Tag Archives: China

     The e-ballot application period for joining the Bun Scrambling Competition, which is the finale of the 2025 Bun Carnival at Cheung Chau, will start next Monday (February 17). Physically fit climbers aged 18 or above who are interested in the competition should submit their applications on or before February 28.
 
     The final selection exercise, to be held on April 13, will consist of two rounds. Twenty-four contestants recording the shortest time in the preliminary round (including no fewer than six female participants) will be eligible to enter the semi-final on the same day to compete for 12 finalist places (including no fewer than three female participants). The 12 finalists will enter the Bun Scrambling Final to be held from 11.30pm on May 5 to 12.45am on May 6. Trophies will be awarded to the champion as well as the first and second runners-up in the men’s division, and to the champion in the women’s division. The contestant who bags the highest number of buns within the time limit will be the prize winner of “Full Pockets of Lucky Buns”.
 
     To acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the winners and enhance the appeal of the event, any male or female athlete who has been the champion for three times in the Bun Scrambling Competition since 2016 will be the “King of Kings” or the “Queen of Queens” of the competition and be awarded a trophy.
      
     Persons interested in participating in the competition should complete SmartPLAY user registration and identity authentication, and submit their electronic ballot applications from February 17 to 28 via the SmartPLAY website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home), the mobile app (My SmartPLAY) or Smart Self-service Stations. User registration at SmartPLAY is free of charge. To register as SmartPLAY users, please refer to the link (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/website/en/user-registration/how-to-register.html).
 
     The maximum number of entrants for the Bun Scrambling Competition is 200. All places will be allocated by ballot via SmartPLAY. Applicants who live, work or study at Cheung Chau will be accorded priority in the ballot. All selected applicants are required to complete the safety training sessions on bun tower climbing and prevention of falls on April 6 to be eligible for the competition. Details are provided in the prospectus available on the SmartPLAY website, the mobile app (My SmartPLAY) and the 2025 Bun Carnival dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/bun/index.html).
 
     The 2025 Bun Carnival is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Besides the Bun Scrambling Competition, the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay will be held on the morning of April 27. Local tertiary institutions, Government Departments, public utilities and commercial and industrial organisations will be invited to take part in the relay. Members of the public are welcome to watch the game on-site and cheer for the contestants. At the Climbing Carnival to be held in the afternoon on the same day, there will be a bun tower climbing fun day, game stalls, handicrafts making and variety shows. A Wishing Bun Tower will also be set up, and the winning entries of the Student Drawing Competitions will be displayed. Members of the public are welcome to attend the carnival.
    
     For enquiries, please contact the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD at 2852 3220, or visit the 2025 Bun Carnival dedicated website. read more

     The Government proposes to carry out reclamation works within an area of about 46 hectares of foreshore and seabed to the southwest of Tseung Kwan O Area 137 (TKO 137) and within an area of about 55 hectares of foreshore and seabed to the southeast off Tseung Kwan O Area 132 (TKO 132). The extent of the area of foreshore and seabed affected is described in a notice gazetted today (February 14).

     The proposed works at TKO 137 include construction of about 1.7 kilometres of seawall, filling of the seabed to form about 20 hectares of land for housing and community facility development, and reprovisioning of temporary facilities. The proposed works off TKO 132 include construction of about 1.3km of seawall, and filling of the seabed to form about 20 hectares of land for accommodating public facilities. The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence by the end of 2025.    
  
     The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:
* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);
* Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Sai Kung District Office (G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories); and
* Lands Department’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.

     Enquiries regarding the proposed works can be addressed to the East Development Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department as stated in the notice.

     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the gazette date, i.e. on or before April 14. The objector shall describe in the notice of objection his or her interest, right or easement, and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected. read more

     The Government gazetted today (February 14) the proposed road works in Tseung Kwan O to cater for the development at Tseung Kwan O Area 137 and off Area 132.

     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories

District Lands Office, Sai Kung,
3/F, Sai Kung Government Offices,
34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, New Territories

     The gazette notice, scheme, plans and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.

     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

     A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than April 15, 2025. read more

     Six pieces of subsidiary legislation setting out detailed operational and regulatory matters of the uncertificated securities market (USM) regime were gazetted today (February 14), with a view to enhancing the efficiency and infrastructure of the Hong Kong securities market, as well as providing better investor protection and transparency. A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said the implementation of the USM regime would reinforce Hong Kong’s competitiveness and status as an international financial centre.
 
