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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (November 17) invited interested parties to lodge expressions of interest (EOI) for providing more diverse value-added activities at designated LCSD venues/facilities.
 
     The 2025 Policy Address announced that market-based business models would be introduced into designated LCSD facilities to provide more diverse value-added activities. In this connection, the LCSD plans to avail eight selected venues/facilities for commercial events, private uses, etc., as well as 16 venues/facilities for commercial advertising. The LCSD intends to engage a professional agency/agencies by granting a licence for providing event organisation and advertising services at these venues/facilities, leveraging their market knowledge and expertise in making promotion to suitable target clients while offering technical support for events and client management services.
 
     The LCSD is inviting EOI in providing the services concerned. The feedback and information from the EOI will assist the LCSD in finalising the service details and way forward. The EOI invitation documents are available at the LCSD website. Interested parties must lodge their EOI by December 16 (Tuesday). The LCSD will also conduct a briefing session at 10.30am on November 27 (Thursday), at Function Room AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
 
     For enquiries, please email the LCSD at eoi2025@lcsd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Regarding the appearance of black particles in the drinking water of some buildings in Taikoo Shing, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) had earlier collected water samples from some households, sump and roof drinking water tanks for testing. A spokesman for the WSD stated tonight (November 16) that the analysis has just been completed, showing that all water samples have met Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards. The small amount of black particles found in the samples were confirmed to be bitumen. It is believed that water pressure changes caused by WSD’s temporary redirecting of water supply near Taikoo Shing last night stirred up bitumen sediments inside the pipes. These sediments are inert substances and pose no harm to human health.

The spokesman said that the WSD had already issued a press release earlier today explaining the cause of the incident (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202511/16/P2025111600466.htm), adding that the damaged filter at the estate’s public water inlet was repaired last night, and pipe flushing has been strengthened. To minimise inconvenience to residents, the WSD, together with the estate’s property management company, arranged for cleansing of the sump drinking water tanks of affected buildings starting tonight at off-peak water usage hours (around 12:30am), expected to finish by dawn. Cleansing of roof drinking water tanks will follow tomorrow morning during off-peak water usage hours, with completion expected within the day. After these follow-up actions, the situation of black particles in drinking water is expected to improve significantly.

Further investigation showed that the affected buildings are mainly in phases four and five, totalling 14 blocks, about 20 per cent of the estate. WSD staff have been dispatched to work with the property management office to assist residents in flushing water meters and water heater inlets. As of 9pm today, about 100 water meters have been flushed, and more than 20 technicians have been arranged to flush electric water heater inlets. These actions will continue tomorrow.

To reassure residents, the WSD will continue to place water trucks and tanks in the estate to provide temporary water supply services, and set up a service counter and work together with the property management office to answer residents’ enquiries immediately. If residents notice abnormalities in their drinking water, they should notify the management office at once or call the WSD customer service hotline at 2824 5000, and arrangements will be made promptly for follow-up.

The spokesman added that to prevent occurrence of similar incidents in the future, the WSD will not only conduct routine regular inspections of the estate’s inlet filters, but also check the filters before and after pipe maintenance works to ensure they remain in good condition and can effectively block sediments stirred up during such works.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The golf and triathlon competitions of the 15th National Games (NG) concluded today (November 16). A total of seven gold medals were awarded in these the two events.

The golf competition was held at the Fanling Golf Course of the Hong Kong Golf Club, featuring men’s and women’s individual and team events, with a total of four gold medals awarded. More than 80 athletes from 17 teams representing the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao took part, including four male and four female athletes from Hong Kong. The winning athletes and teams are as follows:

Men’s individual:

Gold	Kuang Yang (Zhejiang)
Silver	Chai Bowen (Shanghai University of Sport)
Bronze	Wu Ashun (Shanghai)

Women’s individual:

Gold	Zhang Weiwei (Guangdong)
Silver	Yin Ruoning (Tianjin)
Bronze	Wang Xinying (Chongqing)

Men’s team:

Gold	Shanghai team
Silver	Tianjin team
Bronze	Shaanxi team

 
Women’s team:

Gold	Guangdong team
Silver	Shanghai team
Bronze	Tianjin team

The triathlon competition took place at the Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour, comprising men’s individual, women’s individual and mixed relay events. Eighty-eight athletes from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao participated, including three male and three female athletes from Hong Kong. Among them, Hong Kong athlete Oscar Coggins captured the bronze medal in the men’s individual event, while the Hong Kong team won the silver medal in the mixed relay event. The winning athletes and teams are as follows:

Men’s individual:

Gold	Fan Junjie (Henan)
Silver	Chen Qi (Liaoning)
Bronze	Oscar Coggins (Hong Kong)

Women’s individual:

Gold	Huang Anqi (China Public Security Sports Association)
Silver	Lin Xinyu (Sichuan)
Bronze	Wei Wen (Sichuan)

Mixed relay:

Gold	Shandong team
Silver	Hong Kong team
Bronze	China Public Security Sports Association team

