Under Secretary and Political Assistants appointed

December 20, 2012, 12:00 am

The Chief Executive's Office announced today (December 20) that the Appointment Committee has appointed an Under Secretary and two Political Assistants of the fourth term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs has recommended Mr Lau Kong-wah to be his Under Secretary and his appointment is approved by the Appointment Committee. Mr Lau will assume office tomorrow (December 21).

Meanwhile, the Secretary for Development and the Secretary for the Environment have recommended Mr Henry Ho Kin-chung and Ms Michelle Au Wing-tsz to be their respective Political Assistants. The Appointment Committee has also approved the recommendations. Mr Ho and Ms Au will take up office on December 27 and January 14 respectively.

The Government will make further announcements on the Under Secretaries and Political Assistants for the remaining bureaux in due course.

Following are the biographical notes on the new appointees:

Mr Lau Kong-wah
---------------

Aged 55, Mr Lau holds a BPhil degree in sociology from the University of Exeter and an MPhil degree in public and social administration from the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong. He has recently resigned from the positions of Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and District Councillor in Sha Tin. Mr Lau's political career began in 1985 when he was elected to be a District Councillor in Sha Tin. He was re-elected until 2003 and was elected to be a Sha Tin District Councillor again in 2011, altogether serving the district for nearly 20 years.

Mr Lau has served as a member of the Legislative Council from 1997 to 2012, and as a member of the Executive Council from 2008 to 2012, gaining much political experience.

Mr Henry Ho Kin-chung
----------------------

Aged 40, Mr Ho holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a Master of Science degree in Environmental Assessment and Evaluation from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Before joining the Government, Mr Ho has worked as a Senior Manager at the Communications and Public Affairs Office of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) for five years, responsible for the communications and public engagement programmes of the campus development projects. Prior to joining HKU, he worked at the Central Policy Unit and Friends of the Earth, a green group. He has actively participated in NGO work, as the Director of the 30S Group and the Director of the Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage. He has written newspaper articles on issues related to conservation and development on a regular basis.

On public service, he has served as a member of the Antiquities Advisory Board, a part-time member of the Central Policy Unit, and a co-opted member of the Strategy Sub-committee of the Council for Sustainable Development.

Ms Michelle Au Wing-tsz
-----------------------

Aged 36, Ms Au holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Government and International Studies and a Master of Sciences degree in Environmental and Public Health Management from the Hong Kong Baptist University.

Ms Au worked at Asia Television Limited where she was responsible for information programmes. From 2005 to 2012, she worked for Friends of the Earth (HK), where her areas of focus centred on waste policy and education.

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Effective Exchange Rate Index

December 20, 2012, 12:09 am

≫ Next: Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by economic activity for the third quarter of 2012

≪ Previous: Under Secretary and Political Assistants appointed

The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, December 20, 2012 is 94 (same as yesterday's index).

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Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by economic activity for the third quarter of 2012

December 20, 2012, 12:30 am

≫ Next: Employment and vacancies statistics for September 2012

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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 20) the preliminary figures of chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by economic activity for the third quarter of 2012.

GDP figures by economic activity show the value of production for individual economic activities. The value of production is measured by net output or value added, which is calculated by deducting intermediate input consumed in the process of production from the gross value of output. Volume measures of GDP by economic activity, expressed in terms of chain volume measures, enable analysis of the output growth profiles of individual economic sectors in real terms, by removing the effect of price changes.

Overall GDP increased by 1.3% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, compared with the 1.2% increase in the second quarter of 2012.

Analysed by constituent services sector and on a year-on-year comparison, net output in respect of all the services activities taken together increased by 2.2% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, compared with the 1.6% growth in the second quarter.

Net output in the import and export, wholesale and retail trades sector increased by 2.7% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, compared with the increase of 1.2% in the second quarter. The modest growth in this sector was mainly attributable to the subdued performance in external trade of Hong Kong amid the lacklustre global economy.

Net output in the financing and insurance sector edged up by 0.2% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, compared with the 0.5% increase in the second quarter. The sluggish performance of the sector continued during the quarter as stock trading and fund raising activities remained generally quiet.

Net output in the accommodation services (covered hotels, guesthouses, boarding houses and other establishments providing short term accommodation) and food services sector increased by 3.1% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, faster than the 1.9% growth in the second quarter.

Net output in the transportation, storage, postal and courier services sector increased by 1.8% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 compared with a year earlier, as against the 2.0% drop in the second quarter.

Net output in the information and communications sector grew by 3.4% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, faster than the 1.8% increase in the second quarter.

Net output in the real estate, professional and business services sector increased by 3.3% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, following the increase of 4.6% in the second quarter.

Net output in the public administration, social and personal services sector increased by 3.5% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 3.3% in the second quarter.

As for sectors other than the services sectors, net output in the local manufacturing sector edged down by 0.1% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, after the 2.9% drop in the second quarter.

Net output in the electricity, gas and water supply, and waste management sector drop by 0.6% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, as against the 3.7% growth in the second quarter.

Net output in the construction sector increased by 7.5% in real terms in the third quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, compared with the 10.2% growth in the second quarter.

Further information

The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP by economic activity in real terms from the third quarter of 2011 to the third quarter of 2012 are shown in Table 1. For enquiries about statistics on GDP by economic activity, please call the National Income Branch (2) of the C&SD at telephone number 2116 5115.

