The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, and the Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Ai Xuefeng, co-chaired the fourth meeting of the Joint Task Force on the Development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Inn… read more
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session in Beijing this afternoon (November 12):
Reporter: Mrs Lam, this morning when President Xi talked about the irreplaceable role that Hong Kong played in the past and will still play in the future, what exactly do you think he was talking about? And does Hong Kong need Article 23 legislation or even a new Chief Secretary to achieve that?
Chief Executive: First of all, we have not touched on at all the two issues that you have raised. As far as President Xi’s remark on the very important role of Hong Kong throughout the four decades of the country’s reform and opening up, of course everybody in the delegation was very excited and very gratified that our contribution over the years has been fully recognised by the leaders, and I think this really covers a wide range of areas. It’s not just in terms of bringing in more investment to the Mainland. It’s also in terms of bringing new experience and professional expertise, in terms of city management and other issues, and more recently also in terms of higher education collaboration and science and technology. We have made that contribution, which is well recognised by the Central Authorities, and it is even more comforting to hear from President Xi that he is very assuring that we will continue to play that very significant role. So I have received very positive feedback during lunch that members of the delegation were all very encouraged by those very positive remarks.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal pollution levels. At 4pm today (November 12), the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at a general station reached 10+, corresponding to the “Serious” health risk category.
The weather in Hong Kong today is sunny with light winds. Hong Kong is being affected by an air mass with higher background pollutants, especially in ozone, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. In addition, the light wind hinders effective dispersion of air pollutants. The sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity and the formation of ozone and fine particulates, resulting in high pollution in the Pearl River Delta region. The high level of ozone has promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide, particularly in parts of the urban areas and at the roadside.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, winds will strengthen from the east with one or two rain patches over the region in the middle and latter parts of this week. It is expected that pollution levels will remain higher than normal until the wind strengthens over the region.
With a health risk category in the “Very High” range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public are advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB’s website for appropriate measures to safeguard students’ health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows:
www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.
When the AQHI is at the “Very High” level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the “Serious” level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD’s website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541. read more
The Multi-stakeholder Exchange Forum for Public Transport Sector, jointly organised by the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Transport Department, was held today (November 12) for different representatives from the public transport sector, academics and experts to exchange views on how best to rationalise the respective roles of public transport modes to improve Hong Kong’s public transport ecosystem.
The Forum was attended by around 100 guests representing stakeholders of the public transport sector including operators of railways, franchised buses, public light buses, non-franchised buses, taxis, trams and ferries.
The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, said in his opening remarks that over 12 million passengers trips are made on public transport services in Hong Kong every day, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the total daily passenger trips, which is the highest level in the world. The Government has been adopting a public transport-oriented policy with railways as the backbone for years, and has been actively developing different public transport services to provide the public with more choices for added convenience.
Mr Chan said that, at present, different public transport services have their respective roles and positioning having regard to their efficiency and functions. They can effectively perform their functions and complement each other in healthy competition. He spoke on the Government’s vision to continue developing different public transport services in the future, and outlined a number of new initiatives for enhancing public transport services and alleviating road traffic congestion in order to increase the efficiency of public transport services.
Mr Chan also described different future challenges faced by the public transport services, which include increasing demand for barrier-free transport, public concerns about the impact of road traffic on air quality, effective application of technology and opening up of data to enhance the quality and efficiency of the public transport services. He said he hoped that through the concerted efforts of all, the quality of public transport services and the public transport ecosystem could be further enhanced and improved to meet the new challenges.
Three guest speakers, namely the Deputy Director (Administration and Resources) and Head of the Centre for Logistics and Transport of the School of Professional and Continuing Education at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Dr Dorothy Chan; the Associate Dean (Development and External Relations) of the Faculty of Engineering and Chair Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering of HKU, Professor Wong Sze-chun; and the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Mr Peter Yan, were invited to the Forum to share their experiences and suggestions on three topics of concern to the public. These topics were “Promoting ‘Transport for All'”, “Promoting environmentally friendly public transport services” and “Using technology and opening up data for public transport services”.
In the second half of the Forum, representatives of stakeholders of different public transport sectors exchanged views on “How the public transport operators can capitalise on the strengths of their established roles and positioning in the public transport system to meet the new challenges”. The participants expressed their views enthusiastically and shared their experiences and suggestions.
The Commissioner for Transport, Ms Mable Chan, thanked all the participants and guests in her closing remarks for their innovative suggestions to improve the quality and operating environment of public transport services, which could maintain healthy competition and sustainable development among public transport modes. She indicated that with the extensive deliberations and joint efforts, the public could enjoy more efficient, environmentally friendly public transport services with higher service levels.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, today (November 12) visited the Government Flying Service (GFS) to meet with its management and staff of various grades and learn more about their work.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Thomas Chow, Mr Law first met with the Controller of the GFS, Captain Michael Chan, and the directorate staff to get an update on the department’s work in search, rescue and aviation support services and their challenges.
He then visited the Hangar and was briefed by colleagues on the aircraft and mission equipment used in operations. He also watched a demonstration of the role change on helicopters to meet operational needs.
Mr Law was also shown the H-175 Guépard Helicopter newly procured by the GFS. He said he was pleased to learn that with enhanced capacity and advanced equipment, the new helicopter, which has gradually come into service, will assist colleagues in discharging their duties more effectively.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Law met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on matters of concern. He encouraged them to continue to provide professional and quality aviation support services to members of the public. read more