The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) announced today (August 16) that it has confirmed the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) is safe and in sound condition after consulting relevant government departments, and has notified the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL).
 
     The EMSD is responsible for regulating and monitoring the safe operation of the railway system of the MTRCL. Before the commissioning of any new railway project, the EMSD and relevant government departments will conduct assessment to ascertain that the various railway systems are safe and in sound condition.
 
     The EMSD and relevant government departments have conducted on-site inspection and approval of all safety-related systems during the testing and commissioning stage of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL. These systems include fire services systems, emergency evacuation facilities, high-speed trains, and signalling and communication systems. The EMSD has also scrutinised the emergency handling procedures prepared by the MTRCL together with the Security Bureau and relevant departments, and observed the drills and exercises conducted by the MTRCL, including the joint exercises with relevant government departments, so as to review the effectiveness of all contingency plans. The MTRCL has submitted relevant structural documents to the Buildings Department and the Highways Department. The Buildings Department and the Highways Department have inspected all relevant structural documents and conducted site inspection of works, and have confirmed that they have met the prescribed statutory standards. All relevant government departments have also confirmed that the operating systems, train compartments and station facilities can function normally.
 
     Taking into account the above, the EMSD has confirmed the Hong Kong Section of the XRL is safe and in sound condition. The EMSD and relevant government departments will continue to supervise the MTRCL in its final preparatory works prior to the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL in late September 2018.
 
     The Hong Kong Section of the XRL is a 26-kilometre-long underground rail corridor linking Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to the Hong Kong/Shenzhen boundary at Huanggang, where it is connected with the Mainland Section of the XRL. There is also an emergency rescue siding and stabling sidings at Shek Kong to support emergency evacuation and maintenance.

     A man who went missing in Sham Shui Po was located.

     Tso Yik-hang, aged 34, went missing after he left his residence in Pak Tin Estate on August 14 afternoon. His family member made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man returned to his residence this morning (August 16). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     Vegetable chain stalls operated by Bonnie Vegetables and Fruit Wholesale Limited in Yau Ma Tei and Shau Kei Wan were fined a total of $10,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (August 16) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) by causing noise nuisance to nearby residents with loudspeakers playing promotional recordings.

     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that the department received complaints from members of the public last year about two vegetable stalls at Reclamation Street in Yau Ma Mei and Po Man Street in Shau Kei Wan persistently and repeatedly playing promotional recordings with loudspeakers during operating hours to sell goods. The EPD conducted investigations at the vegetable stalls concerned in March and April respectively. Upon on-site assessment by EPD staff, it was confirmed that the noise caused annoyance and the department subsequently prosecuted the two stalls under the NCO. Following the enforcement action against the two vegetable stalls, the above situation was improved.

     The EPD is highly concerned about the noise nuisance caused by vegetable chain stalls in various districts. The department will continue to closely monitor and conduct stringent enforcement action to combat repeated contraventions by these stalls. The EPD will consider prosecuting the company director in addition to the operating company of the stalls concerned.

     The spokesman reminded persons responsible for retail shops and market stalls that when they play promotional recordings to sell goods, they should contain the noise level within their shop area as far as possible and should not cause annoyance to other people outside their shops or nearby residents. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence, and offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000. For stalls with repeated contraventions, the operator himself will also be criminally liable for the offence once convicted.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 16) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Upper Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (August 16) welcomed the Central Government's announcement of the Regulations for Application of Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents, and expressed deep gratitude for its continuous effort in introducing measures in the past year to assist Hong Kong residents studying, working, starting business and living on the Mainland.
 
     "I am very pleased to learn that the Regulations will be formally implemented on September 1 this year. According to the Regulations, Hong Kong residents living on the Mainland who meet the relevant criteria can apply for residence permits. A residence permit holder is entitled to enjoy, in accordance with the law, three categories of rights, six basic public services and nine facilitation measures in the place where he or she is residing, covering areas relating to daily living including employment, education, medical care, travel, financial services and so on," Mrs Lam said.
 
     "The Central Government has responded to the needs of Hong Kong people in introducing the Regulations. The Regulations will provide convenience for Hong Kong residents who are studying, working and living on the Mainland on a long-term basis, and provide them with more opportunities to participate in the country's development, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. It fully reflects President Xi Jinping's people-centred development approach, as well as the Central Government's care and concern for the people of Hong Kong."
 
     In his important address at the Meeting Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland and the Inaugural Ceremony of the Fifth-Term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, President Xi said the relevant Central Government departments would actively consider adopting concrete measures to make it more convenient for the people of Hong Kong to study, work and live on the Mainland, and provide more opportunities for them to pursue career development in the country. This would enable the people of Hong Kong to enjoy brighter development prospects and live better lives while contributing to China's overall development.
 
     The relevant Central Government departments have subsequently introduced a series of concrete measures to assist Hong Kong residents studying, working and living on the Mainland, including installing ticket machines which can read Home Visit Permits in railway stations, allowing Hong Kong and Macao residents working on the Mainland to join the Housing Provident Fund and removing the requirement for Hong Kong and Macao residents working on the Mainland to apply for employment permits.