Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     The fire danger situation today (April 2) is red and fire risk is extreme. The countryside is extremely vulnerable to fire. If you are planning to spend the day in the countryside, please take pre-cooked food for a picnic and take all measures to prevent hill fires. The penalty for lighting fires illegally in the countryside is $25,000 and a year's imprisonment.

     The International Water Pioneers Summit was held today (April 1) in Hong Kong. The Summit convened internationally renowned leaders, experts, academicians, senior government officials, representatives and stakeholders from water supply sector to explore new opportunities and prospects for collaboration in the development of water supply sector. The Summit attracted an on-site or online participation of around 5 000 people.

     The Summit, with the theme of "Smart Water‧High-Quality Development", was jointly organised by the Water Supplies Department; the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering – Hong Kong Branch; the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers – Building Services Division; and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management – Hong Kong Branch. It is one of the celebration activities marking the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong. 

     Participants proposed high quality development characteristics including innovation, green, sharing and co-ordination to spearhead digital transformation of the water supply sector and secure wholesomeness of water to the benefits of mankind health. Hong Kong should give full play to the distinctive role of a connector between the country and the rest of the world. The Summit serves the purpose of attracting overseas professional knowledge and experience and promoting cross-boundary and cross-sector collaboration. It also demonstrates to the world the country's advanced technologies and experience in water supply aspects as well as the wisdom of profound Chinese water culture for making contributions in the joint promotion of the application of water resources, water technologies and water culture around the world.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Li Guoying; the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wang Weizhong; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zheng Yanxiong; Member of the Office Leadership of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr Xiang Bin; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Qi Bin; Vice Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Zhang Shaokang and the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Summit. 

     Speaking at the summit, Mr Lee said that the summit convened high-profile professionals and senior government officials from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia and around the world to celebrate together the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong and joined forces to ensure provision of a sustainable water supply to mankind. He pointed out that innovation in infrastructure development will power our water-secure future and Hong Kong is developing into an international infrastructure centre that serves the country and the HKSAR.

     Mr Li said that the Ministry of Water Resources will resolutely strengthen exchanges and co-operation with the relevant government departments of the HKSAR Government and ensure the safety of water supply to Hong Kong. Guangdong will also actively support Hong Kong to utilise its distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as well as a channel for sharing with the world the water management concept, experience and solutions to promote future water security, calling for a new chapter of water management to work toward a community with a shared future for mankind.

     Mr Wang said that Guangdong will firmly proceed with planning of urban development, land use, population, and production based on water resources and further deepen Guangdong-Hong Kong in-depth collaboration in respect of water management to enhance the livability of the Greater Bay Area with quality for living, working and travelling. Guangdong will actively learn advanced experience and seize firmly the collaboration opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and promote international exchanges and co-operations in the aspects of water technologies, water ecology and water security with an aim to better facilitate the high quality development of water resources.

     Addressing the ceremony, Ms Linn pointed out that sustainable water resources management is crucial in facing of the challenges brought by global climate change and scarcity of resources. The summit, with the theme of "Smart Water‧High-Quality Development" timely convened different parties to explore innovative and feasible solutions together with proactive and forward-thinking strategies to combat challenges.

     The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, thanked all guest speakers for sharing their insights and all the supporting organisations for their strong support. He pointed out that the summit has showed the win-win power of collaboration and innovation. 

     Topics of the summit covered high-quality development of water supply and technologies, development in water safety and relative issues on Dongjiang water. Participants also discussed building water security under the Belt and Road Initiative.

                

     The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, chaired the first meeting of the new term of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Task Force today (April 1). He emphasised that "innovation" is particularly important in promoting the interfaces of mechanisms, regulatory frameworks and talent training among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. He noted that it will further facilitate Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country and enhance the innovation capabilities and radiating effect of the GBA.

     During the meeting, the Task Force had an in-depth discussion on the latest development of the various policy measures set out in the Department of Justice (DoJ)'s Action Plan on the Construction of Rule of Law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and future key initiatives, including the establishment of a panel of GBA arbitrators to further facilitate arbitrators from the three places in providing legal and dispute resolution services in the GBA, as well as the setup of a GBA legal information platform to provide enterprises and people with practical legal information on cross-boundary businesses and living.

