Category: MIL-OSI

Buildings Department reminds industry to comply with new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets       
     Following the promulgation of Practice Note for Registered Contractors 85 (PNRC 85) in December last year, which stipulates the new sampling testing mechanism for scaffold nets on external walls, the BD has been gradually receiving test reports and notifications of completion of scaffolding from registered contractors (including but not limited to registered contractors who procured scaffold nets through the Construction Industry Council’s collective bulk procurement). To help the industry further enhance its understanding of, and compliance with, the new mechanism, the BD held a seminar this afternoon at CIC-Zero Carbon Park in Kowloon Bay.
      
     A spokesman for the BD said, “About 650 contractors and subcontractors of the scaffolding industry participate in the seminar in person and online. The BD takes this opportunity to brief the industry again about the new arrangements detailed in PNRC 85 and reminds the industry to strictly adhere to the testing and installation requirements set out therein. These include taking samples of scaffold nets and obtaining test reports meeting the recognised fire retardant performance standards prior to the installation of scaffold nets for carrying out of relevant works on existing buildings.” 
      
     The BD reiterated that it will vigilantly enforce the mechanism and has already launched inspections and site audits. If contractors have installed the scaffold nets without complying with the testing requirements set out in PNRC 85, or if the test results of on-site samples collected by the BD fail to meet the recognised fire retardant performance standards, the BD will order immediate cessation of works and removal of non-compliant scaffold nets under the Buildings Ordinance (BO). Reinstallation of the scaffold nets will only be permitted when test reports meeting the recognised fire retardant performance standards in accordance with PNRC 85 have been obtained. Moreover, the BD will follow up on non-compliance cases seriously, including taking appropriate punitive action.
      
     During the seminar, the BD also reminded the industry that when carrying out building repair works, it is essential to observe and comply with the fire safety measures required by the BD and other relevant departments, such as the Fire Services Department and the Labour Department. These include maintaining fire barriers in good condition, storing combustible materials properly to avoid accumulation, and ensuring that combustible materials (such as foam boards) are not installed on external walls or windows, as these may lead to the spread of fire. Alternative measures for ensuring adequate standard of fire safety should be provided if any means of escape or fire barriers (including fire doors or fixed lights on escape staircases and protected lobbies) have to be temporarily removed/blocked.
      
     “To ensure that construction methods do not pose fire safety risks to residents or the public, the BD has launched a special inspection operation of buildings undergoing major repairs since late last year. The inspections focus on whether fire barriers (including fire doors and fixed lights) have been removed; and whether combustible materials (such as foam boards) have been used to cover windows. As at yesterday (January 27), the BD had inspected 322 buildings and found that 13 of them had failed to comply with the relevant fire safety measures. The BD had informed the relevant registered building professionals and contractors on the spot and issued them with warning letters requiring rectification in seven days. Among them, two cases had failed to make rectification by the deadline, and two cease works orders had been issued. Depending on the situation, the BD may also consider instigating prosecution and/or disciplinary action under the BO, or referring the cases to the relevant law enforcement department for appropriate action,” the spokesman continued.
Issued at HKT 21:54

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SITI visits Thailand       
     “Hong Kong’s I&T landscape is characterised by ‘three major I&T parks’ and ‘five key R&D (research and development) institutions’. This ecosystem is designed to accelerate technological advancement, attract global talent, and strengthen the city’s position as a rising international I&T hub. While embracing international co-operation through our InnoHK Platform, we welcome universities and research institutes in Thailand to join the venture.”
      
     Professor Sun stressed that Hong Kong is the perfect destination for Thai companies that wish to connect with the Mainland Chinese market, with the official opening of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone last December. 
      
     The Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, Mr Vincent Ma, who also joined the visit, introduced to the guests at a panel discussion the latest developments of their respective parks.
      
     This morning, Professor Sun visited the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) of Thailand under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand to understand the DEPA’s strategies in promoting digital economy and innovation development, which cover digital transformation for industries and small and medium-sized enterprises, digital platform building, and supporting measures for development of digital-related industries as well as Thailand Digital Valley project. Both sides had an exchange on collaboration between the DEPA, and the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hetao Hong Kong Park.
      
