The Transport Department (TD) said today (January 18) that, as one of the smart mobility initiatives, the Government will install new on-street parking meters in phases to replace the existing ones.

     The new parking meters have three major functions and features, including: 

(i) supporting payment of parking fees through multiple means including Octopus; contactless credit cards, i.e. Visa payWave, MasterCard Contactless and UnionPay QuickPass; the Faster Payment System; AlipayHK; WeChat Pay; and Union QR;

(ii) supporting on-site and remote payment of parking fees through a new mobile application, "HKeMeter". "HKeMeter" will support iOS and Android mobile devices, which is available for free download in the relevant app stores; and

(iii) being equipped with sensors to detect whether a parking space is occupied, and providing real-time information to assist motorists in finding vacant parking spaces and thereby reduce the time required by vehicles for locating parking spaces as well as the amount of circulating traffic.

     The sensors in the new parking meters make use of the technology of millimetre wave radar to detect whether roadside parking spaces are occupied. The real-time information will be disseminated through "HKeMeter", the mobile and web versions of "HKeMobility" and the Public Sector Information Portal (data.gov.hk) to assist motorists in finding vacant parking spaces. The sensors are only capable of detecting the occupancy of parking spaces, and will not collect any personal information, details of vehicle types or vehicle registration numbers.

     The TD has set up a dedicated webpage for the new parking meters (www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/parking/parking_meters/npm/index.html) and uploaded videos to introduce how to use the new parking meters, settle parking fees through various payment means and make remote payment of parking fees, to help motorists to better understand and be familiar with the operation of the new parking meters. Upon the commissioning of the new parking meters, the management contractor engaged by the TD will launch a 24-hour customer service hotline at 2332 3700 for handling public enquiries. The hotline number will be displayed on the traffic signs of the metered parking spaces with the new parking meters installed. 

     At present, there are about 18 000 metered parking spaces in Hong Kong with about 9 800 parking meters installed. These parking meters have been put into service since 2003/04 and, with their serviceable life expiring soon, they need to be replaced. 

     Starting from last December, the TD has installed 44 new parking meters at three locations in Central, Tuen Mun and Clear Water Bay so as to conduct the final stage of on-site tests. These new parking meters will be put into operation with effect from January 20. The TD will also install about 12 000 new parking meters in phases from the same date, and it is anticipated that replacement of all existing parking meters will be completed by the first half of 2022. The parking fees, operating periods, longest parking periods for each transaction and the types of vehicles of the existing metered parking spaces will in general remain unchanged.

    

     The Government today (January 18) announced the proposed way forward for Ocean Park to transform the Park into a new resort and leisure destination offering a new experience for both the local community and its visitors by making full use of its unique geographical location, connection with other attractions and overall developments in Southern District, as well as its rich and leading experience in education and conservation.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said, "Last year, the Park obtained the Legislative Council's (LegCo) funding approval to support its operation for a year. We meanwhile appointed a consultant to rethink the way forward for the Park. During the process, we consulted various stakeholders and received many valuable views.

     "We agreed that the Park should steer away from the conventional development model of theme parks, cut down on facilities and related expenses which are not cost-effective and re-orient its development focus back to education and conservation. During the transformation, the Park should place greater emphasis on other elements such as its unique natural setting and the synergy with other attractions and developments in the vicinity of Southern District. In mapping out the proposed way forward, we have taken into account the views of the community."

     The proposed way forward suggests the Park to transform into a resort and leisure destination and create a non-ticketed retail, dining and entertainment zone for friends and families to visit anytime they wish. The Park will focus on providing a leisure experience that highlights the natural beauty and local culture of Hong Kong to tie in with other attractions and developments in the vicinity of Southern District as well as the Invigorating Island South initiative. The Park will provide a new leisure destination to the public and visitors with a new look. The Park should capitalise on its innate advantage on its remarkable education and conservation work.

     Mr Yau said, "The operation mode of the Park will change by outsourcing part of its park area or facilities for development and operation in order to become financially sustainable in the long run. However, it will take time and resources for the Park to undergo transformation. To do so, the Government needs to provide assistance to the Park in three aspects: (1) offer support for the cost for conservation and education work of the Park for four years; (2) alleviate the Park's burden of repaying Government loans by deferring the commencement of repayment, extending the repayment period and waiving the interest; and (3) provide a non-recurrent funding to help the Park to cope with the present financial need."

     The Chairman of the Board of the Ocean Park Corporation, Mr Lau Ming-wai, said, "Ocean Park is grateful for the invaluable support from the public and the Government. The new model of operation enables us to improve, innovate, and invigorate the Park in the exciting years ahead. Our renewed direction embodies our vision of advancing Ocean Park into Hong Kong's leading education platform, with a strong mission to promote environmental conservation and protection. Leveraging our exceptional location and with the launch of the Water World, we are confident that Ocean Park will play a pivotal role in the Invigorating Island South initiative. We remain steadfast in our commitment to achieving business sustainability and to serving the community of Hong Kong."

     Key components, operation mode and financial arrangements for the way forward for the Ocean Park can be found in the Annex.

     The Government will consult the LegCo Panel on Economic Development on the Park's proposed way forward on January 25 and, upon the advice of the Panel, seek approval from the LegCo Finance Committee for the proposed loan restructuring and non-recurrent funding in due course.

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     The University Grants Committee (UGC) and the Research Grants Council (RGC) today (January 18) announced the allocation of another one-off funding of $100 million under the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) to support the UGC-funded sector in conducting more collaborative research projects related to COVID-19 and other novel infectious diseases (NIDs). This followed their additional funding of $250 million in May last year under the CRF and the Theme-based Research Scheme to support the UGC-funded sector in conducting research related to the same diseases.
      
