The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (October 26) signed a co-operation agreement on Chinese medicine with Party Group Member of the National Health Commission cum Party Secretary and Vice Commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), Professor Yu Yanhong, to further promote the development of Chinese medicine in the two places.
 
     "The Food and Health Bureau and the NATCM signed a co-operation agreement on Chinese medicine in 2007 which was updated in 2013. Since then, there have been significant developments and new opportunities for Chinese medicine in the two places, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the development of the Bay Area and the development of the Chinese medicine hospital in Hong Kong. Today is an opportune time for us to renew the agreement, with a view to consolidating experience and enhancing co-operation in the field of Chinese medicine, and to further promoting the development of Chinese medicine in the two places," said Professor Chan.
 
     Under the agreement, the two parties will strengthen co-operation in areas such as the development of Chinese medicine hospital in Hong Kong, internationalisation and standardisation of Chinese medicine, the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. The two sides will also initiate exchanges on Chinese medicine services and Chinese medicine education, with the aim of strengthening co-operation in aspects such as the medical service mode, specialties development, and collaboration between Western and Chinese medicine, hospital management and tertiary education. The two sides will also initiate various types of Chinese medicine research and development collaboration and establish communication and training mechanisms on the information technology management of Chinese medicine services.
 
     To strengthen co-operation between the two places in promoting Chinese medicine and to support the nationwide "Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China" initiative launched by NATCM, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is launching a series of activities under the "Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China – Hong Kong Programme" from October 25 to December 31 to promote the knowledge and principles of Chinese medicine and its culture. The campaign also aims to enhance understanding of the history and curative effects of Chinese medicine among the general public.

          

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (October 26) that the Legislative Council has approved the Air Pollution Control (Fuel for Vessels) Regulation (the Regulation) (Cap 311AB). From January 1, 2019, all vessels except for specified vessel types as set out in the Regulation, are required to use compliant fuel within Hong Kong waters, irrespective of whether they are sailing or berthing.

     Compliant fuel required by the Regulation includes low-sulphur marine fuel with sulphur content not exceeding 0.5 per cent, liquefied natural gas or any other fuel approved by the Director of Environmental Protection. If a vessel uses emission reduction technology that can achieve the same or less emission of sulphur dioxide when compared with using low-sulphur marine fuel, it may be exempted from using compliant fuel.

     The spokesman added that from January 1, 2019, ocean-going vessels (OGVs) that are using heavy fuel oil (with an average sulphur content of 2.6 per cent) must switch to compliant fuel before entering Hong Kong waters. The Regulation also stipulates that for an OGV, the times when the vessel enters and exits the waters of Hong Kong, and the particulars about the fuel switch operations must be recorded in its log book; the written procedures for conducting fuel switch operations must be kept on board; and the ship log book and bunker delivery notes must be kept on board for a period of three years.

     "It is anticipated that implementing the Regulation will reduce the emissions of sulphur dioxide and respirable suspended particulates from OGVs by about 76 per cent and 71 per cent respectively in 2020 as compared with 2016 emission levels. This will help improve air quality and reduce health risks of the population. The implementation of the Regulation would also enhance regional collaboration with the Mainland on the establishment of a domestic marine emission control area in the Pearl River Delta," the spokesman said.

     The Government has been implementing the Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation (the Fuel at Berth Regulation) (Cap 311AA) since July 1, 2015, requiring OGVs to switch to compliant fuel while berthing in Hong Kong. Since the Regulation will cover the scope of control under the Fuel at Berth Regulation, the prevailing Fuel at Berth Regulation will be repealed upon the commencement of the Regulation on January 1 next year.

     When the Regulation comes into effect, the master and owner concerned of any vessel using non-compliant fuel within the waters of Hong Kong will be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for six months. Shipmasters and ship owners of OGVs who fail to record or keep the required particulars will also be liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for three months.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (October 26) invited tenders for Contracts for Procurement cum Management, Operation and Maintenance of New Generation of Parking Meter System (PMOM Contract). 
 
