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DH responds to media enquiries regarding Vaccination Subsidy Scheme consent forms 
The allegations are completely unfounded. Members of the public should not be misled.
 
The 2025/26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes comprises four programmes, namely Government Vaccination Programme, Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme, Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme and VSS. Eligible high-risk groups generally need to complete a consent form before receiving free or subsidised SIV through the programmes. The consent form specifies that the information provided may be transferred to private doctors, the Primary Healthcare Commission, the Hospital Authority, the Government’s agents and 15 healthcare-related statutory Boards and Councils that the DH provides secretariat support to. In the past, the consent forms of the SIV Programmes also stated that the Government may, when necessary, provide personal data obtained to other organisations (including the aforementioned 15 healthcare-related statutory Boards and Council for which the DH provides secretariat support) for the purposes of personal data collection stated in the consent form. These provisions ensure that the DH can promptly and effectively investigate any rare adverse events that may occur during the SIV programmes, such as enabling the relevant bodies to investigate serious medical incidents involving vaccine recipients. The DH will never use the information for organ donation or research on donor-recipient matching. Both paper and electronic consent forms are generally destroyed within seven years. The DH does not retain the relevant personal data either. This practice fully complies with relevant laws and requirements for protecting personal data privacy.
 
The CHP urged the public not to hesitate about receiving SIV due to rumours. The CHP stressed that vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risks of in-patient admission and mortality due to seasonal influenza. All members of the public aged six months or above, except those with known contraindications, should receive SIV every year for personal protection. As the saying goes, ‘get vaccinated once a year and sooner is better than later’.
 
For more information on the government-subsidised SIV Programmes, please call the CHP at 2125 2125 or visit the websiteIssued at HKT 23:10

Results of 2025 BIS Triennial Survey of Foreign Exchange and OTC Derivatives Markets TurnoverIssued at HKT 21:05

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Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement action against counterfeit goods activities with approach of National Day Golden Week of Mainland Issued at HKT 20:18

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Hong Kong Science Museum’s “2025 The Future Science Prize Exhibition” introduces achievements of laureates  
The Future Science Prize, regarded as China’s “Nobel Prize”, was established by the Future Science Awards Foundation in 2016. Initiated by a group of scientists and entrepreneurs, the prize presents three awards every year, aiming to give recognition to scientists who have achieved outstanding scientific results in the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan, with the goal of inspiring China, the world and the next generation with the spirit of science.

The Life Science Prize laureates of the Future Science Prize this year are Distinguished Professor at Hebei GEO University, Ji Qiang, and Research Fellows at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xu Xing and Zhou Zhonghe. They are awarded for their discoveries of fossil evidence for the origin of birds from dinosaurs. The Physical Science Prize is awarded to Research Fellow at the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fang Zhong; the William M. W. Mong Professor of Nanoscience and Chair Professor of Department of Physics at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Dai Xi; and the Chair Professor of the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ding Hong, for their contributions to the computational prediction and experimental realisation of topological electronic materials. Semiconductor scientist, Lu Chihyuan, receives the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize for his innovations and leadership in advancing non-volatile semiconductor memory technologies, including cell density, device integration, and data resiliency.
 
Interactive exhibits are on display to enrich visitors’ understanding of the achievements of laureates over the years. “The Game of Life: Stem Cells Edition” showcases the scientific achievements of 2024 the Life Science Prize Laureate, Deng Hongkui, who converted somatic cells into chemically induced pluripotent stem cells using small chemical molecules. The “Resistance Simulator” compares the resistances of copper, iron and superconductor at different temperatures to illustrate the research accomplishments of 2023 the Physical Science Prize Laureates, Zhao Zhongxian and Chen Xianhui, and demonstrate the properties of metals and superconductors. At the “AI Image Recognition Contest”, visitors can experience the achievements in image recognition with the technique developed by 2023 the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize Laureates, He Kaiming, Sun Jian, Ren Shaoqing and Zhang Xiangyu. The exhibition also highlights the outstanding contributions of Hong Kong laureates over the years through videos.
 
