MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government today (December 30) announced the Hong Kong Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2025-2030 (Action Plan 2025-2030), which sets out strategies to further strengthen the prevention and control of viral hepatitis by a series of initiatives, including the introduction of a new risk-based hepatitis B screening programme. These initiatives aim to reduce the transmission of viral hepatitis and lower related morbidity and mortality, especially new cases and deaths of liver cancer attributable to viral hepatitis. The goal is to eliminate the public health threat posed by viral hepatitis by 2030, in line with the World Health Organization’s global goal.  
      
     According to data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, liver cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in Hong Kong. In 2023, there were 1 408 liver cancer deaths, accounting for 9.5 per cent of all cancer deaths. Over 70 per cent of hepatocellular carcinoma cases were associated with hepatitis B.
      
     The Government has attached great importance to the public health threat posed by viral hepatitis. As early as late 2020, the Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis (Steering Committee), co-chaired by the Director of Health and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), formulated the Hong Kong Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2020-2024 (Action Plan 2020-2024).

     Over the past five years, the Government has fully implemented all measures outlined in the Action Plan 2020-2024, achieving substantial progress. Through the introduction of new initiatives, including providing antiviral treatment for pregnant women with high hepatitis B virus (HBV) viral loads and arranging serologic testing after hepatitis B vaccination for high-risk infants, the rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV in Hong Kong dropped to 0.2 per cent in 2024, which is well below the pre-intervention level of approximately 1 per cent.
      
     After carefully reviewing the effectiveness of the action plan and the latest international developments, the Steering Committee has clearly set out specific actions to be implemented in the next five years. In addition to the Department of Health (DH) and the HA, the Action Plan 2025-2030 also incorporates the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) and other relevant organisations for more comprehensive coverage and stronger synergy.
      
     The major challenge in eliminating viral hepatitis lies in the substantial number of the undiagnosed or untreated local population with hepatitis B. It is estimated that approximately 410 000 people in Hong Kong have hepatitis B. Among them, 40 per cent are unaware of their condition and 70 per cent are not receiving appropriate medical follow-up. The Action Plan 2025-2030 strengthens efforts to prevent and control viral hepatitis along the following four strategic axes:
 
(1) Heightening awareness: The collaborative partnerships and engagement with District Health Centres and other community stakeholders will be strengthened, leveraging the complementary strengths of each organisation to raise awareness among the general population, target populations and healthcare professionals. This will support viral hepatitis screening and management in the community; 

(2) Tracking health sector response: The set of local indicators will be updated to enhance the existing surveillance on viral hepatitis, allowing for closer monitoring and evaluation of progress towards viral hepatitis elimination targets. The surveillance system will support data-driven policy formulation by providing a basis for developing specific and effective measures, and offering data to validate the effectiveness of the health sector’s response; 

(3) Preventing new infections: The primary transmission route for HBV is MTCT, which drives the prevalence of HBV in Hong Kong. Therefore, sustained prevention of MTCT of HBV is crucial for eliminating new HBV infections. This includes hepatitis B screening for pregnant women, neonatal hepatitis B vaccination, using antivirals to prevent MTCT of HBV and arranging post-vaccination serologic testing for high-risk infants. Other prevention strategies include preventing healthcare-related transmission of HBV and hepatitis C virus and reducing the risk and disease burden among key populations, such as people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men; and

(4) Expanding access to screening, care and treatment: To gradually scale up hepatitis B screening in Hong Kong, the Government will launch a screening service subsidising groups at increased risk of HBV infection. A shared care model supported by primary care will also be developed to build up capacity for hepatitis B management.