Figures of chain volume measures of GDP by economic activity for the third quarter of 2012 are only preliminary at this stage. When more data become available, the preliminary figures will be revised accordingly. Users may obtain a copy of this press release at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk). More detailed figures can also be found at the Hong Kong Statistics section of the website.

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Employment and vacancies statistics for September 2012

December 20, 2012, 12:30 am

≫ Next: Consumer Price Indices for November 2012

≪ Previous: Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by economic activity for the third quarter of 2012

According to the figures released today (December 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), total employment in the private sector surveyed increased by 1.6% or 43 000 persons in September 2012 compared with a year earlier. The total number of vacancies was 69 460, representing an increase of 20% or 11 770 over last year.

Employment statistics

In September 2012, the selected industries as a whole employed 2 661 500 persons. The import and export trade engaged 491 700 persons, followed by the retail trade engaging 259 700 persons, the professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) 257 300 persons, and the food and beverage services 236 200 persons.

Employment increased in most of the surveyed industries compared with a year earlier. Increases in employment were recorded in the industries of construction sites (13.4% or 8 500 persons); accommodation services (covering hotels, guesthouses, boarding houses and other establishments providing short term accommodation) (9.6% or 3 300 persons); information and communications (6.3% or 5 800 persons); human health services (5.7% or 5 500 persons); and real estate (4.7% or 5 600 persons). On the other hand, employment decreased in the industries of manufacturing (-4.3% or -4 700 persons); wholesale (-1.6% or -1 100 persons); and import and export trade (-1.6% or -7 900 persons). Employment figures for selected major industries are shown in Table 1.

Vacancies statistics

Among the 69 460 private sector vacancies, 11 850 were from the industry of food and beverage services; 8 950 from the retail trade; 6 940 from the professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services); 6 570 from the import and export trade; and 6 560 from the arts, entertainment, recreation and other services.

Vacancies increased in most of the selected industries in September 2012 over a year earlier. Increases were mainly in the industries of food and beverage services (4 560 or 63%); retail trade (2 810 or 46%); arts, entertainment, recreation and other services (1 860 or 39%); professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) (1 150 or 20%); and transportation, storage, postal and courier services (1 110 or 46%). Yet, decreases were seen mainly in the industries of financing and insurance (-1 250 or -26%); and human health services (-920 or -25%). Job vacancies figures for selected major industries are shown in Table 2.

Analysed by major occupation category, private sector vacancies were observed mainly in the categories of service and sales workers (22 010 vacancies); associate professionals (15 490 vacancies); elementary occupations (12 280 vacancies); and clerical support workers (9 330 vacancies). Job vacancies figures by major occupation category are shown in Table 3.

Seasonally adjusted statistics

For discerning the latest trend in employment and vacancies in the private sector, it is useful to look at changes over a three-month period in the respective seasonally adjusted figures. Compared with June 2012, the seasonally adjusted total employment and total vacancies in the surveyed industries increased by 0.2% and decreased by 4.6% respectively in September 2012. The changes over three-month period in the seasonally adjusted series of employment and vacancies are shown in Table 4.

Other information

The above employment and vacancies statistics were obtained from the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies and the Quarterly Employment Survey of Construction Sites conducted by the C&SD. In the former survey, some economic activities (e.g. those dominated by self-employment, including taxi operators and hawkers) are not covered. Therefore, the respective employment and vacancies figures relate only to those selected industries included in the survey. In the latter survey on construction sites, employment and vacancies figures relate to only manual workers working at major construction sites.

A detailed breakdown of the above statistics is published in the following reports:

Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies Statistics, September 2012
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp452.jsp?productCode=B1050003)

Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies at Construction Sites, September 2012
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp452.jsp?productCode=B1050004)

Users can download these publications free of charge from the website of the C&SD.

Enquiries on more detailed employment and vacancies statistics can be directed to the Employment Statistics and Central Register of Establishments Section, C&SD (Tel.: 2582 5076; Fax: 2827 2296; email: employment@censtatd.gov.hk).

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Consumer Price Indices for November 2012

December 20, 2012, 12:30 am

≫ Next: Suspected fraudulent website: www.andbank.com

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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 20) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for November 2012. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 3.7% in November 2012 over the same month a year earlier, slightly smaller than the corresponding increase (3.8%) in October 2012. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in November 2012 was 3.8%, same as that in October 2012. The slightly smaller increase in the Composite CPI was mainly due to smaller increases in private housing rentals.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period from September to November 2012 was 1.3%, and that for the 3-month period from August to October 2012 was 1.2%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period from September to November 2012 was 0.4%, the same as that for the 3-month period from August to October 2012.

Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 4.2%, 3.6% and 3.3% respectively in November 2012, which compared to 4.3%, 3.7% and 3.2% respectively in October. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 4.2%, 3.7% and 3.4% respectively in November 2012, which compared to 4.3%, 3.8% and 3.3% respectively in October.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period from September to November 2012, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.8%, 0.7% and 0.4% respectively. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period from August to October 2012 were 2.7%, 0.6% and 0.3%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period from September to November 2012 were 0.6%, 0.4% and 0.4% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period from August to October 2012 were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.3% respectively.

