Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (May 11):

Reporter: You said that it's difficult for some owners' corporations to help tenants to reach consensus, for example, like the renovation of some old buildings. So there's scheme like the fire safety direct support services. How effective can this improve the situation? And do you think the authority should take the initiative and reach out to some of these old buildings?

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: In fact, the Home Affairs Department has been actively assisting and helping the owners' corporations (OCs) reach consensus among their tenants to carry out necessary repair works to maintain their buildings, to make sure that they would observe all the buildings' safety and fire safety requirements.

     As you said, we have been launching various programmes in helping the OCs carry out various repair works, and help them gather the owners together to form the OCs, and to hold the annual general meetings or the EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting), to reach consensus to carry out those large-scale construction works to make sure that the buildings are in good standard.

     We will carry out and continue to implement necessary and district-based measures, to help those owners to form OCs, and to help them reach out to other owners, and to give them necessary assistance, as to how to apply for various schemes under different Government departments, so that they can carry out those construction works on time.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     A woman who went missing in Sham Shui Po has been located.

     A Thai woman, Chui Sopis, aged 75, went missing after she left her residence on Tai Hang Sai Street in the small hours on May 5. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The woman was located on Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan last night (May 10). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 11) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, supported the Hong Kong Association to hold a luncheon on May 10 (London time) on Hong Kong's position as a forward-looking international financial centre. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue, was the keynote speaker.

     In his address, Mr Yue highlighted the resilience of Hong Kong's financial and monetary system, as well as the strength of its broader financial ecosystem, which have been an important underpinning of Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre. He also shared the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong, including the continued opening-up of the financial market of Mainland China and the emerging trends of sustainability and fintech innovation.

     Following his remarks, Mr Yue took questions and exchanged views with audience on topics including central bank digital currency, transition finance, financial regulation, and the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Scheme.

     The event was attended by the Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, Lord Dominic Johnson, and over 80 participants, including government officials, parliamentarians, and senior representatives from the financial, business and legal circles.

      

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Ngau Tau Kok yesterday (May 10) in which a woman died.

     At 10.11pm, a taxi driven by a 65-year-old man was travelling westbound along Kwun Tong Road. Upon approaching Kwun Tong Road slip road leading to Choi Hung Interchange, it reportedly knocked down a 73-year-old woman.

     Sustaining leg injuries, the woman was rushed to Kwong Wah Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 11.30pm.

     The taxi driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon East is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 0277 or 3661 0263.