MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Regarding the incident announced by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on December 17 in which samples of pigs from a licensed pig farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF), the AFCD launched an operation on December 19 according to the ASF contingency plan. The AFCD has sent staff to cull and handle all pigs on the affected licensed farm. As of today (December 23), a total of 978 pigs have been culled and handled.
 
The AFCD has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of this incident. An epidemiological investigation in collaboration with Mainland and international experts is under way to prevent and control further spread of the ASF virus. Following the culling of all pigs on the farm, the AFCD will arrange thorough cleaning and disinfection of the farm.
 
AFCD has arranged veterinary inspections of one operating pig farm within 3 kilometres of this index farm last week and collected samples from pigs for ASF virus testing. No abnormal health condition was noted in the pigs during the inspection, and all samples have tested negative for the ASF virus. Therefore, the AFCD has resumed the relevant procedures for the farm to transport pigs to slaughterhouses for slaughter.
 
In view of the current ASF case, the AFCD has been liaising closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. The relevant departments have immediately ceased the collection of livestock wastes from the index farm, enhanced cleansing of the nearby public roads around the index farm, and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected relevant animal carcass collection points and animal carcass collection vehicles, as well as adjusted the routine animal carcass collection routes, to minimise the risk of spread of ASF. Moreover, the AFCD has conducted joint inspections and investigations at the index farm with experts and collected environmental samples for further analysis, with an aim to understand the potential cause and source of ASF infection. Advice on optimising biosecurity measures and farm management have also been provided to support the industry in further preventing and controlling ASF.
 
The AFCD held a meeting with licensed pig farm operators today to remind them to ensure proper implementation of good biosecurity measures and alert the Department immediately if any abnormal health condition is observed in pigs. Meanwhile, the AFCD personnel will continue to inspect all local licensed pig farms to ensure good biosecurity measures have been properly implemented. Surveillance of the activities of wild pigs in the vicinity of the index farm has also been stepped up.
 
Apart from the measures mentioned above, the AFCD has been maintaining close communication with Mainland and international veterinary experts and has implemented a series of preventive measures based on their advice, including:
 
(1) The AFCD has revised the licence conditions for pig farms, requiring local pig farms of high infection risk to properly implement biosecurity requirements specified by the Department. The AFCD will provide technical assistance to pig farms concerned to prevent and control ASF;
(2) The AFCD has invited an expert on ASF prevention and control to provide training to local pig farmers in November this year to facilitate prompt implementation and strict observation of the biosecurity measures specific to their pig farms, thereby effectively containing the spread of ASF on local pig farms on different levels;
(3) In order to strengthen the knowledge of local pig farmers about the clinical signs of ASF for early detection and reporting of abnormalities in pigs, the AFCD has launched the Guidelines for Reporting Cases of African Swine Fever to assist pig farmers in identifying suspected cases for early reporting and to take appropriate follow-up;
(4) AFCD staff have been distributing ASF rapid test kits to all local pig farms to assist them in enhancing testing; and
(5) AFCD staff are keeping close communication with pig farmers to update them on the latest situation of ASF.
 
The AFCD stressed that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans; hence, it does not present any food safety risk. Pork cooked thoroughly is safe for consumption. Members of the public do not need to be concerned. The incident does not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses nor the overall supply of live pigs.
 
Due to the ongoing culling operation, the AFCD will release daily updates on operational information on the departmental webpage (www.afcd.gov.hk) for public reference.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 22) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2 million.

     A male passenger, aged 26, arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed in the false compartment of his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and he will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (December 24).

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (December 23) on the latest situation and arrangements for the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods.
      
     The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 11.52 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods (from December 24 to 28, December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 9.65 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher on December 25 (Thursday) and December 28 (Sunday), with around 689 000 passengers and 695 000 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 225 000, 201 000 and 161 000 passengers respectively.
      
     In view of a series of New Year’s Eve countdown events, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has discussed with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to extend the service hours of BCPs on New Year’s Eve. The Mainland port authorities have duly reported to the national port authorities for approval according to the required procedures. Further details will be announced as soon as possible. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) BCP and the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang BCP will maintain 24-hour operation as usual on New Year’s Eve.
      
     To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and operation of additional counters, temporary counters and channels. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.
      
     Furthermore, 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.
      
     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 HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle 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 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance the clearance efficiency of control points and allow more Hong Kong residents to use the fast and convenient e-Channel service, the ImmD has adjusted the applicable age for e-Channel service for holders of smart identity cards. Eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged 7 to 10 years old, who are at least 1.1 metres tall and hold a smart identity card and a valid HKSAR passport, can use the e-Channels without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance via face recognition technology at all control points. Moreover, the Contactless e-Channel service is available at all control points now. All eligible Hong Kong residents, after enrolment, can generate an encrypted QR code through the Contactless e-Channel mobile application to enter the e-Channel and then verify their identity with the facial verification technology for automated immigration clearance.
      
