Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government announced today (December 20) the appointment of three new members and the reappointment of four incumbent members to the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC) for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2025.
 
     The three new members are Mr Lau Min, Mr Dannuel Leung Po-chung and Dr Woo Chi-wood. Mr Lau is the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Direction Association for the Handicapped. Mr Leung is a certified public accountant and a member of the Guardianship Board. Dr Woo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Fu Hong Society.
 
     The four reappointed incumbent members are Mr Raymond Lai Kwan-ho, Ms Lee Po-chun, Ms Perina Li Siu-fan and Ms Yang Elizabeth Ling.
 
     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, welcomed the appointments. He said, “The RAC has been playing an important role in advising the Government on the development of Hong Kong’s rehabilitation services. As set out in ‘The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address’, the number of representatives of persons with disabilities and their carers in the new term of the RAC in 2025 will be increased to 11 to better gauge their needs. I look forward to members’ valuable advice on rehabilitation services, with a view to strengthening support for persons with disabilities and building a caring and inclusive community.”
 
     In addition, Mr Sun thanked the outgoing members, Mr Edwin Lam Man-wing, Ms Jennifer Liu Wai-fun and Dr William Lo Tak-lam, for their valuable contributions to the RAC during their tenure.
 
     The RAC was set up in 1977 as the principal advisory body of the Government on matters pertaining to the well-being of persons with disabilities as well as the development and implementation of rehabilitation policies and services. The RAC also assists the Government in promoting and monitoring the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Hong Kong.
 
     The membership list of the RAC from January 1, 2025, is as follows:

Chairman
———–
Mr Fung Pak-yan
 
Vice-chairman
—————-
Dr Kevin Lau Kin-wah
 
Non-official Members
———————–
Mr Arthur Cheung Man-to
Mr Thomas Chu Sai-ming
Miss Jody Kwok Fu-yung
Mr Raymond Lai Kwan-ho
Dr Freddy Lam Man-hin
Mr Lam Yiu-kwok
Mr Lau Min
Ms Lee Po-chun
Mr Dannuel Leung Po-chung
Ms Leung Tsui-han
Ms Reginia Leung Wun-kam
Ms Perina Li Siu-fan
Dr Lui Wai-cheung
Professor Ming Wai-kit
Mr Alvin Miu
Ms Ada Ng Ka-lai
Mr So Wing-tung
Mr Eddie Suen Kwok-tung
Mr Sze Yan-kit
Ms Mandy Tang Hoi-man
Professor Frances Wong Kam-yuet
Dr Ryan Wong Man-yeung
Mr Wong Yu-tung
Dr Woo Chi-wood
Ms Julia Yan Yuming
Ms Yang Elizabeth Ling
Mr Nelson Yip Siu-hong
Mr Emil Yu Chen-on read more

     To encourage recycling and upcycling of yard waste in the community, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 20) called on members of the public and commercial and industrial (C&I) organisations to recycle their natural Christmas trees waste (NCTs) intended for disposal under the 2024-25 NCTs Recycling Programme. The NCTs collected will be processed at Y·PARK and turned into different recycled products, such as mulch and sawdust for planting and gardening, etc. The Programme arrangements are as follows:

Collection period: January 3 to 7, 2025 (five days)
Collection points: The following Central Collection Point and District Collection Points
 

