Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session in Beijing today (August 16):

Reporter: What is the agreement between the Mainland bureau and Hong Kong Government? And can you tell us more on the arrangement of the MTRC and the Government on how much of the surplus or deficit will be borne by the MTRC and the Government?

Secretary for Transport and Housing: In respect of the agreement reached during the past (meetings) and the meeting today, we have agreed with the China Railway Corporation that the frequency, destination, finance and fare arrangements are basically finalised. We will arrange to announce the details within this month and we are going to inform the public and the media.

     As regards the financial arrangement under the operating agreement, that will be dealt with between the Hong Kong (SAR) Government and the MTRC (MTR Corporation). We will disclose all the details in due course within this month.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, August 16, 2018 is 104.8 (down 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) announced today (August 16) that it has confirmed the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) is safe and in sound condition after consulting relevant government departments, and has notified the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL).
 
     The EMSD is responsible for regulating and monitoring the safe operation of the railway system of the MTRCL. Before the commissioning of any new railway project, the EMSD and relevant government departments will conduct assessment to ascertain that the various railway systems are safe and in sound condition.
 
     The EMSD and relevant government departments have conducted on-site inspection and approval of all safety-related systems during the testing and commissioning stage of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL. These systems include fire services systems, emergency evacuation facilities, high-speed trains, and signalling and communication systems. The EMSD has also scrutinised the emergency handling procedures prepared by the MTRCL together with the Security Bureau and relevant departments, and observed the drills and exercises conducted by the MTRCL, including the joint exercises with relevant government departments, so as to review the effectiveness of all contingency plans. The MTRCL has submitted relevant structural documents to the Buildings Department and the Highways Department. The Buildings Department and the Highways Department have inspected all relevant structural documents and conducted site inspection of works, and have confirmed that they have met the prescribed statutory standards. All relevant government departments have also confirmed that the operating systems, train compartments and station facilities can function normally.
 
     Taking into account the above, the EMSD has confirmed the Hong Kong Section of the XRL is safe and in sound condition. The EMSD and relevant government departments will continue to supervise the MTRCL in its final preparatory works prior to the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL in late September 2018.
 
     The Hong Kong Section of the XRL is a 26-kilometre-long underground rail corridor linking Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to the Hong Kong/Shenzhen boundary at Huanggang, where it is connected with the Mainland Section of the XRL. There is also an emergency rescue siding and stabling sidings at Shek Kong to support emergency evacuation and maintenance.

     A man who went missing in Sham Shui Po was located.

     Tso Yik-hang, aged 34, went missing after he left his residence in Pak Tin Estate on August 14 afternoon. His family member made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man returned to his residence this morning (August 16). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     Vegetable chain stalls operated by Bonnie Vegetables and Fruit Wholesale Limited in Yau Ma Tei and Shau Kei Wan were fined a total of $10,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (August 16) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) by causing noise nuisance to nearby residents with loudspeakers playing promotional recordings.

     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that the department received complaints from members of the public last year about two vegetable stalls at Reclamation Street in Yau Ma Mei and Po Man Street in Shau Kei Wan persistently and repeatedly playing promotional recordings with loudspeakers during operating hours to sell goods. The EPD conducted investigations at the vegetable stalls concerned in March and April respectively. Upon on-site assessment by EPD staff, it was confirmed that the noise caused annoyance and the department subsequently prosecuted the two stalls under the NCO. Following the enforcement action against the two vegetable stalls, the above situation was improved.

     The EPD is highly concerned about the noise nuisance caused by vegetable chain stalls in various districts. The department will continue to closely monitor and conduct stringent enforcement action to combat repeated contraventions by these stalls. The EPD will consider prosecuting the company director in addition to the operating company of the stalls concerned.

     The spokesman reminded persons responsible for retail shops and market stalls that when they play promotional recordings to sell goods, they should contain the noise level within their shop area as far as possible and should not cause annoyance to other people outside their shops or nearby residents. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence, and offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000. For stalls with repeated contraventions, the operator himself will also be criminally liable for the offence once convicted.