MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Fire Services Department (FSD) held the Save Lives x Emergency Response Ceremony cum Carnival at The Wai in Tai Wai today (October 18). The event aimed to appeal to the public to save lives in emergencies through various activities, including commendations for organisations and members of the public and an introduction to the FSD Community Emergency Responder (FSDCER) Scheme, as well as interactive experiences, game booths and drama performances.

In his remarks, the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung, said that there are about 8 000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong each year, an average of about 22 cases per day. The chance of saving lives is significantly higher if members of the public can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a timely manner. Mr Yeung showed his appreciation for the enthusiastic response from all sectors to the FSD’s AED Anywhere for Anyone (AAA) Programme. The number of AEDs available for public use has grown from around 1 000 in 2021 to over 3 700 to date, installed by more than 370 organisations across the city. This year, the FSD has also focused on installing AEDs in common areas of public housing estates to expand AED coverage.

Mr Yeung conferred the Big Heart Award – Social Responsibility Award to 26 organisations in recognition of their contribution to promoting the AAA Programme. The Assistant Director (Ambulance) of the FSD, Mr Henry Kwok, presented the Save Heart Award to 21 members of the public who courageously assisted individuals in cardiac arrest during emergencies.

To strengthen community efforts in promoting CPR and AED usage, the FSD established the Resuscitation Alliance (RA) in collaboration with organisations that provide related training or emergency services. With the Scout Association of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association joining the RA today, the number of RA member organisations has increased to 11. As of June this year, over 230 000 members of the public have completed training offered by the RA, meaning one in every 32 people in Hong Kong has pledged to offer aid if encountering a person suffering cardiac arrest. Since early 2025, over 20 members of the RA have assisted in saving lives in cardiac arrest cases.

The FSD has provided training under the FSDCER Scheme to over 1 600 volunteer leaders of the 15th National Games to enhance public safety during the Games period.

The FSD this year will set up 10 CPR & AED Self-learning Kiosks across the community. Through self-learning with the aid of high-fidelity patient simulators designated for CPR training, AED simulators and interactive virtual scenarios, members of the public can practice and receive an instant evaluation powered by artificial intelligence. Public members of all ages participated in self-learning sessions at the experience zone set up at the event venue today.

The event was organised by the FSD and co-organised by 10 RA member organisations, namely the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Civil Aid Service, the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong College of Cardiology, the Hong Kong Red Cross, the Hong Kong St John Ambulance, the Resuscitation Council of Hong Kong, the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Hong Kong Foundation, the Scout Association of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association. The event was funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as a key initiative under the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Disaster Management Programme. The FSDCER Scheme and the CPR & AED Self-learning Kiosks are also funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan concluded a visit to the US yesterday by attending the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. He also meeting leaders from the financial and business sectors, and from think tanks.

 

In the morning, Mr Chan attended the plenary session of the annual meetings. He then joined a session organised by the Institute of International Finance, a high-level forum attended by senior executives from various international financial institutions, during which he shared insights on the current state of Hong Kong’s economy, its strategy towards developing as a financial centre, and opportunities in the city across innovation and technology, digital assets and the building of a “patient capital” ecosystem.

 

Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement – including free flow of capital, a freely convertible currency pegged to the US dollar, a highly internationalised market, and close alignment with international best practices.

 

He also emphasised Hong Kong’s encouragement of financial innovation, stressing that despite rising global economic uncertainties in recent months, Hong Kong has continued to see capital inflows, reflecting international confidence in the city’s investment environment and opportunities.

 

In addition, he outlined that Hong Kong continues to reform its capital markets to facilitate corporate fundraising and enhance market liquidity, thereby attracting high-quality issuers and investors from both local and overseas markets. He added that the city is prudently embracing financial innovation in its support for the development of digital assets such as stablecoins.

 

The Financial Secretary also mentioned initiatives to nurture “patient capital”, including the establishment of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), which invests early, in smaller-sized enterprises, and with a long-term perspective. He reported that the HKIC has so far invested in over 130 projects, and that for every $1 invested it has attracted around $6 in co-investment from the market.

 

At noon, Mr Chan attended a business lunch co-hosted by the US-China Business Council and the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Washington, with over 40 American business leaders in attendance. He delivered a keynote speech, updating participants on Hong Kong’s latest economic situation and future development directions, and exchanged views with guests on topics including opportunities in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.

 

He stressed that the “one country, two systems” arrangement is a significant advantage for Hong Kong and that the central government has made it clear that this system will be upheld in the long run.

