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Fatal traffic accident in Chai Wan

December 13, 2016, 2:39 am
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     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Chai Wan this morning  (December 13) in which a 96-year-old man was killed.

     About 10.37am, a public light bus (PLB) driven by a 52-year-old man was travelling along Aldrich Bay Road towards Chai Wan. When approaching near the junction of Aldrich Bay Road and Oi Shun Road, it reportedly hit a 96-year-old man who was crossing the road.

     Sustaining head injuries, the man was rushed to Eastern Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 12.24pm.

     The PLB driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death. He is being detained for enquiries.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers at 3660 6838 or 3600 8800.
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Bottled blackcurrant jam suspected to contain preservative propionic acid

December 13, 2016, 2:42 am
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 13) announced that a kind of bottled blackcurrant jam imported from the United Kingdom (UK) was suspected to contain a preservative, propionic acid, which is not permitted in jams, jellies and marmalades. Follow-up is in progress. The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned should they still possess it.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The Centre, through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System, noted an announcement by the Taiwan authorities concerned that a kind of bottled blackcurrant jam imported from the UK was found to contain a preservative, propionic acid, at a level which does not comply with their standard. According to Hong Kong legislation, propionic acid is not a preservative permitted in jams, jellies and marmalades. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately followed up with major local importers in Hong Kong. Preliminary investigations found that PARKnSHOP (HK) Limited had imported the affected product into Hong Kong."

     Product details are as follows:

Product name: reduced sugar blackcurrant jam
Brand: essential Waitrose
Importer:  PARKnSHOP (HK) Limited
Net weight: 340 grams per bottle

     The spokesman said that according to information provided by the importer concerned, the affected product was only on sale in its chain of supermarkets. The importer has already stopped the sale of and removed from shelves the affected product according to CFS' instructions.

     The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD). Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

     Propionic acid is of low acute toxicity. Usual consumption of food containing propionic acid is unlikely to pose adverse effects to human health, the spokesman noted.

     The CFS will alert the trade, continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is ongoing.
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Police appeal for information on fatal traffic accident in Chai Wan

December 13, 2016, 2:55 am
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     Police today (December 13) appealed to the public for information on a fatal traffic accident in Chai Wan on October 26 in which an 80-year-old man died.

     About 2.30pm on that day, a taxi driven by a 62-year-old man was travelling along Aldrich Bay Road towards Chai Wan. When approaching near the junction of Aldrich Bay Road and Oi Shun Road, it reportedly hit the 80-year-old man who was crossing the road. Sustaining injuries to his shoulder and chest, the man was rushed to Eastern Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 10.40pm on that night.

     The taxi driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death. He was released on bail pending further enquiries and is required to report back to Police in late January 2017.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers at 3660 6838 or 3600 8800.
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70 companies honoured at Hong Kong Awards for Industries (with photos)

December 13, 2016, 3:20 am
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     Seventy companies were honoured today (December 13) at the 2016 Hong Kong Awards for Industries (HKAI) presentation ceremony, at which the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, officiated.

     The Grand Award winners were WowWee Group Limited (consumer product design), the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (equipment and machinery design), Sidefame Limited - Anteprima Wirebag (customer service), Gammon Construction Limited (innovation and creativity), Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (productivity and quality), Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited (technological achievement) and Sinomax Group Limited (upgrading and transformation).

     A total of 234 entries were received at the 2016 HKAI. The winners were decided by the final judging panels chaired by Professor Joseph Sung.

     The HKAI was launched in 2005 by merging the former Hong Kong Awards for Industry and the former Hong Kong Awards for Services, established in 1989 and 1997 respectively. The HKAI aims to recognise the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong enterprises in pursuit of high technology and high value-added activities, and to commend excellence in various aspects of their performance.

     The 2016 HKAI covered seven categories, namely the consumer product design category organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries; the equipment and machinery design category organised by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; the customer service category organised by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association; the innovation and creativity category organised by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; the productivity and quality category organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council; the technological achievement category organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and the upgrading and transformation category organised by the Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council.

     The 2016 HKAI media partners were Hong Kong Economic Times and Metro Finance.
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LegCo Public Accounts Committee visits Research Grants Council (with photos)

December 13, 2016, 3:45 am
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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) conducted a visit to the Research Grants Council (RGC), which operates under the aegis of the University Grants Committee (UGC), today (‍December 13) to better understand the administration of the RGC funding schemes.
 
     Accompanied by the Director of Audit, Mr David Sun, and representatives of the UGC, members were briefed on the assessment process of the RGC funding schemes and the mechanism adopted by the RGC for handling conflicts of interest. They also observed the operation of the RGC Electronic System which manages the processing of research grants applications.
                                            
     This visit enabled members to get a better understanding of the issues raised in Chapter 6 of the Director of Audit's Report No. 67 on "Funding of academic research projects by Research Grants Council".
 
     Members who participated in the visit are the Chairman of PAC, Mr‍ Abraham Shek; the Deputy Chairman of PAC, Mr Kenneth Leung; and PAC members, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan.
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Speech by CE at Hong Kong Awards for Industries Awards Presentation Ceremony (English Only) (with photos/video)

December 13, 2016, 4:23 am
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     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at the Hong Kong Awards for Industries Awards Presentation Ceremony this evening (December 13):
 
Director-General (the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Ms Salina Yan), distinguished guests, government colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
 
      Good evening. It is a pleasure to be here with you to pay tribute to the winners of the 2016 Hong Kong Awards for Industries. Here to celebrate some of Hong Kong’s most successful companies, and the people who drive their achievements.
 
     Excellence is a mind-set as much as a skill-set, which brings to my mind the story of stonecutters. Three stonecutters are asked what they are doing.  "I have a hard job of breaking stones," says the first.  "I am making a living by doing the best job of stonecutting," says the second.  The third one, with a gleam in his eyes, says, "I am building a cathedral."
 
     So perspective and aspiration are what make us exceptional. What drive us towards excellence.
 
     And that is why the Hong Kong Awards for Industries was created.  To recognise the achievements of outstanding companies and people.  To celebrate their vision and efforts in making Hong Kong companies better, and more competitive.
 
     This is all the more important these days, with the global business environment facing so many challenges – Brexit, the impending leadership change in the United States, and the future of trade liberalisation, to name just a few.
 
     Let me assure you that your Government is actively or acutely aware of these challenges, and that we have put in place a variety of support measures to help – especially small and medium-sized enterprises. These include funding schemes to help SMEs obtain financing, upgrade branding and explore new markets. Just last month, the Government launched a pilot technology voucher programme, subsidising SMEs in using technology to improve productivity and upgrade business processes.
 
     Beyond these support measures, what we need – what Hong Kong needs – to ponder is how we can keep our business and city competitive in the long-term.
 
      Less than two weeks ago, I spoke at two large-scale business forums held in Hong Kong: Business of Design Week, and Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum. What is noteworthy about these two events is that they were not about Hong Kong’s traditional industries, but new, emerging sectors gaining increasing interest in the community, and that is -  design, innovation and creativity – which happen to be among the seven categories of the Hong Kong Awards for Industries .
 
