Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 31) instructed the trade to suspend the import of shellfishes harvested in area Étang de Thau in France. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately should they possess it.
A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS noted a notification from the Rappel Conso of France that shellfishes harvested in area Étang de Thau in France were suspected to be contaminated with norovirus and under recall. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately conducted investigation and contacted local major importers for follow-up. A preliminary investigation by the CFS found that a local importer, City Super Limited, had imported and sold the raw oysters harvested in the area concerned. For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import into and sale within Hong Kong of shellfishes harvested in the area concerned, and instructed the importer to stop sale of, remove from shelves and recall the affected oysters. Members of the public may call the hotline of City Super Limited at 2736 3866 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the products concerned.”
The trade should also stop selling other shellfishes products from the affected area if they possess them.
The spokesman pointed out that as shellfishes including oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Raw or partially cooked shellfishes are high-risk foods. Susceptible groups, such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or liver diseases, should avoid eating raw oysters.
The CFS will inform the French authorities and will also notify the local trade. It will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. An investigation is ongoing.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
In light of the expected increase in hikers to country parks during the New Year holidays, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 31) urges hikers to pay attention to safety and to use the designated hiking trails managed and maintained by the AFCD.
The AFCD has placed information boards and directory signs at appropriate locations within the country parks. Warning signs have also been installed near dangerous areas in the country parks, reminding hikers not to enter those areas to avoid accidents.
The AFCD reminds the public that the cliffs near the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform in Sai Kung have been weathered and eroded over the years. Hikers must follow the waymarks, stay on the designated hiking trails and refrain from striding over railings. The AFCD has added barriers and placed warning signs around the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform and surrounding areas to prevent hikers from wandering into dangerous areas, hence avoiding accidents. During the New Year holidays, the AFCD will deploy additional staff to disseminate messages about hiking safety at the viewing platform and surrounding areas, to ensure the safety of hikers.
The AFCD promotes comprehensive information about trails through the “Enjoy Hiking” website (www.hiking.gov.hk) to help hikers select suitable routes. The website also provides comprehensive database on various hiking trails, including trail length, difficulty and nearby facilities, for hikers to plan hiking trips that are suitable for themselves according their personal conditions. The website also lists out high risk locations with records of fatal and serious accidents in country parks, with a view to reminding hikers to avoid visiting those areas.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, the Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure), Mr Daniel Cheung, together with the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Dr Shao Jun, and the Deputy Director, Mr Qian Xiao, today (December 31) convened the second meeting of the Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Co-operation.
The meeting began with Mr Wong and Dr Shao, as the heads of the Working Group, jointly presiding over a ceremony releasing the system integration achievements between “iAM Smart” and the Public Service Platform of Shanghai Municipality, and witnessing the signing of co-operation agreements by industry representatives from Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Mr Cheung and Mr Qian then led the discussion of the progress on co-operation projects among the members of the Working Group, which included the successful connection between “iAM Smart” and the Public Service Platform of Shanghai Municipality. Through “iAM Smart”, Hong Kong residents can log in directly to “Government Online-Offline Shanghai” website and the booking service for marriage registration in the “Suishenban” app. The progress also covered the co-ordination work for the launch of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai officials confirmed that they would participate in the Sandbox Programme of the “Digital Corporate Identity” Platform launched today by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) to facilitate the technical integration of cross-boundary identity authentication of enterprises in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. Since the establishment of the Service Station for Outbound Data Ecology (Hong Kong) in April this year, more than 10 matchmaking and exchange sessions for enterprises going global were held, and arrangements were successfully made for five enterprises to set up businesses in Hong Kong.
Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Shanghai and Hong Kong on Digital Economy Co-operation (the MoU) by the DPO and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data in April this year, Hong Kong and Shanghai have set up practical and feasible co-operation projects in line with innovation and technology (I&T) developments in both places and in accordance with the MoU. These projects include facilitating mutual recognition of corporate identity, connecting the public service platforms of both places, and supporting innovative applications of open data and enterprises to go global. In the first meeting held in August this year, Hong Kong and Shanghai confirmed the establishment of the Working Group and conducted preliminary exchanges on co-operation projects. The establishment of the Working Group aims to enhance the joint development of I&T and the digital economy between Hong Kong and Shanghai, thereby achieving mutual benefits.
