MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Department of Health (DH) today (September 29) urged members of the public to continue to actively adopt healthy lifestyles in response to World Heart Day. The risk of death from cardiovascular diseases can be effectively reduced through “early prevention, early detection and early treatment”. The Government has long encouraged the general public to cultivate healthy habits from a young age as the primary strategy for preventing non-communicable diseases. It promotes a healthy lifestyle encompassing healthy eating, reducing fat, salt and sugar intake, being physically active, and refraining from smoking and alcohol consumption through a life-course approach. In particular, the Government is actively promoting the Chronic Disease Co-Care (CDCC) Pilot Scheme to manage chronic diseases. The CDCC Pilot Scheme offers convenient screening services for diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT), as well as blood lipid testing. The goal is to achieve full coverage of the “three highs”, i.e. high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are among the leading causes of death in Hong Kong and remain the world’s number one killer. Last year, 10 111 registered deaths (provisional figures) were attributed to cardiovascular diseases, accounting for one-fifth (19.3 per cent) of all deaths. Of these, 65.1 per cent were due to heart disease.

     “The main behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are smoking, insufficient physical activity, an unhealthy diet and excessive alcohol consumption. These risk factors can also lead to overweight, obesity, raised blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids. Notably, 80 per cent of premature deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases are preventable by controlling risk factors and practising heart-healthy behaviours”, said the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui.

Major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases remain prevalent in Hong Kong. Surveys revealed that 83.9 per cent of persons aged between 15 and 84 had a salt intake exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit of less than 5 grams per day. The prevalence of overweight and obesity, raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and raised total blood cholesterol was 54.6 per cent, 29.5 per cent, 8.5 per cent and 51.9 per cent respectively. Although the Health Behaviour Survey 2023 showed that 14.8 per cent of adults did not meet the WHO’s recommended levels of aerobic physical activity, an improvement was noted from the 24.8 per cent recorded in the Population Health Survey 2020-22.

The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) promotes the Life Course Preventive Care Plan through District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses (collectively referred to as DHCs) and family doctors, in order to enhance public awareness on self-health management and disease prevention. Early identification and proper management of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including HT, DM and hyperlipidaemia, are equally crucial. The Government launched the three-year CDCC Pilot Scheme in 2023, subsidising Hong Kong residents aged 45 and above with no known medical history of DM or HT to be paired with family doctors for DM and HT screening services in the private healthcare market. In March this year, the CDCC Pilot Scheme was expanded to cover blood lipid testing, achieving full coverage of the “three highs”. Participants diagnosed with prediabetes, DM, HT or hyperlipidaemia after screening can proceed to the treatment phase and will be subsidised by the Government to continue their treatment with a family doctor of their choice, and subject to their health conditions, be provided with prescribed medication, a dedicated nurse clinic and allied health services. The CDCC Pilot Scheme reinforces the “Family Doctor for All” concept and expands the community healthcare network through the DHCs as resources hubs.

As of August 27 this year (halfway through its three-year pilot phase), over 150 000 citizens have already enrolled. It is expected that the target of having around 200 000 participants during the pilot period can be achieved earlier than expected. Approximately 91 600 participants (i.e. about 60 per cent) have completed the screenings and around 36 800 participants (i.e. 40 per cent) have been diagnosed with prediabetes, DM, HT or dyslipidaemia, and have proceeded to the treatment phase. For more details of the CDCC Pilot Scheme, members of the public may visit the dedicated website of the CDCC Pilot Scheme.

The theme for World Heart Day 2025 is “Don’t Miss a Beat”, emphasising the importance of protecting cardiovascular health and not overlooking any preventive measures. The Government will continue to promote healthy living among the public, and work closely with community partners to foster a supportive environment. For more information on healthy living, please visit the Change for Health website of the DH.

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 (September 29) on the traffic and public transport arrangements for the upcoming National Day Golden Week of the Mainland and the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday (October 1 to 8).
 
     During the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland and the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, in anticipation of a large number of members of the public, vehicles and Mainland visitors travelling to and from the Mainland or Macao via various land-based boundary control points (BCPs), the Transport Department (TD) urged the public and visitors to plan their trips in advance and allow sufficient travelling time.
 