     The subsidiary legislation are for the implementation of the USM regime, which is meant to remove the need of using paper documents to evidence and effect transfers of legal title to securities. The six pieces consist of:

(i)     Securities and Futures (Uncertificated Securities Market) Rules;
(ii)    Securities and Futures (Approved Securities Registrars) Rules;
(iii)   Securities and Futures (Stock Market Listing) (Amendment) Rules 2025;
(iv)   Securities and Futures (Open-ended Fund Companies) (Amendment) Rules 2025;
(v)    Securities and Futures Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 8) Order 2025; and
(vi)   Securities and Futures Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 5) Notice 2025.
 
     The spokesman said, “In collaboration with the industry, the Government and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) have formulated details on the operational and regulatory arrangements for the USM regime and the subsidiary legislation. Extensive market consultations were also conducted by the SFC on the subsidiary legislation, codes and guidelines under the USM regime with consultation conclusions published last July.”
 
     The subsidiary legislation will be tabled before the Legislative Council for negative vetting on February 19. Subject to vetting, the legislation will come into operation on a date to be appointed by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury in the form of a Gazette notice. read more

     The Government announced today (February 14) the reappointment of Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee as the Chairman and the appointment of Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai as the Vice-Chairman to the Human Organ Transplant Board. Meanwhile, the appointments of three new substantive members and seven new panel members, as well as the reappointments of one substantive member and one panel member, were also made.

     Among the appointments, Dr Chan Kwok-ki, Ms Louisa Chu Wai-san and Mr Jason Joseph Lee Kwong-yee are appointed as new substantive members, while Dr Li Chak-ho is reappointed as a substantive member. Moreover, Dr Ambrose Wong Chi-hong, Dr Foo Ka-chung, Dr Lilian Wong Hiu-lei, Dr Cheng Pak-wing, Ms Yvonne Yeung Kin-ha, Ms Ingrid Ip Sin-nam, and Mrs Lillian Okusako Chan Pui-shan are appointed as new panel members, whereas Dr Loletta So Kit-ying is reappointed as a panel member. All appointments will take effect from February 15 for a three-year term. 
      
     The incumbent Vice-Chairperson, Dr Mark Li Kin-yin; serving substantive members, namely Dr Raymond Lo See-kit, Ms Samantha Ko Kit-mui and Ms Priscilla Wong Wai-yee; as well as serving panel members, namely Dr Joan Fok Pui-chu, Dr Grace Lui Chung-yan, Dr Joyce Tang Shao-fen and Mr Jonathan Lee Wing-fung, will retire from the Board upon completion of their term today. A spokesman for the Health Bureau expressed appreciation for their service and contributions to the Board.

     Established under section 3 of the Human Organ Transplant Ordinance (Cap. 465), the Human Organ Transplant Board is tasked to consider applications made for the Board’s written approval to carry out restricted organ removals and/or restricted organ transplants, to receive prescribed information about transplant operations and certificates accompanying imported organs, and to perform any other functions that the Board is required or permitted to perform under the Ordinance.

     The membership of the Board with effect from February 15, 2025, is as follows:
 
Substantive members
—————————-
Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee (Chairman) #
Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai (Vice-Chairman) *
Dr Li Chak-ho #
Dr Chan Kwok-ki *
Dr Emmy Li Yuen-mei
Dr Thomas Yau Chung-cheung
Ms Louisa Chu Wai-san *
Mr Wong Tim-wai
Mr Jason Joseph Lee Kwong-yee *

Panel members
—————————-
Dr Ambrose Wong Chi-hong *
Dr Foo Ka-chung * 
Dr Lilian Wong Hiu-lei *
Dr Loletta So Kit-ying #
Dr Chan Ka-yee
Dr Cheng Pak-wing * 
Professor Carmen Wong 
Professor Vincent Mok Chung-tong
Ms Yvonne Yeung Kin-ha *
Ms Hsu Siu-man
Mr Joseph Chow Shiu-wing
Ms Helen Au Hiu-lam
Ms Ingrid IP Sin-nam *
Mrs Lillian Okusako Chan Pui-shan * 
 
* New appointees
# Reappointees  read more