Amongst the various CPI components, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in November 2012 for housing (5.2% in the Composite CPI and 6.3% in the CPI(A)); meals bought away from home (4.6% in the Composite CPI and 4.7% in the CPI(A)); electricity, gas and water (4.6% in both the Composite CPI and CPI(A)); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (3.5% in the Composite CPI and 3.6% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous services (2.8% in the Composite CPI and 1.9% in the CPI(A)); transport (2.2% in the Composite CPI and 1.7% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous goods (2.1% in the Composite CPI and 3.1% in the CPI(A)); clothing and footwear (2.0% in the Composite CPI and 2.2% in the CPI(A)) and alcoholic drinks and tobacco (1.1% in the Composite CPI and 1.3% in the CPI(A)).

On the other hand, year-on-year decrease in prices were recorded in November 2012 for durable goods (-1.4% in the Composite CPI and -2.1% in the CPI(A)).

Taking the first eleven months of 2012 together, the Composite CPI rose by 4.1% over a year earlier. The corresponding increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.6%, 4.4% and 4.2%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the Composite CPI, CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 4.8%, 4.9%, 4.9% and 4.4% respectively in the first eleven months of 2012 over a year earlier.

For the 3 months ended November 2012, the Composite CPI rose by 3.8% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 4.3%, 3.7% and 3.3% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 3.8%, 4.3%, 3.8% and 3.4% respectively.

For the 12 months ended November 2012, the Composite CPI was on average 4.2% higher than in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.7%, 4.5% and 4.3%. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 4.9%, 5.0%, 5.0% and 4.6% respectively.

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that headline inflation receded slightly and underlying inflation held stable in November. While private housing rentals saw a narrower year-on-year increase, the prices of basic foodstuffs picked up somewhat in November.

The spokesman commented further that, looking ahead, inflation should remain contained in the near term, in view of the muted local economic growth and moderated imported inflation. However, the volatility of international food and commodity prices amid the global liquidity glut, as well as the pick-up in local housing rentals since the early part of 2012, may pose some upside risks to inflation further down the road. The Government will continue to monitor the inflation situation closely, particularly its impact on the lower-income people.

Further information

The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for November 2012 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after removing the effects of one-off measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The corresponding time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

More detailed CPI data (including year-on-year comparison, month-to-month comparison and seasonally adjusted data series) are available in the monthly reports. Users can download the November 2012 issue of the Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=B1060001).

For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD at telephone no. 2805 6403 or email address cpi@censtatd.gov.hk.

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Suspected fraudulent website: www.andbank.com

December 20, 2012, 3:03 am

≫ Next: Transcript of remarks by CE at media session in Beijing (with photos/videos)

≪ Previous: Consumer Price Indices for November 2012

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong to a suspected fraudulent website with the domain name "www.andbank.com". The website is operated by an alleged "ANDBANK", which claims that it offers various banking services to members of the public in Hong Kong.

The public should be aware that the alleged "ANDBANK" is not authorised under the Banking Ordinance to carry on banking business or the business of taking deposits in Hong Kong, nor does it have the approval to establish a local representative office.

The HKMA has referred the case to the Hong Kong Police Force for further investigation. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact any local police station or the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Given the global nature of the Internet, members of the public are reminded to verify the status of any organisation making use of the Internet to solicit deposits from the public. A list of authorised institutions is available on the HKMA's website (www.hkma.gov.hk). Members of the public may also check the status of any entity in Hong Kong which solicits deposits from the public with the HKMA by calling its public enquiry hotline 2878 8222.

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Transcript of remarks by CE at media session in Beijing (with photos/videos)

December 20, 2012, 3:21 am

≫ Next: Marine traffic arrangements and safety measures to be followed at New Year's Eve Countdown Pyrotechnic Show (with photo/video)

≪ Previous: Suspected fraudulent website: www.andbank.com

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at a media session in Beijing today (December 20):

Reporter: Why didn't you mention this problem to Mr Xi, seeing it's impacted your integrity?

Chief Executive: No.

Reporter: Why did you not? I'm asking why.

Chief Executive: It did not come up.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

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Marine traffic arrangements and safety measures to be followed at New Year's Eve Countdown Pyrotechnic Show (with photo/video)

December 20, 2012, 3:37 am

≫ Next: SJ visits Tai Po District (with photos)

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In regard to the New Year's Eve Countdown Pyrotechnic Show to be held by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on December 31, the Marine Department (MD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (December 20) specially reminded the public of the marine traffic arrangements for the event day, safety measures to be followed by crew and passengers of spectator vessels, and the associated work of MD and HKPF officers that day.

The Assistant Director (Port Control) of Marine, Mr Raymond Chung, said it is expected that a number of vessels will turn up for the pyrotechnic show in Victoria Harbour on the event night, and therefore the MD will implement control measures to regulate marine traffic.

"The MD expects that around 100 vessels will be carrying people to the pyrotechnic show in Victoria Harbour that night. The majority of the vessels will be concentrated at the eastern and western sides of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). MD officers will closely monitor the marine traffic at the scene. If vessels are found to be over-concentrated, officers will regulate and divert the vessels at the scene and instruct them to go to other suitable locations for viewing the pyrotechnic show," he said.

He noted that the eastern and western sides of the HKCEC can accommodate around 140 vessels. If vessels are found to be over-concentrated, the MD will divert the vessels to waters off Tsim Sha Tsui East.

He said the MD and HKPF officers will remain at the scene to regulate vessels after the pyrotechnic show in order to assist them to depart in an orderly manner.

