Tag Archives: China

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (June 5) launched a new set of TV Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) to appeal to talent across professions on the Mainland and overseas to settle in the city.

     A spokesman for Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) said that the new APIs feature the city’s vibrant and colourful lifestyle, followed by nine arriving talents of different professions and backgrounds from around the world to share their reasons why they came to Hong Kong.

     Among them, in the first episode of the APIs launched today, former National Basketball Association (NBA) of the United States and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) player Stephon Marbury said that Hong Kong, as an international cultural melting pot, is a “slam dunk” for new opportunities without language barriers. Hong Kong is also a gourmet paradise which features culinary delights from all over the globe.

     The API episodes will be broadcast in phases. The unique strengths, advantages and development opportunities of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, an international shipping centre, an international innovation and technology centre, a regional intellectual property trading centre, a core city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a mega-events capital, a liveable city and Asia’s world city with a simple tax regime, top-quality education and medical services will be featured, showcasing Hong Kong’s dual role as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent.

     The APIs will be broadcast in Hong Kong and beyond through the Dedicated Teams for Attracting Businesses and Talents under the Government’s Mainland Offices and overseas Economic and Trade Offices. The first episode has been uploaded to HKTE’s website (www.hkengage.gov.hk/en/media/category/stories/) and social media.

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     Following is a question by the Hon Maggie Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (June 5):
 
Question:
 
     Under the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), all dogs over the age of five months must be microchipped, and the pet microchips used in Hong Kong are AVID microchips. On the other hand, it is learnt that currently the Mainland and overseas countries generally recognise ISO pet microchips. Since the formats and the microchip readers of the two types of microchips are different, dogs implanted with ISO microchips entering Hong Kong from abroad must be rechipped with AVID microchips, while dog owners planning to bring dogs to the Mainland must have their dogs implanted with ISO microchips. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) to facilitate dog owners going north to the Mainland or emigrating overseas with their pets, and to promote the internationalisation of Hong Kong’s pet microchip standards, whether the Government has plans to amend the relevant regulation for the purpose of switching to ISO microchips in Hong Kong; if so, of the implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(2) given that the Government indicated in March this year that it was exploring the feasibility of shortening the present quarantine period of no less than 120 days for cats and dogs imported from some Group III places by measures such as rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titer testing, whether the Government has formulated a specific timetable for the related study; if so, of the latest work progress, and the expected time when the relevant measures will be rolled out; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     My reply to the question from the Hon Maggie Chan is as follows:
 
(1) To effectively prevent and control the spread of rabies, since 1996, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has required all dogs aged over five months to be implanted with AVID microchips as identification under the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A). These microchips serve to verify whether a dog is licensed and vaccinated. In the event of a dog getting lost, the microchip can assist the owner in locating their dogs.
 
     The quality and traceability of AVID microchips are well recognised internationally, and they are used in other countries and regions. If dog owners need to implant their dogs with an additional International Organization for Standardization standard microchip (ISO microchip), it will not affect the health of the dogs.
 
     Considering the widespread use of ISO microchips in the Mainland and many other countries and regions, the AFCD is currently proactively studying the introduction of ISO microchips into Hong Kong and will consult stakeholders, with a view to amending the Rabies Regulation within next year to implement the arrangements.
 
(2) Rabies is a contagious disease that can cause fatality to mammals (including humans) and its incubation period can last several months. No specific treatment is available and rabies is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear. Nearly 60 000 people die of rabies globally every year.
 
