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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Members met with the new term Tuen Mun District Council (DC) and Wong Tai Sin DC members at the LegCo Complex today (July 19). This was the second meeting held between LegCo and the DCs after the improvement of the district governance system. They discussed and exchanged views on issues closely related to people’s livelihood.
 
     During the meeting with the Tuen Mun DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including the developments and planning for ancillary facilities of transport infrastructure in the district, and utilising smart technologies and big data to improve traffic diversion so as to alleviate frequent congestion on major roads; and facilitating the transformation of industrial buildings and capitalising the geographical advantages of Tuen Mun for the development of various purposes to drive local employment for Tuen Mun residents. They also discussed the strengthening of waste and food waste recycling services in the district as well as stepping up publicity and education, and the support on waste recycling in rural areas, with a view to assisting the public to reduce waste at source.
 
     The meeting was convened by Mr Holden Chow Ho-ding. A total of 21 Members attended the meeting including Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Luk Chung-hung, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Dr Hoey Simon Lee, Mr Lee Chun-keung, Mr Chau Siu-chung, Dr Chow Man-kong, Mr Andrew Lam, Ms Chan Yuet-ming, Mr Chan Yung, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Ms Lillian Kwok, Mr Benson Luk, Mr Yang Wing-kit, Reverend Canon Peter Douglas Koon, Mr Tang Fei, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, Mr Louis Loong and Dr Tang Yueheng.
 
     As for the meeting with the Wong Tai Sin DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including measures to prevent large-scale flooding in the Wong Tai Sin district so as to scale-up its capability in coping with extreme weather; the promotion of long-term development of the local economy, capitalising the strong religious overtones of the district so as to develop Wong Tai Sin into a religious-themed area and implement the concept of “tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong”, at the same time highlighting local characteristics when organising activities in the district to attract the participation of more residents and tourists. They also discussed the redevelopment study for Choi Hung Estate and exchanged views on the overall estate design, facilities, etc, in an effort to improve the living environment of the estate.
 
     The meeting was convened by Dr Starry Lee. A total of 18 Members attended the meeting including Mr Paul Tse, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Jimmy Ng, Mr Lee Chun-keung, Mr Yiu Pak-leung, Dr Wendy Hong, Mr Kenneth Leung, Ms Chan Hoi-yan, Ms Lillian Kwok, Mr Benson Luk, Mr Kingsley Wong, Mr Yang Wing-kit, Reverend Canon Peter Douglas Koon, Mr Tang Ka-piu, Dr Ngan Man-yu and Mr Yim Kong.

            

     A spokesman for the Home Affairs Department (HAD) today (July 19) alerted members of the public to a fraudulent Facebook page purported to be the “社ä¼�å�‹å»ºæ¨¹ Bloomy The Tree” Facebook page. Bloomy The Tree is the social enterprise mascot of the HAD.
 
     The HAD found that the fraudulent Facebook page purported to be the “社ä¼�å�‹å»ºæ¨¹ Bloomy The Tree” Facebook page left comments for followers of the genuine Facebook page “社ä¼�å�‹å»ºæ¨¹ Bloomy The Tree”. The comments provided a hyperlink to a fake “社ä¼�å�‹å»ºæ¨¹ Bloomy The Tree” website, which seeks to obtain credit card information of members of the public.
 
     After discovering the fraudulent Facebook page, the HAD immediately removed comments left on its Facebook page of “社ä¼�å�‹å»ºæ¨¹ Bloomy The Tree”, and prevented the leaving of any further comments. The HAD has also reported the case to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Police. Facebook has also blocked and disabled the relevant fraudulent accounts after receiving the HAD’s notification.
 
     The spokesman clarified that the department has no connection with the fraudulent website, and will never ask for credit card information from members of the public through the Facebook page and website of “社ä¼�å�‹å»ºæ¨¹ Bloomy The Tree”. The genuine hyperlink of the Facebook page of “社ä¼�å�‹å»ºæ¨¹ Bloomy The Tree” is www.facebook.com/sehk.gov.hk.
 
     The spokesman alerted members of the public to remain vigilant and not to visit suspicious websites or disclose any personal information. Anyone who has provided personal information of their credit card to the website concerned should report the case to the Police as soon as possible.
 
     The HAD condemns all form of cybercrime and will fully co-operate with investigations by law enforcement agencies. read more

     The Housing Bureau (HB) today (July 19) awarded the operation and management contract of the first Light Public Housing (LPH) project (Contract no. LPH20240001) to the Pioneer Management Limited – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Joint Venture at a tender sum of about $202 million.
 
     The LPH project, located on Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, will provide about 2 100 units, with tenant intake anticipated in the first quarter of next year. Under the steer and supervision of the HB, the operating organisation will need to work at full capacity to carry out the pre-management works effectively in the coming months, so as to ensure the smooth handling of LPH applications and intake matters, and to provide various services and ancillary facilities for the residents and local community immediately upon intake.
 
     The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, said, “Since the Chief Executive announced the construction of about 30 000 LPH units by 2027/28, the HB and the Architectural Services Department have been working at full steam to take forward the related works, in order to assist the families with urgent housing needs to improve their living conditions as soon as possible. The LPH Phase 1 Application has received an overwhelming response, with over 10 200 applications received by the end of the priority handling period (i.e. June 24 to July 15). With the official appointment of the operating organisation for the LPH project on Yau Pok Road today, this social project has taken a significant step forward again.”
 
