Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
To ensure the smooth operation of the entire city on the polling day of the Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election, the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) today (November 14) issued a direction to Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments to establish a dedicated “Polling Day Coordination and Support Centre” in the departments under their purview on December 7 and make flexible deployments of additional manpower on the polling day. This includes arranging for civil servants who are normally scheduled to rest on Sundays to be on duty on the polling day, having regard to operational needs of the departments, to give full support to the work of the LegCo Election. They also have to take all possible measures to enable civil servants who are on duty on the polling day to cast their votes.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, “The LegCo is an important component of the political structure of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Ensuring the success of the eighth LegCo General Election is an important task for the HKSAR Government and all government departments have a responsibility to give full support to this. By flexibly deploying additional manpower to work on the polling day and providing all possible facilitation measures for civil servants on duty, we can ensure a smooth and orderly operation of the city and smooth voting by citizens, and at the same time enable civil servants to exercise their right to vote.”
A Jordan Valley non-industrial site in the 2025-26 Land Sale List will be sold by public tender from November 21, 2025 to January 2, 2026, the Lands Department announced today.
New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6674 at Choi Hing Road is designated for non-industrial purposes excluding its use as a godown, hotel and petrol filling station.
It has a site area of about 3,830 sq m with a minimum gross floor area of 20,682 sq m and a maximum gross floor area of 34,470 sq m.
Both exclude the gross floor area of government accommodation, being a day activity centre and hostel for severely mentally handicapped people, a supported hostel for mentally handicapped people and a lay-by, all to be constructed by the purchaser under the conditions of sale.
The land sale documents will be available on the department’s website from November 21.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases second batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November
District
District Among the second batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering nine survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering nine survey areas in November, all were below 10 per cent.
The FEHD has so far released two batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November 2025, covering 24 survey areas. Among these 24 survey areas, 16 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. October 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Eight other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD is disseminating the relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 18:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Government Records Service (GRS) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Guangzhou Archives today (November 14) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strengthening Exchange and Cooperation in Hong Kong to strengthen archival co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The document (Chinese only) is in the Annex.
The MOU was signed by the Government Records Service Director, Mr Joseph Siu, and the Director of the Guangzhou Archives, Mr Wang Haibin.
The MOU aims to promote and deepen professional co-operation and exchanges between both archives in various areas of archival work, with a view to enhancing public awareness and appreciation of documentary heritage. Specific measures include establishing a reciprocal visit and professional exchange mechanism, as well as promoting joint research and exhibition projects. These initiatives will focus on themes such as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the shared history of Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and Lingnan culture.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau is leading an industry delegation to participate in the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair 2025. The opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion, which CCIDA sponsored to set up, was held today (November 14). Exhibiting more than 330 publications, printed materials and cultural and creative products from over 70 Hong Kong publishers and printing companies, the Pavilion aims to assist the industry to expand their network and explore business opportunities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Shanghai, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, remarked that CCIDA will continue to work with the industry to nurture more Hong Kong writers and picture-book illustrators, whose outstanding works tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong.
Sponsored by CCIDA and organised by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and The Hong Kong Printers Association, the Hong Kong Pavilion at the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair 2025 runs until November 16. Themed on “Little Readers Big Worlds”, the Pavilion comprises seven zones including the “GO! Illustrators Zone”, the “Business Negotiation Zone” and the “Publishing 3.0+ Zone”. The opening ceremony also marked the launch in Shanghai of picture books published under two schemes sponsored by CCIDA, namely the Hong Kong Picture Book Publishing Support Programme and the Picture Book Category of The 3rd Next Writer Publication Funding Scheme.
Since its last participation in 2018, CCIDA once again led the industry to participate in the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair. The Fair is the largest exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region dedicated to the publishing of children’s books and content for young readers. For more information on the Hong Kong Pavilion at the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair 2025, please visit the website: www.visithkpavilion.com.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Working Group on Ageing Society Strategies (the Working Group), led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, held its first meeting today (November 14). Led by Mr Cheuk, policy bureaux discussed the strategic directions and initial plans of the Working Group at the meeting. The Working Group also received an analysis of future population trends and the economic implications of Hong Kong’s ageing society, presented respectively by the Census and Statistics Department and the Office of the Government Economist.
