Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (January 9):
 
Reporter: Good morning, Mr Lee. Firstly, with a former District Councillor shutting down his Community Care Team, as he’s failed to gain a seat as what he described as an unfair system, are you concerned that this would undermine the public confidence in both the Community Care Teams and also the new District Council system? Are you concerned that similar incidents will also happen in the future? The second question, with the recent string of cancellation of flights under Cathay Pacific, is the Government concerned that it will not be able to reach its estimate of resuming the Hong Kong International Airport’s pre-pandemic passenger throughput, and how will this incident affect Hong Kong's ambition to regain its title as an aviation hub? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: The Care Team is an important formation for us to ensure that the best district services are provided to residents and people in need. All we want are people who are committed and have a passion for rendering this care service. And for those whose priority is not on providing this service wholeheartedly, with the passion and commitment, then probably he is not appropriate. We have over 400 Care Teams in 18 districts, comprising about 5 000 people. And they have been operating very well. There are subsidies that we provide to the Care Teams and I know that in each district, there are also funds available for the Care Teams to apply.
 
     So the system is all there to, first of all, allow people who have the commitment and the passion to provide care services for the benefit and the well-being of people in the district. We don't want people who do not take this as their priority in taking part in the Care Teams. I'm sure there will be many more passionate and committed people of Hong Kong, who will take part in the Care Teams, as you can see, among the 5 000 people comprising our Care Teams in the 18 districts. For people who wanted to stand for election but could not satisfy the requirement, they should review themselves to see why they did not get either the nomination or the support of the people. For people who want to provide service, it is not just about what they want. We want the best people, so we need to have a system to ensure that these people are produced. And if anybody looks for a position for money purpose, then probably this is not the passion and commitment we want.
 
     As regards Cathay Pacific cancelling flights over a short period of time, causing inconvenience and also loss to some passengers, of course we are very concerned. Hong Kong of course has the mission of ensuring Hong Kong will be a strong aviation hub in this region, so the whole aviation capacity is important. I understand that because of COVID, there are challenges that we need to overcome, and I do see great efforts are being made to overcome these challenges. But I also want these challenges to be overcome very quickly and very effectively. We will be in contact with people in the aviation industry, particularly Cathay Pacific, to ensure that the capacity is rebuilt as quickly as possible. I also understand that this capacity constraint exists in many cities, similar to Hong Kong, but in this competitive world, yes, I want our aviation industry to rebuild its capacity fast and completely so that we will be competitive as a whole. And also, I think it is the basic service requirement for airlines to provide satisfactory service to passengers. And I do think that companies in the aviation industry in Hong Kong have that mission and have that goal close to their hearts, but we need greater efforts, both short term and long term. The Transport and Logistics Bureau will be in contact with the management of Cathay Pacific to indicate our goals and see how we can work together to ensure the best services are provided to passengers.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 9) that the multi-purpose arena, two fitness rooms and the squash court-cum-activity room (2) of Lockhart Road Sports Centre will reopen for public use from January 19 (Friday). From that day onwards, all facilities of the Sports Centre will resume normal operations.

     This venue was temporarily closed earlier for renovation works. The table tennis room and the squash court-cum-activity room (1) of the Sports Centre have been reopened for public use since September 15, 2023.

     Members of the public can reserve these reopened fee-charging facilities from January 13 (Saturday) via the SmartPLAY website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home), the mobile app (My SmartPLAY), Smart Self-service Stations, or via the service counters at leisure venues and the District Leisure Services Offices. For enquiries, please contact the venue staff at 2879 5521.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 9) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following appeal today (January 9) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without prior notification:
      
     A 74-year-old male patient with cognitive impairment was found leaving the hospital without prior notification at around 7pm last night (January 8). PMH is very concerned about the incident. Hospital security guards were mobilised to search the patient at hospital and the vicinity but in vain. The hospital has reported to police immediately.
      
     The patient is about 1.7 meters tall with medium build. He wore a grey-white long-sleeved shirt while leaving the hospital.
      
     The hospital appeals to the public to contact Cheung Sha Wan Police Station at 3661 1644 or call 999 if they know the whereabouts of the patient.

     â€‹The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is very concerned about CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP)'s two recent power supply incidents, which were not caused by external factors such as adverse weather, happened in Tsing Yi within a short period of time (January 1 and 7). The incidents affected the daily life and aroused concern of the public. The EMSD conducted a meeting with CLP today (January 8) in which CLP reported to EMSD the preliminary investigation findings on the incidents.  The incident on January 1 was caused by a fault occurred at the cable termination point of an outdoor cable installed at CLP's Nga Ying Chau Street Substation, causing damage to the cable termination point of the cable and leading to smoke.  As regards the incident on January 7, a fault occurred at the 11kV underground cable joint at On Mei House, Cheung On Estate, leading to partial power supply interruption at 9.38am at On Mei House, affecting about 388 customers. The power supply was subsequently fully restored by CLP at 11.04am. No one was injured in the incident. CLP completed the repair of the relevant cable at 7.18pm on the night of the incident.

     During the meeting, the EMSD requested CLP to immediately strengthen inspections on the power supply system in the concerned district, targeting to complete this month, and review maintenance arrangements of the territory-wide transmission and distribution system to prevent recurrence of similar incidents. In accordance with the Electricity Ordinance (Cap. 406), the EMSD monitors the operation of the power companies to ensure a safe and reliable supply of electricity in Hong Kong. The EMSD has instructed CLP to submit detailed reports on the incidents as soon as possible, and will continue to closely follow up with CLP and monitor CLP's appropriate follow-up and improvement measures.

     Subsequent to the incidents, the EMSD has immediately sent staff to the site to conduct investigation, followed up with CLP on the development of the incidents, and monitored the progress of repair work. In view of the recent power incidents, the EMSD will step up inspections of the facilities and operations of the power companies to monitor their technical and electrical safety performance.