 

Mr Chan reaffirmed that Hong Kong welcomes American businesses and talent to invest and develop their careers in the city.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, will depart for Istanbul, Türkiye, tomorrow evening (October 18) to promote Hong Kong’s unique advantages to forge closer economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Türkiye. He will then proceed to Tbilisi, Georgia, to attend the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum on October 22.
 
     While visiting the two countries, Mr Yau will meet with senior government officials and representatives of major local chambers of commerce to give them an update on Hong Kong’s latest developments and a number of new initiatives to promote trade and investment to foster collaboration and strengthen bilateral relationships.
 
     Mr Yau will then proceed to Beijing on October 23 and return to Hong Kong on October 25. The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development during Mr Yau’s absence.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, led a delegation to attend the World Food Forum 2025 held by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on October 13. Representatives joining the visit included the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai.
 
The delegation attended various activities organised by the World Food Forum, and held meetings with the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Agencies in Rome and the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
 
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the FAO today (October 17, Rome time) to further strengthen knowledge exchanges between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the FAO, as well as to promote regional co-operation. Witnessed by Miss Wong, the Director-General of the FAO, Dr Qu Dongyu, and others, Mr Lai and the Assistant Director-General of the FAO, Dr Thanawat Tiensin, signed the LOI.
 
The LOI aims to achieve common objectives between the AFCD and the FAO in several areas, including:
 

1. promoting and implementing the One Health approach;
2. preventing and controlling transboundary animal diseases (especially avian influenza and African Swine Fever);
3. Reducing the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM), and promoting research, technology and innovation in agrifood systems; and
4. enhancing capacity development and training in agriculture and aquaculture.

 
In addition, Miss Wong delivered a speech at the partnership dialogue of the Science and Innovation Forum today, introducing the innovative efforts undertaken by the HKSAR Government in support of the One Health principles within the agrifood systems.

​The HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close communication and co-operation with the FAO to contribute further to global food security and sustainable development. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Silverwing” and “Rally” , a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed “Rainbow” and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” from October 10 to yesterday (October 16). A total of 41 suspected illegal workers, eight suspected employers and a suspected aider and abettor were arrested.
 
     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including construction sites, renovation sites and restaurants etc. Forty-one suspected illegal workers, eight suspected employers and a suspected aider and abettor were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 11 men and 30 women, aged 24 to 58. Among them, a man was holding a recognizance form which prohibits him from taking any employment, and a man was suspected of using and being in possession of Hong Kong identity card which relates to another person. Three men and five women, aged 32 to 62, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. The suspected aider and abettor arrested was a women aged 62. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute “Don’t Employ Illegal Workers” leaflets and convey the message to occupants and property management staffs in newly inhabited housing estates.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Moreover, after entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the imported worker admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract and cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors. Change of the employer, post or place of work (unless stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract) is not permitted. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
 
     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or a identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”
 
     The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A grocery shop owner was convicted of charge of being an employer of a person who was not lawfully employable and was sentenced to imprisonment for two months at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (October 17).

     During a joint operation against illegal workers conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Labour Department codenamed “Rainbow” on March 13, 2024, officers of the ImmD General Investigation Section raided a grocery shop and arrested one female Indonesian illegal worker, aged 51, who was found working as a shop assistant. The female was a holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking employment. She was subsequently sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts.
 
     During the operation, the grocery shop owner was arrested for employing illegal worker. The grocery shop owner is a Hong Kong resident, male, aged 57. He is charged of being an employer of a person who was not lawfully employable as he did not take all practicable steps to ascertain whether the applicant was lawfully employable prior to employment. After trial, the grocery shop owner was jailed for two months by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today.

     The spokesman of ImmD reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) welcomed the release of the Best Practice Guides on “Handling Water Seepage in Properties” and “Handling Dripping Air Conditioners” by the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) yesterday (October 16). The FEHD believes that the Guides, outlining the relevant statutory responsibilities of and regulations to be observed by owners and residents of properties as well as the procedures for property management companies to follow when addressing water seepage and air conditioner dripping issues, will assist licensed property management companies and personnel in resolving water seepage and air conditioner dripping issues within properties.

The Government has been committed to addressing water seepage and air conditioner dripping issues. The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address proposed utilising technology to expedite the identification of seepage sources, requiring property owners to inspect and rectify the problem within a specified time, or else the Government will take further action and recover the costs from the owners. The Government will also actively promote mediation to resolve disputes between residents. In addition, the FEHD has adopted a new strategic approach this year, introducing new technologies to proactively tackle dripping air conditioners across various locations in Hong Kong, achieving notable results.

