Tag Archives: China

     Following is a question by the Hon Rock Chen and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, in the Legislative Council today (November 27):

Question:

     It is reported that under the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374G), vehicles weighing three tonnes and above are required to apply for prior permits for entering designated road sections, failing which the persons concerned are liable to fines and imprisonment. On the other hand, there are views that electric vehicles (EVs) are a major trend of future development, and some new EV models nowadays weigh more than three tonnes. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the current number of road sections in Hong Kong which are subject to the restriction that vehicles weighing three tonnes or more are required to apply for a permit before entering; the respective numbers of traffic accidents involving vehicles weighing three tonnes or above at road sections with such a restriction in each of the past five years, with a breakdown of the vehicles involved by type;

(2) of the rationale for restricting entry of vehicles weighing more than three tonnes on certain road sections; in the face of the rising popularity of EVs and the increase in vehicle weight, whether the Government has assessed if the restriction fails to align with the actual situation, and whether it has any specific plans or timetables for adjusting the existing road load restriction; if so, of the details of the implementation of such plans; and

(3) whether it has drawn on the experience and practices of other countries or regions in handling similar issues; if it has, of the details, and whether such experience and practices are applicable to Hong Kong; if it has not, the reasons for that?

Reply: 

President,

     In consultation with the Transport Department (TD), my consolidated reply to the questions raised by the Hon Rock Chen is as follows:

(1) The TD has been considering corresponding vehicle weight limits in accordance with the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374G) based on road conditions and traffic management needs of individual road sections, so that vehicles can travel safely on suitable roads. At present, there are 17 road sections in Hong Kong with a three tonnes weight limit, prohibiting vehicles exceeding three tonnes in gross vehicle weight (GVW) from driving through. If one intends to drive a vehicle exceeding three tonnes in GVW through these road sections, he/she shall apply to the TD for relevant permits.

     According to the TD’s record, between January 2019 and October 2024, within the road sections with three tonnes weight limits, the number of traffic accidents involving vehicle classes with a maximum GVW exceeding three tonnes are tabulated in the Annex.

(2) and (3) The TD makes reference to regulations and experiences in places outside Hong Kong from time to time, to review and formulate road safety strategies, standards and measures based on local road conditions, traffic management needs and development of technology when appropriate. The TD also maintains close communication with the trade for feedback. 

     When implementing the relevant weight limits, the TD will consider factors such as narrow carriageways, numerous bends, steep gradients, to determine whether the road sections are suitable for the use by larger, heavier vehicles to ensure the safety of road users.

     Considering that some electric private cars and electric taxis may exceed three tonnes in GVW but their size, occupation of road space and operation are similar to general fuel-propelled or hybrid private cars and taxis, the TD plans to exempt all private cars and taxis from the permit requirement for entering road sections with three tonnes weight limits. The TD is arranging local consultations on the proposals. Subject to the consultation outcome, the proposals are expected to be implemented in 2025. read more

     â€‹Following is a question by Dr the Hon Chow Man-kong and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, in the Legislative Council today (November 27):
 
Question:
 
     It is learnt that the community has all along been concerned about whether various post-secondary institutions can adequately support students with special educational needs (SEN) in terms of their learning needs, so as to equip them for pursuing further studies and joining the workforce. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it knows the number of SEN students studying in the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) (the eight universities) in the current academic year, together with a breakdown by type of SEN, including but not limited to hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical disability, and specific learning difficulties;
 
(2) as the Government has indicated in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on November 8 last year that the UGC further allocates additional resources to the eight universities between 2022 and 2025 by providing an additional special funding of $67.5 million for the Special Grant to Enhance the Support for Students with Special Educational Needs (the Special Grant), which seeks to enable the universities to (i) enhance the teaching and learning experience of SEN students, (ii) strengthen staff training, and (iii) ‍promote campus integration, whether the Government knows the actual amount of funding granted to each university, the expenditure on items (i) to (iii), as well as the relevant specific measures and their effectiveness respectively;
 
(3) whether it knows if the UGC will extend or regularise the Special Grant in the future to continuously implement one of the strategic recommendations of the Persons with Disabilities and Rehabilitation Programme Plan, which is to provide adequate resources and ensure equal opportunities for SEN students to receive higher education or pursue further studies; if the UGC will, of the estimated relevant annual expenditure; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(4) as some organisations and their assistance seekers have relayed that some university students need to engage sign language interpretation services to support their studies, but due to limited study hours funded by their universities, rather exorbitant sign language interpretation costs have to be borne by such students in their three or four-year undergraduate programmes, whether the authorities will require the eight universities to strengthen the support for such students and ensure that the relevant measures are put in place in a proper and effective manner, so that no such students will be unable to complete their studies or pursue further studies because of lack of means; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(5) whether the authorities will consider offering dedicated post-‍secondary programmes that are suitable and able to provide support for SEN students, complemented by related all-round support services (including but not limited to sign language interpretation), so that they can equip themselves and join the workforce; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities have all along been making special teaching arrangements and providing support services to students with special educational needs (SEN).
 
