Author Archives: hksar gov

     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (November 11) that the department’s pilot operation codenamed “CLEARSKY”, launched across various districts over the past months, has achieved significant results by proactively enhancing inspections to target buildings with dripping air conditioners, complemented by education and publicity efforts.

     The spokesman said that the FEHD conducted a number of large-scale operations from May to October in the Eastern, Central and Western, Yau Tsim, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long Districts. Proactive inspections targeted black spots with significant occurrences of dripping air conditioners in the districts. During the operations, FEHD staff issued a total of 1 505 nuisance notices to owners or occupiers of premises, requiring them to resolve the problem of dripping air conditioners within a specified period. The number represents an increase of more than 1.2 times compared to the same period last year. Most of the nuisance notices have been complied with, while those who fail to comply with the notices will be prosecuted by the FEHD.
 
     In addition, the FEHD has stepped up publicity and education work over the territory, including co-operating with property management agents (PMAs) and local community members to remind the public to properly address the issue of dripping air conditioners through promotional leaflets, posters and banners. Furthermore, the FEHD has raised public awareness and fostered a sense of responsibility regarding dripping air conditioner issues through Announcements in the Public Interest on TV and radio, advertisements on public transport, dissemination of information on online platforms and launch of a thematic webpage.

     The spokesman said, “Unlike the previous approach where the department mainly followed up on complaints, the FEHD has strived to proactively handle dripping problems through operation ‘CLEARSKY’. The FEHD will assess the effectiveness of the operation and consider extending the operation to other districts. The FEHD will also continue to improve environmental hygiene by enhancing service standards with new and innovative ideas.”

     As PMAs are familiar with the situation of their housing estates and the residents, they are capable of handling the issue of dripping air conditioners in housing estates effectively. Therefore, the FEHD initiated the Scheme of Participation by Property Management Agents in Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners to solicit the assistance of PMAs in handling complaints about dripping air conditioners in private housing estates during the summer season (from May to November). Currently, over 280 PMAs are participating in the Scheme. On average, over 4 000 complaints against dripping air conditioners were followed up and handled through the Scheme annually. To commend participating PMAs, as well as local community members and organisations promoting operation “CLEARSKY”, the FEHD held an award ceremony earlier at Lai Chi Kok Government Offices to express gratitude for their efforts.

     The spokesman emphasised, “PMAs and local community members play an important role in addressing issues such as dripping air conditions and other environmental hygiene matters. The FEHD looks forward to continuing and enhancing co-operation with them to create a better living environment for the public.”

     The spokesman called on members of the public to check their air conditioners regularly. If water dripping is detected, they should expeditiously handle it and not cause a nuisance to others. For more information, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/CheckMaintainAC.pdf).

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to Hong Kong International Airport · Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon: Three-Runway System 10km International Race, which will be held on November 17.
      
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (November 11), “The Three-Runway System 10km International Race is the only long-distance running event prior to the full operation of the Three-Runway System. It provides runners with the memorable experience of running on a runway with aircraft taking off and landing nearby. Like other “M” Mark events, this activity will inject new vitality locally, while further solidifying Hong Kong’s status as a sports events capital.”
      
     The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local “national sports associations” and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.

     â€‹For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk. read more

     The Government announced today (November 11) that, with support from the Education Bureau (EDB), the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences was officially launched, signifying a new journey for the development of vocational and professional education and training (VPET). The Alliance comprises four post-secondary institutions as founding members, with the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and Saint Francis University (SFU) as full members, and Tung Wah College (TWC) and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) as associate members.

     Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, said that he was pleased that the Government’s direction of developing universities of applied sciences (UAS) has received strong support from various sectors. He said he was also glad to see that UAS and other aspiring post-secondary institutions responded to the Government’s policies proactively to establish the Alliance, promoting VPET development with concerted efforts and supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international post-secondary education hub.

     He said that he looked forward to all sectors of society and the Alliance to continue strengthening collaboration, achieving co-operation between industries and education, as well as integration of science and education, and, through sharing of experience and resources, enhance the quality and recognition of VPET, thereby jointly nurturing applied talent for contribution to the development of Hong Kong and the country.

     Guests attending the ceremony included the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Permanent Secretary for Education and Chairman of the Steering Committee on the Alliance, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, Mr Rock Chen; representatives of member institutions of the Alliance, namely, the President of the HKMU, Professor Paul Lam; the Acting President of SFU, Professor Lo Tit-wing; the President of TWC, Professor Sally Chan; and the President of THEi, Professor Alan Lau; and representatives from over 80 supporting organisations which included enterprises, chambers of commerce, industry organisations, think tanks, quasi-government organisations, and educational and charitable organisations.

     The Alliance also invited representatives from the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong; the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong; the Federation of Hong Kong Industries; and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, to a panel discussion. They exchanged and shared insights on how the industries could collaborate with UAS and other post-secondary institutions under the Government’s strategy of fostering industry-institution collaboration and diversified development for promoting VPET development and nurturing quality talent with applied knowledge and skills.

     As announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, the Government will continue to press ahead with the development of UAS in Hong Kong. It has allocated a start-up fund of $100 million to support the establishment of the Alliance, which will embark on joint promotions with industries and stakeholders, including organising international conferences, strengthening exchanges and collaboration with applied sciences institutions from other places, and initiating collaboration and research on applied education at the post-secondary level.

     All UAS may apply to become full members of the Alliance, whereas institutions aspiring to become UAS may apply to become associate members. The HKMU serves as the secretariat of the Alliance. The EDB has established the Steering Committee on the Alliance to advise on the development and strategy of the Alliance, as well as approving and supervising the use of the start-up fund.

      

     In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on November 8 to noon today (November 11), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 345 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category, in the past three days (including last Saturday and Sunday). No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).
 
     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 150 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 99 418 samples of food imported from Japan (including 63 519 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 22 162 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 11) that in view of notifications from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and the World … read more