Author Archives: hksar gov

     Miss Jeanne Cheng will assume the post of District Officer (Central and Western) tomorrow (February 13), succeeding Mr David Leung.
 
     Since joining the Administrative Service in 2002, Miss Cheng has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Home Affairs Department, the then Economic Development and Labour Bureau, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Education Bureau, the then Food and Health Bureau, and the Chief Executive’s Office.
 
     She was the Principal Assistant Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Children) at the Labour and Welfare Bureau before taking up the new post of District Officer (Central and Western).

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     With effect from March 1, 2025, the Government will regularise the Pilot Scheme on Facilitation for Persons Participating in Arbitral Proceedings in Hong Kong with refinements. Upon regularisation, the Scheme will be named the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Persons Participating in Arbitral Proceedings in Hong Kong.
 
     Under the Pilot Scheme, relevant individuals are allowed to participate in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong as visitors without the need to obtain an employment visa if they are in possession of a letter of proof (Letter) issued by a designated arbitral and dispute resolution institution or venue provider proving that they are eligible persons participating in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong.
 
     As an international centre for legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is and has always been one of the most preferred seats and destinations of arbitration in the world. Catering for the needs of arbitrations taking place in Hong Kong, the Government launched the Pilot Scheme on June 29, 2020, to provide immigration facilitation for eligible visitors participating in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong on a short-term basis. The arbitration community has been supportive of the Pilot Scheme since its launch, finding it conducive to maintaining Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre. This is in line with the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 
 
     After a review and having regard to feedback from the industry on the developing needs of parties in arbitrations, the Pilot Scheme will be regularised with the following refinements:
 
(a) The scope of eligible persons will be expanded to five categories to include persons who are directly related to or involved in the arbitrations taking place in Hong Kong such as tribunal secretaries, tribunal-appointed experts. Upon such refinement, the Scheme will cover five categories of persons (Eligible Persons), namely, (i) arbitrators; (ii) expert and factual witnesses; (iii) counsel in the arbitration; (iv) parties to the arbitration; and (v) other persons directly related to or involved in the arbitration such as tribunal secretaries, tribunal-appointed experts. 

(b) The Scheme will cover all arbitrations physically taking place in Hong Kong, including those in which parties opt to, as a matter of law, have the “seat of arbitration” elsewhere.

     After regularisation, persons who seek to benefit from the Scheme shall continue to, prior to their entry into Hong Kong, obtain the Letter confirming that they are Eligible Persons participating in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong:
 
(a) For arbitrations administered by an arbitral institution, the Letter shall be issued by one of those designated arbitral and dispute resolution institutions and permanent offices in Hong Kong, which satisfies the criteria set out under Article 2(1) of the “Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the HKSAR”. For details of the list of institutions and permanent offices and their contact details, please visit the Department of Justice (DoJ) website (www.doj.gov.hk/en/legal_dispute/pdf/Immigration_Facilitation_Scheme_contact_list_en.pdf).
 
(b) For ad hoc arbitrations (i.e. arbitrations not administered by an arbitral institution), the Letter shall be issued by reputable venue(s) with established and well-equipped hearing facilities. For details of the list of venue providers, please visit the DoJ website (www.doj.gov.hk/en/legal_dispute/pdf/list_of_venue_providers_en.pdf).
 
     For the avoidance of doubt, users of the Scheme are still required to apply for the requisite visit visa or entry permit in order to enter Hong Kong where applicable. Eligible Persons are permitted to stay in Hong Kong for participating in arbitral proceedings for a period not exceeding the period for which they are permitted to remain in Hong Kong as a visitor. They shall produce the Letter upon inspection by the Immigration Department or the relevant authorities, if required. The DoJ will issue a Guidance Note on the Scheme to the above-mentioned arbitral and dispute resolution institutions. 