Societal ageing is a global trend and Hong Kong is no exception. Over the next two decades, the Hong Kong population will age more rapidly. By 2046, more than one in three Hong Kong residents will be 65 or older. The Chief Executive announced the establishment of the Working Group in the 2025 Policy Address to tackle challenges of Hong Kong’s ageing society.
Mr Cheuk said, “The challenges and opportunities arising from an ageing society impacts various facets, spanning multiple policy areas. Therefore, the Working Group includes members from all 15 policy bureaux.”
Mr Cheuk added, “The Working Group will look into how community resources and market participation may be capitalised to drive cross-sector collaboration and synergise with government policy initiatives to formulate timely strategic responses to societal ageing. The Working Group will also monitor the implementation of the announced measures on promoting the silver economy, and consider additional measures to develop silver economy in Hong Kong.”
The Working Group will submit a report to the Chief Executive next year.
The Working Group comprises:
Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration (Leader)
Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Deputy Leader)
Directors of the other 14 Bureaux
Head, Chief Executive’s Policy Unit
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (November 14) that a site, New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6674 at Choi Hing Road, Jordan Valley, Kowloon, in the 2025-26 Land Sale List, will be disposed of by public tender. The tender invitation for the lot will commence on November 21 and close on January 2, 2026.
New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6674 has a site area of about 3 830 square metres and is designated for non-industrial (excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station) purposes. The minimum gross floor area and the maximum gross floor area are 20 682 sq m and 34 470 sq m respectively. Both exclude the gross floor area of Government Accommodation, being a day activity centre cum hostel for severely mentally handicapped persons, a supported hostel for mentally handicapped persons and a lay-by, all to be constructed by the purchaser under the Conditions of Sale.
Land sale documents including the Form of Tender, the Tender Notice, the Conditions of Sale and the sale plan of the lot will be available for downloading from the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk) from November 21, while the sale plan will be available for inspection by the public from the same day until the close of the tender. The sale plan in hard copy form may also be purchased at the Survey and Mapping Office of the LandsD, 6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, from November 21 until the close of the tender. The particulars of the tender will be gazetted on November 21.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
A delegation of judges and judicial officers from the Hong Kong Judiciary will depart for Jiangsu for an exchange visit programme on Sunday (November 16). The programme is part of the ongoing professional exchanges between judges and judicial officers of Hong Kong and the Mainland.
The delegation includes 20 judges and judicial officers. It is led by Mr Justice Jeremy Poon, Chief Judge of the High Court, with Mr Justice Derek Pang, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, as the deputy head. During this visit, the delegation will engage in exchanges with judges on the Mainland and attend discussion forums and thematic talks on various topics. The delegation will also make visits to various courts as well as places with cultural and technological significance in Jiangsu Province.
The delegation will conclude the visit and return to Hong Kong on November 23.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Government released today (November 14) the Third Quarter Economic Report 2025, together with the revised figures on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2025.
The Acting Government Economist, Dr Cecilia Lam, gave an account of the economic performance in the third quarter of 2025 and the latest GDP and price forecasts for 2025.
Main points
* The Hong Kong economy staged a robust performance in the third quarter of 2025, driven by a continued surge in exports and sustained expansion in domestic demand. Real GDP grew by 3.8% over a year earlier in the third quarter, picking up visibly from the 3.1% growth in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, real GDP rose further by 0.7%.
* Total exports of goods continued to grow markedly by 12.1% year-on-year in real terms in the third quarter, propelled by strong demand for electronic-related products and buoyant regional trade flows in Asia. Exports of services also expanded notably by 6.3% in real terms over a year earlier, mainly supported by sustained increases in inbound tourism and cross-boundary traffic, as well as vibrant cross-boundary financial service activities.
* Domestically, private consumption expenditure picked up slightly in growth in the third quarter, rising further by 2.1% year-on-year in real terms, reflecting the continued recovery of the local consumption market. Overall investment expenditure saw an accelerated increase of 4.3% in real terms over a year earlier, alongside the economic expansion and stabilisation in the residential property market.
* The labour market softened in the third quarter. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.9% in the third quarter from 3.5% in the preceding quarter. The underemployment rate also increased. Employment earnings continued to record year-on-year growth.
