Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government today (July 26) announced the appointment of five new members and the reappointment of 14 incumbent members to the Aviation Development and Three-Runway System Advisory Committee (ADTAC) for two years with effect from August 1, 2023.

     The five new members are Mr Aaron Bok Kwok-ming, Mr Ronald Lam Siu-por, Mr Tommy Tam Kwong-shun, Ms Elsa Yuen May-yee, and Mr Chris Zhao Peng.

     The 14 reappointed incumbent members are Mr Aaron Chan Wing-kai, Professor Angus Cheung Him-wah, Mr Herbert Chia Pun-kok, Ms Christina Chong Dong-ying, Ms Fung Sau-yim, Ms Mary Huen Wai-yi, Mr Edward Liu, Professor Lo Hong-kam, Professor Becky Loo Pui-ying, Dr Derrick Pang Yat-bond, Dr Pang Yiu-kai, Mr Brian Wu Pak-hei, Dr Frederick Yip Yeung-fai, and Dr William Yu Yuen-ping.

     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, “The National 14th Five-Year Plan has supported Hong Kong to enhance its status as an international aviation hub. With this backing, the Government and the Airport Authority Hong Kong are taking forward a number of major airport development projects, including the Three-Runway System and the transformation of our airport into an ‘Airport City’. I look forward to the Advisory Committee’s continued wise counsel on aviation development in the coming term.

     “I would also like to thank the five outgoing members, namely Mr Chan Chi-chiu, Mr Alex Koo Pok-sing, Mr Samuel Lau Kin-pui, Mr Augustus Tang Kin-wing and Mr Wong Man-hang, for their support and contribution to the Advisory Committee during their tenure,” Mr Lam added. 

     Members of the ADTAC come from various sectors including aviation, engineering, architecture, academics and research, business and finance, logistics and transport, tourism and hotels, environment, and legal.

     The membership of the ADTAC with effect from August 1, 2023, is as follows:

Chairman
———–
Secretary for Transport and Logistics

Members
———-
Mr Aaron Bok Kwok-ming
Mr Aaron Chan Wing-kai
Professor Angus Cheung Him-wah
Mr Herbert Chia Pun-kok
Ms Christina Chong Dong-ying
Ms Fung Sau-yim
Ms Mary Huen Wai-yi
Mr Ronald Lam Siu-por
Mr Edward Liu
Professor Lo Hong-kam
Professor Becky Loo Pui-ying
Dr Derrick Pang Yat-bond
Dr Pang Yiu-kai
Mr Tommy Tam Kwong-shun
Mr Brian Wu Pak-hei
Dr Frederick Yip Yeung-fai
Dr William Yu Yuen-ping
Ms Elsa Yuen May-yee
Mr Chris Zhao Peng
Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics (ex-officio)
Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong (ex-officio)
Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (ex-officio)
Director-General of Civil Aviation (ex-officio)

     Chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, the ADTAC was established in 2015, providing a platform for members to advise the Government on broad policy matters concerning the development of the aviation industry, including the implementation of the Three-Runway System project at Hong Kong International Airport. read more

     Following are the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, today (July 26):
 
     Good morning, media friends from Indonesia, Hong Kong and beyond. This is my first visit to Indonesia as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC (People’s Republic of China).
 
     I attach great importance to this week-long visit in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and have brought with me a high-level delegation comprising 30 distinguished leaders from various industries and five of the most senior officials from my governing team.
 
     We are here to promote business opportunities for our mutual growth, and consolidate our strong friendship with Indonesia built throughout the years.
 
Hong Kong-Indonesia relations
 
     Hong Kong and Indonesia enjoy close and long-standing ties in trade and investment. Last year, merchandise trade between the two places grew by 12 per cent and reached US$5.7 billion. Hong Kong is the third largest source of foreign direct investment into Indonesia.
 
     Among ASEAN states, Indonesia has the largest population and GDP (Gross Domestic Product), and is our sixth largest merchandise trade partner in ASEAN. We see great potential in strengthening Hong Kong’s collaboration with Indonesia.
 
