MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 24) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in October, covering 21 survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	October 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Southern	Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau	0.0%	N/A
	Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay	0.0%	N/A
Wan Chai	Tin Hau	7.5%	1.0
Kowloon City	Kowloon City North	0.0%	N/A
Kwun Tong	Kwun Tong Central	0.0%	N/A
Sha Tin	Tai Wai	0.0%	N/A
	Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan	3.9%	1.0
Yuen Long	Yuen Kong	0.0%	N/A
	Ki Lun Shan	0.0%	N/A
	Sung Shan	0.0%	N/A
Tsuen Wan	Tsuen Wan West	1.9%	1.0
Kwai Tsing	Tsing Yi South	5.3%	1.0

District	Survey Area	October 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Central and Western	Central and Admiralty	1.0%	1.0
Yau Tsim	Tsim Sha Tsui East	1.8%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin Central	0.0%	N/A
	Diamond Hill	1.7%	1.0
Kwun Tong	Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling	0.0%	N/A
	Kowloon Bay	0.9%	1.0
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun West	1.0%	1.0
	So Kwun Wat	5.2%	1.3
Kwai Tsing	Tsing Yi North	7.4%	1.3

Among the fifth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 12 survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering nine survey areas in October, all were below 10 per cent.

The FEHD has so far released five batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in October 2025, covering 44 survey areas. Among these 44 survey areas, 32 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. September 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Twelve other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
• change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

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 is disseminating the 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 the 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#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) is conducting an in-depth investigation into an accident involving a B744 cargo aircraft (flight number UAE9788), arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport, United Arab Emirates, which deviated from the North Runway of Hong Kong International Airport after landing and ditched into the sea on October 20, in order to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident.

After detailed planning and coordination, the professional team commissioned by the Airport Authority Hong Kong is carrying out the salvage operation to remove the cargo aircraft involved in the incident, in order to enable the AAIA to conduct further inspections and an in-depth investigation.

To expedite the collection of data required for the investigation, the AAIA successfully retrieved the Flight Data Recorder and the Cockpit Voice Recorder, commonly known as the “black boxes”, from the aircraft wreckage late last night (October 24). There is water ingress into the two “black boxes”. The AAIA has promptly sent the devices to the laboratory for preliminary examination to determine the next course of action.

     Experts will conduct in-depth analysis of the collected data, including reconstructing the sequence of events through the data from the “black boxes”, interviews with relevant personnel, laboratory findings, examination of the aircraft wreckage, aircraft operating procedures, aircraft system status and maintenance records, weather conditions, and other relevant factors, to prepare a report.

Pursuant to Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the investigation into this accident is being led by the AAIA, which is also responsible for the dissemination of information. Notifications have been issued to the State of Registry, the State of the Operator, the State of Design and the State of Manufacture of the aircraft in accordance with Annex 13. Investigative authorities from these countries have appointed accredited representatives and experts to participate in the investigation and provide professional advice. Personnel from the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States and the Transport Safety Investigation Center of Türkiye have arrived in Hong Kong, while experts from Boeing are also participating.

“Following the successful recovery of the ‘black boxes’, the subsequent data processing, along with a thorough analysis and integration of other evidence, will take time. We will release a preliminary investigation report within one month and continue to conduct a thorough and rigorous investigation to determine the sequence of events and causes of the accident, as well as to propose safety recommendations to enhance aviation safety,” an AAIA spokesperson said.

The AAIA, an independent investigation authority formed under the Transport and Logistics Bureau, is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and incidents in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B) and with reference to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standards. Pursuant to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B), the AAIA is responsible for investigating all aircraft accidents and incidents occurring within Hong Kong territory, including those involving passenger aircraft, cargo aircraft, business jet and general aviation (such as light aircraft and helicopters), regardless of whether the aircraft is registered in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the State of Registry, the State of the Operator, the State of Design and the State of Manufacture of the aircraft involved in the accident or incident may appoint accredited representatives to participate in investigations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, led by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (October 24) concluded its three-day visit to Beijing and Hebei.
 
