The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (June 21, Paris time) met with the French Prime Minister, Mr Edourde Philippe, in Paris. She also addressed a business luncheon and a proptech forum to promote Hong Kong's advantages, and visited facilities of medical technology and start-ups.
      
     Mrs Lam met with the French Prime Minister, Mr Edourde Philippe, in the afternoon. She said that her week-long visit to France is coming to an end tomorrow and she thanked the French government for all the arrangements. She expressed the hope that the Prime Minister and other French senior government officials will visit Hong Kong in the future to learn about the city’s latest development. She believed that her successful visit will provide a good basis for the Hong Kong-France relationship to scale new heights. In particular, noting that France supports the nation’s Belt and Road Initiative, she looked forward to working with different sectors in France to seize future opportunities.
      
    Mrs Lam attended various activities before her meeting with Mr Edourde Philippe. In the morning, accompanied by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, Mrs Lam met with the Vice President of the French Parliamentary Office for Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Options and Fields Medalist, Mr Cédric Villani, to learn about the French experience and exchange views on such areas as research and development of artificial intelligence, open data, promotion of STEM education and attracting talent on scientific research.
      
     Afterwards, Mrs Lam, Mr Yang and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, went to Institut Pasteur where she, together with the President of Institut Pasteur, Professor Stewart Cole, witnessed the signing of a memorandum between Institut Pasteur, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation on establishing a research centre for infection, immunology and personalised medicine at the Hong Kong Science Park. Institut Pasteur, which has been collaborating with the HKU, is committed to helping prevent and treat diseases, mainly those of infectious origin, through researches. Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong has clear advantages in healthcare technologies and that collaboration with Institut Pasteur will help both parties boost the relevant development, creating mutual benefits.
      
     Mrs Lam and the other officials then visited Station F, a business incubator for start-ups. Station F, situated in a former rail freight depot with an area of about 34 000 square metres, is one of the world’s largest start-up facilities. It provides office accommodation for up to 3 000 start-up businesses and famous corporate partners with the whole start-up ecosystem under one roof. Services include training programmes for start-ups, investment as well as provision of meeting facilities and venues for events. Mrs Lam expressed appreciation for the facilities, services and entrepreneurial atmosphere in Station F, and learnt from her exchange with entrepreneurs there that the support from Station F has been excellent. She looked forward to having more such facilities in Hong Kong and in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area so as to encourage young people to innovate and start their own business.
      
     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam joined a business luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and delivered a speech on the past, present and future of the relationship between Hong Kong and France. She noted that the ties between Hong Kong and France have a history of over 100 years. She said that, in addition to meetings with senior government officials, the programme of her week-long visit to France in her capacity as the Chief Executive covers three cities and includes wine-related activities as well as receiving helicopters, proving that the relationship between the two places is multi-faceted. With a strong community of French people and enterprises in Hong Kong, she said she is confident that the close ties between the two places will continue.
      
     After the luncheon, Mrs Lam attended the MIPIM Proptech Europe 2018 forum and briefed participants on Hong Kong's advantages in innovation and technology. The forum, a two-day event featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions and start-up competitions, focuses on discussion on the application of proptech in different areas of the property sector to enhance efficiency and create value. She expressed the hope that similar proptech seminars will be held in Hong Kong in the future.
      
     Mrs Lam will continue her last day of visit to France tomorrow (June 22, Paris time).

                      

     The Signature Project Scheme in Sha Tin undertaken by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) has been presented with a Highly Commended Award in the New Engineering Contract (NEC) Project of the Year category of the NEC Awards 2018 organised by NEC, an organisation under the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) of the United Kingdom (UK). The NEC also presented a Highly Commended Award in the NEC Contract Innovation Through Additional Clauses category to the Development Bureau (DEVB) and works departments. Both awards underscored the excellent performance and support given to innovation during project delivery through collaborative partnership by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
 
     In recent years, the DEVB has been advocating collaborative partnership through the adoption of the NEC form in taking forward public works, shifting away from traditional form contracts. Since 2016, Practice Notes applicable to public works have been published for reference and adoption by the works departments and also the construction industry with a view to extending the application of the NEC form to more types of public works, while at the same time allowing industry stakeholders such as consultants and contractors to accumulate experiences.

     The Signature Project Scheme in Sha Tin undertaken by the CEDD is one of the public works that adopted the NEC form. The project includes the decking of the Tai Wai nullah in Sha Tin and revitalisation of the Shing Mun River Promenade near Sha Tin Town Centre in order to enrich sports facilities in the district and enhance the environment by revitalising the Shing Mun River promenade. The thematic lighting system installed on the bridges across Shing Mun River has been in operation since June last year. Meanwhile, a five-a-side soccer pitch innovatively built over the existing nullah is expected to be completed within this year, which is five months ahead of the original estimation.
 
     Attending the prize presentation ceremony on June 20 (London time) in London, the Deputy Project Manager (North) of the CEDD, Mr Law Man-tim, said that the building of mutual trust and co-operation among members of the project team in the early stage of the construction and the continuous efforts in maintaining such relationship is crucial to the successful implementation of the project. He added that through arranging regular meetings, workshops and activities, the communication and mutual trust among team members are effectively enhanced. The mechanism of early warnings set out in the works contract can also offer timely and effective solutions to the risks and challenges faced by the project, which facilitate its on-time and cost effective delivery.
 
