Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 2024, Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) (Amendment) Regulation 2024, Road Traffic (Traffic Control) (Amendment) Regulation 2024 and Road Traffic (Expressway) (Amendment) Regulation 2024 were gazetted today (December 13).

     The above amendment regulations aim to tie in with international vehicle standards, technological development, and Hong Kong's road conditions to enhance road safety and facilitate the application of new vehicle technologies in Hong Kong. The amendment regulations will be tabled at the Legislative Council (LegCo) on December 18 for negative vetting. 

     A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "We aim to create a safer and more convenient road environment for road users in Hong Kong through optimising vehicle design and construction standards with the amendment regulations. The eight proposals are: (1) requiring electric vehicles to be equipped with an acoustic vehicle alerting system; (2) requiring vehicles with extendable aerial structures to be equipped with an over-height warning system; (3) mandating the use of child restraining device in private cars for child passengers; (4) enabling the use of remote control parking function by drivers; (5) relaxing the restrictions on information that can be displayed on a visual display unit when the vehicle is parked; (6) allowing camera-monitor systems as an alternative to conventional reflecting mirrors and setting out specifications and standards on reflecting mirrors and camera-monitor systems; (7) allowing electric commercial vehicles to travel on expressways without the need to apply for an expressway permit; and (8) updating the requirements on lighting lamps, reflectors and the maximum overall height of single-decked bus."

     The spokesperson continued, "The Government will continue to review technological advancements and vehicle operational requirements and update the regulations in a timely manner to keep pace with the evolving vehicle technologies and the latest international standards, flexibly adapting to industry development."

     When formulating the amendment regulations, views collected from consultations with various stakeholders were taken into consideration, including the LegCo Panel on Transport, the Transport Advisory Committee and industry representatives. The regulatory details and effective dates are specified in respective amendment regulations, and relevant information is set out in the LegCo Brief issued by the Government on December 11.

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (December 13) that, as advised by the postal administration of Thailand, mail delivery services to Thailand previously impacted by heavy rain have returned to normal.

     A team of six students representing Hong Kong achieved outstanding results in the 21st International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO 2024), winning a total of two gold and four silver medals.  

     The IJSO is a science competition for secondary students aged 15 or below. The competition, covering physics, chemistry and biology up to the senior secondary level, comprises written assessments and science experiments that require students to analyse and solve unfamiliar problems. The IJSO 2024 was held in Romania from December 2 to 12 with the participation of around 300 contestants from 52 countries or regions.  

     Chan Tsz-kiu (Queen's College) and Tian Yu-yang Timothy (St. Paul's Co-educational College) each won a gold medal. Silver medalists are Chan Wai-yu (Po Leung Kuk No. 1 W. H. Cheung College), Chan Wing-yan (St. Paul's Co-educational College), Ma Sum-yuet (St. Paul's Co-educational College) and Yang Chun-chak (St. Paul's Co-educational College). 

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, congratulated the Hong Kong team today (December 13) on their remarkable performance. "The excellent results of the Hong Kong team, which have demonstrated our students' exceptional talent in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) and their persistence in learning, is indeed very commendable. The Education Bureau (EDB) will continue to strengthen the promotion of STEAM education in primary and secondary schools to nurture innovation in students, as well as step up the promotion of the effective use of the school-based student talent pool for identifying and nurturing more STEAM talent," she said.

     "The EDB has been attaching great importance to the grooming of gifted students and will strengthen the collaboration with the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) to offer more diversified training, and arrange for students to participate in territory-wide, cross-territory, national and international competitions so that students with potential in STEAM subjects have more opportunities to further develop their potential and nurture future innovation and technology talent for Hong Kong," she added. 

     The members of the Hong Kong team achieved excellent results in the International Junior Science Olympiad – Hong Kong Screening last year. They subsequently completed the science enhancement programmes provided by the HKAGE. The outstanding students in the programmes were then selected as contestants representing Hong Kong to participate in the IJSO 2024. The Hong Kong team was fully funded by the EDB to join this competition.

  

     To prepare for the onboarding of the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme to the eMPF Platform, the Government published in the Gazette today (December 13) the following legal notices:
 
(i) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Specification of Dates for Purposes of Section 19M(2)(a)) (Amendment) (No. 2) Notice 2024 (Mandatory Use (Amendment) (No. 2) Notice 2024); and
 
(ii) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19U(4)) (Amendment) (No. 2) Notice 2024, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19Y(3)) (Amendment) (No. 2) Notice 2024, and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19Z(4)) (Amendment) (No. 2) Notice 2024 (collectively Fee Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Notices 2024).
 
