Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September
District
DistrictAmong the sixth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering nine survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering seven survey areas in September, all were below 10 per cent.
The FEHD has so far released six batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September 2025, covering 58 survey areas. Among these 58 survey areas, 49 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. August 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation had improved or maintained a low level. Nine other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD will disseminate the relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes, to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks’ surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Asia+ Festival to present Olivier Award winner South African choreographer Robyn Orlin’s work “We wear our wheels with pride” in October Orlin is globally revered for her bold theatricality and concepts. Her work, “We wear our wheels with pride”, has received widespread acclaim when staged in Europe. The programme is inspired by the rickshaw drivers once seen on the streets in South Africa who adorned themselves with tunics decorated with pearls and fringes, feathered headdresses and flamboyant cow horns. They painted their rickshaws with vibrant colours and pulled them with a bouncy, dance-like gait. Orlin reimagines the scenes on stage, captivating audiences with a stunning visual feast.
Moving Into Dance Mophatong inherits Zulu traditions, with both body language and visual elements rooted in the tribe’s heritage. Blending traditional and contemporary techniques, the dancers narrate the enduring history of Africa with powerful and fluid body movements. In the performance, dancers’ silhouettes are instantly projected onto giant screens, morphing into swirling, multi-coloured hues that reflect the Rainbow Nation’s spirit.
The live music is created by two South African musicians Annalyzer (Anelisa Stuurman) and Yogin Sullaphen, who fuse Khoisan chants and slam poetry with electronic beats, hip hop and Afrofusion, evolving into a unique soundtrack that perfectly complements the visuals.
Chief Executive John Lee led a number of Principal Officials to receive the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) earlier and called on members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible to build an immunity barrier in the community together.
Getting vaccinated sooner rather than later will also better protect their health and that of their family members, Mr Lee added.
The Chief Executive and some of the officials also received COVID-19 booster shots concurrently.
“Vaccination is one of the most effective means for preventing seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death arising from influenza.
“The Department of Health had earlier reminded members of the public that Hong Kong has entered the summer influenza season. Members of the public should get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves and their family members,” Mr Lee reiterated.
Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau made the same appeal, noting that various programmes fully commenced on September 25 to provide free or subsidised SIV services for eligible people, with the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme being advanced by three days to launch on September 22.
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Immigration Department repatriates 31 Vietnamese illegal immigrants to Vietnam The ImmD has been committed to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest. Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.
The ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process to repatriate illegal immigrants and overstayers from Hong Kong as soon as practicable according to the actual situation through appropriate measures as necessary. Issued at HKT 16:45
The Government welcomed the passage of the Basic Housing Units Bill by the Legislative Council today, which sought to introduce a regulatory regime for the letting of subdivided units (SDUs) in residential buildings.
The bill aimed to ensure the provision of safe and reasonable living conditions in SDUs, thereby tackling the issue of substandard SDUs in an orderly and comprehensive manner.
The Basic Housing Units Ordinance will be gazetted on October 3 and come into effect on March 1 next year.
The ordinance requires SDUs in residential buildings to comply with a set of minimum standards of living conditions, including minimum area, minimum height, fire safety, structural safety, separate toilet, water supply requirements, lighting and ventilation, as well as separate water and electricity meters, and to obtain Basic Housing Unit (BHU) recognition before they are allowed to be let out for habitation.
There will be criminal liability on the person who lets out unrecognised SDUs, while the tenants concerned will not be held liable, the Housing Bureau said.
Upon commencement of the ordinance, the bureau will start accepting applications for BHU recognition.
As a transitional arrangement to implement the BHU regulatory regime progressively, the bureau will concurrently launch a 12-month registration system for existing SDUs to make applications for registration to enjoy a 36-month grace period from March 1, 2027, which will enable necessary alteration works to be carried out gradually and applications for BHU recognition to be made.
To encourage SDU owners and/or operators to submit registration and recognition applications as early as possible, starting from March 1 next year, the Government will provide an “early-bird” reduction/waiver on recognition fees, i.e. application fees will be fully waived for early registration/application.
Upon completion of the registration period, the Government will begin to take orderly enforcement actions against the illegal letting of unregistered and unrecognised SDUs from March 1, 2027.
It will also provide appropriate temporary rehousing assistance to the affected households in need.
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said the Government will implement the BHU regulatory regime in an orderly manner, with a view to gradually resolving the deep-rooted social issue of substandard SDUs in Hong Kong and ensuring that members of the public can enjoy safe, hygienic and reasonable living conditions.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (September 26) appointments to the Accounting and Financial Reporting Review Tribunal (AFRRT) for a term of two years from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2027.
The Chief Executive, pursuant to the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588), has reappointed Mr Jonathan Chang Tien-yin, SC as the Chairman of the AFRRT.
The Financial Secretary, under the authority delegated by the Chief Executive pursuant to the Ordinance, has reappointed two incumbent members and appointed five new members to the Panel for the AFRRT. The incumbent panel members reappointed are Professor Terence Chong Tai-leung and Mr Louis Chow Ka-leung. The newly appointed members are Mr Eric Chow Chun-hin, Mr Mohan Datwani, Professor Fong Yuk-fai, Ms Anna Mae Koo Mei-jong and Mr Simon Tang Shu-pui.
