The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
 
     In view of the concern expressed by the media recently about the requirements in the electoral guidelines that media reporting on election-related matters should abide by the "fair and equal treatment" principle, the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) made the following response today (October 3):
 
     The EAC is committed to ensuring that public elections are held in an open, fair and honest manner. According to the electoral guidelines, the media are required to treat all candidates in accordance with the "fair and equal treatment" principle. The definition of candidates in the existing electoral guidelines has all along been adopting the definition of "candidate" in the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, i.e. a person who stands nominated as a candidate at an election, or a person who, at any time before the close of nominations for an election, has publicly declared an intention to stand as a candidate at the election. This definition is mainly used for regulating election expenses and election advertisements.
 
     Recently, with the increasing number of people publicly declaring their intention to stand as candidates at elections, and through different means and channels, the media may not be fully aware of all the people who have publicly declared their intentions to run at elections. The EAC understands that the media may well have operational difficulties in complying with the existing requirement in the electoral guidelines that every person who has publicly declared an intention to stand as a candidate at an election is to be reported.
 
     According to the legislation, public consultation must be conducted prior to the revision of the electoral guidelines. Before each Ordinary/General Election, the EAC will review the existing electoral guidelines and draw up a new set of proposed guidelines for public consultation lasting 30 days. Regarding the aforesaid guidelines on media reporting, the EAC considers it opportune to consult the public during the consultation exercise on the proposed guidelines on election-related activities in respect of the 2019 District Council Ordinary Election to be conducted in the middle of next year. All are welcome to express their views then. After examining the views from all concerned, the EAC will review the relevant guidelines with a view to striking a suitable balance between the practical operation of the media while upholding the fair and open principle.
 
     Concerning the "fair and equal treatment" principle in the coming Legislative Council Kowloon West geographical constituency by-election, the EAC will definitely and thoroughly consider the actual difficulties faced by the media.

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has approved from the Disaster Relief Fund a grant of $548,000 to Amity Foundation, Hong Kong for providing relief to typhoon victims in the Philippines.

     Announcing the grant today (October 3), a spokesman for the Government said that the grant will be used to provide drinking water, rice, canned food and instant noodles for the typhoon victims to address their imminent needs. The grant was approved under the fast-track mechanism set up on the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee to assist relief organisations to start first-phase emergency relief work more expeditiously.

     "To ensure that the money is used for the designated purposes, Amity Foundation, Hong Kong will be asked to submit an evaluation report and an audited account on the use of the grant after the relief project has been completed," the spokesman said.

     The Government will publish in the Gazette on Friday (October 5) the following subsidiary legislation to cater for the commissioning of the new Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (HYWBCP):
     

• the Closed Area (Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point) Order (Closed Area Order);
• the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point Closed Area (Permission to Enter) Notice;
• the Frontier Closed Area (Permission to Enter) (Amendment) Notice 2018;
• the Immigration (Places of Detention) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2018; and
• the Immigration Service (Designated Places) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2018.

 
     In order to maintain law and order at vehicular boundary control points, all of these control points are currently administered under the closed area approach, either under the Public Order Ordinance (Cap 245) or the Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance (Cap 591). Following the established practice of other vehicular boundary control points, the Executive Council advised and the Chief Executive ordered that the Closed Area Order be made under the Public Order Ordinance to designate part of the HYWBCP as a closed area.
 
     After the designation of the closed area, the Commissioner of Police has made the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (Permission to Enter) Notice under the Public Order Ordinance to grant general permission to cross-boundary drivers, passengers and travellers for entering or leaving the closed area of the HYWBCP. In addition, as the five cross-boundary bridges of the HYWBCP are located within the existing frontier closed area declared under the Frontier Closed Area Order (Cap 245A), the Commissioner of Police has also made the Frontier Closed Area (Permission to Enter) (Amendment) Notice 2018 under the Public Order Ordinance to grant general permission to cross-boundary drivers, passengers and travellers for entering or leaving the frontier closed area.
      
     In addition, the Secretary for Security has made the Immigration (Places of Detention) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2018 and the Immigration Service (Designated Places) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2018 to set up detention quarters at the HYWBCP for use by the Immigration Department in its routine immigration control and law enforcement duties.
 
     The above Orders and Notices will take effect on the day on which the HYWBCP comes into operation. The subsidiary legislation concerned will be tabled at the Legislative Council next Wednesday (October 10).
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Ministry of Finance will issue Renminbi Sovereign Bonds through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Please find attached the tender notice and the tender information memorandum of the Renminbi Sovereign Bonds to be issued by the Ministry of Finance. Please also find attached the tender-related information provided by the Issuing and Lodging Agent through the HKMA.

     Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements in Kowloon and New Territories on October 14 (Sunday) to facilitate the holding of Hong Kong Cyclothon 2018.

     In the morning of the event day, the 50km Ride and 30km Ride will start at Salisbury Road outside Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel and take route via West Kowloon and New Territories South before finishing at Salisbury Road outside 1881 Heritage. The remaining criterium races will be held at a closed circuit course covering part of Mody Road, Mody Lane, Salisbury Road between Nathan Road and Science Museum Road, and Hung Hom Bypass in the afternoon.

