MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Police announced today (September 28) that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon from the early hours of September 30 to facilitate the holding of flag-raising ceremonies in celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China, and the National Day Fireworks Display on October 1.

Flag Raising Ceremony in Wan Chai North, Central and Tin Hau
———————————————————————-

A. Road Closure

The following road sections will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (except for authorised vehicles) at the times specified below:

(I) From 12.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1:

– Expo Drive;
– Expo Drive Central;
– Expo Drive East;
– The slip road leading from the Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel to Expo Drive; and
– The section of Lung Wo Road eastbound between the Wan Chai portal of the Central – Wan Chai -Bypass Tunnel and Fleming Road.

(II) From 5.30am to 1pm on October 1

– The section of Lung Wo Road westbound between the Wan Chai portal of Central –
Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel and Expo Drive East; and
– Lung Tat Path.

(III) From 6.30am to 7.30am on October 1

– The section of Lung Wo Road between Edinburgh Place and Tim Wa Avenue.

(IV) From 6.30am to 8am on October 1

– The section of Tung Lo Wan Road between Causeway Road and Lai Yin Lane.

B. Traffic Diversions

To facilitate the aforementioned road closure arrangements, the following traffic diversions will be temporarily implemented at the times specified below:

(I) From 12.01am on September 30 to 1pm on October 1

– Vehicles along Lung Wo Road eastbound heading for Fleming Road and Hung Hing Road will be diverted onto Lung Hop Street southbound or heading for Island Eastern Corridor will continue travelling along Lung Wo Road eastbound to enter Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel eastbound;
– Vehicles making right turn from Lung Hop Street northbound can only enter  Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel eastbound via Lung Wo Road eastbound; and
– Vehicles from Central heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via Man Po Street, Yiu Sing Street eastbound and Lung Wo Road eastbound.

(II) From 5.30am to 1pm on October 1

– Vehicles along Hung Hing Road westbound heading for Lung Wo Road westbound will be diverted via Fleming Road southbound, Fleming Road northbound, Harbour Road westbound, Fenwick Pier Street roundabout, Fenwick Pier Street westbound and Lung Hop Street northbound.

(III) From 6.30am to 7.30am on October 1

– Vehicles along Lung Wo Road eastbound will be diverted via Edinburgh Place southbound;
– Vehicles along Lung Wo Road westbound will be diverted via Tim Wa Avenue southbound;
– Vehicles along Harcourt Road eastbound will not be allowed to enter Tim Wa Avenue; and
– Vehicles along Tim Wa Avenue southbound will not be allowed to u-turn to Tim Wa Avenue northbound.

(IV) From 6.30am to 8am on October 1

– Vehicles along Causeway Road westbound will be keep straight to Causeway Road westbound.

C. Suspension of parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off areas

– The metered parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off area at Expo Drive; and the on-street parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off area at Expo Drive East will be suspended from 12.01am on  September 30 to 1pm on October 1; and
– All metered parking spaces and parking spaces designated for people with disabilities on Tung Lo Wan Road between Causeway Road and Lai Yin Lane will be suspended from 10pm on September 30 to 8am on October 1.
 
National Day Fireworks Display
———————————–

Hong Kong Island
——————–

A. Road Closure

The following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic and the special traffic arrangements will be implemented during the periods as specified below, until the crowd is dispersed and the closed roads re-open to traffic:

Phase I – From 4pm on October 1:

– The section of Expo Drive East outside Golden Bauhinia Square.

Phase II – From 6.30pm on October 1:

Wan Chai District
——————-
– Expo Drive;
– Expo Drive Central;
– Expo Drive East;
– The section of Lung Wo Road eastbound between Tim Wa Avenue and Fleming Road;
– The section of Lung Wo Road westbound between Legislative Council Road and Fleming Road;
– Hung Hing Road;
– Hung Hing Road flyover;
– Lung Tat Path;
– Convention Avenue;
– Lung King Street;
– Fenwick Pier Street eastbound;
– Harbour Road eastbound;
– The section of Fleming Road between Expo Drive East and Harbour Road;
– Fleming Road flyover;
– The section of Tonnochy Road northbound between Hung Hing Road and Harbour Road;
– The section of Tonnochy Road southbound between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
– The section of Marsh Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
– Marsh Road flyover;
– The section of Marsh Road between Hennessy Road and Lockhart Road;
– Wan Ying Street;
– Wan Shing Street;
– The slip road leading from Victoria Park Road eastbound to Causeway Bay Promenade;
– Lung Hop Street; and
– The exit and entrance of the Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel to/from Expo Drive and Lung Wo Road.

