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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (January 10) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) (Amendment) Bill 2023 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     Meanwhile, the Second Reading debates on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Deductions for Spectrum Utilization Fees) Bill 2023 and the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill 2023 will resume. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Reading, they will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bills and their reports are adopted by the Council, the Bills will be set down for the Third Reading.

     The Marine Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Bill will also be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     On Members' motions, Ms Chan Yuet-ming will move a motion on proactively responding to national development strategies by following up on the development of the Northern Metropolis. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Duncan Chiu, Prof William Wong, Mr Shang Hailong, Ms Carmen Kan, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Mr Kenneth Lau, Prof Priscilla Leung, Mr Yim Kong, Mr Luk Chung-hung and Dr Hoey Simon Lee will move separate amendments to Ms Chan's motion.

     Mr Lee Chun-keung will also move a motion on addressing the needs of the middle class. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Mr Frankie Yick will move an amendment to Mr Lee's motion.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and the HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair 2024 today (January 8):
 
Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam), John (Chairman of the HKTDC Toys Advisory Committee, Mr John Tong), Margaret (Executive Director of the HKTDC, Ms Margaret Fong), Consuls General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I am delighted to be here for the Joint Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair.
 
     As the first mega international trade gathering of 2024, this sets the stage for what promises to be a busy and productive year ahead.
 
      "Innovative Play: A Legend Across Time" is a fitting theme for this event. It embraces Hong Kong's spirit of innovation. This spirit is reflected by the new zones this year, spotlighting global demand trends such as original designs and eco-friendly products.
 
     The theme also echoes our city's legendary association with the toy industry over many decades. And, I am sure, the legend will continue, with this 50th edition of the Toys & Games Fair being the largest of its kind in Asia and second-largest in the world.
 
     And I have no doubt that the Baby Products Fair and the Stationery & School Supplies Fair, are as much as inviting, diverse and appealing.
 
     But we are not here just for fun and games. We are here, first and foremost, for business.
 
     Amid the challenging global economic environment, I am pleased to note that Asia provides a bright spot for the toy industry.
 
     Indeed, research shows that toy market revenue for Asia is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.5 per cent up to 2028, surpassing the global average of 2.6 per cent.
 
     In particular, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is showing good potential as a new key export market. ASEAN accounted for more than 20 per cent of Hong Kong's toy exports in the first 11 months of last year, up from just 8.4 per cent for the whole of 2021. This is just one good example of expanding our markets through finding new partners.
 
     As Hong Kong's "Toy Story" continues to evolve with support of events like this, so does our position as a preferred destination for MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) events in Asia.
 
     The convention and exhibition industry has long been an important contributor to our city's overall economy. It attracts high-spending overnight business visitors, spurring economic activities and creating business and employment in sectors such as tourism, retail and catering.
 
     To further stimulate growth, we are expanding the convention and exhibition (C&E) space in Wan Chai North and at the airport island, with seamless integration with existing venues. Upon completion of the relevant projects, our C&E space will increase by more than 40 per cent to over 220 000 square metres. I hope that will provide more space for business people such as yourselves, to meet and explore partnership opportunities here in Hong Kong for many years to come, further boosting our status as the prime international MICE centre.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, it is most encouraging to see so many buyers and suppliers from 35 countries and regions attending the concurrent fairs here this week. I am sure you are all keen to get down to business.
 
     It just remains for me to congratulate the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on organising this mega international trade gathering, and to wish you all the best of business and health in 2024.
 
     Thank you.

            

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 China CITIC Bank International Limited relating to a fraudulent website and an internet banking login screen, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or login screen concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
 

     The opening hours of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) students' study rooms (SSR) will be extended during the examination period from March 1 to May 31, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 8).
 
     People who intend to use the SSR service during this examination period can apply for admission cards in person or by post from today. Application forms and details of the regulations are available at the public libraries provided with SSR and are also available at the "Library Notices" section on the HKPL's website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/eindex.html). The deadline for application is February 2, with the postmark date on the envelope taken as the application date. The result will be posted on the notice board of the respective public libraries from February 21 to 28.
 
     Applicants should be registered borrowers of the HKPL. Priority will be given to candidates sitting for major public exams and professional exams. Applicants can only submit one application and opt for one of the following sessions as detailed below:
 
March 1 to May 7 (admission card is required)
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Sessions:
Morning session: 8am to 12.30pm
Afternoon session: 12.45pm to 5.15pm
Evening session: 5.30pm to 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)
                         5.30pm to 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
 
May 8 to 31 (seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and no admission card is required)
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Opening Hours:
8am to 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)
8am to 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
 
     The arrangement will apply to the SSR service at Shek Tong Tsui, Chai Wan, Quarry Bay, Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam, Lockhart Road, Kowloon, To Kwa Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Shui Wo Street, Lam Tin, Po On Road, Lai Chi Kok, Sham Shui Po, Ngau Chi Wan, San Po Kong, Yau Ma Tei, Fa Yuen Street, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Yuen Chau Kok, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, North Kwai Chung, South Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Chau and Tung Chung Public Libraries.
 
     The HKPL may change and alter the opening hours or admission arrangements of SSR in response to public health concerns or other special circumstances when necessary. Please note the latest announcements of the HKPL. For enquiries, please contact individual libraries or call the Customer Hotline at 2921 0208 for the SSR service.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (January 8) announced that the department tested 88 water samples collected from cooling towers in 63 buildings in its routine inspections in December 2023. None of them were detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.

     The EMSD also announced the locations of buildings which were served with nuisance notices during the preceding three-month period as the total legionella count was found in the fresh water cooling towers to be equal to or above the upper threshold. Details can be found in Annex 2.

     The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).

     The EMSD reminds the owners of fresh water cooling towers that they have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.