     The PHC Commission will launch a Chronic Disease Co-care Platform. In addition to covering the “three highs” (high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol), the platform will introduce risk-based hepatitis B screening and management on a pilot basis. It targets Hong Kong residents born in or before 1988 (that is the year of the introduction of universal childhood hepatitis B immunisation programme) whose family members (including parents, siblings and offspring) or sexual partners have contracted chronic hepatitis B, and residents who have no known medical history of chronic hepatitis B nor related symptoms. If a participant is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B through the platform, he/she will receive subsidised medical consultations, medication and liver ultrasonography services, and undergo regular liver cancer surveillance. This aligns with the implementation of the Action Plan 2025-2030, which seeks to increase the diagnosis and treatment coverage of hepatitis B in Hong Kong. Details of the hepatitis B screening will be announced early next year. The new measures are expected to promote the early identification of people with chronic hepatitis B in the community and provide timely follow-ups and treatment, thereby reducing the risks of complications (such as cirrhosis and liver cancer) and lowering related morbidity and mortality rates. The PHC Commission will further announce the implementation details and introduce related services in early 2026.
      
     The Government expects to reach a number of key milestones for each of the four strategic axes by 2030. Details are set out in the Annex.
      
     The Action Plan 2025-2030 is available on the DH’s website: www.hepatitis.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) announced today (December 30) that all retail banks (including digital banks) will have fully launched the Money Safe service for individual customers by or before December 31, and will embark on a series of publicity campaigns.

     Money Safe is like setting up a safe within a bank account. Bank customers can specify the amount of deposits to be protected. When customers need to use the protected deposits, banks will conduct a face-to-face anti-scam verification with the customers, thus offering them a chance to carefully consider whether they have been scammed. Customers can transfer or withdraw the deposits only after completing the process.

     Money Safe is suitable for all customer segments. For members of the public with bank deposits that they do not need to use in the near term, they may consider putting them under Money Safe protection. The HKMA will actively promote Money Safe in collaboration with the banking industry, including launching advertisements and various promotional campaigns, to help the public understand and make good use of this new service.

     Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuen said, “Money Safe provides an additional layer of protection for deposits and is a highly useful anti-scam tool. Strengthening bank customers’ ability to protect themselves is a crucial part of our anti-scam efforts. The HKMA will continue to collaborate with the banking sector, law enforcement agencies, and stakeholders to combat scams from all fronts. I urge the public to make full use of Money Safe while always remaining vigilant to prevent scams.”

     The Acting Chairperson of HKAB, Ms Rose Kay, said, “Enhancing customer protection is one of the HKAB’s priorities this year. With all retail banks fully launching Money Safe, the banking industry will intensify the promotion to encourage wider adoption of Money Safe. The banking industry will continuously strengthen various anti-fraud measures and public education, joining hands with the HKMA and law enforcement agencies to combat scams.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today alerted members of the public to fraudulent WSD website addresses that encourage recipients to pay water bills via a hyperlink provided.

The fraudulent websites are: “wsd.govi[.]qpon/hk”, “wsd[.]giov[.]lat/hk” and “wsd[.]pijhhsj[.]sbs”.

The WSD stresses that these websites have no connection to the department, which has reported the cases to the Police.

The department said that people who have registered for the WSD’s electronic services account and e-billing service must complete verification on the department website before they can view their e-bills and obtain the Faster Payment System QR code on the bill to make payments.

People who have provided personal information to these or other suspicious websites should contact the Police. Call 2824 5000 for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 29) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Lewis County of the State of Washington and Jessamine County of the State of Kentucky in the United States (US), and outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan 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, Hong Kong imported about 40 060 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 2.62 million poultry eggs from the US, and about 1 540 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 219.73 million poultry eggs from Japan in the first nine months of this year.

     “The CFS has contacted the American and Japanese 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 Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (December 29) that the HA is fully prepared to implement the public healthcare fees and charges reform starting January 1, 2026. The HA is confident that the full implementation of these measures will enhance patient protection, rationalise public healthcare services, and promote sustainable development of the public healthcare system.
 
     The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, said, “We believe that once the measures of fees and charges reform are fully implemented, the current service imbalances in public hospitals can be gradually straightened out and the protection for patients, especially those who are poor, acute, serious or critical, can be enhanced. This will enable sustainable development of public healthcare services to cope with the various challenges posed by Hong Kong’s ageing population.”
 
