Author Archives: hksar gov

     The opening ceremony of the reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok was held today (December 23). A pilot scheme for facial recognition technology has been introduced at the new checkpoint, allowing people living or working at Chung Ying Street to access the area unimpeded through “contactless channels” without having to stop and produce their Closed Area Permit (CAP) or use their fingerprint to verify their identity. The aim is to facilitate the flow of people and enhance the checkpoint’s processing capacity.

     Addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, noted that to facilitate entry to and exit from Chung Ying Street, the Government has replaced the former checkpoint made up of marquees with a permanent structure, and for the first time introduced facial recognition technology. This allows people living and working on Chung Ying Street to be the first to use “contactless channels” for unimpeded access. The Government will continue to explore the application of relevant technology to complement the future opening of Chung Ying Street for tourism. In the future, holders of valid CAPs for access to Chung Ying Street may, upon prior enrolment, pass through the checkpoint via “contactless channels”. In adopting the pilot scheme, the Government hopes to replace the current mode of manual inspections through applying innovative technology to assist users of the checkpoint, enhance the checkpoint’s capacity, and highlight Hong Kong’s high-quality digital technology as an international metropolis.

     Mr Chan also expressed his gratitude to the various government departments and organisations for their joint efforts in the successful completion of the reprovision project, thereby providing better facilities for Chung Ying Street, an area rich in unique historical and cultural value.

     The checkpoint’s design has integrated historical and modern elements, showcasing the characteristics of Hong Kong’s traditional train stations. Its exterior wall is decorated with copper plate engravings featuring a historical train, preserving the history of the branch line. In addition, multiple energy-saving designs have been incorporated in the checkpoint which combines functionality and aesthetics, creating a cultural landmark for Chung Ying Street.

     â€‹Other officiating guests included the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; the Director of Immigration, Mr Kwok Joon-fung; the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming; the Deputy Director of Architectural Services, Mr Alan Sin; the Chairman of the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk, Mr Kenneth Lau; and the Chairman of the Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee, Mr Lee Koon-hung.

            

     With regard to an incident on November 21 last year in which a young passenger was suspected to have stepped into a gap between a platform and the train of the Automated People Mover (APM) system at Hong Kong International Airport, the Government is highly concerned about the incident and has completed the review of the investigation report and relevant supplementary information submitted by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) as requested by the Government.

     On system safety, the AAHK’s investigation did not find any systematic safety issues with the APM system. Infrared devices are installed at the platform screen doors (PSDs) and train doors such that when it detects that a passenger or obstacle has been trapped between the PSD and the train door, the system will instruct the PSDs and the train doors to remain open. Meanwhile, when the PSDs or train doors cannot close properly due to an obstruction, the system will instruct the train not to depart and an alert will be issued to the controllers in the Integrated Airport Centre simultaneously. Furthermore, the AAHK commenced a project to narrow the gap between the platform and the train in mid-2023 and completed it in June this year, which will serve to prevent passengers from stepping into the platform gap. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has confirmed that the APM system is safe in its design and operation.

     On notification of incidents, according to the Airport Authority (Automated People Mover) (Safety) Regulation (Cap. 483C), the AAHK shall give notice to the Government of every accident and occurrence on the APM of a type described in the Schedule to Cap. 483C, which includes an incident in which a person falls between a train and a platform.

     The AAHK conducted a thorough and in-depth investigation into the incident and found no evidence of a cover-up of the incident by any staff. It admitted that the scope of the first investigation, conducted by the AAHK’s relevant department early this year, was not thorough enough to identify the incident early. According to the investigation of the AAHK, after the young passenger stepped into the gap between the platform and the train, other passengers immediately pulled her out of the gap. Since train doors were closed as scheduled, the system alert was not triggered. The AAHK did not receive any complaint or injury report filed by the passenger concerned or her family at that time. That said, the AAHK admitted that there was lack of clarity in the APM Operation and Emergency Procedure Manual, and a lack of alertness in reporting and communication among the frontline staff concerned, resulting in the incident not being properly recorded at that time. Therefore, the relevant staff of the AAHK failed to identify the incident in time and report it to the Government.

     The Government notes that the AAHK has already taken disciplinary actions against the relevant staff, and has seriously requested the AAHK to implement the following improvement measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents:

(i) Strengthening of the incident notification mechanism: updating the APM Operation and Emergency Procedure Manual and arranging relevant training for frontline staff to enhance staff awareness in handling and recording incidents, which will enable the relevant departments of the AAHK to notify the Government according to the records;

(ii) Enhancement of the incident investigation mechanism: arranging a dedicated department to co-ordinate investigations and follow-up actions in relation to incidents or potential incidents related to APM passenger safety in order to ensure all future incidents or potential incidents would be investigated in a thorough and comprehensive manner; and

(iii) Enhancement of the CCTV system at the platform: adjusting and enhancing the CCTV set-up at the platform to cover more viewing angles, with a view to facilitating the detection and investigation of APM incidents by staff. 

