MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (December 19) that, with effect from next Monday (December 22), the eligible age for using the self-service immigration clearance (e-Channel) service by holders of Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP), People’s Republic of China (PRC) passport holders, and departing visitors using “Smart Departure” will be adjusted to 7 years old or above.
 
     The ImmD has consistently leveraged technology and implemented various measures to enhance service standards and increase passenger processing capacity at control points. At present, holders of e-EEP, PRC passport holders and departing visitors using “Smart Departure” who are aged 11 or above are eligible to use the e-Channel service. To further enhance clearance efficiency at control points and enable more eligible visitors to Hong Kong to use the fast and convenient e-Channel service, the ImmD will adjust the applicable age for such visitors to use the e-Channel service starting from next Monday. Eligible visitors aged 7 or above may use the e-Channels for self-service immigration clearance at all control points.
 
     For details regarding the use of the e-Channel service by holders of e-EEP, PRC passport holders and departing visitors, please visit the ImmD website (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/echannel_visitors.html). For enquiries, please call the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111, fax to 2877 7711 or send an email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive in Council has authorised the proposed reclamation works within an area of about 46 hectares of foreshore and seabed to the southwest of Tseung Kwan O Area 137 (TKO 137) and within an area of about 55 hectares of foreshore and seabed to the southeast off Tseung Kwan O Area 132 (TKO 132). The notice was gazetted today (December 19).

The proposed works at TKO 137 include the construction of about 1.7 kilometres of seawall, filling of the seabed to form about 20 hectares of land for housing and community facility development, and reprovisioning of temporary facilities. The proposed works off TKO 132 include the construction of about 1.3km of seawall, and filling of the seabed to form about 20 hectares of land for accommodating public facilities.

The notice of authorisation, together with its related plan, is posted near the site. The notice and the plan are also available for inspection at:

* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);
* Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Sai Kung District Office (G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories); and
* Lands Department’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.

​Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed that will be injuriously affected by the above reclamation may deliver a written claim for compensation to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, on or before December 19, 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Government gazetted today (December 19) the proposed road works for the Development of San Tin Technopole Phase 2 Works.

Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building,
269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories

District Lands Office, Yuen Long,
9/F, Yuen Long Government Offices,
2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories

The gazette notice, scheme, plans and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.

Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than February 20, 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (December 19) invited tenders for the Widening of Yuen Long Highway (Section between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange) (Contract No. HY/2025/13).

     The works are scheduled to commence in July 2026 and will take about 48 months to complete. The works mainly include:

• widening of an approximately 3-kilometre-long section of Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange from a dual three-lane carriageway to a dual four-lane carriageway;
• widening of a section of the slip road connecting between Hung Tin Road (southbound) and Yuen Long Highway (eastbound) from a single-lane carriageway to a two-lane carriageway;   
• modification of the Yuen Long Highway and/or associated slip roads near Lam Tei Quarry, Tin Shui Wai West Interchange and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange; and 
• carrying out other associated works including geotechnical works, landscaping works, road and drainage, waterworks, public lighting, noise barriers, street furniture, environmental mitigation measures and traffic control and surveillance system. 

     The HyD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited as the consultant to design and supervise the construction works. Interested tenderers must download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS).  

     The invitation to tender was gazetted today. Tenderers shall submit completed tenders in electronic format via e-TS. Submission of tenders will close at noon on February 6, 2025 (Friday).

     For enquiries, please contact AECOM Asia Company Limited at 3922 9000.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (December 19) the reappointment of the Chairman, the Vice-chairman and 19 incumbent members, as well as the appointment of two new members, namely Mr Terry Lai Ka-wai and Mr Victor Yuen Yui-ching, to the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC). Their appointments will take effect from January 1, 2026, for a term of two years.
 
     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “The RAC has been playing an important role in advising the Government on the development of Hong Kong’s rehabilitation services. Members reappointed and newly appointed come from diverse backgrounds, including representatives of persons with disabilities and carers to better gauge their needs. I look forward to members’ valuable advice on rehabilitation services, with a view to strengthening support for persons with disabilities and building a caring and inclusive community.”
 
