Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 2) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly… read more

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Minister of Education, Mr Huai Jinpeng, today (November 2) to exchange views on deepening co-operation and exchanges in education. Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Huai’s visit to Hong Kong. He said that Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked among the world’s top 100, with its education competitiveness ranking among the top in the world. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is fully implementing the Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent, and, through the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, attracting outstanding students from around the world to pursue studies in Hong Kong. The inaugural Study in Hong Kong Week was launched this year, while the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2026 Conference held as part of the event was the largest ever, underscoring the international influence of Hong Kong’s post-secondary education. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, roll out the international publicity campaign “Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus”, and support institutions in conducting student recruitment activities in the Mainland and overseas to further expand the pool of outstanding talent.
      
     Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM). With a university town as the main focus of its development, the NM will bring together five key elements, namely education, technology, industry, talent and urban development, to promote the synergistic development of the Government, industries, academia, research and investment sectors, and develop it into an important strategic platform for high-level post-secondary education, the integration of innovation and technology, and the clustering of high-end talent. The HKSAR Government will further strengthen co-operation with the Ministry of Education to encourage more top-tier Mainland higher education and research institutions to establish a presence in the NM, thereby pooling top academic and research strengths with local institutions, promoting the transformation and realisation of more innovation and technology outcomes, and achieving complementary advantages and mutual benefit.
      
     Mr Lee said that higher education exchanges and co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) are thriving. At present, all eight University Grants Committee-funded universities of Hong Kong have established industry-education-research bases in Shenzhen, while four of them have set up campuses in Mainland cities of the GBA. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance this year, the HKSAR Government will continue to enhance the collaboration mechanism between higher education institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and deepen co-operation in innovation and technology as well as talent exchanges. He expressed confidence that, with the support of the Ministry of Education, Hong Kong and the Mainland will deepen collaboration in areas including teacher training, digital education and patriotic education, and jointly contribute to the country’s endeavour to build a leading country in education.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (November 2) briefed the Southern District Council on the latest progress of the clearance and rehousing plan for the redevelopment of Wah Fu Estate (WFE) and consulted members on the proposed public housing development at New Wah Fu Estate (NWFE) Phase 1. The proposal has received general support.
 
Orderly advancement: Latest progress of redevelopment of WFE
 
     Construction works for the proposed public housing developments in the five reception sites in Pok Fu Lam South are proceeding in an orderly manner, with the first reception estate, Wah Fu North Estate (WFNE) on Wah King Street, anticipated to be completed by late this year when residents of Wah On House and Wah Lok House will move in progressively. The entire rehousing process is expected to conclude in the third quarter of 2027, after which demolition works will commence to clear the site for the construction of NWFE Phase 1 to meet the rehousing needs of the residents from Wah Chui House and Wah King House six years earlier (Annex). In addition, to make effective use of public housing resources and provide diversified rehousing arrangements that meet the needs of residents affected by the clearance for the Redevelopment of WFE Phase 1b (those living in Wah Cheong House, Wah Kin House, and Wah Tai House) who wish to transfer early to the newly completed public rental housing, the HA will launch a thinning-out exercise for these residents by offering more than 400 flats in WFNE for eligible residents’ selection. Those who successfully select a flat are expected to complete the intake formalities in March next year.
 
     The remaining four reception estates are also scheduled for completion successively between 2028 and 2031. Certain signature public spaces in the existing WFE will be recreated within the reception estates as highlights of the community; those representative artefacts collected during community engagement activities will also be incorporated in the new estate design to preserve the history, culture, and community spirit of WFE.
 
Community-oriented: Comprehensive redevelopment strategy for NWFE
 
     NWFE adopted a community-oriented approach as its core design concept. Through the “Subjects of Wah Fu” public engagement initiative, the design team has systematically fostered local consensus and identified four key development strategies: “identity + conservation”, “social + community making”, “sustainability + resilience” and “AI + technology”. During the planning and study phase, the team will utilise a digital information management and data analysis platform to conduct scientific simulations, analyses, and comparative evaluations of key engineering and environmental parameters, aiming to achieve an optimised master layout scheme. In addition, the HA will continue to co-ordinate with the Railway Development Office of the Highways Department and the MTR Corporation Limited for the alignment of the South Island Line (West), the location of Wah Fu Station and the overall development planning. The master planning and design proposal for NWFE is expected to be substantially completed by the first half of 2028, and the HA will then submit a comprehensive proposal to the District Council.
 
Rebuilding Wah Fu: Development plan of NWFE Phase 1
 
     “Rebuilding Wah Fu” is the design concept of NWFE Phase 1. The proposal includes the construction of three residential blocks, which will be used as the rehousing resources for residents from Wah Chui House and Wah King House in Phase 3 of the redevelopment of WFE. It also involves the preservation and revitalisation of the existing Wah Fu (I) Shopping Centre and the “Banyan Tree Area” outside the shopping centre to carry forward the original “Town Centre” planning concept while incorporating social welfare facilities, outdoor courtyards, covered public spaces, and a Wah Fu archive. Additionally, to create a larger parcel of land for the development of NWFE Phase 1, a section of the existing Wah Fu Road will be realigned. The HA will arrange gazettal of the relevant road works in early 2027 and will commence the relevant works in mid-2028. The HA will also seek related planning permission from the Town Planning Board. The overall design creates a more liveable future while elevating the history, culture, and sense of community of WFE, ultimately reshaping the site into the eastern gateway of NWFE.
 
