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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Street hygiene and anti-rodent work are key aspects of the Government’s district governance, with the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) playing a significant role.

Cleaning tech
A recent inspection carried out in Tsuen Wan highlighted the department’s progress, with the use of advanced cleaning technologies and enhanced pest control measures.

FEHD outsourced cleansing workers used a newly introduced pressure washer surface cleaner to thoroughly remove stubborn stains from the streets. 

One of the workers, Chu Chui-yin noted that using the cleaner instead of the previous method of dragging hoses to wash the streets meant they were able to work more efficiently while also obtaining a better cleaning result.

“What’s more, the cleaner is light, handy and uses less water, which makes our work much easier than the former practice of scrubbing the streets hard to clean the stains.”

Waste management
In an effort to maintain the cleanliness of the city’s alleyways, the department has rolled out a trial scheme to regulate the disposal of waste generated by food premises.

Under specific conditions, food premises are permitted to place large containers in adjacent back alleys for storing waste, which are then collected by cleaning workers hired by the premises.

Department personnel regularly inspect these areas to ensure proper waste management, while strict enforcement targets illegal dumping and clutter in back alleys. 

Positive response
Chairman of the Tsuen Wan South Area Committee William Chan lauded the initiative.

“After the implementation of the programme on the black spots, the FEHD has proactively tackled the problem, resulting in a marked improvement in the hygiene conditions of the community.

“Streets are clean and hygienic, rear lanes are free from piles of miscellaneous items and stubborn stains, and the condition of road surfaces has improved. Both traders and residents have reported a drastic reduction in rodent sightings.”

Recent data showed a substantial increase in the number of rodents caught in 2024. Across the city, approximately 89,600 live rodents were captured – about 40% more than in 2023.

Near Hau Tei Square in Tsuen Wan, around 270 rodents were caught in 2024, a threefold increase from the 89 recorded in 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of new control measures.

AI support
Apart from traditional trapping and baiting, the FEHD has introduced thermal imaging cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology as a more accurate means of detecting rodent activity.

FEHD Chief Health Inspector (Tsuen Wan) So Yeung-fung explained that the cameras capture images from 7pm to 7am over three consecutive nights. AI analysis of the thermal images then enables staff to identify the presence of rodents more precisely than conventional methods such as searching for gnaw marks on sweet potato bait. 

“Staff can get a clear picture of the rodents’ activities and their dispersal routes at the locations concerned, which enables them to take more appropriate anti-rodent actions.”

Fruitful partnership
Community involvement remains a key component of success. The FEHD partners with property management companies to promote participation in routine anti-rodent efforts.

Management Office of Tsuen Wan Plaza Anti-rodent Liaison Ambassador Ran Lau pointed out that the Anti-rodent Charter launched by the FEHD has already yielded good results.

“Since our estate signed the charter in February this year, the FEHD has deployed staff to our estate to provide free technical support and offer professional advice on our rodent prevention and control measures, significantly enhancing the overall effectiveness of rodent prevention.

“Our liaison ambassadors have also attended seminars organised by the FEHD to keep abreast of new anti-rodent information and exchange our experience with other estate management offices, thereby increasing rodent prevention capability in the community.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today visited Kwun Tong District, where he toured the Choi Hing Road Light Public Housing project, Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate and the East Kowloon Cultural Centre, and listened to citizens’ views ahead of the upcoming Policy Address.

 

Secretary for Housing ‍Winnie Ho, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun and Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law also participated.

 

At a media session following the visit, Mr Lee said his Policy Address will be delivered on September 17.

 

To begin their visit, Mr Lee and the other officials first stopped at the Choi Hing Road project to learn about its operations and intake progress. The Chief Executive called on a household already living there, and toured a home with another household that will move in soon.

 

He also inspected the project’s facilities to learn about their application of technology, and visited weekend bazaar booths, where he listened to the views of community members on government policies.

 

The first phase of the 18-storey Choi Hing Road project was completed in less than a year and a half, a record for the construction of high-rise buildings in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive said he was pleased to hear positive feedback from residents about the significantly improved living environment in comparison to subdivided flats, and added that he looked forward to more projects being completed so that more people with urgent housing needs can be allocated adequate housing to improve their quality of life.

 

Mr Lee then headed to Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate, where he visited service booths set up by a District Services & Community Care Team. He learnt about the health checks, free Chinese medicine consultations, and anti-mosquito campaign services offered to residents, and interacted with members of the public.

 

Afterwards, Mr Lee and the officials visited the East Kowloon Cultural Centre to inspect its facilities and learn about its efforts to promote performances and arts technology.

