Tag Archives: China

     The Electronic Traffic Enforcement (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2023 was gazetted today (December 8) for establishing a legal framework to allow the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police) to use electronic means to serve penalty tickets against traffic offences or contraventions.

     The issuance of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of traffic contraventions by electronic means is one of the new initiatives to promote “Smart Mobility” in the Government’s Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong with a view to increasing the overall efficiency of traffic enforcement through the application of technology. In the long run, the new regime is expected to foster better driving attitude among drivers, which is conducive to reducing traffic accidents and illegal parking, so as to enhance road safety and alleviate traffic congestion.

     A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, “The existing legislation does not allow the issuance of FPNs of traffic contraventions by electronic means. Hence, we have to amend the legislation to allow the Police to serve FPNs by electronic means, including SMS or email, and to allow the Transport Department to collect mobile phone numbers or email addresses from vehicle owners and drivers for traffic enforcement purpose. Our target is to effect the electronic traffic enforcement regime progressively in 2024.”

     The Police will also launch a dedicated website and a mobile phone application for the new initiative to enable registered vehicle owners and drivers to check their FPNs and take relevant follow-up actions anytime, anywhere, including the settlement of fixed penalties by means of electronic payment. To assist the public in adapting to the new initiative, the existing mode of paying fixed penalties will be retained. Before the implementation of the new initiative, the Police will enhance education and publicity efforts to help registered vehicle owners and drivers better understand the implementation of electronic FPNs. 

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport and the Transport Advisory Committee were consulted on the legislative proposal. Members generally supported the proposed arrangements.

     The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for First and Second Reading on December 13. read more

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (December 8) announced that the department collected eight liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in November 2023 for laboratory tests. The results show that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.
 
     The detailed test results are available on the EMSD’s website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/rl/lpg_sample_analysis_simple). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD’s hotline on 2333 3762.
 
     In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements. read more

     The Road Traffic (Autonomous Vehicles) Regulation (AV Regulation) and the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Autonomous Vehicles) Ordinance 2023 (Commencement) Notice (Commencement Notice) were gazetted today (December 8). &nbsp… read more

     The Intellectual Property Department (IPD) today (December 8) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to strengthen co-operation in the field of intellectual property (IP).

     The MOU was signed by the Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, and the Director General of the IPOPHL, Mr Rowel Barba, on the sidelines of the Business of Intellectual Property Asia (BIP Asia) Forum held in Hong Kong. It aims to establish a framework to facilitate co-operation between Hong Kong and the Philippines in the areas of IP awareness, creation, protection, utilisation, management, trading and commercialisation.

     Under the MOU, Hong Kong and the Philippines will pursue further co-operation in various areas of IP by exchanging information and sharing experience; fostering high-level dialogues on policy developments; strengthening co-operation in IP training; sharing best practices in providing quality and efficient services to stakeholders; and promoting co-operation among the two places and the relevant IP practitioners, industries, institutions and organisations.

     “The National 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong’s development into a regional IP trading centre. Both Hong Kong and the Philippines recognise the value of IP rights in driving economic growth. The MOU marks an important milestone in the co-operation between the IP offices of the two economies in promoting IP protection and commercialisation in the region. The IPD will continue its engagement with IP offices and authorities outside Hong Kong to tell the good stories of IP in Hong Kong,” Mr Wong said.

     The Consul-General of the Philippines in Hong Kong, Mr Raly Tejada, also attended the signing ceremony today.

     The BIP Asia Forum is an annual IP flagship event in the region organised by the Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Its 13th edition, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on December 7 and 8 under the theme “IP and Innovation: Steering New Economic Growth”, features over 90 renowned speakers. They include senior officials from the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the World Intellectual Property Organization, and IP offices of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

    

     The Highways Department (HyD) announced today (December 8) that in response to the request from interested tenderers, the tender period for the contract for Dualling of Hiram’s Highway from Marina Cove to Sai Kung Town (Contract No. HY/2023/12) has been extended to noon on January 5, 2024.
     
     The HyD invited tenders for the contract on September 29. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on December 22.
     
     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today.
     
     The HyD has appointed WSP (Asia) Limited (WSP) as the consultant to supervise the design and construction works. For enquiries, please contact WSP at 2579 8899. read more