Following is a question by the Hon Charles Mok and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, in the Legislative Council today (May 23):

Question:

​     Regarding the development of high-tier data centres and cross-boundary transmission of data, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the Government's timetable for putting up sites for sale by tender for the development of high-tier data centres, and the estimated time needed from the disposal of sites by the Government to the completion of the data centres concerned;

(2) given that the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation (which was signed in June last year between the Government and the Mainland authorities under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement) includes the work to "strengthen exchanges between the two places regarding cross-boundary data flow, and form a joint working group to study feasible policy measures and arrangements" in respect of co-operation in electronic commerce, of the details and progress of this work; and

(3) whether, in tandem with strengthening the exchanges between the two places regarding cross-boundary data flow, the authorities have formulated policies and guidelines on the arrangements for cross-boundary transfer of personal data, so as to safeguard the privacy of Hong Kong people; if so, of the details and progress of the relevant work; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

​     My reply to the question raised by the Hon Charles Mok is as follows:

(1) The Government is committed to promoting the development of data centres in Hong Kong and, in 2012, set aside three sites in Tseung Kwan O for high-tier data centre use. The first site was sold in October 2013. The Government is taking active steps to prepare for disposing the remaining two sites by open bidding in the second half of 2018. The lease conditions will require the new data centre to be completed within a specified timeline. Drawing on the experience in developing the first site, it takes about four years from site disposal to completion and commissioning of the data centre.

(2) and (3) After the signing of the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation in June 2017, the Joint Working Group comprising members from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Cyberspace Administration of China and experts from Hong Kong and the Mainland has held two meetings. In formulating specific measures, the Joint Working Group will consider the importance of protecting personal data and relevant regulatory requirements, including Hong Kong's Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (May 23). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements during the race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition
     
     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     The United Nations Sanctions (Amendment) Bill 2018 will be gazetted on May 25 (Friday).
 
     The Bill seeks to amend the United Nations Sanctions Ordinance (Cap. 537) (UNSO) to enable regulations made under the UNSO to impose sanctions directly against persons (including groups, undertakings and entities) whom the Security Council of the United Nations (UNSC) decides to sanction.
 
     "Given that the existing UNSO only provides for the implementation of sanctions against places, the sanction measures against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities set out in the UNSC Resolution 2368 cannot be implemented by regulations made under the UNSO," a government spokesman said.
 
     "We propose to amend the long title and section 2 of the UNSO to enable regulations made under the UNSO to implement sanctions against persons, groups, undertakings and entities, so that sanctions imposed by the UNSC against terrorists groups can be implemented," the spokesman added.
 
     The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on June 6.

     To assist Secondary Six graduates to prepare for the release of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results on July 11, the Education Bureau (EDB) has produced the "Three useful tools for 711", namely e-Navigator, 711 Further Studies and Career Map, and 2018 Compass@711. These tools, uploaded to the EDB website today (May 23), allow graduates, parents and schools to obtain useful information in a timely manner.

     Graduates, parents and schools can use the e-Navigator to search for programme information across different local institutions and levels, including degrees, sub-degrees and the Diploma Yi Jin. The 711 Further Studies and Career Map provides a checklist of multiple pathways and key dates for course registration which reminds graduates to take necessary actions accordingly. The 2018 Compass@711 provides users with essential information to make better preparation for the release of the HKDSE Examination results. It includes information on further studies, multiple pathways and various supporting services.

     A spokesman for the EDB said, "The broad and balanced Senior Secondary curriculum provides diversified choices to cater for students' different interests, abilities and needs. It promotes whole-person development and stretches students' potential fully. We hope that graduates will make good use of the 'Three useful tools for 711' together with the flexible and diversified study and career pathways with multiple entry and exit points under the New Academic Structure, to choose their right directions according to their interests, needs and aptitudes, so as to develop their full potential and display their strengths in various areas to realise their aspirations."

     The EDB will continue to maintain close communication and collaboration with schools and other stakeholders to help students plan for their future and fulfil their aspirations, the spokesman said.

     The "Three useful tools for 711" are available on the 2018 HKDSE Examination Results Release Designated Webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/s6/en), which also provides other latest information about multiple pathways.

     Hongkong Post announced today (May 23) the issue of a set of special stamps on the theme of "Inclusive Communication", together with associated philatelic products, on June 7 (Thursday).
 
     Hong Kong is a pluralistic society in which different communities live together inclusively and peacefully. In the process of communicating, understanding and building a harmonious society, languages and media of communication play a crucial role.
 
     Sign language, developed for people with hearing impairment, is a full-fledged language that employs not only hand gestures but also supplementary non-manual features such as facial expressions including eyebrow and mouth movements. Braille, on the other hand, was invented by a blind Frenchman named Louis Braille in the 19th century. It is a writing system that enables visually impaired people to understand through the sense of touch.
 
     To promote inclusive communication, Hongkong Post is issuing a set of six special stamps and a stamp sheetlet on that theme. The stamps display six common words or phrases in Chinese and English, namely "Friend" ($2), "Good morning" ($2.60), "Hello" ($3.40), "Keep it up" ($3.70), "Love" ($4.90) and "Thank you" ($5).

     On the left side of each stamp, there is a simple and adorable comic character expressing the word or phrase in sign language. In addition, the Braille dots for the word or phrase are printed in textured Braille ink on the surface of the stamp. This combination of sign language and Braille in the design thus allows the messages of the stamps to be conveyed to people with different needs. A lenticular effect is applied on the accompanying stamp sheetlet, making the sign language gestures for "inclusive communication" come alive.
 
     Official First Day Covers at $1.30 each will be put on sale at all post offices from tomorrow (May 24). The stamps and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from tomorrow to May 30.
 
     Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app.