Author Archives: hksar gov

     Three incoming passengers were sentenced to six to nine months’ imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (October 16) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming Mainland male passenger, aged 40, and two incoming Mainland female passengers, aged 42 and 38, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 15) and seized 146 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 6 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $680,000 and a duty potential of about $480,000, from their personal baggage. The three passengers were subsequently arrested.

     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

read more

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to Bangkok, Thailand, today (October 16). As a member of the Chinese delegation, he attended the plenary session of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group (WBG). He also took part in discussions organised by financial media and a think tank, met with senior executives of international financial institutions and enterprises, and hosted a dinner for financial sector leaders to highlight Hong Kong’s development opportunities and promote financial and investment co-operation.

     At a fireside chat organised by Bloomberg, Mr Chan outlined how Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, providing clear development directions and goals for the public and businesses. He said that Hong Kong would focus on developing the “four centres and one hub”, reinforcing and enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre. Hong Kong would also leverage its strengths and work in tandem with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to advance its development as an innovation and technology (I&T) centre.

     Mr Chan stressed that financial development must serve the real economy. Hong Kong would deepen its “Finance+” strategy to empower different industries, support enterprises in upgrading and transformation, and provide venture capital, patient capital and long-term funding for I&T to accelerate the development of emerging industries. Hong Kong would also continue to broaden its financial products and services, develop commodities trading, enhance its listing regime and further facilitate financing for technology enterprises. To meet the needs of Mainland enterprises expanding overseas and reorganising their production and supply chains, Hong Kong would provide comprehensive support covering logistics, supply chain management, trade finance, risk management and professional services. The Government would also proactively address enterprises’ needs through cross-departmental collaboration.

     He said that Hong Kong’s international character is a core strength that must be continuously reinforced and enhanced. While strengthening ties with mature markets such as Europe and the United States and attracting international capital, Hong Kong would deepen co-operation with emerging markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia. It would open up two-way investment opportunities by bringing together capital and industries to meet development needs across these markets. Beyond promoting business and trade exchanges, Hong Kong would leverage its financial and professional services strengths, including green and sustainable finance and trade finance, to support infrastructure, supply chain and industrial development in the region, growing together with its regional partners.

     On offshore Renminbi business, Hong Kong is expanding its range of investment products, enhancing custody and collateral management infrastructure, and increasing liquidity to add depth and breadth to the market. Hong Kong would also develop gold storage, clearing and settlement services and related financial products, and explore closer connectivity with the Mainland gold market. These efforts would build a more comprehensive gold trading ecosystem and offer international investors more choices.

     Mr Chan said that “one country, two systems” provides Hong Kong with an institutional advantage for its long-term development, while talent is a key driving force for its future growth. Hong Kong would remain free, open, diverse and inclusive, welcoming enterprises and talent from around the world to establish and pursue careers in the city, as well as young people to study here, and encouraging them to become part of its future. Hong Kong would continue to attract international talent, promote exchanges across regions and cultures, and further strengthen its role in connecting the Mainland with the world.

     Mr Chan also took part in a broadcast fireside chat hosted by the Atlantic Council, a US think tank. He outlined the latest developments in Hong Kong’s financial markets and how its first five-year plan would advance I&T, promote the integrated development of education, technology, talent and industries in the Northern Metropolis, and deepen co-operation with other GBA cities in I&T industries. On digital assets, he said that Hong Kong embraces financial innovation with an open mind. With equal emphasis on regulation and development, Hong Kong would take a prudent and measured approach to developing areas such as digital asset exchanges and stablecoins to better serve the real economy.

     Mr Chan also met with the Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the WBG, Mr Zhang Wencai, today. They exchanged views on the global and regional economic outlook and deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and the WBG. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong could combine its strengths in capital markets and professional services with the project experiences and networks of multilateral development institutions to channel more private market capital and philanthropic funding into infrastructure and sustainable development projects in the region. A range of financial instruments could also be used to enhance project financing and risk management.

     Mr Chan also met with the management of a major European digital bank to discuss fintech development, digital banking services and cross-boundary payments, and outlined opportunities in Hong Kong’s financial markets. He welcomed the bank to establish a presence in Hong Kong and leverage the city’s vibrant financial services ecosystem, well-established financial infrastructure, professional talent and international networks to explore innovative financial services and expand its regional business.

     In the evening, Mr Chan attended a dinner organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, where he met with senior executives of major Thai banks and other financial institutions. He shared the latest developments in Hong Kong’s economy and financial services sector and explored opportunities to further strengthen financial co-operation between the two places.

     Mr Chan will continue his visit to Bangkok tomorrow morning (October 17) before departing for Hong Kong, arriving in the afternoon.

read more

     The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. The Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; and the Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat, officiated at the ceremony to welcome five visiting yachts from Guangdong.
 
     In his speech at the ceremony, the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, said that Hong Kong is actively developing into a yachting hub in Asia. He noted that the global yacht market has continued to grow in recent years, with the luxury yacht market in particular experiencing significant expansion. He added that the market value of the superyacht industry is projected to reach approximately $350 billion by 2032, representing a massive scale. He believed that Hong Kong has the potential, capability, and strength to secure a share of this market.
 
     He said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is proactively implementing various measures to promote the yacht economy, including the three measures introduced by the Marine Department in June to facilitate yachts to visit Hong Kong. He also mentioned that The Festival of Connoisseurs, an international flagship exhibition focusing on superyachts and premium lifestyles, will be held in Hong Kong in early November. He added that the Government is fully committed to promoting the construction of four new yacht clubs at the airport, Lamma Island, Aberdeen, and Hung Hom respectively, which will provide a total of more than 1 100 berths and four highly attractive new clubhouse facilities. It is expected that these facilities will significantly enhance and improve Hong Kong’s infrastructure and ecosystem in the yachting economy.
 
