Author Archives: hksar gov

     Local farmers who suffered serious losses caused by the heavy rainstorms can register with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) from tomorrow (August 31) to September 10 for assistance from an emergency relief fund.
 
     An AFCD spokesman said today (August 30) that an appropriate amount of the relief fund would be released to affected farming households according to established criteria.
 
     The department’s preliminary investigation has revealed that about 300 hectares of farmland in the New Territories were affected by the rainstorms.
 
     “After each typhoon or natural disaster, our staff will inspect farmland areas in the New Territories to assess the resultant damage,” the spokesman said.
 
     “Depending on the gravity of the damage, we may launch an operation to provide some relief to affected farmers.”
 
     Applicants for the fund should register at the office of the AFCD’s Agricultural Extension Section at 5/F, Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, or call 2476 2424 for enquiries. read more

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (August 30) attended the China-Japan-South Korea Cultural Ministers’ Meeting in Harbin as a member of the Chinese delegation and delivered a speech introducing the latest and major cultural developments of Hong Kong. 

     In his speech, Mr Lau said one of the prominent cultural events to be held next year will be the biennial Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum. He thanked China, Japan and South Korea for their past support and participation and invited cultural ministers and delegates of China, Japan and South Korea, as well as delegates of Culture Cities of East Asia and European Capitals of Culture in 2019, to attend the Forum in Hong Kong next year. 

     In addition, Mr Lau said the Home Affairs Bureau has signed 26 agreements on cultural co-operation to enhance collaboration and exchange with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as provincial and municipal governments and departments. Last year, the “In Touch with Palace Museum” campaign was held in Hong Kong, while a thematic exhibition on Dunhuang culture is being held this year. In the coming year, the “Genesis and Spirit” series will be launched and a Hong Kong Week will be held in Shanghai, he added.

     Looking ahead, Mr Lau said the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District will open by the end of this year, while the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ will be completed in the coming years. The Hong Kong Museum of Art will open next year after renovation and expansion. Arts and cultural development will become more prosperous in Hong Kong, he said. 

     This evening, Mr Lau will attend a joint concert presented by China, Japan and South Korea. Tomorrow morning (August 31) he will take part in a research and study programme on culture and tourism held as part of the Meeting. Mr Lau will return to Hong Kong from Harbin via Shenzhen in the afternoon.

        

     The Transport Department (TD) today (August 30) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley during horse race meetings for 2018-19 from next Wednesday (September 5).
 
     The special traffic and transport arrangements will mainly include:
 
* From about 1.5 hours before the start of the first race, the section of Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Queen’s Road East and the up ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed (except for vehicles heading for the Aberdeen Tunnel). The section of Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Village Road and the up ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed to one-way northbound traffic.
 
* From about 35 minutes before the start of the last race, the following road sections will be closed to all vehicular traffic until traffic returns to normal:
– the up ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road leading to the Aberdeen Tunnel outside the HKJC;
– the section of Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Queen’s Road East and the up ramp leading to the Aberdeen Tunnel;
– the section of Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;
– the section of Leighton Road westbound between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– the section of Morrison Hill Road southbound between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.
 
* During the period of road closure, franchised buses and green minibuses will be temporarily diverted until traffic returns to normal.
 
* Some of the bus stops on Leighton Road, Morrison Hill Road and Wong Nai Chung Road and the tram stop on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the Hong Kong Cemetery will be suspended until traffic returns to normal. Public transport operators will put up notices at the affected stops to inform passengers of the temporary arrangements.
 
* The taxi stand on Sung Tak Street will be suspended.
 
* Parking spaces on Wong Nai Chung Road southbound between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the affected areas will be very congested during horse race meetings. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. In cases of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions given by the Police. Members of the public planning to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport services as far as possible.
 
     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.
 
     Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements are now available on the department’s website (www.td.gov.hk). read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (August 30).      The value of total retail sales in July 2018, provisionally estimated at $38.9 billion, increased … read more

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will depart for Beijing on Monday morning (September 3) to officiate at the inauguration ceremony of Tsinghua University, Executive Master of Public Admi… read more