      For Hong Kong to succeed in the 21st century, we must upgrade, transform and diversify the economy. Upgrade and transform through innovation and technology; and diversify by developing new economic sectors such as cultural and creative industries.
 
      Some of you may recall that, about a year ago, the Government established the Innovation and Technology Bureau to promote I&T development. To provide more and better jobs for the Hong Kong people, especially talented young people with high creative potential.
 
      But I&T is not just a new industry.  It revolutionalises production processes, transforms business models, and enhances quality of products and services. Making our lives more convenient, more comfortable, and safer.
 
      And that is precisely what the winners of the Hong Kong Awards for Industries have achieved, applying technology and creative solutions in such areas as construction, robotics, textiles, telecoms, health and others.
 
     The Government will continue to support you – Hong Kong businesses and the Hong Kong community – in this journey towards an innovative, high-tech, and high value-added economy.  Or what I prefer to call “re-industrialisation”.
 
     This year, we have invested $18 billion, that is 18 billion, billion with a "b",  to drive "re-industrialisation" and I&T development, including a $500 million Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living to finance projects that make use of I&T to improve our daily life; as well as a $2 billion fund for promoting mid-stream applied research projects in universities. The Science Park has put in place cross-disciplinary platforms to promote the use of technology in innovative products, focusing on smart city, robotics and healthy ageing.
 
     Meanwhile, a huge development project of $8.2 billion is underway for the Science and Technology Parks Corporation to develop an Advanced Manufacturing Centre, and a Data Technology Hub in the Tseung Kwun O Industrial Estate.  The centre and the hub will be so designed as to support smart production and high-end manufacturing.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, I am glad to see that the business sector, including SMEs, is eagerly embracing the opportunities of I&T.  The Government looks forward to working with you, closely as always, in upgrading and growing our economy.
 
     My congratulations to this year’s winners of the Hong Kong Awards for Industries, and my thanks to the Organising Committee, the seven organisers and the final judging panels for making this event such a great success.
 
     I wish you all happy holidays and a prosperous New Year.  Thank you.
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Tripartite Platform on Amendment of Medical Registration Ordinance holds second meeting

December 13, 2016, 4:40 am
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     The Tripartite Platform set up to enhance the operation of the Medical Council of Hong Kong held its second meeting today (December 13). Members continued to discuss the composition of the Council and its complaint investigation and disciplinary inquiry mechanism, as well as registration arrangement for non-locally trained doctors.
                                                       
     During the discussion of these items, members made reference to the relevant mechanisms and experience of the United Kingdom (UK), Australia and Singapore.
 
     On composition, half and one-third of the members of the medical regulatory bodies in the UK and Australia respectively are lay members, while there is no lay membership in the case of Singapore. In Hong Kong, there are four lay members in the Medical Council, accounting for about 14 per cent of the total membership. Members of the regulatory bodies in the UK and Australia do not directly participate in the work of complaint investigation and disciplinary inquiries, while members of the regulatory body in Singapore do have a certain degree of involvement. Disciplinary inquiries against doctors in these three countries are either handled by an independent tribunal under the regulatory bodies or referred to judicial authorities. Adjudicators responsible for disciplinary inquiries are not members of the regulatory bodies in the UK and Australia. In Hong Kong, complaint investigation and disciplinary inquiries against doctors are directly processed by the Council and handled mainly by its members.
 
     As for the registration arrangement of non-locally trained doctors, while there are different registration pathways available for non-locally trained doctors in the UK, Australia and Singapore, all of them directly recognise medical qualifications obtained in certain jurisdictions or from specified overseas medical schools. Licensing examination is not a mandatory requirement in the UK and Australia and there is no such arrangement in Singapore. In Hong Kong, all non-locally trained doctors are required to pass the licensing examination for full registration and practice. Non-locally trained doctors under limited registration are not required to take the licensing examination, but they can only be employed under the types of employment as promulgated by the Medical Council in the Government Gazette. Most doctors with limited registration are registered under Promulgation Number 2, i.e. they are employed by the medical schools of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong, the Hospital Authority (HA) and the Department of Health (DH). At present, there are about 100 doctors registered under such promulgation, with a majority being employed by the two medical schools, 14 by the HA and none by the DH.
 
     The Tripartite Platform will meet in January and February next year to discuss possible proposals on amendments to the Medical Registration Ordinance for enhancing the composition of the Medical Council and improving its complaint investigation and disciplinary inquiry mechanism for greater credibility, transparency and efficiency. The Government will re-introduce the Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill into the Legislative Council as early as possible in the first half of next year.
 
     Information and discussion papers of the second meeting are available at the website of the Food and Health Bureau (www.fhb.gov.hk/en/press_and_publications/otherinfo/161100_tripartite_platform/index.html).
 
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Homicide in Tsuen Wan

December 13, 2016, 9:14 am
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     Police are investigating a homicide case in Tsuen Wan last night (December 13) in which a 59-year-old man died.

     About 7.13pm, Police received a report that two men had a dispute inside a unit at 45 Ho Pui Street and a 59-year-old man fell unconscious after another man attacked him with a knife.

     Police officers sped to the scene and found the 59-year-old man lying unconsciously on the ground. Sustaining injuries on his chest, he was rushed to Yan Chai Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 7.48pm.

     After initial investigation, Police arrested a 62-year-old man at scene in suspected connection with the case. He is being detained for further enquiries.

     A knife in suspected connection with the case was seized at scene.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

     Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Tsuen Wan District is underway.
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CHP notified of first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Macau

December 13, 2016, 6:13 pm
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received notification of the first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) from the Health Bureau of Macao in the small hours today (December 14), and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
 
     The male asymptomatic patient aged 58 is a wholesaler who had contact with silky fowls in a wholesale poultry market in Macau whose specimen was detected with avian influenza A(H7) antigen last night (December 13). He and his wife have been hospitalised for isolation and quarantine respectively.
 
     "Recently, Guangdong reported the first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in this winter. Human H7N9 cases have also been detected in Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Fujian while human H5N6 cases in Hunan and Guangxi since November. Locally, four faecal dropping samples of birds collected from Mai Po Nature Reserve in late November were detected with H5N6 virus. Our risk assessment shows that the activity of avian influenza viruses is expected to increase in winter based on their seasonal pattern," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "The public should avoid touching birds, poultry or their droppings and visiting poultry markets or farms during travel, particularly in the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. If feeling unwell such as fever or cough, wear a mask and seek medical advice at once. Travellers returning from affected areas should consult doctors promptly if symptoms develop and let them know your travel history," the spokesman added.
 
     "We will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments," the spokesman said.

     The CHP's Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.
 
     The display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is underway. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on the latest information.

