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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Public Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 was gazetted on May 16 and will come into effect on August 17.
 
     The Amendment Ordinance strengthens the statutory power of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to deal with various environmental hygiene problems, enabling it to handle problems such as water seepage in buildings, water dripping from air-conditioners, the occupation of public places by miscellaneous articles, and shopfront extension more effectively.
 
     A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau said, “The Government is committed to enhancing Hong Kong’s environmental hygiene and cityscape. The Amendment Ordinance, along with various administrative measures and public education, can continuously improve Hong Kong’s environmental hygiene, consolidate the achievements made so far and create a more liveable environment in response to the expectations of the public.

     “In the past three months, the FEHD has enhanced publicity and education to raise the awareness of members of the public and relevant sectors of the new legal requirement and arrangements as well as to enhance their law-abiding awareness.”
 
     The Amendment Ordinance extends the hours during which public officers are allowed to enter premises to deal with public health nuisances such as water seepage in buildings and water dripping from air-conditioners to 7am to 10pm. Without reasonable excuse, failing to allow a public officer to enter the premises within 14 days after the issuance or attachment of the Notice of Intended Entry by the FEHD is an offence that may be liable to a maximum penalty of a fine at level 2 ($5,000).
 
     When dealing with vermin problems in private premises, according to the Amendment Ordinance, the FEHD can issue a Notice of Elimination of Vermin to a person responsible for the management of the premises (e.g. owners’ corporations and property management companies) regarding the common parts of the premises, allowing timely handling of vermin in common parts of a building. The maximum penalty for non-compliance with a Notice of Elimination of Vermin will be raised from the current fine at level 2 ($5,000) and a daily fine of $100, to level 4 ($25,000) and a daily fine of $450. In cases where the FEHD has conducted vermin disinfestation work for infested premises without serving a Notice of Elimination of Vermin, the department may recover the expense incurred from the responsible person of the concerned premises. Apart from that, the Amendment Ordinance has raised the maximum penalty from the existing fine at level 1 ($2,000) to a fine at level 2 ($5,000) for tampering with devices set up by the FEHD to destroy and remove vermin; the Amendment Ordinance has also stipulated that the FEHD can place devices and equipment in premises infested with vermin for conducting tests or assessing vermin proliferation. It will be an offence to tamper with such devices and equipment subject to a maximum penalty of a fine at level 2 ($5,000).
 
     Regarding the occupation of public places by miscellaneous articles causing obstruction to scavenging operations, the Amendment Ordinance shortens the removal time specified on the Notice to Remove Obstruction to a period of not less than 30 minutes. The FEHD can exercise discretion by setting a reasonably longer time according to the actual circumstances. The maximum penalty for obstruction to scavenging operations will be raised from a fine at level 2 ($5,000) and a daily fine of $50 to level 3 ($10,000) and a daily fine of $300.
 
     The Amendment Ordinance also empowers enforcement officers to remove and dispose of display equipment like easy-mount frames, apart from bills or posters. The maximum penalty for illegal display or affixation of bills or posters has also been raised from a fine at level 3 ($10,000) and a daily fine of $300 to level 4 ($25,000) and a daily fine of $450.
 
     Furthermore, the Amendment Ordinance will introduce an offence targeting shopfront extension in the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), empowering the FEHD to remove the obstructing articles constituting unlawful shopfront extension without the need to rely on the power of the Hong Kong Police Force to enhance enforcement efficiency. In cases where no claim is made for the article not of a perishable nature within seven days after the date of the exercise of the power of removal, or within 48 hours for the article of perishable nature, the article will be forfeited. The law enforcement criteria and penalty (maximum penalty of a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and three months’ imprisonment) for the offence of shopfront extension remain unchanged. The FEHD can issue fixed penalty notices of $6,000 to offenders.
 
     In light of the related amendments, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology today (August 15) amended the format of the penalty notice in accordance with Section 17A of the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (Cap. 570), adding the offence of shopfront extension of Cap. 132 accordingly. Specified forms of the concerned penalty notices are gazetted today and will come into effect on the same day as the Amendment Ordinance on August 17.
 
     The FEHD has presented on its webpage the information of the Amendment Ordinance for public reference.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (August 15) that the Chief Executive has reappointed Ms Ada Chung Lai-ling as the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Privacy Commissioner) for a term of five years with effect from September 4, 2025, in accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) (Cap. 486).

“Since her appointment as the Privacy Commissioner in September 2020, Ms Chung has fully demonstrated her extensive professional knowledge and leadership skills, as well as her unwavering dedication to the work of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD), leading the PCPD in addressing various increasingly complex challenges for privacy protection,” a Government spokesman said.

In the past five years, Ms Chung led the PCPD in proactively strengthening the PDPO and relevant publicity and education, with a view to raising the awareness of respecting personal data privacy and fostering the culture of protecting personal data privacy. During the period, Ms Chung led the PCPD in fully supporting the Government in amending the PDPO, and setting up a division responsible for criminal investigation and prosecution, so as to effectively combat “doxxing” acts intruding into personal data privacy. To strive for a greater say on privacy protection issues in the international arena, Ms Chung also led the PCPD in strengthening connections with international and national data and privacy protection organisations, including serving as the co-chair of the Ethics and Data Protection in Artificial Intelligence Working Group and the International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group of the Global Privacy Assembly.

