Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (August 25) presented certificates of completion of service to 10 delegates of Phase VIII of the Service Corps programme to recognise and commend their outstanding performance in voluntary work in Shaoguan and Meizhou in Guangdong Province.

     At the certificate presentation ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, also praised the delegates for their enthusiasm in serving people. He said he had been pleased to see that the delegates had the courage to embrace challenges and devoted themselves to voluntary teaching duties with a positive attitude, which deserves commendation and appreciation.
 
     Mr Lau said, “At first, these young delegates were a bit nervous to start voluntary teaching in remote areas on the Mainland. It was not easy for them to adapt to the rural life and stay there for half a year to a year for voluntary teaching. Without passion and a caring heart, it would have been impossible for them to accomplish the mission.”
 
     He said he hoped that the programme, which provides an opportunity for Hong Kong youths to train and challenge themselves and allows them to learn more about the motherland and the needs of people there, would continue. He also expressed the hope that the delegates would continue to serve individuals, the community and the country, and share their experiences on the Mainland with peers to encourage more young people to provide voluntary services on the Mainland.
 
     Mr Lau thanked the Guangdong Youth Federation, the Municipal People’s Governments of Meizhou and Shaoguan and committee members of the Communist Youth Leagues in the two cities for their full support, and expressed appreciation for the care given to the delegates by the principals and teachers of the participating schools.
      
     The Home Affairs Bureau launched the Service Corps programme in 2011 to provide financial support for youths aged between 18 and 29 to serve in remote areas on the Mainland for one semester or for the whole school year. Aiming to develop young people’s tenacity and potential, the volunteer programme encourages Hong Kong young people to serve others and contribute to their country with a view to enhancing their understanding of the motherland and promoting the spirit of volunteerism. About 140 Hong Kong youths have participated in Phases I to VIII of the programme.

     The delegates of the Service Corps programme (Phase VIII) went to various primary and secondary schools in Shaoguan and Meizhou, namely Huaping Experimental School, Zhenjiang Secondary School, Xiyang Town Centre Primary School and Bingcun Town Centre Primary School, to provide teaching assistance to primary and junior secondary students in various subjects and help organise extracurricular activities from September 2017 to July 2018.

     Young people who are interested in joining the programme can visit the Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/servicecorpshk) or the webpage of the Service Corps (www.ydc.gov.hk/servicecorps/en) for more details or call 3509 7104 for enquiries.

      

     The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (August 25) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.

     For further information, please call the department’s enquiries hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.

     The 18 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern/Wan Chai –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
Waiting Lobby, 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai read more

     The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, will lead the Hong Kong Disciplined Services Cultural Exchange Delegation, which comprises representatives from five disciplined services, on visit to Beijing departing tomorrow (August … read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session after attending radio programmes today (August 25): Reporter: At which point and time would you conside… read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal pollution levels. At noon today (August 25), the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at some general stations reached 7, corresponding to the “High” health risk category.

     There are sunny periods with relatively low visibility and light winds in Hong Kong today. Higher than normal levels of nitrogen dioxide and ozone have been recorded in the territory since this morning. Hong Kong is being affected by an air mass with higher background pollutant concentrations. In addition, the light wind hinders effective dispersion of air pollutants. The sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity and the formation of ozone and fine particulates, resulting in high pollution in the Pearl River Delta region. The high level of ozone has promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide, particularly in parts of the urban areas and at the roadside. It is expected that the AQHI at some general and roadside air monitoring stations may reach the “Serious” level later today.

     According to the Hong Kong Observatory, there will still be light winds tomorrow. It is expected that pollution levels will remain higher than normal until the wind strengthens early next week.

     With a health risk category in the “Very High” range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public are advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB’s website for appropriate measures to safeguard students’ health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows:
www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.

     When the AQHI is at the “Very High” level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the “Serious” level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
   
     Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD’s website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541. read more