     Our replies to Dr the Hon Chow Man-kong’s questions are as follows:

(1) In the past three academic years (AY), the numbers of full-time UGC-funded sub-degree and undergraduate students with SEN (Note 1) are tabulated below by their types of SEN –  
 

Type of SEN	2021/22 AY	2022/23 AY	2023/24 AY (provisional figures)
Special Learning Disabilities	102	120	163
Autism	89	97	109
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder	152	189	276
Physical disability	38	32	43
Visual impairment	32	36	35
Hearing impairment	83	81	98
Speech and language impairment	17	13	10
Mental illness	201	301	419
Others (Note 2)	233	284	355
Total	947	1 153	1 508

Note 1: The numbers of students with SEN are based on information provided by individual students.
Note 2: Including different types of disabilities, visceral disability /chronic illness, etc.
 
     We do not have the relevant figures for the 2024/25 AY for the time being.
 
(2) and (3) To assist students with SEN in pursuing UGC-funded programmes and adapt to campus life, as well as promoting an inclusive culture, the UGC has launched the Special Grant for Enhancing Support for Students with SEN (the Special Grant) since 2015 to provide additional resources for universities to take forward three key objectives, i.e. (i) improving the educational experience of students with SEN, (ii) enhancing staff training and (iii) promoting an inclusive campus. The subsidy scope of the Special Grant is comprehensive, with specific initiatives covering professional services such as educational psychology services, development of e-learning platforms, enhancement of awareness of students with SEN through seminars, workshops, online resources, etc, implementation of integrated education, improvement of campus accessibility, and provision of additional assistive tools for students with SEN, etc.
 
     With the support and efforts of the stakeholders over the years, the Special Grant has been effective in supporting students with SEN and promoting a caring culture among staff and peers. According to the results of surveys conducted by the UGC-funded universities among students with SEN in the 2022/23 AY, the average student satisfaction rating was 4.1 (i.e. above the “satisfactory” level) on a five-point scale.  The UGC has also noted the positive impact of the Special Grant on the UGC-funded universities in deepening their institutional changes and addressing the needs of students with SEN in a more organised and systematic manner.
 
     In view of its effectiveness, the UGC has further increased the funding to $67.5 million in the 2022/23 – 2024/25 (2022-25) triennium to extend and enhance the support for students with SEN, and to expand the scope of funding to cover employment support, etc. The special grant for the 2022-25 triennium was allocated primarily with reference to the average numbers of students with SEN enrolled in full-time publicly-funded sub-degree and undergraduate programmes at the UGC-funded universities in the past five AYs. Allocations of the special grant to the UGC-funded universities are set out in the table below –
 

UGC-funded universities	Special grant allocated in 2022-25 triennium （$ million）
City University of Hong Kong	7.2
Hong Kong Baptist University	5.0
Lingnan University	3.3
The Chinese University of Hong Kong	11.3
The Education University of Hong Kong	3.4
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University	10.1
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	12.8
The University of Hong Kong	14.4
Total	67.5

 
     Regarding the expenditure in different areas, the UGC-funded universities will formulate appropriate support strategies and allocate budgets having regard to their actual circumstances. Overall, the UGC-funded universities deploy about 40 per cent of the funding for staff and general expenses, while about 50 per cent of the remaining funding is deployed to enhance the learning experience of students, 20 per cent to strengthen staff training, and 30 per cent to promote an inclusive campus.
 
     Recurrent funding for the UGC-funded universities is provided on a triennial basis. Like other funding schemes, the existing special grant is aligned with the current funding cycle (i.e. the 2022-25 triennium). For the arrangements of the next triennium, the UGC will continue to communicate with the funded universities closely, and consider the means for supporting the universities as they continue to provide appropriate assistance for students with SEN in a timely manner.
 
