In line with the arrangements announced by the Government yesterday (August 20) to resume public services in a safe and orderly manner and to meet the needs of the public and enterprises, the Planning Department (PlanD) announced today (August 21) that it will gradually resume more basic public services starting from next Monday (August 24).
 
     The counter services of the Planning Enquiry Counters (PECs) on the 17th floor of North Point Government Offices (NPGO) will resume as normal, including enquiry services on general planning information and inspection of documents required under the Town Planning Ordinance, while other counter services will be suspended. Meanwhile, the PEC on the 14th floor of Sha Tin Government Offices will continue to be temporarily closed and no public services will be provided.
 
     In view of the need to reduce people flow and social contacts, the PECs will restrict the number of visitors at any one time. Members of the public are encouraged to make enquiries through the telephone hotline (2231 5000) or email (enquire@pland.gov.hk), and can visit the PlanD's website (www.pland.gov.hk) for general planning information.
 
     Meanwhile, the receipt and dispatch counter of the department (18/F, NPGO) will continue to maintain basic services during office hours (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
 
     District Planning Offices of the PlanD will resume fieldwork, including posting of site notices for planning applications.
 
     City Gallery will continue to be temporarily closed until further notice. All educational activities and docent services will be cancelled during the closure period.
 
     For enquiries, please call the hotline 2231 5000 during office hours or visit the PlanD's website.

     In light of the announcement of the Government yesterday (August 20) that government departments will gradually resume the provision of basic public services from August 24, a spokesman for the Marine Department (MD) announced today (August 21) that in addition to the Central Marine Office which has all along been providing services, the licensing and port formalities services at the Tuen Mun Marine Office, the Sai Kung Marine Office and the Aberdeen Marine Office will also resume starting from August 24. Licensing and port formalities services at the Yau Ma Tei Marine Office, the Tai Po Marine Office, the Cheung Chau Marine Office and the Shau Kei Wan Marine Office; seafarers' examination and certification services; mercantile marine services; and local vessel surveying and enquiry services will continue to be suspended until further notice. Those who have made an appointment for services or examinations will be separately informed of alternative arrangements.
 
     Other services provided by the MD will remain unaffected.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research (HKIMR), the research arm of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance (AoF), today (August 21) released its second Applied Research report titled "Artificial Intelligence in Banking: The Changing Landscape in Compliance and Supervision". HKIMR Applied Research reports are released on topics that are highly relevant to the financial industry and regulators in Hong Kong, and they aim to provide insights on the long-term development strategy and direction of Hong Kong’s financial industry.
 
     This report is part of a research project on the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in banking, carried out in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and other collaborators. It aims to assess the current status of AI adoption in the Hong Kong banking industry and its implications for banking compliance and supervision.
 
     The first part of the report assesses the current status of AI adoption in the Hong Kong banking industry based on an industry-wide survey conducted by the HKMA, and the findings indicate that banks in Hong Kong have adopted AI in all key functional areas. Over 80 per cent of participating banks view AI adoption as a way of improving efficiency and strengthening risk management. Banks are also optimistic about the prospects of using AI, with some 80 per cent of survey respondents planning to increase investment in AI over the next five years. The second part of the report provides useful insights about the risk management framework for banks adopting AI, the overarching principles guiding the supervision of AI adoption in banking and the development of AI-aided compliance and supervision (Regtech and Suptech).
 
     "We are delighted that the banking industry is adopting AI positively. We hope this report serves as a starting point towards understanding the implications of AI applications for the banking industry, especially for its compliance and supervision," said the Senior Executive Director of the HKMA and Deputy Chairman of the HKIMR, Mr Edmond Lau.
 
     The report is available on the AoF/HKIMR website.
 
About the AoF

     The AoF is set up with full collaboration amongst the HKMA, the Securities and Futures Commission, the Insurance Authority and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. By bringing together the strengths of the industry, the regulatory community, professional bodies and the academia, it aims to serve as (i) a centre of excellence for developing financial leadership; and (ii) a repository of knowledge in monetary and financial research, including applied research.
 
About the HKIMR

     The HKIMR is the research arm of the AoF. Its main remit is to conduct research in the fields of monetary policy, banking and finance that are of strategic importance to Hong Kong and the Asia region. The Applied Research studies undertaken by the HKIMR are on topics that are highly relevant to the financial industry and regulators in Hong Kong, and they aim to provide insights on the long-term development strategy and direction of Hong Kong’s financial industry.
 

The following press release is issued on behalf of the Independent Commission Against Corruption:

     To align with the Government's latest arrangements for gradual resumption of public services, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced today (August 21) that starting from Monday (August 24), the Commission will resume a full range of services with appropriate measures to limit the number of staff in the office at any one time to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

     All Regional Offices will also resume a full range of services.

     Meanwhile, the ICAC's 24-hour report corruption hotline 2526 6366 and all other enquiry hotlines will maintain their routine operation.

     In the interest of public health, the ICAC will continue to put in place appropriate measures for social distancing and preventing the risk of the spread of COVID-19. Such measures include:
 

• A roster system will be adopted and staff members will take turns to work from home in order to observe the social distancing requirement;
• For staff members who are required to work in the office, staggered working and lunch hours will be adopted;
• All ICAC staff and members of the public will have their body temperature checked when entering the ICAC Building and Regional Offices. Only those with normal temperature will be allowed access;
• In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation, members of the public are required to wear a mask while they are inside the ICAC Building and Regional Offices; and
• Cleaning and disinfection measures within the ICAC Building and Regional Offices will be stepped up.

     While the ICAC strives to resume its full range of services, the scale of such services may inevitably be affected in view of the social distancing and other requirements in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Commission apologises for any inconvenience that may cause.

     The ICAC will continue to review the situation and adjust the relevant arrangements and preventive measures as and when necessary.

     The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) announced today (August 21) that its various offices and the Electoral Information Centre will resume public services starting from next Monday (August 24). 
 
     To achieve social distancing, crowd control measures may be implemented at the offices when necessary. Members of the public may experience longer waiting times.
 
     In addition, the service for inspection of the final registers for geographical constituencies, functional constituencies (other than the District Council (second) functional constituency) and Election Committee subsectors as promulgated earlier on July 17 will also resume. For details, please refer to the press release concerned (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202007/17/P2020071700177.htm).
 
     For enquiries, please call the REO hotline at 2891 1001.