Hongkong Post announced today (November 8) that a special stamp issue and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Development of Railway Services in Hong Kong" will be released for sale on November 23 (Thursday).
 
     Since the opening of Hong Kong's first urban railway line running between Kwun Tong and Shek Kip Mei on October 1, 1979, the local railway network has been expanding continuously. In recent years, besides the construction of new railway lines, there have also been extensions of and connections to existing lines of Hong Kong railway services. This has made the railway network more comprehensive and fostered community development. At present, the city's 271-kilometre railway network, consisting of 10 railway lines, Light Rail and the High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section), serves all 18 districts across the territory and connects to a number of control points.
 
     Hongkong Post will issue a set of six stamps, two stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Development of Railway Services in Hong Kong" featuring the characteristics of different railway lines and train types. It demonstrates that the railway services in Hong Kong have strengthened the connections among the local communities as well as between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
 
     Official first day covers for "Development of Railway Services in Hong Kong" will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from tomorrow (November 9). This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from November 23, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps and postage prepaid picture cards (air mail) will be available at philatelic offices only.
 
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on November 23 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. Collection points will be set up at all post offices on the same day for submission of the covers requesting the hand-back date-stamping service.
 
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) and in the ShopThruPost mobile app.

              

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s new intelligent sports and recreation services booking and information system, SmartPLAY, will be officially launched at 7am tomorrow (November 9).

Booking of facilities

     As usual, users can continue to make advance bookings of leisure facilities within seven days (i.e. booking for the current date to November 15 can be made on November 9) on a first-come, first-served basis after the implementation of the new system. They can make their bookings via the SmartPLAY's mobile app (My SmartPLAY) (from 7am) and website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home) (from 7am), Smart Self-service Stations (from 7.15am) or service counters (from 7.15am) at major leisure venues.

     There are also new check-in arrangements for facility bookings. All hirers can proceed the self check-in procedures starting from 15 minutes before the booked session. They can place their Hong Kong Smart ID Cards on the card reader of a check-in device or a Smart Self-service Station at leisure venues for verification. Meanwhile, hirers without a Hong Kong identity card (for example children aged below 11 and visitors registered as temporary patrons) must proceed with the check-in procedures at the service counter.

     Regarding the balloting/booking of turf soccer pitches, users can submit a balloting application for available turf pitches within 14 to 20 days via SmartPLAY's mobile app and dedicated website, or the Smart Self-service Stations at leisure venues (please refer to Annex I for details) after the implementation of SmartPLAY tomorrow. Each user can submit a total of three balloting choices on the same day in one application and the applications submitted can be altered before closing of the application period. Users can book the remaining sessions, if any, via SmartPLAY on a first-come, first-served basis within seven days. Since transitional arrangements of booking (for the transitional arrangements, please see the separate press release www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/02/P2023110200221.htm) will be implemented during the transfer between the systems, online balloting for the sessions of turf soccer pitches from November 17 to 21 will be suspended. Users can book the available sessions within seven days from the current date from November 11 to 15 on a first-come, first-served basis (i.e. bookings for the current date to November 17 can be made on November 11).

     Concerning the booking and check-in arrangements of turf soccer pitches, hirers currently must fill in the patron numbers of four other users when submitting balloting applications for turf soccer pitches. The hirer and three of the users named in the application must check in and be present during the use of the booked session. To further combat suspected touting activities, the above-mentioned arrangements will be extended to the booking of turf soccer pitches on a first-come, first-served basis after the launch of SmartPLAY tomorrow.

Booking of recreation and sports programmes

     The LCSD has arranged the publicity of recreation and sports programmes and enrolment for the month of December to be commenced in advance (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202309/28/P2023092800215.htm). After the launch of SmartPLAY tomorrow, users can book the remaining sessions in December, 2023, or before through the new system on a first-come, first-served basis. They can submit an online balloting application within the first seven days of each month for the programmes to be held by the District Leisure Services Offices (DLSOs) in 18 districts, water sports centres, the Tuen Mun Recreation and Sports Centre as well as the Green Campaign Section in the following month. As regards the arrangement of competitions to be held in February 2024 or later, users only need to submit one online balloting application from the eighth to the 14th days in every month to enrol in sports competitions to be held two months later. The balloting arrangement for competitions is similar to that of the training courses and recreation activities (please refer to Annex II for details).