Central Collection Point (CCP)	Address	Telephone	Collection time
Y·PARK	EcoPark, 133 Lung Mun Road, Tuen Mun Area 38	5743 9221/ 9728 9341	9am to 6pm
District Collection Points (DCPs) (including the EPD’s Recycling Stations and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department’s Public Refuse Collection Points (RCPs))	Address	Telephone	Collection time
(Only household NCTs 2 metres tall or below will be accepted)
Hong Kong Island
1. GREEN@EASTERN	30 Oi Shun Road, Shau Kei Wan	2778 2330	8am to 8pm
2. GREEN@WAN CHAI	6 Wan Shing Street, Wan Chai	2811 1567
3. Ap Lei Chau Municipal Services Building RCP	Ap Lei Chau Municipal Services Building, 8 Hung Shing Street, Ap Lei Chau	Not applicable	7am to 11:30pm
4. Arbuthnot Road RCP	Junction of Arbuthnot Road and Caine Road, Central		6.30am to 5pm
5. Paterson Street RCP	Junction of Paterson Street and Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay		6.30am to 11.30pm
Kowloon
6. GREEN@KWUN TONG	27 Sheung Yee Road, Kowloon Bay	2776 5700	8am to 8pm
7. GREEN@SHAM SHUI PO	339 Tung Chau Street, Sham Shui Po	2522 4388
8. Sai Yee Street (Flower Market Road) RCP	188 Sai Yee Street, Mong Kok	Not applicable	6.30am to 11pm
New Territories
9. GREEN@SHA TIN	10 On Ping Street, Shek Mun	2285 9433	8am to 8pm
10. GREEN@YUEN LONG	65 Tin Wah Road, Tin Shui Wai	2617 0117
11. GREEN@TUEN MUN	9 Tuen Yee Street, Tuen Mun	2496 4288
12. GREEN@KWAI TSING	12 Tam Kon Shan Road, Tsing Yi	3905 4840
13. GREEN@TAI PO	25 Dai Wah Street, Tai Po	3468 8073
14. GREEN@ISLANDS	1 Chung Mun Road, Tung Chung	2499 2308
15. GREEN@SAI KUNG	3 Po Lam Lane, Tseung Kwan O	2727 7330

Note: If members of the public and C&I organisations have to recycle NCTs before January 3 or during January 8 to 20, 2025, please deliver them to Y·PARK during its operating hours (9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, except public holidays).

     An EPD spokesman said that the Programme is limited to the recycling of NCTs, and all lighting, plastic stands, decorations and tape on the NCTs should be removed before delivery to facilitate the subsequent recycling processes. Artificial Christmas trees and other festival decorations can be kept for reuse to help reduce waste and conserve resources, while small potted plants such as poinsettias can be replanted.

     An e-certificate will be issued to the participants who deliver NCTs to the CCP or the Recycling Stations for recycling. Participants will also receive a gift upon delivery of NCTs to the Recycling Stations while stocks last. For details of the NCTs Recycling Programme, please visit the Hong Kong Waste Reduction website at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk/article/2024-25-natural-christmas-trees-recycling-programme.

     The EPD also welcomes other organisations and associations to provide recycling services for NCTs to help the public and C&I organisations to participate and enhance waste reduction efforts for all. read more

     The Government announced today (December 20) the appointment of seven new members and the reappointment of two incumbent members to the Consumer Council for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2025.
 
     The new members are Ms Chan Hoi-yan, Professor Marshall Jen Hong, Professor Lam Hon-ming, Mr Leung Shing-yum, Ms Leung Siu-ling, Dr Lin Wai-chi and Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming. The reappointed members are Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin and Mr Selwyn Yu Sing-cheung, SC.
 
     In addition, the Government expressed gratitude to the outgoing members, namely Mr Edward Ho Man-tat, Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung, Mr Matthew Lam Kin-hong, Ms Doris Lian Shaodong, Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun, Dr Lui Wing-cheong and Ms Iris Wan Lai-Sze, who are about to complete their tenure, for their contributions to various aspects of the Council’s work.
 
