HKSAR Government Press Releases

Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

Please broadcast the following special announcement as soon as possible, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

A fire broke out at a tin-sheeted structure on Tam Kon Shan Road, Tsing Yi at 8.45am today (April 19). The Fire Services Department is conducting a firefighting operation.

Members of the public who are being affected by the smoke and an unusual odour carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows and stay calm.

     The Government intends to allow Airport Authority Hong Kong to deploy not more than 1 000 artificial reef units within an area of approximately 25 hectares of seabed at the waters of the Hong Kong International Airport Approach Area No. 3. The extent of the area of seabed affected is described in a notice gazetted today (April 19).

     The proposed works aim to provide micro marine habitats as shelters and nursery grounds to enhance the ecological and fisheries resources in the Northwest Lantau waters. The proposed works are scheduled to commence as early as mid-2024 for completion in the second half of the year.

     The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:

* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);
* Islands Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (Tung Chung) of the Islands District Office (1/F, Tung Chung Post Office Building, 6 Mei Tung Street, Tung Chung, Lantau Island); and
* Lands Department's website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.

     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the seabed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the gazette date, i.e. on or before June 19. The notice of such an objection shall describe the interest, right or easement of the objector and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected.

     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today (April 19) announced that the tender period for the contract for Relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to Caverns - Civil Works for Sewage Treatment Facilities and Associated Works (Contract No. DC/2023/18) has been extended to noon on May 24.

     The DSD invited tenders for the contract on March 8. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on May 3.

     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available at the DSD's website (www.dsd.gov.hk/EN/Tender_Notices/Current_Tenders/index.html).

     The DSD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please call the company at 3922 9000 during office hours.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 19) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

ããOrganised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Chinese Opera Festival (COF) is in its 12th edition this year, and has become a core part of the inaugural Chinese Culture Festival (CCF), striving to play an even greater role in promoting the arts and culture of Chinese opera. It will present eight quality programmes packed with both civil and martial scenes from June to August, covering Cantonese opera, North Road Bangzi opera, Chiuchow opera, Liuzi opera, Yue opera, Kunqu opera, Wu opera and Peking opera, which enable members of the public to appreciate the essence of Chinese opera and experience the profound cultural heritage of the country. The COF also allows outstanding troupes from all over the country to demonstrate to the world the unique charm of Chinese opera as a treasure of Chinese culture in Hong Kong, an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.

ããThe COF will start off with "Cyrano de Bergerac" - A Cantonese Opera Interpretation, a new interdisciplinary production developed by Cantonese opera virtuoso Law Ka-ying, who has been working on it for 10 years. The play is an adaptation of a 19th-century French classic piece of the same title, and is transposed to a political period of unrest during the Ming dynasty. Law partners with famous veterans Liza Wang and Sun Kim Long to present this well-known story of a love triangle, revealing the deepest romantic feelings that were buried in wartime love letters. The adaptation has preserved the performing techniques, traditional forms and artistic charm of Cantonese opera, a world-class intangible cultural heritage, while demonstrating the eclecticism of this art form, most notably in the hybrid mix of East and West. It also showcases the fresh image of the art form through innovation and inclusion.

ããYue opera has long been a favourite for opera fans in Hong Kong. As this year marks the 105th anniversary of the birth of Yin Guifang, founder of the Yin School of Yue opera, the LCSD has invited the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe, which was established by Yin, to take part in the COF for the first time. Wang Junan, Yin's disciple, together with Zheng Quan and Li Min, winners of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award (Plum Blossom Award), will present the repertoires of the Yin School, "Liu Yong" and "The Jade Dragonfly" respectively, and numerous classic operatic excerpts to celebrate the legacy of Yin.

ããChiuchow opera, which also has a large number of local fans, will be staged at the COF again this year. The Guangdong Chiu Chow Opera Theatre Number One Troupe and Hong Kong's Sun Hon Kwong Chiu Chow Opera Troupe will join hands again to present "Princess of Eastern Wu" played by Zhang Yihuang, winner of the Plum Blossom Award, and "Poet Li Shangyin", a Plum Blossom Award-winning work performed by Lin Yanyun. The performances will showcase the artistic characteristics of Chiuchow opera as one of the three main regional operatic genres in Guangdong, while at the same time, epitomising the long-time cultural bonds and exchanges between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

ããThe Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre will be back with a grand line-up to present the classic repertoire "The Palace of Eternal Life" played by Plum Blossom awardees Wei Chunrong and Wang Zhenyi. This play, of a high literary and musical calibre, is centred on the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Imperial Concubine Yang. The programme includes two selections of traditional opera excerpts that highlight the distinctive acting techniques of the different role types to feature the uniquely heroic yet delicate style of northern Kunqu.

ããHaving received an overwhelming response in Hong Kong last year, the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Centre will be back with its latest production "Sun Wu Kong Thrice Beat the Bony Demon". Winners of the Plum Blossom Award, Yang Xiayun and Lou Sheng, together with other outstanding young artists, will present this classic story from the "Journey to the West" with magnificent stunts and techniques. The performance is a good opportunity to tell a successful story of the development of contemporary Chinese operatic art, and promote exchanges between industry players. The troupe will also bring its full-length play "Mu Guiying" and other classic excerpts onto the stage of Hong Kong to demonstrate its character of "crossing the line between the martial and the civil repertories" of Wu opera.

ããThis year's COF will also introduce two regional operatic genres with high artistic standards and unique styles. North Road Bangzi opera of Shanxi will make its debut at the COF with two classic plays set in high Tang, "Sobering Up after Being Drunk" and "Dotting the Eye of a Painted Dragon", which will be performed by Plum Blossom Award winners Yang Zhongyi and Cheng Fengying from the Academy of Xinzhou Studies, to demonstrate the heroic style of Saibei (a region beyond the Great Wall). With its best line-up, the Centre for the Safeguarding of Liuzi Opera of Shandong will bring the representative work of Liuzi opera, "Sun An Presenting Memorials", back to the Hong Kong stage after 16 years. Another play featuring "hualian" (painted-face), "Zhang Fei Crashing the Palace Gate", in which General Zhang Fei enters the stage in a civil way of holding a folding fan that is rarely seen in character design, is also a not-to-be-missed performance for theatregoers.

ããThe Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company, from the city of focus of this year's CCF, will present the grand finale of the COF with "The House of Wulong", a representative work of Peking opera master Zhou Xinfang (better known by his stage name Qilintong). This time, the play will be interpreted by Chen Shaoyun, currently the leading exponent of Qi style and renowned virtuoso of the Peking opera, to showcase the masterful demeanour of "four skills in performing and five acting rules" in the Qi tradition of "laosheng" (old male) role. Plum Blossom awardee Fu Xiru will lead an excellent young cast to perform the full-length serial opera "Seven Heroes and Five Gallants" (Part One and Two). The two performances, with exquisite stage designs, allow opera fans to follow the exciting story plot to the end and experience the unique martial arts in Shanghai-style stage characteristics. This programme is also one of the Shanghai Culture Week events.

ããFor the dates and times of the above-mentioned stage performances, please see the Annex. Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) and the Xiqu Centre Ticket Office. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. A limited time offer is available from now until May 3 for purchasing the selected stage programmes of the Chinese Culture Festival (including the above-mentioned COF programmes). For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.cof.gov.hk/2024/en.

ããTo strengthen the promotion and preservation of fine traditional Chinese culture, apart from the above-mentioned performances, this year's COF will curate more guided arts appreciation activities. In addition to arts talks, film screenings and exhibitions, there will be thematic talks, masterclasses, workshops, demonstration performances, school tours with guided viewings and more to promote the profound Chinese operatic heritage as well as the wonderful richness of Chinese culture and arts. Moreover, the COF will arrange two performances and appreciation sessions under the heading of "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" specially targeted at students, allowing them to experience the exquisite arts of Chinese opera.

ããThe CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the LCSD and the Chinese Culture Promotion Office, aims to enhance the public appreciation of Chinese culture and cultivate citizen's national identity and cultural confidence. The inaugural CCF will be held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, including selected programmes of the Chinese Opera Festival, exemplary local arts projects recognised by the China National Arts Fund, performing arts programmes from arts and cultural organisations, film screenings, exhibitions, talks and more, the festival allows members of the public and visitors to experience the broad and profound Chinese culture with a view to promoting Chinese culture and patriotic education as well as enhancing national identity amongst the people of Hong Kong, making contributions to the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".

ããThe LCSD has all along promoted Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

To prepare for the launch of the eMPF Platform and the onboarding of the first batch of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) trustees, the Government published in the Gazette today (April 19) the following legal notices:

(i) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Designation of Electronic MPF System) Notice (System Designation Notice);

(ii) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Commencement) Notice 2024 (Commencement Notice);

(iii) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Specification of Dates for Purposes of Section 19M(2)(a)) Notice (Mandatory Use Notice); and

(iv) the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19U(4)) Notice, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19Y(3)) Notice, and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Appointment of Dates for Purposes of Section 19Z(4)) Notice (collectively Fee Control Notices).

