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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will depart for Korea tomorrow afternoon (October 21) to attend the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting in Incheon and speak at the discussion sessions. The Law Officer (International Law) of the Department of Justice (DoJ), Dr James Ding, will also accompany Mr Lam on the visit.

Mr Lam will attend a joint session of the Finance Ministers’ Meeting and the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting, and the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting on October 22 and 23. The Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting this year is themed “Future Direction and Role of Structural Reform in addressing emerging challenges”, and ministers from APEC member economies will discuss how to build a sustainable future through structural reforms and the implementation of law and policies.

During his trip to Korea, Mr Lam will also attend a joint legal workshop co-organised by the DoJ and the Ministry of Justice of Korea, and visit the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific, and a local arbitration institution.

Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on October 25. During his absence, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in September showed a drop of 779 cases, representing a decrease of 0.4 per cent compared with that of August, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (October 20).

     The total CSSA caseload at the end of September stood at 194 307 (see attached table), with a total of 257 215 recipients.
 
     Analysed by case nature, unemployment cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 2.0 per cent to 15 810 cases. Low-earnings cases dropped by 1.6 per cent to 1 269 cases. Single parent cases declined by 1.5 per cent to 18 350 cases. Permanent disability cases dropped by 0.2 per cent to 16 474 cases.
   
     Ill-health cases registered an increase of 0.1 per cent to 27 806 cases. Old age cases remained steady at 110 673 cases.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for July – September 2025) released today (October 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.7% in June – August 2025 to 3.9% in July – September 2025. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.6% in the two periods.
 
     Comparing July – September 2025 with June – August 2025, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased in many major economic sectors, with more distinct increases observed in the social work activities sector and construction sector.  Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for the food and beverage service activities sector remained unchanged, while declines were seen in the financing sector and human health activities sector. Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
 
     Total employment decreased by around 6 100 from 3 680 600 in June – August 2025 to 3 674 500 in July – September 2025. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 1 500 from 3 831 600 to 3 830 100.
 
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 4 600 from 151 000 in June – August 2025 to 155 600 in July – September 2025. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also increased by around 600 from 59 400 to 60 000.

Commentary
 
     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate went up by 0.2 percentage point over the preceding three-month period to 3.9% in July – September 2025. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.6%. Over the same period, the labour force and total employment edged down slightly.”
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Chris Sun said, “The continued expansion of the Hong Kong economy is expected to support job growth.  However, the employment situation in some sectors would continue to face challenges during economic restructuring. The increasing external uncertainties could also weigh on corporate hiring sentiment. The Government will continue to closely monitor the labour market situation and facilitate job-seeking through enhancing dissemination of employment information.”
 
Further information
 
     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
 
     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
 
     The survey for July – September 2025 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of July to September 2025.
 
     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
 
     Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the “Quarterly Report on General Household Survey” which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter April – June 2025 while the next issue covering the quarter July – September 2025 will be available by end November 2025. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
 
     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/Radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 20) that, as lifeguards are unable to go to Trio Beach and Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District by ferries due to rough sea conditions, lifesaving services at these beaches have been suspended until further notice. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
 
     Red flags were hoisted earlier at the beaches due to big waves. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, announced today (October 20) that the Government Logistics Department (GLD) had implemented six quick-win measures focusing on three aspects, namely institutional change, enhancement of cross-departmental information exchanges and reshaping of work culture, as proposed by the Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime (Task Force) to plug loopholes in government procurement procedures as soon as possible. Furthermore, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) released in full the management letter submitted by the Audit Commission on its review of the incident on the Government’s procurement of bottled drinking water to demonstrate the Government’s transparency in handling the incident and its commitment to revamp its procurement and contract management regime.
 