     To safeguard public health, the AFCD must take suitable measures to prevent the transmission of animal diseases including rabies into Hong Kong. The AFCD made reference to information about animal disease surveillance from the World Organisation for Animal Health and currently requires cats and dogs imported from places with a higher or uncertain risk of rabies to be quarantined for at least 120 days. As biotechnology has developed in recent years, the AFCD is exploring the feasibility of shortening the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from certain places with higher risk of rabies, by measures such as rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titer testing. The study is in its final stage, and we will next explore the implementation details, including discussing arrangements with places concerned, with the aim of rolling out the testing arrangements as soon as possible. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Dominic Lee and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, in the Legislative Council today (June 5):
 
Question:
      
     It is learnt that many housing courts in Tai Po are served by residents’ services operated by non-franchised buses (commonly known as “residents’ buses”). However, some members of the industry have indicated that the residents’ buses of some new housing courts are unable to pick up or drop off passengers near the MTR Tai Po Market Station, and their pick-‍up/drop-‍off points are designated at locations near Nam Wan Road or Tai Po Hui Market. Even residents’ buses which are allowed to pick up or drop off passengers on Tat Wan Road outside Exit A2 of Tai Po Market Station are often unable to do so due to serious illegal parking at the location and the large number of vehicles using that section of the road. In addition, many residents of Tai Po housing courts have expressed the hope that residents’ buses can set up pick-up/drop-off points at Tai Po Centre or Tai Po Mega Mall. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the routes of the residents’ buses and employees’ services operated by non-franchised buses (commonly known as “employees’ buses”) which are currently allowed to use (i) Tat Wan Road outside Exit A2 of Tai Po Market Station, (ii) the bus lay-by at Exit B of Tai Po Market Station, (iii) Wan Tau Street opposite to Tai Po Complex, and (iv) the layby at Nam Wan Road near Uptown Plaza bus stop as their pick-up/drop-off points, and the respective dates on which the Transport Department approved their use of such pick-up/drop-off points;

(2) whether it has assessed the maximum capacity of the pick-‍up/drop-‍off points at Exits A and B of Tai Po Market Station, and whether the number of vehicles at such pick-up/drop-off points currently exceeds their capacity;
 
(3) as there are three lanes with taxi stands outside Exit B of Tai Po Market Station, whether the authorities have compiled statistics on the daily vehicular flow on these three lanes, and whether they have examined the impact of opening part of one of these lanes to residents’ buses to pick up and drop off passengers on the vehicular flow in Tai Po District;
 
(4) whether it will review and change the pick-up/drop-off points in the vicinity of Tai Po Market Station for residents’ buses in Tai Po District and for employees’ buses travelling to and from Tai Po Industrial Estate; and
 
(5) whether it will consider allowing residents’ buses to pick up and drop off passengers near Tai Po Centre, so as to facilitate residents’ access to shopping venues in the district and their transfer to other modes of transport?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Our reply to the question raised by the Hon Dominic Lee is as follows:
      
(1) Residents’ Services (RS) and Employees’ Services (ES) currently operating on routes with stops at the lay-bys outside Exit A2 on Tat Wan Road and Exit B of Tai Po Market Station, Wan Tau Street near Tai Po Complex, Nam Wan Road near Uptown Plaza bus stop, as well as the respective date of approved service commencement, are detailed below:
 
Residents’ Services

Route	Destinations	Stopping Place	Commencement Date
NR50	Trackside Villas, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)	Non-restricted Section of Tat Wan Road, outside Tai Po Market Station	April 15, 1991
NR59	Classical Gardens, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		September 18, 1995
NR502	Savanna Garden, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		June 1, 1996
NR508	The Paragon, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		June 15, 1999
NR509	Forest Hill, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		February 12, 1999
NR510	The Paramount, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		June 15, 1999
NR511	Tycoon Place, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		June 15, 1999
NR512	Deerhill Bay, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		July 15, 1999
NR513	Richwood Park, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		June 1, 2000
NR516	Grand Palisades, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		September 1, 2000
NR517	Chateau Royale, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		August 15, 2000
NR519	Casa Marina, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		September 25, 2000
NR527	Constellation Cove, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		March 31, 2003
NR528	JC Castle, Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		August 1, 2003
NR529	The Beverly Hills Tai Po – Tai Po Market Station (Circular)		June 1, 2010
NR530	Providence Bay – Tai Po Market (Circular)	Wan Tau Street near Tai Po Complex	June 7, 2013
NR534	Mayfair by the Sea – Tai Po Market (Circular)		May 1, 2016
NR538	The Regent, Tai Po – Wan Tau Tong, Tai Po (Circular)	Wan Tau Street near Tai Po complex/Nam Wan Road near Uptown Plaza bus stop	April 13, 2021

