Author Archives: hksar gov

Sewage Treatment Works facilities and public sewers affected by Typhoon Mangkhut

     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 20) said that after Typhoon Mangkhut, the DSD had inspected its facilities and found that some of the pipes and secondary treatment facilities at the Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works were damaged during the typhoon, such that the Sewage Treatment Works could only maintain its primary sewage treatment service. DSD staff conducted emergency repair works immediately with a view to resuming the normal operation of the sewage treatment plant as soon as possible. However, subsequent detailed inspections have found that the facilities were seriously damaged and it will take some time to complete the restoration works. As a temporary measure, an additional disinfection process has been arranged for the primary treated sewage before being bypassed for nearshore discharge, so as to minimise the impact to nearby waters.

     In addition, three sections of rising main in Southern District of Hong Kong, namely a 450mm diameter pipe near Mills & Chung Path, a 150mm diameter pipe near Deep Water Bay Barbecue Area and a 300mm diameter pipe near Tai Tau Chau of Shek O, were damaged during Typhoon Mangkhut, leading to the discharge of sewage. The DSD has already arranged for emergency repairs and will start replacing the damaged sewers with a view to completing the repair works within three weeks.    
      
     Due to the need to clean up the debris after the typhoon and repair the shark prevention nets at the beaches nearby the Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works (i.e. Kiu Tsui Beach, Trio Beach and Hap Mun Bay Beach), as well as Deep Water Bay Beach and Shek O Beach, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced on September 17 that these beaches would be temporarily closed until further notice. Red flags have also been hoisted.

     Seawater samples had already been collected by EPD staff at the three Sai Kung beaches, Deep Water Bay Beach and Shek O Beach and for testing to check the water quality of the beaches.
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     The sewage bypass and overflow may lead to temporary deterioration of seawater quality in the vicinity. For health reasons, the public are advised to avoid recreational activities, angling or seawater abstraction in the potentially affected sea or waterfront areas at Port Shelter near Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works and Deep Water Bay and Shek O in Southern District of Hong Kong.  

     The EPD and the DSD will continue monitoring the water quality at the beaches and nearby waters. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from EPD’s websites (www.beachwq.gov.hk or www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. read more

East Asia

Bakery in To Kwa Wan convicted for generating excessive noise from its ventilation system

     The ventilation system of Lucky Star Bread Shop, located at 37 Ma Tau Kok Road in To Kwa Wan, generated excessive noise at night which caused nuisance to nearby residents. The responsible person of the bakery was fined $5,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (September 20) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
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     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that the department received a complaint from a nearby resident at the end of last year about the excessive noise generated from a bakery located on Ma Tau Kok Road. EPD enforcement officers conducted investigation and assessment and confirmed that the noise generated by the bakery’s ventilation system at night exceeded the statutory limit. A noise abatement notice was issued to request for improvement. EPD staff then made a follow-up inspection in February and found that the noise generated from the bakery’s ventilation system at night reached 62 decibels (dB) and still exceeded the statutory limit by 7dB. The department then initiated prosecution against the responsible person of the bakery.
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     The spokesman reminded all operators of food premises to carry out regular inspection and maintenance of ventilation systems installed at their premises. They should hire a professional contractor to replace the parts and install noise control equipment for their ventilation systems to ensure their normal operation and avoid generating excessive noise and causing noise nuisance to nearby residents.
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     According to the NCO, anyone who violates the requirements of a noise abatement notice commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent conviction. read more

East Asia

HKSAR Government and MOST sign innovation and technology co-operation arrangement and research funding agreement

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Wang Zhigang, witnessed today (September 20) the signing of the “Arrangement on Enhancing Innovation and Technology (I&T) Cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong” and the “Agreement on Commencing Jointly Funded Projects between the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Innovation and Technology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government”.
 
     The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, and the Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Zhang Jianguo, represented Hong Kong and the Mainland respectively to sign the Arrangement, whereas the Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, and the Director-General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of MOST, Mr Ye Dongbai, represented the two places respectively to sign the Agreement. The Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Ms Annie Choi, was also present at the signing ceremony.
 
     This was followed by a plaque presentation ceremony by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Wang Zhigang. From today onwards, the 16 Partner State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong will be renamed as State Key Laboratories, which allows them more flexibility to collaborate with different research and development institutions.
 
     At the ceremony, MOST announced that it would entrust SenseTime Group Limited to establish the “National Open Innovation Platform for Next Generation Artificial Intelligence on Intelligent Vision”.
 
     In her speech, Mrs Lam expressed her heartfelt thanks to MOST for its unfailing support for I&T development in Hong Kong. She said, “The Arrangement and the Agreement signed today mark a new page of scientific and technological collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The presentation of plaques to State Key Laboratories is also of great significance, as this would provide more flexibility for the collaboration between the State Key Laboratories of Hong Kong and the research institutes in the Mainland. It also means solid support and recognition.
 
     “Moreover, the recognition given to our home-grown unicorn by MOST in moving forward the national development and planning for the next generation artificial intelligence is also a vote of confidence in Hong Kong’s strengths in I&T.”
 
     The Arrangement and its annex “Joint Action Plan on Mainland and Hong Kong I&T Collaboration” will serve as an action guide and framework for the two parties to take forward the various I&T co-operation initiatives in the coming few years. The two sides will enhance co-operation in essentially six areas, namely scientific research, development of platforms, nurturing of talents, transfer of results and incubation of I&T industry, integration into national development strategies, and cultivation of an I&T atmosphere.
 
     With a view to encouraging collaboration between Hong Kong and provinces of the Mainland in the area of scientific research, the Government has been exploring with MOST the feasibility of setting up the Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme to support such collaboration. The Agreement sets out the framework of the funding and the modus operandi of the Scheme, details of which will be announced in due course.
 
     Founded in 2014 by a number of local scholars, the home-grown SenseTime Group Limited has emerged as China’s biggest artificial intelligence unicorn in just a few years’ time. Recognising the leading position of SenseTime Group Limited in artificial intelligence, especially intelligent vision, MOST entrusted SenseTime Group Limited to establish the “National Open Innovation Platform for Next Generation Artificial Intelligence on Intelligent Vision” and participate in the nation’s development of the next generation of artificial intelligence.
 
     State Key Laboratories are a vital component of the national I&T system. High-quality research teams and advanced research equipment are prerequisites for the establishment of State Key Laboratories. MOST approved earlier the establishment of 16 Partner State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong, which had to partner and enter into co-operation agreements with State Key Laboratories in similar scientific research areas in the Mainland. After adjustment, these 16 Partner State Key Laboratories will be officially renamed as State Key Laboratories.
 
     The Chief Executive, accompanied by Mr Yang; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, met with Mr Wang at Government House before the ceremony. After the ceremony, the Chief Executive hosted a lunch at Government House for guests attending the signing and plaque presentation ceremony, including Vice-chancellors of Universities, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and representatives of local research and development institutions. read more

East Asia