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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.8 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, the fund now amounts to around $4.1 billion.

Currently, more than 1,000 units are still available to affected residents as longer-term accommodation. The transitional housing and the Housing Society projects in different districts can altogether provide around 500 units at the moment. Moreover, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can provide around 900 units.

As of this morning, 516 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 568 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,513 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 2,000 registrations have been received. Over 45,000 donated items have been distributed.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

The Hetao Co-operation Zone is one of the four major co-operation platforms among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Park is envisioned to develop into a world-class hub for technological innovation that connects the Chinese Mainland with the international community, and to serve as an important source for fostering and advancing new quality productive forces for the country.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee remarked that the development objective of the Hetao Co-operation Zone is set out to become a world-class innovation platform. As a major national technological innovation co-operation zone, it spans across two different social systems geographically, leveraging the strengths of the respective economic frameworks and judicial regimes.

“We will continue to drive forward the construction and development of the Hong Kong Park by optimising institutional integration, strengthening policy support, actively attracting high-quality enterprises and world-class research teams, etc. 

“I am confident that the Hetao Co-operation Zone will emerge as a bridgehead and testing ground for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development. It will also become a showcase for pioneering policies within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the global innovation landscape. It is a powerful Hong Kong engine for growth.”

The Hong Kong Park is developed in batches under two phases. Out of the eight buildings in the first batch of Phase 1 development, two wet-laboratory enabled buildings and a talent accommodation building have been completed, providing about 32,000 sq m of floor area and 100 apartment units respectively. 

More than 60 institutions and enterprises have begun moving into the wet laboratory buildings, while the talent accommodation welcomed the first batch of tenants this month. Construction work of the foundation and superstructures for the remaining five buildings have commenced and will be completed progressively starting from 2027 onwards. 

The planning and development layout for the park’s Phase 2 development has been finalised. The two phases together will offer a total floor area of up to 2 million sq m. Functionally, the park will be divided into different technological zones focusing on pillar industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, new technologies and advanced manufacturing, thereby fostering the integrated development of upstream, midstream and downstream industries and building a comprehensive I&T industry chain.

To expedite the park’s construction work, the park company has rolled out an expression of interest exercise to gauge the market’s interest in selected plots of the remaining land of Phase 1 development, with a view to leveraging market forces to develop the park in an accelerated and efficient manner. The park company received 27 responses and is currently analysing them with a view to preparing for launching the land plots in an orderly manner starting from 2026. 

At the ceremony, Mr Lee also announced the official commencement of the Western Cross-River Link Bridge Project which will connect the two parks in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This project will open up the transportation network of the Hetao Co-operation Zone. The two sides will adopt a design concept of integrating the cross-boundary bridge with the surrounding ecological environment and with an emphasis on low-carbon technology, safety and convenience, and pleasant scenery, as well as adopting a “single-span across the river” approach in construction, which will serve as a new landmark to connect the two parks under the concept of “one zone, two parks” while creating an innovation network in the Greater Bay Area.

Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Qifang, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR Zhou Ji, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Luo Huangho, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn also attended the opening ceremony.

Mr Lee also visited the park’s wet laboratory buildings to learn about its facilities, environment and the facilitation measures provided for the tenant enterprises by the park company. He also exchanged views with representatives of the I&T enterprises which have already set foot in the park.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Fire Services Department today clarified that a media commentary claiming the trade doubts whether the department’s suggestion to shut down fire service installation and equipment (FSI) by phases during building maintenance works is feasible, does not fully reflect the facts.

According to the Fire Service (Installations & Equipment) Regulations, no person other than a registered fire service installation contractor shall maintain, inspect or repair any FSI in any premises.

Any person contravening the regulations is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000. Any person who is not a registered fire service installation contractor who attempts to interfere with FSIs may be in breach of the law and the department will follow up stringently.