In the morning, the delegation visited the Xiong’an Urban Computing (Supercomputing Cloud) Center to learn how the Xiong’an New Area is enhancing urban development and management through digitalisation. They then toured the Zhongguancun Science Park in Xiong’an, where they were briefed on the park’s overall planning and development, operational management, investment promotion strategies and the status of enterprise settlement.

The delegation was also invited to attend a seminar. There, the Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, delivered remarks. The seminar was hosted by member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice-Governor of the People’s Government of Hebei Province, Mr Zhao Dachun. At the seminar, Mr Chan and other delegation members shared their observations and insights from their visits to the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and the Xiong’an New Area. They discussed how Hong Kong can draw inspiration from the integration of above-ground and underground spatial planning, the alignment of spatial and industrial layouts, industry development policies, investment incentives, smart city initiatives, and innovative institutional mechanisms – in order to accelerate the development of Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis.
 
Mr Chan remarked that under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong’s international advantages – including its capital, talent and professional services – can offer strong support to the industries and enterprises of both the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and the Xiong’an New Area as they expand globally. He added that there is great potential for mutual learning, exchange and collaborative development in areas such as finance, innovation and technology, trade and urban management.
 
In the afternoon, the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, met with Mr Chan and other delegation officials in Beijing. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Kevin Choi, etc.
 
The Principal Officials of the delegation will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (October 25).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The nomination period for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election starts today (October 24) and runs until November 6. A total of 23 nomination forms were received by the Returning Officers for the 10 geographical constituencies, the 28 functional constituencies and the Election Committee constituency today.

The number of nomination forms received for each geographical constituency is as follows:
 

Geographical constituency	No. of nomination forms received today
Hong Kong Island East	2
Hong Kong Island West	1
Kowloon East	1
Kowloon West	1
Kowloon Central	3
New Territories South East	2
New Territories North	0
New Territories North West	1
New Territories South West	3
New Territories North East	1
Total	15

The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
 

Functional constituency	No. of nomination forms received today
Heung Yee Kuk	0
Agriculture and fisheries	0
Insurance	0
Transport	0
Education	0
Legal	1
Accountancy	0
Medical and health services	0
Engineering	0
Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape	0
Labour	1
Social welfare	0
Real estate and construction	0
Tourism	0
Commercial (first)	0
Commercial (second)	0
Commercial (third)	0
Industrial (first)	0
Industrial (second)	0
Finance	0
Financial services	1
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication	0
Import and export	0
Textiles and garment	0
Wholesale and retail	1
Technology and innovation	0
Catering	0
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the National People’s Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and representatives of relevant national organisations	0
Total	4

     The number of nomination forms received today for the Election Committee constituency is four.

Particulars of the nominated persons received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hongkong Post today (October 24) appealed to members of the public to stay alert to a fraudulent job advertisement published on a recruitment website.
 
The fraudulent job advertisement concerned was about recruitment of postal assistant clerks to work in the Kowloon Bay Post Office for production and delivery of philatelic products, etc. Hongkong Post clarifies that it had not published the job advertisement in question. The case has been reported to the Police, and the recruitment website has also been requested to follow up on the fraudulent advertisement.
 
Hongkong Post reminds the public that its job advertisement will not be posted on third-party platforms.  When there are job vacancies, information will only be published on the Hongkong Post website https://www.hongkongpost.hk/en/about_us/career/index.html and the Civil Service Bureau website https://www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/7.html for open recruitment.
 
Members of the public who have provided personal information to any suspicious websites or unknown persons via the advertisement should contact the Police. For enquiries, please call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222 or hkpo@hkpo.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, continued his visit to Korea in Seoul today (October 24) to explore with the local legal sectors strengthening legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Korea. He also attended a joint legal workshop co-organised by the two places.

