The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (July 31) went to Jiangmen to meet with senior officials of the Jiangmen Municipal Government and visit local enterprises.
      
     The day's programme was part of Mr Chan's tour of cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.

     This morning, Mr Chan called on the Secretary of the CPC Jiangmen Municipal Committee, Mr Lin Yingwu, to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Jiangmen and working together in supporting the Bay Area's development. 
      
     Noting that Jiangmen is a crucial link connecting the eastern and western part of the Bay Area, Mr Chan expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Jiangmen can forge closer co-operation in different areas, such as finance and innovation and technology, to seize the numerous opportunities of the Bay Area.

     He also visited a Hong Kong-invested company specialising in the research and production of air-conditioning products and a Mainland enterprise that provides one-stop Internet cloud services to learn about their successful experiences in turning research into commercial products.
      
     After concluding the visit, Mr Chan returned Hong Kong this evening.
     

      

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 31) reminded the public that to facilitate construction work for the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, the following temporary traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in the vicinity of Tin Hau from about 12.01am to 8am this Sunday (August 5):
 
Traffic arrangements
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(1) Road closure
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     The following road sections will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic during the periods specified below:
 
From about 12.01am to 2am
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* The middle lane of the Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) eastbound near Victoria Park;
* The slow and middle lanes of Victoria Park Road eastbound near Victoria Park; and
* The fast lane of the IEC westbound near Victoria Park.
 
From about 2am to 6am
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* The sections of Victoria Park Road eastbound and the IEC eastbound near Victoria Park; and
* The fast lane of the IEC westbound near Victoria Park.
 
From about 6am to 8am
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* The fast lane of the IEC westbound near Victoria Park.
 
(2) Traffic diversion
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     From about 2am to 6am, vehicles along Victoria Park Road eastbound heading for the IEC or the vicinity of Tin Hau will be diverted via Gloucester Road southbound, Causeway Road eastbound and Hing Fat Street.
 
Transport arrangements
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(1) Bus diversions
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     The following bus routes will be temporarily diverted from about 2am to 6am:
 
* Cross-harbour route No. N118 will be diverted via Gloucester Road southbound, Causeway Road eastbound and Hing Fat Street; and
* Cross-harbour route No. N368 will be diverted via Gloucester Road southbound, Causeway Road eastbound, King's Road eastbound, Ngan Mok Street, Lau Li Street and King's Road westbound.
 
     Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists. The public transport operators will display notices to advise passengers of the above temporary arrangements.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the IEC and Victoria Park Road will be more congested. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion and should consider using alternative routes. Public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversions and suspension or relocation of stops. Members of the public are advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow more travelling time, and be alert to the latest traffic news through the media.
 
     Details of the temporary traffic and transport arrangements are now available on the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (July 31) by the Government on the recommended measures to further enhance the safety of franchised buses (FBs) and taxi service quality.

     Following the fatal traffic accident involving an FB on Tai Po Road in February 2018, the Transport Department (TD) set up a Working Group which comprises members from all FB operators and the major bus manufacturers to study possible measures to further enhance FB safety. 

     The TAC Chairman, Mr Larry Kwok, said "Members noted that under the recommendations of the Working Group, all new double-decker buses procured by all FB operators from July 2018 onwards will have an Electronic Stability Control system and a Speed Limiting Retarder incorporated with a view to enhancing driving safety. All passenger seats of all new buses ordered from July 2018 onwards will also have seat belts installed so as to give extra protection to passengers."

     The TAC also noted that FB operators will conduct testing and technical assessment on the feasibility of installing the above-mentioned devices in existing buses and other technological devices. Meanwhile, the TD will prepare a practice note on the training framework to align the bus captain training arrangements of the FB operators.

     "Members of the TAC welcome the recommended measures to further enhance the safety of FBs with a view to sustaining safe and reliable FB services in Hong Kong," Mr Kwok said.

     As for enhancing taxi service quality, the TAC welcomed various proposed measures for enhancing taxi service quality taken forward by the Government and the trade in concerted efforts, which include updating the taxi service standards and guidelines, enhancing the training courses on in-service taxi drivers' service quality, and reviewing the existing sanctions for various taxi malpractices.

