Tag Archives: China

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Government announces Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses and Taxis (with photos)

     The Government today (December 10) announced the Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses and Taxis.
 
     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, announced the Roadmap today and said, “Transportation contributes to about 20 per cent of total carbon emissions in Hong Kong. Promoting the electrification of vehicles is important for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to attain the target of carbon neutrality before 2050. Public buses and taxis generate over 1.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, accounting for about 4 per cent of Hong Kong’s total carbon emissions. The adoption of electric buses (e-buses) and electric taxis (e-taxis) will achieve not only a better score card in carbon reduction and air quality but also a better environment for the general public to live, work and enjoy.”
 
     The journey to full green transformation of public buses and taxis is still challenging. In addition to making good use of public money, it is also essential to avoid placing excessive burdens on the general public. The Government must, therefore, find cost-effective solutions to strike a balance. In promoting the green transformation of public buses and taxis, the Roadmap adopts three guiding principles, namely (i) primarily by “carrots but not sticks”; (ii) a gradual and orderly approach; and (iii) no additional costs to passengers as far as possible. Major measures include subsidising franchised bus operators to purchase about 600 e-buses and the taxi trades to purchase 3 000 e-taxis. The Government will issue letters to invite eligible taxi owners and the franchised bus companies to participate in the subsidy schemes within this month. In addition, the Government will continue to take a multipronged approach to encourage the industry to expand charging facilities. It is expected to provide at least 500 fast chargers throughout Hong Kong by end-2027 to cater for the expected growth in the number of electric vehicles (EVs).
 
     In the future, the Government will also accelerate the participation of the private market in the construction of public charging facilities to fully utilise the power of the market and establish a business model applicable to the market. With rapid technological advancements and an increasing supply of EVs, the Government expects that the price differences between EVs and conventional vehicles will continue to narrow in the future, and EVs may even be cheaper than conventional vehicles, such that the Government’s subsidy may no longer be needed.
 
     Mr Tse continued, “Looking forward, new smarter technologies such as fast charging are emerging, with new models of EVs entering the market continuously. As the availability of e-buses and e-taxis continues to rise, their prices are decreasing. We will lead the comprehensive green transformation of public buses and taxis in the most cost-effective manner, step by step, to achieve zero vehicular emissions and attain carbon neutrality before 2050.”
 
     With the concerted efforts of all sectors of society, the Government expressed confidence that Hong Kong will become greener and more beautiful in the future and move towards becoming a sustainable city where humanity and nature coexist harmoniously.
 
     For details about the Roadmap, please visit the website of the Environment and Ecology Bureau (www.eeb.gov.hk/sites/default/files/pdf/Bus_Taxi_Roadmap_eng.pdf).

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Remarks by SEE at media session

     Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at a media session after attending the launch event for the Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses and Taxis today (December 10):
      
Reporter: First, given the high cost of operating electric buses and taxis, how to ensure the incentive is attractive enough for the trade? I am worried that such a transformation will lead to fare hike as well. And the second question, how about other types of green transportation, for example hydrogen buses? Are there any plans on that?
      
Secretary for Environment and Ecology: Today we announced the Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses and Taxis. In the past years, we observed that the prices of electric vehicles, including buses as well as those vehicles suitable for use as taxis, have been coming down quite quickly. Recently we noticed that certain subsidy, which we believe is not excessive, actually can enable bus companies and taxi owners to switch to electric. That’s why we produce our proposal this time. We are looking to the future. Because the prices are coming down very quickly, we believe very soon electric vehicles will be very competitive against the conventional vehicles, and therefore the need for further subsidy in future will diminish.
      
     I believe the real driving force for electric vehicles will be their convenience in Hong Kong as well as their reliability and drivability, and experience of the drivers. People who are using electric vehicles can tell you, it’s a very good experience to drive electric vehicles as they are more convenient, more reliable and also the fuel cost is much cheaper than using conventional fuel. I believe these are the driving forces, which will be driving people to use electric vehicles in future.
      
