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New Year holiday visitors up 40%

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that around 950,000 visitors arrived in Hong Kong over New Year holidays between the New Year’s Eve and yesterday, representing an increase of about 40% over the same period last year.

The working group remarked that all aspects of receiving visitors to Hong Kong operated smoothly.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the working group, said the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays coincided with a three-day New Year public holiday on the Mainland. Coupled with an array of festive activities, including the Hong Kong New Year Countdown, visitors were attracted to experience the festive ambience in the city.

During the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays, Mainland inbound visitors accounted for over 740,000, representing an increase of about 48% year-on-year. Whereas the number of non-Mainland inbound visitors was around 210,000, representing an increase of about 19%.

Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at around 220,000 on January 1.

Visitors went to various major tourist attractions in Hong Kong during the New Year’s Eve and New Year holidays as well as attractions within country parks, including the East Dam of High Island Reservoir at Sai Kung and Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods at Tai Lam Country Park. 

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An unseasonably mild December

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

An unseasonably mild December 
     With a band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong, the weather of Hong Kong was mainly cloudy with one or two rain patches on the first four days of the month. Under the influence of a dry northeast monsoon, the weather turned generally fine and dry on December 5 and remained so on the following four days. With the return of a cloud band, it turned mainly cloudy with one or two rain patches on December 10 and the next morning. It turned generally fine during the day on December 11 as the clouds thinned out. With plenty of sunshine, the maximum temperature at the Observatory rose to 26.0 degrees that afternoon, the highest of the month. A fresh to strong easterly airstream affected the coast of Guangdong the next day. Locally, the weather remained mainly fine and dry.
 
     A cold front moved across the coast of Guangdong on the late afternoon of December 13. Under the influence of its associated strong northeast monsoon, winds strengthened from the north and temperatures fell progressively. It was rather cool on the mornings of the next two days. Additionally, while one or two rain patches occurred on December 13 under the influence of a broad band of clouds, the weather turned generally fine on the night of December 14 under the influence of a dry northeast monsoon and remained so on the next three days. It was also very dry on December 14 and 15, with the relative humidity over most parts of the territory staying around 30 to 40 per cent during the day. With the return of a broad band of clouds, the weather became cloudier with one or two rain patches later on December 18 and the next day. As the cloud band thinned out, the weather turned generally fine and dry during the day on December 20.
 
     Under the influence of a fresh to strong northeast monsoon, it was windier on the following two days. While it was fine and dry on December 21, the weather turned mainly cloudy on December 22 due to the approach of a cloud band and remained so on the following four days. While there were one or two rain patches on the morning of December 25, with a replenishment of the northeast monsoon reaching the coast of Guangdong that morning, the local weather became dry and cool that day. It remained dry with rather cool mornings on the following two days, with the temperature at the Observatory falling to a minimum of 13.8 degrees on the morning of December 27, the lowest of the month. Under the influence of the dry northeast monsoon, the local weather turned mainly fine from December 27 to 29. With the moderation of the northeast monsoon, winds subsided on December 30, with visibility falling below 5 000 metres over parts of the territory that morning. An easterly airstream brought cloudier weather on the last day of the month.
 
     Three tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in December 2025.
 
     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 December are tabulated in Table 2.
Issued at HKT 15:30

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Land Registry releases statistics for December 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Land Registry today (January 5) released its statistics for December 2025.
      
Land registration    
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*   The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in December was 8 999 (+26.4 per cent compared with November 2025 and +63.3 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
*   The 12-month moving average for December was 6 725 (4.5 per cent above the 12-month moving average for November 2025 and 18.7 per cent above that for December 2024)
      
*   The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements of building units in December was $65.0 billion (+11.3 per cent compared with November 2025 and +52.0 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
*   Among the sale and purchase agreements, 5 883 were for residential units (+5.3 per cent compared with November 2025 and +43.4 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
*   The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $51.2 billion (-0.9 per cent compared with November 2025 but +57.3 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
     Statistics on sales of residential units do not include sale and purchase agreements relating to sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme, the Tenants Purchase Scheme, etc, unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.
      
     Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales have also been released.
      
     As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
      
Land search     
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*   The number of searches of land registers made by the public in December was 377 908 (-2.0 per cent compared with November 2025 but +15.6 per cent compared with December 2024)
      
     The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.

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Tai Po Civic Centre Open Day to be held January 10 (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Tai Po Civic Centre Open Day to be held January 10  
     The TPCC was closed for facility upgrading works from 2021. The project scope included expansion of the foyer, the Auditorium, the Black Box Theatre and other improvements, which are now completed. The TPCC was fully reopened on December 30, 2025.
 
     To align with the TPCC’s positioning in promoting youth arts, the programmes of the open day will cover a variety of genres to encourage participation of youth. There will be classical Chinese and Western string works by the Hong Kong Youth Strings of the Music Office, a percussion performance and an interactive workshop by music group Toolbox Percussion, a street dance performance and a workshop by the Hong Kong Education of Innovation and Performing Arts Association and a dance performance of Cyr wheel and veil poi by the Flow Space Arts Studio, as well as a face and body painting booth for the public to experience the charm and creativity of art.
 
     In addition, a sharing session and guided tour of the building features of the TPCC will be held on the open day to introduce the details, the design concept and the architectural significance of the TPCC. A backstage tour will also be conducted, allowing participants to explore the new facilities and behind-the-scenes secrets of the TPCC.
 
