The Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Security, Mr Chan Hak-kan, reviewed the 182nd Fire Services passing-out parade for 25 station officers, 21 ambulance officers, 10 senior firemen of the Mobilising and Communications Group, 62 firemen and 46 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (May 25).
 
     Speaking at the parade, Mr Chan commended the Fire Services Department (FSD) as an outstanding disciplined force, which has been striving to safeguard the city. He said, "Over one and a half centuries, the FSD has been dedicated to its duties to safeguard Hong Kong, and protect life and property from fire and other calamities. With exceptional bravery and an unwavering spirit, the FSD personnel have been saving those in distress, regardless of danger or difficulty. Their selfless contributions and commitment, from generation to generation, have led a brigade of some 100 personnel to become today's elite force with international acclaim."
 
     He encouraged the graduates to uphold the fine tradition of the FSD and fulfil its mission of "Serving with courage, passion and commitment". To tie in with the development of the FSD, the graduates also should pursue self-enhancement and enrich their professional knowledge as well as operational experience, with the aim of providing the community with top-notch fire and ambulance services, he added.
 
     Mr Chan noted that in response to society's development, the FSD has established a number of specialist teams to enhance rescue capabilities and operational safety of front-line personnel. The well-equipped facilities and comprehensive training programmes of the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy also enable the department to nurture more outstanding fire and ambulance personnel to serve the community.
 
     The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 164 graduates will be posted to the Fire Services Communications Centre as well as various fire stations and ambulance depots.

        

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (May 25) that temporary special traffic arrangements will be implemented during the initial period upon the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to ensure smooth traffic at the HZMB Hong Kong Port, Hong Kong International Airport and Tung Chung to assist members of the public to go to those areas.

     According to the road network design of the HZMB Hong Kong Port, vehicles can arrive at the Hong Kong Port via the Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) or the newly built and existing roads (including the North Lantau Highway) on the Airport Island (see Annex). Since the Southern Connection of the TM-CLKL will not be commissioned during the initial period upon the commissioning of the HZMB, cross-boundary or local vehicles travelling between the Hong Kong Port and the urban area will be required to go through the roads on the Airport Island. At present, the Highways Department is striving for early completion of the mainline of the Southern Connection of the TM-CLKL, i.e. the section connecting the North Lantau Highway (urban bound). The mainline is expected to be completed this year. Travelling time for vehicles going to the HZMB Hong Kong Port can then be shortened as vehicles will be no longer required to go through the roads on the Airport Island.
 
     To strengthen the preparedness for the increased traffic flow during the initial period upon the commissioning of the HZMB and to take precautionary measures to minimise the impact of traffic incidents on the relevant roads, after consulting parties such as the relevant government departments and the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the following temporary special traffic arrangements will be implemented to allow some of the cross-boundary and local vehicles to use individual connecting roads in an orderly manner:

(1) The Closed Road Permit will be issued in phases to quota applicants of Hong Kong dual-plate cross-boundary private cars using the HZMB. Specifically, the TD will issue no more than 5 000 permits before the commissioning of the HZMB, no more than a further 3 000 permits three months after the commissioning, and the remaining permits after the commissioning of the mainline of the Southern Connection of the TM-CLKL, progressively increasing the number of cross-boundary private cars using the connecting roads.

     Starting from May 28, the TD will only accept quota applicants to submit permit applications by post or drop-in box. Quota holders of HZMB cross-boundary private cars who have not submitted applications should submit the application form together with the relevant supporting documents (except for the original copy of the electronic Mainland Approval Notice, applicants need only submit the photocopies of both sides of the electronic approval notice card) by post or drop-in box;

(2) Dual-plate cross-boundary private cars under respective quotas for using other crossings (i.e. Shenzhen Bay, Lok Ma Chau (Huanggang), Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok) will be allowed to use the HZMB without the need to go through additional procedures on a trial basis only after the commissioning of the mainline of the South Connection of the TM- CLKL;

(3) Some of the construction vehicles going to the Hong Kong Port and Hong Kong International Airport for major works projects are restricted to use the connecting roads in the vicinity of the airport and Lantau Island during the non-peak hours only;

(4) If necessary, franchised buses travelling to and from the Hong Kong Port will be re-routed to use the connecting roads with lower traffic projections; and

(5) Traffic management measures will be taken proactively with the Police for traffic diversion and control.

