Tag Archives: China

     Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Wan and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 4):
 
Question:
 
     Some members of the public have suggested the development of transitional housing using a 60-hectare site which has been reserved for the second phase development of Hong Kong Disneyland (Phase 2 site), in order to improve the living environment of more than 200 000 residents in sub-divisions of flat units (commonly known as “sub-divided units”). On the other hand, a Hong Kong-based event organiser signed co-operation agreements with a Dutch floriculture expert last month on the development of a flower-themed garden in Hong Kong, and is considering locating the garden at the Phase 2 site. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the criteria adopted for vetting and approval of applications for short-term tenancies for the Phase 2 site; whether it has received or approved the application concerning the flower-themed garden; 

(2) whether the Government conducted, in the past three years, any study on the construction of transitional housing at the Phase 2 site; if so, of the details and the outcome; if not, the reasons for that; and 

(3) given that due to the restrictions imposed by the Deed of Restrictive Covenant signed between the Government and the Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited (HKITP), the permitted land uses of the Phase 2 site do not include residential use, whether the Government will discuss with HKITP amending the Deed to the effect that the provision of transitional housing such as modular housing is a permitted land use of the site; if so, of the details and the expected completion time for the discussion; if not, the reasons for that? 

Reply:
 
President,
 
     In 1999, the Government and the Walt Disney Company (TWDC) reached an agreement to develop the Phase 1 of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) at a reclaimed site of about 126 hectares at Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. Since its opening in September 2005, HKDL has been in operation for nearly 13 years. It is a major component of the tourism infrastructure in Hong Kong and one of the most popular tourist attractions for both local and non-local visitors. It also helps consolidate our position as an international premier tourist destination.
 
     In its first 12 years of operation, HKDL received over 70 million guests. Their additional spending in Hong Kong was around $166.2 billion, which generated total value-added of $90.9 billion for Hong Kong’s economy, equivalent to 0.35 per cent of Hong Kong’s gross domestic product. HKDL also created a total of 232 500 jobs for Hong Kong’s economy over the same period, providing considerable job opportunities for frontline workers and the Hong Kong’s tourism industry.
 
     Over the years, HKDL has been strengthening its appeal to visitors through sustained efforts to enrich its attractions and entertainment offerings. Apart from the new ride Iron Man Experience and the new hotel Disney Explorers Lodge launched last year, HKDL has been actively taking forward its expansion and development plan since the second half of last year and various newly built attractions are being launched progressively from this year to 2023.
 
     When the development of HKDL was finalised in 1999, the Government, considering HKDL’s further expansion and development in future, agreed to reserve a reclaimed site of around 60 hectares to the east of HKDL for its possible Phase 2 development (the Phase 2 site). The Government understands the concerns of this Council and the general public about better utilisation of land, and thus considers from time to time whether the Phase 2 site can be put to compatible use(s). In fact, the Phase 2 site was used for hosting some short-term activities in the past, such as sports activities and group events.
 
     Last month, there was an announcement in the Netherlands about the plan to develop an European design flower-themed garden in Hong Kong, and that the organisers concerned are considering locating the garden at the Phase 2 site. The Government welcomes this proposal which, if materialised, would not only bring a new attraction for enjoyment by our local community, but would also enrich our tourism offerings, and thereby further enhancing Hong Kong’s position as an international premier tourist destination.
 
     My reply to the three parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) According to the Option Deed signed in 2000 between the Government and the Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited (i.e. the joint venture with the Government and TWDC as shareholders, “the joint venture”), the joint venture has an Option to purchase the Phase 2 site for taking forward HKDL’s further development. 

     Before the joint venture exercises the Option for the Phase 2 site, the site can be put to short-term uses that comply with the permitted uses as listed in the Deed of Restrictive Covenant (DRC), including recreational, sports and cultural facilities, etc. When considering these short-term uses, we also need to take into account whether such uses are compatible with the use and atmosphere of HKDL.
 
     As at end-June this year, the Government has not yet received any short-term tenancy application from the organisers of the flower-themed garden for developing the garden at the Phase 2 site.
 
