Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Reappointment of Permanent Judge of Court of Final Appeal
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA), today (September 18) welcomed the acceptance by the Chief Executive of the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on the reappointment of the Honourable Mr Justice Roberto Alexandre Vieira Ribeiro as a permanent judge of the CFA. He was grateful to Justice Ribeiro for agreeing to continue his service in the CFA. The Chief Justice noted that the Government would be seeking the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended reappointment.
The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance (Cap. 484) provides that in hearing and determining an appeal, the Court of Final Appeal shall be constituted by five judges, i.e. the Chief Justice, three permanent judges and one non-permanent Hong Kong judge or one non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction.
Issued at HKT 17:01
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4 building plans approved in July
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Buildings Department approved four building plans in July – one in Kowloon and three in the New Territories.
Of the approved plans, one was for an apartment development, one was for a commercial development, and two were for community services developments.
Consent was given for works to start on 16 building projects which, when completed, will provide 118,275 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 2,216 units and 44,053 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.
Additionally, the department has received notifications of commencement of superstructure works for nine building projects.
It also issued 17 occupation permits – three on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon and 11 in the New Territories.
The buildings certified for occupation comprise 179,523 sq m gross floor area for domestic use involving 2,391 units, and 32,713 sq m was for non-domestic use.
Meanwhile, the department received 2,773 reports about unauthorised building works in July and issued 705 removal orders.
Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao hold 2025 civil aviation high-level air traffic management meeting in Macao (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Director-General of the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Mr Miao Xuan; the Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Mr Victor Liu; and the President of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Stanley Pun, attended the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao 2025 civil aviation high-level air traffic management meeting in Macao yesterday (September 17).
The senior management of the three parties reviewed the overall progress and work plan of the Airspace Management Technical Sub-group and the Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) Technical Sub-group, including work progress and achievements in airspace optimisation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the ATFM in the Asia-Pacific region.
With regard to airspace management, the Tripartite Working Group (TWG) continued to follow up on the airspace simulation model evaluation. The fast-time simulation modelling was conducive to the implementation of the related airspace optimisation measures, enhancing the operational efficiency of flights in the GBA airspace.
For the ATFM, the TWG completed the preparation work for establishing the Asia-Pacific ATFM video conference, and the inaugural meeting was convened on September 15. By strengthening collaboration with regional partners and sharing real-time operational and weather information, the conference aims to optimise information exchange and enhance the efficiency and transparency of decision-making.
To support the orderly implementation of national policies on low-altitude economy (LAE), the three parties also exchanged views on cross-boundary low-altitude airspace operations. The three parties will continue to maintain close communication and collaboration under the work co-ordination mechanism of the CAAC’s General Aviation and LAE and the co-operative framework of their dedicated working group.
Mr Liu said that the TWG was putting forward various enhancement measures in phases. With the full support of the ATMB of the CAAC, the CAD will continue to actively promote these measures and, in accordance with the direction of the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the GBA, further strengthen and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.
Mr Liu continued his itinerary in Macao today (September 18). He paid a visit to Macau International Airport in the morning before departing for Hong Kong at noon.
Four building plans approved in July
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Buildings Department approved four building plans in July, with one in Kowloon and three in the New Territories.
Of the approved plans, one was for an apartment development, one was for a commercial development, and two were for community services developments.
In the same month, consent was given for works to start on 16 building projects which, when completed, will provide 118 275 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 2 216 units, and 44 053 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notifications of commencement of superstructure works for nine building projects.
The department also issued 17 occupation permits, with three on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon and 11 in the New Territories.
Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 179 523 sq m involving 2 391 units, and 32 713 sq m was for non-domestic use.
The declared cost of new buildings completed in July totalled about $11.2 billion.
In addition, four demolition consents were issued.
The department received 2 773 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in July and issued 705 removal orders on UBWs.
The full version of the Monthly Digest for July can be viewed on the Buildings Department’s homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).
President Lee to attend UN General Assembly
Source: Government of the Republic of Korea
Foreign Affairs
President Lee to attend UN General Assembly
President Lee Jae Myung on Sept. 23 will give a keynote speech at the 80th United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly in New York.
The Office of the President said his plan is to bolster solidarity with the international community and conduct diplomacy to raise the Republic of Korea’s status as a responsible global power.
President Lee will also be the first Korean head of state to chair an open debate as Korea this month holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council.
DH holds training workshop on comprehensive smoking cessation intervention for local, Mainland and Macao healthcare professionals (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH holds training workshop on comprehensive smoking cessation intervention for local, Mainland and Macao healthcare professionals
The training aims to enhance healthcare professionals’ skills in providing smoking cessation services. Content includes smoking cessation counselling, prevention of relapse, treatment of tobacco dependence, motivational interviewing in smoking cessation, case studies of smoking cessation and pharmacotherapy. The training provides healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary for different smoking cessation interventions, preparing them to help smokers quit smoking by various channels.
Since being designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in 2012, the DH has served as a regional hub for supporting training in smoking cessation treatment and services. It regularly provides training in smoking cessation treatment for healthcare professionals locally, on the Mainland and across the entire Western Pacific region. In addition to organising this training workshop, TACO organises the Annual Training Programme on Tobacco Control for tobacco control and smoking cessation practitioners across the Western Pacific region, and conducts Chinese Medicine (CM) Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Training Workshop to help frontline CM practitioners enhance their knowledge and skills in delivering cessation treatment.