The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Amendment Ordinance 2021) enacted by the Legislative Council (LegCo) in October 2021 provides the necessary legal basis for the implementation of the eMPF Platform, and confers power on the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury to publish legal notices in the Gazette to put certain provisions of the Amendment Ordinance 2021 into operation when the eMPF Platform is ready for use. Such legal notices will be published in the Gazette by batches to dovetail with the phased onboarding of MPF trustees (in ascending order of their assets-under-management size).

The System Designation Notice seeks to designate the eMPF Platform to provide services and facilities to facilitate MPF trustees in performing their scheme administration functions and any other functions that may be specified in Schedule 12 to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485) (MPFSO). The Commencement Notice appoints June 26, 2024, as the day on which the provisions covered in section 1(3)(a) of the Amendment Ordinance 2021 come into operation. On the mandatory use of the eMPF Platform by MPF trustees, the Mandatory Use Notice specifies June 26, 2024, and July 29, 2024, as "material day" for the purposes of section 19M(2)(a) of the MPFSO for the schemes of YF Life Trustees Limited (YF Life) and China Life Trustees Limited (China Life) respectively. On cost savings and fee-setting of MPF schemes to be charged by MPF trustees on scheme members, the Fee Control Notices appoint September 26, 2024, and October 29, 2024, as "material day" for the purposes of sections 19U(4), 19Y(3) and 19Z(4) of the MPFSO for the constituent funds of the schemes of YF Life and China Life respectively. Mandatory Use Notices and Fee Control Notices for the remaining trustees will be published when the respective onboarding dates are ascertained having regard to their onboarding preparation status. A tentative onboarding schedule of all MPF trustees is in the Annex.

"The eMPF Platform is one of the most important reform initiatives of the MPF System since its inception. It will standardise, streamline and automate various MPF scheme administration tasks, with a view to enhancing operational efficiency, reducing administration fee and providing greater convenience in managing MPF accounts. Scheme members may start using the web portal or mobile application of the eMPF Platform to manage their MPF accounts as soon as respective trustees of their MPF schemes are onboarded. At the macro level, the eMPF Platform will provide impetus for growth for the MPF industry by lowering entry barriers for new MPF service providers and pave the way for other MPF reform initiatives," a spokesperson for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said.

The first batch of legal notices will be tabled at the LegCo for negative vetting on April 24, 2024.

     The Waterworks (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 (the Ordinance) was gazetted and came into force today (April 19).

     A spokesman for the Development Bureau said, "The Ordinance aims to enhance enforcement efficiency and provide a deterrent effect against the illegal act of overcharging for water. It empowers the Water Supplies Department (WSD) and the Rating and Valuation Department to exchange information. A mechanism for exchanging information when handling cases of overcharging for water has been finalised, enabling a more effective process of inspection and handling of cases that could not be followed up in the past."

     The Ordinance, which was passed by the Legislative Council on April 10, stipulates that reimbursement for water can only be collected from tenants after the water bill from the WSD has been issued and paid, and that there is an increased penalty level for overcharging of water. An offender is liable on a first conviction to a level 3 fine ($10,000), and on a subsequent conviction to a level 4 fine ($25,000). Apart from the fine, those convicted must repay the overcharged amount to the tenant.

     The Ordinance also empowers the WSD to request the relevant person to provide information or documents, including receipts for water charges or payment records. Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the request commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000) and a further fine ($1,000) for each subsequent day that the required information is not submitted. Furthermore, a person who provides false or misleading information to the WSD is liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and to imprisonment for six months.

     Furthermore, persons who collect a reimbursement for water must issue a receipt containing the specified content within seven days from the payment of the relevant amount, and keep a copy of the receipt for two years. An offender is liable on conviction to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). This requirement will come into operation on July 19, 2024.

     The spokesman said, "We recommend owners of subdivided units to install separate water meters from the WSD for their tenants. The tenants can pay the water charges by themselves according to the separate water bills issued by the WSD for each subdivided unit, and the owners can save the trouble of apportioning the water charge."

     The WSD will step up publicity through social media, TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, inserts to water bills, circular leaflets and posters, guidelines, simple and straightforward infographics and more to enable the public to learn about the details of the Ordinance. The public can also visit the dedicated page on the WSD website for relevant information.

The Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band (HKYSB) of the Music Office (MO) under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold its annual concert entitled "Europe by Rail" at 3pm on May 19 (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.

The concert will be conducted by MO instructors Lee Sing-wan and Kevin Ling. The HKYSB will perform "Carmen Fantasy", which was adapted from renowned opera "Carmen", with MO instructor Leung Wing-kin as flute soloist.

Other highlights include "Hans Christian Andersen" Suite, inspired by the adventures of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen and his classic works; "Armenian Dances, Part I", based on folk songs collected by Armenian musicologist Gomidas Vartabed; "New London Pictures", portraying the vibrancy and prosperity of the modern city; and "In the Shadow of Napoleon", a suspenseful and mysterious suite based on a musical of the same title.

The HKYSB was formed in 1978 with the aim of nurturing young musicians and arousing greater interest in band music in Hong Kong. The Band currently has 67 members and recruits annually by open audition. It has performed in Hong Kong and overseas, winning much acclaim.

Tickets priced at $60, $80 and $100 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 1003 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice.

The Government today (April 19) announced the reappointment of two incumbent members, namely Mr Ip Chi-wai and Mr Webster Ng Kam-wah, and the appointment of three new members, Miss Chow Tsz-ki, Mr Joseph Hung Hin-ching and Miss Alice Wan Ngai-teck, to the Lump Sum Grant Steering Committee (LSGSC). All of the appointments will take effect from April 22, 2024, for a term of two years.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, welcomed the appointments and also thanked the outgoing members, Ms Jasmine Chan Hoi-yan, Ms Chung Wai-ling and Mr Raymond Lai Kwan-ho, for their contributions to the LSGSC in the past.

Chaired by the Director of Social Welfare, the LSGSC monitors the implementation of the Lump Sum Grant Subvention System (LSGSS) and identifies areas for improvement. It also facilitates the sharing of information and experience among the Social Welfare Department, non-governmental organisations, their staff and service users on the implementation of the LSGSS.

The list of non-official members of the LSGSC in the new term is as follows:

Miss Vena Cheng Wei-yan
Ms Cheung Kwok-chun
Miss Chow Tsz-ki
Miss Chu Lai-ling
Mr Thomas Chu Sai-ming
Mr Joseph Hung Hin-ching
Mr Ip Chi-wai
Mrs Patricia Lau
Mr Kirin Law Tsz-yeung
Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung
Miss Yanmi Leung Ho-yan
Dr Pamela Leung Pui-yu
Ms Rachel Leung Wai-ling
Mr Webster Ng Kam-wah
Mr Sy Ching-tam
Mr Tse Wah-wan
Miss Alice Wan Ngai-teck
Mr Roland Wong Ka-yeung
Ms Wong May-kwan
Mr Addy Wong Wai-hung

The Director of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Dr Chan Pak-wai, was elected with overwhelming support as a co-Vice-President of the Commission for Observation, Infrastructure and Information Systems (INFCOM) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at the third session of INFCOM held in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (April 18, Geneva time), making him the first Asian to take up a leadership position in INFCOM.

As one of the two technical commissions under the WMO, INFCOM contributes to the development and implementation of globally co-ordinated Earth system observations, data and prediction systems. INFCOM also makes recommendations to the Executive Council and the World Meteorological Congress, the highest decision-making body of the WMO, on international standards for methods, procedures, techniques and practices in meteorology and operational hydrology to be included in the Technical Regulations, Guides and Manuals.

Dr Chan said, "It is my great honour to serve as a co-Vice-President of INFCOM and contribute to the international meteorological community. I am grateful to the Central People's Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for their support for my work at INFCOM. I also wish to thank members in the Commission for giving me the chance to take up this important role as well as their trust and partnership. Moving forward, I will devote my best efforts and join hands with experts in the Commission to achieve a common goal to protect lives and properties through science and innovation."

The WMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations for weather, climate, water and related environmental matters. At present, the WMO has 187 member states and six member territories, including Hong Kong, China.

Over the years, the HKO plays a significant role in various WMO activities and is highly recognised by WMO members and the Secretariat. HKO officers have been serving different roles in various technical commissions, standing committees, study groups and expert teams of the WMO. Dr Chan is currently the Permanent Representative of Hong Kong, China with WMO and he had been a co-Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Measurements, Instrumentation and Traceability of INFCOM to promote the standardisation of meteorological and related observations.

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 to a press release issued by Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd. relating to a fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Hongkong Post announced today (April 19) that, as advised by the postal administration of the United Arab Emirates, due to the impact of severe weather, mail delivery services to the United Arab Emirates are subject to delay.

Following is the English translation of the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee today (April 19):

Chairman and Members,

Promoting Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) development and accelerating Hong Kong’s high-quality development is one of the focus areas of this year's Budget. The Budget also announced devoting more resources to chart Hong Kong in moving full steam towards our vision of an international I&T centre. I will give an overview of the relevant key measures in the Budget along four directions.