At the meeting, Mr Cheung expressed his gratitude for the Working Group members’ efforts. He expected that more livelihood-related Shanghai public services that currently have a higher utilisation rate by Hong Kong residents will be directly accessible to “iAM Smart” users. In addition, he encouraged industry representatives attending the Working Group meeting to closely engage with units of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in October this year, and continue to assist and support Shanghai’s I&T enterprises to set up business in Hong Kong and expand their international business.
Mainland representatives who attended the meeting included officials from the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data and the Shanghai Municipal Cyberspace Administration. Industry representatives from Hong Kong and Shanghai, including the Hong Kong and Shanghai Data Society, Shanghai Data Group, the Shanghai New Electric Vehicle Public Data Collecting Monitoring and Research Center, and the Shanghai Digital Globalization Association, also attended the meeting.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (December 31) the reappointment of Dr Chan Hon-fai as Chairperson and Professor Irene Lo Man-chi as Vice Chairperson of the Drinking Water Safety Advisory Committee. In addition, eight incumbent members were also reappointed and four new members were appointed. The appointments are for a two-year term starting January 1, 2026.
The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said, “I would like to express my gratitude to the Committee for their valuable advice and recommendations on the policy initiatives and issues relating to drinking water safety in Hong Kong over the past two years. I look forward to working with the members of the new term. I would also like to thank the outgoing members Dr May Chui Ting-fong, Professor Liu Hongbin, Ms Michelle Tang Ming-sum and Professor Kelvin To Kai-wang for their contributions.”
The Committee was set up on January 1, 2018, to advise the Development Bureau on the formulation of a regulatory regime for drinking water safety in Hong Kong, the review of Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards, as well as policies and operational strategies and measures relating to drinking water safety. In addition, the Committee reviews global concerns on matters related to water safety, as well as the directions for new research in light of international practices, trends and developments.
The membership list of the Committee with effect from January 1, 2026, is as follows:
Chairperson
——–
Dr Chan Hon-fai
Vice Chairperson
————-
Professor Irene Lo Man-chi
Non-official members
——————–
Mr Antonio Chan Chi-ming
Dr Jones Chan Chun-man
Professor Renee Chan Wan-yi*
Mr Arthur Cheung Man-to
Mr Chung Chi-ming
Dr David Anthony Cunliffe
Dr Gray Ho Koon-sing
Professor Vivian Lee Wing-yan
Mr Alan Man Hoi-leung*
Professor Kaimin Shih*
Dr Gloria Tam Lai-fan
Professor Martin Tsui Tsz-ki*
Ex-officio members
——————
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) or representative
Director of Health or representative
Director of Water Supplies or representative
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 31) that in view of notifications from the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Municipality of Sjöbo in Sweden, the Lemvig Municipality in Denmark and the Province of Lleida of Catalonia in Spain respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of this year, Hong Kong imported about 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Sweden; about 230 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 180 000 poultry eggs from Denmark; and about 70 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 80 000 poultry eggs from Spain.
“The CFS has contacted the Swedish, Danish and Spanish authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH) made the following appeal today (December 31) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without notification:
A 70-year-old female patient left the medical ward without notifying hospital staff at around 10.15am today.
Security guards were deployed to search for the patient within the hospital compound but were unable to locate her. The hospital also immediately informed the patient’s family and reported the incident to the Police for assistance. 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 1.6 metres tall with medium body build and medium-length black hair. She was wearing a black top when leaving the hospital. The hospital appeals to the public to contact the Police or the hospital at 2689 2002 if they know the whereabouts of the patient.
AHNH has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
District
District Among the fifth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering nine survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas in December, all were below 10 per cent, and most of the areas recorded zero per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
The FEHD has so far released five batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 60 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. November 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Four 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 has been disseminating 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 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 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Designation of Domestic Systemically Important Authorized Institutions The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has completed its annual assessment of the list of Domestic Systemically Important Authorized Institutions (D-SIBs). Based on the assessment results, the list of authorized institutions designated as D-SIBs remains unchanged compared to the list of D-SIBs published by the HKMA on December 31, 2024. The latest list of D-SIBs is shown in the Annex.
