â€‹The Government today (June 20) published in the Gazette the District Cooling Services Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2025. The Notice seeks to revise the service area of the Kai Tak District Cooling System (DCS) and include the DCS in Kwu Tung North New Development Area (Kwu Tung North) and Tung Chung New Town Extension (East) (Tung Chung East) in the scope of the District Cooling Services Ordinance (Cap. 624) (the Ordinance).
      
     A spokesperson for the Environment and Ecology Bureau said, "The amendments will adjust the service area of the Kai Tak DCS by including the redevelopment area surrounded by To Kwa Wan Road, Ma Tau Kok Road, Mok Cheong Street and Kowloon City Road, as well as potential user buildings of the DCS surrounded by Wang Kwong Road and Kai Cheung Road, so that the Kai Tak DCS may serve more non-domestic developments in the vicinity. In addition, the two DCS projects in Kwu Tung North and Tung Chung East are expected to be completed in 2026 and 2027 respectively. The amendments will include the two DCS projects in the scope of the Ordinance, including their capacity charge rates and consumption charge rates, to ensure the timely provision of district cooling services in Kwu Tung North and Tung Chung East. The charges, which are subject to annual adjustments according to the changes in the Composite Consumer Price Index and electricity tariff, aim to recover the capital cost and the operating cost of the DCS respectively."
      
     The Government will table the Notice before the Legislative Council at its sitting on June 25. Upon the completion of negative vetting, the amendments will come into effect on September 5.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 20) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Government today (June 20) announced the new term of membership of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Control of Release) Expert Group. The appointments are for a term of two years with effect from June 20, 2025.
 
     In accordance with the Genetically Modified Organisms (Control of Release) Ordinance (Cap. 607), the Expert Group shall consider and advise on the administration of the Ordinance.
 
     The new term of membership of the Expert Group is as follows:
 
Chairman
Professor Chow King-lau
 
Members
Mr Chan Ka-tung
Ms Chick Hiu-lai
Ms Chiu Yuk-lin
Mr Chong Yan-kit
Dr Chui Pui-yi
Professor Jonathan Julio Fong
Dr Jennifer Go Le-lin*
Professor Jerome Hui Ho-lam
Dr Tommy Hui Tin-yan*
Ms Kiffany Ng Shan-shan
Dr Angie Ng Ying-sim
Professor Qiu Jian-wen
Mr Tse Tsz-fung
Dr Creany Wong Ka-wai
Dr Yau Chi-ping
Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (Conservation)
Assistant Director of Health with Principal Medical and Health Officer as alternate member
Principal Assistant Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Nature Conservation) with Assistant Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Nature Conservation) 1 as alternate member
 
*New member

​     The Government gazetted today (June 20) the Basic Housing Units (BHUs) Bill (the Bill), which seeks to introduce a regulatory regime for the letting of subdivided units (SDUs) in residential buildings for ensuring the provision of reasonable and safe living conditions in SDUs, thereby tackling the "long-standing, big and difficult" issue of substandard SDUs in an orderly and comprehensive manner. The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for first and second readings on July 9.
 
     The Bill requires SDUs in residential buildings to comply with a set of minimum standards of living conditions, including internal floor area, headroom, fire safety, structural safety (i.e. loading), lighting and ventilation, toilet, water supply point, as well as water and electricity meters, and to obtain BHU recognition before they are allowed to be let out for habitation. There would be criminal liability on the person who lets out unrecognised SDUs, while the tenants concerned will not be held liable.
 
     A Government spokesperson said, "As a transitional arrangement to implement the BHU regulatory regime progressively, the Government will set up a 12-month registration system for residential flats with pre-existing SDUs, under which a 36-month grace period will be provided to SDUs in registered flats for carrying out necessary alteration works and making applications for BHU recognition. Unregistered SDUs, registered SDUs with grace period expired, as well as new SDUs entering the market must apply for recognition as up-to-standard BHUs before they can be lawfully let out for habitation."
 
     The spokesperson added, "Since the establishment of the Task Force on Tackling the Issue of Subdivided Units in October 2023, the Government has extensively consulted various stakeholders on the handling of the SDU issue. A two-month stakeholder consultation exercise was conducted in December 2024 on the legislative proposals for the BHU regulatory regime. The LegCo Panel on Housing was also consulted in December 2024 and March 2025 respectively. During the period, nearly 40 engagement sessions were organised with nearly 700 participants met, and a total of some 2 200 written submissions of views (including around 1 600 template submissions) were received. Stakeholders generally supported the policy objective and legislative framework of the BHU regulatory regime. The Bill has suitably reflected the views received. Overall speaking, stakeholders and society have responded positively to the legislative proposals."
 
     The Government will make every effort to facilitate the LegCo's scrutiny work and strive for the LegCo's passage of the Bill as soon as possible, with a view to rolling out the BHU regulatory regime in March 2026, which represents a significant milestone in eradicating substandard SDUs.

     The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, today (June 19) in Hong Kong, met with patriotic groups dedicated to the nation and Hong Kong, as well as with representatives of higher education institutions. He also visited local cultural and tourism spots.

     In the morning, Mr Xia, in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, held an engagement session with patriotic groups dedicated to the nation and Hong Kong. The session was attended by representatives from political and community groups with an affection for the country and the city.

     In the afternoon, Mr Xia, accompanied by Mr Lee and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended another engagement session to exchange views with representatives of Hong Kong's major higher education institutions, including chairmen of university councils and university presidents.

     Mr Xia then visited the Kai Tak Sports Park with Mr Lee; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; and the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, touring Kai Tak Stadium and the Kai Tak Gallery.