MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Government and different sectors of the community will launch a series of special offers and activities, covering the areas of public transport; culture, arts and leisure; as well as dining and consumption, to share the joy of National Day with the public.

     For public transport, members of the public can enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes and several ferry routes on October 1, with vouchers for certain ferry routes to be distributed in advance. The MTR will give away 76 000 e-single journey tickets to the public through a lucky draw on that day. Moreover, children using designated payment methods can ride most daytime bus routes of KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus and New Lantao Bus for free.

     For culture, arts and leisure, all commercial cinemas will provide half-price discounts on movie tickets on October 1. The public will also be offered free admission that day to a number of fee-charging leisure facilities in sports venues and exhibitions in museums of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Furthermore, additional free guided tours, dining, consumption and accommodation offers will be provided from mid-September to late October by the 14 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.

     As for dining and consumption, over 1 000 restaurants and merchants will provide dining offers on October 1, and several public markets under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will also roll out different offers. Moreover, members of the public can enjoy a 24 per cent discount when purchasing selected products at the “Local Fresh” physical store, online store or mobile app from October 1 to 7. The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY on October 1.

     In addition, Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park Hong Kong will offer ticket discounts, while Tai Kwun, the Peak Tram and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong will give out souvenirs to ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis. The West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Science Park, over 100 shopping malls and several department stores, as well as organisations including the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, will also roll out shopping, dining, consumption or parking offers.

     The Government thanks various sectors for actively responding to its call by launching special offers and activities to celebrate the 76th National Day with the public. Information about the offers and activities is available on the dedicated website (www.nationalday76.gov.hk). Relevant government departments and organisations will announce the details progressively in due course.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council (ExCo) meeting today (September 16):
 
Reporter: Just regarding your previous answer on the Same-sex Partnerships Bill, will you consider introducing new legislation to LegCo (Legislative Council) within this term to fulfil the court’s ruling or are you giving up on that since LegCo voted down the previous bill? Do you fear that this could lead to more judicial rulings in the future? And also, have you taken up any follow-up action with Stanley Ng, who was the only member of ExCo not to vote on the legislation? My second question has to do with the Hong Kong International School situation. Do you have any comment on the row between the International School and the US (United States) church, and what are you doing to ensure it doesn’t affect the lives of international students in the wider business community? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: In regard to the Same-sex Partnerships Bill that the Government introduced, this action was in full fulfilment of the rule of law. Under the Basic Law, the Judiciary, the Administration and also the Legislative Council have, respectively, their functions and duties. Courts make judgments based on facts and based on legal principles, free from interference. The Administration respects and practises the rule of law, and therefore, when the court makes a declaration about some requirements, the Government exercises its duties and functions to propose legislation so as to implement the legal decision. The Legislative Council, under the Basic Law, has the duty to scrutinise bills proposed by the Government, and to vote to support or not support the bill. So in this exercise, I think all the three functions are fulfilled very properly. In other words, courts exercise judicial functions independently, free from interference, according to legal principles. The Administration proposes legislation to fulfil the legal obligation, to respect and practise the rule of law. Legislative Councillors scrutinise the Bill, vote to support or not to support the Bill. So this exercise reflects that all three bodies dutifully fulfil their functions under the Basic Law. In fact, there have been some very unfair criticism about the Legislative Council, that they are a “rubber stamp”. That is a very unfair accusation, and the fact that they have exercised their duties and voted to represent their own thinking and the views from their constituencies reflect that LegCo Members are dutifully fulfilling their duties.
 
     Same-sex partnership is a contentious issue in Hong Kong, and that is why there have been a lot of views expressed, both in society and in LegCo, though one thing is very clear: the only form of marriage that is recognised under the Basic Law is heterosexual – male and female, and one to one. That principle hasn’t changed and will not be changed. We will, of course, examine how we can offer protection to same-sex partners so that their rights will be protected. A lot of these relate to healthcare and also to estate properties. We will examine how we can do that administratively. Regarding one member of ExCo being absent, he has been in communication with me. ExCo matters are not going to be disclosed.
 
     In regard to the dispute involving an international school, this is now a sub judice matter, so I won’t go into details, but the Government position is very clear. The standard of education cannot be affected. Students’ rights cannot be affected. These two principles are most important and have been duly related to the parties concerned. The relevant parties take heed of these important principles. The Education Bureau will monitor this very closely, and we’ll repeat that quality of education and students’ interests must be safeguarded. One other thing they should do is to ensure that the parents and the students should be informed regularly of the developments.
 
 (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs mounted an operation codenamed “Glitters” between August 26 and September 15 and successfully cracked down on a local money laundering syndicate and arrested four members of the syndicate who were suspected of making use of multiple company bank accounts to launder crime proceeds amounting to $2.6 billion.
 