     Hong Kong has ranked among the most preferred seats for arbitration globally in recent years. Nationals of many countries may visit the city without a visit visa or entry permit. Hong Kong is also an international aviation hub located in the heart of Asia and well-connected to various regions. The Scheme will thus synergise with Hong Kong’s many unique strengths as an ideal venue for arbitrations. With a pool of top professional services talent, there are no legal restrictions on who may act as arbitrator, and parties to arbitral proceedings may retain counsel or advisers without restrictions as to their nationalities and professional qualifications in Hong Kong. Additionally, Hong Kong is the first and only common law jurisdiction outside the Mainland where, as a seat of arbitration, parties to arbitral proceedings administered by designated arbitral institutions would be able to apply to the Mainland courts for preservation measures. Arbitral awards made in Hong Kong are generally upheld by local courts and enforceable in over 170 Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention). An award creditor of a Hong Kong arbitral award can make simultaneous enforcement applications to both the Mainland and Hong Kong courts. 
 
     A spokesman for the DoJ said, “The regularisation and refinement of the Scheme offer parties and practitioners high convenience and a broad choice of international and local legal experts and related professionals, further enhancing Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a seat or destination for arbitrations.” read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Judy Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (February 12):

Question:

     In 2022, in consultation with experts, the Government introduced the COVID-19 oral drugs Paxlovid and Molnupiravir through the Hospital Authority (HA), and prescribed the two drugs to suitable patients through various channels such as public hospitals, designated clinics and residential care homes for the elderly. The Government has indicated that the fee for each course of treatment in respect of the two drugs is over $6,000. There are views that the fees for the two drugs are excessively high, and the Government should expeditiously introduce other less expensive drugs with similar efficacy. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the details of the vetting and approval process for introducing the two drugs by the Government in consultation with experts at that time, and whether such vetting and approval process was different from the general approval process for introducing new drugs; if so, of the reasons for and details of that;

(2) of the current clinical guidelines for prescribing the two drugs, and the number of revisions made in the past;

(3) whether it knows the following information on the use of each of the two drugs by HA in each of the past three years: (i) the quantity purchased and expenditure incurred, (ii) the quantity used (with a breakdown by the channels through which they were used), and (iii) the quantity discarded due to expiry or other reasons;

(4) whether there has been any change to the approved shelf life of the two drugs since their introduction, and of the current respective shelf life; whether it knows the respective stock of the two drugs currently kept by HA; and

(5) whether the authorities have plans to introduce other drugs with efficacy similar to that of the two drugs; if so, of the progress and timetable; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     With the ever evolvement of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the prevention and treatment capacities of the local healthcare system and the handling capacity of society as a whole have been enhanced significantly. COVID-19 has been managed as an upper respiratory tract illness by the Government since early 2023. Despite this, the World Health Organization still highlights the importance of ensuring access to appropriate treatments for patients with COVID-19, including providing oral antiviral drugs to high-risk patients on a need basis taking the local situation into account. High-risk persons concerned include the elderly, immunocompromised individuals or persons with chronic illnesses.

     The Health Bureau, together with the Department of Health (DH) and the Hospital Authority (HA), have been keeping abreast of the latest development of clinical treatment and scientific evidence-based research relating to SARS-CoV-2 virus, while making reference to the latest data from drug regulatory authorities and drug manufacturers globally so as to provide appropriate treatment for COVID-19 patients.

     In consultation with the DH and the HA, the reply to the question raised by the Hon Judy Chan is as follows: 

(1) According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), pharmaceutical products must satisfy the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality for registration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (Board) before they can be sold or supplied in Hong Kong. 

     During the COVID-19 pandemic, the then Pharmacy and Poisons (Registration of Pharmaceutical Products and Substances: Certification of Clinical Trial/Medicinal Test) Committee (Committee) established under the Board considered that, in view of the public health emergency and the local medical need at the time, together with the relevant scientific evidence, the benefits of the use of COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs, namely Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, in the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 outweighed the risks and hence conditionally approved the applications of the relevant drugs for registration in February and March 2022 respectively. As part of the conditional approval of registration, the corresponding drug registration certificate holders were required to submit additional data through clinical studies and post-marketing report to the Board according to the conditions imposed by the Committee (including that the concerned products can only be supplied to doctors or medical institutions). The certificate holders of the drugs have been continuously providing relevant reports and data to substantiate their products’ safety, efficacy and quality. In this connection, Paxlovid was granted full registration in February 2024.

