Author Archives: hksar gov

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-lowering ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 6pm today (August 16) will be cancelled. read more

     The Transport and Housing Bureau announced today (August 16) that an Expert Adviser Team for the Shatin-to-Central Link (SCL) Project was established on August 15, 2018. 

     The Team comprises three senior retired government officers. They are Dr Lau Ching-kwong (former Director of Civil Engineering), Mr Hui Siu-wai (former Director of Buildings) and Mr Wong Hok-ning (former Head of Geotechnical Engineering Office). 

     The Team will conduct an overall review of MTR Corporation Limited’s (MTRCL) project management system, and recommend additional management and monitoring measures to be undertaken by MTRCL and government departments as appropriate, in taking forward the SCL Project. In particular, the Team will advise on the most pragmatic methodology for MTRCL to ascertain the structural safety and the as-built condition of the platform slabs and diaphragm walls of Hung Hom Station Extension, consider any further investigations necessary in relation to the construction of key structures in all stations of the SCL Project, and advise on any other matters relevant to the works of the SCL Project.

     In discharging the above duties, members of the Team will be representing the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Government looks forward to MTRCL rendering its full co-operation and support to the work of the Team.

     The Expert Advisers are appointed for a period of one year. They will complete a report on their findings in about nine months’ time, and may produce interim report(s) as necessary. Professional staff from the relevant government departments will be deployed to provide technical support to the Team. read more

     The director of Niron Mobile Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay employees’ wages and defaulting on the sums awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT) as required by the Employment Ordinance (EO). The director pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (August 16) and was fined a total of $87,000. The director was also ordered to pay a sum of about $124,000 via the court to the three employees.

     The company failed to pay three employees wages within seven days after the termination of employment. The company also failed to pay them the awarded sum of about $124,000 in total within 14 days after the date set out by the terms of the LT award in accordance with the EO. The director concerned was convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.

     “The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the time limit stipulated in the EO and the awarded sums according to the terms of the awards of the LT or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board. The LD will not tolerate these offences and will continue to make dedicated efforts in enforcing the EO and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” a spokesman for LD said. read more

     The Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, together with the Chairman of the Kwai Tsing District Council (KTDC), Mr Law King-shing, and members of the KTDC visited Kwai Tsing District today (August 16) to inspect the implementation of mosquito prevention measures carried out by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).

     Dr Chui said that in order to tackle the risks of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases, various government departments had to step up mosquito control measures and members of the public should also adopt mosquito prevention and control measures at home.

     “District Councils, especially their environmental hygiene committees, spare no efforts and play important roles in supporting and promoting mosquito control work at the district level. We hope that all District Councils will proactively encourage people in the community and organisations to assist in eliminating mosquitoes through their networks of local communities as well as their contact with residents and shop tenants,” he said.

    In view of the four local cases of dengue fever, the FEHD immediately stepped up targeted mosquito prevention and control work at the relevant districts. The FEHD deployed staff to carry out prevention and control work including conducting fogging operations to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes, applying larvicides, clearing stagnant water and disused articles, and conducting grass cutting to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds in areas within a 500-metre radius of the residences of the patients and the places visited by them during the incubation period. The FEHD also collected samples of Aedes albopictus for virus testing with a view to identifying the infection sources of the dengue fever cases.

     In the rainy season, the public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control: 
     
• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (dengue fever) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 
• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     Members of the public should call 1823 in cases of mosquito problems and may visit the dengue fever pages of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD’s Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) held the “Connecting Belt & Road, Capturing Opportunities Together” High-level Roundtable, in Hong Kong on August 15 and 16. The event aimed to conduct in-depth discussions on how Hong Kong could facilitate Central State-owned Enterprises’ (CSoEs) investment and expansion in Belt and Road countries.
 
     The High-level Roundtable covered how Hong Kong could leverage its strategic role and unique advantages in Mainland China’s reform and opening up, and assist CSoEs in their infrastructure investment, financing and development in the Belt and Road region. It also explored with leading international institutional investors on the bankability and risk management of Belt and Road infrastructure project financing, and looked at the role that the HKMA Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office (IFFO) could play in assisting CSoEs in pursuing their overseas projects. The event was the first of its kind in bringing together some 40 senior officials from SASAC and 10 CSoEs, as well as high-level representatives from the financial and professional service sectors in Hong Kong. The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, also hosted a cocktail reception to welcome the participating guests.
 
     The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Norman Chan, said, “Hong Kong has always been a springboard and hub for Mainland enterprises’ ‘going-out’. Hong Kong offers both comprehensive and full-fledged financial platform and professional services, creating a conducive environment for business. The Roundtable also provides a new forum for high-level representatives from both CSoEs and relevant sectors in Hong Kong to exchange views and experiences. We are very grateful to SASAC’s support and encouragement to CSoEs in making greater use of Hong Kong as a platform for overseas development. We look forward to continuing to work closely with SASAC in future to strengthen the communication and cooperation between CSoEs and the Hong Kong business community, with a view to exploring development opportunities together.”
 
     The Secretary General of SASAC, Mr Yan Xiaofeng, said, “SASAC attaches great importance to the cooperation between CSoEs and the various sectors in Hong Kong. When participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, many CSoEs have been actively leveraging the advantages of Hong Kong’s platform to expand overseas markets. It is expected that the CSoEs will continue to strengthen cooperation with the different sectors of Hong Kong, and focus their keen and precise effort in pursuing the ‘Three Joints’ and ‘Five Areas of Connectivity’*, giving full play to the respective strengths of all concerned while focusing on the key areas of development to collaborate creatively to achieve prosperous growth together through deeper cooperation with the Belt and Road countries at higher levels.”
 
*”Three Joints” refer to the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration; “Five Areas of Connectivity” refer to policy co-ordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond.