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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (November 14) that, effective from November 15, 2025, nationals of Nepal who are in direct transit by air and do not leave the airport transit area may transit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) visa-free. Other visa arrangements for nationals of Nepal coming to the HKSAR will remain unchanged.

     An ImmD spokesman said, “Nepal is along the Belt and Road. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, this visa-free transit arrangement will bring travel convenience to visitors from Nepal and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The highly anticipated annual event, Hong Kong Maritime Week (HKMW) 2025, is set to launch from next Sunday for seven consecutive days (November 16 to 22), marking its ninth edition since 2016 as one of the premier global gatherings for the maritime and port industries. This year’s HKMW holds special significance as it is the first-ever edition following the establishment of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB) on July 1 this year.

With the main theme “Navigating to a Greener Future” and the tagline “Propel Hong Kong”, HKMW 2025 highlights Hong Kong’s leading position as a global maritime capital and provides a high-level platform for global stakeholders, including policymakers, senior representatives of international organisations as well as industrial luminaries and practitioners to share their perspectives and exchange views on various topics of interest to the global maritime industry.

With over 50 events organised by more than 70 international, Chinese Mainland and local organisers, attendees will be immersed in a vibrant programme featuring flagship forums, high-level seminars and public outreach initiatives. Major events worth highlighting are the Opening Ceremony of HKMW 2025; the HKMPDB Flagship Session – Hong Kong: A Global Maritime Capital; the World Maritime Merchants Forum 2025; the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference; the 2nd Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit organised by the International Chamber of Shipping; the TradeWinds Ship Recycling Forum 2025; and the International Bunker Industry Association Annual Convention 2025 that will be held in Hong Kong for the first time, as well as the Seminar on Energy Transition of Shipping and From Waste to Wealth: Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Ship Recycling organised by the International Maritime Organization.

With a view to raising the community’s awareness of Hong Kong’s maritime industry and encouraging members of the public to join the public-facing HKMW activities, including the Free Family Fun Day organised by the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, the Transport and Logistics Bureau will partner with Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) to produce two feature stories. The two stories will feature exclusive interviews with the Chairman of the HKMPDB, Dr Moses Cheng, and the Chairman of the HKMW Task Force, Mr Wellington Koo, offering insights into Hong Kong’s strategic role in global maritime affairs, and will be broadcast on TVB Jade at around 7.30pm on November 17 and 18. Viewers are encouraged to tune in and learn more about the exciting developments shaping Hong Kong’s maritime future.

In a move to broaden its digital footprint and engage a wider audience, HKMW 2025 will also produce a series of short videos to be shared across various social media channels, featuring interviews with industry leaders and event organisers who will shed light on the leading role of Hong Kong as an international maritime hub.

For more information on HKMW and Hong Kong’s maritime industry, please visit the websites of HKMW 2025 (www.hkmw.hk/en/index.html) and the HKMPDB (www.hkmpdb.gov.hk/en/index.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC):

The local premieres of two films which have funding support from the Film Production Financing Scheme (FPFS) under the Film Development Fund (FDF), namely “Golden Boy” and “Someone Like Me”, will be held tomorrow evening (November 15) and on the evening of November 17 respectively.

“Golden Boy” is directed by Joe Chan, produced by Allen Chan, written by Cheng Sing-mo and Shum Shek-yin, and stars Louis Cheung. The story is about an ex-convict, Cheung Lek, who once earned the moniker “Golden Boy” in the boxing ring. Cheung finds himself drifting through a listless middle age until he crosses paths with a gifted child named Fong Yuen and a washed-up coach, Chow Yiu-shan. He then goes back into the ring, embarking on a journey of redemption. The film will be theatrically released in Hong Kong on November 21.

“Someone Like Me” is directed and written by Tam Wai-ching, produced by Stanley Kwan and Catherine Kwan, and stars Fish Liew and Carlos Chan. The film is about a woman born with cerebral palsy who meets a volunteer providing sexual services for people with disabilities, creating a story that explores the morality and courage to claim one’s own narrative.