(2) According to the existing mechanism, the expert panel formed by the DH and the HA closely monitors the efficacy and possible side-effects of the relevant drugs in light of the evolving scientific evidence, and also evaluates various drugs treating COVID-19 while reviewing and updating the clinical guidelines in a timely manner with reference to the latest clinical development and research data in the Mainland and overseas, with a view to providing patients with appropriate treatments to reduce their risk of severe complications and death.

     Based on the above principle, the relevant clinical guidelines have been updated for 27 times so far. Under the current guidelines, healthcare professionals will consider prescribing relevant drugs to patients aged 70 or above, and patients aged below 70 with high-risk conditions or chronic diseases according to their clinical needs.

(3) Apart from providing antiviral drugs for treating COVID-19 at public hospitals/clinics under the HA, the Government has been providing private doctors with the two aforementioned COVID-19 oral drugs procured by the HA for free prescription to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients since April 2022. Private doctors who have registered under the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS) can make requests for provision of the two COVID-19 oral drugs via the dedicated online platform. Private doctors must follow the aforementioned treatment guidelines set out by the HA. Besides, the DH’s clinic dispensaries also distributed a small amount of treatment courses.

     From 2022 to 2024, the HA has prescribed the two COVID-19 oral drugs to about 471 300 HA patients (a single patient may be prescribed with COVID-19 oral antivirals for more than once), including about 314 600 patients prescribed with Paxlovid and about 156 700 with Molnupiravir. Separately, about 181 700 treatment courses were prescribed by private doctors to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients for free, in which about 104 000 Paxlovid treatment courses and about 77 700 Molnupiravir treatment courses were prescribed. About 1 500 treatment courses were prescribed by clinics under the DH (including Families Clinics and Elderly Health Centres).

     Detailed figures on the quantity and expenditure incurred by the HA in purchasing the two COVID-19 oral drugs are tabulated below:
 

	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24
Total number of purchase* (Each treatment course)	356 000	342 000	85 000
Total expenditure ($ million)	2,051	1,968	503

* Figures adjusted to the nearest thousands

     Following the prevailing practice, the HA dispenses drugs before the expiration dates based on the “first-expired, first-out” principle. For those drugs requiring disposal, including unserviceable ones, the HA will dispose of them in accordance with the established procedures. There has not been any disposal of COVID-19 oral drugs so far.

(4) The shelf-life of the two COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs, namely Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, are 24 and 30 months respectively. The HA has sufficient stock of drugs for prescription to COVID-19 patients, and will continue to closely monitor the supply and utilisation of the relevant drugs in order to cater for the needs of patients.

(5) The DH and the HA will continue to keep in view the latest data from drug regulatory authorities and drug manufacturers globally (including the Mainland) and introduce suitable drugs in a timely manner based on the available scientific evidence to ensure that patients are prescribed with drugs of proven safety and efficacy.

     Apart from Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, no other COVID-19 oral antivirals drugs are currently registered in Hong Kong. Based on the latest scientific evidence, there are no other COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs in the market that can provide the same level of appropriate treatment especially for high-risk patients. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Vincent Cheng and a reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (February 12):
 
Question:

     â€‹It has been reported that a recently released documentary film on four Hong Kong trails is widely acclaimed. There are views that as Hong Kong has beautiful trails and ridgelines, the Government should adopt a new mindset or a new perspective in promoting trail tourism. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the Government’s plans in place to enhance the ancillary facilities on trails or in country parks, such as providing additional replenishment and rest stations, water-filling stations, toilets and directional signs, so as to meet the needs of different types of hikers, and to further promote trail tourism and a safe hiking culture;
 