     Yesterday, I was delighted to meet President Widodo of Indonesia. I thanked the President for extending the hospitality and facilitation of the Wonderful Indonesia to me and my delegation.
 
     I told the President that Hong Kong is determined to strengthen co-operation with Indonesia on various fronts such as trade, investment, finance, innovation and technology as well as culture and tourism.
 
     I also thanked Indonesia for the continuous support towards Hong Kong’s bid to join RCEP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
 
Hong Kong-Association of Southeast Asian Nations relations
 
     Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN. I told Dr Kao that Hong Kong values its economic and trade ties with ASEAN.
 
     ASEAN is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner in the world. With the full entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement and the related Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN in 2021, the trade and economic ties between Hong Kong and ASEAN have been elevated to a higher level.
 
     I also expressed my gratitude to ASEAN member states for their support to Hong Kong’s accession to RCEP, and conveyed our commitment to maintaining communication with the ASEAN Secretariat on various issues.
 
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
 
     Hong Kong champions free trade and attaches great importance to promoting multilateralism.
 
     Hong Kong is committed to contributing to regional co-operation together with RCEP members, and we stand ready to engage in exploratory discussions with them on our accession request.
 
Hong Kong’s gateway role
 
     Under the unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong remains an international capitalist city that acts as a gateway between the Mainland China and the world.
 
     With the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is determined in actively pursuing what we call the “eight centres” of development. These cover our traditional strengths in finance, trade, shipping, aviation, intellectual property trading, and legal and dispute resolution, as well as the budding areas of arts and culture, and innovation and technology.
 
     We proactively integrate into national development as part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or the GBA. The GBA comprises 11 cities, that is nine thriving cities in Guangdong Province, plus the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao. It has a population of over 86 million, and a GDP of over US$1.9 trillion last year.
 
     In other words, the GBA has a population similar to that of Jakarta plus its three nearby provinces, namely Banten, Central Java and West Java. Its GDP is equivalent to that of the 10th largest economy in the world. The GBA is an important market, and we have invited our friends in Indonesia and ASEAN to join us on the new journey of development of the GBA, as part of the whole programme.
 
Belt and Road and international co-operation
 
     Earlier today, I visited a Hong Kong insurance company operating in Indonesia, as well as an Indonesian conglomerate with a strong foothold in Hong Kong. I encouraged their continuous efforts in boosting the market growth in ASEAN, Hong Kong, Mainland China and beyond.
 
     This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, personally launched by President Xi Jinping. I am pleased to have the opportunity to visit the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail later today, and appreciate the remarkable progress of this Belt and Road project.
 
     In a moment, I am joining a luncheon hosted for the Indonesian business community. Apart from strengthening exchanges between the Hong Kong delegation and our Indonesian friends, I am delighted to see that Hong Kong and Indonesia will be signing 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements at the event.
 
     The new and strengthened partnerships under these 15 MOUs and agreements cover a diverse array of areas. They include:
 

• Hong Kong’s traditional strengths of trading and finance, with a collaboration between our stock exchanges and the promotion of ESG (environmental, social and governance) and green finance;
• commerce, logistics, maritime services, and professional services; as well as
• the exchange of meteorological information to enhance disaster control, and even co-operation in aerospace technology between Hong Kong’s very first commercial satellite manufacturing centre, newly opened yesterday, and a leading Indonesian manufacturer.

     I look forward to furthering our relations with Indonesia and bringing fresh impetus to our economies.

Hong Kong welcomes you
 
     I extend a warm welcome and invitation to our friends in Indonesia to visit Hong Kong, and see for yourselves the new development, new opportunities and new advantages of our city.
 
     Meanwhile, we have also brought Hong Kong to your doorstep. A roving exhibition under the theme “Immersive Hong Kong”, organised by the Information Services Department of Hong Kong, is now taking place at Gandaria City Mall in Jakarta. The exhibition uses art technology to let visitors experience our cosmopolitan city’s visuals with a creative twist.
 
