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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 1) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
The Hunan Liaison Unit (HNLU) of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan (WHETO) and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) in Hunan jointly held the "2019 Forum between the Hunan Provincial Government and Representatives of Hong Kong Enterprises" on February 26 in Changsha, providing an opportunity for Hong Kong enterprises in Hunan and government departments to communicate directly and discuss issues relating to the business environment in Hunan, as well as to find new development opportunities. The Director of WHETO, Mr Vincent Fung; the Vice Governor of Hunan Province, Mr He Baoxiang; the Director of the HKMAO in Hunan, Mr Xu Zhengxian, and around 20 representatives from various provincial/municipal departments including the Development and Reform Commission of Hunan Province, the China Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department, the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, the Hunan Local Taxation Bureau, the Administration for Market Regulation of Hunan Province, the Changsha Customs and the HKMAO of Changsha Municipal People’s Government attended the Forum.
This marked the third consecutive year that the Forum had been held. This year, 20 representatives from major Hong Kong-funded enterprises and chambers of commerce attended the Forum and exchanged views on the above issues with officials from various government departments.
The same evening, the HNLU, the HKMAO in Hunan and the Changsha Municipal People's Government jointly held the "Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of China’s Reform and Opening Up cum Hunan-Hong Kong Spring Reception", which was attended by some 300 Hong Kong people working, living and studying in Hunan, as well as other guests.
Today (February 28) in Wuhan, the WHETO, the Representative Office in Wuhan of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China – Wuhan (HKCCC-WH) jointly held the "Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of China's Reform and Opening Up cum Spring Reception for Hong Kong Residents in Hubei Province 2019". Around 200 guests including Mr Fung; the Deputy Director General of the HKMAO in Hubei, Mr Zhang Lianghua; the Deputy Director General of the HKMAO in Wuhan, Mr Yu Feng; the President of the HKCCC-WH, Mr Tse Chun-ming; the Central China Director of the HKTDC, Mr Zhou Yilei, and Hong Kong people doing business, working and studying in Hubei attended the event.
Speaking at the event, Mr Fung, said that the year 2018/19 had special meaning as it marked the 40th anniversary China's reform and opening up; also the Central Government introduced various facilitation measures for Hong Kong people, such as eligible Hong Kong people residing in the Mainland can now apply for a Home Residence Permit; and it is also a fruitful year for infrastructural development in Hong Kong, such as the opening of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Looking forward, he said that there is further good news for Hong Kong such as the gradual development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the 2019-20 Budget initiatives which will benefit the public. The WHETO will continue to participate in and organise various activities to deepen exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Hubei, he added.
During the receptions in Changsha and Wuhan, Mr Fung, spoke with representatives of the respective provincial and municipal governments of Hunan and Hubei. He also talked with Hong Kong people who live, study and operate businesses in Hunan and Hubei to learn more about their experiences there and the latest developments in these provinces.
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene conducted a visit to the proposed site for the Agricultural Park (Agri-Park) in Kwu Tung South today (February 28) to better understand the project scope and nature.
Members were first briefed by government representatives and learnt that the 80-hectare Agri-Park, which will be managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), aims to help nurture agro-technology and knowledge on modern farm management through leasing farmland and providing associated agricultural facilities for farmers to conduct commercial farming. Most of the Agri-Park area will be for agricultural activities, while the remaining part will be used for building infrastructural facilities and roads for supporting the Agri-Park.
Accompanied by the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, as well as representatives of AFCD, the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Lands Department, Members visited the active and fallow farmland in Tsiu Keng, which is situated in the project area, and took the opportunity to exchange views with farmers on the development of the Agri-Park. Members also visited and observed the structures affected by the project, the site for the proposed temporary lodging facilities as well as the proposed site for organic farming. Members were then briefed on the proposed alignment of roads.
Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Panel, Dr Kwok Ka-ki ; Panel Members Mr Steven Ho, Mr Eddie Chu and Mr Shiu Ka-chun.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) held a reception in Medan, Indonesia on February 26 (Medan time) and Surabaya, Indonesia tonight (February 28, Surabaya time), to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Indonesian business and legal circles, as well as the local communities.
Speaking at the events, the Director-General of HKETO Jakarta, Mr Law Kin-wai, said that the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development present huge potential for Indonesia and Hong Kong to build closer relations, particularly on trade, investment and professional services. The connectivity between Hong Kong and various Indonesian cities is now much enhanced, he said, quoting the example of the new direct flights between Hong Kong and Medan since late last year. He also said he was delighted that the Indonesian Government will soon ratify the Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which covers trade in goods and services, investment, economic and technical co-operation, and dispute settlement mechanisms, bringing the co-operation between the two places to a new level.
The Chinese Consul General in Surabaya, Mr Gu Jingqi; the Director, Indonesia of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Leung Kwan-ho; Advisory Council of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (East Java), Mr Soedomo Mergonoto; and over 60 distinguished guests also attended the event in Surabaya to celebrate this traditional festival.
The events were jointly organised by HKETO Jakarta, Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority Board (HA) Administrative and Operational Meeting discussed the Government Budget 2019-20 today (February 28). The HA Board welcomed the government's increased financial provision to HA as well as the additional resources allocated for staff retention measures. Among the $68.8 billion recurrent financial provision, $720 million will be utililised in various staff retention measures.
"We are thankful to the Government for helping us retain staff. HA will utilise this additional funding prudently. We have already formulated various staff retention measures. The measures will be implemented after the required funding process is completed," the HA Chairman, Professor John Leong said.
HA proposed the staff retention measures as follows:
"We propose to implement the measures as early as practicable after the Legislative Council Finance Committee has approved the required funding. The HA Board also approved in principle effecting enhancements on supporting staff's salary and doctors' FRH from April 1 this year," HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin said.
HA Board approved the abovementioned staff retention measures in principle. Detailed implementation plans will be deliberated by respective functional committees.
Apart from staff retention measures, the Government also allocated additional funding to support HA to further enhancing Special Honorarium Scheme in the coming service surge period.
Professor Leong expressed gratitude to all staff again for their commitment to serve patients, amid the manpower shortfall.