(2) of the Government’s plans and publicity strategies in place to promote Hong Kong’s trails to tourists from different places, such as whether it will consider taking the initiative to invite renowned runners to promote the trails, or supporting the broadcasting of the aforesaid documentary film on international streaming platforms or in places outside Hong Kong, so as to attract tourists from abroad; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3) in order to further promote Hong Kong’s trail tourism, whether the Government will consider supporting the organisation and promotion of trail races or cross-country races, so as to attract more local and non-local people to take part in such races, thereby stepping up publicity on Hong Kong’s beautiful natural trails?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Hong Kong has rich green and eco-tourism resources, including hiking trails and country parks throughout the city, with breathtaking great outdoors that are only minutes away from the urban hustles, attracting numerous tourists each year for hiking and outdoor activities. Further capitalising on Hong Kong’s abundant ecological resources for promoting green tourism development, is in fact one of the directions in diversifying tourism products as outlined in the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 that we announced at the end of last year.
      
     In respect of the question raised by the Hon Vincent Cheng, in consultation with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the reply is as follows:
      
     To promote green tourism, the Tourism Commission, in collaboration with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), has been taking forward the Enhancement of Hiking Trails since 2018 to enhance the tourism supporting facilities of 20 hiking trails in country parks which are popular and with tourism potential, and to enhance the “Enjoy Hiking” thematic website. Enhancement works include improvement to existing hiking trail network, control of soil erosion at trails, enhancement of vegetation coverage, addition of lookout points and enrichment of visitor information. The enhancement works on 12 hiking trails have been completed, and those for the remaining eight hiking trails are expected to be completed progressively by the first quarter of 2026.
      
     The AFCD also seeks to enhance hiking trails and provide supporting facilities in country parks, including the provision of 57 flushing toilets and over 120 portable toilets; 289 pavilions, 37 water filling stations and about 30 drinks vending machines. The Government has set aside $500 million to enhance country parks, including the improvement and addition of facilities, as well as gradually setting up large-scale enhancement facilities such as tree-top adventure and open museum of historical relics. Examples of the works involved are the construction of five toilets and reconstruction of six toilets at popular hiking spots. These toilets will adopt low-carbon and environmentally-friendly designs, and will be gradually rolled out from 2026 to 2028. The viewing platform overlooking Po Pin Chau and the Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine Cave Revitalisation Project were opened to the public in end-2024.
      
     The AFCD makes use of school visits, guided tours, online videos, social media, etc, to promote the unique natural scenery and hiking experiences of Hong Kong, provide information on hiking safety and hill fire prevention, and advocate “take your litter home”. Apart from placing directional signs in country parks, the AFCD also provides consolidated information of hiking trails, including maps, distance, level of difficulty and attractions along the trails, through the “Enjoy Hiking” website, to facilitate locals and tourists’ planning of their itineraries. The mobile application “Enjoy Hiking Hiker Tracking Service” also records users’ location, thereby shortening the search and rescue time in case of accidents. Furthermore, the AFCD collaborates with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) in the Mainland and the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province to promote Hong Kong’s natural scenery and hiking routes, as well as to disseminate hiking safety messages, through their social media platforms in the Mainland. The AFCD will continue to review and refine its promotion strategy and information, and through diverse information distribution channels, to ensure locals and tourists safely enjoy the natural wonders of Hong Kong. At the same time, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Government Flying Service and the Civil Aid Service also raise hiker’s awareness on hiking safety through various channels and activities.
      
     Apart from the AFCD’s promotion, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), through its “Hong Kong Great Outdoors” year-round promotional platform, introduces in detail hiking trails in different districts accompanied by stories to deepen understanding of the trails, as well as docent activities and tourism products by the travel trade and other organisations, allowing tourists to appreciate Hong Kong’s inspiring natural landscape. Besides, films are also a very effective promotional channel. For example, the film “Four Trails” documents a recent trail running event, featuring participants from various places who challenge their limits by crossing mountains and valleys, while simultaneously showcasing Hong Kong’s unique natural scenery. The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) is collaborating with overseas ETOs and the film festival partners worldwide to promote this film at overseas film festivals. In addition, CCIDA will strive for opportunities of showing this film on both international and Mainland streaming platforms to attract more tourists to experience the natural beauty of Hong Kong. Also, the HKTB previously invited the director and producer of the film to share Hong Kong’s great natural scenery and trail running experiences with overseas media.
      
