The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 28) urged people visiting cemeteries and columbaria to pay respects to ancestors during the coming Chung Yeung Festival to keep the environment clean and dispose of used containers properly to prevent mosquito breeding.
 
     An FEHD spokesman said the department will provide special cleaning services at public cemeteries and columbaria during the festival period.
 
     "We will deploy more staff to clear undergrowth and remove rubbish, empty bottles and containers left behind by grave sweepers to keep the environment clean. We will also remove water in containers and incense burners and level the ground surface to prevent accumulation of water. Furthermore, additional litter bins and toilet facilities will be provided," he said.
 
     The spokesman urged the public to co-operate by clearing stagnant water and rubbish before leaving to prevent mosquito breeding. Containers such as lunch boxes, drink cans, plastic bags and buckets for burning incense should also be removed.
 
     "As a precaution against mosquitoes, grave sweepers are advised to wear light-coloured long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent to exposed parts of their body," he said.
 
     In addition to public announcements, notices and banners will be displayed at public cemeteries and columbaria to appeal for public co-operation in taking anti-mosquito actions. Managers of private cemeteries have also been advised to take similar precautions against mosquitoes.
 
     To protect the environment and to prevent hill fires, the spokesman encouraged members of the public to replace incense burning with flowers when paying tribute to their ancestors. In addition, grave sweepers should take extra care when burning incense, which should only be carried out inside a designated joss paper furnace or iron bucket. People should make sure that all fires have gone out before leaving. Staff of the department will  step up patrols at public cemeteries and columbaria during the period. In the event of a hill fire, grave sweepers should remain calm and immediately notify officers on-site.
 
     The Government encourages the public to place additional cremated ashes into public niches to let loved ones stay together or to consider using a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way of handling ashes of the deceased, including scattering the ashes in Gardens of Remembrance or at sea. For those who have created a memorial webpage on the website of the Internet Memorial Service (www.memorial.gov.hk) provided by the FEHD, they can pay tribute to their beloved online or through the newly launched mobile application anywhere and anytime. Family members and friends can also share memories and experiences through the webpage.
 
     The spokesman also appealed to grave sweepers to make maximum use of public transport during the Chung Yeung Festival. Access to Cape Collinson Crematorium, Diamond Hill Crematorium, Fu Shan Crematorium, Kwai Chung Crematorium, Wo Hop Shek Crematorium and Wo Hop Shek Cemetery will be closed to all vehicles while the special traffic and transport arrangements are in operation, except for those with special permission.
 
     For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements in the vicinity of cemeteries and crematoria during the Chung Yeung Festival, please visit the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk).

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (September 28) invited tenders for the contract for Kai Tak development – Stage 4 infrastructure at the former runway and south apron.
 
     The works mainly comprise:
 
* construction of a dual two-lane Road D3 (Metro Park Section) (MPS) comprising the at grade road, elevated road, depressed road and underpass;
* construction of a single two-lane Road L12d;
* construction of remaining works of an underpass (Road L14);
* construction of a salt water pumping station and associated water intake;
* construction of a sewage pumping station;
* construction of landscaped deck above Road D3 (MPS), and the public open space and promenade adjoining Road D3 (MPS); and
* ancillary works including associated footpaths, street lighting, traffic aids, drainage, sewerage, water mains, landscaping works, modification of seawall and electrical and mechanical works.
 
     Works items to be included in the contract as items subject to excision include the following:
 
* construction of noise barriers at the former runway; and
* modification of an existing seawater intake.
 
     The works are scheduled to commence in early 2019 and will take about 48 months to complete.

     The CEDD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited (AECOM) to supervise the works. Interested contractors may obtain the forms of tender and further particulars from the company on 8/F, Grand Central Plaza, Tower 2, 138 Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong.
 
     The invitation to tender was gazetted today. The closing time for the tender is noon on December 7, 2018.
 
     Details of the tender notice are available at the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender/contract/tender/index.html). For enquiries, please call AECOM Asia Company Limited at 3922 9000 during office hours.

     The nomination period for the Legislative Council Kowloon West geographical constituency by-election will start on October 2 (Tuesday) and run until October 15.
 
     The by-election will be held to fill one vacancy in membership of the Legislative Council Kowloon West geographical constituency. If the number of validly nominated candidates is more than one, a poll will be held on November 25, 2018 (Sunday).
 
     "A nominee must be a registered geographical constituency elector aged 21 or above. The nominee must also have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for the three years immediately preceding the nomination, and be a Chinese citizen who is a Hong Kong permanent resident with no right of abode in a foreign country," a spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) said today (September 28).
 