Central District
—————–
– Man Kwong Street;
– Man Fai Street;
– The section of Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Yiu Sing Street; and
– Unnamed road near Lung Wo Road outside General Post Office metered parking spaces.

Eastern District
—————–
– The section of Hing Fat Street northward of Whitfield Road;
– King Ming Road;
– Watson Road;
– Whitfield Road; and
– The section of Electric Road between Watson Road and Gordon Road.

Phase III – From 7.15pm on October 1:

Central District
—————–
– Yiu Sing Street;
– Lung Wo Road;
– Edinburgh Place;
– Tim Wa Avenue; and
– Tim Mei Avenue.

Wan Chai District
——————–
– Legislative Council Road;
– Lung Wui Road;
– Performing Arts Avenue;
– The section of unnamed road between Harcourt Road and Performing Arts Avenue;
– Fenwick Pier Street flyover;
– Fenwick Pier Street westbound;
– The section of Fenwick Street between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road;
– Harbour Road westbound;
– The section of Fleming Road between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road;
– Harbour Drive;
– Tonnochy Road flyover; and
– The section of Tonnochy Road northbound between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road.

Phase IV – From 7.55pm on October 1:

Wan Chai District
———————-
– The section of Lockhart Road between Canal Road West and Luard Road;
– The section of O’Brien Road between Jaffe Road and Lockhart Road;
– The section of Fleming Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road;
– The section of Stewart Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road;
– The section of Tonnochy Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road;
– The section of Marsh Road between Jaffe Road and Lockhart Road; and
– The section of Canal Road West between Lockhart Road and Hennessy Road.

Central District
——————-
– The section of Man Yiu Street between Man Po Street and Man Cheung Street;
– The section of Man Po Street between slip road leading to Finance Street and Man Yiu Street; and
– The section of Finance Street between Man Yiu Street and Man Po Street.

Phase V – From 7.55pm to 8.23pm on October 1 (except for franchised buses):

Eastern District
——————-
– The section of Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) westbound between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street;
– The slip roads leading to IEC westbound from Healthy Street Central, Tong Shui Road and Wharf Road; and
– The entrance of the Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel westbound from IEC.

B. Traffic Diversion

To facilitate the aforementioned road closure arrangements, the following traffic diversions will be implemented temporarily in the periods concerned until the crowd is dispersed and the closed roads re-open to traffic:

Phase I – From 6.30pm on October 1:

–  In connection to the road closure in Central, the section of Rumsey Street between Chung Kong Road and Connaught Road Central will be converted into one-way southbound traffic only.

Phase II – From 7.55pm to 8.23pm on October 1:

–  In connection to the road closure in Eastern District, vehicles along IEC westbound will be diverted via Man Hong Street.

Phase III – From 7.55pm on October 1:

–  In connection to the road closure in Central District, vehicles along Connaught Road West flyover eastbound will be diverted via Finance Street.

C. Suspension of Parking Spaces

All on-street parking spaces, metered parking spaces, motorcycle parking spaces and parking spaces designated for people with disabilities will be suspended from 10am to 10pm on October 1 at the following locations:

–  Man Kwong Street;
–  Yiu Sing Street;
–  Lung Wo Road;
–  Lung Wui Road;
–  Lung Hop Street;
–  Edinburgh Place;
–  Unnamed Road near Lung Wo Road outside General Post Office metered parking spaces;
–  Hung Hing Road; 
–  Expo Drive;
–  Expo Drive East;
–  Convention Avenue;
–  Fleming Road;
–  Wan Shing Street;
–  Stewart Road;
–  Marsh Road;
–  Tonnochy Road;
–  The section of Lockhart Road between Percival Street and Luard Road;
–  Canal Road East;
–  Canal Road West;
–  Waston Road; and
–  Whitfield Road.