In the morning, Mr Lam visited the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB) International. He met with the Chairman of the KCAB International, Professor Chang Seung-wha, and had a luncheon together with representatives from the Korean Council of International Arbitration, to discuss promoting co-operation between Hong Kong and Korea in cross-border business dispute resolution and arbitration, and to explore enhancing co-operation in legal matters of the two places.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam attended a joint legal workshop co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea on “Strengthening Business and Legal Cooperation: Korea and Hong Kong”. The workshop attracted about 100 participants. Mr Lam said in his opening remarks that Hong Kong, as the only bilingual common law jurisdiction in the world using both English and Chinese, is home to a large pool of lawyers with extensive international experience, and maintains a close connection with the legal system in the Chinese Mainland. As the centre for international legal and dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong provides fair and efficient dispute resolution services that facilitate enterprises to expand investment and business opportunities in China. Looking forward, he said he expected the DoJ will continue building on a strong foundation of partnership with Korea.

Mr Lam then had dinner with the Deputy Minister of the International Legal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, Mr Chung Hong-sik, during which they exchanged views on legal co-operation opportunities between Hong Kong and Korea, and the latest developments in legal and dispute resolution services.

Mr Lam will conclude his visit to Korea tomorrow morning (October 25) and return to Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the joint legal workshop co-organised by the Department of Justice and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea on “Strengthening Business and Legal Cooperation: Korea and Hong Kong” in Seoul, Korea, today (October 24):

Mr Chung (Deputy Minister of the International Legal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, Mr Chung Hong-sik), Mr Jeong (Executive Director of the Trade Promotion Group of the Korea International Trade Association, Mr Jeong Hee-cheol), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

Good afternoon. It is my great honour and pleasure to welcome you all to the 2nd Joint Legal Workshop organised by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, the Department of Justice of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea In-House Counsel Association. Our theme today is “Strengthening Business and Legal Cooperation: Korea and Hong Kong”.  Building on the success of our first legal workshop held in Hong Kong in July last year, this event marks a significant step forward in our ongoing partnership.

Korea has always been a close partner of Hong Kong. In 2024, Korea was Hong Kong’s fifth largest trading partner. The total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and Korea reached HK$355.9 billion in 2024, representing a nearly 20 per cent increase from the previous year. This reflects the deepening economic exchanges and expanding opportunities between our two regions. 
  
To facilitate these increasing exchanges and the exploration of these opportunities, and to safeguard the rights and interests of all relevant stakeholders, it is plain and obvious that reliable, high-quality and user-friendly legal and dispute resolution services are indispensable. This is precisely what Hong Kong may and can offer.

Under the fundamental principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in the People’s Republic of China. It is also the only bilingual common law jurisdiction in the world using both English and Chinese. We have an independent judiciary with the power of final adjudication, business-friendly civil and commercial laws familiar to the international community, and a large pool of lawyers with extensive international experience and expertise in different areas. These legal professionals provide seamless, one-stop services across a wide range of matters covering the whole business cycle, from the formation of a business entity (including the raising of capital by public listing) to the realisation of profits derived from a business venture.

Fair and efficient dispute resolution services constitute an essential component of risk management. Apart from traditional litigations, alternative dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation have become increasingly important in international trade and investment. Hong Kong has all along been well regarded as one of the top international arbitration centres in the world. According to the 2025 International Arbitration Survey conducted by Queen Mary University of London, Hong Kong ranks as the second most preferred seat for arbitration globally and the first in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2024, 76.4 per cent of the arbitrations submitted to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre were international in nature.

Turning to mediation, the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong demonstrates the city’s unique advantages and opportunities in international mediation. The IOMed is the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes, including disputes between a country and another country, a country and foreign nationals, as well as international commercial disputes, through mediation. The headquarters of IOMed has been established in Hong Kong, and IOMed formally opened a few days ago on October 20. We are also excited to share the news that we will construct the Hong Kong International Legal Service Building, adjacent to the IOMed headquarters, to house international legal and dispute resolution services institutions so as to further support Hong Kong’s strategic position as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution. 

