The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Commercial Properties Committee of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (March 18) approved the arrangements for implementing fee-paying Electric Vehicle (EV) charging services in the HA's hourly parking spaces. Under these arrangements, EV charging fees will be applicable to medium chargers (MCs) installed at the HA's hourly parking spaces with effect from 10am on April 1, 2024, with an hourly charge of $20. For standard chargers installed at hourly parking spaces, provision of free charging will be continued.

     "The HA implements fee-paying EV charging services for MCs installed at hourly parking spaces in the HA's carparks in complement with the Government's initiative to marketise EV charging services, so as to promote sustainable development of EV charging services in the long run. The hourly charge for MCs at the HA's hourly parking spaces are in line with market trends. The HA will review the hourly charge annually, and the approved charges will take effect from January 1 of the following year. The effective date of the first review will be on January 1, 2025," a spokesman for the HA said.

     The HA will commence the implementation of fee-paying EV charging services for the existing MCs installed at hourly parking spaces in the following 26 carparks (about 100 MCs) on April 1, 2024:
 

• Cheung Lung Wai Estate
• Cheung Ching Estate
• Ching Fu Court
• Cheung Sha Wan Estate
• Cheung Shan Estate
• Ching Tin Estate
• Domain
• Hoi Ying Estate
• Hung Hom Estate
• Kai Cheung Court
• Kam Chun Court
• Kwai Shing (West) Estate
• Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre
• Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate
• Mei Tin Estate
• On Kay Court
• On Tat Estate
• Po Heung Estate
• Shek Pai Wan Estate
• Shui Chuen O Estate
• Tak Long Estate
• Wo Tin Estate
• Yan Tin Estate
• Yu Nga Court
• Yu Tak Court
• Yung Ming Court

     "The arrangements for implementing fee-paying EV charging services will also apply to new MCs to be installed at hourly parking spaces in other existing carparks and in the carparks of new public housing developments upon completion," he said.

     As at the end of December 2023, the HA has provided EV chargers at about 600 hourly and 1 400 monthly private car parking spaces in about 90 carparks. 

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, March 18, 2024 is 104.9 (same as last Saturday's index).

     â€‹The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, March 16, 2024 was 104.9 (up 0.1 against last Friday's index).

     â€‹The Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) launched a new special exhibition, "Polar Research and Climate Change", today (March 18) to showcase the mission and achievements of China's polar exploration icebreaker Xuelong 2, providing insights for visitors to think about the seriousness of climate change. Admission to the exhibition is free. Members of the public are welcome to visit.
      
     Delivered in 2019, Xuelong 2 is China's first domestically built medium-sized icebreaker, and is also the world's first icebreaker to adopt bidirectional icebreaking technology. The icebreaker's commissioning has equipped China to lead large-scale polar expeditions and enhanced China's capabilities of investigation and research in polar marine environments.
      
     Replicating the design of Xuelong 2, this exhibition allows visitors to feel as if they have boarded the vessel and learn about China's development of polar research. A large screen is set up inside the vessel to play videos of ice breaking in the polar regions, offering visitors an immersive experience. Highlight exhibits include a 1:100 scale model of Xuelong 2 and specimens collected directly from polar regions.
      
     In addition to the features and research topics of the scientific observation and research stations in China, the exhibition also provides information on the geography and wildlife of the North and South Poles, as well as the situation of climate change. Members of the public can gain a deeper understanding of polar research through the exhibition, and reflect on how to reduce carbon footprints in daily life, combating the challenge of climate change.
      
     Crew members and scientists of Xuelong 2 will visit Hong Kong next month, and join a sharing session with Hong Kong students to be held at the HKScM on April 10 to share their insights and experiences on polar expeditions. The HKScM will live-stream the programme via its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/hksciencemuseum).
      
     The exhibition is presented by the Environmental Campaign Committee and the Green Future Foundation Association, funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund, in association with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong, and is organised by the HKScM.
      
     The exhibition will run from March 18 to June 26 at the main lobby of the HKScM (2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East). For more information of the exhibition and sharing session, please visit hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/pracc.html, or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.

          

The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:
 
     Co-organised by the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) and the Green Future Foundation Association, in association with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong, the "Polar Research and Climate Change" exhibition, funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF), opened at the Hong Kong Science Museum today (March 18), and is available to the public with free admission.
 
     Through showcasing the polar exploration missions and accomplishments of the Chinese polar research icebreaking vessel Xuelong 2, the exhibition aims to enhance public understanding of the country's achievements in scientific and technological development. The event is meant to raise the awareness of polar exploration and the gravity of climate change, as well as to encourage individuals to reduce their carbon footprint by changing their habits and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
 
     Xuelong 2 is the country's first indigenously built polar scientific research icebreaking vessel, and the world's first polar icebreaker to employ bidirectional icebreaking technology. It possesses a number of key technologies and innovations, making significant contributions to expanding the country's capabilities and its expertise in polar research. After completing their latest Antarctic expedition early next month, Xuelong 2 and its polar research team will make Hong Kong its first port of entry on their return journey to the country. During this time, Xuelong 2 will dock at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, offering the public an opportunity to visit the advanced polar research facilities onboard. During its stay in Hong Kong, the Antarctic expedition team will also participate in a series of promotional, educational and exchange activities, including seminars on scientific research and popular science, to enhance public understanding of the latest technological developments in polar exploration and its relationship with climate change.
 
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said that climate change is a prevailing global challenge. Human activities have increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, leading to a rise in global temperature. Phenomena such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels, changes in polar ecosystems, and an increase in climate variability are important indicators of global climate change. Polar research work helps scientists understand the impacts and causes of climate change, which is crucial for predicting future climate change.
 
     Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Chairman of the ECC, Professor Simon Wong; the Chairman of the ECF Committee, Dr Eric Cheng; the Chairman of the Xuelong 2 Hong Kong Visit Preparatory Committee, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; the Founding Chairman and Director of Green Future Foundation Association, Professor Ho Kin-chung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; and Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers Mr Chu Kwok-keung.
 
     The "Polar Research and Climate Change" exhibition will run from today until June 26 at the lobby of the Hong Kong Science Museum (2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East). For exhibition details, please visit the thematic webpage (hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/pracc.html).

      

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (March 18) the introduction of the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline and the 1868 Chatbot for Hong Kong residents in distress or in need of assistance outside Hong Kong to contact the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU) of the ImmD to seek assistance via the above additional communication channels.

     To step up its services and support for Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong, the ImmD, following the introduction of the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline in April 2023, is now introducing advanced functions to the 1868 System, including the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline in the ImmD's WeChat official account and the 1868 Chatbot in the Immigration Department Mobile Application (ImmD Mobile App), in order to further enhance the convenience for Hong Kong residents in distress or in need of assistance outside Hong Kong to contact the AHU. Please refer to the Annex for steps to access the services.

     The newly added 1868 WeChat assistance hotline and 1868 Chatbot aim at providing assistance to Hong Kong residents requiring assistance outside Hong Kong and are not applicable for general enquiries. For other immigration enquiries, please call the general enquiry hotline at 2824 6111 or email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

     Hong Kong residents may use any one of the following means to contact the AHU if they need assistance while in distress outside Hong Kong:
 

1. Call (852) 1868;
2. Call the 1868 hotline using network data via the ImmD Mobile App;
3. Use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App (since March 18);
4. Submit the Online Assistance Request Form;
5. Send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline; or
6. Send a message to the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline (since March 18).

     For details, please refer to the ImmD's website www.immd.gov.hk.