The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the third meeting of the Steering Committee on District Governance today (July 31). The meeting discussed the preparatory work of various bureaux and departments on the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and formulated strategies to address district issues of people's concern.
      
     Mr Chan said, "This year's National Day is of great significance, being the first such anniversary after the improvement of governance at the district level and the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Bureaux and departments are pressing ahead at full steam with preparations for an array of rich and diverse celebratory activities, with a view to sharing the joy of the National Day with members of the public and strengthening the sense of patriotism in the community. We will mobilise the support of different sectors in society to foster a colourful and enthusiastic atmosphere for the National Day."
      
     On district issues, the Steering Committee on District Governance discussed further promoting digital inclusion among the elderly and tasked the Digital Policy Office under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau with setting up community-based help desks and organising digital inclusion activities. The objective is to provide the elderly with necessary digital support and strengthen their interest and capability in adopting digital technologies, so that they can enjoy the benefits of digital services. Also, the Steering Committee formulated an enhanced mechanism to handle some common complaints at the district level; and followed up the progress of the seven district initiatives previously identified, namely (1) expanding after-school care service and enhancing support for parents; (2) caring for the elderly and enhancing community support; (3) fostering clean markets and mobilising the community to participate in anti-rodent work; (4) enhancing public order and combatting crimes on all fronts; (5) improving pedestrian facilities and ensuring road safety; (6) enhancing the walking experience for citizens and creating a pedestrian-friendly environment; and (7) improving the environment of public housing estates and creating comfortable homes.
      
     In accordance with the overall strategies set by the Steering Committee on District Governance, the Task Force on District Governance, chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will continue to co-ordinate bureaux and departments in taking forward the various district initiatives to raise people's standard of living with concrete results and enhance their sense of achievement, satisfaction and security.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following appeal today (July 31) regarding the condition of a patient who requires an urgent heart transplant:
 
     A patient who requires an urgent heart transplant is currently hospitalised at Queen Mary Hospital and is in critical condition. In response to an urgent appeal from the patient and family members concerned, the HA appeals to members of the public to proactively support organ donations and consider donating the heart of a deceased relative to rekindle the lives of others.
      
     In view of the critical condition of the patient, in addition to proactively searching for a suitable heart locally, the HA will also seek assistance from the Mainland through relevant procedures as soon as possible. When a patient who is willing to donate an organ is deceased and no suitable patient is identified to receive the organ on the Mainland, the cross-boundary organ donation and matching mechanism will facilitate a transplant in Hong Kong to bring hope to a critically ill patient.
      
     The spokesperson emphasised that when a suitable heart is found, the HA will strictly follow the relevant organ transplant regulations and make an application with the authorities to ensure that all procedures comply with relevant standards and regulatory requirements. The HA will arrange transplant operations with an aim to save the patient's life the soonest.
      
     For critically ill patients with organ failure, an organ transplant is often the only hope to extend their lives. When deceased patients and their families show selfless act of love and donate the deceased person's organs to save dying patients, it not only gives critically ill patients the hope of life, but also eases their families from hardship in life. The HA appeals to the public to pass on the great love, blessing and care to those who are still fighting for their well-deserved lives.
 

 
     The Safety Forum for Works and Property Management Services 2024, organised by the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Construction Industry Council, was held today (July 31) to promote site safety awareness.

     Addressing the opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Miss Rosanna Law, said that to cope with increasing housing production and create a safe working environment for frontline personnel, the HA has been incorporating smart site technology in works contracts to help project teams manage and monitor work procedures more effectively, ensuring efficiency and safety along the construction process.

     "The HA will utilise smart technology more extensively in the future to enhance site monitoring and improve site safety. I hope that our business partners share our core value of caring, and strive to promote site safety and health, and encourage caring about frontline workers," Miss Law said.

     The theme of the Forum this year is "Enhancing Occupational Safety and Health by Risk Management, Innovation and Technology". The event invited industry professionals to share information and exchange experiences, encouraging stakeholders to properly implement risk management to control foreseeable risks and promote the use of technology to strengthen site and safety management.

     The Forum was held physically and was broadcast online, enabling safety information to be widely shared with industry practitioners. Participants included works contractors, property services agents, cleaning and security service providers, representatives of supporting organisations, industry practitioners, academia, and works and estate management staff of the HA.   

     This year marks the 18th consecutive year of the Forum, which has been consistently supported by a number of government departments, professional organisations, trade associations and labour unions, providing a regular platform for members of the industry to share experiences and best practices for safety. Over the years, the Forum has enhanced safety awareness at all levels, from management to frontline staff, towards fostering a safety culture with the ultimate goal of achieving "zero incidents".

        

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 31) strongly disapproved of and condemned the absurd and unfounded remarks on Hong Kong's situation, in areas such as safeguarding national security and protecting human rights, made by the Consul General of the United States of America (US) to Hong Kong, Mr Gregory May, in a media interview.
      
     A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) in June 2020, the US has ignored the large-scale and incessant riots that occurred in 2019 that devastated society, livelihoods and the economy of Hong Kong. Instead, it piled up false stories and fabricated narratives to maliciously slander laws relevant to safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and blatantly attacked the HKSAR in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law. The US has also deliberately neglected the fact that the NSL has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community as well the business environment to return to normalcy, exposing its hypocrisy with double standards.
      
     "The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. It is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under 'one country, two systems' and comes directly under the Central People's Government. The legal basis for implementing 'one country, two systems' comprises the Constitution and the Basic Law, which provide a constitutional guarantee for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to equality before the law, and is buttressed by the rule of law and independent judicial power," the spokesman stressed.
      
     "Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The legal framework in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR is in line with relevant international human rights standards. The NSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR are protected in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, just as the case with other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR also expressly states that some of them may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for protection of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc.
      
     "As a matter of fact, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. The US has at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security. It is therefore in no position to point its finger at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security."
      
     The spokesman stressed, "The offences endangering national security stipulated by the NSL and the SNSO target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons concerned. Law-abiding persons will not unwittingly violate the law. The remarks made by the Consul General of the US to Hong Kong on the so-called 'chilling effect' are purely malicious smears on the NSL and the SNSO."
      
     The spokesperson reiterated, "The HKSAR Government is steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, fully and faithfully upholding this top priority of the 'one country, two systems' principle. The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the NSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law. At the same time, it protects the legal interests, rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and other people in Hong Kong in accordance with the law, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. The HKSAR Government strongly demands the Consul General of the US to immediately stop the malicious smears of and interference in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs."

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Mong Kok this morning (July 31) in which a woman died.
 
     At 10.05am, a medium goods vehicle (MGV) driven by a 46-year-old man was travelling along Anchor Street towards Palm Street. Upon approaching Palm Street, it allegedly knocked down a 73-year-old woman who was crossing the road. Subsequently, the woman was reportedly rolled over by a light goods vehicle (LGV) driven by a 45-year-old man. The MGV failed to stop after the accident and left the scene.
 
    The woman was trapped under the LGV and rescued by firemen. Sustaining multiple injuries, the woman was certified dead at scene.

     Upon further investigation, the LGV driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death, and the MGV driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report after an accident. They are being detained for enquiries.
 
     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon West is under way.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 9062.