Health risk category for Air Quality Health Index reached "Serious" level
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal air pollution levels since this afternoon (January 27), and the health risk category of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at some air quality monitoring stations has reached the "Serious" level.
Winds are weak over Hong Kong this afternoon, which are unfavourable for pollutant dispersion. The intense sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity, leading to the rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high ozone level also promotes the formation of nitrogen dioxide.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory's forecast, under the influence of a strong easterly airstream, it will be mainly cloudy and windy over the coast of Guangdong later this week. It is expected that air quality will improve by then.
With a health risk category in the "Very High" range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from healthcare professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB website for appropriate measures to safeguard students' health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows:www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.
When the air quality health risk category is at the "Very High" level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees, such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the "Serious" level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings on the EPD's website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html).
Source: AI-created image
CCIDA and FDC lead industries to participate in Busan International Film Festival and Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea to showcase Hong Kong's new creative momentum
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led Hong Kong's film and creative industriesto participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Korea, promoting the unique appeal and new momentum of Hong Kong's creative industries to the international market, fostering cultural exchanges and expanding diverse global business opportunities.
Sponsored by CCIDA and co-organised by the BIFF and the Asian Film Awards Academy, the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception was held on October 9 (Busan time) and brought together over 750 representatives from the global creative and film communities. The occasion enabled emerging Hong Kong filmmakers and original content intellectual property (IP) rights holders to forge stronger connections with their international counterparts. Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai remarked that CCIDA is dedicated to boosting film productions and grooming talents for various segments of the film industry through various funding schemes under the Film Development Fund (FDF), in addition, CCIDA will set up a dedicated Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions, offering seamless facilitation for overseas crews filming in Hong Kong.
Local filmmakers and their works supported by the FDF also shone at this year's festival. The film "Dead End", a winning project of the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative, was selected for the "Vision - Asia" competition section and held its world premiere on October 10 (Busan time). The screening drew over 200 attendees. Director Isabella Lam, alongside actors Maggie Shiu, Hedwig Tam and Lokman Yeung, attended the premiere and engaged with audiences during the post-screening interactive session, receiving an enthusiastic response that reflected the international appeal of Hong Kong films.
Throughout the BIFF, CCIDA representatives also met with various cultural and creative institutions and film festival organisers, including Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, Korean Film Council and Busan Asian Film School, to explore future collaboration and development opportunities.
On the business development front, CCIDA, the FDC and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, building a platform for co-operation to facilitate exchanges among creative talents and explore collaboration opportunities. This year, CCIDA, for the first time, sponsored emerging local original content IP rights holders to participate in the ACFM's "Busan Story Market" to promote IP transactions, financing and cross-sector content development. Sponsored projects included the comic "Disposable Dolly" and animations –– "Tai Lung Fung – Full Throttle Kitchen", "Cirkillation" and "Blacky The Metal Arm Cat". In addition, CCIDA also sponsored the participation of four Hong Kong producers, Trevor Choi, Lau Kok-rui, Kelvin Shum and Whitney Yiu, in the ACFM's "Producer Hub". Emerging filmmaker So Chak-long, whose project was selected for the ACFM's "Asian Project Market", was also sponsored to take part in project pitching activities.
CCIDA will continue to support the development of Hong Kong's film and creative industries and, as outlined in the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, conduct a comprehensive review of the FDF with a view to attracting more private investment and ensuring the sustainable development of the industry.
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) and sponsored Hong Kong producers to participate in ACFM's "Producer Hub". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Korea. CCIDA sponsored emerging local original content IP rights holders to participate in ACFM's "Busan Story Market" to promote IP transactions, financing and cross-sector content development. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, where business meetings were held with industry counterparts around the world. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market, during which the film “Dead End”, funded by the Film Development Fund, held its world premiere at the BIFF on October 10 (Busan time). Photo shows the director and actors of the film in the post-screening interactive session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (front row, fifth right) and representatives of Hong Kong's film and creative sectors attending the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The film "Dead End", a winning project of the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative supported by the Film Development Fund was selected for the "Vision - Asia" competition section and held its world premiere on October 10 (Busan time). Photo shows representatives of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Hong Kong Film Development Council, director and actors of the related film. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and the Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, speaking at the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception on October 9 (Busan time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