Of the 144 healthcare professionals who participated in the training course this year, 43 were from Mainland China and Macao. This facilitated the exchanges of insights on tobacco control and the sharing of experiences in smoking cessation services among local and regional healthcare practitioners. Since 2021, a cumulative total of over 580 local and non-local healthcare professionals have participated in the training workshop on comprehensive smoking cessation intervention organised by the DH.
The Government has introduced various tobacco control measures, including strengthening smoking cessation services. In this connection, the DH will further promote smoking cessation services and provide continued support in cessation training and assistance. Members of the public can call 1833 183 or visit the smoking cessation thematic website for more information on quitting and the available support tools and services.
Issued at HKT 12:40
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Base rate lowered to 4.5%
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Monetary Authority announced today that it has decreased the base rate to 4.5% with immediate effect.
The decrease follows a 25-basis point downward shift in the target range for the US federal funds rate on September 17.
The base rate is the interest rate forming the foundation upon which the Discount Rates for repurchase transactions through the Discount Window are computed.
It is currently set at either 50 basis points above the lower end of the prevailing target range for the US federal funds rate or the average of the five-day moving averages of the overnight and one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rates, whichever is higher.
Séminaire de travail avec les communes
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Dans le cadre du dialogue permanent entre le gouvernement et les communes, un séminaire de travail se tiendra lundi 22 septembre 2025, de 8 heures à 12 heures, dans la commune de La Foa (Cinéma Jean-Pierre Jeunet).
Initié par Alcide Ponga, président du gouvernement, cet espace de travail a pour objectif d’écouter, partager et apporter des réponses concrètes aux préoccupations des communes, institution de proximité auprès des citoyens.
Les thématiques qui seront abordées au cours de la matinée concernent :
– La jeunesse ;
– La santé ;
– La sécurité, en lien avec le haut-commissariat ;
– Le financement des collectivités.
Cette réunion de travail se fera en présence du haut-commissaire de la République en Nouvelle-Calédonie Jacques Billant, et des membres du gouvernement.
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $13.4 million (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tuen Mun and Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (September 16) and today (September 17) respectively, and seized a total of about 1.2 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine, about 39kg of suspected ketamine and three suspected alternative smoking products with a total estimated market value of about $13.4 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tuen Mun yesterday evening, Customs officers intercepted a 51-year-old local man and seized about 1.17kg of suspected crack cocaine inside a paper bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted him to a residential unit nearby for a search and further seized about 30 grams of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia. The estimated market value of the drug was about $1.2 million.
The second case involved a male passenger and a female passenger, both aged 18, who arrived in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 39kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $12.2 million, from their respective check-in suitcases. Two suspected alternative smoking products and one suspected alternative smoking product was also found in the carry-on baggage of the female passenger and on the male passenger respectively. The two persons were subsequently arrested.
The arrested man in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of manufacture of a dangerous drug, and he will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 18). For the second case, an investigation is still ongoing.
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.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
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).
Hospital Authority welcomes “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, welcomed the healthcare service-related measures included in “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address” delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 17). The measures will facilitate the sustainable development of public healthcare services and the provision of services that meet patients’ needs.
The HA will fully dovetail with the Government’s policy direction to comprehensively implement various policy measures for public healthcare fees and charges reform. A dedicated team will be established to support patients who need to apply for various medical fee waivers and subsidies. Protection for patients with critical illnesses or emergency conditions will be strengthened, while providing citizens with more service options to address the various challenges that an ageing population brings to the healthcare system. Mr Fan said, “The HA will uphold the principle of increasing protection and reducing waste, ensuring medical care for poor, acute, serious and critical patients, promoting sustainable development of public healthcare services, and further improving the quality of public healthcare services.”
Furthermore, with strong government support, the HA will continue to optimise acute stroke services, including building stroke centres according to national accreditation standards, establishing green channels to reduce the time from hospital admission to treatment for acute stroke patients, improving treatment effectiveness and survival rates. The HA will also gradually advance the establishment of Integrated Cardiovascular Diseases Centres at suitable hospitals according to national accreditation standards, providing one-stop treatment and support services for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the HA will establish a dedicated team to adopt strategic procurement approaches, actively introducing suitable new drugs and innovative medical devices to increase treatment options for patients and enhance service quality.
The HA will continue to deepen AI applications, enhance services in diagnostic pathology, and implement measures to improve ophthalmology services. It will also strengthen support for cancer patients, including increasing genetic and genomic testing capabilities, Specialist Out-patient Clinics, radiotherapy, day chemotherapy, and cancer surgery service capacities. Furthermore, the HA will increase the overall bed capacity and operating theatre sessions to further enhance various patient services.
The HA will continue to adhere to the patient-centred principle to enhance the patient experience. A more convenient, comfortable and safe consultation experience will be provided for the elderly, persons with disabilities and pregnant women, to ensure services are delivered with a more human touch.
Mr Fan sincerely thanks the Government for its continuous support of public healthcare services. The HA will co-ordinate with the Government to deepen public healthcare reform work and implement governance reform to enhance the safety, quality, and efficiency of public healthcare services.