Radio Lantau News

Radio Lantau News is presented courtesy of the Radio Lantau News Network.

1. Major fire closes roads in Central

   Firefighters were tackling a serious blaze in Central on Saturday that forced scores of people to flee to safety and led to the closure of roads in the area. Scaffolding on Chinachem Tower on Connaught Road Central caught fire at around 4.30pm. The incident was upgraded to a No 3 alarm a short time later. Thick smoke billowed from the scene and some people reported hearing explosions. Dozens of people evacuated the scene, officials said. Two men and a woman were taken to hospital after feeling unwell. The incident forced the closure of all Sheung Wan-bound lanes of Connaught Road Central near Pedder Street, along with all lanes of Des Voeux Road Central, in both directions, between Queen Victoria Street and Pottinger Street. "Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and avoid heading to the vicinity of Central," transport officials said. Some KMB services were affected by the road closures, with a number of routes diverted, while tram services were also hit. _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-10-18 HKT 19:03

2. FS in 'opportunity calls' message to US firms, talent

   Financial Secretary Paul Chan says global investors have confidence in the investment environment and opportunities that Hong Kong has to offer, with the region continuing to see capital inflows despite increasing economic uncertainties. He made the comment during a high-level forum organised by the Institute of International Finance near the end of his visit to the United States on Friday in Washington. The SAR, Chan said, has been taking a prudent approach in its embrace of financial innovation and is promoting the development of digital assets like stable coins. He later attended a business luncheon – co-hosted by the US-China Business Council and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington. In his keynote speech to more than 40 American business leaders at the luncheon, Chan said given that the the SAR has "access to both mainland and international data on innovation and technology development, which is advantageous for research and development activities in sectors like healthcare", Hong Kong would be particularly appealing to overseas biomedical enterprises. He emphasised that Hong Kong's doors remain open for American businesses and talent to invest and seek career development. Chan also joined the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group earlier. He will arrive back in Hong Kong on Sunday morning.

3. Man found dead on Lion Rock Hill

   A man was found dead on Lion Rock Hill on Saturday. Police said they received a report at about 10am from hikers, who had found the man, who was in his 40s or 50s, unconscious on the hillside. He was certified dead when officers arrived. Preliminary investigations showed that the man might have fallen off a cliff. No suicide note was found at the scene. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death.

4. Ka Ying Rising shows his class with Everest win

   Hong Kong superstar and raging favourite Ka Ying Rising, ridden by Zac Purton, won his 14th in a row on Saturday by crossing the line first in the world's richest turf race, The Everest, in Sydney. The David Hayes-trained five-year-old stormed through the field in the final 100 metres at Royal Randwick to win by a length and collect a whopping A$7 million for a dash that lasted barely one minute . Tempted, with Craig Williams in the saddle, came second ahead of Jimmysstar, ridden by Ethan Brown. Rated as the best sprinter on the planet, Ka Ying Rising has now won 15 of his 17 starts, including the last 14, almost always with Purton at the helm. That includes four wins at Group 1 level before The Everest. In the only two races the gelding lost, he came second. "He got a little bit edgy in the gate because he was in there for probably longer than what he's used to," said Purton, who jetted in from Hong Kong to steer Ka Ying Rising home from barrier seven. "But to his credit, he still began well, he just had a beautiful run in the race." Jimmysstar flew out of the blocks and led early. But Ka Ying Rising was always lurking and powered clear in the final stretch. "It makes you a little bit emotional. You appreciate it more now, because it's nearly over," added Hong Kong champion jockey Purton, who is 42 and in the twilight of his career "I'm just so lucky. I've had such a good career. I've been really, really lucky to have this horse come along now and it's a great way to close it [career] when I do close it." Raced over 1,200 metres, The Everest brought together 12 of the world's best sprinters under weight-for-age conditions. The showcase event of the Sydney Spring Carnival, it is the world's richest on turf with a prize pool of A$20 million and the second-richest thoroughbred race behind the Saudi Cup, which is held on dirt. Its winnings dwarf those from the established Melbourne Cup, Kentucky Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Even last-placed Magic Time walked away with A$700,000. "So excited. I can't wait to watch the replay," said Hayes, who called it a "crowning moment" in his career. "I thought for a moment he was going to get hemmed in, but Zac is pretty good at getting out. "It was a long way down that straight, but when he got clear I thought they were going to have to be pretty good to beat him." Under an innovative concept, buyers purchase a A$700,000 slot in the race, then do a deal with owners and jockeys to secure the top horses, splitting the prize money, with the race capped at 12 horses. The idea was modelled on the Pegasus World Cup in the United States, run over 1,800m. (AFP)

