The Government announced today (March 7) that, in accordance with the Articles of Association of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) and as the majority shareholder, the Financial Secretary Incorporated has appointed Mr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen to succeed Professor Frederick Ma Si-hang as the next Chairman of the board of directors of the Corporation with effect from July 1, 2019. The appointment is for two and a half years until December 31, 2021. Mr Auyeung was appointed, with immediate effect, as a director of the Corporation by the MTRCL earlier today.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, thanked Professor Ma for his contribution in the board of the MTRCL over the years. The MTR is a major public transport mode, serving a daily patronage of around 5.8 million. It is part of the daily life of the general public. Under the leadership of Professor Ma, the MTRCL commenced the service of the Kwun Tong Line Extension and the South Island Line smoothly, facilitating citizens' travelling and adding vibrancy to the areas served. The Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link also started operations in September last year, connecting to the high-speed railway network of the country, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as the regional transport hub and promoting collaboration between Hong Kong and different provinces and cities of the Mainland of China in various fronts including people flows, logistics and tourism, creating new opportunities.

     Mr Chan noted that the MTRCL has also appointed its new Chief Executive Officer. He said he expected that, when the new Chairman and the new Chief Executive Officer assume office, they would strengthen the MTRCL's corporate governance, promote the steady growth of the Corporation, drive continuous enhancement of the safety and quality of its services, and step up communication with the Government and the community, so as to fulfil the community's aspirations.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (March 7) that the official foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong amounted to US$434.5 billion as at the end of February 2019 (end-January 2019: US$432.1 billion) (Annex).
 
     Including unsettled foreign exchange contracts, the foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong at the end of February 2019 amounted to US$427.3 billion (end-January 2019: US$425.0 billion).
 
     The total foreign currency reserve assets of US$434.5 billion represent about seven times the currency in circulation or 46 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3.

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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund's data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS). The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund's Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA's policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of March 2019, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 7) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From March 1 to 6, the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had been to Vietnam during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (March 6), 29 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Indonesia (seven), Malaysia (seven), Sri Lanka (four) and Thailand (four). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2019 revealed that 9 044 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 15 540 in Vietnam, 1 837 in Singapore (since December 30, 2018) and 41 in Japan. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 5 503 cases were filed in Mexico in 2019.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF and Zika virus infection should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

     Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements from March 9 to 11 to facilitate the holding of a car racing event to be held in Central Harbourfront.

Crowd safety management measures
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     Three major spectator entrances are located at Central Pier No.9, Edinburgh Place and Tamar Park. Crowd management measures will be implemented in the entrances to segregate spectators and pedestrians. Members of the public can go to Central and Western District Promenade by using other pavements.

     Members of the public may gain access to the Central Ferry Piers via Man Yiu Street footbridge and the footbridge linking Central Pier No.3, MTR Hong Kong Station and Two International Finance Centre.  One-way flow will be carried out on Man Yiu Street footbridge and the public should follow the instructions given by Police officers to gain access to the destination.

     The public may use the pavements of Connaught Road Central and Central and Western District Promenade to go to Edinburgh Place, Hong Kong City Hall, Tamar Park and Central Government Offices.

     Members of the public and spectators heading for Central are advised to use public transport and take heed of Police instructions and broadcasts on site. To avoid causing obstruction or potential danger, passers-by are advised not to stay on the footbridges, the vicinity of racecourse, elevated or dangerous positions to watch the race.
     
     To ensure public safety and the smooth running of the event, the public should not use any drones in the vicinity of the venue. Any person who recklessly or negligently causes a drone to endanger any person or property shall commit an offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is two years’ imprisonment. There were conviction cases for recklessly using drone in previous races. Members of the public are urged to abide by the law.

Special traffic arrangements
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From 8am to 4pm on March 9

1. Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West cannot turn right to southbound Eastern Street;

2. Traffic along southbound Eastern Street North cannot go straight to southbound Eastern Street; and
3. Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West or southbound Eastern Street North heading for Eastern Street or westbound Connaught Road West will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West, northbound Western Fire Services Street, eastbound Western Fire Services Street, southbound Western Fire Services Street and westbound Connaught Road West.

