The Government today (May 29) announced the appointments of Mr Rock Chen Chung-nin, Ms Irene Chow Man-ling and Ms Winnie Yeung Cheung-wah as members of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) for a three-year term from June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2023.

     The Government also re-appointed Mr Steven Ho Chun-yin, Mr Carlson Tong and Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming as members of the AA from June 1, 2020. Mr Ho and Mr Yick have been re-appointed for a term of one year ending May 31, 2021, while Mr Tong has been re-appointed for a term of three years ending May 31, 2023.

     Mr Franklin Lam Fan-keung and Mr Peter To will be leaving the AA on June 1, 2020.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the two members for their valuable advice on various issues concerning the services and expansion of the Hong Kong International Airport and their contributions to the work of the AA during the tenure.   

     Under the Airport Authority Ordinance, the Chairman and members of the AA are appointed by the Chief Executive. The appointments were published in the Government Gazette today.

     The following is the full membership of the AA with effect from June 1, 2020: 

Chairman:
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Mr Jack So Chak-kwong

Members:
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Mr Rock Chen Chung-nin 
Ms Irene Chow Man-ling
Mr Stuart Thomson Gulliver
Mr Steven Ho Chun-yin
Dr Lo Wai-kwok
Mr Carlson Tong
Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man
Mr Billy Wong Wing-hoo
Mr Thomas Jefferson Wu
Ms Winnie Yeung Cheung-wah
Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming
Dr Allan Zeman
Secretary for Transport and Housing
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Director-General of Civil Aviation
Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority (ex officio)

     A spokesman for the Environment Bureau (ENB) said today (May 29) that the Government has launched the Anti-epidemic Subsidy Scheme for the Laundry Trade under the Anti-epidemic Fund (AEF) to help the laundry trade cope with the challenges brought about by the current economic situation. The Scheme, being implemented by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), is open for application from today.

     The ENB spokesman said, "Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the business of various sectors has declined sharply. The laundry trade, providing downstream support, has also been hard hit. About 30 per cent of the trade's employees are people aged 65 or above.

     "A sum of about $90 million has been earmarked under the AEF for the Scheme to provide a one-off subsidy to help the laundry and/or dry cleaning services industry meet their operational costs. The Scheme is expected to benefit about 1 400 laundry shops and workshops."

     To take care of the livelihood of employees aged 65 or above in the laundry trade, the Government requires an undertaking from the applicants of the Scheme not to reduce the total number of employees aged 65 or above for three months upon receipt of the subsidies. Otherwise, the Government may retrieve any subsidy already disbursed.

     Under the Scheme, eligible applicants must hold valid business registration certificates for operating laundry and dry cleaning services or related collection and dispatch services at outlet shops. The services should have been in operation on or before May 12, 2020, and should be still in operation on the date of submitting applications for the Scheme.

     Each eligible laundry shop or workshop (premises) will receive a one-off subsidy depending on its size of operation. The subsidy amount is as follows:
 

     The application period for the Scheme is from today to June 12 (Friday). The laundry trade can visit the EPD website  (www.epd.gov.hk/laundry_subsidy.html) (Chinese only) for details of the Scheme and downloading the application form. The completed application form together with supporting documents should be submitted by email to laundry_subsidy@epd.gov.hk; by post to the EPD's office at Room 3410, 34/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; or in person to the regional offices of the EPD. It is expected that the first batch of subsidies will be disbursed to approved applicants in late June at the earliest. For enquiries concerning details of the Scheme, applicants can call the telephone hotline (3107 8403) or send an email to laundry_subsidy@epd.gov.hk.

     The Government has proposed to allow China Mobile International Limited to install two optical fibre submarine cables from Chung Hom Kok to the eastern boundary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The extent of the area of foreshore and sea-bed affected is described in the notices published in the Government Gazette today (May 29).
      
     The cable of the South East Asia – Japan 2 Cable System – Hong Kong Segment is approximately 37.5 kilometres in length and 47 millimetres in diameter. It will connect Hong Kong with Japan and major Southeast Asian countries and provide reliable, fast, and high quality communication network infrastructure. The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence in September this year for completion by March 2021.
      
     The cable of the Bay to Bay Express Cable System – Hong Kong Segment, approximately 36.3km in length and 38mm in diameter, will provide lower latency connectivity among Hong Kong, the United States, Malaysia and Singapore. The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence in March 2021 for completion by September in the same year.
  
     The notices and the related plans are posted near the sites. The plans are 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;
 
* Southern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Southern District Office (G/F, Ocean Court, 3 Aberdeen Praya Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong);
 
* Islands District Office (20/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, 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 July 29. 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.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 29) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (May 29) will be cancelled.