Marine Department Notice No. 173 of 2012 on the marine traffic arrangements has been issued and it has been uploaded to the MD's website (www.mardep.gov.hk).

At the same time, Mr Chung appealed to the public to pay attention to marine safety when participating in major events at sea. Crew members and passengers should work together closely and follow the safety measures.

He emphasised that parents should look after children and ensure that the children are in a lifejacket at all times. Coxswains should keep a passenger and crew list in case it is needed.

In addition, passengers should note the locations of the vessels' emergency exits and the lifejackets, and note how to put on a lifejacket, before the vessels depart. Vessels should refrain from overloading or speeding.

Mr Chung said the MD will strengthen inspections of vessels on the event day and carry out enforcement action in regard to the guidelines on children wearing a lifejacket at all times and coxswains keeping a passenger and crew list. If any vessel does not follow the requirements in the guidelines, officers will issue directions at the scene and request the coxswain to follow them; if a coxswain refuses to comply with the directions, the department will take necessary follow-up action, such as prohibiting the vessel to depart or considering prosecution.

The Superintendent (Operations) Marine of the HKPF, Mr Joseph Li, noted that the Marine Police will conduct an anti-speeding operation for vessels on the event day. He appealed to coxswains to observe the speed limits in Victoria Harbour and to proceed at a safe speed. He also reminded coxswains not to operate a vessel whilst under the influence of alcohol when celebrating the festival.

"Coxswains and the public should take note of the arrangements on the event day and act in conformity with the arrangements, as well as co-operate with the MD and the HKPF to ensure navigational safety," he said.

To raise the safety awareness of the public when they are participating in major events at sea, TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) have been produced by the MD and the HKPF, and will be broadcast on TV and radio starting from tomorrow (December 21). In addition, the MD and the HKPF have published a poster and a leaflet to remind the general public of the safety measures to be followed on-board when participating in major events at sea.

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SJ visits Tai Po District (with photos)

December 20, 2012, 4:01 am

≫ Next: Appeal for information on missing man in Ta Kwu Ling (with photo)

≪ Previous: Marine traffic arrangements and safety measures to be followed at New Year's Eve Countdown Pyrotechnic Show (with photo/video)

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC, visited Tai Po District today (December 20) to understand the implementation of the anti-drug programmes for the youth in the district.

Accompanied by the District Officer (Tai Po), Mr Paul Cheng, Mr Yuen visited the Hong Kong Red Swastika Society Tai Po Secondary School in Fu Heng Estate in the afternoon, where he was briefed on the implementation of the Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing (TSSDT) and the Healthy School Programme (HSP) in the district's secondary schools.

Based on the successful experience of the TSSDT, the HSP was launched in 2011 in 18 secondary schools to promote healthy living among secondary school students. Various anti-drug and personal development programmes, including seminars, visits, leadership training and problem-solving workshops were organised for the students.

Mr Yuen expressed his gratitude to the Association of Secondary School Heads for their earnest support for the two schemes over the years.

Mr Yuen then met with a group of young people participating in the "Be-Pe Cheerer" Community Sports Scheme, which was organised by the District Youth Outreaching Social Work Team of the Hong Kong Children and Youth Services together with some community and medical organisations.

Launched in 2008, the scheme aims to help and support youngsters to fight against drugs through sports training, medical examination and treatment, and friendship programmes. So far more than 600 young people have participated in the scheme.

Mr Yuen also visited the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital to learn about the medical services provided to children born to Mainland parents.

Before concluding the visit, Mr Yuen met with members of the Tai Po District Council to exchange views on a wide range of issues.

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Appeal for information on missing man in Ta Kwu Ling (with photo)

December 20, 2012, 5:49 am

≫ Next: Traffic arrangements in Kowloon for Christmas

≪ Previous: SJ visits Tai Po District (with photos)

Police today (December 20) appealed to the public for information on a man missing in Ta Kwu Ling.

Cheng Ching-tsun, aged 78, was found missing after he was last seen at Lo Wu Control Point on December 18. His daughter made a report to the Police yesterday (December 19).

He is about 1.55 metres tall and weighs about 60 kilograms. He is of medium build and has a long face with yellow complexion and short straight white hair.

Police urged anyone who may have seen the man or knows his whereabouts to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 2761 2587 or 9020 6542, or rmpu-kw-2@police.gov.hk, or any police station.

Police Report No. 266
Issued by PPRB

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Traffic arrangements in Kowloon for Christmas

December 21, 2012, 2:01 am

≫ Next: Twelve immigration offenders arrested

≪ Previous: Appeal for information on missing man in Ta Kwu Ling (with photo)

The Police will implement crowd management measures and special traffic arrangements in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom to help facilitate celebration of Christmas.

Traditionally, crowd is attracted to see the Christmas lighting along Park Lane, Canton Road, Centenary Garden, Star Ferry and the promenade during the festive period.

Members of the public are urged to follow the instructions given by police officers and should take heed of police signage and broadcasts. They are also urged not to use aerosol spray in public places.

The following traffic arrangements will be implemented on December 24 in phases.