From 1.15am on March 9 to 5.15am on March 10

A. Road closure

1. Eastbound entrance of Central-Wan Chai Bypass at Man Kat Street at grade;
2. Westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass to Central exit; and
3. Kong Chung Lane.

B. Traffic diversions

1. Traffic along eastbound Man Kat Street heading for Wan Chai North will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road Central, eastbound Harcourt Road and eastbound Gloucester Road;
2. Traffic along eastbound Man Kat Street heading for Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road Central, eastbound Harcourt Road, eastbound Gloucester Road and eastbound Victoria Park Road;
3. Traffic along westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass heading for Central will be diverted via westbound Connaught Road West, the existing U-turn facility at Eastern Street, eastbound Connaught Road West and eastbound Connaught Road Central;
4. Traffic from Tin Hau or Island Eastern Corridor heading for Central will be diverted via westbound Victoria Park Road, westbound Gloucester Road, westbound Harcourt Road and westbound Connaught Road Central; and
5. Vehicles not exceeding 11 metres in length from eastbound Man Kat Street heading for Airport Express car park will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road Central, northbound Man Yiu Street, westbound Man Cheung Street, the existing U-turn facility at eastbound Man Cheung Street, eastbound Man Cheung Street, northbound Man Yiu Street and westbound Finance Street.

From 1.15am on March 9 to 5.15am on March 11

A. Road closure

1. Man Kwong Street east of Central Pier No.6;
2. Man Kwong Street service road between Central Pier No.5 and Central Pier No.6, except for taxis;
3. Eastbound Man Kwong Street near Central Ferry Pier No.5, except for buses;
4. Vehicles exceeding 4.7 metres in height cannot enter Chung Kong Road between Rumsey Street and Man Kwong Street;
5. Vehicles exceeding 7 metres in length cannot enter Chung Kong Road between Rumsey Street and Man Kwong Street;
6. Vehicles exceeding 7 metres in length cannot enter eastbound Man Kwong Street, Man Fai Street and Man Kwong Street service road, except for buses;
7. The slow lane of westbound Man Kwong Street near Central Ferry Pier No.4;
8. Vehicles exceeding 7 metres in length cannot enter eastbound Man Kwong Street;
9. Southbound Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Connaught Place;
10. Part of the lanes of northbound Man Yiu Street between Connaught Road Central and Man Po Street;
11. Northbound Man Yiu Street between Man Po Street and Man Kwong Street;
12. Man Po Street;
13. Part of the fast lane of Finance Street;
14. Part of the second leftmost lane and fast lane of eastbound Man Cheung Street near northbound Man Yiu Street;
15. Vehicles exceeding 11 metres in length cannot enter eastbound Man Cheung Street from its junction with Finance Street to a point about 140 metres east of the same junction, except for franchised buses;
16. Westbound Man Cheung Street between northbound Man Yiu Street and IFC Mall/MTR Hong Kong Station, except for part of westbound Man Cheung Street service road;
17. The U-turn slip road of westbound Man Cheung Street near Man Kat Streert;
18. Yiu Sing Street;
19. The general pick-up/drop-off and loading/unloading area on Lung Wo Road north of Star Ferry Multi-Storey Car Park;
20. Eastbound Lung Wo Road between Man Yiu Street and Road D11;
21. The layby on eastbound Lung Wo Road east of Edinburgh Place (east of City Hall);
22. Westbound Lung Wo Road between Road D11 and Man Yiu Street, except for vehicles heading for Tim Wa Avenue and Legislative Council Road;
23. The layby on westbound Lung Wo Road east of Edinburgh Place (east of City Hall);
24. The layby on westbound Lung Wo Road west of Edinburgh Place (east of City Hall);
25. The fast lane of northbound Edinburgh Place (east of City Hall);
26. The fast lane of westbound Road P2 between Lung King Street and Road D11;
27. Northbound Legislative Council Road, except for vehicles heading for Legislative Council Road;
28. Northbound Tim Wa Avenue, except for vehicles heading for Tim Wa Avenue;
29. Part of the slow lane of eastbound Harcourt Road near Cotton Tree Drive;
30. Part of the slow lane of northbound Cotton Tree Drive near Harcourt Road;
31. Eastbound Connaught Road Central elevated road to Man Po Street;
32. Part of the second leftmost lane of westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass near Central exit;
33. Part of the fast lane of westbound Island Eastern Corridor near Provident Centre link to westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass;
34. The fast lane of westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Wan Chai North exit;
35. The rightmost lane of eastbound Expo Drive Central near Expo Drive East;
36. The rightmost lane of northbound Expo Drive East between Convention Avenue and Expo Drive Central;
37. Part of the lanes of southbound Expo Drive East between Convention Avenue and Expo Drive Central; and
38. The U-turn facility of northbound Expo Drive East between Convention Avenue and Expo Drive Central.