     Professor Sun also visited Charoen Pokphand Group, a Thailand-based conglomerate with a highly diversified business portfolio. He had a discussion with the Group’s management to learn about its latest development and investment plans in advanced manufacturing, as well as those of the Group’s telecommunication enterprise, True Corporation, in digital infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity, and retail businesses.
      
     Professor Sun then visited the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management, Mahidol University and toured its frontier research facility. As a key innovation hub in Thailand, the institute specialises in supporting technology transformation, innovation management and research commercialisation. Both sides explored collaboration opportunities in areas including joint research, technology transfer and start-up incubation between Hong Kong and the institute.
      
     In addition, Professor Sun met with the Federation of Thai Industries and exchanged views with the local industrial and manufacturing sectors on co-operation in new industrialisation and industrial upgrading and transformation. During the meeting, he invited Thai enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a platform to jointly develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and international markets.      
     Professor Sun then visited the True Digital Park of the True Corporation to learn about the Park’s operation in fostering the growth of I&T enterprises and facilitating the application of technologies. The Park features modern offices, co-working spaces, innovation laboratories and event venues, offering an I&T ecosystem that brings together international and local technology enterprises, start-ups and venture capitalists.      
     Professor Sun will depart for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tomorrow (January 29) to continue the visit.
Issued at HKT 22:42

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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected smuggled silver worth about $6.1 million       
     Based on risk assessment, Customs yesterday intercepted an outbound private car at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected smuggled silver was found concealed inside multiple food cans placed in the boot of the vehicle, mingled with other ordinary foodstuffs.
      
     After an investigation, Customs arrested a 46-year-old male driver and a 40-year-old male passenger suspected to be connected with the case. They were charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargo and will appear at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 29).
      
     Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
      
     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 21:40

LCQ19: Making effective use of charitable resources to support residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po 
Question:
 
     It has been reported that following the major fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, a number of charitable institutions and charitable funds have swiftly allocated funds to assist the affected individuals. Among these organisations, the Nina Wang Charity Management Limited undertook to make an initial donation of $100 million to support the Government’s post-disaster reconstruction efforts. The Government has also established the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (the Support Fund) to provide support for the residents. Furthermore, some members of the community are concerned about how the Government coordinates major charitable institutions to participate in providing support and implementing specific assistance programmes. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether the Government has taken the initiative to contact and co-ordinate major charitable institutions to participate in offering assistance since the outbreak of the fire disaster at Wang Fuk Court; if so, which charitable institutions are currently providing or have committed to providing support services to the affected individuals, and of the respective scale and implementation timetables of such support initiatives;
 
(2) of the specific details of, eligibility criteria and approval mechanisms for the various assistance programmes currently offered through the Support Fund and the charitable institutions mentioned in (1); whether the Government will encourage these charitable institutions to expand the scope of support of their assistance programmes to provide long-term support for residents of Wang Fuk Court, including offering assistance to residents in alleviating their pressure of property mortgage payment, providing professional psychological counselling and employment support for the residents, as well as rebuilding community networks;
 
(3) of the specific measures put in place by the Government to ensure that the Support Fund and the charitable institutions maintain a high level of transparency in using the donations raised for the fire disaster at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, including whether it will require the Support Fund and the charitable institutions to regularly disclose to the public the progress and effectiveness of their efforts in using the donations, so as to maintain public trust; and
 
(4) regarding the donation of $100 million pledged by the Nina Wang Charity Management Limited, whether the Government has formulated specific plans for using such donation, including the criteria for fund allocation, allocation priority and mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of fund usage, as well as whether it will establish a dedicated supervisory committee to ensure proper use of the donation?
 
