Ombudsman Reports Progress and Future Reforms at Legislative Council Meeting

Ombudsman briefs Legislative Council Members on work results in 2024-25

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (July 8) attended an annual meeting with the Legislative Council (LegCo) and briefed members on the progress and results of the Office of The Ombudsman's work in 2024-25. Looking forward, the Office will drive positive change in public administration, especially by streamlining workflow and enhancing efficiency to bring about further improvement in public administration. Mr Chan also exchanged constructive views with LegCo Members on matters of mutual concern.

At the meeting, Mr Chan mentioned that in response to the motherland's expectations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Office will stay bold in reform, dare to break new ground, and innovate continuously. In the reporting year, the Office championed three strategic focuses and achieved satisfactory results in various areas. Mr Chan said, "On the front of mediation, the Office achieved unprecedented results during the reporting year, concluding an all-time high of 555 cases involving no or only minor maladministration." Based on the motto of "responding to people's needs", the Office helped the complainants out of their predicament speedily and amicably through mediation, while the departments could also review internal procedures and make improvements, thereby enhancing the standards of public administration. The results were encouraging as the Office's mediation work was highly commended by both complainants and departments.

Interdepartmental collaboration is another strategic focus of the Office. At the meeting, Mr Chan elaborated that after analysing the interdepartmental collaboration cases handled over the past, positive impact was observed in four major areas: clarifying the demarcation of responsibilities, grasping the crux of the matter, facilitating direct communication and experience sharing among departments, and launching joint operations. The Office has introduced a new series featuring stories of good people and good deeds on social media and its website, showcasing mediation and interdepartmental collaboration closely related to people's livelihood and highlighting the results brought about by complaint handling.

During the reporting year, the Office spared no effort in advocating a positive complaint culture through exchange meetings, publicity campaigns, education initiatives and commendation schemes. Not only are the public encouraged to participate in social issues and voice their opinions in a constructive manner, but departments and organisations are also urged to serve the public with open-mindedness. Mr Chan firmly believes that fostering constructive suggestions and positive feedback is conducive to the promotion of good governance.

Mr Chan highlighted at the meeting several direct investigation (DI) operations widely concerned by the Government, professions and the community, including regulation of occupational safety and health in construction industry, combating abuse of public housing resources, and the arrangements for recovery, refurbishment and reallocation of public housing rental flats. A poignant DI operation was conducted into the provision of public services relating to after-death arrangements. During the reporting year, the Office made 148 recommendations to government departments or public organisations in DI operation reports. Together with the 106 recommendations made in full investigation reports, the total number of 254 recommendations soared by 37 per cent over that in 2023-24 and hit a record high in the recent five years.

The Office completed a reorganisation in July, under which it has streamlined the directorate establishment from a three-tier to a two-tier directorate structure by freezing the vacancy of Deputy Ombudsman. Instead, three Assistant Ombudsmen, all reporting directly to the Ombudsman, are appointed to head three major divisions, namely the Complaints Investigation Division, the Direct Investigation Division, and the Complaints Assessment and Support Division. The Office has deployed resources more flexibly to increase the number of Direct Investigation Teams from two to three, augment the staffing for complaints assessment, and streamline the complement of Complaints Investigation Teams and administrative and support staff. Mr Chan said, "The Office will adhere to the strategy of training and internal promotion to cultivate a contingent of experienced and competent investigation officers and support staff that are dedicated to our country and Hong Kong."

Separately, Mr Chan reported the Office's international liaison work, including hosting the International Ombudsman Summit 2024 and The Ombudsman's 35th Anniversary Reception Ceremony in December last year. The event was supported and commended by the Central Government, the HKSAR Government and international counterparts, and widely reported by the media. Around 140 Mainland and overseas participants from about 40 countries and regions across six continents attended the Summit. The Office also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation with representatives from eight countries and regions across five continents, demonstrating Hong Kong's important role as a "super connector".

The Office actively participated in international affairs. In addition to being the Secretary of the Asian Ombudsman Association, Mr Chan was appointed earlier this year as the Chairman of the Standing By-laws Committee and a member of the United Nations and International Cooperation Working Group under the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) respectively. In May, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Australasian and Pacific Region of the IOI. Mr Chan pledged to continue playing an active role on international co-operation platforms, presenting to global audiences a good story about Hong Kong from stability to prosperity under "one country, two systems", and leveraging the unique position of having strong support from the motherland and close connections to the world. Furthermore, the Office will maintain a close relationship with its Mainland counterparts.

Looking forward, the Office will perform the gatekeeping function under The Ombudsman Ordinance to focus resources on those complaints that require assistance. It will press ahead with promoting mediation to redress public grievances, step up DI operations and make pragmatic and effective recommendations and observations, especially on streamlining workflow and enhancing efficiency to bring about improvement in public administration. Mr Chan also remarked that the preparations for establishing the Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy are in full swing. The Academy's first exchange session on mediation is scheduled for August 25, 2025. In line with Mr Chan's firm belief in "prevention is better than cure", the Academy will endeavour to instil the concept of "maladministration prevention" in public officers to enhance their vigilance and take precautions against maladministration. This also marks a new milestone of the Office in driving positive change in public administration.

Ombudsman briefs Legislative Council Members on work results in 2024-25 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 3), 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 the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Cntrol dedicated page of the FEHD.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Photo source: reference image