The Transport Department (TD) today (February 14) reminded the public that two auctions of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held this Saturday (February 17) and Sunday (February 18) in Meeting Room N101, L1, New Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     A total of 350 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public sale at each auction. The lists of marks have been uploaded to the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $1,000 to reserve a mark for auction should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price of $1,000). Otherwise, the mark concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction are reminded to take note of the following important points:

(1) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(4) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

(5) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for reallocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
       
     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Traditional Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html.

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Chubby Hearts Hong Kong Launch Event today (February 14):
 
Ms Anya Hindmarch (designer of Chubby Hearts Hong Kong), Professor Eric Yim (Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. Happy New Year, and a happy Valentine's Day to you and to everyone! I trust your hearts are all as "chubby" as mine is, on this splendid day, where romance is in the air – or soon will be.
 
     Yes, in just a few minutes, thanks to Chubby Hearts Hong Kong, love will soar, in the shape of a pleasing red heart, probably bigger than any you've ever seen before.
      
     This inspired installation was created by celebrated UK designer Anya Hindmarch, who is with us today. And thanks, Anya, for coming all the way from the UK. And this marks the very first time her joyful, adorable hearts embrace the skies of Asia. Over the next 11 days, larger-than-life, pop-up hearts will rise over scenic and landmark locations, all across our beloved city of Hong Kong.
      
     For that, my thanks to Ms Hindmarch, as well as the Hong Kong Design Centre, for bringing Chubby Hearts to Hong Kong, the fast-beating heart of Asia. Let's give them a heartening round of applause.
      
     Chubby Hearts Hong Kong is just one of the many mega events Hong Kong will play host to in the coming year. 
      
     From leading regional and international trade fairs and exhibitions, to world-class arts, culture and sports competitions and shows, we will create and attract a continuing flow of new and inviting experiences to Hong Kong. These will spotlight our advantages as an events city centre, promote our economy, and reinforce Hong Kong's status as a must-visit global city – for business and investment, as for tourism and non-stop entertainment.
      
     Apart from showcasing Hong Kong's innovative heart and dynamism, Chubby Hearts has inspired a variety of creative exchanges, between global designers such as Ms Hindmarch and Hong Kong's own high-flying talent.
      
     Let me add that Chubby Hearts will be with us throughout February 24, which is the 15th day of the Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival, known by many as the Chinese Valentine's Day. It will be a heartfelt and lovely day to celebrate Hong Kong's East-meets-West culture.
      
     I wish you all the best of health, and love, in the year to come. Thank you.

    

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (February 14) that to prevent members of the public from rushing to the TD's licensing offices to submit applications for renewal of expiring and expired vehicle and driving licences before Budget Day, the TD will implement the following arrangements:

*All vehicle licences eligible for renewal on or before Budget Day (February 28), i.e. vehicles that are registered at the time of renewal and with licence expiry dates falling on or before June 27, can be renewed at the present rate, whether for four months or 12 months, at any time up to and including June 27.

*All full Hong Kong driving licences and driving instructor's licences eligible for renewal on or before Budget Day (February 28), i.e. those expiring on or before June 27 and those that have expired for less than three years at the time of renewal, can be renewed at the present rate at any time up to and including June 27.

*The special arrangements only apply to the applications for renewal of vehicle licences, full driving licences and driving instructor's licences that meet the conditions above. They do not apply to any other licensing services.

     "It is not necessary for eligible licence holders to rush to the TD's licensing offices to submit applications for renewal of their vehicle or driving licences on speculation that those licence fees may increase in the coming Budget. The aforementioned arrangements are not related to the content of the Budget, on which the TD has no information," a spokesman said.

     A woman who went missing in Airport has been located.

     A Korean woman, Kim Hae Young, aged 53, went missing after she was last seen at Hong Kong International Airport on February 12 night. Police received the report in the small hours yesterday (February 13).

     The woman was located at Hong Kong International Airport in the small hours today (February 14). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the World Governments Summit 2024 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and met with local government officials and representatives from relevant organisations to promote co-operation and exchanges.
 
     Under the theme of "Shaping Future Governments", more than 4 000 participants attended the three-day summit starting from February 12. It provides a platform for leaders from governments, international organisations and private sector around the globe to discuss innovative solutions for future challenges, including future economy, through different plenary sessions.
 
     During his stay in Dubai, Mr Yau today (February 13) met with the Chief Executive Officer of Economic Development at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Mr Hadi Badri; the Executive Director of Free Zone at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Mr Ahmad Hamza; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, Mr Arif Amiri, respectively. Mr Yau gave them an update on Hong Kong's latest developments and business opportunities, and exchanged views on various economic development issues.
 
     In addition, Mr Yau visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) to learn more about the work of the office. He encouraged Dubai ETO colleagues to keep up their good work and also wished them good health and great success in the Year of the Dragon.