Employees’ Services

Employer	Destination	Stopping Place	Commencement Date
CSL Mobile Limited	Yau Tak Industrial Building, 21 San On Street, Tuen Mun	Nam Wan Road outside Uptown Plaza	December 11, 2023

(2) and (3) The lay-bys located at Exits A2 and B of Tai Po Market Station are currently 50 meters and 25 meters in length respectively. Based on the Transport Department (TD)’s records, the utilisation rate of the said locations is relatively high during peak hours on weekday mornings and afternoons, with the two lay-bys utilised at capacity during the busiest period.
 
     At present, there are three traffic lanes outside Exit B of Tai Po Market Station. The first and second lanes closest to the said exit are designated as prohibited zone for all motor vehicles except taxis, of which the first lane is a New Territories Taxi Stand. The second lane serves not only as a taxi passenger drop-off zone but also as the exit lane for taxis leaving the taxi stand; whereas the third lane furthest from Exit B consists of an Urban Taxi Stand and the pick-up/drop-off zone for other vehicles. 
      
     There are constant queue of waiting taxis and pick-up/drop-off activity on the first and third traffic lanes at most hours. In view of the taxis’ usage of the second traffic lane, it is determined upon TD’s assessment that the said location is not an appropriate pick-up/drop-off point for RS, to avoid obstruction to the operation of taxis. 

(4) and (5) RS is operated as a supplementary service for specified groups of residents primarily during peak hours and where regular public transport does not provide adequate services, especially as feeder services to railway stations and major public transport interchanges (PTIs), to relieve the peak-hour demand for regular public transport services. When processing applications for RS, the TD takes into consideration the adequacy of existing or planned public transport services in meeting the residents’ demand, as well as whether the proposed routes function as feeder between the nearby railway stations or PTIs, overlap with existing public transport services or interfere with the traffic by travelling along and stopping at busy sections of the roads.
 
     In view of the heavy traffic brought by the large number of non-franchised buses (NFBs) and other vehicles stopping at the pick-up/drop-off points at Exits A2 and B of Tai Po Market Station, the TD would consider upon receipt of NFB service renewal applications to divert NFB services with stopping points at the said locations to nearby places, with regards to the aforesaid factors, in order to reduce the heavy traffic on roads surrounding Tai Po Market Station.
      
     Passengers who wish to travel to Tai Po Central from Tai Po Market Station or nearby area may take KMB Route No. 71A (Tai Po Market Station – Tai Po (Fu Heng)) or MTR Route No. K12 (Tai Po Market Station – Eightland Gardens). The TD encourages the public to make good use of existing public transport network to avoid duplication of transport resources, so as to relieve traffic congestion and reduce roadside air pollution.  read more

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, started his visit to the Netherlands on June 3. During his stay in the country, Mr Hui met with senior financial officials and financial regulators, as well as professionals from fintech and asset management fields. He also joined Money 20/20 Europe, the largest fintech event in Europe for pioneers and companies from the arenas of payments, fintech and financial services.
 
     Mr Hui participated in the fireside chat “Regulating the Next Wave of Financial Innovation: Lessons from the East” at Money 20/20 Europe on June 4 (Amsterdam time). He focused on Hong Kong’s initiatives including tokenisation of real world assets and payment, and how they could be applied to companies/institutions around the world.
 
     Mr Hui said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government took the global lead in issuing two batches of tokenised green bonds. The first batch issued in February 2023 was the first government green bond issued by tokenisation in the world. The second batch, a multi-currency (Hong Kong dollar, Renminbi, euro, and US dollar) bond issued in early 2024 and amounting to US$770 million, was the first multi-currency government green bond issued in a digitally native format globally. The second issuance included multiple innovations that broadened investor access, supported interoperability, and improved transparency and efficiency. The issuance also attracted subscription by a wide spectrum of institutional investors globally, from financial institutions (including some major asset managers, banks and insurance companies) to non-financial institutions.  
 
