Four Japanese university students were selected as Hong Kong student ambassadors at the finals of the Hong Kong Cup All Japan University Student Ambassadors English Programme 2018-2019 held in Tokyo today (January 19).

     This was the 11th edition of the contest, organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and The Japan News, which aims to encourage university students in Japan to explore the dynamism and rich diversity of Hong Kong.

     About 140 students from universities across Japan participated in the first round of the contest, and 15 outstanding students were selected to present their thoughts on three themes at the finals today. The three themes were "Introducing a Hong Kong product/food/service/custom to Japan", "Joint school event or programme to promote cultural exchanges", and "Hong Kong tour program for Japanese university students".

     Kunihiro Kodoma of Ritsumeikan University emerged as the champion, with his presentation entitled "Collaboration of Culture in Hong Kong and Japan to Keep Health and Community".

     The other winners were Niina Nomura of Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Akino Shirane of Mukogawa Women's University and Aiko Yamashita of Hokkaido University.

     The four winners will serve as Hong Kong student ambassadors to promote a better understanding of Hong Kong among university students in Japan. They will go to Hong Kong this year for a familiarisation visit and attend a 10-day exchange programme at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. They will also be offered internships and invited to join various events related to Hong Kong held in Japan.

     The Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Shirley Yung, who was also one of the panel judges, said, "Through this programme, the ambassadors will be able to see Hong Kong at first hand, experience our university life and see what it is like working in a Hong Kong-related organisation."

     The programme is supported by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Cathay Pacific Airways; Dah Chong Hong (Japan) Ltd; the Hong Kong Tourism Board; the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; the Chinese University of Hong Kong; and the Japan Hong Kong Society.

     The panel of judges comprised Ms Yung; Professor Kenneth Pechter of Hosei University Business School; the Deputy Editor of The Japan News, Kenichi Okumura; and the Regional Director of Japan of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Kazunori Hori.

      

     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is holding open days at Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works today (January 19) and tomorrow (January 20). Under this year's theme, "30 Years of Groundwork, Embracing a New Age", the event features various activities such as thematic exhibitions and guided tours with the aim of enhancing public understanding of the department's development and efforts over the years, as well as the work done in combating and mitigating climate change.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony today (January 19), the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Edwin Tong, said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the DSD's establishment. The department is committed to providing professional sewage treatment and stormwater drainage services to the public.

     He said, "We adopted a three-pronged strategy in flood prevention i.e. stormwater interception at upstream, flood storage at mid-stream and drainage improvement at downstream, and eliminated 125 flooding blackspots over the years. There remain only six flooding blackspots in Hong Kong. In respect of sewage treatment, the largest sewage treatment infrastructure project, the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS), was completed in 2015. With the water quality of Victoria Harbour greatly improved, the Harbour Race was resumed in 2011 and in 2017 it followed its original race route of some 40 years ago.

     "Looking forward, the DSD not only has to tackle the challenges brought by climate change and continue to enhance the drainage facilities, but will also carry out pipe rehabilitation, river revitalisation and relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns to vacate land for more suitable purposes to cope with the overall development of Hong Kong."

     Along with the theme for this year the DSD introduced its "4Rs" at the open days. The first "R" stands for reviewing the achievements in flood prevention and sewage treatment of the DSD over 30 years, while the other three "R"s represent the iconic future projects of the department, namely river revitalisation, rehabilitation and relocation of Shatin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns.

     A prize presentation ceremony for the Manhole Cover Design Competition is also being held during the open days. With the theme of "4Rs", the competition received an overwhelming response with more than 1 400 designs received. All entries are on display to the public during the open days.

     The department continued to organise the Blue Green Ambassador Programme this year, with a view to deepening students' knowledge of the work of the DSD and the importance of environmental protection. Among the some 200 ambassadors recruited, 24 were selected as docents for the open days.

     Other highlights include stage performances, game booths, a kids fun area and a parent-child planting activity. Members of the public are welcome to join the wide range of entertaining and educational programmes. Admission to and activities at the open days are free of charge.

     Free shuttle bus services are provided at the following locations from 9.15am to 4pm at intervals of 10-15 minutes:

* Pick-up/drop-off area near MTR University Station Exit B bus terminus
* Pick-up/drop-off area at Pai Tau Street near MTR Sha Tin Station Exit B

     More information is available at the department's website (www.dsd.gov.hk).

        

      The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) handled 2 342 flights yesterday (January 18), setting a new single-day record.

     The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Simon Li, today (January 19) expressed his gratitude to the CAD staff for their dedication despite the heavy work pressure, providing quality service, and ensuring that aviation safety remains at its highest level.
    
     "In the past, record movements were usually set before or after long holidays and festive occasions, or after typhoons due to traffic backlogs. This time, a record was set even though there was no overnight operation of both runways yesterday, which attests to the strong demand for air traffic. The total number of aircraft movements handled by the CAD in 2018 increased by 7.1 per cent as compared with 2017. I would like to thank all air traffic control officers who discharge their duties faithfully round the clock. The CAD has been recruiting additional staff. On the other hand, we are exploring ways to increase the existing dual runway capacity progressively in order to cope with the increasing demand for air traffic before the completion of the three-runway system," he said.

     A total of 1 202 flight movements were handled at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The CAD also provided air traffic control services for 1 140 overflights, which do not take off or land at HKIA. In other words, the CAD handled 2 342 aircraft movements in a 24-hour period. The previous single-day record of 2 341 flight movements was recorded on August 24, 2017, after HKIA recovered from the impact of Super Typhoon Hato.

     The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (January 19) reported that the suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) involving a 66-year-old male patient which was pending results yesterday (January 18), upon preliminary testing, tested negative for MERS Coronavirus. 
 

     The latest test results of the opening-up investigation in the second stage of the holistic assessment strategy for the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project (as at January 18) are now available at the Highways Department's website for the SCL project (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/railway_projects/scl/index.html) for reference by the public.