Last month, the main cast and crew of “Someone Like Me” participated in the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) as part of the delegation led by the HKFDC. The film was selected for the TIFF’s “Women’s Empowerment” section and held its world premiere during the festival. It was also selected in the “Gala Presentation” section of the 22nd Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. The film will be theatrically released in Hong Kong on November 27.

The FPFS has financed over 70 films since its launch in 2007. The Chairman of the HKFDC, Dr Wilfred Wong, expressed his hope that the Government will continue to support the long-term development of the local film industry through the FDF, and is looking forward to more excellent productions to be shown in theatres. He also said he hopes that more new-generation directors will keep creating films that will gain wide recognition and commercial success.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (November 14) the reappointment of Ms Anita Leung Ping-fun as the Deputy Chairman of the Copyright Tribunal, as well as the reappointments of two incumbent members, Mr Ronald Kwok Wing-chung and Mr Johnny Sze Chun-hong, and the appointment of Dr Law Sui-chun as a new member of the Tribunal.
 
     The tenure of the appointments is two years, with effect from December 1, 2025.
 
     The Government also expressed gratitude to the outgoing member, Miss Cheung Yee-mei, for her service to the Tribunal over the years.
 
     The Copyright Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body established under the Copyright Ordinance. It adjudicates on disputes concerning the terms and conditions of copyright licensing schemes devised by licensing bodies. It consists of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and seven members.
 
     The full membership of the Copyright Tribunal, with effect from December 1, 2025, is as follows:
 
Mr Jenkin Suen, SC (Chairman)
Ms Anita Leung Ping-fun (Deputy Chairman)
Dr Benny Lo Kwan-ching
Ms Ada Wu Ching-mei
Professor Henry Chung Shu-hung
Mr Ronald Kwok Wing-chung
Mr Johnny Sze Chun-hong
Ms Chan Wo-mi
Dr Law Sui-chun

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (November 14) that 69 Shan Ha Road, Yuen Long, has been designated as a driving school in accordance with section 88K(1) of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374).

     The designated driving school officially commenced operation today. The TD will also set up a driving test centre in the school for conducting driving tests. Including this school, there are now five government-designated driving schools and driving test centres in Hong Kong, located in Sha Tin, Ap Lei Chau, Yuen Long and Kwun Tong.

     A spokesman for the TD said that the Government attaches great importance to the management of driving schools and the provision of driving test services, striving to maintain an effective driver training and testing system for the promotion of road safety. The TD has issued a Code of Practice for regulating the operation of the driving schools, including training routes, on-street training hours and the number of training vehicles. With road safety being the primary objective, the TD will closely monitor the operation of driving schools and traffic conditions in their vicinities and review their operational arrangements when necessary to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice.

     The Government has long adopted a two-pronged approach in respect of driver training. On one hand, off-street driver training is promoted through the establishment of driving schools. On the other hand, the Government maintains a sufficient supply of private driving instructors for on-street driver training. The driving school’s operator, after receiving approval from the Town Planning Board, applied to the TD for the operation of a designated driving school, providing driver training services for private cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles. After a careful review of all conditions, including the availability of necessary facilities for driver training and testing, the TD approved the application. The Government will consider and approve applications from operators on a case-by-case basis, provided that they can offer sites that meet the requirements, including the permitted land use and space for accommodating basic driver training and testing facilities for a driving school.

     Members of the public may refer to the TD’s website for details of designated driving schools.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for the United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following appeal today (November 14) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without notifying hospital staff:

A 63-year-old male patient left the medical ward without notification at around 6pm yesterday (November 13).

Security guards were deployed to search for the patient within the hospital compound. The hospital also made a report to the Police for assistance. The patient is yet to be located. The hospital is very concerned about the incident and will fully co-operate with the Police in order to locate the patient.

The patient is about 1.7 metres tall, with black hair and has a slim build. According to closed-circuit television footage, the patient was wearing a grey long-sleeved shirt, dark trousers and slippers when he left the hospital. The hospital appeals to the public to contact the hospital at 3949 4002 or the Police if they know the whereabouts of the patient.

UCH has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advanced Incident Reporting System.