Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
One remaining Hong Kong Flower Show fast food stall to be rented on December 29
The fast food stall, numbered F5, measures 5 metres x 10m. The letting price is $31,010 and the security deposit is $6,012.
Those wishing to rent the stall must be 18 years old or above, and ordinarily be a resident in Hong Kong under section 2 of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), or any company incorporated in Hong Kong. Where the renter is a company, the authorised representative of the company must produce the following documents: (i) the company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate; and (ii) an authorisation letter showing that the representative is authorised to act on the company’s behalf in the rental and to sign the Licence Agreement on the company’s behalf. Interested parties must bring cash or a cheque (post-dated cheques will not be accepted), or use the Faster Payment System or one of the Chinese Mainland’s licensed digital wallets to pay the rent. Renters should approach the Secretariat of the Hong Kong Flower Show in person at 11/F, Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the 10-day Hong Kong Flower Show 2026 will be held from March 20 to 29 at Victoria Park. The 54 commercial stalls in the showground include 42 flower and gardening stalls, six fast food stalls, two handicraft stalls, two beverage stalls, one photographic equipment stall, and one book stall.
For enquiries, please call 2601 8260 or visit www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2026/commercial.htmlIssued at HKT 10:00
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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1 million at airport (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 20) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1 million.
A male passenger, aged 23, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags in his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (December 22).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
HA clarifies survey on family medicine and primary healthcare consultations
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 21) clarified regarding a survey conducted by the Society for Community Organization about family medicine and primary healthcare consultations. The HA noted that over 60 per cent of respondents were Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients or Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) recipients, and the survey indicated that most respondents were concerned about the impact of public healthcare fees and charges reform on their willingness to seek medical consultation. The HA emphasises that the fees and charges reform will not affect the current approximately 600 000 individuals eligible for full fee waivers (including CSSA recipients, OALA recipients aged 75 or above, and Residential Care Service Voucher holders at co-payment Level 0). Their full fee waivers will automatically continue after the fees and charges reform implementation on January 1 next year. In fact, one of the key measures of the public healthcare fees and charges reform is to expand the current medical fee waiver mechanism, increasing the number of eligible beneficiaries outside these three social welfare schemes from the current 300 000 to 1.4 million people, which is 1.1 million people additional, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to nearly 2 million.
Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) primarily serve two types of patients: chronic disease patients with stable conditions (such as diabetes) and patients with mild episodic illnesses (such as common cold). Chronic disease patients will be arranged follow-up appointments after consultation, requiring no self-booking. Patients with episodic illnesses can book appointments for morning, afternoon, or evening sessions within the next 24 hours through telephone or the “HA Go” application. The booking system operates round the clock and updates available slots in real time, including cancelled appointments.
As a safety net for vulnerable groups, the HA has repositioned FMCs according to the Government’s Primary Healthcare Blueprint, focusing on providing comprehensive preventive services for low-income families and underprivileged elderly. Consultation duration is adjusted based on patients’ clinical conditions. To cope with demand, the HA continues to increase quotas, with new clinics in North District and Tseung Kwan O South commencing services in 2024 and 2025. The number of clinics providing holiday services has increased to 15 in 2025, with plans to further increase quotas and explore extended service hours in 2026-27.
Additionally, the government launched the “Family Medicine Out-patient Priority Groups Pilot Scheme” in November 2025, covering specific groups including elderly aged 65 or above, CSSA recipients, and Working Family Allowance beneficiaries. Approximately 800 000 individuals can make priority booking for episodic illness consultation services.
Public transport for Tai Po enhanced
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
In relation to last month’s fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Transport Department (TD) said today it has been steering public transport operators to enhance franchised bus and green minibus services, as well as residents’ services, to support households living in transitional housing in various districts.
The TD highlighted that an additional service route for residents, NR977, will be introduced, connecting Tai Po Market Station with CONCORDIA Tsat Sing Kong and CONCORDIA Sheung Yue River in Yuen Long.
Financial aid
As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.7 billion. Factoring in the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, the fund now amounts to around $4 billion.
Accommodation support
As of this morning, under the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, 572 residents are staying in hotel rooms, while 563 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,513 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Hong Kong Housing Society, or at Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.
Currently, more than 1,000 units are still available to affected residents as longer-term accommodation. The transitional housing and Housing Society projects in various districts can altogether provide around 500 units at present. Moreover, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can offer around 900 units.
Relief supplies
On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 2,000 registrations have been received. Over 29,000 donated items have been distributed.
Coupures d’électricité : le gouvernement demande des explications aux opérateurs
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Face à la recrudescence des coupures d’électricité observées ces derniers mois en Nouvelle-Calédonie, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie a saisi les deux opérateurs du secteur, ENERCAL et EEC, afin d’obtenir des explications précises sur l’origine de ces interruptions.
