Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is a question by the Hon Ip Kin-yuen and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, in the Legislative Council today (November 18):
 
Question:
 
     The Chief Executive (CE) put forward in her election manifesto in 2017 the establishment of a salary scale for kindergarten (KG) teachers with the aim of providing KG teachers with a stable working and teaching environment. The Education Bureau (EDB) has introduced, since the 2017-2018 school year, the KG education scheme (the Scheme), under which eligible local non-profit-making KGs are provided with a direct subsidy and salary ranges have been set for KG teachers. On the other hand, the wastage rate of KG teachers in recent years has remained on the high side, standing at 12 per cent or higher in the past two school years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) given that the EDB has, since the middle of last year, started to consult stakeholders on the introduction of a salary scale for KG teachers and the corresponding “basic half-day unit subsidy” arrangements, etc., of the views received and the final proposal of the EDB; the estimated additional recurrent expenditure to be incurred annually for implementing the proposal;
 
(2) whether it has plans to complete the establishment of a salary scale for KG teachers by the end of the term of the current Government; if so, of the implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will assess if the CE has failed to honour the relevant pledge she made in her election manifesto; and
 
(3) given that under the Scheme, the EDB provides a tide-over grant for KGs so that they can retain their long serving teachers, and the grant will cease by the end of the next school year, of the follow-up arrangements to be put in place by the EDB, and whether the EDB will announce such arrangements expeditiously so that KGs’ management can make early preparation?

Reply:

President,

     The Government attaches great importance to education. In the past three years, the current-term Government has increased over $13 billion cumulatively in recurrent expenditure on education, particularly in the area of supporting principals and teachers. This aims at providing the education sector with additional resources for improving teaching manpower, creating a stable, caring and rewarding environment to tie in with the enhanced quality of education. Regarding kindergarten (KG) education, the Government has implemented the new KG education policy starting from the 2017/18 school year, covering measures on improving teachers’ remuneration, alleviating the financial burden of school fees on parents and improving quality of teaching. The KG sector is capable of quickly responding to the needs of society given its diversified and flexible characteristics. The mobility of KG teachers is affected by many factors, including pursuing further study, retirement, marriage/child-bearing/child-raising and other family reasons, which may not necessarily be fully related to remuneration.

     Our reply to the question raised by the Hon Ip Kin-yuen is as follows:

(1) and (2) The EDB has all along been committed to enhancing the KG education policy and implementing new initiatives and increasing appropriations as and when necessary. For instance, the 14-week paid maternity leave has been implemented since January 2019 with the provision of a staff relief grant. The grant for support to non-Chinese speaking students has been enhanced since the 2019/20 school year, with the highest grant rate being doubled to about $800,000 per annum in this school year. We have also introduced the pilot schemes on relocation grant and renovation grant in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 school years, a one-off website enhancement grant in the 2020/21 school year, etc.

     On teachers’ salary, the Chief Executive announced in the 2018 Policy Address that the data of the three school years from 2017/18 to 2019/20 would be used as the basis for exploring the feasibility of introducing a salary scale for KG teachers. We started a comprehensive review in mid-2019 on the implementation of the KG education policy and salary arrangements for teachers is one of the key areas for review. During the process of consultation, we arranged meetings with different stakeholders including school sponsoring bodies, KG principals, major KG associations and teachers’ unions, tertiary institutions, relevant non-government organisations, teachers and parents, to gauge their views. As the salary arrangements for KG teachers involve operation of KGs and their flexibility in resources deployment, the sector concurs that it should be examined thoroughly and handled prudently in assessing the implications of setting up a salary scale for KG teachers on the stability of the teaching force, the sustainability of quality services as well as the flexibility and diversity of the KG sector. Based on the data and information in the past few years, we have been studying the feasibility of different options and conducting detailed discussions with stakeholders. The consultation is still ongoing and the review exercise is expected to complete in 2021. The EDB is unable to provide any information on the review results, estimated expenditure and implementation schedule at this stage.

