HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government Press Releaseshttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/today.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/rss/rss_logo_en.gifHKSAR Government Press Releaseshttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/today.htmHKSAR Government - Press Releasesen-UKCopyright, HKSAR Governmentirc@isd.gov.hkThu, 14 Mar 2024 10:01:04 GMTTue, 12 Jul 2016 11:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[HKSAR Government strongly condemns deliberate smearing and divisive act by anti-China organisation "Hong Kong Watch" on Basic Law Article 23 legislation]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/14/P2024031400022.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/14/P2024031400022.htmThu, 14 Mar 2024 01:20:00 +0800
A spokesman for the Government said, "The offences of treason and misprision of treason, no matter in Hong Kong or in other common law jurisdictions, have existed for a long time. They do not target religious personnel or followers, and have nothing to do with freedom of religion. In any case, freedom of religion is not for protecting anyone who has committed serious offences from legal sanctions. Besides, 'Hong Kong Watch' has omitted to mention an important fact, i.e. Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (which was based on Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) clearly stipulates that freedom of religion may be subject to limitations to protect public safety, order, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

"The HKSAR Government has proposed to codify the offence of misprision of treason under the common law as the requirement on 'disclosure of commission by others of offence of treason' with appropriate enhancement. However, anti-China organisation 'Hong Kong Watch' and the co-signatories forcibly linked the relevant requirement to freedom of religion to, on one hand, smear the legislative work using religion as a pretext and, on the other hand, attempt to provoke the repulsion of the religious personnel and followers against the HKSAR Government. They even made demagogic and exaggerated remarks in an attempt to mislead the international community into believing that the proposal by the HKSAR Government runs contrary to the international standard, thereby creating a negative impression of the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, demonstrating their malicious intention. It is necessary for the HKSAR Government to express its strongest condemnation.

"First, ordinary citizens, regardless of whether they are religious personnel or followers or not, would absolutely not commit treason. Treason is an extremely serious and very rare offence endangering national security, which will only be violated in extreme conditions, including levying war against China, or instigating a foreign country to invade China with force. If a person really conducts such acts and activities, it would be absolutely reasonable, necessary and justified to request the Chinese citizen who knows about the acts to disclose the commission of the offence to the law enforcement agencies of the HKSAR, so that the law enforcement agencies can take timely enforcement actions in accordance with the law to protect the lives and property of the community.

"We must also point out that, misprision of treason remains a common law offence in the United Kingdom; while countries with a common law system, including the United States, Canada and Singapore, have codified the offence of misprision of treason, and the above-mentioned countries have not specify relevant exceptions. 'Hong Kong Watch' and the co-signatories have not mentioned the relevant provisions in the countries concerned before groundlessly attacking under the guise of religious matters the HKSAR Government's legislative work on safeguarding national security. It is a blatant, shameless and barbaric intervention, and is also a typical example of double standards.

"Not only is 'Hong Kong Watch' an anti-China organisation, many of its members are also anti-China and destabilising forces in the front line, who have called for so-called 'sanctions' by foreign countries against officials of the Central People's Government and the HKSAR Government repeatedly. Members of the public in Hong Kong, the religious sector and the international community should see the organisation in its true colours and not to be misled by its erroneous remarks with ulterior motives."]]><![CDATA[HKETO Jakarta celebrates Year of the Dragon in Manila (with photos)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300705.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300705.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 20:48:00 +0800
     In her welcoming speech, the Director-General of the HKETO Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, said that the Philippines is one of Hong Kong's top five trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Bilateral trade in goods amounted to US$13.8 billion last year, posting positive growth vis-à-vis the 2019 level, despite the impact of the pandemic, demonstrating the resilience of the economic and trade ties between the two places.

     "Following the full entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN (FTA) in 2021, Hong Kong has signed the First Protocol to Amend the FTA (the Protocol) in January this year to update the Product Specific Rules of origin under the FTA by enhancing their coverage to almost 600 categories of products. We are glad that the Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines also signed the Protocol last month, thereby injecting new impetus to Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with the Philippines and ASEAN as a whole.

     "The Philippines is Hong Kong's largest source of tourism in ASEAN. We received some 86 000 tourists from the Philippines in January this year, representing a remarkable increase of 25 per cent vis-à-vis the same period in 2019. The Financial Secretary has introduced a series of measures in the latest Budget to further enrich tourists' experiences and build the Hong Kong brand," she added.

     Dignitaries joining the dinner included the Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Mr Jesus Domingo; the Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, Mr Allan Gepty; the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr Huang Xilian; the Director of Singapore of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Vivienne Chee, and senior representatives from major business chambers in the Philippines.

     With the support of the Airport Authority Hong Kong and airlines, the HKETO Jakarta also arranged a lucky draw session during the dinner to give out round-trip air tickets between Manila and Hong Kong.

     The HKETO Jakarta will be hosting another event in Cebu, the Philippines, next Monday (March 18) to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

]]><![CDATA[Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres (with photos)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300618.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300618.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 20:45:00 +0800
     In the first case, Customs officers seized about 40 000 suspected illicit cigarettes from a unit of a subdivided flat in Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, this morning. A 89-year-old man who claimed to be unemployed and is suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

     In the second case, Customs officers in the same morning further seized about 170 000 suspected illicit cigarettes from a residential unit of a tenement building in Shung Yan Street, Kwun Tong. A 58-year-old woman who claimed to be unemployed and is suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

     The two arrested persons have been charged with "dealing with goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies". The 89-year-old man and the 58-year-old woman will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on March 27 and the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on April 18 respectively.

     Customs reminds members of the public that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

]]><![CDATA[North District Hospital announces incident of suspected loss of patient data]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300652.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300652.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 20:35:00 +0800
The spokesperson for North District Hospital (NDH) made the following announcement today (March 13) regarding an incident of suspected loss of patient data:

NDH received a report from a house officer yesterday evening (March 12) that a list containing the personal information of 34 inpatients including names, identity card numbers, ages, sex, and involved specialties had been lost. The list does not involve any other clinical data.

A preliminary investigation showed that the house officer printed a list with patients' information on the morning of March 8 and brought it along to facilitate clinical duties. He was then assigned to assist in escorting a critically ill patient to Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) for further management and returned to NDH by taxi. The patient list was suspected to be lost afterwards.

The house officer subsequently informed the staff in PWH to assist in searching for the list. As of March 12, the patient list could not be located within the hospital premises and is suspected to have been lost during the taxi journey. NDH is very concerned about the incident and conducted a thorough search again within the relevant hospital premises after receiving the report last evening, but the search was in vain. The hospital has reported the incident to the Police, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

All staff have been reminded to properly keep and handle patients' records. A patient list with personal information should not be brought outside the hospital. NDH has notified the patients and their families concerned to express their apologies and explain the incident. Clinical services have not been affected.]]><![CDATA[Secretary for Health leads delegation to Guangzhou and Dongguan (with photos)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300284.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300284.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 19:10:00 +0800
     The delegation today first met with Deputy Director General of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province (GDHC) Mr Huang Fei to discuss a number of cross-boundary healthcare services, including the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme (Pilot Scheme) and a direct cross-boundary ambulance service.

     Professor Lo said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the GDHC for its valuable advice in the process of pressing ahead with the Pilot Scheme, ranging from the selection of high-quality medical institutions to relevant Mainland laws and regulations which are conducive to the future monitoring of areas concerning healthcare quality and fee levels.

     "The Department of Health (DH) is working with various pilot medical institutions on follow-up arrangements such as reimbursement for claims for Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHCVs) and system configurations. Last week, the DH conducted training sessions and briefings on the practical operations for staff of pilot medical institutions, and arranged for staff of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital to share their relevant experiences in running the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme, so as to ensure that the future operation of the Pilot Scheme will go on smoothly.

"The GBA development is a national strategy personally devised, planned and driven by President Xi Jinping. In terms of healthcare development, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has all along been reinforcing co-operation with various cities in the GBA in order to optimise the policy initiatives for providing more convenience for Hong Kong citizens under the principles of 'complementarity and mutual benefits' and on the premise that the development of the Mainland healthcare system will be benefited without comprising the development of Hong Kong's local healthcare service," Professor Lo stressed.

     As for the provision of a direct cross-boundary ambulance service, Professor Lo said that following the Chief Executive's announcement in the last Policy Address on the discussion with Shenzhen and Macao on the provision of a cross-boundary ambulance service, the Health Bureau has been liaising with the relevant parties of the two places at full steam. The discussions are making good progress. Professor Lo said he hopes that the direct cross-boundary ambulance service can be launched as soon as possible so as to enable the direct point-to-point hospital transfer of inpatients with appropriate medical conditions.

     The delegation then visited the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Last month, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University was included by the Health Bureau as one of the pilot medical institutions under the Pilot Scheme. Hong Kong elderly persons eligible for the EHCV will be able to use the voucher to pay for outpatient healthcare services they received at designated medical centres or medical service departments of the Hospital later this year.

     In addition, the Hospital Authority (HA) has earlier commenced discussions with the GDHC on the second batch of the exchange programme for doctors, including an ophthalmology pilot exchange programme under which outstanding ophthalmologists from the Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center of Sun Yat-sen University would come to Hong Kong for exchanges. Two ophthalmologists have already arrived in Hong Kong under the programme and commenced an exchange in March. The HA is actively following up with the GDHC on the exchange arrangements for the other ophthalmologist and doctors of different specialties.

     During the meeting with the President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Professor Xiao Haipeng, Professor Lo also witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement between the HA and the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University on enhancing training and exchanges of healthcare professionals.

     Professor Lo is very supportive of the exchange of healthcare talent between the HA and Mainland medical institutions. He said, "The HKSAR Government and the HA have been proactively exploring various collaboration models with relevant bodies to further advance the exchange and co-operation of healthcare professionals in the GBA, with a view to jointly enhancing the professional standards and development of clinical healthcare in the GBA. The HA is taking forward the second batch of exchange programmes with the GDHC. It is expected that over 100 healthcare personnel, covering a wider range of healthcare professions, will come to Hong Kong from various cities in Guangdong Province to participate in the exchange programmes."

     The delegation will visit Dongguan tomorrow (March 14) to meet with Dongguan Municipal Government and health officials and visit the Dongguan Tungwah Hospital.

     Members of the Hong Kong delegation include the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui; Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Eddie Lee; the Senior Advisor (Secretary for Health's Office), Dr Joe Fan; the Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan; and the Deputising Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Simon Tang. During the absence of Professor Lo from Hong Kong, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, is the Acting Secretary for Health.

]]><![CDATA[Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets Chief of Office of Port of Entry and Exit of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government (with photos)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300569.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300569.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 19:05:00 +0800
Ms Ho welcomed Mr Wang's visit to Hong Kong Customs with his delegation and chaired a meeting with the delegation of the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government. During the meeting, they discussed issues including the planning and development of control points and the development of smart control points. Noting that contact and connection between Hong Kong and Shenzhen has become increasingly frequent following the advancement in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Ms Ho expressed hope to maintain close liaison, and strengthen communication and co-operation between the two places to further optimise the clearance environment and improve clearance facilitation measures.

Hong Kong Customs will actively dovetail with related policies of the Government, and work closely with the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and other relevant departments to explore ways to boost co-ordination between the two sides to implement initiatives on control point enhancements for the sake of facilitating personnel exchange, and economic and trade interactions between the two places with more convenient and comfortable, as well as faster services, and further improving cross-boundary trade facilitation between the two places in order to promote an efficient and smooth flow of various factors of production in the GBA.

]]><![CDATA[LCSD organises various activities to commemorate 100th anniversary of birth of Jin Yong (with photo)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300575.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300575.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 18:59:00 +0800
　　The Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) will first stage the "A Path to Glory - Jin Yong's Centennial Memorial, Sculpted by Ren Zhe" exhibition from March 16 to October 7 to showcase a series of sculptures, created by renowned sculptor Ren Zhe, of 22 well-known characters of Jin Yong's novels. The exhibition also sets alongside captivating multimedia installations created by media artist Victor Wong (winner of the Best Visual Effects of the Hong Kong Film Awards) and his team, to lead visitors into Jin Yong's imaginary world of martial arts. A reading corner is set up in the exhibition gallery where visitors can revisit the fascinating plots of Jin Yong's compelling works through enjoying the collections or audiobooks of Jin Yong's martial arts novels of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) right after their visits to the exhibition. This exhibition is one of the pre-programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2024.

Furthermore, Dr Cha's family has donated a bust of Dr Cha for the HKHM's permanent collection. This 60cm-tall bust, sculpted by Ren Zhe and modelled on Dr Cha's image in his later years, will be displayed at the Jin Yong Gallery. The permanent exhibition at the Jin Yong Gallery displays more than 300 sets of exhibits featuring the early career of Dr Cha, the creative process behind his martial arts novels and the impact of his novels on Hong Kong's pop culture.

Another exhibition of Ren Zhe, "A Path to Glory - Jin Yong's Centennial Memorial．The World of Wuxia" will be on display at Edinburgh Place, Central, from March 15 to July 2, showcasing 10 sculptures of Jin Yong's iconic characters. The exhibition is supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

To tie in with the exhibitions, a series of special programmes will be organised by the HKHM. They include talks by renowned scholars to be held from April to June on Jin Yong and his world of martial arts, the "Martial Arts Secrets Resurface - Chinese Bookbinding" and "Shadow Heroes - Shadow Puppetry" workshops, and the "Touring the fantastic martial arts world created by Jin Yong in Hanfu costume" activity specially arranged for museum pass holders.

For more information about the exhibition and activities, please visit hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/highlights.html or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.

In support of the second edition of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival with the theme of "Arts & Action", the LCSD will launch a series of martial arts-related activities from April. They include the "Arts or Action, Why Not Both? Classic Martial Arts Drama Costumes and Props Exhibition" to be held initially at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and subsequently at the HKHM, displaying 30 pieces of headpieces, costumes, and props from classic martial arts dramas, while the Chinese Orchestras "Martial Arts．Heroes" organised by the Music Office will present classic martial arts music. The LCSD has also invited renowned music producer Carl Wong to collaborate with pop singers and live bands, to present classics related to Jing Yong's works and those composed by Joseph Koo and James Wong.

Starting from April, the HKPL will launch the Creative Writing Event cum Roving Exhibition on "Chivalrous Heroes: My Favourite Characters in Martial Arts Novels", the "Exhibition on Dr. Louis CHA Collection", a subject talk on Jin Yong's works, and the "Taste of Jin Yong's Novels" book exhibition, allowing members of the public to revisit the classics and feel the affection for martial arts. The "Literary Giant - Jin Jong and Louis Cha" collection launched on the Hong Kong Memory website of the library also showcases more than 200 digitised materials including news clippings, manuscripts, radio programmes, photos, audio clips and videos related to Jin Yong.

The LCSD presented the first Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival last year to great acclaim. This year, the second edition features "Arts & Action" as its theme, taking audiences on a journey through time to explore the charm of Hong Kong's pop culture. It encompasses both "Arts" (creative works) and "Action" (martial arts), an attempt to show the dynamic inheritance, diffusion, integration and breakthroughs within Hong Kong's pop culture.

The event lineup offers a diverse range of formats including thematic exhibitions, film screenings, stage performances and outreach activities, and its rich content spans across literature, various art forms and martial arts, clearly showcasing how Hong Kong's vibrant and diverse pop culture stands out from the rest. For more information, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en.

]]><![CDATA[Missing woman in Kwun Tong located]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300609.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300609.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 17:49:28 +0800
     Ye Suiying, aged 80, went missing after she was last seen in a shopping centre on Lei Yue Mun Road yesterday (March 12) afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The woman was located on King’s Road, North Point this afternoon (March 13). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.]]><![CDATA[Arrangements of LegCo Committee meetings]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300589.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300589.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 17:17:00 +0800
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Bills Committee on Safeguarding National Security Bill will hold two meetings tomorrow (March 14) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex:

9am to 11am
11.10am to 1.10pm

]]><![CDATA[LCSD's large-scale outdoor art project "Art@Harbour 2024" and arrangements on registration and admission for special sessions (with photos)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300456.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300456.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 17:06:00 +0800
"teamLab: Continuous" (Exhibition period: from March 25 to June 2) at Tamar Park and Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section)
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     The LCSD teamed up with teamLab to curate the "teamLab: Continuous" exhibition. The exhibition will present two magnificent large-scale art installations: "Resonating Life which Continues to Stand", which showcases hundreds of colourful luminous ovoids with continuously changing colours and sound triggered by visitors' interactions, and "Resonating Trees" which makes the light of dozens of trees in the park spread, changing its colour and resonating sound tones in response to the ovoids. The exhibits will span the lawns of Tamar Park and extend to Victoria Harbour, triggering a mesmerising display of kaleidoscopic colours and soothing soundscapes through people's participation. The luminous spectacle will serve as both a collaborative artwork by people and nature, and convey the beauty of continuity that exists within the urban landscape, heightening the sense of awareness of the existence of other people in the same space and environment, and harmonising with the bustling night vistas of Victoria Harbour.

"Science in Art" (Exhibition period: from March 25 to June 2) at the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section)
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     The LCSD commissioned local art group LAAB Architects and local artist Dylan Kwok to create two interactive art installations, the "Harbour Cup" and "Schrödinger's Bed", which are both related to the nature and properties of light, thus echoing the vibrancy and zest of the harbourfront.

Alicja Kwade's sculpture "l'ordre des mondes (Totem)" (Exhibition period: from March 23 to November) at K11 MUSEA Promenade
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K11 Group will present Alicja Kwade's sculpture "l'ordre des mondes (Totem)" in collaboration with Pace Gallery at the K11 MUSEA promenade. This artwork, reflecting the artist's deep interest in time, space and science, will feature marble spheres symbolising planets intricately placed within a towering chair structure, juxtaposing the immense celestial bodies found in reality and exploring the relationship between human existence and the vast universe. K11 Group and Pace Gallery jointly funded and supported this year's "Art@Harbour" project, adding an artistic atmosphere to the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and demonstrating the vitality of Victoria Harbour.

"Chromaflux" (Exhibition period: from March 24 to May 5) at the Sino LuminArt Façade of Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre
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     Sino Group is collaborating with HKWALLS, a local art organisation, to present an extraordinary digital art exhibition titled "Chromaflux", featuring digital moving images by five groups of local and international artists from Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Hong Kong at the Sino LuminArt Façade of Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre. The exhibition will push the boundaries of creativity, blending the worlds of art, technology, and cultural diversity. This one-of-a-kind exhibition will showcase a fusion of vibrant colors, dynamic visuals, and innovative digital techniques, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that will leave visitors spellbound, and will transform the Tsim Sha Tsui East promenade into a canvas for street artists to display their mesmerizing digital creations.