(1) Consolidating Hong Kong's research and development (R&D) strengths and promoting technology industry development

We are dedicated to consolidating Hong Kong's R&D strengths, supporting the midstream transformation and realisation of research outcomes with a view to advancing the development of technology industries. With regard to artificial intelligence (AI), the Budget allocated $3 billion to launch a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme to support local universities, research institutes and enterprises etc. to leverage computing power of Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre; strengthen cyber security and data protection of the Centre; and launch promotional and educational activities, etc. As for microelectronics, the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute will be established within this year to support the R&D of third generation semiconductors. On life and health technology, from the $10 billion earmarked, we will allocate $2 billion to support the InnoHK research clusters to establish presence in the Loop and another $200 million to provide assistance to start-ups engaging in life and health technology in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park (HSITP) in the form of incubation and acceleration programmes, etc., thereby facilitating the setting up of the InnoLife Healthtech Hub in HSITP. Furthermore, we will launch a $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme to assist the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, on a matching basis, in setting up research facilities and conducting research projects led by leading local and international researchers and provide a maximum of $16 million annual funding to the Technology Transfer Office of each UGC-funded university. These measures will further enhance Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem and better realise our basic technology research capabilities in making breakthroughs out of the blue.

(2) Developing I&T infrastructure and promoting "new industrialisation"

The Loop development is of great significance to Hong Kong's high-quality development. We will continue to support the development of HSITP. First three buildings will be completed progressively by end of this year, and construction of the other five buildings will commence after relocation of the isolation facilities in an orderly manner.

For "new industrialisation", the Government will launch the $10 billion New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS) within this year to fund enterprises in life and health technology, AI and data science, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technology that invest no less than $200 million in setting up new production facilities in Hong Kong on a matching basis of 1 (Government):2 (Company), subject to a funding ceiling of $200 million per enterprise. Enterprises that participate in NIAS may receive subsidies under the Research Talent Hub to engage research talent, and, on a pilot basis, engage a small number of non-local technical personnel under the Technology Talent Admission Scheme.

(3) Developing digital economy and promoting the community's digital transformation

Digital economy has become a new driving force for economic development. As a new key production factor, data links different industries and sectors, empowering enterprises to enhance efficiency, boost their competitiveness and create fresh business opportunities. Since March this year, Cyberport has invited the first batch of small and medium enterprises to apply for the $500 million Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme to acquire readyâtoâuse basic digital solutions including electronic payment. The Government will also launch a $300 million "Corporate Digital Identity" platform to facilitate the conduct of online business transactions and services. In addition, the Government has commissioned an expert group to undertake study on how to develop a robust data trading ecosystem in Hong Kong, etc.

Furthermore, in order to promote digital inclusion, the Government will allocate $100 million under the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund to provide training on digital technologies and technical support to elderlies aged 60 or above in Hong Kong in the coming three years, which is expected to benefit at least 50 000 elderlies. The first batch of programmes is expected to commence in the fourth quarter this year at the earliest. We have also implemented various Cross-boundary Public Services measures, including setting up of the first Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk in Guangzhou in February 2024, and are planning to set up self-service kiosks in more Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to facilitate residents and enterprises in the GBA to access Hong Kong government services.

(4) Nurturing I&T start-ups and talent

With regard to nurturing I&T start-ups, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation will launch the Co-acceleration Programme to pool the efforts of the I&T industry to nurture I&T start-ups with high potential as regional or global enterprises. In addition to existing measures on nurturing and attracting talent, the Government will also allocate an additional funding of $134 million to continue subsidising publicly-funded primary schools for two academic years under the "Knowing More About IT" Programme to enhance primary school students' interests in information technology and its application. These measures will be conducive to pooling together and nurturing Hong Kong's I&T talent.

Conclusion

Our country has always been offering strong support for Hong Kong's I&T development. Generally speaking, various measures for promoting the I&T development are gradually taking effect. The Government will continue to invest and build up a vibrant I&T ecosystem. We have full confidence in the I&T development in Hong Kong. I would like to express my gratitude to all Members again for the support to the I&T development in Hong Kong all along. I appeal for the continual support of Members and the public for the work of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau. Thank you, Chairman.

     Two red tides have been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (April 19).

     On April 18, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted two red tides at Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay Beach on Hong Kong Island. The red tides still persist and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, "Both red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Po Toi fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 19) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Following are the speaking notes of the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on welfare, poverty alleviation and children policy areas tabled at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee today (April 19):

Chairman and Honourable Members,

     In 2024-25, government recurrent spending on social welfare is estimated to be $127.4 billion, accounting for 22 per cent of the total recurrent government expenditure of the year, first amongst all policy area groups. Compared with the revised estimate for 2023-24 of $112.4 billion, there is an increase of about $15 billion in recurrent spending on social welfare. The increase is about 13.3 per cent. Now, let me highlight how the Labour and Welfare Bureau will make use of these resources.

Elderly services

     The recurrent government expenditure on elderly services this year is estimated to reach about $16 billion, representing an increase of about 60 per cent over about $10 billion compared to five years ago (i.e. 2019-20).

     The Government will continue to strengthen residential and community care services for the elderly, adding 1 000 more Residential Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly (RCSV) and 1 000 more Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly (CCSV) starting from the second quarter this year, so that the RCSV and the CCSV will have a total of 5 000 and 11 000 vouchers respectively. Starting from the second quarter this year, the service scope of the RCSV will be extended from the existing care-and-attention places to nursing home places.

Cash assistance

     This year's Budget proposes to provide an extra half-month allowance to eligible recipients of social security payments, which will incur an expenditure of about $2,873 million and is expected to benefit about 1.66 million persons. Similar arrangements will apply to recipients of the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme. It is expected that around 64 000 households will benefit from this initiative, incurring an expenditure of about $100 million. Apart from this, the Government continues to enhance cash assistance schemes, including increasing the rates of household and child allowances under the WFA Scheme by 15 per cent across the board with effect from April this year. The additional expenditure involved is expected to be about $257 million per year.

Enhance support for persons with disabilities

     In view of the ageing of users of Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities (RCHDs), the Government will increase nursing staff in RCHDs to enhance care for their ageing users. The annual expenditure involved is about $121 million. To meet the needs of day training service users who are ageing or have deteriorating health conditions, we will increase service places of the Extended Care Programme in Day Activity Centres and the Work Extension Programme to enhance care for these service users. The annual expenditure involved is about $20 million.

     The Government will enhance the services of Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness, including strengthening early identification of persons with mental health needs and early intervention, and scaling up the training of social workers in community mental health service units to raise their capacity in handling complicated cases. The annual expenditure involved is over $60 million.

     We will also seek funding of about $129 million from the Community Care Fund to implement a threeâyear pilot scheme from the third quarter of 2024 to provide an additional subsidy of $500 per month to employed disabled recipients of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance as a means of encouraging their employment.

Enhance support for carers

     In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Government will invite recognised service providers participating in the CCSV Scheme for the Elderly to provide day respite services for needy elderly when there are vacant service places. The annual expenditure involved is about $24 million.

     The Government launched the District Services and Community Care Teams - Pilot Scheme on Supporting Elderly and Carers in March. Piloting in Tsuen Wan and Southern districts, the Care Teams will help identify households of singleton/doubleton elderly persons as well as carers of elderly persons and carers of persons with disabilities requiring support, and refer cases to the relevant social welfare service units for follow-up. The Care Teams will also assist referring needy households to install emergency alarm systems. The expenditure involved is about $9 million. Upon reviewing its effectiveness, the Government will consider extending the Pilot Scheme to other districts.

     In April 2024, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) set up a designated team in each of the 21 district support centres for persons with disabilities across the territory to proactively contact the carers of special school leavers six months before graduation, provide training on caring and interaction skills, arrange post-school care plans and link with community support services, and provide follow-up services for needy cases after graduation, so as to facilitate school leavers' smooth transition from school to community life. The annual expenditure involved is about $110 million.

     To support persons in mental recovery and their carers, the Government will strengthen peer support services in 2024, and set up four additional Parents/Relatives Resource Centres for carers of persons in mental recovery in 2025. The annual expenditure involved is about $26 million.

Assist working families in childbearing

     Over the next three years starting this year, the Government will set up 10 more aided standalone child care centres in phases, providing nearly 900 additional places for day child care services; and starting from this April, increase the Child Care Centre Parent Subsidy. The SWD will also extend the AfterâSchool Care Programme for Preâprimary Children to cover all districts in Hong Kong, and the service places will increase to nearly 1 200. Starting from this April, the incentive payment for homeâbased child carers of the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project will be increased; and starting from the fourth quarter this year, the number of service places will be doubled to about 2 000 with a view to doubling the number of beneficiaries to 20 000. The various initiatives above will involve an annual expenditure of about $408 million.

Child protection

     The Government is fully co-operating with the Legislative Council in the scrutiny of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill and looks forward to the early passage of the Bill and the implementation of the mandatory reporting regime for early identification and intervention into child abuse cases. Various measures are in the pipeline to dovetail with the mandatory reporting regime coming into effect. Relevant additional full-year provision by the Government is about $186.5 million.