     In addition, the ImmD has extended the e-Channel service to holders of a valid People’s Republic of China (PRC) electronic ordinary passport aged 7 or above and are in transit through Hong Kong to and from another country or territory. Eligible PRC passport holders can use the e-Channel service when entering Hong Kong without prior enrolment for e-Channel service via face recognition technology. Additionally, all control points have introduced self-service departures for visitors to Hong Kong (Smart Departure), which provides greater travel convenience for visitors. The service employs facial recognition technology for identity verification, which allows eligible visitors holding electronic travel documents aged 7 or above to perform self-service departure clearance through Smart Departure e-Channels without prior enrolment. Furthermore, the ImmD has adjusted the applicable age for e-Channel service for holders of Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP). Eligible holders of e-EEP aged 7 or above, who are at least 1.1 metres tall, can use the e-Channels without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance via fingerprint recognition technology at all control points.
      
     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 New Year’s Eve and New Year festive periods, 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 Transport Department (TD) today (December 23) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on December 24 and 25 to facilitate the celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Road closures

     Road closures will be implemented in Central from 2pm onwards on December 24. The associated bus stops, public light bus stands, taxi stands and parking spaces will be suspended. Depending on the actual situation, the Police may extend the closure area in Central in phases. The bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas may be subject to temporary diversions, suspension of services or adjustments of associated stops. 
 
     The TD urged members of the public to heed ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures which may be implemented by the Police in the Tsim Sha Tsui area at short notice, including roads closures, traffic diversions, alterations or suspension of public transport services and their relevant stops when public safety considerations arise.
 
Public transport services on December 24 will be adjusted as follows:
 

1. The first departure of MTR Airport Express from Hong Kong to Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo will be advanced and its service from AsiaWorld-Expo (via Airport) to Hong Kong will be extended;
2. The service levels of MTR lines (except Airport Express) will be strengthened in phases from 3pm;
3. MTR lines (except Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and East Rail Line section between Sheung Shui and Lok Ma Chau/Lo Wu) and Light Rail route nos. 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 706 and 751 will provide overnight services;
4. The operating hours of MTR bus route nos. 506, K51 and K54A will be extended;
5. Five special bus services (KMB route nos. N43, N64P, N71, N243 and N272) will be operated in the small hours on December 25. The operating hours of 12 KMB routes in Kowloon and New Territories will be extended; and
6. The operating hours of three GMB routes in Kowloon and one GMB route in New Territories will be extended.

 
Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services

     The operating hours of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on December 24 and 25 will be extended to 1am on the following day.

     For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or its mobile application “HKeMobility”. Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.
 
     Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements, subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or “HKeMobility”.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Police announced today (December 23) that crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements will be implemented on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon from December 24 to 25 to facilitate Christmas celebrations. The Police urge members of the public to plan their journeys in advance and to make use of public transport as far as possible.

Hong Kong Island
———————–
 
A. Crowd safety management measures

     In anticipation of large crowds in the Lan Kwai Fong area, the Police will implement crowd management measures based on the prevailing conditions. Members of the public should exercise tolerance and patience, look after the accompanying children and elderly, and follow the instructions given by police officers on site. The Police also remind members of the public to refrain from carrying or discharging aerosol spray in the area to avoid posing safety risks to those present.

B. Road closure

Phase I

     No vehicles are allowed to enter the following roads from 2pm on December 24 to 5am on December 25, until the roads are re-opened to traffic:

–    D’Aguilar Street between Wellington Street and Wyndham Street;
–    Lan Kwai Fong;
–    Wing Wah Lane;
–    Wo On Lane;
–    Wellington Street between Wyndham Street and D’Aguilar Street; and
–    On Lan Street.

Phase II

     Depending on traffic conditions, vehicles may not be allowed to enter the following roads from 9pm on December 24 to 5am on December 25, until the roads are re-opened to traffic:

–    Part of the northbound traffic lanes on Garden Road;
–    Queen’s Road Central between Garden Road and Pottinger Street;
–    Bank Street;
–    Duddell Street;
–    Ice House Street between Lower Albert Road and Des Voeux Road Central;
–    Westbound Lower Albert Road between Garden Road and Upper Albert Road;
–    Pedder Street between Queen’s Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central;
–    D’Aguilar Street between Wellington Street and Queen’s Road Central;
–    Wellington Street between D’Aguilar Street and Cochrane Street;
–    Stanley Street between D’Aguilar Street and Cochrane Street;
–    Cochrane Street between Wellington Street and Stanley Street;
–    Wyndham Street between Glenealy and Queen’s Road Central; and
–    Lyndhurst Terrace.

Phase III

     Depending on traffic conditions, vehicles may not be allowed to enter the following roads, until the roads are re-opened to traffic:

–    Pottinger Street between Connaught Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central;
–    Queen Victoria Street between Connaught Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central;
–    Wyndham Street between Arbuthnot Road and D’Aguilar Street;
–    The slip road from Cotton Tree Drive to Queensway, except for franchised buses; and
–    Northbound Arbuthnot Road.

