Month: March 2025

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Judiciary will launch a two-year pilot scheme involving live broadcasts of substantive appellate proceedings in the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) on April 1.

The first two hearings under the scheme will be broadcast live on April 1 and 7.

Members of the public may view the webcasts by visiting the CFA website on computers or mobile devices installed with common browsers.

The Judiciary said the move will enhance the transparency of court procedures and strengthen public confidence in the judicial process.

It plans to implement live broadcasting for all substantive appeal cases in the CFA, except for cases where protection of the interests of children or mentally disabled adults, privacy, trade secrets or commercial confidentiality is required.

Proceedings related to national security, high-profile public order cases, and highly politically charged cases will also be exceptions.

The Judiciary explained that these exceptions are intended to preserve judicial decorum, prevent excessive pressure on litigants and lawyers, and safeguard the fair and proper administration of justice.

Where such exceptions apply, people may still attend the hearings in person, unless otherwise directed by the CFA.

Members of the public, including the media, must not record live webcasts or use live broadcast footage for any purpose.

After each live webcast ends, video of the court proceedings will be uploaded to and kept on the CFA website for one month.

The Judiciary conducted four trial runs, featuring live broadcasts of court proceedings in four selected CFA cases, last year, in order to test the technical, logistical and operational arrangements. 

Under the pilot scheme, the live broadcasts will be conducted on the Judiciary’s in-house platform, replacing the outsourcing arrangements used in the four trial runs. The Judiciary said this approach will ensure the most cost-effective use of public resources.

Upon completion of the pilot scheme, the Judiciary will review and consider long-term arrangements for live broadcasting of court proceedings.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

​​Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps (HKACC) new headquarters and training centre located at Shiu Fai Terrace in Wan Chai, marking a new chapter in the corps’ development.

Speaking at the event, Mr Tang noted that the domestically developed C919 passenger aircraft began regular flights between Hong Kong and Shanghai in January this year, and that last month’s Budget highlighted the support for the C919 to enter the international market.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s first aircraft components handling and trading centre, indicating promising prospects for the future of the city’s aviation industry and an increasing demand for talent.

The security chief said the new headquarters will provide a perfect place for members to explore their aviation dreams, and encouraged them to equip themselves to contribute to the aviation industry of Hong Kong and the nation.

The new headquarters is equipped with flight simulators, virtual reality equipment and drill practice areas, giving members various learning and training opportunities to enhance their aviation knowledge, positive thinking, discipline and team spirit.

It also features a national education exhibition, showcasing the country’s achievements and developments to strengthen young people’s national identity and sense of pride.

During the ceremony, corps members performed a flag-raising ceremony and a Chinese-style drill demonstration, followed by a review conducted by Mr Tang. The guests enjoyed a performance by the HKACC band before touring the main facilities at the new headquarters.

On April 1, 2024, the Government Flying Service incorporated the HKACC as a department-funded youth uniformed group, further enhancing support for the corps in order to promote youth development and train more talent for Hong Kong’s aviation industry.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan today said the Department of Justice is studying a Court of Final Appeal (CFA) judgment with a view to finding ways to further improve the enforcement mechanism of national security in Hong Kong.

Mr Cheung made the remarks after attending a radio programme this morning, where he addressed media questions about the CFA judgment concerning a case involving three former members of a disbanded group who did not comply with Police’s request for information.

“We are carefully studying the judgment handed down by the Court of Final Appeal. We will see how the judgment can further improve the law enforcement mechanism of national security in Hong Kong, but I will say that the judgment and the case law will contribute significantly to the development of jurisprudence of the national security related law in Hong Kong.”

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Civil Aid Service (CAS) today expressed deep sorrow over the passing of a 57-year-old member who fell unconscious after completing a fitness assessment at the CAS headquarters in Yau Ma Tei last night and later died in hospital.

The man joined the CAS in 1986 and was a Grade III member.

The CAS extended its deepest condolences to his family and will provide appropriate assistance to them.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Security Bureau today said the last of six Hong Kong residents lured to Myanmar to engage in illegal work and rescued following Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung’s participation in the operation in Thailand, arrived in Hong Kong this morning.

Mr Tang departed for Thailand earlier to participate in the co-ordination and rescue operation of Hong Kong detainees in Myanmar. Six people were rescued and five of them returned home yesterday.

The final rescued citizen stayed in Thailand yesterday to assist in the Thai Police investigation as a witness for the case of people being lured to Myanmar to engage in illegal work.

A member of the bureau’s dedicated task force also stayed in Thailand to accompany and assist the rescued Hong Kong resident. They returned home in the small hours of today.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) today said it expects about five to eight tropical cyclones will likely hit Hong Kong during the year, which is in the normal to above normal range.

Presenting the city’s weather outlook at a press briefing, HKO Director Chan Pak-wai said the tropical cyclone season is expected to start in June or earlier and cease in October or later.

The annual mean temperature in Hong Kong is expected to be above normal this year, while the annual rainfall is expected to be near normal, ranging from 2,100mm to 2,700mm. However, Mr Chan stressed that Hong Kong may still be affected by heavy rain and advised the public to be prepared for the rain and tropical cyclone seasons.

