GBA Lawyers Organization Launched to Enhance Legal Collaboration in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

GBA Lawyers Organization established

The GBA Lawyers Organization was officially launched today (December 5) at the First Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum under the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, with a view to steadily advancing the pilot scheme for lawyers practicing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and fully leveraging their professional strengths. The Organization will provide liaison services and organise activities to support GBA lawyers to better contribute to the development of the GBA.

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, remarked in his opening speech that the establishment of a dedicated platform for GBA lawyers was one of the key tasks in the Action Plan on the Construction of Rule of Law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area released by the Department of Justice (DoJ) last year. The same initiative was also clearly stated in last year's Policy Address, reflecting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's strong commitment to promote the nurturing of legal talent in the GBA. He thanked the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province for their strong support in the establishment of the GBA Lawyers Organization, and hoped that the Organization would in the future, collaborate closely with the DoJ to advance the pilot scheme for lawyers to practice in the GBA, create favourable conditions for regularising the GBA lawyers scheme, and contribute to the country's construction of foreign-related rule of law.

The Representative of the Preparatory Office of the GBA Lawyers Organization and Chairman of the China Legal Service (H.K.) Ltd, Ms Liu Changchun, introduced the objectives, functions and key activities of the Organization at the forum. The main responsibilities of the Organization include uniting Hong Kong lawyers with affection for the country and Hong Kong to give full effect to the role of GBA lawyers in the country's construction of foreign-related rule of law and promote integration of Hong Kong's legal community into the national development; strengthening professional exchanges and collaboration among lawyers in the area, facilitating GBA lawyers' participation in professional activities held in the Mainland and Hong Kong; and providing communication, consultation, and training services for those who already obtained the GBA lawyer's licence, such as those who passed the GBA Legal Professional Examination with a plan to practice in the Mainland, as well as applicants for the GBA Legal Professional Examination. The Organization will also study and analyse the challenges and issues faced by lawyers practicing in the GBA and propose solutions.

The first Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum, themed "GBA Connectivity: Setting Sail for Global Horizons", gathered Mainland and Hong Kong legal leaders who delivered keynote speeches on cross-boundary co-operation and future development of GBA lawyers. As the first keynote speaker, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, elaborated on Hong Kong's unique advantages and how it leverages its strategic position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region as well as measures introduced by the DoJ in strengthening Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder", making Hong Kong the preferred partner for Mainland enterprises seeking to expand abroad and for foreign companies hoping to tap into the Mainland market. The Director-General of the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, Mr Chen Xudong, also delivered a keynote speech outlining Guangdong's implementation of and future development on the country's opening policy for Hong Kong and Macao legal services. Other speakers shared insights on the legal practitioners framework and regulatory regime for GBA lawyers; dispute resolution practice, and innovations in the regulatory framework and judicial practice concerning choice of law for Hong Kong and Macao-invested enterprises.

During the panel discussion themed "The Unique Advantage of 'One Country, Two Systems, Three Jurisdictions' - GBA Lawyers Facilitating Enterprises to Go Global", prominent GBA and Mainland lawyers exchanged practical experiences and discussed how dual-qualified GBA lawyers could leverage the unique strengths of the "one country, two systems, three jurisdictions" framework under the GBA to assist Mainland enterprises in going global.

For more details of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, please visit the dedicated website at www.legalweek.hk. A live broadcast is available on the dedicated website and at webcast.info.gov.hk.

GBA Lawyers Organization established Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA Lawyers Organization established Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA Lawyers Organization established Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA Lawyers Organization established Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA Lawyers Organization established Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA Lawyers Organization established Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA Lawyers Organization established Source: HKSAR Government Press Relea

GBA Lawyers Organization established Source: HKSAR Government Press Relea

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