Christopher Gygès, membre du gouvernement en charge notamment de l’énergie, a adressé un courrier aux directeurs des deux sociétés pour leur demander une analyse détaillée des causes de ces coupures – qu’elles soient d’ordre technique, organisationnel ou structurel – ainsi que les mesures correctives soient mises en œuvre ou envisagées.
Dans ce cadre, une réunion de travail est programmée le mardi 23 décembre à 16h30, au gouvernement, afin de :
- échanger avec les opérateurs ;
- évaluer la situation ;
- identifier les leviers permettant d’améliorer la continuité et la fiabilité de l’alimentation électrique.
Le gouvernement rappelle que la qualité et la sécurité de l’approvisionnement en électricité constituent un enjeu majeur pour les usagers, les entreprises et les services publics, dans un contexte économique et social déjà contraint.
Smart training aids rehabilitation
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Seventy-year-old Mr Lau has been experiencing difficulty walking ever since he suffered a stroke last year. After having another stroke earlier this year, he is currently participating in the Pok Oi Hospital “Jockey Club Smart Geriatric Day Hospital Project”, which enables patients to undergo physiotherapy and occupational therapy at home or in their residential care homes for the elderly as part of their rehabilitation.
“I do exercises in the morning and afternoon,” he said. “I am quite hardworking because I want to recover soon. I have made progress with some of the activities, such as the dressing exercise, which trains my hand to lift higher. I used to feel pain when moving my right hand, but now I do not.”
He was also enthusiastic about a hiking routine that has enhanced his mobility. “At first, I needed to rest partway through, but now I can complete the entire route at once.”
Greater convenience
The programme allows elderly residents to undergo rehabilitation in familiar surroundings without the need for lengthy and tiring hospital trips. Lydia Au, a manager at the care home where Mr Lau resides, said the initiative helps residents to stay active and engaged during recovery.
“With the tablet provided by the hospital, they can now do the exercises any time they want and complete them on their own, which builds their confidence and sense of achievement. The programme was launched after an assessment confirmed our care home environment was suitable.”
Smart technologies
Pok Oi Hospital launched the “Jockey Club Smart Geriatric Day Hospital Project” with $14 million in funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, after being included on the Chief Executive’s Community Project List.
The funding supports the adoption of a smart training model that incorporates virtual reality, augmented reality and tele-rehabilitation technologies at the facility’s geriatric day hospital. The approach allows patients to train remotely without the need for frequent hospital visits.
Patients’ performance data are uploaded to a digital platform, enabling healthcare professionals to monitor progress and design personalised rehabilitation plans. Since the project was launched last year, approximately 350 patients have benefited, with the number of patients treated increasing by more than 20% year on year.
Fewer visits
Pok Oi Hospital Chief of Service of Department of Medicine & Geriatrics Dr Tony Chan said the programme mainly benefits elderly patients who experience mobility issues after hospitalisation.
“Our target patients include those recovering from stroke, hip fracture or dementia because they all require very intensive training.”
Previously, patients would undergo on-site training twice weekly for eight weeks, for a total of 16 hospital sessions. Under the new arrangement, they now only need to visit the hospital once a week from the fifth week onwards.
“Through these exercises, we hope to help them improve their mobility and cardiopulmonary function, as well as restore their ability to carry out daily activities independently.”
To make rehabilitation more enjoyable, cultural elements have been integrated into the exercises. “For example, some games feature mahjong or cartoon backgrounds of the Big Buddha on Lantau Island and the Tsing Ma Bridge to make the training sessions more interesting and engaging for elderly participants.”
Positive results
To evaluate the programme’s effectiveness, Pok Oi Hospital has collaborated with Lingnan University on a comprehensive study. Explaining its findings, Lingnan University School of Graduates Studies Senior Lecturer Chloe Siu said innovative tele-rehabilitation training achieves better results than traditional methods in several aspects.
“Older adults who joined the six-metre walking test walked significantly faster than those undergoing conventional therapy,” she said. In occupational therapy, meanwhile, patients showed clear improvements in hand fine motor functions and cognitive functions, as well as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.
Deputy Commissioner of Police encourages graduates to jointly safeguard Hong Kong citizens (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Deputy Commissioner of Police encourages graduates to jointly safeguard Hong Kong citizens
In his address, Mr Yip said that upon officially taking up frontline duties, graduates must bear in mind that they are not merely law enforcers, but also guardians ensuring a peaceful and safe living environment for the citizens. He hoped they would embody the professional spirit of “going the extra mile” and “thinking more carefully and deeply”.
He highlighted that, in response to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last month, various government units worked in concert to provide comprehensive support to affected victims throughout rescue and recovery efforts. The HKPF also mobilised a significant number of officers to assist in rescue operation and follow-up relief work, and conduct investigation.
