Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is a question by the Hon Charles Mok and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, in the Legislative Council today (November 28):
 
Question:
 
     In February this year, the Financial Secretary indicated that the Government would allocate additional resources to support the development of the e-sports industry. It is learnt that the e-sports sector has a keen demand for training spaces and event venues (collectively known as e-sports venues). Some members of the e-sports sector have pointed out that the existing laws that are related to e-sports venues include the Amusement Game Centres Ordinance (Cap. 435) and the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance (Cap. 172). They consider that some of the provisions under Cap. 435 (which was enacted in as early as 1993) are outdated, and such provisions, when applied to regulate e-sports venues, are too stringent and not conducive to the development of the e-sports industry. They have further pointed out that the Government has neither set up a licensing system specifically for e-sports venues, nor clarified whether e-sports venues are required to be issued with licenses issued under the aforesaid ordinances, thus hindering the development of the e-sports industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective numbers of applications for a licence for amusement game centre received, approved and rejected by the authorities in the past three years;
 
(2) whether it will draw reference from the experience of regulating Internet centres (commonly known as “cyber cafes”) and formulate a Code of Practice for E-Sports Venues Operators for voluntary compliance by the operators, and then gradually bring e-sports venues within the ambit of Cap. 435 by express provisions; if so, of the timetable; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) whether the government departments concerned will enhance their communication with the e-sports sector regarding the licensing issues under Cap. 435 and conduct public consultation, with a view to examining the formulation of a set of guidelines on applying for a licence for e-sports venues, thereby enhancing the fire and structural safety standards of e-sports venues and alleviating their impacts on residents in the neighbourhood; if so, of the timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) given the advancement in technology and changes in social conditions, whether the authorities will conduct a comprehensive review of Cap. 435 and Cap. 172, and enact provisions (including the licensing conditions) for regulating entertainment facilities involving the use of new technologies (e.g. virtual reality gears)?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     With regard to the four-part question, having consulted the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB), our reply is as follows:
 
(1) In the past three years (2015 to 2017), the Office of the Licensing Authority under the Home Affairs Department received a total of 25 applications for Amusement Game Centre Licence. Among these applications, 11 were withdrawn by the applicants, nine were approved, four were rejected and one is still under processing as the applicant has not completed the required improvement works.
 
(2) and (3) E-sports is a relatively new industry. Unlike Internet Computer Services Centres which charge a fee for the primary service of providing computers and relevant facilities for customers to access the Internet, e-sports venues operate in various modes and cover an array of different activities. In addition, the operation of e-sports venues and hosting of competitions involve different licences to ensure safety of the persons participating in e-sports competitions and activities. To give operators a better understanding of the scope and requirements of the relevant licences (such as the requirements on fire safety, structural safety, number of participants and hygiene etc), the Innovation and Technology Bureau (ITB) is in conjunction with the HAB and related government departments formulating a set of guidelines for e-sports venues to help operators understand and apply for the required licences. We plan to issue the guidelines in the first quarter of 2019. In finalising these guidelines, we will consult relevant stakeholders.
 
(4) The Amusement Game Centres Ordinance (Cap. 435) (AGCO) aims to regulate the operation of amusement game centres to ensure these centres are operated properly in order to protect the well-being of customers and to minimise their impact on nearby residents. The Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance (Cap. 172) (PPEO) serves the primary purpose of ensuring public safety and order at places of entertainment where members of the public congregate. Whether the operation of places with entertainment facilities installed requires a licence under the AGCO or the PPEO depends on various factors, including the purpose of operating the facilities, the types of the concerned activities and the operation mode of venues, etc.
 
     As for whether it is necessary to amend the regulations relating to public safety and order stipulated in the above Ordinances to tie in with the Government’s policies to promote the development of emerging technologies and industries, the ITB will maintain communication with the HAB and follow up as appropriate. read more

     The Report of the Director of Audit on the Accounts of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the year ended March 31, 2018 and Report No. 71 of the Director of Audit on the results of value for money audits were tabled in the Legislative Council this morning (November 28).
 
