Tag Archives: China

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at the opening ceremony of the Learning and Teaching Expo 2019 today (December 11):
 
Mr Wilfred Wong (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Education City Limited), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to join you here at the opening ceremony of the Learning and Teaching Expo, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. First of all, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you, especially the visitors from the Mainland and overseas.
 
     Presented by the Hong Kong Education City and supported by the Education Bureau, the Learning and Teaching Expo is Asia’s leading education exposition as well as Hong Kong’s annual signature event for school leaders and teachers to keep abreast of the latest developments and trends in learning and teaching, educational resources and technologies. I am very pleased to know that this year’s Expo has made a new record, offering over 350 exhibition booths and 250 programmes that cover a great variety of interesting and inspiring topics.
 
     The theme of the Expo this year is “Tomorrow’s Learning Today”. The landscape for tomorrow’s learning is particularly relevant as we are standing at the brink of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and traditional education alone is no longer adequate to equip our students with the necessary knowledge and skills for blossoming in the technology-oriented world. Our education should harness the power of IT to enhance the younger generation’s capabilities in embracing future challenges.
 
     To prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century, the Government has dedicated great efforts to creating a favourable environment for schools’ implementation of e-learning. These include providing Wi-Fi infrastructure, professional training and other support for schools to enable the optimal application of technology in learning and teaching. We note that schools have made good progress in introducing a variety of e-learning resources and pedagogies to their teaching. Our recent survey, which has about 90 per cent response rate, reveals that all the schools have already adopted e-learning resources for classroom teaching. Furthermore, it is encouraging to note that most schools are positive about the effectiveness of e-learning and they generally agree that e-learning contributes in particular to better learning motivation and self-directed learning.
 
     I am also excited to learn of the accomplishments made by schools that have pioneered the application of e-learning. A rich repertoire of strategies in learning and teaching are disseminated via channels such as training and sharing sessions as well as school-based support service provided by IT in Education Centres of Excellence. For instance, many schools are now adopting “flipped classroom” as a common practice to facilitate students’ self-directed learning beyond the confines of time and space.
 
     In another vein, some schools are at the start of applying artificial intelligence to learning and teaching in such areas as automatic feedback and scoring of essays, language learning and adaptive learning system for mathematics. We understand that e-learning measures are not necessarily more effective than conventional ones in every case. Yet, harnessing the power of IT in education continues to open up new learning and teaching possibilities that can enhance the effectiveness of learning and teaching for the benefit of students. To sustain the momentum and hence encourage more teachers to step out of their comfort zone for trying out new technologies in learning and teaching, we will keep up our efforts in strengthening relevant professional development programmes for teachers and disseminating successful experiences and effective pedagogical practices in e-learning through learning communities among schools.
 
     Quality education promotes social development and enhances the competitiveness of our city. Hong Kong, ranked second globally, is once again recognised as one of the most competitive economies in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2019 issued by the International Institute for Management Development. I am also delighted to know that Hong Kong ranks third among 141 economies in the 2019 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. To reap the full benefits brought by a proliferation of advanced technologies in the world and the advantage of Hong Kong as a smart city, I would like to call upon all teachers to tap further into the power of IT for greater effectiveness in learning.
 
     Last but not least, I would like to thank Hong Kong Education City for organising the Expo again to bring in expertise and innovations from different regions and countries and to promote professional exchange and collaboration. I wish you all a wonderful and unforgettable experience as you explore the latest educational developments and meet new friends in the coming few days. Thank you very much. read more

     Among the 55 commercial stalls of the Hong Kong Flower Show 2020, 53 were let at the auction held on December 4. The remaining two fast food stalls will be leased at their upset price on a first-come, first-served basis starting from 9.30am on December 18 (Wednesday).
 
     The two remaining fast food stalls (stalls F4 and F6) measure 5 metres x 10m each. The letting price is $15,155 per stall. The Licensee of the F4 fast food stall shall operate the stall as a fruit shop selling fruit, juice and fruit dessert during the Licence Period.
 
     Those wishing to rent the stalls must be 18 years old or above and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong under section 2 of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) or any company incorporated in Hong Kong. Where the renter is a company, the authorised representative of the company must produce the following documents: (i) the company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate, and (ii) an authorisation letter showing that the representative is authorised to act on the company’s behalf in the rental and to sign the Licence Agreement on the company’s behalf. Interested parties should approach the Secretariat of the Hong Kong Flower Show in person at 11/F, Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin.
 
      Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the 10-day flower show will be held from March 6 to 15, 2020, at Victoria Park. The 55 commercial stalls in the showground comprise six fast food stalls, one fast food stall – floral cafe, two beverage stalls, three agricultural produce stalls, two handicraft stalls, one traditional snack food stall, one photographic equipment stall, one book stall and 38 flower and gardening stalls.
 
      For enquiries, please call 2601 8260 or visit www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2020/commercial.html. read more

     The Carriage by Air (Revision of Limits of Liability) (Montreal Convention) Notice 2019 will be gazetted on Friday (December 13) to announce the revision made to the limits of liability in respect of the carriage of passengers, baggage and cargo specified in the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air (the Montreal Convention) which will become effective on December 28.

     Details of the revision are as follows:

(a) the limit of liability for each passenger for damage sustained in case of death or bodily injury of a passenger is increased from 113,100 Special Drawing Rights as defined by the International Monetary Fund (SDRs) to 128,821 SDRs;

(b) the limit of liability for each passenger in relation to damage caused by delay in the carriage of persons is increased from 4,694 SDRs to 5,346 SDRs;

(c) the limit of liability for each passenger in case of destruction, loss, damage or delay in relation to the carriage of baggage is increased from 1,131 SDRs to 1,288 SDRs; and

(d) the limit of liability in case of destruction, loss, damage or delay in relation to the carriage of cargo is increased from 19 SDRs per kilogram to 22 SDRs per kilogram.

     The limits of liability in respect of the carriage of passengers, baggage and cargo stipulated in the Montreal Convention are subject to regular review by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) every five years based on a built-in mechanism. The liability limits will be revised if an inflation factor exceeds 10 per cent to enable timely updating of the liability limits to reflect changing prices.

     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau today (December 11) said, “As advised by the ICAO recently, the latest review has been completed and concluded that the inflation factor is 13.9 per cent and the limits of liability will be revised with effect from December 28.”

     Airlines operating scheduled services to and from Hong Kong, including all Air Operator’s Certificate holders and the Board of Airline Representatives in Hong Kong, have been notified of the review of limits of liability conducted by the ICAO and the revisions to the limits of liability.

     The Montreal Convention is an international instrument governing carriers’ liability for injury or death of passengers, damage or loss of baggage and cargo and losses caused by delays. Hong Kong has implemented it through the Carriage by Air Ordinance (Cap 500). The limits of liability specified in Schedule 1A and 3 are revised pursuant to Article 21 of the Ordinance. read more

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (December 11). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen’s Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen’s Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen’s Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen’s Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.
     
     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen’s Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site. read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     The fire danger situation today (December 11) is red and fire risk is extreme. The countryside is extremely vulnerable to fire. If you are planning to spend the day in the countryside, please take pre-cooked food for a picnic and take all measures to prevent hill fires. The penalty for lighting fires illegally in the countryside is $25,000 and a year’s imprisonment.
  read more