D. Suspension of Public Transport Interchange

In connection to the road closures in the vicinities of Wan Chai North and Central, the following public transport interchanges will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 5.30pm to 10pm on October 1 until the closed road re-open to traffic:

–  Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange;
–  Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus; and
–  Whitfield Road Bus Terminus.

E. Restrictions on Access to/exit from Car parks

Vehicles parked in car parks within the closed areas in North Point, Wan Chai and Central will not be permitted to enter or leave the car parks during the road closure period until the closed roads re-open. The car parks on Gloucester Road westbound between Paterson Street and Percival Street may be closed by the Police if necessary.

Kowloon
———-

A. Road Closure

The following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic and the special traffic arrangements will be implemented during the periods as specified below, until the crowd is dispersed and the closed roads re-open to traffic:

Phase I – From 5pm:

– Salisbury Road and Salisbury Road Underpass between Science Museum Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– The section of Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Metropolis Drive;
– The section of Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Hung Hom Road;
– The section of Salisbury Road southbound between Hong Chong Road and Hung Hom Bypass;
– The u-turn slip road of Salisbury Road leading from Salisbury Road eastbound to Salisbury Road westbound;
– The section of Chatham Road South between Cheong Wan Road and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Chatham Road South southbound between Cheong Wan Road and Granville Road (except for franchised buses and green minibuses);
– The section of Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road (except for franchised buses and green minibuses);
– The section of Canton Road between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Kowloon Park Drive southbound between Canton Road and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Nathan Road northbound between Salisbury Road and Austin Road;
– The section of Nathan Road southbound between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Chatham Road South northbound between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– The section of Carnarvon Road between Granville Road and Nathan Road;
– Hong Wan Path;
– Mody Lane;
– Mody Road;
– Mody Square;
– Granville Square;
– Minden Row;
– Hanoi Road;
– Bristol Avenue;
– Minden Avenue;
– Blenheim Avenue;
– Hart Avenue;
– Prat Avenue;
– Humphreys Avenue;
– Cameron Road;
– Cameron Lane;
– Hau Fuk Street;
– Middle Road;
– Peking Road;
– Lock Road;
– Hankow Road;
– Ashley Road;
– Ichang Street; and
– Haiphong Road.
 
Phase II – From 5.30pm:

– The section of Salisbury Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive; and
– The section of Kowloon Park Drive northbound between Salisbury Road and Canton Road.

Phase III – From 6pm:

– Museum Drive;
– Cultural Drive;
– The slip road near Xiqu Centre leading from Austin Road West westbound to Austin Road West eastbound;
– The slip road near The Harbourside leading from Austin Road eastbound to Austin Road West westbound;
– The left lane of Austin Road West westbound leading to Austin Road West roundabout; and
– Kin Wan Street.

Phase IV – From 7.45pm:

– The section of Nga Cheung Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road West;
– The section of Canton Road between Austin Road West and Kowloon Park Drive;
– The section of Nathan Road between Austin Road and Jordan Road;
– The section of Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;
– The section of Tak Shing Street between Nathan Road and Tak Hing Street;
– The section of Nathan Road southbound between Austin Road and Granville Road;
– The section of Chatham Road South northbound between Granville Road and Observatory Road;
– Pine Tree Hill Road;
– Hillwood Road;
– The section of Kimberly Road between Nathan Road and Observatory Road;
– Granville Circuit;
– The section of Carnarvon Road between Kimberly Road and Granville Road;
– Kimberly Street;
– Shun Yee Street;
– The section of Granville Road between Nathan Road and Chatham Road South;
– The section of Austin Road West roundabout between Austin Road West entrance and Museum Drive exit/entrance;
– The section of Hung Luen Road westbound between Hung Lok Road and Shuen King Street;
– The section of Hung Luen Road eastbound between Hung Lok Road and Oi King Street; and
Wa Shun Street.

