Government announces appointments to Communications Authority

     The Government today (March 15) announced that the Chief Executive has reappointed Dr Hubert Chan Chung-yee and Ms Amy Fung Dun-mi, as well as newly appointed Ms Wendy Yuen Miu-ling, as members of the Communications Authority (CA). The tenure of their appointments is two years with effect from April 1, 2024.

     Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, "I would like to welcome Ms Wendy Yuen as a new member of the CA. With her rich experience gained from the business sector and professional knowledge, she will offer valuable insights into the CA's work. I am also pleased that two CA members, Dr Hubert Chan and Ms Amy Fung, have been reappointed. Their extensive experience and professional acumen will be of continued benefit to the work of the CA."

     Mr Yau also expressed gratitude to the outgoing member, Professor Karen Chan Ka-yin, for her significant contributions to and support for the CA in the past six years.

     A brief profile of the newly appointed non-official member is as follows:

Ms Wendy Yuen Miu-ling
————————–

     Ms Yuen is the Deputy Head of Personal & Business Banking Group and Head of Distribution of China CITIC Bank International Limited. She is currently a member of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries General Committee, the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, the Customs and Excise Service Children's Education Trust Fund Committee, and the Vetting Committee of the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund, and a panel member of the Insurance Appeals Tribunal.

     The membership of the CA from April 1, 2024, will be as follows:

Chairman
———–
Ms Winnie Tam Wan-chi

Vice-chairman
—————-
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development

Non-official members
————————
Dr Hubert Chan Chung-yee
Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung
Ms Amy Fung Dun-mi
Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit
Professor Vincent Lau Kin-nang
Mr Patrick Law Fu-yuen
Professor Leung Siu-fai
Mr Simon Wong Kwong-yeung
Ms Wendy Yuen Miu-ling

Official member
——————–
Director-General of Communications




Special traffic arrangements for Ching Ming Festival

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Ching Ming Festival.

Hong Kong Island
—————-

Chai Wan

A. Road closure

Phase I

     The following roads will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on March 24, and 29 to 31, and April 1, 6, 7, 13 and 14:

– Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, green minibus (GMB) routes 16A, 16M, 16X and 18M, taxis, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles making access to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate;
– Northbound Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, taxis, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, taxis, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and vehicles carrying passengers to service at the Crematorium; and
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery.

Phase II

     The following roads will be closed from 7am to 5pm on April 4:

– Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles making access to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and vehicles carrying passengers to service at the Crematorium;
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery; and
– Wan Tsui Lane, except for vehicles making access to Hing Wah Plaza.

     Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road will be designated as private car and light goods vehicles prohibited zone from 7am to 3pm daily between March 9 and April 28, except for vehicles with permit.

B. Traffic diversions

     Traffic along eastbound Wan Tsui Road between Fei Tsui Road and Lin Shing Road cannot turn right to Ling Shing Road during the above road closures.

     Cape Collinson Road between its slip road to Crematorium and Shek O Road will be re-routed one-way westbound during the above road closures and the operation period of route No. 388 of Citybus.

C. No parking

     During the above road closures, no parking will be permitted along the following roads:

– Wan Tsui Road;
– Lin Shing Road;
– Cape Collinson Road; and
– Shek O Road between Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution and Tai Tam Road.

     Except making access to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate, all red minibuses, private cars, goods vehicles, motorcycles, motor tricycles and pedal cycles cannot enter Lin Shing Road during the above road closures, while taxis cannot enter Lin Shing Road during Phase II.

Kowloon
——-

(1) Tseung Kwan O

     The access road at Ko Chiu Road leading to Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery will be closed from 5.30am to 6pm daily on March 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 29 and 30, and April 1, 6, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, and May 1, except for special route No. 14S of Kowloon Motor Bus, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.

     The above road will be closed from 5.30am to 8pm daily on March 31, and April 4 and 7.

     Grave-sweepers can go to the cemetery on foot via the footpath with staircases opposite MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station or the access road on Ko Chiu Road. Those using wheel chairs are advised to enter the cemetery at Ko Chiu Road.

(2) Sai Kung

     Mang Kung Wo Road will be closed from 8am to 5pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6 and 7, except for vehicles with permit.

(3) Diamond Hill

A. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 7am to 6pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14, except for hearses and funeral vehicles:

– The access road leading to the Diamond Hill Crematorium;
– The access road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and the China Light and Power (CLP) Sub-station; and
– The access road adjacent to the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour leading to Sze Chen Hall.

     The following roads will be closed from 7am to 6pm daily on March 23 and 24:

     Yuk Hok Lane and Yuk Wah Street east of Tsz Wan Shan Road, except for motorcycles, private cars and taxis.

