Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
International Arts Carnival opens in July with acrobatic theatre production “Starchitects”
“Starchitects”, winner of the Best Family Arts Activity award at the Fantastic for Families Awards 2023 in the UK, has been warmly received by audiences of all ages. With its simple yet humorous storyline, stunning visual effects, and an exhilarating performance that seamlessly combines acrobatics with dance, it is truly fun for the whole family. Making its Hong Kong debut, the programme is not to be missed.
The story follows five kids who, to kill time, unleash their boundless creativity in their bedroom. They turn cardboard boxes into aeroplanes, launchpads and rockets, and imagine themselves blasting off to the moon. Showcasing superb aerial acrobatics and dance skills, they tumble and leap as if in zero gravity, weaving through a universe filled with comets and planets, and encountering quirky characters such as moon fairies, a giant green alien and a fearsome lava king.
“Starchitects” will be held at 7.30pm on July 10 and 11, and 3pm on July 11 and 12 at the Hall, East Kowloon Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $200, $300, $400 and $500 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk
After each performance, there will be a meet-the-artist session for the audience to exchange views with the performers. In addition, parent-child acrobatics workshops will be held at 4pm on July 9 and 11am on July 12 at Incubator 1 of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre, where performers from Motionhouse will teach simple acrobatic tricks, allowing families to experience the fun of acrobatics while improving body co-ordination.
Moreover, the performance at 3pm on July 11 will be an accessible performance with audio descriptions in Cantonese. A touch tour will be provided prior to the performance for people with visual impairment and their companions.
Acrobatic performers have undergone long-term professional training, and the audience is advised not to imitate their acts. For programme enquiries and discount schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hkIssued at HKT 12:40
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CE commends teachers for teaching excellence
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE commends teachers for teaching excellence
Approximately 200 nominations were received from secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools for the CEATE (2025/2026). After assessment, two nominations (comprising eight teachers) were presented with the Award for Teaching Excellence, along with two nominations (comprising six teachers) presented with the Certificate of Merit, two nominations (comprising two teachers) presented with the Award for Budding Teachers, and one nomination (comprising one teacher) presented with the Award for Education Innovation. Please visit the CEATE website (www.ate.gov.hk
Other officiating guests at today’s ceremony included the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms May Chan; the Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals, Professor Tam Kar-yan; the Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr David Wong; the Chairperson of the Curriculum Development Council, Professor Isabella Poon; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, Professor Paul Lam; and the Chairman of the CEATE Assessment Working Group (2025/2026), Professor Lo Ming-tung.
Sharing activities involving the CEATE-awarded teachers are being rolled out gradually to disseminate excellent teaching practices. Details will be announced on the CEATE website and the Education Bureau’s Training Calendar.
The CEATE (2026/2027) will cover three themes and two awards, namely “Arts Education Key Learning Area”, “Technology Education Key Learning Area”, “Special Educational Needs”, the Award for Budding Teachers, and the Award for Education Innovation. Nominations will be accepted from July 6 to October 2. Relevant details will be available on the CEATE website from July 6.
Issued at HKT 17:40
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Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
Dengue fever
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From June 26 to yesterday (July 2), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. Both patients had travelled to Thailand during the incubation period.
Hong Kong has recorded 25 DF cases so far this year, comprising 23 imported cases and two local cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, comprising 156 imported cases and five local cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. In 2025, over 5 million cases and over 4 000 DF-related deaths were reported in over 90 countries/territories. From January to May 2026, over 1.4 million cases and over 500 DF-related deaths have been reported from over 80 countries/territories.
DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Guangdong Province has recorded over 3 500 local cases in 2025. In 2026, up to May, Guangdong Province has recorded 131 DF cases; and among them 46 cases were recorded in May.
