Ombudsman Praises Departments for Successful Clearance of Illegal Occupations at Woh Chai Hill

Ombudsman commends six departments' collaboration and promotes decisive enforcement against unlawful occupation of government land

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) presented appreciation letters to staff members from the Home Affairs Department (HAD), the Lands Department (LandsD), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) in recognition of their swift and thorough clearance of unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po through interdepartmental collaboration.

The Office of The Ombudsman previously received a complaint that Woh Chai Hill had long been unlawfully occupied by numerous structures, including mahjong rooms, illegal recreational and sports facilities, temporary toilets and other items, which affected environmental hygiene and posed potential safety hazards. Following the Office's proactive intervention, the six departments collaborated to conduct joint inspections and enforcement operations. Taking the lead in overall co-ordination, the local District Office of the HAD subsequently drew up a comprehensive enforcement plan and worked with relevant departments to devise and implement further operations. The LandsD and the FEHD carried out multiple enforcement operations, ultimately removing the illegal facilities and items at Woh Chai Hill in phases within a short period of time. The LCSD, the CEDD and the ArchSD promptly followed up by launching an improvement and enhancement programme, and added suitable and safe recreational and sports facilities that comply with regulations for public use in the district, thereby benefiting the community.

To recognise and honour the collaborative efforts and achievements of the six departments, the Office invited the frontline teams and personnel responsible for the enforcement operations and improvement measures to receive appreciation letters. Mr Chan said, "Since taking office, one of my strategic focuses has been to foster interdepartmental collaboration. The successful resolution of this thorny district problem that had persisted for over a decade hinged on the relevant departments joining forces and taking firm and decisive enforcement action. The collaboration among the six departments fully demonstrated the current-term Government's resolve and capacity to confront challenges head-on, address problems of public concern proactively and effectively, and improve public administration for the betterment of people's livelihood."

Mr Chan stressed, "Interdepartmental collaboration, as a cornerstone of the 'One Government' concept, is crucial to ensuring efficient and people-oriented public administration and advancing good governance. This aligns closely with the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030), which seeks to strengthen interdepartmental collaboration, supervision and oversight for better public service and governance effectiveness, thereby continually improving people's well-being."

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) commended six departments for their collaborative efforts in clearing unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po. Photo shows miscellaneous items at the site before clearance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) commended six departments for their collaborative efforts in clearing unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po. Photo shows the regulation-compliant and safe leisure facilities installed by the Government at the site after clearance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) commended six departments for their collaborative efforts in clearing unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po. Photo shows the site of an illegal temporary toilet after clearance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) commended six departments for their collaborative efforts in clearing unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po. Photo shows an illegal temporary toilet at the site before clearance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) commended six departments for their collaborative efforts in clearing unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po. Photo shows illegal recreational and sports facilities at the site before clearance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) commended six departments for their collaborative efforts in clearing unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po. Photo shows the regulation‑compliant, suitable and safe recreational and sports facilities provided by the Government at the site after clearance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) commended six departments for their collaborative efforts in clearing unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po. Photo shows the site of an illegal mahjong room after clearance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) presented appreciation letters to staff members from the Home Affairs Department, the Lands Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) in recognition of their achievements made through interdepartmental collaboration. Photo shows Mr Chan (fifth left); the District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Mr Oscar Wong (fourth left); the District Lands Officer/Kowloon West (District Lands Office, Kowloon West), Ms Shirley Hon (fifth right); the District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Sham Shui Po), Mr Wong Wai-nang (third left); the District Leisure Manager (Sham Shui Po), Mr Anthony Wong (fourth right); Chief Property Services Manager of the ArchSD Mr Anchor Tse (third right); Geotechnical Engineer of the CEDD Mr Chen Wen (second right) and representatives of the relevant departments. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) commended six departments for their collaborative efforts in clearing unlawfully occupied government land at Woh Chai Hill in Sham Shui Po. Photo shows an illegal mahjong room at the site before clearance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 7) presented appreciation letters to staff members from the Home Affairs Department, the Lands Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Architectural Services Department in recognition of their achievements made through interdepartmental collaboration. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by PSCST at Celebrating Hong Kong's Tourism and Hospitality Excellence event

Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, at the Celebrating Hong Kong's Tourism and Hospitality Excellence event today (October 7):

Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Peter Lam), Sonia (Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, Ms Sonia Cheng), distinguished guests, industry leaders, friends from the travel industry, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I am delighted to be invited to join so many distinguished leaders from the tourism and hospitality sector this evening to celebrate the achievements of our industry. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Rosewood Hotel Group for cohosting tonight's event.

We gather to celebrate the outstanding achievements that continue to solidify Hong Kong's position as Asia's world city and the world's most prestigious travel destination. The global rankings speak for themselves. Leading the way is our gracious host, Rosewood Hotel Group, which has been honoured with the Most Admired Hotel Group Award; while Rosewood Hong Kong has retained its global No. 1 title in the World's 50 Best Hotels 2026. This is an exceptional double distinction and a powerful testimony of Rosewood's unwavering commitment to excellence. Rosewood's success is part of an outstanding showing by Hong Kong's hospitality sector, with our hotels standing proudly among the world's top 100 best hotels in 2026.

In gastronomy and mixology, six Hong Kong restaurants made Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026, while seven bars earned recognition in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. Up in the skies, our home carrier Cathay Pacific was once again ranked among the top three World's Best Airlines, along with receiving awards for the World's Best Cabin Crew and World's Best First Class Airline Lounge at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.

My warmest congratulations go to Rosewood, Cathay, and all the award winners. These awards do not come by chance. They are earned through continuous dedication and an unwavering commitment to quality. In a highly competitive global tourism landscape, it is the concerted efforts, resilience, and exceptional hospitality of the tourism and hospitality trade that truly set Hong Kong apart. It is your commitment to quality that defines the "Only in Hong Kong" experience, leaving a lasting impression on every traveller who sets foot in our city.

Building on this momentum, the Government is fully committed to providing the industry with our robust and unwavering backing. The Government has attached great importance to the strategic and long-term development of tourism in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030)) and the latest Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address. Amongst others, the Government will regularise the additional annual funding provided to the Hong Kong Tourism Board for hosting flagship events, so as to allow the Hong Kong Tourism Board to exercise greater strategic foresight in its planning for long-term, forward-looking promotional strategies.

A prime example of these forward-looking promotional strategies is our new mega-event framework. To solidify Hong Kong's reputation as the events capital of Asia, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will demarcate three themed periods every year, namely the International Arts Season, running from February to May; the Chinese Arts Season, from June to September; and the Festive Mega Events Season, from October through February of the following year. Leveraging this new framework, we aim to significantly boost visitor spending and extend their length of stay in Hong Kong, bringing benefits to every facet of the tourism and hospitality industry.

Ladies and gentlemen, while policy initiatives and government funding lay the foundation, it is your passion, creativity, and pursuit of excellence that bring these strategies to life. You transform them into an all-round and multidimensional quality travel experience for every visitor. The world-class recognitions we celebrate tonight prove beyond doubt that Hong Kong's hospitality standards remain unrivalled on the global stage.

As we look ahead, the Government will continue to walk hand in hand with the trade. We will continue to sharpen our competitive edge, nurture and develop our tourism products, and welcome the world with open arms and open hearts.

Thank you once again for your extraordinary partnership, your leadership, and your dedication to making Hong Kong shine. To enable visitors experience only in Hong Kong. Please enjoy this wonderful evening while sampling the level of excellence we are all so proud of.