Voyage with Van Gogh (Exhibition period: from March 28 to May 31) at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza
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The FIF, in collaboration with the Van Gogh Heritage Foundation and with the funding support of the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, will present "Voyage with Van Gogh" - a public art initiative featuring an outdoor multisensory LED art installation at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. Inspired by Van Gogh’s paintings and the iconic Hong Kong Victoria Harbour, Spanish new digital art studio VISURA Studio and artist Vritis will create a digital artwork, "Cycles", in front of the historic Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, which will take viewers on a voyage of artistic exploration. Adding to the experience, the FIF will present the original musical composition "Rain or Shine". Composed by Leon Ko, produced by Chiu Tsang-hei, and performed by Chinese prodigy pianist Niu Niu and violinist Wang Liang, this harmonious collaboration will enhance the visual masterpiece, creating an unforgettable sensory experience for all, converting the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower into a canvas of light and creativity.

Admission arrangements
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     Members of the public are welcome to visit the above-mentioned free exhibitions. Except for visiting certain designated areas (the lawn area of Tamar Park) of the "teamLab: Continuous" at specific time slots, advance bookings are not required for other exhibitions.

     The "teamLab: Continuous" exhibition (the lawn area in Tamar Park) will be lit-up from 6.30pm to 11pm. Members of the public who wish to enter the lawn area for a better visiting experience by interacting with the exhibits are required to pre-book their visits through the Klook system. Reservations are not required for other areas.

     The online booking system will begin accepting bookings for the first week (i.e. from March 25 to March 31) starting at noon on March 18 (next Monday). Bookings for subsequent weeks will be open every Monday at noon. Each person can only reserve one session per day, and each reservation can accommodate up to two individuals. Visitors who have successfully made a booking should arrive at the venue within their chosen time slot and present the QR code on the confirmation email to on-site staff for admission. At 1pm daily, the booking system will also release available quota for that day.

     The entrance to the exhibition is located at Tamar Park, near the East Wing of the Central Government Offices. Members of the public are advised to use the footbridge outside the Admiralty Centre to access the venue and follow the visiting route recommended by on-site staff.

     In the event of inclement weather such as the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3, with the likelihood of hoisting Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, black rainstorm signal or "Extreme Conditions", the "teamLab: Continuous" exhibition may be temporarily closed, depending on the situation. Relevant booking will be cancelled automatically. Visitors who have booked sessions affected by the closure will be required to make a new booking for their visit. Information about temporary closure and venue arrangement will be released through Government press releases, "Art@Harbour 2024" website, Klook booking website, and Facebook and Instagram of "apohere" and QK Post.

     For the content and dates of the exhibition, as well as the latest news and information of "Art@Harbour 2024", please visit the website at www.museums.gov.hk/tc/web/portal/artatharbour.html.

]]><![CDATA[CSD holds drama and music performance for secondary school students at Stanley Prison (with photos)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300230.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300230.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 16:58:03 +0800
In the performance, PICs staged for the students a drama featuring the story of a teenager who was tempted by peers to take drugs and became addicted to them. In order to earn money, he joined an online fraud syndicate and disguised himself as different characters to commit fraud online. At the end of the story, his family members also fell into the trap of the scam he had designed, which made him regretful. The CSD hopes that through the drama, students can enhance their ability to distinguish right from wrong and become law-abiding and drug-free citizens.

A PIC, who shared his experiences with students participating in the event, said he was glad that the event provided him with a platform to share his personal experience with youngsters. Being a drug addict, he was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of trafficking in dangerous drugs. He advised students to be law-abiding and stay away from drugs in order to avoid facing legal consequences for committing crimes. He also urged young people to cherish their time with their parents, otherwise they may regret it.

Jointly organised by the CSD and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong Lay Prison Evangelical Organisation, the "Creation and Rehabilitation" Programme has been implemented at Stanley Prison since 2011. The Programme integrates arts therapy into rehabilitation services and assists PICs in self-exploration and self-understanding through a series of creative workshops. In addition, the Programme provides opportunities for young people to visit correctional institutions and meet PICs in person so as to understand the heavy price of committing crimes and the importance of abiding by the law. At the same time, through the creation and performance by PICs, students can deepen their understanding of diversified rehabilitation programmes of the CSD, thereby recognising the importance of rehabilitation and the significance of social harmony.

The CSD launched the RPP in September 2008 to disseminate to young people the messages of safeguarding our country and home, leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation. Since the implementation of the programme, more than 490 000 young people and people from various sectors have participated in various activities.

]]><![CDATA[Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $8.3 million (with photo)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300552.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300552.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 16:40:00 +0800
On the evening of March 11, Customs in Yuen Long intercepted a man who was getting off a taxi and found two suitcases inside the boot of the vehicle. About 19.2kg of suspected cannabis buds were concealed inside the suitcases. The 36-year-old man was subsequently arrested.

     After a follow-up investigation, Customs yesterday escorted the arrested man to a residence in Yuen Long for a search. Inside the premises, Customs officers seized about 3kg of suspected cannabis resin, about 2.3kg of suspected methamphetamine, about 480 grams of suspected ketamine, about 3kg of assorted drugs and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public that cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are classified as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis, THC or CBD into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.

     Under the Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

]]><![CDATA[Import of poultry meat and products from Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan suspended]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300559.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300559.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 16:33:52 +0800
     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1 990 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 281.33 million poultry eggs from Japan last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Japanese authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.]]><![CDATA[Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300533.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300533.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 16:16:17 +0800
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.]]><![CDATA[Inspection of aquatic products imported from Japan]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300538.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300538.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 16:02:00 +0800
For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.

As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.

From noon on March 12 to noon today (March 13), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 194 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).

From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 35 943 samples of food imported from Japan (including 24 060 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 9 978 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.]]><![CDATA[LCQ16: Medication treatment for depression]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300302.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300302.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0800
Question:

     It has been reported that a study has pointed out that about 18 per cent of the patients suffering from depression do not have an adequate response to medications (i.e. they are suffering from treatment-resistant depression), and they are more prone to have suicidal tendencies and other illnesses than ordinary patients suffering from depression. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it knows the current number of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression who are receiving treatment at the psychiatric departments of the hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA);

(2) as it has been reported that a study has confirmed that an antidepressant drug that targets the glutamate system can, within a few hours, alleviate the suicidal thoughts of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression, and that approval was given by the Department of Health in July last year for the inclusion of the drug in the Drug Formulary of the HA, whether it knows (i) the hospitals whose psychiatric departments are currently prescribing the drug, and (ii) the number of patients who have received treatment with the drug so far, with a breakdown by hospital cluster; and

(3) whether it knows if the HA will allocate additional resources so that more patients suffering from depression can benefit from medication treatment with a better and faster curative effect; if the HA will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

The reply to the question raised by the Hon Lam So-wai is as follows:

(1) In 2022-23, the number of psychiatric patients diagnosed with depression in the Hospital Authority (HA) was around 66 800 (including in-patients as well as specialist out-patient clinic and day hospital patients). The HA does not maintain statistics on the number of psychiatric patients with treatment-resistant depression.

(2) The first antidepressant targeting the glutamate system, Esketamine, has been included in the HA Drug Formulary as a Special drug since mid-2023. Special drugs are used under specified clinical application with specific specialist authorisation. These drugs are provided at standard fees and charges in public hospitals and clinics when prescribed under specific clinical conditions. Psychiatrists of the HA will prescribe HA patients suitable and an appropriate amount of medications (including Esketamine) based on professional diagnosis and the patients' clinical conditions to ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate treatment. In 2023-24 (as at the end of February 2024), 17 patients were prescribed Esketamine for treatment of depression, and the breakdown by hospital clusters is as follows:

Hospital cluster	Number of patients prescribed Esketamine
Kowloon Central	1
Kowloon East	2
New Territories East	15
Total	17

Note: One of the patients has received treatment in two hospital clusters.

(3) The HA provides mental health services in an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach. Psychiatric doctors, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and medical social workers provide comprehensive medical services, including in-patient services, out-patient services, day rehabilitation training and community support services, to patients with mental health needs (including those suffering from depression), according to their medical conditions and clinical needs.

The HA has been expanding the coverage of its Drug Formulary through an established mechanism to provide long-term sustainable, affordable and appropriate support to patients with mental health needs. Apart from drug treatment, the HA currently provides Electroconvulsive Therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the treatment of depression. Healthcare professionals will refer patients with depression to receive appropriate treatment according to their medical conditions and clinical needs.

The HA will continue to review its mental health services and treatment options (including the prescription of newer drugs) to provide appropriate support to patients in need.]]><![CDATA[Effective Exchange Rate Index]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300188.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300188.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 15:45:20 +0800<![CDATA[15th National Games calls for emblem, mascot, slogan and anthem]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300518.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300518.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 15:42:00 +0800
The call, which is led by Guangdong, was announced today. Relevant details are published in the call announcement (www.baygames.cn/node_6d7cc21ab6) (Chinese only) issued by the 15th National Games Guangdong Region Executive Committee. Interested persons and organisations are welcome to participate. They should follow the guidelines set out in the call announcement to submit their designs and related documents in hard copy by post to the designated address, and in electronic form through the Games' website (www.baygames.cn) (Chinese only). The deadlines for submission are set out below:

Item	Deadline for submission
Slogan	April 30, 2024
Emblem	May 15, 2024
Mascot	May 31, 2024
Anthem	September 30, 2024

     A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said, "The cohosting of the National Games by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao is of great significance. We hope Hong Kong people will actively participate and give their full support for the Games."]]><![CDATA[LCQ5: Enhancing the competitiveness of the tourism industry]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300287.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300287.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 15:39:39 +0800
Question:

     There are views that tourist-oriented regional competition has become exceptionally keen recently. Governments of various places employ all means to compete for tourist resources. Hong Kong is facing new challenges in the new competitive environment, and may experience the predicament of being lagging behind. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as it is learnt that to promote the development of the tourism industry, various local governments in the Mainland have worked in solidarity with the entire municipality and even the entire province to break barriers and remove obstacles among various industries and trades, whether the HKSAR Government can connect various industries and trades as well as mobilize and coordinate resources across the territory, so that various departments will be able to work together to facilitate the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry, thereby getting rid of the predicament of the industry being lagging behind;

(2) as there are views that the major current pursuits of Mainland tourists in travelling are high cost-effectiveness and cosy experience, how the Government can enhance the travel experiences of Mainland tourists with their limited time and budgets as well as encourage and motivate the whole society to foster a cordial and welcoming atmosphere; and

(3) as it is learnt that nowadays, tourists prefer to "check-in" at popular, unique and iconic landmarks and street scenes, and the public opinions and trends presented on the We Media can bring a huge influence, whether the Government has plans to, by tapping on Hong Kong's characteristics and advantages, adopt a more proactive approach to steer Hong Kong's tourism promotional efforts towards a more compassionate and attractive direction, such as opening a We ‍Media account to actively exchange views and interact with netizens?

Reply:

President,

     Tourism is one of the major pillars of our economy. Over the past year, business and leisure visitors from the Mainland and around the world have gradually returned to Hong Kong, injecting impetus into the tourism industry. With the concerted efforts of the Government and the travel trade, visitor arrivals reached 34 million last year and there was continuous increase in the number of visitor arrivals quarter by quarter, revealing a strong recovery momentum of the tourism industry. According to the preliminary figures from the Immigration Department, the number of visitor arrivals in the first two months of this year was approximately 7.83 million, i.e. about 130 000 on average per day. The latter represents a 12 per cent increase compared to the average daily number of visitor arrivals in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was approximately 116 000. During the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland last month, the numbers of total visitor arrivals reached the level of the same period in 2018 while the number of Mainland visitor arrivals even exceeded the 2018 level. The Financial Secretary proposed in the 2024-25 Budget to set aside a total amount of $1.095 billion to intensify efforts to promote a number of tourism-related initiatives and projects in the next three years. Besides, we will continue to organise and coordinate various mega events and large-scale activities with characteristics to attract more visitors to Hong Kong.

     In respect of the questions raised by the Hon Chan Chun-ying, the reply is as follows:

(1) Joint efforts by different sectors through collaboration and coordination among one another is essential to promoting tourism development. We have established the high-level Tourism Strategy Committee (TSC), chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, to develop strategies to further promote the long-term sustainable development of the tourism industry and enhance collaboration among different stakeholders in the industry. Members include prominent figures and key leaders from the tourism and other related sectors such as culture, sports, retail and catering, etc. The TSC aims at gathering strategic advice to enhance the speed and quality of the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry as well as fostering integrated development of tourism and other related sectors.

     In promoting mega event economy, the Government has set up an inter-departmental Mega Events Coordination Group chaired by the Deputy Financial Secretary, with the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism as deputy. Members include representatives from relevant bureaux, departments, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and other statutory bodies. The coordination group is committed to strengthening the overall planning and coordination of mega events, ensuring sufficient inter-departmental support, taking the initiative to scout mega events to be held in Hong Kong and promoting the mega event economy through a multi-pronged approach, which will further promote tourism development.

     In addition, we convene tourism-related high-level coordination meetings as necessary to coordinate tourism-related matters involving different departments, such as the preparation work for receiving visitors to Hong Kong during the Golden Weeks of the Mainland. All relevant government departments are also actively involved in providing necessary facilitation.

(2) Enriching tourism resources in Hong Kong and providing visitors with more new tourism offerings and experiences are of utmost importance. Together with the HKTB, we will promote new thematic travel experiences anchoring seasonal, festival and mega events as well as integrating Chinese and Western arts, pop culture, wine and dine experiences, outdoor explorations, active sports and more to cater for the interest of wide-ranging visitor segments while developing immersive in-depth tourism activities in the light of the new travel trends. We will also encourage the travel trade to launch a more diversified portfolio of tourism products.

     On developing diversified tourism products, the Tourism Commission will continue to work at full steam to roll out tourism projects like "Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival", "Design District Hong Kong" and "City in Time". We have organised the "Cultural and Heritage Sites Local Tour Incentive Scheme", the "Characteristic Local Tourism Incentive Scheme", and the "Deeper into Hong Kong: Creative Itinerary Design Competition" to encourage the travel trade to design more thematic tours.

     Mega events help attract more visitors and enrich their experience. In the future, we will organise more mega events to foster a positive ambience in town and attract visitors to come to Hong Kong, thereby elevating the city's international image. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau has launched "Art March" as a brand for the first time to promote mega arts and cultural events organised, funded, or supported by the Government, providing citizens and visitors with an enriched artistic journey and generating greater economic benefits through the mega arts and cultural events.

     Being the world-famous tourism destination and gastronomic capital, Hong Kong's hotels and restaurants are internationally recognised. Two hotels in Hong Kong were selected as the best five hotels among "The World's 50 Best Hotels 2023", demonstrating Hong Kong's excellent accommodation experience to the world. Hong Kong is also one of the cities with the most Michelin restaurants. In the "Asia's 50 Best Bars" held last year, eight bars in Hong Kong were selected as the best 50. These would help attract visitors to travel to Hong Kong and further enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's tourism industry.

     Besides, following the "Professional Quality Tourism Services Pledge" launched last year, the HKTB will enhance the "Quality Tourism Services Scheme" and roll out a new round of promotion, including producing a reality show in partnership with a TV channel and awarding recognition to the excellent service of frontline practitioners to foster the hospitality culture in Hong Kong by engaging the public and all walks of life.

(3) We note that travellers' preference is changing. More visitors are expecting to enjoy in-depth experiences, and many of them follow the recommendations online to look for authentic local experiences and photo spots. As such, the HKTB invited more than 2 000 trade stakeholders, media, celebrities, key opinion leaders (KOL) from the Mainland, Southeast Asia and Europe in 2023, including the prestigious movie stars from the Hollywood and other regions as well as bloggers with large numbers of followers on social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Weibo and Bilibili targeting the Mainland source market to come to Hong Kong to experience the diverse tourism features and share their experience on social media to create positive word of mouth and tell the good story of Hong Kong. The HKTB has accumulated more than 11 million followers on various social media platforms so far. In the past year, promotional contents on these platforms featured more than 2 billion reach. We will continue to promote Hong Kong on various media channels.

     In addition, we would invite guests who come to Hong Kong to participate in mega events, conferences and competitions to experience Hong Kong's unique characteristics. For example, during the LIV Golf Professional Tour just held, the organiser invited many famous golf players to visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum, to taste poon choi and to watch a bian lian (face-changing) performance, to experience Hong Kong's unique traditional culture and the Chinese arts. The golf players shared their personal experience on social media platforms, together with the efforts of the HKTB in promoting the relevant events, to showcase Hong Kong's unique tourism experience to the world.

     The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau will continue to work with the HKTB and relevant stakeholders to actively promote the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry, develop Hong Kong's tourism brand, as well as reinforcing and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international tourism hub.

     Thank you, President.]]><![CDATA[LCQ13: Candida auris]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300286.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300286.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 15:30:00 +0800
Question:

It has been reported that from 2019 when the first overseas imported Candida auris case appeared to the end of October 2023, a total of more than 600 Candida auris carrier cases were detected in Hong Kong, and the number of cases recorded in the first 10 months of 2023 alone was about 350, representing an increase of more than two times as compared to that in 2022, and among such cases, nearly half were nosocomial infection cases and were concentrated in hospitals in the Kowloon Central Cluster. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of Candida auris infection cases, the age of the patients and the number of deaths among them in each year since 2019 (set out in a table);

(2) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of cases mentioned in (1) which were nosocomial infection cases in public hospitals and the number of patients involved, with a breakdown by the hospital involved;

(3) as it has been reported that the number of Candida auris carrier cases in public hospitals increased substantially in the first 10 months of 2023, whether it knows if the Hospital Authority (HA) has gained an understanding of the reasons for that;

(4) of the new infection control measures against multidrug-resistant fungi currently put in place by public hospitals;

(5) as it has been reported that many patients have become carriers of multidrug-resistant fungi/bacteria as a result of their admission to public hospitals, whether the authorities have reviewed if the relevant infection control measures in public hospitals are adequate; if they have, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(6) regarding elderly singletons infected with multidrug-resistant fungi/bacteria or patients whose family members are incapable of taking care of them, whether it knows if HA has measures in place at present to provide support to and follow up on such patients after their discharge from hospitals; if HA has, whether it knows if HA will consider strengthening the relevant support; if HA will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     In consultation with the Hospital Authority (HA), the consolidated reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan is as follows:

     Candida auris (C. auris) is a multi-drug resistant fungus which was first discovered and isolated from the external ear canal of a patient in Japan in 2009. Since then, C. auris has rapidly spread and caused infections globally. At present, over 50 countries have discovered and isolated C. auris. The World Health Organization also considers C. auris a serious threat to global public health.

     C. auris mainly transmits through contact with contaminated environmental surfaces or devices, and direct or indirect contact with carriers. C. auris is tenacious and exhibits thermotolerance and osmotolerance. It can adhere to the surface of objects and form a biofilm, survive for several months in the environment and is resistant to common disinfectants. It can therefore spread easily and cause outbreaks in healthcare institutions.

