The Hong Kong Observatory Calendar 2020 will go on sale on December 18.
 
     Taken by members of the public, the photos in the calendar echo the theme of 2020 World Meteorological Day, "Climate and Water", among which is the cover photo titled "Mirror in Nam Sang Wai" contributed by a local photographer. The Hong Kong Observatory hopes the photos can serve as a reminder to the general public of the relationship between climate change and water resources, encouraging them to take every effective measure to save energy and reduce emissions in order to slow down global warming. Meanwhile, members of the public should take measures to adapt to climate change and combat extreme weather proactively.
 
     Each calendar photo has a quick response code that allows readers to access information about the photo. The calendar also contains useful climate and astronomical information, including monthly climatological data and special climatological events, the times for the rising and setting of the sun and the moon, dates of eclipses of the sun and the moon, as well as tidal information. A complimentary calendar card is attached with the calendar this year.
 
     At $33 a copy, the calendar is an ideal Christmas and New Year gift for friends and relatives. It will be on sale at the Hong Kong Observatory Resource Centre and the Publications Sales Unit of the Information Services Department. The calendar is also available through the online Government Bookstore at www.bookstore.gov.hk.

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (December 13) invited tenders for "Provision of Universal Accessibility Facilities at Footbridges, Elevated Walkways and Subways – Package 3 Contract 2" (Contract No. HY/2019/21).
 
     The works are scheduled to commence in May 2020 and will take about 48 months to complete. The works will mainly include:
 
* construction of 24 lifts at 15 walkways in nine districts, namely Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan, North District and Islands District; and
* associated civil works, electrical and mechanical works, geotechnical works, roads and drainage works, modification works for the existing walkways, landscaping works and lighting works.
 
     The HyD has appointed Mannings (Asia) Consultants Limited (MACL) as the consultant to design and supervise the construction works. Interested contractors can obtain tender forms and other particulars from the office of MACL at 5/F, Winning Commercial Building, 46-48 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
 
     The invitation to tender was gazetted today. Submission of tenders will close at noon on January 31, 2020 (Friday). Tender submissions should be placed in the Government Secretariat Tender Box located at the lobby of the Public Entrance on G/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong.
 
     For enquiries, please call the consultant at 3168 2028.

     The Government announced today (December 13) that the Chief Executive had made appointments to the Liquor Licensing Board for a term of two years from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021.
 
     Dr James Wong Kong-tin and Ms Winnie Fan Chui-wah have been re-appointed as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.  Eight other serving members have been re-appointed and one new member, Miss Eviana Leung Bon-yuen, has been appointed.
      
     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, expressed gratitude to the outgoing member, Ms Irene Lau Mi-chun, for her valuable contribution to and staunch support for the Board.
      
     The membership list of the Liquor Licensing Board with effect from January 1, 2020, is as follows:
 
Chairman
Dr James Wong Kong-tin
 
Vice-Chairman
Ms Winnie Fan Chui-wah  

Members
Mr Edmond Chung Kong-mo
Mrs Tennessy Lee Hui Mei-sheung
Miss Lau Wan-ching
Miss Eviana Leung Bon-yuen
Ms Kenny Lee Kwun-yee
Ms Jessica Li Tsau-ha 
Mr Lo Kin-tak
Dr Benny Lo Kwan-ching
Mr Tam Siu-sing
 
     The main responsibility of the Board is to decide whether to grant applications to issue, renew, transfer or amend liquor licences.

     The Government announced today (December 13) the re-appointments to the Toys and Children's Products Safety Appeal Board Panel for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2020.
      
     Ms Vicci Lau Yat-ji and Miss Abigail Wong Kei-yee are re-appointed as the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Panel respectively. Mr Chan Ming-kei, Mr Desmond Cheung Chung-fu, Miss Cheung Yee-mei, Dr Chung Wah-fuk, Ms Pauline Lo Po-lin, Dr Shum Ho-cheung, Mr Jerome Wong Ching-long and Professor Vivian Yam Wing-wah are re-appointed as members of the Panel.
      
     The Toys and Children's Products Safety Appeal Board Panel was established under section 15 of the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance. The Panel's membership with effect from January 1, 2020, will be as follows:
 
Chairman
————
Ms Vicci Lau Yat-ji
 
Deputy Chairman
———————
Miss Abigail Wong Kei-yee
 
Members
———–
(1) Scientists or technologists with relevant expertise in toys or children's products  
 
Dr Chung Wah-fuk
Dr Shum Ho-cheung
Professor Vivian Yam Wing-wah
 
(2) Persons from the toys or children's products industry
 
Mr Chan Ming-kei
Mr Desmond Cheung Chung-fu
Miss Cheung Yee-mei
 
(3) General public
 
Ms Pauline Lo Po-lin
Mr Jerome Wong Ching-long
 
     Members of the Panel will form the Appeal Board, which is responsible for hearing appeals against enforcement decisions or actions taken by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance. When appointed, the Appeal Board shall consist of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman of the Panel, who shall be the chairman of the Appeal Board, and one member from each of the member categories of the Panel.

     Hongkong Post today (December 13) reminded members of the public that the latest posting date for Christmas mail for local delivery before Christmas Day is December 20 (Friday). Items mailed after this date might run the risk of not being delivered in time because of anticipated seasonal work pressure. Members of the public are advised to post as early as possible to avoid a last-minute rush.