     The SWD is progressively implementing the recommendations of the Committee on Review of Residential Child Care and Related Services, including increasing the number of service places, substantially increasing the incentive payment for foster families, and strengthening the support and training for foster families. Relevant additional full-year provision by the Government is about $178.4 million.

Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities

     The Financial Secretary has announced in the 2024-25 Budget that the Government will review the mode of operation of the Scheme with a view to maintaining its financial sustainability. The Government has stated that there is no intention to cancel the Scheme or change the existing beneficiary groups. We anticipate that the review will be completed within this year.

     Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. Members are welcome to raise questions.

     Hong Kong Customs on April 17 seized about 5.5 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 14 grams of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia in Cheung Sha Wan with a total estimated market value of about $3 million. One man was arrested.

     During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Cheung Sha Wan on that day, Customs officers intercepted a 17-year-old man and found about 4g of suspected crack cocaine on him. The man was subsequently arrested.

     Customs officers then escorted the arrested man to a residential unit nearby for a search and further seized about 5.5kg of suspected ketamine, 10g of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.

For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.

As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.

From noon on April 18 to noon today (April 19), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 150 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).

From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 44 036 samples of food imported from Japan (including 28 895 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 11 832 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     HK Bio-Rhythm R&D Company Limited and its director were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violation of the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company and its director pleaded guilty at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (April 19) and were fined a total sum of $152,000.

     The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirement of the EO, failing to pay four employees' wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods totalling about $703,000. The director concerned was prosecuted and convicted for her consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO," a spokesman for the LD said.

     "The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.

The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, April 19, 2024 is 106.1 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Fanling/Sheung Shui Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

"The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town", a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (April 19).

     The planning scheme area, about 667 hectares, is located in the river plains associated with the Ng Tung (Indus), Shek Sheung (Sutlej), Sheung Yue (Beas) and Ma Wat Rivers, which generally coincides with the existing area for the New Town. The main features delineating the New Town boundary are Tin Ping Shan and Ma Sik Road to the north, Ma Wat River to the east, and the foothills of Wo Hop Shek Cemetery and a golf course to the south and west.

      The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft Fanling/Sheung Shui OZP No. S/FSS/27, which involve (i) rezoning a site at Ma Sik Road and Fan Leng Lau Road from "Village Type Development" to "Residential (Group A)12", and (ii) revision to the plot ratio and building height restrictions of the "Comprehensive Development Area" zone.

     The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.

     The approved Fanling/Sheung Shui OZP No. S/FSS/28 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long East District Planning Office, (iv) the North District Office, (v) the Fanling District Rural Committee and (vi) the Sheung Shui District Rural Committee.

Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

"The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the developments and redevelopments within the Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (April 19).

     The planning scheme area, covering about 318 hectares, is bounded by Man Kam To boundary crossing in the north, Hung Lung Hang in the east, Ng Tung River in the southeast, Fu Tei Au Road in the southwest, and the MTR East Rail Line in the west.

The approved OZP has incorporated the amendments shown on the draft Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling OZP No. S/NE-FTA/17, which mainly involves (i) rezoning a site in Wa Shan, Sheung Shui from "Agriculture" ("AGR") and "Green Belt" to "Residential (Group A)" for public housing development; and (ii) rezoning a piece of land to the west of the public housing site from "AGR" to "Government, Institution or Community" for re-provisioning of government facilities affected by the public housing development.

     The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to reflect the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.

     The approved Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling OZP No. S/NE-FTA/18 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, (iv) the North District Office, (v) the Fanling District Rural Committee and (vi) the Sheung Shui District Rural Committee.

     Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Chai Wan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     â"The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment in the Chai Wan area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (April 19).

     The planning scheme area, covering about 614 hectares, is located in the eastern part of Hong Kong Island. It is generally bounded by Heng Fa Chuen to the north, Tai Tam Country Park to the west, Shek O Country Park to the south and the waterfront to the east.

     The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft Chai Wan OZP No. S/H20/26, which mainly involve (i) rezoning a site to the south of Chai Wan Swimming Pool from "Green Belt" and "Government, Institution or Community" to "Residential (Group A)" ("R(A)") for public housing development; and (ii) rezoning a site to the immediate west of the MTR Chai Wan Station from "Comprehensive Development Area" to "R(A)" to reflect the as-built development.

     The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.

     The approved Chai Wan OZP No. S/H20/27 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Hong Kong District Planning Office and (iv) the Eastern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre.

     Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft North Point Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

"The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment in the North Point area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (April 19).

     The planning scheme area covers about 277 hectares of land in the northern part of Hong Kong Island. It includes the reclamation area for the Central - Wan Chai Bypass and the existing built-up area on the northern shore and the well-wooded slope rising to the Sir Cecil's Ride in the south. It is also bounded by Hing Fat Street, Gloucester Road and Wun Sha Street to the west, and Mansion Street, Java Road and Hoi Yu Street to the east.

     The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft North Point OZP No. S/H8/27, which mainly involve (i) revision to the building height restriction of a site zoned "Government, Institution or Community" at 210 Java Road from eight storeys to 110 metres above Principal Datum, to facilitate the redevelopment of an existing social services building; (ii) rezoning two sites from "Comprehensive Development Area (CDA)" and "CDA(1)" to "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Commercial and Residential Development" and "Commercial (2)" respectively to reflect the completed composite and commercial developments; and (iii) other zoning amendments to reflect the current uses and as-built conditions of various sites.

     The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.

     The approved North Point OZP No. S/H8/28 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Hong Kong District Planning Office, (iv) the Eastern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre and (v) the Wan Chai Home Affairs Enquiry Centre.

     Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

     âThe Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (April 19) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).

     Thirty-one beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), seven as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Big Wave Bay Beach*	Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Cafeteria New Beach	Middle Bay Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach	Pui O Beach*
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach*	Repulse Bay Beach*
Chung Hom Kok Beach	Shek O Beach*
Clear Water Bay First Beach	Silver Mine Bay Beach*
Clear Water Bay Second Beach*	Silverstrand Beach*
Deep Water Bay Beach*	South Bay Beach*
Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach	St. Stephen's Beach
Golden Beach*	Stanley Main Beach*
Hap Mun Bay Beach*	Tai Po Lung Mei Beach*
Hung Shing Yeh Beach*	Tong Fuk Beach
Kadoorie Beach*	Trio Beach
Kiu Tsui Beach	Turtle Cove Beach
Kwun Yam Beach	Upper Cheung Sha Beach
Lo So Shing Beach

Grade 2 beaches are:

Approach Beach	Hoi Mei Wan Beach
Butterfly Beach*	Lido Beach*
Casam Beach*	Ting Kau Beach*
Castle Peak Beach

Grade 3 beaches are:

Anglers' Beach*

Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach*

     Compared with the grading released last week, Silverstrand Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Anglers' Beach from Grade 4 to Grade 3. Lido Beach and Ting Kau Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.

"The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.

     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application (available for download from: www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQApp) or the dedicated beach water quality forecast page (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast) on the EPD's beach thematic website.

Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 22 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from April 1. Due to the damage caused to the footpaths leading to Chung Hom Kok Beach by landslides, the beach is temporarily closed until further notice. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).

Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which has no lifesaving service.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, concluded his visit to Suzhou and returned to Hong Kong today (April 19).

In the morning, Mr Chan visited an enterprise engaging in hydrogen power technology, and toured its factory of fuel cell system and product assembly and testing. Mr Chan also met with representatives of the enterprise to learn about its plans to expand research and development (R&D) and international business. The enterprise has submitted its listing application in Hong Kong. Mr Chan encouraged the enterprise to expand their business planning in Hong Kong, including setting up R&D facilities and even international headquarters, and make good use of Hong Kong's fund-raising services to strengthen their business and internationalisation. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, Invest Hong Kong, etc, will provide one-stop services and facilitate their settling in Hong Kong.

In concluding his visit to Hangzhou and Suzhou, Mr Chan said, "Hangzhou and Suzhou are both fast-developing and highly advanced cities in the Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone, with an energetic digital economy, a strong foundation for advanced manufacturing, vibrant development of private enterprises, robust innovation and technology capacities, and a rich cultural and creative atmosphere. They are enhancing the development of new quality productive forces with innovation to promote high-quality development. Hong Kong has close economic, trade, and cultural exchanges with the two cities. Hong Kong possesses advantages including its connectivity with international capital, alignment with international standards, provision of high-quality professional services, ability to attract international talent, and access to international markets. In addition, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is continuously promoting the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong. Hong Kong can join hands with Hangzhou and Suzhou to assist their enterprises in developing their international businesses, and in managing cross-border industry and supply chains, as well as off-shore trade financing. During this visit, I met with leaders of both cities to discuss strengthening co-operation. I also visited various enterprises engaging in artificial intelligence, big data, biomedical technology, new materials, and new energy. I firmly believe in the enormous potential and scope for future collaboration between Hong Kong and the Yangtze River Delta region."

