Tag Archives: China

     The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying visited two power companies today (July 3) and on June 27, to understand in person about the work of the two power companies on combating adverse weather, and met with their senior management to request the two power companies to enhance the capability of power supply systems to withstand adverse weather.
      
     Mr Poon visited the Black Point Power Station of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) in Tuen Mun today (July 3). He met CLP’s Managing Director and other senior management to receive a briefing on CLP’s improvement plans for combating the impacts of adverse weather on the power system, including stepping up the adoption of innovation and technology for the maintenance of power supply facilities, installing more lightning protection devices for overhead line power supply systems, strengthening the anti-flooding measures of power stations and substations, and the comprehensive reviews on asset management and maintenance systems, etc.
      
     During the meeting, Mr Poon requested CLP to accelerate the relevant plans, including the review and associated improvement works of the lightning protection systems of power stations, and to proactively explore other additional feasible measures for further enhancing the capablity of the power supply system to withstand adverse weather. CLP responded positively to the above suggestions and promised to actively look for ways to implement the relevant plans as soon as possible.
      
     In addition, Mr Poon also visited the Lamma Power Station of the Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HEC) on Lamma Island on June 27, and met HEC’s Engineering Director and other senior management to understand in person about HEC’s work on enhancing the capability of power supply system to withstand adverse weather, including upgrading the design standards of power supply facilities to withstand the impacts of adverse weather, and relevant measures for preventing power stations and substations from being affected by flooding, such as the work for withstanding the impact of storm surges and overtopping waves at the Lamma Power Station.

          

    A syndicate mastermind was convicted of four counts of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of using a copy of a false instrument, and was sentenced to a total of 41 months’ imprisonment today (July 3). The syndicate mastermind was a 63-year-old Hong Kong resident female who was a foreign domestic helper (FDH) employment agent. One Hong Kong male resident and six FDHs involved in the case had been convicted earlier for offences such as conspiracy to defraud, making false representation to an immigration officer etc, and were sentenced to up to 15 months’ imprisonment.

     Upon processing FDH visa applications, the Immigration Department (ImmD) detected several suspicious FDH visa applications which were previously submitted through the said employment agent. An investigation of the employment agent was therefore triggered. After a months-long in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, a syndicate was identified, which was suspected to have arranged for 26 foreign nationals to work in Hong Kong illegally through the use of false FDH contracts.

     The ImmD subsequently mounted operations codenamed “Ironshield”. During the operation, a total of 18 persons, including the syndicate mastermind, three Hong Kong residents and 14 FDHs, have been arrested. In addition, two computers, two mobile phones and a considerable amount of false instruments were seized, including time deposit advices, electricity bills and water bills. More suspects could be arrested as the investigation is continuing.
 
    “It is an offence to make a false representation to an immigration officer. Offenders are liable to prosecution and to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. In addition, anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years. Furthermore, it is an offence to make, possess or use false instruments. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment,” an ImmD spokesman said. read more

     â€‹Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the business dinner with Japanese Shipowners’ Association today (July 3):
 
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Kon-ban-wa (Good evening), good evening. It is great to see so many professionals and friends from the maritime community here in Japan. While I am bringing a Hong Kong maritime delegation, my special thanks goes to the Japanese Shipowners’ Association for gathering our Japanese counterparts. Thank you, all, for joining us this evening.
      
     Hong Kong and Japan share a longstanding relationship, with Japan ranking as Hong Kong’s sixth largest trading partner and Hong Kong as Japan’s 13th largest trading partner in 2022. In particular, Hong Kong has been one of the largest overseas markets for Japan’s food and agricultural products, taking in about a quarter of all such exports from Japan to the world last year. Through our efficient logistics chain, produce sourced from your markets in the morning is served at dining tables in Hong Kong that evening. And with our world-class temperature controlled facilities, your produce is kept fresh wherever it is redistributed to.
      
