Tag Archives: China

     Following are the opening remarks (English translation) by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, on planning and lands policy areas at the special meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee today (April 17):
 
Chairman and Honourable Members,
 
     In 2024-25, the priority tasks on the Planning and Lands portfolio under the purview of the Development Bureau (DEVB) will continue to be carried out following the principle of enhancing quantity, speed, efficiency and quality.
 
Enhancing speed and efficiency in increasing land supply
 
     On land supply, we will continue to press ahead with the Northern Metropolis (NM) and other major land creation projects. In doing so, we will strike a good balance among different aspects in ensuring sufficient land supply to meet the needs of Hong Kong’s development and improve the quality of life of the public. We also hope to build up a land reserve in the long run, so as to enhance the Government’s capability of spearheading development and responding to unforeseen changes. As regards how and when the developable land is to be put to the market, we will take into account the sustainability of public finance and the market’s capability of absorbing the new land.
      
     The NM is an important source of supply of spade‑ready sites and housing for the next decade as well as the new engine for Hong Kong’s development. This year will see the commencement of site formation and infrastructure works in several New Development Areas, among which the funding applications for the works under the Second Phase of Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen and the Remaining Phase of Kwu Tung North/Fanling North are being scrutinised by the LegCo. We also plan to submit the funding application for the first stage of site formation and infrastructure works in the San Tin Technopole in the second half of this year. We look forward to Members’ support to allow the early commencement of the works. The land use proposals for other major areas in the NM including Ngau Tam Mei, Ma Tso Lung and New Territories North will be rolled out progressively as scheduled in the second half of this year for consultation.   
      
     We offer opportunities for landowners to jointly develop the NM by means of the in-situ land exchange arrangements that have been improved at the end of last year, with a view to leveraging market forces to expedite the development of the NM. We are also proactively exploring the adoption of the mode of “large-scale land disposal” to improve cash flow and expedite development. In addition, as announced in this year’s Budget, the Government’s bond issuance of about $95 billion to $135 billion per annum in the next five years will be beneficial to the NM development.
 
     “Industry-driven” is one of the themes for the NM development. We launched the tender under the two-envelope approach in mid-March for the first site designated for developing Multi-storey Buildings for Modern Industries (MSBs) in Yuen Long for modern logistics or vehicle maintenance and servicing purposes, with a view to promoting development of industries as well as requiring the provision of part of the gross floor area to accommodate brownfield operations displaced by government development clearance. If feedback is positive, we would expedite in rolling out similar MSBs sites using the same approach. With the commencement of the relevant works, sites for other industries including the innovation and technology sites in the San Tin Technopole, and the commercial and logistics sites in Hung Shui Kiu will be rolled out progressively. 

     As for private housing land supply, as I have introduced at the Land Sale Programme press conference in end-February, taking into account the eight residential sites in the 2024-25 Land Sale Programme and other market sources, private housing land supply in 2024-25 is estimated to have a capacity to produce more than 15 000 flats.  
 
     To enhance speed and efficiency, we will continue our efforts to streamline administrative procedures and will present a briefing to the Panel on Development later this year. With standardisation being one of the key directions, we will keep in view the implementation of the land premium standard rates for industrial buildings and agricultural land in the New Territories just announced this month. We will also do our best to assist the LegCo to expedite the scrutiny of the bill in relation to lease extension.
 
Urban renewal
 
     “Enhancing quality” is one of our major work, among which urban renewal and ensuring building safety are our key priorities. Our strategy in this regard is a dual-track approach of building maintenance and redevelopment. In respect of building maintenance and safety, the incidents of spalling concrete from the external walls of numerous buildings and the cases of large-scale unauthorised building works (UBWs) happened last year as well as the recent fire incident of an old building in Jordan reflect that owners have not taken government directives seriously, and that the Government’s enforcement efforts are inadequate. In the face of this situation, we have to vigorously enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement in an effort to urge owners to fulfil their responsibilities, while at the same time strengthening the provision of appropriate assistance to owners in need of help. 

Review of the Buildings Ordinance
 
     Legislative review is an important part in this aspect, and we are pressing ahead with the review of the Buildings Ordinance. Targeting the non-complied notices under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS) and Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme as well as illegal building works such as UBWs, we aim to streamline prosecution procedures, lower the prosecution threshold, and increase the penalties, so as to more effectively combat contraventions. In respect of construction safety, we seek to increase the penalties through this legislative review in parallel and impose stricter regulation on contractors through the registration and disciplinary systems. We will put forward proposals within this year to gauge the views of the public and the industry, with a view to initiating the legislative amendment exercise as soon as possible.
 