     Depending on the crowd condition after the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, the rightmost lane of Garden Road between Kennedy Road and Upper Albert Road will be closed at any time.

C. Traffic diversion

     Depending on traffic conditions, vehicles along Upper Albert Road may not be permitted to turn left to Lower Albert Road from 9pm on December 24 to 5am on December 25.

D. Suspension of on-street parking spaces

     All on-street parking spaces on the following roads will be suspended from 1pm on December 24 to 5am on December 25:

–    Stanley Street near D’Aguilar Street;
–    On Lan Street; and
–    Wyndham Street between Arbuthnot Road and D’Aguilar Street.

Kowloon
———–

     The Police may implement temporary crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements in Tsim Sha Tsui at short notice, including road closures and diversions, to maintain public order and safety. Members of the public should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions given by police officers on site.

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 23) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US) and Canada, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     The relevant areas are as follows:

UK
—-
(1) Scottish Borders of Scotland

US
—-
State of North Dakota
(2) Richland County

State of Minnesota
(3) Waseca County

State of Indiana
(4) Noble County

State of Iowa
(5) Hamilton County

Canada
—-
Province of Saskatchewan
(6) Rural Municipality of Vanscoy No. 345

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of this year, while no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada, Hong Kong imported about 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.17 million poultry eggs from the UK, and about 40 060 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 2.62 million poultry eggs from the US.

     “The CFS has contacted the British, American and Canadian authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     According to the report “Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2024” released today (December 23) by the Census and Statistics Department, the gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) in Hong Kong has been on the rise and reached $35,772 million in 2024, representing an increase of 8.4 per cent compared with the corresponding figure in 2023 ($33,006 million). The GERD as a ratio to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has also further increased from 1.11 per cent in 2023 to 1.13 per cent in 2024. In addition, the number of research and development (R&D) personnel showed a steady increase over the years and reached 47,210 in 2024 (compared with 43,403 in 2023).

     A government spokesman said, “The country indicates clear support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Promoting I&T development has always been one of the key policy areas of the current-term Government. In recent years, the Government has been focusing on encouraging innovation activities, developing I&T infrastructure, strengthening basic research and promoting commercialisation of R&D outcomes, attracting and nurturing talent, supporting start-ups, etc. Moreover, since taking office, the current-term Government has been actively enhancing the local I&T ecosystem by consolidating our strengths in upstream basic research, accelerating the midstream transformation and realisation of scientific research outcomes, and supporting industry development in the downstream. Various initiatives have achieved good progress. It is encouraging to see that the GERD and the GERD as a ratio of the GDP have recorded satisfactory growth in 2024. With three major I&T parks and five key R&D institutions as the framework, we will continue to propel I&T development at full steam by proactively promoting the synergistic development among upstream, midstream and downstream sectors in Hong Kong.”

     The spokesman also stated that a series of measures have been announced in the 2025 Policy Address, including expediting the development of the third InnoHK research cluster as well as that of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, HSITP), promoting the development of new industrialisation, launching the $10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, etc., to achieve high-quality economic development through technological empowerment.  Since announcing the 2025 Policy Address, the Government has made strides in progressing various measures.  For example, the HSITP has officially opened in December. The Government also promulgated the Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation and Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole in November this year to advance the development of the Loop and San Tin Technopole San Tin area under the new strategic layout plan of “South-North dual engine (finance-I&T)”.

     “The Government will continue to take forward various policy measures to create favourable conditions for Hong Kong’s I&T development, with a view to further promoting the development of I&T and new quality productive forces in Hong Kong, and realising the vision of developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre,” the spokesman added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

All verified cases of the Tai Po fire have been processed for financial and welfare support so far.

The Government earlier announced it would provide a $100,000 living allowance to each affected household from the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, while families of each deceased victim would be provided with a token of solidarity of $200,000, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. All verified cases have been processed so far.

Regarding accommodation support, as of this morning, 504 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 554 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,557 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 11.52 million passengers, including Hong Kong residents and visitors, will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods.

Releasing the information today, the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary, noted that the period ranges from December 24 to 28, December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 9.65 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points.

The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher this Thursday and coming Sunday, with around 689,000 passengers and 695,000 passengers respectively.

The ImmD estimates that 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 225,000, 201,000 and 161,000 passengers respectively.

Residents and visitors may also visit Easy Boundary, 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 HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director-General David Cheng-Wei Wu caught up with Mr. Eddie Yeh, China Airlines’ GM for Oceania & Australia, and his Sydney team for a year-end luncheon. It was a great chance to share festive blessings and celebrate a year of fantastic teamwork.
DG Wu expressed his heartfelt thanks to China Airlines for their constant support of TECO in Sydney and their active role in Taiwanese community events. He especially thanked the team for their professional airport facilitation and assistance in welcoming visiting delegations.
As a key partner in public diplomacy, China Airlines does a brilliant job promoting Taiwan’s brand in the skies. We look forward to working together even more closely to grow Taiwan’s presence across Australia and the Oceania region.