     The public and visitors may visit the one-stop information platform on immigration clearance “Easy Boundary” (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound) newly launched by the Security Bureau or the TD’s HKeMobility mobile app for the latest information on various land-based BCPs more conveniently. The TD will provide information on the service and waiting time of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus), the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) and MTR on the platform.
 
     The TD has co-ordinated with local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to strengthen their services during inbound/outbound peak travelling hours between October 1 and 8, including:
 

• Increasing the frequency of the Gold Bus to an average of about one minute during peak hours;
• Increasing the frequency of the Yellow Bus to about two minutes at its highest frequency;
• Increasing the quota of cross-boundary coaches to strengthen services;
• The frequency of local franchised bus B routes connecting various land-based BCPs will also be increased to a level higher than that of normal weekends, and the operators concerned will reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand; and
• The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau at different times during the above period to provide convenience for the travelling public and visitors.

 
     It is anticipated that the waiting time for public transport services during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland and the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday may be longer. Passengers should make their journeys during non-peak hours, observe order while queuing and heed advice from on-site Police and staff of PTOs concerned. Passengers of cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.
 
     Of note, motorists are advised that, subject to actual traffic conditions, special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Port from October 1 to 8 to allow smooth access for public transport vehicles to the above control points. Cross-boundary private cars may need to queue up for crossing the BCPs. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. In case of traffic congestion, they should remain patient and follow the instructions of on-site Police.
 
     For the HZMB, to plan their journeys ahead, members of the public can make use of the TD’s HKeMobility mobile app or website (hkemobility.gov.hk/en/traffic-information/live/cctv) to access snapshots of traffic conditions at inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time situations of the vehicle clearance plaza of the Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts “hzmbzhport” or “zhuhaifabu” (traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/) (Chinese only), and check the forecast of peak hours of inbound and outbound vehicles at the HZMB Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official account of the HZMB integrated information dissemination platform (mp.weixin.qq.com/s/kjIcHlYEbwJ0B97GU9Vm0w) (Chinese only). Moreover, motorists are reminded to always comply with the traffic control measures implemented by the Zhuhai authority when driving on the HZMB Main Bridge. Vehicles shall not occupy the emergency lane unless instructed by the Zhuhai authority.
 
     The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to operate round the clock to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services of different districts including various BCPs and major stations. The TD will disseminate the latest traffic information through various channels. Members of the public are advised to check the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, and the HKeMobility.
 
     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 National Day Golden Week of the Mainland, 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

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
The University Grants Committee (UGC) held a presentation ceremony for the 2025 UGC Teaching Award today (September 29) to honour academics from UGC-funded universities for their outstanding teaching performances and achievements, as well as their leadership and scholarly contributions to teaching and learning within and outside their campuses.

Through a rigorous process, the Award Selection Panel selected the following three recipients from among over 20 outstanding nominees for the Award:

General Faculty Members
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Professor Shirley Ngai, Associate Head and Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

Early Career Faculty Members
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Professor Jeffrey Leung, Assistant Professor, School of Optometry, PolyU

Collaborative Teams
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Transdisciplinary Innovation Team, Hong Kong Baptist University, led by Professor William Cheung (Associate Vice-President (Transdisciplinary Education) and Professor, Department of Computer Science), with Dr Glos Ho (Director and Principal Lecturer, Division of Transdisciplinary Undergraduate Programmes), Professor Kingsley Ng (Associate Professor, Academy of Visual Arts), Professor Wendy Huang (Professor, Academy of Wellness and Human Development) and Professor Nick Zhang (Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism) as team members. 

The citations of the awardees are in the Annex.

The Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui, congratulated the awardees, finalists, and nominees for their remarkable achievements and expressed gratitude to all UGC-funded universities for their support of the UGC Teaching Award. He said, “The UGC is committed to enhancing teaching and learning, which lies at the heart of our higher education mission. By effectively utilising available resources, universities can cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and innovation that benefits all students. Our focus on collaboration and the sharing of best practices will not only elevate the quality of education but also uphold Hong Kong’s status as a leading international hub for higher education. Together, we can adapt to the evolving educational landscape and ensure our students are well-prepared for the future challenges.”