He said police officers tried to promptly ascertain the status of missing persons for the distressed families, sparing them enduring regret. Professional investigation has been initiated with a view to holding those responsible accountable and upholding justice. Officers endured psychological stress in the search for bodies at the fire scene. They also maintained order to facilitate citizens who wished to pay their respects, while remaining vigilant against a small minority of ill-intentioned individuals seeking to exploit the disaster to sow discord, divide society, or even disrupt emergency recovery efforts. He described these police tasks as profoundly meaningful yet immensely challenging.
He pointed out that, by staying united and steadfast in carrying out their duties, Force members completed a large-scale search operation, which was originally expected to take several weeks, in approximately one week. This once again demonstrated the HKPF’s spirit of “rising to the challenges and emerging even stronger”.
Mr Yip concluded that policing has always been a demanding profession, marked by unforeseeable challenges, weighty responsibilities and a long journey ahead. He urged the graduates to stay committed to their original aspiration and to uphold the spirit of “rising to the challenges and emerging even stronger” when facing future challenges. He emphasised that it should serve as the driving force inspiring them to shoulder their mission with dedication, to strive forward with renewed vigour, and to pursue excellence.
Issued at HKT 13:32
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Kuala Lumpur ETO promotes original Hong Kong comics in Malaysia (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur ETO) is today (December 20) supporting Hong Kong comic enterprises participating in the Hong Kong Pavilion at Comic Fiesta 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to promote original Hong Kong comics to the local public and facilitate exchanges and collaboration between the Hong Kong comic industry and its international counterparts.
The Hong Kong Pavilion, organised by the Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation and funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, showcases the latest comic works published by 16 Hong Kong comic artists selected in the 4th HK Comics Support Programme under the CreateSmart Initiative. A live drawing demonstration will also be conducted at the Pavilion to engage with members of the public.
Speaking at the opening ceremony for the Hong Kong Pavilion, Deputy Director of the Kuala Lumpur ETO Mr Leonard Lam said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been continuously nurturing local comic artists and supporting the growth of Hong Kong comic enterprises through the CreateSmart Initiative funding, with a view to consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a hub for creative industries in Asia.
Mr Lam added that, since its launch in 2021, the Programme has successfully published 63 original Hong Kong comic works and secured around 40 licensing agreements for foreign-language editions, effectively helping Hong Kong comic enterprises expand into overseas markets. With the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur ETO, the HKSAR Government will continue to foster economic and trade exchanges and cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and Malaysia, further strengthening ties between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.
Also attending the opening ceremony were the Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, the Director of Malaysia of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Hoh Jee Eng, as well as industry leaders from Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Comic Fiesta is one of the largest comic exhibitions in Malaysia. The two-day exhibition will conclude tomorrow (December 21).
Support fund reaches $4b
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 $3.7 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, the fund now amounts to around $4 billion.
Accommodation support
As of this morning, under the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau 581 residents are staying in hotel rooms, while 559 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,513 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Hong Kong Housing Society, or at Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.
Currently, more than 1,000 units are still avilable to affected residents as longer-term accommodation. The transitional housing and Housing Society projects in various districts can altogether provide around 500 units at present. Moreover, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can offer around 900 units.
Relief supplies
On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 2,000 registrations have been received. Over 29,000 donated items have been distributed.
Handling of reported missing people
Six missing person cases that were being followed up by the Casualty Enquiry Unit have been concluded. Five of the individuals died in the fire, while the remaining individual was found to have passed away in 2023.
In view of the latest situation, the Police Force will adjust the service hours of its casualty enquiry hotline for the Tai Po fire (1878 999) to 7am to 11pm daily, from tomorrow.
Furthermore, the forensic pathologist recently established, through scientific examination, that one set of human remains belongs to two deceased individuals. As a result, the number of deceased has increased to 161.
School campus relocation
From the 2026-27 school year, Tai Po Baptist Public School will use the premises of the former Church of Christ in China Kei Ching Primary School at Fu Shin Estate in Tai Po, allowing pupils to resume normal activities at a single school site.
Campus for Tai Po school revealed
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Education Bureau announced today that from the 2026-27 school year, Tai Po Baptist Public School will use the premises of the former Church of Christ in China Kei Ching Primary School at Fu Shin Estate in Tai Po.
The announcement follows discussions between the bureau and various government departments. It said the arrangement will allow all Tai Po Baptist Public School classes to resume normal activities at a single school site, enabling all students to continue their studies in a stable learning environment.
The former Church of Christ in China Kei Ching Primary School had been earmarked for conversion into an integrated social service complex.
The bureau has set up a dedicated working group to implement the new arrangement. It will also maintain close contact with Tai Po Baptist Public School and provide appropriate support.
Due to the recent fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the school’s existing campus will remain closed for a period of time. As a transitional measure, pupils from the school are attending face-to-face classes at the premises of Tai Po Government Primary School and NTWJWA Christian Remembrance of Grace Primary School, and will do so until the end of the current school year.