5. Universities homing in on hostel conversions

   Secretary for Education Christine Choi said on Saturday local universities are using different ways to make available more facilities in an effort to attract more non-locals. This came as Chief Executive John Lee said in his Policy Address last month that the government will lift the cap on self-financing non-local students at publicly funded universities to 50 percent of local student places from 40 percent. Speaking on an RTHK programme, Choi indicated facilities at universities could be “crowded” in the short term but that they had been resorting to different ways to improve the situation, such as buying up buildings outside campus to increase lecture halls. She also said the government had received more than 10 applications for a scheme that permits the conversion of commercial buildings and hotels into student hostels. Choi said approvals had been given for several projects, which will provide around 2,600 accommodation places for students at post-secondary institutions. “We have seen a very enthusiastic market reaction to converting commercial buildings and hotels into student accommodation," she said. "At the same time, we have also noticed that there has been active participation from the private sector and enterprises. “Compared to the past, when universities had to rely on the government to provide funding to build accommodation from the ground up, now the conversion approach is much quicker and also encourages further involvement from private enterprises." Choi also said the government has reserved sites in Hung Shui Kiu in the Northern Metropolis for self-financing tertiary institutions or universities of applied sciences.

6. Monday may see rare T3 start to alerts for new storm

   The observatory says it will consider taking the rare step of skipping the Standby Signal No 1 and move directly to issuing the Strong Wind Signal No 3 on Monday when Tropical Storm Fengshen moves closer to Hong Kong. It expects Fengshen to be closest to the SAR on Tuesday, when it will assess the need for issuing a higher warning signal. Local winds will strengthen gradually on Sunday as an intense northeast monsoon is expected to reach Guangdong. Scientific Officer Tse Kwan-shu explained why the observatory may abandon the usual step of first issuing a number one signal for the approaching storm. "The local wind strength might already reach the strong wind levels after the intense northeast monsoon dominates the coast of Guangdong. But at that time, the tropical cyclone might not have entered 800 kilometres from Hong Kong," Tse told RTHK on Saturday. "When the tropical cyclone gradually gets closer to the coast of Guangdong, the local winds might still remain at strong wind levels. So in that case, the local winds will not have a trend of dropping before the tropical cyclone actually edges closer." _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-10-18 HKT 19:34

7. HK all charged up for start of southbound cars' scheme

   Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Saturday said the government is working to increase the number of charging facilities for Guangdong vehicles coming into Hong Kong under a scheme that is set to start next month. The Southbound Travel Scheme will begin with a daily booking quota of 100 vehicles for stays of up to three days. Chan told a Commercial Radio show that some of the charging spots would be located near an automated car park facility close to the airport that offers 1,800 spaces for air transit passengers coming down through the scheme. "The Airport Authority will offer five fast chargers outside the car park so that it will be convenient for drivers from Guangdong to charge their vehicles before heading back to the mainland through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge," she said. "We are also working on building chargers at a large area on Lantau so that drivers can charge their vehicles before entering the city's urban areas." Chan said she personally hoped the cap on southbound cars could be increased. However, she went on to say, that will depend on various factors, such as the public response once the scheme is launched, drivers' experience and the SAR's capacity for more vehicles on the road. While autonomous driving is allowed on the mainland, Chan said the government was leaning towards disallowing use of the technology for vehicles from Guangdong. As for traffic violations, Chan said the worst-case scenario for mainland drivers who did not pay the fine before leaving the SAR might see them get barred from applying for the scheme in the future.