Mr Hui said, “While the incident on the procurement of bottled drinking water clearly involved suspected fraudulent acts by a particular company, it also revealed that the perceptiveness and alertness of the relevant officers in conducting due diligence checks and addressing potential fraudulent acts could not adapt to the current business environment and were obviously below reasonable expectations. The Task Force and I consider it essential to tackle the problem at source through reshaping the work culture, enhancing the capability of procurement officers in exercising due diligence and empowering officers with sufficient authorities on the regime level. This will help ensure greater effectiveness for officers in handling procurement matters in future, not only serving as advocates of fair competition, but more importantly, as gatekeepers for government procurement.”
 
He stated that the Task Force, since its establishment in August, had been exploring measures to enhance the tendering and procurement regime and procedures. Among them, the Task Force considered that six quick-win measures should be launched sooner to plug loopholes at the earliest time. The FSTB has directed the GLD to implement these six measures immediately. Details are as follows:
 
(1) Promulgate internal guidelines to stipulate specific requirements on due diligence checks: The GLD issued an internal memorandum to government officers in late August to remind them of the aspects in the procurement and contract management processes which require proper due diligence checks. The GLD further promulgated today internal operational guidelines which set out specific requirements and provide detailed guidelines on conducting due diligence checks at various stages, including preparation of tender documents, tender evaluation and contract management, to help procurement officers guard against potential fraudulent acts more effectively;
 
(2) Set up a Procurement and Stores Management Audit Section to step up inspections: The GLD has expanded the functions of its original internal audit team and reorganised it into the Procurement and Stores Management Audit Section starting from October. As a dedicated team for conducting third-party audits, the Section steps up inspections of due diligence work on departments’ procurements under a risk-based approach and reports to the relevant Heads of Departments for attention as appropriate;
 
(3) Revise Standard Terms and Conditions of Tenders and Contracts (STC) to strengthen vetting and contract management power: The GLD has revised the STC today to strengthen the Government’s power in tendering and contract management, including requiring tenderers and contractors to give consent to the Government for verifying directly with third parties the authenticity of information submitted, allowing the Government to conduct site visits during the tender evaluation process and throughout the contract period, etc. The revised STC also empowers the Government to terminate contracts immediately if contractors are found to have made material misrepresentations or provided false information;
 
(4) Establish a digital database for information sharing: Procurement work is not confined to the GLD, as departments may also procure services and goods on their own. To leverage the procurement experience of departments, the GLD established an internal digital database in mid-October to keep collecting from departments information related to contractors’ tendering situations and contract performances. The database serves as a government-wide procurement information portal that can be accessed by procurement officers anytime, assisting them to identify high-risk tenderers in a more effective and timely manner;
 
(5) Strengthen staff training to guard against fraud: The GLD, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, organised five seminars in September. The seminars, with a total attendance of over 750, focused on introducing scam tactics and identification techniques to officers involved in procurement and finance matters for departments to heighten their anti-fraud awareness. Moreover, the GLD is arranging training courses to brief staff thoroughly on the newly issued internal operational guidelines to assist them to grasp the implementation details; and
 
(6) Build a culture of ownership at work: While procurement work requires adherence to rules, proper execution by staff is of the utmost importance. In working out and implementing the various measures, the GLD encouraged staff to offer their views through multiple channels, including two staff engagement sessions held in September to gauge feedback on due diligence work and the relevant procedures to foster a greater sense of involvement and commitment in the enhancement measures among staff and build a culture of ownership at work. The GLD will continue to instil the ownership mindset of “procuring for the people with due diligence and dedication” in the work culture through induction training, regular training activities and staff engagement sessions, etc, such that staff will take ownership of government procurement and be more proactive and prudent.
 
The Task Force is considering other proposals involving a broader scope, and expects to publish a review report before the end of this year to put forward solutions that address both symptoms and root causes, with a view to further enhancing the Government’s procurement work.
 
Separately, the GLD is reviewing in detail the tender requirements of the contract for the supply of bottled drinking water to government offices. In order to keep tabs on the market pulse prior to tendering, the GLD published a market research notice on its website today, inviting interested suppliers to submit responses in a month’s time. The GLD aims to launch the tender exercise for the supply of bottled drinking water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and parts of the outlying islands, with the relevant responses taken into account, by the end of this year.
 
