The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (December 20) led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation to attend the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Macao's Return to the Motherland and the Inauguration Ceremony of the Sixth-term Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Mr Lee congratulated Mr Sam Hou-fai on assuming office as the sixth-term Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the inauguration of the sixth-term Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
      
     "As the country's special administrative regions, both Hong Kong and Macao enjoy the advantages of 'one country, two systems'. The two places share a strong bond with frequent exchanges and years of seamless co-operation in such areas as economy, cross-border infrastructure, tourism, and culture, laying a solid foundation. Hong Kong will continue to work with Macao to achieve complementarity, jointly contributing to and promoting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and striving to build a world-class bay area," Mr Lee said.
      
     "I wish Mr Sam and the sixth-term Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region to lead Macao to scale new heights of development. I will work with Mr Sam to further enhance exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Macao, leveraging the cities' strengths to serve the country's needs, demonstrating the vitality and superiority of 'one country, two systems', and making new and greater contributions to building a great country and moving towards national rejuvenation through Chinese modernisation."

     The Government announced today (December 20) the appointment of seven new members and the reappointment of two incumbent members to the Consumer Council for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2025.
 
     The new members are Ms Chan Hoi-yan, Professor Marshall Jen Hong, Professor Lam Hon-ming, Mr Leung Shing-yum, Ms Leung Siu-ling, Dr Lin Wai-chi and Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming. The reappointed members are Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin and Mr Selwyn Yu Sing-cheung, SC.
 
     In addition, the Government expressed gratitude to the outgoing members, namely Mr Edward Ho Man-tat, Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung, Mr Matthew Lam Kin-hong, Ms Doris Lian Shaodong, Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun, Dr Lui Wing-cheong and Ms Iris Wan Lai-Sze, who are about to complete their tenure, for their contributions to various aspects of the Council's work.
 
     The composition of the Council with effect from January 1, 2025, is as follows:
 
Chairman
———–
Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing
 
Vice-Chairman
—————-
Mr Tony Pang Chor-fu
 
Members
———-
Ms Chan Hoi-yan
Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin
Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han
Mr Holden Chow Ho-ding
Professor Chung Chi-yung
Ms Veronica Fung Kit-ming
Professor Marshall Jen Hong
Ms Miranda Kwan Ching-yi
Professor Lam Hon-ming
Mr Leung Shing-yum
Ms Leung Siu-ling
Dr Lin Wai-chi
Mr Ma Tak-yan
Professor Jack Poon Sik-ching
Ms Siu Suk-yu
Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming
Mr Wong Kin-wai
Mr Andy Wong Man-kit
Mr Selwyn Yu Sing-cheung, SC

     The Government announced today (December 20) the reappointment of Mr Kelvin Au Wai-kuen, Ms Helen Hui, Mr Bernie Ting Wai-cheung and Ms Winnie Wong Chi-shun as members of the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (HKECIC) Advisory Board for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2025.
 
     The HKECIC was established in 1966 to provide insurance protection for Hong Kong exporters against non-payment risks arising from commercial and political incidents. It is wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, which also guarantees its liabilities.
 
     The composition of the HKECIC Advisory Board with effect from January 1, 2025, is as follows:
 
Chairman
———–
Dr Dennis Ng Wang-pun
 
Members
———–
Mr Kelvin Au Wai-kuen
Ms Natalie Chan Wo-mi
Ms Helen Hui
Mr Samuel Lau Kin-pui
Mr Timothy Lee Kwok-lam
Mr Michael Li Chi-fung
Mr Bernie Ting Wai-cheung
Ms Winnie Wong Chi-shun
Principal Assistant Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council or his representative (ex-officio)

     The Security Bureau (SB) today (December 20) announced that, to promote self-drive tours to Sha Tau Kok, a new short-term tenancy car park has been established near the entrance of the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area (FCA), providing 100 private car parking spaces for individual visitors. This initiative aims to facilitate travel to Sha Tau Kok using various means of transport.