Following are the speaking notes of the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on labour, manpower development and retirement protection policy areas tabled at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee today (April 19):

Chairman and Honourable Members,

     Recurrent government spending on labour and manpower development in 2024-25 is estimated to be $3,350 million, representing an increase of $540 million (about 19.4 per cent) over the revised estimate of $2,810 million last year. It accounts for 0.6 per cent of the total recurrent government expenditure. I will highlight the key areas of work in respect of the relevant areas in the coming year.

Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme

     To encourage the elderly and middle-aged to join the workforce, the Labour Department (LD) will launch a three-year Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme. The Scheme will provide a re-employment allowance to persons aged 40 or above who have not been at paid employment for three consecutive months or more to incentivise them to rejoin the workforce. Each eligible person will receive a maximum re-employment allowance of $20,000 during the implementation of the Scheme. The estimated expenditure for the re-employment allowance is approximately $120 million, which is expected to benefit some 6 000 persons.

"Continuous contract" requirement

     The Labour Advisory Board has reached a consensus on the review of the "continuous contract" requirement (commonly referred to as the "418" requirement) under the Employment Ordinance. Such a requirement will be relaxed by using the aggregate working hours of four weeks as a counting unit and setting the four-week working hour threshold at 68 hours. The Government has reported the review outcome to the Panel on Manpower of the Legislative Council and commenced the relevant legislative amendment work.

Abolition of Mandatory Provident Fund offsetting arrangement

     To tie in with the implementation of the abolition of the Mandatory Provident Fund offsetting arrangement on May 1 next year, the Government is pressing ahead with the preparatory work, including developing an information technology system for the Government Subsidy Scheme and formulating its operational details.

Collecting information on working situation of digital platform workers

     The LD has commissioned the Census and Statistics Department to conduct a Thematic Household Survey to collect information on the working situation of local digital platform workers (DPWs) and plans to collect the views of DPWs for the formulation of strategies for protecting DPWs.

Enhancing occupational safety and health

The LD is highly concerned about the recent fatal work accidents. Apart from commencing immediate on-site investigations, issuing suspension notices to the relevant duty holders and ascertaining the legal liability of the duty holders concerned, the LD has launched a series of follow-up actions having regard to the nature of the accidents, such as conducting targeted special enforcement operations and setting up Special Task Forces to combat unsafe work activities.

     The LD has also revised the Code of Practice (CoP) for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety, which involves enhancing the stability of bamboo scaffolds and requiring bamboo scaffolders to possess valid safety training certificates before carrying out the relevant work. The newly revised CoP has been gazetted today.

     On the other hand, to enhance the safety and health protection for workers in confined spaces, the LD will revise the relevant CoP following stakeholder consultations. It is expected to complete the revision exercise in the first half of this year.

Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work

     The LD is going to extend the Pilot Programme to cover the "catering and hotel industry" and the "transportation and logistics industry" starting from next month, with the aim of benefiting more injured employees.

Talent attraction

     In the face of the labour shortage for various industries, on top of ongoing promotion of local training, the Government has also implemented various talent attraction measures including the launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) since the end of 2022.

     As at end-March this year, around 110 000 talents have arrived in Hong Kong through various talent admission schemes. Of these, we received over 77 000 applications under the TTPS and approved nearly 62 000. While there is no requirement for the TTPS entrants to be employed in the first two years, many of them have already been working in Hong Kong.

     We understand from last November's follow-up surveys with the TTPS entrants having arrived in Hong Kong for more than six months that 54 per cent of the talents arrived in Hong Kong had been in employment, taking up primarily managerial and professional posts with median monthly employment earnings of about $50,000. Around 25 per cent of the talents had monthly employment earnings of $100,000 or above. These are obviously higher than the local median monthly employment earnings of $20,000. In addition, 16 per cent of the incoming talents' spouses had already taken up employment and most of them were engaged in high-skilled jobs. These survey findings illustrate that the arrival of the TTPS entrants and their spouses brings about direct economic contribution to Hong Kong. Besides, more than half of them were aged under 40 and many of them settled in Hong Kong with their young children. They will add new impetus to the local labour force and bring about positive impact on Hong Kong's demographic structure.

     We will review the TTPS and other enhanced arrangements of talent admission in the middle of this year to ensure the competitiveness of the measures and their effectiveness in addressing local manpower demands.

     To alleviate the manpower shortage in skilled trades, the Government decided to launch the Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme. Starting from the 2024/25 admission cohort, non-local students of designated full-time professional Higher Diploma programmes of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) can apply for staying in Hong Kong for one year after graduation under the Scheme to seek jobs relevant to their disciplines. This Scheme will be piloted for two years. The VTC is now conducting publicity and student recruitment.

     Hong Kong Talent Engage, established at the end of October last year, provides support and organises activities for incoming talent to proactively attract global talent with diverse backgrounds to come and settle in Hong Kong. We will organise the Global Talent Summit · Hong Kong on May 7 and 8 to promote Hong Kong's unique advantages as an international talent hub and enhance talent mobility and co-operation among cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We have issued invitations to Honourable Members to welcome you all to join the Summit.

Efforts on training

     On training, the maximum monthly retraining allowance has increased to $8,000 in February this year so as to encourage more unemployed and job-seekers to enrol in training and enter the employment market. The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) has also launched the "One-stop Training and Employment Scheme" in February, and is actively promoting the Scheme to employers and recruiting trainees. The ERB is conducting a comprehensive review on its service targets, scope, etc, and will submit a report to the Government in the third quarter of this year.

     To encourage more young people to participate in the Apprenticeship Scheme and join the relevant trades, each registered apprentice, for a period of three years starting from 2024-25, will be provided with an additional training allowance of $1,000 per month, and graduated apprentices will be subsidised to undertake upskilling courses of relevant trades. Meanwhile, the VTC receives subvention to organise short in-service training courses with a view to meeting the market demand.

Enhancement to Manpower Projection

     The Labour and Welfare Bureau is conducting the Manpower Projection (MP) to assess the manpower requirements and shortages for key industries driving Hong Kong's economic growth, and essential services supporting the city's operation in 2028. Sectoral consultations for the MP exercise have largely been completed. We are consolidating data and information from various sources. Key findings of the exercise are expected to be available in the third quarter of this year, with a view to promulgating a detailed report early next year.

     Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. Members are welcome to raise questions.

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (April 19) the results of the Quarterly Business Tendency Survey for the second quarter (Q2) of 2024.

Business situation

For all surveyed sectors taken together, the proportion of respondents expecting their business situation to be better (14%) in Q2 2024 over the preceding quarter is slightly higher than that expecting it to be worse (12%).

When compared with the results of the Q1 2024 survey round, the proportion of respondents expecting a better business situation in Q2 2024 is 14%, slightly higher than the corresponding proportion of 13% in Q1 2024, while the proportion of respondents expecting a worse business situation in Q2 2024 is broadly the same as the corresponding proportion in Q1 2024 (12%).

Analysed by sector, more respondents in the financing and insurance sector expect their business situation to be better in Q2 2024 as compared with Q1 2024. On the other hand, more respondents in the retail and construction sectors expect their business situation to be worse, as compared to those expecting it to be better.

The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. In this type of survey on expectations, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents' perception of the future accords with the underlying trends. The enumeration period for this survey round was from March 2, 2024 to April 11, 2024.

Volume of business/output

Respondents in quite a number of the surveyed sectors expect their volume of business/output to decrease on balance or remain broadly unchanged in Q2 2024 as compared with Q1 2024. In particular, more respondents in the retail sector expect their volume of sales to decrease in Q2 2024 over Q1 2024. On the contrary, more respondents in the financing and insurance sector expect their volume of business to increase, as compared to those expecting it to decrease.

Employment

Respondents in most of the surveyed sectors expect their employment to increase on balance or remain broadly unchanged in Q2 2024 as compared with Q1 2024. In particular, more respondents in the real estate, financing and insurance, accommodation and food services and construction sectors expect their employment to increase in Q2 2024 over Q1 2024. In the information and communications sector, however, more respondents expect their employment to decrease, as compared to those expecting it to increase.

Selling price/service charge

Respondents in most of the surveyed sectors expect their selling prices/service charges to remain broadly unchanged in Q2 2024 as compared with Q1 2024. In the accommodation and food services sector, however, more respondents expect their charges for services rendered/prices of food provided to go up in Q2 2024 over Q1 2024. On the other hand, more respondents in the retail sector expect their selling prices to go down, as compared to those expecting them to go up.

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that large enterprises' overall business sentiment and appetite for hiring improved slightly as compared to three months ago.

Looking forward, the spokesman said that while the complicated external environment will still affect business sentiment in the near term, continued growth of the local economy should provide support. The Government will monitor the situation closely.

Further information

The survey gathers views on short-term business performance from the senior management of about 560 prominent establishments in various sectors in Hong Kong with a view to providing a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for predicting the short-term future economic performance of the local economy.

The survey covers 10 major sectors in Hong Kong, namely manufacturing; construction; import/export trade and wholesale; retail; accommodation and food services (mainly covering services rendered by hotels and restaurants); transportation, storage and courier services; information and communications; financing and insurance; real estate; and professional and business services sectors.

