Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the Fight Crime Committee (FCC), Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (November 22) led members of the FCC and chairpersons of the District Fight Crime Committees (DFCC) on a study and exchange tour on the prevention and fighting of crime in Guangzhou. The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, also attended.

     Arriving in Guangzhou in the morning, the delegation watched a minimum emergency unit drill in the Tianhe City Central Business District in Tianhe District, and visited the Huale Police Station of the Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau to learn more about the work of local frontline police.

     Afterwards, the delegation met with the Director of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department (GDPSD), Mr Liu Guozhou. Mr Chan expressed his gratitude for the hospitality of the GDPSD and introduced the background and work of the FCC and DFCC. Mr Chan noted that the GDPSD and the law enforcement agencies of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have long maintained close co-operation, jointly combating various cross-border crimes, particularly cross-border deception cases. He expressed the hope that both sides would continue to deepen co-operation and exchanges, working together to safeguard social security and stability.

     The delegation continued their itinerary in the afternoon. They visited the integrated service hall of the Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau to learn about the one-stop facility’s provision of convenient services to the public, as well as the police history museum of the GDPSD. The delegation returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

     The delegation comprised over 30 members, including the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Wong Kwok-hing, as well as non-official members of the FCC and chairpersons of the DFCC.

          

     Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (December).        Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at… read more

     Regarding earlier media reports on the alleged use of cable trunkings with a coating thickness not meeting the standard in public works projects, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) followed up immediately and, together with relevant government departments and public organisations, arranged sample taking, testing and reporting by accredited laboratories for 148 ongoing works contracts (including public works projects and public sector contracts) involving cable trunkings to ascertain the compliance with the contract requirements on coating. All the related testing work has been completed.

     Some of the works contracts involved more than one cable trunking supplier. Among the 185 cable trunking supplier contracts involved in the 148 works contracts, the cable trunking samples of 142 supplier contracts complied with the contract requirements. The samples in the remaining 43 supplier contracts, involving three cable trunking suppliers did not comply with the contract requirements. The situation of the coating of cable trunkings not meeting the contract specifications was mainly related to unsatisfactory quality control measures on the part of the contractors and suppliers concerned.

     The spokesman for the ArchSD reiterated that the coating is used to cover the metal shell of cable trunkings to prevent rusting. It does not support any electrical conduction or signalling functions. Insufficient thickness might limit the durability of cable trunkings but has no risk of electrical leakage and does not pose any risks to the safety and health of the building users, the building’s structure, fire safety or operations of the facilities.

     The spokesman said that for the non-compliant coating thickness of the cable trunkings, the relevant government departments and public organisations have requested, in accordance with the contract terms, the contractors of the relevant works contracts to make appropriate arrangements, including:

(i) For the six works contracts (involving six cable trunking supplier contracts) which are at an early stage of material installation works for the cable trunkings, the contractors have replaced the non-compliant batches of the cable trunking materials without affecting the works programme;

(ii) For the remaining 28 works contracts (involving 37 cable trunking supplier contracts) where prolonged fencing-off of part of the facilities would be required for the replacement works due to the location and extent of the cable trunkings, a hasty replacement at this stage is not desirable lest it would affect the use and operation of the facilities. The relevant government departments and public organisations have arranged with the contractors to increase the inspection frequency, strengthen inspection and maintenance and extend the warranty period of the material, with replacement to be undertaken as and when deemed necessary. Anti-rusting devices on the cable trunkings would also be installed if feasible; and

(iii) The charges required for the arrangements in (i) and (ii) above were totally borne by the contractors and no additional expenses to the relevant government departments or public organisations were incurred. In accordance with the contract terms, the relevant government departments and public organisations will claim against the contractor(s), as in prevailing practice, if extra expenses and losses are incurred due to the non-compliance of material standard.

     In accordance with the works contract terms, the relevant government departments and public organisations have also reflected the non-compliance with contract requirements in the Contractor’s Performance Reports, and the assessment will affect their opportunities of being awarded public works contracts in future.

     In addition, the ArchSD, together with relevant government departments and public organisations have, since November 2023, enhanced the procedures for inspection and acceptance of the coating of cable trunkings for all on-going contracts which are under construction and all new works tenders invited, as follows:

(i) imposing more specific requirements for documentary proof from contractors on the coating of cable trunkings, including specifying that the manufacturer’s certificate of accreditation to recognised Quality Assurance System submitted shall be issued within the past three years; and that the test report by an accredited laboratory submitted shall show that the material tested is of the same batch as material used for the contract; and 

(ii) based on the risk-based approach, conducting on-site sample tests as part of the inspection and acceptance procedures for the coating of cable trunkings.  read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Members met with the North District Council (DC) and Yau Tsim Mong DC members at the LegCo Complex today (November 22). They discussed in-depth and exchanged views on issues related to community development and people’s concern.

     During the meeting with the North DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including capitalising on development opportunities brought about by the Northern Metropolis to enhance land planning and expedite the completion of infrastructure projects in the North District; optimising the tourism resources in the North District and its geographical advantages of close proximity to Shenzhen for development of in-depth tourism projects; as well as enhancing the network coverage of the telecommunications and mobile services in the North District to improve mobile connectivity in remote and rural areas.

     The meeting was convened by Mr Lau Kwok-fan. A total of 22 Members attended the meeting including Mr Chan Hak-kan, Mr Frankie Yick, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Mr Luk Chung-hung, Mr Kenneth Lau, Mr Chu Kwok-keung, Mr Robert Lee, Mr Andrew Lam, Mr Yiu Pak-leung, Mr Dennis Leung, Mr Chan Yuet-ming, Mr Sunny Tan, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Ms Joephy Chan, Mr Gary Zhang, Mr Benson Luk, Mr Kenneth Fok, Professor Chan Wing-kwong and Professor William Wong.

     As for the meeting with the Yau Tsim Mong DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including issues related to the harbourfront development of Yau Tsim Mong district in West Kowloon; improving the design of Kowloon Park and carrying out major renovation, to tie in with the setting up of the Chinese Culture Experience Centre; as well as the planning of community facilities in the Yau Ma Tei area to meet the various needs of the community.

     The meeting was convened by Professor Priscilla Leung. A total of 17 Members attended the meeting including Mr Tommy Cheung, Mr Paul Tse, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Vincent Cheng, Mr Dominic Lee, Ms Nixie Lam, Mr Yiu Pak-leung, Mr Leung Man-kwong, Mr Chan Pui-leung, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Ms Joephy Chan, Mr Benson Luk, Mr Kingsley Wong, Mr Yang Wing-kit, Mr Lai Tung-kwok and Mr Yim Kong.

            

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 22) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito… read more