The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The 83rd issue of "HA Risk Alert" was published today (October 30) by the Hospital Authority (HA) as a risk management and communication initiative … read more
The South Development and Sustainable Lantau Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department announced today (October 30) that 10 projects were approved in the 2025-2026 round of the Lantau Conservation Fund (LCF), involving total funding of about $15 million.
The approved projects comprise five research projects and five education and engagement projects, covering themes such as the cultural heritage and natural ecology of Tai O, the development history of Pui O as well as the coastal ecology, insect biodiversity and conservation of rare animals on Lantau.
The LCF aims to promote conservation and related projects on Lantau, with a view to raising community awareness and engaging the public to put conservation into practice, thereby fostering a sustainable quality living environment. The $1 billion LCF provides financial support to eligible organisations and post-secondary education institutions to conduct research projects as well as education and engagement projects, or to collaborate with local communities and landowners to carry out conservation and related projects on Lantau. It also supports minor local improvement works for conservation. Sixty-nine conservation and related projects amounting to over $179 million have been approved since the inception of the LCF in 2020.
The LCF will accept a new round of applications at the end of this year. For information about the LCF, the details and event calendar of the approved projects, and the invitation for the new round of applications, please visit the LCF’s website (www.lcf.gov.hk), the Sustainable Lantau Facebook page (www.facebook.com/lantauhk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/ourlantau), or call 2153 2739. read more
Hong Kong Customs detected a duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (October 29). A total of about 8 000 kilograms of duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $53.4 million and a duty potential of about $32 million was seized from an inbound medium goods vehicle (MGV). A male local driver involved in the case was arrested.
Based on intelligence analysis, Customs officers intercepted the MGV, which was declared to be carrying plastic films and carton sealing tapes, at the above-mentioned control point. Upon examination, Customs officers found about 400 boxes of unmanifested and duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, as well as a small quantity of other undeclared goods from the vehicle. A 55-year-old male local driver was subsequently arrested.
The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the manufactured tobacco. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis to vigorously combat cross-border smuggling activities.
Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who 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 illicit cigarette and smuggling 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).
The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (October 30) invited tenders for the contract for the Construction of Shui Hau Education Centre (Contract No. IS/2026/01). The closing time for the tender is no… read more
The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (October 30) that, with effect from November 1, 2026, the visa-free period of stay in Hong Kong for holders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) who have obtained pre-clearance from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will be extended to 90 days.
An ImmD spokesman said, “The APEC Business Mobility Group (BMG) has announced that five participating economies of the ABTC Scheme, namely the People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; the Philippines; and Singapore, will extend the maximum period of stay for visiting ABTC holders from 60 days to 90 days, with a view to further enhancing the effectiveness of the ABTC. The specific implementation timeline will be determined by the relevant economies. Our country will implement the new arrangement from November 1, 2026.”
The spokesman continued, “In line with our country’s implementation date, with effect from November 1, 2026, ABTC holders who have obtained pre-clearance from the HKSAR will have their maximum visa-free period of stay in the HKSAR extended from 60 days to 90 days. Other immigration arrangements regarding the entry of ABTC holders into the HKSAR will remain unchanged.”
At present, there are 19 economies participating in the ABTC Scheme, namely Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Chile; the People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; the Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; the Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; and Vietnam. In addition, the United States and Canada are transitional members of the ABTC Scheme and do not process pre-clearance applications referred by other participating economies. ABTC holders are still required to meet relevant entry requirements, including applying for necessary visas (if applicable).
Hong Kong residents holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card and a valid national passport are eligible to apply for an ABTC from the ImmD. Applicants must be bona fide business persons who need to travel frequently to APEC economies for short-term business visits, have no criminal record and have never been refused entry to any of the participating economies.
An ABTC is normally valid for five years. ABTC holders who have obtained pre-clearance from relevant participating economies can enjoy a visa-free period of stay for not less than 60 days. ABTC holders may also use the special service lanes at selected control points of the participating economies for speedy immigration clearance. read more