In-situ land exchange arrangements for San Tin Technopole to invite applications
The Lands Department (LandsD) issued today (August 17) Practice Note No. 8/2026 inviting in-situ land exchange applications for designated development sites within the San Tin Technopole (STT). The Practice Note is available on the LandsD's website (www.landsd.gov.hk), which provides the location of sites available for in-situ land exchange applications, application criteria and conditions, application deadlines, etc.
In accordance with the in-situ land exchange arrangements for the Enhanced Conventional New Town Approach (refer to Practice Note No. 13/2023), the scope for land exchange applications this time covers some of the sites planned for private residential development (about 17.7 hectares), mixed residential and commercial development (about 7.5 ha) and modern industry sites mainly for logistics and storage uses within the STT (about 8.8 ha).
The deadline for submitting applications is October 16, 2026, while the deadline for acceptance of binding basic terms offer (with premium) is August 17, 2027. If an application cannot be concluded within the specified deadline, the Government will proceed to initiate land resumption procedures in taking forward the development of the new development area so as not to delay the overall works programme.
Applicants may choose standard rates for premium assessment, as an alternative to the conventional case-by-case assessment mechanism. The applicable level of standard rates will be announced later.
This round of land exchange applications also allows applicants to offer land within the Northern Metropolis (NM) and included in the list of designated projects for offsetting the land premium (refer to Practice Note No. 10/2025). The LandsD has announced the list of eligible land, among which an applicant may propose, in the application documents, surrendering the lots they own. The Government will calculate the value of the offered land based on the applicable ex-gratia compensation rates for land resumption, for offsetting the land premium.
Besides, the Pilot Scheme on "Pay for What You Build" will also be applicable to non-residential use developments (refer to Practice Note No. 2/2026) under the scope for land exchange applications in the subject Practice Note.
The STT is located at the heart of the NM and in close proximity to the Shenzhen's innovation and technology (I&T) zone in Huanggang and Futian. This area will be a hub for clustered I&T development that creates synergy with Shenzhen I&T Zone, contributing to the development of the South-North dual engine (finance - I&T) for Hong Kong, and will develop to be a new community ideal for living, working and visiting. Site formation for the first batch of I&T land commenced in end 2024, with formed sites coming on stream in 2026 at the earliest.
Together with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at the Loop, the STT has a total development area of over 600 ha, half (300 ha) of it will be I&T land. The I&T land is capable of accommodating a gross floor area of about 7 million square metres, equivalent to 17 Science Parks, and comparable to the size of the 300-hectare I&T zone in Shenzhen on the other side of the Shenzhen River.
Source: AI-found images
CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (August 17) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and strongly urged high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations. Meanwhile, the public is advised to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with individuals suspected of contracting Mpox.
The case involves a 32-year-old male. He developed a fever and myalgia on August 11, followed by a rash on his face, trunk and lower body on August 14. He attended a private clinic on August 15. The CHP arranged for him to receive isolation treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital on the same day. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, his specimen tested positive for the Mpox virus. He is currently in stable condition.
According to information provided by the patient, he had not received Mpox vaccination. He had multiple high-risk exposures with male strangers in Hong Kong during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and confirmed Mpox cases earlier recorded in Hong Kong have been identified so far. The CHP is continuing an epidemiological investigation of the case, and will endeavour to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with the patient and report the case to the World Health Organization.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 95 Mpox cases (76 local cases and 19 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms.
The Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for highrisk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:
- individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
- healthcare workersresponsible forcaring forpatients with confirmed Mpox;
- laboratory personnel handling zoonotic pox viruses; and
- animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in caseof Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH's Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, without prior appointments.
Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.
For more details, please visit the CHP's webpages onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.
Source: AI-found images
