Tag Archives: China

     The Community Chest of Hong Kong has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (November 16), 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

     The Government today (November 15) announced the application details of the Signature Performing Arts Programme Scheme (SPAPS).             The Government invites pr… read more

     The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (November 15) hosted the International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit, bringing together more than 500 major infrastructure project leaders and experts in infrastructure from over 20 countries and economies around the globe, including senior government officials from Mainland and overseas countries, and representatives of renowned international organisations such as the World Economic Forum and International Institute for Management Development, to delve into the strategies and policies of infrastructure delivery plans, and addressed the challenges and opportunities in implementing mega infrastructure projects under the theme of Strategic Leadership in Managing Complexity and Uncertainty in Infrastructure Delivery. 
      
     Addressing the Summit, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Hong Kong Special Adminstrative Region Government is committed to investing in infrastructure and advancing land development projects to promote social and economic development. Despite many challenges, Hong Kong’s infrastructure development has remained robust with world-class infrastructure recognised internationally. The Government has taken proactive stances to spearhead the transformation of the construction industry over the past few years, promoting advanced construction methods and materials, integrated digital technologies, as well as adopting new project delivery model. Through exchanges that transcend geographical and sectoral boundaries at the Summit, the Government hopes to pool wisdom on the delivery of projects with enhanced efficiency and quality. She also mentioned that under the unique advantages of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong would continue to capitalise on the privilege of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, and consolidate its position as an international infrastructure centre, uniting the world’s best talent, knowledge and investment to address upcoming challenges and promote quality infrastructure development.
      
     Speaking at the Summit, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Li Liangsheng, said that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China stressed the need to establish a system for the planning and standardisation of new infrastructure facilities, optimise the mechanism for the integration and utilisation of new infrastructure facilities, promote the digital transformation of conventional infrastructure, expand the diversity of investment and financing channels, and enhance the co-ordination mechanism for major infrastructure development. The Summit will inject impetus generated in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into the national development of new quality productive forces. It will further promote international infrastructural co-operation and bring far-reaching significance.
      
     In his keynote presentation, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, said that the Government is taking forward the Northern Metropolis, the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands project as well as a number of major transport infrastructure projects. He stressed the Government’s commitment to be an “enabler” fostering innovation and industrialisation to drive industry enhancement, and added that Hong Kong’s diverse talent pool is also one of its most significant advantages, allowing the city to play a leading role in the construction industry. 
      
     The presentation and plenary sessions of the Summit gathered prominent infrastructure leaders and experts from various sectors worldwide, including government, academia, construction and finance, to share the latest initiatives and challenges facing infrastructure development. The first plenary session “The Next Growth Curve” highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in driving the city development and the next wave of global economic growth. The second session “Powerful Partnerships” explored effective financing and procurement strategies essential for advancing infrastructure projects within a culture of collaboration. The last session “Building Tomorrow” focused on how innovation and digital technologies are reshaping infrastructure development, promoting greater efficiency and sustainability.
      
     At the Summit, the Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi) which was established by the DEVB in August this year to drive innovative applications in the construction industry, signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Mainland and overseas organisations, namely Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research and the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore, as well as three local universities, namely the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. These MoU would expand the collaboration network of the BTRi for the promotion of innovative application in the construction industry. The major development directions of the BTRi are to promote applied research and development (R&D), review and uplift standards ,as well as to provide accreditation, certification and testing. 

          

The following is issued on behalf of the Building Technology Research Institute:
 
     The Chairperson of the Board of the Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi), Mr Hon Chi-keung, today (November 15) attended the International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB) to introduce the three major development directions of the BTRi, namely driving applied research and development, reviewing and uplifting standards, providing accreditation, certification and testing. He also shared the initial work plans of the BTRi.
      
     The BTRi was established in August this year as a limited company wholly owned by the Financial Secretary Incorporated to spearhead the construction industry in strengthening innovative applications to enhance productivity, cost-effectiveness and site safety performance in response to Hong Kong’s future infrastructure development.
 