     The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of advice below while handling poultry:
 
  • When handling live chickens, do not touch them or their droppings. Do not blow at their bottoms. Wash eggs with detergent if soiled with faecal matter and cook and consume them immediately. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens and eggs;
  • Eggs should be cooked well until the white and yolk become firm. Do not eat raw eggs or dip cooked food into any sauce with raw eggs. Poultry should be cooked thoroughly. If there is pinkish juice running from the cooked poultry or the middle part of its bone is still red, the poultry should be cooked again until fully done;
  • Wash hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, before handling food or eating, and after going to toilet, touching public installations or equipment such as escalator handrails, elevator control panels or door knobs, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; and
  • Wear a mask if fever or respiratory symptoms develop, going to a hospital or clinic, or while taking caring of patients with fever or respiratory symptoms.
 
     The public may visit the CHP's pages for more information: the avian influenza page, the weekly Avian Influenza Report, global statistics and affected areas of avian influenza, the Facebook Page and the YouTube Channel.
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Special opening hours of URBTIX outlets for Winter Solstice Day, Christmas and New Year

December 13, 2016, 7:00 pm
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     The opening hours of all URBTIX outlets at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's performance venues, Parsons Music Yau Tong Branch, Youth Square and the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre will remain as normal on Winter Solstice Day (December 21) and during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
 
     The Hong Kong Arts Centre outlet will be temporarily closed until further notice as it is under renovation. Special opening hours of other URBTIX outlets during the festive period are as follows:
 
     Tom Lee outlets will open from 10am to 5.30pm on December 21, 24 and 31, and from noon to 7.30pm on December 25 and January 1.
 
     The AsiaWorld-Expo outlet will open from 10am to 4pm on December 21, 24 and 31 but will be closed on December 27 and January 1 and 2.
 
     The HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity outlet will open from 10am to 3pm on December 21 and 24, but will be closed from December 25 to 27 and from December 31 to January 2 next year.
 
     In addition to the outlets, tickets can also be purchased via the website www.urbtix.hk and the mobile ticketing app (Android and iPhone/iPad versions) throughout the day, and via the credit card telephone booking hotline 2111 5999 from 10am to 8pm. The ticketing enquiries hotline 3761 6661 will operate as usual from 10am to 8pm.
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Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley

December 13, 2016, 7:36 pm
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Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (December 14). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting. A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race 1. Road closure A section of southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles to Aberdeen Tunnel. 2. Traffic diversions (a) A section of southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound; (b) Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road; (c) Vehicular traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; (d) Vehicular traffic on Queen's Road East will be banned from turning right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for access to Aberdeen Tunnel; (e) Vehicular traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and (f) Vehicular traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road. B. Traffic arrangements during the race meeting 1. Road closure The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race: (a) The up ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel; (b) A section of southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel; (c) A section of southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC; (d) A section of westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and (e) A section of southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East. In addition, a section of southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed to all vehicular traffic from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race. 2. Traffic diversions The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race: (a) Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one traffic lane heading for northbound Canal Road flyover; (b) Vehicular traffic on southbound Canal Road flyover from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down ramp leading to Canal Road East to U-turn beneath Canal Road flyover onto Canal Road West towards Hennessy Road; (c) Vehicular traffic on southbound Canal Road flyover from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down ramp leading to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; (d) Vehicular traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road; (e) Vehicular traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and (f) Vehicular traffic on westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road. C. Suspension of parking spaces Parking spaces on Wong Nai Chung Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing. D. Learner drivers prohibition Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time: (a) A section of Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road; (b) A section of Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road; (c) A section of Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road; (d) Canal Road East; and (e) The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover. Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice. Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.
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LCQ22: Marine refuse

December 13, 2016, 8:18 pm
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     Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):
 
Question:
 
     It has been reported that in recent months, large quantities of marine refuse have been washed up onto a number of local beaches, including Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun. Quite a lot of such refuse was plastic bags and plastic bottles the packaging papers of which were printed with simplified Chinese characters, arousing the suspicion that such marine refuse came from the Pearl River Delta waters in the Mainland. Besides, some media have uncovered that some Mainland vessels have illegally dumped refuse in the waters of Wanshan Qundao, Zhuhai, which is just 40 kilometres away from Lantau Island. While the authorities have stepped up efforts to clear the refuse on a number of beaches, there are views that such a practice treats the symptoms only but not the root cause of the problem. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the number of refuse clearance operations conducted by the authorities on various beaches in the past five years, and the quantity of the refuse collected;
 
(2) whether it has investigated from where the marine refuse found on Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun came; if it has investigated, of the outcome and whether, in order to solve the problem of marine refuse drifting into Hong Kong waters, it has discussed with the relevant authorities of the place from where such refuse came; if it has not investigated, the reasons for that;
 
(3) whether it has gained an understanding from the relevant Mainland authorities in respect of the aforesaid incident of illegal dumping by vessels, and requested them to take law enforcement actions vigorously; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) whether it has formulated measures to solve the marine refuse problem in the long run; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
(1) Various government departments are responsible for collecting and cleaning up marine refuse (including floating refuse and shoreline refuse washed ashore) according to the locations where such refuse is found.  These departments include the Marine Department (MD), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). The AFCD may conduct up to six marine refuse cleanup operations per week for marine parks while twice per month for marine reserve.  Marine refuse cleanup operations are arranged by each of the rest of the above departments at least once a day, and are subject to adjustments according to actual situations of individual locations (e.g. after typhoons). From 2012 to October 2016, the total amount of marine refuse collected and cleaned up by each of the above departments at beaches all over Hong Kong* was 15 059, 14 903, 15 236, 15 510 and 14 245 tonnes respectively.
 
* Including refuse collection bins on land at the marine parks at Hoi Ha Wan and Tung Ping Chau, and the refuse collected within the barbeque areas at Tung Ping Chau.
 
(2) and (3) As pointed out in the Marine Refuse Study (the Study) conducted by the Government in 2013-14, the prevailing wind (i.e. south-westerly in wet season and north-easterly in dry season) has marked effect on refuse accumulation. In general, shorelines in Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, Southern and Islands Districts tend to accumulate more refuse in the wet season. Moreover, refuse accumulated at local storm water drains and shorelines would be washed to sea during the summer when rainfalls are high, and certain refuse would be carried by the outflow of the Pearl River into the waters and coasts of Hong Kong. The Study has identified 27 priority sites for enhanced cleanup of marine refuse (including Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun) and the relevant departments have, since April 2015, strategically enhanced the cleaning frequency at these priority sites. In view of the significant increase in the amount of marine refuse found at Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun, the FEHD has arranged its contractors to enhance their cleaning services by deploying more manpower and increasing the cleaning frequency from once per week to four times per week.
 
     Regarding the suspected dumping of refuse by cargo ships in the waters of Wanshan Qundao of Zhuhai, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the AFCD and the MD promptly relayed the case to the Department of Environmental Protection of Guangdong Province (GDEPD), as well as other fisheries and marine authorities upon receipt of the report in August this year.  According to the GDEPD, Mainland law enforcement agencies had already commenced operations both at sea and on land to proactively track down the illegal dumping activities. Patrol was also stepped up to vigorously combat such activities. Later on, the GDEPD advised that the operations had delivered results, with vessels and personnel suspected of illegal activities detained and illegal marine dumping curbed. In addition, the MD has also stepped up patrol in Hong Kong waters, in particular the offshore waters near Hong Kong's boundary, to check on the situation concerning floating refuse. Over the past few months, no large quantity of floating refuse has been found. The EPD will continue to enhance exchange and communication with relevant Mainland authorities on various regional marine environmental matters via the Hong Kong-Guangdong Marine Environmental Management Special Panel set up this October.
 