Phase I (implemented from 6pm onwards)

1. A section of Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Hung Hom Road will be closed;
2. A section of Princess Margaret Road Link between Metropolis Drive and Hung Hom Bypass will be closed;
3. A section of westbound Salisbury Road between Hong Chong Road and Kowloon Park Drive and its elevated road will be closed;
4. A section of eastbound Salisbury Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Science Museum Road will be closed;
5. The U-turn slip-road outside Nikko Hotel leading from eastbound Salisbury Road to westbound Salisbury Road will be closed;
6. A section of Canton Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Salisbury Road will be closed;
7. Mody Lane, Hong Wan Path, Ashley Road, Hankow Road, Lock Road, Bristol Avenue, Hanoi Road, Hart Avenue, Minden Row, Blenheim Avenue, Middle Road, Science Museum Path, Granville Square, Hau Fook Street, Cameron Lane, Cameron Road, Prat Avenue, Humphreys Avenue, Minden Avenue, Peking Road, Haiphong Road and Ichang Street will be closed;
8. Southbound Kowloon Park Drive and a section of Salisbury Road between Star Ferry and Kowloon Park Drive will be restricted for the use of franchised buses and green minibuses only;
9. A section of northbound Nathan Road between Bowring Street and Salisbury Road will be closed;
10. A section of southbound Nathan Road between Granville Road and Salisbury Road will be closed;
11. A section of Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be rerouted to one-way eastbound;
12. A section of Carnarvon Road between Nathan Road and Granville Road will be closed;
13. A section of Mody Road between Chatham Road South and Nathan Road will be closed;
14. A section of westbound Mody Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road will be closed;
15. A section of northbound Chatham Road South between Granville Road and Salisbury Road will be closed;
16. A section of southbound Chatham Road South between Mody Road and Salisbury Road will be closed,
17. A section of Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road will be re-routed to one way eastbound and restricted for the use of franchised buses and green minibuses only;
18. Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Road will be directed to Cheong Tung Road South roundabout via Hung Hom By-pass;
19. Traffic along eastbound Metropolis Drive cannot turn right to southbound Hung Hom By-pass;
20. Traffic along southbound Princess Margaret Road Link will be diverted to turn right to westbound Metropolis Drive;
21. Traffic along eastbound Mody Road cannot turn to Mody Lane;
22. Franchised buses along southbound Nathan Road will be diverted to turn right to either westbound Public Square Street or westbound Jordan Road;
23. Franchised buses along southbound Chatham Road South will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
24. Traffic along southbound Canton Road will be diverted to u-turn to northbound Canton Road outside China Hong Kong City;
25. Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn to southbound Canton Road;
26. Traffic along southbound Nathan Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
27. Traffic along southbound Chatham Road South cannot turn right to westbound Cameron Road;
28. Traffic along southbound Chatham Road South will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Mody Road;
29. Traffic along Science Museum Road cannot turn to westbound Mody Road; and
30. Traffic along Hong Tat Path cannot turn to Science Museum Path.

Phase II (implemented from 6.30pm onwards)

1. Kowloon Park Drive will be closed;
2. A section of Salisbury Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive will be closed;
3. Star Ferry Bus Terminus will be closed; and
4. Franchised buses and green minibuses cannot enter southbound Kowloon Park Drive.

Phase III (additional traffic arrangements may be implemented when situation warrants)

1. A section of northbound Nathan Road between Jordan Road and Bowring Street will be closed;
2. A section of southbound Nathan Road between Jordan Road and Granville Road will be closed;
3. A section of Carnarvon Road between Kimberley Road and Granville Road will be closed;
4. A section of northbound Chatham Road South between Observatory Road and Granville Road will be closed;
5. A section of Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road will be closed;
6. A section of Tak Shing Street between Nathan Road and Tak Hing Street will be closed;
7. A section of Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Observatory Road will be closed;
8. A section of Granville Road between Nathan Road and Chatham Road South will be closed;
9. A section of southbound Chatham Road South between Cheong Wan Road and Mody Road will be closed, except for franchised buses and green minibuses;
10. A section of eastbound Mody Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road will be closed;
11. Pine Tree Hill Road, Shun Yee Street, Granville Circuit, Hillwood Road, Kimberley Street and Mody Square will be closed;
12. Traffic along southbound Nathan Road will be diverted to turn right to westbound Jordan Road;
13. Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Nathan Road;
14. Traffic along westbound Austin Road and southbound Cox's Road cannot turn to Pine Tree Hill Road;
15. Traffic along Observatory Road cannot turn to westbound Kimberley Street;
16. Traffic along westbound Cheong Wan Road cannot turn left to southbound Chatham Road South;
17. Traffic along southbound Chatham Road South will be diverted to westbound Austin Road or eastbound Cheong Wan Road;
18. Traffic along northbound Pilkem Street cannot turn to eastbound Bowring Street; and
19. Traffic along eastbound Bowring Street will be diverted to northbound Pilkem Street.

Suspension of bus terminus and minibus stops
------------------------------------------------

All franchised buses terminus, bus stops, green minibus stops within the affected area will be suspended. Bus stops will be re-located to either To Wah Road Bus Terminus or Granville Road Tsim Sha Tsui East Temporary Bus Terminus.

1. Service of Star Ferry Bus Terminus will be suspended at 6.30pm on December 24;
2. Franchised buses on southbound Nathan Road will be truncated/diverted to westbound Public Square Street or westbound Jordan Road at 6pm on December 24 ;
3. Service of Mody Road Public Transport Interchange will be suspended at 6pm on December 24;
4. All franchised buses along southbound Chatham Road South will be diverted to eastbound Granville Road at 6pm on December 24 where a temporary bus terminus will be set-up; and
5. Depending on the crowd situation, bus services outside China Hong Kong City will become circular route and all temporary bus stops will be suspended.