Maintenance, repair or inspection of FSIs must be carried out by registered fire service installation contractors, who will exercise professional judgement and carry out the relevant work in accordance with the department’s instructions.

Personnel responsible for building maintenance works have no authority to shut down FSIs and it is extremely irresponsible for any frontline personnel to shut down FSIs in order to avoid false alarms triggered by the works.

The department’s Circular Letter No. 1/2021 stipulates that disruption to the normal operation of FSIs caused by its shutdown should be kept to the minimum.

When carrying out the works, the contractor concerned should adopt a systematic approach in shutting down the affected FSI by phases and resume normal operation as soon as practicable.

If the affected portion of the system could not be reinstated to normal working condition by the end of a working shift, arrangements should be made for the portion to be isolated with the remainder of the system to be reinstated.

Upon completion of the relevant works, the contractor shall issue the Certificate of Fire Service Installations & Equipment in due course.

The department earlier held a meeting with the Association of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors on the matter, and the trade expressed its full support and willingness to implement the relevant measures in accordance with the statutory requirements and guidelines.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Strategic Committee on Commodities, chaired by Financial Secretary Paul Chan, convened its first meeting today.

Members received a briefing on global commodities market trends and Hong Kong’s development potential, and discussed the categories of commodities and key areas that should be prioritised for in-depth study and discussions.

Mr Chan said: “The committee brings together leaders from across the commodities trading ecosystem, including finance, commerce and trade, shipping, logistics and professional services sectors to conduct in-depth and comprehensive research into global commodities market trends, thoroughly review the current landscape and trends in areas such as physical trade, financial and derivative trading as well as shipping and logistics.

“It will also study the opportunities for developing businesses of various major and emerging categories of commodities in Hong Kong, enhance market mechanisms and regulatory framework, build an industry ecosystem, and explore mutual market access with the Chinese Mainland.

“The committee will also provide specific recommendations on the positioning, development planning and promotion strategy for Hong Kong’s commodities market.”

In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed the establishment of the strategic committee to bring together industry representatives with the aim of strengthening the top-down design and long-term strategy of Hong Kong’s commodity policy.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today new measures will be implemented to strengthen efforts to combat unauthorised transfer of bookings of its recreation and sports facilities/venues.

To ensure the fair use of the SmartPLAY system, SmartPLAY has incorporated conditions prohibiting the use of computer programmes or other automated tools to make bookings. Starting from January 21, next year, if users breach the conditions concerned, the LCSD will immediately suspend their accounts for 360 days without giving any prior notice.

To ensure hirers are genuine users, currently, a hirer who books a turf soccer pitch through SmartPLAY is required to provide the SmartPLAY user account information of four other users. The hirer and three of the users named in the booking are required to check-in together and be present during the use of the booked session.

Noting that this arrangement is generally effective since implementation, a similar arrangement will apply to indoor basketball and volleyball courts, which are popular facilities, starting from January 21, next year.

A hirer is required to provide the information of two other users when booking an indoor basketball or volleyball court. The hirer and one of the users named in the booking are required to check-in together and be present during use of the booked session.

Under the existing measures applicable to some recreation and sports facilities, if a hirer does not take up the booked facility 10 minutes after the booked session starts, the LCSD may at its discretion permit other users to use the facility free of charge for the same purpose as the original hirer, commonly referred to as the standby arrangement, on condition that there are no other same-type facilities available for booking at the material time.

In this connection, the LCSD has observed that certain hirers of indoor basketball and volleyball courts deliberately do not take up the booked sessions on the day of use, and are suspected to have engaged in touting activities by arranging for other users to use the booked courts under the standby arrangement.

To combat such abuse of the standby arrangement, and making reference to the current arrangement for turf football pitches, the standby arrangement will no longer be applicable to indoor basketball and volleyball courts from next Tuesday.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Health Bureau announced today that in collaboration with the dental sector, free denture replacement services will be launched starting tomorrow to address the need for replacement of lost dentures due to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po and to provide dental treatment for affected residents.

