The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) announced today (December 29) the reappointment of three incumbent members and the appointment of one new member to the Youth Square Management Advisory Committee (MAC) for a two-year term from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.

     The Chairperson and non-official members of the MAC are as follows:

Chairperson
———–
Commissioner for Youth, HYAB

Ex-officio members
——————
Vice-Chairperson of the Youth Development Commission, or a representative
Chairperson of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, or a representative 
Representative from the Eastern District Council 
Representative from the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries

Newly appointed member
———————–
Mr Leung Kwok-shing

Reappointed members
——————–
Mr Victor Lam Tsz-hung
Ms Cherry Lee Suet-yee
Mr Jan Noel Shih

Existing members
—————-
Ms Debbie Cheung Sui-ki
Dr Wilson Choo Ming-yin
Mr Dave Ho
Ms Dana Lau Sing-she
Dr Wendy Lee Woon-ming
Mr Eric Yeung Chuen-sing 
Mr Yeung Hok-lam

Existing co-opted member
———————–
Ms Susanna Lai Shuk-ching

     The MAC also includes representatives from the HYAB, the Education Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as members.

     A spokesman for the HYAB thanked the outgoing member, Mr Stefan Chui Kai-hin, for his support and contributions since his appointment to the MAC.

     The MAC is a non-statutory advisory body which advises the Government on matters pertaining to the operation of Youth Square, including the overall strategy and objectives of Youth Square; themes and contents of youth development programmes; the use, allocation, leasing and charging arrangements of relevant facilities; the evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of Youth Square in promoting youth development programmes and monitoring the performance of the operator. 

     â€‹The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (December 29) that a dog inoculation campaign will be held at various fishing ports in Hong Kong. Fishermen can have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and microchipped, and renew their dog licences.
      
     The AFCD mobile vaccination teams will provide the services at the following fishing ports according to the schedule below from 10am to 3pm:
     

 
     The half-yearly dog inoculation campaign has been held since 1980 with the aim of providing licensing renewal and rabies vaccination services for dogs that are kept by fishermen on board fishing vessels and spend long periods of time there. A fee of $80 will be charged for each dog. To date, a total of 7 400 vaccinations have been given to dogs on fishing vessels by the AFCD.
      
     An AFCD spokesman said that the services are part of the Government's proactive measures to prevent rabies, a fatal disease that is transmitted to humans from animals. Dogs on board vessels that have visited places outside Hong Kong may have come into contact with other animals, making them more susceptible to rabies infection.
      
     "Although Hong Kong has been free from animal rabies since 1987, we must remain vigilant to prevent any possible outbreak," the spokesman said.
      
     Under the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421), all dogs aged over five months must be vaccinated against rabies, licensed and microchipped. Dogs have to be revaccinated against rabies and their licences have to be renewed at intervals not exceeding three years. Dog owners who fail to do so are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 upon conviction.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 29) announced that the 50th Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be open for applications from January 1 to 31, 2024.
 
     Starting from January 1, 2024, applications will be invited for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the TD no later than January 31, 2024. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot.
 
     The application form (TD 569) and the Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_application/index.html) or obtained from the TD's Licensing Offices as well as the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.
 
     Interested persons should complete and submit the application form through one of the following ways:
 
     (a) By post to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Applications received by post will be dated by the postmark; 
      
     (b) Via the drop-in box at any of the TD's Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin. For easy identification, please mark "PVRM Application" on the envelope of the application; or
      
     (c) Through the online application service on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/ospvrm.htm) if the applicant possesses an "iAM Smart+" account with the digital signing function (for Hong Kong residents only) or a digital certificate.
 
     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application form. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service on the GovHK website.
 
     No payment of deposit is required when submitting an application. Each applicant can submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, all of his or her applications will not be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
 
     Upon successful submission of an online application, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement immediately. Those who submit applications by post or drop-in box will receive the TD's acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call 2804 2600.
 

     The Government announced today (December 29) the membership of the Trade and Industry Advisory Board (TIAB) in the new term for two years from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
 
     The 15 new members appointed are Mr Calvin Chan Ka-wai, Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin, Mr Steve Chuang Tzu-hsiung, Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit, Mr Andrew Kwok Chi-wah, Mr Michael Lai Cheuk-pun, Mr Ian Lee-eon, Dr Wingco Lo Kam-wing, Mr Augustus Tang Kin-wing, Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai, Ms Karmen Yeung Ka-yin, Mr Gary Yeung Man-yui and Ms Elsa Yuen May-yee, as well as Mr Chan Chuen-wai and Mr Chester Szeen Pok-yung recruited under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth. Meanwhile, 13 incumbent members are reappointed.
 
