The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     Shopping centres under the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) are setting up festive decorations to welcome the Year of the Rat. A variety of promotion activities will be held for shoppers to enjoy and celebrate the Lunar New Year.

     The HA will hold a series of celebration activities on February 1 (Saturday), February 2 (Sunday) and February 14 (Valentine Friday) under two themes, "Fortune Rat Chinese New Year Carnival" and "Glamour in Bloom".

     "Fortune Rat Chinese New Year Carnival" events will be held at the following 11 HA shopping centres:

– Nam Shan Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po
– So Uk Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po
– On Kay Commercial Centre, Ngau Tau Kok
– Ching Long Shopping Centre, Kai Tak
– Choi Tak Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong
– On Tai Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong
– On Tat Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong
– Ping Shek Estate, Kwun Tong
– Yau Lai Shopping Centre, Yau Tong
– Mei Tin Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
– Ping Yan Shopping Centre, Yuen Long

     "There will be carnivals, free snacks, lion dances, tours of the God of Wealth for visitors to enjoy and redemption of gifts on a first-come, first-served basis," a spokesman for the HA said today (January 17).

     "In the afternoon on February 1, there will be artists' performances at Ching Long Shopping Centre and Ping Shek Estate including singing and games to celebrate the Lunar New Year," he added.

     "Glamour in Bloom" events will be held at the following 10 HA shopping centres:

– Hoi Lai Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po
– Kwai Chung Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung
– Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung
– Shek Mun Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
– Shui Chuen O Plaza, Sha Tin
– Siu Hong Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
– Yan Tin Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
– Tin Yan Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai
– Joysmark, Tung Chung
– Ying Tung Shopping Centre, Tung Chung

     There will be game booths, free snacks, lion dances, tours of the God of Wealth and redemption of gifts on a first-come, first-served basis.

     "In the afternoon on February 1, there will be variety shows at Kwai Chung Shopping Centre and Shui Chuen O Plaza by artists," the spokesman said.

     Moreover, at Domain, the HA's regional shopping centre in Yau Tong, Kowloon, six distinctive zones under the theme "Gates of Prosperity" have been meticulously designed and set up for photo opportunities. In the afternoon on February 2 (Sunday), there will be artists' performances, lion dances and a tour of the God of Wealth.

     On February 14 (Valentine Friday), LED roses will be given out to visitors at Domain while chocolate sweets or roller ball pens with a rose decoration will be given out for free at the other shopping centres mentioned above. Supplies of the gifts are limited and they will be available only while stocks last.

     To encourage visits to HA shopping centres, free parking subject to spending requirements is provided to shoppers at Domain and Yau Lai Shopping Centre, Yau Tong. Details are available at the shopping centres.

     The spokesman said, "Go and join the fun – don't miss it!" He also extended the HA's warmest Lunar New Year greetings to all residents for the Year of the Rat.

      

     Sixty-one convictions were recorded in December 2019 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

     Eleven of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, nine were under the Noise Control Ordinance, 18 were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, 19 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and four were under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.

     A company was fined $25,000, which was the heaviest fine in December, for contravening the provisions of a licence.

     The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Investment Agreement signed between Hong Kong and Australia entered into force today (January 17), providing Hong Kong traders and investors with legal certainty and more favourable access to the Australian market, while creating more business opportunities and enhancing trade and investment flows between Hong Kong and Australia.

     The FTA, the fourth FTA signed and taken effect within the current term of the Government, is a comprehensive and high-quality one covering trade in goods, trade in services, investment, government procurement, intellectual property, competition and other related areas.

     On trade in goods, all Hong Kong-originating goods can enter Australia tariff-free and via simplified procedures immediately upon the entry into force of the FTA.

     On trade in services, commitments made by Australia cover some 140 service sectors, encompassing those where Hong Kong has traditional strengths or has potential for development. These include professional services (including arbitration, conciliation and mediation services), business services, transport services, financial services and telecommunications services. Under the FTA, Hong Kong service providers are able to enjoy market access and treatment no less favourable than Australia's local service providers under like circumstances. On investment, Hong Kong investors can enjoy more favourable access to the Australian market under the FTA. In particular, the monetary thresholds for investment screening in a number of sectors have been raised. Investors from both places will also benefit from the modern provisions on treatment and protection under the new Investment Agreement which, upon its entry into force, replaces the one signed in 1993.

     Other benefits of the FTA include facilitative arrangements for business travel as well as provisions to facilitate access to each other's government procurement markets, effective protection of intellectual property rights and promotion of competition.

     For details of the preferential tariff treatment under the FTA, Hong Kong exporters may refer to the trade circular issued by the Trade and Industry Department (TID) at www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/coc/2019/coc2019.html.

     Details of the Agreements, including the full text, are available on the TID's website (www.tid.gov.hk/english/ita/fta/hkaufta/index.html).

     The Chief Executive in Council has authorised Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area Stage 1 Works – Site Formation and Engineering Infrastructure. The notice was gazetted today (January 17).

     Details of the works are set out in the Annex.

     The Chief Executive in Council has authorised Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area Advance Works Phase 2 – Site Formation and Engineering Infrastructure. The notice was gazetted today (January 17).

     Details of the works are set out in the Annex.