(2) & (3) As mentioned in my reply to part (1) above, before the joint venture exercises the Option for the Phase 2 site, the short-term uses of the site have to comply with various permitted uses as listed in the DRC, including recreational, sports and cultural facilities, etc, but not residential use (e.g. development of transitional housing). Considering the Option Deed signed in 2000, the Government agrees to reserve the Phase 2 site for HKDL’s possible Phase 2 development. We have no intention to change the existing land use arrangements.

     In the light of the proposed short-term uses of the Phase 2 site recently received, we will continue to follow up with the relevant parties and make announcement at an appropriate juncture, with a view to further exploiting the recreation, tourism and entertainment positioning in the vicinity of HKDL. This would be conducive to HKDL’s on-going development, the Hong Kong’s tourism industry as well as the overall economy.
 
     Thank you, President. read more

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (July 4). 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;
– Vehicles from 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 during the race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 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 arrangements will be implemented from 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;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on 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. read more

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, who is conducting a six-day visit to Ireland, toured employment services and dementia care facilities in Dublin on July 3 (Dublin time) with his delegation.
 
     Dr Law and the Director of Social Welfare, Ms Carol Yip, first met with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection of Ireland, Ms Regina Doherty, and discussed the employment policies and social welfare systems of both places.
 
     They exchanged views on retirement protection policies in an ageing society. Dr Law was briefed on the development of a defined contribution system to make the retirement protection system more sustainable. Issues related to challenges in labour supply and demand caused by ageing population and technology, particularly artificial intelligence, were also discussed. The Irish government officials shared their experience on the extension of the retirement age, which is currently 66, and will be gradually increased to 68 by 2028. They noted that the average life expectancy in Ireland is about 81.5, slightly lower than that in Hong Kong, which is about 84. The provision of support for people with disabilities in employment was also discussed. 
 
     Dr Law and Ms Yip then visited the Alzheimer Society of Ireland along with representatives of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. The society works with day care centres, home care services, carer support groups and respite centres to provide dementia-specific care for elderly persons with dementia and support for their families. They also toured facilities in an elderly centre for dementia patients.
 
     Earlier, Dr Law also called on the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ireland, Ms Yang Hua, on July 2 (Dublin time) to update her on recent developments in Hong Kong.
 
     He will attend the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development 2018 later today (July 4, Dublin time).

read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Shiu Ka-chun and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui, in the Legislative Council today (July 4):

Question :

     In the past four years, the number of street sleepers registered with the Social Welfare Department rose from 746 to 1 127 (representing a 50 per cent increase) and, among them, the number of female street sleepers rose from 35 to 104 (representing a two-fold increase). Moreover, the findings of a survey on homeless people who stay overnight in fast food restaurants operating 24 hours a day have shown that there were 57 such type of homeless people across the territory in 2013, whereas the number in four districts alone was 384 at the end of last year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will conduct a survey on the number of street sleepers (including homeless people) across the territory as well as the districts and locations where they sleep or stay, so as to provide reference when a policy on street sleepers is formulated;

(2) whether it has studied the causes for the rise in the number of female street sleepers in recent years, and whether it will enhance the support for them, such as increasing the number of accommodation places provided for them; and

(3) whether it will, by making reference to the service model of the Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement Street Action Teams in New York, set up a dedicated department to deal with the issue of street sleepers and send out outreach workers to show them care, provide immediate assistance as well as arrange long-term accommodation; if so, of the implementation timetable?
 
Reply:

President,

     My reply to the Member’s question is as follows:

(1) To keep track of the demand for social welfare support services of street sleepers, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has been collecting information about the particulars of street sleepers in Hong Kong, including the number of street sleepers and their street-sleeping locations, through the SWD’s service units and four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) serving street sleepers. The relevant information is captured in the SWD’s “Computerised Street Sleeper Registry” and will be updated continuously. The SWD will also review the methods for collecting data from time to time to ensure data accuracy, and make reference to the relevant data for the purpose of service planning.

(2) The SWD did not conduct analysis on the reasons of changes in the number of street sleepers based on their gender. The number of female street sleepers in 2017-18 was 104. To address the emergency and short-term accommodation needs of street sleepers, the SWD provided 20 additional subvented hostel/shelter places in 2016-17 through deploying additional resources, of which five were female places, thus increasing the total number of subvented female places to 31. Together with the 132 female places provided by other NGOs on a self-financing basis, the total number of female hostel/shelter places provided is 163.

