Author Archives: hksar gov

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (Au… read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (August 16) welcomed the Central Government’s announcement of the Regulations for Application of Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents, and expressed deep gratitude for its continuous effort in introducing measures in the past year to assist Hong Kong residents studying, working, starting business and living on the Mainland.
 
     “I am very pleased to learn that the Regulations will be formally implemented on September 1 this year. According to the Regulations, Hong Kong residents living on the Mainland who meet the relevant criteria can apply for residence permits. A residence permit holder is entitled to enjoy, in accordance with the law, three categories of rights, six basic public services and nine facilitation measures in the place where he or she is residing, covering areas relating to daily living including employment, education, medical care, travel, financial services and so on,” Mrs Lam said.
 
     “The Central Government has responded to the needs of Hong Kong people in introducing the Regulations. The Regulations will provide convenience for Hong Kong residents who are studying, working and living on the Mainland on a long-term basis, and provide them with more opportunities to participate in the country’s development, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. It fully reflects President Xi Jinping’s people-centred development approach, as well as the Central Government’s care and concern for the people of Hong Kong.”
 
     In his important address at the Meeting Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Return to the Motherland and the Inaugural Ceremony of the Fifth-Term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, President Xi said the relevant Central Government departments would actively consider adopting concrete measures to make it more convenient for the people of Hong Kong to study, work and live on the Mainland, and provide more opportunities for them to pursue career development in the country. This would enable the people of Hong Kong to enjoy brighter development prospects and live better lives while contributing to China’s overall development.
 
     The relevant Central Government departments have subsequently introduced a series of concrete measures to assist Hong Kong residents studying, working and living on the Mainland, including installing ticket machines which can read Home Visit Permits in railway stations, allowing Hong Kong and Macao residents working on the Mainland to join the Housing Provident Fund and removing the requirement for Hong Kong and Macao residents working on the Mainland to apply for employment permits. read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending a public function today (August 16): Reporter: As there might be a big outbreak in Hong Kong, what meas… read more

     The Rating and Valuation Department will issue today (August 16) about 330 000 requisition forms asking payers of rates and/or government rent to provide details of rents and other terms of tenancies for different categories of properties.

     A spokesman for the department said the rental information collected would be used to prepare a new round of general revaluation.

     “The general revaluation will better reflect prevailing market rents of properties. The new rateable values will take effect from April 1, 2019,” the spokesman said.

     Rates and/or government rent payers should complete and return the forms within 21 days. They can also complete and return the forms by using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided at the department’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk).

     Rates and/or government rent payers are reminded to affix sufficient postage if they return the forms by post to ensure timely and successful postal delivery.

     Anyone having difficulty in completing and returning the forms within the specified period must apply in writing for an extension of time before the end of the stipulated period and should state their reasons. 

     Anyone who knowingly makes a false statement or refuses to furnish any of the particulars specified in the form commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 or $10,000 respectively. They will also be fined an amount equivalent to three times the rates and/or government rent undercharged.

     Enquiries on how to complete the form can be made by calling the number printed on the form, or visiting the department at 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon. 

     The department’s website also provides answers to commonly asked questions on completing the form. read more

     Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, at the Grand Challenges for Engineering Symposium today (August 16):
      
Professor Zhang (President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Professor Xiang Zhang), Tim (President of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences and President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Timothy Tong), Professor Grubbs (2005 Chemistry Nobel Laureate and Victor and Elizabeth Atkins Professor of Chemistry at California Institute of Technology, Professor Robert Grubbs), distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good morning. First of all, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our overseas guests. 
      
     I am honoured to attend the Grand Challenges for Engineering Symposium today and address such a distinguished group of engineers and scholars. 
      
     I would like to thank the University of Hong Kong and the US National Academy of Engineering for bringing this remarkable Symposium to Hong Kong. The Grand Challenges for Engineering Symposium is not only connecting academic leaders from around the world, but also inspiring and developing the next generation of talent to tackle the biggest challenges in engineering, while advancing the well-being of society and mankind. Today’s Symposium resonates well with the HKSAR Government’s innovation and technology agenda, that is, to pool together global and local talent to establish Hong Kong as a hub in using innovation and technology to address social challenges.
      
     During the past two years, we have accelerated ahead with new programmes and invested an unprecedented HK$78 billion to support our innovation and technology development. These include infrastructure improvements such as provision of free electronic identity or eID to all our residents in two years’ time, and mega projects such as development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park located right at the boundary of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. We are also providing and facilitating more funding support to researchers and the industry, incubation for start-ups, training and re-tooling of talent and incentives for attracting overseas R&D institutions to set up research bases in Hong Kong. We have also broken new ground by providing the first ever super tax deduction to companies of up to 300 per cent for R&D expenditures, and we are rolling out new talent schemes to facilitate admission of sought-after technology talent from the Mainland and overseas.
      
     A grand engineering challenge is not just about achieving academic excellence or overcoming technical challenges, but utilising knowledge and innovation to improve the well-being of the society as a whole. That hinges on the availability of inquisitive talent. Our local universities excel in research excellence as well as knowledge transfer. HKU has long been considered a wellspring of ideas and fertile ground for creative talent. I would like to highlight two projects originating from the young engineers of the Faculty of Engineering of HKU. The first project developed smart and environmental friendly Passive LED Power Driver Lighting Technology which was awarded the Gold Medal with Special Recognition at the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in April 2018, and it is undergoing trial on the streets of Hong Kong. Another project is the fabrication of strong and ductile multi-phase Super Steel which won the TechConnect Global Innovation Award at the World Innovation Conference & Expo in May 2018. These are very encouraging achievements indeed.
      
     In closing, I would like to pay tribute to the University of Hong Kong’s continuing efforts in nurturing our next generation of engineers and innovators. I am most grateful to all the speakers and panelists of the Symposium for sharing your invaluable knowledge, experience and insights to inspire our young minds. Have a great and enjoyable conference today! 
      
     Thank you very much.