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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal pollution levels. At 4pm today (November 12), the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at a general station reached 10+, corresponding to the “Serious” health risk category.

     The weather in Hong Kong today is sunny with light winds. Hong Kong is being affected by an air mass with higher background pollutants, especially in ozone, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. In addition, the light wind hinders effective dispersion of air pollutants. The sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity and the formation of ozone and fine particulates, resulting in high pollution in the Pearl River Delta region. The high level of ozone has promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide, particularly in parts of the urban areas and at the roadside.
 
     According to the Hong Kong Observatory, winds will strengthen from the east with one or two rain patches over the region in the middle and latter parts of this week. It is expected that pollution levels will remain higher than normal until the wind strengthens over the region.
 
     With a health risk category in the “Very High” range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public are advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
 
     The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB’s website for appropriate measures to safeguard students’ health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows:
www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.

     When the AQHI is at the “Very High” level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the “Serious” level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
 
     Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD’s website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541. read more

     The Multi-stakeholder Exchange Forum for Public Transport Sector, jointly organised by the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Transport Department, was held today (November 12) for different representatives from the public transport sector, academics and experts to exchange views on how best to rationalise the respective roles of public transport modes to improve Hong Kong’s public transport ecosystem.

     The Forum was attended by around 100 guests representing stakeholders of the public transport sector including operators of railways, franchised buses, public light buses, non-franchised buses, taxis, trams and ferries.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, said in his opening remarks that over 12 million passengers trips are made on public transport services in Hong Kong every day, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the total daily passenger trips, which is the highest level in the world. The Government has been adopting a public transport-oriented policy with railways as the backbone for years, and has been actively developing different public transport services to provide the public with more choices for added convenience.

     Mr Chan said that, at present, different public transport services have their respective roles and positioning having regard to their efficiency and functions. They can effectively perform their functions and complement each other in healthy competition. He spoke on the Government’s vision to continue developing different public transport services in the future, and outlined a number of new initiatives for enhancing public transport services and alleviating road traffic congestion in order to increase the efficiency of public transport services. 

     Mr Chan also described different future challenges faced by the public transport services, which include increasing demand for barrier-free transport, public concerns about the impact of road traffic on air quality, effective application of technology and opening up of data to enhance the quality and efficiency of the public transport services. He said he hoped that through the concerted efforts of all, the quality of public transport services and the public transport ecosystem could be further enhanced and improved to meet the new challenges.

     Three guest speakers, namely the Deputy Director (Administration and Resources) and Head of the Centre for Logistics and Transport of the School of Professional and Continuing Education at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Dr Dorothy Chan; the Associate Dean (Development and External Relations) of the Faculty of Engineering and Chair Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering of HKU, Professor Wong Sze-chun; and the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Mr Peter Yan, were invited to the Forum to share their experiences and suggestions on three topics of concern to the public. These topics were “Promoting ‘Transport for All'”, “Promoting environmentally friendly public transport services” and “Using technology and opening up data for public transport services”.

     In the second half of the Forum, representatives of stakeholders of different public transport sectors exchanged views on “How the public transport operators can capitalise on the strengths of their established roles and positioning in the public transport system to meet the new challenges”. The participants expressed their views enthusiastically and shared their experiences and suggestions.

     The Commissioner for Transport, Ms Mable Chan, thanked all the participants and guests in her closing remarks for their innovative suggestions to improve the quality and operating environment of public transport services, which could maintain healthy competition and sustainable development among public transport modes. She indicated that with the extensive deliberations and joint efforts, the public could enjoy more efficient, environmentally friendly public transport services with higher service levels.
 

      

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, today (November 12) visited the Government Flying Service (GFS) to meet with its management and staff of various grades and learn more about their work.

     Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Thomas Chow, Mr Law first met with the Controller of the GFS, Captain Michael Chan, and the directorate staff to get an update on the department’s work in search, rescue and aviation support services and their challenges.
 
     He then visited the Hangar and was briefed by colleagues on the aircraft and mission equipment used in operations. He also watched a demonstration of the role change on helicopters to meet operational needs. 

     Mr Law was also shown the H-175 Guépard Helicopter newly procured by the GFS. He said he was pleased to learn that with enhanced capacity and advanced equipment, the new helicopter, which has gradually come into service, will assist colleagues in discharging their duties more effectively.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Law met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on matters of concern. He encouraged them to continue to provide professional and quality aviation support services to members of the public. read more

     President Xi Jinping and the Vice Premier of the State Council, Mr Han Zheng, met the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Hong Kong delegation led by her in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up of the country in Beijing today (November 12).
 
     In the morning, President Xi met Mrs Lam; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; and other members of the delegation at the Great Hall of the People and delivered an important address.
 
     In her speech, Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to President Xi for meeting the delegation and for his concern and support for Hong Kong and the importance he attached to the city. She said that the delegation comprised members of various sectors of the community who had leveraged their own strengths to meet the country’s needs during the past 40 years, contributing to the reform and opening up and at the same time bringing benefits to themselves. She said that as the doors of the country’s reform and opening up will be opened wider and wider, Hong Kong’s role as the gateway and the hub connecting to the world will become even more prominent and the city’s advantages under “one country, two systems” will be even more notable. Hong Kong should proactively participate in the country’s overall development and seek opportunities for more development and advancement through the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, she said.
 
     Mrs Lam and members of the delegation then attended a lunch hosted by Mr Han. They concluded the visit in the afternoon and returned to Hong Kong.

          

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The Hospital Authority (HA) today (November 12) submitted to the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) the renewal applications of five non-locally trained doctors f… read more