Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (March).
 
     Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
 
     Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in March 2025:
 
San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
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Tsing Shan Firing Range
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     The Government announced today (February 21) the appointments to the Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) for a two-year term with effect from March 1, 2025, pursuant to section 11(3) of the Minimum Wage Ordinance (Cap. 608) (MWO). The appointments were gazetted on the same day.
 
     The Chief Executive (CE) has reappointed Ms Priscilla Wong Pui-sze as the chairperson of the MWC and appointed its 12 members from the labour sector, the business sector, academia and the Government. The chairperson and the nine non-official members are appointed on an ad personam basis.
 
     Among the non-official members, the three reappointed serving members are Professor Joyce Ma Lai-chong, Ms Ng Wai-yee and Professor Tang Hei-wai, while the six new members are Mr Calvin Chan Ka-wai, Mr Allen Cheng Siu-kai, Professor Fong Yuk-fai, Mr Wilson Kwong Wing-tsuen, Mr Lam Chi-ting and Dr Ricky Szeto Wing-fu.
 
     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, welcomed the appointments. He said, "The MWC assumes the important mission of reviewing and recommending the Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) rate. The MWC for the new term, under Ms Wong's leadership, will assist the Government in implementing the new annual review mechanism for the SMW. I am confident that with the wealth of knowledge and abundant experience in various fields possessed by the chairperson and members of the MWC, it will continue to discharge its statutory function effectively."
 
     Mr Sun also thanked the six outgoing members, Mr Chan Wing-on, Mr Lau Chin-shek, Ms Juan Leung Chung-yan, Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi, Dr Malina Ngai Man-lin and Mrs Katherine Ngan Ng Yu-ying, for their excellent support and sterling contributions to the MWC.
 
     Established under the MWO, the main function of the MWC is to report to the CE in Council its recommendations about the SMW rate. In performing its function, the MWC is required to maintain an appropriate balance between the objectives of forestalling excessively low wages and minimising the loss of low-paid jobs, and give due regard to sustaining Hong Kong's economic growth and competitiveness.
 
     The membership of the MWC for the next term is as follows:
 
Chairperson
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Ms Priscilla Wong Pui-sze
 
Non-official Members (Note)
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Mr Calvin Chan Ka-wai (new member)
Mr Allen Cheng Siu-kai (new member)
Professor Fong Yuk-fai (new member)
Mr Wilson Kwong Wing-tsuen (new member)
Mr Lam Chi-ting (new member)
Professor Joyce Ma Lai-chong
Ms Ng Wai-yee
Dr Ricky Szeto Wing-fu (new member)
Professor Tang Hei-wai
 
Official Members
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Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Government Economist
 
Note: Non-official members are listed in the alphabetical order of their surnames.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Ma On Shan this morning (February 21) in which a man died.

     At 6.45am, a school bus driven by a 78-year-old man was travelling along Kam Ying Road towards Wu Kai Sha. When the school bus was approaching near 9 Kam Ying Road, it reportedly went out of control and rammed into the railings.

     Sustaining no superficial injury, the driver was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 7.31am.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is under way.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1346.

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 today (February 21) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Government announced today (February 21) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Cheung Kwok-kit as a new member of the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCDS). The term of appointment is from March 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026.

     The SCDS advises the Chief Executive on issues relating to the pay and conditions of service of the disciplined services. Its current Chairman is Mr Herbert Hui Leung-wah. Other serving members are Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man, Mr Ivan Sze Wing-hang, Mr Dennis Ho Chiu-ping, Mr Tony Tse Wai-chuen, Ms Katherine Cheung Marn-kay, Ms Loretta Fong Wan-huen, Ms Sonia Cheng Chi-man, Ms Lisa Lau Man-man, Mr Ho Conrad Alwin, Ms Christina Maisenne Lee and Dr Miranda Lou Lai-wah.