(3) The tide-over grant (ToG) aims to provide short-term additional financial support for KGs, which had more long-serving teachers who were receiving high salaries before participating in the Scheme, in defraying their expenses on such teaching staff in the early period of implementation of the Scheme and enabling KGs to retain these teachers. During the period covered by the ToG provided by the Government, KGs should formulate their school-based financial and staffing policy for migration to the new policy before the lapse of the ToG. Details are set out in paragraph 14 of Appendix 3 in EDB Circular No. 7/2016. In 2017, the Government announced the extension of the ToG from two years (2017/18 and 2018/19 school years) for three more years (from 2019/20 to 2021/22 school years). In reviewing the implementation of the new KG education policy, we will at the same time consider the actual situation of KGs in employment of teachers. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, in the Legislative Council today (November 18):

Question:

     The Government is currently implementing a number of transport fare-related subsidy schemes, including the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme (Scheme One), the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme (Scheme Two), and the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities (Scheme Three). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) Of the total amount of subsidy granted, the number of beneficiaries, and the administrative cost incurred in respect of Scheme One in each year since its launch in 2011;

(2) Of the total amount of subsidy granted, the number of beneficiaries, and the administrative cost incurred in respect of Scheme Two since its launch in 2019; and

(3) Given that no income or asset test is provided for Scheme Two and Scheme Three, and the Government is studying the lowering of the eligibility age of Scheme Three to 60, whether the Government has any concrete plans to prevent those members of the public who have no financial needs from enjoying double or triple benefits, so as to ensure the proper use of public funds; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     The Work Incentive Transport Subsidy (WITS) Scheme (only receives individual-based applications starting from April 1, 2019 (hereafter referred to as I-WITS Scheme, see response to sub-question (1) below for details)) aims to assist low-income earners in reducing their cost of travelling to and from work and encourages them to secure or stay in employment, through the provision of fixed-rate allowances. Beneficiaries of the WITS Scheme are therefore subject to income and asset tests and the fulfilment of the working hour requirements.

     As far as the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme) is concerned, the objective is to build a caring and inclusive society by enabling elderly people aged 65 or above and eligible persons with disabilities to enjoy a concessionary fare of $2 per trip to travel on general public transport modes and services. Beneficiaries of the $2 Scheme are only required to reach the relevant age threshold, or being eligible persons with disabilities. They are not subject to any means tests.

     In comparison, the target beneficiaries of the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme (PTFSS) administered by the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) are the public at large. There are therefore no specific restrictions or any means tests for its beneficiaries. The PTFSS aims to relieve the fare burden of commuters whose public transport expenses are relatively high. The Government has enhanced the PTFSS since January 1, 2020. If a citizen’s monthly public transport expense exceeds $400, the Government will provide a one-third subsidy of such expense in excess of $400, with the subsidy cap set at $400 per month. Furthermore, the Government has introduced a temporary special measure under the second round of the Anti-Epidemic Fund to temporarily relax the monthly expense threshold of the PTFSS from $400 to $200 from July 1 to December 31, 2020.

     Given the PTFSS has not imposed specific restrictions or means tests on its beneficiaries, eligible beneficiaries of the I-WITS Scheme and/or the $2 Scheme may also benefit from the PTFSS if their actual public transport expenses exceed the monthly level under the PTFSS.

     As for the Member’s sub-questions, having consulted the THB, my response is set out below:

(1) The WITS Scheme started receiving applications in October 2011 and was managed by the Labour Department (LD). Based on information from the LD, a breakdown of the expenditure incurred by the department from the management of the WITS Scheme from 2011-2012 to 2018-2019 and the number of applicants granted WITS (gross applicant count) by year are as follows:
 

Year	Amount of subsidy ($ million)	Amount of administrative costs (including staff costs) ($ million)	Number of applicants granted WITS (gross applicant count)
2011-12	77.9	55.1	22 319
2012-13	203.7	64.1	49 611
2013-14 (Note 1)	321.6	84.8	77 291
2014-15	352.4	90.5	81 091
2015-16	304.1	93.3	69 417
2016-17	265.5	80.1	61 096
2017-18	256.5	76.3	57 423
2018-19 (Note 2)	197.6	66.8	45 397

Note 1: From July 1, 2013 onwards, apart from applying for WITS on a household basis, WITS applicants may also choose to apply for WITS on an individual basis. 
Note 2: Upon the implementation of the Working Family Allowance Scheme on April 1, 2018, the household-based WITS was abolished on the same date.