Traffic assessment: Infrastructure improvements and AI management
 
     The pedestrian facilities and road improvement works being carried out in the Pok Fu Lam South area by the Civil Engineering and Development Department are expected to be completed by 2027. Concurrently, the MTR Corporation is currently conducting detailed planning and design for the South Island Line (West) with the project expected to be completed and in operation by 2034 or earlier.
 
     To address the impact of construction vehicles on regional traffic during the construction period, the HA will proactively maintain close liaison with relevant government departments, including those responsible for public works in the vicinity, to ensure smooth traffic flow, minimise impacts on the surrounding areas, and handle contingencies quickly and effectively; the HA will also jointly explore feasible routes and appropriate temporary traffic arrangements, thereby minimising traffic impacts as much as possible. Furthermore, the HA is collaborating with a research team of the University of Hong Kong to develop an integrated smart monitoring platform. By leveraging AI and real-time traffic data, this platform will enable dynamic route planning for construction vehicles, facilitating route diversion to adapt to real-time conditions flexibly, staggered scheduling, and off-peak operations to ensure the orderly movement of vehicles to and from the sites.
 
     The HA will maintain close communication with residents and local stakeholders and continue the design process in an orderly manner, ensuring that the project fully meets the needs of the community. The HA will announce updates and the latest developments regarding the redevelopment of WFE and the development plan for NWFE in due course. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 2) reported the latest number of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) cases, and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From October 25 to October 31, the CHP recorded six community-acquired LD cases, involving six males aged between 48 and 78. Details are as follows:
 

• a 48-year-old male with good past health living in Wan Chai District;
• a 67-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Yau Tsim Mong District;
• a 74-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Southern District;
• a 77-year-old male with a long history of smoking living in Sha Tin District;
• a 77-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Sha Tin District; and
• a 78-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Tai Po District.

     ​The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify the potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. An initial investigation revealed that the aforesaid cases are sporadic cases. No epidemiological linkages have been established between these cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.

     As of October 31, 169 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2025 and 2024, there were 167 and 135 LD cases respectively.

     Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpool spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or ships.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpool spas, water fountains, humidifiers and home respiratory devices that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     ​The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) or less and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

     Additionally, as smokers and alcoholics are more susceptible to LD, the Government urges members of the public to quit smoking and avoid drinking. Members of the public may call the DH Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, which is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referrals to a wide range of free smoking cessation services. The public may also visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation. The DH has also developed and promulgated the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention tool to primary healthcare service providers to facilitate the early identification and management of at-risk drinkers. For information on alcohol-related harm, please visit the DH’s Change for Health website. read more

　　To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of marine parks, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (November 2) held the “Corals of Hope” planting ceremony, bringing together members of the community to plant 30 “Corals of Hope” at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and working together to protect the marine ecosystem.
 
　　Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said that coral communities are a precious natural asset of Hong Kong. Over the past 30 years since the establishment of Hong Kong’s first batch of marine parks and marine reserve, marine parks have not only protected marine habitats, but also served as important venues for conducting scientific research and enabling the public to learn about and get close to the ocean. Today’s “Corals of Hope” planting ceremony stands as a testament to the long-standing collaboration among the Government, academic institutions, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and society. The Government will also continue to advance the goals of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) by expanding the network of marine protected areas in an orderly manner, protecting and restoring habitats and species, as well as enhancing biodiversity in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
　　Hong Kong possesses rich biodiversity and natural ecology. More than 80 species of hard corals have been recorded in Hong Kong, accounting for about one-tenth of the global species, and are of remarkably high ecological value. Since the establishment of Hong Kong’s first batch of marine parks and marine reserve in 1996, Hong Kong now has eight marine parks and one marine reserve, with a total area of 8 517 hectares, protecting diverse marine habitats, including precious coral communities. In addition to the statutory protection provided by marine parks and the marine reserve, the AFCD has over the years actively protected local corals through long-term monitoring, scientific research, public education, and the formulation and implementation of habitat restoration strategies. Moreover, the AFCD is forging ahead with the designation of Sharp Island Marine Park to protect the important coral communities on the eastern and western sides of Sharp Island. The “Corals of Hope” planted on this occasion were propagated in local laboratories and transplanted to Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, where the water quality is excellent, providing an ideal growing environment for the corals. The AFCD hopes this initiative will encourage all sectors of society to join hands in protecting Hong Kong’s precious marine resources.
 
　　Under the theme “Together We Treasure, Together We Explore”, the AFCD is organising a series of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of marine parks this year, including roving exhibitions, eco-tours, workshops and diverse experiential activities to showcase Hong Kong’s rich marine biodiversity and years of conservation achievements, and to encourage the public to experience first-hand the natural beauty of marine parks and actively participate in marine ecological conservation. For event details and registration, please visit the marine parks’ 30th anniversary webpage:
 www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_wha/cou_vis_mar_cel.html.

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