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2026
The Huanggang Port will officially open and commence operations at 6.30am on October 12, following an agreement between the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments. The Security Bureau and the Office of Port of Entry & Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government jointly issued a notice on the port opening today. Acceptance inspections of the new port building have been completed. Following the completion of a series of system tests, trials and emergency drills by both Hong Kong and Shenzhen, it has been confirmed that the port is ready for opening. The facility will commence operation on October 12, providing 24-hour clearance services for passengers and passenger vehicles. At the same time, passenger clearance services between the temporary port building of the Huanggang Port in Shenzhen and the Lok Ma Chau Control Point in Hong Kong will be suspended. Pursuant to the “Official Reply of the State Council concerning the Agreement on the Commissioning of the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area & Related Extended Areas”, the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area & Related Extended Areas were commissioned beginning at 00:00 hours on July 31, 2026, and are subject to the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with its laws. The official opening date was determined by the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly reprimands and resolutely refutes the baseless, slanderous remarks about Hong Kong in the US Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report 2026. The Hong Kong SAR Government said in the statement today that it vehemently opposes and firmly rejects the categorically false and groundless remarks in the so-called Report on Hong Kong's efforts to tackle trafficking in persons (TIP). It pointed out that the rating of Hong Kong at Tier 3 is entirely unfounded and represents a blatant attempt to tarnish Hong Kong's sterling reputation. The Government iterated that TIP has never been prevalent in Hong Kong, and there has never been any sign that the city is used by syndicates as a destination or transit point for TIP. The statement stressed that the Hong Kong SAR Government has long adopted a proactive, multi-pronged strategy in the fight against TIP, with substantial resources being injected into combatting TIP and enhancing protection for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong. Over the last year, it said, the Hong Kong SAR Government continued to spare no effort in conducting initial screenings for all people vulnerable to TIP risks, who had come to the attention of the relevant departments, including illegal immigrants, sex workers, illegal workers, FDHs, imported workers and other suspected victims It conducted around 12,100 initial screenings last year, a 7% increase compared with the year prior, and identified 15 TIP victims. Among these victims, all of whom were Hong Kong residents involved in employment fraud in Southeast Asian countries. The Hong Kong SAR Government said it took swift actions to return them to the city, identifying them, rigorously investigating their individual cases and prosecuting those implicated, underscoring its commitment to tackling the scourge of TIP. The statement emphasised that it is baseless for the report to cast doubt on Hong Kong's victim screening efforts, especially when studies and reports within the US have highlighted systematic underreporting of human trafficking cases by domestic law enforcement in the US. In response to the report's repeated insistence that Hong Kong should enact dedicated trafficking legislation, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that the current legislative framework, which comprises over 50 legal provisions against various TIP conducts, provides a comprehensive package of safeguards comparable to dedicated TIP laws found in some jurisdictions. The statement stressed that every jurisdiction should have latitude to determine the best legal framework to tackle the issue and there is simply no one-size-fits-all solution.
The Police Force's National Security Department arrested a man and woman in Kowloon on October 6 on suspicion of “doing with a seditious intention an act that had a seditious intention” under Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The two arrested individuals, both 38, including a male licensed insurance broker, were suspected of operating pages on various social media platforms and publishing seditious posts that incited hatred against the constitutional order of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The arrested man also profited by selling insurance products. Prior to the operation, the Police obtained court search warrants to search the residences of the suspects and seize relevant exhibits. The two individuals will be released on bail for further investigation.
The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today announced that Hong Kong welcomed around 1.6 million visitors during for the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week from October 1 to 7, with Mainland visitors accounting for more than 1.41 million – a figure that surpassed last year’s record. During the seven-day period, the daily average number of Mainland visitors stood at around 202,000, peaking on October 1, with approximately 277,000 arrivals. The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point recorded the highest volume of Mainland visitors, followed by the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who led the interdepartmental working group, noted that this year's National Day Golden Week featured a variety of vibrant activities. He added that the National Day fireworks display, the National Day Raceday and other events held on October 1 were well received by the public and visitors. The Government and various sectors of the community also launched a rich array of special offers and activities covering public transport, culture, arts and leisure, dining and consumption to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with the public, Mr Chan added. “These activities effectively attracted crowds and stimulated consumption, with the retail sector indicating that consumer spending in various retail categories saw single-digit to double-digit growth year-on-year, while the catering sector also indicated that businesses in tourist areas increased by about 10%.” Mr Chan emphasised that the Government will continue to work hand in hand with the industry to promote diversified tourism products and projects, creating an all-round and in-depth tourism experience for visitors while continuously injecting momentum into the local economy. The National Day Fireworks Display over Victoria Harbour on October 1 attracted over 378,000 spectators, while the National Day Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse attracted nearly 30,000 spectators, including 9,300 tourists. Meanwhile, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2026 and International Lantern Spectacular at Victoria Park received an enthusiastic response; its duration was extended twice, drawing a total of around 730,000 visitors. In addition, around 1,140 Mainland inbound tour groups brought over 41,000 visitors to the city during the seven-day Golden Week, with around 60% opting for overnight itineraries. The overall hotel occupancy rate reached 90%.
