Author Archives: hksar gov

     Police yesterday (December 20) held the Regional Traffic Day in Kowloon West to raise public awareness of road safety through stringent enforcement actions.      A total of 241 officers from Tra… read more

     Jointly organised by the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau, the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and Metro Radio, an anti-drug Christmas concert “Say No to Drugs Music Night” was held tonight (December 20). Through music, popular buskers, singers and bands, anti-drug messages and a drug-free lifestyle were promoted to young people, who were also reminded to stay vigilant and not to take drugs out of curiosity or peer influence while enjoying the festivities during Christmas and the New Year.

     A spokesman for ND said, “Busking has become very popular recently. Many young buskers have overcome numerous hurdles in pursuit of their interests and dreams, and they value every opportunity to present their musical talents. We sincerely appreciate their endeavours, and encourage young people inspired by buskers’ heartening stories to develop healthy hobbies and positive values for coping with stress and challenges in life, at school and at work.”

     Talented buskers including Judas Law, Rachel Lau, Monkey Music, Sunset or Rise and The Bright Lights, together with popular singers and band, Andy Leung, Hubert Wu, James Ng and ToNick, were invited to share their music and promote anti-drug messages at the concert. In addition to music performances, they also highlighted to the audience the harms of abusing cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine (commonly known as “Ice”), and offered tips on relieving stress, resisting drug temptations and seeking help. 
                                                                    
     Seven student buskers also joined the concert, including Gordon Ho and Kim Lai from the Lingnan University; William Chan, Cheung Shing-hin, Ivy Kwan, Andy Leung and Wan Hok-lai from the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. As youngsters, they encouraged their peers to overcome adversities with a positive attitude, develop and extend their talents for healthy interests, and bring more positive energy to themselves and friends.

     The “Say No to Drugs Music Night” concert was held at the Jockey Club Auditorium of Hong Kong Polytechnic University and was attended by over 700 young people from universities, tertiary institutions and secondary schools. The energetic atmosphere was enjoyed by both the performers and audience. Guests attending the event included the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity (PE&P SC), Dr Tik Chi-yuen; ACAN member Professor Cheung Yuet-wah; PE&P SC member Professor James Chan; and the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Manda Chan.

     Before tonight’s concert, the ND and ACAN in collaboration with Metro Radio jointly organised a series of anti-drug education and publicity events from October to December 2018, including buskers’ music tours to universities and tertiary institutions to disseminate anti-drug messages on campuses. Video highlights of the tours are available on the ND website. Popular singers as well as business and financial professionals also recorded radio segments appealing to members of the public to clearly understand the harms of drug abuse. The segments were aired on both Metro Info and Metro Finance. 

     The spokesman said, “Taking drugs will not solve any problem. Anyone who suspects that his or her family members or friends may have drug problems can seek help from professional social workers through ND’s 24-hour hotline 186 186, or by sending messages to 98 186 186 by WhatsApp or WeChat.”

        

     Jointly organised by the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau, the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and Metro Radio, an anti-drug Christmas concert “Say No to Drugs Music Night” was held tonight (December 20). Through music, popular buskers, singers and bands, anti-drug messages and a drug-free lifestyle were promoted to young people, who were also reminded to stay vigilant and not to take drugs out of curiosity or peer influence while enjoying the festivities during Christmas and the New Year.

     A spokesman for ND said, “Busking has become very popular recently. Many young buskers have overcome numerous hurdles in pursuit of their interests and dreams, and they value every opportunity to present their musical talents. We sincerely appreciate their endeavours, and encourage young people inspired by buskers’ heartening stories to develop healthy hobbies and positive values for coping with stress and challenges in life, at school and at work.”