Customs officers targeted a money laundering syndicate early this year and initiated a financial investigation. It was revealed that the syndicate had received suspicious funds through three local companies between August 2023 and January 2025, with the total amount reckoned at $2.6 billion.
 
After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers took enforcement action. Three local males and one local female, aged between 25 and 56 and suspected to be connected with the case, were arrested for “dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (commonly known as money laundering) under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO). They were believed to be two masterminds and two core members of the syndicate.
 
During the operation, Customs raided multiple premises in Hong Kong, including multiple residential premises and commercial units. A batch of items suspected to be connected with the case, including mobile phones, computers, company and bank documents, and bank cards, was seized. Customs also arranged to freeze assets totalling $2.5 million held by the arrestees.  
 
The investigation is ongoing. The four arrestees have been released on bail pending further investigation, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
Under the OSCO, a person commits an offence if he or she deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly represents any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years, while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.

Members of the public may report any suspected money laundering 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 – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong:
 
     The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong announced today (September 16) the results of the Pharmacist Registration Examinations held in June 2025.
 
     There were 35, 82 and 47 candidates sitting for examinations in pharmacy legislation in Hong Kong, pharmacy practice and pharmacology respectively, with corresponding passing rates of 17.14 per cent, 12.20 per cent and 55.32 per cent.
 
     Apart from meeting other requirements prescribed by the Board, any pharmacy graduate outside Hong Kong intending to be registered as a pharmacist in Hong Kong is required to pass the above three subjects.
 
     The Board conducts its Registration Examinations twice a year, normally in June and December.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (September 16) welcomed the entry into force of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on September 15 (Geneva time) upon acceptance by two-thirds of the WTO members.

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, “We sincerely congratulate the WTO on implementing this historic agreement, which is the first WTO agreement with environmental sustainability at its core. This not only marks a step forward for ocean sustainability but also underscores that the WTO remains relevant in addressing issues of global concern.”

     “The AFS regulates WTO members’ fisheries subsidies, which helps promote sustainable fishery operations to alleviate harm to the oceans and global fish stocks and, in the long run, protects and improves the operating environment for fishermen. The implementation of the agreement will deliver benefits for trade, development and the environment,” he added.

Concluded at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in June 2022, the AFS establishes binding multilateral rules to prohibit certain subsidies with the most harmful effects on the sustainability of fisheries, namely, those contributing to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; those for fishing regarding overfished stocks; and those for fishing on the unregulated high seas. WTO members also agreed to continue negotiations on outstanding issues with a view to further strengthening the disciplines under the AFS. Hong Kong, China (HKC) has been participating constructively in the negotiations.

WTO members that have accepted the AFS shall be obliged to comply with the AFS from the date it enters into force. Following HKC’s acceptance of the AFS in August 2023, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), in accordance with the AFS, has made appropriate adjustments to the guidelines and conditions of relevant fisheries subsidies and support programmes. At present, there are no subsidies or support programmes that do not comply with the AFS.
 
For details about the AFCD’s fisheries subsidies and support programmes (including the corresponding revised terms which are applicable immediately), please visit: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_techsup/fish_cap_techsup.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 16) released the second batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in September, covering 18 survey areas, as follows:
 

District	Survey Area	September 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Central/Western	Central and Admiralty	2.0%	1.0
Southern	Pokfulam	1.8%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin West	0.0%	N/A
	Diamond Hill	1.7%	1.0
Kwun Tong	Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping	4.8%	1.7
	Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling	2.0%	1.0
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O West	0.0%	N/A
Tai Po	Tai Po West	0.0%	N/A
Yuen Long	Tin Shui Wai	3.2%	1.0
	Yuen Long Town	0.0%	N/A
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun West	0.0%	N/A
Tsuen Wan	Sheung Kwai Chung	3.6%	1.0

 

District	Survey Area	September 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Islands	Tung Chung	3.0%	1.0
Sham Shui Po	Lai Chi Kok	0.9%	1.0
Kowloon City	Ho Man Tin	3.8%	1.0
Sai Kung	Sai Kung Town	5.6%	1.0
	Ngau Liu and Muk Min Shan	2.1%	1.0
Kwai Tsing	Lai King	1.9%	1.5

     Among the second batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 12 survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas in September, all were below 10 per cent.

     The FEHD has so far released two batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September 2025, covering 32 survey areas. Among these 32 survey areas, 26 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 improved or maintained a low level. Six other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

     Public participation is crucial to effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collection and eliminate the sources;
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
• change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

     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.

     â€‹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#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in August showed a rise of 115 cases, representing an increase of 0.1 per cent compared with that of July, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (September 16).