     In addition the DEVB and works departments proposed an innovative contract clause for professional service contracts in the NEC form. Also present at the awards ceremony, the Chief Assistant Secretary (Works) of the DEVB, Ms Hortensia Chan, pointed out that the relevant clause could promote equitable risk sharing between the Government and the consultants for costs incurred in site supervision, thereby ensuring quality site supervision and contract management.

          

     The Department of Health (DH) is investigating a case of suspected mould contamination of a pharmaceutical product named Enzyplex (Hong Kong Registration Number: HK-06544) following a report from Queen Mary Hospital today (June 21). 

​     The DH's Drug Office has immediately collected samples of the product from various sources for further analysis to confirm whether the product exceeds the pharmacopoeial standards on mould and yeast content. The analysis usually takes five to seven days. The DH will announce the testing results and take further actions as necessary after the analysis is completed.

​     Enzyplex tablet, containing vitamins and digestive enzymes, is an over-the-counter medicine for digestive disorders. According to the local supplier Unam Corporation Ltd, the product was manufactured in Indonesia and imported to Hong Kong. It was supplied to the Hospital Authority, DH clinics, local private doctors, pharmacies and medicine stores, and also re-exported to Macao.

​     The DH has also instructed Unam to ask the manufacturer in Indonesia to conduct an investigation and submit a report. 

​     People who are consuming the product, or in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption, should seek advice from healthcare professionals.

     â€‹In response to media enquiries on a convicted case today (June 21) involving the use of a private car for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, a spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) gave the following reply:

     The Government has been paying close attention to the use of private cars or light goods vehicles (LGVs) for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward (commonly known as "pak pai" service) and will tackle such offences by taking stringent enforcement actions. The TD has been in close liaison with the Police and will refer suspected cases to the Police for follow-up actions.

     Subsections (3), (5) and (10)(a) of section 52 and Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap 374) stipulate that an offender who uses a private car or LGV for the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, or who solicits or attempts to solicit any person to travel in such a vehicle, is liable to a fine of $5,000 and three months' imprisonment on the first conviction. The licence of the subject vehicle may also be suspended for three months. On the second or subsequent conviction, the person is liable to a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment. For a subsequent offence in respect of the same motor vehicle, the licence of that vehicle may be suspended for six months.

     As regards today's case in which a driver provided carriage service through the "Uber" mobile application and was fined $3,000 by the court for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, the TD will follow the established procedures to deliver a notice of intention to suspend the licence of the motor vehicle to the registered owner pursuant to section 90 of the Road Traffic Ordinance.

     The TD will proceed to arrange suspension of the vehicle licence in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements and direct the registered owner to deliver the motor vehicle into the custody of the department until the expiry of the suspension period.

     The TD will continue to support the Police for their enforcement actions in combating illegal carriage of passengers. From 2015 to the second quarter of 2018, a total of 46 vehicles have been impounded by the TD with the vehicle licences suspended due to convictions for the offence of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward.

     The winners of the Best Landscape Award for Private Property Development 2018 were announced at a prize presentation ceremony today (June 21). Thirteen private properties with outstanding landscape design and quality horticultural maintenance received Gold Awards.
 
     In addition to the 13 Gold Awards, 39 Merit Awards and 12 Environmental Efficiency Awards were given out at the ceremony to commend organisations for their efforts in greening and enhancing public awareness of green issues.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Ida Lee, said the Best Landscape Award, held once every two years since its launch in 2000, aims to bring about sustained environmental improvements in private property developments. The Best Landscape Award also encourages private bodies to incorporate more quality green elements into the planning and management of horticultural projects for the benefit of such developments, she said.
 
     Ms Lee pointed out that several changes were made to optimise the arrangement this year to encourage participation from more organisations. The number of categories increased from three to five while the age groups and sizes of properties were also amended.
 
     She added that the response was encouraging. More than 240 nominated entries were received and the projects were impressive, showing that the participating organisations had put plenty of effort into greening.
 
     The soft landscape designs of the winning projects are visually appealing. A large variety of plants including native tree species have been used to beautify the properties. The landscape features are also well integrated with the surrounding environment, meeting the challenge of creating pleasant areas which benefit both the residents and their neighbourhoods in the densely populated city.
 
     Property management and maintenance professionals have also kept good care of the landscaping, offering quality greening areas to residents. Some projects, also winners of the Environmental Efficiency Award, have put an emphasis on environmental protection, collecting rainwater for reuse and applying organic fertiliser made from food waste.
 
     The prize presentation ceremony was held at Kowloon Park Sports Centre today. Other officiating guests were the Patron of the Institute of Horticulture (Hong Kong), Sir David Akers-Jones; the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Mr Marvin Chen; the Immediate Past President of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, Mr Wong Tak-yip; the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, Mr Dick Kwok; the Chairman of the Professional Green Building Council, Dr Paul Ho; and the President of the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, Dr Johnnie Chan.
 
     The competition presented awards in five categories. The Gold Award winners are as follows:
 
Domestic property:
 
(1) Large-scale domestic property (with more than 1 500 domestic units)

(2) Medium-scale domestic property (two to four domestic buildings and with no more than 1 500 domestic units, or with 401 to 1 500 domestic units)

(3) Small-scale domestic property (single building or with no more than 400 domestic units)

Non-domestic property (such as shopping malls, commercial buildings, schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme (private premises) and private schools):
 
(4) Large-scale non-domestic property (with a gross floor area of 20 000 square metres or above)

(5) Small-scale non-domestic property (with a gross floor area under 20 000 square metres)

     Photographs of all winning properties will be on display from June 23 to July 16 at the Kowloon Park Arcade. Admission is free.