     In the past decade, there has been an obvious shift of international trade from the West to the East, and to Mainland China in particular. Speaking of Mainland opportunities, as we all know, Hong Kong is strategically located at the heart of Asia, offering a high level of international connectivity and serves as the gateway to China for overseas investors.
 
Hong Kong’s institutional advantages
 
     Hong Kong is positioned as the “super connector” between Mainland China and the global markets with good reasons. With our business-friendly environment, common law system, competitive tax regime, and excellent professional services, Hong Kong serves as a natural springboard for overseas companies to tap into the vast market in Mainland China. 
 
Hong Kong’s maritime cluster
 
     Hong Kong is also home to a vibrant maritime cluster with over 1 100 port and maritime-related companies. We provide a great variety of quality maritime services, ranging from port services, ship owning, ship agency and management to ship broking, marine insurance, maritime legal and arbitration services, marine surveying and classification societies, which I hope you all would find attractive.
      
     Over the past few years, we have introduced a series of tax concession measures for the maritime industry. Notably for ship leasing, marine insurance, ship agency, ship management, shipbroking and so forth, the tax rate is halved, at 8.25 per cent. This year, we have also commenced a study on the potential enhancements of the tax concession measures.
 
Hong Kong shipping registry
 
     We also take pride in our ship registration service. It ranks fourth, globally, in terms of gross tonnage, enjoying excellent reputation of high quality, with a low Port State Control detention rate. Regional desk services are offered in major ports of call such as Shanghai, London, Singapore, Sydney, San Francisco, Toronto and, of course, Tokyo, providing access to clients globally round the clock with extensive support, making our flag a favoured option for shipowners. 
      
     As a green initiative, we have set aside some US$8 million to provide incentives for Hong Kong-registered ships that attain high ratings under the international standards on decarbonisation formulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).  The incentive scheme was launched last week (June 28), making Hong Kong a pioneer flag administration supporting the IMO’s green shipping policy on the Carbon Intensity Indicator.
 
Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024
 
     I hope I have given you a glimpse of what Hong Kong has to offer, and let me take this opportunity to invite you all to join us in the Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024, which will be held from November 17 to 23 this year. It is a highly recognised global event in the trade, with many activities targeting international industry players, including conferences, seminars, visits, competitions and so on. We warmly welcome the Japanese maritime community to join the Hong Kong Maritime Week, where we will be able to meet the top leaders of the maritime industry from all around the world.
 
Closing
 
     Both Japan and Hong Kong are the world’s leading maritime centres, playing important roles in the sea trade routes in the Asia-Pacific region. I am confident that our two economies can work closer to achieve mutual benefits and prosperity in the years ahead.
      
     Once again, may I thank everyone who takes the time to come to this dinner to make friends and explore different partnership opportunities with us tonight. I wish you all an enjoyable evening. Do-mo a-ri-ga-to-go-za-i-ma-su (Thank you very much). Thank you.

  

     Following is a question by the Hon Judy Chan and a reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (Jul 3):
     
Question:
     
     The Government has proposed in the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy to facilitate development of multi-storey industrial buildings and modern logistics centres. In addition, as pointed out in its paper submitted to the Panel on Development of this Council on April 25 last year, in the long run the Government aims at accommodating brownfield operations affected by its clearance operations and facilitating the upgrading and restructuring of their business by developing multi-storey buildings for modern industries (MSBs). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) given that according to the aforesaid paper, the Government estimated that about 200 hectares of brownfield sites would be resumed between April last year and 2026, of the area of brownfield sites that have been resumed by the Government so far, as well as the gap between such area and the estimated area of brownfield sites to be resumed;
 
(2) of the progress and timetable of relocating the logistics operations on brownfield sites to the MSBs; and
 
(3) as it is learnt that at present, some logistics operators on brownfield sites are unwilling to move to the MSBs, whether the authorities have gained an understanding of the reasons for that, and how the authorities plan to encourage them to relocate their operations to the MSBs?
 
