Civil Service Secretary Visits Census Department to Discuss AI, Data Science, and Voter Registration Efforts.

SCS visits Census and Statistics Department

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) this afternoon (May 2) to exchange views with staff representatives from various grades in the department, and to learn how the department applies artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in official statistical work to enhance its operational efficiency and quality of statistical services. She also took the opportunity to appeal to colleagues to register as voters to fulfil their civic responsibility.

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, Mrs Yeung first met with the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, and the directorate staff to receive an update on the department's latest developments and key initiatives.

The C&SD staff first introduced the new approach to conducting the 2026 Population Census. Starting from the 2026 Population Census, the C&SD will make more extensive and systematic use of the administrative data collected from various government departments, including immigration records, public housing rentals and welfare payments, to reduce the cost of data collection. The C&SD estimates that the total cost incurred for the 2026 and 2031 Population Censuses will be reduced by about 40 per cent, saving around $680 million.

Mrs Yeung was then briefed by the staff on data science development strategy of the C&SD, which involves exploring and applying various cutting-edge technologies to enhance work efficiency, such as image recognition, web scraping and computer vision technology for intelligent data collection and processing. The staff also introduced two sets of in-house developed AI models, one of which can accurately validate the classification and the unit value of commodities on import/export declarations within a short period of time, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of the data validation process. The other set of AI models is applied to the Electronic System for Cargo Manifests to assist in matching the corresponding import/export declarations and cargo manifests. According to the C&SD, using the two sets of AI models to perform relevant duties has reduced the required manpower by nearly half. In addition to streamlining the process, the data quality has also improved significantly. Some of the saved resources will be reallocated to further drive the development of data science and the statistical areas involving big data, with a view to enabling the C&SD to provide higher-quality statistical services to the community.

Mrs Yeung said, "As the expectations and demands of the community on the Government and the civil service have continuously grown, the workload of the Government has been increasing while all departments have to reduce expenditure and streamline manpower at the same time. Innovative thinking and flexibility are key to keeping up with the complicated and ever-changing environment. On the premise of maintaining efficient public services, I request that the departments make good plans and review the necessity of all their posts, leverage technology, and optimise manpower arrangements through reorganisation and reprioritisation of work."

She encouraged the C&SD to continue applying innovative technology to further enhance the timeliness and accuracy of official statistics while streamlining the workflow, so as to meet the demand for statistical information from the Government, the industrial and business sectors and the public.

Before concluding her visit, Mrs Yeung met with staff representatives from various grades in the department to exchange views on matters of concern to them. The 2025 Voter Registration Campaign is under way. Mrs Yeung took the opportunity to remind colleagues to actively register as electors if they have not done so, and for those who have already registered to submit applications for change of particulars if there is any change in their residential address or other registration particulars, and asked them to pass on the message to their families and friends, so asto cast their votes in the 2025 Legislative Council General Election to be held at the end of this year.

SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCS visits Census and Statistics Department 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 (January 4), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, 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, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a 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 cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has 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.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last 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 case, 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.

Source: AI-found images