The Government today (June 30) announced the appointment of four co-opted members to the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) Task Force under the Commission on Poverty for a term from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
      
     The four new co-opted members are Mr Kan Ming-tung, Miss Lau Wing-fung, Mr Cliff Tang Wing-chun and Ms Wang Chung-wing. Mr Kan is a member of the Kwun Tong District Council, Ms Lau is a senior researcher of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit, Mr Tang is the person-in-charge of the Institute of Public Opinion Survey and Ms Wang is the Vice-Chairperson and Secretary-General of the Federation of New Territories Youth.
      
     The Task Force is tasked to oversee the operation of the SIE Fund to promote social innovation and nurture social entrepreneurship as a means of alleviating poverty and social exclusion. The terms of reference of the Task Force are available on its website (www.sie.gov.hk). The Task Force Secretariat is established in the Efficiency Office under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau.

     The Government tabled earlier before the Legislative Council (LegCo) the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 2 and 3) Order 2023 and the revised Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) to update the technical assessment guidelines. The amendments were passed by the LegCo yesterday (June 29) and will take effect today (June 30). 

     "With the implementation of the amendments, the lists of designated projects (DPs) under Schedules 2 and 3 to the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) will be more clearly defined and better aligned with technological advancements and development needs in recent years. With the EIAO-TM amendments, the assessment methodologies used in the EIA study will become more transparent and efficient, streamlining the overall EIA process and enhancing consistency, which can be more focused on protecting the environment. The delivery of DPs can also be expedited," a Government spokesman said.

     The amended Schedules 2 and 3 to the EIAO and the revised EIAO-TM have been uploaded to Environmental Protection Department's EIAO website (www.epd.gov.hk/eia/index.html) for public access.

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (June 30) met with the Head of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province, Mr Cui Jian, to exchange views on the preparatory work of the 15th National Games to be co-hosted by the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao authorities as well as the collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangdong on the sports front. The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Miss Winnie Chui; and the Acting Commissioner for Sports, Mr Paul Cheng, were also present.

     Mr Yeung said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is grateful for the trust and support of the Central Government in providing the opportunity for us to co-host the National Games 2025 with Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR. We will maintain close communication with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Macao SAR Government on the preparatory work of the sports competitions to conduct 'simple, safe and wonderful' National Games. We will also deepen the collaboration among Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on the sports front, and join hands in telling the good stories of China."

     The delegation of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province visited the venues and facilities of the Hong Kong Velodrome this morning to learn about its experience in hosting large-scale events. In the afternoon, they will visit the soon-to-be-completed Kai Tak Sports Park to learn about the construction works of various venues and the preparatory work of the National Games.

    

     The Government today (June 30) announced that the Financial Secretary has appointed four new members to the Board of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), and reappointed two incumbent members.

     Ms Jennifer Chan, Mr Eugene Chan, Mr Hon Chi-keung and Dr Philip Zhai are appointed as new members of the Board of the HKSTPC for a period of two years from July 1, 2023.

     Ms Angel Ng and the Hon Elizabeth Quat have been reappointed as members of the Board of the HKSTPC for a period of two years with effect from July 1, 2023.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "As the organisation that manages Hong Kong's important innovation and technology (I&T) flagship, the HKSTPC, under the guidance of the Board, has been cultivating a vibrant I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong through providing I&T infrastructure facilities, introducing measures to incubate start-ups and support technology enterprises, as well as nurturing and pooling I&T talent. The HKSTPC is proactively taking forward a number of I&T infrastructure projects, including Phase 2 of the Science Park Expansion Programme and the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long InnoPark. I am confident that with their devotion, extensive experience and professional knowledge, members of the Board will continue to guide the HKSTPC to fulfil its public mission effectively and further strengthen Hong Kong's competiveness as a leading international I&T hub."

     The tenure of four incumbent members of the Board, Ms Cordelia Chung, Mr Kent Ho, Dr Kim Mak and Mr Chen Shuang, will also end today.

     "The four outgoing members have actively participated in the work of the Board over the past few years and have provided valuable contribution to the local I&T development. I sincerely thank them for their valuable advice on the HKSTPC and strong support to the I&T development in Hong Kong," Professor Sun said.

     The HKSTPC, which began operation in 2001, manages the Hong Kong Science Park, three InnoParks and the InnoCentre. It provides a comprehensive range of services to support I&T enterprises and to nurture start-ups, as well as land and relevant facilities for the industry.

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.