 

Highlighting that the centre, a world-class major performance venue, is expected to be in full operation by the end of this year, Mr Lee said it will facilitate the curation of more performing arts programmes, promote the industrialisation and integration of cultural tourism, and help to establish Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, visited Kwun Tong District today (August 23) to tour the Choi Hing Road Light Public Housing project (Choi Hing Road project), Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate and the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC) and listen to the views of members of the public on the upcoming Policy Address.
 
     The Secretary for Housing, Ms ‍Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Permanent Secretary for Housing/Director of Housing, Miss Charmaine Lee; the Director of Home Affairs, Ms Priscilla To; the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Edward To; and the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam, also joined relevant parts of the visit.
 
     Mr Lee and the officials, accompanied by the District Officer (Kwun Tong), Mr Denny Ho, first visited the Choi Hing Road project to learn about its operation and intake progress. He visited a household that had already moved in and listened to their sharing about life changes before and after relocation. He also toured a new home with a household that had just completed the intake procedures. Additionally, he inspected the project facilities to learn about the application of technology in property management and the nearby transport facilities. He also visited the weekend bazaar booths, interacting with residents and listening to their views on government policies. 
 
     Mr Lee said that housing is the top priority of the current-term Government, which is expediting the speed and efficiency of increasing the public housing supply and has innovatively introduced Light Public Housing (LPH). He pointed out that LPH adopts a Modular Integrated Construction approach for expeditious building. Construction works of all the 13 projects have gradually commenced, with the first two projects at Yau Pok Road and Choi Hing Road having commenced intake. The first phase of the 18-storey, elevator-equipped Choi Hing Road project was completed in less than one and a half years, breaking the record for rapid construction of high-rise buildings in Hong Kong. He was pleased to learn that the residents reflected a significant improvement in their living environment compared to subdivided flats, and he looks forward to the completion of more projects so that more members of the public with urgent housing needs could be allocated to adequate housing as soon as possible to improve their quality of life.
 
     Mr Lee and the officials then arrived at Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate. Accompanied by representatives from the District Services and Community Care Team (Care Team) (Kwun Tong) and Kwun Tong District Council members, he visited service booths set up by the Care Teams in the Estate to learn about the health checks, free Chinese medicine consultations, and anti-mosquito campaign services offered to residents. During the visit, Mr Lee interacted with members of the public on-site and listened to their views.
 
　　Mr Lee and the officials then visited the EKCC to inspect its facilities and learn about its efforts in promoting long-running performances and arts technology. He highlighted that the EKCC is a new and world-class major performance venue, expected to be in full operation by the end of this year. It will foster the curation of more signature performing arts programmes, promoting the industrialisation and integration of cultural tourism development, and establishing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.
 
　　Mr Lee remarked that he attaches importance to various policy areas such as housing, people’s livelihoods, and culture. He could better understand the needs and expectations of members of the public through direct engagement, which inspired him during the preparation for the Policy Address. He and his team will continue to visit different districts to listen to and consider opinions from various sectors of society, work tirelessly to pursue development and economic growth, and improve people’s livelihood.
 
　　The public consultation exercise for the 2025 Policy Address was launched in mid-June. Mr Lee appealed to members of the public to actively give their views on issues of their interest to the Government.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Hong Kong Ballet captivated New York with the US premiere of its award-winning production “The Butterfly Lovers” at its opening night at the prestigious David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, on August 22 (New York time).
 
     Performing to a sold-out crowd, the company impressed the audience with lush choreography, poignant storytelling and striking stage design that blended Chinese tradition with contemporary ballet aesthetics. The performance also marked the triumphant return of the Hong Kong Ballet to the New York stage since 2023.
 
     The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO), Ms Maisie Ho, warmly welcomed the Hong Kong Ballet back to New York City at the opening night reception.
 
     “With this reimagined ‘The Butterfly Lovers’, the Hong Kong Ballet is pushing boundaries, boldly blending Chinese dance with the classical ballet art form,” she said. “This spirit of innovation and artistic growth, with a company of dancers from Hong Kong and abroad, also reflects Hong Kong’s vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle, global outlook, and rich cultural diversity.”
 
     Ms Ho highlighted Hong Kong’s thriving arts and cultural landscape, bolstered by strong government support and initiatives that foster artistic excellence and cultural exchange. She noted that the Hong Kong Ballet exemplifies the vital role Hong Kong plays as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, grounded in the city’s deep-rooted cultural heritage shared with Mainland China and long-standing global ties, including those with the United States.
 
     Led by the Hong Kong Ballet’s Artistic Director, Septime Webre, this reimagination of the classic folktale weaves together classical ballet and traditional Chinese dance. Choreographed by Ricky Hu and Mai Jingwen, the production features breathtaking set and costume designs from Academy Award winner Tim Yip, and a sweeping original score performed live by the New York City Ballet Orchestra, conducted by the resident conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Lio Kuokman.
 
