The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     To celebrate the approach of Christmas and be in complement of the Government's encouragement of local consumption and night vibe activities, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has decorated its shopping centres and arranged a series of celebratory night events to enhance the shopping ambience and boost the economy.

     "To celebrate Christmas and create a festive atmosphere, we have decorated a number of our shopping centres with festive decorations. At the HA's regional shopping centre, Domain, in Yau Tong, we have organised a series of festive events under the theme "Well・Being Christmas", with wonderful "Being・Well shopping rewards", and customers may shop and at the same time participate in the joyful performances and programmes," a spokesman for the HA said today (December 19).
 
     At Domain, there are plenty of festive decorations under the theme of a gingerbread man family. Embellished with a giant gingerbread-baking oven, gingerbread man molds, gorgeous Christmas trees, a heart-warming Christmas coffee cup and other festive elements, the shopping centre offers shoppers and members of the public "check-in" opportunities. Also worth mentioning are the gingerbread man molds designed with augmented reality (AR) elements placed at the G/F atrium, the open plaza and the roof garden at Domain respectively, allowing shoppers together with their family and friends to interact with the gingerbread man through photo-taking with their mobile phones.
 
     To encourage local consumption and enhance shopping patronage, there will be Christmas and Winter Market with night-time busking performances under the theme "Sing Music Night" at Domain's open plaza every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday from now to January 1, 2024. Other fantastic programmes including chill-style Christmas caroling, Santa Claus parades and a virtual reality (VR) winter skiing game booth, will also be held at Domain for the duration of the period.
 
     In addition, Domain's special shopping rewards programme, the Being・Well bonus points reward, will be launched on December 22 to January 1, 2024, to boost local spending. Customers who have completed their membership registration via the Domain Club mobile application will earn bonus points at designated periods upon spending, and may redeem selected gifts with points. Details are available on the website of Domain and the Domain Club mobile application.
 
     As for the HA's other shopping centres, there will be magic performances, balloon twisting and snack stalls at Chun Yeung, Tin Yan, Ching Long, Yau Lai, On Kay, Choi Tak, Hoi Lai, Kwai Chung, On Tai, So Uk, Siu Hong, Shek Pai Wan, Queens Hill, Pak Tin and Pok Hong Shopping Centres as well as Shui Chuen O Plaza on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Customers can also take photos with Santa Claus in the shopping centres under the theme of "Well・Being Local Shopping Spree" subject to spending requirements at designated periods. For details, please refer to the posters at shopping centres. Furthermore, shoppers may redeem gifts at the 20 shopping centres (namely Hoi Lai , So Uk , Pak Tin, Ching Long, Choi Tak, On Tai, On Kay Court, Yau Lai, Shek Pai Wan, Tin Yan, Siu Hong, Hung Fuk, Lei Muk Shue, Kwai Chung, Chun Yeung, Pok Hong, Queens Hill Shopping Centre, Shek Kip Mei Estate Phase 6 Retail Facilities, Shui Chuen O Plaza and Ping Shek Estate) subject to spending requirements and quotas on a first-come, first-served basis from 3pm to 7pm from December 24 to 26.

     The spokesman added that to encourage visits to HA shopping centres, "Local Shopping Spree" free parking subject to spending requirements is provided to shoppers at designated shopping centres (including Domain, Ching Long, Choi Tak, On Kay, Chun Yeung, Kwai Chung, Hung Fuk, Yau Lai, Queens Hill, Pok Hong Shopping Centres and Shui Chuen O Plaza) from December 22 to January 1, 2024. For details of free parking, please refer to the notices at the shopping centres. More special shopping reward programmes will be on the way at Domain and HA's other shopping centres.

          

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (December 19) removed one induction cooker model from the record of listed models under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance. Supply of such a product is no longer allowed in Hong Kong with immediate effect.
 