     â€‹The Government notes that the AAHK enhanced the incident investigation mechanism immediately and has been actively implementing the other two improvement measures, which include finishing the updating of the APM Operation and Emergency Procedure Manual and arranging relevant training next month to strengthen the incident notification mechanism, and completing the enhancement of the CCTV system at the platform by March next year. The Government will closely monitor the AAHK’s progress of implementation. The EMSD has also confirmed that the APM system is safe in its design and operation, and that the aforementioned narrowing of the platform gap and enhancement of the CCTV system will help prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 23) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     The relevant areas are as follows:

UK
—-
Norfolk County
(1) King’s Lynn & West Norfolk District

US
—-
State of California
(2) Marin County
(3) San Joaquin County

State of South Dakota
(4) Beadle County
(5) Charles Mix County
(6) Faulk County
(7) Hutchinson County
(8) McPherson County
(9) Moody County
(10) Spink County

State of Iowa
(11) Sioux County
(12) Palo Alto County

State of North Dakota
(13) Bottineau County
(14) McHenry County
(15) Ransom County

State of Tennessee
(16) Gibson County

State of Utah
(17) Piute County
(18) Sanpete County

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 63 470 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 17.2 million poultry eggs from the US, and about 900 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 990 000 poultry eggs from the UK in the first nine months of this year.

     “The CFS has contacted the American and British authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 23) launched E-Auction (e-auction.td.gov.hk), an online auction platform for Ordinary Vehicle Registration Marks (VRMs). Interested bidders registered as users are no longer required to attend a physical auction and can bid for VRMs through a computer or mobile device anywhere.

E-Auction arrangements and implementation timetable

     The first online auction is scheduled for February 2025. Fewer VRMs, some 50, will be put up for auction in the initial phase and details will be announced in late January 2025. Two online auctions are planned to be held each month, with each auction lasting for five days, starting from noon on the first day and ending at noon on the fifth. The TD will gradually increase the number of VRMs in the online auction after reviewing its operations to ensure the smooth running of the E-Auction platform.

     Registered users can bid for their desired Ordinary VRMs via E-Auction within the specified time slots of each online auction session, and they may choose to set auto bids prior to the auction. Successful bidders can complete the follow-up procedures at the one-stop platform, including arranging electronic payment and receiving the relevant documents to assign the secured VRMs to the vehicles under the purchaser’s name provided in the Memorandum of Sale of VRM. Registered users can also receive auction information regularly through the platform. Non-registered users can browse the E-Auction website to learn about registration and auction procedures, the auction schedule, VRMs pending auction, real-time auction price, etc.

User registration arrangements

     Members of the public should register as an E-Auction user by “iAM Smart+” equipped with the digital signing function; or by using a valid digital certificate and an email address upon completion of identity verification. Registered “iAM Smart” users should provide their Hong Kong identity card number, while non-Hong Kong residents who are not “iAM Smart” users should provide the number of their passport or other identification documents.

     A spokesman for the TD reminded bidders that applicants who have submitted a $1,000 deposit to reserve a VRM for auction should register as an E-Auction user in advance and participate in the online auction. Otherwise, their reserved VRMs may be sold to other bidders. In addition, cheque or cash payment is not accepted in the E-Auction.

Category of VRMs put up for E-Auction

     The E-Auction will only be applicable to Ordinary VRMs. The TD will announce details of the online auction sessions in advance through the E-Auction website and prevailing channels including press releases and newspaper advertisements; and each registered user will receive such information by email. Auctions for VRMs with “HK” or “XX” as a prefix, special VRMs and personalised VRMs will continue to be carried out through physical auctions by bidding paddles and their announcement arrangements remain unchanged.

     The TD will inform all applicants who have submitted a deposit to reserve Ordinary VRMs for auction of the E-Auction arrangements in detail by post. Members of the public are welcome to visit the E-Auction website and watch the tutorial videos for more information. Please call the E-Auction hotline (3583 3980) or email (e-auction-enquiry@td.gov.hk) for enquiries. read more

     The Government today (December 23) announced that the Chief Executive (CE) has reappointed Ms Mary Huen as Hong Kong, China (HKC)’s representative and Mr Spencer Fung as alternate representative to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC). At the same time, the CE has appointed Mr Geoffrey Kao as HKC’s alternate representative to ABAC. All appointments are for a term of two years from January 1, 2025.
 
     “I am very grateful to Ms Huen and Mr Fung for continuing to serve on ABAC, and to Mr Kao for agreeing to represent HKC in ABAC. I am confident that their extensive experience in the business sector and valuable insights will further enhance the work of ABAC, bringing concrete benefits to the Asia-Pacific region,” the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said.
 
     Ms Huen is the Chief Executive Officer (Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia) of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. Mr Fung is the Group Executive Chairman of Li & Fung. Mr Kao is the Executive Director of Wah Ming Hong Limited.
 
     ABAC was established in 1996 as a permanent business advisory body to provide advice to APEC on business sector priorities. HKC has appointed three representatives and three alternate representatives to ABAC. Currently, the Chairman of Esquel Group, Ms Marjorie Yang, and the Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners, Ms Nisa Leung, are the other two HKC’s representatives. The Chairman of Lai Yuen Company Limited, Mr Duncan Chiu, is another HKC’s alternate representative. read more