The Police Force has alerted the public to fraudulent websites purporting to be its “eTraffic Ticket Platform”. The websites falsely claim that discounts are available for early fine payment, in an attempt to deceive citizens into providing their credit card details and personal information. The genuine web address of the Police Force’s “eTraffic Ticket Platform” is https://www.etrafficticket.gov.hk. Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant. The force emphasised that no discounts are offered for the payment of traffic ticket fines. Moreover, SMS messages about electronic Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) will only be issued under the sender name “#HKPF-eTT”, and these FPNs, whether issued via SMS messages or email, will never contain any hyperlinks. Anyone who has submitted personal information via the fraudulent websites should report the matter to the force by calling 18222. Call 181 181 for platform enquiries.
Eligible Hong Kong residents can enrol for the “collaborative inspection” automated channel service via the Immigration Department’s “HK e-Channel” mobile application from today. Expected to be commissioned in this quarter, the redeveloped Huanggang Port is installed with 134 “collaborative inspection” automated channels and 68 traditional manual counters. Enrolled passengers using the former will only need to queue up and resent their identity documents once to complete immigration clearance procedures for both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Hong Kong residents aged seven or above who fulfil the following criteria can enrol for the service starting from today: Individuals who have registered for the Mainland’s e-Channel and hold a Hong Kong permanent identity card paired with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong & Macao Residents (Home Visit Permit) or a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) are eligible. Individuals holding a Hong Kong identity card and a Home Visit Permit who have registered for the Mainland’s e-Channel. Individuals holding a Hong Kong identity card and an “Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao” with a valid endorsement for travelling to Hong Kong. Eligible Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above can use a smartphone with biometric authentication technology to download the department’s “HK e-Channel” mobile application, select “Collaborative Inspection”, authenticate their identity via “iAM Smart”, and follow the instructions to complete enrolment for the service. For eligible Hong Kong residents aged seven to 17, parents or legal guardian must complete the enrolment procedures on their behalf using the “HK e-Channel” mobile application. In addition, all eligible Hong Kong residents can proceed to the e-Channel enrolment offices or self-service kiosks at the Huanggang Port for on-site enrolment. Eligible Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above can also enrol and complete the immigration clearance procedures for both regions simultaneously at the “collaborative inspection” automated channels. Mainland visitors holding an “Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong & Macao” with a valid endorsement for travelling to Hong Kong can also proceed to the e-Channel enrolment offices at the Huanggang Port for on-site enrolment. Eligible Mainland visitors aged 18 or above can enrol and complete the immigration clearance procedures for both regions simultaneously at the “collaborative inspection” automated channels. When enrolling for the “collaborative inspection” automated channel service, eligible Hong Kong residents and Mainland visitors aged 14 or above can also enrol for the “Face Scan” clearance service, in which mode there is no need to present identity documents. The department reminds passengers they are still required to carry their valid travel documents conforming to the immigration requirements of both regions when using the new channels to travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Furthermore, passengers can also choose to use the traditional manual counters for immigration clearance.
Ahead of the highly anticipated opening of the redeveloped Huanggang Port, the Security Bureau hosted a community experience day today, welcoming 1,500 members of the public to tour the new Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Participants travelled from designated pick-up points across various districts via franchised buses and cross-boundary coachs. Guided by officers from the Fire Services Department and the Correctional Services Department, the visitors explored the port building in groups. The tour began at the public transport interchange, where participants were briefed on upcoming transit arrangements. They then moved through the main building to explore its interior design features and passenger-friendly amenities, including the free government Wi-Fi service. On the fifth floor, Immigration Department officers demonstrated the new "collaborative inspection" automated channels in the departure hall, giving residents a firsthand look at the innovative "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode. The tour continued on the fourth-floor arrival hall, where Hong Kong Customs officers explained the streamlined passenger clearance and inspection procedures. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung visited the venue and spoke with attendees to gather feedback and hear about their visit experiences. Expressing his gratitude for the public’s positive response, Mr Tang noted that residents are eagerly awaiting the port’s opening, which promises a faster and more convenient travel experience. He also distributed gift packs and took photos with the visitors. The bureau described the event’s atmosphere as enthusiastic and highly engaging. It added that the event deepened public understanding of the new facility’s transport logistics, customs operations and passenger services. Moving forward, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will maintain close co-operation with Shenzhen authorities to finalise preparations for the port’s official opening.