     The Working Family Allowance Office (WFAO) under the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency took over the management of the I-WITS Scheme from the LD on April 1, 2019. A breakdown of the subsidy approved under the I-WITS Scheme and the number of applicants granted I-WITS by year is as follows:
 

Year	Amount of subsidy ($ million)	Number of applicants granted I-WITS (Note 3)
2019-20	157.1	25 761
2020-21 (up to October 30, 2020)	80.7	21 171

Note 3: WFAO complies its statistics based on the number of applicants, which is different from the LD’s gross-applicant-count-based methodology. Given the claim period of an I-WITS application covers the immediate past six calendar months before its submission, applicants may submit more than one application during a particular year.

     The WFAO is tasked to assist the Labour and Welfare Bureau to manage the I-WITS Scheme and the Working Family Allowance Scheme at the same time. The WFAO does not keep any breakdown of the administrative costs incurred from the management of the I-WITS Scheme.

(2) According to information provided by the THB, from the launch of the PTFSS in January 2019 to October 2020, the total subsidy amount involved was over $3.5 billion, representing a monthly average of about $160 million; and the average number of beneficiaries per month was about two million. Since the launch of the PTFSS, the actual recurrent expenditure involved (excluding subsidy amount) was about $89 million.

(3) As set out in the preamble of the reply, there are no specific restrictions or any means tests for the beneficiaries of the PTFSS. Provided that their actual public transport expense exceeds the level under the PTFSS, eligible beneficiaries of the I-WITS Scheme may also benefit from the PTFSS at the same time. Meanwhile, the actual public transport expense for beneficiaries of the $2 Scheme will normally not exceed that of the PTFSS, meaning that it is unlikely for them to have enjoyed “double benefits”.

     As for the possible occurrence of “double benefits” between the PTFSS and the I-WITS Scheme, the Government will monitor the situation closely and explore feasible improvement measures to ensure proper use of public resources. read more

     The Golden Dragon Troupe will stage two Cantonese operas, namely “The Butterfly Goblet” and “Story of a Sing-song Girl”, in December.
 
     In “The Butterfly Goblet”, an old fisherman, Hu Mingheng, catches a strange fish with a human head. Lu Shihuan, son of the Governor, tries to snatch the fish by force, seriously injuring Hu. Standing up for Hu, Tian Yuchuan injures Shihuan. Hu escapes back to his boat and tells his daughter, Fengjiao, what has happened before he dies. Yuchuan knows he is in big trouble, and also finds his way to the boat. The two young people meet. Fengjiao lets Yuchuan hide in the boat to escape the manhunt. A love story begins and Yuchuan gives her his family heirloom, a butterfly goblet, as a betrothal pledge.
 
     Shihuan finally losses his life. General Tang Yang receives an order to hunt down the murderer Yuchuan but to no avail. Instead, Tang arrests Yuchuan’s father, the chief official of Jiangxia prefecture. As a fugitive, Yuchuan changes his name to Lei Chuanzhou. A decree comes from the Emperor and Governor Lu is sent on an expedition. With Yuchuan’s assistance Governor Lu wins the battle. In appreciation of his contribution to the victory, Governor Lu wants to marry his daughter to Yuchuan. The situation turns out to be very complicated as love and relationships become entangled.
 
“The Butterfly Goblet”
7.30pm, December 15 (Tuesday)
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
Tickets: $140, $200, $280 and $380
7.30pm, December 16 (Wednesday)
Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre
Tickets: $140, $220, $300 and $380
 
     In “Story of a Sing-song Girl”, a local upstart and bully, Wu Shou, tricks Yang Tianbao into believing that his wife, Wei Huachou, is unfaithful. The couple quarrels and Tianbao departs home in anger, leaving Huachou behind with his younger sister. Having succeeded with his scheming, Wu visits on the pretext of collecting rent. He makes lascivious passes at Tianbao’s sister. In a bid to save her, Huachou kills Wu with a pair of scissors. She is arrested and sentenced to death.
 
     Meanwhile, Tianbao has saved the Emperor and is awarded the title of Prince of Fidelity and Bravery. On his way back to his home town, he passes by the execution ground and finds his wife about to be executed. This reminds him of her infidelity and is overwhelmed with anger. Fortunately, Huachou’s younger brother comes to her rescue in the nick of time. Knowing that they have been fooled by Wu, the couple makes up and gets back together.
 
