SJ Leads Legal Sector Delegation to Shanghai to Promote HK-Shanghai Co-operation in Legal Profession

SJ leads legal sector delegation to Shanghai to promote HK-Shanghai co-operation in legal profession

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, led a delegation comprising about 40 representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, and local and international law firms to visit Shanghai for two consecutive days. The delegation attended a roundtable meeting to promote Hong Kong professional legal services, and met with leaders of Shanghai to facilitate exchanges and co-operation between the two places.

Mr Lam began his visit programme in Shanghai yesterday (March 23). Together with the delegation, he visited the headquarters of an Internet and technology company in East China to learn about the development and business needs of Mainland enterprises.

Mr Lam then visited the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice to meet with the Secretary of the CPC and Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, Mr Gu Quan. They exchanged views on strengthening professional co-operation with the legal, arbitration and mediation sectors, and on training of foreign-related legal professionals.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam and his delegation attended a roundtable meeting and networking dinner for Shanghai and Hong Kong lawyers and enterprises to promote how Hong Kong, as an international financial centre and international legal hub, can make use of its advantages in the common law system and legal and dispute resolution services to assist Mainland enterprises in going global. The participants discussed topics including the trend of Mainland enterprises expanding overseas, legal issues in using Hong Kong as a fundraising platform, regulation of legal risks in cross-boundary transactions and investments, and the handling of foreign-related commercial disputes.

Mr Lam said that Hong Kong's common law system is closely aligned with international commercial rules and brings together a large pool of legal and other professionals who are familiar with international rules. Coupled with its efficient and fair dispute resolution services, Hong Kong can provide comprehensive professional support to Mainland enterprises for expanding overseas, making it an ideal springboard for Mainland companies to go global. He expressed the hope that Hong Kong's legal sector will work closely with its Mainland counterparts to establish joint ventures or strategic partnerships to help Mainland enterprises secure steady and long-term success in overseas markets.

In the morning today (March 24), Mr Lam and his delegation met with Vice President of the Shanghai High People's Court Mr Wang Guangxian to exchange experiences on judicial practice and strengthening talent training.

Mr Lam then met with Vice Mayor of Shanghai Mr Lu Shan to learn about the latest developments of Shanghai and to highlight Hong Kong's unique advantages of its robust common-law system and being connected to the Mainland and the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, which can provide support in legal and other professional service areas for Shanghai enterprises in furthering their overseas expansion.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam will arrive in Hangzhou and meet with Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province Mr Yang Qingjiu to discuss ways to strengthen co-operation and exchanges between Zhejiang and Hong Kong. The delegation will continue its visit to Hangzhou tomorrow (March 25).

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (left), met with Vice Mayor of Shanghai Mr Lu Shan (right) on March 24 to learn about the latest developments of Shanghai and to highlight Hong Kong's unique advantages of its robust common-law system and being connected to the Mainland and the world. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (second left), and his delegation met with Vice President of the Shanghai High People's Court Mr Wang Guangxian on March 24 to share experiences on judicial practice and strengthening legal talent training. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (first left), visited the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice on March 23 to meet with the Secretary of the CPC and Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, Mr Gu Quan. They exchanged views on strengthening professional co-operation with the legal, arbitration and mediation sectors, and on training of foreign-related arbitration legal professionals. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (second left), and his delegation visited the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice on March 23 to meet with the Secretary of the CPC and Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, Mr Gu Quan (second right). They exchanged views on strengthening professional co-operation with the legal, arbitration and mediation sectors, and on training of foreign-related arbitration legal professionals. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, attended a roundtable meeting and networking dinner for Shanghai and Hong Kong lawyers and enterprises today (March 23). Photo shows Mr Lam (centre); Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice Mr Zhou Cheng (fifth right); the Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Veronica Wong (fifth left); and the Principal Government Counsel of the Legal Enhancement and Development Office of the Department of Justice, Ms Peggy Au Yeung (first left), with other guests before the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (front row, eighth right), together with his delegation, visited the headquarters of an Internet and technology company in East China on March 23 to learn about the development and business needs of Mainland enterprises. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, speaks at a roundtable meeting and networking dinner for Shanghai and Hong Kong lawyers and enterprises today (March 23). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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