Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
35th International Railway Safety Council Annual Conference commences in Hong Kong
With the theme “Advancing Railway Safety through Innovations and Collaborations”, the conference features four days of plenary sessions and two days of technical visits. It provides a platform for railway safety regulators, operators and relevant stakeholders from around the world to engage in in-depth discussions on global railway safety issues, and to share and exchange the latest developments and innovative technology applications of railways in various places.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; Deputy Administrator of the NRA Mr Wang Qiming; and the Chairman of the MTRCL, Dr Rex Auyeung, officiated at the opening ceremony. Other officiating guests included the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Secretary of the IRSC Core Group, Ms Ann Mills; the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Raymond Poon; the Chief Executive Officer of the MTRCL, Dr Jacob Kam; Deputy Director-General of the Safety Supervision and Management Bureau of China Railway (SSMBCR) Mr Wang Zhi; and the President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), Ms Alice Chow.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said that railways serve as a powerful engine driving connectivity, resilience and progress, and he is confident that by prioritising safety, embracing innovation and deepening collaboration, the industry will continue to enhance lives and connect countries and communities around the world. He added that Hong Kong is honoured to work with Chinese Mainland and global partners to advance railway development.
In addition, the HKSAR Government considers that the introduction of the Chinese Mainland railway standards can help Hong Kong make better use of Chinese Mainland resources in order to effectively reduce costs and shorten construction periods while maintaining safety and service levels. The Highways Department is formulating the new Hong Kong Railway Standards, which are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Hong Kong is the first city among all IRSC member countries and regions to have hosted the annual conference four times, fully demonstrating the IRSC’s recognition of Hong Kong’s outstanding achievements in railway development, safety standards and operational performance. Hong Kong boasts world-class railway networks renowned for safety, efficiency and reliability, making it an ideal platform for advancing global dialogue and collaboration on railway safety.
The IRSC comprises 24 core member institutions from 15 countries and regions worldwide. Since its establishment in 1990, the IRSC has endeavoured to foster international exchange and enhance railway safety by convening annual conferences in different cities around the world. For more details about the annual conference this year, please visit irsc2025.comIssued at HKT 19:08
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Hong Kong Customs detects suspected infringing case involving circumventing game consoles
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation on November 24 to combat infringing activities involving circumventing game consoles. Eight game consoles suspected to be connected with the case, 13 sets of suspected infringing game consoles, 29 memory cards containing suspected infringing games, a desktop computer with an external hard disk used for dealing with infringing games and a batch of computer equipment were seized. The total estimated market value was about $150,000.
Customs earlier received information alleging that someone offered paid services to circumvent game consoles and sold suspected infringing electronic games through a social media platform page. After a thorough investigation and with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers took enforcement action on November 24. An industrial unit in Kwun Tong and a retail shop in Tsuen Wan were raided, and the batch of game consoles connected with the case and the suspected infringing game consoles were seized. Customs officers from the Computer Forensic Laboratory were also summoned to the scene to support the operation. Through an on-site digital examination, more than 5 000 suspected infringing game files were found from the computer connected with an external storage media, which was used to process infringing games.
During the operation, two men, aged 42 and 38, were arrested.
An investigation is ongoing, and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs noted that the copyright owner had applied an effective technological measure in his game consoles to prevent any unauthorised games being played on any devices, and the arrested persons are suspected of using circumvention technology to enable the infringing games to run on the game consoles.
Customs reminds traders not to take part in circumvention activities since selling a circumvention device or providing a circumvention service is a serious crime. Also, members of the public should respect intellectual property rights and not buy any circumvention devices. Unknown websites connected with circumvention devices might contain computer viruses or malware which can pose a risk to users.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who possesses an infringing copy of a copyright work with a view to selling it commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years. Any person who, for the purpose of a circumvention business, or in the course of a circumvention business, sells or lets for hire a relevant device, or provides relevant services in order to allow circumventing an effective technological measure which has been applied in relation to a copyright work, is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for four years.
Members of the public may report any suspected infringement activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Int’l railway safety conference starts
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The 35th International Railway Safety Council Annual Conference commenced in Hong Kong today.
Jointly organised by the National Railway Administration (NRA), the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC), the conference is co-hosted by the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong for the first time, showcasing the close collaboration between the two places in railway safety and regulation, as well as their influence on the global railway professional field.
Chief Executive John Lee, NRA Deputy Administrator Wang Qiming and MTRC Chairman Rex Auyeung officiated at the opening ceremony. Also in attendance was Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan.
With the theme “Advancing Railway Safety through Innovations & Collaborations”, the conference features four days of plenary sessions and two days of technical visits. It provides a platform for railway safety regulators, operators and stakeholders from around the world to discuss global railway safety issues, and to have exchanges on the latest developments and innovative technology applications of railways.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said that railways serve as a powerful engine driving connectivity, resilience and progress.
He expressed confidence that by prioritising safety, embracing innovation and deepening collaboration, the industry will enhance lives and connect countries and communities around the world.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government considers that the introduction of Chinese Mainland railway standards can help Hong Kong make better use of Chinese Mainland resources in order to effectively reduce costs and shorten construction periods, while maintaining safety and service levels. The Highways Department expects to complete formulating the new Hong Kong Railway Standards in the coming weeks.
Govt assists Tai Po residents
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee today held an interdepartmental urgent meeting to assist residents affected by the fire in Tai Po.
He was deeply saddened that the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po caused multiple deaths and injuries, including the passing of fire services personnel on duty. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and injured.
Mr Lee is also extremely concerned about the incident and immediately activated the Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre. He was briefed by the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department and steered the relevant departments to make every effort to carry out firefighting, rescue and cure work.
All government departments are fully assisting residents affected by the fire, prioritising the safety and well-being of the public.
The Home Affairs Department, District Offices and Social Welfare Department have set up interdepartmental help desks, arranged for residents in need to move to temporary shelters, and provided assistance and mental support to the families of the deceased and injured.
The Hospital Authority has also activated the emergency mechanism to make every effort to save and care for the injured.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung was deeply saddened by the death of fireman Ho Wai-ho, during the fire in Tai Po today.
Mr Tang said: “I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members.”
He also expressed sympathies to the family members of others who died in the fire and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung and Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung also expressed sadness at the passing of Mr Ho.
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November
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