“We are confident that under Ms Chung’s leadership, the PCPD will reach new heights in further promoting the protection and respect for personal data privacy in society, and proactively tackling challenges arising from the development of emerging technologies,” the spokesman added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (August 15) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Professor William Leung Wing-cheung as the Chairman of the Legal Aid Services Council (the Council) for a term of two years with effect from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2027. 

A spokesman for the Administration Wing of the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office said, “Under the sterling leadership of Professor Leung, the Council has performed its duties in accordance with the law, providing valuable advice on enhancing the legal aid system and services, and making significant contributions in overseeing and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the legal aid services provided by the Legal Aid Department (the LAD). We look forward to continuing to work closely with Professor Leung and the Council members.”

Established under the Legal Aid Services Council Ordinance (Cap. 489), the Council is responsible for overseeing the administration of the legal aid services provided by the LAD and advising the Chief Executive on legal aid policy. The Council comprises a chairman and lay members who are not connected with the practice of law; barrister members and solicitor members nominated by the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong respectively; and the Director of Legal Aid.

The membership list of the Council with effect from September 1, 2025 is as follows:
 
Chairman
——–
Professor William Leung Wing-cheung
 
Members
——————–
Dr Eugene Chan Kin-keung
Mr Robin Nelson Egerton
Mr Tom Fu Ka-min
Mr Sebastian Hughes
Ms Serena Lau Sze-wan
Ms Rosita Lee Pui-shan
Ms Shiu Yin-ning
Mr Ronald Sum Kwan-ngai
 
Ex-officio member
——————–
Director of Legal Aid

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Siu Ho Wan this noon (August 15), in which a man died.

The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 15) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering seven survey areas, as follows:
 

District	Survey Area	August 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Kwun Tong	Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping	9.5%	1.0
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun West	12.0%	1.3

 

District	Survey Area	August 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Yau Tsim	Tsim Sha Tsui East	7.3%	1.0
Kowloon City	Kowloon City North	5.6%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin Central	5.7%	1.3
Tuen Mun	So Kwun Wat	13.9%	1.1
Kwai Tsing	Tsing Yi South	6.1%	1.0

Among the fourth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering two survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering five survey areas in August, all were below 10 per cent, except Tuen Mun West and So Kwun Wat.

The FEHD has so far announced four batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 27 survey areas. Among these 27 survey areas, 15 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared with the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. July 2025, representing the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained at a low level. Nine other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. As for areas with an index over 10 per cent, including Ma On Shan in Sha Tin, and So Kwun Wat and Tuen Mun West in Tuen Mun, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the recent chikungunya fever (CF) situation that strengthens mosquito control work in areas with the gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, which was originally activated when the gravidtrap index reaches 20 per cent or above, the department is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestation and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. In particular, gravidtrap data for Tuen Mun District showed that the areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools and private housing estates, and the relevant departments and stakeholders are actively following up. Additionally, the FEHD will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify the residential estates subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and join hands in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap indexes in those three areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue joining hands 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 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 CF transmission.

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 of 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 Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, continued with the last day of his visit to Sydney, Australia, today (August 15).
 
In the morning, Mr Yau paid a courtesy call on the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Wang Yu, to update him on Hong Kong’s latest developments and measures to drive sustained economic growth and consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre.

Mr Yau then visited an enterprise specialising in beauty and wellness products and exchanged views with its senior management on the vast potential of the Asian market. Mr Yau introduced Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, and encouraged Australian enterprises to set up regional headquarters in Hong Kong to seize the opportunities of the Mainland, in particular the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Southeast Asian markets. 

Mr Yau also had a lunch meeting with representatives of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the local business community to understand the needs and development directions of Australian enterprises and exchange views on fostering closer co-operation in the areas of business and trade between Hong Kong and Australia to achieve mutual benefits.

In the afternoon, Mr Yau met with a representative of the Australian Distillers Association to introduce Hong Kong’s reduction in liquor duty to promote liquor trading and boost the development of high value-added industries including logistics and storage, tourism as well as high-end food and beverage consumption. He noted that the initiative has made reference to the successful experience in 2008 regarding the removal of import duty on wine, adding that he looks forward to seeing more premium liquor from Australia seizing the business opportunities. He also visited a distillery to understand more about the process of distilling and the development of Australian spirits.

    In the evening, Mr Yau attended the Hong Kong Australia Business Association NSW Chapter Business Awards Gala Dinner. Speaking at the event, he shared with the Australian business community the distinctive advantages of Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” principle and the opportunities ahead for collaboration between Hong Kong and Australia. One of the examples is the recent enhancements to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. Mr Yau said that provisions such as allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law and to choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong empower foreign firms including Australian companies to leverage Hong Kong’s legal and financial strengths when tapping into the Mainland market, especially within the GBA.

