The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, continued her visit to countries along the Belt and Road region in Hanoi, Vietnam, today (December 12).

     Miss Mak visited the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund in Vietnam in the morning to meet with representatives of the United Nations agencies and volunteer interns participating in the United Nations Volunteers – Hong Kong Universities Volunteer Internship Programme. She expressed her gratitude to the agencies for offering internship placements as well as providing guidance and training to Hong Kong youths, thereby enabling them to develop their personal capabilities and contribute to the international community in the capacity of Chinese youth volunteers. Miss Mak encouraged the interns to seize the precious opportunities, gain experience through the volunteer internship programme, and to share their observations with other youths upon their return to Hong Kong.

     In the afternoon, Miss Mak separately visited the Secretary of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union's Central Committee, Mr Nguyen Tuong Lam, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr He Wei, to exchange views on youth development work of the two places and issues of mutual concern.

     At the Christmas dinner organised by the Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam today, Miss Mak shared with attendees the vision and guiding principles of the long-term youth development work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) promulgated the Youth Development Blueprint in late 2022, which put forward more than 160 concrete actions and measures on supporting youth development, and about 60 new measures were introduced last year to ensure the Blueprint progresses with the times and responds to the needs of young people in a timely manner. The Blueprint also stated that the Government will further strengthen the breadth and depth of the Mainland and international internship and exchange programmes, with a view to widening young people's global exposure and broadening their horizons. In 2024-25, the HYAB's overseas youth exchange and internship programmes are expected to provide a total of about 7 000 internship placements and 50 000 exchange places, among which around 60 internship placements and 520 exchange places will cover the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries. She expressed hope to continue strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Vietnam and promoting youth exchanges between the two places.

     Miss Mak will depart for Hong Kong tomorrow morning (December 13).

                

     Under the Revitalization of Tsui Ping River project by the Drainage Services Department (DSD), the Tsui Ping River facilities along the King Yip Street section were opened for public use today (December 12), following the earlier opening of the Tsui Ping Seaside and the sections along Tsui Ping Road and King Yip Lane. The remaining Wai Yip Street section will be opened later this month, marking the full opening of the Tsui Ping Riverside Promenade upon revitalisation.
      
     Speaking at the opening ceremony today, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the DSD has been committed to enhancing the flood control capabilities of drainage facilities in recent years. At the same time, the DSD has been adhering to the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and actively implementing "Rivers in the City" concept, as well as enhancing river ecology and landscape design to create a better living environment for the public. The revitalised Tsui Ping River exemplifies the DSD's efforts. 

     Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, said that Revitalization of Tsui Ping River is the first riverside public space project that the DSD is solely responsible for its design, construction, maintenance and daily management. He hoped that Tsui Ping River would become a new landmark of Kwun Tong as well as a vibrant and natural public space.
      
     In 2012, the Development Bureau proposed the Energizing Kowloon East Conceptual Master Plan and put forward the concept of transforming the King Yip Street nullah in Kwun Tong into the Tsui Ping River. Without compromising its stormwater drainage function and capacity, the Revitalization of Tsui Ping River project has adopted the concept of "River in the City" to revitalise the previous King Yip Street nullah, which was mainly used for flood prevention. Environmental, ecological and landscape enhancement works were carried out to turn the nullah into the 1-kilometre-long Tsui Ping Riverside Promenade, which provides a riverside public space and enhances connectivity within the district with newly constructed cross-river pedestrian walkways. The project has also enhanced the river's flood protection capacity and reduced the flood risk of Kwun Tong District by deepening a portion of the riverbed from Tsui Ping Road to King Yip Street, as well as installing flood walls upstream.
      
     After revitalisation, the Tsui Ping River is equipped with six landscape decks and seven pedestrian walkways to strengthen the connectivity with the surrounding areas, making it a walkable and accessible green river corridor in the district. With the adoption of advanced technology, an intelligent water gate smartly adjusts its rise and fall according to the weather forecast. This helps manage the water level of the river and maintain maximum drainage capacity. There are also ecological installations including bird perches, rock pools, tidal pools and ecological walls to create favourable conditions for the river ecosystem and attract more natural species to inhabit the river.
      
     To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, 75 art installations of the DSD KOL (key opinion leader) named Drainy with various themes have been placed along the riverbank of the King Yip Street section of the Tsui Ping River for public viewing and photo taking.
      
     The Tsui Ping River is adjacent to the Kwun Tong Business Area and Laguna City. To access the promenade, members of the public can walk for about three minutes from Exit D4 of the MTR Kwun Tong Station or walk through Laguna Park for about 10 minutes from Exit D1 of the MTR Lam Tin Station. They can also take various bus and minibus routes to get there.

