Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following are the opening remarks by the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, at the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy Graduation Ceremony 2024 today (November 29):
     
Simon (President of the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, Mr Simon Li), Nicolas (Vice President of the National School of Civil Aviation of France, Mr Nicolas Cazalis), Christile (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe), Vivian (Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mrs Vivian Cheung), distinguished guests, fellow graduates and family members, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is with great honour and pleasure that I stand before you today at this prestigious graduation ceremony organised by the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy.

     Today, we gather to celebrate a significant milestone of our graduates, a testament to your hard work and dedication to the aviation industry. I am particularly delighted to witness this occasion, as it not only marks the culmination of your learning journey but also heralds the beginning of a promising future for each of you in the aviation industry. Your achievements are a source of pride for your families, your instructors, and indeed, for all of us who are committed to contribute to the advancement of the aviation industry in Hong Kong.
      
     I believe that this is an exciting time for you to join the aviation industry, especially with the commissioning of the Three-Runway System (3RS) of Hong Kong International Airport yesterday. The 3RS is not just an infrastructure project; it is a visionary step which aims to enhance our airport’s competitiveness by significantly increasing the annual handling capacities of our airport to 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo by 2035. 
      
     The 3RS will create a wealth of career opportunities across various sectors of aviation, from air traffic management and airport operations to engineering, customer services and beyond. As graduates of the Academy, you are uniquely positioned to seize these opportunities. Your rigorous training and education have equipped you with the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to thrive in this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. These attributes are essential as we navigate the complexities of the aviation sector and strive for continuous improvement.
      
     This is the first time we have our graduates from different levels of programmes in one ceremony, which perfectly demonstrates the Academy’s efforts in providing various programmes to meet the career needs of aviation professionals, industry newcomers and young people. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Academy for its commitment to nurturing talents for the aviation industry of Hong Kong and the region since its establishment in 2016; and also the National School of Civil Aviation of France (ENAC) for your collaboration and support to the Advance Master programme over the years which helps nurture aviation management talents coming from not only Hong Kong but also Mainland China and various Belt and Road countries. I believe that the Academy, and its strong alliance formed with ENAC, will continue to provide staunch support to Hong Kong’s development as a prominent international aviation hub.
      
     In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you and your family members on this remarkable achievement. Your dedication and commitment have paid off, and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your lives. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and look forward to seeing the incredible impact you will make in the Hong Kong aviation industry and beyond.
      
     Thank you.

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     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (November 29) that, as advised by the postal administration of Malaysia, due to flooding, mail delivery services to Malaysia are subject to delay. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:      The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) discussed today (November 29) the fare increase applications from franchised bus operators, and was briefed o… read more

     The Town Planning Board (TPB) completed today (November 29) the deliberation on the representations in respect of the draft Pok Fu Lam Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/H10/22. After thorough discussion, the TPB decided to accept the Planning Department (PlanD)’s recommendation to partially meet some of the representations by amending the zoning of the 4.72-hectare site designated for the proposed Global Innovation Centre (the Centre) by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) in Pok Fu Lam (the Site) from “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Global Innovation Centre” (“OU(Global Innovation Centre)”) to “Undetermined” (“U”) in the interim, in order to allow the HKU to review and adjust its proposal in response to the views expressed by the representers and to consult relevant stakeholders including the local community before submitting its revised proposal for the Government’s consideration.

     During deliberation, the TPB thoroughly considered the 3 677 representations and the oral submissions made by about 80 representers and/or their representatives during the three-day hearing in early November, as well as the views and responses of the PlanD and relevant government bureaux/departments (B/Ds) before arriving at its decision.
 
     TPB members acknowledged that most representers supported the development of the Centre by the HKU to consolidate Hong Kong’s leading position in deep technology research, while their objections/concerns were mainly related to site selection and hence land use compatibility, development intensity, impacts on traffic, visual, landscape, ecological, environmental, geotechnical, public health and safety aspects, as well as the lack of proper consultation. TPB members also noted that the HKU had committed in its press statement in early October and at the hearing to consulting relevant stakeholders in strategically reviewing and amending its development plan to address their opinions as much as practicable. The HKU would also explore the possibility of identifying alternative sites for the development of the Centre. 
 
     To address representers’ concerns, TPB members made the following comments and suggestions for the HKU’s consideration in reviewing its proposal and taking forward the project:
 

• consider alternative locations in Pok Fu Lam and other places such as the Northern Metropolis. If the HKU concludes after review that the Centre should be in Pok Fu Lam, the HKU should consider whether the present site or another area, including but not limited to the adjoining undeveloped “Residential (Group C) 6” site, is more suitable for achieving the HKU’s objective while minimising impacts on neighbouring communities;
• critically review the necessity and floorspace requirements for various components of the Centre, including accommodation and conferencing facilities, and consider optimising the utilisation of the HKU’s existing premises/facilities to meet such needs;
• enhance the design, including reducing density and bulk, lowering building height and increasing setback from neighbouring buildings;
• address traffic concerns and minimise environmental impacts and nuisance on the neighbouring community and residential developments during both construction and operation phases;
• minimise tree felling and disturbance to natural habitats, enhance tree compensation and provide more green space;
• incorporate additional planning and design merits and facilities that might benefit the local community; and
• strengthen efforts to engage and consult with stakeholders including the local community.

     In particular, in case the HKU decides after review that the Centre should remain in Pok Fu Lam, TPB members considered that the HKU should fully address the impacts of the Centre on students with hearing impairments in Ebenezer. Traffic is another area requiring more efforts from the HKU – not only should the traffic impact of the Centre be properly assessed and improvement measures formulated, but the HKU should also consider advancing the impact study of construction traffic so that the results can be discussed with the local community and refined as appropriate. Last but not least, TPB members emphasised the need for constructive engagement with stakeholders and looked forward to the HKU stepping up communication with them, as it has pledged on various occasions.                     
 
     In view of the above, the TPB considered it inappropriate to revert the zoning of the Site to “Green Belt”, maintain the “OU(Global Innovation Centre)” zoning, or propose other specific zoning before the HKU’s submission of a revised proposal. Thus, it was prudent to rezone the Site to “U” in the interim, serving as a stopgap arrangement pending the HKU’s completion of the review. Members also noted that there would be adequate planning controls under the “U” zoning, as anyone taking forward development in the “U” zone would require the TPB’s approval.
 
     The TPB will exhibit, under section 6C of the Town Planning Ordinance, the proposed amendment of rezoning the Site to “U” on December 13 for public inspection for three weeks, during which any person might make a further representation to the TPB on the proposed amendment. The TPB will consider the further representations, if any, in accordance with the Ordinance before submitting the draft OZP to the Chief Executive in Council for approval within the statutory time limit.
 
     Upon the HKU’s completion of the review and engagement with the community on the revised proposal, it will need to submit a revised proposal supported by technical assessments for consideration by relevant B/Ds. Should the revised proposal be accepted by the Government, the PlanD will propose appropriate zoning amendment(s). Subject to the TPB’s agreement, the rezoning would then undergo another round of statutory planning procedures in accordance with the Ordinance, during which members of the public would have the opportunity to submit written representations and attend hearings to express their views to the TPB directly. read more

     The Lands Department announced today (November 29) that in respect of the tender for the site Sha Tin Town Lot No. 625 at the junction of Sha Tin Wai Road and Siu Lek Yuen Road, Siu Lek Yuen, Sha Tin, New Territories, which was awar… read more