The bureau had received requests for assistance from affected residents regarding the replacement of lost dentures due to the fire.

To assist more affected residents in need, the bureau co-ordinated with various dental care organisations, the Hong Kong Dental Association and dentists to launch denture replacement services tomorrow.

Currently, more than 80 private dentists are participating, covering 106 service points. Starting from tomorrow until February 28, 2026, all residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court, including foreign domestic helpers, can receive at least one free dental consultation and one follow-up appointment through the arrangement of the District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses (DHC) under the Primary Healthcare Commission across all 18 districts in Hong Kong.

The scope of the free dental consultation services covers broken appliances and lost dental appliances due to the incident, including repair or replacement of partial or complete dentures, and removable orthodontic retainers; and oral treatment due to injuries inflicted in the incident, including medication for dental pain relief, simple fillings, emergency pulp treatment and extractions.

Residents in need can call the hotlines or visit any DHC in person for assistance, regardless of their current place of residence. Those who are registered as DHC members may also contact the relevant centre directly.

The hotlines are listed on the Primary Healthcare Commission and the DHC websites. DHC case managers will pair patients with appropriate dentists.

Private dentists interested in providing denture replacement services to the affected residents may contact the bureau by email.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the official launch of the intellectual property (IP) financing sandbox and the opening of the Hong Kong Technology & Innovation Support Centre, marking key milestones in promoting IP financing and further developing Hong Kong’s IP trading ecosystem while fostering innovation.

The IP financing sandbox was launched by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) in collaboration with the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) and the Intellectual Property Department (IPD).

As set out in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address, the IP financing sandbox aims to assist pilot sectors in leveraging IP assets for financing.

The sandbox serves to provide a collaborative and risk-controlled environment for banks, IP valuation firms, legal practitioners and other relevant professions to test the full lifecycle of IP financing arrangements that are based on IP assets such as patents, trademarks and copyrights.

Through the sandbox, banks can develop and refine their IP financing arrangements with the support from multidisciplinary professionals as well as guidance by the HKMA, the CEDB and the IPD.

This initiative can also enable banks to accumulate practical experience in providing IP financing to better serve the needs of innovative enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises which are rich in IP assets but may lack tangible assets that can be pledged as collateral for bank financing.

Three major banks in Hong Kong have joined the sandbox as inaugural participants, and have solicited interest from clients from the biotechnology, electronics and technology sectors to conduct pilot trials of IP financing through the sandbox.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said the IP financing sandbox, together with other related measures announced in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address, would help leverage Hong Kong’s unique strengths to build an ecosystem where IP is protected with rigour, valued with clarity, and financed with confidence, with a view to strengthening the city’s role as a regional IP trading centre.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak today expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Most Venerable Jing Yin, Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Eighth Abbot of Po Lin Monastery.

Miss Mak said the Most Venerable Jing Yin dedicated his life to promoting Buddhism and benefitting the Buddhist community, noting that he also took an active part in education and social matters, rendering immense meritorious service.

“The Most Venerable Jing Yin was always concerned about the matters of Islands District. Since 2020, he had served as a member of the Lamma Area Committee, offering advice on the district’s development and environmental improvements. He made significant contributions, particularly in the conservation and promotion of traditional culture, with fruitful results.

“The Buddhist community and members of the public are grateful for his contributions. We will always remember him.” 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Overall consumer prices rose 1.2% year-on-year in November, the same as in October, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1% in November, the same as that recorded in the previous month.

Compared with the year before, price increases were recorded in November in the following categories: transport; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; miscellaneous services; housing; meals out and takeaway food; miscellaneous goods; and basic food.

Meanwhile, year-on-year decreases were logged for clothing and footwear; durable; and electricity, gas and water.

The Government said consumer price inflation stayed subdued in November. It expects that overall inflation should remain modest in the near term, as cost pressures on the domestic and external fronts are still broadly in check.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region