Hotel Access
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Vehicular access to and from hotels within the affected area will not be permitted during the period of road closure.

Car Park Access
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Car parks within the affected area will be closed at the same time when the respective phases of road closure commence.

On-street Parking
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All on-street parking in the southern area of Tsim Sha Tsui (i.e. the south of Austin Road and Cheong Wan Road) will be suspended from 3pm on December 24 to 3am on December 25. All illegally parked vehicles will be towed away.

Police Report No. 228

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Twelve immigration offenders arrested

December 21, 2012, 2:57 am

≫ Next: Launching of Senior Police Call (with photos)

≪ Previous: Traffic arrangements in Kowloon for Christmas

The Immigration Department yesterday (December 20) arrested eight illegal workers and four suspected employers during a territory-wide anti-illegal workers operation codenamed "Twilight".

Operation "Twilight" began at 10am and ended at 9pm yesterday. Immigration Task Force officers raided eight target locations including restaurants, food stalls and a home for the elderly. The eight illegal workers comprised one man and seven women aged between 25 and 53. Among them, four women were suspected of using forged Hong Kong identity cards and three of them were illegal immigrants. Two men and two women, whose ages ranged from 44 to 63, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.

"Visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment," an Immigration Department spokesman said.

The spokesman warned that it is an offence to possess or use a forged identity card. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years' imprisonment.

The spokesman also warned that it is an offence for illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order to take any employment or to establish or join in any business. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months' imprisonment should be applied in such cases.

The spokesman also appealed to employers not to employ illegal workers, warning that it is an offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's identity card or, if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card, his or her valid travel document. The maximum penalty for failing to do so is a fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for one year. To deter unlawful employment, the High Court laid down sentencing guidelines in 2004 reaffirming that it is a serious offence to employ someone who is not legally employable, and stating that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

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Launching of Senior Police Call (with photos)

December 21, 2012, 2:58 am

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Some 120 elderly today (December 21) participated in Launching Ceremony of the Senior Police Call (SPC) organised by the Hong Kong Police Force.

SPC aims at strengthening communication between the Police and the elderly community with a view to promoting their personal safety, avoiding becoming victims of crimes, and enhancing their awareness of road safety. Through implementing SPC, the Police hope to foster a fight crime partnership with the elderly to promote crime prevention messages as well as to realise their potentials.

Speaking at the ceremony, Police Director of Operations, Mr Paul Hung Hak-wai, noted that a number of Police Districts had already organised various activities to serve the elderly. Both participants and community stakeholders find such activities have positive impacts on the community. In future, the Force will strengthen the liaison among different Police Districts on SPC in order to make the scheme more effective.

"We hope SPC can provide the elderly with an effective platform to keep regular contact with the Police, so as to further enhance the communication between the Police and the elderly. By organising different activities, we hope to raise participants' awareness of crime prevention. As a result, we can live in a safer society," Mr Hung said.

Police Director of Management Services, Mr Tang How-kong, hosted a forum on productive ageing during the ceremony. Participants include Chairman of Elderly Commission, and Director of Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies of Lingnan University, Professor Alfred Chan Cheung-ming; Director of the Sau Po Centre on Ageing of University of Hong Kong, Dr Terry Lum Yat-sang; Chairman of Road Safety Campaign Committee, Dr Eric Cheng Kam-chung; Chief Social Welfare Officer (Elderly) of Social Welfare Department, Mr Tan Tick-yee; Chief Officer, Elderly Service of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Ms Grace Chan Man-yee; and Police Public Relations Branch Superintendent (Community Relations), Ms Chan Wing-mee. They also exchanged views with elderly who attended the forum.

Police Report No. 251

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Duo arrested for email scams related offences

December 21, 2012, 3:20 am

≫ Next: Transcript of remarks by STH after visit to show flat of HKHS subsidised housing project Greenview Villa

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Police yesterday (December 20) cracked down on email scams following the arrest of two foreign persons for using a false instrument.

Officers of Commercial Crime Bureau, after extensive investigations, found that the 38-year-old foreign man and the 34-year-old foreign woman arrived in Hong Kong on December 18. They were believed to have used false documents to set up companies and open bank accounts in Hong Kong to collect crime proceeds of email scams.

The duo was arrested in Sheung Wan yesterday and a batch of suspected false documents were seized in their possession. They are being detained for further enquiries.

Police figures revealed an upward trend of business email scams in Hong Kong. From January to November this year, there were a total of 381 reported cases of email scams, rising three folds from 2011, with a total loss of $160 million.

A popular modus operandi of commercial email scams was that fraudsters send out fictitious emails to victims by pretending to be their business partner who has lately changed bank account. Many victims fell prey to this scam and deposited money into fraudsters¡¦ accounts without verifying with their business partner by phone or other means.

Police have set up a taskforce to tackle business email scams and call on the business sector to be alert of suspicious emails and raise their awareness in preventing the aforementioned scam, such as taking the initiative to confirm the true identities of recipients by telephone, facsimile or other means before remittances; and report suspicious cases to the Police. In addition, accounting and secretarial firms have to be vigilant when setting up companies or opening bank accounts for suspicious clients, so as to avoid being used for money laundering.

