Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) today (September 18) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law at all times.

The LD refused to renew the EA licence of Treasure Jade Limited, located in Prince Edward, as its sole director had been convicted under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

Under section 53(1)(d)(i) of the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour may refuse to issue or renew an EA licence if the related person of the licensee has, within the preceding five years, been convicted of an offence involving membership of a triad society, fraud, dishonesty or extortion.

“Licensees and operators of EAs are reminded to conduct their business in compliance with all laws of Hong Kong and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Otherwise, their licence may be revoked, or their application for licence renewal or a new licence may be refused,” a spokesman for the LD said.

Should there be enquiries about EA-related matters or complaints about suspected violations by EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

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

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (September 18) that the Base Rate has been set at 4.5 per cent with immediate effect according to a pre-set formula.
 
The Base Rate is the interest rate forming the foundation upon which the Discount Rates for repurchase transactions through the Discount Window are computed. The Base Rate is currently set at either 50 basis points above the lower end of the prevailing target range for the US federal funds rate or the average of the five-day moving averages of the overnight and one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rates (HIBORs), whichever is the higher.
 
Following the 25-basis point downward adjustment in the target range for the US federal funds rate on September 17 (US time), 50 basis points above the lower end of the prevailing target range for the US federal funds rate is 4.5 per cent, while the average of the five-day moving averages of the overnight and one-month HIBORs is 2.94 per cent. The Base Rate is therefore set at 4.5 per cent according to the pre-set formula.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital made the following announcement today (September 18) regarding an assault incident involving healthcare staff:

     Four staff members at the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic were assaulted this morning during a meeting with a female patient and her family. Staff immediately gained control of the situation and reported it to the Police. The Police later arrested a female patient at the hospital who was suspected of being involved in the incident.

     Among the four injured staff members, one did not require hospitalisation. The other three were sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital and were discharged after treatment. They continue to assist the Police with the investigation.

     The hospital is deeply concerned about the incident and expresses sincere sympathy to the injured staff. The hospital will provide psychological support to staff in need. The hospital condemns this violent act and maintains a zero-tolerance approach to workplace violence. The hospital will seriously follow up on and fully co-operate with the Police’s investigation. The hospital has always placed great emphasis on staff safety with established guidelines and measures to prevent workplace violence. The hospital will review and strengthen safety measures at the outpatient clinic to ensure staff safety during work.

     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advanced Incident Reporting System.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Buildings Department approved four building plans in July – one in Kowloon and three in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, one was for an apartment development, one was for a commercial development, and two were for community services developments.

Consent was given for works to start on 16 building projects which, when completed, will provide 118,275 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 2,216 units and 44,053 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

Additionally, the department has received notifications of commencement of superstructure works for nine building projects.

It also issued 17 occupation permits – three on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon and 11 in the New Territories.

The buildings certified for occupation comprise 179,523 sq m gross floor area for domestic use involving 2,391 units, and 32,713 sq m was for non-domestic use.

Meanwhile, the department received 2,773 reports about unauthorised building works in July and issued 705 removal orders.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​The Director-General of the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Mr Miao Xuan; the Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Mr Victor Liu; and the President of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Stanley Pun, attended the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao 2025 civil aviation high-level air traffic management meeting in Macao yesterday (September 17).

The senior management of the three parties reviewed the overall progress and work plan of the Airspace Management Technical Sub-group and the Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) Technical Sub-group, including work progress and achievements in airspace optimisation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the ATFM in the Asia-Pacific region. 

With regard to airspace management, the Tripartite Working Group (TWG) continued to follow up on the airspace simulation model evaluation. The fast-time simulation modelling was conducive to the implementation of the related airspace optimisation measures, enhancing the operational efficiency of flights in the GBA airspace.

For the ATFM, the TWG completed the preparation work for establishing the Asia-Pacific ATFM video conference, and the inaugural meeting was convened on September 15. By strengthening collaboration with regional partners and sharing real-time operational and weather information, the conference aims to optimise information exchange and enhance the efficiency and transparency of decision-making.  

To support the orderly implementation of national policies on low-altitude economy (LAE), the three parties also exchanged views on cross-boundary low-altitude airspace operations. The three parties will continue to maintain close communication and collaboration under the work co-ordination mechanism of the CAAC’s General Aviation and LAE and the co-operative framework of their dedicated working group. 

Mr Liu said that the TWG was putting forward various enhancement measures in phases. With the full support of the ATMB of the CAAC, the CAD will continue to actively promote these measures and, in accordance with the direction of the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the GBA, further strengthen and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub. 

Mr Liu continued his itinerary in Macao today (September 18). He paid a visit to Macau International Airport in the morning before departing for Hong Kong at noon.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Buildings Department approved four building plans in July, with one in Kowloon and three in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, one was for an apartment development, one was for a commercial development, and two were for community services developments.

     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on 16 building projects which, when completed, will provide 118 275 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 2 216 units, and 44 053 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notifications of commencement of superstructure works for nine building projects.

     The department also issued 17 occupation permits, with three on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon and 11 in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 179 523 sq m involving 2 391 units, and 32 713 sq m was for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of new buildings completed in July totalled about $11.2 billion.

     In addition, four demolition consents were issued.

     The department received 2 773 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in July and issued 705 removal orders on UBWs.

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for July can be viewed on the Buildings Department’s homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Monetary Authority announced today that it has decreased the base rate to 4.5% with immediate effect.

 

The decrease follows a 25-basis point downward shift in the target range for the US federal funds rate on September 17.

 

The base rate is the interest rate forming the foundation upon which the Discount Rates for repurchase transactions through the Discount Window are computed.

 

It is currently set at either 50 basis points above the lower end of the prevailing target range for the US federal funds rate or the average of the five-day moving averages of the overnight and one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rates, whichever is higher.