Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 24) issued to the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) three Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Briefs for the reclamation works, connecting road links, and developments on the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands related to the “Artificial Islands in the Central Waters – Investigation”.
 
     A spokesman for the EPD said, “The CEDD submitted the applications for the above three EIA Study Briefs on November 11. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), the EPD shall issue to the applicant the EIA Study Brief within 45 days of receiving the application. In preparing the Study Briefs, the EPD has strictly followed the requirements under the EIAO Technical Memorandum (TM) and duly considered the 293 sets of comments, including 17 sets from members of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE), received during the project profiles’ public exhibition period from November 12 to 25.”
 
     In accordance with the requirements of the TM, the relevant environmental issues and their scope to be addressed for the three projects include air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, ecology, fisheries, landscape and visual, cultural heritage, hazard to life and cumulative impacts. When preparing the Study Briefs, the EPD has made reference to previous study briefs and the implementation experiences of similar major infrastructural projects, such as “Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System”, “Development of the Integrated Waste Facilities Phase 1”, “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge”, “Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link” and “Tung Chung New Town Extension”, so as to ensure that the EIA studies will cover all the potential environmental issues.
 
     Among the comments from members of the ACE and the public, marine ecology and water quality impacts arising from the reclamation works are the main concerns. To address the concerns, the Study Brief for “Reclamation for Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands” requires the CEDD to conduct at least 12-months of terrestrial and marine ecological baseline surveying, covering areas to be reclaimed and 500 metres from the reclamation boundary, so as to ascertain the significance of the habitats and species within the study area.
 
     With respect to the assessments for air quality, hydrodynamics and water quality, the Study Briefs require the CEDD to carry out air quality, hydrodynamics and water quality modellings. The computer models shall cover the proposed reclamation works and development areas, and regions and water bodies likely to be affected, so as to assess the cumulative air quality and water quality impacts arising from the projects together with the other existing and planned developments.   
 
     Furthermore, in view of the comments from the ACE and the public, the Study Briefs require the CEDD to submit the EIA Reports for the three projects, i.e. reclamation works, connecting road links, and development on the artificial islands, in sequence. Such an arrangement allows the cumulative impacts arising from the three projects to be assessed systematically, and supports an orderly review of the reports by the EPD, the ACE and the public. Making reference to the interrelationship of the three projects, the CEDD shall first submit the EIA Report for the reclamation works. When the EIA Report for the connecting road links is submitted, the report shall address the cumulative impacts due to the road links and the reclamation works. Finally, the EIA Report for the development on the artificial islands shall cover the former two projects in the cumulative impacts assessment.
 
     The ACE and some members of the public also raised concerns on issues such as climate change adaptation, carbon neutrality and biodiversity. Although these issues are not within the scope of the existing EIAO, the EPD has also conveyed these views to the CEDD.  
 
     The spokesman added that the EPD will consider the applications for EIA Report approval in strict accordance with the requirements of the EIAO, including putting up the reports for public inspection and the consultation with the ACE. The EIA Reports can be approved only if they have fully met the requirements of the EIAO, the Study Briefs and the TM.
 
     The Study Briefs are available for public access on the EIAO website (www.epd.gov.hk/eia/index.html). read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      As at 9am today (December 24), two COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 12460 and 12463) were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours and will continue with… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, December 24, the CHP was investigating five additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 12 556 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 12 555 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, four are imported cases and one is an import-related case. All of them involved mutant strains. The patients comprise two males and three females, aged 20 to 64. For the imported cases, one of them arrived in Hong Kong from a Group A specified place (high-risk) with enhanced surveillance and the other three from Group A specified places (high-risk). Two patients tested positive during the “test-and-hold” arrangement upon arrival at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and two tested positive during quarantine.