     We are also offering round-trip air tickets to Hong Kong in an interactive game there. The exhibition runs till this Saturday (July 29), so do grasp the opportunity to immerse yourselves in Hong Kong’s beauty.
 
     Before I close, I must take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Indonesian community in Hong Kong, particularly some 140 000 Indonesian domestic helpers in our Hong Kong families. To many of our working families, they are not just their helpers, but also their friends, and even regarded by many as family members. We highly value their great contributions to our society throughout the years.
 
     Next, may I invite Dr Peter Lam, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to say a few words. read more

     In relation to the appeal for conducting a death inquest lodged by the deceased’s family members of the vessel collision incident near Lamma Island on October 1, 2012, the Court of Appeal handed down its verdict today (July 26) with an order to conduct a death inquest. 

     A spokesman for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, “We noted the Court’s verdict and will render full co-operation to the death inquest.”

     As the case is sub judice, it is inappropriate for the Government to comment further on the relevant matters at this stage. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 26) reminded members of the public to heighten vigilance against Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) infection. According to the CHP’s information, there is an upsurge of confirmed Mpox cases recorded in Hong Kong recently involving men who have conducted high risk sexual practices with men. As such, the CHP has set up a designated Mpox vaccination centre which will commence operation tomorrow (July 27) for high-risk groups to receive vaccination by appointment. Vaccination is an effective way to prevent Mpox and the CHP strongly urged high-risk individuals to receive vaccination early and seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience Mpox symptoms.

     The new designated Mpox vaccination centre situated at 2/F, CHP building, 147C Argyle Street, Mong Kok, will operate from 9am to 8pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays). Individuals belonging to the high-risk target groups can make a booking by email (mpv_booking@dh.gov.hk), or call the booking line 2547 1900 during office hours (operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5.30pm) starting today.

     A total of 16 Mpox cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far involving 16 men aged 25 to 59, among which eight of them are recorded in July this year. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations revealed that the eight cases involved men who have sex with men (MSM) and they have high-risk behavior during the incubation periods, including having sexual practices with strangers. Four of them did not have travel history and the initial investigation of the CHP showed that the cases are local infections with unknown sources. The results reflected Mpox virus transmission might have occurred among local high-risk groups and cannot rule out the possibility of an outbreak. The CHP is working with non-governmental organisations serving local high-risk groups to disseminate health advices to target groups.
     â€‹
     A CHP spokesperson stated that MPox is generally transmitted through direct and intimate sexual contact with infectious lesions of symptomatic patient. People should not conduct high risk sexual practices, i.e, unprotected sex, sex with unknown person or multiple sexual partners. According to latest scientific evidence, the transmission risk through casual social contact, including close family contact is extremely low. 
     
     Among the above-mentioned 16 confirmed Mpox cases, 11 of them did not receive Mpox vaccination, while another two did not complete the two-dose course. According to the recommendation by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the CHP, a two-dose regime is required while those who have received smallpox vaccine will only need one dose. A spokesman for the CHP appealed to high-risk target groups, including individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. MSM, having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months, to avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. They should take precautionary measures, especially to receive Mpox vaccination as soon as possible. 

     The Government’s Mpox vaccination programme commenced on October 5 last year, under which Hong Kong residents belonging to high-risk groups (including individuals with high risk sexual practices; healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox; laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong) can receive vaccination on a voluntary basis. As at June 30, 2023, more than 10 000 doses of vaccine were administered.

     Apart from the newly set up designated vaccination centre, high-risk target groups can receive an Mpox walk-in vaccination at all of the DH’s Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Meanwhile, the DH’s Integrated Treatment Centre in Kowloon Bay, and the Hospital Authority’s Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will continue to provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

     The Government has activated the Alert level of the preparedness and response plan for the disease in September last year and will continue to assess the risk in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, and implement corresponding control measures. The CHP had also set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373) earlier, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice.

     For more details, please visit the CHP’s page on Mpox. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by China CITIC Bank International Limited relating to a fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. read more