B. Traffic diversions

1. Chung Kong Road from its junction with Rumsey Street to a point at about 170 metres west of the same junction will be converted from eastbound traffic to westbound traffic;
2. Man Kwong Street service road between Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus and Man Yiu Street will be converted to westbound traffic;
3. Legislative Council Road between Lung Wo Road and the access of The Legislative Council Complex will be converted from two-way traffic to southbound traffic;
4. The U-turn slip road from westbound Man Cheung Street to eastbound Man Cheung Street will be converted from northbound traffic to southbound traffic;
5. Traffic along westbound Fenwick Pier Street heading for Man Cheung Street will be diverted via flyover, westbound Harcourt Road, westbound Connaught Road Central and northbound Man Yiu Street;
6. Traffic along westbound Harcourt Road or northbound Pedder Street heading for the Central Ferry Piers will be diverted via westbound Connaught Road Central and eastbound Man Kwong Street;
7. Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West flyover heading for Central will be diverted via eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass, eastbound Expo Drive, eastbound Expo Drive East, southbound Fleming Road, U-turn, northbound Fleming Road, westbound Harbour Road, westbound Fenwick Pier Street, flyover, westbound Harcourt Road and westbound Connaught Road Central;
8. Traffic along northbound Cotton Tree Drive heading for Man Cheung Street will be diverted via westbound Chater Road, northbound Jackson Road, westbound Connaught Road Central and northbound Man Yiu Street;
9. Traffic along northbound Cotton Tree Drive (north of Lambeth Walk) heading for Man Cheung Street will be diverted via eastbound Harcourt Road, eastbound Gloucester Road, northbound Fenwick Street, westbound Fenwick Pier Street, flyover, westbound Harcourt Road, westbound Connaught Road Central and northbound Man Yiu Street;
10. Traffic along eastbound Man Kwong Street heading for Connaught Road Central will be diverted via Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus, westbound Finance Street and the re-routed slip road;
11. Buses along eastbound Man Kwong Street heading for Connaught Road Central will be diverted via Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus, westbound Finance Street and the re-routed slip road. The access of Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus on Man Yiu Street will be temporarily suspended. The exit on Man Kwong Street will be temporarily converted to an access and a temporary exit to Finance Street will be provided;
12. Traffic along eastbound Man Cheung Street heading for Connaught Road Central will be diverted via northbound Man Yiu Street, westbound Finance Street and the re-routed slip road;
13. Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West heading for China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road Central, northbound Rumsey Street and westbound Chung Kong Road;
14. Vehicles not exceeding 11 metres in length along northbound Man Yiu Street heading for Finance Street will be diverted via westbound Man Cheung Street, U-turn, eastbound Man Cheung Street and northbound Man Yiu Street;
15. Traffic along eastbound Shing Sai Road flyover heading for Central will be diverted via eastbound Shing Sai Road at grade, eastbound Connaught Road West and eastbound Connaught Road Central;
16. Traffic along eastbound Western Harbour Crossing Sai Ying Pun exit heading for Central will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West and eastbound Connaught Road Central;
17. Traffic along eastbound Hill Road flyover heading for Central will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West and eastbound Connaught Road Central;
18. Traffic along eastbound Expo Drive Central heading for southbound Expo Drive East will be diverted via northbound Expo Drive East, roundabout and southbound Expo Drive East;
19. Traffic along westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass heading for Road P2 via Wan Chai North exit will be diverted via southbound Lung King Street, eastbound Fenwick Pier Street, eastbound Harbour Road, northbound Fleming Road and westbound Convention Avenue;
20. Traffic along Man Kat Street cannot turn left to eastbound Man Cheung Street, except for franchised buses;
21. Vehicles exceeding 11 metres in length cannot turn left from eastbound Man Cheung Street to northbound Man Yiu Street;
22. Vehicles exceeding 11 metres in length cannot turn right from westbound Man Cheung Street service road to eastbound Man Cheung Street;
23. Traffic along eastbound Expo Drive Central cannot turn right to southbound Expo Drive East;
24. Vehicles heading for Pok Fu Lam via Western Harbour Crossing are advised to use Shek Tong Tsui exit, and use Connaught Road West, Ka On Street, Des Voeux Road West, Centre Street, Connaught Road West and Western Street to Pok Fu Lam; and
25. Vehicles heading for Sai Ying Pun via Western Harbour Crossing are advised to use Shek Tong Tsui exit, and use Connaught Road West, Ka On Street, Des Voeux Road West, Queen Street, Connaught Road West and Eastern Street to Sai Ying Pun.

