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Commissioner of Customs and Excise leads delegation to Belgium to attend World Customs Organization meetings with fruitful results  
     Mr Chan in his capacity as the WCO Vice-Chairperson for the A/P Region, first led a delegation to attend the 94th Session of the Policy Commission from June 22 to 24, where he represented the interests and views of A/P members in discussions on WCO’s strategic direction and functions.  
 
     Subsequently, from June 25 to 27, he also attended the 147th/148th CCC Sessions, the WCO’s annual high-level meeting assembling heads and senior officials from 187 Customs administrations worldwide. The sessions serve as a pivotal platform for advancing global co-operation on enforcement, trade facilitation, standards development and capacity building. Hong Kong Customs was re-elected as the Vice-Chairperson for the A/P region (2026-28) and the Chairperson of the WCO Audit Committee (2026-27) during the sessions. Mr Chan said it was a privilege for Hong Kong Customs to assume these two important roles in leading the development of the A/P Region and making a greater contribution to the global Customs community. He expressed his sincere gratitude to all members for their continued trust and support, and pledged that Hong Kong Customs is committed to strengthening the bridge between the WCO and A/P members, and to working together to build a more resilient, connected, and influential regional community.
 
     On the sidelines of the sessions, Mr Chan met with the Secretary General of the WCO, Mr Ian Saunders, the WCO Council Chairperson, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and other regional WCO Vice-Chairpersons to exchange views on various customs policies and future developments. In addition, Mr Chan also met with the Chairman of the Customs Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Akmalkhuja Mavlonov, to strengthen mutual collaboration and explore future development opportunities. 
 
     Moreover, Mr Chan met with the Director General of the National Customs Service of the Republic of Chile, Ms Alejandra Arriaza Loeb, and signed the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on June 26, that enables AEOs of both economies to enjoy reciprocal trade facilitation benefits, including reduced inspection rates and prioritised customs clearance. The MRA marks the expansion of the Hong Kong AEO network to another South American economy following its first expansion to the region with the AEO MRA signed with Peruvian Customs in December last year.

     To advance the development of the Hong Kong AEO Programme in the South American region, the Assistant Commissioner (WCO) of Customs and Excise, Mr Li Kin-kei, also signed an AEO MRA Action Plan with the Coordinator-General of Customs Administration of the Special Secretariat of the Federal Revenue of Brazil, Mr Felipe Mendes Moraes, on June 27, officially commencing the negotiations for an AEO MRA with Brazilian Customs.Issued at HKT 11:00

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“Sea, Land, Sky”-themed Carnival leads public to explore Hong Kong’s ICH items and geographical features  
     The public can join experiential workshops featuring wood carving, jewelry making and fishing net plaiting techniques on the first day. More workshops of various themes will be held tomorrow, including the mahjong tile making technique, in which participants will try their hand at carving and colouring mahjong tiles featuring designs that reflect Hong Kong’s unique character and geographical features, such as pineapple buns, milk tea, aeroplanes and sailing ships. In the workshop on the jewelry making technique, the participants can create mobile phone stands resembling the vivid dance posture of auspicious animals by using jewelry making tools. In the workshop on the fishing net plaiting technique, participants will be guided by the instructor in making double-sided multi-use fishing net pouches. In the workshop on the blown sugar technique, the instructor will demonstrate and introduce the blown sugar technique, allowing the participants to produce their own blown sugar creations.
 
     For details of the carnival, please visit the website: www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/2026_hkich_month_carnival_tko_plaza.htmlIssued at HKT 17:41

SCST attends APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Macao  
     The theme for the meeting this year is “Digital Innovation, Collaborative Empowerment: Leveraging Tourism for an Asia-Pacific Community”. At a discussion session, Miss Law shared with other participants Hong Kong’s strategic approach to integrating digital and intelligent technologies to drive economic growth in tourism.
 
     In her address, Miss Law highlighted the city’s remarkable recovery and strategic direction, noting that Hong Kong welcomed nearly 50 million visitors in 2025—a 12 per cent year-on-year increase—and hosted over 240 mega events, many of which were held at the Kai Tak Sports Park. She said these results reflect Hong Kong’s strategic vision of “+ Tourism”, which weaves together culture, heritage, arts, sports, and mega events to create richer and more immersive visitor experiences.
 