(4) The Government established the Inter-departmental Working Group on Clean Shorelines (Working Group) in November 2012 to enhance the collaboration among relevant government departments to address the marine refuse problem. Having considered the recommendations made under the Study, the Working Group has formulated long-term strategies to tackle the marine refuse problem in Hong Kong by adopting a three-pronged approach, namely reducing waste generation at source, reducing the amount of refuse entering the marine environment, and removing refuse from the marine environment. Apart from co-ordinating the efforts of relevant government departments, the EPD has also endeavoured to educate our community in this aspect to enhance the public awareness of keeping our shorelines clean. Such efforts include broadcasting announcements in the public interest and organising various publicity and education activities (e.g. beach cleanup activities, roving exhibitions and design competitions), which all aim at helping members of the public better understand the marine refuse problem, thereby encouraging them to change their habits to reduce waste at source and prevent refuse from entering the sea.
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LCQ13: Law enforcement actions against obstruction of public places caused by shop front extension

December 13, 2016, 8:30 pm
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     Following is a question by the Hon Shiu Ka-fai and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):
 
Question:

     The Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness Offences) (Amendment) Ordinance 2016 (4 of 2016) (the Ordinance) has come into operation since September 24 this year.  The law enforcement officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) may issue fixed penalty notices to the relevant offenders in respect of shop front extension causing obstruction of public places.  The fixed penalty is $1,500.  However, quite a number of shop operators and members of the public have relayed to me that shop operators face tough operating environment due to the declining retail sales and the overly stringent law enforcement actions taken by FEHD officers.  According to the authorities, in general, where the extension of business activities beyond the confines of shops contributes to the vibrancy of the district and constitutes a distinct characteristic without posing any imminent danger to pedestrians and other road users, and subject to a consensus having been reached by the various parties concerned, the specific locations concerned may be accorded lower priorities for law enforcement or even be designated as "tolerated areas".  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) how the authorities determine whether an extension of business activities beyond the confines of shops does "contribute to the vibrancy of the district and constitute a distinct characteristic";

(2)  given that the existing tolerated areas cover only five locations, of the locations which the authorities had considered but eventually not included in the tolerated areas, and the reasons for that (set out in a table); and

(3) of the total number of complaints, received by the authorities since the implementation of the aforesaid Ordinance, from shop operators or members of the public about the law enforcement actions taken by FEHD officers, with a breakdown by nature of such complaints?

Reply:

President,

     The Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (the Ordinance) has come into operation since September 24 this year.  A fixed penalty system is introduced as an additional enforcement tool to tackle the problem of shop front extensions (SFEs).  Under the Ordinance, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Hong Kong Police Force are empowered to, among other things, issue fixed penalty notices of $1,500 in addition to summons against SFEs involving offences on obstruction of public places under section 4A of the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228).

     Following the commencement of the SFE fixed penalty system, there is visible improvement on the SFE situation and pavement access during the past two months.  In general, the public show support to the newly introduced fixed penalty system.  My answers to the respective parts of the question are as follows:
 
(1) and (2) Only under very exceptional circumstances could individual location be designated as a "tolerated area".  The arrangement is ad hoc in nature, and the number of such "areas" is very limited in Hong Kong.  According to past experience, the designation of an individual location as a "tolerated area" should be subject to deliberation and consensus reached among enforcement departments, other relevant departments, shop operators and/or district personalities.  Under the condition that the shop operators can exercise self-discipline by adhering to the agreed level of extension, the matter would be considered by relevant District Council (DC).  DC, representing the public opinion, is familiar with district circumstances.  It would take into account whether the SFEs at the said location could constitute distinct characteristics and contribute to the vibrancy of the district, and consider whether to support designating it as a "tolerated area" in a prudent manner.  The locations of the "tolerated areas" would also be subject to regular review of the enforcement departments, DCs and/or District Management Committees.

(3) During the period from September 24 to November 30 this year, FEHD, Home Affairs Department and District Offices have received a total of 73 complaints about FEHD's enforcement action against SFEs.  Among them, 40 cases complained about unfair or selective enforcement, 13 cases concerned attitude of individual staff, 6 complained about the stringent enforcement, and 14 cases included complaints about ineffective enforcement measures at certain locations, dissatisfaction with the "tolerated areas" arrangement and inadequate publicity work.  Enforcement departments will handle the complaints in accordance with established procedures.  They would also continue to ensure effective and consistent enforcement actions in tackling the problem of SFEs.
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LCQ15: Government attaches great importance to needs of sexual violence victims

December 13, 2016, 8:35 pm
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     Following is a question by the Dr Hon Fernando Cheung and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):

Question:

     According to the Information to Adult Sexual Violence Victims published by the Hong Kong Police Force in June this year, when victims of sexual violence, after making a Police report, have been sent to any public hospital for consultation and treatment and if the situation allows, they may choose to give their witness statements and undergo forensic examinations in the same hospital.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether victims of sexual violence may give their witness statements and undergo forensic examinations in any public hospital at present; of the places in a hospital where victims of sexual violence in general give their witness statements and undergo forensic examinations;

(2) whether victims of sexual violence may first go to a public hospital on their own for consultation, then make Police report, give their witness statements and undergo forensic examinations there;

(3) of the criteria adopted by the Police for determining whether a situation allows victims of sexual violence to give their witness statements and undergo forensic examinations in a hospital, and the respective situations that allow and do not allow such arrangements; and

(4) whether it has assessed if the places and facilities in various public hospitals where victims of sexual violence give their witness statements and undergo forensic examinations conform to the relevant guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO); if it has assessed and the outcome is in the affirmative, of the details of such places and facilities, and whether it can furnish the relevant photographs to this Council; if the assessment outcome is in the negative, whether the authorities have plans to upgrade such places and facilities so that they comply with WHO's relevant guidelines; if they have such plans, of the implementation timetable?

Reply:

President,

     The Government attaches great importance to the needs of sexual violence victims.  In respect of sexual violence cases, police investigation will be conducted in such a way that the victims will not be further traumatised.  The Police will also introduce to the victims the counselling and support services of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and other relevant non-governmental organisations.  Subject to the victims' consent, the Police will arrange for referrals to appropriate follow-up services.

     To provide victims reporting sexual violence cases with relevant information in a timely manner, the Police compiled the "Information to Adult Sexual Violence Victims" in June this year.  It explains the victims' rights and the procedures that they may have to go through while assisting the police investigations.  This includes the arrangement under the One-Stop Service Model that a victim, upon being sent to a public hospital for medical services after making a report, may choose to give a witness statement and undergo forensic examinations at the same hospital if the situation allows.  This service model has been put in place since 2007.  It features a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure close co-operation and collaboration amongst various professionals for the provision of a customer-oriented and one-stop service, which enables the victims to receive services and go through relevant procedures in a convenient, safe, confidential and protected environment, thus minimising the need for them to repeat their unpleasant experience.  For the implementation of the service model, the SWD, in collaboration with related social service units, the Hospital Authority (HA), the Hong Kong Police Force and the Forensic Pathology Service of the Department of Health etc, has formulated an effective workflow and the "Procedural Guidelines for Handling Adult Sexual Violence Cases".