     Following the launch of northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong in June this year, and the signing of the relevant work arrangements between Guangdong and Hong Kong in September to establish an institutionalised mechanism for cross-boundary individual yacht travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong, the Governments of the two places have further implemented the southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong, enabling yacht owners in Guangdong to handle cross-boundary procedures more conveniently, thereby promoting greater connectivity between the two places in cross-boundary navigation networks and the marine leisure industry.
 
     Under the framework of the southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong, all Guangdong-registered yachts that meet the requirements of a navigation range of up to 20 nautical miles offshore and a wave resistance capability of not less than 2 metres may apply to visit Hong Kong. Yacht owners/masters intending to travel southbound may complete the procedures online in advance and must complete the relevant Chinese Mainland departure inspection formalities at the six designated control points (namely the Nansha Ferry Terminal in Guangzhou, Shekou Cruise Homeport in Shenzhen, Shenzhen Airport Ferry Terminal, Jiuzhou Port Passenger Terminal in Zhuhai, Wanshan Port in Zhuhai, and Sunsea Yacht Club Marina, Zhongshan Port).
 
     The Marine Department launched three facilitation measures in June, which include enhancing the Electronic Business System to allow one-stop online completion of arrival and port formalities, setting up designated anchorage areas and relaxing the requirements of booking a berth at a yacht club before arriving in Hong Kong, as well as authorising Chinese Mainland institutions to conduct the Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examination and provide training for yacht masters prior to arrival in Hong Kong. These facilitation measures also apply to overseas yachts. Owners/masters of visiting yachts may apply through the Electronic Business System for Permission to Navigate in Hong Kong Waters as early as 30 days before arrival, and book an anchoring location. Details of the procedures and relevant information for Guangdong-registered yachts travelling southbound to Hong Kong are set out in the Appendix.
 
     The Marine Department has authorised two Mainland examination centres to conduct the Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examination, and has approved seven Mainland training institutions to offer recognised training courses. To date, the department received an enthusiastic response with nearly 300 people having already obtained the relevant qualification. The Marine Department will also recognise online short-term training courses organised by local professional training and examination institutions in order to facilitate masters of visiting yachts in obtaining the qualification to navigate in Hong Kong waters while overseas.
 
     The implementation of the southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong and the relevant cross-boundary facilitation measures for yachts will help attract more yachts from the Greater Bay Area and around the world to visit Hong Kong, injecting new impetus into the tourism industry and the yacht market, bringing new growth opportunities and driving the development of related industries. The Government will continue to monitor the development of visiting yachts and make timely adjustments to the implementation of the various facilitation measures.

read more

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 16) released the second batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in October, covering 29 survey areas, as follows:
     ​

District	Survey Area	October 2026
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Islands	Tung Chung	0.0%	N/A
Kowloon City	Ho Man Tin	5.4%	1.0
	Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan	0.0%	N/A
	Kai Tak	4.3%	1.0
Sham Shui Po	Lai Chi Kok	0.0%	N/A
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin West	0.0%	N/A
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O East	1.8%	1.0
	Tseung Kwan O West	1.9%	1.0
Sha Tin	Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan	2.0%	1.0
Tai Po	Tai Po East	0.0%	N/A
Kwai Tsing	Tsing Yi North	1.7%	1.0
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun West	4.0%	1.0

 

District	Survey Area	October 2026
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Central and Western	Central and Admiralty	0.0%	N/A
	Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui	4.7%	1.2
Eastern	Chai Wan	1.6%	1.0
	North Point and Quarry Bay	1.6%	1.0
	Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho	5.3%	1.0
Southern	Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay	0.8%	1.0
Wan Chai	Tin Hau and Causeway Bay	1.9%	1.0
	Wan Chai	0.0%	N/A
Kwun Tong	Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping	9.4%	1.2
	Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling	1.7%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Diamond Hill and Tsz Wan Shan	5.0%	1.0
	Wong Tai Sin East	1.0%	1.0
North	Fanling North	1.2%	1.0
	Fanling South	3.5%	1.0
Sha Tin	Sha Tin East	6.6%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Sheung Kwai Chung	0.9%	1.0
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun South	4.5%	1.0

     The FEHD continues to carry out a series of mosquito prevention and elimination measures, including:
 

• interdepartmental collaboration: convening special meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders (such as construction site contractors, schools and property management companies) in strengthening mosquito control work at venues;
• precise risk assessments: carrying out intensive and targeted mosquito control work at locations with more serious mosquito infestations, including stepping up inspections, eliminating mosquito breeding and potential breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations;
• promotion and education: organising exhibitions with relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters to enhance public awareness of mosquito control and prevention; and
• rapid alert mechanism: notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, and advising property management companies and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.

     ​During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water at a private housing estate in Sha Tin District, the FEHD has issued a statutory notice to the responsible person-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such stagnant water within a specified timeframe.

     Public participation is crucial to the 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:
 

• tidying up their premises and checking for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
• removing all unnecessary water collections and eliminating the sources;
• checking 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;
• changing water in flower vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces thoroughly, and removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
• properly covering all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• properly disposing of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
• scrubbing drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

     Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating 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.

     ​Following 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 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, 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 of 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#). read more

     Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, at a media session following the maiden voyage ceremony for the southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong today (October 16):   &nbsp… read more