Views collected in the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own establishments rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in, and are limited to the expected direction of quarter-to-quarter change (e.g. "up", "same" or "down") but not the magnitude of change. In collecting views on the quarter-to-quarter changes, if the variable in question is subject to seasonal variations, respondents are asked to provide the expected changes after excluding the normal seasonal variations.

Survey results are generally presented as "net balance", i.e. the difference between the percentage of respondents choosing "up" and that choosing "down". The percentage distribution of respondents among various response categories (e.g. "up", "same" and "down") reflects how varied their business expectations are. The "net balance", with its appropriate sign, indicates the direction of expected change in the variable concerned. A positive sign indicates a likely upward trend while a negative sign indicates a likely downward trend. However, the magnitude of the "net balance" reflects only the prevalence of optimism or pessimism, but not the magnitude of expected change, since information relating to such magnitude is not collected in the survey.

Furthermore, owing to sample size constraint, care should be taken in interpreting survey results involving a small percentage (e.g. less than 10%) of respondents in individual sectors.

Chart 1 shows the views on expected changes in business situation for the period Q2 2023 to Q2 2024.

Table 1 shows the net balances of views on expectations in respect of different variables for Q2 2024.

The survey results are published in greater detail in the "Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey, Q2 2024". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1110008&scode=300).

Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Business Expectation Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7263; email: business-prospects@censtatd.gov.hk).

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today (April 19) issued a joint consultation on the annual update to the list of Financial Services Providers (FSP) under the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives clearing regime (Note).

     The concept of FSP has been introduced to the clearing regime to identify major OTC derivatives dealers outside Hong Kong. Central clearing is required for certain transactions conducted between an FSP and a prescribed person (i.e., an authorized institution, an approved money broker or a licensed corporation).

     Proposed changes to the list include adding one entity and updating the name of another.

     Interested parties are invited to submit comments to the HKMA or SFC by May 17,2024. The joint consultation paper can be downloaded from the websites of the HKMA or SFC.

Note: The list includes entities that meet the following two criteria:
(i) They belong to a group of companies that appears on either the list of global systemically important banks published by the Financial Stability Board, or the list of dealer groups which undertook to the OTC Derivatives Supervisors Group to work collaboratively with central counterparties, infrastructure providers and global supervisors to continue to make structural improvements to the global OTC derivatives markets; and
(ii) They are clearing members of the largest central counterparties offering clearing for interest rate swaps in the United States, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong.

     Hong Kong Customs on April 16 mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the western waters of Hong Kong and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a river trade vessel in the waters off Fan Lau. About 360 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species with an estimated market value of about $1.8 million were seized.

     During an anti-smuggling operation conducted in the above-mentioned waters on that day, Customs intercepted a river trade vessel heading towards Macao. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species on board the vessel.

     An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002 /).

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

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (April 19) that it had completed an investigation and disciplinary proceedings for Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Ltd., Hong Kong Branch (HNCBHK) under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Chapter 615 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (AMLO) (Note 1). The Monetary Authority (MA) has imposed a pecuniary penalty of HK$9,000,000 against HNCBHK for contraventions of the AMLO.

The disciplinary action (Note 2) follows an investigation by the HKMA on HNCBHK's systems and controls for compliance with the AMLO. The control deficiencies identified in the investigation relate to HNCBHK's failure to continuously monitor business relationships with some customers during the period between April 2012 and July 2018 by examining the background and purposes of their transactions and setting out its findings in writing. HNCBHK also failed to establish and maintain effective procedures for carrying out its duties under the AMLO in relation to continuous monitoring of business relationships with customers during this period.

In addition, during the period between March 1 and July 9, 2018, HNCBHK, as an ordering institution, failed to record the names of the recipients and/or include the names of the recipients in the messages accompanying a number of cross-border outgoing wire transfers.

In deciding the disciplinary action, the MA has taken into account all relevant circumstances and factors, including the following:

the seriousness of the investigation findings and the duration of the contraventions;
the need to send a clear deterrent message to HNCBHK and the industry about the importance of effective controls and procedures to address money laundering and terrorist financing risks;
HNCBHK self-identified the deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism controls and proactively reported them to the HKMA;
HNCBHK has taken remedial and enhancement measures to address the deficiencies identified;
HNCBHK has no previous disciplinary record in relation to the AMLO; and
the co-operation with the HKMA rendered by HNCBHK during the enforcement proceedings.

The Executive Director (Enforcement and AML) of the HKMA, Ms Carmen Chu, said, "Ongoing monitoring of business relationships with customers is crucial for Authorized Institutions (AIs) to detect and report potential money laundering activities, and therefore plays a key role in safeguarding the integrity of the banking system. To this end, AIs should maintain risk-based policies and procedures, provide clear guidance and adequate training to staff members on their respective responsibilities, as well as regularly updating risk assessment and reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of transaction monitoring systems, leveraging on innovation and technology as appropriate."

Note 1: Prior to March 1, 2018, the short title of Chapter 615 of the Laws of Hong Kong was the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (Financial Institutions) Ordinance.

Note 2: The disciplinary action is taken under section 21 of the AMLO. The AMLO imposes customer due diligence and record-keeping requirements on specified financial institutions, including Authorized Institutions, and designated non-financial businesses and professions. As regards Authorized Institutions, the MA is the relevant authority under the AMLO.

     The Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li, attended an influence conference on governments co-organised by the Office of Cyberspace Affairs of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee and Weibo in Hefei today (April 19), and delivered a keynote speech sharing how the Security Bureau (SB) tells good Hong Kong stories through social media. During his three-day visit to Hefei, Mr Li also called on the leaders of the United Front Work Department and the Publicity Department of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, as well as visiting local enterprises.

     Addressing the conference, Mr Li expressed gratitude to Weibo and Mainland netizens for their support, enabling the SB to win a Weibo award for outstanding posts after receiving an overwhelming response for publishing a post titled "Tropical Cyclone" on the SB Weibo account, featuring precious photos and a video captured by the Government Flying Services (GFS) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) while fearlessly carrying out an operation on a fixed-wing aircraft to collect meteorological data near the typhoon centre when Super Typhoon Saola hit Hong Kong last year. He said the post received comments and tributes, and was shared by various Mainland meteorological institutions, with members of the public expressing deep respect for the professionalism of the GFS. Three representatives from the GFS also joined the conference. Mr Li said the example demonstrated how the HKSAR Government maximised the impact of publicity and told a good story of professionalism through flexible use of social media platforms and cross-departmental collaboration.

     Noting that the SB is dedicated to strengthening communication with members of the public through social media in a down-to-earth, diversified and interactive approach, Mr Li said that with the HKSAR enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under "one country, two systems", the team will make good use of social media platforms to tell good stories of the country and Hong Kong.

     Over the past two days (April 17 and 18), Mr Li met with Deputy Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee and Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the People's Government of Anhui Province, Mr Zhang Qiming, and Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee and Director of the Information Office of the Anhui Provincial Government, Mr Zheng Mingwu, separately to brief them about the work and publicity strategies of the SB. They also explored co-operation in various areas including encouraging youth to know more about the motherland and enhancing their sense of national identity.

     In Hefei, Mr Li paid a visit to innovation and technology enterprises and facilities, including new media Three Sheep Group to learn about its promotion strategies. He also visited the Anhui Innovation Pavilion and iFLYTEK Corporation, which specialises in artificial intelligence, to learn about its relevant research and developments as well as products. Moreover, he met with personnel of the Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research, Tsinghua University, to share experiences in meeting challenges brought by extreme weather and matters regarding emergency response management.

     âMr Li concluded his visit today and returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

Twenty-one landlords of subdivided units (SDUs), who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance) by failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced, pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $32,000 today (April 19) at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts. Two of the landlords committed five offences respectively and each of them was fined $4,000. Since the Ordinance has come into force, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) has successfully prosecuted 239 cases involving a total of 204 SDU landlords, with fines ranging from $400 to $18,600, amounting to a total of $433,700.

The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon an in-depth investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted against the landlords.

A spokesman for the RVD appealed to SDU landlords to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, and also reminded SDU tenants of their rights under the Ordinance. He also stressed that the RVD would continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether the landlords concerned have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD's request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance.

To help curb illegal acts as soon as possible, members of the public should report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to facilitate SDU tenants' reporting to the RVD.

The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. Since the first batch of regulated tenancies has already approached their second-term tenancies, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work in order to assist SDU landlords and tenants to understand the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy. In addition, the RVD has started issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the concerned landlords and tenants of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to remind them about their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD's website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions, etc. SDU landlords and tenants are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.

For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD's webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital made the following updates today (April 19):

     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has performed an enhanced surveillance and one more patient, a 12-day-old boy, was confirmed as an MRSA carrier without clinical symptoms. The patient is in stable condition and is being treated in isolation.

     The hospital has performed enhanced medical surveillance and screening of the patients in the NICU. The following infection control measures have been stepped up according to established guidelines:

Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the NICU, including the environment, incubators, equipment and instruments;
Enhanced medical surveillance of the patients and environmental screening procedures in the NICU; and
Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff. Family members are reminded that infection control measures must be implemented when visiting their babies.