(4) Under the existing arrangements, the UGC-funded universities may make use of the special grant to support students with hearing impairment, including hiring staff to provide sign language interpretation service to support their learning.  The UGC believes that the funded universities will balance the needs of different students with SEN and deploy the special grant appropriately to render suitable support, including those with hearing impairment. Meanwhile, with the rapid advancement in technology, the UGC encourages the funded universities to actively explore the use of new technologies and adopt various technological solutions to provide more comprehensive support to students in need in a more cost-effective manner.
 
(5) Under the existing policy on integrated education, the Education Bureau advocates “equal opportunities and enhancing students’ learning having regard to the uniqueness of individual students”. With suitable support and assistance from institutions, all students are provided with equal learning opportunities such that students with SEN can overcome their learning barriers and join the mainstream campus life together with others. On the one hand, the UGC is making use of the special grant to motivate the UGC-funded universities to provide students with SEN with the necessary support, barrier-free facilities and information such that they can learn in the same way as their peers.  On the other hand, the special grant promotes an inclusive campus through various means to advocate the sharing of campus life among teachers, students and those with SEN such that they can learn to respect, understand and accept each other, thereby cultivating whole-person development in a wider context. At the same time, with the special grant for the 2022-25 triennium, the UGC has further expanded the scope of funding to cover activities and projects that will help students to join the society and develop their careers in the future. This involves encouraging the universities to provide more comprehensive, targeted and practical support to students with SEN, and to enable them to plan and prepare for their career paths upon graduation as early as possible during their studies. Apart from the special grant, the UGC-funded universities could make use of the block grant to take forward integrated education on their campuses. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Lau and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (November 27):

Question:

     The Chief Executive has indicated in the 2024 Policy Address that the Government will increase the daily visitor quota under the Sha Tau Kok opening-up plan to 3 000 within this year, and explore the application of facial recognition technology to complement the future opening up of the Chung Ying Street for tourism development. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will, in view of the continuous increase in the numbers of members of the public and visitors visiting Sha Tau Kok and the redevelopment of the Sha Tau Kok Control Point, allocate additional resources to upgrade the transport infrastructure in the area, e.g. constructing a public transport interchange for cross-boundary travellers and widening the Sha Tau Kok Road, so as to enhance the accessibility of Sha Tau Kok to connect to other districts;

(2) whether it will, in view of the vibrant development of low-altitude economy industries of the Mainland in recent years, consider introducing drones to carry sightseeing passengers on a pilot basis first in Sha Tau Kok, so as to make good use of the natural resources in the area and promote the development of blue and green recreation and tourism; and

(3) regarding the application of facial recognition technology to complement the future opening up of the Chung Ying Street for tourism development, whether the authorities have finalised the implementation details and specific timetable; if so, of the details; if not, whether the authorities will expeditiously commence a study, so as to make good use of the historical, cultural and tourism value of the area and promote the development of cultural and eco-tourism in Sha Tau Kok?

Reply

President,

     In consultation with the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), my reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:

(1) The first and second phases of the Sha Tau Kok (STK) Frontier Closed Area opening-up plan were implemented in June 2022 and January 2024 respectively, allowing individual and group tourists to apply for Closed Area Permit (CAP) and enter STK (except Chung Ying Street). Feedback received has been positive, with about 134 000 visitors visited STK to date. The Government has been closely monitoring the implementation of the plan and views of the stakeholders, continuously reviewing the arrangements and introducing enhancement measures. As announced in the 2024 Policy Address, we have increased the daily visitor quota under the plan to 3 000. In respect of traffic, the traffic on Sha Tau Kok Road is generally smooth during peak hours on weekdays and holidays. There is no need for road widening at this stage. The Government will continue to closely monitor the traffic situation in the area.

     In view of the aging facilities of the STK Control Point, and in order to enhance clearance efficiency and promote the development of the STK area, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government have reached a consensus to concurrently construct a passenger clearance building straddling the Sha Tau Kok River, taking the centre line of the Sha Tau Kok River as the boundary line to set up their respective passenger clearance channels immediately adjacent to each other, i.e. adopting a cross-river construction approach in the redevelopment of STK Control Point. The engineering feasibility study for the STK Control Point redevelopment project is underway and is expected to complete within 2025. The scope of the study includes matters such as road infrastructure, public transportation, land requirement, area of the control point, land ownership, environmental assessment and heritage conservation. The HKSAR Government will continue to closely collaborate with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to actively take forward the redevelopment project.

