Tag Archives: China

     The Water Supplies Department (WSD) achieved encouraging results with multiple awards received at the CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management) Hong Kong 2024 Innovation & Sustainability Awards Presentation Ceremony held on December 6 in Hong Kong.
 
     The WSD’s Siu Ho Wan Water Treatment Works Extension Project won the Chairman’s Commendation Award – Excellence in Both Innovation and Sustainability, the Gold Award under the category – Innovation, and the Silver Award under the category – Sustainability. The project team utilised compact and multi-level design to accommodate the whole advanced water treatment process into a single building. This innovative design not only saves space, but the top-down water flow arrangement also eliminates the need for interstage pumping and hence greatly reduces energy consumption. In addition, all process waste water is channelled back to the treatment plant for recycling to achieve the “zero effluent discharge” goal. The awards showcase the WSD’s commitment to deploying innovative and sustainable ideas to overcome engineering challenges.
 
     Additionally, two WSD projects – (i) the First District-wide Grey Water Recycling System at Anderson Road Quarry Development, and (ii) the Reclaimed Water Supply to Sheung Shui and Fanling – Shek Wu Hui Water Reclamation Plant received the Bronze Award and the Merit Award under the category – Sustainability, respectively. These two projects highlight the WSD’s continuous dedication to exploiting new water resources and expanding the use of recycled water for non-potable purposes. The WSD remains committed to innovative and sustainable developments to ensure a reliable and efficient water supply for Hong Kong.
 
     CIWEM HK Innovation and Sustainability Awards is an independent endorsement to amplify and credit contributions to innovative and sustainable solutions. The Awards aims at promoting and recognising outstanding projects and building a platform to share experiences. To commemorate and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang’s water supply to Hong Kong, the WSD, the CIWEM HK, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering – Hong Kong Branch will co-organise the International Water Pioneer Summit next year. Under the theme “Smart Water‧High Quality Development”, renowned leaders from the global water supply sector will be gathered to share insights and explore new opportunities on water development.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     Ballots were drawn today (December 12) for the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)’s Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2024 (HOS 2024). The Chairman of the HA’s Subsidised Housing Committee, Ms Cleresa Wong, officiated at the ballot drawing.
 
     “During the application period, the HA received a total of around 106 000 applications for HOS 2024 (comprising around 78 000 White Forms and around 28 000 Green Forms). The oversubscription rate is about 14 times, reflecting the strong demand for HOS flats. Among the applications received, around 50 000 came from family applicants, in which around 19 000 applied under the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members and Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme (around 40 per cent of family applicants). In addition, around 56 000 applications were received from one-person applicants,” a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     The ballot drawing conducted today is to determine the applicants’ priority sequence for HOS 2024 based on the last two digits of their application numbers. For applicants holding the same drawn digits within the different application categories, their order of priority will be randomly generated by computer.
 
     The ballot results have been uploaded to the HA/Housing Department (HD)’s designated website for HOS 2024 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/hos/2024). Applicants who have submitted online applications will receive email notifications of the ballot results following the ballot drawing ceremony.
 
     The randomly generated order of all applications will be uploaded to the designated website tomorrow (December 13).  It will also be displayed at the HA Customer Service Centre (HACSC) in Lok Fu, the estate offices and District Tenancy Management Offices of the HA, the rental estate offices of the Hong Kong Housing Society and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department from tomorrow. Applicants may also call the HA Sales Hotline 2712 8000 for enquiries.
 
     The HA will, in accordance with the order of priority, issue letters/emails (for applicants who submit online applications and opt to receive electronic notifications) and invite White Form applicants and Green Form (GF) applicants holding a valid GF Certificate to submit the income and asset declaration form and supporting documents within a specified period for detailed vetting, so as to ascertain whether individual applicants meet the eligibility criteria for HOS 2024 and the final priority for flat selection of eligible applicants.
 
     “The HA estimates that notifications will be sent in batches starting from the second quarter of 2025 to invite eligible applicants according to their priority under the application category to select flats for sale under HOS 2024 at the HACSC in Lok Fu,” the spokesman said.
 
     Flats for sale under HOS 2024 include a total of 7 132 flats in five new HOS developments at a wide variety of locations (including Kai Tak, Yau Tong, Kwun Tong, Tung Chung and Tuen Mun), providing choices of flats of various sizes with saleable areas ranging from about 17.3 square metres to about 47.4 sq m (about 186 square feet to about 510 sq ft). Large flats, with saleable areas ranging from about 41.1 sq m to about 47.4 sq m (about 442 sq ft to about 510 sq ft), account for about a quarter of the total number of flats. Meanwhile, rescinded HOS flats from developments sold under HOS 2020, HOS 2022 and HOS 2023, and a new batch of recovered Tenants Purchase Scheme flats are also included for sale under HOS 2024.

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     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (December 12) that stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products on the theme of “Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024” and “Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games” will be released for sale on December 30 (Monday).
      
     With sheer determination, Team Hong Kong, China won two gold and two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Paris 2024). It was the first time that Hong Kong clinched two gold medals at the same Olympic Games, and claimed medals in two consecutive Olympic Games. To celebrate the outstanding Paris 2024 achievements of Team Hong Kong, China, Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products entitled “Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024”, featuring the remarkable performances of the 35 athletes from Team Hong Kong, China during the Olympic Games. The stamp sheetlet contains a set of three stamps that captures the moments of athletes sparing no effort in competing for medals in fencing and swimming events respectively, demonstrating their passion for sports and the Hong Kong spirit that touch people’s hearts.
      