     The Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED), Dr Bernard Chan, thanked the 28 members for accepting the appointments. He said, "The TIAB serves an important function of advising the Government on promoting the development of Hong Kong's trade and industry, in particular on matters concerning how Hong Kong can leverage the opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, and how to cope with the changes in the economic situation. With the experience and expertise of members in their respective sectors, I am confident that they will provide valuable advice and strong support on promoting our work."
 
     He thanked the 13 outgoing members, namely Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu, Miss Mabel Chan Mei-bo, Mr Calvin Chau, Dr Stephen Kwok Chun-pong, Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung, Mr Lau Chun-kong, Mr Steve Leung Chi-tien, Mr Frank Leung Yat-cheong, Mr Raymond Mak Ka-chun, Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak, Ms Connie Wong Wai-ching, Dr Kennedy Wong Ying-ho and Dr Eric Yip Chee-hang for their support and contributions to the work of the TIAB.
 
     The TIAB advises the SCED on matters affecting Hong Kong's trade and industry, including trade in textiles and garments, trade relations with the Mainland, the Belt and Road Initiative, the development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and related matters.
 
     The 2024-25 membership list of the TIAB is as follows:
 
Chairman
————
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
 
Non-official members
—————————–
Mr Chan Chak-ming
Mr Chan Chuen-wai
Mr Calvin Chan Ka-wai
Mr Kenneth Chan Kin-nin
Ms Jennifer Chan Pui-kwan
Mr Ivan Chu Kwok-leung
Mr Steve Chuang Tzu-hsiung
Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit
Ms Miranda Kwan Ching-yi
Mr Andrew Kwok Chi-wah
Mr Michael Lai Cheuk-pun
Dr Peter Lam Kin-ngok
Mr Ian Lee-eon
Mr Willy Lin Sun-mo
Dr Wingco Lo Kam-wing
Dr Dennis Ng Wang-pun
Mr Shiu Ka-fai
Mr William Shum Wai-lam
Mr Chester Szeen Pok-yung
Mr Sunny Tan
Mr Augustus Tang Kin-wing
Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung
Mr Harold Wong Tsu-hing
Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai
Ms Karmen Yeung Ka-yin
Mr Gary Yeung Man-yui
Dr Yim Fung
Ms Elsa Yuen May-yee
 
Ex-officio members
—————————–
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs (or representative)
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (or representative)
Director-General of Trade and Industry (or representative)
Director-General of Investment Promotion (or representative)
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (or representative)

     The Government announced today (December 29) the appointment of Dr Chan Hon-fai as the Chairperson and Professor Irene Lo Man-chi as the Vice-Chairperson of the Drinking Water Safety Advisory Committee, as well as the appointment of five new members and the reappointment of seven incumbent members for a two-year term from January 1, 2024.

     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said, "I am confident that under the leadership of Dr Chan Hon-fai and with the support of other members, the Committee will continue to provide professional advice to the Government on policy initiatives for enhancing drinking water safety in Hong Kong, and assist the Government to take forward various tasks.  I look forward to working closely with the Committee to safeguard drinking water safety."
 
     Ms Linn expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson, Mr Edmund Leung Kwong-ho, for his dedicated service in the past six years, leading the Committee to provide the Government with constructive suggestions.  She also extended her gratitude to the seven outgoing members for their contributions to the Committee.
 
     The Committee was set up on January 1, 2018, to advise the Development Bureau on the regulatory regime for drinking water safety in Hong Kong, drinking water standards, and policies and operational matters relating to drinking water safety.  In addition, the Committee reviews global concerns on matters related to water safety as well as directions for new research proposed by the Government in light of international practices, trends and developments.
 
     The membership list of the Committee with effect from January 1, 2024, is set out below:
 
Chairperson
——–
Dr Chan Hon-fai
 
Vice-Chairperson
————-
Professor Irene Lo Man-chi
 
Non-official members
——————–
Mr Antonio Chan Chi-ming*
Dr Jones Chan Chun-man*
Mr Arthur Cheung Man-to*
Dr May Chui Ting-fong
Mr Chung Chi-ming
Dr David Anthony Cunliffe
Dr Gray Ho Koon-sing
Professor Vivian Lee Wing-yan
Professor Liu Hongbin*
Dr Gloria Tam Lai-fan*
Ms Michelle Tang Ming-sum
Professor Kelvin To Kai-wang
 
Ex-officio members
——————
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) or representative
Director of Health or representative
Director of Water Supplies or representative
 
* New members