     The import-related case (12557) involves a 64-year-old man who lives in On Hei House, Siu Hei Court, Tuen Mun. He is a cleaner at a designated toilet solely for use by preliminary positive imported cases confined at a designated area at the Midfield Concourse of HKIA while waiting for transfer to hospital. He has no recent travel history. The CHP announced the case’s details last night (December 23) (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/23/P2021122300711.htm). He tested positive on December 23 for antibody after admission, which is compatible with his history of vaccination. The Ct value for the test after admission was less than 30. The 26 environmental samples collected by the CHP during the site visit yesterday at HKIA tested negative. Also, the CHP has arranged for about 14 of his close contacts and about 40 household contacts and close contacts of those close contacts to conduct quarantine at a quarantine centre. There has been no relevant confirmed case so far. The CHP’s epidemiological investigation of the case is ongoing and further genetic analysis and comparison with recent imported cases with N501Y and T478K mutant strains are continuing. As the patient may carry the Omicron variant, the CHP will adopt the most stringent prevention and control measures. The Government made a “restriction-testing declaration” last night for the building where the patient resides in Hong Kong. The compulsory testing frequency has also been increased for persons who resided or worked in the same building as the residence of the case. The relevant persons will be subject to compulsory testing on December 25, 26, 27, 30, January 4 and January 11, 2022 (see the details at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf).

     A total of 72 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (December 10 to 23) and all of them are imported cases.

     Meanwhile, the CHP provided an update on the latest investigations on seven imported cases announced on December 20 and 22 (cases 12538, 12548, 12549, 12551, 12552, 12553 and 12554), involving three males and four females aged between 18 and 61. The whole genome sequencing analysis conducted by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that the seven cases all carried the Variant of Concern Omicron. Five of them tested positive during the “test-and-hold” arrangement upon arrival at the TSCC and two of them tested positive during quarantine.

     Together with the seven aforementioned cases, there are so far 41 cases involving Omicron in Hong Kong.

     The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     â€‹â€‹The spokesman for the CHP stressed, “The global situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility, and there are also reports of breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals. The CHP strongly urges members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, in particular to specified places with high risk under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H).” read more

     The Government announced today (December 24) that the Chief Executive has made appointments and re-appointments to the four Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) advisory committees, namely the Advisory Committee on Corruption (ACOC), the Operations Review Committee (ORC), the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee (CPAC) and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations (CACCR). All of the appointments and re-appointments are for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2022. 
 
ACOC
 
     The Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man (in his capacity as the Chairman of the CPAC) as a member of the ACOC. The Chief Executive has also appointed Mr Paul Lam Ting-kwok (in his capacity as the Chairman of the ORC), Professor Simon Ho Shun-man (in his capacity as the Chairman of the CACCR), Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung and Ms Cecilia Lee Sau-wai as new members to the ACOC. 
 
     Mr Paul Lam Ting-kwok is a Senior Counsel. He is currently the Chairman of the Administrative Appeals Board as well as the Consumer Council.
 
     Professor Simon Ho Shun-man is the President of the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. He was a member of the Deposit Protection Appeals Tribunal and the Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal.
 
     Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung is the General Manager of a local company. He is a member of the Consumer Council and Trade and Industry Advisory Board.
 
     Ms Cecilia Lee Sau-wai is a Partner of an international accounting firm. She is a member of the Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research.
 
     The ACOC advises the Commissioner of ICAC on any aspects of the problem of corruption in Hong Kong, and keeps the operational, staffing and administrative policies of the ICAC under review.  
 
ORC
 
     The Chief Executive has appointed Mr Paul Lam Ting-kwok as the new Chairman of the ORC. Dr Emily Chan Po-shan and Dr Aron Hari Harilela have been re-appointed as members of the ORC. Ms Clara Chan Yuen-shan and Mr Felix Li Kwok-hing have been newly appointed to the Committee as members.
 
     Ms Clara Chan Yuen-shan is the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of a holding company. She is a member of the Hong Kong Housing Authority and the Hong Kong Productivity Council.
 
     Mr Felix Li Kwok-hing is the Director of an architectural company. He is the immediate past President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects.
 