     The membership list of the RAC with effect from January 1, 2026, is as follows:

Chairman
———–
Mr Fung Pak-yan
 
Vice-chairman
—————-
Dr Kevin Lau Kin-wah
 
Non-official members
———————–
Mr Arthur Cheung Man-to
Mr Thomas Chu Sai-ming
Ms Jody Kwok Fu-yung
Mr Terry Lai Ka-wai
Mr Raymond Lai Kwan-ho
Dr Freddy Lam Man-hin
Mr Lam Yiu-kwok
Mr Lau Min
Ms Lee Po-chun
Mr Dannuel Leung Po-chung
Ms Leung Tsui-han
Ms Reginia Leung Wun-kam
Ms Perina Li Siu-fan
Dr Lui Wai-cheung
Professor Ming Wai-kit
Mr Alvin Miu
Ms Ada Ng Ka-lai
Mr Eddie Suen Kwok-tung
Mr Sze Yan-kit
Ms Mandy Tang Hoi-man
Professor Frances Wong Kam-yuet
Dr Ryan Wong Man-yeung
Mr Wong Yu-tung
Dr Woo Chi-wood
Ms Julia Yan Yuming
Ms Yang Elizabeth Ling
Mr Nelson Yip Siu-hong
Mr Victor Yuen Yui-ching
 
Ex-officio members
———————–
Secretary for Education or representative
Director of Health or representative
Director of Social Welfare or representative
Chief Executive, Hospital Authority or representative
Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Labour and Welfare Bureau

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     To encourage recycling and upcycling of yard waste in the community, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 19) called on members of the public and commercial and industrial (C&I) organisations to recycle their natural Christmas trees waste (NCTs) intended for disposal under the 2025-26 NCTs Recycling Programme. The NCTs collected will be processed at Y·PARK and turned into different recycled products, such as mulch and sawdust for planting and gardening. The programme arrangements are as follows:

Collection Period: January 3 to 7, 2026 (five days)
Collection Points: The following Central Collection Point and District Collection Points
 

Central Collection Point (CCP)	Address	Telephone	Collection Time
Y·PARK	Lung Kwu Sheung Tan, Tuen Mun (Location is attached at Annex)	5743 9221	9am to 6pm
District Collection Points (DCPs) (including EPD’s Recycling Stations and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department’s Public Refuse Collection Points (RCPs))	Address	Telephone	Collection Time
(Only household NCTs 2 metres tall or below will be accepted.)
Hong Kong Island
1. GREEN@EASTERN	30 Oi Shun Road, Shau Kei Wan	2778 2330	8am to 8pm
2. GREEN@WAN CHAI	6 Wan Shing Street, Wan Chai	2811 1567
3. Ap Lei Chau Municipal Services Building RCP	Ap Lei Chau Municipal Services Building, 8 Hung Shing Street, Ap Lei Chau	Not applicable	7am to 11.30pm
4. Arbuthnot Road RCP	Junction of Arbuthnot Road and Caine Road, Central		6.30am to 5.30pm
5. Paterson Street RCP	Junction of Paterson Street and Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay		24 hours
Kowloon
6. GREEN@KWUN TONG	27 Sheung Yee Road, Kowloon Bay	2776 5700	8am to 8pm
7. GREEN@SHAM SHUI PO	339 Tung Chau Street, Sham Shui Po	2522 4388
8. GREEN@WONG TAI SIN	168, Po Kong Village Road, Wong Tai Sin	5305 3326
9. Sai Yee Street (Flower Market Road) RCP	188 Sai Yee Street, Mong Kok	Not applicable	6.30am to 11pm
New Territories
10. GREEN@SHA TIN	10 On Ping Street, Shek Mun	2285 9433	8am to 8pm
11. GREEN@YUEN LONG	65 Tin Wah Road, Tin Shui Wai	5407 7435
12. GREEN@TUEN MUN	5 Lung Chak Road, Tuen Mun	2496 4288
13. GREEN@KWAI TSING	12 Tam Kon Shan Road, Tsing Yi	3905 4840
14. GREEN@TAI PO	25 Dai Wah Street, Tai Po	3468 8073
15. GREEN@ISLANDS	1 Chung Mun Road, Tung Chung	2499 2308
16. GREEN@SAI KUNG	3 Po Lam Lane, Tseung Kwan O	2727 7330

