CE meets Member of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met today (May 30) at Government House with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi, to welcome Mr Wang as he visits Hong Kong and attends the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (the Convention). Mr Lee and Mr Wang had a working luncheon and exchanged views on the work of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), and international exchanges and co-operation related to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the meeting.
Mr Lee expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Central Government for its strong support in establishing the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong. He noted that the IOMed is a high-level international organisation. He said that the Central Government demonstrated its staunch support to the HKSAR in its development as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region under the National 14th Five-Year Plan through setting up the IOMed Preparatory Office in Hong Kong, completing the negotiations on the Convention, facilitating the consensus among different parties on situating the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong, and hosting the signing ceremony of the Convention in Hong Kong.
Mr Lee said that the presence of Mr Wang in Hong Kong to witness the historic moment of signing the Convention is a great encouragement to him and the HKSAR Government. The HKSAR Government is well-equipped to promote the IOMed and to develop Hong Kong into a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Lee said that basing the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong will bring a host of significant benefits to the city.
First, the IOMed will elevate Hong Kong's international status and role in international mediation. Under the “one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong, as the only common law jurisdiction in China, boasts an established legal system, a solid foundation of the rule of law, diverse legal and dispute resolution services, and a wide pool of legal professionals with a global perspective. He noted that Hong Kong could make important contributions to the work of the IOMed.
Second, the IOMed will generate substantial economic benefits. Its service demand will create a large number of job opportunities in positions such as mediators, translators and researchers. The IOMed will also attract international organisations, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions to establish a presence in Hong Kong, drawing high-quality conferences and exhibitions to the city and further boosting sectors like hospitality, food and beverages, logistics and transportation, as well as industries in the conference economy. With a status on par with the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration of the United Nations in The Hague, the IOMed will become a pivotal institution for resolving international disputes. This will facilitate deeper economic co-operation between Hong Kong and overseas economies such as regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, creating more business opportunities.
Third, the IOMed will further enhance Hong Kong's ecosystem related to the rule of law, promoting the popularity of a mediation culture and encouraging the community in resolving issues through dialogue. Mr Lee highlighted that the IOMed will help Hong Kong attract more legal and dispute resolution professionals from around the globe, contributing to the development of the legal framework for dispute resolution and further consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international legal hub.
Mr Lee also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, and Chinese diplomatic and consular missions overseas for their continued support in deepening the HKSAR Government's international exchanges and co-operation. This includes the meticulous arrangements for overseas visits of Mr Lee and other HKSAR Government officials, enabling Hong Kong to more effectively showcase its unparalleled advantages of having the strong support of the country while maintaining connectivity with the world under the "one country, two systems" principle.
Noting that consular protection of the country has always been the strongest safeguard for Hong Kong people travelling abroad, Mr Lee thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its ongoing support and care provided to the people of Hong Kong through Chinese diplomatic and consular missions overseas. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance Hong Kong people's understanding of consular protection policies and work related to Hong Kong, and raise their awareness and capabilities in the areas of security and protection.
CE meets Member of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
2.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan |
6.7% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
2.2% |
2.0 |
Tai Po West |
15.5% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
9.1% |
1.4 |
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
16.8% |
1.3 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
15.4% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
18.9% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
20.8% |
1.7 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
18.3% |
1.4 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
6.9% |
2.3 |
The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.
For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
