An operational event at Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station (YNPS) was reported on the website of Yangjiang Nuclear Power Co Ltd (YNPC), a Security Bureau spokesperson said today (June 2).

     On May 30, Unit 3 of YNPS was in a normal operating condition. After Station staff had completed the equipment maintenance work of the gaseous waste treatment system at the auxiliary plant as planned, minor internal leakage was found at one of the isolation valves of a storage decay tank, resulting in the release of a minute amount of gaseous waste. Station staff took timely action to isolate the valve concerned and conducted repair work in accordance with relevant procedures. The amount of gaseous waste released had not reached the alarm level of the plant radiation monitoring system, and had no impact on the surrounding environment. The unit remained in a safe condition throughout the event. YNPC reported the situation to the relevant nuclear safety regulatory authorities in a timely manner.
 
     In accordance with the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale and the relevant nuclear safety regulations, the event was classified on June 1 as a Level 0 deviation. It had no effect on the safe operation of the nuclear power station, the health of the workers, the nearby public or the environment.
      
     YNPC has disclosed the details of this event on its website. They can be viewed in the "operational events" section under the "nuclear and radiation safety information" webpage of the website (www.yjnp.com.cn) (Chinese only).

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:
     
     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (June 2) on the progress of introducing the "Central – Hung Hom" ferry route and the pilot "water taxi" service, as well as the improvement works for cycle track networks in new towns and the latest operation of automated dockless bicycle rental services (ADBRS) in Hong Kong.

     The Government announced in March 2020 that Fortune Ferry Company Limited (the operator) was selected to operate the "Central – Hung Hom" ferry and "water taxi" services. The two services are expected to commence operation on June 28 and at the end of 2020 respectively. The operator is actively gearing up for the service commencement. It has pledged to introduce newer and greener vessels to its fleet gradually, disseminate real-time arrival/departure information of the ferry routes via smartphone applications within six months of service commencement and enhance pier facilities, such as by providing free WiFi service. 

     The Government will closely monitor the preparatory work carried out by the operator, as well as provide and enhance ancillary transport facilities or arrangements in a timely manner to ensure the smooth introduction of the ferry routes.

     The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, "Members welcome the introduction of the 'Central – Hung Hom' ferry and 'water taxi' services, which will provide the public with more diversified transport options. Members also offered views on the ferry services and the ancillary facilities."

     In addition, Members were briefed by the Government on the improvement works for cycle track networks in new towns and the latest operation of ADBRS in Hong Kong.

     The Government promotes cycling for recreation and short-distance commuting where road safety and conditions permit, in particular in new towns and new development areas. The Transport Department (TD) together with the Highways Department have been implementing the improvement works of the existing cycling facilities in nine new towns in three phases. By the end of 2021, both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 improvement works will cover altogether about 550 sites and provide about 3 000 additional public bicycle parking spaces. 

     Since the TD's promulgation of a Code of Practice, operators of ADBRS have introduced several improvement measures. The TD will continue to closely monitor the operation of ADBRS through the Code.  At the same time, relevant departments will continue their efforts in conducting regular clearance operations to remove illegally parked bicycles.

     Professor Cheung said, "Members noted the latest progress of the improvement works for the cycle tracks in nine new towns as well as the operation of ADBRS, and welcome the Government's ongoing efforts in fostering a 'bicycle-friendly environment'."

     A spokesman for the Civil Service Bureau said today (June 2) that the Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-Council) has decided that the pay for civil servants in the upper, middle and lower salary bands and the directorate in 2020-21 should be frozen with retrospective effect from April 1, 2020.

     In arriving at this decision, the CE-in-Council has fully and thoroughly considered all relevant factors under the established annual civil service pay adjustment mechanism, including:

* the net pay trend indicators (net PTIs);
* the state of Hong Kong's economy;
* changes in the cost of living;
* the Government's fiscal position;
* the pay claims of the staff side; and
* civil service morale.

The Net PTIs

     According to the 2020 Pay Trend Survey, the net PTIs for the upper, middle and lower salary bands are 1.68 per cent, 1.98 per cent and 1.15 per cent respectively.

The State of Hong Kong's Economy

     The threat of COVID-19 and the necessary anti-epidemic measures seriously disrupted a wide range of economic activities in Hong Kong. The real Gross Domestic Product contracted sharply by a record 8.9 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020. Furthermore, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, after rising noticeably from 3.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 4.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, surged further to 5.2 per cent in February to April 2020. The underemployment rate likewise soared from 1.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 3.1 per cent in February to April 2020.

Changes in the Cost of Living

     For the 12-month period ending March 2020, the headline Composite Consumer Price Index (CPI), which reflects the impact of the changes in consumer prices on approximately 90 per cent of households, increased by 2.8 per cent as compared to the previous 12-month period ending March 2019.