Mr Hui also released today the management letter (at Annex) submitted by the Audit Commission on its review of the tender exercise for the procurement of bottled drinking water. He thanked the Audit Commission for providing numerous recommendations, the directions of which align with the six quick-win measures aforementioned and the long-term enhancement measures being explored by the Task Force. The Task Force will examine the management letter in detail to refine the long-term enhancement measures for announcement before the end of the year.
 
Mr Hui also announced that Ms Alice Lau, Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1, had been invited to conduct a disciplinary investigation on the human errors identified in the management letter.
 
The Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime was established in August to review the existing government procurement regime and procedures arising from the incident on the Government’s procurement of bottled drinking water under a cross-bureau and cross-departmental approach. The Task Force is chaired by Mr Hui, with members that include the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury), the Director of Government Logistics, and representatives from the Civil Service Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Development Bureau and the Department of Justice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Inauguration Ceremony of the International Organization for Mediation today (October 20):

Honourable Vice Minister Hua Chunying (Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs), Your Excellencies, representatives of contracting states, ministers and officials from around the world, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I am very honoured to join you today, for the inauguration of the International Organization for Mediation.

     I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to my country, China, for its steadfast support; and to the International Organization for Mediation’s contracting states and signatory states, for their confidence in Hong Kong, as home to the Organization’s headquarters.
 
     The headquarters is housed in this newly renovated building, a police station for almost a century. The renovation, completed within 14 months, harmoniously blends the building’s historic origins with modern design, preserving architectural features, while drawing inspiration from Chinese porcelain.

     More than stone and mortar, this thoughtful transformation embodies the essential spirit of mediation – uniting diverse elements in balance and harmony, creating a place ideally suited for peaceful resolution.
 
     In these times of global instability, international mediation is indispensable for resolving disputes, preserving relationships and encouraging meaningful co-operation. With our world-class professional services, Hong Kong is dedicated to supporting the cause of dispute resolution.

     Under the unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. We pride ourselves with our established tradition of the rule of law, and a common law regime shared by many global financial hubs. Our three law schools are all ranked within the world’s top 60, and nurture outstanding talent in legal and dispute resolution services.

     Our flagship legal event Hong Kong Legal Week, in December, will include a session on international mediation. And in 2026, during Hong Kong Mediation Week, we will organise a global mediation summit, bringing together mediation practitioners, policymakers and thought leaders from around the world.
 
     We are equally committed to capacity building. The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, launched last year by our Department of Justice, equips mediators and legal professionals with the skills to meet international standards.
 
     In my Policy Address last month, I announced the development of the Hong Kong International Legal Service Building, on a site adjacent to us here. It will provide additional facilities for the Organization, and be home to the International Legal Talents Training Academy.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, today’s inauguration is a testament of our shared commitment to a future in which dialogue, co-operation and mutual respect prevail over acrimony and conflict.
 
     As I said in May, at the signing of the convention establishing the Organization, Hong Kong builds bridges. We take pride in being a “super connector” and “super value-adder”. And we are honoured to serve as the Organization’s home.
 
     I am confident that, under the joint dedication of all contracting states and the Secretary‑General’s stewardship, the International Organization for Mediation will rise as a respected and trusted body for resolving disputes through mutual respect and understanding.

     I wish the International Organization for Mediation every success.
 
     Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the opening ceremony of the Legal Practical Training Course for Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas today (October 20):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this Legal Practical Training Course for Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas, organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government. 

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (SASAC), especially the SASAC Bureau of Policies, Laws and Regulations for making this course a reality. With the strong support of SASAC, we have the privilege to convene 30 general counsel and senior legal officers from our country’s leading state-owned enterprises under one roof. I understand we also invited three senior legal counsel from leading private companies. I also welcome colleagues from the Ministry of Commerce, who are with us here today. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for taking the time to join us in Hong Kong for this course.