     "Members are concerned that the complaint figures in relation to taxi service have remained high and welcome the Government's proposal to implement a two-tier penalty system for the six offences of a more serious nature, including overcharging, refusal to hire, not using the most direct practicable route, soliciting and defacing, damaging or altering of taximeters, as well as to introduce a Taxi Driver-Offence Points System. These measures will help strengthen the overall deterrent effect, so as to enhance taxi service quality," Mr Kwok added.

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, today (July 31) visited Tai Po District, touring a sports centre and meeting with young people who are participating in a social start-up programme and electronic sports (e-sports) training. He also met with members of the Tai Po District Council (TPDC) to learn more about the district's development and needs.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the TPDC, Mr Cheung Hok-ming; the Vice-chairperson of the TPDC, Ms Wong Pik-kiu; and the District Officer (Tai Po), Ms Andy Lui, Mr Law met with TPDC members and exchanged views on issues of concern.

     Mr Law then toured sports facilities and watched various sports classes at the Tai Po Sports Association Li Fook Lam Indoor Sports Centre. He said he was pleased to learn that the centre has been providing a variety of sports and recreational activities for residents, in order to assist them in nurturing the good habit of doing exercise.

     Mr Law also visited the office of the Tai Po District Youth Outreaching Social Work Team. He chatted with young people who are participating in programmes of social-tech incubation and youth entrepreneurship as well as e-sports to listen to them talk about their learning experiences. The incubation programme aims to inspire young people to take advantage of innovative technology and creativity to resolve social issues, and to diversify the pathways for young people by facilitating life planning that keeps abreast of the advancement in technology and innovation. Trainees under the e-sports programme will acquire knowledge on the filming, editing and broadcasting of gaming competitions.

     Mr Law said, "These aspiring young people have set their sights on a goal and are striding towards it.

     "Recently I have met with tertiary students joining the Government's summer internship schemes and was pleased to learn that most of them had started life planning at an early stage and are equipping themselves for the paths they choose.

     "Young people are the future of Hong Kong. The Government will strive to do its best in youth development work by addressing their concerns about education, career pursuit and home ownership, and encouraging their participation in politics as well as public policy discussion and debate, so as to support them in realising their potential."
 

  

     The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (July 31) issued a consultation paper on the proposed arrangement between Hong Kong and the Mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Proposed Arrangement). Members of the community, including the legal profession, business organisations and other interested parties, are invited to submit their views on the Proposed Arrangement on or before September 24.
      
     A spokesman for the DoJ said, "The Proposed Arrangement seeks to provide a mechanism for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments (REJ) between the two places in a wider range of civil and commercial matters, reducing the need for re-litigation and offering better protection to the parties' rights."
      
     Hong Kong has so far concluded five arrangements with the Mainland concerning various aspects of mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. Two of these arrangements provide for REJ between the two places in civil and commercial matters. 
      
     The first REJ arrangement, signed in 2006, applies to money judgments made by the courts of either side where the parties to a commercial contract have agreed in writing that the court of one side will have exclusive jurisdiction to determine a dispute arising from that contract (Choice of Court Arrangement). The second arrangement, signed last year, provides for REJ in matrimonial or family matters (Matrimonial Arrangement).
       
     Given the specific scope of application of these two Arrangements, they are not able to fully address the need for a comprehensive REJ mechanism arising from the increasingly close interaction and co-operation between the two places in terms of trade and economic activities as well as social interactions. The Proposed Arrangement will provide a more comprehensive legal framework for REJ with the Mainland covering civil and commercial judgments beyond the scope of application of the Choice of Court Arrangement and the Matrimonial Arrangement.
      
     The Proposed Arrangement will set out the scope of application, requirements for reciprocal recognition and enforcement, grounds for refusal and the relevant procedural matters. The DoJ invites views and comments on various aspects of the Proposed Arrangement as well as its relationship with the Choice of Court Arrangement. 
      
     All views should be submitted on or before September 24, 2018, to the China Law Unit of the Legal Policy Division of the DoJ by mail (5/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong), by fax (3918 4799) or by email (rej@doj.gov.hk).
      
     The consultation paper can be accessed on the DoJ's website (www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/2018ConsultationPaper_LPD.html).