     The ORC oversees all ICAC investigations. It reviews corruption complaints received and investigations conducted by the ICAC to ensure that they are handled effectively and efficiently. It also examines circumstances where search warrants are authorised by the Commissioner, where persons have been put on bail for more than six months, and where investigations have been lasting for over a year or require substantial resources.
 
CPAC
 
     The Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man as the Chairman of the CPAC. Professor Emily Chan Ying-yang and Mr Albert Su Yau-on have been re-appointed to the Committee as members. Ms Carrie Lau Ka-wai has been appointed as a new member of the Committee. 
 
     Ms Carrie Lau Ka-wai is the General Manager (Strategic Procurement) of a company. She was the Chairlady of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (Hong Kong Branch), and is currently the Chairlady of its Professional Development Committee.   
 
     The CPAC receives and calls for reports from the ICAC about practices and procedures of government departments, public bodies and the private sector which may be conducive to corruption. It also advises the Commissioner on what areas should be examined and the degree of priority to be accorded to each.
 
CACCR
 
     The Chief Executive has appointed Professor Simon Ho Shun-man as the new Chairman of the CACCR. Ms Gigi Wong Ching-chi has been re-appointed as a member of the Committee. Miss Pinky Lau Pik-yiu, Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Dr James Wong Kong-tin and Miss Jenny Yung Ching-yi have been appointed as new members of the Committee.
 
     Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho is the Vice-President and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Comparative Policy of Lingnan University. He is a member of the Research Grants Council.
 
     Dr James Wong Kong-tin is the Vice Chairman of the Greater China Legal Affairs Committee and Community Relations Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong. He is the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board.
 
     Miss Pinky Lau Pik-yiu is a trainee solicitor. Miss Jenny Yung Ching-yi is a KYC (Know Your Client) Analyst of an investment bank. Both Miss Lau and Miss Yung are appointed to the CACCR through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth. 
 
     The CACCR advises the Commissioner on appropriate measures to foster public support in combatting corruption and to educate the public against the evils of corruption. It also monitors community response to the ICAC’s work and public attitudes towards corruption in general.
 
     The Government expresses its gratitude to all outgoing members of the above-mentioned committees, who are retiring on December 31, 2021. Their valuable contributions to the work of the respective committees are greatly appreciated.
 
     The updated non-official membership lists of the four ICAC advisory committees are at Annex. read more

     The Government announced today (December 24) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan, Mrs Laura Cha Shih May-lung, Mr Chow Chung-kong, Mr Martin Liao Cheung-kong, Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Miss Elsie Leung Oi-sie, Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi, Dr Ng Chau-pei and Mr Lau Chin-shek as non-official members of the Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee.
 
     “All members will serve for a one-year term, from January 1 to December 31, 2022,” a Government spokesman said.

     The Selection Committee is tasked to consider nominations for various honours as well as for the appointment of Non-official Justices of the Peace (JPs) and to make recommendations to the Chief Executive.
 
     Honours and awards are awarded to individuals in recognition of their significant contribution to Hong Kong or dedicated public and community service. The appointment of JPs is governed by the Justices of the Peace Ordinance (Cap. 510). JPs are required to perform certain functions, including visiting custodial institutions or detention centres to ensure that such facilities are effectively managed and that no inmate is unfairly treated or deprived of his or her rights.
 
     The annual Honours List and the list of new JP appointments are normally published in the Government Gazette on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (July 1).
 
     The Selection Committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Other official members include the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Home Affairs, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office.
 
     The Selection Committee’s full membership for the new term is as follows:
 
Chairman
———-
Chief Secretary for Administration

Non-official Members
————————
Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan
Mrs Laura Cha Shih May-lung
Mr Chow Chung-kong
Mr Martin Liao Cheung-kong
Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee
Miss Elsie Leung Oi-sie
Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi
Dr Ng Chau-pei
Mr Lau Chin-shek

Official Members
——————-
Financial Secretary
Secretary for Home Affairs
Chairman, Public Service Commission
Director, Chief Executive’s Office read more