     Details of the product are as follows:
 
Induction cooker

 
     The EMSD administers the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance and selects samples of the listed models regularly for conducting compliance monitoring tests to check whether they conform with the energy efficiency and performance characteristics submitted to the EMSD. As the test result of the product concerned showed that it failed to reach the relevant energy efficiency and/or performance characteristics, the EMSD has decided to remove such a product from the record of listed models.
 
     The EMSD has served a notice under the Ordinance to the importer concerned. The importer will publish a newspaper notice to announce the termination of supply of the product concerned.
 
     Members of the public can contact the above importer for enquiries.

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
 
     The Ombudsman, Ms Winnie Chiu, today (December 19) announced the launch of a direct investigation to examine the provision of post-death public services by the Government. 
 
     In early 2022, not a few people died with COVID-19 when the disease rampaged through Hong Kong. The resulted pressure threatened to overwhelm the operations of public mortuaries and the mortuaries in public hospitals, and demand for cremation services was once pressing. The situation had added worries to the bereaved when handling the post-death arrangements of the deceased.
 
     Government statistics show a continuing ageing trend in Hong Kong's population (note). The demand for public services relating to post-death arrangements (including death registration, mortuary services and burial services) is expected to keep growing and people will be more concerned about the arrangements for these services and the dissemination of related information. Against this background, The Ombudsman has decided to launch a direct investigation to examine the provision of public services relating to post-death arrangements (including death registration, mortuary services and burial services) and the dissemination of related information. At the present stage, the investigation will cover the Department of Health, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Hospital Authority and the Immigration Department. The scope is subject to adjustments depending on the investigation findings along the way.
 
     Ms Chiu said, "With an ageing population in Hong Kong, the demand for public services relating to post-death arrangements will continue to increase. Besides, more and more people will wish to take the initiative to make burial arrangements for themselves and their next of kin in advance. Having gone through the trials of the pandemic, the government departments and public organisations which provide public services relating to post-death arrangements have accumulated certain experience in handling sudden surges in service demand. If they can consolidate their experience to further refine and enhance the services and the dissemination of related information, more relevant and timely services and support can be provided to the bereaved. In this light, I have decided to launch a direct investigation to probe the public services provided by the Government relating to post-death arrangements, as well as the adequacy and effectiveness of the dissemination of related information.  Recommendations will be made where due."
 
     The Ombudsman welcomes views from members of the public on this topic. Written submissions should reach the Office of The Ombudsman by January 19, 2024:
 
Address: 30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre
168–200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
Fax: 2882 8149
Email: complaints@ombudsman.hk
 
Note: According to the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" published by the Census and Statistics Department in October 2023, the proportion of elderly persons aged 65 and above is projected to increase from 1.45 million (or 20.5 percent of the total population) in 2021 to 1.9 million (or 26 per cent) in 2026, then almost double to 2.74 million (or 36 per cent) in 2046.

  

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session in Beijing after reporting to President Xi Jinping on work on December 18:
 
Reporter: Hello Mr Lee. Two questions. We all know that Hong Kong is facing a budget deficit of more than 100 billion Hong Kong dollars, and coupled with the weak local consumption and property downturns. How do you persuade and convince Beijing and also Hong Kong people that Hong Kong could pursue a brighter future as President Xi hopes for? And the second question is, as Jimmy Lai's case began today, the US, the UK, the EU and the UN all expressed concerns about the case. Anything the Hong Kong Government could do to allay their concerns, that could undermine investors or business interest in coming over to Hong Kong? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: Hong Kong, like any other cities in the world, is facing the same economic challenges, high interest rate risk and geopolitical tension. We are part of the world, so we are facing the same risk and same crisis, but we are also lucky that under the "one country, two systems", we have many opportunities that other cities may not enjoy. First of all, Hong Kong is the only city in the world that enjoys both our country's advantages and also international advantages. We also, as Hong Kong itself, have a lot of strengths which are our DNA, and we have been building a bigger economy of Hong Kong by strengthening our competitiveness, which includes attracting more talent, attracting more strategic enterprises to station and start working in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is also developing new markets, emerging markets, and we are focusing on regional co-operation. What it means is that we have advantages because of being a special administrative region of our country, and our country has a lot of opportunities that we can make good use of. We must make good use of these opportunities, that include the National 14th Five-Year Plan which gives us the "eight centres" positioning. We also have the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) which is an opportunity for Hong Kong to contribute to and also benefit from. We also participate in the Belt and Road Initiative which gives us opportunities. We have very good professional services, including architects, lawyers, surveyors, bankers and financiers.
 