     The consolidated reply, prepared in consultation with the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Food and Health Bureau, to the Dr Hon Fernando Cheung's question is as follows:

(1) At present, if an adult sexual violence victim chooses to give a witness statement and/or undergo forensic examinations at the same time when receiving medical services in any HA public hospitals with Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments, the Police will make arrangements accordingly.

    Urgent medical services are provided at all A&E departments of HA hospitals for victims of sexual violence where necessary.  With the victim's consent, the designated nursing staff and/or medical officer will, ensuring the protection of the victim's privacy, arrange a suitable place in the A&E department for the forensic pathologist to conduct forensic examination and the Police to take a statement.

(2) Upon receipt of a report by a victim (whether reported to the Police before the victim is sent to a public hospital or when the victim is receiving medical services at the A&E Department of a public hospital), the Police will, in the light of the circumstances of the case, explain to the victim the investigation procedures and his/her rights.  Should the victim opt for the one-stop service, the Police will make appropriate arrangements for the victim to give a witness statement and/or undergo forensic examinations at the same hospital.

(3) Whether a victim will give his/her statement and undergo forensic examination at the same hospital is subject to the preference of the victim and the professional advice of the medical officers.

(4) According to the Guidelines for Medico-legal Care for Victims of Sexual Violence of the World Health Organization, the place for statement-taking and forensic examination should be private, clean, secure and with 24-hour accessibility to necessary services to provide victims with the necessary protection.  The A&E departments under the HA provide round-the-clock service with police officers on duty and strict infection control measures in place to ensure protection in the above-mentioned aspects.

     According to the "Procedural Guidelines for Handling Adult Sexual Violence Cases" issued by the SWD, if the victim has reported the case to the Police, the Police will arrange forensic examination when situation warrants.  If it is necessary to collect evidence at the hospital, the HA will arrange a suitable place for the forensic pathologist to conduct forensic examination and the Police to take a statement.  In case forensic examination has to be performed in the examination suites of the Forensic Pathology Service, the Police will arrange transportation and provide escort service for the victim.
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LCQ14: Water dispensers at government venues

December 13, 2016, 8:46 pm
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     Following is a question by the Hon Kwok Ka-ki and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):

Question:

     According to the information of the Environment Bureau, around 58 000 to 79 000 tonnes of plastic bottle waste was disposed of at landfills each year from 2010 to 2014. Some environmentalists have suggested that the Government should provide more drinking fountains in public venues and encourage members of the public to bring their own water bottles so that they will purchase less bottled water and beverages, thereby reducing the plastic bottle waste generated. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of each of the following types of venues, and set out by name of the venue the respective numbers of (i) fountain type water dispensers, (ii) non-fountain type water dispensers, and (iii) drinks vending machines, installed at the venue (set out in a table):
(i) public libraries, museums, performance venues, land sports facilities, parks, beaches and swimming pool complexes under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department;
(ii) public markets and cooked food centres under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department;
(iii) community halls/community centres under the Home Affairs Department;
(iv) Government Offices;
(v) ferry piers;
(vi) public transport interchanges;
(vii) clinics under the Department of Health; and
(viii) public hospitals and outpatient clinics under the Hospital Authority;

(2) whether it has plans to install or increase the number of drinking fountains in the venues listed in (1); if so, of the details and timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) given that disposable plastic cups and bottled water are no longer provided in the Taipei City Hall building since April this year, whether the authorities have plans to take similar measures in government buildings; if so, of the details and timetable; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,
 
     The Government has been adopting the principle of "reduce, reuse and recycle" to tackle the waste management challenges. In accordance with this principle, we have always encouraged the public to use less disposable items. Water dispensers provided by the Government in public places are mainly installed in active recreational facilities managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), such as sports centres, sports grounds and swimming pools, etc. The LCSD provides these water dispensers mainly for the convenience of the public and to promote environmental protection by encouraging members of the public to bring their own reusable water bottles.
 
     My reply to the Hon Kwok's question is as follows:
 
(1) There are two main types of water dispensers, namely fountain and non-fountain type provided in government venues. For fountain type water dispensers, water is drawn from the water mains of the Water Supplies Department and sterilised by ultra-violet light before use. They are designed for use at both indoor and outdoor venues. As there is no need to change water bottles, they are suitable for use at venues with high water usage. Most of the non-fountain type water dispensers dispense water from bottled water. A small portion of these dispensers dispense water from water mains after treatment by a filter system. They are designed for use at indoor venues only. Figures on water dispensers and drinks vending machines at the venues mentioned in the question are set out at the Annex.
 
(2) The relevant government departments will continue to explore various measures to encourage the public to use less disposable plastic beverage bottles, including the installation of more water dispensers in suitable government premises to provide the public with potable water. Nevertheless, due consideration has to be given to a number of factors, such as the service nature, utilisation rate, suitable type of water dispensers to be installed, hygiene and water quality management, and arrangement for repairs and maintenance, etc. Relevant work is still underway and thus no specific timetable for implementation is available for the time being.
 
(3) The Government has been actively promoting waste reduction at source. We drew up relevant guidelines in 2012, according to which various government departments should adopt green measures as well as avoid and reduce waste generation. Such measures include to serve potable water by glasses or reusable containers when organising or attending activities and meetings; avoid purchasing bottled beverages and one-off disposable utensils and containers; and set up recycling facilities in government buildings as far as possible to facilitate recycling of plastics and other recyclables. We will make reference to the practices of other places and enhance the guidelines or introduce suitable measures from time to time to promote waste reduction and recycling.
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Swedish food and beverage distributor opens first retail outlet in Hong Kong (with photo)

December 13, 2016, 8:53 pm
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     Swedish food and beverage (F&B) distributor Pear & Carrot Limited announced today (December 14) that it has opened its first Moreganic Sweden outlet in Hong Kong offering a selection of organic F&B brands from Nordic countries.

     The Moreganic Sweden shop at Tsim Sha Tsui offers a wide range of organic products based on the KRAV standards, which are among Sweden's official sustainable food labelling standards, according to the Director of Sales of Pear & Carrot Limited, Mr Per Agren.

     He said, "Through various distribution channels, we have been supplying Swedish F&B brands in Hong Kong for some years. The city has fast-growing demand for healthy food, and this is partly why we decided to open our first retail outlet here to tap the opportunities."

     "Moreganic Sweden also aims to promote Nordic food culture in Hong Kong by introducing more KRAV-labelled brands to increase the choices for people who want healthy food."