     In respect of balloting applications for all recreation and sports programmes, users can submit one online balloting application per month for various training courses and recreation activities, or sports competitions. Each online application can select up to 10 programmes or 10 competitions, and a maximum of three programmes/three competitions can be allocated. Any remaining unfilled places after balloting will be open for enrolment on a first-come, first-served basis to all applicants. Meanwhile, applications will only be accepted if the time of the training courses and recreation activities that a user has applied for on a first-come, first-served basis or submitted a balloting application for did not overlap with that of the programmes he/she has successfully enrolled in.

     The LCSD reminds the public that starting from tomorrow, all people, including existing Leisure Link patrons, must register with the new system and complete an identity authentication process before using the new system to enrol in programmes and book leisure facilities. The LCSD has provided 375 new Smart Self-service Stations at around 240 leisure venues (including DLSOs in various districts). Members of the public who have yet to be registered can submit their registration, and complete identity authentication and account activation procedures at these Smart Self-service Stations starting from tomorrow (November 9). A dedicated website and a mobile app are also provided for user registration. If users complete their registration through "iAM Smart", they can have their SmartPLAY accounts instantly activated.

     For more information on SmartPLAY, please call the SmartPLAY hotline at 3954 5150 or visit the website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk) after the implementation of SmartPLAY.

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Siu-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (November 8):
 
Question:
 
     According to government information, there are already 183 items of products and services with green specifications, which are under 24 categories, on the current green procurement list of the Government. On promoting green procurement, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the Government's annual expenditure on green procurement in the past five years; whether it has plans to expand the categories of products and services covered by the green procurement list;
 
(2) given that the Government's long-term target is to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, of the measures the Government has put in place to facilitate the achievement of the carbon neutrality target in the aspect of the Government's procurement work, in addition to requiring various policy bureaux and government departments to include green specifications in drawing up tender specifications in the Stores and Procurement Regulations; and
 
(3) of the further plans to encourage public organisations to implement green procurement?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government has all along led by example by adopting green procurement for implementation of the concept of environmental protection. The Government's Stores and Procurement Regulations require bureaux and departments (B/Ds) to take environmental factors into consideration in drawing up tender specifications, so as to allow for fair competition of compliant products and services on a cost-effective basis, thereby promoting green procurement while ensuring the prudent use of public funds. Having regard to the practices and standards generally adopted in the market, the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) has developed a set of green specifications and guidelines for the products and services commonly used by the Government, so that B/Ds may practise green procurement in accordance with the relevant specifications. Since 2000, the Government has introduced a green procurement list, setting out products with green specifications therein. In light of market development over the years, the Government has gradually expanded the green procurement list to cover suitable new products and services, and updated relevant green specifications. In addition, the EEB has also developed easy-to-use green procurement tips for designated products and services to assist B/Ds in carrying out small amount purchases (i.e. value not exceeding $50,000 per order).
 
     The reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Siu-hung is set out below.
 
(1) The total annual expenditure on green procurement by government B/Ds in the past five years is tabulated as follows:
 

     In July 2021, the Government further expanded the scope of green procurement by increasing the number of products and services covered in the green procurement list from 150 items to 183 items, as well as updating the green specifications of each item and providing more green procurement tips. In 2022, government B/Ds altogether procured green products and services with a total value of $6.63 billion, which is an increase of over 1.3 times as compared to $2.80 billion in 2021. The Government will review the green procurement list from time to time to keep abreast of the latest market development and the procurement needs of B/Ds.
 
(2) and (3) The Government has all along encouraged all sectors of the community, including public and private organisations, to join hands in the procurement of products and services that incur minimal adverse environmental impacts (including decarbonisation, reduction in air pollutant emissions and waste reduction). As many of these products are made of recycled materials, practising green procurement can boost the demand for recycled materials and create business opportunities for the recycling industry, thereby fostering a circular economy. To promote green procurement, the Government has uploaded the latest green procurement list and the relevant specifications, green procurement tips as well as local and international best practices onto the EEB's website for reference by the public. The Government also encourages about 60 "Carbon Neutrality" partners from various sectors, including property development, public utilities, finance and professional bodies, to take the lead in supporting the implementation of green procurement. Some enterprises are also willing to make available to the public their targets and efforts in green procurement.
 
