The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) hotline service under the Special Preventive Programme of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will be suspended from 6pm to 9pm tomorrow (May 10) for a maintenance check.

     The service will resume after maintenance.

     The free and anonymous AIDS hotline (2780 2211) provides information on AIDS and sexually transmitted infections and a Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibody testing booking service to the public.

     The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) today (May 9) reminded the public that proposals to alter the rateable value of properties from April 1 this year must be served on the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation by May 31.

     Proposals should be made on the specified form (R20A) and be delivered by post or in person. Copies of the form can be obtained from the department at Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 15/F, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department. The form can also be downloaded from the RVD website (www.rvd.gov.hk).

     The public can also lodge proposals on an electronic form (e-R20A) using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the department's website. Proposals sent by fax are not acceptable.

     An RVD spokesman emphasised that under the Rating Ordinance and the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance, proposals served after May 31 would not be accepted.

     "Notwithstanding the lodging of a proposal, rates and rent payers must pay rates and government rent by the last day for payment shown on the demand notes. We will carefully consider all proposals and inform the proposers of our decisions before December 1. Any changes in rates and government rent payable resulting from such decisions will date back to April 1 this year and any overpayment will be adjusted in subsequent demands," he said.

     For enquiries, please call 2152 0111.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the service demand surge, the Hospital Authority (HA) is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.
 
     In addition, the weekly bulletin "Surge in Brief" (annex) will be issued every Thursday to illustrate the past month's trends of key service statistics in public hospitals. "Surge in Brief" can be accessed in the HA Winter Surge designated webpage (www.ha.org.hk/goto/wintersurge/en).

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, continued to attend the UK-Hong Kong Financial Dialogue 2019 in London, the United Kingdom (UK) yesterday (May 8, London time).
 
     In the morning, Mr Lau co-chaired the "UK-Hong Kong Financial Services Government Dialogue", a session of the UK-Hong Kong Financial Dialogue 2019, with the UK Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Mr John Glen.
 
     Mr Lau said the bilateral government dialogue is an important step to enhancing financial co-operation at the government and regulatory level between Hong Kong and the UK. He hoped that both sides could build on their strong foundation for deeper partnership to pave the way for future discussions on specific technical and regulatory co-operation covering different areas in financial services.

     At the end of the Government Dialogue, the two sides issued an outcome statement, committing to significantly enhancing bilateral co-operation and agreeing to continue to discuss specific steps and measures to increase the breadth and depth of the partnership.

     The statement also recognised ongoing reforms and initiatives in relation to areas including offshore Renminbi business, capital markets and banking, asset and wealth management, insurance, green finance, financial technology (fintech) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and welcomed continued growth and enhancements for further developments of the financial services industry on both sides. The full outcome statement is at Annex.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Lau met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Philip Hammond, to exchange views on further financial collaboration between Hong Kong and the UK. Noting that London is a pioneer in green finance and environmental, social and governance and has a more mature green investment community, Mr Lau said he in particular looked forward to future collaboration with the UK to jointly promote green finance. Mr Lau extended an invitation for the UK to send a delegation to the Climate Business Forum to be held in Hong Kong in early 2020, co-hosted by Hong Kong with the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group.
 
     Mr Lau also visited a Fintech consultancy agency, 11:FS, during which he welcomed the agency to expand its business to Hong Kong to tap into vast markets in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Asia.
 
     Mr Lau concluded his visit in the evening and will be back in Hong Kong on May 9.

      

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 9) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Kiu Tsui Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.