Police Report No.254

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Transcript of remarks by STH after visit to show flat of HKHS subsidised housing project Greenview Villa

December 21, 2012, 3:40 am

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Following is a transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, at a media session after his visit to the show flat of Greenview Villa, a subsidised housing project by the Hong Kong Housing Society, this afternoon (December 21):

Reporter: (About pricing of Greenview Villa.)

Secretary for Transport and Housing: Well, this project, Greenview Villa, is targeted at people who are earning a monthly income of up to $40,000. Of course this is the sector that the Government considers to be in need of government assistance of some kind. I understand that the price of this project is already a 30 per cent discount of the full value. So, in a way it is similar to the Home Ownership Scheme. Of course, we cannot just look at the face value of the price because the Housing Society this time is expressing the price in terms of usable space. For other sales projects now in the market, maybe sometimes they use different ways of presenting the prices. Of course, once the new legislation on first-hand sale of residential properties comes into effect at the end of April, we expect a consistent and transparent way of presenting price information.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

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Consultative forums on draft Enforcement Guidelines of Amendment Ordinance (with photo)

December 21, 2012, 3:42 am

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The Trade Descriptions (Unfair Trade Practices) (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 (the Amendment Ordinance) enacted on July 17 this year has expanded the existing consumer protection. The Amendment Ordinance has expanded the scope of the definition of trade description in respect of goods and extended to cover trade description of services. The Amendment Ordinance also prohibits specified unfair trade practices that may be deployed by traders against consumers.

Under the Amendment Ordinance, a civil compliance-based enforcement has been put in place as an alternative to criminal prosecution to resolve minor disputes between traders and consumers swiftly and effectively.

Since December 7, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) (collectively the Enforcement Agencies) have been holding a public consultation on the draft "Compliance and Enforcement Policy Statement" and the "General Guidelines" under the Amendment Ordinance which was jointly issued by the Enforcement Agencies to solicit views from traders and the general public. The public consultation will end on January 17.

Some 50 representatives of various business sectors including beauty, pharmacies, travel, dried seafood, group buying and others today (December 21) participated in a consultative forum on the draft Enforcement Guidelines. The forum was one of eight scheduled public consultative forums.

At the forum, participants were also briefed on the manner in which the two Enforcement Agencies would exercise their powers under the guidance on the operation of the fair trading provisions for compliance by traders as set out in the draft Enforcement Guidelines.

The C&ED will organise four more consultative forums between January 3 and 5. Details of the forums are available at the websites of the C&ED (www.customs.gov.hk), the Communications Authority (www.coms-auth.hk), GovHK (www.gov.hk) and the Consumer Council (www.consumer.org.hk).

Apart from attending the consultative forums, members of the public can also express their views on the draft Enforcement Guidelines by sending written submissions by mail, facsimile or email on or before January 17 to the C&ED's Trade Descriptions Ordinance Special Planning Group, 14/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon; fax number 2398 0596; and the email address guidelinescon@customs.gov.hk.

For enquiries, please call the C&ED hotline at 3403 6063 and the OFCA hotline at 2961 6325.

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Statement by the Transport and Housing Bureau on a meeting with REDA

December 21, 2012, 3:50 am

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A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) made the following statement after a meeting today (December 21) between government officials and representatives of the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong (REDA):

Government officials led by the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), Mr D W Pescod, held their third meeting this afternoon with representatives of REDA on the new demand-side management measures announced by the Financial Secretary on October 26, 2012, which aim to curb the overheated property market. To bring the new measures into effect, the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2012 will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) on January 9, 2013.

During the formulation of the draft legislation, the Government has taken into account various views expressed, including those received from the LegCo Panel on Housing and Panel on Financial Affairs as well as those from the meetings/briefings we arranged for relevant stakeholders including the REDA.

Key features of the Bill include:

* Definition of Hong Kong permanent residents (HKPRs): Holders of valid permanent identity cards under the Registration of Persons Ordinance will be considered as HKPRs under the amended legislation.

* Minor and mentally incapacitated persons: For a HKPR to be exempted from the Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD), the HKPR must be the purchaser/transferee acting on his or her own behalf in the acquisition of the residential property, except where the HKPR is a minor or a mentally incapacitated person who, due to the lack of capacity to enter into legally binding agreements, must in practice require another person to act on his or her own behalf.

* Application of the BSD on companies: REDA, among others, has suggested that companies whose shareholders are all HKPRs should be exempted from the BSD. After careful examination, we conclude that it is not possible to derive an effective mechanism that can plug all the loopholes identified. However, we propose that exemption from BSD be allowed for the acquisition or transfer of a residential property between associated body corporates.

* Refund of BSD for redevelopments: The policy intent is that the BSD should not hinder redevelopment, whether the residential property acquired is for redevelopment into a residential or a non-residential property. Under the Bill, a refund mechanism will be put in place such that acquisition of residential properties for the construction of immovable properties will be exempted from the BSD, provided that the immovable property being constructed is completed within six years (with extension permitted if granted by the Lands Tribunal). The "six-year period" will start when the relevant developer has become the owner of the entire lot of the redevelopment concerned. The developer will be considered as having fulfilled the relevant "six-year" condition if it has obtained, within six years thereafter, the Occupation Permit in respect of the redevelopment.

* Mechanism to adjust Special Stamp Duty (SSD) and BSD rates by means of subsidiary legislation: Adjustments to the SSD and BSD rates are proposed to be made by means of subsidiary legislation subject to negative vetting by LegCo, in order to have the necessary flexibility to adjust the applicable rates (to zero if necessary) in a timely manner.