     C. auris has been found in non-invasive body sites and can colonise a person without causing active infection. On the other hand, it can cause disease including intra-abdominal, wound, ear and bloodstream infections which can turn out to be severe. The HA has been actively taking measures to monitor C. auris, including strengthening admission screening and testing of clinical samples. Since the first imported C. auris case found in Hong Kong in 2019, the HA has, up to February 29 this year, recorded 800 C. auris cases, most of which had been diagnosed with other underlying diseases. The cases were aged 20 to 99, among whom about 98 per cent were asymptomatic carriers while only 2 per cent had infection symptoms. The 30-day mortality rate (including all causes of death) of C. auris cases recorded in the HA is 16.5 per cent, with the majority of the cases passing away due to other underlying diseases.

     The rise in the number of C. auris cases over the past few years may be associated with hospitals handling a vast number of patients during the epidemic and the wider use of antibiotics. To reduce the transmission risk of C. auris in hospitals, the HA has been adopting "early identification, early segregation, early decolonisation" and risk-based strategies. Hospitals identify potential carriers and isolate patients as early as possible through proactive surveillance and screening of high-risk patients during admission and hospitalisation. Contact precaution measures are also implemented and designated medical equipment are provided to prevent cross-infection. Meanwhile, hospitals also focus on enhancing hand hygiene for staff and environmental hygiene of the wards, including hand hygiene audits, strengthening the surface cleaning of air-conditioning outlets of all wards, enhancing cleaning and disinfection of the surrounding environment of carrier patients and increasing the frequency of changing bed curtains.

     For patients who are carriers of C. auris, healthcare staff will offer timely follow-up according to their clinical conditions and provide infection control information and leaflets to the patients and their family members. If patients have infection symptoms, doctors will prescribe drugs for treatment. For the majority of asymptomatic carriers, healthcare staff will conduct individual assessment and prescribe a 3-month course of decolonisation regimen to shorten the duration of carriage and reduce the relevant infection risk.

     When patients with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) including C. auris are discharged from hospitals, in general, they only need to maintain good personal hygiene and avoid sharing of personal items with others while maintaining environmental hygiene and keeping personal items clean so as to prevent and control the spread of MDROs in the community. If patients and their families have specific needs, the HA will refer patients to the Community Nursing Service for support and follow-up, such as monitoring of infection symptoms, or ensuring patient compliance with doctor's prescriptions and proper use of antimicrobials.

     In addition, to enhance the infection control of C. auris in residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs), hospitals will conduct pre-discharge screening for RCHE patients based on risk assessments. The HA and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health have also strengthened collaboration to provide infection control assessment and advice for RCHEs with carrier residents, and arrange re-tests for carrier residents in order to prevent transmission of C. auris in RCHEs.

     The HA will continue to closely monitor the situation of MDROs and review the relevant infection control measures of its healthcare facilities in a timely manner.]]><![CDATA[LCQ22: Ancillary facilities of the Robin's Nest Country Park]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300371.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300371.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 15:18:00 +0800
Question:

The Country Parks (Designation) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Order 2023 (the Order) was made by the Chief Executive last year after consultation with the Executive Council to designate the relevant area delineated as a country park, to be known as the Robin's Nest Country Park (RNCP). The Order came into operation on March 1 this year. However, some members of the public have relayed to me that when they visited RNCP for a site inspection earlier on, they found that there were still no relevant road signs and ancillary facilities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has formulated a specific implementation timetable for improving the ancillary facilities of RNCP; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) whether it has plans to set up a visitors' centre for RNCP; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) as it is learnt that there are many military relics of historical value (such as lookouts, firing trenches and forts) in the areas around RNCP, whether the Government will conserve and revitalize such military relics, so as to turn them into military-themed tourism resources; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(4) as it is learnt that currently, a section of the hiking track involving Lin Ma Hang Road and leading to the MacIntosh Fort (Kong Shan) and the Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine Cave which is undergoing revitalization works is within the Frontier Closed Area (FCA), hikers are prone to trespass on the area inadvertently and need to backtrack and leave through another exit, whether the authorities have considered opening up the part of FCA in the vicinity of RNCP to make it convenient for tourists to go there for sightseeing and leave by going downhill along the trail; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

The Robin's Nest Country Park (RNCP), located at Sha Tau Kok in the Northeastern New Territories, covers about 530 hectares of land, which is a hilly terrain with secondary woodland, shrubland and upland grassland, presenting a pleasant landscape of high aesthetic value. RNCP is rich in biodiversity, with over 500 species of plants and animals identified therein, many of which are with high conservation value, such as Red Azalea, Incense Tree, Chinese Grassbird and Chinese Pipistrelle. RNCP also features cultural heritage resources including MacIntosh Forts and Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine relics, and is geographically connected with the Wutong Mountain in Shenzhen, forming a cross-boundary ecological corridor between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Government officially established RNCP on March 1, 2024 to preserve the natural environment, scenic landscape and cultural heritage resources of the area concerned, and enhance its biodiversity, thereby allowing the public to appreciate the unique scenery and enjoy hiking. However, the public should assess their physical strength and hiking experience in planning a hike at RNCP as it is remotely located with rugged terrain, and it is normally a four-to-five-hour's walk along the two hiking trails. In response to Hon Yiu's questions, a consolidated reply, in consultation with the Security Bureau for parts (3) and (4) of the question, is prepared as follows:

(1) The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has been improving the hiking trail network, picnic sites and viewing points and other recreational facilities in RNCP. Currently, two hiking trails, namely Robin's Nest Country Trail and Lin Ma Hang Country Trail, are open for use, and their entrances are located at Shan Tsui of Sha Tau Kok and Lin Ma Hang Village respectively. Information boards, directional signs and distance posts, as well as viewing points and interpretation panels, have been installed along the hiking trails to facilitate hiking and appreciation of the nature and cultural heritage. The AFCD has also planned to construct a rain shelter and install various thematic interpretation panels within this year, and will build other hiking trails and facilities to enrich the visitors' experience. In addition, the AFCD is working with relevant departments to revitalise the Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine relics located within RNCP into an open museum to showcase its mining history and bat ecology to the public. The mine relic is currently closed for the revitalisation works, and is expected to be open to the public upon completion of works by end-2024.

(2) As RNCP is located in the mountainous area with rugged terrain, there are practical difficulties in setting up a new visitor centre. The AFCD has been disseminating relevant information of RNCP to the visitors through diverse channels, including website, social media, information boards and waymarks, covering hiking routes and attractions, hiking etiquette and safety. On weekends and public holidays during hiking peak season, interpreters are deployed at major entrances of RNCP to provide visitors' information and introduce the attractions in the area to enhance visitors' understanding of Robin's Nest and enrich their recreational experiences. Besides, the AFCD has been closely communicating with the relevant departments and villagers to explore the feasibility of providing visitors' supporting facilities.

(3) War relics in Robin's Nest area are mainly concentrated at Shan Tsui at the eastern part of the country park. The AFCD has engaged expert to collect relevant historical information and will install interpretation panels at suitable locations along the hiking trail so that visitors could appreciate the cultural heritage and understand the history while hiking.

(4) Currently, the section of Lin Ma Hang Road between Wang Lek and the entrance of Lin Ma Hang Village is still within Frontier Closed Area (FCA). To facilitate visitors going to RNCP via Lin Ma Hang Village, the AFCD has constructed a connecting path on the hillside outside the FCA, allowing visitors to reach the Lin Ma Hang Country Trail and Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine Cave without trespassing into the Lin Ma Hang Road FCA section. At certain spots along the connection path, stairs and stepping stones were built, railings were added, with overgrown grasses removed and slope-edges stabilized. Hence, visitors need not worry of inadvertently trespassing on the FCA, nor a backtrack to leave through another exit.]]><![CDATA[Tender results of re-opening of 20-year Government Bonds under Institutional Bond Issuance Programme]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300514.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300514.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 15:05:00 +0800
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender of 20-year Government Bonds through the re-opening of existing 20-year Government Bond (issue number 20GB4205) under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme was held today (March 13).

     A total of HK$0.5 billion 20-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$1.872 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued, is 3.74. The average price accepted is 86.95, implying an annualised yield of 4.392 per cent.

HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme Government Bond tender results
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Tender results of the re-opening of 20-year Government Bonds under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:

Tender Date	:	March 13, 2024
Issue Number	:	20GB4205 (Re-open)
Stock Code	:	4255 (HKGB 3.30 4205)
Issue and Settlement Date	:	March 14, 2024
Tenor	:	20-year
Maturity Date	:	May 26, 2042
Coupon Rate	:	3.30 per cent
Amount Applied	:	HK$1.872 billion
Amount Allotted	:	HK$0.5 billion
Bid-to-Cover Ratio*	:	3.74
Average Price Accepted (Yield)	:	86.95 (4.392 per cent)
Lowest Price Accepted (Yield)	:	86.21 (4.458 per cent)
Pro-rata Ratio	:	About 35 per cent
Average Tender Price (Yield)	:	85.43 (4.529 per cent)

* Ratio of the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.]]><![CDATA[People's Bank of China to issue Renminbi Bills through Central Moneymarkets Unit of Hong Kong Monetary Authority]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300511.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300511.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0800
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) will issue Renminbi Bills through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Please find attached the tender notice and the tender information memorandum of the Renminbi Bills to be issued by the PBOC. Please also find attached the tender-related information provided by the Issuing and Lodging Agent through the HKMA.]]><![CDATA[LCQ2: Increasing the supply of subsidised sale housing]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300429.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300429.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0800
Question:

In 2018, the Government indicated that it would maintain the supply ratio of 70:30 between public rental housing (PRH) and the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) and other subsidised sale flats (SSFs) under the Long Term Housing Strategy (LTHS). There are views pointing out that as the supply of SSFs is still significantly lower than that of PRH even with their production resumed after a 10-year moratorium, some sandwich class people who are ineligible for PRH and unable to afford private housing can only live in sub-divided units, and PRH tenants aspiring for home ownership can hardly gain upward mobility along the housing ladder. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will consider adjusting the supply ratio of PRH and GSH to other SSFs to 50:50, so as to ease the Government's financial burden and address the public's keen demand for home ownership;

(2) as there are views that given the "inter-changeability" between PRH and subsidized sale housing, the quality of these two types of housing is almost the same, whether the Government will review the principle of "inter-changeability" with a view to enhancing the quality of subsidised sale housing; and

(3) as there are views that building more PRH may not always be advantageous because some members of the public will deliberately control their income in order to be eligible for and live in PRH, and that PRH, with a substantial amount of land and financial resources required for its construction and operation, is a heavy burden for the Government in the long run, whether the Government will study formulating an optimal proportion of PRH in the overall housing supply and setting a ceiling on its supply in LTHS?

Reply:

President,

     My consolidated reply to the various parts of the question raised by Dr Hon Wendy Hong is as follows:

     It is the vision of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) to provide affordable rental housing to low-income families with housing needs. At the same time, HA also helps low- to middle-income families achieve home ownership through the provision of subsidised sale flats (SSFs). In view of the limited public housing supply, we have been striving to strike a balance between the supply of public rental housing (PRH) and SSFs in order to meet different needs of the public.

     According to the Long Term Housing Strategy (LTHS), the Government updates the long term housing demand projection annually and presents a rolling 10-year housing supply target to capture social, economic and market changes over time, and makes timely adjustments where necessary. Given the persistent shortfall in the supply of public housing in the past, with a view to strengthening the policy effort to meet the housing needs of the public, the Government revised the public/private split of new housing supply from 60:40 to 70:30 in 2018 and maintained the ratio between PRH/Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) and other SSFs (e.g. Home Ownership Scheme (HOS)) at 70:30.

     The current-term Government has been pressing ahead to expedite land and housing supply on all fronts through streamlining procedures and enhancing co-ordination of inter-departmental work. Through various measures to enhance speed, efficiency and quantity, the Government has been expediting land creation for housing. In the coming five years (i.e. 2024-25 to 2028-29), it is estimated that the traditional public housing production will be about 142 000 units. Coupled with some 30 000 additional Light Public Housing (LPH) units, the overall public housing supply will reach about 172 000 units, with an increase of about 9 per cent as compared with about 158 000 units in the preceding five-year period. In addition, we have also stepped up efforts in combating tenancy abuse in order to ensure that the precious PRH resources are allocated to those most in need.

     As for SSFs, we understand there is strong demand from relevant groups. The Government has all along been assisting the low- to middle-income families to achieve home ownership through overall planning, supply and financial arrangements, etc.

     Firstly, HA has been striving to enhance the housing ladder through the provision of SSFs and launching various schemes, including HOS, GSH, the Private Subsidised Sale Flat – Pilot Scheme, the White Form Secondary Market Scheme and the Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents, etc. with a view to providing an overall framework that bridges the public housing and private housing markets. Amongst them, the discount offered under GSH, which has been regularised since 2018, would be 10 per cent more than that in the preceding HOS sale exercise. Under the "one-for-one" arrangement, PRH tenants with improved financial capabilities can move up the housing ladder and return their PRH units, so that PRH applicants can be housed to public housing as soon as possible.

     In terms of supply, HA's SSFs production has increased significantly from about 3 000 units in 2016-17 to about 9 700 units in 2022-23. For HOS 2023 launched recently, about 9 200 units were put up for sale, which was the highest in recent years. As for financial arrangements, according to the "Deed of Guarantee" which HA has entered into with the participating banks and financial institutions, the maximum loan amount for SSFs Green Form purchasers in the primary market is 95 per cent of the selling price, while that for White Form purchasers is 90 per cent of the selling price. Recently, HA has also relaxed the mortgage arrangements for SSFs by extending the maximum mortgage default guarantee period and mortgage repayment period under the "Deeds of Guarantee" provided by HA to 50 years and 30 years respectively so as to enable purchasers of SSFs to obtain more affordable mortgage and facilitate the circulation of SSFs.

     We understand that there is an expectation to increase the supply of SSFs. However, as the average waiting time for PRH is still relatively long, it is considered that at this stage, our primary target is to step up our efforts in increasing the PRH supply for housing those applicants in need as soon as possible, thus improving their livelihood. Looking ahead, there will be a significant increase in public housing supply in the second five-year period (i.e. 2029-30 to 2033-34) which will provide more room to adjust the ratio between PRH/SSFs. As it takes time for public housing construction, we will make timely review on the ratio.

     As public demand for different types of public housing changes over time and the overall environment, HA needs to maintain flexibility in housing types so as to enhance interchangeability amongst PRH, GSH and other SSFs during project development, and makes timely adjustments of the respective supply in order to respond to the needs of the community in a timely manner. The oversubscription of SSFs sale exercises has showed that the attractiveness of SSFs is maintained under the interchangeability arrangement. Apart from the above, we have also been actively improving the quality of SSFs. In response to public aspirations for larger living space, the Government has stipulated in the 2022 Policy Address that the saleable area of all SSFs completed from 2026-27 onwards will be no less than 26 square metres.

     We will continue to take into account the prevailing socio-economic circumstances in the LTHS annual review exercise and review the public/private split, and makes timely adjustments where necessary.

]]><![CDATA[LCQ7: Improving community facilities in Kowloon City District]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300490.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300490.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 14:55:00 +0800
Question:

     It has been reported that the Kowloon City District (including Ho Man Tin and Hung Hom) is a relatively old community with inadequate ancillary community facilities as well as ageing cultural and leisure facilities, and for a number of recreation and sports (R&S) facilities (including sports centres, basketball courts and tennis courts) in the district, their numbers do not meet the standards provided in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as the Government announced in the 2018-2019 Budget that it would expedite the implementation of projects to construct some new facilities for which the community had been longing in various districts, and the selected project in the Kowloon City District is the construction of the Ho Man Tin Government Complex with facilities including a community hall, a multi-purpose conference room, a residential care home for the elderly cum day care unit for the elderly, an Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness, an integrated family service centre and a district R&S centre, of the latest development timetable for the Complex (including the time of applying for funding, and commencing and completing works), as well as the expected commissioning time of the various related facilities, the numbers of their beneficiaries and their service details;

(2) as it has been reported that with redevelopment projects in Hung Hom commencing one after another in recent years, the population will significantly increase in the future, whether the authorities will, in order to cater for the needs of the population in the district, consider adopting the "single site, multiple use" model to develop the Wuhu Street Temporary Playground in Hung Hom into a government complex, so as to provide cultural and sports facilities, a public clinic, an elderly service centre, a day child care centre, etc; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) as the scope of the open space project at Hung Hom Waterfront includes the construction of a children's playground with diversified inclusive play equipment, as well as the provision of a viewing deck whose design will imitate a ship under construction to resemble the shipbuilding scene in the Whampoa Dock in the old days, of the latest progress of the project?

Reply:

President:

     Various parts of the question involve individual district facilities and projects in Kowloon City District under different bureaux/departments (B/Ds). Having consulted relevant B/Ds, my reply is as follows:

(1) Regarding the proposed development of a joint-user complex in Ho Man Tin, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and relevant departments are currently conducting studies on the planning and facilities of the complex to ensure that the relevant facilities (e.g. community hall and residential care home for the elderly with a day care unit) and services will meet the needs of the local community. Upon completion of preparatory work, the HAD will co-ordinate and take forward the project in accordance with the established practice, including consulting the relevant panel of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and submitting the funding proposal to the Finance Committee (FC) for approval.

(2) At present, under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the site of Wuhu Street Temporary Playground in Hung Hom provides an outdoor basketball court for public use free of charge, which has all along been well-received. The LCSD currently has no plan to develop the site at this stage. Should there be any plan for development in the future, the Government will for sure consider the "single site, multiple use" model, so as to reprovision the existing basketball court and provide more community facilities.

(3) The project scope of Open Space at Hung Hom Waterfront includes upgrading the existing waterfront promenade and developing an open space at Kin Wan Street. The project was commenced by the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) under the policy supervision of the then Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) (now the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau upon restructuring) upon funding approval obtained by the then HAB from the FC of LegCo in July 2021.

     The upgrading works of the Hung Hom Promenade are carried out in phases with a pedestrian link retained, allowing the promenade to be partially opened for public use during construction. The first phase of the upgrading works has been completed and reopened in the first half of 2023. The second phase of the works is currently in progress.

     As for the open space at Kin Wan Street, which is under construction, both active leisure facilities (including a basketball court, fitness stations and a children's playground) and passive leisure facilities (including a viewing deck, landscaped area and seating area) will be provided. The children's playground will be integrated with both the waterfront environment and landscape design, and provide inclusive play equipment suitable for children of different ages. As for the viewing deck, its design imitates a ship in the course of construction, which is reminiscent of the shipbuilding history of the Whampoa Dock in the old days.