     Talented buskers including Judas Law, Rachel Lau, Monkey Music, Sunset or Rise and The Bright Lights, together with popular singers and band, Andy Leung, Hubert Wu, James Ng and ToNick, were invited to share their music and promote anti-drug messages at the concert. In addition to music performances, they also highlighted to the audience the harms of abusing cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine (commonly known as “Ice”), and offered tips on relieving stress, resisting drug temptations and seeking help. 
                                                                    
     Seven student buskers also joined the concert, including Gordon Ho and Kim Lai from the Lingnan University; William Chan, Cheung Shing-hin, Ivy Kwan, Andy Leung and Wan Hok-lai from the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. As youngsters, they encouraged their peers to overcome adversities with a positive attitude, develop and extend their talents for healthy interests, and bring more positive energy to themselves and friends.

     The “Say No to Drugs Music Night” concert was held at the Jockey Club Auditorium of Hong Kong Polytechnic University and was attended by over 700 young people from universities, tertiary institutions and secondary schools. The energetic atmosphere was enjoyed by both the performers and audience. Guests attending the event included the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity (PE&P SC), Dr Tik Chi-yuen; ACAN member Professor Cheung Yuet-wah; PE&P SC member Professor James Chan; and the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Manda Chan.

     Before tonight’s concert, the ND and ACAN in collaboration with Metro Radio jointly organised a series of anti-drug education and publicity events from October to December 2018, including buskers’ music tours to universities and tertiary institutions to disseminate anti-drug messages on campuses. Video highlights of the tours are available on the ND website. Popular singers as well as business and financial professionals also recorded radio segments appealing to members of the public to clearly understand the harms of drug abuse. The segments were aired on both Metro Info and Metro Finance. 

     The spokesman said, “Taking drugs will not solve any problem. Anyone who suspects that his or her family members or friends may have drug problems can seek help from professional social workers through ND’s 24-hour hotline 186 186, or by sending messages to 98 186 186 by WhatsApp or WeChat.”

        

     In the light of the latest development of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak, the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (December 20) convened an interdepartmental meeting again to listen to reports of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on the latest situation, and review the preparatory work and contingency strategies in place that guard against the spreading of ASF to Hong Kong, with a view to ensuring swift and effective response in different scenarios.

     “ASF is a contagious disease in pigs which will not be transmitted to human, posing no food safety risk.  Well-cooked pork and pork products are safe for consumption.  Since the first ASF case on the Mainland in August this year, we have already implemented a number of preventive measures. So far, there has been no ASF case in Hong Kong and in Mainland registered farms for supplying live pigs to Hong Kong. Nevertheless, we do not take the issue lightly, and have already stepped up the biosecurity work in various areas, including local pig farms, slaughterhouses and boundary checkpoints. We will take further measures having regard to the latest development,” Professor Chan said.

     “Regarding the concern of the public and the trade about live pig supply, the recent supply of live pigs from the Mainland has remained rather steady, both in terms of quantity and auction price, with no extraordinary fluctuation. We have all along been keeping close liaison with the relevant Mainland authorities to maintain steady supply of live pigs, and ensure that all live pigs come from qualified registered pig farms for supplying Hong Kong that are not affected by ASF.

     “Although ASF does not involve any food safety issue, due to the need to prevent this disease from infecting local pig farms, pigs being tested to be ASF-borne or coming from ASF-infected registered farms will be culled and not released to the market. We appeal to the public not to buy pork with unknown sources. Pork has to be thoroughly cooked before consumption.” she said.

     As ASF could cause massive infection and death in pigs within a short period of time, to prevent ASF from infecting Hong Kong and severely impacting the local pig rearing sector, FEHD and AFCD have put in place a suite of measures to enhance the preventive work in different areas, such as cleansing and disinfection of vehicles and personnel entering and leaving the slaughterhouses and pig farms. FEHD staff will inspect the health certificates of all live pig consignments from the Mainland and monitor the health status of live pigs at the boundary checkpoints. All imported and local pigs have to undergo ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections in slaughterhouses before supplying to the market. If suspected symptoms are detected in pigs, samples will be taken and immediately sent to AFCD’s laboratory for rapid tests. Furthermore, FEHD and the relevant government departments will strengthen co-operation to crack down illegal importation of fresh meat.