B. Traffic Diversions

In connection with the road closures in Tsim Sha Tsui, the following traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in the period as specified below, until the crowd is dispersed and the re-opening of road sections:
 
Phase I – From 5pm:

– Vehicles on Hung Hom Road southbound will be directed to the roundabout at Cheong Tung Road via Hung Hom Bypass;
– Vehicles on Metropolis Drive eastbound will be prohibited from turning right onto Hung Hom Bypass southbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Hom Bypass southbound will be diverted to turn right onto Metropolis Drive westbound;
– Franchised buses along Nathan Road southbound will turn right onto Public Square Street westbound or Jordan Road westbound;
– Franchised buses and green minibuses along Chatham Road South southbound will turn left onto Granville Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Canton Road southbound will make an u-turn onto Canton Road northbound outside China Hong Kong City;
– Vehicles on Kowloon Park Drive northbound will be prohibited from turning left onto Canton Road southbound;
– The section of Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be re-routed as one-way eastbound and vehicles on Nathan Road southbound will be diverted to turn left onto Granville  Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Science Museum Road will be prohibited from turning onto Mody Road and Granville Road;
– Vehicles on Salisbury Road southbound near Hong Chong Road will be diverted to Tsim Sha Tsui East;
– Vehicles on Jordan Road westbound will be prohibited from turning left onto Canton Road southbound;
– Vehicles on Granville Road eastbound near Chatham Road South will turn left onto Chatham Road South northbound;
– Vehicles on Salisbury Road eastbound will turn left onto Kowloon Park Drive northbound;
– Vehicles on Kowloon Park Drive northbound will be prohibited from turning right onto Peking Road; and
– Vehicles on Cheong Wan Road westbound heading for Chatham Road South will turn right onto Chatham Road South northbound or diverted via Austin Road westbound (except for franchised buses and green minibuses).

Phase II – From 6pm:

– Vehicles on Austin Road West westbound will be prohibited from entering the slip road of Austin Road West;
– Vehicles on Austin Road West westbound can only head for Nga Cheung Road elevated road;
– Vehicles on Austin Road West eastbound will be prohibited from entering the slip road of Austin Road West;
– Vehicles on Nga Cheung Road southbound will be prohibited from entering Museum Drive; and
– Vehicles on Huen Luen Road will be prohibited from entering Kin Wan Street.

Phase III – From 7.45pm:

– Vehicles on Nathan Road southbound will be diverted to turn right onto Jordan Road westbound;
– Vehicles on Jordan Road westbound will be prohibited from turning left onto 
Nathan Road southbound;
– Vehicles on Austin Road westbound and Cox’s Road southbound will be prohibited from turning onto Pine Tree Hill Road;
– Vehicles on Observatory Road will be prohibited from turning left onto Kimberly Street westbound;
– Vehicles on Pilkem Street northbound will be prohibited from turning right onto Bowring Street eastbound;
– Vehicles on Bowring Street eastbound will be diverted via Pilkem Street northbound;
– Vehicles on Canton Road southbound will be directed to Austin Road eastbound or Austin Road West westbound;
– Vehicles from Austin Road West eastbound will be prohibited from turning right onto Canton Road southbound;
– Vehicles on Jordan Road westbound heading to Nga Cheung Road will be directed to Kowloon Station Public Transport Interchange;
– Vehicles on Gateway Boulevard northbound will be diverted to Kowloon Park Drive northbound;
– Vehicles on Nga Cheung Road southbound entering Austin Road West roundabout will be directed to Austin Road West eastbound;
– Vehicles on Oi King Street southbound will be diverted to turn left onto Hung Luen Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Lok Road southbound will be prohibited from turning turn left onto Hung Luen Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road eastbound will turn left onto Hung Lok Road northbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road eastbound is prohibited from turning right onto Wa Shun Street and Hung Hom (Hung Luen Road) Public Transport Interchange;
– Vehicles on Shung King Street westbound will turn right onto Hung Luen Road northbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road southbound will turn left onto Shung King Street eastbound; and
– Vehicles on Hung Hom South Road southbound heading for Hung Luen Road westbound will turn left onto Hung Hom (Hung Luen Road) Public Transport Interchange (only for franchised buses and green minibuses).

The following traffic diversions will be implemented by police if necessary:

– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road southbound will turn left onto Wa Shun Street eastbound;
– Vehicles on Wa Shun Street westbound will turn right onto Hung Luen Road eastbound;
– Vehicles on Hung Lok Road southbound will be prohibited from turning left onto Hung Luen Road eastbound; and
– Vehicles on Hung Luen Road eastbound will be directed to turn left onto Hung Lok Road northbound.