The Government's Fiscal Position

     The Government ran a fiscal deficit of about $10.6 billion in 2019-20, the first time for Hong Kong over the past 15 years. In 2020-21, the fiscal deficit is estimated to increase substantially to around $280 billion or even more. As at March 31, 2020, the fiscal reserves stood at $1,160.3 billion, though the figure is expected to drop to around $800 billion to $900 billion by the end of 2020-21.

The Pay Claims of the Staff Side

     The staff side of the four central consultative councils made different pay claims for the 2020-21 pay adjustment, ranging from a pay freeze to a 4 per cent pay rise.

Civil Service Morale

     Civil servants cite their dedication and hard work in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic and rising public expectations to justify recognition from the Government for their efforts. Given the positive net PTIs and a headline Composite CPI of 2.8 per cent, the staff side generally consider that the pay rise should not be less than the net PTIs or the headline Composite CPI.

     "The CE-in-Council fully recognised civil servants' efforts and contributions in coping with the social events and COVID-19 in the past year. The pay freeze decision was made by the CE-in-Council having thoroughly considered all relevant factors under the established mechanism. Hong Kong's economy and the Government's fiscal position are being hit hard. While all the three net PTIs and the headline Composite CPI are in the positive, it should be pointed out that the net PTIs are but one of the six relevant factors to be taken into account for deciding the annual civil service pay adjustment. The pay freeze decision has, therefore, been made in strict accordance with the established civil service pay adjustment mechanism," the spokesman said.

     "The Government has informed the staff side representatives of the four central consultative councils and representatives of the four major service-wide staff unions of the decision. We will brief the Legislative Council Panel on Public Service on June 19."

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
———————————————————
     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning June 8:
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting tomorrow (June 3) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the proceedings of the committee of the whole Council on the National Anthem Bill will resume. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
 
     The Second Reading debate on the Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill 2019, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions) Bill 2020, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Ship Leasing Tax Concessions) Bill 2020, the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation (Amendment) Bill 2018, the Fire Safety (Industrial Buildings) Bill, the Discrimination Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2018, the Occupational Retirement Schemes (Amendment) Bill 2019, the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2019 and the Supplementary Appropriation (2018-2019) Bill will also resume. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Reading, they will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bills and their reports are adopted by the Council, the Bills will be set down for the Third Reading.
 
     On Member's Bill, the Second Reading debate on the St. John's College (Amendment) Bill 2019 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
 
     On Government motion, the Secretary for Justice will move a proposed resolution under the Fatal Accidents Ordinance. The motion is set out in Appendix 1.
 
     On Members' motions, Ms Yung Hoi-yan and Ms Alice Mak will move separate motions under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure to censure Ms Claudia Mo and Mr Dennis Kwok. The motions are set out in Appendices 2 and 3 respectively.
 
     Mr Lam Cheuk-ting and Ms Mo will move two separate motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance, in relation to the incident of assaults occurred in Yuen Long Station of West Rail Line of the MTR Corporation Limited on July 21, 2019. The motions are set out in Appendices 4 and 5 respectively.
 
     Mr Alvin Yeung, Dr Kwok Ka-ki and Mr Kwong Chun-yu will move three separate motions under Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law and the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance, in relation to the incident of assaults occurred in Prince Edward Station of the MTR Corporation Limited on August 31, 2019. The motions are set out in Appendices 6 to 8 respectively.
 
     Ms Tanya Chan, Dr Kwok, Dr Fernando Cheung and Mr Kenneth Leung will move seven separate motions under Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law and the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance, in relation to the Police's handling of protesters and persons performing duties in the protests during the "anti-extradition to China" movement. The motions are set out in Appendices 9 to 15 respectively.
 
     Mr Chung Kwok-pan and Dr Priscilla Leung will move two separate motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance, in relation to the causes and consequences of the social conflicts or disturbances arising from the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and related matters. The motions are set out in Appendices 16 and 17 respectively. Mr James To will move an amendment to Dr Leung's motion.
 
     Mr Charles Mok, Mr Jeremy Tam and Dr Kwok will also move four separate motions under Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law to summon persons concerned to produce papers and testify. The motions are set out in Appendices 18 to 21 respectively.
 
     Meanwhile, Mr Kwok will move a motion on no confidence in the Fifth Term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as set out in Appendix 22. Ms Mo will move an amendment to Mr Kwok's motion.
 
     Mr Lam will move a motion on strengthening the combat against parallel trading activities, and tightening the arrangements for Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong. The motion is set out in Appendix 23.
 
     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 20 questions on various policy areas, five of which require oral replies.
 
     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats