HONG KONG CONNECT


	Follow-up work underway after Tai Po fire Following the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has continued to take forward comprehensive follow-up work, including relief measures, support for affected residents and a full review of the incident. An Independent Committee has been established to examine the causes of the fire and identify improvement measures, with a view to preventing similar incidents and addressing public concerns. Relevant departments have been providing appropriate assistance to affected households through financial support, rehousing arrangements and counselling services. As at mid-December, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.8 billion, reflecting the strong support of the community. The Government is deeply grateful for the care and solidarity shown by the wider community, including associations and organisations in Australia, which have kindly organised charity events and made generous donations to the Support Fund. Their compassion and support have provided timely assistance to those affected and demonstrated the strong bonds and shared humanity between Hong Kong and overseas communities.

	Legislative Council successfully formed after smooth election The eighth term of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR has been successfully formed following the smooth conclusion of the 2025 Legislative Council General Election held on 7 December, with all 90 seats filled. The counting of votes was completed without incident, and the full list of elected members has been officially announced, marking the formal establishment of the new Legislative Council. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr John Lee, congratulated all successfully elected Members and thanked the 161 candidates from various sectors and the community for their active participation. The successful and orderly conduct of the election at this important time reflects community support for recovery and reform, the collective determination to elect capable representatives, and the spirit of unity and mutual support among Hong Kong residents. More details here.

	Large-scale international aviation exhibition and conferences conclude in Hong Kong Hong Kong marked a significant milestone in regional aviation with the successful hosting of two major international events, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Asia Pacific Conference 2025 and Airspace Asia Pacific 2025. Held over three days under the theme “Shaping the Future of Asia Pacific’s Skies”, Airspace Asia Pacific 2025 brought together over 2 000 decision-makers from air navigation service providers, professionals, regulatory bodies, and innovative technology companies worldwide, collectively advancing the digitisation and intelligent development of global air traffic management. The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, said at opening ceremony, that hosting these important international aviation meetings in Hong Kong demonstrated Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub. He added that the Civil Aviation Department has actively participated in and supported the CANSO-hosted events, and would continue to collaborate with international aviation partners and stakeholders to enhance the development of air traffic management and low-altitude traffic management. More details here.

	Hong Kong, China athletes achieve outstanding results at 12^th NGD and 9^th NSOG The 12^th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9^th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) successfully concluded on 15 December. The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, expressed her delight at the outstanding performance of the Hong Kong, China Delegation, which achieved remarkable results across various events, winning a total of 140 medals, including 51 gold, 49 silver and 40 bronze. Miss Law added that while the 15^th National Games, the 12^th NGD and the 9^th NSOG have successfully concluded, the enduring spirit of sportsmanship continues to inspire. It was a great honour for Hong Kong to co-host this highest-level national multisport event alongside Guangdong and Macao. From planning to implementation, Hong Kong fully demonstrated its capability in organising mega sports events through its close collaboration with Guangdong and Macao. This ensured the smooth running of the competitions, created unforgettable experiences for spectators, and propelled Hong Kong's sports development to new heights. More details here.

	Business of Design Week 2025 highlights design-led innovation The grand opening ceremony of Business of Design Week (BODW) 2025 was held on 3 December, with a speech delivered by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, to welcome distinguished guests, local and overseas participants, and creative leaders. Miss Law highlighted BODW’s role as the city’s flagship design platform that fosters international exchange and collaboration in creativity and innovation. Now in its 2025 edition, BODW brings together world-renowned design and business leaders under the theme “Curiosity Ignites Design Innovation”, showcasing how curiosity drives creativity across disciplines and contributes to sustainable and inclusive development. The event further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a global design hub and a centre for cross-cultural exchange. More details here.



	Connect Hong Kong: Podcast series concludes HKETO Sydney presented a four-episode podcast series, Connect Hong Kong, in collaboration with 2CR, to share Hong Kong’s latest developments with Australian audiences. The series explored key initiatives outlined in the 2025 Policy Address, offering clear insights into Hong Kong’s policies, opportunities and future direction. Following its premiere in November, the final two episodes were successfully broadcast in December, bringing the series to a close through timely conversations and in-depth analysis that helped deepen listeners’ understanding of Hong Kong. Listen here.



	*Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 (ATP 250) (Hong Kong)* The Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026, an ATP Tour 250 men’s professional tennis tournament, will be held in Hong Kong from 4–11 January 2026 at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, featuring top male international tennis stars competing on outdoor hard courts. The tournament showcases high-level competition, enhances Hong Kong’s profile as a centre for major sporting events in Asia, and brings the ATP season into life with world-class tennis in the city. More details here.

	*Hong Kong Marathon 2026 (Hong Kong)* The Hong Kong Marathon returns on 18 January 2026, bringing the city to life as tens of thousands of runners and elite athletes from around the world take to the streets. Featuring the 10 km, Half Marathon and Full Marathon, the event also includes a Youth Run at the Hong Kong Marathon Expo, igniting the marathon spirit among young people and showcasing Hong Kong’s vibrant sporting energy. More details here.

	*Hong Kong Race Week 2026 (Hong Kong)* Hong Kong Race Week will take place from 27 January to 1 February 2026, bringing top sailors from Asia and around the world to compete across eight classes on four racing courses in the spectacular southern waters of Hong Kong Island. The event promises high-level competition and thrilling action, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a premier destination for international sailing events. More details here.

Updates on Latest Situation in Hong Kong