Tag Archives: China

     The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (December 30), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.  

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD’s website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD’s hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added. read more

     A spokesman for the Buildings Department (BD) today (December 29) gave an account of the progress for buildings with expired notices under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (“notices”) that have not been complied with. Following the announcement of actions against the 2 700 buildings that failed to comply with the expired notices in July this year (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202307/20/P2023072000267.htm), about 2 200 buildings have made progress in the past few months after the Government stepped up its follow-up actions. This indicates that most owners are willing to assume their maintenance responsibility but may need assistance throughout the process. The BD, together with the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), will continue to provide full assistance to these owners to comply with the notices as soon as possible. 

     For the some 470 buildings with expired notices with no progress and reasonable excuse, the BD has instigated prosecutions against owners or owner’s corporations (OCs) of about 110 buildings and will consider prosecuting the owners or OCs of the remaining 360 buildings. 

     Moreover, in order to reduce the risk to public safety from these buildings with expired notices, the BD has proactively initiated and completed special inspections of the external walls of about 170 buildings with potentially higher risk and immediately followed up the required emergency works. The spokesman emphasised that this special operation is aimed at the external walls of buildings and cannot replace the owners’ responsibility in building maintenance and compliance with the notices. The owners or OCs concerned are still required to conduct inspection and repair works in respect of the common parts of buildings.

     As of December 15, an overview of the compliance progress of the 2 700 buildings is tabulated below:

1. Cases with progress	No. of buildings (Approximately)
(a) Notices have been complied with	180
(b) Positive progress of inspection/ repair works  (e.g. registered inspectors (RIs) or contractors appointed / inspection or repair works being commenced or in progress)	1 020
(c) the BD/HAD/URA is providing assistance to owners to comply with the notices (including assistance to procure RIs, form OCs, resolve disputes among owners, etc.)	810
(d) Have been selected as Category 2 buildings under Operation Building Bright 2.0 (OBB 2.0) (Note) (i.e. the BD will exercise its statutory power in carrying out the inspection and repair works on behalf of the owners or OCs incapable to organise inspection and repair works on their own, with the cost be recovered from them afterwards)	190 (Some 90 of which have been assigned with consultants for inspections)
2. Superseding notices issued by the BD due to change in ownership, etc.	30
3. Prosecution proceedings instigated in the fourth quarter of this year	110
4. Cases to be considered for instigating prosecutions  (the BD/HAD/URA will provide further assistance to cases with no progress or response according to the actual situation and difficulties encountered. In case there is still no progress, the BD will consider instigating prosecution proceedings)	360
Total	2 700

     For the some 470 buildings with expired notices with no progress and reasonable excuse, the BD has instigated prosecution proceedings against owners or OCs of about 110 buildings and has issued summonses to about 20 buildings since the fourth quarter this year. Among which, the owners of two buildings have been convicted and fined about $4,500 and $3,100 by the Magistrates and the remaining cases are pending hearings scheduled by the Court. For the other 360 buildings with expired notices with no progress and reasonable excuse, the BD, in collaboration with the HAD and the URA, will continue to provide further assistance to the owners or OCs. In case there is still no progress, the BD will consider instigating prosecution proceedings. Upon reviewing the Buildings Ordinance in the future, the Government will consider streamlining prosecution procedures against the expired notices (e.g. by means of issuing fixed penalty notices in lieu of court hearings) and increasing fines in order to enhance its deterrence. The Government has earlier indicated that it will put forward the legislative amendments for public consultation within next year.

     The spokesman said that under the leadership and co-ordination of the Development Bureau, the tripartite standing communication mechanism amongst the BD, the HAD and the URA will continue to be strengthened, and provide information and support through proactive contacts with owners or OCs, organising district briefings, etc.

     In the past few months, the three parties have actively involved in the community and jointly organised nine district briefings from September to December in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong, Central and Western, Wan Chai, North, Tsuen Wan, Wong Tai Sin and Eastern districts to explain the procedures pertaining to compliance with the notices, formation of OCs and application for subsidies from the URA. Members of the public may keep track of the information and watch the briefings online (elearning.bd.gov.hk/video-list/).

     The Government is also reviewing with the URA about the workflow of the OBB 2.0 at its various stages and exploring different options to assist owners or OCs who have applied for subsidies to expedite the commencement of inspection and repair works (e.g. streamlining the procedures for engaging RIs) and providing more specific and detailed indicators and milestones over the progress of works (e.g. the indicator and milestone for engagement of RIs and tendering of registered contractors, etc.) for owners or OCs to follow. These measures are targeted to be announced in the first quarter of 2024. 

     The spokesman reminds that it is the building owners’ responsibility to ensure that their properties are well maintained and in safe condition, including conducting regular inspections and timely repair of their properties. Owners may be held criminally and civilly liable for any damage to properties or casualties due to building dilapidation. Owners are required to appoint RIs to carry out the prescribed inspections and repairs, otherwise they will not be regarded as complying with the requirements of the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS). The list of RIs is available on the BD website: 
     www.bd.gov.hk/tc/resources/online-tools/registers-search/registrationsearch-disclaimer.html?reg_type=RI(A),RI(E),RI(S)

     Members of the public can find details of the MBIS on the BD website (www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/mbis/index.html), the BD’s Chatbot Function “Ah Build” and mobile application “MBIS/MWIS – Quick Guide for MBIS/MWIS”.

