The Transport Department (TD) said today (August 2) that the traffic situation was generally smooth after the implementation of the "633" fixed toll scheme at the three road harbour crossings (RHCs), i.e. Western Harbour Crossing (WHC), Cross-Harbour Tunnel (CHT) and Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC), upon the takeover of the WHC from midnight.

     The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre has been closely monitoring the traffic situation at the RHCs after the "633" fixed toll scheme was implemented. During the morning peak hours, i.e. between 7am and 10am, the overall cross-harbour two-way traffic flow was about 44 000 vehicles, similar to that before the implementation of the "633" fixed toll scheme. While the traffic flow at the WHC slightly increased by about 3 per cent, the traffic flows at the CHT and the EHC slightly decreased by about 4 per cent and 1 per cent respectively. The overall traffic flow has been smooth in general and the initial traffic situation was in line with expectations. 
      
     "With the uniform taxi toll, the number of taxis using the WHC has increased by about 50 per cent and 20 per cent during midnight and the morning peak respectively, diverting the traffic effectively. Meanwhile, as the number of taxi drivers paying the tolls by cash has increased at the WHC, the manual toll lanes became busier during the peak hours. Upon the HKeToll implementation at the WHC on August 6, motorists will be able to pay tunnel tolls without having to stop at toll booths for payments. We believe that the traffic situation of the WHC will be smoother," a TD spokesman said.
      
     "As motorists may need time to explore new driving routes and adjust their travel behaviour according to the new tolls at RHCs, it is expected that the cross-harbour traffic may change in the near future. Motorists are advised to pay attention to the latest traffic news released by the TD when planning their trips."

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, continued his visit to Zhejiang Province today (August 2). Accompanied by the Head of Create Hong Kong, Mr Victor Tsang, Mr Yeung visited Versatile Media, an integrated media company in Hangzhou which specialises in advertising and film production. Mr Yeung learned about the company's creating process and the adoption of top-notch virtual production techniques in the making of films, advertising and brand building projects.
 
     Mr Yeung and members of the Legislative Council's Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports then visited Hengdian World Studios in Dongyang to get a grasp of the studio's development and opportunities arising for film industry workers. Mr Yeung also met with Hong Kong film industry players to exchange views on the development of Hong Kong's film industry on the Mainland and its integration into the national development.
 
     Mr Yeung said, "The National 14th Five-Year Plan expressed clear support for Hong Kong to develop into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, giving full recognition to the flourishing and diverse growth of arts, culture and creative industries in Hong Kong over the past years and providing the sector with endless opportunities. The Film Development Fund rolled out the HK-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme to subsidise film projects co-produced by filmmakers from Asian countries to produce films that are rich in Hong Kong and Asian culture, and help Hong Kong films break into overseas markets. With the country's support, I believe the film industry will work magic in carrying forward Chinese culture and play a part in enhancing the country's soft power."
 
     Mr Yeung will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (August 3).

        

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 is 104.5 (up 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     A Government spokesman said today (August 2) that consent has been given to resume the excavation and lateral support works of a private development project at 18 Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan.

     The spokesman said that since the readings recorded in five monitoring checkpoints installed on the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) footbridge connecting Ning Foo Street and Chai Wan MTR Station had exceeded the pre-set trigger level for works suspension on February 1, 2023, the relevant works of the development project were suspended on the same day. The Government announced the situation on February 3, 2023, and the Buildings Department (BD) and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) respectively confirmed the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway.

     The registered building professional appointed for the said building works subsequently submitted to the BD an incident report and a proposal of mitigation measures to ensure that the structural safety of the nearby railway facilities concerned would not be affected by the resumption of works, and requested resumption of the suspended works.

     The BD has confirmed the structural safety of the railway facilities concerned. The MTRCL has been consulted and confirmed that the resumption of works will not affect the structural safety of the railway facilities and the safe operation of the railway. The EMSD has reviewed the monitoring data submitted by the MTRCL in relation to the safe operation of the railway and confirmed that the condition of the railway fulfils the operational safety requirements. Regarding the resumption of works, the EMSD has also confirmed that the MTRCL has put in place stringent monitoring measures to ensure the safety of the railway operation.

     Having considered the above advice and the proposal of mitigation measures from the registered building professional, the request for the resumption of works was accepted today and the suspended excavation and lateral support works will resume today.

     The registered building professional of the project has conducted comprehensive and detailed engineering analyses and estimations. Based on the results of the analyses and with reference to the uplift record of the five monitoring checkpoints installed on the footbridge in the vicinity of the site, and the estimated impact of the relevant excavation and lateral support works on the nearby railway facilities, the pre-set uplift trigger level of five monitoring checkpoints for suspension of works has been amended to 3 millimetres, while the pre-set settlement trigger level remained at 20 millimetres. The registered building professional of the project has confirmed that the structural safety of the railway facilities would not be affected by such an extent of uplift and settlement. As the proposed amendment has fulfilled the requirements of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), the BD has accepted this amendment. The MTRCL has also confirmed that the revised trigger level will not affect the safety of railway operation.

     Having considered the circumstances at the railway facilities, the BD has imposed extra conditions when approving the amendment plans, requiring implementation of a series of measures to enhance site supervision and the safety of works when carrying out the remaining works.

     The BD, the EMSD and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure structural safety of the railway facilities and the safe operation of the railway, the spokesman said.

     The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present a special programme, Cine Memories of the War of National Resistance, at 2.30pm on September 3 (Sunday) with a free screening of "Sea" (1963), a film that is set against the backdrop of a war between China and Japan, for the audience to revisit the cinematic classic on Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and to gain a better understanding of this significant historical period.

     The film will be screened at the HKFA Cinema. Admission is free with tickets to be distributed at the information centre of the HKFA starting from August 5 (Saturday), on Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm. Each person can receive up to two tickets on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Limited walk-in seats will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Members of the public are welcome to queue up at the 1/F Foyer of the HKFA 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.

     Played by veteran actors such as Ng Cho-fan, Cheung Wood-yau and Pak Yin, "Sea" tells a story of a seafarer couple bravely smuggling 17 people into Macao by sea during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Shortly after the start of the journey, they are pursued by the Japanese and end up on a deserted island, which is also a Japanese military communication base. With solidarity and unity, the eight survivors eventually repel the Japanese together at a cliffhanger moment. The film is in Cantonese without subtitles.

     For programme details, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/pe-event-2023-cvd.html or call 2739 2139 for enquiries.