     The Report on the Government Accounts provides an overall assurance that the financial statements properly present the assets and liabilities of the Government as at March 31, 2018 and the receipts and payments for the year that ended on that date.
 
     Value for money audit is an examination into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which any bureau of the Government Secretariat, department, agency or other public body has discharged its functions. Report No. 71 of the Director of Audit covers a variety of subjects on the administration of government programmes and provision of public services.
 
     Report No. 71 comprises the following 10 chapters:
 

Chapter	Subject
1	Centre for Food Safety: Management of food safety
2	Centre for Food Safety: Import control of foods
3	Procurement of operational equipment by the Hong Kong Police Force
4	Management of signboards by the Buildings Department
5	Radio Television Hong Kong: Provision of programmes
6	Barrier-free facilities at government premises
7	Education Bureau’s efforts in harnessing information technology to facilitate learning and teaching
8	Trade and Industry Department’s work in supporting small and medium enterprises
9	Training and development work of the Civil Service Training and Development Institute
10	Hong Kong Velodrome and Hong Kong Velodrome Park

 
     The Report of the Director of Audit on the Accounts of the Government for the year ended March 31, 2018 and Report No. 71 on the results of value for money audits are available on the Audit Commission’s website at www.aud.gov.hk. read more

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (November 28). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen’s Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen’s Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen’s Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen’s Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen’s Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 28) that due to bi… read more

     The Department of Health (DH) today (November 27) was informed by a licensed drug wholesaler, Sanofi-Aventis Hong Kong Limited (Sanofi), that it has decided to take a precautionary measure to suspend the market supply of a batch of quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccines (SIVs) (box label: R3J721V; syringe label: R3J72) and arrange to dispatch a new batch of quadrivalent SIVs to local private healthcare facilities as soon as possible.

     According to the information provided by Sanofi, around 175 000 doses of the affected batch of SIVs have been imported to Hong Kong and part of the batch has been distributed to the DH, the Hospital Authority and healthcare facilities. Based on the DH’s preliminary statistics, there are around 100 000 doses of unused vaccines in Hong Kong. Sanofi has committed to contact relevant organisations and arrange to dispatch a new batch of vaccines as soon as possible.

     “The DH has immediately suspended the use of the affected vaccines. The DH’s services, including the Elderly Health Centres, will suspend seasonal influenza vaccination service until the supplier dispatched a new batch of SIVs. On the other hand, the School Outreach Vaccination Pilot Programme under the DH is not affected by the incident as SIVs used under the pilot programme are supplied by another company,” a spokesman for the DH said.

     The DH also reminded residential care home operators and visiting doctors to pay attention on whether they have procured the affected quadrivalent SIVs. If they have, they should suspend the use of such vaccines and contact Sanofi for relevant arrangements.

     “The DH will be in touch with the Hospital Authority and relevant healthcare facilities. We will also closely monitor the relevant arrangements and keep in close contact with Sanofi. So far, the DH has not received any adverse reports in connection with the affected batch of SIVs. Members of the public are advised to consult healthcare professionals if they feel unwell after receiving seasonal influenza vaccination,” the spokesman said.

     According to the record of Sanofi, more than 20 million doses of quadrivalent SIVs have been supplied around the world in the current influenza season. So far, it has not received any report about the safety of vaccines being affected.

     According to Sanofi, samples of the concerned batch of quadrivalent SIVs were found to contain white particles by Taiwan authority. The company said that it has not received any report regarding the presence of white particles in the same batch of SIVs currently supplied to Hong Kong, and that there is so far no evidence showing that the quality, safety or efficacy of the SIVs supplied to Hong Kong have been affected, or that safety risk is imposed to those receiving the vaccines.

     The DH has requested Sanofi to submit a full investigation report regarding the presence of white particles in the affected batch of SIVs. The DH has also asked Sanofi and another supplier providing quadrivalent SIVs to Hong Kong to import additional quantities of vaccines to meet the local demand. read more