C. Suspension of Parking Spaces

– All on-street parking spaces along the closed road sections Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom area will be suspended from noon on October 1 to 11.30pm on October 1; and
– All metered parking spaces on Hoi Bun Road, two of parking spaces designated for people with disabilities on Hoi Bun Road eastbound near Hoi Bun Road Park, 10 of motorcycle parking spaces on Hoi Bun Road westbound near Kwun Tong Promenade and all metered parking spaces and parking space designated for people with disabilities at Kai Tak Runway Park Pier will be suspended from 3pm on October 1 to 1am on the following day of October 1.

D. Restrictions on Access to/exit from Car parks

– Vehicles parked in all car parks within the closed road area in Tsim Sha Tsui will not be permitted to enter or leave the car parks from about 5pm on October 1 until the re-opening of roads; and
– Vehicles parked in all car parks within the closed road area in West Kowloon Cultural District will not be permitted to enter or leave the car parks from about 6pm on October 1 until the re-opening of roads.

Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts mentioned above will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to ticketing.

Members of the public are advised to use public transport to access the above areas. They should pay attention to the latest special traffic arrangements announced by the Transport Department. Actual implementation of traffic arrangements and crowd safety management measures will be made depending on the traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise patience and tolerance, and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (September 28) on the latest situation and arrangements for the upcoming National Day Golden Week of the Mainland.
 
​     The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 7.44 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming National Day Golden Week of the Mainland (from October 1 to October 7). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 6.31 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points (BCPs). The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land BCPs will be relatively higher on October 3 (Saturday) and October 4 (Sunday), with around 587 000 passengers and 586 000 passengers respectively.
 
​     The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 220 000, 190 000 and 150 000 passengers respectively.
 
​     The ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.
 
​     To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during outbound and inbound peak hours, the ImmD will open additional counters, temporary counters and vehicle clearance kiosks in advance at land BCPs to strengthen its immigration clearance services. During the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment to divert passenger and vehicular flows. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.
 
​     The ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. Residents and visitors may also visit “Easy Boundary” (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound), a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) cross-boundary shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), so as to plan their trips and save waiting time.
 
​     For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.
 
​     Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
 
​     About 800 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance passenger experience and clearance efficiency, the ImmD has launched the Seamless e-Channel service at the departure hall of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. Enrolled eligible Hong Kong permanent residents are able to enjoy “on-the-move” self-service departure clearance seamlessly by employing AI and facial recognition technology without the need to present a Hong Kong identity card or an e-Channel QR code. Moreover, the ImmD has launched the “Go Hong Kong” mobile application, enabling eligible frequent visitors to Hong Kong to complete enrolment for the e-Channel service on their smartphones equipped with a camera, Near-Field Communication (i.e. NFC) functionality and internet connectivity prior to arrival in Hong Kong. Upon successful enrolment, visitors can use the e-Channel service upon arrival in Hong Kong. For details of the e-Channel services, please visit: www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/immigration_clearance.html
 
​     Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form.
 
​     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     “The Great Wall Animated” – Animation Short Programme for the Great Wall of China (GWA), co-organised by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and a cultural and creative brand on the Chinese Mainland called the Great Wall Cultural Creativity, held its Hong Kong premiere and sharing session today (September 28). The event featured the screening of five original animation shorts produced by selected Hong Kong animation teams with the theme of the Great Wall of China, and provided a platform for exchanges between the creative teams and the public.
 
     Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, said that the five animation shorts have successfully brought the historic Great Wall culture to a wider audience through original Hong Kong animation. CCIDA will continue to actively promote the creative industries, including the digital entertainment sector encompassing animation, and collaborate with the Chinese Mainland cultural and creative brands, fostering the growth of Hong Kong’s creative vitality.

     The five selected animation shorts feature different styles, covering historical narratives, cultural symbolism, and imaginative interpretations, telling stories of the Great Wall from innovative perspectives. These animations were released on CCTV.com on September 22. They will also be broadcast on other domestic and international platforms, and submitted to various film festivals or competitions, thereby promoting Chinese culture to the world.
 