     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Dr Jimmy Chiang said, "Hong Kong as an international city as well as a popular tourist destination in Asia offers a very good platform for overseas companies to raise their brand image and promote their products. I believe Moreganic Sweden will be able to leverage our city’s business advantages to expand in the region."
     
About Moreganic Sweden

     Moreganic Sweden promotes a green Swedish concept with a selection of products accredited for KRAV organic standards. KRAV issues Sweden's well-known sustainability label for foods which is based on principles of organic farming with especially rigorous requirements on animal care, health, social responsibility and climate impact. For more information, please visit www.moreganicsweden.com.

About Invest Hong Kong

     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in 2000 to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
     
For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157677815280725.
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LCQ1: Expansion and development plan for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

December 13, 2016, 9:03 pm
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     Following is a question by the Hon Wu Chi-wai and a reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):
      
Question:
      
     The Government announced last month that it had reached an in-principle agreement with The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) in respect of an expansion and development plan (the expansion project) for the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (the Resort).  The expansion project will cost $10.9 billion, to be shared between the two shareholders according to the current shareholding ratio, i.e. $5.8 billion and $5.1 billion to be injected by the Government and TWDC respectively.  The Government has indicated that as both sides are of the view that they should limit the near and medium-term debt repayment burdens of the Resort, they have not opted for the option of raising debt to finance the project.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
      
(1) whether it has conducted detailed financial analyses in respect of various options for financing the expansion project (including equity injection, the Resort taking out loans in the market under the condition of the Government providing a guarantee for subordinated loans or commercial loans, and a hybrid option with equity injection and debt financing in various ratios); if so, how such financing options compare with one another in terms of aspects such as total cost, rate of return, risks and risk sensitivity; if not, of the reasons for that;
      
(2) whether it has conducted analyses on the estimated cash flows of the Resort under various financing options in the coming decade; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
      
(3) as the Government indicated in reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council in November 2005 that "the Government may consider in the light of the 'Big Market, Small Government' principle to divest its shareholdings in [the Resort] at an appropriate time when it is in the overall economic interests of Hong Kong to do so", whether such principle and considerations are still applicable at present; if so, whether the Government will conduct studies on the reduction of its shareholdings in the Resort, including setting out what constitutes an appropriate time for divesting its shareholdings (e.g. when the attendance and revenue of the Resort have reached certain specified targets); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; of the arrangements and restrictions, under the current agreement between the Government and TWDC, for the Government's divestment of its shareholdings to a third party, and whether it will negotiate with TWDC on a set of criteria in this respect?
      
Reply:
      
President,
      
     The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) has been in operation for over 10 years since its opening in 2005.  It is a major component of the tourism infrastructure in Hong Kong and one of the most popular tourist attractions for both local and overseas visitors.  It also helps consolidate our position as an international premier tourist destination.  Our on-going analysis of the Hong Kong Tourism Board's survey with inbound visitors revealed that around 50 per cent of HKDL's visitors cited visiting HKDL as their main purpose of coming to Hong Kong.  This demonstrates the attractiveness and strength of HKDL.  In its first 10 years of operation, HKDL has received over 58 million guests.  Their additional spending in Hong Kong was around $136 billion, which generated $74.9 billion of total value-added for Hong Kong's economy, equivalent to 0.38 per cent of Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product.  HKDL has also created a total of 195 700 jobs for Hong Kong's economy over the same period, providing considerable job opportunities to the general public.
      
     The Government is committed to pursuing a balanced, healthy and long-term development of our tourism industry.  We have also stated that Hong Kong should not merely focus on the growth in tourist number but should also move towards diversified and high value-added services.  With the solid foundation of HKDL, we consider that it is the right opportunity to roll out a series of new attractions in the next few years so as to enable HKDL to continue to play to its strength in attracting high value-added visitors from all over the world to Hong Kong and fostering tourism development amidst intensifying competition in the region. 
      
     Under the expansion and development plan of HKDL announced last month, new attraction(s) will be launched almost every year from 2018 to 2023, including new themed areas featuring Disney's popular properties, namely "Frozen" and "Marvel Super Heroes".  Apart from enhancing HKDL's attractiveness and competitiveness, the plan is also an integral part of our tourism development strategy which aims to attract more high spending overnight visitors from different source markets to Hong Kong, and thereby benefiting the tourism-related industries and creating job opportunities.  We expect that the expansion and development plan would generate additional net economic benefits of $38.5 billion to $41.6 billion over a 40-year operation period.  The plan is also expected to create around 3 500 jobs during the construction stage and another 600 jobs at HKDL upon completion.  Moreover, the additional visitors and their spending arising from the expansion and development plan would bring about 5 000 jobs to Hong Kong's economy, which would progressively increase to around 8 000 jobs.

     My reply to the three parts of the question is as follows:

(1) and (2)  In order to enable the launch of the entertainment offerings and attractions under the expansion and development plan as soon as possible and to add impetus to Hong Kong's tourism development in a timely manner, and given the relatively large scale of the plan, both shareholders of the Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited (HKITP) consider it appropriate to share the project cost of $10.9 billion according to the existing shareholding ratio, i.e. 53 per cent by the Government and 47 per cent by The Walt Disney Company (TWDC), as equity injection.

     We have considered the option of raising debt to fund the expansion and development plan.  However, it is the common vision of both shareholders to reduce debt and interest expenses of HKITP, and we have indeed, since 2009, deleveraged HKITP considerably.  Therefore, we consider that funding the expansion and development plan through equity injection will be more conducive to the long-term financial performance of HKITP.  In fact, the liability of HKITP will reach up to $2.3 billion in the current fiscal year.  According to our assessment, HKITP can at most secure loan amount of about $4 billion without any guarantee under the current circumstances, and would not be able to borrow the entire sum of $10.9 billion in the market.  Even if HKITP could secure a loan of $10.9 billion, the additional interest expenses arising from such loan for the expansion and development plan would be up to $300 million per annum as calculated based on the interest rate of shareholders' loans for HKDL's third hotel development (i.e. around 2.6 per cent per annum).  Such interest expenses would become HKITP's burden over a long period of time and impose considerable pressure on its financial performance.

     The progressive launch of new offerings under the expansion and development plan from 2018 onwards will help HKDL give full play to its international features and further open up the local, Southeast Asia and Mainland markets, and thereby stimulating visitation and consumption desire as well as lengthening visitors' stay in HKDL.  We expect that the annual attendance of HKDL in 2025 will reach 9 million to 9.3 million.  Based on the present value of the additional cash flow (i.e. discounting the inflation factor) generated from the projected attendance under the expansion and development plan, we estimate that the plan will have a financial internal rate of return of over 5 per cent in real terms, which is a financially viable investment.

(3) HKDL is an important and strategic tourism infrastructure investment of Hong Kong, and its development has to tie in with the Government's policy to promote tourism industry and overall economic development.  We also attach great importance to the economic benefits and employment opportunities brought about by HKDL to the tourism-related industries (such as retail, restaurant, hotel, etc.).  Given the current financial positions of HKDL and its strategic role in promoting our tourism industry as well as the overall economic development, the Government has no plan to sell our shares in HKITP or introduce third party investor(s) at present.  In fact, the Government may, following agreement reached between both shareholders of the joint venture, negotiate the sale of our shares to third party investor(s).  We will consider this option in the future as and when HKDL's financial positions are suitable and it is in the overall economic interests of Hong Kong.
 
