Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Commission on Children convenes 25th meeting 
     At the meeting, members received a briefing by the Government on the latest situation of the preparatory work for the implementation of the mandatory reporting regime for child abuse cases. The policy objective of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance is to mandate 25 categories of specified professionals in the social welfare, education and healthcare sectors to report serious child abuse cases, thereby creating a wide and effective protection web for children and sending a strong deterrent to potential perpetrators that their abusive behaviours will easily be exposed. 
 
     Together with the relevant professions, the Government is proactively making preparations for the commencement of the Ordinance next January. The Government launched the Child Protection Campaign, which comprises publicity and promotion, education and training. It aims to enhance the understanding of the specified professionals as well as the general public regarding the mandatory reporting regime and to raise their awareness about child protection. Mr Chan said that child protection is a long-term commitment that must be sustained to ensure that professionals remain vigilant at all times and that awareness of child protection is rooted in the hearts of the general public.
 
     In addition, the Education Bureau, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Social Welfare Department briefed members on the latest developments of parent education by the Government and the various measures implemented by the Government to support the growth and well-being of children. These measures assist parents in enhancing their parental capacity, enabling their children to develop more healthily and positively while fostering an environment conducive to the nurturing of the next generation for families. Members welcomed the Government’s various initiatives to ensure that children grow up healthily in love and care.
Issued at HKT 17:40

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Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information and appeals to public and visitors to plan cross-boundary trips in advance for Tuen Ng Festival long weekend of Mainland      It is anticipated that the waiting time for public transport services, including the Gold Bus, may be longer. Passengers should make their journeys during non-peak hours, observe order while queuing and heed advice from on-site Police and staff of PTOs concerned. Passengers of cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.

     Motorists are advised that, subject to actual traffic conditions, special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Port from May 31 to June 2 to allow smooth access of public transport vehicles to the above control points. Cross-boundary private cars may need to queue up for crossing the BCPs. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. In case of traffic congestion, they should remain patient and follow the instructions of on-site Police.Issued at HKT 16:22

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Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Tuen Ng Festival long weekend of the Mainland 
     During the upcoming Tuen Ng Festival long weekend of the Mainland (May 31 to June 2), the Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 3.2 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points. The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 2.73 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on May 31 (Saturday) and June 1 (Sunday), with around 570 000 passengers and 540 000 passengers respectively.
 
     The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 230 000, 200 000 and 140 000 passengers respectively.
 
     To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and the operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks.
 
     Furthermore, the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.
 
     To avoid congestion and longer-than-usual waiting times for immigration clearance, the ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods, and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. Furthermore, passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land boundary control point at any time or place via the Immigration Mobile Application (ImmD Mobile App). They can then plan their trips effectively and save time queuing at control points. The ImmD Mobile App can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store (supports iOS version 12.0 or above), Google Play (supports Android version 8.0 or above), Huawei AppGallery (supports Android version 8.0 or above) and the APK file available on the ImmD website. Passengers can download the ImmD Mobile App by scanning the QR code (see Annex) or via the ImmD website, www.immd.gov.hk 
     For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.
 
     Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to the reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
 
     About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance the clearance efficiency of control points and allow more Hong Kong residents to use the fast and convenient e-Channel service, starting from March 31, the ImmD has adjusted the applicable age for e-Channel service for holders of smart identity cards. Eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged 7 to 10 years old, who are at least 1.1 metres tall and hold a smart identity card and a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport, can use the e-Channels without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance via face recognition technology at all control points. Moreover, the Contactless e-Channel service is available at all control points now. All eligible Hong Kong residents, after enrolment, can generate an encrypted QR code through the Contactless e-Channel mobile application to enter the e-Channel and then verify their identity with the facial verification technology for automated immigration clearance.
 
     In addition, all control points have introduced self-service departures for visitors to Hong Kong (Smart Departure), which provides greater travel convenience for visitors. The service employs facial recognition technology for identity verification, which allows eligible visitors holding electronic travel documents to perform self-service departure clearance through Smart Departure e-Channels without prior enrolment.
 
     Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form.
 
     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Tuen Ng Festival long weekend of the Mainland, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.
Issued at HKT 15:10

Government appoints new Managing Director of Urban Renewal Authority 
     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said, “Mr Choi is a veteran architect and has worked in the fields of architecture and property development for a long time. He has a deep understanding of the local land and housing planning, the property market, conservation of historic buildings, green buildings and innovative construction techniques, among others, and is committed to creating quality and vibrant urban living in Hong Kong. I am confident that Mr Choi will lead the URA management in furthering the important task of urban renewal, as well as effectively handling the challenges of building decay while maintaining the financial sustainability of the URA. I look forward to close collaboration with him.”
 
     “I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr Wai Chi-sing, who is retiring upon completion of his term of office, for his invaluable contributions to the work of the URA over the years. Since taking up the position of Managing Director in 2016, with his exceptional leadership and extensive experience, Mr Wai has led the URA in taking forward various urban renewal initiatives with an innovative mindset. Apart from introducing new planning concepts and measures to enhance the speed and quality of redevelopment through a number of redevelopment projects and district studies, he also adopted a forward-looking mindset to promote building rehabilitation and made significant contributions to advancing sustainable urban renewal,” Ms Linn added.
 
     The Government appointed a consultancy firm last year to conduct an open recruitment exercise for the Managing Director post of the URA. The shortlisted candidates were considered by a selection panel chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the recommendation on the appointment was made to the Chief Executive. Panel members included the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Chairman of the URA, Mr Chow Chung-kong; and Non-Executive Director of the URA Board Mr William Chan Fu-keung.
 
     The URA Managing Director is the URA’s administrative head, responsible for leading project teams to implement the decisions and instructions of the URA Board. The Managing Director is also the Deputy Chairman of its Board.
 
     A brief biography of Mr Choi is as follows:
 
     Mr Choi is an architect by profession. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Chinachem Group from 2018 to August 2024 before his retirement. Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of the Nan Fung Development Limited and a Director at Foster + Partners. He previously served as President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and of the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design. 
 
     Mr Choi holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of British Columbia in Canada and professional degrees in architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Hong Kong and a Master of Arts in Comparative and Public History degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. 
Issued at HKT 14:00

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“Quarterly Report on General Household Survey” for January to March 2025 published 
The report contains statistics on labour force, employment, unemployment and underemployment for the first quarter of 2025. It also contains detailed analyses of the characteristics of different categories of members of the labour force, including their age, sex, educational attainment, employment status, occupation, industry, hours worked per week and monthly employment earnings, etc. Information on duration of unemployment for the unemployed is also presented.
 
Users can browse and download the report at the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200 
The summary of broad survey findings published in the report is shown in Table 1 attached. Enquiries about the contents of the report can be directed to the General Household Survey Section (3), Census and Statistics Department (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 14:00

Operational event at Taishan Nuclear Power Station???
     Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Co Ltd has reported the relevant situation to the nuclear safety regulatory authority in a timely manner, and will conduct internal experience review. It has also released the details of this event on its website (www.tnpjvc.com.cnIssued at HKT 12:15

Hong Kong Customs and Travel Industry Authority conduct enforcement operation against unlicensed travel agent 
Customs and the TIA earlier received information that the travel agent, claiming to possess a travel agent licence, provided tour services to customers but in fact the agent did not hold a valid travel agent licence.
 
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
 
Customs reminded traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase services from reputable shops. Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied or offered to be supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO 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/enIssued at HKT 11:30