     The HA will remain committed to the original intention of the reform when implementing the new measures, which are:
 
(i) Commitment will not be lessened: the Government’s commitment to public health will remain unchanged. All gains from the reform will be wholly utilised for public healthcare services;
(ii) Co-payment for those who can afford it and for those with mild conditions: the Government will reasonably expand and enhance the co-payment mechanism;
(iii) Enhancement and reduction: protection for poor, acute, serious or critical patients will be enhanced, and wastage will be reduced;
(iv) High subsidisation: the high level of subsidy will be maintained after the reform, with the target of maintaining the 90 per cent overall public subsidisation rate; and
(v) Gradual and orderly progress: the objective will be achieved in a progressive and orderly manner in five years.
 
     The HA Chief Executive, Dr Libby Lee, said: “All HA systems, including patient registration, payment, clinical services, the mobile application “HA Go”, and other internal systems have been thoroughly tested. All systems will officially switch to the new fees and charges mode at midnight on January 1. The HA will closely monitor operations across all public hospitals to ensure smooth implementation of the reform.”
 
     The HA Head Office and clusters have previously conducted training sessions and drills for healthcare professionals, simulating various contingency scenarios to ensure staff members are familiar with the arrangements and can respond effectively to different situations. The HA Major Incident Control Centre will also be activated to closely monitor operations at all public hospitals during the initial implementation phase of the reform, enabling immediate co-ordination and responses when necessary.
 
     Public hospitals have deployed additional manpower, including service ambassadors, dedicated teams, and volunteers to station at outpatient clinics, shroffs and pharmacies for answering patient inquiries, assisting with payments, appointments, and applications for medical fee waivers. The HA has set up hotlines in each cluster (see Annex I) for patients to inquire about the fees and charges reform arrangements. The HA has been notifying patients of the new arrangements through the mobile application “HA Go” and SMS messages. Patients can also visit the HA website to learn about the new arrangements (see Attachement).
 
     Over the past several months, the HA has continuously engaged community stakeholders through different platforms to explain the reform details and gather their feedback. HA representatives have met with current Legislative Council Members and Members-elect of Legislative Council to explain and address various perspectives on the new fees and charges arrangements. District briefing sessions have also been held, utilising the extensive community network of District Council Members to help citizens understand the information and supportive measures of the reform.
 
     The HA also places great emphasis on patient group feedback. The HA has organised various activities in recent months, including patient forums, focus groups, and hospital workshops to enhance patients’ understanding of the reform details and arrangements, aiming for a smoother implementation. The patient engagement activities have involved in-depth and targeted discussions on different aspects of the reform. Valuable opinions and feedback collected through focus groups will serve as reference for the HA’s continuous service improvement and optimisation of fees and charges reform. Patient representatives have also participated in hospital workshops to gain firsthand experience of consultation procedures, appointment and payment arrangements for non-urgent radiology and pathology services, further deepening patients’ understanding.
 
     The HA expresses gratitude to all sectors of society for their active discussions and valuable input since the announcement of the public healthcare fees and charges reform in March, contributing to the continuous refinement of the reform details. The HA would also like to remind the public that some information circulating in the public discourse may not be accurate and could lead to misunderstandings about the reform. We encourage the public to refer to the official information released by the HA to avoid any misconceptions.

     Following the implementation of the reform, the HA will comprehensively strengthen protection for patients in need through various initiatives: enhancing the medical fee waiving mechanism, relaxing eligibility criteria of means tests for Samaritan Fund safety net applications, and introducing a cap on annual spending of $10,000 for public medical fees and charges (excluding self-financed items). These measures will extend assistance to more patients in need, ensuring no one will be denied adequate medical care due to a lack of means. The enhanced protection is not only taking care of the underprivileged groups, but also preventing middle income people from impoverishment due to illness. The number of beneficiaries is expected to increase significantly from the current 300 000 to approximately 1.4 million people. Additionally, about 600,000 individuals eligible for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients, Old Age Living Allowance recipients aged 75 or above, and Residential Care Service Voucher holders at co-payment Level 0 will continue to receive full medical fee waivers. In total, an estimated 2 million people will benefit from these enhanced patient protection measures.
 
