The "Belt and Road: Hong Kong-IN" Sharing Session on Financial Services and Business Growth jointly organised by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association was held in Hong Kong today (November 19).

     The sharing session was comprised of two panels, both moderated by the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Denis Yip. The discussions centred around how Hong Kong's all-round professional financial and related services can support enterprises in respect of Belt and Road financing, challenges in opening up Belt and Road markets, as well as how Hong Kong professional services leverage the city's unique advantages in providing solutions. Panel speakers shared their experiences and successful cases, and held exchanges with the participants. Business matching opportunities were also featured.

     About 200 representatives from state-owned, Mainland and Hong Kong enterprises as well as local professionals and chambers of commerce attended the sharing session. Among the participants were over 20 representatives of the SASAC and state-owned enterprises led by the Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of Property Right Management of the SASAC, Mr Xie Xiaobing. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, and Mr Xie spoke at the sharing session.

     Mr Yau highlighted that as an international financial centre, Hong Kong opens diverse financing channels with lower financing costs in support of Belt and Road infrastructure projects. Together with its ability to establish pioneer financial infrastructure that connects itself with the Mainland and the rest of the world, Hong Kong is well positioned to meet the diverse capital needs of the Belt and Road Initiative.

     He further pointed out that Hong Kong is striving to develop as the green finance centre of Asia, providing capital for sustainable Belt and Road projects as well as establishing firm foundations in green finance certification and regulation. Quite a number of banks in Hong Kong have set up dedicated green finance teams and the city's related professionals are also ready to facilitate the development of a green Belt and Road.

     Today's sharing session is the third of the same series jointly organised by the CEDB and the SASAC, following the sessions held in August 2018 and February of this year. Both sides found the sharing sessions useful in raising awareness of the Initiative and its related issues, and enhancing the SASAC's understanding of Hong Kong's professional services. Opportunities have also been taken to promote collaboration between enterprises of the two places, and to encourage those businesses to partner with professional services providers to go global as they explore Belt and Road prospects.

     Mr Yau stressed that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will continue to strengthen its work in taking forward the Belt and Road Initiative. Policy co-ordination with relevant Central authorities including the SASAC will be strengthened, and experience sharing and capacity building on policy areas related to the Initiative will be enhanced.

     Panel speakers at the sharing session today included the Deputy Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Wang Bing; the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission, Ms Leung Fung-yee; the Director of Operation of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, Mr P C Chan; the Director and Executive Vice President of China Mobile International Limited, Mr Shen Weizhong; the Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Dr Daniel Yip; the Vice President of China Life Insurance (Overseas) Company Limited, Mr Yu Deben; and the Executive Director and Vice President of Shanghai Industrial Investment (Holdings) Company Limited, Mr Xu Bo.

    

     Yau Kee Rubbertyre Limited was fined $45,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 19) for violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and the Occupational Safety and Health Regulation. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.

     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on February 25, 2019 in a vehicle repair workshop in Yuen Long. While a worker was inflating a container truck tyre, the tyre suddenly burst. The worker was hit by a blast of air and fell to the ground. He sustained a serious head injury and passed away on the same day.

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley tomorrow (November 20). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.
     
A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure
     
     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions
     
     The following traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:
     
– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition
     
     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) said today (November 19) that the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments of various public hospitals are currently handling a large number of casualties from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
 
     A total of around 80 casualties from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University were received by various A&E Departments this morning. The HA Major Incident Control Centre was notified by the Fire Services Department later that a large number of casualties were still at the scene. An Emergency Medical Team from the HA was then deployed to perform on-site patient triage. Around 200 casualties were subsequently sent to 12 different public hospitals for treatment, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Caritas Medical Centre, Yan Chai Hospital, United Christian Hospital, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, Ruttonjee Hospital, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital.  
 
     The spokesperson added that the A&E Departments are currently treating a large number of patients. Doctors will accord priority treatment to patients with critical or emergency conditions as assessed under the established triage system, while semi-urgent and non-urgent patients might have to wait longer for consultation.
 
     The spokesperson appealed for understanding and co-operation from members of the public. Patients with minor ailments are advised to consider seeking consultation at general out-patient clinics or private doctors.

     The Immigration Department announced today (November 19) that owing to special incidents occurring in Mong Kok, the West Kowloon Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre will be closed at 6pm.
 
     Members of the public who have appointments for today may proceed to the Replacement Centre on later days for identity card replacement and they need not make another appointment. Subject to the actual circumstances of various districts, individual Replacement Centres may close earlier at any time. Before proceeding to the Replacement Centres, applicants are advised to check the latest government press releases or call the Replacement Centres.