     So far, our measures to attract talent and enterprises have been bring good results. We have been able to meet our two-year target in one year, in other words, with one year's target of attracting 35 000 talent, we actually have some 70 000 talent already arrived in Hong Kong within one year. We have already attracted 30 major enterprises which are going to invest 30 billion Hong Kong dollars in the coming future and they will be creating 10 000 jobs. What it means is that, yes we face challenges, but we also have opportunities and advantages that no other cities can enjoy. We will capitalise on our strengthens, make good use of the opportunities and also will be creating a safe and stable environment for Hong Kong to start and build our economic development, and we are expanding our network by going out of Hong Kong to different parts of the world. That is how we will create a bigger cake for the overall Hong Kong. We should be thinking of both opportunities and threats, but should be confident of what we can do and have confidence in Hong Kong people who have been able to strive through different challenges.
 
     In regard to the current trial in Hong Kong, I think Hong Kong has a long tradition of the rule of law, and Hong Kong courts always adjudicate cases fairly and impartially. Nobody should attempt to interfere with the court process. Nobody should try to interfere with court adjudicating cases based on evidence and facts, and nobody should try to do anything to exert pressure simply because of their political motive or political gain and try to influence outcomes of court cases or attempt to pervert the course of justice. Cases should be adjudicated on the basis of evidence and facts. I have full confidence in our courts adjudicating cases fairly and impartially.
 
Reporter: How has the Central Government responded to you finishing the security legislation of the Article 23 of the Basic Law by 2024? How would your administration deal with the potential pressure from either the undercurrent within the Hong Kong society or what's been called the foreign interfering forces?
 
Chief Executive: I have said in my Policy Address which was recently announced that I have set a deadline for Article 23 to be enacted locally within 2024. It is our constitutional duty. It is an obligation we have not been fulfilling for over 20-odd years since 1997, since the promulgation of the Basic Law. I think Hong Kong people, as a result of the pain, the hardship and the destruction of Hong Kong they experienced, they are convinced that an effective law to protect national security is important. I think that consensus has been built because Hong Kong people who lived through the dark time and the pain and difficulties in 2019 will be fully convinced that they don't want to repeat that tragic and horrific experience. They want an effective law to protect national security.
 
     The Government of course will have to explain thoroughly and clearly to people in Hong Kong, and also to the international community, that Hong Kong is no different from any cities and jurisdictions in the world, that will need law to protect its national security, so we are no different. When people try to break into our houses, we only want to have good locks. We just want to do that. So if we don’t go out and you don’t break into my house, then everything will be fine. But when somebody tries to break into my house, that is only natural that I should ensure the locks are effective. That is exactly what Basic Law Article 23 wants Hong Kong to do, and that is what I want Hong Kong to do as well under my constitutional duty.
 
     I have been asking the responsible bureaux and departments to examine and make reference to laws of other jurisdictions, because if those laws exist in other countries' statute books, that means they are effective and acceptable to be used to protect the respective country's national security. So we will be making reference to those jurisdictions, particularly the common law jurisdictions, for those (laws) we think are applicable to Hong Kong, then we may make reference to them. Some we don't think are applicable, of course, we may or may not use them. But I think the eventual law that is enacted will be very similar to the national security laws of most jurisdictions and that they will be complying with international standards that protect human rights. The two international standards that protect human rights are the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. These two covenants, as applied to Hong Kong, will apply to Hong Kong, and is applying to Hong Kong under the Basic Law. Since the promulgation of the Basic Law, the 160 articles have not changed at all. Not a single word. All these international standards that protect human rights will apply to and will be applicable in all cases that involve national security or otherwise, because when courts adjudicate cases, they have to make reference to these two international covenants as they are applied to Hong Kong. So we are conforming with international standards to protect human rights, and that is something I will be telling people about.
 
