To enhance fire safety awareness and the emergency preparedness of the public, the Fire Services Department (FSD) launched the Fire Services Department Community Emergency Responder (FSDCER) Scheme today (December 14). Participants will receive training on fire prevention and emergency preparedness, as well as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator to help safeguard community safety.

     The launching ceremony of the FSDCER Scheme, funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was officiated by the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Public Safety and Corporate Strategy), Mr Derek Armstrong Chan; and newly appointed chairmen of the FSDCER Honorary Presidents' Scheme from the 18 districts, at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Yeung said that the FSD launched the Fire Safety Ambassador Scheme as early as 1997. In light of the increasing willingness for the public to save lives during emergencies, the FSD has introduced the new FSDCER Scheme. The Scheme draws on successful experiences from both the Mainland and overseas, aiming to enhance the public's knowledge of emergency preparedness and instil a sense of responsibility and dedication to the community. By participating in the Scheme's trainings and activities, the public can equip themselves with knowledge on fire prevention and emergency responses to handle various emergency situations.

     Mr Yeung emphasised that community safety is a shared responsibility of every member of the public. A parent-child scheme has therefore been introduced, with the participants' minimum age expanding from 12 years old to 6 years old, in order to encourage family participation. With the new initiative, children can be nurtured with fire safety awareness and the ability to handle emergency situations from a young age. They will also be instilled with a sense of safety and responsibility towards the community.

     The FSDCER Scheme is now open for registration for Hong Kong citizens aged 12 or above, while children aged 6 to 11 can participate as parent-child members. Interested parties can submit their applications online (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/fsd082/en). After fulfilling requirements of online studies, a practice session and an assessment, participants will be appointed as FSDCERs.

      

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, Ms Wang Xiaoping, in Beijing today (December 14) to exchange views on issues including the integrated development of education, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation, and building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, who is also the Chairman of the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents (the Committee), and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the meeting.

     Mr Lee announced in his 2024 Policy Address the establishment of the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents. Chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Committee is tasked with co-ordinating and promoting the integrated development of education, technology and talent, and attracting high-calibre talent from around the world to Hong Kong. 

     He introduced to Ms Wang the concept and background of establishing the Committee is originated from President Xi’s important speech at the National Conference on Education this year. President Xi Jinping pointed out that education development, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation should be promoted as an integrated effort. 

     The Chief Secretary for Administration reported in the meeting the work directions of the Committee that it will leverage Hong Kong's strategic positioning and advantages of its "eight centres" of development under the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan to promote the co-ordinated development in technological innovation, industrial innovation, and the supply and demand of human resources.

     Mr Lee highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government not only attached great importance to nurturing local talent, but also actively attracts diverse talent to work and settle in Hong Kong. Since the HKSAR Government launched various enhanced talent admission schemes in end-2022, over 260 000 applications have been approved, and over 170 000 talented individuals have arrived in Hong Kong as at the end of last month, enriching Hong Kong's talent pool. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security for its continuous support to the HKSAR Government. He said he hopes that the HKSAR Government can create joint forces with the Ministry in serving the country’s workforce development strategy and make greater contributions to building a great country in all respects through Chinese modernisation.

     During his visit to Beijing, Mr Lee earlier met with members of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China (HKCCC) and representatives from higher education institutions in Beijing.

     â€‹In his meeting with members of the HKCCC, Mr Lee noted that the Chamber, established over 30 years ago, has been uniting Hong Kong people and enterprises on the Mainland and promoting co-operation between Beijing and Hong Kong in such areas as trade, culture, youth, and innovation and technology. He expressed hope that the Chamber will continue to utilise its extensive network to promote Hong Kong's business advantages and latest development opportunities in Beijing and other provinces and cities on the Mainland, fostering the integration and exchange between Beijing and Hong Kong.

     â€‹Mr Lee also met with representatives from Renmin University of China, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beihang University, Beijing Institute of Technology and Beijing Normal University to understand the participation of graduates from the six institutions in the Top Talent Pass Scheme, as well as academic development for Hong Kong students studying in these institutions. He said that the HKSAR Government will continue to strengthen co-operation with different institutions to jointly build a talent hub.
      
     Mr Lee departed for Hong Kong this afternoon.

      

     A man who went missing in Sha Tin has been located.

     Yau Hoi, aged 70, went missing after he was last seen at the platform of Ho Chuen House, Shui Chuen O Estate yesterday (December 13) morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located on Sha Tin Centre Street this morning (December 14). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, continued to lead the delegation of the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL) and the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) to visit the Middle East over the past three days (December 11 to 13, Dubai time) with a view to deepening connections and co-operation between the two places in the maritime and logistics sectors, attracting more foreign enterprises and investment for Hong Kong, as well as opening up more business opportunities in the Middle East for Hong Kong's maritime and logistics trade. 