     In addition, various trail running and cross-country events are held by different organisations every year, along with other leisure trail events. The Government has supported and promoted some of these events to encourage more tourists to come to Hong Kong and participate. The Government will continue to promote green tourism based on the principles of nature conservation and sustainable development to pursue the concept of “tourism is everywhere” in Hong Kong. read more

     â€‹A spokesperson for the Security Bureau said today (February 12) that etomidate and its three analogues will be listed as dangerous drugs following the publication of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2025 (DDO Order) in the Gazette on Friday (February 14). On the same date, the Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2025 (CCO Order) will also be published in the Gazette.  
 
     The DDO Order will take effect upon its gazettal on February 14, 2025. The CCO Order is expected to become effective on April 11, 2025. Both Orders are subject to the negative vetting procedure of the Legislative Council (LegCo). Details, including the justifications for the legislative proposal, can be found in the brief for LegCo issued today in the Annex. 
 
     The DDO Order will add six substances, namely, butonitazene, bromazolam, etomidate, metomidate, propoxate, and isopropoxate, to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). Among them, metomidate, propoxate, and isopropoxate are analogues of etomidate. “In view of the recent abuse situation of etomidate, which is the main active ingredient of a new substance with the street name ‘space oil drug’, the Government is expediting the process and has arranged for the DDO Order to take effect immediately upon gazettal on February 14 in order to significantly enhance deterrence and enable effective law enforcement action against the ‘space oil drug’,” the spokesman said. Under the strict control of the DDO, trafficking and illicit manufacturing of these substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of these substances in contravention of the DDO will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.
 
     “The Government has been combating the ‘space oil drug’ on all fronts,” the spokesman said. The Government has renamed “space oil” as “space oil drug” to make clear to the public its nature as a dangerous drug and its harmful effects. In addition, the Government has formulated preventive education and publicity strategy against the “space oil drug” in collaboration with various agencies, encouraging them to explain the harmful effects of the “space oil drug” to the public through different channels, raise self-awareness on drug prevention among the public, and seek more ways to reach out to hidden drug abusers. 
 
     To tie in with the legislative work, the Government will launch a new TV Announcement in the Public Interest, namely “Don’t fall into ‘space oil drug’  traps!” starting from February 14, and will continue placing advertisement through various online and offline channels and at different locations to promote the relevant message in different ways. 
 
     As young people are the target of “space oil drug” sellers, the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the Education Bureau will jointly launch an anti-“space oil drug” week in schools in end-February. During the period, a series of activities will be held, including talks, anti-drug videos broadcasts and drama shows, with a view to preventing the spread of the “space oil drug” among the younger cohort. 
 
     â€‹Regarding the CCO Order, 18 precursor chemicals, namely, BMK glycidic acid and its methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl esters (nine substances), PMK ethyl glycidate, and six additional esters of 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid, namely, the propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl esters (seven substances), 4-piperidone and 1-boc-4-piperidone, will be added to Schedule 2 to the Control of Chemicals Ordinance (CCO) (Cap. 145). It is an offence to possess, manufacture, transport or distribute any substance controlled under the CCO for the unlawful production of dangerous drugs, or to import or export the substance not under and in accordance with a licence issued by the Customs and Excise Department. The maximum penalty is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for 15 years.
 
     The spokesperson said, “The amendments aim to deter any potential trafficking and abuse of these dangerous drugs and precursor chemicals. This will help fortify Hong Kong’s defence against drugs. Our law enforcement agencies are ready to enforce the new regulation, including taking action against the ‘space oil drug’.” read more