     The following roads will be closed from 7am to 6pm daily on March 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14:

     Yuk Hok Lane and Yuk Wah Street east of Tsz Wan Shan Road, except for private cars and taxis.

B. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic diversions will be implemented from 7am to 6pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14:

– Vehicles must follow southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill for entering or leaving Fung Shing Street or Fu Shan Estate car park;
– Vehicles must follow northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill for entering or leaving Grand View Garden car park;
– Vehicles from eastbound Po Kong Village Road can turn to westbound Yuk Wah Street via the easternmost traffic lane of Tsz Wan Shan (South) Bus Terminus;
– Traffic along westbound Fung Shing Street cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
– Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to eastbound Fung Shing Street;
– Vehicles from Grand View Garden car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Grand View Garden car park;
– Vehicles from Fu Shan Estate car park cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
– Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to Fu Shan Estate car park;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Po Kong Village Road School Village car park;
– Vehicles from Po Kong Village Road School Village car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane;
– Traffic along the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Vehicles from Tsz Wan Shan (South) Bus Terminus cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street, except for franchised buses; and
– Traffic along Yuk Wah Crescent cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street.

C. Suspension of parking spaces

     Metered parking spaces on the unnamed road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and CLP Sub-station will be suspended from 7am to 6pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14.

     Motorcycle parking spaces at Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane will be suspended from 7am to 6pm daily on March 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14.

     Po Kong Village Road School Village car park will be closed and designated as taxi and private car drop-off point from 7am to 6pm daily on March 29 to 31, and April 1 and 4.

D. Passengers pick-up and drop-off points

     The pick-up and drop-off point for private cars will be at westbound Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane from 7am to 6pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14.

(4) Cheung Sha Wan

A. Road closure

– Wing Ming Street and the unnamed road between Wing Ming Street and Saint Raphael’s Catholic Cemetery will be closed from 7am to 7pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1,4, 6 and 7, except for hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles access by the Cemetery staff and vehicles with permit; and
– Entrance road of Wing Tak Road will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on March 29 to 31, and April 1 and 4, except for vehicles with permit.

B. No stopping or parking

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6 and 7:

– Parking will be prohibited on Yu Chau West Street between Castle Peak Road and King Lam Street from 7am to 7pm daily;
– Vehicles are prohibited to drop off or pick up passengers along Yu Chau West Street near Wing Ming Street; and
– Stopping or parking will be prohibited on Ching Cheung Road from 7am to 7pm daily.

C. Suspension of parking spaces

     All on-street parking spaces on Yu Chau West Street, Tai Nan West Street, King Lam Street between Yu Chau West Street and Tai Nan West Street, and Wing Hong Street between Yu Chau West Street and Tai Nan West Street will be suspended from 7am to 7pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6 and 7.
 
     Members of the public wishing to make access to Saint Raphael’s Catholic Cemetery are advised to use the subway across Ching Cheung Road from the end of unnamed road between Wing Ming Street and the Cemetery. No parking facilities in the Cemetery will be open to public use.

New Territories
—————

(1) Wo Hop Shek

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14:

A. Road closure (daily from 6am to 5pm)

– Kiu Tau Road, except for hearses, coaches conveying people attending services at the crematorium, vehicles of the undertakers and franchised buses;
– Ming Yin Road, except for franchised buses;
– Wo Ka Lau Road; and
– All access roads within Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along northbound Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon cannot turn right to southbound Pak Wo Road; and
– Traffic along southbound Pak Wo Road near MTR Fanling Station cannot turn right to the car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon.

C. Suspension of parking spaces (daily from 7am to 5pm)

– The car park on Wo Hing Road near Wah Ming Road roundabout, except for taxis;
– The car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon, except for the disabled parking spaces and public buses of the residents’ service route No. NR112. Depending on prevailing situation, vehicles carrying elderly and disabled passengers may be allowed to use the car park for interchange with shuttle buses heading for Wo Hop Shek Cemetery; and
– Parking spaces on Wah Ming Lane.

(2) Sandy Ridge

     The Frontier Closed Area from MTR Lo Wu Station to Lo Wu Station Road will be open to grave-sweepers from 6am to 6pm daily between March 23 and April 21.

     The following roads will be closed from 6am to 6pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21:

– Lo Wu Station Road from its junction with Man Kam To Road to a point of about 280 metres west of the same junction, near the cemetery management office, except for vehicles of Lo Wu Village residents and vehicles that are allowed to park at the car park of MTR Lo Wu Station; and
– Sha Ling Road, except for vehicles of Sha Ling residents.

