The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, chaired the fourth meeting of the Human Resources Planning Commission this afternoon (November 23).  
 
     At the meeting, the Commission agreed to put in place a new one-stop portal on manpower information to integrate data and information on major industries, key occupations and relevant training courses from the Government and other organisations to help people with diverse needs to access comprehensive information when making plans for their career, education and training pathways, and development trajectories. The Commission will work closely with the relevant stakeholders to gather and co-ordinate relevant information for publication through the portal.
 
     Mr Cheung said, “The proposed portal will be the first of its kind in Hong Kong that amalgamates information and data pertaining to human resources planning from different sources so as to provide a single platform that significantly enhances user experience and information accessibility.”
      
       Members were also briefed on the latest developments and adoption of technology as well as its potential to improve existing business models and public services. As technological development has created more industries and employment opportunities, Members noted that the Government has implemented a number of measures to strengthen manpower training and attract outside talents to ensure that there is adequate manpower to harness such opportunities. On the other hand, the Government has been promoting the adoption of technology in the community with a view to boosting productivity and alleviating the pressure of a potentially dwindling labour force on economic growth. At the meeting, Members discussed ways to enhance manpower development in Hong Kong and how best to equip the local labour force with the necessary skills to excel in an increasingly technology-oriented economic environment.
   
      Members further took note of the results of the IMD World Talent Ranking 2018 released by the International Institute for Management Development. The Ranking assessed the performance of 63 economies in developing, attracting and retaining highly skilled professionals, with Hong Kong ranked second in Asia and 18th globally. It also re-affirmed Hong Kong’s strengths in attracting outside talents. Members recognised that the current-term Government has been increasing the investment in education to nurture more local talents to support the long-term development of Hong Kong. The Government will continue to implement different measures to enhance the human capital of Hong Kong.
 

     The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, visited Yuen Long District today (November 23) to meet with young people in two schools and District Council members.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Yuen Long District Council, Mr Shum Ho-kit, and the District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Enoch Yuen, Ms Cheng visited Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College in Tin Shui Wai. She was briefed by staff and students on the school's operation and the developments in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education.

     She chatted with students and saw their creative works on animation production and a range of science-related topics, and encouraged them to continue to pursue STEAM activities to equip themselves with technology literacy and problem-solving skills to meet the challenges ahead.

     Ms Cheng then called at Yuen Long Long Ping Estate Tung Koon Primary School and received a briefing by staff of the Police Community Relations Office of the Yuen Long District on "Project HIMALAYA". The project is being carried out in schools in the district to raise the interest of non-ethnic Chinese Junior Police Call members in joining the Police Force. Weekly Chinese classes are offered to enhance members' Chinese language proficiency. Police volunteers also share their skills and experiences of joining the Force through a Mentorship Programme to boost the members' confidence. Some students shared their experiences and thoughts on the project with Ms Cheng during the visit.

     Before concluding her visit, Ms Cheng met with members of the Yuen Long District Council and exchanged views on issues of concern.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     Legislative Council Members conducted a site visit to Tai Hang Sai Estate in Shek Kip Mei today (November 23) to follow up on a case about the redevelopment of Tai Hang Sai Estate.
 
     Tai Hang Sai Estate is a private rental housing estate. It is constructed and managed by the Hong Kong Settlers Housing Corporation Limited (HKSHCL), which is a non-profit-making organisation. The HKSHCL plans to redevelop the estate in phases.
 
     Accompanied by representatives of the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Planning Department, the Lands Department as well as HKSHCL, Members visited the tenants to better understand their needs and the impacts of the redevelopment on them. Members also visited a vacant unit in the estate to learn more about the condition of the unit.
 
     Members who participated in the visit were Mr James To (Convenor), Dr Priscilla Leung, Dr Fernando Cheung, Dr Helena Wong, Mr Andrew Wan and Mr Vincent Cheng.

    

     In view of the latest situation in Turkey, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (November 23) adjusted the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Ankara and Istanbul in Turkey from Red to Amber.

     A Government spokesman said, "Residents who plan to visit Turkey including Ankara and Istanbul or are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid travelling to places with large gatherings of people and pay attention to announcements by local authorities. Hong Kong residents should avoid non-essential travel to the southeastern provinces of Batman, Bingol, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Hatay, Kilis, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sirnak, Tunceli and Van."

     The Security Bureau will closely monitor the situation there. Any update will be issued through the media, the bureau's Mobile App and OTA webpage: www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota.

     Residents who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department (ImmD) at (852) 1868 or contact the Chinese Embassy in Turkey at consular protection hotline (90) 5388215530.

     Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the ImmD to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, on a timely basis when necessary.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its committees will hold 14 open meetings and one closed meeting during the week from November 26 to 30 in the LegCo Complex. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees. Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.