Having conveyed the department's concerns to the Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (CPA) earlier, the management of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) met the CPA's management today (January 9) and expressed the department's concern over CPA's flight arrangement issues again. The CAD has requested the CPA to properly manage its deployment of manpower and other resources so as to ensure the stable provision of reliable flight services to passengers, especially for meeting the travel demand during the coming Chinese New Year peak season. The CAD also requested the CPA to submit a report by the end of January on the incident, to elucidate the cause of the incident, the approach for handling its flight arrangement, etc, in order to prevent reoccurrence of similar incidents.

     Regarding the current flight arrangement situation, the CAD has again urged the CPA to explain clearly to affected passengers the related arrangements after flight consolidation as soon as possible, and to notify the passengers in advance on any related changes. Those arrangements include refund or other appropriate options based on air ticket conditions (such as arranging affected passengers to take other flights of the airline or other airlines, etc), so as to minimise the inconvenience caused to passengers. The CAD will continue to closely monitor the relevant arrangements adopted by the CPA.

     The CAD would like to reiterate that the CPA is responsible for providing reliable services to passengers. It was extremely undesirable for the CPA cancelling a number of flights for consecutive days and in the remainder of January and February. This also falls short of the expectation of both the Government and the public. The CAD understands the public's concern over the incident and will take appropriate follow-up actions upon receiving and studying the report to be submitted by the CPA in detail.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Development visited New Territories Northwest today (January 9) to learn about the planning and latest development of the San Tin Technopole and the Kwu Tung North (KTN) New Development Area (NDA) that are located within the Northern Metropolis (NM).

     Accompanied by the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam and the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, Members first visited Lok Ma Chau Police Station to overlook the development on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides and of the San Tin Technopole. Members learnt that the San Tin Technopole, located at the heart of the NM, is in close proximity to Shenzhen's innovation and technology zone in Huanggang and Futian. The San Tin Technopole is positioned to be a hub for innovation and technology development that creates synergy with Shenzhen.

     Members then visited the site office of the KTN NDA. They received a briefing by the Government on the KTN NDA project and understood how the concept of co-existence of development and conservation applies in Long Valley Nature Park. Members also learnt that the KTN NDA, situated to the east of the San Tin Technopole, is the first NDA project in the NM that has entered the construction stage, with the main focus on housing development. Population intake of the first batch of private housing development in the KTN NDA started from the end of 2022 while the bulk of population intake of public housing development is expected in 2026.

     Members also noted that a public housing development project at KTN Area 24 is being implemented by the Hong Kong Housing Society and the KTN Multi-welfare Services Complex commenced operation in the third quarter of last year.

     Members later arrived at the Tak Yuet Lau Police Post in Lok Ma Chau to inspect both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides and the Shenzhen River Regulation Project.

     A total of 16 members and non-members of the Panel on Development joined the visit.

      

     A Government spokesman today (January 9) cautioned the public not to believe in a forged video created by artificial intelligence circulating online about an investment plan with high returns purported to be recommended by the Chief Executive. The Government clarified that the video is totally fictitious with fraudulent intent, and strongly condemned those who have attempted deception in the name of the Chief Executive.

     The spokesman reminded members of the public to not be taken in by similar investment-related advertisements or promotional videos. They should not provide their personal information online, sign up for mobile applications or open any links. Members of the public should remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of such content.

     The incident has been referred to the Police for a follow-up investigation.

     In response to media enquiries on the arrest operation in relation to fraud cases under the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP), the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) responds as follows:
 
     The ITC and the Hong Kong Productivity Council, which serves as the Secretariat of the TVP (the Secretariat), received reports regarding TVP applications last year. After reviewing and analysing the relevant information, the ITC considered the cases prima facie suspicious, and therefore proactively relayed the relevant information to the Police for follow up immediately. After a few months of investigation, the Police initiated the arrest operation.
      
     To ensure the proper use of public money, the ITC and the Secretariat have all along established a robust vetting mechanism to evaluate, monitor and identify whether the applications received involve irregularities. The ITC and the Secretariat will continue to work closely with the Police.
      
     In view of the ongoing legal proceedings, it is not appropriate for the ITC to comment further.
 
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Alipay Financial Services (HK) Limited relating to phishing messages and fraudulent websites. The relevant stored value facility (SVF) licensee has reported the case to the HKMA.

     The fraudulent websites reported by the SVF licensee known at the time are as follows:
https[:]//hksunmobile[.]com/ac
https[:]//samtsone[.]top

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that anyone who has provided his or her personal information or account credentials, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the messages and the websites concerned, should contact the relevant SVF licensee, and report to the Police or contact the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the Police at 18222.