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Author Archives: hksar gov

Remarks by Chief Executive of HKMA at media session

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Norman Chan, at media session today (July 25):

     I welcome the appointment by the Financial Secretary of Mr Eddie Yue to succeed me as the next Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).

     Eddie is the most experienced Deputy Chief Executive in the HKMA. Over the years he has made numerous contributions in different areas of HKMA’s work. In particular, he helped the HKMA in making timely and effective responses after the eruption of the Global Financial Crisis, which enabled Hong Kong to sail through the Crisis largely unscathed. In recent years, he has made many achievements in areas under his supervision, namely reserves management, research, external affairs and financial market development. Given his competence, profound experience and vision, and extensive network in the financial field, both locally and externally, he is a very suitable person to lead the HKMA in achieving its missions and meeting the challenges in the years ahead.

     During the remainder of my term as the Chief Executive of the HKMA, I will work closely with Eddie to ensure a smooth transition.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

Hong Kong Customs launches promotional videos to remind traders to comply with Trade Descriptions Ordinance (with photos / videos)

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs launched a series of new promotional videos earlier this week to remind traders to comply with the fair trade provisions under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). The promotional videos also promote the message of “Be a Fair and Law-abiding Trader” to further safeguard consumer rights.

     With the story backgrounds set in the beauty, fitness and renovation industries, the new promotional videos convey the messages of trading integrity and smart shopping in a vivid style by depicting some common unfair trade practices cases. 

     The Assistant Commissioner (Intelligence and Investigation) of Customs and Excise, Ms Ida Ng, attended a press conference today (July 25) to introduce the promotional plans. Ms Ng said she hopes the newly produced videos can raise traders’ awareness of acting as a fair and law-abiding trader in order to create a fair business environment. She also said that the videos remind consumers to shop smartly, stay alert and avoid falling into traps. 

     The new promotional videos will be broadcast through promotional platforms provided by public transport, commercial buildings, private residential buildings, social media and more during designated periods from July 22 to mid-September. They can also be viewed at Customs’ webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/consumer_protection/trade_desc/unfair/common/index.html) or Customs’ YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/channel/UCU-iB7YhTIjvm870F15F8aA).

     Customs reiterates that the TDO prohibits unfair trade practices deployed by traders against consumers, including false trade descriptions of services, misleading omissions, aggressive commercial practices, bait advertising, bait-and-switch and wrongly accepting payment. Since the amendment of the TDO on July 19, 2013, Customs has been effectively combating relevant offences through a number of successful convictions against unfair trade practices in different industries.

     Customs will continue its three-pronged approach, namely stringent enforcement, compliance promotion and public education and publicity, to safeguard consumer rights under the TDO.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

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Booking for free use of leisure facilities on Sport For All Day 2019 to start on Sunday

     Sport For All Day 2019 will be held on August 4 (Sunday). The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will open most of its leisure facilities for public use without charge. Members of the public are also welcome to take part in free recreation and sports programmes at designated sports centres in the 18 districts and share the fun of doing exercise.
 
​     Booking for free use of land-based leisure facilities and craft at water sports centres on the day can be made at the Leisure Link booking counters at LCSD venues (excluding Self-service Kiosks) from 9am on July 28 (Sunday) on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
​     The leisure facilities available for free use on Sport For All Day 2019 include:
 
* Indoor leisure facilities: badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms, activity rooms, dance rooms and a cycling track;
* Outdoor leisure facilities: tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, sport climbing walls, archery ranges, rope courses and golf facilities (excluding camp facilities, sports grounds and artificial and natural turf pitches);
* Public swimming pools (excluding Wan Chai Swimming Pool); and
* Craft at water sports centres.
 
​     Each person can only book one free session irrespective of the type of facility. No prior booking is required for use of public swimming pools. Interested users may line up at the pool entrance before a session starts for free admission on a first-come, first-served basis on August 4.
 
​     If a hirer fails to take up a facility 10 minutes after the starting time of the booked session, the facility will be allocated to walk-in participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The facility shall be used for the same purpose as that for which it has been booked by the original hirer. The user shall surrender the facility back to the original hirer immediately upon the latter’s arrival.
 
​     The LCSD appeals to hirers to arrive on time and make the best use of the booked facilities. Hirers should cancel their bookings as soon as possible if they are unable to use them.
 
​     Leisure Link patrons may cancel a booking via the Internet before the booked session starts. If the hirer is not a Leisure Link patron, he or she should cancel the booking before the booked session starts via any Leisure Link Self-service Kiosk, or submit the cancellation request in person or by proxy at the Leisure Link booking counters of LCSD leisure venues at least 30 minutes before the session starts (and at the latest before 8.30pm for booked sessions starting at 9pm or later) by producing a completed “Application for Cancellation of Booking” form together with the user permit and the original or a photocopy of his or her identity document. The above form can be obtained from the Leisure Link booking counters or downloaded from the LCSD’s website.
 
​     All users of leisure facilities should observe the Conditions for Free Use of Leisure Facilities and the existing Conditions of Use of Recreation and Sports Facilities under the LCSD. To ensure cleanliness in public swimming pools, swimmers should also observe the pool rules, maintain personal hygiene and help keep pool water clean.
 
​     Adopting “Stay Active, Healthy and Happy!” as the slogan, the event encourages members of the public to foster the habit of exercising for at least half an hour a day. This year’s Sport For All Day will have wushu as the focus sport. The LCSD will organise wushu demonstrations and participation sessions at designated sports centres in the 18 districts from 2pm to 6pm on August 4. Other free recreation and sports programmes include health talks and exercise demonstrations, fitness corners, sports participation sessions, sports activities for parents and children, and activities for persons with disabilities.
 
​     Enrolment for these free programmes has commenced. Interested parties can register or collect activity coupons at LCSD District Leisure Services Offices or designated venues on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
​     Details of Sport For All Day 2019 are available at the designated website. For enquiries, please call 2414 5555. read more

HAD to open temporary night heat shelters

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (July 25) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
 
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 20 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more