Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of Asian Family Summit 2024 today (December 27):
      
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good morning, and welcome to Hong Kong.
      
     I am delighted to welcome you to the Asian Family Summit, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. The International Year of the Family was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. Throughout the years, the proclamation and relevant policies have helped to create equality within families, and fostered more harmonious family relations.
      
     Families are the building block of society. Indeed, families face different challenges stemming from changes in the social, economic, environmental and technological landscapes. That’s why I find the theme of this Summit, “Towards a Better Tomorrow for Families: Partnership, Collaboration & Action for Sustainable Development”, most suitable for us in addressing the key issues facing our families.
      
     I am pleased that experts from the United Nations, as well as different sectors in Hong Kong and across Asia, are joining us in this worthy cause. Over the coming three days, you will share your insights on the sustainable development of families. I am confident that you will find inspiration from each other, as well as the diverse programmes planned by the organisers.
      
     The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government attaches importance to enhancing the well-being of families, and strives to build a harmonious society for all. Our Family Council, which celebrates its 17th anniversary this year, is a cross-disciplinary platform that promotes a culture of loving families in the community.
      
     Advancing family well-being is a vision embraced by the entire community, and we are committed to working with all stakeholders to cultivate a pro-family environment in Hong Kong. Our latest initiatives, in partnership with the Family Council, include supporting the community in launching family education projects of an extended scope. We will also organise the Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards next year, to promote good family values among the general public.
      
     As announced in my Policy Address this October, we will strengthen parental education by setting up new Community Parents and Children Centres in different parts of the city. The Centres will promote interaction between parents and their children, and cultivate parents’ positive parenting skills.
      
     We have also tasked the new District Services and Community Care Teams, set up by the current term of the Government, to provide more support to families and carers. Our Social Welfare Department has been training different Care Teams in identifying and reaching out to households in need. We believe that this could help to identify, at an early stage, elderly persons, their carers, as well as other families with social welfare needs, and facilitate the referral to suitable services.
      
     The building of a more caring and inclusive society for all families requires the effort of not only the Government, but also all sectors of the community. To the organisers of this Summit – the Consortium of Institutes on Family in the Asian Region, the Social Welfare Department, the Family Council, the Connecting Hearts, the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service – I thank you all for your efforts in bringing together this international gathering, as well as your dedication to the healthy development of families.
      
     For our guests from the Mainland and overseas, do take the opportunity to explore the beauty and vibrancy of Hong Kong.
      
     I wish this Summit a great success and all of you a healthy year ahead. Thank you very much.       read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 27) announced that the 53rd Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be open for applications from January 1 to 31, 2025.
 
     Starting from January 1, 2025, applications will be invited for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the TD no later than January 31, 2025. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot.
 
     The application form (TD 569) and the Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_application/index.html) or obtained from the TD’s Licensing Offices as well as the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.
 
     Interested persons should complete and submit the application form through one of the following ways:
 
(a) by post to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Applications received by post will be dated by the postmark; 
 
(b) via the drop-in box at any of the TD’s Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin. For easy identification, please mark “PVRM Application” on the envelope of the application; or
 
(c) through the online application service at the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/ospvrm.htm) if the applicant possesses an “iAM Smart+” account with the digital signing function (for Hong Kong residents only) or a digital certificate.
 
     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application form. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service at the GovHK website.
 
     No payment of deposit is required when submitting an application. Each applicant can submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, all of his or her applications will not be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
 
     Upon successful submission of an online application, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement immediately. Those who submit applications by post or drop-in box will receive the TD’s acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call 2804 2600. read more

     A property owner was convicted and fined over $58,000 at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts this month for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

     The case involved an unauthorised roof-top structure, with an area of about 40 square metres on top of a domestic unit in a building at San Shing Avenue, Sheung Shui. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (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 $58,370 in total, of which $48,370 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on December 17.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (December 27), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who have failed to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building safety.”

     Failing 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 Government today (December 27) announced appointments to the new term of the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee (SMEC) for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2025.

     The SMEC comprises 27 members in the new term, with Mr Emil Yu Chen-on as the Chairman. Other non-official members mainly come from different trade, industry and professional sectors as well as small and medium enterprise (SME) practitioners.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, thanked the new Chairman and members for accepting the appointments. Mr Yau said, “SMEs are the backbone of Hong Kong’s economy. Over the years, the SMEC has provided a lot of constructive advice to the Government, and made significant contributions in supporting the development of SMEs. I am confident that the SMEC, under the chairmanship of Mr Yu, will continue to offer valuable advice and suggestions, and assist the Government in formulating policies conducive to the development of SMEs, further bolstering Hong Kong’s economy.”
      
     Mr Yau added, “I would like to thank the outgoing Chairman, Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit, and other outgoing members for their valuable contributions during their tenure. Under Mr Hui’s distinguished leadership, the SMEC has served as a bridge between the Government and SMEs, effectively facilitating the development of SMEs in Hong Kong.”

     The SMEC advises the Chief Executive on issues affecting the development of SMEs in Hong Kong, and suggests measures to support and facilitate their development and growth.

     The 2025-2026 membership of the SMEC is as follows:

Mr Emil Yu Chen-on (Chairman)
 
Non-official members
—————————
Mr Bryant Chan Wan-sing
Mr Jason Felix Chiu Tsz-kiu
Professor Chong Tai-leung   
Ms Amy Chow
Mr Danny Ho Sin-fai
Ms Candy Hui Wing-ka
Ms Melody Ip Ying-ying                   
Mr Andrew Kwok Chi-wah               
Ms Shirley Kwok Ho-yee                  
Mr Michael Lai Cheuk-pun               
Ms Elaine Shiu Yin-ning
Ms Winnie Tung Mei-yee                  
Dr Ellis Wong Wai-hung
Mr Ernest Wong Yiu-kit
Ms Tzena Wong Yuan-chin
Mr Andrew Chan Shiu-shan              (newly appointed)
Mr Simon Hui Nga-yin                      (newly appointed)
Mr Stanley Lee Kei-chuen                  (newly appointed)
Dr Miranda Lou Lai-wah                   (newly appointed)
Ms Jaclyn Ngan Ming-yun                 (newly appointed)
Mr Kevin Orr Ka-yeung                    (newly appointed)
 
Representative of Hong Kong Productivity Council
Representative of Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Representative of Vocational Training Council
 
Official members
———————
Director-General of Trade and Industry
Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development

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     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today (December 27, 2024) announced that the tender period for the contract for Hung Shui Kiu Effluent Polishing Plant Phase 1 – Civil Works (Contract No. DC/2024/11) has been extende… read more