Tag Archives: China

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, in collaboration with the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) Government today (October 8), conducted a drill for the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area (Pilot Scheme), simulating the transfer of patients under the cross-boundary ambulance arrangement. The drill was conducted smoothly in general. Relevant departments of the two SAR Governments will review the arrangement, with a view to launching the Pilot Scheme within this year.
 
     Today’s drill mainly aimed at testing the routing of the cross-boundary ambulance between Conde S. Januario Hospital (CHCSJ) of Macao and the designated hospital in Hong Kong (i.e. Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)), as well as the immigration arrangements of the ambulance. After departure from CHCSJ of Macao, the designated Macao cross-boundary ambulance travelled to PMH via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), before returning to CHCSJ of Macao via the HZMB. 
 
     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “The Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address the exploration of a cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangement in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Pilot Scheme will first roll out the arrangement of a direct ambulance transfer of patients from designated hospitals in Shenzhen and Macao to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong. Further to the smooth completion of the drill conducted by the HKSAR Government in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government on August 23 this year, I am glad that the HKSAR Government and the Macao SAR Government have also made today’s drill a success through concerted efforts, further streamlining the flow of a direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer to get better prepared for the launch of the Pilot Scheme.”
 
     As a facilitation to the drill arrangement, the HKSAR Government published in the Gazette last Friday (October 4) the exemption of designated Macao cross-boundary ambulances from the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374E) (the Regulations) during a specified period, pursuant to regulation 3(c) of the Regulations. The Governments of the two places are striving to finalise as soon as possible the long-term arrangements for designated Macao cross-boundary ambulances to enter Hong Kong.
 
     Apart from the entry arrangement of vehicles into Hong Kong, the Health Bureau is also in discussion with relevant departments of the Macao SAR Government on the implementation details regarding the entry of medical items and personnel on the direct cross-boundary ambulance into Hong Kong. In particular, CHCSJ of Macao will deploy healthcare personnel to escort patients with clinical needs on the ambulance to a designated public hospital in Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will ensure compliance by the doctors concerned with the relevant laws of Hong Kong, such that they can continue to carry out the necessary medical procedures for the patients on board the ambulance upon entry into Hong Kong. The Medical Council of Hong Kong has issued a promulgation regarding limited registration in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161). The Hospital Authority (HA) is making limited registration applications for the Macao doctors who will provide support aboard the direct cross-boundary ambulances.
 
     Under the Pilot Scheme, the cross-boundary ambulance mechanism will only be activated when a prior agreement between the sending hospital (i.e. the University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital or CHCSJ of Macao) and the receiving hospital (i.e. designated public hospitals under the HA of Hong Kong) has been reached in advance, with the medical needs, safety and interests of patients as the prime concerns, and a mechanism in place to avoid abuse. Subject to the effectiveness and operational experience upon the launching of the Pilot Scheme, the HKSAR Government will consider the arrangement for the next phase of the Scheme.

                    

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

     The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Smart City visited the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) Headquarters in Kowloon Bay today (October 8) to learn more about its innovation and technology (I&T) initiatives to help government departments and public organisations improve their services, as well as the latest progress in promoting smart government.

     Members first received a briefing by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, on the EMSD’s work to promote innovation in electrical and mechanical (E&M) engineering and support government departments and public organisations in the use of I&T to enhance the quality of their services. Members also gained insights into the current situation of, and challenges the EMSD faced in providing E&M engineering services.

     Members then went to the E&M InnoZone to observe the collection of exhibits showcasing applications of technologies including Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and energy efficiency technologies, which are developed by the EMSD in collaboration with local universities, start-ups and research institutions.

     Members also toured the Regional Digital Control Centre and received a briefing by its representatives on how the Centre remotely monitors the operating status of electrical and mechanical equipment at government premises and conducts incident examination and diagnosis through digital technology, thereby enhancing the efficiency of repair and maintenance work. During the visit, Members exchanged views with the EMSD representatives on how to utilise technologies and data analytics to strengthen the energy efficiency and safety of electrical and mechanical equipment with a view to promoting smart city.

     Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Ms Elizabeth Quat, Deputy Chairman, Mr Duncan Chiu, Subcommittee members Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Ms Carmen Kan; as well as non-Subcommittee members Mr Tony Tse, Mr Edward Leung and Mr Gary Zhang.

        

     â€‹The Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, today (October 8) extended his congratulations to Hong Kong actor Anson Kong for winning the Rising Star of the Year award at the 6th Asia Contents … read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (October 8) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of October 28, 2024, up to January 5, 2025. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).

     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to September 30, 2024, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 273 000 transactions, collecting 987 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,570 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.

     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts’ own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.

     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.

     The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public. read more

     From September 19 to October 6, Hong Kong Customs and the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health launched a joint enforcement operation codenamed “Thunder” in various districts across Hong Kong to combat telephone ordering of illicit cigarettes and related leaflets distribution activities in public rental housing (PRH) estates. Afterwards, Customs yesterday and today (October 6 and 7) conducted anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities with a member of the Legislative Council, District Councilors and multiple government departments, bringing anti-illicit cigarette messages to the community through different channels.

     During operation “Thunder”, Customs officers detected a total of 39 illicit cigarette cases and seized a total of about 40 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $180,000 and a duty potential of about $130,000. Thirty-four men and five women, aged between 19 and 81, were arrested. Most of the arrested persons purchased the illicit cigarettes for personal consumption, and all cases have been duly followed up. At the same time, Customs handed over three suspected illicit cigarette leaflets distribution cases to TACO for follow-up investigations. 

     Moreover, Customs on October 7 and 8 collaborated with Legislative Council member Mr Frankie Ngan, several Kowloon East District Councilors, TACO, the Police and a Community Care Team to publicise anti-illicit cigarette messages in a number of PRH estates. During the event, Customs officers patrolled the housing estates, set up a promotional booth, distributed promotion leaflets to residents and encouraged them to report suspected illicit cigarette trading activities to Customs. 

     Customs reminds young people, especially students, not to be involved in illicit cigarette activities or distribution of illicit cigarette flyers to avoid creating a criminal record that may affect their future.

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities through risk assessment, intelligence analysis and interception at source. If PRH units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette activities, Customs will notify the Housing Department for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.

     Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).