The Government has proposed to allow Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited to install two parallel optical fibre submarine cables, each approximately 2.25 kilometres in length and 60 millimetres in diameter, from Siu Sai Wan (SSW) to Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate (TKOIE). These cables are part of the TKO Connect Cable System. The extent of the area of foreshore and sea-bed affected is described in a notice published in the Government Gazette today (August 7).
 
     The total length of the TKO Connect Cable System will be about 2.8km and it is expected to meet the increasing demand from local data centre operators for high-speed and high-capacity fibre-optic infrastructure and support Hong Kong's role as a regional data centre hub.
 
     The proposed works involve the installation of the cables by a cable-laying barge that will simultaneously lay and bury the submarine cables from the SSW offshore sea-bed across the Tathong Channel to TKOIE at a depth of about 5 metres below the sea-bed within an area of approximately 1,120 square metres of foreshore and sea-bed. The width of temporary disturbance will be about 0.5m. The proposed works are scheduled tentatively to commence in the fourth quarter of this year and be completed in mid-2021.
 
     The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:
 
* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (23/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);
 
* Eastern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Eastern District Office (G/F, Eastern Law Courts Building, 29 Tai On Street, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong);
 
* Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Sai Kung District Office (G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories); and
 
* Lands Department's website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.
 
     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the above-mentioned date, i.e. on or before October 7. The notice of such objection shall describe the interest, right or easement of the objector and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected.

     The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) launched a biennial recruitment exercise for the post of Clerical Assistant (CA) today (August 7) to recruit about 2 000 CAs on civil service terms.

     A spokesman for the CSB said that CAs will be assigned to perform general office support and clerical duties or frontline services in different government bureaux or departments.
 
     The recruitment is open to all permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region who have completed Secondary 4 and met the relevant entry requirements. Details of the entry requirements and the application methods for the post have been uploaded to the CSB website (www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/7.html). Applicants can submit applications on-line through the CSB website. The closing date for applications is August 20.

     Candidates must pass a skills test before being invited to attend the selection interview. The skills test comprises a Chinese and English word processing speed test and a test on the application of common business software. Candidates who have applied for the Assistant Clerical Officer post earlier will only be required to attend one skills test for both posts. The results of the skills test shall be used for determining whether the candidates are invited to the selection interviews. Candidates who are invited to attend the selection interview will be tested orally on their Basic Law knowledge during the selection interview. 

     Applicants can also submit their application forms by post to the General Grades Office. The application form (GF 340 (Rev. 3/2013)) can be downloaded from the CSB website (www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/application/331.html). 

     In view of possible overloading of the online system towards the application deadline, applicants are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 7) announced that the department tested 85 water samples collected from cooling towers in 62 buildings in its routine inspections in July this year. None of them was detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.

     The EMSD also announced the locations of buildings which were served with nuisance notices during the preceding three-month period as the total legionella count was found in the fresh water cooling towers to be equal to or above the upper threshold. Details can be found in Annex 2. The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website
(www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).

     The EMSD reminds the owners of fresh water cooling towers that they have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) is now rolling out the mobile application function "Book GOPC" in phases to clinics in more districts. Further to the smooth implementation in clinics of Hong Kong Island, beginning today (August 7), members of the public can also use the mobile application for appointment booking for general out-patient clinics (GOPC) in Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong and Wong Tai Sin Districts. The HA anticipates to gradually roll out "Book GOPC" mobile application function to all GOPCs by the end of September.

     Clinic staff will assist patients in need to activate their "HA Go" accounts. The GOPC Telephone Appointment System continues to provide the booking service as usual. For details of the booking means for GOPC services and other related information, including the tentative rollout schedule of the mobile application function "Book GOPC", please visit the GOPC website (www.ha.org.hk/gopc).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The People's Bank of China (the "PBOC") will issue Renminbi Bills through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (the "HKMA"). Please find attached the tender notice and the tender information memorandum of the Renminbi Bills to be issued by the PBOC. Please also find attached the tender-related information provided by the Issuing and Lodging Agent through the HKMA.