     Subject to the outcome of the said study, the Government will consider the transportation facilities, including public transport interchanges, required for the control point area, and formulate service plans with relevant Mainland authorities and Hong Kong operators to address the travel needs of visitors and facilitate public usage of the control point. The study will also review the traffic impact of the project on the surrounding roads, for example, Sha Tau Kok Road. The Government will formulate complementary measures if necessary.

(2) Low-altitude economy (LAE), with its great potentials, can be applied widely in different areas and help promote the development of various industries. The 2024 Policy Address announced a series of initiatives to promote the development of LAE, including the establishment of a Working Group on Developing LAE (the Working Group) led by the Deputy Financial Secretary to formulate development strategies and inter-departmental action plans, and to plan for low-altitude infrastructure. The Working Group has convened its first meeting to discuss the overall development strategy and work plan. Adopting a forward-thinking mindset and from the perspective of a facilitator, the Working Group will take forward the relevant work through implementation of Regulatory Sandbox (Sandbox) pilot projects, enhancements to legislation, and study and plan for low-altitude infrastructure. The Working Group will also promote interface with the Mainland on the joint establishment of low-altitude cross-boundary air routes, immigration and customs clearance arrangements, and supporting infrastructure, etc.

     At the same time, the Government will press ahead with the implementation of pilot projects to explore unmanned aircraft applications at designated locations, and will amend the legislation to put in place a regulatory framework. The Government will collaborate with the industry and partner organisations to implement the Sandbox pilot projects starting from early next year. It is expected that the first phase will mainly cover drone deliveries, relaxation of restrictions on “flying beyond visual line of sight”, and gradually expanding and enriching the scope of low-altitude flying applications.

     The CSTB will actively participate in and complement the work of the Working Group as one of its members, and consider the feasibility of various proposals having regard to the relevant development, so as to promote the tourism development in Hong Kong. We will develop Hong Kong into a premier tourism destination through innovative thinking and making better use of our rich and unique resources, thereby instilling the concept of “tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong”.

(3) The 2024 Policy Address announced that the Security Bureau will adopt facial recognition technology to enable people living or working at Chung Ying Street to enter and leave the street unimpededly via a “contactless” mode on a pilot basis, and will explore the application of relevant technology to complement the future opening up of Chung Ying Street for tourism. We will launch a facial recognition pilot scheme before the end of this year, and currently the preparatory work is near completion. In future, CAP holders who are allowed to access Chung Ying Street may, upon prior enrolment, pass through the checkpoint via a “contactless channel” without having to stop and produce their CAP or use their fingerprint to verify their identity. In adopting this pilot scheme, we hope to explore the application of innovative technology to replace the current mode of manual inspection, in order to maintain boundary security and facilitate users of the checkpoint at the same time.

     Meanwhile, the Government is actively promoting the cultural tourism development in STK. The Tourism Commission will extend the “Design District Hong Kong” creative tourism project to STK from December this year to February next year. By integrating creative elements with STK’s cultural, heritage and natural offerings, we will create and promote more cultural eco-tourism itineraries and products. Moreover, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong will continue to promote the two signature itineraries relating to tourism resources in STK under the respective theme of “Great Green Escapes” and “Journey Through National History”, selected from the “Deeper into Hong Kong: Creative Itinerary Design Competition”, so as to highlight the tourism characteristics of STK to visitors. Through the Working Group for STK Co-operation Zone jointly established by the Shenzhen and Hong Kong governments under the Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, the CSTB, under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits, will work together with the Shenzhen side to promote the cultural tourism co-operation in STK based on the principles of “low density, high quality” and through enriching its historical and cultural elements, thereby further promoting the tourism development in STK.

     Thank you. read more

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Hong Kong Association of Banks Distinguished Speaker Luncheon today (November 27):
 
Ms Luanne Lim (Chairperson of the Hong Kong Association of Banks), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to be here, once again, to address you at what has become an eminent luncheon tradition, one that goes back to 2006. I’m grateful to the Hong Kong Association of Banks for organising this welcome gathering. And, of course, my thanks to the Association’s distinguished members: 151 banks from 28 countries and regions.
 
     This afternoon brings us together to exchange insights, and to look to the future with renewed vigour and purpose. That future, let me add, looks bright thanks to our collective achievements and continuing good co-operation.
 
     When it comes to achievements and co-operation, let me begin with the launch, in March, of nine measures to support our small and medium-sized businesses, thanks to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism. Some 20 000 SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) had benefitted, I’m pleased to note, through the first six months of those support measures.
 