The enhancement of SSD would further increase the cost of speculation and it is expected that the number of such transactions will continue to be very low, especially resale cases at the shorter end.

The BSD should be effective in reducing demand from non-HKPR buyers, thereby according priority to meeting the housing needs of HKPRs under the current tight demand/supply balance in the housing market. Taken together, the proposals should help forestall a further build up of exuberance in the property market in the midst of global liquidity glut and exceptionally low interest rates, thereby safeguarding overall macroeconomic and financial stability of Hong Kong.

The Bill will be gazetted on December 28, 2012. It proposes that the measures take effect on October 27, 2012. Inland Revenue Department will record all residential property transactions between October 27, 2012 and the date on which the Bill is enacted.

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SWD's response to assistance offered to non-civil service contract Community Work Organisers in finding jobs

December 21, 2012, 5:11 am

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Following is a statement issued by a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (December 21) in response to the assistance offered to non-civil service contract (NCSC) Community Work Organisers (CWOs) in finding jobs:

¡§The SWD is committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the employment assistance services under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme with a view to assisting able-bodied recipients to become self-reliant.Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been commissioned to implement an integrated employment assistance programme, namely, the Integrated Employment Assistance Programme for Self-reliance (IEAPS), from January 1, 2013.The IEAPS will provide diversified, one-stop and family-based employment assistance services to CSSA recipients who have work capability.

Upon the implementation of IEAPS by NGOs, the current community work programme run by the SWD will soon be phased out. The current 68 NCSC CWOs will have to leave service when their contracts expire on March 31, 2013.

To allow sufficient time (a span of more than one year) for the NCSC CWOs to prepare for the change, including the search for new jobs, the SWD informed the affected CWOs as early as February 2012 about all relevant details concerning the non-renewal of their contracts upon expiry on March 31, 2013.

The SWD has recently conducted an open recruitment exercise for the post of Social Security Assistant to meet the service needs. The Department has informed the CWOs about this recruitment exercise in accordance with the established mechanism. Those CWOs who have met the entry requirements can apply for the posts through open recruitment. They will all be shortlisted to attend the recruitment interview. According to the current policy, appointment to the civil service is based on the principle of open and fair competition, and candidates being appointed should meet the basic entry requirements of the post applied.

The SWD has all along been pro-active in assisting NCSC CWOs in finding jobs, including:

The SWD has provided the CWOs with suitable job vacancies information (concerning over 20 posts which cover civil service and NCSC posts, such as Assistant Hawker Control Officer, Assistant Clerical Officer and Clerical Assistant; and posts in public organisations such as the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, the Hospital Authority, and other NGOs), encouraged CWOs to apply for jobs, assisted them to submit applications and helped them better prepared by equipping them with the necessary interview and technical skills.

The SWD has arranged a number of sharing sessions on interviewing and jobs skills for the CWOs. During those sessions, civil servants were invited to share their experience. So far, sharing sessions on posts including Social Security Assistant, Social Security Officer II, Assistant Hawker Control Officer, Assistant Clerical Officer and Clerical Assistant have been held.

A total of 26 NGOs which have been commissioned to carry out the IEAPS have agreed to consider the appointment of suitable CWOs. With the consent from individual CWOs, personal particulars of 29 CWOs have been referred to these NGOs for appointment purpose. Meanwhile, the SWD has also passed the recruitment information from these NGOs to the CWOs for their consideration for application.

Workshops on improving interview skills and personal effectiveness conducted by professional training consultants and various kinds of training courses have also been arranged by the SWD for the CWOs. The CWOs can apply for these courses according to their needs. So far, 10 such courses with more than 340 places have been attended by the officers.

The SWD has also made arrangement with the Employee Retraining Board (ERB) to provide personal consultation service to individual CWOs. Subsidy will be provided by the SWD to CWOs for attending training courses conducted by the ERB and other recognised training organisations (such as, the Construction Industry Council and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong).

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Transcript of remarks by CE at media session in Beijing (with photos/ videos)

December 21, 2012, 5:42 am

≫ Next: Police appeal for witnesses to fatal traffic accident in Sheung Shui

≪ Previous: SWD's response to assistance offered to non-civil service contract Community Work Organisers in finding jobs

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at a media session in Beijing tonight (December 21):

Reporter: (on the appointment of Mr Lau Kong-wah as Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs)

Chief Executive: This is part of our long-standing policy of choosing the best person for the job.

Reporter: Why is he the best person?

Chief Executive: Well he is the best person.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

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Police appeal for witnesses to fatal traffic accident in Sheung Shui

December 21, 2012, 10:10 am

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Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal traffic accident in Sheung Shui last night (December 21), in which a 29-year-old woman died.

At about 9.08pm yesterday, Police received a report that someone was found collapsed on Fanling Highway. Police sped to scene and located a woman on the Kowloon-bound carriageway of Fanling Highway near Fanling Centre. She was injured and conveyed to North District Hospital in an unconscious state, after which she was certified dead at 9.42pm.

Upon initial investigation, Police believed that the woman was hit by vehicles travelling along Fanling Highway. Police urged anyone who had seen the accident or has any information to offer to contact investigating officers on 3661 3858 or 3661 3800.

The Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North will continue to investigate the accident.

Police Report No. 18
Issued by PPRB

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