8. HK exporters 'ready to go with flow of tariff changes'

   Lawmakers on Saturday said manufacturers in Hong Kong are well-prepared for any new tariff hike by Washington on Chinese imports to the United States. Speaking after a Commercial Radio programme, technology and innovation sector lawmaker Duncan Chiu said tech manufacturers have considered other solutions amid tariff threats. “If they have manufacturing base, they all did [a] thorough and sophisticated calculation of what tariffs will do to their company," he said. "And some companies, if they have manufacturing bases in different countries, they would have to sort out different tariff weights between different countries, so they may shift some of the manufacturing facilities to some other nations. "I think a lot of the heavily involved in manufacturing and production companies, they have done that calculation before. “And in the end, if the tariff exceeds a certain percentage, it will only hit the consumers at the imposed countries.” On the same programme, Hong Kong Productivity Council Chairman and lawmaker Sunny Tan said it was not a surprise any more for US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on other countries and various industries had done their preparations in anticipation at such a move. He said the productivity council would support small and medium-sized enterprises in various ways including helping them with transformation and upgrades, nurturing talent, and seeking government subsidies. Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien said the increased cost caused by tariffs would be transferred to consumers and would only worsen inflation in the United States.

9. HA to extend pet hospital visits in palliative scheme

   As Hong Kong strives to be a more pet-inclusive community, the Hospital Authority (HA) is hoping to do its part by expanding its animal visit programme so more patients can seek emotional support by meeting the gentle furry creatures. Doctors in charge of palliative care have also pledged to exercise discretion and flexibility when approving requests to let terminal patients see their beloved pets, including within hospital grounds. For many patients, the chance to meet a canine friend brightens their otherwise dull and lonely day. That includes Fung, who suffered a stroke nine years ago and has been in and out of hospital since. In her most recent stay at Caritas Medical Centre, she developed a companionship with Goofy, a certified animal doctor with a mild personality. The HA has arranged over 50 such animal visits over the past two years. "Every time I see these animal doctors, I feel very happy. They are so gentle and let you touch them. Their fur is so soft, and it makes me feel so relaxed," she said. Ever since she was bedridden three months ago, Fung has been separated from 'Silver', her cat which she adopted more than a decade ago. "Patients feel lonely lying on their hospital beds, so when the animals come visit, I feel like some friends are coming to visit me, and this makes me so much happier," she said. Fung now relies on video calls to check on her cat at home. She's supportive of the HA's initiative to let terminal patients see their own pets, saying it would provide them closure. Goofy's owner, Angela, has more than two decades of volunteering experience. She recalled once seeing a grumpy patient become smiley in just 10 minutes, after interacting with Goofy. "Pet therapy is a kind of emotional therapy. In places like hospitals, patients' emotions may not be good, and pets can help cheer them up," she said. Doctor Annie Kwok, who chairs the general committee of palliative care, said if health conditions permit, patients can be discharged for a few hours to meet their pets at home. If not, the pets may be allowed to come to the hospital, subject to certain requirements. "Most importantly, the pet has to be healthy. If the pet is in an unhealthy state, or sheds a lot, this may not be beneficial to the patient," Kwok said. Such requests are processed on a case-by-case basis. Kwok said she and her colleagues will try their best to accommodate, knowing how precious these moments are for patients and their families. "They usually take a family photo during the visit. After the patients pass away, the family members then realise that photo is really valuable - not only because it was filled with smiles, but also it was the last one of the patient," she explained.

10. 50 arrested in illegal worker crackdown

    The Immigration Department said 50 people were arrested in a series of territory-wide operations targeting illegal workers and their employers. During raids on various locations that included construction sites, renovation projects and restaurants from October 10 to October 16, officers apprehended 41 suspected illegal workers. The group comprised of 11 men and 30 women aged 24 to 58. One of the suspected illegal workers was said to hold a recognisance form that prohibited him from working, and another was suspected of using the Hong Kong identity card of another person. Officers also said eight individuals – three men and five women aged 32 to 62 – were arrested on suspicion of employing the illegal workers. A 62-year-old woman was also taken into custody on suspicion of acting as an aider and abettor. The operations involved joint efforts with the Labour Department and police. The Immigration Department said investigations are ongoing and has not ruled out further arrests.