Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the 120th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony of Hong Kong Tramways Limited today (July 30):

Mehdi (Member of the Executive Board, International Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Senior Vice-President of RATP Dev Group, Mr Mehdi Sinaceur), Henri (Asia-Pacific CEO of RATP Dev Group, Mr Henri Pottier), Paul (Managing Director of Hong Kong Tramways Limited, Mr Paul Tirvaudey), distinguished guests, friends, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all to celebrate Hong Kong Tramways’ 120th anniversary of service. Today marks a significant milestone for not only the Tramways, but also for Hong Kong’s public transport system. 

     Tram is one of the oldest modes of public transport, and the earliest “mass transit” system in Hong Kong, running along the north coast of Hong Kong Island, traversing the very heart of the city for 120 years. Through all these years, with rapid changes in the city and the emergence of other transport modes, the Tramways remains one of the most well-liked, iconic, and affordable choices of public transport for commuters and tourists alike.

     The Tramways has been the backdrop and even part of so many important and historic moments of Hong Kong and our people. Though our city has changed vastly since 1904, our trams have had a constant presence in Hong Kong people’s life in the evolving landscape and times. It is much more than just a means of transport for so many of us here; it is a local pride and fixture, known for its legacy and craftsmanship. The theme of the 120th anniversary celebration, “moved by our every journey”, particularly resonates with me – transportation, while omnipresent and unassuming that we wouldn’t typically give much thought to in our day-to-day life, does not only “move” us physically from a place to another, it also propels us forward in our life journey and leads us to many important moments and experiences in our lives. I can think of many memorable moments while on the rails; and for many Hong Kong people, the ever-present sound of “ding ding” is often strangely endearing when navigating the busy streets and hectic city lives. 

     “Ding Ding” is many of the “firsts” in Hong Kong public transport and has not fallen out of the picture since, but the Tramways does not just dwell on its legacy in this fast-changing world. It continues to check the boxes for qualities that are just as, if not more, sought-after and relevant in today’s world as ever. Through years of continuous infrastructural improvements and innovations, the Tramways improves its service in terms of safety, service level, passenger riding comfort, and customer satisfaction. Today, it has the largest fleet of in-service double-decker tramcars in the world, proudly designed and made in Hong Kong, for Hong Kong, and “ding ding” has become a cultural icon that is considered trendy but classic.

     I note that the Hong Kong Tramways is launching a citywide celebration campaign, aiming to create memorable journeys for families and tourists and bring the joy to everyone in the city. I would like to, again, congratulate Hong Kong Tramways on its 120th “birthday” and invite everyone to join the celebration. I am sure the Tramways will continue to thrive and inspire us for years to come. 

     Last but not least, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long for winning the second gold medal for Hong Kong early this morning. I wish the Paris Olympics every success in the coming weeks, and I am sure the Paris Olympics will also be a success for Hong Kong as well. 

     Thank you. read more

     Four property owners were convicted and fined over $950,000 in total at the Kowloon City and Fanling Magistrates’ Courts earlier this month for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

     The first and the second cases involved several unauthorised structures with a total area of about 1 140 square metres on the roof of an industrial building at Sze Mei Street, Wong Tai Sin. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), removal orders were served on two concerned owners respectively under section 24(1) of the BO.

     Failing to comply with the removal orders, the two owners were prosecuted by the BD three times and were fined about $265,000 and $270,000 respectively in total upon convictions by the court. As they persisted in not complying with the removal orders, they were prosecuted for the fourth time and were fined $152,400 and $162,400 respectively upon conviction again at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on July 3.
      
     The third case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 6 000 sq m across 13 sections of a lot in D.D. 52, Fu Tei Au, North District. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, 13 removal orders were served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
      
     Failing to comply with the removal orders, the owner was prosecuted by the BD last year and was fined about $250,000 in total upon conviction by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal orders, the BD instigated prosecution again. The owner was fined $495,020 in total, of which $85,020 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction again at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on July 9.
      
     The fourth case involved two unauthorised structures with a total area of about 70 sq m on the flat roof and roof of a house in The Beverly Hills, Tai Po. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
      
     Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $138,200, of which $118,200 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on July 16.
      
     A spokesman for the BD said today (July 30), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. The concerned owners must comply with the removal order without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement actions and consider instigating prosecution against the owners again at appropriate times if they persist in not complying with the order, so as to ensure building safety.”

     Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.      read more

     The Environment and Ecology Bureau today (July 30) announced the appointments to the new term of the Advisory Committee on Recycling Fund. Dr Daniel Yip Chung-yin has been reappointed as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, and 10 members will also continue to serve on the Advisory Committee. In addition, six new members have been appointed to the Advisory Committee, namely Ms Judy Ho Pui-suen, Mr Jude Chow Chee-ping, Ms Melanie Kwok Hoi-yee, Ms Sabrina Leung Heung-ying, Mr Harvey Liu Wing-tai and Mr Thomas Wong Cheung-chi.
      
     The appointments are for a term of three years starting August 1, 2024.
　　 
     “We welcome the new members and hope that the Advisory Committee in its new term will continue to maintain close communication with the recycling industry and stakeholders. Through various funding programmes, the Recycling Fund assists the local recycling industry in enhancing its overall operational capabilities and productivity, and help enterprises to enhance and expand their recycling operation in support of the sustainable development of the recycling industry. We also express our gratitude to the eight outgoing members, namely Dr Evelyn Lam Ho-yi, Ms Kelly Wong Ka-lei, Mr Terry Yip Man-pan, Mr Andrew Chan Shiu-shan, Prof Daniel Cheng Man-chung, Mr Teddy Cheung Ching-yeung, Mr Marvin Hsu Tsun-fai and Mr Wilson Kwong Wing-tsuen, for their contributions in this tenure,” a spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau said.
      
     The Advisory Committee comprises experts, academics and people with experience in business management, business sustainability and community service, as well as representatives from various business and industry associations. Representatives of relevant government bureaux and departments, including the Environmental Protection Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Labour Department, the Home Affairs Department and the Trade and Industry Department, will also be invited to attend meetings for discussion as and when required.
　　 
     The membership of the new term of the Advisory Committee is as follows:
      
Chairperson
Dr Daniel Yip Chung-yin
 
Members
Ms Bonnie Chan Jo-ying
Mr Nathan Chau Cheuk-yin
Dr Chung Shan-shan
Ms Judy Ho Pui-Suen #
Dr Amie Lai Gor
Mr Nicholas Lai Yui-man
Dr Barry Lee Chi-hong
Dr Frank Leung Yat-cheong
Mr Yuet Ngai-keung
Dr Edward Chan Chi-wing
(Representative of the Business Environment Council)
Mr Jude Chow Chee-ping #
(Representative of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries)
Ms Melanie Kwok Hoi-yee #
(Representative of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce)
Prof Raymond Leung Hai-ming
(Representative of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce)
Ms Sabrina Leung Heung-ying #
(Representative of the Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association)
Mr Harvey Liu Wing-tai #
(Representative of the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies)
Mr Thomas Wong Cheung-chi #
(Representative of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong)
 
# New member
 
     To facilitate the operation of the Recycling Fund, the Advisory Committee was established in August 2015 to advise and make recommendations to the Government on matters relating to the overall administration and operation of the Recycling Fund. The Advisory Committee has so far approved about 2 600 applications involving a total funding of more than $800 million. read more

     Police today (July 30) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Ngau Tau Kok.      Chan Wan-ming, aged 78, went missing after he left his residence in Tak Long Estate yesterday … read more

     â€‹The Labour Department (LD) regularly organises courses and public health talks on the prevention of heat stroke and occupational health to raise awareness among both employers and employees regarding occupational health.
     
     Details of eight courses and health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in August are as follows:
 
(1)
Dates and Time: August 1 and 19 (Half-day (am));
August 7, 12 and 28 (Half-day (pm))
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the LD, 13/F, KOLOUR·Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Enrolment method: Download the application form (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/form.htm)
Enquiry hotline: 2940 7057
 
(2)
Dates and Time: August 2 and 15 (Half-day (am))
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Centre of the LD, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration of courses in OSH Centre (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2361 8240
 
(3)
Date and Time: August 21 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Enrolment method: Online registration of public talks on occupational health (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
     In addition, the LD will hold the following occupational health public talks in August:
 
(1)
Topic: Happy Workplace
Content: The talk will explain the importance and essential elements of creating a happy workplace.
Date and Time: August 6 (3.30pm to 4.45pm)
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Centre of the LD, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
(2)
Topic: Work and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Content: The talk will introduce healthy lifestyles and tips on protecting the heart and brain in the workplace to enhance employers’ and employees’ awareness of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Date and Time: August 14 (6.30pm to 7.45pm)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
(3)
Topic: Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries
Content: The talk will introduce the structure and functions of the back, causes and preventive measures of back injuries, and proper manual handling operations, with demonstrations and practice of workplace exercises.
Date and Time: August 29 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
     All courses and public talks will be given by the LD’s occupational hygienist, occupational safety officer or occupational health nurse in Cantonese. Admission is free.
     
     The LD also provides a free-of-charge outreach health education service. For details, please visit the department’s webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content7.htm) or call 2852 4062. read more