â€‹The Town Planning Board announced today (January 18) that the Chief Executive in Council has referred the approved Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) to the Board for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals.
      
     The OZP incorporating the respective amendments will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance.
      
     The Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau OZP was last approved by the Chief Executive in Council in October 2011.

The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:

     The Road Safety Council (RSC) and Kowloon East Traffic Headquarters of the Hong Kong Police Force will jointly hold Join Hands for Road Safety cum Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town Open Day at 10am tomorrow (January 19) in Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

     Highlights will include game booths, a magic show by the Po Leung Kuk Vicwood K T Chong Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, a singing performance by Shin Yat Tong On Yat Kindergarten and a drama performance by Hong Kong Kindergarten Association Pre-School.

     The ceremony will be officiated by the Chairlady of the Road Safety Campaign Committee of the RSC, Ms Rebecca Ma; the Acting Regional Commander of Kowloon East Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr James Betts; Senior Superintendent of Police of Traffic Kowloon East of the Hong Kong Police Force Mr Thomas Yu; the Chairlady of the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Kwun Tong District Council, Ms So Lai-chun; the Kowloon East Regional Commander of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Mr Samson Chu; and the Sau Mau Ping Regional Commander of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Ms Sophia Lee.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, January 18, 2019 is 103.7 (up 0.1 against yesterday'sindex).

      The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, and the Vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, Mr Yang Wanming, signed an arrangement on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments (REJ) in civil and commercial matters in Beijing today (January 18).
      
     The Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters between the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Arrangement) seeks to establish a bilateral legal mechanism with greater clarity and certainty for REJ in civil and commercial matters between the two places.
      
     Hong Kong has by now concluded six arrangements with the Mainland concerning various aspects of mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. Among them, the Arrangement is the third one providing for REJ between the two places in civil and commercial matters. 
      
     By establishing a more comprehensive mechanism for REJ with the Mainland in civil and commercial matters, the Arrangement will reduce the need for re-litigation of the same disputes in both places and offer better protection to the parties' interests. The Arrangement, apart from furthering legal co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in civil and commercial matters, will enhance Hong Kong's status as a regional centre for international legal and dispute resolution services.
      
     The Arrangement applies to matters considered to be of a "civil and commercial" nature under both Hong Kong and Mainland law. Non-judicial proceedings and judicial proceedings relating to administrative or regulatory matters are excluded. The Arrangement covers both monetary and non-monetary relief. It also sets out jurisdictional grounds for the purposes of recognition and enforcement as well as grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement.
      
     The Arrangement will be implemented by local legislation in Hong Kong. It will take effect after both places have completed the necessary procedures to enable implementation and will apply to judgments made on or after the commencement date. 

      

     â€‹Building works contractors of the Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex in Kwun Tong, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, Zhen Hua Engineering Company Limited and Ming Suen Construction Company Limited, illegally carried out works on holidays. They were convicted by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (January 18) and on November 29 last year for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) and were fined a total of $31,000.
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from a member of the public last April about noise nuisance generated on Sundays by the Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex construction site, which is located at 4 Fuk Tong Road in Kwun Tong. Upon investigation by EPD staff, it was confirmed that the construction site concerned carried out hammering and handling of scaffolding materials on holidays and the contractors had not obtained any construction noise permit (CNP) prior to the commencement of works. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the main contractor (a joint venture of China Harbour Engineering Company Limited and Zhen Hua Engineering Company Limited) and the sub-contractor, Ming Suen Construction Company Limited. The EPD also contacted the Social Welfare Department to assist in following up on the case and ensure that construction works are carried out in accordance with the statutory requirements.
      
     The EPD spokesman stressed that members of the construction industry should carry out works during daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible, and they should supervise the works to minimise noise disturbance to nearby residents. If the works procedures have to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), a permit must be obtained from the EPD. The construction works shall commence only when the CNP has been granted upon completion of assessment to support its compliance with regulatory requirements. Noise mitigation measures should also be implemented for the construction works as stipulated by the CNP. For construction works that violate the NCO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.