The Chair of the 2025 UGC Teaching Award Selection Panel and member of the UGC, Mr Philip Tsai, remarked, “The panel was highly impressed by the awardees’ remarkable skill, innovation, and passion for teaching. Professor Ngai’s visionary leadership in physiotherapy education has transformed the field through pioneering medical simulation and integrating advanced technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality. Professor Leung’s innovative AI-assisted clinical skill assessment system further enhances diagnostic training, showcasing his dedication to advancing healthcare education and fostering well-rounded, compassionate professionals. The Transdisciplinary Innovation Team unites faculty members, community leaders, and global partners to empower students in addressing real-world challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

The presentation ceremony was attended by members of the UGC and the Quality Assurance Council, council chairmen and senior management of UGC-funded universities, as well as nominees for the Awards.  

The UGC has also produced a series of short video clips to promote best practices by showcasing the teaching approach of the 2025 UGC Teaching Award recipients. The clips, together with the selection criteria and the composition of the Selection Panel, as well as the list of other finalists, are available on the UGC website www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/activity/ugc_teaching_award/result.html.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today convened the first working meeting of the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, focusing on discussing and guiding the future directions and strategies of the three working groups to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis.

The three working groups will commence work as soon as possible and fully advance the accelerated development of the Northern Metropolis according to the instructions given.

Mr Lee stated at the meeting that the Northern Metropolis possesses unique geographical advantages, with its land area and planned population intake accounting for about one-third of Hong Kong’s total.

He added that the project serves as a new engine for Hong Kong’s economic development, possessing enormous development potential and economic value.

Furthermore, the Chief Executive said the project will create many jobs, increase income and enhance the city’s overall competitiveness.

Mr Lee emphasised that expediting the high-efficiency development of the Northern Metropolis is an urgent and strategic priority for Hong Kong’s future development.

He stressed that the Government must spare no effort to seize development opportunities and advance Hong Kong’s economy towards a new phase of high value-added growth and strong competitiveness.

Mr Lee pointed out that over the past three years, the Government has formulated development plans as well as accelerated construction for the Northern Metropolis.

He outlined that the main purpose of establishing the committee, personally led by him, is to elevate the decision-making level of Northern Metropolis development, streamline administrative procedures, remove barriers, break through bottlenecks, and adopt new thinking to achieve construction goals that are safe, cost-effective, and time-saving.

The committee also aims to enact dedicated legislation to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis.

The 2025 Policy Address announced the establishment of the committee, under which three working groups would be set up.

The three working groups are the Working Group on Devising Development & Operation Models led by the Financial Secretary, the Working Group on Planning & Construction of the University Town led by the Chief Secretary, and the Working Group on Planning & Development led by the Deputy Financial Secretary.

Mr Lee directed the three working groups to convene meetings and commence work as soon as possible, report detailed work plans to the committee, and formulate plans for matters that can be advanced in the short term.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and senior government officials will attend a flag-raising ceremony and a National Day reception on October 1 (Wednesday) to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The flag-raising ceremony will be held at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai at 8am. Community leaders and members of uniformed groups will attend the ceremony. No public viewing area will be set up. The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and a choir from Hotung Secondary School and King’s College will sing the national anthem under the lead of two singers, Lam Kwok-ho and Li Yang, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services.

The National Day reception, led by the Chief Executive, will be held at the Grand Hall on Level 3 of the HKCEC after the flag-raising ceremony.

Motorists are reminded that the Police will implement special traffic arrangements at Golden Bauhinia Square and the nearby area during the celebration events.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, at the Youth Development Summit today (September 27):

President Xu (President of All-China Youth Federation, Mr Xu Xiao), Minister Yeoh (the Minister of Youth and Sports, Malaysia, Ms Hannah Yeoh), Deputy Minister AlMajed (the Deputy Minister of Society Development at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Ahmed Saleh AlMajed), Deputy Minister Keophilavong (the Deputy Secretary General of the Central Committee, Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union, Mr Souliya Keophilavong), Vice Minister Kochetov (the Vice Minister of Culture and Information, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Yevgeniy Kochetov), Deputy Director-General Qu (the Deputy Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Dr Qu Xing), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the second edition of the Youth Development Summit, a vibrant gathering that celebrates the boundless potential of our youth under the inspiring theme of “Connecting the World into the Future”. This theme captures our collective vision of empowering young people to forge connections across cultures and pave the way for a brighter, more interconnected tomorrow together. Last year, we launched this Summit with tremendous energy, with a view to sparking meaningful dialogues and a shared commitment to youth development as the cornerstone of the future of our city, our country and the world. This year, we take the next step together, building on that momentum to foster even deeper connections and opportunities for the next generation.

