The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, visited a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Sheung Wan this afternoon (December 20) to view the implementation of the outreach vaccination service special programme for residential care homes (RCHs).

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Mr Herman Wai, Mr Sun was briefed by the Supervisor of the RCHE on its infection control measures to guard against respiratory tract infections as well as the progress of residents on receiving COVID-19 vaccination and seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). Mr Sun then observed the vaccination for residents by the medical team. He encouraged the residents to receive COVID-19 vaccination and SIV to enhance personal protection in a timely manner.

     Mr Sun said, "As there may be more activities in RCHs during the festive season, to better protect residents of RCHEs and RCHs for persons with disabilities, the Government launched a new round of outreach vaccination service special programme for RCHs on December 14. Medical teams will visit RCHs at least once a week to administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents who are due for vaccination, especially for an additional booster. SIV will also be provided concurrently for residents who have yet to be vaccinated to attain dual protection."

     In addition, Mr Sun presented festive gifts and extended early winter solstice, Christmas and New Year greetings to the elderly and appealed to them to take precautions against the cold weather. He also reminded staff members of the RCHE to take heed of residents' health during the cold spell.

          

     The Water Sports and Recreation Precinct (the Precinct) (Phase 4) in Wan Chai will open tomorrow (December 21). Together with the first three phases of the Precinct, which were opened progressively during 2020 to 2022 following the concept of an "incremental approach", the entire Precinct is fully open, further extending the Island North promenade to nine kilometres to connect Kennedy Town and Fortress Hill.

     The Precinct is located on Hung Hing Road, Wan Chai. Facing north to Victoria Harbour, the Precinct is adjacent to the HarbourChill opposite to the Wan Chai Ferry Pier on the west and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club on the east. The entire Precinct covers an area of about 1.7 hectares.
      
     Two retired East Rail Line Mid-Life Refurbishment train cars (also known as "Fly Head" trains) donated by the MTR Corporation Limited are displayed at the newly available Phase 4 of the Precinct. The transformed train cars retain some of the original features for the public to reminisce about "Fly Head" trains in the past. A multipurpose room is available for groups to hold workshops, exhibitions and activities. Moreover, the new venue is also equipped with a stepped train platform, a viewing deck, a circular multipurpose square, artificial turf, shading facilities and a glowing pathway, etc, facilitating water and land activities, while visitors can enjoy the view of Victoria Harbour from different angles. In celebration of Christmas, the venue is adorned with railway-themed Christmas decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.
      
     Members of the public can get to the Precinct by walking for about five minutes, either from the Wan Chai Ferry Pier along Hung Hing Road, or from Exit A2 of the MTR Exhibition Centre Station. It can also be accessed by walking for about nine minutes from Exit C of the MTR Causeway Bay Station via the footbridge at Canal Road West. The Precinct is open to the public around the clock, while the "Fly Head" trains are open from 10am to 10pm tentatively. It is a pet-friendly venue where visitors are welcome to bring along their pets on leashes.
      
     In addition to the Island North promenade, several harbourfront projects in Kowloon opened this year, including the Cha Kwo Ling Promenade, the Tsui Ping Seaside and the Cheung Sha Wan Promenade, extending the total length of the promenade along both sides of Victoria Harbour, to approximately 27 kilometres. The Development Bureau will continue to collaborate with the Harbourfront Commission to create harbourfront spaces with distinctive and delightful features, with a view to completing a 34-kilometre promenade by 2028.

      

Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement as soon as possible, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     A fire broke out at a recycling site on Ka Lung Road in Mai Po at 4.48pm today (December 20). The Fire Services Department is conducting a firefighting operation. 

     Members of the public who are being affected by the smoke and an unusual odour carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows and stay calm.

     â€‹The Government promulgated the Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy today (December 20) to formulate strategies and action measures to support the sustainable development needs of the maritime and port industry in Hong Kong, with a view to enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the industry.
      
     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, "With its superior geographical location, unique institutional advantages, free economic system and rich experience of international business and trade, Hong Kong is well-positioned to become the world's leading international maritime centre (IMC). Our target is to strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong Port and accelerate the growth of Hong Kong's high value-added maritime services cluster with a view to entrenching Hong Kong's status as an IMC."
      
     The National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area explicitly support the status of Hong Kong Port and the development of high value-added maritime services for better integration into the national development course. The Action Plan sets out 10 strategies and 32 action measures in four directions: enhancing port competitiveness; strengthening high value-added maritime services; enhancing promotion of Hong Kong maritime brand and grooming talent; and enhancing the support of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB), to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's position as an IMC. To enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong Port, the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) will spare no effort in developing Hong Kong as a green and smart port. From the three aspects of "vessels", "cargoes" and "destinations", the TLB will holistically attract cargoes from around the world to make use of Hong Kong Port and collectively tackle the challenges in relation to the zero-carbon emission target of the global maritime industry. The relevant strategies and action measures are listed in the Annex.
      
     "The Action Plan provides important and clear directions for the future development of the maritime and port industry in Hong Kong. We will, in collaboration with the HKMPB, work with stakeholders in the maritime and port industry to implement the strategies and action measures formulated in the Action Plan in phases. To ensure that the strategies can respond to the challenges and opportunities brought about by market changes, we will also continue to review the implementation progress of the relevant strategies and their effectiveness," Mr Lam continued.
      
     The TLB has consulted the HKMPB and various stakeholders of the maritime and port industry to refine the maritime and port development strategies when formulating the Action Plan. The TLB expressed its deep appreciation to the HKMPB and industry players for their valuable views.
      
     The Action Plan has been uploaded to the website of the TLB (www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/index.html).

    

     The Marine Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Bill will be published in the Gazette this Friday (December 22) to enact new legislation with a view to regulating drink and drug boating in Hong Kong waters, so as to enhance marine safety and protect the safety of persons on board a vessel.

     Under the Bill, a person involved in operating a vessel, including those who control, navigate or pilot a vessel, or performing designated duties, i.e. relating to the safety and the security of the vessel and the protection of the marine environment on board a vessel that is under way, will commit an offence if the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent of being incapable of having proper control of the vessel, or has alcohol exceeding the prescribed limits in the person's body, or has any specified illicit drugs in the person's body. 

     A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "Considering that a vessel which is anchored, made fast to the shore or aground will not be able to navigate even when the engine is turned on, the Bill will apply to a vessel that is under way only, i.e. a vessel that is not at anchor, made fast to the shore or aground. We modelled on the existing testing regulations used for drink and drug driving on roads to devise a set of enforcement procedures on the sea. The Bill will empower the Marine Department and the Hong Kong Police Force to conduct compulsory approved tests on a person involved in operating a vessel or performing designated duties on board a vessel that is under way for alcohol or drugs after the occurrence of an accident, or during spot checks on vessels. The proposed penalties are also identical to those adopted under the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) for drink and drug driving offences on roads."

     The Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council and various statutory, advisory and consultative committees under the Marine Department have been consulted. Members supported the legislative proposal. 

     The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading on January 10, 2024.