     The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Amendment Ordinance 2021) enacted by the Legislative Council (LegCo) in October 2021 provides the necessary legal basis for the implementation of the eMPF Platform, and confers power on the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury to publish legal notices in the Gazette to put certain provisions of the Amendment Ordinance 2021 into operation when the eMPF Platform is ready for use and MPF trustees/schemes are ready to be onboarded. Such legal notices will be published in the Gazette by batches to dovetail with the phased onboarding of MPF trustees in ascending order of their assets-under-management size. The first two batches of legal notices were gazetted in April and May 2024 respectively to effect the launch of the eMPF Platform and onboarding of the five "early adopters".
 
     On the mandatory use of the eMPF Platform by MPF trustees, the Mandatory Use (Amendment) (No. 2) Notice 2024 specifies March 5, 2025, as "material day" for the BEA (MPF) Master Trust Scheme administered by the Bank of East Asia (Trustees) Limited (BEA), such that BEA is mandated to use the eMPF Platform to perform scheme administration functions in relation to this MPF scheme. On cost savings and fee-setting of MPF schemes to be charged by MPF trustees on scheme members, the Fee Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Notices 2024 appoint June 5, 2025, as "material day" for the constituent funds of the BEA (MPF) Master Trust Scheme, such that BEA is mandated to make corresponding reduction in its fees charged on scheme members in relation to the constituent funds of this MPF scheme. Relevant legal notices for the remaining MPF schemes will be published in the Gazette when the respective onboarding dates are ascertained having regard to the onboarding preparation status of the MPF trustees concerned.
 
     If scheme members/employers have any question regarding the detailed operation of the eMPF Platform, they may visit the Platform's official website (empf.org.hk), or call the Platform's customer service hotline (183 2622). Scheme members/employers may also visit the three eMPF service centres located on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon and the New Territories.
 
     The aforementioned legal notices will be tabled at the LegCo for negative vetting on December 18, 2024.

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Young Academy of Sciences Summit today (December 13):

     Dennis (President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, Professor Dennis Lo), Anderson (President of the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, Professor Anderson Shum), Dr Hu (CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, Dr Zhanghong Hu), Mr Kwok (Vice Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation Mr Christopher Kwok) distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good morning! It is my great pleasure to join you all today at the 2nd Young Academy of Sciences Summit, organised by the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK). A warm welcome to our guests from the Mainland and abroad. This gathering is a testament to the vibrant energy and innovative spirit of our young scientists, who are poised to shape the future of scientific discovery and technological advancement.

     As home to five of the world's top 100 universities, Hong Kong possesses robust R&D (research and development) capabilities, advanced technological infrastructure and a diverse talent pool. These strengths, together with our unique advantages enjoyed under the principle of "one country, two systems", provide a solid foundation for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent.

     In an era of rapid technological change and complex global challenges, the contributions of our young scientists have never been more important. To this end, YASHK plays a pivotal role in providing a platform for young scientists in Hong Kong to collaborate, share their research, and inspire each other. YASHK's commitment to creating a vibrant community of young scientists dedicated to serving the society by enlightening future I&T talents aligns perfectly with the Government's vision.

     Innovation is not just about developing new technologies or making groundbreaking discoveries; it is also about creating a culture that values creativity, encourages risk-taking, and fosters collaboration. While we share the collective power of a community driven by curiosity and creativity, it is also important for us to connect the wisdom of experienced researchers with the boundless potential of the next generation. That is why we are here today.

     As with the theme of the next session, how young scientists can contribute to long-term public policy is a topic worth discussing. At the heart of innovation lies the spirit of questioning, the relentless pursuit of new knowledge and the willingness to challenge the status quo. I am confident that this spirit is vividly embodied by the scientists gathered here today. By fostering mentorship and collaboration, we can ensure that the torch of knowledge is passed on, brighter and more illuminating with each handoff. 
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, the future of Hong Kong belongs to the younger generation. The Government will continue to adhere to the principle of "promoting technology with talents, leading industries with technology, and attracting talents with industries", and remain steadfast in its commitment to perfecting the I&T ecosystem and enlarging our talent pool. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences and YASHK for their continuous support in the Government's work.

     In closing, I hope that today's discussion will spark fresh ideas and open new avenues. I wish you all a rewarding Summit. Thank you.