              

     The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (December 12) met trade representatives of the Cross-sectoral Territory-wide Anti-rodent Action to introduce the Anti-rodent Charter for residential premises and related commercial units to be launched by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). The Charter aims to raise awareness on maintaining environmental hygiene and cultivate good habits among residents to create a rodent-free environment.

    Successful prevention and control of rodents relies on the concerted efforts and active participation of stakeholders from various sectors, including pest control operators in both public and private sectors, venue management, and the general public. It is essential to implement good hygienic practices complemented by effective rodent prevention measures, as well as to eliminate the three fundamental survival conditions of rodents in the environment, namely food, harbourage and passages, i.e. the elimination of the food sources and hiding places of rodents, as well as blockage of their dispersal routes to achieve sustainable anti-rodent effect and prevent the reproduction of rodents. 
 
     At the meeting with the EEB and the FEHD earlier, the property management sector agreed to strengthen co-operation with the Government to further promote rodent prevention and control in private residential buildings with property management and related commercial units, and to participate in the first phase of the Charter. Starting from December 31, 2024, the FEHD will invite property management companies, owners' corporations, residents' organisations of private residential premises, the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), transitional housing, subsidised sale flats and Tenants Purchase Scheme estates to sign the Charter. Premises participating in the Charter will commit to assigning anti-rodent liaison ambassadors to co-ordinate anti-rodent efforts in their premises. Ambassadors also need to carry out regular inspections and arrange necessary repairs and maintenance works of facilities, and ensure suitable cleaning and refuse removal of the housing estates or buildings. Besides implementing anti-rodent measures, participants have to supervise the quality and performance of the hired anti-rodent service contractors and maintain relevant records of anti-rodent work. They are also responsible for conveying anti-rodent messages to residents through promotion and education, encouraging residents to improve environmental conditions and cultivate good habits in personal hygiene and maintaining a clean environment.
 
     Participants will be provided with free anti-rodent technical support from the FEHD, including invitations to attend pest control seminars organised by the FEHD. In addition, the FEHD will present Charter certificates and stickers to the participants and publish a list of participating organisations and premises on a dedicated webpage to affirm their efforts.
　　
     At the meeting, representatives from different sectors (including the pest control sector, markets, licensed hawkers, catering and construction) were briefed by the Government on the details of the Charter for private residential premises and related commercial units. They indicated that they would share the relevant information with their stakeholders. The property management sector said that they would assist in publicising the Charter among property management companies, owners' corporations and residents' organisations, with a view to raising residents' awareness of maintaining environmental hygiene, cultivating good habits, and working together in rodent control to create a more livable environment. Depending on the experience gained from the first phase launched on December 31, 2024, the Government will consider extending the Charter to other sectors in due course.
 
     Regarding mosquito infestation, given that Hong Kong has recorded more than 150 imported and five local dengue fever (DF) cases this year, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health gave an update on the latest situation of DF and the CHP's risk assessment. The FEHD also reported on the targeted mosquito control operations carried out in the past two weeks in response to a local case. The FEHD and relevant departments have intensified mosquito control work in the residence, workplace and locations visited by the patient during the incubation period and after illness onset. These efforts include:
 

• conducting fogging operations and placing mosquito trapping devices in the scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the related locations to eradicate adult mosquitoes;
• carrying out weekly inspections of the above locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticide and disposing of abandoned water containers to prevent mosquito breeding; and
• trimming of grass to remove the potential habitat of mosquitoes and facilitate mosquito control work; and
• stepping up publicity and education work, including organising health talks, deploying the Mobile Education Centre and distributing leaflets.

 
     At the meeting, the FEHD urged the attendees to actively implement anti-mosquito measures and carry out intensive mosquito control operations in areas under their purview to reduce the risk of DF transmission.　
 
     The Cross-sectoral Territory-wide Anti-rodent Action has been introduced since the end of 2022 to consolidate strengths from the Government and various sectors of the community for a cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary, and community-wide approach to anti-rodent work. While various sectors and government departments are consolidating the rodent control work, the public is encouraged to actively collaborate in rodent prevention and control actions by eliminating the food, harbourage and passages of rodents.

     The meeting was chaired by the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong. Participants of the meeting came from 15 organisations or institutions, namely the HKHS, Link, People's Place, the Hong Kong Property Services Alliance, the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, the Federation of Hong Kong Property Management Industry, the Hong Kong Association of Property Services Agents, the Pest Control Personnel Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Pest Management Association, the Federation of Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories Hawker Associations, the Association of Restaurant Managers, the Hong Kong Construction Association and the Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association.

  

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) today (December 12) announced that the services of the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks (PDSKs) will be enhanced tomorrow (December 13) by introducing self-application services for Hong Kong identity cards (HKICs). Eligible applicants can complete the HKIC application procedures in a self-service manner and can apply for HKICs and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports in one go through the PDSKs. The new services will further automate and digitalise the application and collection procedures for personal documentation, thereby providing more convenient services to members of the public.

Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks

     Currently, the PDSKs are set up at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O. Starting from tomorrow, eligible applicants can complete the application procedures, including electronic form filling and signing, photo taking, fingerprints taking and application submission, at the PDSKs in a self-service manner without the need to meet a registration officer of the ImmD in person. The services provided by the PDSKs are appointment-free. The first phase of the new services will cover the following three types of replacement applications of HKIC holders who are aged 18 or above holding a locally issued smart HKIC:
 

1. Replacement for an adult HKIC for persons reaching the age of 18;
2. Replacement for a permanent HKIC for persons having their eligibility for permanent HKIC verified; and
3. Replacement for a new smart HKIC for persons holding a valid old form of smart HKIC.

     After the launch of the new services, eligible applicants can also apply for HKICs and HKSAR passports in one go through the PDSKs without the need to repeatedly undergo identity verification, photo taking and form filling.

Personal Documentation Collection Kiosks (PDCKs)

     For collection, the ImmD has integrated various functions of the collection kiosks. Eligible applicants can collect HKICs and HKSAR passports in one go in a self-service manner through the PDCKs, which are also located at the Immigration Headquarters.

     The address of the Immigration Headquarters is 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories. For the location and service hours of the kiosks, please refer to the Annex. The above information is also available on the ImmD's website (www.immd.gov.hk) and mobile application.

Shortening the processing time for identity card applications

     Furthermore, the ImmD will shorten the processing time for the new smart HKIC starting from tomorrow. The time required will be shortened to five working days from the current seven working days (working days exclude Saturday, Sunday and general holidays). Applicants can collect the new HKIC on the next working day after the completion of processing by the ImmD.
 
     For enquiries, please contact the ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline (2824 6111), by fax (2877 7711) or by email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk).

     Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Lingnan University Gala Dinner 2024 tonight (December 12):

Mr Andrew Yao (Chairman of the Council, Lingnan University), Professor Joe Qin (President, Lingnan University), Dr Winne Ko (Chairman, Kingrich Charitable Foundation), alumni and students, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. I am so glad to join you here at the Lingnan University Gala Dinner, the first time it returns after the pandemic.

     Lingnan University boasts a rich history that reflects its resilience and commitment to education. Founded in Guangzhou in 1888, it experienced significant transformations throughout its first century. With perseverance and dedication, the institution has continued to grow and become a prominent institution offering quality education to Hong Kong and the region. Despite the challenges the university has gone through, the Lingnan spirit and the determination to provide the best education to its students have always been deep-rooted in its foundation, as reflected in the university motto – "Education for service".

     The theme of tonight's Gala Dinner is "Lingnan's Transformation into the Digital Era". I believe we would all agree that technology plays an ever more prevalent and significant role in influencing education. For example, artificial intelligence is a powerful tool for enhancing learning outcomes and research capabilities. By leveraging AI, institutions can implement personalised education strategies that cater to individual student needs, improving engagement and academic performance.

     I am excited to learn that Lingnan University – hitherto renowned for its outstanding liberal arts programme – is actively incorporating digital innovations into its education. This echoes the Government's dedication to integrating technology into the educational framework, to enhance teaching and learning experiences across all levels of education. As announced in the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address, the Chief Secretary for Administration will chair a newly established Committee on Education, Technology and Talents to co-ordinate and drive the integrated development of education, technology and talent in Hong Kong. The Committee's mission is to expand connections and formulate policies to attract and cultivate high-calibre talent while fostering the development of technologies.

     Hong Kong has five of the world's top 100 universities. Under "one country, two systems", we have a rich academic atmosphere that serves us well as a dynamic international hub for higher education, bringing in students and researchers from around the globe. It is well recognised that Hong Kong has strong connections with higher education institutions worldwide, participating keenly in collaborative research and studies on applications of technologies such as AI. The partnerships promote knowledge exchange and, by sharing the best practices, we can facilitate innovation and its practical applications within and across various sectors. Our educational institutions also encourage students from all disciplines to enhance their digital competencies, through encouraging interdisciplinary studies and merging technical skills with critical thinking, thereby preparing them for a technology-centric job market.

     Hong Kong, with the strong support from the Mainland, has boundless opportunities. Collaborations between Hong Kong and Mainland cities, such as those in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, can enhance the access to resources and expertise vital for technological advancement, which creates a comprehensive ecosystem for innovation. Furthermore, we support our higher education institutions in maximising their strengths and working together to advance innovative capacity, contributing to the national strategy of reinvigorating the country through science and education and to the country's modernisation.

     In closing, I am confident that Lingnan University, navigated by President Qin, is ready to sail through this wave of digital revolution and develop into a future-ready institution. I look forward to seeing the transformed Lingnan University in bringing more breakthroughs through impactful innovations and research in the years to come. Thank you.