“Story of a Sing-song Girl”
7.30pm, December 17 (Thursday)
Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre
Tickets: $140, $220, $300 and $380
 
     The cast of the performances includes Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Chan Hung-chun, Lui Hung-kwong, Chan Ka-ming and Sun Kim-long.
 
     The performances by the Golden Dragon Troupe are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1053.html.
 
          A pre-performance talk and a post-performance talk in Cantonese will be held at 7.30pm on December 2 (Wednesday) and at 7.30pm on December 22 (Tuesday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers will include Loong Koon-tin and Tang Mi-ling. Admission is free. Telephone registration is required and please call 2268 7267 from 10am on November 25 (Wednesday). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Details can be found on the above website. read more

     The Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) Northern Connection will be commissioned on December 27 (Sunday).      The TM-CLKL comprises the Northern Connection and Southern Connection. The Northern Connection is 5.5 … read more

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference 2020 today (November 18):
 
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I would like to extend my warmest welcome to you all to the second day of the 2020 Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference, ALMAC in short. I am delighted to learn about the positive feedback yesterday on the outlook and future opportunities for aviation and maritime industries. I hope you would also find the sessions today on logistics fruitful and inspiring.
 
     ALMAC celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and we are proud to witness its growth from strength to strength. The annual Conference has become a signature event, and the largest of its kind in the region. It provides a platform for stakeholders across the globe to share thoughts and insights, and to explore business opportunities in Asia. It is also the very first time that ALMAC goes online, to reach out for more and further amidst the pandemic.
 
     Year 2020 is unprecedented for all of us. The pandemic disrupts our normal way of living, if not way of life. It is even harder for us to navigate across the sea of uncertainties caused by escalating trade disputes, rising geopolitical tensions and protectionism. The theme this year, on how to “Capture Opportunities amidst Volatility”, is most relevant and timely for every one of us. 
 
     As of today, the pandemic rages on and there is no sign of abating. Here in Hong Kong, we are giving it our best and holding on. Our unique position under “One Country, Two Systems”, our robust fundamentals and institutional strengths are cornerstones of our continual success. All these are well recognised by the international community and fortify Hong Kong’s position as a global trade and logistics hub.
 
     Widespread lockdown to contain the pandemic is expected to cause a deeper contraction to the global economy. Economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region as a whole is forecasted to drop by 3.7 per cent as domestic consumption, trade and investment opportunities are dropping. Asian economies are among the first to battle the coronavirus, and are also the first to come out from the crisis.
 
     Trading and logistics is one of Hong Kong’s four pillar industries, accounting for 21 per cent of our GDP and 19 per cent of our total employment. Thus, our logistics, maritime and aviation industries combined plays a pivotal role in sustaining Hong Kong’s economic growth. Today’s discussion will focus on how technology opens up new possibilities, and how the industry should gear up in synchrony with the upsurge of e-commerce. 
 
     As the pandemic reshapes the way we live, shopping online becomes the new normal. In order to cope with the growing demand for express and small parcel delivery, Hong Kong is in the course of expanding our express air cargo terminal. With completion in 2022, our handling capacity will increase by some 50 per cent to over a million tonnes per year. On the other hand, to enhance our capability of warehousing and shipment distribution, a new premium logistics centre, which is scheduled to commence operation in 2023, will bring an additional 1.7 million tonnes of air cargo per year to Hong Kong.
 
     Apart from handling capacity and capability, efficiency and reliability are also key to success. Consumers demand fast and reliable delivery at low cost. They also want to track and trace their purchases throughout the process. Our logistics sector is committed to applying smart technology, such as the use of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things, to better meet the evolving needs, enhance operational efficiency and productivity. Wider adoption of technology would add value for our partners and consumers in the region and across the globe. To this end, the Hong Kong Government has rolled out a HK$300 million scheme to encourage the sector in adopting more technology and IT solutions.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, the logistics, maritime and aviation industries have always lived up to the spirit of “Capturing Opportunities amidst Volatility”, with or without the pandemic. And Hong Kong remains and will continue to be your trustworthy partner in furthering your business ventures in the region. Together, I am confident that we will overcome, and become more resilient.
 
     In closing, may I once again thank you all to the ALMAC. I am grateful to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and other event partners for braving the difficulties and making it happen. I wish you all an enjoyable and rewarding conference today. Thank you. read more