STL witnesses signing ceremony of Airport Authority Hong Kong's equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, today (November 26) visited Zhuhai to attend and witness the signing ceremony of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK)'s equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport.
The Agreement of Shares Acquisition concerning the equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport was signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the AAHK, Mrs Vivian Cheung, and the Chairman of the Zhuhai Transportation Holdings Group, Mr Chen Weijia, in Zhuhai.Mr Lam; Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhuhai Municipal Committee and the Mayor of the Zhuhai Municipal Government, Mr Huang Zhihao; and the Chairman of the AAHK, Mr Fred Lam, witnessed the signing ceremony.
The Zhuhai Municipal Government and the AAHK have been jointly operating and managing Zhuhai Airport since 2006, driving the continuous growth of passenger traffic and the expansion of the domestic aviation network, which shows that the co-operation between the two parties has achieved remarkable results. The commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has shortened the travelling distance between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, creating favourable conditions for the two places to further strengthen collaboration in their airports and aviation industries.
With the support of the Central Government, the AAHK and the Zhuhai Municipal Government have been pressing ahead with the AAHK's equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport according to market principles in the past few years with a view to promoting a deeper co-operation between the two airports. Today's signing ceremony of the Agreement of Shares Acquisition of Zhuhai Airport marks a new milestone for co-operation between two airports, providing a more solid foundation for enhancing passenger and cargo connectivity between the airports.
Mr Lam Sai-hung said, "The National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have recognised Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been making continuous efforts in promoting the aviation development on multiple fronts, including fostering closer connections with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to achieve a multiple synergistic effect and proactively contribute to the development of a world-class airport cluster in the GBA. The deepened co-operation between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Zhuhai Airport today is one of the great examples of strong alliance with complementary advantages.
"The long-awaited Three-Runway System of HKIA is about to come into operation, and the capacity of HKIA will increase significantly. The HKSAR Government will seize the opportunity by increasing our efforts to expand the aviation network and connect the whole nation through establishing an intermodal transport network with other cities in the GBA, leveraging Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' between the Mainland and the rest of the world. In this regard, we will work with Zhuhai to enhance the 'Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong' service, achieving greater synergy by integrating the international aviation network of HKIA and the domestic aviation network of Zhuhai Airport. We will also pursue co-operation in other aspects, including the development of the international air cargo business in collaboration with Zhuhai and taking forward the development of a high-end aviation industrial cluster, with an aim to realise a development plan which is mutually beneficial to the two places," he added.
STL witnesses signing ceremony of Airport Authority Hong Kong's equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (December 5), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 77 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, nine were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of September 30, a total of 445 271 suspected and confirmed CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have been reported in 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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Regarding the recently announced local case involving a23-year-old female living in Sheung Wan, the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
The CHP urged the members of the public residing and working at Queen's Road West (near Morrison Street and Hollywood Road) who experienced a fever, rash or joint pain on or after November 15 to seek medical advice or contact the CHP immediately. CHP officers continued to reach out to individuals in the aforementioned locations to remind individuals to be aware of relevant symptoms and to maintain good environmental hygiene in their households.
As of 5pm today, the CHP has conducted assessments for over 2 200 individuals residing or working in the higher-risk district through the health consultation booth at the main entrance of the Sheung Wan Civic Centre, its enquiry hotline (2125 2373), questionnaire surveys and door-to-door visits. Two individuals with mild symptoms have been scheduled for blood tests. One of them tested negative for the chikungunya virus, and the result for the other individual is pending.
Meanwhile, as some confirmed CF cases have reportedly been bitten by mosquitoes while hiking along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, the CHP considered the trails to be a higher-risk area. As a precautionary measure, the CHP continued to urge individuals who have recently visited the Tsing Yi North area or hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the aforesaid enquiry hotline.
Specifically targeting confirmed cases who visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area, the FEHD has been conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the hiking trails. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could bring stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. Pamphlets have been also distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations. The FEHD has earlier requested the relevant departments to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. The FEHD also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts, to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Furthermore, the FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July this year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local cases, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Update on chikungunya fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