     The HA reminds patients that the fees and charges reform will officially commence on January 1, 2026. Patients are advised to familiarise themselves with the new fees and charges arrangements (see Annex II) before visiting public hospitals or outpatient clinics. Some medical service procedures may also be modified. Patients are welcome to inquire about the service arrangements, and all staff members are ready to provide assistance.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (December 29) the establishment of the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited (the Park Company), which will be responsible for the development and operation of the around 23-hectare industry park located in Hung Shui Kiu in the Northern Metropolis (the Industry Park). The DEVB is moving full steam ahead to complete the company registration, land grant, capital injection and appointment matters as soon as possible, with a view to enabling the Park Company to commence operation by mid-2026.

     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said, “The development of the Northern Metropolis is industry driven. Apart from using traditional land sales, in-situ land exchanges and large-scale land disposal approaches to bring in industries, establishing an industry park company wholly owned by the Government is another tool which allows the Government to participate in the development and operation of industries through the Park Company, and take the lead in leveraging market forces and adopting public-private partnership approaches to accelerate the development of industries in the Northern Metropolis.”
 
     The DEVB has completed a policy study on setting up the Park Company in accordance with this year’s Policy Address, and the Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models led by the Financial Secretary has endorsed the recommendation. The DEVB has obtained the approval of the Financial Secretary to incorporate a non-statutory, limited company wholly owned by the Financial Secretary Incorporated, named as the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited.
 
     The Park Company will achieve four major objectives:

(i) capitalise on the locational advantage of Hung Shui Kiu to drive the development of industries with a competitive edge and supported by the Government;

(ii) masterplan the overall development of the Industry Park, build the park infrastructure and provide value-added services to support the growth of enterprises and develop a vibrant industry ecosystem;

(iii) adopt diversified public-private partnership models and make use of the Government’s preferential policy packages as necessary to attract investments and enterprises to establish footholds in the Industry Park; and

(iv) provide support to brownfield operators affected by government development to move up the value chain.

     In terms of corporate structure, the Board of Directors (BoD) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Park Company shall be appointed on the approval of the Chief Executive. The BoD comprises five official directors and around 10 non-official directors, including a chairperson to be appointed from the non-official directors. The five official directors include the directors of policy bureaux relevant to the development of the Park Company, including the Secretary for Development; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; and the Secretary for Transport and Logistics. The Government will participate directly in the major decisions of the Park Company through the official directors. The non-official directors will come from diverse backgrounds and sectors, allowing the Park Company to draw on the expertise from outside the Government.
 
     The DEVB will seek the approval of the Chief Executive in Council later for granting the around 23 hectares of industry sites in Hung Shui Kiu at nil premium to the Park Company. As the sites within the Industry Park are currently zoned as “Port Back-up, Storage and Workshop”, the DEVB will shortly seek the approval of the Town Planning Board for rezoning these sites to designate a park-specific zoning tailored for the Industry Park, as well as increase the land-use flexibility by widening the permitted uses to cover various suitable industries (such as advanced construction, high-value added or smart production) and supporting facilities (including convention or exhibition facilities, research, testing and certification, talent accommodation, food and beverage facilities, etc). Upon approval by the Legislative Council, the Government will inject initial capital into the Park Company in order to support its initial operational and development needs. The specific amount of capital injection will be announced in the 2026-27 Budget. The Park Company has to operate and manage the Industry Park in a financially sustainable manner and expand its business revenue, with a view to achieving financial self-sustainability in the long term.
 
     The Park Company will develop the around 23 hectares of industry land by phases through different development models, and may further be granted more industry land in Hung Shui Kiu (such as some of the logistics sites in the area) for development in the future. Apart from self-developing part of the land for building and leasing industry facilities, the Park Company may dispose of some of the industry land of the Industry Park by way of tender for enterprises to undertake the construction of topside industry facilities on their own; and other approaches such as forming joint ventures with enterprises through provision of land as a form of capital participation to co-develop and co-invest in individual projects. Among the around 23 hectares of industry land of the Industry Park, around eight hectares are “spade-ready sites”. For the remaining around 15 hectares, site formation is expected to be completed by the Government for the majority of the sites by end-2027.
 