Proper handling of building maintenance cases
 
     Regarding the handling of building maintenance cases, we briefed the Panel on Development in February this year on our efforts to enhance building safety and maintenance, including the Buildings Department (BD)’s annual inspection of the external walls of 360 buildings with higher risk, and carrying out the emergency works for high-risk external walls first if needed and seeking to recover the cost from owners concerned afterwards. In addition, the BD will identify high-risk buildings in a more precise manner for issuance of MBIS notices; and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) provides assistance to the owners participating in the Operation Building Bright 2.0 to accelerate the pace for inspection and repairs of their buildings, including introducing arrangements to assist them in tendering.
 
Fire safety in buildings
 
     In the wake of the fire incident in Jordan, we will step up fire safety enforcement and prosecution on various fronts, including allocating more manpower through internal redeployment to step up prosecution, and reprioritising enforcement and focus resources for handling high risk buildings such as single-staircase buildings, those with more guesthouses or subdivided units, and those with non-complied MBIS notices and have yet to appoint a registered inspector. The Fire Services Department (FSD) will join the collaboration platform established by the DEVB last year. The platform is led by the DEVB and its members include the BD, the Home Affairs Department, the URA, and now the FSD. With the aim to assist owners’ corporations and owners in complying with Fire Safety Directions by strengthening co-ordination among all parties in case management and enhancing public education on the district level.
 
Redevelopment of old buildings
 
     I just mentioned that another important aspect of “enhancing quality” is the redevelopment of old buildings. In respect of dilapidated buildings, redevelopment is indeed more cost effective. To further encourage redevelopment through private initiatives, we have introduced a bill into the LegCo to update and streamline the legislation on compulsory sale. We will endeavour to co-operate with the Bills Committee in its ongoing scrutiny work, so as to expedite the redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings with good use of private market forces while at the same time safeguarding the interests of minority owners.
 
     We will continue to support the URA in taking forward redevelopment projects, among which the urban renewal master plans and restructuring proposals in relation to the planning studies for Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po will be ready by phases from the second half of the year at the earliest for consulting the public.

Building a liveable city
 
     On harbourfront development, this year’s Budget mentioned that we will introduce commercial facilities such as food and beverages, retail and entertainment on a pilot basis at the Victoria harbourfront. As we aim to expedite the implementation of the initiative, the first new attempt is to set up smart specialty vending facilities at the Wan Chai and Cha Kwo Ling promenades progressively from mid-2024 onwards, providing food and beverages while attracting visitors to take pictures. In addition, there are other initiatives which have been mentioned in our replies, and I am not going to repeat them one by one here. 
      
     In addition, the DEVB will also continue to develop and enhance the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure in an effort to facilitate the development of digital economy.
      
     The above is a brief report. I apologise for taking up more time as the scope of the projects is extensive. We will be happy to respond to any further questions that Members may wish to raise during today’s meeting. Thank you.  read more

     The second Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), is now running a vast range of programmes with “Arts and Action” as its theme. Among the offerings is the “Classic Martial Arts Drama Costumes and Props Exhibition” under the “Arts or Action, Why Not Both?” series, which opened today (April 17) at the foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. On display is a collection of some 30 exhibits from headpieces to costumes and props used in martial arts TV dramas from the 1970s to the 2000s. Members of the public are invited to revisit celebrated classics and appreciate the ethos of the wuxia world.
 
     Many well-known martial arts dramas are adaptations of works by renowned wuxia novelists. Notable examples include Jin Yong’s “The Return of the Condor Heroes”, “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils”, “The Legend of the Condor Heroes” and “The Smiling, Proud Wanderer”; Huang Yi’s “A Step into the Past”; and Liang Yusheng’s “The Bride with White Hair”. These TV dramas, together with their theme songs and soundtracks, bring to life the combat scenes depicted in the novels. Many classic scenes have long been an integral part of Hong Kong’s pop culture, fondly remembered by a wide audience throughout the years.
 
     Among the finely selected exhibits are, to name a few, the robe worn by martial hero Yang Guo, and the serene white attire for Xiaolongnü (Little Dragon Maiden) in “The Return of the Condor Heroes”; the pink outfit for the heroine Zhou Zhiruo in “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre”; and the costume for Ah Jiu (Princess Changping) in “Sword Stained with Royal Blood”. Props on parade include the Dragon-slaying Sabre from “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre”, the very source of endless bloodshed; the signature Dog-beating Staff wielded by the beggar clan helmsman, and a flute of Yellow Medicine Guru, also known as the Eastern Heretic, in “The Legend of the Condor Heroes”; a sword owned by Lian Nishang, the hero of “The Bride with White Hair”; a hand fan used by the title character of “Chor Lau-heung”; and the title weapon of “Little Li’s Flying Dagger” thrown by its hero Li Xunhuan. The exhibition is running until May 5, to be moved to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum on May 8 and continue till October 7.
 
