Category: MIL-OSI

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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has received enquiries from members of the public about fraudsters forging HKMA documents which claim that an investment company’s assets have been frozen due to regulatory breaches, advising clients to suspend all transactions with the company. The fraudsters also posed as the company to issue a notice, claiming that clients can transfer their assets to a partner institution by paying a service fee.
 
The HKMA clarifies that the documents purported to be issued by the HKMA are fraudulent, and the company and partner institution as referred to above are not regulated by the HKMA.
 
The HKMA advises the public to carefully verify documents purported to be issued by the HKMA, or institutions purported to be regulated by the HKMA. If in doubt, they may refer to the Register of Authorized Institutions and Local Representative Offices, the Register of Stored Value Facility Licensees, and the List of Approved Money Brokers available on the HKMA website, or contact the HKMA (enquiry hotline: 2878 8222).
 
The HKMA has reported the case to the Hong Kong Police Force. Members of the public who suspect that they have become victims of any fraudulent acts should contact the Police or the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012 for follow-up actions and investigation by the Police.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 14) welcomed the opening of Guangzhou Fung Yuen Cantonese-style chicken pot brand’s first restaurant in Hong Kong. The company has also chosen Hong Kong as its regional headquarters to expand into the Greater China and Asian markets, serving as a bridge between the Mainland and overseas markets to co-ordinate resource allocation and take the Fung Yuen brand to the international market.

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “We welcome Fung Yuen’s establishment in Hong Kong. It not only provides more dining options for local consumers but also helps the brand expand into international markets by leveraging Hong Kong’s international platform and using Hong Kong as a bridge between the Mainland and overseas markets.”

The Chairman of Hong Kong Fung Yuen Yezhen Catering Management Co Ltd, Mr Xie Tian, said, “As the world’s freest economy and an international financial centre, Hong Kong has a highly open market, commercial rules that align with international standards, and a strategic location in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region. The city has become an ideal springboard for many Mainland brands to promote Chinese cuisine to the world. Based in Guangzhou for many years, Fung Yuen has chosen Hong Kong as its regional headquarters to leverage the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative to streamline its cross-border supply chains, as well as to promote the standardised exportation of Cantonese soup culture via Hong Kong’s international influence.”

He added, “Fung Yuen in Hong Kong is positioned as a chicken pot restaurant offering premium ingredients and a comfortable dining experience. We have private rooms to cater to different customer needs. Our signature chicken dishes, including Fung Yuen chicken hot pot, crispy chicken hot pot, and coconut chicken hot pot, are nutritious and refreshing. Apart from chicken, we also offer a variety of options such as beef, seafood, and mushrooms, as well as several Cantonese-style desserts for customers’ selection. We will continue to gather feedback from local customers and combine it with international dining trends to develop innovative dishes.”

Founded in 2013, Fung Yuen has more than 20 branches in Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Chengdu, Shanghai and Xiamen. Mr Xie stated that the company chose Mong Kok as its first store in Hong Kong, a popular tourist hotspot that also gathers fashion and cultural trends. In the future, the company plans to use Hong Kong as a testbed to explore new dining models and attract diverse local and cross-border consumers to experience Fung Yuen’s culinary culture.

To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327484809.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Working Group on Patriotic Education (WGPE) under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee organised a two-day exchange tour to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on July 12 and 13. Led by the Convenor of the WGPE, Dr Starry Lee, together with members of the Media Publicity Sub-group, Mr Lee Luen-fai and Dr James Li; the Director of Information Services, Mrs Apollonia Liu; and 20 representatives from different media organisations, the delegation visited various enterprises and places in Shenzhen and Dongguan to learn more about the latest developments of the GBA in areas such as innovation and technology and industrialisation, as well as culture and history. 

     The delegation visited the headquarters of DeepRoute.ai in Shenzhen yesterday (July 12) to experience the application of autonomous vehicle technologies. After that, it visited the China State Construction Hailong Technology Company Limited Science and Technology Research Institute to learn about the operation of the Modular Integrated Construction manufacturing bases, which has been applied to the Light Public Housing development at Kai Tak, Hong Kong. The delegation later paid a visit to BYD Company Limited’s headquarters in Shenzhen. 

     Today (July 13), the delegation visited Huawei’s research institute in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, followed by a visit to the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Project Memorial Park and its exhibition hall to gain insights into the project’s history and its importance for fresh water supply in Hong Kong. In the afternoon, the delegation explored the Nantou Ancient City Museum and was briefed on the important position of Nantou Ancient City in the Lingnan coastal region, reflecting on the close ties and deep friendship between Hong Kong and Shenzhen as well as the same roots they share. The delegation then visited SmartMore Corporation Limited, which was founded by a Hong Kong entrepreneur, and learned about the company’s developments in artificial intelligence.

     Dr Lee said, “Since its establishment, the WGPE has been dedicated to preserving and promoting patriotism on different fronts. The delegation gained significant rewards through the exchange. By visiting different renowned enterprises and sites in Shenzhen and Dongguan, we observed the rapid development of our country in various areas, fostered a strong sense of national pride, and recognised the close ties between the GBA and Hong Kong, enabling the media to continue to deliver in-depth and accurate information to Hong Kong citizens. In the future, I hope that the WGPE and the media will maintain close collaboration to keep abreast of the latest developments of our country and tell good stories of Mainland China and Hong Kong.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will depart for Hainan Province and Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, tomorrow morning to meet local leaders to discuss matters of mutual concern and explore ways to strengthen exchanges and co-operation.