     The Government will continue to promote and publicise green procurement to public and private organisations. Apart from disseminating the green procurement list and other practical information through the information portal, the Government has also encouraged trade associations and organisations to formulate trade-specific green procurement guidelines based on the trades' actual situations and needs, with a view to promoting the implementation of green procurement to all sectors of the community. With concerted efforts of the Government and the community in practising green procurement, we hope to boost the market demand for green products and services, as well as to facilitate the development of a circular economy, thereby further fostering the achievement of carbon neutrality.
 

     Following is a question by the Hon Lillian Kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (November 8):

Question:

     The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission have jointly launched the Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland (the Scheme), sponsoring eligible non-governmental organisations to organise youth exchange tours to the Mainland. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of organisations that received funding support under the Scheme in each of the past five financial years, and set out, by type of such organisations, their names and the amounts of funding granted;

(2) whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the Scheme in each financial year and put in place any improvement measures; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) given that at present an eligible participant for sponsorship under the Scheme must be aged between 12 and 35, whether the Government will consider raising the age ceiling; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(4) as it is learnt that at present, some Hong Kong young people aged between 12 and 35 are non-holders of a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card (PIC), whether the Government will consider removing the restriction that participants under the Scheme must hold a PIC; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     Under the Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland (FSYEM), the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Youth Development Commission (YDC) provide funding for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to organise youth exchange projects in the Mainland for Hong Kong young people to enhance their awareness and understanding of the country's development and strengthen their sense of national identity through fostering exchange with the Mainland people. Our reply to the Hon Lillian Kwok's questions is as follows:

     Information of the funded NGOs and approved funding amount under the FSYEM from 2018-19 to 2019-20 are set out in Annex. The FSYEM was suspended from 2021-22 to 2022-23 due to the pandemic, but it has been resumed earlier this year.

     The HYAB has been evaluating the effectiveness of the FSYEM in every financial year. Upon completion of an exchange project, participants are invited to fill in evaluation questionnaires from which we can understand their views on the project for monitoring its effectiveness and quality. This will also form part of the track record when we assess future applications submitted by the same organisation. Based on the feedback collected from participants in the previous round of the FSYEM, over 90 per cent of the respondents considered the FSYEM beneficial in deepening their understanding of the Mainland.

     In addition, we appointed an independent third-party organisation earlier on to conduct a research study on the FSYEM and the Funding Scheme for Youth Internship in the Mainland to gauge views from participants of the schemes and other stakeholders by way of focus group discussions with a view to further enhancing the schemes. The study report revealed that the exchange/internship projects under the funding schemes were deemed effective by participants, organisers and employers. Over 90 per cent of the participants agreed that the two schemes achieved the intended outcomes and considered the completed exchange/internship projects fruitful, especially in areas such as understanding the local culture and development opportunities, boosting one's employment advantage and promoting personal development. We will continue to enhance the breadth and depth of the Mainland exchange programmes to further enhance Hong Kong youth's understanding of the country.

     The HYAB would review the operation of the FSYEM from time to time and introduce enhancement measures when necessary. For example, we made a number of adjustments to the FSYEM in 2019-20, which included relaxing the eligibility requirements of participants from aged 12 to 29 to 12 to 35 to cover young people of different age groups and development stages; and providing funded support staff in order to strengthen immediate support to the exchange activities in the Mainland, etc.

     We are now finalising the details of the FSYEM in 2024-25, among which we would consider a number of enhancement measures, e.g. expanding the eligibility requirements of participants to provide NGOs with more flexibility in recruitment, increasing the number of funded support staff to strengthen the support for younger participants, etc. We will announce the details when the scheme opens for applications. 