The FEHD expressed gratitude to the PMSA and the property management industry for their active support in jointly promoting improvements to the environmental hygiene of the community. The FEHD hopes that with the practical guidance provided in these two Guides, property management practitioners can assist in addressing water seepage and air conditioner dripping issues more effectively and enable timely intervention to resolve the issues at an early stage, thereby reducing complaints and disputes, enhancing communication among residents and promoting community harmony.

To encourage the property management industry to refer to the Guides for addressing water seepage and dripping issues within properties, the PMSA will hold a continuing professional development seminar on October 27, where representatives from the FEHD will brief property management practitioners on the details of the relevant investigation work and explain how they can effectively support the department’s work.

The Guides on “Handling Water Seepage in Properties” and “Handling Dripping Air Conditioners” can be downloaded from the PMSA’s website.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, at the partnership dialogue of the Science and Innovation Forum of the World Food Forum 2025 organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy, today (October 17):

     On the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)’s 80th anniversary, it is my honour to participate in the Partnership Dialogue today. This morning, we witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the FAO and the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government to show mutual commitment to implement the One Health approach. This is indeed the best moment to take stock of the latest developments in the HKSAR.

     In the international arena, the FAO, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Environment Programme collaborate to drive the transformation required for mitigating the impact of health challenges at the human-animal-plant-environment interface at the global, regional and country level.

     On the HKSAR’s part, while our agricultural land is limited, we have embraced various innovative solutions in support of the One Health approach, including in the agrifood systems.

     Back in September 2017, the HKSAR Government organised an International Conference on One Health in the HKSAR as one of the celebration activities for the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.

     In December 2023, the HKSAR Government announced the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, which outlines the Government’s vision and work targets to promote the upgrading and transformation of the local agricultural and fisheries industries. I will give two examples under the Blueprint, namely urban farming and a multi-storey pig farm.

     We seek to develop urban farming through a multipronged approach, with a view to integrating commercial agriculture into urbanised areas of the city to produce high-quality and fresh agricultural produce with reduced carbon footprints, and also providing green landscapes and modernised farming experiences to the communities.

     We have pioneered the adoption of high-efficiency hydroponic systems, which boost yield while simultaneously conserving water. These soil-free cultivation systems not only eliminate the need for chemical pesticides but also reduce the risk of plant disease transmission.

     We have recently launched the first pilot urban farm that utilises advanced farming technology in a public park, and will set up modernised hydroponic farms-cum-stalls on suitable rooftops of public markets. These help promote the concept of “harvest-to-sale”, shortening the supply chains from farms to consumers.

We are also pioneering the development of multi-storey, modernised, and environmental-friendly livestock farming that exemplifies the integration of advanced technology with the One Health principles.  

     This innovative vertical farming model harnesses cutting-edge automated systems and smart technologies to enhance biosecurity measures and significantly reduces environmental impact through enclosed, controlled environments. It not only curtails disease risks and reduces reliance on antibiotics but also maximises farming efficiency through precise resource management.

     Our multi-storey pig farm project is scheduled to commence operation around 2032.

     We now come to the prevention of zoonotic diseases. On diseases like avian influenza:
 

• we have a robust, science-driven surveillance and control programme, actively monitoring the viruses across the entire spectrum – from chicken farms and wholesale markets to pet bird shops, recreational parks and nature reserves;
• we have enforced a compulsory vaccination programme on local farms for over two decades; and
• with advancements in laboratory technology over the years, analysing local surveillance data and integrating findings from global health networks enable the updating of our designated vaccines in a timely manner to ensure vaccination efficacy.

     The absence of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks on any local farm since 2008 demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach.

     On antimicrobial resistance, we have been implementing a comprehensive Strategy and Action Plan through close collaboration on human health, animal health and environment fronts. Citing the work of the animal health sector for illustration purposes, the actions include:
 

• systematic surveillance of antimicrobial usage and resistance in livestock;
• the formulation of science‑based guidelines and farm-specific disease management plans to encourage prudent use of antimicrobials; and
• practical support to farmers in strengthening hygiene, vaccination and biosecurity.

     These concerted efforts reflect our commitment to innovation, prevention and integration under the One Health principles. We seek to safeguard human health and animal health and advance a healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable future for all. We will continue to deepen our interdisciplinary collaboration, guided by the One Health principles. In this way, we hope to transform challenges into opportunities and deliver tangible and lasting impact. Thank you.