man Tin
Homantin Plaza, Ho Man Tin
 
New Territories East
———————
Choi Yuen Plaza, Sheung Shui
Ching Ho Shopping Centre, Sheung Shui
Ching Tao Shopping Centre, Sheung Shui
Cheung Lung Lane, Sheung Shui
Queens Hill Shopping Centre, Fanling
Fu Shin Shopping Centre, Tai Po
Tai Wo Plaza, Tai Po
Fu Tip Shopping Centre, Tai Po
Heng On Commercial Centre, Ma On Shan
Yan On Shopping Centre, Ma On Shan
Mei Tin Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
Shek Mun Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
Hin Keng Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
Kwong Yuen Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
Sha Kok Commercial Centre, Sha Tin
Mei Lam Commercial Centre, Sha Tin
Wo Che Plaza, Sha Tin
Pok Hong Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
Yue Tin Court Commercial Centre, Sha Tin
Shui Chuen O Plaza, Sha Tin
Chun Yeung Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
TKO Gateway, Tseung Kwan O
Po Lam Shopping Centre, Tseung Kwan O
TKO Spot, Tseung Kwan O
 
New Territories West
———————-
Cheung Fat Plaza, Tsing Yi
Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre, Tsuen Wan
Kwai Chung Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung
T Town, Tin Shui Wai
Tin Ching Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai
Tin Shui Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai
Tin Yan Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai
Ping Yan Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai
Long Ping Commercial Centre, Yuen Long
Long Shin Shopping Centre, Yuen Long
Hung Fuk Shopping Centre, Hung Shui Kiu
Butterfly Plaza, Tuen Mun
Leung King Plaza, Tuen Mun
Tai Hing Commercial Centre, Tuen Mun
Siu Hong Commercial Centre, Tuen Mun
Yan Tin Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
Ching Tin Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
Wo Tin Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
Yip Wong Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
Issued at HKT 16:30

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Fire calls drop 4.9% in 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Fire Services Department today said it received a total of 35,972 fire calls in 2025, representing a decrease of 4.9% over 2024. Among these were 2,000 damaging building fires, a slight increase of 25 cases over 2024.

In all, 96.1% of building fire calls were responded to within the graded response time.

Presenting the department’s 2025 Year-end Review at a media session today, Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung said the decline of fire calls was mainly attributable to a reduction in false alarms – down 8.3% from 2024.

The principal causes of the fires were electrical faults and human negligence, such as careless handling of cigarette ends and candles.

With regard to special service calls, a total of 42,485 calls were received during the year, representing an 8% increase year-on-year. Notable incidents included Super Typhoon Ragasa that struck Hong Kong directly in September, during which the department handled over 800 special service calls.

In the wake of the No.5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the department introduced a series of targeted measures to enhance the overall safety standard.

First, a dedicated Inspection Team was established to conduct inspections on fire service installations and equipment (FSIs) in buildings undergoing major maintenance works.

Second, a round-the-clock Quick Response Team was formed to proactively inspect the operation of the relevant FSI systems immediately at the scene of building fires.

Third, alerts to residents during periods of major FSI failure were strengthened.

Fourth, publicity, education and training for the public, owners’ corporations and property management companies were actively reinforced.

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Ports’ takeover condemned

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today voiced strong opposition to the Panamanian government’s forced takeover yesterday of the two Panamanian ports operated by Hutchison Ports Panama Ports Company and the termination of the company’s operating rights.

The Hong Kong SAR Government added that the Panamanian government’s move undermines the spirit of contractual obligations, and reiterated its firm commitment to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong enterprises overseas.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today lodged a protest with the Consul General of Panama in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that a ruling made by Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice declaring the operation by the company of the two Panamanian ports unconstitutional, disregarded fact and was a breach of faith. It highlighted that the company had initiated arbitration proceedings and that these were underway prior to the ports’ takeover.

Condemning the takeover, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it gravely damages the Hong Kong firm’s legitimate rights and interests.

It urged the Panamanian government to respect contracts, provide a fair and just business environment for companies operating legally in Panama, and ensure that the legitimate rights of enterprises are free from any interference. Hong Kong enterprises operating and investing in Panama should, it added, receive fair and reasonable treatment and protection.

The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that the company has made vast investments in Panama, and created abundant jobs over the years. It said the court’s ruling and the unjust action by the Panamanian government have sabotaged Panama’s creditworthiness and gravely undermined international trade rules.