Under the D-SIB framework, each of the authorized institutions designated as a D-SIB will be required to include a Higher Loss Absorbency (HLA) requirement into the calculation of its regulatory capital buffers within a period of 12 months after the formal notification of its designation. The HLA requirement applicable to a D-SIB (expressed as a ratio of an authorized institution’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital to its risk-weighted assets as calculated under the Banking (Capital) Rules) ranges between 1 per cent and 3.5 per cent (depending on the assessed level of the D-SIB’s systemic importance). Compared to the list of D-SIBs published on December 31, 2024, there is no change to the HLA requirements applied to the designated D-SIBs. Background
1. D-SIB framework in Hong Kong
The Banking (Capital) Rules and the HKMA’s regulatory framework for D-SIBs follow the provisions in “A framework for dealing with domestic systemically important banks” issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in October 2012, by enabling the Monetary Authority (i) to designate an authorized institution as a D-SIB if the Monetary Authority considers the authorized institution to be of systemic importance in the context of the Hong Kong banking and financial system and (ii) to require an authorized institution designated as a D-SIB to be subject to an HLA capital buffer. 2. HLA requirement for authorized institutions designated as D-SIBs
The Monetary Authority is empowered under sections 3U and 3V of the Banking (Capital) Rules to designate D-SIBs and to determine an HLA requirement for each of these D-SIBs by reference to the degree of domestic systemic importance which the Monetary Authority assesses them to bear. To achieve this aim, the HKMA’s regulatory framework for D-SIBs provides for authorized institutions designated as D-SIBs to be allocated to different HLA “buckets”. This differentiated approach reflects the diversified nature and varying degrees of systemic importance of authorized institutions in Hong Kong.Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (December 31) its financial results for the eight months ended November 30, 2025.
Expenditure and revenue from April to November 2025 amounted to HK$496.6 billion and HK$371.9 billion respectively, resulting in a deficit of HK$18 billion after taking into account HK$135.2 billion received from issuance of Government Bonds and repayment of HK$28.5 billion principal on Government Bonds.
A Government spokesperson said that the deficit for the period ended November 2025 was lower than that ended October 2025, mainly due to the fact that some major types of revenue including salaries and profits taxes are mostly received towards the end of a financial year. The revised estimates for the current financial year will be published along with the 2026-27 Budget.
The fiscal reserves stood at HK$636.3 billion as at November 30, 2025.
Detailed figures are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT (Note 1)
Month ended
November 30, 2025
HK$ million
Eight months ended
November 30, 2025
HK$ million
Revenue
79,423.6
371,887.3
Expenditure
(57,695.4)
(496,610.4)
Surplus/(Deficit) before issuance
and repayment of
Government Bonds
21,728.2
(124,723.1)
Proceeds received from issuance of Government Bonds
18,614.0
135,169.8
Repayment of
Government Bonds*
(1,590.5)
(28,465.5)
Surplus/(Deficit) after issuance
and repayment of
Government Bonds
38,751.7
(18,018.8)
Financing
Domestic
Banking Sector (Note 2)
(38,533.5)
14,680.8
Non-Banking Sector
(218.2)
3,338.0
External
–
–
Total
(38,751.7)
18,018.8
* Being repayment of principal on Government Bonds and does not include the associated interest and other expenses.
Government Debts as at November 30, 2025 (Note 3)
HK$410,245 million
Debts Guaranteed by Government as at November 30, 2025 (Note 4)
HK$115,251 million
TABLE 2. FISCAL RESERVES
Month ended
November 30, 2025
HK$ million
Eight months ended
November 30, 2025
HK$ million
Fiscal Reserves at start of period
597,546.3
654,316.8
Consolidated Surplus/(Deficit) after issuance and repayment of Government Bonds
38,751.7
(18,018.8)
Fiscal Reserves at end of period
(Note 5)
636,298.0
636,298.0
Notes :
1. This Account consolidates the General Revenue Account and the following eight Funds: Capital Works Reserve Fund, Capital Investment Fund, Civil Service Pension Reserve Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund, Land Fund, Loan Fund and Lotteries Fund. It excludes the Bond Fund, the balance of which is not part of the fiscal reserves. The Bond Fund balance as at November 30, 2025, was HK$170,055 million.