     According to the ArchSD, it is expected that the whole project will be completed by the end of 2024.]]><![CDATA[LCQ6: Enhancing the attractiveness of bazaars]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300478.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300478.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 14:55:00 +0800
Question:

There are views pointing out that there are still a number of areas in which the competitiveness of bazaars organised under the "Night Vibes Hong Kong" and the "Day x Night Vibes @ 18 Districts" can be strengthened. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as it is learnt that at present, many bazaar stalls only sell pre-cooked dishes or simple food, and there are stringent restrictions in respect of the thresholds for selling food cooked on-site as well as the types of food served, which compare unfavourably to bazaars in the neighbouring regions, whether the Government will study providing stalls with more support for their applications for temporary food factory licences or liquor licences, or adjusting the overly stringent licence requirements, so that the stalls can offer more variety of food and beverages, thereby strengthening the bazaar economy;

(2) whether it will integrate the characteristics of districts as well as local culture and creativity into bazaars, conduct a territory-wide review for areas with potentials for bazaar development, and consider a crossover of the local culture with international cultures or the cultures of other cities in our country, and assign a dedicated department to co-ordinate the relevant matters, so as to establish bazaars and night markets with characteristics and appeal; and

(3) of the attendances, revenue and the numbers of various types of stalls (including stalls involving the heating up of pre-cooked food, stalls involving the cooking of pre-prepared and ready-to-cook food, and stalls selling dry goods) in respect of the bazaars under the Day ‍x ‍Night Vibes@18 Districts; how it assesses the economic benefits of such bazaars, and whether it has reviewed the areas that need further enhancement and improvement?

Reply:

President,

    The Government has launched the "Night Vibes Hong Kong" in September 2023. Various departments have collaborated with different organisations to organise a wealth of night-time events showcasing local characteristics and attractions. In the first half of this year, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) has organised a series of diverse leisure and cultural activities under "Day x Night Vibes @ 18 Districts". The various activities involved bazaars, such as "Temple Street - Endless Authentic Encounters" and "Celebrating the Year of Dragon - Tsuen Wan Lantern Festival Bazaar", reflecting that bazaars can have flexible positioning and content to suit different objectives and themes. Aside from the above, various organisations in the community also organise different types of bazaars from time to time.

     In response to the question raised by Hon Ho, after consulting the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, and the Security Bureau, my reply is as follows:

(1) The Government have all along been providing facilitation to the organisation of bazaar activities and offering necessary assistance to applicants. At present, stalls in a bazaar only need to fulfill some basic requirements for safeguarding food safety and public health (such as whether the venue has electricity supply and suitable food storage and washing facilities) to obtain a temporary food factory licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for cooking food from raw ingredients, and selling of food and beverages. Depending on the specific venue facilities, a vast diversity of food and beverages can be sold. For example, there were soufflé pancakes, oyster omelet, and grilled oysters sold at the "Kwun Tong Night Market in the Year of Dragon". The FEHD also provides one-stop service to assist applicants to refer application materials to relevant departments for processing in parallel, so as to facilitate and expedite the application process.

     Regarding temporary liquor licences, the Police will proactively contact the applicants to explain the application procedures and the required documents for the licence, and provide professional opinions on venue safety and crowd control. This is to ensure public safety and order meanwhile facilitate the organisation of different activities by the organiser. There are already stalls providing alcoholic beverages in bazaar. The sale of craft beer at the "Waterfront Carnival" in Wan Chai is an example.

(2) In terms of infusing district characteristics and local culture and creativity into bazaars, the "Day x Night Vibes @ 18 Districts" activities organised by the HAD, mainly aim to provide the public with a wide range of cultural and leisure events, and to showcase local diversity or traditional cultural connotations in various districts, so as to promote a vibrant atmosphere in the community. These activities take various forms, including bazaar carnivals, artwork exhibitions, musical performances, and sports experiences.

According to the CSTB, if bazaar organisers are interested in inviting local arts groups to perform at bazaars, they may reach out to the latter through the CSTB and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Arts groups and artists can also apply for subsidy from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council to perform at different venues (including bazaars). Whether bazaars would be infused with local culture and creativity depends on the preference, management arrangements and interest of the bazaar organisers. It also depends on whether the performances/shows of the arts groups and artists are suitable for the relevant bazaar venues.

     As for bazaars organised by different organisations in the community from time to time, the Environment and Ecology Bureau co-ordinated the updated version of the "Resource Handbook for Bazaar Application" that was issued in January this year, covering how to identify suitable venues and apply for hiring government venues (including those under the Housing Authority/Housing Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and the Lands Department), to facilitate interested organisations/persons to have an easier grasp of the relevant application procedures and information.

(3) Under the "Day x Night Vibes @ 18 Districts" organised by the HAD, a series of activities have been rolled out progressively since late January this year. The activities are in diverse forms and context and bazaars is only one of the forms. As of March 6, 2024, there were eight activities with bazaar elements. The activities have successfully boosted the atmosphere in the community, and attracted many citizens to visit, take photos and enjoy the festive atmosphere. General feedback from the stalls has been positive, indicating a high patronage. For example, the bazaar in Kwun Tong recorded 800 000 visitors in 23 days, the one in Wong Tai Sin had 114 000 visitors in three days, and the one in Yuen Long had 120 000 visitors in three days. Stall operators of the bazaars generally expressed satisfaction with their sales, but had not disclosed actual profits due to commercial considerations.

     The themes, scale and duration of the bazaars vary, with the number of stalls ranging from more than 20 to about 120. Most of the stalls sell dry goods, and there are also stalls selling cooked food. As of March 3, 2024, the FEHD has issued a total of 111 temporary food factory licences to such bazaar stalls for the sale of food and beverages, including food cooked on site from raw ingredients and pre-prepared food.

Thank you, President.]]><![CDATA[LCQ10: Manpower of lifeguards]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300320.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300320.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 14:30:00 +0800
Question:

     It is learnt that in recent years, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s recruitment exercises for lifeguards have failed to attain its recruitment targets. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the following information on civil service lifeguards (including senior lifeguards and lifeguards) in each of the past five years: (i) the target number of recruits, (ii) the number of applications received, (iii) the number of applicants invited to attend the recruitment interview, (iv) the number of applicants who passed the trade test, (v) the number of applicants who passed the recruitment interview, (vi) the number of applicants who passed the medical examination and other procedures, (vii) the number of appointment letters issued, (viii) the number of applicants who declined the offer of appointment, (ix) the number of applicants who reported for duty, and (x) the total recruitment expenses incurred in each recruitment exercise, with a breakdown by type of post;

(2) of the following information on non-civil service contract seasonal lifeguards (seasonal lifeguards) in each of the past five years: (i) the target number of recruits, (ii) the number of applications received, (iii) the number of applicants invited to attend the recruitment interview, (iv) the number of applicants who passed the trade test, (v) the number of applicants who passed the recruitment interview, (vi) the number of applicants who passed the medical examination and other procedures, (vii) the number of appointment letters issued, (viii) the number of applicants who declined the offer of appointment, (ix) the number of applicants who reported for duty, and (x) the total recruitment expenses incurred in each recruitment exercise, with a breakdown by type of employment contract terms;

(3) of (i) the estimated expenditure on the employment of seasonal lifeguards by the Government, and (ii) the actual expenditure on the salaries and benefits of such lifeguards in each of the past eight years;

(4) in respect of each aquatic venue under the LCSD in each of the past eight years, of (i) the number of scheduled opening hours of each of its facilities, and (ii) the number of hours during which each of its facilities was closed due to insufficient manpower of lifeguards, with a breakdown by District Council district; and

(5) as the Government indicated at the meeting of the Panel on Public Service of this Council on May 15 last year that it would explore ways to reduce the reliance on seasonal lifeguards with a view to tackling the problem of shortage of core lifeguards, of the progress and details of the relevant work at present?

Reply:

President,

My reply to the questions raised by the Hon Chau Siu-chung is as follows:

(1) Details of the recruitment exercises of civil service lifeguards (including senior lifeguards and lifeguards) in the past five years are set out at Annex 1.

(2) Details of the recruitment exercises of seasonal lifeguards in the past five years are set out at Annex 2.

(3) The actual expenditure on the recruitment of seasonal lifeguards by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in the past eight years is set out at Annex 3. As the budget for the recruitment of seasonal lifeguards is subsumed under the overall budget for non-civil service contract staff, the LCSD is unable to provide separate figures for seasonal lifeguards.

(4) With respect of its aquatic venues, the LCSD does not maintain (i) the number of scheduled opening hours of each of its facilities; and (ii) the number of hours during which each of its facilities was closed due to insufficient manpower of lifeguards.

     That said, the number of scheduled opening days of LCSD's aquatic venues in the past eight years broken down by District Council district are set out at Annexes 4, 5 and 6 respectively. The number of days of full or partial closure of public swimming pools due to inadequate lifeguards in the past eight years broken down by District Council district are set out in Annex 7, and the number of days of full closure of gazetted beaches are set out in Annex 8. No water sports centres have been closed due to inadequate lifeguards in the past eight years.

(5) Owing to the insufficient supply of lifeguards in the labour market, it has been difficult for the Government to employ adequate seasonal lifeguards in recent years to provide lifesaving services during the swimming season. In order to tackle the manpower shortage, the LCSD has rolled out a series of measures to increase and stabilise the supply of lifeguards. Details of the measures are as follows:

     To ensure sufficient manpower at aquatic venues to maintain lifesaving services, in addition to employing full-time seasonal lifeguards, part-time hourly-rated seasonal lifeguards and Post-retirement Service Contract (PRSC) full-time seasonal lifeguards, the LCSD created the post of full-year full-time lifeguard on one-year contract from 2019 to 2022. In 2023, full-year full-time lifeguards were employed on two-year contract and 110 qualified lifeguards reported duty eventually. The LCSD will further employ 70 additional full-year full-time lifeguards on two-year contract in 2024. This will provide more stable working conditions, attracting more qualified persons to become lifeguards.

     Moreover, to expedite the recruitment process, the LCSD will invite full-time seasonal lifeguards who have completed their contracts to continue to serve on a part-time basis, and extend the contract period of existing PRSC seasonal lifeguards. Recruitment of PRSC seasonal lifeguards will also continue for the 2024 swimming season to ensure a steady manpower supply.

     In order to increase the attractiveness of becoming seasonal lifeguards, the LCSD has enhanced the remuneration package of seasonal lifeguards with reference to those offered by the local private sector, while taking into consideration the services and unique operational needs of public swimming pools and beaches, in order to attract more qualified persons to apply for the post of LCSD seasonal lifeguards. In addition, the LCSD has, having regard to market trends, further enhanced the remuneration package of seasonal lifeguards. Depending on the position as well as the types of lifeguard awards and first-aid certificate held, the salary of a seasonal lifeguard with end-of-contract gratuities may range from $24,500 to $26,000 per month. The LCSD has also stepped up its publicity efforts by placing recruitment advertisements on public transport, popular newspapers, social media websites, etc. and displaying recruitment posters at swimming pools and beaches with higher usage rates across the 18 districts. Meanwhile, the LCSD will send letters and distribute recruitment posters to secondary schools/post-secondary institutions/relevant organisations to strengthen its publicity efforts.

     In addition, the LCSD launched the "Combined Seasonal Lifeguard Training Scheme" in 2023 to offer full-time training and practice in respect of swimming pool and/or beach lifeguards in a "hire and train" mode, so as to help trainees acquire pool and/or beach lifesaving awards before serving as seasonal lifeguards at LCSD swimming pools or beaches during swimming seasons. While those who already possessed a valid Pool Lifeguard Award can further acquire the Beach Lifeguard Award through the scheme, people with no lifesaving qualifications can also join the scheme. Currently, the monthly training allowance is either $14,640 or $16,400, depending on the type of award to be obtained.

     The LCSD is actively negotiating with the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society and the Employees Retraining Board and planning to co-organise tailor-made lifesaving training programmes and provide employment services with a view to increasing the supply of lifeguards. Moreover, the LCSD will continue to support the Home Affairs Department in organising lifesaving career talks and training programmes for ethnic minorities (EM) so that the latter can receive formal training to become qualified lifeguards with a view to opening up new labour market. In 2023, the LCSD liaised with EM-serving groups to gauge the interest of EM communities in the aforementioned scheme and actively planned relevant lifesaving training programmes. In 2024, the LCSD will continue to get in touch with relevant EM supporting organisations to promote the lifesaving training programmes to EM.

     At the same time, the LCSD is actively planning the preparatory work for outsourcing lifesaving services at designated public swimming pools, and will continue to study the feasibility of importing qualified lifeguards from the Mainland/overseas in consultation with different bureaux/departments (the Civil Service Bureau/the Labour Department) and relevant organisations.]]><![CDATA[Approval letters to be issued to successful applicants under White Form Secondary Market Scheme 2023]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300245.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300245.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 14:30:00 +0800
Issuance of approval letters for WSM 2023

Following the ballot for the White Form Secondary Market Scheme 2023 (WSM 2023) drawn on October 5, 2023, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has completed detailed vetting of the eligibility of applicants. Approval and confirmation letters for the 4 500 successful applicants (4 050 family applicants and 450 one-person applicants) will be issued tomorrow (March 14).

"Each successful applicant will be issued with one Approval Letter and two Confirmation Letters. One Confirmation Letter is applicable to the HA's Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Secondary Market while the other is applicable to the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS)'s Flat-for-Sale Scheme (FFSS) Secondary Market. Within six weeks from the date of issuance, holders of the Approval Letters may submit the Confirmation Letters to the HA and/or the HS for application for the Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase (CEP) to purchase a flat with premium not yet paid in the HA's HOS Secondary Market or the HS's FFSS Secondary Market," a spokesman for the HA said today (March 13).

"The CEP is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and no extension will be granted upon its expiry. To complete the transaction, holders of the CEP need to apply for a Letter of Nomination from the HA or the HS after they have entered into a Provisional Agreement for Sale and Purchase (PASP). The applicant and the family member(s) named in the application form must meet the eligibility criteria of the WSM 2023 from submission of the application form up to the date of signing the PASP. Moreover, Subsidised Sale Flats (SSFs) shall be occupied by the owner and all members of the family named in the Application Form for the purchase of the flat," the spokesman said.

The list of successful applications will be uploaded tomorrow to the website for the WSM 2023 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/wsm/2023).

Mortgage arrangements

The HA Subsidised Housing Committee earlier endorsed the relaxation of the mortgage arrangements for SSFs. The relevant relaxation of arrangements in respect of the primary market has been implemented earlier. The relaxation in respect of the secondary market has been implemented on March 1, 2024 (the launch date), and will be applicable to all successful applicants under the WSM 2023 for new mortgage loans drawn down to finance the purchase of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS)/Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH)/Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) flats transacted in the HOS Secondary Market Scheme (SMS).

In respect of the mortgage arrangements for the SMS, starting from March 1, the maximum mortgage default guarantee period has been extended from 30 years to 50 years for HOS/GSH flats; and from 25 years to 50 years for TPS flats. For the first 40 years, the HA will provide a mortgage default guarantee to banks and authorised financial institutions participating in the provision of mortgage loan for such flats (participating financial institutions) for a mortgage loan up to 95 per cent and 90 per cent of the assessed value or purchase price of the flat (whichever is the lower) respectively for Green Form (GF) and White Form (WF) applicants. From 40 years onwards to 50 years, the mortgage default guarantee provided to participating financial institutions for mortgage loans will be up to 80 per cent of the assessed value or purchase price of the flat (whichever is the lower). In case the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio required is above 80 per cent, the purchaser of an SSF could check with the participating financial institutions whether he/she needs to apply for a mortgage loan under the Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP) of the HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMCI). To this end, the HA has reached an agreement with the HKMCI that the latter will allow SSF purchasers in the SMS to apply for a mortgage loan under the MIP to obtain mortgage loans up to an LTV ratio of 95 per cent for GF applicants and 90 per cent for WF applicants. Meanwhile, the maximum mortgage repayment period for HOS/GSH/TPS flats sold under the SMS has been extended from 25 years to 30 years.

If purchasers of SSFs would like to apply for a mortgage loan under the MIP of the HKMCI, they may submit applications to participating financial institutions. Highlights of the MIP are set out in the Annex. Details of the MIP are available on the HKMCI website (www.hkmc.com.hk/eng/our_business/mortgage_insurance_programme.html). For further queries, please contact any participating financial institutions or call the HKMCI at 2536 0136.]]><![CDATA[Speech by PSCST at press conference of French May Arts Festival 2024 (English only)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300269.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300269.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 14:15:00 +0800
Mrs Drulhe (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe), Mrs Cheng (Co-chairman of the Board of French May Arts Festival, Mrs Mignonne Cheng), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning! It is my great honour to join you all at this press conference announcing this year's French May Arts Festival.

     Since its inception in 1993, French May has been bringing a wide range of arts and cultural programmes with rich French characteristics to the community, including exhibitions, performances, cinema, and gastronomy. These programmes not only underline the vibrant arts and cultural exchange between France and Hong Kong, but also offer great opportunity for our local talent. This year, French May celebrates its 31st year in Hong Kong. Over the past 30 years, it welcomed over 20 million visitors, and just last year alone added another 350 000. Hong Kong aside, it is undoubtedly one of the biggest French cultural events in Asia. Marvellous achievement! Congratulations! Let's give it a great round of applause.

     Hong Kong aspires to be the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. And Hong Kong sees a very busy arts and culture calendar year-round. Just this month, we have our Art March welcoming arts and culture, presentations from local and around the world. And I must thank French May for your staunch support in making our annual arts and culture calendar so very wonderful. Hong Kong is indeed very honoured to be the host city of French May for over 30 years in a row.

     I would like to take this opportunity to thank the French May team, the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong, and all the organisations and individuals who helped bring this spectacular art and cultural festival to Hong Kong again. I wish French May 2024 another resounding success. Thank you.]]><![CDATA[Appeal for information on missing woman in Kwun Tong (with photo)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300446.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300446.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 13:40:00 +0800
     Ye Suiying, aged 80, went missing after she was last seen in a shopping centre on Lei Yue Mun Road yesterday (March 12) afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     She is about 1.54 metres tall, 54 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and grey short hair. She was last seen wearing a black polka dot jacket, black trousers and shoes in orange and purple colour.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0331 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

]]><![CDATA[LCQ4: Ancillary transport facilities in Tuen Mun]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300363.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300363.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 13:14:00 +0800
Question:

     It is learnt that the daily traffic flow in the vicinity of Lung Fu Road, Lung Mun Road and Wong Chu Road in Tuen Mun is enormous. There are views pointing out that due to the future development needs of Tuen Mun West, which include bringing in advanced manufacturing industries and modern logistics industries, the traffic flow of goods vehicles in particular is expected to increase substantially, and will bring about an even greater traffic load for the aforesaid roads. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) in order to ensure that the future traffic needs of the multitude of new economy industries in the vicinity of Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun West can be met, whether the authorities will conduct studies and assessments on the traffic carrying capacity of Lung Fu Road, Lung Mun Road and Wong Chu Road; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) whether it has plans to build a new trunk road or a green mass transit system for connecting Tuen Mun East and Tuen Mun West; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether it will consider substantially lowering the tolls of the Tai Lam Tunnel after taking over the tunnel in 2025, so as to divert the heavy vehicular flow from Tuen Mun Road; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     The Government's vision is to build a livable, competitive and sustainable Hong Kong through driving development by transport infrastructure by adopting the planning principles of "infrastructure-led" and "capacity-creating", under the objective to drive development, effectively connecting the new development areas to existing or future transport infrastructure to unleash the development potential of areas along and adjacent to the alignment of transport infrastructure.