In addition, the HKScM will organise the Science Symposiums on October 24 and 25, where world-renowned scientists will share scientific discoveries on cutting-edge topics. The laureates of this year will have a dialogue with the youth at the Hong Kong Space Museum on October 26 to interact and share with teenagers.  
 
The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Future Science Awards Foundation and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, jointly organised by the HKScM, the Future Science Awards Foundation and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, and funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit the website at hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/fsp.htmlIssued at HKT 19:50

Government urges public to stay vigilant against fraudulent webpages and suspicious advertisements about Voluntary Health Insurance SchemeIssued at HKT 19:43

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Grand lantern carnival to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival 
     The lantern carnival is themed “Joy to the City – Passing on the Joy, Welcoming the National Games” to mark the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG). The lanterns incorporate the five elements in traditional Chinese philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire and earth, and blend traditional and modern designs. One of the highlights is the lantern display titled “A Feast of Fire and Flowers”, which stands about 12 metres high and resembles an ornate crown, symbolising the unity and integration of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The “Gold Shines, Energy Explodes” lantern features the mascots of the 15th NG, the 12th NGD, and the 9th NSOG dressed in sportswear representing different competition events to be staged in Hong Kong, surrounding the emblem to cheer for the athletes.
 
     The traditional lantern “Moonlit ICH Shining with Brilliant Boats and Lanterns” is crafted by veteran paper crafting master Mr Hui Ka-hung, incorporating different elements of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage such as dragon boat, Cantonese opera, and lantern crafting, as well as Hong Kong Cheongsam, Hong Kong-style milk tea and mooncake making techniques. Other attractive lantern displays include “Hearts Entwine with the Bay, Harmony Flourishes across all Homes”, an illuminated and colourful time corridor with an elegant Chinese-style screen archway; and a large-scale installation named “Brighten up the City with One Joyous Heart”, displaying creative lanterns by students and persons with disabilities.

???The displays are lit from 6.30pm to 11pm daily and extended to midnight on Mid-Autumn Day (October 6). In addition, group performances, a Mid-Autumn market, an NG interactive zone and self-service lantern riddles are being showcased during the carnival.
 
     A Youth Night will also be held on the evening of October 5, featuring performances by young artists, and from October 5 to 7, there will be demonstrations of Foshan coloured lantern making and paper cutting, as well as demonstrations and workshops of local traditional lantern making. On Mid-Autumn night, there will be a Tai Hang fire dragon dance to enter Victoria Park and a Gala Night with cheerleading performances, as well as large-scale ethnic singing, dancing, variety shows, and more.
 
     In addition, a lighting installation entitled “Flowerworks on the Water” is now on display until October 19 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza.
 
     For more details, please call 2591 1340, or visit the event webpage: www.cpo.gov.hk/event/en-mid-autumn-lantern-carnival-2025/ 
     The Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2025 is one of the programmes of the Chinese Culture Festival 2025 and one of the contribution programmes of the 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival.
Issued at HKT 19:30

HKSAR Government releases Green Bond Report 2025 
     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “The Green Bond Report 2025 provides comprehensive information on the environmental benefits of the green projects funded by the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. Through transparent disclosure, we not only report to investors on the actual contributions brought by their investments to sustainable development but also set an example for potential issuers on good market practices, and raise public awareness of the development of green finance.
 
     “We will continue to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a regional and international green and sustainable finance hub. Efforts will be made to accelerate innovative financial development, foster a conducive regulatory environment and build a cross-sector ecosystem by leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in the bond market, green and sustainable finance, as well as fintech.”
 
     The proceeds raised by the Government through issuances of green bonds have been fully allocated or earmarked for green projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of trunk sewage rising mains in Cheung Sha Wan, the expansion of North District Hospital, and the high performance computer system for the Hong Kong Observatory.
 
     Since the inaugural green bond issuance in 2019, the Government has been providing information on the allocation of the green bond proceeds through a Green Bond Report released on an annual basis, with an independent and qualified third party engaged to assure the contents of the Report. The Green Bond Report 2025 is the Government’s sixth Green Bond Report.
 
     The Green Bond Report 2025 has been uploaded to the Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk/en/greenbond/greenbondreport.htmlIssued at HKT 19:18