Author Archives: hksar gov

     Three property owners who failed to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123) were convicted and fined about $230,000 in total at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts last month.

     In the first case concerning a domestic flat in a composite building on Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road, Tuen Mun, an unauthorised structure with an area of about 28 square metres was erected on the flat roof, two metal frames were erected projecting from the external wall, and a fire-resisting door was removed and replaced with a door of inadequate fire resistance. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) and alteration works were carried out without the prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), and affected the fire-resisting construction of the building, in contravention of the BO and the Building (Construction) Regulation, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.

     Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $76,000 upon conviction by the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on October 13.

     The second case involved two flats co-owned by two owners in a residential building on Wu Chui Road, Tuen Mun, where five unauthorised structures with a total area of about 25 sq m were erected on the flat roofs of the two flats, and an opening was formed with a glazing door installed at the external wall of each of the two flats. As the UBWs and alteration works were carried out without the prior approval and consent from the BD, two removal orders were served on the owners under section 24(1) of the BO.

     Failing to comply with the removal orders, the two owners were prosecuted by the BD in 2016 and were fined $44,000 in total upon conviction at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts. As the owners persisted in not complying with the removal orders, the BD instigated prosecution for the second time. The two owners were convicted again and fined $153,920 in total upon conviction at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on October 13.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (November 2), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with the removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who have failed to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, so as to ensure building safety.”

     Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.    read more

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 toda… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Federal Open Market Committee of the United States Federal Reserve (the Fed) announced early today (Hong Kong time) after its two-day meeting that it had decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 5.25-5.5 per cent.

     The Fed’s future interest rate decisions will continue to be dependent on the latest economic data and the impact of continual rate hikes during the past year on the economy. It is therefore premature to conclude whether the US rate hike cycle has been completed, and the high interest-rate environment is likely to last for some time.

     The financial and monetary markets of Hong Kong continue to operate in a smooth and orderly manner. The Hong Kong dollar exchange rate remains stable, and the Hong Kong dollar interbank rates might remain high for some time. The public should carefully assess and manage the relevant risks when making property purchase, mortgage or other borrowing decisions. The HKMA will continue to closely monitor market developments and maintain monetary and financial stability. read more

     Hongkong Post announced today (November 2) that, as advised by the postal administration of Mexico, mail delivery services to the following areas in Mexico are suspended due to Hurricane Otis.   Area … read more

     The Trade and Industry Department (TID), the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee (SMEC) and the Shenzhen Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government led a delegation to Shenzhen today (November 1) to help Hong Kong small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and members of the industrial and commercial sectors learn about the latest development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), especially in Qianhai.
 
     The delegation was received by officials of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality, and had an exchange session with representatives of Hong Kong enterprises and young entrepreneurs who have commenced businesses in Qianhai to learn about the development strategies, related policies and business environment in Qianhai.
 
     The delegation visited SmartMore Corporation Limited, which was founded by a Hong Kong entrepreneur. Accompanied by an official of the United Front Work Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, the delegation also visited CMGE Technology Group Limited. The above visits allowed the delegation to understand the operation and development of local enterprises engaged in advanced technology and creative industries. 
 
     The delegation also visited the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) GBA Support Centre in Shenzhen to understand the support services provided by HKTDC to assist Hong Kong enterprises in developing business in the GBA, and met with Hong Kong young entrepreneurs who have successfully launched their businesses in the GBA.
 
     The delegation was led by the SMEC Chairman, Mr Michael Hui and the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Ms Maggie Wong; and accompanied by representatives of the Shenzhen Liaison Unit. The delegation comprises around 60 participants, including members of the SMEC, Programme Management Committee of the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales, Vetting Committee of the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund and the Customer Liaison Group for SMEs under the TID; as well as representatives of Hong Kong’s major trade and industrial organisations and SME associations.