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, in the Legislative Council today (November 8):

Question:

     Regarding the construction of barrier-free facilities, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will change the current practice of outsourcing projects of barrier-free facilities to consultancy firms and instead, by drawing reference from the practices of the Governments of the Shenzhen Municipality and the Shanghai Municipality, sign long-term collaborative research agreements with tertiary institutions, so that the design of such facilities will not be overly homogeneous and can better cater to the needs of the community;

(2) given that the cost of each project under the Universal Accessibility Programme is capped at $75 million at present, and it is learnt that the cost of a similar project in the Shenzhen Municipality is just about 30 per cent of the cost of a project under the Programme, whether the authorities have studied the reasons for that, and whether they have plans to adopt measures to reduce the cost of such projects; and

(3) as there are views pointing out that currently all the lifts built under the Programme have adopted the design of transparent glass external walls, and such design will incur additional cleaning, repair and electricity costs (due to the absorption of a large amount of heat energy by the mechanical parts), of the reasons for adopting such design?

Reply:

President,

     The Government launched the Universal Accessibility (UA) Programme in August 2012 to proactively provide more barrier-free access facilities (i.e. lifts and ramps) at existing walkways such as footbridges or subways that could meet the criteria of the UA Programme, with a view to facilitating access by the public in need. My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Chan is as follows:

(1) In taking forward the projects under the UA Programme, we will engage consultants to carry out the investigation, design and supervision of construction works, etc. The design of lift retrofitting works has to take into account the actual environment and constraints of individual sites, as well as the future operation and maintenance arrangements, and be cost-effective. During the design stage of each lift retrofitting project, we will consult the public and relevant stakeholders, including District Councils, nearby residents and representatives of non-governmental organisations (including those related to the welfare of persons with disabilities) on the preliminary design of the lifts in order to meet the needs of users as far as possible. In addition, we will also consult the Advisory Committee on the Appearance of Bridges and Associated Structures (ACABAS), which comprises representatives from various professional bodies and the department of architecture and design of tertiary institutions, on the design of the lifts. The ACABAS will scrutinise and provide comments on the design of the lifts from the aesthetic visual and greening perspectives. In the past, when implementing projects under the UA Programme, the Highways Department had, in response to the comments of the ACABAS, revised the design of the lifts. For example, appropriate colour for the lift tower and its link bridge, and a slimmer structure for the link bridge, etc, were adopted with a view to making the lift(s) compatible with the neighbouring environment and striking a balance between aesthetics and the community's needs.

(2) According to the works contracts awarded in the past, the average project cost of retrofitting a lift at an existing walkway is about $16 million. Apart from the construction cost, it also includes the costs of feasibility study, project investigation, design and supervision, etc. Other projects may require the construction of more than one lift and the demolition of the associated ramps, depending on the actual conditions of the pedestrian walkway concerned. Some projects may involve more complicated geotechnical conditions and traffic diversion arrangements and need to deal with congested underground utilities, which may affect the design, thereby resulting in higher costs. In order to ensure that the block allocation of the UA Programme can meet the funding needs of most projects (including individual projects that are more complicated or involve retrofitting more than one lift), we set the financial cap for each project at $75 million.  

     The construction industry in the Mainland and Hong Kong has its own unique characteristics, as illustrated by differences in labour costs, design standards and statutory requirements, etc. Therefore, it is not appropriate to make a direct comparison of the construction costs between the two places. The design of each lift retrofitting project under the UA Programme adopts the "no-frills" principle and will be procured in accordance with the established procedures for Government's public works projects. The tendering procedures of each works contract are open to qualified contractors for open tendering, and the most competitive tender bid will be selected to maximise the cost-effectiveness of the works.

(3) In designing the lifts, we take into account the comfort of the users and at the same time comply with the Government's policies on environmental protection, energy conservation and carbon emission reduction. The external walls of the lift towers are mostly made of concrete walls or steel structures in appropriate proportion. Considering the need for security management inside the lift and to minimise the visual impact, an appropriate amount of transparent glass will be installed for the lift towers and the lift cars, along with the adoption of glass materials that can block solar heat, thereby reducing the temperature inside the lift shafts. At the same time, we are also conducting tests on a number of materials and devices, such as nano-self-cleaning coatings and nanofiber filters, to reduce the accumulation of dust and dirt. We will continue to evaluate and test the effectiveness of the above materials and devices for adoption in lifts when appropriate.