The Transport Department (TD) today (November 1) announced that two auctions of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held on November 18 (Saturday) and 19 (Sunday), in Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     "A total of 340 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public sale at each auction. The lists of marks have been uploaded to the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html," a department spokesman said.

     Applicants who have paid a deposit of $1,000 to reserve a mark for auction should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price of $1,000). Otherwise, the mark concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:

(1) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(4) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

(5) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Traditional Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html.

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Kwai Chung this afternoon (October 31) in which a man died. 

     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause. 

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at a media session after hosting a reception for representatives of consulates and local and foreign chambers of commerce today (October 31):

Reporter: Are there any concerns or challenges from the foreign chambers about whether the measures in the Policy Address are adequate for them? What does the Government think about the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth? It seems slow given the Government had rolled out different activities to boost spending and the economy?

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: When I spoke to the chambers and the Consuls General to explain the Policy Address' different measures in promoting the economic growth, they showed a lot of understanding and appreciated all the initiatives introduced in the Policy Address by the Chief Executive. The GDP growth is increasing in the third quarter, despite the challenging situation all around. And with all the measures and initiatives introduced by the Government like the night market, which I enjoy myself as well, I am very confident that the economy of Hong Kong will be improving and increasing.

Reporter: Do the chambers show any concerns about the measures not being enough?

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: They appreciated all the measures introduced and we have different kinds of funding to help all the SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises).

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The first Mainland Study Tour for Executive Officers (EOs) organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in partnership with Wuhan University had its opening ceremony in Wuhan today (October 31). About 40 EOs of different ranks from more than 20 bureaux and departments will commence their visits and exchanges as well as classroom learning for five days and four nights to know more about the country's latest developments and important directions of governance and policies in the new era.
 
     The Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, and the Director of General Grades, Mr Hermes Chan, led the class to Wuhan for the study visit by the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link this morning. Speaking at the opening ceremony at Wuhan University, Mr Leung said that the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) is committed to enhancing the training for civil servants at all ranks, and the EOs, being the professional managers of the HKSAR Government, are responsible for managing government resources and systems on various fronts, and play a key role in the implementation of policy initiatives, delivery of public services, co-ordination of major events, provision of administrative support and ensuring departmental operations.
 
     Mr Leung pointed out that the Government attaches great importance to the training and career development of the EO grade, and encouraged the participants to grasp this valuable learning opportunity and actively complement Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country by making use of what they would learn upon returning to their respective positions, and to contribute to the country and society.
 
     The study tour is jointly organised by the CSB and Wuhan University with the staunch support of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. It covers topics such as green development in the new era, national governance empowered by digital technology, as well as regional co-ordinated development. Through on-site visits, research, thematic visits and exchange sessions at units in the areas of home affairs, biotechnology, innovation and technology and logistics in Wuhan, the participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the latest local developments and share and exchange experiences with staff of related organisations. The participants will also undertake classroom learning at the campus of Wuhan University to learn about the country and the development plan for the Wuhan metropolitan area. The CSB plans to continue to launch the study tour next year.

     Mr Leung will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (November 1) while members of the study tour will return to Hong Kong on Saturday (November 4).

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital made the following announcement today (October 31):

     One male patient and three female patients (aged 33 months to night years) and four staff members in a paediatrics and adolescent medicine ward have been presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms since October 15. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Enterovirus/Rhinovirus. Three of the patients have been transferred to Hong Kong Children's Hospital for further isolation treatment while one other patient is being treated in isolation in Kwong Wah Hospital. All of the patients are in stable condition. One of the staff members is currently on leave, and the other three staff members have recovered and have resumed duty.

     Enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted according to prevailing guidelines. Droplet and contact precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of the environment and equipment have also been strengthened.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.