     Depending on the prevailing crowd situation, Police will consider implementing crowd safety management measures in the vicinity of the racecourse and other crowded area in Tsim Sha Tsui.

     The following special traffic arrangements will also be implemented:

Kowloon
———-

Phase 1

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 1am until the race has completed:

Road closure
—————

1. Southbound West Kowloon Highway between Tsing Kwai Highway and the slip road of southbound Lin Cheung Road;
2. The slip road of eastbound Ching Cheung Road towards Tsing Sha Highway;
3. The slip road of northbound Lai Po Road towards Tsing Sha Highway;
4. The slip road of southbound West Kowloon Highway towards eastbound Lai Cheung Road;
5. Southbound Prince Margaret Road Link between Metropolis Drive and Hung Hom Bypass;
6. Northbound Science Museum Road between Salisbury Road and Science Museum Square;
7. Hung Hom Bypass between Hung Hom Road and Salisbury Road;
8. The underpass at Salisbury Road near Nathan Road;
9. Westbound Salisbury Road between Science Museum Road and Chatham Road South;
10. Eastbound Salisbury Road between Science Museum Road and Chatham Road South (the slip road to Public Transport Interchange remains open to franchised buses);
11. The slip road of southbound Salisbury Road between the Cross Harbour Tunnel Administration Building and Science Museum Road;
12. Hong Wan Path;
13. Mody Lane; and
14. Mody Road between Mody Lane and Science Museum Road.

Traffic diversions
——————–

1. Traffic along Mei Ching Interchange cannot enter the slip road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway;
2. Traffic along eastbound Ching Cheung Road cannot enter the slip road leading to northbound Tsing Sha Highway;
3. Traffic along northbound Lai Po Road cannot enter the slip road leading to northbound Tsing Sha Highway;
4. Traffic along southbound Princess Margaret Road Link must turn right to westbound Metropolis Drive;
5. Traffic along eastbound Metropolis Drive must turn left to northbound Princess Margaret Road Link;
6. Traffic along southbound Science Museum Road must turn left to northbound Hong Chong Road;
7. Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Road must travel via the slip road of Hung Hom Bypass to Cheong Wan Road and other destinations;
8. Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must use the first and second lanes to turn left to northbound Chatham Road South;
9. Traffic along southbound Chatham Road South must turn right to westbound Salisbury Road, except for franchised buses;
10. Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must turn left to northbound Chatham Road South, except for franchised buses;
11. Traffic along southbound Salisbury Road will be diverted to northbound Hong Chong Road; and
12. Traffic along eastbound Mody Road must make a U-turn at Mody Road near Mody Lane.

Phase 2

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 2.30am until the race has completed:

Road closure
—————

1. Southbound Canton Road between Haiphong Road and Salisbury Road;
2. Northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Canton Road;
3. Peking Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
4. Westbound Salisbury Road between Star Ferry Pier and Chatham Road South;
5. Eastbound Salisbury Road between Star Ferry Pier and Kowloon Park Drive;
6. The fourth lane of eastbound Salisbury Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Hankow Road;
7. The fourth and fifth lanes of eastbound Salisbury Road between Hankow Road and Nathan Road;
8. The third and fourth lanes of eastbound Salisbury Road between Nathan Road and Middle Road;
9. The slip road of southbound Lin Cheung Road towards southbound Lin Cheung Road;
10. The fifth and sixth lanes of southbound Lin Cheung Road;
11. Ashley Road between Peking Road and Middle Road;
12. The second and third lanes of westbound Middle Road between Hankow Road and Kowloon Park Drive; and
13. Southbound Chatham Road South between Mody Road and Salisbury Road, except for franchised buses.

Traffic diversions
——————-

1. Traffic along southbound Canton Road must turn left to eastbound Haiphong Road;
2. Traffic along westbound Middle Road must turn left to southbound Kowloon Park Drive;
3. Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn left to eastbound Salisbury Road;
4. Traffic along southbound Lin Cheung Road must enter the slip road leading to southbound Nga Cheung Road flyover and southbound West Kowloon Highway;
5. Traffic along eastbound Peking Road cannot turn right to southbound Ashley Road;
6. Vehicles over gross weight of four tonnes or length over seven metres cannot enter Mody Road between Chatham Road South and Mody Lane; and
7. Traffic along southbound Chatham Road South must turn left to eastbound Mody Road, except for franchised buses.

Phase 3

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 3am until the race has completed:

Road closure
—————

1. Westbound Austin Road West between Canton Road and the elevated road of Nga Cheung Road;
2. The elevated road of northbound Nga Cheung Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road West;
3. Eastbound Jordan Road between the elevated road of Nga Cheung Road and Lin Cheung Road;
4. The elevated road of Jordan Road between Hoi Po Road and the elevated road of Nga Cheung Road;
5. The fourth lane of westbound Jordan Road between Wui Man Road and Lin Cheung Road;
6. The third lane of northbound Lin Cheung Road between Jordan Road and the U-turn slip road of Lin Cheung Road;
7. The third and fourth lanes of southbound Lin Cheung Road underpass between the U-turn slip road of northbound Lin Cheung Road and Austin Road West;
8. Northbound Lin Cheung Road lowest level underpass between Austin Road West underpass and the exit of Lin Cheung Road lowest level underpass; and
9. At-grade east loop road of Austin Road West.