Traditionally, Hong Kong has been a springboard for Mainland enterprises to go global. This unique position is rooted in Hong Kong’s status under the “one country, two systems” framework, making it the only bilingual common law jurisdiction in China where both Chinese and English are official languages. Such distinct advantages enable Hong Kong to act as a “super connector” and a significant value-adder between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. Hong Kong continues to be the first stop for numerous Chinese companies establishing their overseas bases and seeking IPOs (initial public offerings). In the first half of 2025 alone, Hong Kong’s IPO market raised an impressive HK$107.1 billion through 42 listings, marking a 700 per cent increase in funds raised and a 40 per cent rise in deal volume. This extraordinary performance positions Hong Kong as the top global fundraising hub, reinforcing its pivotal role as an international financial centre and a gateway for Chinese enterprises’ global expansion.

As our country transforms from rapid growth to high-quality development, more and more outstanding Mainland enterprises are actively expanding to overseas markets. However, this new phase of global expansion also presents challenges. Chinese enterprises face increasing geopolitical uncertainties, diverse regulatory environments, and increasing compliance demands across different markets. Supply chain complexities and cost pressures continue to test operational resilience. Furthermore, adapting to local legal, cultural, and economic conditions remains critical for sustainable success.
 
Under these circumstances, the roles of legal counsel of enterprises have become more critical than a mere advisor or head of a legal division traditionally in the past. Nowadays, legal counsel often have to play the role as an architect of risk management framework, as a gatekeeper of compliance, and as a compass directing strategic decision-making for the enterprises or organisations as a whole. Legal counsel have to operate at the intersections of law, policy, and business, where your advice has direct implications on economic security and corporate reputation. This course is therefore profoundly important, as it aims to equip you with the cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills that will enable you to guide your enterprises or organisations towards sustained excellence and growth.

As announced in the Policy Address 2025 last month, the Chief Executive has highlighted the significant role of Hong Kong’s legal services sector in supporting Mainland enterprises. Our Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Horace Cheung, is specifically tasked to promote Hong Kong’s legal services and collaborate with other professional sectors, including accounting and finance, to provide robust support for Mainland enterprises aspiring to expand overseas. This course arrives at just the right time to take forward this very important initiative under the Policy Address.

We hope that this course could provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the current trends in overseas expansion, the evolving legal and regulatory challenges, the best practices for compliance and practical tools for navigating these complexities. We will delve into critical areas such as mergers and acquisitions, export control and sanctions, compliance, international commercial and investment arbitration, international trade instruments and regulations, transaction and dispute resolution involving sovereign states, intellectual property international strategies as well as hot topics such as stablecoins. In addition, we will have dedicated regional panels focusing on Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa respectively, where we invited 13 senior practitioners from 12 jurisdictions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Vietnam to share their first-hand experience and local insights. I encourage you to actively interact with these panelists and share your experience with them, including any difficulties or challenges that you have faced or may face in these regions. We will also explore case studies to illustrate some critical legal and strategic issues.

We hope that by the end of this course, you will be well positioned to leverage Hong Kong’s unique legal and dispute resolution advantages. We encourage you to make use of Hong Kong’s robust legal infrastructure, wealth of expertise and world-class legal services as key resources to support and enhance your enterprises’ overseas endeavours.

Beyond acquiring technical knowledge, this course also provides a unique opportunity to build and strengthen connections among peers facing similar challenges. We believe that, by sharing your insights and experiences with one another, you will be able to build a strong network that helps each of you grow professionally and enriches the collective wisdom that drives our success during times of uncertainty under the rapidly changing international landscape.

Before I end, I would like to take a moment to introduce the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, which will soon be approaching its first anniversary. Since its launch last November, the Academy has co-organised a number of training programmes in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and abroad, covering a variety of topics and targeting a wide spectrum of participants. Through organising practical legal courses, seminars and international exchange programmes, the Academy promotes international legal talent exchanges. This will help to consolidate Hong Kong’s strategic position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region, establish Hong Kong as a capacity-building hub, and actively participate in the next decade of the Belt and Road Initiative, contributing to the country’s efforts to promote the construction of the rule of law. I thank you all for your valuable support of the Academy thus far, and warmly encourage your continued engagement and collaboration with the Academy. 