     The DEVB will strive to commence an open recruitment exercise for the CEO in January 2026, as well as complete a series of preparatory work in the first half of next year, including rezoning and granting of the land, seeking funding approval for the capital injection to the Park Company, appointing the BoD and the CEO, and recruiting other key staff for the Park Company, etc. The target is for the Park Company to commence operation by mid-2026.
 
     Details of the proposal of the Park Company have been uploaded to the DEVB’s website (www.devb.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_2464/HSK%20Industry%20Park%20Company%20-%20PPT%20for%20announcement.pdf).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 29) the external merchandise trade statistics for November 2025. In November 2025, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 18.8% and 18.1% respectively.
 
     In November 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 18.8% over a year earlier to $468.9 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 17.5% in October 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 18.1% over a year earlier to $517.4 billion in November 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 18.3% in October 2025. A visible trade deficit of $48.5 billion, equivalent to 9.4% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in November 2025.
 
     For the first 11 months of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 14.3% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 14.1%. A visible trade deficit of $382.8 billion, equivalent to 7.5% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first 11 months of 2025.
 
     Comparing the three-month period ending November 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 1.4%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 2.8%.
 
Analysis by country/territory
 
     Comparing November 2025 with November 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 17.1%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+72.0%), Vietnam (+54.9%), Taiwan (+45.3%), Thailand (+39.6%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+16.4%).
 
     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations in other regions, in particular the USA (+44.4%) and the Netherlands (+36.4%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+102.3%), the Mainland (+25.0%), Malaysia (+21.1%), the United Kingdom (+19.7%) and the USA (+17.8%).
 
     Comparing the first 11 months of 2025 with the same period in 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+55.1%), Vietnam (+52.9%), Taiwan (+40.5%), the Mainland (+15.8%) and Japan (+13.7%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+90.6%), the United Kingdom (+43.9%), Malaysia (+19.8%), Taiwan (+19.0%) and the Mainland (+14.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-15.0%).
 
Analysis by major commodity
 
     Comparing November 2025 with November 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $31.5 billion or +15.9%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $16.4 billion or +36.8%). 
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $34.1 billion or +16.9%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $16.8 billion or +34.3%).
 
     Comparing the first 11 months of 2025 with the same period in 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $315.5 billion or +15.9%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $129.0 billion or +26.6%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $334.7 billion or +16.8%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $112.9 billion or +27.7%).
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to show a strong performance, growing by 18.8% in November over a year earlier. Exports to most major markets showed further robust growth. Analysed by commodity, exports of most major commodities rose visibly, particularly for exports of electrical equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances.
 
     Looking ahead, sustained moderate global economic growth and persistent demand for electronic-related products will underpin Hong Kong’s merchandise trade growth in the near term. The Government will continue its ongoing effort to enhance economic and trade ties with different markets, and stay vigilant to the developments of various uncertainties in the external environment.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for November 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to November 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
 
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for November 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
 
     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for November 2025.
 
     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for November 2025 will be released in mid-January 2026.
 
     The November 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in November 2025 and will be available in early January 2026. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Overall Wage and Payroll Statistics
 
     According to the figures released today (December 29) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed, as measured by the wage index, increased by 3.3% in nominal terms in September 2025 over a year earlier.
 
     About 61% of the companies reported increase in average wage rates in September 2025 compared with a year ago. A total of 34% of the companies recorded decrease in average wage rates over the same period. The remaining 5% reported virtually no change in average wage rates.
 
     After discounting the changes in consumer prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index (A), the overall average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed increased by 1.8% in real terms in September 2025 over a year earlier. 
 
     As for payroll, the index of payroll per person engaged for all the industry sections surveyed increased by 2.8% in nominal terms in the third quarter of 2025 over a year earlier. 
 
     After discounting the changes in consumer prices as measured by the Composite Consumer Price Index, the average payroll per person engaged increased by 1.7% in real terms in the third quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier.
 
     The wage rate includes basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses. Payroll includes elements covered by wage rate as well as other irregular payments to workers such as discretionary bonuses and overtime allowances.  The payroll statistics therefore tend to show relatively larger quarter-to-quarter changes, affected by the number of hours actually worked and the timing of payment of bonuses and back-pay.
 
