Month: July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Student of the Year Awards 2024/25 Presentation Ceremony today (July 12):
 
Catherine (Chief Executive Officer of the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Ms Catherine So), Dr Lake Wang (Executive Director, People and Organisational Development of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), Tammy (Editor-in-Chief of the South China Morning Post, Ms Tammy Tam), Advisory Board members, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good morning. And what a great morning this is for Hong Kong. Today, we celebrate our secondary schools and the exceptional professionalism and dedication of principals, teachers and support staff. We also thank parents for their endless support. And, most importantly, we honour the students among us today – the winners and finalists of this 44th annual Student of the Year Awards.
 
This year, over 840 students from 177 schools were nominated. And that, I’m delighted to say, is a new record high for the Awards.
 
Rewarding excellence is no easy task, yet Hong Kong is fortunate to have so many deserving students.
 
The judging panel had the tough task of bringing all those impressive nominations down to 40 finalists for the Awards’ 10 student categories, including the Grand Prize.
 
The Government is firmly committed to youth development.  
 
The Youth Development Blueprint for Hong Kong, released in late 2022, outlines our guiding principles for promoting long-term youth development. Its original 160-plus measures have been expanded, since then, to about 250, in an ongoing effort to ensure that the Blueprint evolves to meet the changing needs of our youth.
 
Our vision is to raise a new generation of youth instilled with a global perspective, a positive mindset and a deep love for our city and our country.
 
That demands a community-wide effort, including valued partnerships with organisations like the SCMP and the Jockey Club, working closely with educational institutions and families, to create an enabling environment for the youth of Hong Kong.
 
This year’s theme, “Building Tomorrow: Growth Through Action”, reflects that shared vision.
 
My congratulations to each and every one of this year’s awardees and finalists. Remember, this city, together with your proud parents, your school, teachers and mentors, and so many others who have helped you along the way, believe in you and look forward to your future with great expectations.
 
I am grateful to the South China Morning Post and the Hong Kong Jockey Club for organising this prestigious event year after year and, in doing so, putting a brilliant spotlight on education, our youth and Hong Kong.  
 
My thanks, too, to the Awards’ judges, nearly 40 in all, for their invaluable time and expertise, and their compelling commitment to excellence.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will all enjoy this memorable day in the life.
 
Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

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 (July 12) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.html), the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index for Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District is 4, which means the predicted water quality at this beach is “Very Poor” due to potential transient water quality fluctuations caused by heavy rain. The red flag has been hoisted, and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Highways Department (HyD) will hold briefing sessions on July 25, August 1 and 7 in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong respectively to introduce the details of the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) (HSWRL) project and the upcoming invitation to the industry for submission of expressions of interest (EOIs).

     The HyD invites representatives from relevant organisations of the industry (including contractors, operators, consultants, railway system suppliers and rolling stock manufacturers, etc) which are interested in participating in the project to attend the briefing sessions. The registration details and forms are in the Annex. Industry representatives interested in attending the briefing sessions, please enrol on or before July 18 (Friday).

     The construction of the HSWRL is a crucial initiative in support of the thorough implementation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It will enhance the infrastructure connectivity in the GBA and facilitate Hong Kong’s integration into national development. Coupled with the co-location customs clearance arrangement, the HSWRL will connect the metro networks in the western regions of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. A trip from Hung Shui Kiu to Qianhai will only take approximately 15 minutes, which will help to foster the “one-hour living circle” in the GBA and enable convenient cross-boundary commerce, work, living, study and travelling activities of the residents of the two places. The HSWRL is also an important transport infrastructure promoting the development of the Northern Metropolis, catering to the local travelling demand in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area as well as Lau Fau Shan, Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai areas.

     The Government is conducting the investigation and design of the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL, including undergoing statutory processes such as an environmental impact assessment and gazettal. The goal is to have the project ready for tendering in 2027, striving to complete the construction works in 2034, followed by integrated testing and commissioning to realise the common goal of the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen to commission the HSWRL in 2035. Through the briefing sessions, the HyD hopes to attract the attention and interest of more Mainland, local and even overseas organisations of the industry towards the project, thereby actively submitting EOIs, which will enable the HyD to gain a better grasp of the industry’s views on the scheme, procurement and financial arrangements of the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL, to formulate appropriate tender terms and details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:

The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Hong Kong 2025 (July 19 and 20), Hong Kong Football Festival – Liverpool FC vs AC Milan – The Standard Chartered Trophy (July 26), and Hong Kong Football Festival – Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur – The Herbalgy Trophy (July 31).

