Hong Kong and Singapore strengthen ties during 30th anniversary of Economic and Trade Office in Singapore.

2025-09-01 21:00 Last Updated At：21:23

SCED: Hong Kong strives to forge closer partnership with Singapore and ASEAN as a whole

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (September 1) visited Singapore to have exchanges with the political and business sectors to forge an even closer relationship between Hong Kong and Singapore, leveraging the complementary advantages of the two places.

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SCED: Hong Kong strives to forge closer partnership with Singapore and ASEAN as a whole Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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SCED: Hong Kong strives to forge closer partnership with Singapore and ASEAN as a whole Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Singapore, a milestone underscoring the enduring partnership between Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole.

Speaking at a celebration dinner hosted by the Singapore ETO, Mr Yau said that the Singapore ETO, which also covers Vietnam, Laos and India, is the first ETO that Hong Kong has set up in Southeast Asia, followed by the ones in Indonesia and Thailand, and hopefully another one soon in Malaysia. ASEAN is now the fourth-largest economic bloc in the world and has also become Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner.

Noting that ASEAN is Hong Kong's strategic partner at both the regional and global levels, Mr Yau highlighted the importance of partnerships among economies especially in turbulent times, when conflicts destabilise global relations, and tariff-induced uncertainties impede world trade.

Mr Yau stressed that the world economy in the long term is not a zero-sum game and economies can grow together through innovation, investment and trade, and also create new values, generate new wealth and opportunities hand in hand. He added that what exists among economies does not have to be competition, it can be collaboration for a brighter and shared future.

Mr Yau also shared with around 200 guests from the government sector, Chinese and foreign embassies in Singapore, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, business associations, academic institutions and cultural organisations, etc Hong Kong's economic outlook and resilient growth in trade despite the tariff shocks. He added that sparing no efforts to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, Hong Kong will forge more partnerships with other economies. He also expressed gratitude for the Singapore Government's long-standing support for the Singapore ETO and extended his congratulations to the 60th anniversary of the country's independence.

Other notable guests of honour at the dinner included the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry of Singapore, Ms Gan Siow Huang, and the Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, Mr Zhu Jing. Both acknowledged the efforts and achievements of the Singapore ETO over the past three decades and aspired for even closer co-operation in the years ahead.

The dinner featured photos highlighting the Singapore ETO's diverse engagements over the past 30 years. The Director of the Singapore ETO, Mr Owin Fung, noted that through hosting high-level official visits, leading business delegations, and organising events, forums and cultural performances, the office has fostered ever closer ties between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries. An ensemble was also staged by young talented musicians from Hong Kong and Singapore using a vibrant fusion of Chinese and Western instruments to embody the "East meets West" spirit, cultural diversity and creative energy of both places.

In addition to attending the celebration dinner, Mr Yau earlier in the day met with the Minister for Manpower and the Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology of Singapore, Dr Tan See Leng, to brief him on Hong Kong's latest developments such as the Northern Metropolis development, and the vast business opportunities in Hong Kong and also the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for Singaporean enterprises. They also exchanged views on deepening collaboration between the two places in various areas to bring mutual benefits.

During the visit, Mr Yau also took the opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the development and potential of e-commerce in Singapore and ASEAN markets. As well, Mr Yau visited a family edutainment company specialising in offering fun play activities for young children's learning, social interaction and development. The company now has four outlets in Hong Kong and the fifth one will open soon. Mr Yau had a good exchange with the company's senior management and encouraged the company to continue to use Hong Kong as a base to expand business and tap into the Mainland market.

Mr Yau concluded his visit to Singapore and will proceed to Beijing tomorrow (September 2). He will return to Hong Kong on September 3.

No New Chikungunya Cases Reported in Hong Kong, 82 Total Confirmed Last Year

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 25), 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.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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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 (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Kwai Tsing District Office, Lands Department, Drainage Services Department, and Civil Engineering and Development Department) have been continuously conducting comprehensive mosquito control and environmental remediation work along the trails. 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 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 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 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 Control dedicated page of the FEHD.

Hong Kong and Singapore strengthen ties during 30th anniversary of Economic and Trade Office in Singapore.