     During the discussion session, Miss Law outlined a three-pronged strategy for harnessing technology to ensure sustainable growth:
 
1. Disseminating Smart Information 

     Hong Kong is leveraging big data and AI to provide travellers with real-time, personalised information. The Discover Hong Kong platform, managed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, now offers live crowd updates and waiting times for major attractions during peak travel periods. The Government is also developing an AI-powered itinerary-planning feature on the platform and collaborating with map service providers to integrate data into a dedicated Hong Kong travel map, enabling visitors to plan their ideal trips in just a few clicks.
 
2. Nurturing Tourism Products with Smart Elements 
3. Empowering the Tourism Trade 
     In her concluding remarks, Miss Law reminded delegates of the human element at the heart of travel. “Tourism does not thrive on technology alone, but also on the warmth of human connection. While AI can personalise journeys and digital tools enhance convenience, they can never replace the real local stories and human interactions that truly define travel. Let us use technology to enrich, rather than replace, the soul of our destinations. Let us work to ensure every visitor explores our cities, deeply, meaningfully, and memorably,” she said. Issued at HKT 17:20

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37 schools receive Greening School Project Award  
     To enhance students’ awareness of greening and interest in horticulture, as well as to beautify school environments, the LCSD provides annual cash subsidies under its Greening School Subsidy Scheme to encourage more greening and planting activities on campuses. The targets of the subsidy scheme are local kindergartens and primary, secondary and special schools. The Greening School Project Award will also be presented to schools to acknowledge their outstanding achievements in campus greening.
 
     Addressing the prize presentation ceremony, the Chief Leisure Manager (Green Campaign) of the LCSD, Ms Tina Tai, said that the Greening School Subsidy Scheme has received an enthusiastic response since its launch, with nearly 900 schools participating this year. She commended the outstanding performance of the award-winning schools, noting that the greening projects have attained a high standard and continue to show steady improvement in quality. Both teachers and students have worked together to create vibrant green spaces, achieving highly encouraging results.
 
     Ms Tai also acknowledged participating schools for their passionate commitment to green education and their valuable contributions, and thanked the adjudicators for their dedicated efforts and professional assessment. Other officiating guests attending today’s ceremony included the Immediate Past President of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, Mr Paul Chan; former non-official member of the Community Involvement Committee on Greening under the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the Development Bureau, Dr Angie Ng; and the Chief School Development Officer (Wan Chai and Islands) of the Education Bureau, Ms Ivy Man.
 
     The Greening School Project Award was presented in eight categories. The champions are as follows:
 
1) Large Garden Plot Project (Secondary School Section):
CCC Kei Chi Secondary School
 
2) Large Garden Plot Project (Primary School Section):
Kwong Ming School
 
3) Small Garden Plot Project (Secondary School Section):
Yan Chai Hospital Wong Wha San Secondary School
 
4) Small Garden Plot Project (Primary School Section):
Precious Blood Primary School (South Horizons)
 
5) Garden Plot Project (Kindergarten Section):
Lok Sin Tong Stephen Leung Kindergarten
 
6) Tree Planting Project:
New Asia Middle School
 
7) Horticultural Maintenance:
Ta Ku Ling Ling Ying Public School
 
8) Best Green Concept:
Kwong Ming School
 
     The list of other winners of the Greening School Project Award is available on the LCSD webpage www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/green/education/greeningschool/2025schoolawardlist.html 
     The LCSD is committed to promoting greening through the Green Hong Kong Campaign. The department has been implementing a number of large-scale planting and landscape beautification projects, as well as organising various educational and community participation activities that aim to instil green values among the public and enhance their awareness of the importance of protecting the natural environment.
Issued at HKT 13:00

DH reminds public to be vigilant about infectious diseases when travelling during summer holidays 
Measles
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     Measles outbreaks have persisted in many regions around the world since last year. North America (including the United States, Canada and Mexico) and Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have experienced ongoing measles outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage in recent years. Over 2 100 cases have been recorded in the United States so far this year, a figure significantly higher than the same period last year. In Europe, the number of measles cases in the United Kingdom and Spain has increased this year, with 736 and 136 cases recorded respectively since January. In Asia, the incidence rate of measles remains at a high level in the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia. Japan has also seen a significant rise in cases this year, with 529 cases recorded as of June 17, surpassing last year’s total of 265 cases and marking the highest record since 2019. Singapore and Australia have reported 39 and 106 measles cases respectively this year, which are also higher than the same period last year. Most of the overseas cases involved individuals who were not vaccinated against measles or had an unknown vaccination status, highlighting the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
     　
     Anyone planning to travel to regions experiencing measles outbreaks or where measles is prevalent should check their vaccination records and medical history well in advance. Those who have never been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine, or who are unsure whether they have received two doses, should consult a doctor about vaccination at least two weeks before departure. Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles or rubella, as well as children under one year old, who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, are advised not to travel to destinations experiencing measles or rubella outbreaks.
      
