In response to a media report yesterday (October 25) on the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS), a spokesman for the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) gave the following reply today (October 26):
      
     Since the TechTAS came into operation in June this year, 142 quotas have been allotted under the scheme.
      
     With respect to the ITC, the processing of all these 142 quota applications was completed within the target of two weeks upon receipt of all the required information and documents. On average, the processing time was around three working days.  As for the Immigration Department, 12 applications for a visa / entry permit have been approved so far. The processing of all these cases was completed also within the target of two weeks’ time.
       
     The Harbin Institute of Technology, which is mentioned in the media report, is ranked ninth in Engineering/Technology and Computer Sciences in the latest (2016) Academic Ranking of World Universities (also known as the Shanghai Ranking). It is, therefore, a well-recognised university as required by the TechTAS.  It should not be required to submit lots of documentary proof.
      
     The ITC and the Immigration Department will keep processing applications within the target timeframe, so as to facilitate the admission of required talent for the technology sector.

     ​The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (October 26) that it has terminated the tenancy agreement of a market stall in Sham Shui Po today as the tenant breached the tenancy agreement by subletting the market stall.

     The market stall was located on the first floor of Pei Ho Street Market in Sham Shui Po.

     An FEHD spokesman said, "The concerned tenancy agreement stipulates that public market stall tenants shall not assign, sublet, transfer mortgage, charge, demise, underlet or part with the possession or otherwise part with any of the benefits or obligations of the agreement dispose of the stall or any interest therein, or enter any agreement so to do. The FEHD may terminate the tenancy agreement for breach of this clause and enter into possession of the stall."

     Detailed investigations and evidence collected by the FEHD proved that the concerned tenant had sublet the stall. Hence, the FEHD terminated the tenancy agreement according to the abovementioned clause and the market stall concerned was resumed.

     The spokesman reminded FEHD market stall tenants to strictly observe clauses of the tenancy agreement, including refraining from subletting market stalls, or the tenancy agreement will be terminated.

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

     The Hong Kong Moneary Authority (HKMA) has completed its review on the process of electronic wallets users setting up direct debit authorisation (eDDA) through the Faster Payment System (FPS).  The HKMA has requested stored value facility operators and banks to adopt the following refined process to enhance user protection:
 

1. the user will receive an SMS notification from his bank to confirm the setting-up of eDDAï¼›or
2. he will need to make a one-time credit transfer from the relevant bank account to his electronic wallet, so as to confirm the wallet user is the same as the bank account owner; or
3. Bank's Two-factor Authentication.

 
     In order to provide more comprehensive protection to users, the above refined process will apply to direct debit services conducted through both FPS and non-FPS channels.  To implement the refined process, direct debit services through both channels have been temporarily suspended, but the resumption of services using the above refined process is expected to begin incrementally starting from next week.

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited Wong Tai Sin District this afternoon (October 26) to inspect the improvement works for the Kai Tak River. He also met with local District Council members to exchange views on district matters.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, Mr Li Tak-hong, and the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Ms Annie Kong, Mr Wong was briefed by the Chief Engineer of the Drainage Services Department, Mr Raymond Tai, on the background, features and progress of the Kai Tak River makeover.

     The Kai Tak River improvement works have been implemented in phases since 2011, with a view to enhancing drainage capacity to mitigate flooding risks at Choi Hung Road. The department also took the opportunity to revitalise the nullah into the first urban green river corridor in Hong Kong by injecting various greening and ecological elements into the project, including growing different types of plants along the banks of the river and installing fish shelters and flow deflectors in the riverbed to provide a suitable environment for fish to colonise it.

     Mr Wong then met with members of the Wong Tai Sin District Council to listen to their views and suggestions on the work of the Government. They also exchanged views on issues of concern to local residents.

      

     In response to media enquiries on the Cathay Pacific Airways data leakage incident, a spokesperson for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau said today (October 26) that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is highly concerned about the incident. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) immediately initiated a compliance check and asked Cathay Pacific Airways to take prompt remedial measures.

     "We have requested Cathay Pacific Airways to fully co-operate with the PCPD on the compliance check. We also hope that the PCPD will complete the check and make a report expeditiously so that Cathay Pacific Airways can comply with the requirements," the spokesperson said.

     The spokesperson added that the PCPD may serve an enforcement notice directing a person or organisation contravening the data protection principles under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (the Ordinance) to take remedial measures.

     The HKSAR Government will jointly review with the PCPD the relevant requirements and penalties of the Ordinance, and consider how data protection and the notification arrangement relating to data leakage could be enhanced.