Note: The Government injected $6 billion for the URA to implement OBB 2.0 to subsidise eligible owners in co-ordinating inspection and repair works in respect of common parts under the MBIS. Buildings that are able to co-ordinate the necessary works among themselves are considered as Category 1 buildings. For Category 2 buildings, the BD will exercise its statutory power in carrying out the necessary inspection and repair works on behalf of the owners, with the cost to be recovered from them after completion of works. Eligible owners can apply for an OBB 2.0 subsidy to reimburse for part or all of the cost of the works. read more

     â€‹The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (December 29) strongly disapproved of and firmly rejected the fact-twisting remarks and baseless smears by foreign countries including the United States and the United Kingdom in the name of so-called “Media Freedom Coalition” members against the safeguarding of freedom of the press, etc. in the HKSAR.  

     A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “Hong Kong people enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. Also, Article 4 of the Hong Kong National Security Law stipulates that such freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents shall be protected in accordance with the law in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. Nonetheless, freedom of the press and freedom of speech are not absolute. The exercise of them may be subject to restrictions that are provided by law and are necessary for pursuing legitimate aims such as protection of national security or public order. Journalists, like everyone else, have an obligation to abide by all the laws.”

     The spokesman pointed out, “In fact, the media landscape in Hong Kong is as vibrant as ever. As a case in point, a total of 213 media organisations, be they based locally, in the Mainland or overseas, are registered with the HKSAR Government News and Media Information System of the Information Services Department at present. As always, the media can exercise their freedom of the press in accordance with the law. Their freedom of commenting on and criticising government policies remains uninhibited as long as this is not in violation of the law.”
      
     The spokesman stressed, “Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers held accountable. The law enforcement agencies of the HKSAR have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or organisations concerned, which have nothing to do with freedom of the press, or the background of any person or organisation.”

     The spokesman said, “Attempts by any foreign countries to undermine the rule of law in, and the prosperity and stability of, the HKSAR by slandering the city’s situation will only expose the countries’ own weakness and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail. The HKSAR will continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security and effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law, and safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law at the same time.” read more

     With the approach of the New Year’s Eve and New Year holiday, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 29) appealed to members of the public who intend to travel to stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases in their destinations. The CHP is aware of the recent Zika Virus Infection in Thailand and specifically reminded members of the public to adopt necessary precautions to guard against mosquito-borne diseases when travelling abroad.

     According to information of the Thailand health authority, a total of 742 Zika Virus Infection cases have been recorded from January to December 22 this year, among which 160 were recorded in Bangkok, which was much higher than the number of cases in the country, ranging from 63 to 239 annually in the past three years. While most people infected with Zika virus infection would not present with symptoms (e.g. fever, rash, headache, joint pain and conjunctivitis), Zika Virus Infection during pregnancy may cause microcephaly and other congenital malformations in the infant. As such, pregnant women should pay close attention to the infection risk if they travel to affected areas.

     In view of the recent increase in number of Zika Virus Infection cases in Thailand, the CHP specifically reminded members of the public, especially pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy, that they must adopt necessary precautions against mosquito-borne diseases. The CHP has already provided the latest information and preventive measures targeting mosquito-borne diseases at its Zika page and the Travel Health Service website. Travellers can also take note of the health messages at airport and on plane. Besides, the CHP’s Port Health Division has enhanced inspection against flights returning to Hong Kong from areas of active Zika virus transmission to prevent the importation of diseases through infected mosquitoes and will ensure the environmental hygiene at boundary control points against mosquito infestation.

     A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that, members of the public should follow stringent anti-mosquito measures when travelling, and take note that visiting other places such as Southeast Asia, India, and America may also have a chance to acquire Zika Virus Infection. Apart from general measures on preventing mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, all travellers including pregnant women who return from affected areas should apply insect repellent containing DEET for at least 21 days after arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell after return such as having fever, they should seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor.

     Also, with the weather becoming cool and the approach of holiday, there has been an increasing trend in activity of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza viruses. Laboratory testing data involving paediatric patients of the Hospital Authority revealed that the rhinovirus/enterovirus continues to have the highest activity level among the respiratory pathogens. The next active pathogen is adenovirus and is on a rising trend. Although most of the respiratory pathogens are not vaccine-preventable, receiving COVID-19 and influenza vaccines could reduce the risk of death and also severe complications caused by co-infection of other respiratory infectious diseases. The CHP strongly appeal to high risk persons who have not received relevant vaccines to receive vaccination as soon as possible before a period of high incidence of COVID-19 and influenza.

     As wearing a surgical mask could effectively prevent the transmission of respiratory infections, the CHP again reminds high risk persons to wear a surgical mask when visiting public places, and the public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transportations (including the Mass Transit Railway or buses) or staying at crowded places (e.g. when using elevator).

     The CHP will continue to monitor local and overseas situation of infectious diseases and provide latest information to the members of the public timely for better understanding on the development of infectious diseases and preparation on precautionary works. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The spokesman for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following announcement today (December 29) regarding a construction site industrial accident:  … read more