The Government announced today (December 22) that the Chief Executive has made reappointments to the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCCS) and the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCDS). The reappointments of members will be effective from January 1, 2024, for a period of two years.
 
     For the SCCS, the Chief Executive has reappointed Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mrs Betty Yuen So Siu-mai, Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung and Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung as members. 
 
     For the SCDS, the Chief Executive has reappointed Mr Herbert Hui Leung-wah, Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man, Mr Tony Tse Wai-chuen, Mr Ivan Sze Wing-hang, Ms Katherine Cheung Marn-kay and Ms Loretta Fong Wan-huen as members. Mr Hui and Dr Leung are also reappointed as Chairman of the ICAC Sub-committee and the Police Sub-committee of the SCDS respectively. 
 
     The SCCS tenders advice to the Chief Executive on matters concerning pay and conditions of service of non-directorate civilian civil servants. It is currently chaired by Dr Pang Yiu-kai. Other serving members are Ms Christina Maisenne Lee, Dr Miranda Lou Lai-wah, Mr Joseph Luc Ngai, Ms Vena Cheng Wei-yan, Ms Ada Leung Ka-lai, Mr Laurence Li Lu-jen, Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man, Ms Irene Chow Man-ling, Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han and Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi.
 
     The SCDS advises the Chief Executive on issues relating to the pay and conditions of service of the disciplined services. It is currently chaired by Dr Chui Hong-sheung. Other serving members are Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui, Mr Mac Chan Ho-ting, Mr Dennis Ho Chiu-ping, Ms Sonia Cheng Chi-man, Mr Peter Yan King-shun and Ms Lisa Lau Man-man.

     A woman who went missing in Kwai Chung has been located.

     Tso Ha, aged 57, went missing after she left her residence in Tai Wo Hau Estate on December 20 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The woman returned to her residence this morning (December 22). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 22) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District as Grade 2, which means the water quality has improved and the beach is suitable for swimming. However, due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at the beach. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The red flag was hoisted on the beach earlier on due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

     On December 19, the Court of Appeal of the High Court granted leave for the Secretary for Justice to rely on additional grounds in his appeal against the Court of First Instance's refusal of an interim injunction in relation to a song.

     A copy of the said Order has been uploaded today (December 22) to the websites of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong Police Force. Members of the public may access the following websites or scan the QR code (attached) to download the relevant documents:

．www.gov.hk/en/theme/courtorder/index5.htm
．www.doj.gov.hk/en/miscellaneous/hca855.html
．www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/03_police_message/hca855.html

     The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), in partnership with the United Nations Volunteers, the Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS), the Hong Kong Volunteers Association and the Peace and Development Foundation, today (December 22) launched a new round of the United Nations Volunteers – Hong Kong Universities Volunteer Internship Programme. Local undergraduate students are welcome to apply.
 
     The Government attaches great importance to youth development. The HYAB promulgated the Youth Development Blueprint at the end of 2022. It states that the Government will further strengthen the breadth and depth of the Mainland and international internship and exchange programmes with a view to enhancing young people's understanding of the development of the country and the world. The Programme provides local undergraduate students with valuable opportunities to undertake six-month volunteer internships in the overseas field units of various United Nations (UN) agencies. The interns will be able to develop their personal capabilities and expand their horizons, as well as contribute to the international community in the capacity of Chinese youth volunteers. A total of 23 university students participated in two rounds of the Programme in 2023 and undertook internships in various UN agencies located in Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand, including the World Food Programme, UN Children's Fund and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, etc. They made contributions to different international affairs and were greatly rewarded from the experience. 
     
     The new round of the Programme will be expanded to cover more countries along the Belt and Road region, offering a total of 25 internship placements in different UN agencies located in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, etc. The volunteer internships will cover areas such as health and education, environment and innovation management and will run from July to December 2024. Applicants should be full-time undergraduate students of local universities. The HYAB will provide round-trip air tickets and monthly living allowances, etc, and offer suitable pre-departure training for participants in collaboration with the AVS.
 
     Details of the Programme are available at the designated webpage (www.avs.org.hk/eng/UNV). Interested young people should submit applications on or before January 25, 2024.