The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
     
     The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (June 4) its decision to make available 580 MHz of spectrum in the 5 GHz band (consisting of four sub-bands of frequencies in 5150 – 5250 MHz, 5250 – 5350 MHz, 5470 – 5725 MHz and 5725 – 5850 MHz) (the 5 GHz Shared Band) for the provision of public mobile services on a shared basis, as well as the associated regulatory and licensing regime.

     "The CA's decision will enable Hong Kong to become one of the first few economies in the world to adopt advanced mobile technologies, such as Licensed Assisted Access, in the 5 GHz Shared Band for the provision of higher speed public mobile services. With a total bandwidth of 580 MHz, this represents a significant addition to the existing total capacity of the 552 MHz of spectrum in the sub-3 GHz bands already assigned to mobile network operators (MNOs). Mobile users will stand to benefit from the increased service quality and capacity to be provided by MNOs through the use of the 5 GHz Shared Band," a spokesman for the CA said.

     The CA conducted a public consultation in February 2018 on its proposal to make available the 5 GHz Shared Band for the provision of public mobile services on a shared basis. The proposal received general support from the industry.
      
     "With immediate effect, MNOs may apply to the CA for the use of the band concerned on a shared basis to provide public mobile services through necessary amendments to their unified carrier licences," the spokesman said.

     "The CA has been actively exploring ways to make available additional spectrum for the provision of public mobile services. The CA will continue to closely monitor the market and technology developments and will make available other suitable spectrum in a timely manner to further enhance the development of the mobile industry in Hong Kong for the benefits of our mobile users," the spokesman added.

     For details of the CA's decision on the use of the 5 GHz Shared Band for the provision of public mobile services, please refer to the CA Statement published by the CA today, which is available at the CA's website: www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/statement/en/upload/451/ca_statements20180604_en.pdf.

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

     The Ombudsman, Ms Connie Lau, today (June 4) announced her Office's initiation of a direct investigation to examine whether there was maladministration in the Government’s decisions and actions in respect of its felling of two trees in front of Tang Chi Ngong Building of the University of Hong Kong on May 20, 2018.

     The felling of the two banyan trees by the Lands Department (LandsD) has attracted wide media coverage and public debate. Some criticised that the departments concerned had not taken due care of the health conditions of the two trees, nor had they sufficiently consulted relevant experts and the local community.

     In this light, The Ombudsman has decided to investigate whether the decisions and actions of the departments concerned, namely LandsD, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Tree Management Office (TMO) of the Development Bureau, were in line with the relevant policies and procedures. This direct investigation will cover:

(1) how LandsD had looked after the two trees, and whether its decision to fell the trees had sufficient grounds;

(2) the role and involvement of the TMO in the incident;

(3) whether the HAD had duly assisted in conducting local consultation; and

(4) whether there are inadequacies and areas for improvement on the part of the departments concerned.

     Back in June 2016, the Office of The Ombudsman published two direct investigation reports entitled "Government's Handling of Four Stonewall Trees along Bonham Road" and "Government's Tree Management Regime and Practices", and made a number of recommendations to the Government for improvement. The Office has been monitoring the progress of implementation of those recommendations by the departments concerned.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 4) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach,  Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council (TWDC), Mr Chung Wai-ping, and the Vice Chairman of TWDC, Mr Wong Wai-kit, as well as District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Miss Jenny Yip, attended the 2018 Tsuen Wan Dragon Boat Race at Tsuen Wan Promenade this afternoon (June 3), at which she watched a race and presented prizes to the winners. It has been the sixth Tsuen Wan Dragon Boat Race since it was held again in 2013. With the participation of more than 120 teams from Hong Kong, Macao, Guangdong and overseas, the race attracted many members of the public to watch at the promenade, creating a joyful atmosphere. Mrs Lam toured the stalls at the venue on traditional food, local youth service, social enterprises and rehabilitation service for mental illness. In particular, the stall of Hong Kong Children and Youth Services was manned by young people of ethnic minorities in the district. Noting that Hong Kong is an inclusive society, Mrs Lam encouraged them to take part in more district and Chinese traditional cultural activities to better integrate into the Hong Kong society.

     Before attending the activity, she dropped by the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre which will be commissioned soon. Designed and constructed by the developer of an adjacent private housing estate, the fully-equipped sports centre has a total area of about 12 000 square metres. Its multi-purpose main arena, with a secondary arena as well, has a seating capacity of about 1 900 persons, enabling the staging of major local and international sports events. It also features the district's first public indoor play room for children and an outdoor climbing wall. The sports centre is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of this year.

     "I took part in the planning of this project and other development projects in Tsuen Wan while I was serving as the Secretary for Development. I am pleased and excited to see that the sports centre will be commissioned soon. The new sports centre of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is set to further enhance the leisure and sports facilities for residents of New Territories West and enable the hosting of more major sports competitions and activities in the district, providing better quality of life for residents," Mrs Lam said.

            

     The Hong Kong Cup dragon boat race was held at the promenade of Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan, today (June 3).

     The championship went to Kawasaki Nishiguchi Sanbore Paradise, which beat 12 teams in the race and was presented with the Hong Kong Cup trophy by the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Shirley Yung.

     The Yokohama Dragon Boat Races, which has been held since 1994, attracted a total of about 180 teams this year to compete in a four-day event spread across two consecutive weekends. The Hong Kong Cup race, sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo (HKETO), was one of the highlights. 

     The HKETO also set up a booth and display panels at the race venue to introduce to park visitors and race spectators the latest developments in Hong Kong. The HKETO aimed to promote cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Japan as well as enhance Japanese people's understanding of Hong Kong through participating in the event.