     The Transport and Logistics Bureau promulgated the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint in December 2023, which formulates a planning framework for the city's future transport infrastructure development, and outlines the strategic railway and major road networks which can meet the transport and logistics demand up to 2046 and beyond. Taking into account the available planning data on land development, the Blueprint has duly considered the transport and logistics demand brought about by population growth, employment and economic activities in the Northern Metropolis, Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands and other major planned development areas, and prioritised the projects based on traffic analysis.

     Amongst which, in order to meet the transport and logistics demand arising from the progressive development of Northwest New Territories, the Government has been taking forward a group of major transport infrastructure projects to connect Northwest New Territories with Lantau Island and the urban areas, including Route 11 (section between Yuen Long and North Lantau), Tsing Yi–Lantau Link, Tuen Mun Bypass, and Widening of Yuen Long Highway (section between Lam Tei and Tong Yan San Tsuen). In the meantime, the Government is also exploring the proposed Hong Kong Island West–Northeast Lantau Link and Hong Kong Island West–Hung Shui Kiu Rail Link under the studies related to Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands. Upon the progressive commissioning of the aforementioned major transport infrastructure projects, we anticipate that the transport infrastructure network will have sufficient capacity to drive developments in those areas, offer more commuting options, relieve the pressure of existing major roads including Tai Lam Tunnel and Tuen Mun Road, reduce journey time, and bring about long-term socio-economic benefits.

My reply to the questions raised by the Hon Holden Chow is set out as follows:

(1) and (2) The Development Bureau commenced the planning and engineering study for Lung Kwu Tan (LKT) reclamation and the re-planning of Tuen Mun West (TMW) area at the end of last year to consider existing and planned road and water transport connections in these areas with a view to developing modern industries such as advanced construction and logistics, together with some residential development and community facilities. Detailed traffic impact assessments will be carried out under the study. Besides looking into the feasibility of constructing a new road within the LKT reclamation area to connect with other areas, the study will consider the feasibility of widening Lung Mun Road, which connects LKT and TMW areas to Tuen Mun town centre; the connectivity of LKT and TMW with existing and planned road and railway networks, including the proposed Route 11 and Tuen Mun Bypass; and the feasibility of extending the Hong Kong Island West–Hung Shui Kiu Rail Link as proposed under Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands to TMW from Tuen Mun East. The Development Bureau expects to put forth initial land use proposals for LKT reclamation and the re-planning of TMW by 2025. More concrete associated traffic improvement proposals will be suggested by then for public opinions.

(3) As for the Tai Lam Tunnel, the Build-Operate-Transfer franchise will expire in May 2025, after which it will be taken over by the Government to become a government tunnel. The Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Transport Department have set up an inter-departmental working group to carry out the necessary preparatory work for the takeover of the tunnel, including the preparation for setting up HKeToll facilities in order to launch free-flow tolling service as soon as the Government takes over the tunnel. The Government is also reviewing the future toll levels of the Tai Lam Tunnel, and will take account of the relevant factors such as traffic management needs, the capacity and capability of the road network in the vicinity as well as the impact to the alternative routes.

     Road pricing is an essential traffic management measure which can effectively regulate traffic and optimise the use of limited road space. At present, although motorists can use the free Tuen Mun Road as an alternative route, the traffic flow of the Tai Lam Tunnel during peak hours is already at a very high level, with the utilisation rate of the tunnel exceeding 80 per cent. Therefore, we need to set the toll levels of the Tai Lam Tunnel judiciously so that they will not induce excessive additional traffic flow which will cause traffic congestion and affect the traffic conditions of the tunnel and its connecting roads, in particular the Ting Kau Bridge, which is already very busy. We will review the toll levels of the Tai Lam Tunnel in the light of the latest traffic data and consult the Legislative Council in mid-2024 on the takeover arrangements as well as the toll proposals for the tunnel.

     Thank you, President.]]><![CDATA[Result of the tenders of RMB Sovereign Bonds held on 13 March 2024]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300359.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300359.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0800
     Result of the tenders of RMB Sovereign Bonds held on 13 March 2024:

Tender Result
*********************************************************************
Tender Date	:	March 13, 2024
Bonds available for Tender	:	2-year RMB Bonds
Issuer	:	The Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China
Issue Number	:	BCMKFB24001
Issue and Settlement Date	:	March 15, 2024
Maturity Date	:	March 15, 2026 (or the closest coupon payment date)
Application Amount	:	RMB 9,809 million
Issue Amount	:	RMB 3,000 million
Average accepted Coupon Rate	:	2.14 per cent
Highest accepted Coupon Rate (Bonds' Coupon)	:	2.20 per cent
Lowest accepted Coupon Rate	:	1.80 per cent
Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)	:	Approximately 11.77 per cent

Tender Result
*********************************************************************
Tender Date	:	March 13, 2024
Bonds available for Tender	:	3-year RMB Bonds
Issuer	:	The Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China
Issue Number	:	BCMKFB24002
Issue and Settlement Date	:	March 15, 2024
Maturity Date	:	March 15, 2027 (or the closest coupon payment date)
Application Amount	:	RMB 10,539 million
Issue Amount	:	RMB 3,000 million
Average accepted Coupon Rate	:	2.23 per cent
Highest accepted Coupon Rate (Bonds' Coupon)	:	2.28 per cent
Lowest accepted Coupon Rate	:	1.85 per cent
Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)	:	Approximately 21.93 per cent

Tender Result
*********************************************************************
Tender Date	:	March 13, 2024
Bonds available for Tender	:	5-year RMB Bonds
Issuer	:	The Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China
Issue Number	:	BCMKFB24003
Issue and Settlement Date	:	March 15, 2024
Maturity Date	:	March 15, 2029 (or the closest coupon payment date)
Application Amount	:	RMB 9,039 million
Issue Amount	:	RMB 3,000 million
Average accepted Coupon Rate	:	2.33 per cent
Highest accepted Coupon Rate (Bonds' Coupon)	:	2.39 per cent
Lowest accepted Coupon Rate	:	1.90 per cent
Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)	:	Approximately 27.14 per cent

Tender Result
*********************************************************************
Tender Date	:	March 13, 2024
Bonds available for Tender	:	10-year RMB Bonds
Issuer	:	The Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China
Issue Number	:	BCMKFB24004
Issue and Settlement Date	:	March 15, 2024
Maturity Date	:	March 15, 2034 (or the closest coupon payment date)
Application Amount	:	RMB 8,542 million
Issue Amount	:	RMB 3,000 million
Average accepted Coupon Rate	:	2.39 per cent
Highest accepted Coupon Rate (Bonds' Coupon)	:	2.45 per cent
Lowest accepted Coupon Rate	:	1.90 per cent
Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)	:	Approximately 30.41 per cent

]]><![CDATA[LCQ14: Nuisances caused by wild pigs]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300268.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300268.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0800
Question:

     Recently, many members of the local community have relayed to me that the problem of wild pigs causing nuisances in the vicinity of Sheung Shui and Fanling districts has become increasingly serious with the areas where wild pigs are found extending to the entire North District, including rural residential areas, leisure and recreation parks, and even the Fanling Golf Course, and the Beas River Country Club of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of complaints about nuisances caused by wild pigs, the number of cases of wild pigs injuring people and the number of cases of wild pigs causing disruptions to shops resulting in property damage, as well as the average time taken by the personnel of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) to respond to the aforesaid cases, in each of the past five years, with a breakdown of such information by District Council district;

(2) given that the Government launched the pilot Capture and Contraception/Relocation Programme (CCRP) in 2017 to address the nuisances caused by wild pigs, of the number of operations conducted, as well as the respective numbers of wild pigs (i) captured and (ii) administered with contraceptive vaccine or surgically sterilised, under the CCRP so far, with a breakdown by District Council district;

(3) of the number of cases in which prosecutions were instituted against people who had illegally fed wild pigs since the Government extended "the places at which the feeding of any wild animal is‍ prohibited" specified under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance‍ (Cap. 170) to the entire territory of Hong Kong on‍ December 31, 2022, as well as the penalties imposed on the convicted persons;

(4) given that since 2021, the AFCD has placed three types of wildlife-‍resistant refuse collection facilities at over 70 locations, whether the Government has assessed the effectiveness of such facilities so far (including whether they can reduce the nuisances caused by wild pigs to the community);

(5) whether it has studied new measures to reduce situations of wild pigs causing nuisances to residential areas and their intrusion into places where many people gather; and

(6) given that the Government has been committed to promoting the development of a "smart city" in recent years, whether government departments have considered installing smart monitors in areas where wild pigs are found, so as to accurately measure and monitor the activity areas of wild pigs, and deploying manpower and taking corresponding control measures when necessary; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     The Government is committed to reducing nuisance caused by wild pigs to the public through a multi-pronged approach, on the premises of safeguarding public safety and public hygiene. Since November 2021, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has been regularly conducting operations to capture and humanely dispatch wild pigs in urban and rural areas where wild pigs have been sighted, incidents of human injuries caused by wild pigs have occurred before, or the wild pigs' presence may pose potential risks to the public. The AFCD will also take relevant actions as necessary upon receipt of reports from the public or other Government departments regarding wild pigs. In 2023, the AFCD further allocated resources to increase operation frequency and improve operation efficiency by installing Internet Protocol (IP) surveillance cameras and deploying new trapping devices. As of February 2024, the AFCD conducted over 410 capture operations and humanely dispatched over 910 wild pigs. In particular, in 2023, the average monthly number of wild pigs humanely dispatched was 41, which increased by about 70 per cent from the monthly average of 24 in 2022. According to the AFCD's statistics, the total population of wild pigs in 2023 was about 1 360, which decreased by approximately 26 per cent from around 1 830 in 2022. The number of wild pig nuisance blackspots decreased by approximately 50 per cent from 42 in 2022 to 21 in 2023. Human injury cases related to wild pigs also decreased by approximately 75 per cent from 36 cases in 2022 to nine cases in 2023.

     Human feeding activities are one of the root causes of wild pig nuisance. With the expansion of the specified place where feeding wild animals is prohibited under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) (the feeding ban area) to the entire territory of Hong Kong starting from end-December 2022, the AFCD deploys staff to patrol at locations affected by wild pig nuisance and takes firm enforcement actions against illegal feeding. The AFCD also organises various public education activities (such as talks and exhibition booths) to explain to the public the negative impact and hazard of feeding wild animals, with over 19 000 members of the public participating in these activities in 2023. To further combat feeding activities, the Government introduced the Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2023 (the Bill) to the Legislative Council in November 2023. The Bill proposed to increase the maximum penalty for feeding wild animals from a fine of $10,000 to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year, as well as introduce a fixed penalty system for illegal feeding with the penalty amount set at $5,000. The legislative amendments, if passed, will come into operation on August 1, 2024.

     In 2023, the AFCD received approximately 40 reports of wild pig occurrence in the North District, mainly involving small-scale agricultural lands. The AFCD has stepped-up site inspections in the areas concerned and maintained communication with farmers and managers of local recreational facilities, such as the Hong Kong Golf Club (the Club) operating the Fanling Golf Course, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) managing public parks, and the Jockey Club Beas River Country Club. The AFCD has offered advice on prevention of wild pig nuisance in accordance with the relevant situations, such as installing fences or enhancing lighting; putting in place infrared cameras at relevant locations to monitor wild pig activities; setting up traps at relevant locations (such as in the public park managed by the LCSD to the east of Fan Kam Road (i.e. the "Old Course" of the Fanling Golf Course)); issued special permit to the Club allowing the placement of traps to capture wild pigs, enabling the Club to successfully capture 23 wild pigs, which were handed over to the AFCD for humane dispatch.

     Having consulted the AFCD, our replies to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Lau are as follows:

(1) Over the past five years, the numbers of reports received by the AFCD regarding wild pig sightings, nuisances, and incidents of human injuries by districts are tabulated as follows:

District	Number of reports on wild pig sightings or nuisance (Number of reports on human injury)
District	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Central and Western	123 (1)	83 (0)	163 (6)	110 (0)	91 (0)
Eastern	62 (0)	101 (0)	165 (6)	103 (18)	41 (0)
Islands	11 (0)	8 (0)	11 (0)	11 (0)	8 (0)
Kowloon City	11 (0)	10 (0)	15 (0)	6 (0)	5 (1)
Kwai Tsing	31 (0)	23 (0)	38 (0)	28 (0)	13 (0)
Kwun Tong	24 (0)	14 (0)	10 (0)	30 (0)	18 (0)
North	24 (0)	41 (0)	41 (0)	38 (0)	42 (0)
Sai Kung	170 (0)	128 (0)	208 (0)	191 (5)	181 (2)
Sha Tin	121 (1)	101 (0)	131 (0)	108 (6)	175 (1)
Sham Shui Po	23 (1)	5 (0)	7 (0)	23 (0)	26 (0)
Southern	257 (6)	185 (2)	292 (7)	184 (3)	109 (2)
Tai Po	82 (0)	84 (0)	108 (0)	91 (1)	197 (1)
Tsuen Wan	71 (0)	52 (1)	29 (0)	44 (3)	56 (0)
Tuen Mun	51 (0)	53 (0)	49 (0)	47 (0)	50 (0)
Wan Chai	76 (0)	50 (0)	75 (1)	68 (0)	56 (1)
Wong Tai Sin	23 (0)	28 (0)	17 (0)	19 (0)	21 (0)
Yau Tsim Mong	0 (0)	0 (0)	2 (0)	1 (0)	1 (1)
Yuen Long	24 (0)	36 (0)	56 (0)	31 (0)	38 (0)
Total	1 184 (9)	1 002 (3)	1 417 (20)	1 133 (36)	1 128 (9)

If the AFCD receives reports of wild pigs trapped in urban or residential areas, the AFCD will immediately arrange for staff to capture the wild pigs at the concerned locations. For other reports of wild pig nuisance, the AFCD will generally contact the parties concerned within a week to understand the situation of the nuisance and offer relevant advice. If necessary, on-site investigations will be conducted promptly, and appropriate actions will be arranged to capture wild pigs that pose nuisances or potential risks to the public. The AFCD does not maintain information on property loss caused by wild pig nuisance.

(2) During the period from end-2017 to early November 2021, the AFCD implemented a Capture, Contraception/Relocation Programme (the Programme), in which captured wild pigs were administered contraceptive vaccines or surgically sterilised, and then relocated to rural areas. During the Programme, the AFCD organised over 350 operations in total, and a breakdown of the relevant figures by districts are tabulated as follows:

District	Number of wild pigs captured	Number of wild pigs administered with contraceptive vaccine or surgically sterilised
Islands	0	0
Kwai Ching	13	5
North	31	6
Sai Kung	144	75
Sha Tin	123	63
Tai Po	101	62
Tsuen Wan	33	7
Tuen Mun	28	18
Yuen Long	6	3
Kowloon City	3	0
Kwun Tong	2	1
Sham Shui Po	6	1
Wong Tai Sin	9	0
Yau Tsim Mong	0	0
Central and Western	104	27
Eastern	108	34
Southern	335	131
Wan Chai	46	25
Total	1 092	458

     However, the AFCD's investigations revealed that the rate of contraception and sterilisation was far behind the breeding rate of wild pigs. Moreover, once wild pigs became accustomed to being fed by humans, they would continue to return to urban or residential areas relentlessly to seek food from humans even after being relocated to rural areas. Therefore, in November 2021, the AFCD implemented a new measure, namely the aforementioned operation of capture and humane dispatch of wild pigs to replace the Programme.

(3) Since the expansion of the feeding ban area to the entire territory of Hong Kong from December 31, 2022, as of February 2024, the AFCD took enforcement actions against 210 individuals involved in illegal feeding of wild animals. Among them, 30 individuals involved in illegal feeding of wild pigs, and 17 of them were successfully convicted, with fines ranging from $500 to $1,000. The remaining cases are still being processed.

(4) In 2019, the AFCD commissioned the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to design three types of refuse collection facilities that can prevent wild animal nuisances based on the characteristics of wild pigs and monkeys, which complied with the general refuse collection procedures of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). According to the survey conducted by the PolyU at the pilot spots, 80 per cent of users considered that the new design could effectively reduce nuisances caused by wild animals. The effectiveness of the new design also depends on whether the public use the facilities concerned correctly, such as not to leave the lid of the refuse collection bins opened. The FEHD has posted notices at the relevant facilities to strengthen publicity and education.

     Since September 2022, the FEHD has installed approximately 450 of the above newly designed refuse collection facilities that can reduce wild animal nuisance at various locations across different districts affected by wild animal nuisance, including the Central and Western District, the Southern District, and the Sai Kung District. The FEHD will continue to install these facilities, with the aim of installing a total of about 990 units in Hong Kong by the first half of 2024.

(5) and (6) The AFCD has installed nearly 100 infrared cameras at locations with wild pig nuisance to record their numbers and occurrence, in order to arrange appropriate actions, including installation of new trapping devices or organising capture operations, with a view to further improving the efficiency of capturing wild pigs. The AFCD has also installed infrared cameras at specific blackspots of illegal feeding to detect illegal feeding activities, gather information and arrange enforcement actions. The AFCD will continue to closely monitor suitable technologies available on the market to enhance the capability of surveillance and management of wild pigs. The AFCD will also engage expert(s) in wildlife management to review the local situation of wild pig problem and learn from the experiences of other regions, with the aim of formulating a more comprehensive and effective action plan for wild pig management.

]]><![CDATA[LCQ3: Measures to enhance occupational safety and health at construction sites]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300353.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300353.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 12:55:00 +0800
Question:

     Regarding measures to enhance occupational safety and health (OSH) at construction sites, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will consider introducing for contractors a demerit point system whereby demerit points will be allotted to contractors who are found to have breached OSH-related requirements during safety inspections, and the demerit points accumulated by the contractors concerned will be taken into account in evaluating their tenders submitted for public works projects, and the tendering qualifications of contractors whose demerit points have exceeded a specified limit will be suspended, so as to enhance deterrence;

(2) as it is learnt that individual contractors have implemented on their own "marking schemes for workers" under which demerit points will be allotted to workers who have breached safety rules at construction sites, and workers whose accumulated demerit points have reached the maximum limit may be suspended from work, and it has been reported that the Construction Industry Council (CIC) will standardise the relevant criteria for allotting demerit points and implement a "safety performance scheme" in the first half of this year, whether the authorities will make it mandatory for all contractors to participate in the scheme; and

(3) as a number of major infrastructural projects will commence in Hong Kong, and according to the Construction Expenditure Forecast released by CIC in July last year, the total construction expenditure of the construction industry in Hong Kong will range from $240‍ billion to $375 billion per annum from 2022-2023 to 2031‍-‍2032, whether the authorities will proportionally increase the expenses spent on OSH-related measures to raise the OSH awareness in society as a whole?