Mr Chan also highlighted the ongoing improvements to the HKO’s various services, noting that with the rainy season approaching, the HKO will enhance its radar and satellite imagery services to allow the public to better grasp the rainfall situation in the lower atmosphere.

The department also plans to add graphical rainfall information for various districts in the next couple of months.

From the second half of this year, the HKO will, on a trial basis, attach videos featuring its forecasters explaining future weather changes on camera, to some of its Weather Notes articles.

There are also plans to add more computer model forecast products, including the forecasting of chances of thunderstorms, onto the “Earth Weather” webpage this year, to provide people with a comprehensive understanding of weather changes.

Separately, the HKO will hold open days on March 22 and 23 to showcase its work. Apart from joining the event in person with a valid ticket, members of the public can take a virtual tour on a dedicated webpage due to be launched on March 22.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be published in the Gazette on Friday, seeking to enhance Hong Kong’s buildings energy efficiency management regime and lessen the financial burden on the public.

The Environment & Ecology Bureau noted that the proposed amendments aim to achieve a win-win scenario of saving electricity costs for buildings, reducing carbon emissions and boosting the development of a green economy.

The amendment bill contains five parts – regulating the energy efficiency standards of building services installations for all data centres in Hong Kong; requiring more types of buildings to conduct regular energy audits; shortening the intervals of energy audits; disclosing certain technical information in energy audit reports; and including more qualifications eligible for registration as Registered Energy Assessors.

The bureau said if the amendment bill is passed by the Legislative Council and implemented in full, it is estimated that an additional 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 150,000 three-person households, could be saved in 2035.

The amendment bill will be introduced into LegCo for first reading and the commencement of second reading debate on March 26.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Six projects have been approved in the new application round of the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, involving a total grant of around $51 million, the Government announced today.

The newly approved projects cover diversified ecological and cultural conservation work in remote countryside areas such as Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam, Kap Tong, Kuk Po, Kat O and Deep Bay wetlands.

They involve the adoption of ecologically friendly means to conduct farming and fishpond habitat management to revitalise farmland and fish ponds, and increase their ecological value.

The approved projects also include the revitalisation of traditional Hakka culture, showcasing unique and precious cultural assets in the countryside, enhancing travellers’ ecotour experience, as well as increasing public awareness of conserving natural ecology and cultural and historic assets.

So far, a total of 56 projects involving a subsidy of more than $325 million have been approved under the 10 application rounds.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Environmental Protection Department said today that no restrictions have been imposed with regard to operating hours for events held at the Kai Tak Arena, and emphasised that there are no limitations on activities extending beyond midnight.

 

In response to media enquiries about noise control, the department said all events held at the arena – including sports events and music performances – are conducted indoors and involve central air conditioning. It explained that the relevant Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report had therefore concluded that noise levels would not exceed limits.

 

The department added that it had also taken noise measurements near the venue during rehearsal concerts. It said the results showed that noise reduction apparatus installed at the venue is effective and meets the expectations required by the EIA report, with noise levels being in compliance with legal standards.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung called on the Environmental Protection Department today to learn more about its environmental quality monitoring work and its application of innovative technologies.

 

To begin her visit, Mrs Yeung met Director of Environmental Protection Samuel Chui and directorate staff and was briefed on developments in various area of the department’s work.

 

In recent years, it has introduced or developed a variety of innovative technological devices in its operations. One of these is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Environmental Air Nuisance Investigation Robot Dog, known as “AI Dog”.

 

Unlike traditional methods that rely on the experience and sense of smell of investigators, the AI Dog enhances accuracy and efficiency through continuous machine learning. Now on trial in various district, it identifies and locates sources of pollution by using Internet of Things technology to search data on the Hong Kong Air Pollutant Emission Inventory.

 

The department’s Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), meanwhile, enables it to track leakage in underground sewage pipes without digging up roads.

 

The department’s staff gave Mrs Yeung demonstrations of both the AI Dog and GPR in operation.

 

At the department’s Smart Command and Control Centre, Mrs Yeung received a briefing on the use of an Unmanned Submarine instead of divers to conduct monitoring and sampling in the Shing Mun River via remote control and real-time images.

 

Staff also introduced her to the Mesh Network Sampling Robot Squad, which conducts quality sampling and investigations in remote or dangerous areas in a more efficient manner.

 

Mrs Yeung said the department’s AI Dog and AI Unmanned Submarine can be viewed as AI civil servants as they improve work efficiency and enable better follow-up solutions to pollution problems that were difficult to handle in the past. She said that resolving problems in a shorter time gives the public a greater sense of satisfaction.

 

The civil service chief highlighted that the 2025-26 Budget reinforced the Government’s fiscal consolidation programme. Bureaus and departments are required to further review their resource allocations and work priorities, and provide public services in a more cost-effective manner through streamlining procedures.

 

She encouraged all departments to step up their efforts to apply technology in their work to enhance efficiency and manpower utilisation.

 

Before concluding her visit, Mrs Yeung met staff representatives of various grades in the department.