FSTB welcomes Manulife (International) Limited's further expansion of investment and commitment in Hong Kong
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) extended its warm welcome to Manulife (International) Limited today (March 23) for its plan to expand investment and operation in Hong Kong, following its re-domiciliation to Hong Kong last December. The plan includes the further increase in AI investment and posting its Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Asia, to Hong Kong, fully demonstrating its unwavering confidence in Hong Kong as an international financial centre and a hub for AI development.
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), Photo source: reference image
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "Manulife's AI investment expansion plan will help drive digital transformation and innovation application in the insurance industry, showcasing Hong Kong's regional leadership in the 'finance + AI' field. The FSTB will continue to work closely with regulators and the industry to actively encourage financial institutions to adopt AI in a responsible manner, continuously optimise the regulatory regime, promote the deep integration of AI and the financial sector, and help Hong Kong seize opportunities from the global technology revolution for further consolidation of its status as an international financial centre.
"During my visit to Canada in May last year, I personally showcased to Manulife's senior management the unique advantages of Hong Kong, bringing about the fruitful outcome of the company becoming the first insurance company re-domiciled to Hong Kong in December 2025 upon the implementation of the company re-domiciliation regime. Following the re-domiciliation, Manulife's posting of a key senior position related to AI to Hong Kong, coupled with plans to enhance investment in AI research, development and application, reaffirms the city's strategic importance within the group's global business portfolio and will surely inject new momentum into the local fintech ecosystem."
Mr Hui added, "The series of major initiatives of expansion of investment and operation in Hong Kong pursued by Manulife underscore not only the advantageous business environment of Hong Kong but also the persistent efforts by different parties. I would like to thank colleagues from our Bureau, the Companies Registry, the Insurance Authority and others for their continuous hard work in building a favourable environment for the insurance industry to develop. My gratitude also goes to the insurance sector for always maintaining a high professional standard, which makes the investment environment in Hong Kong even more attractive."
AI is a core engine for promoting the high-quality development of Hong Kong's financial sector. The 2026-27 Budget explicitly proposes building a complete ecosystem conducive to AI applications, and the FSTB's Policy Statement on Responsible Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Market, issued in October 2024, articulates a "dual-track parallel" policy approach: promoting the safe and responsible application of AI by financial institutions, while emphasising the importance of cybersecurity, data privacy protection, and intellectual property protection, providing solid policy support for AI investment plans by institutions like Manulife.
The Government and regulator have made notable achievements in attracting investment for the insurance industry in recent years. Apart from Manulife's successful re-domiciliation and its plan to expand investment and operation in Hong Kong, the Insurance Authority also announced on March 3 the grant of authorisation to the captive insurer set up in Hong Kong by the China National Nuclear Corporation, reflecting Hong Kong's attractiveness to local and overseas enterprises as a hub for captive insurance in Asia. There are currently seven captive insurers in Hong Kong.
Manulife (International) Limited, Photo source: the official website of Manulife
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 11) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 14 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Wan Chai |
Tin Hau and Causeway Bay |
7.8% |
1.3 |
Wan Chai |
5.4% |
1.3 |
Kowloon City |
Kowloon City |
7.4% |
1.0 |
Kowloon Tong |
12.9% |
1.3 |
Kwun Tong |
Kwun Tong Central |
13.6% |
1.5 |
Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping |
13.8% |
1.1 |
Mong Kok |
Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui |
0.0% |
N/A |
Yau Tsim |
Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei |
4.7% |
2.0 |
Tsim Sha Tsui East and King's Park |
9.1% |
1.0 |
North |
Fanling North |
14.3% |
1.0 |
Fanling South |
7.0% |
1.7 |
Kwai Tsing |
Tsing Yi South |
12.3% |
1.1 |
Tsuen Wan |
Sheung Kwai Chung |
7.4% |
1.3 |
Yuen Long |
Tin Shui Wai |
8.0% |
1.0 |
Among the first batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 14 survey areas in May, all were below 10 per cent, except for Kowloon Tong in Kowloon City District, Fanling North in North District, Tsing Yi South in Kwai Tsing District, as well as Kwun Tong Central, and Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping in Kwun Tong District.
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 of the increase and its extent are affected by factors like weather and rainfall. Entering the humid and rainy season, the conditions are favourable for mosquito growth and breeding, and the overall trend and extent of the rise of gravidtrap indexes this year are similar to those of previous years. In response to the rise of gravidtrap indexes, the FEHD, together with relevant departments and stakeholders, has implemented rapid response measures and deployed targeted actions.
For Kowloon Tong in Kowloon City District, Fanling North in North District, Tsing Yi South in Kwai Tsing District, as well as Kwun Tong Central, and Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping in Kwun Tong District, 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. In particular, the gravidtrap data for Kowloon Tong showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools and private housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Fanling North and Tsing Yi South showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks and public and private housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Kwun Tong Central showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools and public housing estates; and the gravidtrap data for Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping showed that areas with more mosquito problems included public and private housing estates.
In response to the high-risk areas identified in the said survey areas, the FEHD has issued three statutory notices to a relevant venue management company and estate management companies following the discovery of stagnant water in a park in Kowloon City District and two public housing estates in Kwun Tong District, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD and the relevant departments 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.
Among these 14 survey areas, four recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. April 2026), representing that the areas' mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Five other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.
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 their 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 f 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 first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