     Besides facing the same problems and needs as male street sleepers, female street sleepers are more in need of social and emotional support to improve the motivation for receiving services and to change their street sleeping lives. In view of the increasing number of female street sleepers, in addition to increasing the number of female hostel/shelter places, the Integrated Services Teams for Street Sleepers (ISTs) subvented by the SWD have also enhanced the support facilities of their hostel/shelter places and, through early intervention and counseling during their stay in the hostel/shelter, strengthen their confidence and ability to re-integrate into the community.

(3) Street sleeping is a complex social problem, involving policies and work of various bureaux and departments. Various government departments and service units in districts have been collaborating closely to support street sleepers and improve their motivation for receiving support, with the hope to encourage them to quit street sleeping as soon as possible. The SWD is concerned about the welfare needs of street sleepers and has been providing them with appropriate social welfare support services.

     At present, the SWD subvents three NGOs to each operate an IST to provide street sleepers with integrated services, including emergency shelter or short-term accommodation, emergency fund, personal care (e.g. bathing, haircut and meal arrangement), counselling, long-term accommodation arrangement, employment support and service referrals, etc. The ISTs also conduct day and late-night outreaching visits to approach street sleepers for early identification of their needs and render them the assistance needed. However, street sleeping may be due to various reasons. Personal factors and changes in socio-economic situation aside, street sleepers usually require more time before they will accept the services and make a change to re-integrate into the community. The ISTs will therefore render appropriate assistance to the street sleepers in accordance with the situation of each individual case.

     The SWD considers that the existing strategies and support services can overall respond to the social welfare needs of street sleepers, but will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate measures in response to the changing needs for social welfare services. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Vincent Cheng and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, in the Legislative Council today (July 4):

Question:

     In 1986, the Government launched a programme for the resumption and maintenance of private streets (the Resumption Programme) with a view to improving environmental hygiene. Between 1986 and 1995, 166 private streets were selected and included in the Resumption Programme. As at the end of last year, among such streets, 70 were resumed by the authorities, nine were pending assessment by the Buildings Department and the remaining had been deleted from the Resumption Programme for a number of different reasons (including issues relating to compensation claims). Some members of the public have relayed that a number of private streets (e.g. some private streets in Kowloon West which have never been included in the Resumption Programme) have serious environmental hygiene problems, and some of such streets have become the hotbed for activities such as retail operations occupying street space, vehicle parking and dumping of construction waste and refuse. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of private streets that have been resumed to date by the authorities under the Resumption Programme, and the assessment results and follow-up work in respect of the aforesaid nine private streets;

(2) of the respective numbers of complaints received by various government departments in the past three years concerning environmental hygiene problems of private streets; the major contents of the complaints received by the Highways Department and the Transport Department and the ways by which such complaints were handled respectively;

(3) as the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will, where resources permit, respond to the requests of the District Councils (DC) to provide routine street-cleaning service for private streets and related rear lanes with persistently poor hygiene conditions, of the number of private streets for which FEHD provided such cleaning service in each of the past three years (with a breakdown by DC district);

(4) as the authorities will conduct urgent repair works for private streets to ensure public safety, of the number of occasions on which such works were carried out by the authorities in each of the past three years (with a breakdown by DC district); the party who mainly bore the relevant costs;

(5) whether the authorities will review the work on improving the environmental hygiene of private streets; if so, of the details;

(6) whether the authorities will conduct a detailed survey on the environmental hygiene conditions of all private streets in Hong Kong; if not, of the reasons for that; if so, the details including whether targeted follow-up measures will be taken; and

(7) as quite a number of private streets currently have cave-ins or are in a state of dilapidation, etc., whether the authorities will review comprehensively the management of private streets (especially those open for public use) and study the provision of incentives to encourage the owners concerned to surrender the title of the streets to the Government; whether the authorities will strengthen communication with the owners’ corporations concerned so as to improve the management of private streets?

Reply:

President,

     In 1986, the Government launched a Private Street Resumption Programme (the Programme) to co-ordinate departmental efforts in resuming private streets which were under multiple ownerships and with serious environmental problems caused by the lack of management and maintenance. The aim of the Programme is to improve the conditions of private streets with environmental hygiene problems.