In this year’s Government Work Report at the 14th National People’s Congress, Premier Li Qiang called on Hong Kong to deepen international exchanges and co-operation. We embrace that call with concrete actions and plans. For our young people, it means opening doors to new horizons, where they can learn from the world and share Hong Kong’s unique story with pride. For our city, it is a chance to cement our role as “super connector”, bridging talent, ideas and aspirations across cultures and continents.

This very Summit is the embodiment of that spirit of connection and collaboration. We are joined today by distinguished officials, visionary leaders and innovators of different fields from around the globe, alongside youth delegates from diverse backgrounds. Together, you are the proof that when young minds come together, they ignite creativity, foster understanding, and drive innovation that transcends boundaries.

Central to our mission is the Youth Development Blueprint, which was released by my bureau in December 2022. Since its release, we have been taking forward youth development work alongside other policy bureaux, implementing at full steam some 160 measures set out in the Blueprint. Additionally, policy bureaux have introduced around 90 new measures to ensure that the Blueprint progresses with the times and is dynamic and responsive to the changing needs of our youth.

Across the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, bureaux and departments have various measures and initiatives in place to echo Premier Li’s call, and I am proud to highlight some of our key initiatives today.

One of our core focuses is opening up the world to our youth through exchange and internship opportunities. In addition to establishing a foothold in Hong Kong, we encourage young people to explore the rich history, culture and opportunities of our country and beyond. Our multi-pronged approach ensures that young people from all walks of life can access these experiences at different stages of their development.

We offer diverse internship opportunities in the Chinese Mainland and overseas, helping young people gain hands-on insights into workplace cultures, set career goals and build networks. Last year, around 5 000 young people took part in these programmes, ranging from working as interns inside world-class UNESCO heritage sites of the Palace Museum and Dunhuang Academy, to making meaningful contributions to international affairs through volunteer internships in the overseas field units of various United Nations agencies.

Beyond internships, we also have in place a wide spectrum of exchange programmes, deepening young people’s understanding of our country and the world, as well as fostering meaningful exchanges between them and young people around the world. Last year, more than 30 000 youth explored various provinces and cities in the Chinese Mainland, as well as 42 countries and regions across five continents. To ensure that grassroots youth would not be denied the opportunity to discover new horizons, we have especially launched a pilot scheme last year to provide additional subsidies for the underprivileged to participate in these exchange activities.

Looking ahead, as newly announced by our Chief Executive Mr John Lee in the 2025 Policy Address last week, we will launch a Young Talent Training Programme to expand opportunities for internships with international organisations and participation in global conferences. We will also introduce a new media thematic internship programme in the Chinese Mainland, which will further equip our youth to tell compelling stories on the global stage.

In addition to going global, we welcome with open arms young people from the Chinese Mainland and all over the world to visit Hong Kong. Last year, some 2 800 youth participated in our inbound exchange projects. This year, we have rolled out a number of enhancement measures to further encourage two-way exchange projects, fostering dialogues and friendships between Hong Kong youth and their peers across the Chinese Mainland and globally.

The Youth Development Summit itself is a flagship event for promoting international youth exchange. For today’s Summit, I am excited to share that we have gathered about 600 youth delegates from the Chinese Mainland and 33 countries. Aside from the Summit, we are also organising thematic visit programmes for them to explore Hong Kong together with local youth, which will enable them to learn more about Hong Kong’s latest development in technological innovation, culture and arts, etc and promote cross-territory youth exchange.

Closer to home, we are creating vibrant spaces to spark creativity and connection. Last year, we unveiled plans to transform the Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility into the “Youth Post” hostel, a dynamic place in a beautiful setting near the Victoria Harbour, fostering cultural, arts and sports exchanges. Since its trial launch in July this year, the Youth Post has hosted exciting activities such as skateboarding performances, busking sessions, and concert after-parties tied to Kai Tak Sports Park. Some of the youth delegates joining us at this Summit are actually staying on-site, experiencing its vibrant atmosphere firsthand. With feedback from our youth, we are gearing up for its official opening this year. Over the next five years, the Youth Post plans to host around 100 diverse activities, offering affordable accommodation for youth visitors from the Chinese Mainland and abroad while fostering exchanges that inspire creativity.