During the visit, Mr Chan will also join activities of Mainland study tours under the Strive & Rise Programme to interact with participating mentees.

Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on July 16. During his absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be Acting Chief Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government is committed to improving the effectiveness of district governance and one of the key issues of focus is improving the environment of public housing estates and creating comfortable homes.

 

Diligent efforts
With this in mind, the Housing Bureau announced the launch of a resident-oriented “Well-being design” guide last year, which serves as a reference for the improvement works of existing estates.

Assistant Director of Housing Michael Hong said each year about 10 estates will be selected to undergo minor improvement works.

“In general, the minor improvement works will include enhancements of the recreation facilities as well as the pedestrian routing.

“We also have five estates to carry out theme-based estate improvement works.”

Improving public spaces and amenities of public housing estates requires diligent efforts to address residents’ daily needs through practical actions. This approach leads to tangible improvements within the community.

Recently, the improvement works in Ping Shek Estate have ensured that residents enjoy a comfortable living environment. Kung Fu Court is one of the success stories.

“In Kung Fu Court, in the past, it was only green in colour. So we added some colours to it. We also added a 100m trail on the court so that elderly residents can walk or run along the trail.

“There is a kindergarten nearby, we can see that the kids can enjoy these very fun areas.

“Every day, they will come out and have some activities. And we can see the smile on their faces.”

Important input
Citizens can also play their part in promoting well-being at public housing estates.

In an effort to revitalise Chak On Estate’s public spaces, the Housing Bureau organised the “Let’s Go Well-being Chak On” Design Competition in January.

The competition was divided into two categories that include the “students” group and the “emerging” group, covering four public spaces: Chak On Plaza – Estate Stage; Communal space – Cultural & Recreational Room; Estate landmark – Sunset Plaza; and Intergeneration Fitness Playscape.

A group of master’s degree students majoring in urban design gathered extensive feedback from residents through workshops and interviews.

Their efforts allowed them to excel in the competition and ultimately win.

“Let’s Go Well-being Chak On” Design Competition (Students Category) winning team member Gia He said her team spoke to estate residents to hear their user experience and input on the design when creating their design.

“They told us their stories of this community, their life. We were touched by their love for their life and also their love for this community.

Miss He added that the team’s design was mainly based on the residents’ requests.

“The area is mostly suitable for them to use, like they have a comfortable seating area, an area for them to talk with each other or play with their children or play chess, anything they want to do.”

The winning projects will serve as a reference for the detailed design of the improvements to Chak On Estate.

Miss He and her teammates are currently working as interns at a design consultancy.

Under the guidance of professional consultants and relevant departments, the design plan was optimised in hopes of overcoming technical difficulties.

She added that they will do their utmost to transform the design project from the drawing board to reality.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) announced today that the official franchised products for the Hong Kong competition region of the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) are now available for sale.

The official franchised products launch ceremony was held today at the Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui and a pop-up store was set up at the venue to showcase such products for sale.

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law said at the ceremony that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been striving to promote public participation in the National Games and encouraging both citizens and visitors to experience the charm and enthusiasm of the mega sports events.

Miss Law highlighted that the Hong Kong competition region, with support of the Trade Development Council and the Brand Development Council, has selected a number of outstanding enterprises to design and produce a series of official franchised products for the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG.

These products with Hong Kong characteristics feature designs incorporating elements such as Victoria Harbour scenery, city landmarks and local cuisine, showcasing the unique charm of the Hong Kong competition region.

Starting from July 14, the public can purchase the official franchised products for Hong Kong and Guangdong competition regions at the first batch of official retail outlets located at Atrium, Level G, Kai Tak Mall 3, Kai Tak Sports Park; G6, GFM Floor, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station; and first floor, Immigration Tower, Wan Chai. More official retail stores will be opened in various locations across Hong Kong.

Additionally, to mark the 100-day countdown to the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, the Hong Kong competition region has launched an activity namely “100-Day to the National Games All Together for 1 Million KM Challenge”.

People can participate in various sports activities such as walking, running, and cycling, and upload their accumulating sports kilometre records to a designated webpage in achieving the target distance together from today until July 26.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Since its opening to the public on August 7 last year, the National Security Exhibition Gallery has been well received by the community. Today, it received its one-millionth visitor.
 
The one-millionth visitor is a group of Primary 3 students from Po Leung Kuk Luk Hing Too Primary School, who toured the gallery this afternoon with their teacher.
 
Eleven students and their teacher received a commemorative certificate and a trophy from Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security Au Chi-kwong, the officiating guest of the ceremony.
 
Mr Au stressed that the National Security Exhibition Gallery plays a vital role in national security education.
 
He highlighted that through its rich exhibits, concise texts, technological displays, and interesting interactive installations, the gallery has earned praise and recognition from all sectors of society, resulting in a constant stream of visitors. The highest single-day attendance exceeded 13,000.

In addition to saying that he is pleased with the gallery’s achievements over the past 11 months, Mr Au expressed that he looks forward to continual support from the public and various sectors of the community.

“By visiting the gallery, the public can deepen their understanding of national security and further strengthen the collective effort to safeguard it.”
 
The National Security Exhibition Gallery is the first national security education base in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
 
The gallery aims to enhance public awareness and understanding of national security, foster patriotism and affection for the country, encourage active participation in safeguarding national security, and showcase Hong Kong’s unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world.