Other competition events in the Hong Kong competition region, including basketball (Men’s U22), track cycling and fencing, are ongoing. Members of the public are welcome to purchase tickets to watch the competitions and cheer for the athletes in person. Tickets can be purchased through various channels, including the 15th NG official ticketing website (ticket.baygames.cn) or by searching for the “15th NG official ticketing” official mini programme on WeChat, after completing a real-name account registration. Additionally, the public can visit 11 designated sales outlets (ww2.ctshk.com/articleDetail?id=4&channelId=-1) of the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited to buy paper tickets for events in the Hong Kong competition region. Physical tickets for events held at the relevant venues are also available at the competition area ticket office.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+, one of the highlight programmes of the Asia+ Festival 2025, was held this afternoon (November 16) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and Foyer. With staunch support from various consulates-general and overseas cultural organisations in Hong Kong, the event brought together cultural and artistic aspects of around 30 countries and regions from Asia and along the Belt and Road. Presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the event featured ethnic music, dance, traditional costume displays, handicrafts, and signature delicacies, presenting a vibrant and diverse cultural experience. It drew over 33 000 local residents and tourists, and was met with great enthusiasm.
 
     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, noted in her opening remarks of the Asia+ Festival ceremony that the Festival aims to create a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges across Asia and the Belt and Road regions. This flagship festive event reaffirms Hong Kong’s role as an East-‍‍‍meets-‍West centre for international cultural exchanges. Leveraging the city’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, the festival actively fosters people-to-people connectivity and cultural integration. The Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+, launched today, unveils the legendary sounds of classical and folk music from different regions, showcasing the charm of diverse cultures.
 
     Other officiating guests included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, as well as representatives from consulates-general in Hong Kong of various participating countries of the Asia+ Festival.
 
     Following the ceremony, a series of captivating ethnic performances commenced. Artistic troupes from participating countries and regions presented traditional music and folk dance performances, offering the audience an immersive multicultural experience. The event opened with a dazzling performance by an Egyptian dancer of the Tanoura, a dance known for its rich spiritual and ritual symbolism.
 
     The venue also featured numerous cultural booths showcasing exquisite handicrafts from various countries and regions alongside stalls offering traditional snacks. Interactive workshops were held on-site, allowing visitors to experience ethnic dance and musical instruments, as well as participate in craft making and umbrella painting, activities suitable for all ages.
 
     In addition, the “Vibrant Dance – National Costume Exhibition” is being held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Foyer from today to November 23, displaying distinctive traditional attire and dance costumes from various countries and regions. The exhibition is free of charge and open to the public.
 
     This year’s Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+ will feature participation from various countries and regions, namely Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, China and Macao, China. 
 
     Highlights from today’s performances will be edited into a recap video and made available online on November 30 via the LCSD’s Community Programmes Office website: www.cpo.gov.hk/zh-hk/activity/tc-aecp-2025-carnival.
 
     The Asia+ Festival is held annually from September to November with the aim of creating a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges. While focusing on Asia, the Festival this year also connects Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Now in its third edition, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, are taking part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. Apart from stage programmes, there is also an outdoor carnival, a thematic exhibition, workshops, a backstage tour, masterclasses, talks, outreach performances and more. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (November 16) said that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented to facilitate the holding of a football match at Kai Tak Stadium on the evening of November 18. As traffic in the vicinity of the Kai Tak Sports Park is expected to be heavy, spectators should opt for public transport and avoid driving.

     The TD has co-ordinated with public transport operators to strengthen their services during dispersal. The MTR will enhance the frequency of trains on the Tuen Ma Line. Franchised bus companies will provide 10 special bus routes at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area (PUDOA) to major districts across the territory.
 
The Kai Tak Stadium Taxi PUDOA will be open. The Sung Wong Toi Road PUDOA will be open for taxi drop-off only during admission (6pm to 8pm) and will be suspended for taxi pick-up/drop-off during dispersal. The expected waiting time will be longer amid the outflux of spectators, and passengers’ patience is appreciated.

Spectators are advised to heed the real-time information via the on-site broadcast and the “Easy Leave” platform (easyleave.police.gov.hk) as well as the latest traffic news through the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the “HKeMobility” mobile application and radio and television broadcasts.
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A man who went missing in Lok Ma Chau has been located.

     Mow Chun-hung, aged 67, went missing after he left his caring home on Ho Sheung Heung Pai Fung Road last night (November 14). Staff of the caring home then made a report to Police.

     The man was located in Wai Loi Tsuen, Sheung Shui tonight (November 15). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (November 15) congratulated Hong Kong, China swimming athlete Siobhan Bernadette Haughey on winning a gold medal in the Women’s 100m Freestyle at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China (NG).

Miss Law said, “Siobhan Bernadette Haughey’s performance has lived up to expectations. After winning the gold medal in the Women’s 200m Freestyle event, she won the gold medal for Hong Kong in the Women’s 100m Freestyle event. Her superb swimming skills and strong fighting spirit make all Hong Kong citizens proud, and I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to her.”

