Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Mr Victor Liu, was elected as the Chairperson of the Regional Aviation Safety Group – Asia Pacific Region (RASG-APAC) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its 10th meeting held on December 17 and 18 through video conferencing with over 160 participants registered from 32 civil aviation authorities in the region and international organisations. He has been elected for a three-year term.

     The RASG-APAC was established in 2011 under the auspices of the ICAO, with a current membership of 41 APAC states/administrations. It aims to support a regional performance framework for the management of aviation safety. The RASG-APAC also serves as a regional platform to promote states and industry safety initiatives in harmony with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan and Global Aviation Safety Roadmap.
 
     The Civil Aviation Department has been actively participating in the RASG-APAC since its establishment. The election of the DGCA as the Chairperson of the Group is a recognition of Hong Kong’s efforts in and commitment to aviation safety through its continued collaboration with the ICAO, aviation regulators and industry partners in the international aviation community.   

     “The RASG-APAC plays an instrumental role in ensuring the continuous improvement of aviation safety in the Asia Pacific region. I am very honoured to be elected to this important position. I will devote my best efforts to further promote aviation safety with our regional partners,” Mr Liu said. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, December 18, 2020 is 101.1 (up 0.2 against yesterday’s index). read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 18) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming (Note).       
   
     Two beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and two as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:           

Deep Water Bay Beach

Golden Beach

 
Grade 2 beaches are:           

Clear Water Bay Second Beach

Silverstrand Beach

 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD’s website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
 
Note: In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced that all gazetted beaches were closed from December 10 until further notice. read more

     Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission together with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the first City I&T Grand Challenge was launched today (December 18). In light of the new normal under the epidemic, the theme of the competition this year is “Innovating for Hong Kong’s New Normal” and invites all sectors of the community to put forward innovation and technology (I&T) solutions focusing on two issues, namely environmental sustainability and social connectivity, to tackle problems facing the city and people in their daily lives. A series of workshops and other activities will also be held to create an I&T atmosphere in the whole community.
 
     In his video speech for the launch of the event, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said that the Government has allocated over $100 billion in recent years for I&T infrastructure and development. It has provided full support for nurturing I&T talents and fostering an I&T ecosystem. It is committed to improving the entire I&T industry chain from research and development (R&D) to production and marketing, enabling local I&T talents and enterprises to excel. The COVID-19 epidemic has led people to change their old lifestyles and to think about how to solve problems with technology. He believes that the City I&T Grand Challenge will draw creative ideas from all sectors for developing I&T and smart living proposals to help people live as usual and even in a better way in the new normal during and after the epidemic.
 
     The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, said in his video address that, in addition to promoting a diversified economy and injecting new impetus into the economy of Hong Kong, an even more important objective for the Government to push forward I&T development is to improve the quality of life, bringing convenience and benefits to members of the public. Describing the City I&T Grand Challenge as an “I&T marathon”, Mr Sit hoped that the whole community could take part in and benefit from it. He also hoped that the City I&T Grand Challenge will fuel community-wide enthusiasm for I&T, especially among young people.
 
     Speaking at the media briefing of the competition today, the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Ms Rebecca Pun, said that while some business plan competitions put focus on the team members and product development capabilities of a company and its investment prospects, the City I&T Grand Challenge evaluates each proposal based on its originality, uniqueness and effectiveness, application of I&T, as well as social benefits and impact.
 
     Also speaking at the briefing, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong, said that everyone has the potential to be an innovator to shape the future. The City I&T Grand Challenge offers an invaluable opportunity for the public to apply creativity and develop smart solutions catering to the new normal under the epidemic for the benefit of the community.
 
     The City I&T Grand Challenge is open for application from today till April 24, 2021. Target participants range from primary and secondary school students to local and non-local tertiary students, I&T enterprises, R&D teams and entrepreneurs. Winners will be awarded a cash prize and a trophy. For the winners of the University and Open categories, they will also have a chance to receive R&D resources and training for refining their I&T solutions for trying at a designated venue such as a government department or a public organisation.
 
     Under each of the focused issues of environmental sustainability and social connectivity, the City I&T Grand Challenge sets up two specific scenarios for participants to select for developing innovative solutions. For “environmental sustainability”, the two scenarios are surrounding disposable plastic tableware and household food waste, which are pressing environmental problems in the new normal. As regards “social connectivity”, the two scenarios are mainly concerned about the physical and social well-being of senior citizens and children under the new normal of social distancing and distance learning.
 
     The website of the City I&T Grand Challenge has been launched for the public to submit applications. A host of workshops, seminars and training activities will also be organised to introduce knowledge on technologies and entrepreneurship as well as topical daily life issues. All are welcome to join. Details are available at the event website (citytechgc.hk). read more

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) today (December 18) held an oath-taking ceremony for civil servants at the Central Government Offices. Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department and directorate civil servants at the rank of D6 or above took an oath which was witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, and the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, also attended the oath-taking ceremony.
 
     Led by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department and senior directorate civil servants took an oath that they would uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Basic Law), bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR), be dedicated to their duties and be responsible to the HKSAR Government.
 
     “Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department and senior directorate civil servants assume leadership positions in the HKSAR Government and play a pivotal role in the formulation and implementation of government policies. The oath-taking ceremony today bears great significance as it allows them to solemnly make an open acknowledgement of their acceptance and commitment to uphold the Basic Law, bear allegiance to the HKSAR and be responsible to the HKSAR Government. It also demonstrates the solidarity and commitment of the senior echelon of the HKSAR Government to implement the policy of ‘one country, two systems’ and serve for the betterment of our society, providing a good example to the rest of the civil service and enhancing public confidence in the civil service,” a spokesman for the HKSAR Government said.
 
     It has consistently been the duty and responsibility of civil servants to uphold the Basic Law, bear allegiance to the HKSAR, be dedicated to their duties and be responsible to the HKSAR Government under the Basic Law and the Civil Service Code. This is also what the Government and society has all along expected and required of them. Appointees to civil service posts should in no uncertain terms acknowledge and accept these duties.    
 
     The requirement for civil servants to take an oath or make a declaration is an open acknowledgement of the acceptance and a genuine manifestation of the responsibilities of and expectations on civil servants under the Basic Law and the Civil Service Code. It also enables civil servants to have a clearer awareness of the duties, responsibilities and requirements entailed by their official positions, thereby further safeguarding, strengthening and promoting the core values that should be upheld by civil servants, and in turn ensuring the effective governance of the HKSAR Government.
 
     The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) issued a circular in October this year, requiring all civil servants joining the HKSAR Government on or after July 1 this year to take an oath or sign a declaration as one of the conditions for appointment. The CSB will also shortly promulgate the details of arrangements for requiring all serving civil servants to sign the declaration.

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