Chikungunya fever
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Therefore, the CHP reminds members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHPIssued at HKT 17:15
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June had outbreaks of heavy rain
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Mainly attributed to an active southwest monsoon and troughs of low pressure, there were outbreaks of heavy showers which necessitated the issuance of three Black Rainstorm Warning Signals in the month. The monthly rainfall of June 2026 was 600.5 millimetres, about 22 per cent above the normal of 491.5 millimetres. The accumulated rainfall recorded in the first half of the year was 1 187.3 millimetres, about 10 per cent above the normal figure of 1 082.5 millimetres for the same period. The month was slightly hotter than usual. The monthly mean temperature of 28.6 degrees was 0.3 degrees above the normal of 28.3 degrees. With all six months warmer than usual, the first half of 2026 was exceptionally warm. The mean minimum temperature of 21.5 degrees, mean temperature of 23.3 degrees and mean maximum temperature of 26.0 degrees were respectively the highest, one of the highest and the second highest on record for the same period.
Winds were weak over the coast of Guangdong on the first four days of the month. Locally, there were sunny intervals and afternoon isolated showers on June 1. While there were still some isolated showers, the weather turned mainly fine and very hot on the next three days. Meanwhile, an area of low pressure over the northeastern part of the South China Sea intensified into a tropical depression in the morning of June 4 and moved across the southern part of Taiwan the next day. Under the continued influence of light wind conditions, it was very hot with sunny periods on June 5 and the temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory soared to the month’s highest of 34.6 degrees in the afternoon of June 5, the hottest Corn on Ear (a traditional Chinese solar term) on record. Moreover, heat-triggered severe squally thundery showers started to affect Hong Kong that afternoon, bringing more than 10 millimetres of rainfall in Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan and around 50 millimetres on the western part of Hong Kong Island.
A broad trough of low pressure brought showers and thunderstorms to the coast of Guangdong the next two days. Locally, it was mainly cloudy with showers and squally thunderstorms. More than 60 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even exceeded 100 millimetres over Sai Kung District on these two days. A trough of low pressure formed over the northern part of Guangdong on June 8, and gradually edged closer to the coastal area. Together with the moisture provided by the active southwest monsoon, local weather remained mainly cloudy with showers and squally thunderstorms. Showers were heavy at times and brought more than 70 millimetres of rainfall to most parts of the territory. The maximum hourly rainfall over Sha Tin District even exceeded 100 millimetres that night. Violent gusts of around 100 kilometres per hour were also recorded in Kwai Chung. The incessant downpour necessitated the issuance of the first Black Rainstorm Warning Signal of the year that night. With the southward departure of the trough of low pressure to the northern part of the South China Sea, local weather remained mainly cloudy and showers abated the next day.
Affected by an easterly airstream, local weather was mainly cloudy with one or two showers from June 10 to 12. With the southwest monsoon affecting the coast of Guangdong, the weather in Hong Kong became unsettled with occasional showers and squally thunderstorms the next day. Showers were heavy at times. More than 40 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even reached 100 millimetres over Tsuen Wan District and the eastern part of Lantau Island. Under the influence of a trough of low pressure and a strong southwest monsoon, it was cloudy with heavy showers and squally thunderstorms from June 14 to 16. More than 150 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over most parts of the territory, and rainfall even exceeded 250 millimetres over Hong Kong Island, Sai Kung District and Lantau Island on these three days.
While showers subsided very slightly on June 17 as the trough of low pressure moved north, heavy showers with squally thunderstorms associated with an active southerly airstream and upper-air disturbances affected the territory on June 18. More than 70 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even exceeded 200 millimetres over parts of the New Territories and Lantau Island. Around 3 000 strokes of cloud-to-ground lightning were recorded within Hong Kong. The outbreaks of heavy showers necessitated the issuance of the second and third Black Rainstorm Warning Signals of the year on the same day with an interval of only three hours and 30 minutes. This was the first time two Black Rainstorm Warning Signals were issued in one day and the shortest break between two Black Rainstorm Warning Signals since the commencement of the rainstorm warning system in 1992. In the midst of the incessant downpour, the temperature at the Observatory dropped to the month’s lowest of 24.2 degrees that afternoon.