     The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If travellers returning from places with a high incidence or outbreaks of measles develop symptoms of measles, they should wear a surgical mask, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and avoid contact with people without immunity, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under one year old, and seek medical advice immediately.
 
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
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     HFMD is a common disease in children caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackie viruses. Since this May, there has been a seasonal increase in the activity of HFMD in neighbouring regions, including Guangdong Province of the Chinese Mainland, Japan and Korea.
      
     Most HFMD patients have mild symptoms. The initial stage of the illness is usually marked by a fever, poor appetite, tiredness and sore throat. One to two days after the onset of fever, painful sores may appear in the mouth, which then develop into ulcers. Patients generally recover on their own in seven to 10 days.
      
     To prevent HFMD, members of the public should keep hands clean and wash their hands properly. Wash hands before meals, after using the toilet, when hands are soiled by respiratory secretions (such as after sneezing) or after handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials. It is also important to cover the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and to dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly. As alcohol is not effective in killing some viruses that cause HFMD, alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water.
 
Mosquito-borne diseases
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     Mosquito-borne diseases continue to spread in many regions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of dengue fever (DF) has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024 and 2025 (January to July), the WHO recorded over 14 million cases and 4 million cases respectively. DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tropical and sub-tropical tourist destinations, particularly in Southeast Asian countries. Last year, Indonesia and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases, while Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka each recorded over 50 000 cases. Singapore recorded more than 4 000 cases.
      
     Regarding chikungunya fever (CF), more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, including those in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, recorded a total of at least 500 000 CF cases and 186 associated deaths in 2025. According to the WHO’s risk assessment, as there were ongoing CF outbreaks worldwide in 2025, the risk to the global public health posed by the transmission of CF is moderate.
     　
     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 23 DF cases (comprising 21 imported cases and two local cases) and two imported CF cases so far this year.
      
     To prevent mosquito-borne diseases when travelling abroad, the public should wear loose, light-coloured and long-sleeved tops and trousers, and apply DEET-containing insect repellent to exposed parts of the body and clothing. If both insect repellent and sunscreen are used, apply insect repellent after sunscreen, and avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin care products. Members of the public planning to travel outside Hong Kong should be aware of the mosquito-borne disease situation at their destination and take proper mosquito prevention measures. Upon returning to Hong Kong from affected areas, they should continue to use insect repellent for at least 14 days after arrival.
 
Ebola disease
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     The WHO announced on May 17 this year that an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus had occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in Africa, which constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On the same day, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government activated the Alert Response Level, the lowest under the three-tiered response in the Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease, to safeguard public health. Based on public health considerations, the HKSAR Government also issued a Red Outbound Travel Alert for the DRC on May 21 and urged Hong Kong residents to avoid non-essential travel there.
     　
     The outbreak in the DRC continues to grow in scale, affecting the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. As of June 23, the DRC has recorded 1 094 confirmed cases and 277 deaths. There are currently no approved and specific therapeutics or vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus. In addition, local conflicts have led to large-scale population movements, which increase the risk of the outbreak spreading.
      
     To prevent Ebola disease, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times when travelling abroad. They should wash their hands with liquid soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before touching their eyes, nose or mouth; avoid contact with animals and people showing symptoms; and ensure that food is thoroughly cooked before consumption. Members of the public who have visited the affected areas should, upon arrival in Hong Kong, proactively declare their travel history to the Port Health Division officers of the CHP stationed at the boundary control points to facilitate a health assessment. If any suspicious symptoms develop after returning to Hong Kong, they should seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of their travel history.
      
     For more information on infectious disease outbreaks and preventive measures around the world, please visit the DH’s Travel Health Service webpageIssued at HKT 11:00