     AFCD will continue to raise local pig farmers’ knowledge of preventing ASF through various channels, such as organising meetings and seminars with the trade. At present, all local pig farms have already suspended the importation of breeders from the Mainland. AFCD has amended the licence conditions for livestock keeping to ban the use of swill of animal origin as pig feed effective from January 12, 2019 to minimise the risk of contracting ASF. AFCD inspects all local pig farms frequently to ensure that the preventive measures are properly implemented.

     Moreover, the Food and Health Bureau, FEHD and AFCD met with representatives from the trade several times in the past few months to inform them of the development of the outbreak and actions being taken by the Government, and take heed of their views. The Government will continue to maintain close communication with the trade.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (December 20) that Green Form (GF) applicants who intend to purchase flats in Lai Tsui Court, Cheung Sha Wan, under the Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Flats 2018 (GSH 2018), may submit applications from December 28, 2018 to January 10, 2019. Application forms will be available from tomorrow (December 21).
 
     A total of 2 545 flats located at Blocks 1 to 4 of Lai Tsui Court at Lai Chi Kok Road of Cheung Sha Wan will be offered for pre-sale under GSH 2018. The saleable areas range from about 17.1 square metres to about 42 square metres. By applying a discount of 58 per cent to assessed market values, the average selling price is $67,200 per square metre (or $6,243 per square foot) of saleable area. The selling price of the flats ranges from $932,500 to $3,062,100.
 
     A new sales office (GSH Sales Unit) has been set up in Kwun Tong to handle applications and sales arrangements for GSH flats. GSH project information, building models and doll houses will be displayed there from 8am to 7pm every day from tomorrow to January 10, 2019 for inspection by the public.
 
     The GSH Sales Unit is located at 1/F, Pioneer Place, 33 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon (near Kwun Tong MTR Station Exit B3). It is also accessible by various bus lines at Hoi Yuen Road and Kwun Tong Ferry Pier Bus Terminal (opposite to Pioneer Place) (See attached location map of the GSH Sales Unit).
 
     Application forms and guides together with sales booklets will be available for public collection at the GSH Sales Unit from tomorrow to January 10, 2019. Apart from the GSH Sales Unit, these documents can also be obtained during office hours from the HOS Sales Unit at the HA Customer Service Centre (HACSC) at Lok Fu, the estate offices and District Tenancy Management Offices of the HA, rental estate offices of the Hong Kong Housing Society, the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department and the Sham Shui Po Housing Information Centre. Soft copies of the sales booklet will be uploaded to the designated website of the HA while the application form and application guide will be available at HA/ Housing Department’s website (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/gsh/2018) for viewing and downloading.
 
     A spokesman for the HA said, “To streamline application procedures, applicants with valid GF applications under the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2018 (HOS 2018) will not need to submit separate applications nor pay the application fee for GSH 2018, provided that they still meet the eligibility criteria for GSH 2018. Valid GF applicants of HOS 2018 will be notified of this new arrangement.
 
     “However, those HOS 2018 GF applicants who wish to change their family composition for their GSH 2018 applications have to submit new applications upon payment of the application fee of $240, including those who want to change the applicants or join the ‘Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members’ in GSH 2018 but have not done so in their HOS 2018 applications even they are eligible.
 
     “The closing time for receiving applications at the GSH Sales Unit is 7pm on January 10. The HOS Sales Unit at the HACSC at Lok Fu will no longer accept GSH applications. Applications submitted before or after the application period will not be accepted.
 
     “Balloting is expected to be held in February 2019. Eligible applicants are anticipated to be invited for flat selection starting from March 2019 according to their priority order,” the spokesman said.
 
     The sales brochure covering full details and the price list for Lai Tsui Court will be made available for public collection at the GSH Sales Unit seven days before the commencement of flat selection. Soft copies of these documents will also be uploaded to the designated website.
 
     For enquiries on matters concerning application for the purchase of GSH flats, please call the HA’s 24-hour Hotline 2712 8000.