     The composition of the Council with effect from January 1, 2025, is as follows:
 
Chairman
———–
Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing
 
Vice-Chairman
—————-
Mr Tony Pang Chor-fu
 
Members
———-
Ms Chan Hoi-yan
Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin
Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han
Mr Holden Chow Ho-ding
Professor Chung Chi-yung
Ms Veronica Fung Kit-ming
Professor Marshall Jen Hong
Ms Miranda Kwan Ching-yi
Professor Lam Hon-ming
Mr Leung Shing-yum
Ms Leung Siu-ling
Dr Lin Wai-chi
Mr Ma Tak-yan
Professor Jack Poon Sik-ching
Ms Siu Suk-yu
Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming
Mr Wong Kin-wai
Mr Andy Wong Man-kit
Mr Selwyn Yu Sing-cheung, SC read more

     The Government announced today (December 20) appointments to the Insurance Authority (IA) with effect from December 28, 2024.
 
     The Chief Executive (CE), pursuant to the Insurance Ordinance (Cap. 41), has reappointed Mr Stephen Yiu Kin-wah as the Chairman of IA. The Financial Secretary under the authority delegated by the CE, has also reappointed nine incumbent Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), namely, Dr Clement Chen Cheng-jen, Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han, Ms Agnes Choi Heung-kwan, Mr Lam Wai-kong, Mr Terry Lo Kin-wing, Ms Theresa Ng Choi-yuk, Dr Derrick Pang Yat-bond, Mr Anson Wong Man-kit, SC, and Mr Kenneth Wong Wing-yan; and appointed Professor Darwin Choi, Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung, and Dr Fung Hong as NEDs.
 
     Announcing the appointments, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “Mr Yiu has demonstrated strong leadership over the past three years as IA Chairman. Under his steer, the IA has successfully navigated a rapidly evolving market environment and promoted the sustainable growth of the insurance industry, including the implementation of a risk-based capital regime to strengthen the financial soundness of insurers in Hong Kong and enhance protection for policy holders. I am confident that Mr Yiu will continue to lead the IA to achieve greater progress on various fronts.”
 
     Mr Hui further stated, “With the addition of three newly appointed members, the IA will continue to comprise distinguished professionals from a wide range of sectors, including insurance, actuarial science, accountancy, banking, business, labour and welfare/consumer affairs, legal, and medical and health. This diversified membership will enhance the IA’s ability to address community needs and further solidify Hong Kong’s position as a leading international risk management centre.”
 
     Mr Hui also expressed his gratitude to the three outgoing NEDs, namely, Dr Evelyn Lam Ho-yi, Dr Ares Leung Kwok-ling and Professor Anna Wong Wai-kwan, for their contributions to the IA during their terms of office. 
 
     The membership list of the IA with effect from December 28, 2024, is as follows:
 
Chairman (who is an NED) (appointment for a term of three years)
————————————————————————–
Mr Stephen Yiu Kin-wah
 
Non-Executive Directors
————————— 
Appointment for a term of three years:
 
Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han
Professor Darwin Choi*
Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung*
Dr Fung Hong*
Mr Lam Wai-kong
Mr Terry Lo Kin-wing
Dr Derrick Pang Yat-bond
Mr Anson Wong Man-kit, SC
Mr Kenneth Wong Wing-yan
 
Appointment for a term of two years:
 
Dr Clement Chen Cheng-jen
Ms Agnes Choi Heung-kwan
Ms Theresa Ng Choi-yuk
 
Executive Directors
———————
Mr Clement Cheung Wan-ching
Mr Clement Lau Chung-kin
Mr Lee Moung-mo
Mr Marty Lui Yu-kwok
 
* New appointees read more

     â€‹Two property owners were convicted and fined over $220,000 in total at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts early this month for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

     The case involved five unauthorised structures, each with an area ranging from about 5.5 to 80 square metres, on the flat roofs of three units in a composite building at Tai Wing Lane, Tai Po. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), removal orders were served on the owners under section 24(1) of the BO.

     Failing to comply with the removal orders, the owners were prosecuted by the BD and were fined $222,920 in total, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on December 3. One owner holding two units was fined $153,280, of which $113,280 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, while the other owner holding one unit was fined $69,640, of which $56,640 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (December 20), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who have failed to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building safety.”

     Failing to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues. read more