As an enhanced infection control measure, admission to the ward concerned has been suspended.

The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.

The Companies Registry (CR) announced today (April 19) that due to the risk of personal data leakage identified in the e-Search Services of the e-Services Portal during routine work, urgent maintenance is being carried out. The e-Search Services of the e-Services Portal has been suspended and the maintenance work is expected to be completed by this Sunday (April 21). If the system maintenance concerned could be completed earlier, the CR will issue a notification as soon as possible.

A spokesman for the CR said, "The CR is very concerned about the incident. Initial investigation revealed that there was no reported case of leakage of personal data. For prudence's sake, the CR has suspended the e-Search Services in order to conduct urgent maintenance and relevant investigation. The CR has reported the case to the Security Bureau, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. Other services of the e-Services Portal, such as e-Filing and e-Monitor, are not affected. The CR will resume the services affected as soon as possible."

The CR and its system contractor strive to resume the online services as soon as possible. For enquiries, please contact the CR Help Desk Support Service Team (Tel: 8201 8273; email: helpdesk@e-services.cr.gov.hk).

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 19) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

From April 12 to yesterday (April 18), the CHP recorded four imported DF cases. The patients had been to Indonesia (three cases) and Thailand (one case) respectively during the incubation period.

As of yesterday, 17 imported cases of DF had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.

According to the WHO, the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmission, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, has resulted in close to a historic high of over 5 million cases and more than 5 000 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of 2024, the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina and Peru, have recorded over 3 million cases, reaching a record number of cases. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).

"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Greenlane", "Lightshadow", "Twilight", and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand", for four consecutive days from April 15 to yesterday (April 18). A total of 12 suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested.

     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 43 target locations including premises under renovation, restaurants and a wet market. Five suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four men and one woman, aged 32 to 70. Among them, three men and one woman were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. The woman was also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. One man, aged 41, was suspected of employing the illegal worker and was also arrested.

     During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 80 target locations in Western District. Seven suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised two men and five women, aged 23 to 51. Among them, one man was a holder of recognisance form, which prohibits him from taking any employment. One man, aged 56, was suspected of employing the illegal worker and was also arrested.

     An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, 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. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

     The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

ããThe delegation of the District Officers (DOs) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government led by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, completed its study programme on district governance at the National Academy of Governance (NAG) this morning (April 19).

ããDeputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Wang Linggui, gave a lecture to the delegation on the implementation of modernisation with Chinese characteristics in Zhejiang. At the closing ceremony, Mr Wang said that the Central Government attaches great importance to the study programme on district governance for the DOs and hoped that the delegation will continue to exchange experiences with each other and work better in carrying out district work. Subsequently, the Vice President of the NAG, Mr Gong Weibin, presented the Certificates of Completion of the NAG to the delegation, and congratulated the delegation for completing its study programme and encouraged its members to apply learning outcomes to their work.

ããMiss Mak expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the NAG for the programme's meticulous arrangements. She trusted that the delegation members will be able to convert their learnings into practical results to strengthen and enhance district governance, serve the people, improve people's livelihood, and assist the Government to achieve good district governance and strengthen people's sense of fulfilment and happiness.

ããThe delegation departed for Zhejiang Province for a duty visit this afternoon, to obtain a deeper understanding of the local experience of district governance there.

A property agent was convicted on March 15 at the District Court of evading tax. She was sentenced today (April 19) to seven months' immediate imprisonment and fined $240,000 ($20,000 for each charge).

The defendant, aged 66, was a licensed property agent and operated a property agency company. She pleaded guilty to 11 charges of evading tax wilfully with intent and one charge of making an incorrect return without reasonable excuse. The tax evasion charges comprised seven counts of omitting the rental income from her tax returns for the years of assessment 2008/09 to 2014/15; two counts of giving false answers in writing to a request by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for rental information for the years of assessment 2009/10 and 2011/12; two counts of making false statements in connection with a claim for a deduction of home loan interest for the year of assessment 2014/15, contrary to section 82(1)(a), 82(1)(e) and 82(1)(c) respectively of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO) (Cap. 112). For the charge of making an incorrect return, the defendant understated her rental income for the year of assessment 2015/16, contrary to section 80(2)(a) of the IRO.

The court heard that the defendant owned 12 properties, 10 of which were for letting purposes, during the relevant period. The defendant did not report any rental income in her tax returns for the years of assessment 2008/09 to 2014/15, and reported the rental income of only one of her letting properties in her tax return for the year of assessment 2015/16. The IRD issued written enquiries to the defendant in respect of the non-reporting of rental income in her tax returns for the years of assessment 2009/10 and 2011/12. The defendant stated in her written replies that she did not have any letting property in the two years of assessment concerned. In addition, the defendant claimed deduction of home loan interest in respect of her letting property in the tax return for the year of assessment 2014/15 and an application form, and stated therein that she occupied that property as her residence for the whole year.

An investigation by the IRD revealed that tenants were solicited by the defendant or property agents appointed by her for her 10 letting properties (four of which were partitioned into subdivided units). The rents were deposited into the bank accounts of the defendant, her family members or her company. Furthermore, the defendant falsely declared twice that she resided at her letting property for the whole year during the year of assessment 2014/15 and claimed deduction of home loan interest on it. The total rental income omitted and understated for the years of assessment 2008/09 to 2015/16 was $4,605,711, and the tax undercharged amounted to $534,840. The amount of home loan interest falsely claimed by the defendant for the year of assessment 2014/15 was $10,534 with evaded tax of $1,790.

A spokesman for the IRD reminded taxpayers that tax evasion is a criminal offence under the IRO. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty for each charge is three years' imprisonment and a fine of $50,000 plus a further fine of three times the amount of tax evaded. Furthermore, a person who, without reasonable excuse, makes an incorrect return shall be guilty of an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and a further fine of three times the amount of tax undercharged for each charge.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued an announcement today (April 19) about a series of measures to further expand the mutual access between the capital markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong. The measures include (i) expanding the eligible product scope of equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under Stock Connect, (ii) including real estate investment trusts (REITs) under Stock Connect, (iii) supporting the inclusion of Renminbi (RMB) stock trading counter under Southbound trading of Stock Connect, (iv) enhancing the arrangements for mutual recognition of funds, and (v) encouraging leading enterprises of industries in the Mainland to list in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government warmly welcomes the measures and would like to express sincere gratitude to the Central People's Government for the unwavering support to Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "The measures announced today are important initiatives to support the further development of Hong Kong's financial markets, increase the number of attractive investment products, provide more investment opportunities to domestic, Mainland and overseas investors, and enhance Hong Kong's status as an offshore RMB business centre. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Central People's Government and relevant ministries for their tremendous support for the development of Hong Kong's financial markets. Mr Xia Baolong said in the opening ceremony of National Security Education Day, "As long as Hong Kong asks, the motherland will surely respond. No matter what difficulties and challenges Hong Kong encounters, the backing and support from the motherland will only increase and will not weaken." This further expansion of mutual access between the financial markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong encapsulates our country's firm support for Hong Kong to enhance its status as an international financial centre and fully demonstrates our country as the biggest backing for the development of Hong Kong's financial industry. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's financial markets, proactively contribute to our country's development as a financial powerhouse, commit to our international characteristics, and increase the impetus for growth."

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "Each of the measures to expand the mutual market access will further strengthen Hong Kong's role to connect the Mainland and international capital markets, enable us to better perform our function as a unique platform for attracting capital and high-quality enterprises from both directions, enrich the asset allocation options for Mainland and international investors, and provide more investment options for offshore RMB, thereby contributing to the steady and prudent advancement of RMB internationalisation. Our country's support for leading Mainland enterprises of industries to list in Hong Kong will benefit Hong Kong's initial public offering market. The increase of listed companies with long-term growth and return potential in Hong Kong will also drive the development of our secondary market. The further expansion of product coverage under mutual market access will broaden investment options for domestic, Mainland and overseas investors and facilitate their asset allocation. This will attract more capital to the Mainland and Hong Kong markets and benefit long-term market development. Moreover, enabling Mainland investors to trade Hong Kong stocks using RMB through the Southbound trading of Stock Connect will enhance the investment function of RMB offshore."

Mr Chan continued, "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Central People's Government for the strong support, and the relevant Mainland ministries and institutions for their collaboration and assistance. We will closely liaise with the ministries and institutions to implement the measures as soon as possible. In parallel, we will take forward relevant supporting measures at full speed, including waiving the stamp duty payable on the transfer of REIT units, extending the Grant Scheme for Open-ended Fund Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts, enhancing the regulatory regime for collective investment schemes and REITs, etc. Furthermore, we will strengthen our efforts to attract enterprises and open up new capital sources, and enhance the development momentum of Hong Kong's financial markets continuously."

According to the announcement, the regulators of the two places will work together towards the early implementation of the measures mentioned above.