Driving applied research and development
 
     The BTRi will work closely with the DEVB and works departments to implement and establish innovative construction materials, technologies and machineries through pilot projects in public works projects. The BTRi is collaborating with works departments such as the Architectural Services Department and the Civil Engineering and Development Department to promote the application of high-strength steel and ultra-high performance concrete by piloting in public works projects. The BTRi will assist the project team in solving technical issues, collect data and monitor the performance, so as to facilitate the approval of relevant departments, and formulate relevant standards and guidelines for wider adoption by the industry. These construction materials are two to three times stronger than traditional materials, which can reduce the amount of material, structural weight and even the scale of the foundation, and also facilitate the prefabrication of related structural components in the factory, so as to achieve the effect of speed, quantity, efficiency and quality.
 
Uplifting standards
 
     The BTRi will collaborate with local universities to make reference to overseas building standards and Guobiao (GB). It is expected to effectively improve the efficiency of the project and reduce the construction cost by reviewing and optimising the building standards that have been used in Hong Kong for many years, starting from the design loading requirements of buildings and the design values of the bearing capacity of the foundation, etc. The BTRi will also facilitate the local application of high-quality and cost-effective construction materials from the Mainland and overseas by comparing and complementing the differences in testing and certification requirements between standards in different regions. In addition, the BTRi will work closely with the DEVB and closely liaise with counterparts in the Guangdong Province to take forward the formulation of the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Construction Standards.
 
Providing accreditation, certification and testing
 
     The BTRi today launched the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Manufacturer Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) to ensure that accredited MiC manufacturers adhere to strict standards in management, production, transportation and other processes, and strengthen quality control. The details and application method of the Scheme is available on the BTRi’s website (btri.hk). The Scheme will play a key role in further promoting the local application of MiC and the development of MiC technology, which will help consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international leader in MiC. The BTRi will also review the existing testing needs for various construction materials and products in Hong Kong, and strengthen the relevant building testing capabilities of the construction industry.
 
Collaboration and development
 
     Witnessed by the Secretary for Development, Mr Hon signed Memoranda of Understanding today with the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research, the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore, and three local universities, namely the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, to collaborate and promote innovative applications to address the pressing challenges of the construction industry.
      
     In terms of future development, the BTRi will develop its business in areas such as driving applied research and development, uplifting standards, providing accreditation, certification and testing, etc., and will gradually build a professional team to promote innovation in the construction industry. On the other hand, the BTRi will strengthen co-operation with relevant local and overseas institutions to enhance the applied research capabilities of the BTRi and establish its leading position in the GBA and even internationally. 

  

     The Environmental Committee (EC) for the San Tin Technopole set up by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) held its first meeting today (November 15) to give advice and views on the plans for ecological mitigation/enhancement measures for the project.
      
     The Director of Environmental Protection approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for San Tin Technopole on May 17. The conditions attached to the approval of the EIA report by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) include the establishment of the EC with a wide representation of stakeholders, members of which comprise relevant government departments, green groups and academics, to provide advice on the preparation of the plans for ecological mitigation/enhancement measures, and monitor the effectiveness of those the measures.

     The EC was established on September 27. At today’s meeting, members discussed the various proposed ecological mitigation/enhancement measures for San Tin Technopole, including wetland enhancement measures at Mai Po, Habitat Creation and Management Plan, as well as the design of Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park.

     The membership of the EC is as follows:

Chairperson
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Project Manager (North), CEDD

Non-official members
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Dr Gary W J Ades
Dr Bosco Chan
Ms Kami Hui Shuk-kwan
Professor Qiu Jianwen
Mr Matthew Sin Kar-wah
Professor Nora Tam Fung-yee
Professor Wong Sze-chun
Mr Yu Yat-tung

Official members
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Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Representative of CEDD
Representative of EPD