     HKDL is an important tourism facility of Hong Kong.  As the majority shareholder of HKDL, the Government will continue to monitor the development and business performance of HKDL.  We are pleased that TWDC has casted a vote of confidence in the prospects of the Hong Kong market and our tourism industry, and continues to make substantial investment in the expansion and development plan of HKDL.  We hope that different sectors of the community as well as members of this Council will support the expansion and development plan, with a view to bringing growth momentum to HKDL's business and fostering further development of our tourism industry towards diversified and high value-added services.
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Government calls on public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination early (with photos)

December 13, 2016, 9:53 pm
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     The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, today (December 14) received seasonal influenza vaccination together with five Principal Officials, appealing to the public to get prepared for the winter influenza peak season, including receiving seasonal influenza vaccination and maintaining personal, hand and environmental hygiene.

     The five Principal Officials are the Acting Financial Secretary, Professor K C Chan; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam; the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok; and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang.

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, was also present at the vaccination activity. He said, "To safeguard public health, the Government has expanded the scope of 2016/2017 Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and Government Vaccination Programme to boost the vaccination coverage.  While free or subsidised flu vaccination is provided for children aged six months to under 12 years and Disability Allowance recipients, all pregnant women can also receive subsidised flu vaccination. As at December 11, about 491 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines have been  administered via the two programmes."

     Earlier, Dr Ko and the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, respectively visited Ha Kwai Chung General Out-patient Clinic and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital to encourage members of the public and healthcare staff to receive flu vaccination. They also received the vaccination during their visits.
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LCQ2: Issues relating to New Territories small house policy and small house concessionary rights

December 13, 2016, 10:10 pm
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     Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Wan and a reply by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):
 
Question:
 
     According to the New Territories small house (small house) policy implemented since 1972, a New Territories male indigenous villager over 18 years old is entitled to one concessionary grant during his lifetime to build one small house (small house concessionary right). However, that policy has all along been a subject of criticism over the years. During his election campaign in 2012 and in a meeting with the senior members of the Heung Yee Kuk (HYK) in November of the same year after winning the election, the Chief Executive indicated that the problems associated with small houses and small house concessionary rights could be resolved by the method of "drawing a line", i.e. stipulating that New Territories male indigenous villagers born after a specified year would no longer be entitled to small house concessionary rights. The Chief Secretary for Administration, during her tenure as the Secretary for Development, pointed out that the small house concessionary rights could not be granted to New Territories male indigenous villagers indefinitely, and suggested setting a deadline for such rights, in line with the Basic Law's principle of guaranteeing Hong Kong’s way of life to remain unchanged for 50 years, to stipulate that New Territories male indigenous villagers born after 2029 (i.e. reaching the age of 18 after 2047) would no longer be entitled to small house concessionary rights. The incumbent Secretary for Development has also written that it is necessary to review the small house policy on the premise of optimal utilisation of land resources. On the other hand, some members of the public have criticised that while the five-year term of office of the incumbent Government is approaching its end, the problems associated with small houses and small house concessionary rights have remained unresolved. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it conducted, in the past few years, any study on adoption of the method of "drawing a line" for resolving the problems associated with small houses and small house concessionary rights; if it did, of the details; whether it has carried out any formal or informal consultations with HYK on such a method; if it has, of the details and the outcome of such consultations; whether it is due to resistance from the gentry or HYK that the incumbent Government has all along failed to resolve the problems associated with small houses and small house concessionary rights;

(2) whether it has projected the number of people eligible for applying to build small houses in the coming 10 years; if it has, of the number, and whether it will use that number as a basis for setting a limit on the total area of land that can be made available for building small houses across the territory (including government land and private land); and 
 
(3) as there are views that the development of low-density luxury residential properties by developers through the acquisition of small house concessionary rights has spoiled the cultural atmosphere of the rural areas and violated the planning intention of the "Village Type Development" (VTD) sites, and such developments have also increased the burden on traffic and ancillary community facilities in the vicinity, whether the Government has examined if the small house policy has been abused; whether it has considered including some VTD sites in new town developments or public housing developments on the premise of not affecting country parks and greening zones, so as to optimise the utilisation of land resources and provide mid-to-high density residential properties that can better meet the needs of the community?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     My reply to the Hon Andrew Wan's questions is as follows:
 
     For part (1) and part (2) of the question, under the Small House Policy (the Policy), in general, a male indigenous villager aged 18 years old or above who is descended through the male line from a resident in 1898 of a recognised village in the New Territories may apply to the authority once during his lifetime for permission to build for himself a small house on a suitable site within his own village.
 
     The Policy has been implemented for more than forty years. The Government recognises the need to review the Policy in the context of prevailing land use planning as well as optimal utilisation of land resources.  Such review will inevitably involve complicated issues in various aspects such as legal, environment, land use planning and demand on land, all of which require careful examination. The Government will continue to handle this review carefully and judiciously, engaging stakeholders as well as the wider community in dialogue over the relevant issues as and when necessary. As I mentioned when I responded to Legislative Council Members' oral questions on November 18, 2015 and June 22, 2016, and on various occasions in the meantime, given the complicated issues involved and the fact that the work priorities of the Development Bureau are to increase land supply in the short to medium term and to implement and control costs of various public works projects, the review or consideration of suggestions to amend the Policy would not be a priority task in the remainder of the current term of the Government. It is neither realistic nor practicable as far as time is concerned.
 
     The demand for small houses may change with factors such as birth and growth of indigenous villagers. Whether or not an indigenous villager would apply for a small house grant is dependent on his own circumstances and wishes, and not all eligible indigenous villagers aged 18 years or above will submit an application. It is thus impossible for the Lands Department to project the number of small house applications in the next ten years. As a matter of fact, it is not the Government's policy objective to provide adequate land to cater for applications by the estimated number of eligible indigenous villagers.
 
     Moreover, as the Policy is currently challenged by a judicial review, it is not appropriate for the Government to respond further to detailed considerations of the Policy at this stage.
 
     For part (3) of the question, the planning intention of the "Village Type Development" zone ("V" zone) is mainly to reflect existing villages and for small house development by indigenous villagers within recognised villages. The purpose of setting up the "V" zone is also to concentrate village type developments therein for a more orderly development. However, given that "V" zones are scattered across the territory and that there are various existing land uses, including existing villages, small houses, agricultural land, village access roads, etc., coupled with constraints in the existing infrastructural and other ancillary facilities, they are generally not suitable for large-scale high-density development.
 