Announcing the appointments, a spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “The AFRRT is a crucial safeguard, which ensures that specified decisions made by the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) in relation to the regulation of the accounting profession are fair and reasonable.”
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau also expressed gratitude to the outgoing members, Professor Chan Koon-hung, Professor Stella Cho Lung Pui-lan, Professor Hui Kai-wai, Mr Simon Wong Hin-wing and Ms Wong Yuen-chi, for their dedicated service during their tenure.
Upon the commencement of the new regulatory regime of the accounting profession on October 1, 2022, the former Public Interest Entities Auditors Review Tribunal has been renamed the AFRRT, with expanded jurisdiction to review, in response to applications by any aggrieved persons, specified decisions made by the AFRC in respect of registration and recognition of listed entities auditors, registration of practice units, issuance of practising certificates to certified public accountants, and disciplinary sanctions against listed entities auditors, practice units and certified public accountants.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (September 26) appointments to the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) Board.
The Financial Secretary, under the authority delegated by the Chief Executive pursuant to the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588), has reappointed Mr Roger Thomas Best, Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun and Ms Miranda Kwok Pui-fong as Non-executive Directors (NEDs) of the AFRC for a term of one year from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026; reappointed Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung, Dr James C Lin and Mr Edward Yuen Siu-bun as NEDs of the AFRC for a term of two years from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2027; and newly appointed Ms Clara Chan Yuen-shan, Ms Cindi Hui Ming-ming and Mr Charles Lip Sai-wo as NEDs of the AFRC for a term of two years from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2027.
Announcing the appointments, a spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “Since the launch of the new regulatory regime of the accounting profession in 2022, the AFRC Board has been steering the orderly discharge of its various regulatory powers over accounting professionals and practice units. As three new NEDs from a diverse professional background are coming onboard, we are confident that the AFRC will continue to strive for the effective regulation and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s accounting profession.”
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau would also like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Mr Eugene Fung Ting-sek, Mr Stephen Lee Hoi-yin, Ms Rosita Lee Pui-shan, Mr Francis Siu Wai-keung and Dr Peter Wan Kam-to for their dedicated services and valuable contributions to the AFRC as NEDs since October 2019.
Upon the commencement of the new regulatory regime of the accounting profession on October 1, 2022, the AFRC has become a full-fledged independent regulatory and oversight body of the accounting profession with expanded statutory functions of, inter alia, registration, inspection, investigation and discipline. It is also responsible for promoting and supporting the development of the accounting profession, as well as overseeing the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ performance of various statutory professional functions.
The Government announced today the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Development of International Aviation Superhub (ACDIAS) and its appointments.
Following the commissioning of the Three-Runway System (3RS) at Hong Kong International Airport last November, the Government is committed to charting the future course of the development of Hong Kong’s aviation industry and further enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.
To this end, the ACDIAS is established, in place of the existing Aviation Development & Three-Runway System Advisory Committee, to provide high-level advice on aviation policies, including directions of aviation development, implementation of the Airport City development, interfacing issues among the operation of the 3RS, Airport City development and projects in the vicinity, as well as other civil aviation matters.
Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said the National 14th Five-Year Plan has affirmed Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub. Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages under “one country, two systems”, and with the city’s globally connected aviation network and world-class airport infrastructure, Hong Kong is well placed to assume a more significant role in the area of aviation, both regionally and globally.
“Looking ahead, we will step up our efforts in proactively unleashing the full potential of the 3RS and contributing to the high-quality development and high-level opening up of our country. We believe that the ACDIAS will provide invaluable insights and bring Hong Kong’s aviation industry to new heights.”
Members of the ACDIAS come from various sectors, including aviation, business and finance, innovation and technology, logistics and transport, professions and academia, and tourism. The appointments are for two years starting from October 1.
The new energy efficiency grading standards for refrigerating appliances, washing machines and storage type electric water heaters under the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme will take full effect on September 30, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department announced today.
From September 30, those electrical appliances must bear energy labels in compliance with the new energy efficiency grading standards before they are supplied to the local market.
The reference number of the new energy label will carry the prefix “U3”.
The new standards aim to encourage suppliers to introduce more energy-efficient models and help consumers select such products, the department explained.
It elaborated that the implementation of the new grading standards is expected to bring an additional energy saving of about 270 million kilowatt-hours per year, equivalent to an annual reduction of carbon emissions by about 189,000 tonnes.
The Code of Practice on Energy Labelling of Products was revised last year, with the energy efficiency grading standards for the aforementioned products raised by about 30%. The 15-month transitional period will end on September 29.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Bus services to be enhanced amid ferry service adjustments on September 30 and October 3Central – Mui Wo
September 30 (Tuesday)Central – Peng Chau
September 30 (Tuesday)Peng Chau – Hei Ling Chau (special sailing)
September 30 (Tuesday)Central – Yung Shue Wan
September 30 (Tuesday)Central – Sok Kwu Wan
October 3 (Friday)Central – Ma Wan
September 30 (Tuesday)(2) Bus services to be enhanced
During the affected periods, operators will enhance bus services in Mui Wo, Ma Wan and Discovery Bay to ease passenger flow: Details of the above outlying island ferry service adjustments and special bus service arrangements are set out in the Annex.
(3) In-harbour ferries’ temporary service adjustmentsIssued at HKT 16:00