     Talking about sustainable development, Mr Hui highlighted that in March this year, the HKSAR Government issued a vision statement on developing the sustainability disclosure ecosystem in Hong Kong. The Government and financial regulators aim for Hong Kong to be among the first jurisdictions to align the local sustainability disclosure requirements with the International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards), showcasing to international investors and markets Hong Kong’s commitment to reinforcing its leading position on the international sustainable finance map.
 
     On payment, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins are reshaping global finance. A collaborative effort led by the Digital Currency Institute of the People’s Bank of China, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Bank of Thailand, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub is advancing the mBridge project, which is the largest cross-border central bank digital currency project to date and is expected to provide a low-cost and fast payment method for international trade settlement. By participating in the mBridge project, Hong Kong can continue to work closely with the Bank for International Settlements and other central banks to expand and deepen research on central bank digital currencies, thus helping Hong Kong apply new financial technologies to cross-border payments.
 
     The public consultation in Hong Kong on the legislative proposal to regulate issuers of stablecoin has been completed recently. The legislative proposal is an important measure facilitating Web3 ecosystem development in Hong Kong. Mr Hui noted that with the relevant licensing, supervisory and enforcement parameters in place, the actual and potential risks associated with stablecoin development in Hong Kong could be properly managed in line with international standards.
 
     At the fireside chat, Mr Hui also encouraged fintech, digital assets and Web3 companies to visit Hong Kong for first-hand experience of the city’s vibrant ecosystem and opportunities of mutually beneficial collaborations.
 
     On the sidelines of Money 20/20 Europe, Mr Hui met separately with the top management of Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency and a partner of a venture capital firm. During the meetings, they shared their experiences in building a sustainable Web3 ecosystem, and explored the collaboration opportunities in promoting fintech.   
     
     On June 3 (the Hague time), Mr Hui met with the Deputy Treasurer-General and Director Financial Markets, Ministry of Finance of the Netherlands, Mr Joost Smits, in the Hague and the Chair, Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets, Ms Laura van Geest, in Amsterdam. During the meetings, they discussed issues of mutual concerns such as the provision of a sound financial regulatory system for healthy and sustainable market development, as well as policies related to bond issuance. 

     Mr Hui also paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr Tan Jian, in the Hague. Mr Hui told Mr Tan that both Hong Kong and the Netherlands attach great importance to sustainable economy as well as innovation and technology, and Hong Kong can make good use of the unique advantage of “one country, two systems” to play its bridging role and leverage the development of the Greater Bay Area as the entry point to promote co-operation between the Netherlands and the Mainland, so as to better integrate into the overall development of the country.
 
     Mr Hui, on the same day, had a dinner gathering with heads of fintech, wealth management, and IT companies as well as relevant trade associations in Amsterdam. Mr Hui exchanged with them Hong Kong’s latest financial innovations for a sustainable Web3 ecosystem, as well as the strengths in providing diverse channels for asset allocation, particularly the initiatives in developing family office business. 
     
     After completing his visit to the Netherlands, Mr Hui departed for Madrid, Spain, to continue his visit.

