The Director of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Mr Shun Chi-ming, attended the Second China-ASEAN Meteorological Forum held in Nanning yesterday (September 12). Mr Shun delivered a keynote presentation on the launch of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Multi-hazard Alert System for Asia (GMAS-A), jointly developed by the HKO and the China Meteorological Administration, at the forum. On behalf of the HKO, he also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) respectively with the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration (VNMHA) and the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) of Myanmar.

     Speaking at the forum, Mr Shun said the GMAS-A (gmas.asia/) is a regional online platform for aggregating weather warnings issued by official weather service organisations in the Asian region to support WMO members in natural disaster prevention and response, and alert the public, travellers and the media to take precautionary measures. The platform also provides weather advisory products and a discussion forum to strengthen co-ordination between WMO members in handling cross-boundary weather events.

     On the sidelines of the forum, Mr Shun signed an MoU with the Acting Administrator of the VNMHA, Mr Tran Hong Thai, and an MoC with the Director General of the DMH of Myanmar, Dr Kyaw Moe Oo, to strengthen meteorological collaboration on various aspects including meteorological observations, data exchange, forecasting techniques, service delivery and training.
 
     The Second China-ASEAN Meteorological Forum, held on September 12 and 13, was attended by high-level representatives from meteorological and hydrological services of the Mainland of China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Macao. They discussed regional meteorological co-operation, including meteorological instruments and observations, meteorological disaster preparedness and risk management, aviation meteorological services, climate services, research, training and education.

        

     The Lands Department announced today (September 13) that in respect of the tender for the site New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6593 at Ko Chiu Road, Yau Tong, Kowloon, which was awarded on August 15 to the successful tenderer, Ace Alliance Development Limited, on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $3,300 million, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows:

(1) $3,288,888,888
(2) $3,282,000,000
(3) $2,640,000,000
(4) $2,588,000,000
(5) $2,250,000,000
(6) $2,085,238,000
(7) $1,978,000,000
(8) $1,800,000,000
(9) $1,180,000,000

     The information disclosed in this press release is for information only.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tsim Sha Tsui today (September 13) in which a 70-year-old woman died.

     At about 8.15am, a bus and a taxi driven by a 52-year-old man and a 68-year-old man respectively were travelling along Nathan Road southbound. When approaching near the junction of Nathan Road and Mody Road, the two vehicles reportedly collided.

     The 70-year-old female bus passenger was found collapsed without superficial injury inside the bus compartment and rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in unconscious state. She was certified dead at 8.49am. The bus driver, the taxi driver and two other female bus passengers, aged 48 and 56 respectively, sustained minor injuries and were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in conscious state.

     The 68-year-old taxi driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for further enquiries.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon West is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 9000 or 3661 9058.

     Forty-four convictions were recorded in August 2018 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
 
     Six of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, six were under the Noise Control Ordinance, 28 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and four were under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
 
     The heaviest fine in August was $50,000, assessed against a person who imported controlled waste without a permit. 

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

     The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) continued its parliamentary visit in London, the United Kingdom (UK), yesterday (September 12, London time). 

     The delegation first received a briefing from representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the UK Government on the latest development and the implications of UK's exit from the European Union. Delegation members discussed with FCO representatives about the prospect of Hong Kong serving as a gateway for UK companies to explore business opportunities in the Mainland and Southeast Asia.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Royal College of Art (RCA), one of the world's leading universities specializing in art and design, to exchange views on innovation, entrepreneurship and design thinking, as well as learning about how RCA's graduates contributed to the creative economy. Led by the Vice-Chancellor of RCA, Dr Paul Thompson, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Naren Barfield, delegation members toured the teaching and research facilities in the Battersea campus of RCA. Meanwhile, at a briefing on RCA, delegation members further learnt about the collaboration between RCA and Hong Kong's tertiary institutions in promoting design research. 

     The delegation then visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) and attended a briefing session on the work of London ETO conducted by the Director-General of London ETO, Priscilla To, and the Head of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong in London Office, Andrew Davis. Delegation members also took the opportunity to discuss with Ms To and Mr Davis about how UK and European investors are encouraged to set up operations in Hong Kong. After the briefing session, the delegation attended an official dinner hosted by London ETO.

     The delegation will depart for Edinburgh today (September 13, London time). Upon arrival, delegation members will visit the Scottish Parliament to hold meetings with its Members.