Sectoral Changes
 
     For the nominal wage indices, year-on-year increases were recorded in all selected industry sections in September 2025, ranging from 2.1% to 3.9%.
 
     For the real wage indices, year-on-year increases were also recorded in all selected industry sections in September 2025, ranging from 0.6% to 2.4%.
 
     The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real wage indices for the selected industry sections from September 2024 to September 2025 are shown in Table 1.
 
     As for the nominal indices of payroll per person engaged, year-on-year increases ranging from 1.8% to 3.8% were recorded in all selected industry sections surveyed in the third quarter of 2025, except the transportation, storage, postal and courier services section where a year-on-year decrease of 0.5% was recorded.
 
     For the real payroll indices, year-on-year increases ranging from 0.7% to 2.7% were recorded in all selected industry sections surveyed in the third quarter of 2025, except the transportation, storage, postal and courier services section where a year-on-year decrease of 1.5% was recorded.
 
     The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged for selected industry sections from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025 are shown in Table 2. The quarterly changes in the seasonally adjusted nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged in the same period are shown in Table 3.
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that wages and labour earnings continued to grow in both nominal and real terms in the third quarter of 2025 over a year earlier. Average wage rate and payroll per person engaged of most selected industries recorded increases of varying degrees.
 
     Looking ahead, the solid expansion of the Hong Kong economy and the improving consumer confidence should render support to labour demand, which will be conducive to growth in wages and labour earnings.
 
Other Information
 
     Both wage indices and payroll indices are compiled quarterly based on the results of the Labour Earnings Survey (LES) conducted by C&SD. Wage index only covers employees up to the supervisory level (i.e. not including managerial and professional employees), whereas payroll index covers employees at all levels and proprietors actively engaged in the work of the establishment.
 
     Apart from the differences in employee coverage, wage statistics are conceptually different from the payroll statistics.  Firstly, wage rate for an employee refers to the sum earned for his normal hours of work. It covers basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses, but excludes earnings from overtime work and discretionary bonuses, which are however included in payroll per person engaged. Secondly, the payroll index of an industry is an indicator of the simple average payroll received per person engaged in the industry. Its movement is therefore affected by changes in wage rates, number of hours of work and occupational composition in the industry. In contrast, the wage index of an industry is devised to reflect the pure changes in wage rate, with the occupational composition between two successive statistical periods being kept unchanged. In other words, the wage index reflects the change in the price of labour. Because of these conceptual and enumeration differences between payroll and wage statistics, the movements in payroll indices and in wage indices do not necessarily match closely with each other.
 
     It should also be noted that different consumer price indices are used for compiling the real indices of wage and payroll to take into account the differences in their respective occupation coverage. Specifically, the Composite Consumer Price Index, being an indicator of overall consumer prices, is taken as the price deflator for payroll of workers at all levels of the occupational hierarchy. The Consumer Price Index (A), being an indicator of consumer prices for the relatively low expenditure group, is taken as the price deflator for wages in respect of employees engaged in occupations up to the supervisory level.
 
     Detailed breakdowns of the payroll and wage statistics are published in the “Quarterly Report of Wage and Payroll Statistics, September 2025”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050009&scode=210).
 
     For enquiries on wage and payroll statistics, please contact the Wages and Labour Costs Statistics Section (1) of C&SD (Tel:  2887 5550 or email: wage@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (December 30) the handover of a residential site in Tung Chung, i.e. Tung Chung Area 122 (TC122), to the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) for development of subsidised sale flats (SSFs).
 
     TC122 was originally one of the government sites identified for tender under the Private Subsidised Sale Flat – Pilot Scheme (the Pilot Scheme). The site is now handed over to the HKHS for development as one of its SSF projects, with around 1 600 SSFs estimated to be completed in 2031-32 preliminarily.
 
     “The Government has all along been pragmatically adjusting the development arrangements of different sites based on social demands and actual circumstances. The HKHS is a close partner of the Government on housing policies with profound experience in the development of SSFs. Having reviewed the latest situation, the Government believes that the handover of TC122 to the HKHS could expedite the development of the SSFs,” said a spokesman for the Housing Bureau.
 
