Author Archives: hksar gov

Public urged to observe road safety during Chinese New Year holidays

     The Transport Department (TD) today (January 28) reminded all road users, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, to observe road safety during the Chinese New Year holidays.
 
     “Motorists must not drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs as this would contravene the law. Drink driving and drug driving will not only endanger motorists themselves, but also other road users. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs will significantly impair one’s driving ability. After drinking alcohol or taking drugs, one should use public transport services or arrange someone else to drive,” a spokesman for the TD said.
 
     “In addition, motorists must not participate in illegal road racing and speeding. They should always maintain a steady and suitable speed, drive attentively, observe road conditions at all times and keep sufficient distance with the vehicle in front.”
 
     The spokesman also appealed to motorists not to park their vehicles illegally. They should park in a parking place or a car park to maintain smooth road traffic. This can avoid causing traffic jams, affecting public transport operations, blocking passage of emergency vehicles, and obstructing the sight lines of pedestrians and other road users, which may otherwise cause traffic accidents. For motorists who commit traffic offences and cause traffic obstructions, the Police will issue warnings or summonses, or even tow away the vehicles concerned.
 
     When cycling, members of the public are advised to cycle within their abilities and observe road safety, wear suitable helmets and personal protective equipment, and properly check their bicycles. They should not cycle on pavements, and should always be attentive, patient and law-abiding.
 
     Pedestrians must follow traffic rules when crossing the road and properly use crossing facilities. Before crossing the road, they must wait until the steady “Green man” light signal shows and all traffic has stopped. When the “Green man” light is flashing, they must not start to cross if they are still on the pavement. Do not watch or use mobile phones while crossing.
 
     The spokesman stressed that road safety hinges on the co-operation of every road user, and appealed to the public to exercise self-discipline and comply with traffic rules. read more

East Asia

WSD Water-smart Taskforce uses AI to help customers save water

     To strengthen the promotion of water conservation, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has commissioned the University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) Centre for Water Technology and Policy to implement the Water-smart Taskforce Programme from February to early 2026 to offer water-saving advice to customers that have high water consumption. The HKU team will install a high-resolution smart device on top of each selected customer’s billing meter to identify causes of high water usage by analysing water usage data of the customer’s premise with the aid of artificial intelligence. A tailored report offering water-saving advice and alerts on any potential leaks will be provided for the customer to reduce water consumption and therefore save on water charges.
 
     The WSD has started to invite appropriate customers by mail to join the Programme in batches. Participation in the Programme is free of charge and the number of selected participants is limited. The WSD encourages customers to participate in the Programme upon receipt of an invitation.
 
     By implementation of this Programme, the WSD aims to achieve a reduction in water consumption of 500 000 cubic metres this year, which is equivalent to 200 Olympic-size swimming pools. Earlier, the WSD conducted a trial programme on a smaller scale in Tai O. The trial achieved a 6 per cent reduction in water consumption by the participating families. The result was remarkable.
 
     According to the WSD’s big data analysis, water consumption by about 1 per cent of WSD customer groups (including domestic and non-domestic customers) has accounted for over 30 per cent of the city’s total water consumption. The Programme is set up to offer tailored water-saving advice to these high-consumption customers so as to reduce overall water consumption. The WSD launched a new round of the water conservation campaign “Save Water Today for a Sustainable Future” in February last year. With the efforts made for nearly one year, per capita domestic fresh water consumption has lowered from about 151 litres per day at the peak during the pandemic to about 133 litres per day now, which is on a par with the pre-pandemic period representing a 12 per cent decrease. This shows that the department’s water conservation promotion measures are taking effect progressively.
 
     Details of the Water-smart Taskforce Programme are available on WSD’s dedicated webpage. For enquiries on the Programme, please call WSD’s 24-hour Customer Enquiry Hotline 2824 5000. read more

East Asia

Appointments to Antiquities Advisory Board

     The Government gazetted today (January 28) the Chief Executive’s appointment of Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen as the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB), the appointment of nine new members and the reappointment of 10 incumbent members to the AAB for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2025.

     The new members are Miss Chan Ka-man, Ms Amy Cheung Yi-mei, Mr Chiu Kam-kuen, Mr Donald Choi Wun-hing, Dr Samantha Kong Wing-man, Professor Sunnie Lau Sing-yeung, Ms Christina Maisenne Lee, Mr Lee Tsz-leung, and Mr Donald Man Ka-ho.

     The appointments and reappointments were made under section 17(1) of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53).

     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, welcomed the appointments and reappointments. She said, “The AAB has made substantial contributions to heritage conservation, providing invaluable advice on the grading assessment of historic buildings and related conservation proposals over the years. Professor Hui was previously the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation. With Professor Hui’s extensive experience and new members from various fields and professions on board, I am confident that this new composition will bring in valuable insight for the work of the AAB. I look forward to working with the new Board.” 

     Ms Linn thanked the outgoing Chairman, Professor Douglas So Cheung-tak, who has served as a member of the Board since 2017, and assumed the Board’s chairmanship in 2019. She said, “Under Professor So’s exemplary leadership, the AAB has provided valuable advice to the Government. His contributions to promoting the work of the AAB and heritage conservation are widely acknowledged and appreciated.”

     Ms Linn also expressed gratitude to the 10 outgoing members, Ms Vanessa Cheung Tih-lin, Professor Chu Hoi-shan, Mr Ho Kui-yip, Dr Tony Ip Chung-man, Dr Jane Lee Ching-yee, Professor Phyllis Li Chi-miu, Mr Shum Ho-kit, Mr Brian Tsang Chiu-tong, Miss Theresa Yeung Wing-shan and Ms Alice Yip Ka-ming for their remarkable service on the AAB.

     The AAB is a statutory body established under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance to advise the Antiquities Authority (i.e. the Secretary for Development) on matters relating to antiquities and monuments. The new term of the AAB comprises 20 members (including the Chairman), who are all appointed in their personal capacity.

     The membership of the AAB in its new term is as follows:
     
Chairman 
————
Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen* 

Members
———–
Professor Selina Chan Ching 
Mr Vincent Chan Chun-hung 
Miss Chan Ka-man*
Professor Cheung Sui-wai 
Ms Amy Cheung Yi-mei* 
Mr Chiu Kam-kuen*
Mr Donald Choi Wun-hing*
Mr Ivan Fu Chin-shing 
Dr Samantha Kong Wing-man*
Professor Lam Weng-cheong 
Professor Sunnie Lau Sing-yeung* 
Ms Christina Maisenne Lee* 
Mr Lee Tsz-leung* 
Mr Donald Man Ka-ho*
Ms Salome See Sau-mei
Mr Albert Su Yau-on
Mr Caspar Yam Ming-ho
Professor Frankie Yeung Wai-shing
Mr Edward Yuen Siu-bun

* New members read more

East Asia