Traffic diversions
——————–

1. Traffic along westbound Austin Road must turn to Canton Road;
2. Traffic along northbound Canton Road cannot turn left to westbound Austin Road West;
3. Traffic from International Commerce Centre must turn left to the elevated road of southbound Nga Cheung Road;
4. Traffic along westbound Jordan Road towards Lin Cheung Road must make a U-turn at Nga Cheung Road roundabout to eastbound Jordan Road;
5. Traffic along eastbound Jordan Road must turn left to northbound Lin Cheung Road; and
6. Traffic along the elevated road of westbound Jordan Road must turn left to the elevated road of southbound Nga Cheung Road.

Phase 4

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 4.30am until the race has completed:

1. Northbound Canton Road between China Hong Kong City and Austin Road West; and
2. Northbound Canton Road between the vehicle exit of China Hong Kong City and Kowloon Park Drive will be re-routed southbound.

New Territories
——————

Phase 1
     
     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 1am to about 7.15am, or until the race has completed:

Road closure
—————

1. Upper deck of Lantau Link Kowloon bound.

Traffic diversions
——————–

1. Traffic from Lantau to Kowloon will be diverted via the lower deck of Lantau Link, North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
2. Traffic from Lantau to Tuen Mun and Yuen Long will be diverted via the lower deck of Lantau Link and northbound Ting Kau Bridge before reaching Tuen Mun Road and Tai Lam Tunnel;
3. Traffic from Ma Wan to Kowloon will be diverted via westbound Lantau Link (Kap Shui Mun Bridge), the lower deck of Lantau Link, North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road; and
4. Traffic from Ma Wan to Tuen Mun and Yuen Long will be diverted via westbound Lantau Link (Kap Shui Mun Bridge), the lower deck of Lantau Link and northbound Ting Kau Bridge before reaching Tuen Mun Road and Tai Lam Tunnel.

Phase 2

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 1am to about 9am, or until the race has completed:

Road closure
—————

1. Eagle’s Nest Tunnel Sha Tin bound;
2. The slip road leading from eastbound Ching Cheung Road to northbound Tsing Sha Highway; and
3. The northbound carriageways of Tsing Sha Highway between West Kowloon Highway and portal of Eagle’s Nest Tunnel Sha Tin bound.

Traffic diversions
——————-

1. Traffic along West Kowloon to New Territories East via Eagle’s Nest Tunnel will be diverted via northbound Castle Peak Road, eastbound Ching Cheung Road, eastbound Lung Cheung Road and northbound Tai Po Road or northbound Lion Rock Tunnel;
2. Traffic along eastbound Ching Cheung Road to New Territories East will be diverted via eastbound Lung Cheung Road and northbound Tai Po Road or northbound Lion Rock Tunnel; and
3. Traffic along northbound West Kowloon Highway to New Territories East will be diverted via northbound Tsing Kwai Highway, northbound Kwai Chung Road, northbound Cheung Wing Road, northbound Wo Yi Hop Road, Wo Yi Hop Interchange, eastbound Cheung Pei Shan Road and eastbound Shing Mun Tunnel.

Phase 3

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 1am to about 11am, or until the race has completed:

Road closure
—————

1. Southbound carriageways of Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Cheung Tsing Highway;
2. Southbound Ting Kau Bridge;
3. Exits from Lantau Link to southbound Cheung Tsing Highway;
4. The slip roads leading from Tsing Yi South Bridge, Kwai Chung Road and Tsuen Wan Road to southbound Tsing Kwai Highway;
5. Eastbound carriageways of Tsing Sha Highway between the access road of Cheung Tsing Tunnel and West Kowloon Highway, Stonecutters Bridge and Nam Wan Tunnel;
6. The slip road leading from Tsing Yi Hong Wan Road to eastbound Stonecutters Bridge;
7. The slip road leading from Container Port Road South to eastbound Tsing Sha Highway (Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct); and
8. The slip road leading from Mei Ching Road to southbound West Kowloon Highway, except for vehicles leaving Container Port via Roundabout 6 to Mei Ching Road and Tsing Kwai Highway (New Territories bound).

Traffic diversions
——————–

1. Traffic from Tuen Mun Road and Tai Lam Tunnel heading to Kowloon will be diverted via Tuen Mun Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
2. Traffic from Tsing Yi South heading to Kowloon will be diverted via Tsing Yi Road, Kwai Tsing Road, Kwai Tsing Interchange, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road; and
3. Traffic from Kwai Chung Container Port heading to Kowloon will be diverted via Container Port Road South, Hing Wah Street West and Lai Po Road.

     The above road closures will not affect traffic from Kowloon or New Territories East via Route 3 or Route 8 to various destinations, including the airport, the Lantau, Ma Wan and New Territories West.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements and crowd safety management measures will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. For the sake of public safety, members of the public, participants, spectators and road users are advised to pay attention to the special traffic arrangements and take heed of instructions of Police at scene.