The Department of Health (DH) and the Police Force today seized over 5,900 items of suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products and/or Part 1 poisons from two premises in Tsim Sha Tsui during a raid. The operation was conducted after intelligence indicated that certain premises were suspected of providing injectable treatments involving unregistered pharmaceutical products to the public. One of the premises raided operated as a company claiming to provide medical health management services. The DH said the case remains under investigation and did not rule out further arrests. It reminded the public that injection procedures are medical procedures which must only be performed by locally registered medical practitioners or registered dentists. For queries about disease prevention and treatment, consult a registered doctor instead of blindly trusting unproven medical claims. Under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance, any product that meets the definition of a pharmaceutical product must meet the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality and must be registered with the Pharmacy & Poisons Board of Hong Kong before it may be distributed in the city. The illegal supply or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, each offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and two years imprisonment. The DH stressed that it will continue taking enforcement action if it suspects that a person has illegally supplied and/or possessed unregistered pharmaceutical products. If healthcare professionals are involved, the case will be referred to the relevant professional regulatory body for follow-up. The department has been taking stringent enforcement action against such offences to safeguard public safety. From 2021 to June 2026, its Drug Office handled 138 cases resulting in convictions. The maximum penalty has been 10 months' imprisonment or a fine of up to $242,000. The DH will continue to closely monitor pharmaceutical products on the market and take appropriate follow-up action upon receiving intelligence or complaints. The department also noted that it has sent a letter to all doctors and private healthcare facilities in Hong Kong, reminding them that they must comply with the law in Hong Kong, as the illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products is a criminal offence.
The Police Force’s National Security Department today arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of committing seditious acts. Police reported that people were observed standing outside MTR Prince Edward Station holding bouquets and shouting seditious slogans on the evening of August 31. The arrestees are a 37-year-old local man and a 58-year-old local woman. Police arrested them for the offence of “doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention”, in contravention of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. Prior to the arrests, Police obtained court warrants to search their residences and seize relevant items. The two arrestees are currently being detained for further enquiries, and the force's arrest operation remains ongoing. Similar operations have been conducted recently. A local man and two local women were arrested on September 27 and 28, following the September 3 arrests of two local men and a local woman. All six of those arrestees have been released on bail pending further investigations. Police stated that the so-called “831 incident” lacks any factual basis, describing it as a lie perpretrated by individuals with ulterior motives to attack the HKSAR Government, smear the Police Force, and attempt to achieve their political objectives by endangering public peace. Authorities emphasised that the acts in question constitute a serious crime and carry a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment upon first conviction.
The Government today announced that a resident who has completed a sentence in the Philippines has returned to Hong Kong safely accompanied by officers from the Immigration Department (ImmD). He reunited with his family at the Hong Kong airport upon arrival in the city and expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for their years of assistance, which enabled his prompt return to the city to reunite with his family after being released. His family was delighted with the reunion and thanked the Hong Kong SAR Government and the ImmD for maintaining close contact with them and for providing proactive responses to their assistance requests. The Government stated that it has always attached great importance to cases involving Hong Kong residents detained or imprisoned overseas, safeguarding their legal rights and remaining committed to providing assistance to them. Upon the ImmD's receipt of the request-for-assistance from the resident's family in 2003, the Hong Kong SAR Government maintained close contact with the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR (OCMFA) and the Embassy, making every effort to provide practicable assistance to the resident and his family. The Embassy also attached great importance to the case, having arranged officials to pay visits to the detained Hong Kong resident during his sentence and actively approached the local judicial authorities to follow up on the situation. Upon learning that the resident had completed his sentence in the Philippines, the ImmD and the Embassy actively liaised with relevant Filipino authorities to follow up and immediately issued him with travel documents to expedite the overall repatriation procedure. The Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD also sent officers to the Philippines to co-ordinate the relevant repatriation arrangements with the Embassy and the Filipino authorities. The Hong Kong SAR Government expressed gratitude to the OCMFA and the Embassy for their support and assistance in facilitating the prompt return of the resident following his release, which resulted in a prompt and smooth repatriation arrangement. The ImmD will continue to follow up on the case and provide practicable assistance to the resident.