The Department of Justice will be hosting its annual flagship event, the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, from December 1 to 5 this year. It is a fruitful week filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and engage with eminent legal minds from around the world. On December 1, the Academy will co-organise the 6th UNCITRAL Asia-Pacific Judicial Summit 2025 – Judicial Conference together with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Themed “Building towards End-to-End Digitalization”, this judicial conference will explore topics related to the application of digital economy, virtual assets, artificial intelligence and technology in the judicial field. On December 2, we will co-organise The Third Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development with the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR. On December 3, the Academy will co-organise A Symposium of the HCCH Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific on Private International Law with the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Prominent international speakers such as the Secretary-General of international organisations and prominent overseas experts will be speaking at these events. They will certainly give you valuable insights and provide you with abundant opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions with these experts. You are warmly invited to participate in these events, as well as the other events focusing on dispute resolution, Greater Bay Area development and rule of law throughout the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025.

While you are in Hong Kong for this one-week course, I encourage you to take some time to explore the city. Beyond its status as the leading international legal and financial centre, Hong Kong is a vibrant city full of rich culture, delicious cuisine, and stunning sights. I hope you have the opportunity to experience the unique charm of this remarkable city alongside your learning journey.

In conclusion, I wish you all an engaging, insightful and productive experience in the coming week. I look forward to meeting you again during the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025. Thank you. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) will hold the Career Pathways Job Fair at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai on October 22 and 23, providing a large number of vacancies from catering, retail and various other industries for job seekers.
 
Over 60 organisations will participate in the two-day job fair, offering over 3 000 quality job vacancies from various industries, among which nearly 1 900 are from the catering, retail and transport industries. Over 30 organisations will set up booths and conduct recruitment on the spot each day. A wide variety of positions will be offered at the job fair, including store operations manager, duty engineer, customer service executive, logistics officer, e-commerce and marketing executive, enrolled nurse, barista, cook, shop assistant, beauty advisor, clerk, taxi driver, health worker, lifeguard, security officer, etc. Job seekers can visit the LD’s Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk) for more details of the vacancies.
 
Around 74 per cent of the vacancies offered at the job fair are full-time jobs. Most vacancies offer monthly salaries ranging from $12,000 to $25,000. About 98 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Six education level or below. Around 67 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant work experience.
 
Job seekers can submit job applications during the event and may be selected for on-the-spot interviews. They can also make enquiries on the employment services provided by the LD at its counter inside the venue.
 
The job fair will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, Southorn Stadium, 111 Johnston Road, Wan Chai (near MTR Wan Chai Station Exit A3). Admission is free, with final admission time at 5pm each day.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will depart in the afternoon today (October 20) for Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting and related events in Incheon. He will then proceed to visit Beijing on October 22.
 
The APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting this year is themed “Sustainable Growth and Shared Prosperity in the Region”, and will explore topics such as global and regional economic and financial developments, digital finance and fiscal policy. Mr Chan will also attend a joint session of the Finance Ministers’ Meeting and the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting on October 22 and take part in discussions on regional innovation and digitalisation. While in Incheon, Mr Chan will hold bilateral meetings with officials from other economies to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.
 
Upon completion of his visit to Incheon, Mr Chan will proceed to visit Beijing and return to Hong Kong on October 25. During his absence from Hong Kong, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, will act as Financial Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A spokesman for the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) expressed deep concern over an accident that occurred at Hong Kong International Airport in the early hours of today (October 20), where a cargo aircraft ditched into the sea. The four crew members on board were rescued and sent to the hospital. The TLB is saddened by the loss of two ground staff members in the accident and extends its deepest condolences to their families.

The spokesman added that flight safety is of utmost importance. The Air Accident Investigation Authority will actively investigate the cause of the accident, while the Civil Aviation Department and the Airport Authority Hong Kong will fully co-operate to ensure the safety of airport operations.