     The implementation of the above temporary special traffic arrangements aims to ensure smooth traffic at the HZMB during the initial period upon its commissioning. The impact of such arrangements is expected to be minimal and temporary.

     Upon the completion of the mainline of the Southern Connection of the TM-CLKL, the TD will adjust the aforesaid special traffic arrangements subject to the actual traffic situation and make announcements immediately. Commuters travelling to the Hong Kong Port are also advised to use public transport services as far as possible.

     After the completion of the remaining works of the TM-CLKL, the TD will gradually increase the number of Hong Kong cross-boundary vehicles having regard to the capacity of the Hong Kong Port and the connecting road network to better utilise the HZMB and tie in with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, with a view to maximising the social, economic and traffic benefits of the HZMB.

     The Labour Department launched prosecution against an employer for failing to pay periodical payments in accordance with the requirements of the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO). The employer earlier pleaded guilty at Shatin Magistrates' Courts and was fined $60,000 today (May 25).

     A floorboard worker sustained multiple burn injuries while working on May 15, 2015. The employer failed to pay periodical payments to the employee on the normal paydays or within seven days thereafter as required by the ECO.

     Section 10(10) of the ECO stipulates that during a period of temporary incapacity, the employer shall pay the injured employee periodical payments at the rate of four-fifths of the difference between the employee's monthly earnings at the time of the accident and his or her monthly earnings during the period of temporary incapacity.

     The periodical payments are payable on the injured employee's normal paydays. An employer who, without reasonable excuse, fails to pay within seven days after the due day commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $100,000.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, spoke at a discussion session on "Supporting the Multilateral Trading System" at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea today (May 25).

     He said that trade disputes, if loomed large, do not only hurt the rival parties, but world trade and economic development also suffer collateral damage. Given their interdependence in the closely-knit world economy, APEC member economies are all vulnerable, he added, and they all have their part to play to redouble support for the predictability of the rule-based multilateral trading system (MTS), with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its centre.
 
     "This rule-based international system helps sustain a dynamic but stable international market environment, in which our goods and services can compete on a level playing field. And in the event of disputes, it allows a fair hearing for all, regardless of size and economic power.
 
     "The WTO, as a member-driven organisation, is as good as we members want it to be. As a loyal member and a responsible custodian, Hong Kong stands ready to discuss its imperfections and work with the other 163 WTO members to make the WTO a stronger ship to brave the storm and current of protectionism. However, we cannot have a meaningful discussion if any one of us behaves like a captain getting ready to abandon its ship," said Mr Yau.
 
     He added that as a staunch supporter of the MTS and a free trade practitioner, Hong Kong is deeply concerned about the prolonged impasse in filling the vacancies in the Appellate Body (AB) of the WTO.
 
     "All APEC and WTO Members should spare no efforts to preserve this key pillar in the dispute settlement mechanism and uphold the credibility and effective functioning of the MTS. At this critical juncture, we urge all member economies to redouble our efforts in pushing forward the process for filling in the AB vacancies at the WTO," he said.
 
     The theme of APEC 2018 is "Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Futur". Mr Yau also participated in two other discussion sessions, namely "Fostering Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Through Digital Agenda" and "Deepening Regional Economic Integration and Connectivity".
 
     Between the discussion sessions, Mr Yau attended a minister's working lunch to exchange views with participating ministers on enhancing market access for micro, small and medium enterprises using information and communications technology.
 
     On the sidelines of the MRT Meeting, Mr Yau took the opportunity to have exchanges with the Director-General of International Trade Cooperation and Deputy Trade Minister of the Ministry of Trade of Indonesia, Mr Iman Pambagyo; the Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, Mr Ramon Lopez; the Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, Mr Chan Chun-sing; the Deputy Minister and Coordinator of International Economic Relations with Global Affairs of Canada, Mr Jonathan Fried; the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development of New Zealand, Mr Fletcher Tabuteau; the Deputy Secretary General (Trade) of Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Datuk Isham Ishak; the Deputy Minister of Commerce of Thailand, Ms Chutima Bunyapraphasara; and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, Mr Tran Quoc Khanh, on trade-related issues.
 
     Mr Yau will continue to join the MRT Meeting tomorrow (May 26).

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 15 open meetings, one public hearing and two closed meetings during the week from May 28 to June 1 in the LegCo Complex. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.

     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.

     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees. Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo website.