Reply:

President,

     The Government attaches great importance to site safety. The Labour Department (LD) has been closely monitoring the level and trends of occupational safety and health (OSH) risks in various industries. Pursuant to the risk-based principle, the LD formulates and adjusts strategies for inspection and enforcement, publicity and promotion, as well as education and training to uplift the OSH performance. The Development Bureau (DEVB) from time to time reviews the safety management system of public works and adopts a multi-pronged approach by implementing measures on various fronts, including project design, tender evaluation, contract provisions, works supervision, technology application, regulation of contractors, as well as publicity and promotion, with a view to uplifting site safety performance.

     Having consulted the DEVB, my consolidated reply to the questions raised by the Hon Kwok Wai-keung (Hon Dennis Leung asked on his behalf) is as follows:

(1) The works departments responsible for managing public works contracts are required to assess the contractors' performance (including performance on "site safety") on a quarterly basis. Works departments should take into account the inspection results of the LD, works departments and their resident site staff when assessing contractors' performance on "site safety".

     Under the current tender evaluation mechanism, contractors' performance on "site safety" and accident rate in public works contracts, as well as their record of serious incidents (whether they occurred on public works sites or not) will be assessed. The assessment related to "site safety" contributes to about 30 per cent of the overall technical score at most. Therefore, contractors' performance in public works contracts will directly affect their opportunities of being awarded for future public works contracts.

     If the contractor's performance on "site safety" is rated as "very poor" in a quarterly assessment, its performance report will be rated as "adverse". Generally speaking, if a contractor receives two consecutive "adverse" quarterly performance reports in a public works contract, the DEVB will suspend the contractor from tendering for public works contracts pursuant to the regulating regime. Besides, if a contractor receives repeated "adverse" quarterly performance reports, even if the reports are not consecutive, we can also consider suspending the contractor from tendering from public works contracts, if necessary, taking into account actual circumstances. In the above situation, the works department will conduct an end-of-contract review after the completion of contract, and will take appropriate regulating actions against the contractor, including downgrading, demotion, or even removal from the approved lists, as necessary.

     The DEVB will immediately suspend the contractor concerned from tendering for public works contracts after the occurrence of serious construction incident on sites. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB will convene a Panel of Enquiry and will impose further regulating actions on the contractor as necessary.

(2) Every member in the project team plays an important role in ensuring site safety. Everyone has the responsibility to perform their own duties. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is further enhancing the safety awareness of all industry stakeholders and nurturing a safety culture.

     The Government understands that the "Frontline Site Personnel Safety Performance Recording Platform" (the Platform) applicable to frontline site personnel and workers on construction sites is being studied by the CIC and consultations with different stakeholders on its details are still ongoing. It is understood that the purpose of setting up the Platform is to enhance the safety performance and safety awareness of frontline site personnel, and to praise and reward those with outstanding performance, and also to arrange appropriate additional safety training for those whose safety performance is of concern. The establishment of the Platform should help improve the safety performance of frontline site personnel and will not affect their livelihood or employment opportunities.

     The CIC takes the lead in developing and implementing the Platform, which is a voluntary measure adopted by the industry. We believe that it would help further raise workers' awareness of OSH.

(3) Pursuant to the risk-based principle, the LD will continue allocating resources to promote OSH and raise the public awareness of OSH. On inspection and enforcement front, other than routine inspections, the LD will flexibly deploy resources and workforces according to the needs of special operations so as to conduct relevant work more effectively. On publicity and education front, the LD in collaboration with the Occupational Safety and Health Council has allocated considerable resources for training, education and publicity work. This includes organising large-scale activities (e.g. the "OSH Innovation and Technology Expo"), stepping up publicity efforts through a wide range of channels (including advertisements on television and public transport), continuing to organise OSH seminars and courses, and updating the existing OSH codes of practice, safety guidelines, training courses and mobile applications, etc, to disseminate and publicise OSH messages to stakeholders in the construction industry, with a view to heightening OSH awareness amongst employers and employees and to cultivating a positive work safety culture, thereby preventing the occurrence of accidents.]]><![CDATA[LCQ8: Participation by Hong Kong electors on Mainland in voting in Hong Kong's elections]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300306.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300306.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 12:48:30 +0800
Question:

     Regarding the participation by Hong Kong electors who are on the Mainland in voting in Hong Kong's elections, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the following information in respect of the various Near Boundary Polling Stations (NBPSs) set up for the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election (the Election): (i) the number of electors allocated to such NBPSs and (ii) the actual number of voters, with a breakdown by polling station (i.e. (a) Covered Playground and (b) Hall of Hong Kong Taoist Association Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School, and (c) Covered Playground and (d) Hall of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Kap Yan Directors' College) (set out in Table 1);

Table 1

Polling station	(i)	(ii)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

(2) of the voter turnout at each of the NBPSs mentioned in (1) during different time slots of the Election (set out in Table 2);

Table 2

Time slot (hourly)	Voter turnout
8:30 am to 9:30 am	(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)
…
11:30 pm to 12:00 midnight

(3) whether it has received on the polling day of the Election any cases in which electors have erroneously gone to NBPSs not allocated to them or the polling stations in Hong Kong originally allocated to them to cast votes; if so, of the number of such cases and the details;

(4) given that the Government indicated in reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on January 11 last year that it would conduct a more specific study on the implementation of electronic voting, of the current progress and details of the relevant work;

(5) whether it has studied the introduction of more measures to facilitate the participation by Hong Kong electors who are on the Mainland in voting in Hong Kong's elections (including the progress of the study on setting up polling stations on the Mainland), and engaged in regular communications and exchanges of views with stakeholders such as associations of Hong Kong people on the Mainland and related concern groups on the relevant issues; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(6) given that according to the Guidelines on Election-related Activities in respect of the District Council Election, which were updated in September last year, if a Hong Kong permanent resident has left Hong Kong to reside in another place without maintaining connections with Hong Kong or no longer having a principal or only residence in Hong Kong, then the person no longer meets the statutory eligibility requirements for registration, but there are views that the aforesaid measure may result in some Hong Kong people on the Mainland being disqualified from being electors on grounds that they have been absent from Hong Kong for a long period of time without habitual residences, whether the authorities will study relaxing the requirement of "ordinarily residing in Hong Kong" for electors, so as to safeguard the right to vote of Hong Kong people who are on the Mainland; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

(1) The numbers of (i) registered voters; and (ii) voter turnout in the Near Boundary Polling Stations (NBPS) are as follows:

NBPS	(i) registered voters	(ii) voter turnout
Hong Kong Taoist Association Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School (HKTATHMSS)
Covered playground (NB01)	1 330	952
Hall (NB02)	3 449	2 640
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Kap Yan Directors' College (TWGHKYDC)
Covered playground (NB03)	4 211	3 284
Hall (NB04)	3 986	3 115
Total	12 976	9 991

(2) The numbers of voter turnout in different time periods in the NBPS are as follows:

Period	NBPS
	HKTATHMSS		TWGHKYDC
	Covered playground (NB01)	Hall (NB02)	Covered playground (NB03)	Hall (NB04)
08:30-09:30	121	401	445	450
09:30-10:30	196	514	596	575
10:30-11:30	226	554	699	876
11:30-12:30	136	386	421	349
12:30-13:30	77	253	299	276
13:30-14:30	62	172	222	167
14:30-15:30	50	126	120	145
15:30-16:30	23	90	154	93
16:30-17:30	26	59	99	76
17:30-18:30	9	38	107	33
18:30-19:30	9	27	67	37
19:30-24:00	17	20	55	38
Total	952	2 640	3 284	3 115

(3) During the polling hours, some electors who had registered to vote at the NBPS requested to vote at their originally assigned polling stations due to change in itinerary. The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) exercised discretion and arranged for them to vote at their original polling stations. There were a total of 630 such cases.

There were also individual cases of electors who mistakenly believed that they had registered to vote at the NBPS. Nonetheless, after verification, it was confirmed that NBPS did not have their registration. As the Voter Register in the NBPS did not contain their particulars, the REO could not arrange on the spot for them to vote at the NBPS, and hence appealed to them to return to their original polling stations to cast their votes. These were the isolated cases and the REO did not maintain the relevant statistics.

(4) In recent years, the Government has been actively exploring the possibility of adopting electronic means in various procedural steps of elections. Nonetheless, while enhancing efficiency and convenience of elections, it is important to maintain the autonomy and secrecy of the voting process and to ensure that it is conducted in a safe and orderly manner that commands trust of the public. The REO will continue to carefully study the feasibility of electronic voting.

(5) The Government has all along emphasised that the proposal to set up polling stations in the Mainland involves a number of legal and operational issues as well as co-ordination with the relevant Mainland authorities. Careful consideration is required to ensure the election can be conducted in a fair, just, clean, safe and orderly manner under such a setup. In view of the substantial number of registered electors now working and living in the Mainland, the Government has been making special arrangements to facilitate them to exercise their right to vote, such as setting up polling stations at the boundary control points for the 2021 Legislative Council General Election and the NBPS for the 2023 District Councils Ordinary Election. In the future, the Government will continue to actively explore appropriate arrangements to facilitate electors in the Mainland to cast their votes.

(6) The requirement for electors to be "ordinarily residing in Hong Kong" is mainly to ensure that electors casting their votes have a connection with the Geographical Constituencies to which they belong. This requirement has been clearly stipulated for the first Legislative Council General Election and the first District Council Ordinary Election since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Generally speaking, if an elector is only temporarily residing and living in the Mainland, and still maintains a certain degree of connection with Hong Kong and is able to provide a principal or sole residential address, his/her electoral status will not be affected.]]><![CDATA[LCQ1: Regulating disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300313.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300313.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 12:30:00 +0800
Question:

     The first-phase regulation of disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products will commence on the 22nd of next month, prohibiting the sale of specified disposable plastic tableware and the provision of such tableware to takeaway customers as well as the provision of nine types of disposable plastic tableware to dine-in customers at catering premises, and banning the sale and free distribution of a series of disposable plastic products. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as it has been reported that a wave of panic buying of cotton buds and floss picks emerged in the community earlier on since many members of the public were mistaken that they could no longer buy such products after the commencement of the relevant regulation, whether the Government will learn from the experience and step up efforts to disseminate the correct messages to members of the public at an early stage before the commencement of the second-phase regulation;

(2) as it has been reported that some operators of small and medium eateries are worried about an increase in their operating costs as a result of the need to shift to non-plastic tableware for the purpose of going "plastic-free", whether the Government has gained an understanding from them of the implication of going plastic-free on their operating costs, and assessed if eateries' shift to paper or bamboo tableware will in effect lead to another kind of wastage; if it has, of the details, including the extent of the increase in their operating costs; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) of the expenditure incurred by and the number of downloads of the "Plastic-Free Rewards" mobile application; whether the Government will consider combining it with another application "GREEN$" in order to reduce expenditure and enhance efficiency?

Reply:

President,

     Plastics are difficult to decompose and can remain in the natural environment for over a hundred years. In recent years, scientists have even started to discover micro-plastics in human blood, which gradually threaten human health. "Plastic reduction" and "plastic-free" have become an international consensus in recent years. Different places around the world have implemented measures to regulate disposable plastic products one after another.

     In Hong Kong, the relevant legislation for regulating disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products was passed by the Legislative Council in October last year, and will come into effect on April 22 this year. The entire scheme seeks to regulate disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products at source and from their supply. The new legislation is therefore not targeted at the general public. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has launched a series of promotion and training to enhance the understanding of the relevant trades as well as the public on the regulation. The first six months following the implementation of the regulation on April 22 will also be designated as an adaptation period during which the EPD will arrange staff to proactively inspect the operation of relevant business premises, and will focus on promotion and education, as well as to provide appropriate advice to help businesses comply with the requirements under the new legislation.

     The reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hak-kan is set out below:

(1) To let all sectors of the society understand the content of the regulation, our promotion and education efforts are not only targeted at specific trades but also at the general public.

     We have launched the "Cut Plastic Use" thematic website, which provides one-stop information for the public and the trades, including information on the legislation and the various options of alternatives to plastic products. In addition, starting from February 1 this year, we have released the relevant information through various channels (including television and radio) to enhance public understanding of the regulation.

     We are aware that there are some misconceptions and concerns on the regulation in the society. In this connection, the EPD has taken proactive and prompt actions to clarify via various government websites and social media platforms, created infographics to address common questions from the public in a lively and easy-to-understand manner, and has established a hotline to address enquiries from the public and the trades.

     For the trades, we have been maintaining close communication with various trades and providing appropriate assistance and support. Since different trades have various concerns about the details of the regulation, since January this year, the EPD has been organising a total of 50 online and offline training sessions targeting at different sectors to provide them with comprehensive and focused training.

     We will wait until there are sufficient alternatives available in the market before implementing the second phase of the regulation, and there is no implementation timetable at present. Besides, we will learn from the experience of promotion and explanation for the first phase of the regulation, and take into account factors including the effectiveness of implementing the first phase of the regulation, the adaptability of the public, as well as the prevalence and affordability of other alternatives to plastic products, before deciding on the time of implementation of the next phase and the relevant preparatory work, with a view to achieving better results.

(2) When determining the types of disposable plastic tableware to be regulated, the Government has fully considered whether the supply of relevant alternatives is mature, available and affordable. Based on the recent market data collected, the prices of non-plastic straws, stirrers, knives, forks, spoons and plates are now comparable to those of ordinary plastic tableware. Many restaurants and eateries have already switched to non-plastic tableware even before the regulation comes into effect.

     To assist the trades in procuring compliant alternatives, we have engaged the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) to establish a "Green Tableware Platform" (the Platform) early in January 2022. Currently, the Platform has enlisted more than 60 tableware suppliers and more than 720 compliant non-plastic tableware products verified by the HKQAA.

     The EPD has been deploying staff to progressively conduct compliance surveys through on-site visits to some 20 000 small and medium-sized eateries with a view to assisting them in understanding the content of the regulation and adjusting their mode of operation for complying with the regulatory requirements. Besides, the Environment and Conservation Fund has also subsidised local/environmental organisations to visit around 7 000 small-sized eateries from March to April this year to reinforce promotion and education, and give out non-plastic tableware for free for their trial use to assist them in making a smooth transition.

     There are views that switching to non-plastic tableware is just another form of waste. However, in fact, the main objective of "plastic-free" is to minimise the damage brought to the environment and ecology as well as human health by plastics that fail to decompose over a long period of time and turn into micro-plastics when they are broken down. Non-plastic materials (such as paper and bamboo) will not cause the problem of micro-plastics. Of course, the Government will also continue to encourage the public and eateries to actively use reusable tableware and promote waste reduction and recycling through different publicity and education campaigns.

(3) The development cost of the "Plastic-Free Rewards" mobile application is $1.4 million. As at end February this year, the number of downloads of the mobile application is around 3 000. "Plastic-Free Rewards" has collaborated with the GREEN$ mobile application to allow the public to convert electronic stamps to GREEN$ points or GREEN$ e-coupons through the "Plastic-Free Rewards" mobile application for redeeming reusable tableware sets or other daily commodities at the GREEN@COMMUNITY network. There are around 20 000 times of stamp collection and gift redemption via the mobile application.

     Since the number of downloads of the GREEN$ mobile application has reached 500 000, we will explore merging the "Plastic-Free Rewards" mobile application with the GREEN$ mobile application, with a view to expanding its coverage and also allowing the public to practise "waste reduction" and go "plastic-free" in a one-stop manner.

     Thank you, President.]]><![CDATA[LCQ9: Sustainable aviation fuels]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300253.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300253.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0800
Question:

     There are views pointing out that while the Government is committed to developing green transport, the promotion of green air transport is still at an early stage. On the other hand, the International Air Transport Association adopted a resolution at its meeting in 2021 to set a target for the global air transport industry to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it knows the current situation of flights to and from Hong Kong using sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), including the percentage of such flights using SAFs in the total number of such flights and the total carbon emissions that can be reduced;

(2) of the measures in place to encourage more flights to and from Hong Kong to use SAFs;

(3) of the measures in place to facilitate the development of Hong Kong as an important SAF bunkering hub in the region, so as to tie in with the use of SAFs by more flights in the future; and

(4) as "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address" has mentioned that the Airport Authority Hong Kong will formulate an action plan to drive airlines' use of SAFs for bunkering their flights in Hong Kong, of the expected completion time of the action plan?

Reply:

President,

     In consultation with the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Frankie Yick is as follows:

     In October 2022, the International Civil Aviation Organization set a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and identified sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a key tool for achieving this goal. Depending on the production process and technology, SAF has the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by more than 80 per cent as compared with conventional fossil aviation fuels.

     The existing fuel infrastructure at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is already capable of receiving, storing and adopting pre-blended SAF by airlines. One of the local airlines in Hong Kong successfully adopted two batches of SAF at the HKIA in March and July 2022. However, the overall supply of SAF worldwide remains on the low side.

     The AAHK is actively implementing measures to promote the application of SAF at the HKIA, including co-ordinating the operators of the HKIA fuel infrastructure to obtain the sustainability standard certification of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, with a view to assisting airlines to conduct the relevant carbon offsetting. The relevant work was completed in end-2023 and annual renewal of the certification will be conducted thereafter. The AAHK has also worked with relevant Government departments to streamline the approval process for the transportation and storage of SAF to facilitate the uplift of SAF by airlines in Hong Kong. In particular, the operators of the HKIA fuel infrastructure have recently completed the renewal of their licenses in accordance with the newly amended Dangerous Goods Ordinance. The amended Dangerous Goods Ordinance has brought the regulatory standards for classification, marking and labelling of dangerous goods (including SAF) in Hong Kong in line with international standards, and enhanced the licensing system for the manufacture, conveyance, storage and use of dangerous goods. The AAHK will continue to review and as necessary further improve the process of transportation and storage of SAF at the fuel infrastructure of the HKIA.

     In addition, on the Government's request, the AAHK commenced a consultancy study on SAF in February this year. The purpose of the study is to grasp the development trend of SAF, including the current status and future projection regarding its demand, supply and usage, at the international, national and regional levels. The consultancy study will also make recommendations on the use and supply of SAF from such aspects as policy support, facilitation measures or infrastructure improvements, for the Government's consideration. The study is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year. The Government will make reference to the AAHK's report and make forward-looking plans to set the direction for promoting the development of SAF. Our objective is to enhance the competitiveness of the HKIA internationally and attract more flights between Hong Kong and the rest of the world by promoting the use of SAF in Hong Kong.]]><![CDATA[LCQ18: Autonomous vehicles]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300170.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300170.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0800
Question:

     The new regulatory regime for autonomous vehicles (AVs) came into effect on March 1 this year, providing a regulatory framework for the trial and use of AVs in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as the aforesaid regulatory framework mainly regulates the conduct of AV trials, whether the authorities have plans to establish vehicle design standards for AVs running on public roads in the future;

(2) whether it has plans to progressively open up more public roads to allow the conduct of larger-scale AV trials under more authentic road conditions; if so, of the details; if not, the plans in place to promote the trial and use of AVs; and

(3) whether it will consider stepping up communication with members of the autonomous driving industry for providing in the road infrastructure the requisite vehicle-to-everything and infrastructural facilities for the application of autonomous driving technology?