Reply:
 
President,

     â€‹In response to the needs of society, the Government has expedited the implementation of various development projects to increase land supply in recent years, including the resumption and development of brownfield sites. Existing brownfield operations have been supporting the development of construction, logistics, transportation, recycling industries, etc, and making contributions to Hong Kong’s economy and job market. That said, many brownfield operations operate in a low-density manner, which is not the most land-efficient operation model as compared to that of other economic activities. As such, we consider it a suitable direction that brownfield operations should be consolidated through various development projects such as those in the Northern Metropolis, with a view to enhancing land efficiency thereby providing them an opportunity for upgrading and transforming their businesses. To minimise the impact brought about by the resumption of brownfield sites to these economic activities, the Government would adjust the resumption schedule with regard to circumstances on the ground and provide brownfield operators with ex-gratia allowances and provide assistance to those who intend to relocate their businesses.
     
     â€‹My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows: 
     
(1) Over the past few years, the Government has resumed and handled around 30 hectares (ha) of brownfield sites, most of which were situated within Kwu Tung North/Fanling North (KTN/FLN) and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen (HSK/HT), for the purpose of implementing the first phase developments of these two New Development Areas (NDAs). The land resumption was generally on schedule. In order to take forward the remaining phases of development of various NDAs, the Government will resume around 200 ha of brownfield sites from now till the end of 2026, among which some 100 ha are within the KTN/FLN Remaining Phase development and the HSK/HT Second Phase development and for that the Lands Department has posted relevant resumption and acquisition notices in January and May this year respectively, involving some 100 ha of brownfield sites mentioned above. As for the remaining around 100 ha of brownfield sites, they are mainly situated within San Tin Technopole and Yuen Long South Development Area (YLSDA), and the Government will take forward the land resumption concerned in due course. 

(2) It is the Government’s objective in the long run to develop multi-storey buildings for modern industries (MSBs) for promoting the development of industries, and consolidating brownfield operations affected by government projects in a land-efficient manner and assisting them in upgrading their operations. We have reserved more than 70 ha of land in HSK/HT NDA and YLSDA and most of them will be used for development of the MSBs. The Government had received positive feedbacks from the industry earlier through their expression of interests for the MSB development on the first two sites in Yuen Long and Hung Shui Kiu, hence included these two sites earlier in the Land Sale Programme.

     â€‹Members may be aware of the Development Bureau’s announcement last Wednesday (June 26) that the tender period of the Yuen Long Site would be extended to the end of December this year. This was in response to the views relayed to the Government recently by the industry, including potential bidders, that they needed more time to prepare relevant tender proposals, and hoped that the Government would put up the Hung Shui Kiu Site for tender as soon as possible, so that the industry and investors could strategically consider and plan the development of the two sites concurrently. The Government announced at the end of May the release of the Hung Shui Kiu community isolation facilities site and we are now expediting the preparatory work so to strive to put up this site for tender in September. Details will be announced in due course.

     Brownfield operations affected by government’s land development would be mainly offered monetary compensation. For those who intend to relocate their businesses, the floor space to be provided by the MSBs would be one of the options for their consideration, nonetheless not the only way out, nor would it be available in the short term. Pending completion of the MSBs, the Development Bureau would continue providing various support measures for brownfield operators, including the provision of advisory services on planning and lands matters through the dedicated multi-disciplinary team to those who intend to relocate their businesses, and the co-ordination of different departments to facilitate operators in obtaining necessary planning approvals and applying for lease modifications; and the identification of more suitable government land for letting specifically to affected brownfield operators by way of short-term tenancy. In addition, we will earmark more land for the MSB development and industrial parks in development projects such as Lung Kwu Tan reclamation and New Towns in the New Territories North.
     