     This Programme has a policy principle, i.e. resumption of private streets should not involve compensation payments by the Government, as compensation claims often involve legal processes that are long and costly and whose outcomes are uncertain.  It is therefore more worthwhile to give priority to other areas of work.

     Upon the launch of this Programme, a Private Street Resumption Committee (the Committee), chaired by representative of Home Affairs Department (HAD), was set up to co-ordinate the efforts of nine government departments in resuming the private streets. These nine departments are the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Buildings Department (BD), the Drainage Services Department (DSD), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Highways Department (HyD), the Housing Department, the Lands Department (LandsD) and the Transport Department (TD). The Government resumed and improved the private streets included in the Programme under the provisions of the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance (Cap 370). 

     Based on the information provided by District Offices from 1986 to 1995, the Committee has considered 166 private streets under the Programme. Of the 166 private streets, 70 of them had been resumed and repaired, and 79 of them had been deleted from the Programme. The deletion of the 79 streets was based on various considerations, including the street conditions having improved, or resumption of these streets would involve compensation claims issue which could not meet the policy principle of the Programme. Of the remaining 17 streets, six have been assessed and it is confirmed that compensation claims might be involved. Resumption need for another two streets no longer exists as the streets have been redeveloped. For the remaining nine streets, they are pending the assessment results of possible compensation claims and other matters by the BD.

     After consulting the BD, DSD, FEHD, HyD, LandsD, TD and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), our reply to the seven parts of the question raised by Hon Vincent Cheng is as follows:

(1) 70 private streets have been resumed to date by the authorities under the Programme. For the remaining nine private streets in the Programme, the assessment of possible compensation claims is still underway.

(2) The BD, DSD, FEHD, LandsD and HKPF do not compile statistics on the number of complaints concerning environmental hygiene problems of private streets. The TD has also advised if it receives complaints about environmental hygiene of private streets, the complaints will be referred to relevant departments which are responsible for environmental hygiene for follow-up.

     So far as the HyD is concerned, the number of complaints received regarding road maintenance of private streets for the past three years is set out below:
 

2015	2016	2017	2018 (Jan to May)
5	8	13	23

 
     If the location in question is confirmed to be related to repairs in private streets, the relevant departments will inform the land owners to do the repair works. If owners of private streets cannot organise themselves to carry out urgent environmental improvement works, the relevant departments will, depending on the situation, conduct urgent remedial works to ensure public safety.

(3) In the past 3 years, the number of private streets with cleansing services provided by the FEHD, breakdown by district, are tabulated below:
 

District	Number of private streets with cleansing services provided by the FEHD
	2015	2016	2017	2018 (Jan to May)
Central & Western	7	7	7	7
Wan Chai	9	9	9	9
Eastern	13	13	20	20
Yau Tsim Mong	6	6	6	6
Sham Shui Po	1	1	1	1
Kowloon City	12	12	15	15

 
(4) The HyD has not carried out any urgent repair works in private streets for the past three years. The BD and DSD, on the other hand, do not compile such statistics. 

(5) and (6) The management, cleansing and repair of common areas of private premises (including private streets and private rear lanes) are the responsibilities of the owners concerned. Given the complex ownership of private streets and rear lanes, and the prerequisite of protecting public health, if the hygiene conditions remain poor and if resources permit, the FEHD will address the requests of the District Councils and consider providing routine street-cleansing service for private streets and private rear lanes with environmental hygiene problems. At present, the FEHD provides routine street cleansing service for 58 private streets in the territory to maintain environmental hygiene.

(7) Private streets are private properties. The management and maintenance responsibilities of private streets rest with the land owners. Under normal circumstances, the Government will not be involved in the management of private properties, including private streets. The Government will only provide assistance to property owners under exceptional circumstances and where significant public interest is involved.

     Resumption of private streets is not the only way to improve the environmental hygiene of the streets. The owners are in the best position to manage the private streets. In this light, the Government will assist the owners and residents to form owners’ corporations or mutual aid committees. The District Offices of HAD will continue with their co-ordinating role to assist the residents and government departments to follow up the issues and, depending on the situation, make improvement. read more