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     Following is a question by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, in the Legislative Council today (June 5):

Question:

     It is learnt that online ride-hailing services have been in the ascendant around the world in recent years, and there is considerable public demand for point-‍to-point transport services, resulting in competition between online car hailing platforms and the taxi trade in recent years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) the respective numbers of traffic incidents, accidents, complaints and prosecutions involving taxis and online hailed cars in the past three years, with a breakdown by month and type; of the subject matters of the complaints received;

(2) whether it has compiled statistics on online ride-hailing services; if so, (i) of the public demand for online ride-hailing services, and (ii) the number of members of the public using online ride-hailing services, in each month of the past three years; whether it has analysed the utilisation rate and trend of online ride-hailing services, as well as the reasons for members of the public using online hailed cars and their usage habits (such as for long-haul or short-‍haul trips);

(3) whether it has compiled statistics on the impact of the use of online ride-hailing services by members of the public on the business operation of other point-to-point transport service operators in the past three years, including whether a decline in the patronage and business turnover of the taxi trade has thus been resulted; and

(4) given that in the reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure 2024-2025, the Government has indicated that it is exploring the regulation of online car hailing platforms and plans to communicate with and listen to the views of Members of this Council, the trade and other relevant stakeholders in the middle of this year on policy and legal perspectives involved in the relevant regulation, as well as the key considerations derived from study on overseas experience, whether the study has covered the regulation over the vehicles and drivers of online car hailing platforms, the regions from which experiences have been drawn, and the conclusions reached; whether it will conduct public consultation on the regulation of online car hailing platforms?

Reply:

President,

     Personalised point-to-point transport services are crucial to the local transport system. Currently, taxis constitute the majority of personalised point-to-point transport services, while the role of hire cars with permits in the current transport system is to mainly supplement services that are not provided by existing means of public transport, with a view to meeting specific travel needs. My reply to the various parts of the question raised by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng is as follows:

(1) With regard to taxis, the number of traffic accidents involving taxis in each of the past three years (i.e. 2021 to 2023) is 4 153, 3 632 and 4 585 respectively. The number of complaints received by the Transport Department against taxi drivers involving in cases of a more serious nature (i.e. overcharging, refusing hire (including refusing or neglecting to accept a hire, and refusing or neglecting to drive a taxi to the place indicated by a hirer) and driving to a destination other than by the most direct practicable route) is provided at Annex 1.

     On law enforcement front, according to the information provided by the Hong Kong Police Force, the number of enforcement actions taken against taxi driver-related offences of a more serious nature in each of the past three years is set out at Annex 2.

     The Government does not maintain a breakdown of traffic accidents or complaints involving online ride-hailing services. As a reference, the number of enforcement actions taken by the Police against cases involving illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward in the past three years is about 80.

(2), (3) and (4) The Government has no statistics on the questions raised, but has all long been striving to enhance personalised point-to-point transport services. While the Government is open-minded in respect of the use of different communications technologies, including the use of online or mobile applications for hailing/booking taxis or hire cars with permits, the laws and regulations must be complied with in using new technologies or platforms, thereby safeguarding the safety and interests of passengers, ensuring the efficient use of road networks, as well as maintaining the highly efficient and reliable services and the long-term healthy development of the public transport system, which is currently used by over 90 per cent of the public. In respect of taxis, the Government earlier launched a series of measures to enhance the overall quality of relevant services, including the introduction of a taxi fleet regime. Under the taxi fleet regime, Fleet Licensees are required to provide online booking channels (including mobile applications and websites), under which a passenger may book a trip, lodge enquiries and complaints, and rate the driver’s performance upon completion of a trip.

     The Government is aware of the public’s concern and views about the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward and the regulation of online hailing platforms. The Government is reviewing how to enhance the existing legislation in order to combat illegal activities more effectively on the one hand, and exploring how to regulate online hailing platforms on the other hand, thereby only allowing taxis and hire cars with permits to provide services through the platforms. We are studying the experiences of different places; and the Government plans to communicate with members of the Legislative Council, the trade and other stakeholders in the middle of this year on policy and legal perspectives involved in the relevant regulation, as well as the key considerations derived from the study on experiences of other places. After hearing the views of the stakeholders, we will map out the way forward for meeting the public’s demand for quality personalised point-to-point transport services.

     Meanwhile, the Police will continue to combat illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. The Police will follow up and investigate the information provided by the public to report illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward in a serious manner, and take enforcement actions against relevant activities if there is sufficient evidence. read more