     The Chairman of the UGC, Mr Carlson Tong, said, "The rapid and unrelenting spread of COVID-19 has brought about a huge impact on people's livelihood around the world, including Hong Kong. We face unprecedented challenges not only to our public health system but also to education, business operation and all facets of life in our community. Even after the pandemic is eventually put under control, Hong Kong and the world will still have to recover and we will have to adjust our lives to the 'new normal'. Through the additional funding of $250 million last year and the further allocation of $100 million this year, the UGC would like to encourage the UGC-funded sector to conduct more research to address the implications of COVID-19 for Hong Kong society and also to better prepare us for any future epidemic."
      
     He added, "Same as last year, while priority will be given to COVID-19 research and those projects that may be completed early, NID research in all facets and disciplines is welcomed. In particular, we call on the UGC-funded sector to actively respond to the 'new normal' as a result of the changes to our lives brought about by the pandemic, including conducting research on solutions that can help mitigate the impact on our society and people's livelihood, and better equip us should another NID emerge after we recover from this pandemic. We expect that the additional funding will support around 16 to 20 medium-size research projects."
      
     The RGC issued an invitation to the UGC-funded universities today for submitting applications by the deadline of February 22, 2021. Further information is available on the website of the RGC (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/crf/call_letter.html). 

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Police took stringent enforcement action in the vicinity of Wai Ching Street, Jordan. During the joint operation, the two departments inspected 13 catering premises last night (January 17). All of the catering premises (including six which were subjects of complaints) were not in operation.

     An FEHD spokesman said today (January 18), "According to the current directions issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to catering business under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), catering business operators must strictly comply with a series of requirements and restrictions, which include requirements that a person responsible for carrying on a catering business must cease selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on the premises of the business from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day; the number of people participating in a banquet in catering premises is limited to 20; no more than two persons may be seated together at one table within any catering premises, and the total number of customers allowed in catering premises must not exceed 50 per cent of the normal seating capacity; no live performance and dancing is allowed; a mask must be worn within the premises except when the person is consuming food or drink at a table therein; tables must be arranged in a way to ensure there is a distance of at least 1.5 metres or some form of partition which could serve as an effective buffer between one table and another table; body temperature screening must be conducted before the person is allowed to enter the catering premises; and hand sanitisers must be provided. In addition, a person responsible for carrying on a catering business must display the poster containing the 'LeaveHomeSafe' venue QR code at the entrance of the premises or at a conspicuous location."
 
     If a person responsible for carrying on a catering business or scheduled premises contravenes the regulations under the Regulation, he or she is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     Customers in breach of the requirement on no more than two persons per table within catering premises are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). Moreover, customers not wearing a mask when they are not eating or drinking at a table therein or they are not eating or drinking are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for contravening the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I).

     The spokesman stressed that the FEHD will continue to step up enforcement action and publicity efforts and conduct joint operations with the Police to take stringent enforcement action against offenders to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. He reminded the operators concerned and the public that they must not defy the law and must exercise self-discipline and co-operate, with a view to fighting the virus together.

     â€‹ To usher in the Ox for a new start, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four New Year special stamps and a stamp sheetlet under the theme of the "Year of the Ox" which depicts the Ox in diversified art forms on January 28 (Thursday). A "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Rat / Ox" will also be launched at the same time to send blessings for the health and well-being of everyone in the year ahead.
      
     The four mint stamps respectively present displays of a boxwood carved ox, a Zisha bisque fired calf, a bronze ox and a ceramic ox that are all distinctive in shape. Each is set off with flowers of the changing seasons in the background, symbolising grace and elegance and extending wishes for a year filled with fortune and fulfilment. Depicting a lacquered illuminated ox display carved from wood, the stamp sheetlet adopts the design of a sturdy ox in the wilderness which denotes a year full of vigour and robustness resembling an ox. An arable paddy with crops, a turning waterwheel, and the golden grains swaying gracefully in the wind are illustrated in the background, signifying bumper harvests in the coming year. This special stamp issue also brings a wide range of philatelic products, including a silk stamp sheetlet, a prestige first day cover, a presentation pack and red packets that highlight the festivity of the new year.
      
     For the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Rat / Ox", against the gradation of magenta in the background, the dazzling flowers in bloom make up a splendid collage that sets off a strong festive ambience. Along with a certificate of authenticity, the stamp sheetlet is embedded with the Rat stamp in hot-foiled silver and the Ox stamp in 22K gold plating, both in a denomination of $50. The prestigious glamour of the stamp sheetlet makes it exceptionally suitable for gifts and collectibles. All stamp lovers must not miss it.
      
     Official First Day Covers for "Year of the Ox" and Official Souvenir Covers for the "Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Rat / Ox" will be put on sale at all post offices starting from today. In addition, a newly designed 2021 Souvenir Cover and prestige version of the aforesaid covers will also be available at all philatelic offices, as well as Hongkong Post’s Online Shopping Mall "ShopThruPost" (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) on the same day.
      
     The special stamps and other associated philatelic products (including first day cover, mint stamps, stamp sheetlet, silk stamp sheetlet, presentation pack, Lunar New Year animals souvenir cover, datestamped postage prepaid Lunar New Year greeting cards, datestamped first day cover, datestamped Lunar New Year animals souvenir cover, "Heartwarming Stamps" mini-panes and red packets) will be placed on sale at post offices starting from January 28.
      
     Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products are available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or the Hongkong Post mobile app.