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 (March 20) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, continued his visit with a Hong Kong business and professional delegation to Tbilisi, Georgia, yesterday (March 19, Tbilisi time) to explore investment and business opportunities in the region.
Mr Yau met with the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Mrs Maya Tskitishvili, and the Minister of Finance of Georgia, Mr Ivane Machavariani, in the morning to understand the latest government policies and infrastructure development plans as well as the overall investment and business opportunities in Georgia. Mr Yau also called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Georgia, Mr Ji Yanchi.
Mr Yau said Georgia, with its strategic location in the Caucasus region as well as its open and business-friendly economy, is an important gateway for Hong Kong to reach out to the markets in the Caucasus region and Central and Eastern Europe. The Hong Kong-Georgia Free Trade Agreement, being the first such agreement signed between Hong Kong and a country in the Caucasus region, not only enhances trade and investment flows between Hong Kong and Georgia, but also paves the way for Hong Kong business and professional services sectors as well as start-ups to tap into the enormous opportunities in the Caucasus region under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Meanwhile, the delegation visited the Poti Free Industrial Zone Headquarters in Tbilisi in the morning to learn about the development of free industrial zones in the region and the investment opportunities there. The Poti Free Industrial Zone, the first of its kind in the region, became functional in 2010. With its tax-free environment and easy business setup process, the industrial zone accommodates businesses and investors from diverse segments.
In the afternoon, Mr Yau and the delegation visited the Hualing Tbilisi Sea New City, a 420-hectare major comprehensive development project in Georgia. The project developer, Hualing Group, was Georgia's single largest foreign investor as of 2017. Through the visit, the delegation learnt more about investment in key projects in Georgia.
The delegation then attended a meeting with representatives of the Anaklia Development Consortium on the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port and the Special Economic Zone in Anaklia. The first phase of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port is expected to be completed next year. Upon completion of all phases, it will be the first deep sea port in Georgia and a vital part of the Middle Corridor within the Belt and Road Initiative to serve as a logistics and transportation node between China and Europe.
In the evening, the delegation joined a networking dinner with representatives of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to better understand the business environment in Georgia.
Mr Yau and the delegation will visit Chateau Mukhrani today (March 20, Tbilisi time) to learn about the latest developments of Georgia's wine industry and explore opportunities for the wine trade of Hong Kong.
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) held separate meetings today (March 19) with members of the Eastern District Council (DC) and the Tai Po DC respectively at the LegCo Complex to discuss and exchange views on matters of mutual interest.
During the meeting with the Eastern DC, LegCo Members discussed with DC members on strengthening the monitoring of franchised bus and public light bus services; measures for solving the problem of illegal parking, studying the feasibility of installing electronic data recording devices and speed limiters in taxis; abolishing the accumulation limit under the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme; and request for the installation of noise barriers and elevator system on Chai Wan Road (near to Neptune Terrace). In addition, during the meeting, DC members also expressed their concerns on the following issues: request for the extension of the MTR Island Line to Siu Sai Wan; impacts of the toll adjustment proposals for traffic rationalisation among the three road harbour crossings on the congestion at Eastern Harbour Crossing; and land use issues in respect of a site located on Mount Parker Road in Quarry Bay. The meeting was convened by Ms Tanya Chan, and attended by Mr Abraham Shek, Mr Chan Hak-kan, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Mr Kwok Wai-keung, Mr Poon Siu-ping, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Mr Au Nok-hin and Mr Tony Tse.
As for the meeting with the Tai Po DC, LegCo Members discussed with DC members on promotion of recreational fisheries in Tai Po; request for increasing the parking spaces in Tai Po District; environmental hygiene issues regarding Lam Tsuen River, Tai Po River and the drains in Tai Po District, and problems about the collapse of river walls along Lam Tsuen River and Tai Po River; request for expediting the construction of a community medical centre in Tai Po; as well as request for expediting the provision of an additional vehicular flyover across Lam Tsuen River near the Kwong Fuk Bridge. The meeting was convened by Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, and attended by Mr Chan Hak-kan, Mr Chan Chi-chuen, Mr Christopher Cheung, Dr Elizabeth Quat, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Chu Hoi-dick, Mr Chan Chun-ying,Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Mr Kenneth Lau and Mr Gary Fan.
Three persons involved in three cases of illegal waste disposal in public places in Yuen Long were fined a total of $14,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 19) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that in September last year, the department successfully intercepted the person-in-charge of a renovation site on Fuk Hi Street in Yuen Long with information reported by a member of the public. He was suspected of illegally disposing of demolition and construction waste, including rubble and bricks, at the roadside nearby, which caused obstruction on the pavement and adversely affected environmental hygiene. During a series of enforcement actions conducted by the department in the same district in October last year, the EPD also intercepted a lorry driver and a worker on Tai Shu Ha Road East and Fui Sha Wai South Road in Yuen Long respectively as they illegally disposed of waste, such as wood waste and plastic bottles, in public places. The department instigated prosecutions against the persons involved in accordance with the WDO after collecting evidence.
The EPD spokesman reminded all members of the renovation, construction and transportation sectors, including persons-in-charge of construction sites, workers as well as drivers and owners of goods vehicles, that they must properly deliver commercial and industrial waste and construction waste to the government waste management facilities in accordance with the law. It is unlawful to dispose of waste in public places and on the roadside. First-time offenders under the WDO are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.
The spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111.
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session after attending the Board meeting of the MTR Corporation Limited today (March 19):
Reporter: Can you tell us about the Government’s response while we are waiting for the MTR to give us the details on what happened? What’s the Government’s response to what the MTR told you during the meeting? And also I want to ask about the disruption to our central business district because right now, the red line between Admiralty and Central is still not running, and it’s going to take up to days before the public can use them again. So what’s the Government’s thought on when’s the earliest for us? Is there any indication on when the public can use that line between those stops again? And also did you talk about the penalty for Thales, the contractor, as well as like the disruption, did you talk or discuss at the meeting as well?
Secretary for Transport and Housing: First and foremost, we really appreciate the public’s tolerance about the disturbance in their daily travelling or commuting to work or to office. In fact, the Transport Department has been working very closely with the public transport sector to enhance the frequency of franchised buses and ferry services, with a view to easing the difficulties of fellow citizens in going to work or going to school. In the days to come, before the service is resumed, our Transport (Department) colleagues would continue to work with these public service operators to provide the same or enhanced services.
As to when the service will be resumed, we are given to understand that the MTR colleagues are working very hard, with a view to speeding up the recovery, and to resume the service as soon as possible. When there is a certainty as to when the service could be resumed, I am sure that the MTR colleagues would inform the public as soon as possible.
As regards the incident, I must say that the Government is deeply concerned about the serious incident that has only happened during the past 40 years of railway operation. We have asked the MTRCL to investigate with due diligence with a view to ironing out the exact details and the reasons of the incident. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is also conducting an independent investigation into the design, the operation, the integration of the hardware and software, as well as any possible causes for this incident. I hope through this dedicated, comprehensive investigation and to make it known to the general public and the media, we are able to regain public confidence in our public railway safety.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)