     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and the member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Tianjin Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of Tianjin, Mr Liu Guiping, today (April 19) witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) and the Administrative Commission of the Tianjin Dongjiang Free Trade Port Zone to deepen co-operation in the development of the aircraft leasing and financing industries.

     Both Hong Kong and Tianjin have an important role to play in promoting the aircraft leasing and financing industry as well as financial innovation and operation. According to the MOU, the two sides will fully utilise their comparative advantages and join hands to build a regionally linked and complementary aircraft leasing and financing platform to promote co-operation between enterprises of the two places. Relying on the advantages of Hong Kong as an international financial centre and those of Dongjiang in the clustering of players of the aircraft leasing industry, the two sides will forge deeper co-operation in different areas, including financing, business, international competition, publicity, and the promotion of talent exchanges and training.

     Mr Lam said in his speech that the MOU marks a new milestone in the development of aircraft leasing between Hong Kong and Tianjin Dongjiang. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been promoting the development of aircraft leasing in Hong Kong in accordance with the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The Bill to enhance the aircraft leasing preferential tax regime was passed by the Legislative Council in February this year, thereby further strengthening Hong Kong's competitiveness in the global aircraft leasing market. As an international financial centre and an international aviation hub, Hong Kong is well positioned to provide the necessary resources and support to aircraft lessors.

     The Tianjin Dongjiang Free Trade Port Zone has become the largest aircraft leasing hub in China and the second largest in the world after Ireland. With the signing of the MOU, Mr Lam said he looks forward to more aircraft lessors, airlines, as well as organisations and individuals who need to lease aircraft, utilising the joint platforms of the two places for aircraft leasing business.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 19) that Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool in Yuen Long District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of faeces in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow (April 20).

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     Upon improving district governance and reforming the District Councils (DCs) in 2023, the seventh term of District Council election was successfully concluded on December 10 last year. The new term of DCs have assumed office since January 1 this year. The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) Report on the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election (DCOE) was published today (April 19).

     The Report describes the EAC's conduct and supervision of this election at various stages, and provides a detailed account of the related preparatory work, electoral arrangements, complaint handling, etc. The EAC also detailed in its Report their review of the procedures and arrangements for this election, including the investigation findings on the Electronic Poll Register system incident, and put forth specific enhancement recommendations for improving future electoral arrangements.

     "We are very grateful to the EAC for their efforts and various arrangements made to ensure the smooth implementation of this election in a fair, just and clean manner, as well as their in-depth and detailed review of various electoral arrangements with respective recommendations," a Government spokesman said.

"The successful conclusion of this DC election is of particular significance. The reformed DCs have greatly benefited the implementation of livelihood-related work, and have been conducive to the welfare of people, enabling them to live and work in contentment. At the same time, the full implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and the "last piece of the puzzle" of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) governance system ensures the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", and the long-term stability and safety of the HKSAR. The Government will continue to work closely with the EAC to follow up on the recommendations contained in the report," the Government spokesman continued.

     In accordance with the requirements of the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance (Cap. 541), the EAC submitted the report on the 2023 DCOE to the Chief Executive on March 8, 2024. In line with the principle of open and transparent elections, the Government agreed with the EAC's recommendation that the report should be made public. The report can be downloaded from the EAC website (www.eac.hk) and is available for viewing at the Registration and Electoral Office and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of District Offices.

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, at the opening reception of "Trevor Yeung: Courtyard of Attachments, Hong Kong in Venice" today (April 19, Venice time):

Kenneth (Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Mr Kenneth Fok), Bernard (Chairman of M+ Board, Mr Bernard Chan), Trevor (exhibition artist Mr Trevor Yeung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon!

     Welcome to the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong exhibition of the 60th Venice Biennale. This is one of our flagship overseas arts and cultural events supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government through the Arts and Sports Development Fund. The exhibition is co-organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and M+ of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.

     Like everyone here today, the Government of the Hong Kong SAR supports the development of arts and culture. We are committed to nurturing our local arts and cultural institutions and artists and helping them go global. This is one of our strategies and action agendas in fortifying our role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, a position that our country has given us.

     Venice Biennale is one of the world's most prestigious platforms for international contemporary art and Hong Kong has been participating since 2001. Being an important platform to showcase the artistic excellence of the institutions and artists in Hong Kong, it is also an important channel to tell the good stories of Hong Kong and help boost our economy by attracting world audience to visit our art market.

     The Hong Kong exhibition here has witnessed the many successful connections between our institutions and artists and the international arts and culture community.

     Today, I am proud to present to you our home-grown artist - Trevor. In just a minute, Trevor will immerse you in a captivating experience surrounded by glass fish tanks that are commonly seen in Hong Kong, in his exhibition "Trevor Yeung: Courtyard of Attachments, Hong Kong in Venice". I am sure you will be amazed by Trevor's talent and enjoy the exhibition which gives you a glimpse of the authentic experience in Hong Kong.

     I would also like to express gratitude to the team in Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the curatorial team in M+ Museum, in particular our project curator Olivia Chow. Their dedication and professionalism are instrumental in the success of this exhibition.

     Before closing, I would also like to invite all of you to come to Hong Kong and visit our first-ever Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo in mid-October this year. It will be organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council at multiple performing venues in Hong Kong including the West Kowloon Cultural District.

     At the Expo, performing arts professionals from all over the world will meet, and explore possible collaboration, perhaps with visual arts.

     Thank you very much again for joining us here today. And I hope you enjoy the exhibition at the Hong Kong exhibition.

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (April 19) called on schools and the public to stay vigilant against a bogus phone call that falsely claims to be made by a staff member of the EDB.

     The EDB has received multiple school reports in these few days that the school had received a phone call from a person who claimed to be a staff member of the EDB, informing that the Under Secretary for Education will inspect the school and requesting the school to make arrangements and provide a mobile number for liaison.

The EDB solemnly clarifies that no EDB staff has made the phone call in question. It has reported the case to the Police.

     Members of the public should stay alert to suspicious phone calls and not disclose any personal information. Anyone who has been scammed should contact the Police immediately. If schools have enquiries, they may call the respective District School Development Section of the EDB.

     Hong Kong Customs today (April 19) seized about 1.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 25 grams of suspected crack cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.1 million in Tsuen Wan. A man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

     During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Tsuen Wan this afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a 21-year-old man and found about 25g of suspected crack cocaine inside his trousers pocket. He was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the arrested man to his rented flat nearby for a search, and further seized about 1.1kg of suspected cocaine and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Union Hong Kong Limited has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (April 20), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board Meeting organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Malta from April 17 to 19 (Malta time) to discuss the current status of and future planning for PISA with representatives from other regions.

     Dr Choi said that PISA provides invaluable science-based data for governments and educators to benchmark student performance against the international norm, analyse students' strengths and weaknesses, and focus on key factors that shape students' learning in order to develop more effective education measures.

     She pointed out that Hong Kong students have consistently performed well in PISA, and results have shown that family background and socio-economic status have minimal bearing on their performance, reflecting the high quality and equity of the Hong Kong education system. She said she believes that PISA will continue to provide useful indicators for examining, assessing and monitoring education systems, and provide rich insights to inform learning and teaching.

     On April 19 (Malta time), Dr Choi attended a forum on lifelong learning co-organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation of Malta. During the forum, she highlighted that the 15-year basic education in Hong Kong aims to nurture students' lifelong and self-directed learning capabilities and foster their whole-person development. The broad and balanced curriculum framework enables students to acquire diverse learning experiences in the domains of ethics, intellect, physique, social skills and aesthetics through various key learning areas and life-wide learning activities.

     Dr Choi emphasised that students should be equipped with the 21st century competencies to cope with the changing future. She shared Hong Kong's efforts and good practices in promoting reading across the curriculum, values education and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education. These practices aim to nurture lifelong learners who possess a sense of social responsibility, an affection for their families and country and an international perspective, and will work together for the well-being of mankind.

     On the same day, Dr Choi met the Principal of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, Professor James Calleja, to discuss how to promote developments in vocational and professional education and training to meet the needs of society.

     On April 18 (Malta time), Dr Choi joined a meeting on education issues with education officials from other regions attending the PISA Governing Board Meeting. She also met representatives from the Confucius Institute of the University of Malta to learn about their experiences in promoting Chinese language and culture in Malta. In addition, she visited the University of Malta and met its leaders, and toured the Malta Visual and Performing Arts School.

     On April 17 (Malta time), Dr Choi met the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Dr Clifton Grima, to exchange views on higher-education co-operation between Hong Kong and Malta. She also paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Malta, Mr Yu Dunhai, to brief him on the latest education developments in Hong Kong.

     Dr Choi will depart for Frankfurt, Germany, on April 20 (Malta time) to continue her visit.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 20) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 100 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $23 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on April 5.

     Through risk assessment, Hong Kong Customs on that day inspected a seaborne consolidated consignment, declared as carrying auto parts, arriving in Hong Kong from the United States, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected cannabis buds from 18 vehicle wheels inside the consignment. Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested a 36-year-old male consignee, who claimed to be a driver, in Kwai Chung on April 8.

     The investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

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