He added that Hong Kong ranked third globally in terms of foreign direct investment inflows, and with close to 10 000 overseas and Mainland companies as well as 4 700 start-ups present in Hong Kong, the city continues to thrive as a business hub.

Mr Yau said that regionally, Hong Kong is actively seeking to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), adding that Hong Kong will continue to communicate and collaborate with RCEP economies including Australia to advance this important goal.
　
Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (August 16).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Commissioner for Labour, Mr Sam Hui, has paid visits to labour organisations and employer associations since assuming office in July, including visiting the Federation of Hong Kong Industries today (August 15) to understand more about the concerns of employees and employers on various labour matters and to strengthen communication and engagement with both sides.

Mr Hui called on two major labour organisations, namely the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Hong Kong & Kowloon Labour Unions. The labour organisations shared their views on various issues such as enhancing employment support, promoting occupational safety and health, and labour importation policy, and expressed concerns over the protection of the rights and benefits of digital platform workers.

Mr Hui visited major employer associations, namely the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, the Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. He exchanged views with the business sector on various subjects such as manpower planning, talent recruitment and importation of workers.

Mr Hui said, “The Labour Department will continue to closely monitor changes in the local labour market and manpower situation in various industries, including the implementation of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, with a view to safeguarding employment priority for local workers while allowing employers with genuine needs to appropriately import workers. The Labour Department will also continue to maintain candid communication with employees and employers, foster harmonious labour relations and safeguard occupational safety and health.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To enhance food safety and hygiene awareness among licensed food factories supplying school lunch boxes, and to prepare for the new school year, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) launched a series of operations to inspect licensed food factories supplying school lunch boxes in various districts of Hong Kong with a view to ensuring food safety.

A spokesman for the FEHD said today (August 15), “Starting from July 28, the FEHD has been inspecting food factories supplying school lunch boxes to ensure that the licensing conditions in respect of food handling and processing are observed by the operators, and that hygienic standards stipulated in the laws are met. Food samples will be collected for testing. Meanwhile, FEHD staff will also provide health education to operators and staff of food factories, distributing food safety pamphlets to remind them of the proper way of handling school lunch boxes.”

The CFS hosted an online trade meeting on June 26 to remind lunch box suppliers to adhere to good hygiene practices when preparing food and establish a food safety plan based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system to lower the risks of food contamination. Lunch box caterers can make use of the guideline “Developing a School Food Safety Plan Based on HACCP system (for School Lunch Box Caterers)” to learn more about how to enhance the safety of lunch box production.

Furthermore, to ensure food safety on campuses, the CFS arranged an online seminar for schools on July 11, highlighting food safety hazards such as choking and food allergies, and emphasising the need for vigilance among teaching staff and food handlers in schools. At the same time, schools are also reminded to order lunch boxes from suppliers that hold a valid Food Factory Licence issued by the FEHD and are endorsed to provide lunch boxes. Before signing contracts with suppliers, schools should visit the premises to ensure that food handlers observe food safety and hygiene practices.

The CFS has published “A Practical Guide for Ensuring Food Safety in Schools and Childcare Facilities”, to which schools and childcare facilities can refer when choosing lunchbox suppliers and ensuring food safety on campus. For further details, please visit the “Safe Food at School” thematic webpage (cfs.gov.hk/school).

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 said today (August 15) that the red flag at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted at the beach earlier on after an oil spill.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) and the Transport Department (TD) today (August 15) jointly held the Taxi Service Commendation Scheme Prize Presentation Ceremony 2024 to compliment quality taxi drivers and taxi service management teams.

     Officiating at the Prize Presentation Ceremony, the Acting Commissioner for Transport, Ms Candy Kwok, said she was glad to note the rising participation of taxi drivers, the trade and members of the public in the Commendation Scheme, which has been held for 22 years since 2002. This showed the public’s support for and recognition of drivers and management teams providing quality services.

     Ms Kwok added that the Government had introduced a series of initiatives to enhance the overall quality of taxi services and promote the healthy development of the taxi industry in the long run. The TD issued official Taxi Fleet Licences to five taxi fleets in July 2025 with a view to offering quality services to the public. All fleet taxis provide multiple electronic payment means, while safety devices and the driver monitoring system have been installed to provide convenience for passengers and ensure driving safety.

     The Government has also submitted to the Legislative Council the legislative amendments on mandatory installation of Journey Recording Systems and provision of electronic payment means on taxis, strengthening the deterrent effect against malpractice by the black sheep in the taxi industry and safeguarding the interests of both drivers and passengers on one hand, while providing convenience for passengers to pay the fare on the other. Ms Kwok encouraged the trade to continue to strive for excellence to provide more quality ride experiences, thereby giving full play to new opportunities for quality service.

     Among 573 nominated taxi drivers, 20 were selected as Quality Taxi Drivers this year by an assessment panel comprising non-trade members of the CTSQ and relevant department representatives. The Most Popular Taxi Driver was presented to the driver with the highest number of votes in the public voting, while Good Driver, Good Service awards were presented to two drivers providing exceptional services during the ride. In addition, the assessment panel selected one Quality Taxi Service Management Team based on management, application of technology and social responsibility of management teams. The list of awardees is set out in the Annex.