A southerly airstream affected the coast of Guangdong the next two days. Locally, it was mainly cloudy with a few showers. There were sunny intervals during the day. With the establishment of the subtropical ridge and the subsequent anticyclone aloft, the weather in Hong Kong became very hot and mainly fine apart from isolated heat-triggered showers from June 21 to 24. With the anticyclone weakening, apart from sunny intervals on June 25, there were a few showers and thunderstorms with more than 20 millimetres of rainfall recorded over parts of Kowloon and the New Territories. Under the influence of a trough of low pressure, local weather was mainly cloudy with occasional showers and squally thunderstorms on June 26. It was hot with sunny intervals in the morning, but showers were heavy around noon. More than 50 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even reached 70 millimetres over parts of the New Territories and Lantau Island. The trough of low pressure continued to bring showers to the northern part of the South China Sea on June 27, while there were sunny intervals and a few showers in Hong Kong. Showers and thunderstorms associated with the trough of low pressure affected the coast of Guangdong on June 28. More than 40 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places. Following the gradual weakening of the trough of low pressure, a southerly airstream affected the coast of Guangdong in the last two days of the month. Locally, the weather was mainly cloudy with a few showers and thunderstorms. There were sunny periods during the day. More than 20 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even exceeded 40 millimetres over Kowloon East, the New Territories East and Lantau Island on these two days.
Four tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in June 2026.
Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for June are tabulated in Table 2.
CHP announces new melioidosis case
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 3) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (June 26 to July 2). Given that Hong Kong is often affected by typhoons and rainstorms during the summer, the CHP reminds members of the public, in particular high-risk groups (including the elderly and people with underlying diseases), to avoid contact with soil or muddy water after typhoons or storms with a view to lowering the risk of melioidosis infection.
Where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.
The new case involves a 54-year-old male with underlying illnesses. He lives in Sham Shui Po District. On June 18, he developed a fever and sustained an injury resulting from a fall. He then attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre. He was admitted for treatment. His clinical diagnosis was septicaemia. His clinical sample tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei. He is currently in stable condition.
The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. An initial epidemiological investigation revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but the bacteria causing melioidosis can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong, and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. As of yesterday (July 2), seven melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year. Last year, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.
According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or rainstorms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or rainstorms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase. Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:
- Avoid contact with contaminated soil;
- Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;
- Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;
- Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings;
- Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;
- Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and
- Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.
The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.
Textbooks for the New School Year: A Three-Step Guide to Purchasing Textbooks Smartly
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3
As the summer holidays approach and you receive your child’s textbook list for the new school year, do you wonder how to get all the required textbooks ready? To assist parents in planning ahead properly, reducing expenses and avoiding unnecessary hassle, the Education Bureau (EDB) has specially prepared “A Three-Step Guide to Purchasing Textbooks Smartly”, so that you may get the textbooks ready for the new school year with ease and welcome the new school year together with your children.
“Smart Tips for Buying Textbooks” Video
Land Registry releases statistics for June
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Land Registry releases statistics for June
Land registration
* The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in June was 9 434 (+10.5 per cent compared with May 2026 and +29.7 per cent compared with June 2025)Issued at HKT 15:00
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Tenders invited for San Tin Technopole Phase 1 Stage 1 (West) – Contract 2 – Fresh Water and Reclaimed Water Service Reservoirs and Associated Works
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tenders invited for San Tin Technopole Phase 1 Stage 1 (West) – Contract 2 – Fresh Water and Reclaimed Water Service Reservoirs and Associated Works The works are scheduled to commence in January 2027 and will take about 51 months to complete.
The CEDD has commissioned AECOM – Halcrow Joint Venture to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors may download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS). Tenders must be submitted in electronic format via the e-TS.Issued at HKT 12:30
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LCSD’s new measures to combat touting activities to take effect from July 7
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCSD’s new measures to combat touting activities to take effect from July 7
SmartPLAY users not intending to use “iAM Smart” can continue to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues to make bookings from 7.15am each day.