Reply:

President,

     The Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong and the Smart Mobility Roadmap for Hong Kong published by the Government in 2017 and 2019 respectively promulgated, among others, the facilitation of trials of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Hong Kong. In the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0 published in December 2020, one of the smart mobility initiatives is to facilitate the technology advancement and industry development in AVs and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) with a vision of realising the trial and use of AVs on public roads in Hong Kong. Since 2017, the Transport Department (TD) has been issuing movement permits for the purposes of AV trials. To facilitate wider trials and application of AVs by the industry in Hong Kong, the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the TD amended the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) and made a new piece of subsidiary legislation to provide a flexible regulatory framework for AVs. The new AV regulatory regime has come into operation on March 1 this year.

     In consultation with the TD, my consolidated reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee is as follows:

(1) When making the new legislation for AVs, the Government has taken into account the technological development on the Mainland and in other regions across the world, and has adopted relevant AV standards, such as the national standard on Taxonomy of Driving Automation for Vehicles (GB/T 40429-2021) as well as the SAE International's J3016 standard. In tandem with the AV regulatory framework which comes into effect on March 1 this year, the TD has issued the Code of Practice for Trial and Pilot Use of Autonomous Vehicles (the CoP). The CoP sets out the detailed technical, safety and operational requirements of trial and use of AVs. The CoP also provides guidance on the requirements of vehicle design and construction of AVs (e.g. software update of the AV system, the switching between manual mode and autonomous mode and failure warning of the AV, etc). Besides, the construction of the AV must comply with the requirements of the vehicle class as provided in the Road Traffic Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation. As technology continues to develop, vehicle design standards of AVs may also evolve. The TD will update the CoP in a timely manner and review relevant laws to tie in with the latest development of the AV technology.

(2) and (3) The TD set up the Technical Advisory Committee on the Application of Autonomous Vehicle Technologies in Hong Kong in 2019 to explore with the industry, representatives of relevant research institutions and experts how best to draw up an appropriate regulatory framework for the wider trial and application of AVs in Hong Kong.

     To ensure that the regulatory regime is flexible and be able to cope with the technological development, the new AV legislation does not limit the area or scale of AV trials. Applicants may consider and propose the area or scale of trials based on their objectives of trial and use of AVs and apply to the TD for an AV Pilot Licence.

     The Government has all along been providing funding support to scientific research projects involving autonomous driving and relevant technologies in a proactive manner. We launched the $1 billion Smart Traffic Fund (STF) in 2021 to provide funding support to local organisations or enterprises for conducting research and application on vehicle-related innovation and technology. To date, there are seven approved projects that are related to AV and V2X technologies. The road sections under trials cover public roads and various application scenarios, such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Hong Kong Science Park and individual private residential estates. In addition, it is expected that the Airport Authority Hong Kong will begin to deploy its autonomous transportation system from 2025 onwards and carry passengers on the AirportCity Link which connects the SKYCITY and the Hong Kong Port Island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

     Currently, the development of global AV technology can be divided into two main streams, one of which is the "Single Vehicle Intelligence" technology, which relies solely on different sensors such as cameras and radars installed on the AVs to make the vehicle itself capable of autonomous driving. The another technology is known as "Vehicle-Road Coordination", which achieves autonomous driving on the basis of "Single Vehicle Intelligence" and by means of V2X and roadside units. Through real-time information sharing in the V2X system, appropriate reports and warnings are instantly generated to alert road users and AV systems, thus improving road safety and enhancing transport efficiency. With the support of the STF, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has been conducting AV trials and application of advanced cellular V2X. The Innovation and Technology Fund under the Innovation and Technology Commission also provides funding for the ASTRI to conduct technical studies and field trial projects relating to V2X systems.

     Last year, the Government proposed in the Traffic and Transport Strategy Study to promote the development of AVs. On the basis of the above regulatory framework and funding support for research projects, the Government will continue to closely liaise with members of the industry to promote the introduction of more trial and use of AVs and V2X related technologies, so as to provide the public with more opportunities to take a trial ride on AVs, thereby enhancing the public awareness of AVs.]]><![CDATA[LCQ20: Supporting the public light bus trade]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300159.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300159.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0800
Question:

     There are views that the public light bus (PLB) trade is currently facing various problems, including ageing drivers, overlapping of routes with railway services, as well as operating difficulties of overnight routes. It has been reported that a number of PLB owners (in particular those of red minibuses (RMBs) operating non-scheduled services) with loans secured by their PLB licences have recently indicated that they were requested to make early repayments by banks, and some banks even informed certain PLB owners who failed to make early repayments that their PLBs put up as collaterals would be seized. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it knows the respective numbers of applications made by operators of RMBs and green minibuses (GMBs) operating scheduled services for the Pre-approved Principal Payment Holiday Scheme (the Scheme) launched by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority together with the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism;

(2) given that an orderly exit from the Scheme has commenced upon its expiry at the end of July last year, whether it knows the respective numbers of cases involving RMB and GMB operators having defaulted on loan repayments under the Scheme at present, as well as the respective amounts of loans involved; and

(3) whether the authorities have plans to provide support for the RMB trade, so as to enable it to tide over the difficulties arising from economic downturn; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     In consultation with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), our reply to the question raised by the Hon Lee Chun-keung is as follows:

(1) and (2) In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the HKMA proactively co-ordinates with the banking sector and implemented a series of support measures, including the launch of the Pre-approved Principal Payment Holiday Scheme with the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism in May 2020. As far as public light bus (PLB) loans are concerned, although the loans held in the name of personal customers are not corporate clients eligible for the abovementioned Scheme, banks applied the same principles in handling requests for principal payment holiday for loans taken out by personal customers in the PLB industry. As the pandemic had passed, an orderly exit from the related arrangement of deferral of repayment commenced at the end of July 2023, with the focus of the measures shifting from tiding customers over the pandemic to facilitating their resumption of normal loan repayment. To achieve this objective, the partial principal repayment options have been further enhanced so that customers could, during the transition period from August to October 2023, opt for a repayment option that best suited their own circumstances. For those which were not financially able to transition to partial principal repayment, banks would continue to offer principal moratorium on a case-by-case basis.

     Specifically for the PLB sector, banks are currently still providing credit reliefs to 150 PLB operators, of which 140 operators opted for partial principal repayment and the remaining 10 opted for principal moratorium. The HKMA understands from banks which are active in PLB lending business that they have all along been supportive of the PLB sector. Despite the recent decline in passenger volume and rising operating costs faced by the PLB sector, banks would not demand early repayments so long as the PLB customers continue to make payments on schedule, though some PLB operators indicated their wish to scale back or close their business in the face of uncertainty over their business prospects. Even though banks have applied enhanced repayment arrangements and principles to eligible PLB customers and have offered them principal moratorium or partial principal repayment options, a small number of PLB operators have decided to stop making payments on their loans. The banks have therefore acted in accordance with the terms of the loan agreements to protect their own interests by taking repossession of the PLBs, which served as the collateral. The HKMA has not collected detailed statistics such as the breakdown of cases with stopped payments.

(3) The Government has been paying close attention to the operating situation of the Red Minibus (RMB) trade and has implemented various measures to help improve the operating environment. Amidst the pandemic over the past three years, aside from the aforementioned Pre-approved Principal Payment Holiday Scheme, the Government also provided various subsidies under the Anti-epidemic Fund, including fuel and non-accountable subsidies. While the said temporary relief measures have ended with the resumption of normalcy, the application period for the Special 100% Loan Guarantee of the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (Special Scheme) has been extended through the end of March this year. The loans under the Special Scheme are fully guaranteed by the Government, to ease the cash flow problems of eligible small and medium enterprises including RMB operators.

     On the other hand, the Government noted that the PLB sector, including RMB trade, has been facing continuous and acute shortage of drivers. To this end, the Government launched the Labour Importation Scheme for Transport Sector – Public Light Bus/Coach Trade in July 2023, to allow importation of non-local drivers by eligible PLB operators on the premise of safeguarding the employment priority for local workers.

     In respect of day-to-day operations, the Transport Department provides appropriate and practicable support on the request of the trade to meet operational needs, for example, suitably relaxing or rescinding some passenger pick-up/drop-off restricted zones and prohibited zones for RMBs, taking into account the actual road conditions of individual locations; and permitting overnight parking of RMBs at designated PLB stands where it does not impact road safety or other road users.

     The Government will continue to closely monitor the operating situation of PLB and maintain close liaison with relevant stakeholders, with a view to exploring more practicable measures to improve the operating environment of the trade and maintain the reliability of public transport services. ]]><![CDATA[LCQ11: Liaison between politically appointed officials and overseas media]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300276.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300276.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 11:40:00 +0800
Question:

     In December last year when meeting with the Chief Executive on his duty visit to Beijing, the State President reiterated his full support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government to unite and lead various sectors of society to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, shipping centre and trade centre, and to promote the better development of Hong Kong. There are views that in order to accomplish the above important tasks entrusted by the State, officials of the Hong Kong SAR Government have the main responsibility to do a good job in telling the world the good stories of Hong Kong, and proactively reaching out to and liaising with overseas media is a very important part of their work. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of interviews given or briefings conducted by politically appointed officials for overseas media since the current-‍term Government took office, as well as the names of overseas media involved, together with a breakdown by politically appointed official;

(2) whether the Government will proactively engage overseas media in explanatory work and formulate a detailed work plan for telling the good stories of China and Hong Kong this year, thereby properly performing its task of making explanations to media organisations around the world; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether the current-term Government will set performance indicators shortly for the work of politically appointed officials in making rebuttals, clarifications and explanations to overseas media, so as to ensure that politically appointed officials will continuously do a good job in liaising with overseas media, thereby consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international metropolis?

Reply:

President,

     In response to the questions raised by the Hon Adrian Ho, I give the consolidated reply on behalf of the Government as follows:

     The current-term Government attaches great importance to telling good stories of Hong Kong. Government officials often introduce the policies and developments of Hong Kong through the local, Mainland and overseas media.

     Since Hong Kong returned to full normalcy last year, the Government has been telling the good stories of Hong Kong through a holistic strategy of inviting visitors to come here and raising the city's profile around the world. On inviting visitors, the Government has been widely inviting international political and business leaders, industry dignitaries, media representatives and other influential figures to come to Hong Kong to understand the latest developments, unlimited opportunities and new tourist attractions on offer in the city and "bring home" the good stories of Hong Kong. Among them, Mainland and overseas journalists are invited to cover international mega events in the city, such as the Art March, Hong Kong FinTech Week, Hong Kong Maritime Week and Asian Financial Forum, and experience Hong Kong's diverse attractions, including tourist spots, activities and delicacies.

     Committed to presenting Hong Kong's charm as the Events Capital of Asia to the world, the Government has adopted a proactive approach to attract mega events to anchor in the city, drawing people and media from the Mainland and overseas, and generating positive exposure globally, thereby consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as a cosmopolitan world city. In 2024, Hong Kong will host nearly 150 mega events, with over 80 in the first half of the year.

     On going global, the Government has led and organised different delegations to overseas countries, promoting to our stakeholders, including the media, the unparalleled strengths of the city under "one country, two systems" and fostering exchanges and co-operation in various areas, including business, tourism and people-to-people. To tell the good and true stories of Hong Kong to the world, the Government will continue to work with local business dignitaries, members of the Hong Kong Inc, including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, to connect with the media around the world, in addition to exchanging views extensively with the international political and business sectors. The Government will also continue to expand Hong Kong's circle of friends, developing and deepening exchanges and co-operation with them. Moreover, the Government will launch a new Sponsored Overseas Speaking Engagement Programme, sponsoring renowned scholars and industry leaders to attend overseas events and give speeches to promote Hong Kong.

     The Government will continue to monitor media reports about Hong Kong to understand the perceptions of Hong Kong across different sectors in the world, and resolutely refute untrue, biased, misleading or smearing messages to set the record straight.]]><![CDATA[LCQ15: Combating the smuggling of cats and dogs]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300261.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300261.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 11:25:00 +0800
Question:

It has been reported that in recent years, some pet shops have been selling purportedly locally bred cats and dogs which were in fact smuggled into Hong Kong from the Mainland. Many Mainland pet shops have even openly claimed that they can transport cats and dogs to Hong Kong on the same day, meaning that they are able to circumvent the relevant import quarantine requirements. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of applications approved by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for the import of cats and dogs, as well as the number of cats and dogs involved, in each of the past three years;

(2) of the number of smuggled cats and dogs seized by the Customs and Excise Department, as well as the number of cases involved, in each of the past three years;

(3) whether it has considered taking the initiative to investigate the sale of smuggled cats and dogs on social platforms through decoy operations;

(4) as there are views pointing out that the existing stringent quarantine requirement for imported cats and dogs (i.e. a quarantine period of no less than 120 days) is one of the main causes of rampant smuggling of cats and dogs, and the Government indicated in reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on February 21 this year that it was conducting a risk review to explore the feasibility of shortening the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from certain places in the relevant group (including the Mainland) by measures such as rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titer testing, of the expected timing for the completion of such work; and

(5) given that there have been cases of cat and dog flesh being sold as food in Hong Kong in recent years, whether it has investigated if the cat and dog flesh in question involves smuggling?

Reply:

President,

My reply to the question from Dr the Hon Dennis Lam, after consulting the Security Bureau, is as follows:

(1) To safeguard public and animal health, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) regulates the import of cats and dogs from other places through a permit system, pursuant to the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A). The number of permits issued by the AFCD for import of cats and dogs and number of cats and dogs involved in the past three years are tabulated as follows:

Year	Number of permits for import of cats and dogs	Number of cats and dogs involved
2021	1 795	3 813
2022	1 729	3 747
2023	2 847	5 062

(2) In the past three years, the number of cases of illegally imported cats and dogs seized by the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the AFCD, and number of cats and dogs involved are tabulated as follows:

Year	Number of cases	Number of cats and dogs involved
2021	9	101
2022	2	200
2023	13	32

(3) To combat the sale of smuggled cats and dogs on social media platforms, the AFCD has a dedicated investigation team, responsible for monitoring online advertisements related to animal trading and breeding, and handling relevant complaints. The investigation team would proactively investigate suspected cases and depending on the circumstances, adopt suitable enforcement strategies, including conducting "decoy operations". The AFCD also closely liaises with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China to exchange intelligence.

Furthermore, the C&ED and the HKPF have all along been adopting proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and mounting effective anti-smuggling operations in a timely manner. They will strengthen intelligence exchange and co-operation with local, the Mainland and overseas law enforcement counterparts, and conduct targeted investigation and joint enforcement actions to fiercely combat smuggling activities.

(4) Rabies is a contagious disease that can be fatal for mammals (including humans). Nearly 60 000 people die of rabies globally every year. To safeguard public health, the AFCD must adopt appropriate measures to prevent the introduction of animal diseases such as rabies into Hong Kong.

     The AFCD classifies places into three groups according to different risks of rabies, with reference to information about animal disease surveillance from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Group I includes rabies-free places (i.e. where rabies has been absent for a long time); Group II includes places where rabies cases are few and under effective control; and Group III includes places where rabies cases are reported and not under effective control, as well as places with unknown risks of rabies. Since cats and dogs imported from Group III places may entail higher risks, they currently must be quarantined for at least 120 days.

   The AFCD has kept in view WOAH's announcements on latest developments in animal diseases (including rabies) and refined the quarantine requirements concerned when necessary. As biotechnology has developed in recent years, the AFCD is exploring the feasibility of shortening the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from some Group III places (including the Mainland), through measures such as rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titer testing etc. The review is expected to be completed soon and our target is to roll out the new arrangements within this year.

(5) The Government does not tolerate the illegal use of cat and dog flesh for food and will thoroughly investigate suspected cases, including whether smuggling activities are involved. Furthermore, the AFCD, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and C&ED have all along closely collaborated at various control points, including conducting joint operations and exchanging intelligence etc. If suspected cat or dog flesh is discovered, the case would be referred to the AFCD to be strictly followed up.]]><![CDATA[LCQ21: Top Talent Pass Scheme]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300171.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300171.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 11:15:00 +0800
Question:

     Regarding the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the respective longest and shortest lengths of stay in Hong Kong of persons admitted to Hong Kong via the TTPS, as well as the average number of days of their stay so far; whether the Government has any requirement or expectation regarding the length of stay in Hong Kong of such persons; if not, whether it will set a minimum requirement or other conditions on the length of stay in Hong Kong of such persons;

(2) how it ensures that persons admitted to Hong Kong via the TTPS truly work, reside and pay taxes in Hong Kong; whether the Government will step up efforts in monitoring and checking the length of stay, and the status of employment and tax payment of such persons in Hong Kong, so as to prevent abuse of the scheme or wastage of resources by such persons; and

(3) of the total number of persons admitted to Hong Kong via the TTPS investigated by the relevant government departments for allegedly making use of false employment relationships, providing inaccurate documents or failing to pay taxes as required (and the percentage of such number in all persons admitted to Hong Kong via the TTPS) as at the end of December last year, as well as the outcome of the relevant investigations, together with a breakdown by application category of the TTPS (i.e. Category A, B and C)?

Reply:

President,

     The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) seeks to attract top talent with high income, good academic qualifications and extensive work experience to pursue development in Hong Kong. Eligible outside talents are not required to have secured offers of employment in Hong Kong before applications for two-year visas through the TTPS to explore opportunities in Hong Kong. However, they, upon applying for extension of stay before the expiry of their visas granted, will have to be employed, or have established or joined in business in Hong Kong.

     The TTPS has received enthusiastic responses since its launch in end-2022. As at end-February this year, we received over 72 000 applications and approved nearly 59 000. Of these, around 44 000 talents arrived in Hong Kong. Along with the approved applications of other talent admission schemes, around 108 000 talents have arrived in Hong Kong since last year.

     Our reply, in consultation with the Immigration Department (ImmD), to the Member's questions is as follows:

(1) and (2) A person admitted to Hong Kong under the TTPS will normally be granted an initial stay of two years without other conditions of stay upon entry. Such relevant arrangement aims to attract talent to explore opportunities in Hong Kong, hence without any requirement imposed on the duration of stay for persons admitted under the TTPS in the first two years.