Alongside promoting international youth exchange, youth engagement is also at the heart of our youth development efforts. Youth Link, a youth network we launched in September 2023, now connects over 18 000 members. It bridges participants from various government youth programmes, offering them the opportunities to develop talents and build trust with the Government. Members have participated in Youth Dialogue sessions with senior government officials and outbound exchange tours, volunteered at major government events, and even attended international events. For example, several Youth Link members represented Hong Kong, China, at the official youth development programme under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) framework held in Peru in November last year, engaging in meaningful exchanges with peers across the region.

We are also expanding physical spaces for youth engagement. Youth Square, located in Chai Wan as a dedicated hub for youth development, provides a vibrant venue for young people to connect and learn through events and activities. By year-end, its first phase of renovations will unveil a new interactive space and video studio. Coupled with the “Good Stories of Hong Kong Youth” Programme, young people will create videos to share inspiring stories about Hong Kong, supported by training in production and filming. Similarly, in the dynamic district of Sham Shui Po, known for its rich cultural heritage and bustling creative energy, the renovations at the Nam Cheong District Community Centre and the adjacent Tung Chau Street Temporary Market will provide a lively hub for Youth Link members to connect and grow their networks. The first phase of the renovation works will be completed by the end of this year.

While our bureau spearheads many youth development initiatives, we work hand in hand with all bureaux to advance this shared mission. For example, the Education Bureau plays a vital role in broadening global horizons for students. Since the 2016/17 academic year, the Belt and Road Scholarship has encouraged outstanding students from 49 Belt and Road countries to pursue publicly-funded undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Hong Kong. Over 680 students have been awarded the scholarship to date. We are thrilled to have over 70 of these awardees with us at the Summit this morning, bringing diverse insights to our discussions. The Scheme for Subsidy on Exchange for Post-secondary Students, introduced in 2015 and later expanded to Belt and Road regions in 2016 and 2019, aids students in participating in international exchanges, internships, service programmes, and competitions, with 35 institutions participated in 2024/25. Furthermore, life-wide learning strategies, supported by a flexible curriculum and grants such as the Life-wide Learning and Sister School Grant and the Student Activities Support Grant, enable students from all backgrounds to engage in STEAM competitions and study tours outside ordinary classroom settings, cultivating informed and responsible global citizens.

Ladies and gentlemen, our young people are stepping into a world that is more interconnected yet more challenging than ever. Through these initiatives, we are equipping them not just to navigate this changing landscape but to shape it with confidence and purpose.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to the Youth Development Blueprint, scaling up partnerships and opportunities to make international exchange a transformative experience for the next generation. With the unique positioning of Hong Kong, anchored in our country and open to the world, we are determined to be the “super connector” our youth need. I invite you all to join us in this mission. Together, we can unlock endless possibilities for our young people and, in doing so, for our shared global future. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department will launch the “Face Easy e-Channel” service at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) tomorrow, enabling eligible Hong Kong residents to complete arrival clearance by facing the e-Channel cameras for identity verification.

Starting September 30, Hong Kong residents aged 11 or above, who choose to use HKIA’s Flight Token upon departure with a required document, and subsequently arrive at HKIA with the same document, are eligible to use the new service.

They should use a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport; Hong Kong SAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes; Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong & Macao Residents, commonly known as the Home Visit Permit; or Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens).

When using the “Face Easy e-Channel” service, eligible Hong Kong residents only need to face the cameras, and arrival immigration clearance will be completed upon successful verification of identity via facial recognition technology.

Throughout the entire process, they do not need to present any documents or the Contactless e-Channel encrypted QR code.

The new service will provide a faster and more convenient automated arrival clearance for Hong Kong residents. They can still choose to use fingerprint verification technology for automated immigration clearance, or traditional counters for immigration clearance.

For enquiries, call 2824 6111, send a fax to 2877 7711, or send an email.