     The Government announced in June 2023 the policy framework of the Pilot Scheme, with an aim to tap into market forces and boost overall development capacity. The Government is now closely keeping in view market developments, so as to review if there is a need to suitably adjust some of the key parameters of the Pilot Scheme as well as future tender arrangements for sites under the Pilot Scheme having regard to market conditions. Further announcements will be made in due course.

     “The handover of TC122 to the HKHS for development of SSFs is in line with the Government’s policy objectives of boosting SSF supply, helping the grassroots achieve home ownership and encouraging upward mobility. The Government believes this would be well received by the public. It will also continue to take forward other measures in respect of enhancing the housing ladder, so as to help citizens achieve home ownership,” the spokesman added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     ​The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (December 30) announced a total of 15 Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) will provide public holiday Family Medicine Outpatient Services on the New Year holiday (January 1, 2026) (see table below). Patients may book an appointment either through the telephone appointment system or the “Book FMC” function of the “HA Go” mobile app.
      
     The spokesperson reminded members of the public to stay vigilant to personal and environmental hygiene during the public holiday to avoid spreading diseases. Members of the public who develop respiratory symptoms should wear a mask and seek medical advice promptly. The HA appeals to non-emergency patients to avoid using accident and emergency (A&E) services and seek treatment at FMCs, private doctors or 24-hour outpatient services at private hospitals to reduce pressure on public hospital A&Es. Members of the public can visit the Health Bureau’s (HHB) Primary Care Directory (www.pcdirectory.gov.hk) to choose a family doctor and view related clinic service information. The HHB has also collated information of private hospitals, healthcare facilities, family doctors and Chinese medicine clinics that will be in operation during the New Year holiday across the city. The information (including addresses, phone numbers and operation hours) of the relevant hospitals and clinics has been uploaded to the online portal (www.map.gov.hk/gm/s/hhbclinic/all?lg=en) for public reference in collaboration with the Spatial Data Office of the Development Bureau and the Lands Department.
      
     Meanwhile, the spokesperson appeals to members of the public, especially high-risk groups, to get vaccinated early for seasonal influenza and COVID-19 to reduce the chance of infection for themselves and their family members, as well as to reduce critical cases and deaths.

Family Medicine Outpatient Services arrangements on the New Year Holiday (January 1, 2026)
 

Region	List of FMCs	Address	General Enquiry	Telephone Booking
Hong Kong Island	Aberdeen Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	10 Aberdeen Reservoir Road, Aberdeen	2555 0381	3543 5011
	Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	1/F, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan	2560 0211	3157 0077
	Wan Chai Violet Peel Family Medicine Clinic	LG/F, Tang Shiu Kin Hospital Community Ambulatory Care Centre, 282 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai	3553 3116	3157 0000
Kowloon	Kwun Tong Family Medicine Integrated Centre	UG/F, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong	2389 0331	3157 0687
	Nam Cheong Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan	3742 3876	3543 5795
	Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, Out-patient Block, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, 118 Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin	2354 2267	3157 0118
	San Po Kong Robert Black Family Medicine Clinic	600 Prince Edward Road East, San Po Kong	2383 3311	3157 0113
	Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	1/F, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei	2272 2400	3157 0880
New Territories	Lek Yuen Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 9 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin	2692 8730	3157 0972
	North District Family Medicine Integrated Centre	3/F, North District Community Health Centre Building, 3 Wai Wo Street, Sheung Shui	2957 5186	3157 0965
	Tai Po Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 37 Ting Kok Road, Tai Po	2664 2039	3157 0906
	Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) Family Medicine Clinic	G/F, 28 Po Ning Road, Tseung Kwan O	2191 1083	3157 0660
	Tsuen Wan Lady Trench Family Medicine Clinic	213 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan	2614 4789	3157 0107
	Tuen Mun Family Medicine Clinic	11 Tsing Yin Street, San Hui, Tuen Mun	2452 9111	3543 0886
	Yuen Long Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic	269 Castle Peak Road (Yuen Long), Yuen Long	2443 8511	3543 5007

Service hours: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm