The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, today (June 6) visited Sha Tin District. He met with members of the Sha Tin District Council (STDC) and toured the Shek Mun Business Area there to get a better understanding of the district's latest developments and needs.

     Mr Yau first met with STDC members to listen to and exchange views on matters relating to the economic outlook, consumer protection, tourism and telecommunications.

     Mr Yau then proceeded to the Shek Mun Business Area, where he was briefed on how Shek Mun has been transformed from an industrial area into a business area and its recent developments. He gained a better understanding of the local traffic conditions and district affairs.

     Following the shift of the manufacturing sector to the Mainland and relaxation of planning restrictions by the Government, Shek Mun has gradually been transformed from a traditional industrial area into a mixed-use precinct in recent years. The district now includes offices, retail shops, restaurants and premises for other commercial uses.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital made the following appeal today (June 6) regarding an inpatient who failed to return from home leave.
 
     A 42-year-old male patient took home leave from the hospital but did not return to the hospital yesterday (June 5). The hospital contacted his relative immediately. To ensure timely medication treatment for the patient, the hospital reported the case to the Police for assistance today and will support the Police in the search.
 
     The patient is about 1.67 metres tall and of medium build. He has short black hair. He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt, blue jeans and sports shoes. The hospital appeals to the public to contact the police or call the hospital hotline (3129 7111) if they know the whereabouts of the patient.

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, visited Macao and Zhuhai today (June 6). He toured the Commemorative Gallery of the Macao Basic Law and the Zhuhai-Macao Port on the artificial island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and met with government officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Mr Nip also visited Jinwan District in Zhuhai to see its latest developments.

     Mr Nip departed for Macao via the HZMB in the morning. Upon his arrival, he visited the Commemorative Gallery of the Macao Basic Law, where he gained a deeper understanding of the promotion and implementation of the Constitution and the Macao Basic Law.

     Mr Nip then met with the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Leong Vai-tac, to exchange views on the active participation of Hong Kong and Macao in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and fostering co-operation between the two sides in economic and cross-boundary infrastructure facilities aspects.

     Mr Nip said at the meeting, "While Hong Kong and Macao both possess unique advantage under the principle of 'one country, two systems' in the course of developing the Greater Bay Area, the two places are also facing the same challenges in terms of the flow of people, goods and capital. The collaboration between Hong Kong and Macao can be strengthened in the future to improve the overall connectivity of the Greater Bay Area, thereby advancing economic growth and facilitating Hong Kong and Macao residents to reside in the Greater Bay Area. The facilitation measures, e.g. the residence permits and opening Mainland bank accounts without Mainland address proof, are well received by Hong Kong and Macao residents."
    
     In the afternoon, Mr Nip visited the Zhuhai-Macao Port on the artificial island of the HZMB. He toured the passenger clearance building to see the operation of the control point and the customs clearance process. He said he was glad to learn that the travelling time between Zhuhai and Hong Kong International Airport was now shortened to about 45 minutes, thereby facilitating the flow of people; strengthening the economic development of and connection between Hong Kong, Macao and the Western Pearl River Delta region; and bringing strategic significance for the development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
    
     After that, Mr Nip headed to Jinwan District, one of the three major administrative districts in Zhuhai, to keep abreast of its latest economic developments and ancillary facilities. Jinwan District is home to a rapidly developing real estate market. It also houses various industrial parks, including an eco-environment zone and manufacturing parks, attracting investment from Hong Kong and overseas enterprises.

     Mr Nip returned to Hong Kong this evening.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council ("LegCo") and its Committees will hold 15 open meetings and two closed meetings during the week from June 10 to 14 in the LegCo Complex. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the LegCo Calendar on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees. Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the webcast system on the LegCo Website.

     One more nomination for the San Tin Constituency was received by the Returning Officer for the by-election of the Yuen Long District Council today (June 6). No nomination was received today for the Shap Pat Heung West Constituency.

     Particulars of the nominees are available on the Electoral Affairs Commission website (www.eac.hk/en/distco/2019yld_candidates.htm).
 
     The nomination period will run until June 10. If the number of validly nominated candidates for a constituency is more than one at the by-election, a poll will be held on July 14, 2019 (Sunday) for the by-election for that constituency.