Reporter: About the new arrangements this time, because you have met with President Xi, the Premier and some more leaders. Do you think that means the Central Government is paying more attention to Hong Kong affairs? And how will you and the Government correspond with this? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: President Xi, together with three standing members of the Politburo Standing Committee, met with me. This reflects their high regard of Hong Kong and how they place Hong Kong people close to their hearts. The Chief Executive has a duty to make report to the Central Government annually in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law. I am very dutiful to comply with the arrangement, so as to ensure that the system for the Chief Executive to report to the Central People's Government is conducted as the Central Government wishes in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

      

     The Town Planning Board (TPB) visited Guangzhou, Dongguan and Shenzhen from December 16 to 18 to better understand the prevailing urban planning and development in the Greater Bay Area. The delegation was led by the Chairperson of the TPB, i.e. the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), with the representatives from the Planning Department and the Lands Department and other members of the TPB.
 
     The delegation was briefed by the representatives of Guangzhou Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau on the latest land use and infrastructural development of Guangzhou Design Capital, Pazhou and Yongxingfang. The delegation members learnt about the application of urban design, landscaping, public art as well as smart technology in construction and city management to create a pleasant commercial and residential community in the Design Capital. The collaborative role of Pazhou, Zhujiang New Town and International Financial City in developing the Guangzhou Central Business District through flexible investment methods, introduction of a large number of artificial intelligence and innovative industries. The city revitalisation model of Yongqingfang is a project in which the local government introduces private companies for construction and operation through public investment invitations. After the operation period, the winning bidder will hand over the project to the Government.
 
     The representatives from the Dongguan Natural Resources Bureau introduced the nationwide demonstration of water pollution control, Huayang Lake National Wetland Park, to the delegation and shared about Dongguan's experience in tackling water pollution and carrying out a systematic wetland water management to transform the original polluted wetland area into a national wetland park. The delegation also visited Jianyuzhou Cultural and Creative Park which was revitalised from a former industrial site. The delegation members observed a mixture of cultural spaces and integration of different cultural industries. The delegation then visited Huawei Town in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, which is the headquarters of Huawei, a global information and communications technology infrastructure and smart equipment supplier. The delegation was briefed by Huawei representatives on the application of big data technology, the operation of Huawei Smart Park and its business in Hong Kong, and communicated with Huawei representatives.
 
 
     The representatives from the Shenzhen Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau led the delegation to visit Nantou Ancient City, which was the location of the former Baoan County Government before the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. The delegation learnt about the diversified city revitalisation plan of Nantou Ancient City in recent years, which has brought together a variety of emerging industries. The delegation received a briefing from the representatives of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen and exchanged views on the interconnection between Qianhai and the Northern Metropolis (NM). Later, the delegation visited Liuxiandong Headquarters Base and learnt about the master planning of the largest business cluster in Shenzhen for emerging innovative industries.
 
     The delegation visited the new energy vehicle manufacturer BYD Automobile Base. The delegation was briefed by the representatives from BYD Company Limited with introduction on the electric fleets developed by their company with different functions and application ranges, as well as R&D projects such as rail transit and new energy, and further understanding the application of rail transit. The delegation also experienced first-hand the new energy rail transit system, SkyShuttle.
 
     This tour allowed the delegation to better understand the latest urban planning and development in the Greater Bay Area, exchanged a lot of valuable experiences and views with relevant planning units and group organisations, from which the members gained insights on the planning of new developments, which will serve as references and facilitate the TPB in consideration of the projects related to the development of the NM, innovative industries, old district revitalisation and wetland conservation, etc..
 
     The delegation returned to Hong Kong this evening (December 18).