The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 5) announced that the Pilot Scheme for Electric Public Light Buses (e-PLBs) is open now for the second round of applications until August 26.
 
     "We are conducting operational trials under the Pilot Scheme in phases. Same as in the first round of applications, Kowloon Tong (Suffolk Road) and Yue Man Square Public Transport Interchanges (PTIs) will continue to serve as trial points. Successful operators will be subsidised with 80 per cent of the vehicle price for each e-PLB joining the Pilot Scheme. It is expected that approval will be granted to all successful applications next month with a view to commencing the second round of trials in the fourth quarter this year," an EPD spokesperson said.
 
     The spokesperson added that, drawing from the experiences gained from the first round of applications and the feedback from the operators and prequalified suppliers of e-PLBs, a number of enhancement measures will be adopted in the second round, including streamlining the release of subsidy. Operators of green minibuses may apply for the release of subsidy at 80 per cent of the vehicle price of the e-PLB to the relevant prequalified supplier directly from the Government. In addition, the participating operators are also required to charge the e-PLBs with pantograph and plug-in chargers separately during the trial period in accordance with the charging time proportion specified by the EPD to collect the relevant data for more effective assessment of the operation arrangements and performance of different charging modes. 
 
     Operators of green minibuses interested in taking part in the Pilot Scheme should submit their applications to the EPD before the deadline. Details about the Pilot Scheme and its application can be found on the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/guide_ref/pseplb.html).
 
     To promote the local application of e-PLBs, the Government has earmarked $80 million for the implementation of the Pilot Scheme to test and assess the operation and performance of e-PLBs and the associated quick charging facilities. The EPD rolled out the first round of applications in October 2023, and signed agreements with two operators in December 2023 to subsidise each of them to buy one e-PLB to participate in the trials. The relevant e-PLBs have been undergoing the operational trials at the above two PTIs since the end of March this year.

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 5).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will lead an around 20-person delegation, comprising representatives from the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Law Society of Hong Kong and related sectors, to depart for a three-day visit to Shenzhen and Foshan tomorrow (August 6).

     Mr Lam and the delegation will attend a conference in Shenzhen titled "Resolve2Win – Legal Services of Hong Kong, Opportunities for All", organised by the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services.

     During his visit to Shenzhen and Foshan, Mr Lam will meet with government leaders over dinner and engage with federations of industry and commerce. He will also visit local enterprises to understand how Hong Kong professional talent can assist enterprises in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by providing high-quality and diverse legal and professional services.

     Mr Lam and the delegation will return to Hong Kong on August 8. The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice during the period.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will depart for Beijing tomorrow evening (August 6). He will call on relevant central ministries and institutions to exchange views on, and experiences of, taking forward patriotic education. The Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education, Ms Starry Lee, will join the trip.

     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on August 8. During his absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration.

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, announced today (August 5) the relevant per annum interest rate for the second interest payment of Silver Bond Series due 2026 (Issue Number 03GB2608R) (the Bonds) issued under the Retail Bond Issuance Programme of the Government Bond Programme.

     According to the Issue Circular dated July 14, 2023, for the Bonds, the second interest payment of the Bonds is scheduled to be made on August 19, 2024, and the relevant interest rate is scheduled to be determined and announced on August 5, 2024, as the higher of the prevailing Floating Rate and Fixed Rate. 

     On August 5, 2024, the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate are as follows:

Floating Rate: +1.60 per cent (Annex)
Fixed Rate: +5.00 per cent

     Based on the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate set out above, the relevant interest rate for the second interest payment is determined and announced as 5.00 per cent per annum.