     To elevate visitor experience, the “Arts or Action, Why Not Both?” series also presents the “From Arts to Action Music Concert”. Veteran singer Albert Au will perform popular theme tunes from martial arts dramas in addition to the famous songs of his own. Each session will feature young singer Adrian Au together with a special guest. There will also be a song request session for audiences to choose on the spot their personal favourites.
 
     Last but not least, at the “ICH Extraordinary: Chinese Martial Arts and Films” programme, seasoned kung fu masters will talk about kung fu movies and demonstrate fist and footwork routines to show the myriad faces of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage. This programme is under the Chinese Culture Promotion Series of the LCSD. Details are as follows:
 

Venue	Date	Time	Speakers / Performers
G/F Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre	April 20 (Saturday)	2.45pm	Albert Au, Adrian Au & Kayee Tam
		4.30pm	Mr Li Chan-wo Bao Zi Lin Li Chan Wo Sports Association Theme: Hung Gar Kuen Style*
Theatre, Hong Kong Heritage Museum	May 19 (Sunday)	2.45pm	Albert Au, Adrian Au & Janees Wong
	May 26 (Sunday)	3.30pm	Dr Tsui Siu-ming Shandong Taichi Mantis Fist Team Theme: Tanglangquan (Northern Praying Mantis)
G/F Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre	June 22 (Saturday)	2.45pm	Albert Au, Adrian Au & Brian Tse
		4.30pm	Ving Tsun Athletic Association Theme: Yip Man Wing Chun

*An activity in support of National Security Education Day
Admission to all the aforesaid programmes is free.
 
     The LCSD presented the first Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival last year to great acclaim. This year’s second edition features “Arts & Action” as its theme, taking audiences on a journey through time to show the dynamic inheritance, diffusion, integration and breakthroughs within Hong Kong’s pop culture. The 2024 festival lineup offers a diverse range of formats including thematic exhibitions, film screenings, stage performances and outreach activities. Its rich content spans across literature, various art forms and martial arts, clearly showcasing how Hong Kong’s vibrant and diverse pop culture stands out from the rest. For more information or enquiries, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en or call 2601 8703. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 17) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner to better protect themselves during the influenza season.

     The case involves an 8-month-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever and cough since April 15, and developed convulsions on the following day when he was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital. He was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment on the same day. His respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. He is now in serious condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received SIV for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. One of his home contacts is currently symptomatic. The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, “Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP’s website.”

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

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     â€‹The public may visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.  read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH) gave the following update today (April 17): &… read more

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the new Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Cui Jianchun, at Government House today (April 17).
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Cui’s assumption of office in Hong Kong. He thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR (OCMFA) for their continuous support for the HKSAR Government, as well as for their assistance and care to Hong Kong citizens who need to seek help overseas. Noting that the HKSAR Government and the OCMFA have been engaging in close communication and co-operation, Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government has received considerable assistance and support from the OCMFA in such matters as facilitating the arrangement of overseas visits by HKSAR delegations to promote Hong Kong and expand business opportunities, pressing ahead with Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and arranging for HKSAR young public officers to work in the United Nations as Chinese personnel.
      
     Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OCMFA for their support throughout the process of the local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and their issuance of timely and strong rebuttals against the smears and attacks by foreign governments and politicians towards Hong Kong. Mr Lee noted that with the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on March 23, the HKSAR has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility of legislating for Article 23 of the Basic Law. The HKSAR Government will fully focus on economic development, actively leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, seize both China and global opportunities and give full play to its role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to extend Hong Kong’s co-operation with other countries, expand and facilitate international exchanges, with a view to showcasing the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong to the world, Mr Lee added.
      
     Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will continue to join hands with leaders and representatives from the industrial, business and professional sectors to organise outbound delegations to actively explore business opportunities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East, and other promising markets, promoting commerce, tourism, and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and overseas.

      Mr Lee said he believes that under Mr Cui’s leadership, the OCMFA will continue to support Hong Kong to integrate into the national development, consolidate and enhance its advantages as an international city and explore a broader scope for development externally, telling good stories of Hong Kong and the “one country, two systems” principle.

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