     Meanwhile, Dr Cheung welcomed the new members, namely Mr Neville Cheng, Mr Michael Lok, Mr Tse Shing-yick, Mr Joaquim Vong and Mr Zeng Xuezhi, to the Task Force. Dr Cheung said that the DoJ has long been upholding principles and at the same time, embracing innovation in its co-operation with various stakeholders to draw collective wisdom and actively implement the Action Plan, with a view to leveraging the unique strengths under "one country, two systems and three jurisdictions" of the GBA.

     Dr Cheung pointed out that the inclusion of lawyers from the Mainland and Macao for the first time facilitates the DoJ to learn about issues from the perspectives of different jurisdictions, and signifies a strong collaboration among the legal sectors of the three regions to jointly harness the unique edges of "three jurisdictions".

     He also noted that Mr Tse, an online key opinion leader (KOL) who has been residing in the Mainland, holds a considerable understanding of the circumstances of Hong Kong people working and residing in the GBA. Mr Tse's joining will not only help the DoJ better grasp public opinions on various policy measures in relation to the GBA, but will also assist the DoJ in effectively communicating with the community.

     Dr Cheung said that he firmly believes that the new-term Task Force will continue to work closely together to deepen the legal co-operation in the GBA with diverse and innovative thinking, contributing wisdom and strengths to the GBA's high-quality development.

        

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Li Guoying, at the Government House today (April 1) to witness the signing of an arrangement between the Ministry of Water Resources and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government on the management and co-operation of water-related affairs.
      
     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Director General of the General Office of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Tang Liang, represented the HKSAR Government and the Ministry of Water Resources respectively to sign the arrangement. The arrangement will strengthen the governance and protection of the Pearl River Estuary and the rivers along the Guangdong-Hong Kong boundary, and promote co-operation in disaster prevention and mitigation; water supply safety; planning and management of major projects; information sharing; talent cultivation; hydraulic technology and more.
      
     Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Water Resources for its continuous and full support of Hong Kong's efforts in water supply and flood prevention. He said, "This year marks the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. It is of great significance that the HKSAR Government and the Ministry of Water Resources signed the arrangement at this milestone to strengthen co-operation on water-related affairs in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The HKSAR Government will continue to adhere to the principles of water conservation and enhancement of utilisation efficiency and work together with the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure the safety of water supply to Hong Kong and flood control safety of the Pearl River Estuary and the rivers along the Guangdong-Hong Kong boundary, and to provide water resources support and guarantee for the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area."
      
     Mr Li said that establishing a standing mechanism for exchange and co-operation marks a new milestone in water affairs co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. He said, "The Ministry will strengthen water resources co-operation with the HKSAR Government on all fronts, continuously enhance the water safety system in the Greater Bay Area, and provide stronger water safety guarantees for high-quality development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area."

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport visited the Hong Kong Police Headquarters today (April 1) to observe a demonstration of the eTraffic Penalty Ticket platform functions to learn about the latest measures and implementation details of the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police) issuing electronic penalty tickets (ePTs) starting from June 15.

     Members first received a briefing by representatives of the Police on the implementation details of ePTs and the transitional arrangements to help the public adapt to the new system. Members noted that the Police will adopt a "dual-track" approach during the initial rollout of ePTs. This includes issuing ePTs to traffic offenders who have provided their verified e-contact information, while also sending them paper copies of the penalty tickets.

     Members then observed a Police demonstration on the handling of ePTs and learnt that the Police will introduce a new thematic portal and mobile application, enabling vehicle owners and drivers to handle traffic contravention related matters via online platforms in a more convenient way. Members also noted that the Police have passed load test and stress test on the operation of the relevant system. 

     During the visit, Members exchanged views with representatives of the Police on matters including how to strengthen publicity campaigns for the ePTs platform and enhance fraud prevention awareness among vehicle owners, drivers, and the general public.

     Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Panel, Mr Chan Siu-hung, and Panel members Mr Leung Man-kwong and Mr Chan Pui-leung; as well as non-Panel members Ms Judy Chan and Mr Edmund Wong.