Miss Law also congratulated Aaron Ho on historically winning a silver medal in the Men’s Sabre Individual, Oscar Louis Coggins on winning a bronze medal the Men’s Individual in the triathlon event, Kaylin Hsieh on winning a bronze medal in the Women’s Épée Individual and Adam Mak on winning a bronze medal in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke today, and encouraging them to keep up the remarkable performance and achieve great results in the future. Miss Law said the athletes have successfully written a new glorious chapter in the NG for the Hong Kong, China Delegation, and wishing them great success in the remaining events to win honour for Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong, China Delegation has so far won ten medals, namely five golds, one silver and four bronzes, in sailing, cycling, tennis, swimming, rugby, triathlon and fencing at the 15th NG.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, at a media session today (November 15) after attending the “Patriots Collaborate for Good Governance” 2025 Legislative Council election forums: Forum for the Hong Kong Island East geographical constituency:

Reporter: Mr Tsang, with today’s fainting incident and also the earlier disruption of the debate, do you think that perhaps there needs to be some sort of improvement made to this sort of debates? Going further, will there be any measures considered, and will you perhaps decide for the next election or further elections to just leave the debates back to the independent TV stations or media to do it instead?

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: Of course, we will absorb the experience in doing this forum, and in the future we will do our best to make arrangements so as to make it smooth. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a joint operation codenamed “Flashspear 2025” with Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department on November 17. The operation successfully neutralised a cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate. During the operation, officers from the Outside Investigation Section of the ImmD raided two residential units. Two Hong Kong residents – one man and one woman, aged 43 and 57 – were arrested. The arrested persons were believed to be the mastermind and core members of the cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate. In addition, Mainland authorities arrested two syndicate members and eight Mainlanders who were suspected to have contracted bogus marriages in Guangdong.
 
     From 2023 to 2024, officers from the ImmD and Mainland authorities found that multiple suspected bogus marriage cases had a similar mode of operation. Following in-depth analysis and investigations, a cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate headed by the arrested persons was identified. The syndicate used online trading platforms and instant messaging software to recruit and arrange bogus marriages between Hong Kong residents and non-local residents for profit. Furthermore, to attract more individuals to participate in bogus marriages, the syndicate incentivised those who were already involved by offering a “commission system”, so as to assist the syndicate in recruiting more people to participate in the bogus marriage activities. With each successful arrangement of a bogus marriage, the recruiter received a commission, thereby motivating them to enlist more individuals in these illegal activities.
 
     The ImmD believed that the syndicate had arranged for more than 60 bogus marriages between 2023 and 2024. The estimated transaction amount involved in the cases is over HK$7.5 million. During the operation, as of today, a total of 37 persons (18 men and 19 women, aged 20 to 65), including the two Hong Kong residents arrested during the operation today, were arrested. Thirty-two of them were Hong Kong residents, and five were non-local residents. The investigation is still ongoing, and more persons involved in the case may be arrested.
 
     The ImmD has been concerned about non-Hong Kong residents obtaining residency by means of contracting bogus marriages with Hong Kong residents. The ImmD will continue to spare no effort in combating bogus marriages and other related illicit activities. For people who have obtained their residency in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residency status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin.
 
     An ImmD spokesman urged the public not to defy the law by participating in activities related to bogus marriages anywhere or making a false oath before Immigration Officers for the purpose of procuring a marriage in Hong Kong. Those directing others to contract a bogus marriage may also be guilty of the offence of conspiracy to defraud. The spokesman also urged the public to raise their alert when using online trading platforms and instant messaging software, and to avoid falling into the trap of bogus marriage syndicates.
 
     Under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to make false representations to Immigration Officers. Offenders are liable to prosecution and to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Any person who, for the purpose of procuring a marriage or a certificate or license for marriage, knowingly and wilfully makes a false oath or makes or signs a false declaration shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to, upon conviction, imprisonment for seven years and a fine. Anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and Youth Development Commission (YDC) jointly launched the 2026-27 (first round) HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland today (November 17). Eligible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are invited to submit applications.
 
The Government attaches great importance to youth development. The HYAB promulgated the Youth Development Blueprint at end-2022; it states that the Government will further strengthen the breadth and depth of Mainland and international internship and exchange programmes with a view to enhancing young people’s understanding of the country and supporting their integration into the country’s overall development. Through the HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland, the HYAB and the YDC provide funding for NGOs to organise youth exchange projects on the Mainland for Hong Kong young people to enhance their awareness and understanding of the country’s development, foster exchanges with Mainland people and strengthen their sense of national identity. The Pilot Scheme on Subsidy to Grassroots Youth for Participating in Exchange Activities Outside Hong Kong that launched earlier will also continue to provide additional subsidies to grassroots youth with financial needs to participate in exchange projects under the 2026-27 funding scheme.
 
The 2026-27 funding scheme accepts two rounds of applications. Details of the first round are available on the YDC website (www.ydc.gov.hk/en/programmes/ep/ep_fundingscheme.html). Interested NGOs should submit their applications via the e-application system on or before December 29. The second round of applications will be launched in mid-2026.