     In addition, Team Hong Kong, China captured three gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, achieving the best results since the 2008 Paralympic Games. To celebrate the remarkable accomplishment of Team Hong Kong, China at the Paralympic Games this year, Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products entitled “Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games”. The stamp sheetlet contains a set of three stamps, showcasing the three medal-winning events, namely swimming, boccia and badminton. With unparalleled resilience and determination, every athlete overcame numerous obstacles and persevered through rigorous training to ultimately reach the Paralympic Games, which inspire and fill the people of Hong Kong with pride.
      
     Official first day covers for “Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024” and “Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games” will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post’s online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from tomorrow (December 13). The stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from December 30, while serviced first day covers affixed with the stamp sheetlets will be available at philatelic offices only.
      
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on December 30 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
      
     Information about the stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk).

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     The Labour Department (LD) today (December 12) withdrew and suspended the recognition of courses for operating excavators from two Mandatory Safety Training (MST) course providers for failure to comply with the Approval Conditions (ACs) for Operating MST courses.
 
     The LD withdrew the recognition of Construction Machinery Technical Training Centre for conducting the training courses for Experienced Operators of Excavator (Excavator-EO) under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Loadshifting Machinery) Regulation (Cap. 59 Subsidiary Legislation) today and suspended its recognition for conducting the revalidation training courses for Operators of Excavator (Excavator-R) for a period of three months, until March 11, 2025.
 
     The LD also suspended from today the recognition of Hong Kong Construction Industry Professional Plant-Operators and Mechanics’ Association for conducting training courses for Excavator-EO for a period of six months, until June 11, 2025.
 
     Regarding the earlier operation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Mandatory Safety Training (MST) courses for excavator operators, the LD completed its investigation. The LD discovered that the aforementioned two training course providers (TCPs) violated the ACs for Operating MST courses, which includes failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trainees enrolled in the safety training courses had met the specified admission requirements, and failing to prohibit their employees from soliciting, or accepting benefits as defined by the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201). The TCPs did not fulfil their supervision and management responsibilities. After conducting thorough investigations and gathering evidence, and taking into account the explanations and representations provided by the two TCPs, the LD considered that the nature of the incident was serious and made corresponding decisions to withdraw and suspend recognition for their respective courses.
 
     A spokesman for the LD said, “The LD is highly concerned about the quality of MST courses. We will deploy manpower for special inspections from time to time to monitor compliance of ACs by recognised TCPs with a view to maintaining the standard of the training courses, and ensuring workers receive appropriate occupational safety and health (OSH) training as well as understand the importance of work safety. If the TCPs do not comply with the ACs set by the LD, their recognition to operate the relevant courses will be withdrawn. The LD will continue to closely monitor the quality of all TCPs and their trainers, striving to enhance the standard of OSH in Hong Kong.” 
 
     The spokesman also reminded those who are interested in enrolling in the MST courses that require proof of working experience or employer reference letters to use valid proof to apply for the courses. Using false documents is a serious criminal offence. Any certificate obtained through such means will be deemed invalid.
 
     If the public encounters or suspects individuals who claim to be able to provide false proof of working experience or employer reference letters to help applicants obtain relevant MST course certificates, please report them immediately to the LD via the mobile phone app “OSH 2.0” or the online OSH complaint platform (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ld0001/en). 
 
     After imposing the above sanctions, there are two recognised TCPs for the Excavator-EO Course and two recognised TCPs for the Excavator-R Course. The relevant course information is available on the LD’s website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/lsmemmexv.htm). For enquiries, please call the LD’s Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre hotline at 2940 7064 or the department’s occupational safety and health advisory service hotline at 2559 2297. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 12) reminded the public that to facilitate the holding of a Christmas market at Stanley Plaza on December 14, 15 and 21 to 26, the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in the area:
 
* The section of Stanley New Street between Stanley Village Road and Stanley Market Road will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic from 11am to 6pm daily on the above dates (except for vehicles of local residents, police, emergency services and vehicles with permits).
 
* Pedestrian precincts will be implemented on Stanley Main Street and Stanley Market Road on the following dates and hours:
 

Location of pedestrian precinct	Effective date	Effective hours
Stanley Main Street	December 14, 15, 21, 22 and 24 to 26	11am to 11pm
	December 23	11am to 9pm
Stanley Market Road	December 14, 21 and 24 to 26	11am to 11pm
	December 15, 22 and 23	11am to 9pm

* The services of Citybus route Nos. 63, 65 and 260, and Hong Kong Island green minibus Route Nos. 40, 40X and 52 will be strengthened subject to passenger demand during the event.

     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Stanley and its approach roads will be busy during the holding of the above event. Members of the public should use public transport services as far as possible, or consider using the free shuttle bus services provided by the event organiser. Due to the limited number of parking spaces at Stanley Plaza, motorists who have not reserved parking spaces with the event organiser should avoid driving to the vicinity. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience when traffic is congested and follow the instructions of the Police. 

     For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public can browse the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or mobile application “HKeMobility”. They should also pay attention to the latest traffic news through the media.  read more