     The total CSSA caseload at the end of August stood at 195 086 (see attached table), with a total of 260 672 recipients.

     Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 1.1 per cent to 1 290 cases. Single parent cases decreased by 0.7 per cent to 18 629 cases. 

     Unemployment cases registered an increase of 0.4 per cent to 16 139 cases. Old age cases increased by 0.1 per cent to 110 723 cases. Permanent disability cases and ill-health cases remained steady at 16 500 and 27 791 cases respectively.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for June – August 2025) released today (September 16) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in June – August 2025, same as that in May – July 2025. The underemployment rate increased from 1.4% in May – July 2025 to 1.6% in June – August 2025.
 
     Comparing June – August 2025 with May – July 2025, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied. Increases were mainly seen in the food and beverage service activities sector and manufacturing sector while decreases were mainly seen in the construction sector and professional and business services sector (excluding cleaning and similar activities). As to the underemployment rate, increases were mainly seen in the food and beverage service activities sector; and arts, entertainment and recreation sector while a decrease was mainly seen in the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector.
 
     Total employment increased by around 9 300 from 3 671 300 in May – July 2025 to 3 680 600 in June – August 2025. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 15 400 from 3 816 200 to 3 831 600.
 
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 6 000 from 145 000 in May – July 2025 to 151 000 in June – August 2025. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also increased by around 4 200 from 55 200 to 59 400.

Commentary
 
     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed the same at 3.7% in June – August 2025 as that in the preceding three-month period. The labour force and total employment increased further to 3 831 600 and 3 680 600 respectively.”
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Chris Sun said, “While the business situations of certain sectors will continue to weigh on employment, steady growth of the Hong Kong economy as well as the Government’s various measures to boost economic momentum and bolster consumption would provide support to the overall labour demand.”
 
Further information
 
     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
 
     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
 
     The survey for June – August 2025 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of June to August 2025.
 
     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
 
     Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the “Quarterly Report on General Household Survey” which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter April – June 2025 while the next issue covering the quarter July – September 2025 will be available by end November 2025. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
 
     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​An owner was convicted and fined $54,550 in total, of which $34,550 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (September 16) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).  

The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 30 square metres on the roof of a residential building at Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without the prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today, “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety.”

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Seminar on the New Space Economy – Breakthroughs and Opportunities organised by the Maritime Silk Road Society today (September 16):
 
The Honourable Mrs Regina Ip (Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road Society), the Honourable Mr Bernard Chan (Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road, Honorary Sponsor), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to join you today at the Seminar on the New Space Economy, where we gather to discuss the breakthroughs and explore the opportunities on this front. 
 
     In recent years, the Chinese space programme has made remarkable accomplishments. From the BeiDou satellite navigation system, the Chang’e lunar mission, the Tianwen Mars mission, to the Tiangong space station, these achievements fully demonstrate the country’s determination to accelerate the construction of a strong aerospace nation.

     Last month, the country’s new-generation manned launch vehicle, Long March-10 carrier rocket, has successfully completed its first static fire test. This marks a significant new milestone in China’s manned lunar exploration programme, and is also a testament to the national engineering prowess.
 
     To align with the national development direction, we are committed to leveraging our strengths to contribute to the country’s needs. Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked among the world’s top 100, and we have numerous internationally renowned research scholars, showcasing our robust foundation in basic research. We have consistently supported local universities and research institutions in playing to their strengths in basic research, including conducting aerospace-related studies and striving to participate in national aerospace and other technological projects.

     We are delighted to see that research teams from local universities have been involved in multiple national aerospace missions, such as providing systems, instruments, and technical support for lunar and Mars missions, as well as sending research projects into national spacecraft for experiments, contributing to the country’s aerospace development. A Hong Kong citizen has also been selected as a preparatory astronaut, specifically a payload specialist, under the National Manned Space Programme for the first time. Being able to participate in national aerospace projects is an immense honour for us, and it is truly encouraging for the innovation and technology (I&T) talents in Hong Kong, particularly the aerospace research community. 

     In addition to leveraging our research strengths, we are also dedicated to fostering global research collaboration. The Government has established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre (the Centre) under the InnoHK research clusters to participate in the Chang’e-8 mission, contributing to national aerospace development. The Centre, in collaboration with Mainland and overseas institutions, including the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology and South African National Space Agency, will complete an international collaboration project appointed by the China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center and develop a multifunctional lunar surface operation robot with precise operation and wireless charging capability, which will carry out tasks such as scientific exploration, instrument deployment and installation under extreme lunar environments.
 
     The Government will continue to invest in the development of I&T, including aerospace technology, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre and contributing to the country’s development into a nation with strong science and technology.
 
     Thank you, and I hope each of you will find the seminar and discussions ahead insightful. Thank you.