Welcome speech by SFST to financial delegation visiting Northern Metropolis
Following is the welcome speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, to the financial delegation visiting the Northern Metropolis today (September 29):
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, Photo source: reference image
Distinguished guests, colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. First of all, a big welcome to you all. It is a good and fruitful occasion where we meet again to discuss the potential of the Northern Metropolis. I know how precious time is and how important time is to all of you. So I will try to minimise my speech in such a way that you have more time to see for yourself what the Northern Metropolis is all about. As all of you can see, Hong Kong's financial sector is not just an observer in terms of the city's growth, but rather we have been an active engine driving its strategic transformation.
As the Chief Executive set out in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan which was unveiled just two weeks ago: "Finance is the foundation and the greatest strength of Hong Kong." Today, we are putting this strategy into practice. The Northern Metropolis is, among all, the most important growth engine for Hong Kong's future. It is where technological innovation, high-end professional services, and cross-boundary integration converge. But above all, it is the primary arena where finance meets the real economy.
That's why we are arranging today this half-day visit to offer you first-hand insights into the land, the infrastructure, and the policy support underpinning this mega project. We have three primary objectives today:
First, to achieve "first-mover insight" and bridge the information gap. The Northern Metropolis is moving at an unprecedented speed. By walking the ground together today, we want you to gain first-hand, direct insight into the works progress and timelines, as well as the positioning of these three key zones. You are here to see beyond maps and blueprints—to understand the real-economy landscape before major capital deployments take place, ensuring that your institutions or organisations can position yourselves ahead of the curve.
Second, to drive the "Finance+" strategy and match capital with real economy demand. A financial centre cannot thrive in isolation; its ultimate value lies in serving the real economy. Through our three stops today — the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at the Loop, the Kwu Tung North New Development Area (NDA), and the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA—we want to create a direct match between your capital strength and the distinct financial needs of these new areas.
Last but not least, to co-create market-driven financing models alongside Government policy. This partnership is critical in transforming the Northern Metropolis into a sustainable and globally competitive business hub. By blending public resources with private capital, we can ensure that infrastructure and innovation projects are efficiently financed, while also generating long-term economic returns. Your insights and participation today will help shape these collaborative frameworks. I encourage you to engage actively with the project teams today, identify synergy points for your respective institutions or organisations, and work with us closely in the coming future.
We are here today to forge an active partnership. The Northern Metropolis offers the physical scale and industrial complexity that will allow Hong Kong's financial market to enhance its core functionality, diversify its asset classes, and expand its global competitiveness.
Thank you once again for joining us today. I wish you all an insightful and fruitful journey ahead. Thank you.
The Northern Metropolis, Photo source: reference image
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, today (September 29) led a delegation of local financial sector representatives to visit the Northern Metropolis to gain an in-depth understanding of the industrial layout as well as potential investment and financing opportunities in the district. Photo shows Mr Hui delivering a welcome speech to the delegation in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 29) released the third batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in September, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
| District | Survey Area | September 2026 |
| First Phase Gravidtrap Index | First Phase Density Index |
| Islands | Tung Chung | 4.0% | 1.0 |
| Kowloon City | Ho Man Tin | 1.8% | 1.0 |
| Sham Shui Po | Lai Chi Kok | 5.5% | 1.0 |
| Sai Kung | Tseung Kwan O East | 1.8% | 1.0 |
| Tseung Kwan O West | 0.0% | N/A |
| District | Survey Area | September 2026 |
| Area Gravidtrap Index | Area Density Index |
| Sham Shui Po | Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei | 3.4% | 1.5 |
| North | Fanling South | 2.3% | 1.0 |
| Sai Kung | Sai Kung Town | 5.7% | 1.0 |
| Kwai Tsing | Kwai Chung West | 3.3% | 1.0 |
| Lai King | 5.7% | 1.2 |
| Yuen Long | Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan | 2.1% | 1.0 |
| Yuen Long Town | 7.4% | 1.0 |
The FEHD continues to carry out a series of mosquito prevention and elimination measures, including:
- interdepartmental collaboration: convening special meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders (such as construction site contractors, schools and property management companies) in strengthening mosquito control work at venues;
- precise risk assessments: carrying out intensive and targeted mosquito control work at locations with more serious mosquito infestations, including stepping up inspections, eliminating mosquito breeding and potential breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations;
- promotion and education: organising exhibitions with relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters to enhance public awareness of mosquito control and prevention; and
- rapid alert mechanism: notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, and advising property management companies and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.
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:
- tidying up their premises and checking for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
- removing all unnecessary water collections and eliminating the sources;
- checking 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;
- changing water in flower vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces thoroughly, and removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
- properly covering all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
- properly disposing of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
- scrubbing 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 chikungunya fever (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 third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
