Author Archives: hksar gov

     The owner of a motorcycle workshop, Safety Motorcycle Accessories Company, located at Wood Road in Wan Chai, illegally handled spent lubricating oil and was fined $7,000 by Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (June 11) for contravening the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) conducted a blitz inspection at Wood Road in Wan Chai last November. It was found that the motorcycle workshop concerned illegally deposited spent lubricating oil, which is classified as chemical waste, on the pavement outside the workshop and the spent lubricating oil was not properly labelled and stored in accordance with the statuary requirements. After the EPD’s investigation, it was confirmed that the owner of the maintenance workshop was not registered with the department as a chemical waste producer. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the owner concerned for contravening the Regulation.

     An EPD spokesman explained that spent lubricating oil generated by vehicle maintenance workshops is classified as chemical waste and contains various toxic chemicals. Improper handling of such waste will cause the spent lubricating oil to leak into nearby drains and soil, which pollutes the environment and causes harm to public health.
      
     The spokesman reminded all garage operators and workers engaged in the vehicle repairing business that they should register as chemical waste producers with the EPD in accordance with the above Regulation. Chemical waste must be properly packaged, labelled and stored, and has to be collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for treatment. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment.
      
     Members of the public may visit the EPD’s website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html. read more

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD)’s Quality Assurance Division held a press briefing today (June 11) to highlight a series of measures to combat soccer betting in correctional institutions arising from World Cup 2018. In addition, officers introduced measures to thwart the trafficking of contraband into correctional institutions and demonstrated the general routine searching of persons in custody to prevent them from concealing contraband.
 
     The department’s Senior Superintendent (Quality Assurance), Mr Anthony Pang, said, “The CSD always strives to ensure good order and discipline in correctional institutions. Given that there have been persons in custody engaging in gambling activities arising from major soccer competitions in the past, thereby affecting institutional discipline, the CSD has, as in past years, conducted a series of anti-gambling measures early in the year to combat gambling activities of persons in custody. The CSD has also stepped up its searching, so as to prevent persons in custody from concealing contraband and to stamp out smuggling of contraband into correctional institutions, thus ensuring a secure and safe custodial environment.”
 
     From the beginning of this year to the end of May, the department conducted special searches, night raids and joint search operations on more than 3,000 occasions. During the operations, 45 persons in custody were found to have participated in gambling activities or have possessed gambling-related contraband. Anti-gambling measures will continue to be implemented throughout the World Cup 2018 period. During the press briefing, officers introduced their searching techniques, and contraband items including gambling records and homemade weapons were displayed.
 
     In view of the international situation as well as the security concerns within the correctional institutions, the CSD introduced flammable liquid detectors this year so as to detect flammable substances and prevent them from being introduced into correctional institutions. In this regard, officers demonstrated how to detect flammable substances with the detector.
 
     Finally, members of the Correctional Services Dog Unit demonstrated the use of their trained dogs for searching activities. In addition to patrol duties, the dogs are trained to detect other contraband as well in order to support the surveillance inside the correctional institutions.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on “Integrated education” (Chapter 3) of the Director of Audit’s Report No.70 at 9‍am tomorrow (June 12) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex.
 
     Seven witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearing to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by PAC members.
 
     The programme for the public hearing is as follows:
 
Date: June 12, 2018 (Tuesday)
Time: 9am
Venue: Conference Room 1

Subject: Integrated education (Chapter 3 of the Director of Audit’s Report No.70)

Witnesses:

Secretary for Education
Mr Kevin Yeung

Permanent Secretary for Education
Mrs Ingrid Yeung

Deputy Secretary for Education (3)
Mrs Michelle Wong

Principal Assistant Secretary (Special Education), Education Bureau
Mr Godwin Lai

Principal Education Officer (Special Education), Education Bureau
Dr Verena Lau 

Senior Specialist (Speech Therapy), Education Bureau
Miss Louise Hui

Senior Specialist (Special Education Support 4), Education Bureau
Mr Martin Mui

     PAC is chaired by Mr Abraham Shek, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Kenneth Leung. Other members include Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan. read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s Chinese Opera Festival will present performances by the Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe of Shaoxing in July. The programme will feature the grand production “Qu Yuan” and the classic titles “How a Dead Cat was Substituted for a New-born Prince”, “The Lady General Mu Guiying Leads Her Army to War” and “Three Glimpses of the Princess”.
 
     Yue opera, also known as Shaoxing opera, originated from Shengzhou in Shaoxing city of Zhejiang Province. Yue opera is usually performed by an all-female cast. It is characterised by its lyrical singing and the subtlety and tenderness of the melodies, while the make-up style of the actors is graceful and glamorous.
 
     All four full-length plays will feature Wu Fenghua, a “xiaosheng” (young male) role performer of the Fan (Ruijuan) school. Wu is a two-time Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre winner and a National Class One Performer. She will be joined by three other winners of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre and National Class One Performers, namely Wu Suying from the Lu (Ruiying) school, Chen Fei from the Fu (Quanxiang) school and Zhang Lin from the Yin (Guifang) school. The performances will offer audiences a great opportunity to see such a strong cast of virtuosi gathered on the same stage.
 
     “Qu Yuan” is a distinguished Yue opera play of virtuoso Yin Guifang in her later years. The play expanded the artistic aspects of Yue opera to present the solemn and tragic story of the historic figure Qu Yuan. It requires a high-level of singing and acting skills. Wu Fenghua has made breakthroughs in the role of “xiaosheng” in her powerful interpretation of the patriotic and noble poet, and the audience will be able to experience intense drama tension. “How a Dead Cat was Substituted for a New-born Prince” was the play that won Wu her second Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre. It is also one of the most popular productions of the Troupe in recent years. “The Lady General Mu Guiying Leads Her Army to War” is a civil and martial play characterised by complicated singing and gesturing. Wu plays the role of Yang Zongbao and demonstrates her marvellous civil and martial skills. Famed for her handsome look and elegant demeanour, Wu stands out from fellow female actors in the “xiaosheng” role. “Three Glimpses of the Princess”, on the other hand, is a timeless classic comedy.
 
     Details of performances are as follows:
 
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre; 7.30pm
July 19 (Thursday): “Qu Yuan”
July 20 (Friday): “How a Dead Cat was Substituted for a New-born Prince”
July 21 (Saturday): “The Lady General Mu Guiying Leads Her Army to War”
 
Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall; 7.30pm
July 22 (Sunday): “Three Glimpses of the Princess”
 
     Tickets with prices ranging from $150 to $450 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk).
 
     For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.cof.gov.hk.
 
     A meet-the-artists session entitled “The Inheritance and Development of Yue Opera” (in Putonghua) featuring Wu Fenghua, Wu Suying and Chen Fei will be held at 7.30pm on July 18 (Wednesday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The moderator will be Chinese opera researcher Chan Chun-miu. Admission is free with seats available on a first come, first served basis.

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 11) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From June 3 to 9, one community-acquired LD case was reported. The 64-year-old male patient, with good past health, lives in Elegant Court, Phase 2, Pictorial Garden, 23 On King Street, Sha Tin District.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of June 9, 22 LD cases had been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 cases respectively.

     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using these devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not tap water. Also, clean and maintain them regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol;
• Remove strainers in water taps and shower heads quarterly for cleaning;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and they need to be changed periodically;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute the infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow medical advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap) water to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain them regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2-µm filters. Never leave stagnant water. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
2. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
3. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
4. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more