The Government today (March 31) announced the reappointment of the incumbent Chairman and seven members, as well as the appointment of three new members including two new members recruited under the Member Self-recommendat… read more
The Government today (March 31) updated a list of hygiene black spots (listed on a website: www.hygieneblackspots.gov.hk). A significant number of 630 hygiene black spots have been removed from the list, accounting for 85 per cent of the total number. The overall number of black spots has been reduced from over 730 to about 100. As more than 60 hygienic black spots, where conditions have been improved for no more than two years, are also included on this list, the overall conditions of 94 per cent of the black spots in total have been improved.
The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, thanked various departments for their concerted efforts and co-operation over the past two years. With continuous cleanups and inspections, the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots has achieved good results. The cityscape and hygiene have been effectively improved, enhancing the well-being of society.
Mr Cheuk said, “At the meeting of the Task Force on District Governance held in February this year, I instructed various departments to critically review the situation of all 738 hygiene black spots, to assess which ones are suitable for removal from the black spot list and continue to follow up on those still requiring improvement. Based on subsequent reviews by the departments, the hygiene conditions at 94 per cent (696) of the hygiene black spots on the list have been markedly improved and could be considered for removal from the black spot list. However, eight per cent (64) of the black spots have not yet met the standard of continual improvement for two years, so they have to remain on the black spot list for now.
“The Government’s work on tackling hygiene black spots is ongoing. The departments concerned will continue to sustain their efforts and closely monitor the hygiene conditions of these spots. Prompt actions will be taken in case of any change of circumstances.”
When the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots was launched in August 2022, the total number of hygiene black spots was 663. After the launch of the website in January 2023, which enabled members of the public to provide feedback on hygiene black spots, the number of black spots increased to 738 in July 2023.
Under the co-ordination of the District Matters Co-ordination Task Force (later renamed as the Working Group on Environmental Hygiene and Cityscape) and with the efforts of various departments, the hygiene conditions of more than 90 per cent of the 738 black spots have considerably improved in early 2024, achieving the key performance indicator set by the Chief Executive for the Programme in the 2022 Policy Address, i.e. eliminating at least 75 per cent of the hygiene black spots by the end of 2023. read more
The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (March 31) announced the appointments to the New Energy Transport Fund (NET Fund) Steering Committee for a new two-year term starting from April 1.
The new term of the Steering Committee will continue to be chaired by the Chairman of the Council of Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Committee Member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, with members comprising experts and academics in green innovative transport technologies, representatives nominated from the transport trades, and representatives of relevant government departments.
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, thanked the outgoing members, Mr Kent Lam Wing-keung, Mr Ling chi-keung, Professor Lo Hong-kam, Mr Ng Kwan-sing, Mr Wilson Or Chong-shing, Mr Matthew Wong Leung-pak, and Mr Yu Kwok-Tai, for their enormous contributions to the Steering Committee and expressed his deep appreciation for the invaluable advice from all members of the last term rendered to the Government on the enhancement measures under Applications for Trial, including adopting the merit-based assessment criteria and introducing subsidy schemes for electric franchised buses and electric taxis under Applications for Use.
The membership of the Steering Committee in the new term is as follows:
Chairman
Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung
Members
Mr Chan Chi-fai*
Professor Chau Kwok-tong*
Miss Lai Hei-yan
Mr Lau Kim-wan*
Mr Jhonny Leung Huang
Mr Davy Lui Kin-wing*
Ms Venus Ma Chui-ki*
Mr Mo Shing-fung*
Mr James Wong Cheuk-on*
Mr Rex Wong Siu-han
Dr Daniel Yan Ting-kwan
Representative of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
Representative of the Environment and Ecology Bureau
Representative of the Innovation and Technology Commission
Representative of the Transport Department
Secretary
Principal Environmental Protection Officer (Air Policy), EEB
* New members
Transportation accounts for about 20 per cent of Hong Kong’s total carbon emissions. The development of green transportation is crucial to achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. The Government has put in place the Fund (previously named the Pilot Green Transport Fund) since March 2011 to subsidise and encourage the testing and wider use of green innovative transport technologies for a variety of commercial transport tools. Since its establishment, the Fund has approved a total of 298 trials, including different types of green innovative transportation technologies, such as electric commercial vehicles, electric waste collection vessels and an electric vehicle as a medical clinic, with a total funding amount of about $243 million. The NET Fund will continue to subsidise the transport trade to encourage trials of other types of new energy transport technologies apart from electric commercial vehicles, and promote the wider local application of mature new transport technology. Key projects include trial applications for hydrogen fuel cell heavy vehicles and the two subsidy schemes for electric taxis and electric franchised buses.
The Steering Committee advises the Government on the operation of the Fund and the approval of funding for applications. For more information on the Fund, please visit: www.eeb.gov.hk/en/new-energy-transport-fund.html. read more
In response to and support of the 10th National Security Education Day, the Fire Services Department (FSD) will organise an open day at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O on April 13 (Sunday), with an opportunity to deepen the public’s understanding about the Constitution, the Basic Law and the Hong Kong National Security Law, as well as the FSD’s work on national security, public safety, public order and personnel training.
The open day will feature a range of activities, including introduction of the department’s efforts in safeguarding national security, fire appliances parade, firefighting and rescue demonstrations, displays of training facilities, equipment and special vehicles, an exhibition on fire safety education, game booths, a recruitment experience area, as well as a demonstration of Fire Services working dogs. The Fire and Ambulance Services Education Centre cum Museum will also be open to the public on the day.
The open day will be held from 9am to 5pm. A ticket is required for admission (children aged 3 or below do not need an admission ticket).
Members of the public who are interested can apply for a maximum of four admission tickets from today (March 31) to April 2 through the latest version of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Mobile Application, which can be downloaded from Apple App Store, Google Play and Huawei AppGallery for free. The tickets will be allocated by computer ballot, and successful applicants will receive a notification through the Application on April 3.
Visitors are advised to use public transportation as no parking spaces will be provided at the Academy. The open day will be cancelled if Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, or the Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is still in force at 7am on the event day. Visitors should visit the FSD’s website (www.hkfsd.gov.hk) regularly for the latest information. For enquiries, please call 2411 8773. read more
Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more