     To cater for Hong Kong society's on-going development needs and optimise the utilisation of land resources, the Government has been proactive in implementing a series of new development areas and new town extension projects. Among these projects, quite a number are located in the rural New Territories in which existing villages, brownfield sites, squatter areas, agricultural land and land of other uses are scattered. Generally speaking, it is not feasible for the existing infrastructural and community facilities in these areas to cope with the demand arising from the future population growth or the further development of new towns. The Government's strategy for developing such areas is to conduct comprehensive planning with a view to examining the overall development constraints of the areas and the needs of society, and addressing the potential traffic, environmental and other impacts caused by the proposed developments. This will ensure sufficient infrastructural and community facilities for the future development, and at the same time improve land use and development patterns for the areas concerned. Such strategy for releasing suitable land for new development areas/new town extension is more effective than developing individual parcels of rural land, and can also better benefit the areas overall.
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LCQ10: Enhancing the role of Hong Kong's finance industry in respect of Renminbi businesses

December 13, 2016, 10:30 pm
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     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Chun-ying and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):
 
Question:
 
     Some members of the finance industry have pointed out that following the International Monetary Fund's inclusion of Renminbi (RMB) in its Special Drawing Rights (SDR) currency basket in October this year, the Government should introduce measures to promote Hong Kong's role as an RMB asset management centre, and assist the industry in capitalising on the opportunities arising from our country's implementation of the strategy of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road Initiative), so as to promote the development of Hong Kong's RMB settlement services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has conducted studies on ways to enhance the role of Hong Kong's finance industry as a guide for foreign investors when they engage in RMB asset investments, and ways to encourage such investors to increase their acquisition of RMB-denominated bonds, equities and other assets by making reference to the weighting of currencies in the SDR currency basket, so as to strengthen the role of Hong Kong as an RMB asset management centre which connects Mainland and overseas investors; if it has conducted such studies, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) regarding the countries and places along the Belt and Road which do not use the US dollar as their major settlement currency for international transactions, whether the Government will conduct a study on the feasibility of Hong Kong providing RMB transaction settlement services to the central banks of or large enterprises in such countries; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) apart from the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect which have already been implemented, whether the Government will discuss with the Mainland authorities the establishment of mutual access mechanisms between Hong Kong and the Mainland for the trading of other types of financial investment products (including funds and bonds), so as to consolidate Hong Kong's role as a springboard for bilateral investments between Hong Kong and other places; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:
 
President,
 
     My reply to the three parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) Hong Kong has been playing a pioneering role in the process of Renminbi (RMB) internationalisation and capital account liberalisation in the Mainland. In the past few years, we have implemented a number of important measures to support the financial sector in establishing diversified channels for cross-border investment, as well as promoting the mutual access between the Hong Kong and Mainland markets. These include the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, the Mutual Recognition of Funds (MRF) arrangement between the Mainland and Hong Kong, the RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) Scheme and the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) Scheme. Furthermore, with the world's largest offshore RMB liquidity pool, a highly efficient financial infrastructure and a wide range of RMB products and services, Hong Kong has become a leading offshore RMB asset management centre.
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has been actively reaching out to Mainland asset management companies to encourage them to establish a presence in Hong Kong, thereby enhancing the depth and scale of our asset management market, promoting the development and trading of RMB and other investment products as well as reinforcing Hong Kong's function as an asset management centre. This will not only facilitate the local industry to tap into the Mainland market, but will also bring in more Mainland capital and demand for related financial services to Hong Kong, which are conducive to enhancing the ties between the asset management markets in Hong Kong and the Mainland. In fact, many Mainland asset management companies have already set up a presence in Hong Kong to provide RMB investment and asset management services. In 2015, 283 Securities and Futures Commission-authorised funds were managed by Mainland-related fund groups, up by 11.9 per cent as compared with 2014.
 
     The Government has been working with relevant Mainland authorities to facilitate overseas investors to access the Mainland market through Hong Kong. In addition, we have engaged the industry closely and have provided them with a favourable tax and regulatory environment. For example, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2016, passed in June this year, allows under specified conditions, interest deduction in calculating profits tax for intra-group financing business of corporations operating in Hong Kong, and profits tax rate reduction by 50 per cent for qualifying corporate treasury centres (CTCs). This will help attract multinational and Mainland corporations to set up CTCs in Hong Kong, draw in more asset management and other related financial activities, and consolidate Hong Kong's role as an international asset management centre.
 
     The HKMA also set up the Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office (IFFO) in July 2016 to bring together key stakeholders at home and abroad to facilitate infrastructure investments and financing using Hong Kong's platform. Since then, more than 50 partners have joined the IFFO. The partners include multilateral development banks, public and private sector investors, project developers and operators and professional service providers. One of the IFFO's tasks is to build capacity and knowledge on infrastructure investments and financing in the industry. For example, a workshop on "Private Participation in Infrastructure Project Finance in Emerging Markets" was held in October 2016. The IFFO will continue to strengthen co-operation with various stakeholders, promote the development of Hong Kong as an infrastructure investment and financing centre, and explore development opportunities for the industry along the Belt and Road and other regions.
 
     Looking ahead, we will continue to liaise with the Mainland authorities to explore further policy headroom for establishing more cross-border investment channels. This will attract more Mainland and international asset management companies to establish or expand their presence in Hong Kong with a view to drawing in more capital and strengthening the network among the markets of Hong Kong, the Mainland and other places, and thus enhance the functions of Hong Kong as an asset management centre linking up the Mainland and the rest of the world.

(2) As an international financial centre and the global offshore RMB business hub, Hong Kong has been playing an important role in promoting RMB internationalisation and supporting the development of other overseas markets. Insofar as RMB settlement service is concerned, Hong Kong's RMB Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system, established in 2007, has been providing efficient and reliable RMB settlement services for banks in various parts of the world and supporting real-time cross-border RMB payment through its connection with the payment system in the Mainland. Eligible banks from different places can access the RMB RTGS system in Hong Kong by becoming a participating bank of Hong Kong's RMB clearing platform. Currently, more than 200 banks around the world have become participating banks, providing related RMB services to corporates and institutions in different places through Hong Kong's RMB clearing platform. Furthermore, in collaboration with the industry, we have been actively stepping up co-operation with other offshore RMB business centres and overseas markets as well as promoting Hong Kong's RMB platform and our unique advantages in capitalising on the opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative. We will continue our work on this front.

(3) Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect launched in 2014, the Mainland-Hong Kong MRF arrangement launched last year and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect launched this year are major milestones in the promotion of the mutual access between the capital markets in Hong Kong and the Mainland. We note that there are suggestions in the market that more traded products (including exchange-traded funds and bonds) be included as eligible securities under the mutual market access scheme. The Government and regulators will continue to discuss with relevant Mainland authorities the deepening of mutual market access and to study the feasibility of expanding the scope of eligible securities for trading under the mutual market access scheme, with a view to reinforcing Hong Kong's role in connecting the financial markets in the Mainland and the rest of the world. The China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Securities and Futures Commission mentioned in their joint announcement regarding Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect issued on August 16, 2016 that they have reached a consensus to include exchange-traded funds as eligible securities under the mutual market access scheme after Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect has been in operation for a period of time and upon the satisfaction of relevant conditions. This will further enrich the variety of traded products and provide more investment opportunities and convenience for domestic and overseas investors.
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