     And, in August, a joint Taskforce on SME Lending was established to support SME access to bank financing, at the individual and sector levels. For that, my thanks to the principals behind the Task Force – the HKMA and you, the Hong Kong Association of Banks.
 
     Yes, SMEs are the backbone of our economy. They account for over 98 per cent of Hong Kong’s enterprises, employing around 45 per cent of the private sector workforce in our city. We must do everything we can to see them through challenges, and open the doors of opportunities for them.
 
     Which is why I emphasised SME support in my third Policy Address, delivered last month, including allowing companies borrowing under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme to seek principal moratorium for up to 12 months.
 
     I also set aside an additional HK$1 billion for the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales, or BUD Fund, to help SMEs upgrade their businesses and expand their markets. That includes incorporating ASEAN’s 10 Member States into the E-commerce Easy initiative.
 
     Supporting the digital transformation of SMEs is essential, and Cyberport’s Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme will be extended to a range of new industries, including food and beverage, as well as tourism and personal services.
 
     And, as you know, the HKMA is considering offering more flexibility when it comes to the capital requirements of banks. We are committed to facilitating your assistance to our SMEs and, in doing so, prime our economy for success, long down the road.
 
     We certainly count on our banks for community well-being, as well as economic growth. This year, Hong Kong was, once again, ranked third globally in the Global Financial Centres Index. We achieved the top rankings in such areas as “business environment”, “human capital” and “infrastructure”. In “banking”, “investment management” and “insurance”, our rankings also rose significantly.
 
     Our banks play a crucial role in ensuring the resilience of our financial system. I applaud your hard work in upholding the high standards of our financial services.
 
     Just as important is your continuing work in corporate social responsibility, CSR. I appreciate your effort in pledging, together, preferential arrangements to tax-exempt charities in Hong Kong at this event. I understand that today is also the graduation ceremony for the Association’s CSR programme. My recognition and congratulations to each and every one of the programme graduates.
 
     Integrating CSR into your core strategies makes our financial environment more sustainable and inclusive. It helps, too, in attracting professionals, in driving social innovation, and in addressing such pressing issues as financial inclusion and environmental sustainability.
 
     Speaking of environmental sustainability, the Government is determined to see Hong Kong’s rise as a regional green finance hub. 
 
     Just last month, the HKMA launched the Sustainable Finance Action Agenda. It’s designed to enable sustainable fund flow and help banking’s transformation to net zero. 
 
     The Action Agenda followed the HKMA’s publication, in May, of the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, a pivotal tool in raising awareness about green finance. 
 
     Its alignment with the taxonomies of both the Mainland and the European Union, will give financial institutions and investors a common framework for assessing the sustainability of projects and assets. 
 
     Bond issuance is central to green finance. And we have issued HK$220 billion worth of green and sustainable bonds since May 2019, in a variety of currencies and tenors. And we have become a green bond market leader in doing so. 
 
     In the coming weeks, we will launch a roadmap on the adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards on sustainability disclosure. We aspire to make Hong Kong among the world’s first jurisdictions to align local requirements with international sustainability reporting requirements. 
 
     We are equally committed to innovation and technological advancement in the financial sector. 
 
     The establishment, in June, of a dedicated proof-of-concept subsidy scheme for green fintech makes that clear. Among other things, it will provide early stage funding support for pre-commercialised green fintech projects.
 
     Beyond its value in green and sustainable finance, fintech can help companies tap into new technology, including AI (artificial intelligence) and blockchain, to boost efficiency and stay abreast of the competition. 
 
     We have rolled out the FiNETech2 series, where we announced the launch of a new sandbox for the banking sector. It allows banks to pilot their novel Generative AI use cases within a risk-managed framework, and with targeted supervisory feedback.
 
     We believe that fintech solutions developed under this sandbox can get to market faster and more smoothly, giving early adopters a real advantage.
 
     My Policy Address also focused on fintech, with a pledge to enhance the Commercial Data Interchange.
 
     It will help banks obtain more comprehensive company search records, facilitating their business operations. 
 
     All this innovation, and so much more on the horizon, demands a constant flow of strategic talent.
 
     It demands, too, a range of training programmes to enhance the skills and knowledge of today’s banking professionals, and train the generations to come.
 
     The Enhanced Competency Framework, for example, provides banking with a set of common and transparent competency standards, ensuring that training programmes are consistent and effective across the industry. 
 