Note: If members of the public and C&I organisations have to recycle NCTs before January 3 or during January 8 to 20, 2026, please deliver them to Y·PARK during its operating hours (9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, except public holidays).

     An EPD spokesman said the Programme is limited to the recycling of NCTs, and all lighting, plastic stands, decorations and tape on the NCTs should be removed before delivery to facilitate the subsequent recycling processes. Artificial Christmas trees and other festival decorations can be kept for reuse to help reduce waste and conserve resources, while small potted plants such as poinsettias can be replanted.

     An e-certificate will be issued to the participants who deliver NCTs to the CCP or the Recycling Stations for recycling. Participants will also receive a gift upon delivery of NCTs to the Recycling Stations while stocks last. For details of the NCTs Recycling Programme, please visit the Hong Kong Waste Reduction website at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk/article/2025-26-natural-christmas-trees-recycling-programme.

     The EPD also welcomes other organisations and associations to provide recycling services for NCTs to help the public and C&I organisations participate and enhance waste reduction efforts for all.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed “Magpie” between December 3 and 10 to combat illegal activities involving party room operators providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business.

     Through intelligence analysis and with the assistance of copyright owners, Customs earlier identified a number of party rooms suspected of possessing and providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. Customs officers then took enforcement action and raided eight party rooms in various districts, including Kwun Tong, Kowloon Bay, San Po Kong, Mong Kok, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwai Chung and Yuen Long. A total of eight sets of karaoke devices used for playing suspected infringing songs, one set of suspected infringing game console and a batch of audio and video equipment with a total estimated market value of about $240,000 were seized. Two male persons-in-charge of the party rooms, aged 27 and 42, were arrested on suspicion of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. Both arrested persons were released on bail pending the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests are not ruled out.

     During the investigation, Customs found six party rooms located in industrial buildings that were suspected of breaching the lease conditions, and the cases have been referred to the Lands Department for further follow-up action.

     Customs reminds business operators to comply with the Ordinance and to make enquiries to copyright owners on matters relating to the use of musical visual recordings in the course of business.

     With the Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to resolutely combat different kinds of infringing activities to safeguard the rights of copyright owners.

     Under the Ordinance, any person, who without the licence of the copyright owner of a copyright work, possesses infringing copies of a copyright work for the purpose of, or in the course of, any trade or business with a view to it being used by any person commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing 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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 19) announced that the 56th Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be open for applications from January 1 to 31, 2026.
 
     Starting from January 1, 2026, applications will be invited for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the TD no later than January 31, 2026. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot.
 
     The application form (TD 569) and the Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_application/index.html) or obtained from the TD’s Licensing Offices as well as the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.
 
     Interested persons should complete and submit the application form through one of the following ways:
 
(a) By post to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Applications received by post will be dated by the postmark; 
 
(b) Via the drop-in box at any of the TD’s Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin. For easy identification, please mark “PVRM Application” on the envelope of the application; or
 
(c) Through the online application service on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/ospvrm.htm) if the applicant possesses an “iAM Smart+” account with the digital signing function (for Hong Kong residents only) or a digital certificate.
 
     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application form. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service on the GovHK website.
 
     No payment of deposit is required when submitting an application. Each applicant can submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, all of his or her applications will not be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
 
     Upon successful submission of an online application, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement immediately. Those who submit applications by post or drop-in box will receive the TD’s acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call 2804 2600.