Tag Archives: China

     The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, today (May 12) expressed profound sadness at the passing of a field assistant, Mr Ng Kwok-pui, and offered his deepest condolences to his family.

     Mr Ng, aged 64, was stung by bees when carrying out tree planting duties at Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau South Country Park, with his colleagues this morning. He was certified dead later in the hospital.

     Mr Ng worked in country park management centres and continued to be employed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) under a post-retirement service contract upon his retirement four years ago.

     Dr Leung said, “Having joined the AFCD for over 40 years, Mr Ng served the community with dedication and perseverance. His performance was excellent and he was held in high regard by colleagues. I am deeply grieved at the loss of such a devoted officer. On behalf of all our colleagues, I offer the deepest condolences to his family.”

     Dr Leung added that the AFCD will continue to liaise closely with Mr Ng’s family and provide all appropriate support and assistance to them as far as applicable. read more

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (May 12) signed an investigation, design and construction consultancy agreement with AECOM Asia Company Limited for the Tsing Yi – Lantau Link project. The consultancy agreement mainly comprises a series of impact assessments, a site investigation and project designs for the proposed works of the Tsing Yi – Lantau Link.　
 
     A spokesman for the HyD said, “The Tsing Yi – Lantau Link together with Route 11 and other relevant major roads will form a group of strategic roads to improve the conditions of traffic plying the Northwest New Territories and urban areas, increase the route choices for the commuter traffic on Lantau Island and urban areas, and strengthen the resilience of the entire road network. The Tsing Yi – Lantau Link can create capacity for the Northwest New Territories to satisfy the needs of the long-term development of Hong Kong. The commencement of the investigation study and detailed design marked a major milestone of the project. The Government’s target is to commission the proposed major roads mentioned above in phases in or before 2033. We will also introduce suitable technology and innovative techniques to ensure that the project can be completed and commissioned as early as possible, thereby benefiting the public with this key transport infrastructure as soon as possible.”

     The HyD will gazette the road scheme according to the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance to collect the views of different stakeholders. If the statutory procedures can be completed earlier, the construction of the project can be commenced as early as possible.

     The proposed Tsing Yi – Lantau Link is on the south of the existing Lantau Link and comprises mainly two long-span bridges crossing the Ma Wan Fairway and Kap Shui Mun Fairway, Tsing Yi Connection and North Lantau Interchange.

  

     Two red tides have been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (May 12).

     Staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) spotted a red tide at Tolo Harbour (including Yim Tin Tsai and Yim Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zones) on May 11 and spotted another red tide at Tolo Channel and Three Fathoms Cove (including Lo Fu Wat and Yung Shue Au Fish Culture Zones) today. Both red tides persist and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, “The red tide at Tolo Harbour was formed by Vicicitus globosus and Heterosigma akashiwo, while the red tide at Tolo Channel and Three Fathoms Cove was formed by Vicicitus globosus. According to literature overseas, Vicicitus globosus may cause respiratory damage in fish, and Heterosigma akashiwo might produce neurotoxins and kill fish by damaging their gills. Vicicitus globosus is not commonly found in Hong Kong waters while Heterosigma akashiwo is commonly found in Hong Kong waters.”

     The AFCD urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD’s proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public. read more

     In response to the Director of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) conditional approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report on the Technical Study on Partial Development of Fanling Golf Course Site – Feasibility Study, a spokesman of the Development Bureau (DEVB) said today (May 11):

     The Government gazetted the draft Fanling/Sheung Shui Extension Area Outline Zoning Plan (the draft plan) last year proposing the development of public housing with 12 000 units at the northernmost portion of the 32 hectares of land east of Fan Kam Road in Fanling Golf Course. The southern portion of the site would be used for conservation and recreational use, which would be opened for public enjoyment under appropriate regulation.

     Following the approval of the EIA report, the Town Planning Board (TPB) will arrange public hearings for the representations and opinions submitted by the public on the draft plan. In order to allow sufficient time for the TPB to complete the hearing and deliberation process, the Planning Department will recommend to the TPB to seek permission, according to the Town Planning Ordinance, for extension of the deadline for submission of the draft plan to the Executive Council by six months to November 30, 2023.

     The DEVB noted that the DEP’s approval comes with certain conditions, including that the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), as the project proponent, should review the layout design, building height and development density of the public housing development, with a view to preserving the woodland within the housing site as far as possible and minimising the impact on tree preservation, landscape and visual aspects arising from the housing development. The CEDD is also required to submit to the DEP for approval, prior to the development, documents on the proposed revised layout design of the public housing development and tree preservation, landscape and visual aspects, etc.

     The CEDD will work with the relevant departments to follow up on the DEP’s requirements and report to the TPB. Although the layout and development parameters of the public housing are subject to review, it remains the intention of the Government to develop public housing at the northernmost portion of the area. 

     Irrespective of the progress of the town planning process, the short term tenancy covering the 32 hectares of land will expire on August 31, 2023, and the Government will take back the relevant land on September 1, 2023, as planned. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will be responsible for the management and maintenance of the land, including the northernmost portion earmarked for public housing development until such is handed over to the CEDD for commencement of works. The LCSD will make separate announcement on the management and detailed opening arrangement. Separately, as the Government previously stated, in case the Hong Kong Golf Club requires temporary additional land in future for supporting the organisation of major events, the relevant departments would be happy to provide appropriate assistance where possible. read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo (Tokyo ETO) held a reception in Seoul, Korea, today (May 11) to update some 300 guests from various sectors including the Korean government, political and business sectors, academia, the media and community groups on the latest developments of Hong Kong, and to share with them the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s initiatives to embrace the enormous opportunities ahead.

     In her welcome remarks, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, briefed the guests on the initiatives announced in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address and the Financial Secretary’s 2023-24 Budget, including various measures to promote economic growth, attract enterprises and talent, and foster a closer collaboration among Hong Kong and other cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     She highlighted that a Dedicated Team for Attracting Businesses and Talents has been set up under the Tokyo ETO to proactively reach out to target enterprises and talent and encourage them to pursue expansion and growth in Hong Kong. The team would also liaise with top universities in Japan and Korea and promote the various talent admission schemes so as to broaden Hong Kong’s talent pool.

     She encouraged people from Korea to visit Hong Kong, and said that she looks forward to the flourishing business and economic ties between Hong Kong and Korea. 

     A global ‘Hello Hong Kong’ Campaign was launched to extend our warmest welcome to tourists, business travellers and investors from all over the world to visit Hong Kong. In the Budget announced in February, the Financial Secretary pledged over HK$250 million for major tourism events such as the world-famous Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, the Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Sevens, and Art Basel in Hong Kong. The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park Hong Kong will hold themed fairs, carnivals or other activities throughout the year. In addition, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will hold more than 10 major conferences and exhibitions in the coming months,” she said.

     At the reception, the Chief Operating Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Mrs Vivian Cheung, delivered a presentation on the latest development of Hong Kong International Airport, and promoted the “World of Winners” Tickets Giveaway Campaign sponsored by the AAHK with around 500 000 free air tickets being given away to travellers in major passenger markets, including Korea, in support of the ‘Hello Hong Kong’ Campaign.