(3) We understand that the rental level of the MSBs is one of the concerns of brownfield operators, as the existing rent of the brownfield sites, which are agricultural lots in general, is relatively on the lower end. We will therefore require the successful bidder of the MSB site to hand over some floor space of the MSB(s) to the Government. For instance, we have required the successful bidder of Yuen Long Site to hand over 30 per cent of the gross floor area to the Government under specific land sales conditions, so the Government could let out such floor space to brownfield operators at a rental level comparable to that of brownfield sites in related industries, which is lower than that of the MSBs, for an initial period of five to ten years, providing a transitional period for these operators to adapt to a multi-storey setting and to upgrade and transform their operations.
 
     We also understand that brownfield operations of some industries may not be suitable for operating in MSBs. Hence, we will reserve land for open-air operations at suitable locations in the planning of the Northern Metropolis. For example, land has been reserved in HSK/HT NDA for the storage of large construction machineries. read more

     The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, today (July 3) led a delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) to attend the “Symposium on Water Technology, Climate Change and Sustainable Development cum The 9th China-Sri Lanka Joint Workshop on Climate Change and Marine Sustainable Development” under the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative in Sri Lanka.
      
     The Symposium, organised by the China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology (JRDC), was held in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, on July 2 and 3. Its objective was to promote co-operation with Sri Lanka and other B&R countries in various areas, including combating climate change, marine disaster mitigation, resource management and sustainable development. At the same time, the HKSARG delegation conducted in-depth exchanges with the participating parties to promote high-quality green development under the B&R Initiative. The Symposium was attended by the Sri Lankan Government, a number of national research organisations and some tertiary institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka, the Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka, the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the CAS, as well as representatives of organisations and tertiary institutions from China, the United States, Canada, Pakistan and more.
      
     Dr Chui delivered a keynote speech at the Symposium, introducing Hong Kong’s water quality management strategies, covering pollution control at source, water quality monitoring, modelling and assessment, as well as the Triple Water System (including seawater for toilet flushing and air conditioning, as well as recycling and reuse of grey water). To facilitate scientific research and academic applications by the local government and tertiary institutions, Dr Samuel Chui, on behalf of the HKSARG, donated to the Sri Lanka side two sets of computer software, including an intelligent air quality simulation platform developed by the Environmental Protection Department’s air science experts specifically for Sri Lanka, and “VISJET” – for simulation and visualisation of marine discharges developed by the University of Hong Kong research team led by Honorary Professor Joseph Lee, the current President of the Macau University of Science and Technology.
      
     “The EPD will continue to actively engage partners in the B&R region to leverage Hong Kong’s experience and advantages in environmental protection to help them in achieving green and sustainable development,” Dr Chui said.
      
     The HKSARG delegation, comprising representatives from the EPD, the Water Supplies Department, the Drainage Services Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, attended the Water Technology Exchange Forum yesterday (July 2) and had in-depth exchanges with officials from government agencies such as the Central Environment Authority and the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage of Sri Lanka, sharing Hong Kong’s successful experience in water resources management, application of smart-technologies and modelling in water quality management, sewage collection and treatment technology and infrastructure planning, modern aquaculture technologies and bioremediation of polluted sediments. Representatives from the EPD also shared their experience in bacteriological water quality monitoring for bathing beaches, and provided demonstration training to Sri Lankan technicians on water sample collection, testing and data analysis.
      
     Dr Chui will visit Kandy tomorrow (July 4) to deliver an opening address at the International Symposium on “Improving Air Quality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Monitoring, Modelling and Pollution Control” organised by the JRDC. Representatives from the EPD will also share Hong Kong’s successful experience in applying innovation and technology to enhance air quality management.
      
     Dr Chui said that the visit by the HKSARG delegation and the in-depth technical exchanges with experts, scholars and industry stakeholders from Sri Lanka manifested the concrete implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on professional staff development signed between the EPD and the Central Environment Authority of Sri Lanka last September. It is conducive to further deepening the partnership established between the two sides to jointly take forward high-quality green development under the B&R Initiative, achieving the goals of environmental protection and sustainable development.