(3) Lau Fau Shan

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 9am to 4pm on April 4:

– Deep Bay Road between Mong Tseng San Road and the unnamed road to Wan Fau Sin Koon will be re-routed one-way eastbound;
– Mong Tseng San Road will be re-routed one-way southbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Tin Ying Road cannot turn left to the slip road leading to Tin Yuet Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Deep Bay Road from Sha Kiu Tsuen and Mong Tseng Tsuen heading to Lau Fau Shan must turn left to Mong Tseng San Road towards Tin Ying Road, except for GMB route 35.

(4) Castle Peak

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 7pm daily on March 23, 24 and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21:

A. Road closure

– Tsing San Path; and
– The access roads leading to Ching Chung Koon and Ching Chung Sin Yuen.

B. Traffic diversions

– Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road will be re-routed one-way northbound; and
– San Fuk Road between Leung Shun Street and Tsing Chun Koon Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

C. No parking

     No parking will be permitted along the following roads:

– San Fuk Road;
– Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Chung Path and San Fuk Road;
– Tsing Lun Road between Tsun Wen Road and the northern vehicle entrance of Tuen Mun Hospital; and
– Southbound Tsun Wen Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road.

D. Passengers pick-up and drop-off points

     Three temporary pick up and drop off points will be set up at northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Castle Peak Hospital, northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Tuen Mun Hospital, and westbound Tsing Lun Road outside Tuen Mun Hospital.

(5) Tsang Tsui

     Nim Wan Road between Yung Long Road and the access road to Tsang Tsui Columbarium will be closed from 7am to 7pm daily on March 16, 17, 23, 24, and 29 to 31, and April 1, 4, 6, 7, 13 and 14, except for franchised buses, MTR buses, taxis, vehicles heading for West New Territories Landfill, Y·PARK and T·PARK, and vehicles with permit.

(6) Kwai Tsing

     Wing Yin Street and Wing Hau Street will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on March 24, 29 and 30, and April 6, 13 and 14, except for hearses and franchised buses. 

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 5pm daily on March 31, and April 1, 4 and 7, and when necessary:

– Southbound Wing Tak Street between the entrance of City Point and Wing Shun Street, Wing Yin Street, and Wing Shun Street between Wing Tak Street and Kwai Hei Street will be closed, except for hearses, franchised buses, taxis and GMBs;
– Wing Kei Road between Kwai Hei Street and Wing Kin Road will be re-routed one-way southbound. Vehicles cannot travel via Kwai Hei Street for Wing Kei Road; and
– Wing Hau Street will be closed.

(7) Lantau Island

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 6am to 6pm daily on March 29 to 31, and April 1 and 4 to 7:

– The closed Tung Chung Road between Shek Mun Kap Road and South Lantau Road will be temporarily opened; and
– All others roads on south Lantau will remain closed, except for vehicles with permit.

     All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.  

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.




12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games call for emblem, mascot, slogan and anthem

     The call for designs for emblem, mascot, slogan and anthem of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) commenced today (March 15), subsequent to that announced earlier for the 15th National Games.
      
     The 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, cohosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, are set to take place in 2025. The call was issued today by the Guangdong Region Executive Committee on the Games' website (www.baygames.cn/node_15818276d5) (Chinese only). Interested persons and organisations are welcome to participate. They should follow the guidelines set out in the call announcement to submit their designs and related documents in hard copy by post to the designated address, and in electronic form through the Games' website (www.baygames.cn/para) (Chinese only). The deadlines for submission are set out below:
 

Item Deadline for submission
Slogan April 30, 2024
Emblem May 15, 2024
Mascot May 31, 2024
Anthem September 30, 2024

 
     A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said, "The NGD is a national multi-sports games featuring sports events under the International Paralympic Committee, while the NSOG encourages people with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports competitions. We hope Hong Kong people will actively participate and give their full support for the call for designs."




Government announces appointments to Committee on Reduction of Salt and Sugar in Food

     The Government announced today (March 15) the reappointment of Mr Cheung Leong as the Chairperson of the Committee on Reduction of Salt and Sugar in Food. In addition, seven new members have been appointed and nine incumbent members have been reappointed to the Committee. All appointments are for a period of three years from March 15, 2024, to March 14, 2027.
 
     Members of the Committee comprise representatives from various sectors, including the food industry, relevant academia, education, media and social services sectors. The key task of the Committee is to offer recommendations to the Environment and Ecology Bureau on matters relating to reduction of the intake of salt and sugar by the public, as well as reduction of salt and sugar in food.
 