     A spokesman for the SB said, "The abovementioned enhancement measure provides more transport options for individual visitors travelling to Sha Tau Kok, improving accessibility and further increasing the area's tourist appeal. The SB, along with relevant policy bureaux and departments, will closely monitor the traffic situation in the area and maintain close liaison with relevant stakeholders to ensure proper and orderly arrangements."

     The short-term tenancy car park is located on Sha Ho Road in Sha Tau Kok, adjacent to the Sha Tau Kok FCA entrance. Individual visitors who wish to drive to the Sha Tau Kok FCA can apply for an electronic Tourism Closed Area Permit (CAP) on the Police e-service platform (www.es.police.gov.hk) and reserve parking spaces through the operator's website. For enquiries about parking reservations, visitors can contact the operator via WhatsApp at 9088 4428. Individual visitors do not need to apply for a Closed Road Permit for their cars.

     The first and second phases of the Sha Tau Kok FCA opening-up plan were implemented in June 2022 and January 2024 respectively, allowing individual and group tourists to apply for a CAP and enter Sha Tau Kok, except Chung Ying Street. The daily visitor quota for the opening plan has been increased to 3 000, introducing both local and overseas visitors to the local culture and unique scenery of Sha Tau Kok.

     The Government announced today (December 20) appointments to the Insurance Authority (IA) with effect from December 28, 2024.
 
     The Chief Executive (CE), pursuant to the Insurance Ordinance (Cap. 41), has reappointed Mr Stephen Yiu Kin-wah as the Chairman of IA. The Financial Secretary under the authority delegated by the CE, has also reappointed nine incumbent Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), namely, Dr Clement Chen Cheng-jen, Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han, Ms Agnes Choi Heung-kwan, Mr Lam Wai-kong, Mr Terry Lo Kin-wing, Ms Theresa Ng Choi-yuk, Dr Derrick Pang Yat-bond, Mr Anson Wong Man-kit, SC, and Mr Kenneth Wong Wing-yan; and appointed Professor Darwin Choi, Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung, and Dr Fung Hong as NEDs.
 
     Announcing the appointments, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "Mr Yiu has demonstrated strong leadership over the past three years as IA Chairman. Under his steer, the IA has successfully navigated a rapidly evolving market environment and promoted the sustainable growth of the insurance industry, including the implementation of a risk-based capital regime to strengthen the financial soundness of insurers in Hong Kong and enhance protection for policy holders. I am confident that Mr Yiu will continue to lead the IA to achieve greater progress on various fronts."
 
     Mr Hui further stated, "With the addition of three newly appointed members, the IA will continue to comprise distinguished professionals from a wide range of sectors, including insurance, actuarial science, accountancy, banking, business, labour and welfare/consumer affairs, legal, and medical and health. This diversified membership will enhance the IA's ability to address community needs and further solidify Hong Kong's position as a leading international risk management centre."
 
     Mr Hui also expressed his gratitude to the three outgoing NEDs, namely, Dr Evelyn Lam Ho-yi, Dr Ares Leung Kwok-ling and Professor Anna Wong Wai-kwan, for their contributions to the IA during their terms of office. 
 
     The membership list of the IA with effect from December 28, 2024, is as follows:
 
Chairman (who is an NED) (appointment for a term of three years)
————————————————————————–
Mr Stephen Yiu Kin-wah
 
Non-Executive Directors
————————— 
Appointment for a term of three years:
 
Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han
Professor Darwin Choi*
Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung*
Dr Fung Hong*
Mr Lam Wai-kong
Mr Terry Lo Kin-wing
Dr Derrick Pang Yat-bond
Mr Anson Wong Man-kit, SC
Mr Kenneth Wong Wing-yan
 
Appointment for a term of two years:
 
Dr Clement Chen Cheng-jen
Ms Agnes Choi Heung-kwan
Ms Theresa Ng Choi-yuk
 
Executive Directors
———————
Mr Clement Cheung Wan-ching
Mr Clement Lau Chung-kin
Mr Lee Moung-mo
Mr Marty Lui Yu-kwok
 
* New appointees