     "Details of the eligibility to be nominated as a candidate, disqualification from being nominated as a candidate and from being elected as a Member, and the requirements to be complied with by persons nominated as candidates are set out in sections 37, 39 and 40 of the Legislative Council Ordinance respectively," the spokesman said.
 
     Each nominee needs to be subscribed by not less than 100 registered electors of the Kowloon West geographical constituency and the number of subscribers on a nomination form must not exceed 200. An elector may subscribe only one nomination.
 
     "Completed nomination forms and an election deposit of $50,000 must be submitted by the nominees in person to the Returning Officer within the nomination period. Nominations are accepted between 9am and 5pm from Mondays to Fridays and between 9am and noon on Saturdays. Nominees are encouraged to pay the election deposit by cashier order or cash to avoid unwarranted complications arising from a cheque not being honoured," the spokesman said.
 
     The District Officer (Kowloon City) has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the by-election. His office is located at 7/F and 8/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon.
 
     Nomination forms are available at the District Offices, the Returning Officer's office, and the offices of the REO at 10/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, or Unit 2301-03, 23/F, Millennium City 6, 392 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon. They can also be downloaded from the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

     "Nominees are advised to submit their nominations as early as possible to allow time to correct mistakes, if any, in the nomination forms before the deadline," the spokesman said.

     Copies of the nomination forms received are available for public inspection at the Returning Officer's office during ordinary business hours after the start of the nomination period. The copies of the nomination forms will be made available for public inspection until the relevant notice of the election result is published in the Gazette.
 
     For enquiries, please call the election hotline on 2891 1001.

     Japanese eyewear brand JINS Inc opened its first store in Hong Kong today (September 28) as part of its global expansion plan, utilising the city's sophisticated retail market to tap into the growing eyewear market in the region.
     
     The Hong Kong store at a major Kwun Tong shopping mall measures about 1 000 square feet. Customers can select from a collection of 1 000 frame designs, and have their prescription glasses ready in 30 minutes at the earliest, according to the General Manager, Overseas Business Development Division, JINS Inc, Mr Mikiya Yamawaki.
     
     He said that the company aims to become the world's leading eyewear brand by accelerating its global expansion plan. "We have been extending our presence in the region and Hong Kong is an inevitable choice of base as the city has a fast-growing and vibrant eyewear market."
     
     He added, "Japanese products and brands are popular with consumers in Hong Kong, and they appreciate high-quality goods and innovative ideas. It is an ideal place from which to expand our business. We hope to provide unique and high-quality glasses and services through our Hong Kong store."
     
     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Dr Jimmy Chiang welcomed the opening of the first JINS store in Hong Kong. He said, "It will not only add new choices of eyewear for local customers, but also bring new designs and technologies from Japan to the local industry."
     
About JINS Inc
 
     JINS Inc (previously JIN Ltd) was established in 1988 and has been developing its eyewear brand JINS since 2001. With "Magnify Life" as its vision, the company aims to deliver high-quality glasses at accessible prices by establishing its own SPA ("Specialty store retailer of Private label Apparel") business model. As one of the largest eyewear brands by volume in Japan, the company created a new market for functional eyewear with no extra charge for prescription glasses. As of August 2018, it had 510 stores in Japan, Mainland China, North America, Taiwan and the Philippines. For more information, please visit www.jins.com.
      
About Invest Hong Kong
 
     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

     The National Day fireworks display will light up Victoria Harbour at 9pm on Monday night (October 1) to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
 
     A total of 31 888 firing shells will be discharged in the display from four barges in a 23-minute extravaganza. The event is co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Bureau and sponsored by Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited.
 
     The fireworks display will consist of eight scenes under the theme of "Unity and Harmony". Highlights include the fourth scene "Magnificence", featuring a colourful flower bouquet, butterfly and bee patterns to symbolise Hong Kong’s beautiful scenery.
 
     In the fifth scene, "Light of Dreams", the elements of smiley faces and heart patterns hidden in the firing shells will appear immediately after colourful fireworks.
 
     The fireworks display will reach its climax in the last scene "Achieving Greater Success", with fast and rhythmic fireworks resembling golden crowns at different levels, and wishing the motherland a prosperous future.
 
     The display can be seen from many vantage points on both sides of the harbour including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-levels, Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.
 
     To present the fireworks display in a more enjoyable way, viewers are invited to tune to Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) for synchronised music.
 
     People are urged to help keep public areas clean and to show respect for public property. They are also urged to show consideration in order to make the event a safe one.