     She continued, “LPH is led by the Government, and I aspire to work closely with various operating organisations in the coming years to ensure effective operation and management, hence allowing the residents and nearby community to be benefited from the project’s ancillary facilities and community services. I would also like to appeal to other organisations that are interested in operating other LPH projects to actively participate in the tenders of other projects, thereby working together with the Government to improve the living environment of the grassroots and help them in their pursuit towards happiness.”
 
     In addition to providing accommodation, the LPH projects will also offer various services and facilities for the residents and local community. Therefore, the requirements for LPH’s operation and management services differ from the general property management contracts, which not only include occupant management, property management and daily maintenance, but also a range of social services, as well as the management and operation of ancillary facilities.
 
     To ensure service quality, the HB has, in the assessment process, carried out a technical assessment based on a series of criteria including the management capability and relevant experience of the tenderers, as well as the proposed modes of operation and management, social services to be provided, exit plan and the use of innovation and information technology. The tender price was then comprehensively evaluated to decide on the most suitable operating organisation.
 
     The LPH Application, with the Phase 1 covering the two projects on Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, and Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok and providing a total of about 4 440 units, has commenced since June 24, 2024.  Eligible applicants who have not yet submitted their applications may still do so. For more details, please visit the LPH website of the HB (www.hb.gov.hk/eng/lph), call 3464 0700, or email to lphapp@hb.gov.hk.

  

     The Marine Department (MD) today (July 19) introduced the Green Incentive Scheme to about 150 maritime industry representatives and guests at the Association Summer Buffet Luncheon 2024 hosted by the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA).

     The Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat, expressed his gratitude for the support rendered by the HKSOA and the shipowners of Hong Kong-registered ships for their efforts in promoting green shipping. Under the Green Incentive Scheme, all Hong Kong-registered ships of 5 000 gross tonnage or above in possession of a valid “Statement of Compliance – Fuel Oil Consumption Reporting and Operational Carbon Intensity Rating” (SoC) showing that the ship has attained a rating of A or B in the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) formulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are eligible for the green incentive. Each qualified Hong Kong-registered ship is eligible to receive $20,000 per corresponding year from 2024 to 2026. If a ship attains a rating of A or B in the CII throughout the three years from 2024 to 2026, the ship may then receive a maximum incentive of HK$60,000. Mr Wong highlighted that the Scheme will help promote the image of the Hong Kong Shipping Registry as a green fleet and reinforce its brand in the international maritime arena.

     To promote green shipping to its member states and associate members, the IMO issued a circular letter on June 27 this year to promulgate Hong Kong, China’s effort in offering the Scheme to invigorate the green transformation of the maritime industry. In a video speech at the luncheon, the Secretary General of the IMO, Mr Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco, commended Hong Kong for taking a proactive approach of being the pioneering flag administration to support the IMO’s green shipping policy on CII. Moreover, he said that the IMO is calling for member states and associate members to take actions and measures to promote the reduction of carbon emissions. In this connection, he once again expressed his appreciation to Hong Kong and congratulated the success. He also welcomed Hong Kong to share the outcome of relevant experience with the Organization in demonstration that the initiatives, or the calls for action that the IMO are putting forward, have been actively taken forward by member states or associate members, thus enabling the shipping sector to take similar actions.

    

     The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 19) organised the Training Workshop on Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Service 2024, which provides training on acupuncture to 138 frontline Chinese medicine (CM) practitioners to enhance their skills in providing CM acupuncture smoking cessation services.

     To strengthen knowledge exchange on tobacco control and share local experiences in cessation service provision with Mainland and Macao healthcare professionals, TACO extended invitations to CM practitioners from the Mainland and Macao to participate in this year’s workshop. The training content spanned smoking cessation counseling, the mechanism and treatment plans of CM smoking cessation, as well as practical demonstrations of acupuncture and ear point treatment techniques, further equipping frontline CM practitioners with the necessary knowledge and skills in delivering cessation treatments. Of the participants, 114 frontline CM practitioners were from the Mainland and Macao. Among them, 98 were recommended by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province and the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 

     Research shows that acupuncture combined with ear point treatment and professional counselling can effectively alleviate withdrawal symptoms and the short-term discomforts that may appear when smokers start to quit smoking, thus increasing the success rate of quitting smoking. According to the experience of DH-subvented CM acupuncture smoking cessation service operated by Pok Oi Hospital, a quit rate of over 20 per cent (i.e. the percentage of service users who self-reported to have stayed quit in the past seven days) at 52 weeks after the quit date was attained, comparable to that of the cessation services using nicotine replacement therapy.

     The DH has also introduced Chinese medicine ear point patches to help with quitting smoking, which is a new initiative under the Quit in June campaign this year. The application of cowherb seeds on the surface of the ears to stimulate ear points will lessen the discomfort related to nicotine withdrawal, especially during the early stage of quitting. People who wish to quit smoking can receive Chinese medicine ear point patches for free at more than 40 Chinese medicine clinics across the territory. They can also enrol in free Chinese medicine and acupuncture smoking cessation services anytime, or after they have tried the Chinese medicine ear point patches for two weeks. Members of the public can call 1833 183 or visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on quitting and the available support tools and services.

     The DH has become a regional hub for supporting training in smoking cessation treatment and services, after it was designated by the World Health Organization to establish the Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in April 2012. In addition to the Annual Training Programme on Tobacco Control for tobacco control workers in the Western Pacific region, TACO also regularly holds smoking cessation treatment training courses to enhance the capability of local healthcare professionals in providing smoking cessation support.

     The DH will further strengthen collaboration and communication with the Mainland in tobacco control, and it is committed to providing continued support in cessation training and assistance, as well as jointly promoting the construction of a smoke-free Greater Bay Area.