     Two PMOM contracts, covering urban areas (including Hong Kong Island and Kowloon) and the New Territories respectively, will be awarded by the TD. The duration of contracts will be 11 years (including one year for system development and 10 years for management, operation and maintenance services).
 
     The invitation to tender was gazetted today. Forms of tenders and further particulars can be obtained during office hours at the Transport Facilities Management Section of the TD at Room 1002, 10/F, Rumsey Street Multi-storey Carpark Building, 2 Rumsey Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Tender submissions should be placed in the Government Secretariat Tender Box situated at the Lobby of the Public Entrance on the Ground Floor of East Wing of the Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong before noon on December 21, 2018 (Friday).
 
     The new generation of parking meter system is one of the Smart Mobility initiatives set out in the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong. The new parking meters will support multiple payment means including remote payment through mobile applications, be equipped with vehicle sensors to detect whether a parking space is occupied, and provide real-time information to assist motorists in finding vacant parking spaces. The installation of the the new parking meters to replace the existing ones is expected to commence progressively from 2019/20.
 
     At present, some 9 800 parking meters accepting only Octopus cards for payment of parking fees are installed across the territory to control around 18 000 on-street parking spaces. These parking meters, which have been in use since 2003/04, will soon approach the end of their serviceable life and need to be replaced.

     The Government announced today (October 26) the appointment of Professor David Shum Ho-keung to the Hospital Authority (HA) for a term of two years with effect from November 1, 2018. 

     Professor Shum is a neuropsychologist. He took up the Deanship of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on July 23, 2018. 

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, welcomed Professor Shum to the HA. She also thanked the outgoing member, Professor Maurice Yap Keng-hung, for his contribution and advice to the HA over the years. 

     The HA comprises a Chairman, 23 non-official members, three public officers and one principal officer from the HA. The membership list with effect from November 1, 2018, is as follows:

Chairman:
Professor John Leong Chi-yan

Non-official Members:
Mr William Chan Fu-keung
Professor Francis Chan Ka-leung
Ms Anita Cheng Wai-ching 
Mr David Fong Man-hung 
Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung
Mr Lester Garson Huang
Dr Kam Pok-man
Mrs Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi
Mr Daniel Lam Chun
Mr Quinton Lam Chun-ki
Mr Franklin Lam Fan-keung
Ms Lisa Lau Man-man
Mr Stephen Lee Hoi-yin
Professor Diana Lee Tze-fan
Professor Gabriel Matthew Leung
Professor Raymond Liang Hin-suen
Dr Lo Wai-kwok
Professor David Shum Ho-keung 
Mr Ivan Sze Wing-hang
Mr Albert Wong Kwai-huen
Ms Priscilla Wong Pui-sze
Mr Jason Yeung Chi-wai 
Mr Charlie Yip Wing-tong

Public Officers:
Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Ms Elizabeth Tse
Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan
Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury), Ms Carol Yuen

HA Principal Officer:
Chief Executive, HA, Dr Leung Pak-yin

     The names of the five validly nominated candidates for the 2018 Legislative Council Kowloon West geographical constituency by-election were gazetted today (October 26). The order of appearance of names of candidates on the ballot papers, which was determined by drawing of lots, was also announced.
 
     The validly nominated candidates are as follows:
  
     No. 1　Ng Dick-hay
     No. 2　Tzeng Li-wen Judy
     No. 3　Lee Cheuk-yan
     No. 4　Fung Kin-kee Frederick
     No. 5　Chan Hoi-yan
 
     "The Legislative Council Kowloon West geographical constituency by-election will be held on November 25. A total of 73 ordinary polling stations and a maximum of 22 dedicated polling stations will be open on the polling day for 487 160 electors of the Kowloon West geographical constituency listed on the 2018 Final Register to cast their votes," a spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office said.
 
     The polling hours for the ordinary polling stations and the dedicated polling station set up at Cheung Sha Wan Police Station will be from 7.30am to 10.30pm. For the dedicated polling stations set up in penal institutions, for security reasons, the polling hours will be from 9am to 4pm.
 
     The gazette notices are available on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).