     On the morning of December 11 (Dubai time), the delegation attended a seminar-cum-luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai and supported by the Emirates Shipping Association for promoting to the Middle East enterprises Hong Kong's strengths in maritime services, port and logistics. Mr Liu highlighted to the guests that the HKSAR Government is committed to injecting impetus to the development of Hong Kong's shipping and logistics services. The Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development, the Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy and the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering were promulgated one after another during the last two years, underlining the Government's clear directions and concrete actions to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre and an international logistics hub. Mr Liu believes that there are deep potential and vast business opportunities for collaboration between the two places and he welcomes more maritime and logistics enterprises from the Middle East to establish a foothold in Hong Kong for further development. The HKSAR Government will continue to capitalise on its advantages as an international city, giving full play to its role as a "super connector" and telling more good stories of Hong Kong. 

     On the afternoon that day (Dubai time), the delegation called on the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai, Ms Ou Boqian, and reported to her the latest maritime and logistics developments in Hong Kong. In addition, members of the HKMPB visited one of the largest liner shipping enterprises as well as another leading shipping and logistics company in Dubai. On another front, members of the LOGSCOUNCIL had a tour of the warehousing facilities of a major Hong Kong logistics enterprise at the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai to learn more about the operation flow for the handling of air cargo and electronic goods respectively. Mr Liu and the LOGSCOUNCIL delegation then travelled to Bahrain to continue their visit, while the HKMPB delegation concluded their trip and returned to Hong Kong.

     On December 12 (Bahrain time), the delegation first had a meeting with the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications of Bahrain, Dr Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, to introduce the latest development of Hong Kong and explore room for collaboration between the two places in the areas of air cargo and the maritime and logistics sectors. The delegation also had a meeting with representatives of the Bahrain Economic Development Board to discuss further collaboration on the economic and trading fronts. In addition, the delegation visited a logistics hub at the Bahrain International Airport as well as the Khalifa Bin Salman Port, where they received a briefing from their representatives on the air cargo and port operation. After that, the delegation called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr Ni Ruchi, and updated him on the latest developments of Hong Kong's maritime and logistics industries.

     Mr Liu and the delegation visited Dubai again yesterday (December 13, Dubai time) and met with representatives from several top-notch logistics supply chain and e-commerce enterprises. Mr Liu also hosted a networking lunch for the delegation and representatives of various local logistics enterprises and organisations. Apart from introducing Hong Kong's excellent business environment, Mr Liu also endeavoured to promote the edge and latest developments of Hong Kong's logistics sector. He welcomes and anticipates more Dubai enterprises to expand their operations in Hong Kong to foster mutual business opportunities. The delegation also toured the air cargo terminal at the Dubai International Airport to inspect the air cargo facilities in the terminal and understand the latest developments of the city's air cargo industry.

     The delegation concluded its five-day visit to the Middle East and returned to Hong Kong this morning (December 14).

                                

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 14) launched the e-Licensing Portal (e-LP) (elicensingportal.td.gov.hk/login) to provide convenience for registered vehicle owners and drivers in renewing their vehicle and driving licences and making enquiries about their licences.

     The e-LP provides a one-stop service platform for licence applications and enquiries, featuring a dashboard that clearly displays information about licences held by registered users, expiry dates, and the progress and results of applications. After registering as users via "iAM Smart", members of the public can enquire at any time about their: (1) driving licence, driving entitlements, and licence expiry date; (2) driving-offence points; and (3) vehicles registered under their name and the expiry dates of relevant licences. They can also choose to receive reminders for vehicle and driving licence renewals.
 
     A spokesman for the TD said, "We have long encouraged members of the public to use online licensing services, saving the need to visit the Licensing Offices for application processing. Following the launch of the e-LP, registered vehicle owners and drivers can more easily manage their licences and vehicles, checking relevant information anytime, anywhere. The e-LP's reminder function for renewals of vehicle and driving licences can also issue notifications to registered users before expiry of their licences, and enable vehicle owners and drivers to renew licences online effortlessly."
 
     Starting from today, Hong Kong identity card (HKIC) holders can use "iAM Smart" to register as e-LP users and enquire about their licences. For non-HKIC holders, including holders of passports or Exit/Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao, companies or organisations, they can use a digital certificate or the e-contact means registered with the TD to register an e-LP account, thereby enjoying the one-stop services.
 
     Additional functions of the e-LP will be launched in the second quarter of 2025. Users will then be able to use the automatic form-filling function to submit online licensing applications, track progress and results, and make online bookings for driving tests. Moreover, information on various types of permits will also be available for enquiry.