From 5.15am on March 10 to 5.15am on March 11

A. Road closure

1. The slow lane of westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass to Central exit; and
2. Kong Chung Lane, except for franchised buses.

B. Traffic diversions

1. Vehicles not exceeding 11 metres in length along eastbound Man Kat Street heading for Airport Express car park will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road Central, northbound Man Yiu Street, westbound Man Cheung Street, the existing U-turn facility at eastbound Man Cheung Street, eastbound Man Cheung Street, northbound Man Yiu Street and westbound Finance Street.

Suspension of parking spaces
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     Motorcycle parking spaces at the general pick-up/drop-off and loading/unloading area on Lung Wo Road north of the Star Ferry Multi-Storey Car Park, and at Man Kwong Street near Central Ferry Pier No.6 will be suspended. Temporary parking spaces will be set up adjacent to the Star Ferry Multi-Storey Car Park, and at the taxi stand of Man Kwong Street near Central Ferry Pier No.2 respectively.

     Vehicles found illegally parked within the precinct of the special traffic arrangements may be towed away without prior warning.  

     It is anticipated that the traffic in Central will be heavily congested during the event. Members of the public who plan to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport as far as possible.

     Actual implementation of the crowd safety management measures and traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     The Government announced today (March 7) that Mr David Wong Fuk-loi, Administrative Officer Staff Grade B, will succeed Ms Ada Leung Ka-lai as Director of Intellectual Property on March 18, 2019. Ms Leung will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day.

     Commenting on the appointment of Mr Wong, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, said, "Mr Wong has strong leadership and management skills as well as rich experience in public administration. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Intellectual Property Department to meet the challenges ahead and continue to deliver quality service to the community."

     On the retirement of Ms Leung, Mr Law said, "Ms Leung has served with dedication and professionalism in the civil service throughout the past 35 years. As Director of Intellectual Property, she has made exemplary contributions and led the department in taking forward various tasks, including enhancing the legislative framework of Hong Kong's intellectual property (IP) regime and promoting IP protection. I wish her a fulfilling and happy retirement."

     Brief biographical notes of the two officers are set out below:

Ms Ada Leung Ka-lai
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     Ms Leung joined the Government as Executive Officer II in September 1983. She was appointed as Assistant Crown Counsel in July 1990. She was promoted to Assistant Director of Intellectual Property in June 2002 and to Deputy Director of Intellectual Property in June 2012. She has been Director of Intellectual Property since May 2014.

Mr David Wong Fuk-loi
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     Mr Wong joined the Administrative Service in August 1990 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B in April 2013. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Transport Department, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former Trade Department, the Financial Secretary's Office, the Security Bureau, the former Education and Manpower Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.