     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, welcomed the new members and expressed his gratitude for the contributions of the outgoing members, namely Mr Kiyotaka Ando, Mr Andrew Chan Kam-chuen, Mr Ryan Cheung, Mr Peter Paul Joseph Johnston, Mr Francis Lo Fai-shing, Miss Winona Lo Oi-ling, Mr Gerry Ma Kwai-yung, Mr Frankie Siu and Mr Rogers Yuen Lai-boon.
 
     "The Committee has been providing invaluable and practical advice to the Environment and Ecology Bureau on initiatives to reduce the salt and sugar intake of the general public and I look forward to receiving advice from them in the future," Mr Tse, said.
 
     The full membership of the Committee on Reduction of Salt and Sugar in Food for the new term, which will take effect on March 15, 2024, is as follows:

Chairperson
————-
Mr Cheung Leong

Non-official members    
———————–
Mr Dion Chen
Ms Christa Cheung Shuk-fung
Mr Chong Yue-kwan *
Mr Chow Tsz-lit *
Mr Rayman Chui Man-wai *
Ms May Chung Mei-ling
Mr William Hung Wai-lai
Mr Carrel Kam Lin-wang *
Ms Dorcas Lau Shing-suet
Mrs Linda Lau Hung Man-yin
Ms Leung Wai-yan *
Ms Alice Ng Yim-ting
Professor Wong Man-sau
Dr Leslie Wong Pak-yuen *
Miss Danica Yau Ching
Mr Yip Siu-kwong *

Ex-officio members
———————
Representative of the Environment and Ecology Bureau
Representative of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Representative of the Department of Health
Representative of the Education Bureau

* New members




2024-25 Valuation List and Government Rent Roll available for inspection from March 18

     The 2024-25 Valuation List and Government Rent Roll will be available for inspection from next Monday (March 18) to May 31. Members of the public may search for entries on the Valuation List and Government Rent Roll on the website of the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) at www.rvd.gov.hk or its Property Information Online (PIO) website at www.rvdpi.gov.hk.

     Notices relating to the display of the Valuation List and Government Rent Roll were gazetted today (March 15). The new Valuation List and the Government Rent Roll can be inspected during office hours in the above period at the RVD, 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.

     Proposals objecting to the new rateable values must be lodged during the period from March 18 to May 31 by submitting an electronic form (Form e-R20A) using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the RVD's website, or on the specified form (Form R20A). Form R20A is available from the RVD's website, or at the RVD's office or any Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Home Affairs Department. Completed forms must be served on the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation by personal service or by post.

     "Proposals received after May 31 or served by fax or other modes will not be accepted," a department spokesman said.

     All rateable values are reviewed by reference to rental values in the open market on the designated valuation reference date of October 1, 2023, to ensure a fair distribution of rates and Government rent liability among rates and Government rent payers in accordance with the assessed rateable values.

     Rates are charged at specified percentage(s) of the rateable value of the property. For the financial year 2024-25, the rates percentage charge for different properties is as follows:
 

  • All non-domestic tenements: will remain at the present 5 per cent.

 

  • Domestic tenements with rateable value of $550,000 or below: 5 per cent.

 

  • Domestic tenements with rateable value over $550,000: Rates will be charged at 5 per cent for the first to third quarters of 2024-25. According to the proposed progressive rating system for domestic tenements, with effect from the fourth quarter of 2024-25 (i.e. January to March 2025), rates will be charged at 5 per cent of the rateable value on the first $550,000 and at 8 per cent on the next $250,000, and then at 12 per cent on the portion of rateable value exceeding $800,000. For details of the progressive rating system, members of the public may visit the RVD's website.

     If payable, Government rent is charged at 3 per cent of the rateable value of the property.

     In the 2024-25 Budget Speech, the Financial Secretary proposed a rates concession measure for the first quarter of 2024-25, i.e. April to June 2024, subject to a ceiling of $1,000 for each rateable tenement.

     Rates and Government rent demands to be issued in early April will show the rateable values for 2024-25, the Government rent payable and the net rates amount payable after deducting the rates concession. Leaflets explaining the general revaluation, the rates concession scheme and the proposed progressive rating system for domestic tenements will accompany these demands. Enquiries can be made on the RVD's 24-hour hotline 2152 0111 (handled by 1823).

     "The demands must be paid by the last day for payment shown on the demand whether or not an objection is made to the new rateable value," the spokesman said. "If there is any change to the rateable value as a result of any objection, this will date back to April 1, 2024, and any necessary adjustment to the amount payable will be made in subsequent demands."

     To enhance valuation transparency, payers of rates and Government rent of assessed private residential properties (excluding village houses) may obtain information on the saleable area and age of their properties free of charge through the PIO using the Assessment Number and the PIO Enquiry Code printed on the Rates and Government Rent Demand.