Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (December).
 
     Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
 
     Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in December 2019:
 
San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
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Tsing Shan Firing Range
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     The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) today (November 27) announced the launch of a subsidy scheme to support the upgrading of Satellite Master Antenna Television (SMATV) systems operating in the 3.4 – 4.2 GHz band and invited applications by eligible applicants.

     On March 28, 2018, the Communications Authority (CA) issued a statement announcing that the radio spectrum in the 3.4 – 3.7 GHz band would be re-allocated from fixed satellite service to mobile service with effect from April 1, 2020, for assignment to the fifth generation (5G) mobile services in Hong Kong. SMATV systems should only be operated in the 3.7 – 4.2 GHz band thereafter. As a result of the frequency re-allocation and as per the outcome of a consultancy study commissioned by OFCA, existing SMATV systems need to be upgraded in order to co-exist with the prospective 5G systems to be rolled out on or after April 1, 2020. The baseline requirements for upgrading SMATV systems are set out in an information note issued by OFCA.

     As promulgated in the joint statement of the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development and the CA issued on December 13 last year, the CA would implement a subsidy scheme to be funded by the prospective 5G mobile network operators using the 3.4 – 3.6 GHz band. Details of the subsidy scheme are given in the information memorandum for auction of radio spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band for the provision of public mobile services. According to the scheme, SMATV systems covered by existing SMATV licences on or before March 28, 2018, are eligible for receiving the subsidy. Owners of each eligible SMATV system may apply for a subsidy of $20,000 to subsidise the upgrade of the SMATV system concerned.

     OFCA will send out application forms to owners of eligible SMATV systems by post before December 11. Such information can also be downloaded from OFCA's website (www.ofca.gov.hk/en/industry_focus/broadcasting/television_broadcasting/satellite_tv/index.html) or be obtained by calling 8102 4387. Applications should be submitted to OFCA by post from now to November 26, 2020. Late applications will not be accepted.     

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (November 27) welcomed the announcement by the Ministry of Education of the detailed arrangements of the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions (Admission Scheme) for 2020. The number of Mainland higher education institutions participating in the Admission Scheme will increase to 122 (listed in the Annex), coming from 21 provinces/municipalities and one autonomous region of the Mainland. They will accept applications from candidates sitting for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination in 2020.
 
     "There will continue to be enhancements to the Admission Scheme in 2020. Compared with 2019, an additional 11 institutions offering various programmes will be participating in the scheme, namely Beijing Sport University, Beijing Film Academy, Tiangong University, Tianjin Foreign Studies University, Civil Aviation University of China, University of Science and Technology of China, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Huazhong University of Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Xi'an Polytechnic University. The EDB will continue discussion with the Mainland with a view to recruiting more renowned Mainland institutions to participate in the scheme and providing students with multiple study pathways and opportunities to connect with the country's development. The Admission Scheme will admit Hong Kong students based on their results in the HKDSE Examination and exempt them from taking the Joint Entrance Examination for Mainland Institutions, hence relieving their pressure," a spokesperson for the EDB said.
 
     "As in previous years, there is the School Principal Nomination Scheme under the Admission Scheme and each secondary school can nominate up to eight students. The minimum entrance requirement adopted by the participating Mainland institutions remains unchanged, that is, attainment in the HKDSE Examination of a total score of 10 or above in the four core subjects (i.e. Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Studies), and among which none of them is below 2."
 
     The enrolment process of the Admission Scheme in 2020 will follow the practice of previous years, which consists of both online application and subsequent on-site confirmation of application. According to the admission procedure, students can apply online from March 1 to 20, 2020, and perform on-site confirmation as well as make payment of the enrolment fee from March 10 to 28 (except Sundays and public holidays) at the China Education Exchange (HK) Centre. Mainland institutions participating in the Admission Scheme may thereafter arrange interviews based on the application information submitted by candidates. Institutions will announce admission results in late July 2020 and arrange for supplementary enrolment according to the enrolment situation.
 
     Details of the Admission Scheme are available at the EDB's website (edb.gov.hk/admissionscheme20).
 
     In addition, the EDB, the China Education Exchange (HK) Centre and Hok Yau Club have jointly compiled the Handbook on the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions, which provides comprehensive information on the Admission Scheme and further studies in the Mainland, including information on all participating institutions and the programmes offered, strategy on programme choices and sharing by graduates of Mainland universities. The handbook will be distributed to all Secondary Six students in Hong Kong via their respective secondary schools in due course. It will also be available for download from the above website of the EDB.
 
     Eligible Hong Kong students enrolled in undergraduate programmes of designated Mainland institutions can apply for means-tested subsidy or non-means-tested subsidy under the Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme. Application details for the 2020/21 academic year will be announced in mid-2020.

     Hong Kong residents intending to travel abroad during Christmas and New Year holidays are reminded to apply early for travel documents.

     An Immigration Department (ImmD) spokesperson said all eligible applicants holding a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card may submit their applications for an HKSAR passport online or via the ImmD Mobile Application 24 hours daily. They may also choose to submit their applications at the Travel Document Submission Kiosks installed at the ImmD Headquarters in Wan Chai and six branch offices during office hours without the need to make an appointment.

     The spokesperson said the processing time for HKSAR passport applications is normally five working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and general holidays) after receipt of all necessary documents, the application fee and a photograph. Applications in respect of children under 11 years old not holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card normally take 10 working days. As regards applications submitted by post, via drop-in-box, online or ImmD Mobile Application, processing might take two to three more working days. Applications for a replacement passport due to loss, damage or amendment of personal data should be made in person, and the processing time may be longer.

     The spokesperson emphasised that a request for urgent issue of an HKSAR passport will only be entertained in justifiable circumstances. Normally, no priority will be granted to pleasure trippers.

     Applicants who wish to apply for or collect travel documents in person are encouraged to make prior appointments through the Internet (www.gov.hk/tdbooking), ImmD Mobile Application or the 24-hour hotline (2598 0888).

     HKSAR passport application forms and information leaflets on application procedures and the requisite documents are available at Immigration Headquarters and Immigration branch offices. For details and application forms, please visit the website (www.gov.hk/passport). Enquiries can also be made by telephone (2824 6111), fax (2877 7711) or email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk).

     At present, 166 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders. Some places require visitors to have a passport with a validity of at least six months.

     Moreover, in order to allow greater travel convenience for HKSAR passport holders, the ImmD has co-operated with Korea, Singapore, Germany, Australia and Thailand, where eligible HKSAR passport holders may use the automated immigration clearance services. For detailed information, please visit (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/automated_clearance.html).

     Before travelling abroad, Hong Kong residents can use the Registration of Outbound Travel Information (ROTI) service to register their contact details and itinerary. The information they provide allows the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU) of the ImmD to contact and assist them in an emergency outside Hong Kong. For more information on ROTI, please visit (www.gov.hk/roti) or call (852) 183 5500. Residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the AHU at (852) 1868.

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 (November 27) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.