A unique and significant advantage enjoyed by Hong Kong is its close connection with the legal system in the Chinese Mainland. Up to the present, Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland have signed nine mutual legal assistance arrangements, including mutual recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments as well as arbitral awards; and the grant of interim measures in arbitrations, which is extremely useful in practice. All in all, Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution services may be conveniently used to facilitate the exploitation of investment and business opportunities in the Chinese Mainland. This is why we say Hong Kong indeed serves as a gateway between China and the rest of the world.

Looking ahead, the Department of Justice is eager to continue building on the strong foundation of partnership we have with Korea. On this basis, I would like to take the opportunity to invite all of you to join us at our annual flagship event — Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 — which will be held from December 1 to 5, 2025, in Hong Kong. 

Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our co-organisers of the workshop, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea In-House Counsel Association for their efforts in making this workshop possible; and, of course, all our distinguished speakers who will share their valuable insights in the two panel discussions. I wish you all a very productive and inspiring session ahead. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs on September 20 detected two smuggling cases involving two passengers at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and seized 1 250 syringes and 1 275 syringes of pharmaceutical injections containing Part I Poisons respectively from each passenger. The total estimated market value was about $1.77 million. The two passengers concerned were both convicted and sentenced to 10 weeks’ imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (October 24) for contravening the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO) (Cap. 60). All the pharmaceutical products were confiscated.

Customs officers intercepted the two male passengers, both aged 28, on September 20 at the Arrival Hall at HKIA for Customs clearance. Upon examination, the pharmaceutical injections were found inside their respective personal baggage.

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

Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

Under the IEO, any person who imports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid import licence 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 smuggling 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).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation led by Financial Secretary Paul Chan today concluded a three-day visit to Beijing and Hebei.

 

In the morning, the delegation visited the Xiong’an Urban Computing (Supercomputing Cloud) Center to learn about how the Xiong’an New Area is using digitalisation to enhance urban development and management.

 

They then toured the Zhongguancun Science Park in Xiong’an, where they were briefed on the park’s overall planning and development, as well as its operational management and investment promotion strategies, and the enterprises located there.

 

The delegation was also invited to attend a seminar, as which Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Qifang delivered some remarks. The seminar was hosted by Party Leadership Group member and Vice-Governor of the People’s Government of Hebei Province Zhao Dachun.

 

At the seminar, Mr Chan and other delegation members shared observations and insights from their visits to the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and the Xiong’an New Area.

 

They discussed how Hong Kong can draw inspiration from the integration of above-ground and underground spatial planning, and the alignment of spatial and industrial layouts, and from various industry development policies, investment incentives, smart city initiatives, and innovative institutional mechanisms, in order to accelerate the development of Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis.

 

Mr Chan remarked that under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong’s international advantages, including its capital, talent and professional services, can offer the industries and enterprises of both the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and the Xiong’an New Area strong support as they expand globally.

 

He added that there is great potential for mutual learning, exchange and collaborative development in areas such as finance, innovation and technology, trade and urban management.

 

In the afternoon, CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong met Mr Chan and other delegation officials in Beijing.

 

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui; Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau; Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn; Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho; and Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong also attended the meeting.

 

The delegation’s principal officials will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hongkong Post today appealed to the public to stay alert to a fraudulent job advertisement published on a recruitment website.

The advertisement involves the purported recruitment of postal assistant clerks to work in the Kowloon Bay Post Office on the production and delivery of philatelic products.

Hongkong Post clarified that it had not published the job advertisement in question. The case has been reported to Police, and the recruitment website has also been requested to follow up on the matter.

Hongkong Post reminded the public that its job advertisements are posted on third-party platforms. Information on job vacancies will only be published on the Hongkong Post website and the Civil Service Bureau website, for open recruitment.

Those who have provided personal information to suspicious websites or unknown people via the advertisement should contact Police.

For enquiries, call Hongkong Post at 2921 2222 or write to hkpo@hkpo.gov.hk.