* The local stock market exhibited a strong uptrend in the third quarter amid positive market sentiments towards a thriving technology sector, rising expectations for further interest rate cuts in the United States (US) following the one in September, as well as some easing of global trade tensions. The residential property market stabilised further in the third quarter. Flat prices showed a more visible pick-up and rentals remained solid.
* Consumer price inflation stayed modest in the third quarter. The underlying Composite Consumer Price Index (Composite CPI) increased by 1.0% over a year earlier, following the 1.1% increase in the preceding quarter. Price pressures on major components were broadly in check. Including the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the headline Composite CPI increased by 1.1% year-on-year in the third quarter.
* Looking ahead, the Hong Kong economy should see further solid growth for the rest of 2025. Sustained moderate growth of the global economy in the near term, coupled with easing China-US trade tensions of late and persistent demand for electronic-related products, should lend support to Hong Kong’s exports of goods. Continued increases in inbound tourism and vibrant financial market activities should provide further impetus to exports of services. Domestically, the renewed US interest rate cuts since September are conducive to asset market sentiment. Together with the gradual recovery in consumption confidence and steadfast improvement in business sentiment, these developments should help bolster consumption and investment activities. The Government’s various measures to develop the economy and diversify markets will also provide support. Nevertheless, external uncertainties arising from the lingering impacts of trade barriers, the pace of US interest rate cuts, and the potential moderation in goods export growth due to fluctuations in external demand warrant close monitoring.
* Taking into account the actual outturn of 3.3% in the first three quarters of the year and the near-term outlook, the real GDP growth forecast for 2025 as a whole is revised up to 3.2%, from 2%-3% in the August round of review. The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation.
* On the inflation outlook, overall inflation should stay modest in the near term, as domestic cost pressures remain contained and external price pressures are subdued. Taking also into account the actual inflation in the first three quarters of the year, the forecasts for the underlying and headline consumer price inflation rates for 2025 are revised down to 1.2% and 1.5% respectively, from 1.5% and 1.8% in the August round of review.
Details
GDP
According to the revised figures released today by the Census and Statistics Department, real GDP grew visibly by 3.8% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025 (same as the advance estimate), having increased by 3.1% in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, real GDP rose by 0.7% in the third quarter (same as the advance estimate), after a 0.4% increase in the preceding quarter (Chart).
The latest figures on GDP and its major expenditure components up to the third quarter of 2025 are presented in Table 1. Developments in different segments of the economy in the third quarter are described below.
External trade
Total exports of goods continued to grow markedly by 12.1% year-on-year in real terms in the third quarter of 2025, following a 11.5% increase in the preceding quarter. Strong demand for electronic-related products and buoyant regional trade flows in Asia supported export growth. Analysed by major market and with reference to external merchandise trade statistics, exports to the Mainland maintained double-digit growth. Exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations markets continued to soar, and those to most advanced economies in Asia generally recorded further increases. Exports to the US rose back, while those to the European Union recorded a visibly narrowed decline. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, total exports of goods declined by 1.3% in real terms in the third quarter.
Exports of services expanded notably by 6.3% in real terms in the third quarter over a year earlier, after expanding by 8.6% in the preceding quarter. Exports of all major service groups showed further expansion. Specifically, exports of travel and transport services rose further thanks to sustained increases in inbound tourism and cross-boundary traffic. Exports of financial services expanded visibly further, supported by vibrant cross-boundary financial service activities amid advancing global stock markets. Exports of business and other services also grew modestly further. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, exports of services rose by 1.3% in real terms in the third quarter.
Domestic sector
Private consumption expenditure picked up slightly in growth in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting the continued recovery of the local consumption market. Private consumption expenditure rose by 2.1% in real terms in the third quarter over a year earlier, after an increase of 1.9% in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter to quarter basis, private consumption expenditure increased marginally by 0.1% in real terms. Meanwhile, government consumption expenditure increased by 1.9% in real terms in the third quarter over a year earlier, after rising by 2.5% in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter to quarter basis, government consumption expenditure edged up by 0.1% in real terms.
