Tag Archives: China

     The Returning Officers for the various subsectors of the 2026 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections received a total of three nomination forms for candidates and two nomination forms from designated bodies today (October 16). This brings to 1 115 the total number of nomination forms for candidates and 40 the total number of nomination forms from designated bodies received since nominations opened on October 7. The nomination period will end on October 20.
 
     The breakdown of candidate nomination forms received by each subsector is set out below:
 

First Sector
Subsector	No. of nomination forms for candidates received today	Cumulative total
Catering	0	17
Commercial (first)	0	19
Commercial (second)	0	19
Commercial (third)	0	21
Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong	0	18
Finance	0	20
Financial services	0	20
Hotel	2	18
Import and export	0	19
Industrial (first)	1	20
Industrial (second)	0	20
Insurance	0	20
Real estate and construction	0	19
Small and medium enterprises	0	17
Textiles and garment	0	19
Tourism	0	20
Transport	0	20
Wholesale and retail	0	19
Second Sector
Subsector	No. of nomination forms for candidates received today	Cumulative total
Accountancy	0	17
Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape	0	18
Chinese medicine	0	19
Education	0	14
Engineering	0	17
Legal	0	16
Medical and health services	0	23
Social welfare	0	25
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication	0	15
Technology and innovation	0	18
Third Sector
Subsector	No. of nomination forms for candidates received today	Cumulative total
Agriculture and fisheries	0	72
Associations of Chinese fellow townsmen	0	60
Grassroots associations	0	75
Labour	0	60
Fourth Sector
Subsector	No. of nomination forms for candidates received today	Cumulative total
Heung Yee Kuk	0	30
Representatives of members of Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees, and District Fire Safety Committees of Hong Kong and Kowloon	0	88
Representatives of members of Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees, and District Fire Safety Committees of the New Territories	0	93
Fifth Sector
Subsector	No. of nomination forms for candidates received today	Cumulative total
Representatives of Hong Kong members of relevant national organisations	0	110
Total:	3	1 115

 
     Besides, a total of two nomination forms were received from designated bodies by each subsector:
 

Accountancy
Designated body	No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today	Cumulative total
Association of Hong Kong Accounting Advisors Limited	0	1 (15 nominees in total)
Chinese medicine
Designated body	No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today	Cumulative total
WFCMS (Hong Kong) Council Members Association Limited	0	1 (15 nominees in total)
Legal
Designated body	No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today	Cumulative total
China Law Society’s HK Council Members Association	0	1 (9 nominees in total)
Sports, performing arts, culture and publication
Designated body	No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today	Cumulative total
Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China	0	1 (3 nominees in total)
China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association Limited	0	1 (9 nominees in total)
Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited	0	1 (3 nominees in total)
Technology and innovation
Designated body	No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today	Cumulative total
The Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians	0	1 (15 nominees in total)
Religious
Designated body	No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today	Cumulative total
Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong	0	1 (13 nominees in total)
Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association	0	1 (10 nominees in total)
Hong Kong Christian Council	0	1 (12 nominees in total)
The Hong Kong Taoist Association	0	1 (10 nominees in total)
The Confucian Academy	0	1 (10 nominees in total)
The Hong Kong Buddhist Association	0	1 (10 nominees in total)
Representatives of associations of Hong Kong residents in the Mainland
Designated body	No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today	Cumulative total
Mainland China (Shenzhen) Consultant Services Centre, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Mainland China (Guangzhou) Consultant Services Centre, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Mainland China (Dongguan) Consultant Services Centre, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Mainland China (Zhongshan) Consultant Services Centre, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Mainland China (Huizhou) Consultant Services Centre, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Mainland China (Fujian, Xiamen) Consultant Services Centre, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Tianjin	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Shanghai	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Zhejiang	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Guangdong	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Fujian	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Guangxi	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Sichuan	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Wuhan	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Liaoning	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Shandong	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Professionals (Beijing) Association	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Shanghai Hong Kong Association	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Guangzhou Tianhe Hong Kong and Macau Youth Association	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Association of China Business	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, Qianhai, Shenzhen	1 (1 nominee in total)	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong and Macau Entrepreneurs Branch, Chongqing Overseas Association	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Fujian Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
Hong Kong and Macao Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Federation in Zhongkai Huizhou	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
The Hong Kong Fellowship in Huadu Guangzhou	0	1 (1 nominee in total)
The Hong Kong Fellowship in Chancheng Foshan	1 (1 nominee in total)	1 (1 nominee in total)
Total:	2 (2 nominees in total)	40 (161 nominees in total)

     Particulars of the nominations received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk). read more

     The Development Bureau (DEVB) gazetted eight pieces of subsidiary legislation today (October 16), proposing to make four new pieces of subsidiary legislation under the Land Titles Ordinance (Cap. 585) (LTO), and to amend f… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting next Wednesday (October 21) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on “Improving the elite sports training and support systems to enhance the international competitiveness of Hong Kong athletes”. The motion, moved by Mr Vincent Cheng, is set out in Appendix 1.

     Mr Ken Lee will move a motion on “Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong collaboration in technology talent education to promote talent cultivation diversification and employment”. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Mr Tang Fei, Ms Michelle Tang and Mr Chan Pok-chi will move separate amendments on Mr Lee’s motion.

     Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary for Administration will present the Government Minute in response to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee No. 85 of July 2026 and the Government Minute in response to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee No. 86 of July 2026, and address the Council.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting is available on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Twilight”, a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed “Rainbow”, joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) codenamed “Champion”, a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) codenamed “Flabbergast”, a joint operation with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and a joint operation with Hong Kong Customs, the HKPF, the FEHD and the LCSD from October 9 to yesterday (October 15). During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, retail stores and industrial buildings, etc. Twelve suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer, one suspected aider and abettor and one overstayer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised eight men and four women, aged 20 to 54. Among them, one man was holding a recognisance form which prohibits him from taking any employment. One woman aged 47 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was arrested. The suspected aider and abettor arrested was a woman aged 28. Furthermore, the arrested overstayer was a man aged 43. An investigation into the suspected employer is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.” 
 
     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years.”
 
     The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk. read more

     ​Hong Kong Customs today (October 16) detected two drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 8.8 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 220 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of about $1.83 million.

     In the first case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted at Hong Kong International Airport today, Customs officers intercepted a 43-year-old Mainland female passenger and found about 3.3 kg of suspected cannabis buds and 220 duty-not-paid cigarettes inside her carry-on baggage. She was subsequently arrested.

     In the second case, a 41-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday (October 15). During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 5.5 kg of suspected cannabis buds inside his carry-on baggage. He was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested woman in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of dutiable goods. The arrested man in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The two cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 17).

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, 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.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).

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