     “The Butterfly Lovers”, co-presented by Hong Kong Ballet and the China Arts and Entertainment Group, continues its run at Lincoln Center this weekend (August 23 and 24, New York time), offering New Yorkers a rare opportunity to experience this cultural and artistic gem. The New York ETO is the government partner of the tour.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

    Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

    The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 22) that the Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool in Yuen Long District, which was closed earlier due to the discovery of a small amount of faeces in the pool, has been reopened.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 5pm today (August 22), no new case of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
 
There have been no new cases of CF in the past week in Hong Kong. So far this year, Hong Kong has recorded a total of nine confirmed CF cases. All are imported cases. All cases have recovered and been discharged without complications. From 2016 to 2019, Hong Kong recorded between one and 11 imported cases annually.  
 
For dengue fever (DF), there have been no new cases in the past week in Hong Kong either. There have been 41 imported DF cases recorded so far this year. A total of 161 cases of DF were recorded in 2024, including 156 imported and five local cases.
 
For Japanese encephalitis (JE), Hong Kong has recorded one imported JE case from the Philippines this year. In the past five years (from 2020 to 2024), no JE cases were recorded in Hong Kong, and a total of 10 cases were recorded between 2016 and 2019 (including six locally infected cases).
 
“The current high temperatures and rainfall levels continue to pose risks of transmission of various mosquito-borne diseases in Hong Kong. Aedes albopictus, which is the vector for chikungunya virus, dengue virus and Zika virus, is common in Hong Kong. Although these mosquito-borne diseases are not transmitted from person to person, during the early stage after the onset of symptoms (especially when a fever is present), the blood of infected patients contains a large amount of virus, which is infectious to mosquitoes. If people are bitten by mosquitoes during the communicable period, further local transmission via mosquitoes is possible,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui said.
 
“JE is prevalent in rural areas of Asia and the Western Pacific Region, especially in the hot season. As Culex mosquitoes (including Culex tritaeniorhynchus), the primary vector for JE, can be found in Hong Kong, especially in the rural areas, there is also a risk of transmission of JE locally. Culex mosquitoes breed in areas where there is a lot of stagnant water, and pigs or wild birds are natural hosts of the JE virus. Culex mosquitoes become infected when they bite pigs or wild birds infected with the JE virus. The infected mosquitoes then transmit the virus to humans and animals during biting. Therefore, members of the public should take proper mosquito control measures both locally and during travel. We must make a concerted effort in eliminating mosquito breeding, so as to cut the transmission links of mosquito-borne diseases in the community,” Dr Tsui added.
 
Continuously strengthening prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases
 
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) is conducting vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations and will intensify mosquito prevention and control measures at the residence of the CF patients, as well as locations visited after the onset of symptoms. These measures include:
 

• carrying out intensive fogging in the scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
• carrying out inspection of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
• enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

 
The CHP’s Port Health Division continues to step up inspections at boundary control points and to remind cross-boundary public transport operators and other relevant parties to ensure good environmental hygiene and effective implementation of anti-mosquito measures. Furthermore, staff members of the Port Health Division distribute leaflets to travellers, conduct temperature screenings for inbound travellers, conduct health assessments for travellers with fever or related symptoms, and refer them to hospitals for follow-ups when necessary.
 
To raise awareness among the elderly about preventing mosquito-borne diseases, the Visiting Health Teams under the Elderly Health Service of the DH have been advising the elderly on mosquito-borne diseases prevention and tips on travel health at health talks conducted at District Elderly Community Centres and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres. Besides, the Visiting Health Teams have also reminded all residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong to enhance mosquito control measures. The DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres, Student Health Service Centres and Special Assessment Centres also advise pregnant women, infant carers and students on symptoms and preventive measures of the mosquito-borne diseases.
 
Dr Tsui reminded members of the public that those returning to Hong Kong from areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases should continue to apply insect repellent and closely monitor their personal health condition. If they feel unwell, they should seek medical attention immediately and inform their doctors of their travel history. The public should avoid using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), to prevent aggravating the risk of haemorrhage. In general, children should not take medications containing aspirin to relieve fever or other symptoms because it may lead to Reye’s syndrome, a serious and potentially fatal complication.
 
Members of the public should also adopt anti-mosquito measures during the rainy season against mosquito-borne diseases. Proper use of DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients can prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

• read the label instructions carefully first;
• apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
• apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
• apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
• reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
• in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

 
In addition, the FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
 
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.