     The Association’s commitment to education and professional development through the “Talent for Future Programme”, to take one example, ensures that our workforce is equipped with the latest skills and essential knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving financial landscape. That, I am confident, will strengthen Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness.
 
     I am grateful to the Hong Kong Association of Banks for its unwavering commitment to training and development in the banking industry, for its commitment, too, to the economy, and the community, of Hong Kong.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will enjoy today’s luncheon, just a few minutes away, and I wish you all the best of business, and banking, in the year of promise to come. Bank on that.
 
     Thank you.

read more

     Following is a question by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, in the Legislative Council today (November 27):
 
Question:

     There are views pointing out that in the seventh term District Councils (DCs), District Officer serving as Chairman of the relevant DC has opened a new chapter in district governance. This not only ensures the Government’s leading role in district affairs but also facilitates the co-ordination of education and promotion of the Constitution and the Basic Law at the community level, so that members of the public have more opportunities to be aware of and understand the Basic Law, as well as the history, role and responsibilities of Hong Kong in the development of the country, while nurturing their sense of national identity. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) how the Government makes good use of the seventh term DCs to support promotion activities or studies on the Constitution and the Basic Law;

(2) of the amount of budget earmarked by the Government for the work of DCs in various districts relating to promotion activities on the Constitution and the Basis Law after the seventh term DCs commenced operation;

(3) of the respective numbers of promotion activities or studies relating to the Constitution and the Basic Law conducted in each district since the seventh term DCs commenced operation;

(4) whether it has formulated indicators for specific projects of the seventh term DCs in order to continuously step up promotion of the Constitution and the Basic Law and assess the effectiveness of the relevant projects on an ongoing basis; and

(5) whether it has assessed the respective effectiveness of the publicity and education work in each district in promoting the Constitution and the Basic Law in the seventh term DCs?

Reply:

President,
 
     Having consulted the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Home Affairs Department, the consolidated reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee is as follows:

     The Constitution is the root and origin of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Basic Law. The Constitution and the Basic Law together form the constitutional basis and order of the HKSAR, providing a solid legal basis and constitutional framework for the country’s basic policies on the HKSAR, including “one country, two systems”, while at the same time providing the strongest safeguard for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government has all along attached great importance to the promotion on the Constitution, the Basic Law, “one country, two systems”, and national security related legislation. The Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee (CBLPSC) led by the Chief Secretary for Administration has been providing steer, making plans and coordinating the related efforts of various parties concerned both in the Government and in the community. Five sub-groups were set up under the CBLPSC to, through diversified promotional activities, proactively promote the Constitution, the Basic Law, and national security related legislation to different target groups, including schools, local community, young people, industrial, commercial and professional sectors and community outside Hong Kong, etc.
 
     At the district level, the District Offices of 18 districts have been striving to enhance the national and civic awareness of members of the public, including working with different district organisations to co-organise or sponsor activities to promote the Constitution and Basic Law, as well as strengthening the promotional efforts through the network and support of the District Councils. These activities include promotions and exhibitions, seminars, workshops, carnivals and quiz competitions etc, for instance, displaying the national flag and organising carnival under the theme of the Constitution and the Basic Law on the Constitution Day to publicise and promote the related messages to the people in the district. This year, the District Offices, together with district organisations, have organised or are planning to organise 64 activities, with an expected outreach of around 60 000 people. Besides, we have been sponsoring different non-governmental organisations and district organistions through various sponsorship schemes such as the “Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Activity and Research Sponsorship Scheme” and the “Community Participation Scheme” to organise a diverse range of activities, with a view to widely promoting the Constitution, the Basic Law, and national security related legislation to the community.

     The HKSAR Government will continue to strengthen publicity and education of the Constitution and the Basic Law through diverse channels and innovative approaches, including displaying large outdoor publicity messages, producing publicity video clippings, making extensive use of online platforms and social media for publicity, organising various kinds of physical activities to reach into the community, providing sponsorship to non-governmental organisations or community organisations for conducting different promotion and research, and consolidating community efforts for enhanced publicity, etc, so as to strengthen public understanding on the Constitution, the Basic Law, and national security related legislation. Also, to strengthen the related work, the 2024 Policy Address has enhanced the relevant key performance indicators: to organise no less than 730 promotional activities with no less than 940 000 participants and no less than 26 million views via online publicity in 2025. We will make every effort to take forward the relevant publicity and education work. read more