2. Includes transactions with the Exchange Fund and resident banks.
3. The Government Debts, with proceeds credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund, comprise:
(i) the Green Bonds (equivalent to HK$203,190 million as at November 30, 2025) issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. They were denominated in US dollars (US$11,250 million with maturity from January 2026 to January 2053), euros (5,880 million euros with maturity from February 2026 to November 2041), Renminbi (RMB34,500 million with maturity from February 2026 to July 2054) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$24,500 million with maturity from February 2026 to November 2027);
(ii) the Infrastructure Bonds (equivalent to HK$97,710 million as at November 30, 2025) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. They were denominated in Renminbi (RMB34,500 million with maturity from December 2025 to June 2055) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$59,730 million with maturity from February 2026 to June 2055); and
(iii) the Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$109,345 million (with maturity in October 2027 and October 2028 and may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme.
They do not include the outstanding bonds with nominal value of HK$124,194 million and alternative bonds with nominal value of US$1,000 million (equivalent to HK$7,786 million as at November 30, 2025) issued under the Government Bond Programme with proceeds credited to the Bond Fund. Of these bonds under the Government Bond Programme (including Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$53,694 million, which may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders), bonds with nominal value of HK$77,094 million will mature within the period from December 2025 to November 2026, and the rest within the period from December 2026 to May 2042.
4. Includes guarantees provided under the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2001, the Special Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2008, the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme launched in 2012, the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Cross-boundary Passenger Transport Trade, the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Battery Electric Taxis and the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Travel Sector launched in 2023, and the commercial loan under Guaranteed Medium Term Note Programme of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited.
5. Includes HK$249,817 million, being the balance of the Land Fund held in the name of “Future Fund”, for long-term investments up to December 31, 2030. The Future Fund also includes HK$4,800 million, being one-third of the actual surplus in 2015-16 as top-up.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
According to statistics published today (December 31) by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, total deposits with authorized institutions increased by 0.7 per cent in November 2025. Among the total, Hong Kong dollar deposits and foreign currency deposits increased by 0.2 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively in November. In the year to end-November, total deposits and Hong Kong dollar deposits increased by 10.5 per cent and 3.4 per cent respectively. Renminbi deposits in Hong Kong increased by 0.6 per cent in November to RMB1,002.0 billion at the end of November. The total remittance of renminbi for cross-border trade settlement amounted to RMB1,033.0 billion in November, compared with RMB1,006.6 billion in October. It should be noted that changes in deposits are affected by a wide range of factors, such as interest rate movements and fund-raising activities. It is therefore more appropriate to observe the longer-term trends, and not to over-generalise fluctuations in a single month.
Total loans and advances increased by 0.1 per cent in November, and increased by 1.0 per cent in the year to end-November. Among the total, loans for use in Hong Kong (including trade finance) decreased by 0.1 per cent while loans for use outside Hong Kong increased by 0.4 per cent in November. The Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio decreased to 73.2 per cent at the end of November from 73.6 per cent at the end of October, as Hong Kong dollar deposits increased while Hong Kong dollar loans decreased.
Hong Kong dollar M2 and M3 both increased by 0.2 per cent in November, and both increased by 4.5 per cent when compared to a year ago. The seasonally-adjusted Hong Kong dollar M1 increased by 1.2 per cent in November, and increased by 14.9 per cent compared to a year ago, reflecting in part investment-related activities. Total M2 and total M3 both increased by 0.9 per cent in November. Compared to a year earlier, total M2 and total M3 both increased by 11.2 per cent.
As monthly monetary statistics are subject to volatilities due to a wide range of transient factors, such as seasonal funding demand as well as business and investment-related activities, caution is required when interpreting the statistics.