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)      read more

FEHD takes enforcement action against sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat (with photo)

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has long been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat. The FEHD today (December 10) conducted a raid on a licensed fresh provision shop (FPS) in Kwun Tong District, suspecting such malpractices.

     During the raid on Shui Wo Street in Kwun Tong, FEHD officers seized and immediately destroyed about 225 kilograms of suspected frozen beef and about 90kg of suspected frozen mutton. In addition, FEHD officers marked and sealed about 148kg of prepackaged frozen beef for further investigation. A beef sample was also collected for detection of preservatives. Prosecution will follow if sufficient evidence is found. The licensee of the FPS is suspected of breaching the licensing condition for the display and sale of frozen meat as fresh meat, and the FEHD is proceeding with the cancellation of the FPS licence. 

     FEHD officers also gave a verbal warning to the FPS operator due to non-compliance with relevant licensing conditions by failing to provide delivery notes for inspection. 

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, “The selling of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat not only breaches the licensing conditions but also poses food hazards. Such operations are also unfair to other compliant businesses.”

     The spokesman added, “Anyone selling chilled or frozen meat without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment if convicted. The FEHD will continue regular inspections at licensed FPSs and market meat stalls and handle complaints actively. In detecting any irregularities, the department will carry out investigations promptly and take appropriate enforcement action. In addition, the FEHD also actively investigates suspected violations from time to time and conducts surprise inspections and enforcement actions as necessary. Prosecutions will be initiated and follow-up actions will be taken against breaches of licensing conditions or tenancy agreements if sufficient evidence is found. The licences of those FPSs breaching the licensing conditions may be cancelled, while the tenancies of market meat stalls breaching tenancy agreements may be terminated.”

     â€‹The spokesman emphasised that the FEHD is very concerned and strongly commits to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat through stringent enforcement actions against violations.

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HKMA issues alert regarding specific website

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong that the firm as referred to on the website (https://greenlandfinance-hk.com) does not have the authorization of the Monetary Authority (MA) under the Banking Ordinance to carry on banking business, or the business of taking deposits, in Hong Kong.
      
     Given the global nature of the Internet, members of the public are reminded to verify the status of any organisation claiming to the public in Hong Kong that it has the authorization of the MA, prior to transferring any funds to, or providing any personal information to, any such organisation.
      
     A list of authorized institutions is available on the HKMA’s website (www.hkma.gov.hk). Members of the public may also check the status of any entity which holds itself out as authorized by the HKMA by emailing the HKMA’s public enquiry service (publicenquiry@hkma.gov.hk). read more

LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visits Data Studio and Ho Tung Lau Depot of MTR (with photos)

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visited the Data Studio and Ho Tung Lau Depot of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) at Fo Tan today (December 10) to learn about the latest situation of MTRCL’s application of innovation and technology (I&T) and the promotion of “Smart Railway”.

     Members first toured MTR Ho Tung Lau Depot and received a briefing from MTRCL representatives on the daily operation of the depot, including the introduction of I&T to drive “Smart Maintenance” and to provide maintenance and repair services for the East Rail Line trains.

     Members then visited MTR Data Studio at Fo Tan Railway House to further understand the application of technologies such as the artificial intelligence system, image analytics, Internet of Things and big data analytics to enhance efficiency and quality of maintenance. Members noted that the Data Studio uses the Smart Passenger Instrumented Revenue Train system to monitor and analyse the big data of railway facilities condition in real-time, thus allowing for the early detection of potential safety issues or abnormal operation, facilitating preventive maintenance and enhancing operation safety.

     During the visit, Members shared insights with MTRCL representatives on issues including the future direction and challenges of promoting “Smart Railway”, and enhancing railway service efficiency and responsiveness.

     Members who participated in the visit included Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Gary Zhang and Deputy Chairman, Mr Chan Siu-hung; as well as non-Subcommittee members Dr Junius Ho and Mr Andrew Lam.

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