The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (July 14), “The FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Hong Kong 2025 will gather top 3×3 basketball teams from around the world to Hong Kong, providing spectators with a thrilling viewing experience. The highlights of July will certainly be the two football friendly matches held at Kai Tak Stadium at the end of the month, featuring Liverpool FC versus AC Milan and Arsenal versus Tottenham Hotspur. These two exhibition matches will bring fans a world-class football experience. These three sporting events will not only bring high-level competitions to the spectators but also stimulate the local economy, enhancing Hong Kong’s international image and strengthening its status as an events capital.”

The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local National Sports Associations and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
 
For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.
 
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

An official Taxi Fleet Licence has been issued to SynCab Taxi (mixed fleet), operated by SynCab Service, in accordance with the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations for a period of five years, with the fleet starting services, including online hailing services, today.

The Transport Department said it has approved the taxi livery design and markings of the fleet which has to display fleet taxi plates at the front and rear as well as a fleet taxi certificate on the windscreen.

Fleet taxis may customise fares for pre-arranged journeys, charging a booking fee on top of the metered fare or charging a lump sum fare before the journey starts. Both must be agreed with the hirer in advance.

The fares of fleet taxis may vary for pre-arranged journeys, depending on the time of booking and the types of taxis the passengers request. Higher fares may be charged during peak hours or when the passenger requests a premium taxi.

For street-hailing trips, fleet taxis shall charge according to the same fare schedule as general taxis. The department has set up a website, providing information on the taxi fleet service.

There are about 80 designated fleet taxi stopping places at 13 locations such as the airport, certain boundary control points and Airport Express stations, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Information plates will be installed at these locations. The department will put up signage and display panels at some of the locations, and display online hailing QR codes via leaflets and posters for the public and tourists to make their bookings.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Major Sports Events Committee today said it awarded “M” Mark status to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Hong Kong 2025 as well as Liverpool FC vs AC Milan – The Standard Chartered Trophy and Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur – The Herbalgy Trophy of Hong Kong Football Festival.

The FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Hong Kong 2025 will be held on July 19 and 20, while the two football matches will take place on July 26 and 31 respectively.

Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng noted that the FIBA 3×3 World Tour will gather top 3×3 basketball teams from around the world, providing spectators with a thrilling viewing experience.

The highlights of July will certainly be the two friendly matches at Kai Tak Stadium, featuring Liverpool FC versus AC Milan and Arsenal versus Tottenham Hotspur, he said, adding that these exhibition matches will bring fans a world-class football experience.

“These three sporting events will not only bring high-level competitions to the spectators but also stimulate the local economy, enhancing Hong Kong’s international image and strengthening its status as an events capital.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (July 14) that an official Taxi Fleet Licence has been issued to SynCab Taxi (mixed fleet), operated by SynCab Service Limited, in accordance with regulation 12E(1) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D) for a period of five years. The fleet officially commenced services today.

     The TD has approved the taxi livery design and markings of the fleet. For easy identification by passengers, all fleet taxis are required to display fleet taxi plates (see Annex) at the front and rear of the taxi bodies, and a fleet taxi certificate on the windscreens of the taxis.

     All fleets provide online hailing services. Fleet taxis may customise fares for pre-arranged journeys, charging a booking fee on top of the metered fare or charging a lump sum fare before the journey starts. Both must be agreed with the hirer in advance. The fares of fleet taxis may vary for pre-arranged journeys depending on the circumstances at the time of booking and the types of taxis requested by the passenger. For example, higher fares may be charged during peak hours or when the passenger requests a premium taxi. For street-hailing trips, fleet taxis shall charge according to the same fare schedule as general taxis.

     The TD has set up a taxi fleet thematic website. It will also introduce information of the taxi fleet service to the public and tourists through various online and offline channels, including the TD’s HKeMobility mobile application, and the collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal operator and Hong Kong Talent Engage.

     In addition, the TD has set up about 80 designated fleet taxi stopping places across 13 locations, such as the airport, certain boundary control points, the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, some Airport Express stations, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the Hong Kong Disneyland. Information plates will be installed at these locations. The TD will also put up signage and display panels at some of these locations, and display online hailing QR codes via leaflets and posters for the public and tourists to make their bookings.

     The TD will monitor the fleet’s operations and continue to actively promote the remaining fleets to commence operations as soon as possible.