     Admission to programmes at the Auditorium, the Black Box Theatre and the Function Room 2 is free with a ticket. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the enquiry counter of the TPCC on the event day from noon while supplies last. For details, please visit the website of the TPCC: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/tpcc/programmes/openday2026.htmlIssued at HKT 15:00

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DH’s Medical Device Administrative Control System receives ISO 9001:2015 certification (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Medical Device Administrative Control System (MDACS) of the Department of Health (DH) has been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS) Certificate, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The award ceremony was held today (January 5). The achievement of the MDACS in obtaining this international standard marks an important milestone in laying the foundation for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) by the DH at the end of this year. This accomplishment will facilitate international recognition and foster an innovation-friendly environment.
      
     The ceremony took place at the DH’s headquarters. The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to raising regulatory standards for medical products in Hong Kong. With the establishment of the CMPR, we will consolidate regulatory functions for Western and Chinese medicines, as well as medical devices, thereby enhancing the existing regulatory regime in a holistic manner. The DH is proceeding at full speed with preparatory work, guided by three key strategies: promoting regulatory excellence, fostering innovation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and deepening co-operation with the Chinese Mainland and overseas countries. The ISO accreditation, which covers all aspects of the MDACS (including pre- and post-market control), will strengthen confidence among industry professionals both in Hong Kong and internationally, as well as among the general public. It will encourage more medical device manufacturers and importers to voluntarily list their medical devices with the MDACS. In the long run, it will also help facilitate a smooth transition for listed products to the statutory regulatory framework.”
      
     To safeguard public health, the DH has drawn on recommendations from the Global Harmonization Task Force (now known as the International Medical Device Regulators Forum) and introduced the voluntary MDACS in 2004. The system involves approving the list of medical devices to ensure their safety, quality, and performance, establishing a trader listing system, and implementing a post-market monitoring system for products.
      
     “Currently, over 8 900 medical devices are listed under the MDACS. In response to the latest international trends in medical device regulation and to align with the establishment timeline of the CMPR, the Government is pressing ahead with legislative preparations and comprehensively reviewing the proposed regulatory framework. Legislative proposals are expected to be submitted to the Legislative Council this year. Under the new framework, all medical devices supplied in Hong Kong will require registration unless exempted, ensuring compliance with relevant safety, quality, and performance standards,” Dr Lam said.
      
     ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised QMS standard developed by the ISO. It assists organisations in establishing consistent procedures to ensure their products and services consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and promoting sustainable business development. This standard is one of the most widely adopted quality improvement frameworks worldwide, improving operational efficiency and quality through risk-based thinking and continuous improvement.
      
     The Medical Device Division of the DH initiated the establishment of its QMS in 2025 and obtained ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification in December of the same year. Additionally, the DH’s Drug Office obtained ISO 9001 QMS certifications in 2005 for drug traders licensing procedures and inspection of undesirable medical advertisements, and in 2009 for its manufacturer licensing and quality management standard inspections. The relevant QMS will continue to be implemented after the establishment of the CMPR.

     

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Missing woman in Tai Po located

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A woman who went missing in Tai Po has been located.

     Chan Wai-yim, aged 70, went missing after she left a hospital on Chuen On Road on December 31, 2025. Staff of the hospital made a report to Police on the same day.

     The woman was located on On Pong Road on January 3 night. She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

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Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking product (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     An incoming passenger was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (January 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing an alternative smoking product, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

     Customs officers intercepted the incoming female passenger, aged 22, at Hong Kong International Airport on October 10, 2025. A total of 91 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes and an alternative smoking product, with an estimated market value of about $376,000 and a duty potential of about $303,000, were seized from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

     The female passenger today was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 in contravention of the DCO, and was fined $1,000 in contravention of the IEO.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

     Under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

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Property sales up 26.4%

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Land Registry logged 8,999 sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in December 2025, a rise of 26.4% compared with November 2025 and 63.3% year-on-year.

The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements of building units in December rose 11.3% from the previous month to $65 billion, representing a 52% year-on-year increase.

A total of 5,883 agreements were for residential units, an increase of 5.3% from November and a 43.4% rise from a year ago.

The total consideration for residential units was $51.2 billion, down 0.9% compared with November but up 57.3% year-on-year.

There were 377,908 land register searches last month.

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MOEA Hosts Seminar on U.S. Forced Labor Regulations

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

With the aim of helping Taiwan industry to better understand key trading nations’ labor rights protection policy developments and to comply with related regulatory requirements of these countries, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has organized a series of seminars featuring informative presentations by international experts.

The first of these, namely the Seminar on U.S. Forced Labor Regulations, was held in virtual format on Dec. 3, 2025. At the invitation of the Ministry’s International Trade Administration (TITA), four legal experts from the U.S. law firm briefed participants on the Withhold Release Order implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930, and on enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The session aimed to help Taiwanese businesses better understand international supply chain compliance requirements, build due diligence capabilities, and mitigate international trade risks.

The online event attracted over 500 representatives from industry, government, and academia. Participants included businesses operating in key industrial supply chains such as semiconductors, metal manufacturing, machinery, textiles and footwear, bicycles, electronic components, and medical devices, as well as import-export traders and other enterprises. Additionally, dozens of representatives from major industry associations and research institutions took part, including the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, Institute for Information Industry, as well as several human rights organizations and multiple universities. The high turnout reflects the heightened attention across domestic sectors toward international labor rights issues and underscores that forced labor has become a shared concern within the industrial community.

TITA will also host a Seminar on EU Forced Labour Product Ban Regulation on Dec. 17, 2025. The webinar will feature experts from the EU-based law firm who will provide an overview of the regulation and outline strategies for ensuring corporate compliance. For more details about the event, please visit TITA’s Economic and Trade Information Network at the link below:
https://www.trade.gov.tw/Activity/Detail.aspx?nodeid=52&pid=863