The LCSD strongly encourages SmartPLAY users aged 11 or above to register as “iAM Smart” users for making priority bookings of leisure and sports facilities/venues from 7am each day. Members of the public who wish to register as “iAM Smart” users, or understand the procedures of identity authentication of SmartPLAY users via “iAM Smart”, may refer to the Annex.
The LCSD once again reminds SmartPLAY users not to permit any third party to use their “iAM Smart” accounts, and not to provide their account information to touts for making bookings. Any users who have ever used touting services or provided their account information to others should change their passwords as soon as possible. The LCSD will continue to strictly enforce the Conditions of Use of SmartPLAY. For any users who breach the conditions concerned by using computer programmes or automated tools to make bookings or interfere with the normal operation of the system, regardless of whether they have logged into the SmartPLAY system via “iAM Smart” and whether any booking or transaction has been made, the LCSD will suspend their accounts for 360 days without any prior notice.
Issued at HKT 11:30
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Antenatal service of DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres to be integrated into Hospital Authority in phases
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Antenatal service of DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres to be integrated into Hospital Authority in phases
The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address proposed a comprehensive reform of the healthcare system, under which the Government will conduct a comprehensive review of the positioning and objectives of the healthcare system, and reform the functions and division of work among the HA, the DH and the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC). The DH will continue to perform its public health functions, and regulatory and enforcement roles. Meanwhile, clinical services will be gradually integrated into the HA or the PHCC according to the plan.
Currently, antenatal services in the public sector are jointly provided by the HA’s obstetrics department and the DH’s MCHCs through the antenatal shared-care programme. Under this programme, antenatal services for high-risk pregnant women are provided by the HA’s obstetric department, while related services for women with low-risk pregnancies are jointly provided by the obstetrics department of hospitals under the HA and MCHCs.
The service integration will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will commence on July 6 this year and involves the integration of antenatal services from 15 MCHCs into nine public hospitals, namely Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Tsan Yuk Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, United Christian Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, North Lantau Hospital, Tseung Kwan O Hospital and Tuen Mun Hospital. The second phase will be implemented next year (2027) and will involve Prince of Wales Hospital and three MCHCs. The exact date and related arrangements will be announced in due course. The list of MCHCs and public hospitals involved in the two phases is set out in the annex.
After the service integration, the obstetrics department of the HA will provide one-stop antenatal services to all pregnant women planning to give birth in public hospitals. In the first phase, starting from July 6, 2026, all new case service, that is the first antenatal visit, will be provided by the HA’s obstetrics department. Expectant mothers may schedule appointments through established procedures, such as submitting an application for a new case appointment with the obstetrics department via the “BookHA” feature (booking services for Specialist Out-patient Clinics) of the “HA Go” mobile application, or submitting an application in person.
Expectant mothers who have already booked antenatal services at an MCHC for July or later simply need to attend their next appointment at the originally scheduled MCHC at the appointed time. Staff at the MCHC will explain future service arrangements in detail, including specifics regarding subsequent antenatal service at public hospitals. The DH will collaborate closely with the HA to arrange and co-ordinate the appointment process, ensuring a seamless transition of services.
The integration is one of the measures to optimise service management and follow-up arrangements. The existing antenatal service, fee arrangements and target service groups will remain unchanged. Pregnant women will continue to receive regular antenatal check-ups, blood tests, screenings and vaccinations. They will also receive health education on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and infant and young child feeding.
Additionally, after the service integration, time slots previously allocated for antenatal services at the MCHCs will be reallocated to other maternal and child health services, including child health and postnatal services, to promote maternal and child health.
Pregnant women currently under the antenatal shared-care programme who have any enquiries regarding the arrangements for antenatal service may contact the MCHCIssued at HKT 11:00
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