     The GWA is the first Hong Kong animation programme officially licensed by the Great Wall Cultural Creativity, and held its Beijing premiere on September 22. With the funding support of CCIDA, experts’ guidance, and the aid of AI, the five selected Hong Kong animation teams produced original animation shorts with the theme of the Great Wall of China fused with Hong Kong characteristics. For more information on the GWA, please visit www.gwa.com.hk (Chinese only).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Overall Wage and Payroll Statistics

According to the figures released today (September 28) 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 3.4% in nominal terms in June 2026 over a year earlier.

About 62% of the companies reported increase in average wage rates in June 2026 compared with a year ago. A total of 33% 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 1.6% in real terms in June 2026 over a year earlier. 

As for payroll, the index of payroll per person engaged for all the industry sections surveyed increased by 3.5% in nominal terms in the second quarter of 2026 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 1.6% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026 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 June 2026, ranging from 2.4% to 4.2%.

For the real wage indices, year-on-year increases were also recorded in all selected industry sections in June 2026, 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 June 2025 to June 2026 are shown in Table 1.

As for the nominal indices of payroll per person engaged, year-on-year increases were recorded in all selected industry sections in the second quarter of 2026, ranging from 2.0% to 5.3%. 

For the real payroll indices, year-on-year increases were recorded in all selected industry sections surveyed in the second quarter of 2026, ranging from 0.5% to 3.3%, except the sewerage, waste management and remediation activities section which remained virtually unchanged.

The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged for selected industry sections from the second quarter of 2025 to the second quarter of 2026 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 increase solidly in the second quarter of 2026, with the rise broad-based across industries.

Looking ahead, wage growth is expected to remain positive, supported by the continued expansion of the local economy, which should sustain labour demand and contribute to further increases in wages and labour earnings. The Government will continue to closely monitor the evolution of external uncertainties and their potential impacts on the Hong Kong economy.

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, June 2026”. 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

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Association of Banks today announced that the banking industry is further extending credit support measures for individuals affected by the Tai Po fire. The initiative recognises that some individuals require more time to finalise their housing and financial arrangements.

To alleviate financial burdens and provide greater flexibility for long-term housing arrangements, all 28 retail banks will extend the repayment grace period for existing mortgages, personal loans and credit card loans. This extension, covering both principal and interest, will run for an additional six months until the end of May 2027. 

Furthermore, all mortgagee banks for Wang Fuk Court will continue assisting mortgagors and borrowers who sell their property rights to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. These banks will handle mortgages in a flexible manner, including extending the repayment grace period for the original loan until the newly purchased unit is ready for intake.

The relevant banks will also maintain close communication with the mortgagors and borrowers to facilitate a smooth transition to their long-term housing arrangements.

Source: Government of Singapore

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Marine Department today signed two work arrangements with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration (GDMSA) to take forward the implementation of cross-boundary individual yacht travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

The Transport & Logistics Bureau said the two documents signed – “Work Arrangement for Facilitating the Entry & Exit of Guangdong-registered Yachts into Hong Kong Waters” and “Work Arrangement for Entry & Exit of Hong Kong Yachts into Guangdong” – mark a significant milestone for yacht travel between the two places.

It added that the authorities are pressing ahead with the final preparatory work, and will soon announce implementation details for southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong.

The bureau also highlighted that Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address both identify the “yacht economy” as a key sector for development.

Bolstered by strong support from the central government and close co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong, the department and the GDMSA are advancing the implementation of relevant arrangements through a tripartite Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao individual yacht travel working group. 

The northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong was launched in June this year, allowing Hong Kong yacht owners travelling to the nine Chinese Mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to handle cross-border procedures more affordably and conveniently.

With southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong launching soon, yacht owners in Guangdong will enjoy the same level of convenience.

The policy is expected to add impetus to cross-boundary leisure consumption and further promote two-way exchanges and visits between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

The department said it will maintain close communication with Guangdong authorities, with a view to fostering a healthy, sustainable and competitive environment for the development of yacht economies locally and in the wider GBA, while also enhancing connectivity and promoting Hong Kong’s integration into GBA development.