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Author Archives: hksar gov

Transcript of remarks by FS

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at a media session after attending “M21 TV Programme at Book Fair with Mr Paul Chan” held by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups this morning (July 24):
 
Reporter: Secretary, how will the weaker Renminbi affect Hong Kong itself? And also on the banning of reselling of HOS flats to the private market, is the Government inclined to have such a ban or what are some of the considerations?
 
Financial Secretary: On the weakening of Renminbi over the past three months, according to the information available to us, the weakening of Renminbi is mainly attributable to the continuing strengthening of US dollar. During the middle of April to the middle of July, Renminbi vis-à-vis US dollar depreciated by about some 6 per cent, but during the same period actually US dollar has been strengthening and it has risen by over 5 per cent against other currencies. So, if you’re netting off these two you would appreciate that the depreciation in Renminbi is not that much. This is one point. Secondly, according to market intelligence, there were not much speculative activities against Renminbi, and we also noted that the Central Authorities reiterate the position of China in terms of not using depreciation of Renminbi as a tool to respond to trade conflict.
 
     As to your second question about home ownership flats, whether these should be allowed to be resold into the private market, we have heard views from the community. As you may know, for this batch of Home Ownership Scheme flats, the Housing Authority, has already tightened up the resale restrictions. But whether we should apply a ban against all those future home ownership units to be sold in the private market, this will be studied by the Housing Authority and the Transport and Housing Bureau. We will keep an open mind. We’ll continue to listen to different views before we come to a conclusion.
 
Reporter: Secretary, what kind of support will you give the URA if it continues to develop subsidised housing like this?
 
Financial Secretary: For the Urban Renewal Authority, they are going to use their project in Ma Tau Wai as a pilot project for Starter Homes scheme. For that particular project, they are going to give about 40 per cent discount, but even with this discount for that particular project I don’t expect them to incur a lot of losses, because the project was acquired quite a number of years ago at a comparatively, at that time compared to now, very reasonable cost. But going forward, if Urban Renewal Authority is to be engaged into development of subsidised flats for sale and if this is supported by the Government, I think resources support will follow if required.
 
     As you may know, the initial setting up of URA was with an injection of HK$10 billion seed money, and in fact a couple of years ago when I was Secretary for Development, URA did launch another project in Kai Tak as subsidised flats for sale. So this is not a new initiative. The overriding consideration remains whether from the government policy standpoint URA should position itself as an agency for developing subsidised flats for sale. That is the most important. If that is the position taken by URA endorsed by the Government, I don’t think resources support from the Government will be a difficulty.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) 
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SCS visits Kowloon City District (with photo)

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, today (July 24) visited Kowloon City District, where he toured a vocational training centre and a social enterprise. He also met with members of the Kowloon City District Council (KCDC) to learn more about the district’s development and needs.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the KCDC, Mr Pun Kwok-wah, and the District Officer (Kowloon City), Mr Franco Kwok, Mr Law met with KCDC members and exchanged views on issues of concern.

     During the visit, Mr Law went to LST RehaCare, a social enterprise of the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, to learn how it provides affordable rehabilitation products to those in need and part-time employment opportunities for young people, women and retirees.
    
     Mr Law also visited the Caritas Lok Mo Integrated Vocational Training Centre and was briefed on the diverse vocational training programmes and support services on employment provided to persons with disabilities to help them become self-reliant and integrate into society.

     “I am pleased that in today’s district visit, I have been able to gain a better understanding of the support services provided by the non-government organisation to persons with disabilities to help prepare them to unleash their potential in workplaces,” he said.

     “This morning, I met with some post-secondary school students with disabilities participating in this year’s government summer internship scheme to understand their learning experience. The Civil Service Bureau will also arrange for students of the Shine Skills Centre of the Vocational Training Council to work in various bureaux and departments as interns later this year.

     “The internship scheme aims to allow these students to gain work experience and provide an opportunity for colleagues in the civil service to better understand the talents and potential of persons with disabilities.

     “Two Secondary Five students participating in the ‘Be a Government Official for a Day’ programme today joined me to meet the students with disabilities and visit Kowloon City District. Both of them are therefore able to understand that young people with disabilities are also striving for their goals just like themselves. All young people can become pillars of society and I hope they can work hard for their future.”

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EMSD releases lift and escalator contractors’ latest performance ratings

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (July 24) announced the performance ratings of the registered lift and escalator contractors for the past 12 months (from July 2017 to June 2018) for public reference.

     According to the rating results, 30 registered lift contractors and 26 registered escalator contractors were awarded the Safety Star. Among these contractors, 16 registered lift contractors and 20 registered escalator contractors had not been found non-compliant with the safety and maintenance requirements as reported in the last two consecutive announcements of performance results, and were therefore given the highest rating of five Quality Stars. The EMSD conducted 12 456 inspections of lifts and escalators during the period.

     The rating results, conviction records, summaries of the warning letters and equipment failure records are available on the EMSD’s website (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/le_pub_mpr.shtml). read more

All-in-one traffic and transport mobile application “HKeMobility” launched (with photo)

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (July 24) that the all-in-one mobile application “HKeMobility” has been launched as one of the initiatives to take forward the Hong Kong Smart City Blueprint.
      
     The TD’s three existing mobile applications, namely “Hong Kong eTransport”, “Hong Kong eRouting” and “eTraffic News”, are integrated into “HKeMobility”, with the user interface improved and new features added. The public can acquire real-time traffic and transport information anytime and anywhere to plan their journeys.
      
     The public can also make use of “HKeMobility” to get traffic news with a voice-over function, snapshots of traffic conditions from about 180 CCTV cameras installed at major roads, estimated times of arrival of buses and trams, and parking vacancy information for about 220 car parks. To promote the habit of walking, the walking route search feature, now covering Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, will be progressively extended to other districts. “HKeMobility” has also enhanced the walking route searching feature by offering the choice of barrier-free routes for people with visual and mobility disabilities.
 
     “HKeMobility” for Android phones and iPhone are available for free download from Google Play and the App Store respectively. Alternatively, members of the public can download it by scanning the attached QR code or through the link on the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk). Users of the TD’s three existing mobile applications will also receive guidelines on how to download or update to “HKeMobility”.
      
     For enquiries and opinions about “HKeMobility”, please call 1823 or send an email to the TD at tdenq@td.gov.hk.

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