     A person admitted under the TTPS, upon the expiry of his/her first visa, will have to be employed, or have established or joined in business in Hong Kong so that an extension of stay can be granted. When applying for extension of stay, an applicant is required to provide the ImmD with concrete supporting information and documents, including employment contracts, proof and accounts of their business operation and tax demand notes. The ImmD will follow the established mechanism in examining whether an applicant meets the eligibility criteria of extension of stay. If necessary, the ImmD will visit the applicants' reported work and business premises to conduct on-site verification to ensure that only applicants meeting the relevant immigration policies will be admitted into Hong Kong for stay.

     The Government has recently conducted first-round follow-up surveys with persons who have arrived in Hong Kong for more than six months with the TTPS visas to understand the situation of their settling in Hong Kong or plans, including employment, accommodation and children's education in Hong Kong. With reference to the data on employment status and income of the TTPS entrants and their spouses, we estimate that the TTPS will contribute directly to Hong Kong's economy by an amount of some $34 billion per annum, which is equivalent to about 1.2 per cent of the local Gross Domestic Product. In addition to the economic contribution, the TTPS entrants and their spouses are generally younger, with more than half of them aged under 40. They, in addition to bringing their young children to settle in Hong Kong, will add new impetus to the local labour force and bring about positive impact on Hong Kong's demographic structure.

(3) The ImmD has all along been playing a robust gatekeeping role in vetting all visa applications, including those under the TTPS. In case of doubts about the applicants' employment relationships or the authenticity of the documents submitted, the ImmD will promptly follow up and conduct investigations. Should any person be found to have illegally obtained his/her employment visa or residency, the visa or residence status granted will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. The persons concerned will also be subject to criminal liabilities and removal back to their places of origin.

     The eligibility criteria of the TTPS are clear, and the required information and documents are relatively straightforward. The TTPS was launched in end-2022, and the first visas granted to all approved applicants have not yet expired. The ImmD has so far not detected any cases requiring criminal investigation on the authenticity of documents submitted by applicants.]]><![CDATA[LCQ19: Quality of security personnel]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300246.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300246.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 11:10:00 +0800
Question:

     Many members of the public have relayed that security personnel have long been in short supply and are of varied quality. Many buildings and estates, in a bid to ensure the deployment of security personnel on duty, have lowered their recruitment standards, leading to an increase in crime figures. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has plans to review the application criteria for Security Personnel Permits (SPPs); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) whether it will consider introducing a complaint mechanism, with the imposition of penalties or even revocation of SPPs for security personnel with serious dereliction of duty; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) given that currently employers can import security personnel through the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, how the authorities ensure that such imported foreign workers are suitable to work in the security industry?

Reply:

President,

     The Security and Guarding Services Ordinance (Cap. 460) (the Ordinance) provides for a regulatory regime for the security services industry which has been operating effectively. Under the regime, all persons who provide security services for reward in Hong Kong must hold a Security Personnel Permit (SPP). The Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority (SGSIA) established under the Ordinance is responsible for formulating the criteria and conditions for issuing an SPP, and the Commissioner of Police (the Commissioner) may issue an SPP only to a person who meets the relevant criteria for providing security services.

     In consultation with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the SGSIA, my reply to the Member's question is as follows:

(1) To ensure the quality of security services, the criteria for issuing an SPP cover areas including age, fitness, character and proficiency in security work. The applicant must be of good character having regard to his employment history, criminal records and other relevant factors. The criteria have already incorporated the essential elements for regulating the security services industry, and are useful for safeguarding that security personnel are physically fit to perform the job and satisfy the requirements for proficiency in security work, e.g. passing a course-end examination of a recognised security training course. The SGSIA will continue to monitor closely the development of the security services industry and their views, and review the criteria for issuing an SPP as appropriate in a timely manner.

(2) The HKPF attaches great importance to the performance of duties by security personnel in strict compliance with the law and the conditions of the SPPs. Upon receiving complaints relating to the discharge of duties by security personnel from the public, the Police will follow up the cases and conduct investigation. Based on the evidence and nature of each case, the Police will take suitable follow-up actions, such as deciding whether or not to issue warnings or pursue prosecutions. As regards serious cases, under the Ordinance, where, in the opinion of the Commissioner, a holder of an SPP is no longer a fit and proper person to hold the SPP or where the holder of an SPP has been in breach of any condition of the SPP, the Commissioner may apply to the SGSIA for a revocation or suspension of the SPP. The SGSIA may, upon consideration, determine whether or not to revoke the SPP or suspend the SPP for a certain period of time.

(3) Imported workers who wish to perform security work in Hong Kong must apply for an SPP in accordance with the Ordinance. This is to ensure that imported workers also comply with all the stipulated criteria and conditions for performing security work, including fulfilment of the "proficiency in security work" criterion. Imported workers can demonstrate their capability and proficiency in the skills/technique required in performing the job through either passing a trade test or a course-end examination of a security training course recognised by the SGSIA.]]><![CDATA[LCQ12: Security Personnel Permit]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300241.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300241.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0800
Question:

     Currently, security personnel performing guarding work not requiring the carrying of arms and ammunition must be holders of either a Category A or Category B Security Personnel Permit (SPP), and persons aged 71 or above can only apply for Category A SPPs, i.e. they can only perform guarding work for single private residential buildings. Some members of the industry hope that the Government can relax the relevant restriction on account of factors such as the manpower shortage, ageing population, and improving health of the elderly, so that persons aged 71 or above can apply for Category B SPPs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the current number of SPP holders in Hong Kong, together with a breakdown by permit category (i.e. Category A and Category B); whether it has estimated the number of security personnel who need to change to apply for Category A SPPs upon reaching the age of 71 or above in each of the coming five years;

(2) whether it will review the existing arrangement under which security personnel aged 71 or above can only perform Category A guarding work for single private residential buildings; and

(3) as it is learnt that there are fewer jobs for Category A guarding work in the market, whether the authorities will consider relaxing the upper age limit for Category B SPP applications, so that persons aged 71 or above can apply for Category B SPPs; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     The Security and Guarding Services Ordinance (Cap. 460) (the Ordinance) was enacted by the Government in 1994 to provide for a regulatory regime for the security services industry. The Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority (SGSIA), established under the Ordinance to regulate the security industry, is a statutory body responsible for formulating the criteria and conditions for issuing a security personnel permit (SPP), including setting the upper age limits for SPP applications. The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is responsible for issuing SPPs to individuals performing security work.

     There are four categories of SPPs, namely Categories A, B, C and D, classified according to the different types of security work and requirements for security personnel. A Category A SPP is for general guarding work not requiring the carrying of arms and ammunition for a single private residential building. There is no upper age limit due to the relatively simple job nature and requirements. A Category B SPP is for all other general guarding work not requiring the carrying of arms and ammunition. As various types of premises and a wider range of job duties are involved, the upper age limit of Category B SPP holders is 70 (i.e. those who have reached the age of 70 are not allowed to perform Category B security work). In issuing the SPPs, the HKPF allows all persons permitted to perform Category B security work to perform Category A security work as well.

     In consultation with the HKPF and the SGSIA, my reply to the Member's question is as follows:

(1) As at February 29, 2024, there were 360 607 SPP holders in Hong Kong, of which 19 074 were permitted to perform Category A security work only, and 335 084 were permitted to perform both Category A and Category B security work. When a Category B SPP holder reaches the age of 70, he/she can continue to perform Category A security work within the validity period of the SPP and need not apply for another SPP, but he/she must cease performing Category B security work.

     According to police records, among the above 335 084 SPP holders permitted to perform Category B security work, the number of persons who will reach the age of 70 and only be allowed to perform Category A security work in each of the next five years is as follows:

Year	Number of persons reaching the age of 70
2025	6 632
2026	7 932
2027	9 535
2028	10 954
2029	12 211

(2) and (3) To ensure the quality of security services, when formulating the criteria for issuing Category A SPP, the SGSIA has taken into consideration that the fitness requirement for security personnel performing security work for a single private residential building is relatively lenient and therefore no upper age limit has been set for Category A SPP holders. In contrast, a Category B SPP is for security work in various types of premises including housing estates, shopping centres, commercial buildings and industrial buildings, which requires a certain degree of physical ability, alertness and technological know-how of the SPP holders. It is therefore necessary to set an upper age limit. The SGSIA communicates with the industry regularly to understand its needs and opinions, and reviews the criteria and conditions for issuing SPPs from time to time. In fact, in 2015, in the light of the demographic changes in Hong Kong and the demand for labour in the market, the SGSIA raised the upper age limit for Category B SPP holders from 65 to 70 upon consultation with the industry.

On account of the actual operation and needs of the security and guarding services industry, as well as the opinions of different stakeholders, the SGSIA considers restricting a Category A SPP holder to work for a single private residential building under the existing arrangement appropriate. In addition, to ensure that Category B SPP holders possess the required level of physical ability and capability to perform their duties, it is not advisable to raise the relevant upper age limit for the time being. The SGSIA will monitor closely the development of the industry and continue to communicate with the industry stakeholders.]]><![CDATA[LCQ17: Technology Voucher Programme]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300218.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300218.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0800
Question:

The Government launched enhancement measures for the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) in April 2020, including increasing the funding ceiling and the maximum number of approved projects. Nonetheless, it is learnt that at present, many enterprises, especially small and medium-sized financial intermediaries, still encounter many difficulties in making applications under TVP. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) in respect of TVP applicants from the financial services industry, of (i) the number of applications received and its proportion to the total number of TVP applications, (ii) the average vetting and approval time per application, (iii) the success rate of applications, (iv) the average amount of funding applied for per application, and (v) the average amount of subsidy approved per application, in each of the past three years;

(2) as many members of the financial services industry have relayed that they face problems in making applications under TVP as regards its complicated procedures, long vetting and approval time, as well as the small amount of approved subsidy, whether the authorities will consider further streamlining the application procedures of TVP, expediting the vetting and approval time, and increasing the amount of approved subsidy; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) since the launch of the enhancement measures, how TVP has been enhanced in terms of the success rate of applications, flexibility in vetting and approval, etc.; and

(4) given that while the Government has launched the four-in-one integrated services to provide enterprises with consolidated and comprehensive information of various government funding schemes (including TVP) as well as consultation services, many members of the industry have relayed that they still have no in-depth understanding of such services, of the authorities' plans in place to step up publicity and promotion to help the industry grasp the details of such services, so as to increase the success rate of applications under TVP?

Reply:

President,

The Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) under the Innovation and Technology Fund administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), aims to support local enterprises/organisations in using technological services and solutions to improve productivity, or upgrade or transform their business processes. Having consulted the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), our reply to various parts of the question is as follows:

(1) In the past 3 years, statistics on applications relevant to the "Banking, Insurance and Financial Services Sector" under TVP are as below:

The annual number of applications received, and their proportion to the total number of applications received

	Number of applications received under "Banking, Insurance and Financial Services Sector"	Proportion to the total number of applications received under the TVP
2021	178	3.14 per cent
2022	266	2.04 per cent
2023	252	1.54 per cent

The average processing time for each application is around 25 working days upon receipt of full information and necessary supporting documents, with the application success rate of around 98 per cent. The average requested funding amount for each application is $236,000, and the average approved funding amount for each application is $171,000.

(2)&(3) ITC attaches great importance to the feedbacks on the TVP from the industry, and reviews its funding arrangement and introduces enhancement measures from time to time to encourage and facilitate the utilisation of TVP by the industries. Since the launch of TVP in 2016, ITC has implemented a series of enhancement measures in a timely manner having regard to its operational experience and the feedbacks from the industries. These include, from April 2020 onwards, the cumulative funding ceiling of each enterprise/ organisation has been increased from the initial $200,000 to $600,000, whereas the maximum number of projects funded has been increased from three to six. The Government funding ratio has also been raised from two-thirds to three-quarters.

Following ITC's introduction of various enhancement measures in April 2020, there was a substantial increase in the number of applications from 2 641 in 2019-20 to 7 028 in 2020-21. As the increase far exceeded ITC's manpower capacity, to expedite the processing of applications, ITC appointed the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) as the secretariat of TVP on June 8, 2021, making use of HKPC's human resources and rich experience in order to enhance the efficiency in processing applications.

With the concerted efforts of ITC and HKPC, in 2022 and 2023, 12 387 and 10 906 applications were approved respectively. Compared with the 1 536 and 3 787 applications approved in 2020 and 2021 respectively, there was a significant increase in the processing capacity. During the period from 2020 to 2023, the success rate of TVP applications maintained at a level of over 97 per cent.

Furthermore, ITC and HKPC introduced an electronic procurement platform in October 2022 to offer enterprises/organisations a brand new and convenient procurement means in addition to the traditional channel, which allows applicants to obtain quotations of competitive prices in a completely open, fair and transparent manner. At the same time, the platform provides opportunities for more service providers to participate in the TVP projects by way of fair competition. Procurement conducted through the aforementioned electronic platform is not subject to the minimum requirement on number of quotations, thereby increasing the flexibility of application assessment.

ITC will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the TVP and the feedbacks from the industries and introduce enhancements in a timely manner in order to assist more enterprises in upgrading and transformation.

(4) According to information provided by CEDB, to raise the awareness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the Government's various support measures, the Government has consolidated the services of the four SME centres in October 2019, namely the "Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs" (SUCCESS) under the Trade and Industry Department (TID), the "SME Centre" under the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the "SME One" under HKPC and the "TecONE" under Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, to provide "four-in-one" integrated services, so that SMEs can receive information on doing business, funding schemes and support services as well as consultation and referral services in any one of the aforementioned centres. As at end-January 2024, the four SME centres have handled over 200 000 enquiries. TID also launched a one-stop web portal "SME Link" in June 2022, which allows SMEs to access information, including that on government funding schemes (including TVP), on a single online platform.

In addition, "SME ReachOut", operated by the Government through HKPC, commenced operation in January 2020 to help SMEs identify suitable government funding schemes and answer questions related to applications, and organise or participate in various activities to promote government funding schemes. The Financial Secretary announced in the 2023-24 Budget that $100 million would be allocated to HKPC to gradually enhance the services of "SME ReachOut". These include arranging visits to more chambers of commerce, commercial and industrial buildings and co-working spaces, as well as increasing the publicity in social media, and providing more one-on-one consultation sessions. As at end-January 2024, "SME ReachOut" has handled over 20 400 enquiries, organised or participated in 10 exhibitions and over 50 seminars or webinars, as well as conducted over 210 promotional activities. SMEs can obtain information about TVP though "SME ReachOut".]]><![CDATA[Labour Department adjusts and enhances employment services]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031200233.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031200233.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0800
     The LD's Telephone Employment Service Centre will introduce voicemail service. Members of the public can leave messages and request services by calling the hotlines for job seekers (2969 0888) and employers (2503 3377) outside office hours and following the instructions provided. Staff will follow up and respond as soon as possible within the following working day.

     The service hours of the LD's job centres and industry-based recruitment centres will also be extended from the current 9am to 5.30 pm to 9am to 6.15 pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). The centres will be closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, following the five-day week arrangement. Moreover, the Hong Kong West Job Centre on Hong Kong Island and the Tai Po Job Centre in New Territories East will merge with job centres in the nearby districts respectively to provide services to the public. For the addresses and service hours of the job centres, please visit the LD's Interactive Employment Service (iES) website (www.jobs.gov.hk/en/c).

     The LD has been providing diversified and free employment services for job seekers. Apart from services provided by job centres and recruitment centres, the LD's iES website and mobile application provide round-the-clock online employment services and employment information to enable job seekers to search for job vacancies and submit job applications online. Registered job seekers can also call the hotline for job seekers of the Telephone Employment Service Centre to obtain job referrals without having to visit job centres in person for the services.

     The LD will continue to review services provided in a timely manner, and implement measures to enhance services in light of the service needs and market situation with a view to enhancing service efficiency.]]><![CDATA[Red flags hoisted at some beaches]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300247.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300247.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 10:25:47 +0800
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 13) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.]]><![CDATA[Application for rental of market stalls at FEHD Skylight Market in Tin Shui Wai opens today]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031200271.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031200271.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 10:17:12 +0800
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Located next to Tin Sau Road Park in Tin Shui Wai, the FEHD Skylight Market adopts a new management model, including strengthening the role of the service contractor in managing the market, e.g. formulating market promotion and development strategies, engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, making proposals on the trade mix of the market, with a view to enhancing business vibrancy and meeting the needs of the public. Being the landlord of the Skylight Market, the FEHD is responsible for determining the rental level and signing agreements with tenants, and has engaged a service contractor through open tender to help carry out the daily management and operation of the market. Two market stalls, namely one siu mei lo mei stall and one fruit stall, are open for application from March 13 to 26."

Applicants should be aged 18 or above and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. Application forms can be downloaded from the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) or obtained at the District Environmental Hygiene Offices. The completed application form together with supporting documents shall be delivered at or before 5.45pm on March 26 by fax (2477 5099), email (tswmkt@fehd.gov.hk), in person or by post to the Yuen Long District Environmental Hygiene Office. Applicants can also fill in the online application form and submit the application online. Late applications will not be accepted.

The priority order of eligible applicants in selecting a market stall for rental will be generated by open computer balloting. The date of ballot is scheduled for April 10. The result will be uploaded onto the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) on the next day after the computer balloting for checking by the applicants. The FEHD will subsequently issue letters to notify successful applicants of the stall rental arrangements.]]><![CDATA[Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300237.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/13/P2024031300237.htmWed, 13 Mar 2024 10:13:19 +0800
A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
- Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
- Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

- The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
- Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
- Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

- Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
- Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

- Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
- Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
- Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
- Canal Road East; and
- The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.]]><![CDATA[Hong Kong draws growing interest from Ibero-American businesses and tourists (with photos)]]>https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/12/P2024031200599.htmhttps://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/12/P2024031200599.htmTue, 12 Mar 2024 22:39:21 +0800
     Nearly 300 representatives from the consulates, chambers of commerce and companies from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Spain, Portugal and Venezuela joined the celebration. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Doyen of the Ibero-American consular corps and the Consul-General of Chile in Hong Kong, Mr Osvaldo Alvarez, delivered opening remarks.

     Mr Yau said, "Hong Kong prides itself on being a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and opportunities, a characteristic that we share with the vibrant nations of Ibero-America. We warmly welcome more Ibero-American enterprises to explore the vast opportunities that Hong Kong has to offer, reinforcing our role as a premier destination and 'super-connector' for business and innovation."

     He added that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world. It positions Hong Kong as an ideal hub for Ibero-American businesses aiming to tap into the vast markets of Mainland China and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, offering a stable, predictable, and advantageous business landscape.

     Mr Alvarez stated, "It's necessary to recognise the significant and growing interest in Hong Kong from Ibero-American businesses, not just at the business level but also as a destination that captivates tourists with its unique blend of culture, history, and modernity. This interest is a testament to Hong Kong's allure and global reputation as a hub of innovation and a centre of cultural wealth."

InvestHK will continue to focus on promoting Hong Kong in the Ibero-American region to attract more strategic enterprises to do business in and through Hong Kong.

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