Overall investment expenditure in terms of gross domestic fixed capital formation saw an accelerated increase of 4.3% year-on-year in real terms in the third quarter, further to a 1.9% increase in the preceding quarter. Expenditure on acquisitions of machinery, equipment and intellectual property products rose visibly, with private sector spending showing particularly strong growth. Costs of ownership transfer surged against a low base in the same period last year. Expenditure on building and construction fell at a moderated pace.
The labour sector
The labour market softened in the third quarter of 2025. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.9% in the third quarter from 3.5% in the preceding quarter. The underemployment rate also increased from 1.4% to 1.6%. The median monthly employment earnings of full-time employees continued to increase, by 3.3% in nominal terms or 2.2% in real terms in the third quarter over a year earlier.
The asset markets
The local stock market exhibited a strong uptrend in the third quarter of 2025. Market sentiment improved amid a thriving technology sector, rising expectations for further US rate cuts following the one in September, as well as some easing of global trade tensions following trade agreements reached between the US and many economies. The Hang Seng Index (HSI) rallied to a four-year high in mid-September and closed the quarter at 26 856, up 11.6% from end-June. Entering the fourth quarter, trading activities in the local stock market have stayed vibrant, and the HSI closed at levels similar to that at end-September in recent days.
The residential property market stabilised further in the third quarter. Market sentiment in general turned more positive amid the start of interest rate cuts in the US and strong local financial market performance during the quarter. Overall flat prices showed a more visible pick-up of 2% during the third quarter. The index of home purchase affordability edged up in the third quarter amid the further stabilisation in recent flat prices but was similar to the long-term average. The number of transactions, in terms of the total number of sale and purchase agreements for residential property received by the Land Registry, stayed high at 16 700 in the third quarter, little changed from the preceding quarter but 63% higher than the low level a year earlier. Overall flat rentals remained solid, rising by 2% during the quarter, boosted further by a seasonal surge in rental demand during the summer. The non-residential property market remained weak in the third quarter. Prices and rentals of all major market segments softened further, while trading activities showed mixed performance.
Prices
Consumer price inflation stayed modest in the third quarter of 2025. The underlying Composite CPI increased by 1.0% in the third quarter over a year earlier, following the 1.1% increase in the preceding quarter. Major components generally saw modest to moderate year-on-year changes, as domestic and external price pressures were broadly in check. The nascent recovery of the local consumption market also kept suppliers prudent in raising prices. Including the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the headline Composite CPI increased by 1.1% in the third quarter over a year earlier.
Latest GDP and price forecasts for 2025
Looking ahead, the Hong Kong economy should see further solid growth for the rest of 2025. Sustained moderate growth of the global economy in the near term, coupled with easing China-US trade tensions of late and persistent demand for electronic-related products, should lend support to Hong Kong’s exports of goods. Continued increases in inbound tourism and vibrant financial market activities should provide further impetus to exports of services. Domestically, the renewed US interest rate cuts since September are conducive to asset market sentiment. Together with the gradual recovery in consumption confidence and steadfast improvement in business sentiment, these developments should help bolster consumption and investment activities. The Government’s various measures to develop the economy and diversify markets will also provide support. Nevertheless, external uncertainties arising from the lingering impacts of trade barriers, the pace of US interest rate cuts, and the potential moderation in goods export growth due to fluctuations in external demand warrant close monitoring.
Taking into account the actual outturn of 3.3% in the first three quarters of the year and the near-term outlook, the real GDP growth forecast for 2025 as a whole is revised up to 3.2%, from 2%-3% in the August round of review (Table 2). The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation.
On the inflation outlook, overall inflation should stay modest in the near term, as domestic cost pressures remain contained and external price pressures are subdued. Taking also into account the actual inflation in the first three quarters of the year, the forecasts for the underlying and headline consumer price inflation rates for 2025 are revised down to 1.2% and 1.5% respectively, from 1.5% and 1.8% in the August round of review (Table 2).
The Third Quarter Economic Report 2025 is now available for online download, free of charge at www.hkeconomy.gov.hk/en/situation/index.htm. The Report of the Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component, which contains the GDP figures up to the third quarter of 2025, is also available for browse and download, free of charge on the homepage of the Census and Statistics Department, www.censtatd.gov.hk.