Reply:
 
President,
  
     Having consulted the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB), the reply to Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung’s question is as follows:
 
     The Government notes that various organisations in the community have proactively offered different forms of support to persons affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Among them, the Nina Wang Charity Management Limited indicated earlier that upon completion of the relevant procedures, it will provide an initial donation of $100 million to support the rebuilding work. It is understood that the Nina Wang Charity Management Limited has yet to make a final decision on the use of the donation, and the relevant procedures are still in progress. In addition, on January 6 this year, ​the Lands Tribunal handed down a ruling on the Government’s application made under section 31 of the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) (BMO), formally approving the dissolution of the incumbent management committee of the Wang Fuk Court owners’ corporation, and appointed Hop On Management Company Limited under the Chinachem Group as the administrator of the estate. The administrator will not charge any fees for this appointment. Meanwhile, the Nina Wang Charity Management Limited has pledged to donate a further $10 million to cover the administrator’s day-to-day operational expenses and the cost of engaging professional services.
 
     The Government understands that charitable organisations will formulate and implement different support services having regard to their operational circumstances and objectives. These organisations will also monitor the implementation of their projects according to their own management mechanisms. To facilitate the implementation of these support services, the LWB has earlier liaised with some major charitable organisations so that they may, where necessary, make good use of the “one social worker per household” arrangement to render assistance to affected persons.
 
     In addition to the support launched by different organisations on their own initiative, the Government understands that members of the public and organisations also wish to make donations. Under the instruction of the Chief Executive, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) set up the the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (Support Fund) on November 27, 2025 to provide assistance to affected persons and support relevant works, helping them address the difficulties that they faced and support their long-term needs. The Government has injected a start-up capital of $300 million into the Support Fund, and donations from individuals and private organisations are accepted, making it a fund contributed by the community as a whole. As of January 26, 2026, the total amount of the Support Fund has reached $4.5 billion.
  
     The work of the Support Fund is overseen by the Steering Committee on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, convened by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration. The Committee advises on matters relating to the operation of the fund, as well as supervises and monitors the establishment and implementation of support measures thereunder. Since the establishment of the Support Fund, the HYAB, in collaboration with other relevant policy bureaux, has been closely monitoring the needs of the residents, examining different proposals, and rolling out various support measures as appropriate. Most measures are disbursed through the Social Welfare Department (SWD)’s “one social worker per household” arrangement to minimise administrative procedures and facilitate prompt distribution of funds to residents. To date, the Support Fund has rolled out 11 financial support services covering three main areas, with a total financial commitment of approximately $1.2 billion, accounting for around 30 per cent of the total amount of the Support Fund. The Support Fund’s account will be submitted to the Director of Audit for audit pursuant to the relevant statutory requirements, and the Support Fund’s report will also be tabled to the Legislative Council.
Issued at HKT 12:12

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LCQ13: Allocation of public niches 
Question:
 
     According to the information of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, members of the public currently apply for the allocation of public niches mainly through two channels, namely the comprehensive allocation, which is carried out once a year (annual allocation), and the monthly allocation of public niches at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium (monthly allocation). However, there are views pointing out that if members of the public do not choose niches at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium, they must wait for the comprehensive allocation, for which applications are open from May to June each year. If they miss this period, they will have to wait for a whole year and make their own arrangements for temporary storage of cremains of the deceased, causing inconvenience and disturbance to members of the public. Therefore, the existing arrangements for applying for public niche application still need to be improved in terms of information transparency and convenience. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective numbers of applications for annual allocation and monthly allocation, the number of successful allocations and the success rates in the past five years; the average number of times successful applicants had to apply or participate in the ballot before being allocated a niche;
 
(2) of the respective average and median waiting times for applicants applying for public niches through the annual allocation, from the date of their first application to the date of successful allocation, with a breakdown by columbarium;
 
(3) whether the Government has grasped the current number of applications for public niches in which arrangements have to be made for temporary storage of cremains while awaiting niche allocation, the average waiting period and the level of fees for the relevant temporary storage; whether it has examined the compliance risks involved in the arrangements for temporary storage of cremains;
 
(4) of the channels through which the Government currently informs members of the public that, apart from the annual allocation, they can also apply for public niches at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium through the monthly allocation; whether it has plans to disseminate the relevant information more clearly and proactively at funeral parlours and temporary storage facilities for cremains, as well as on online; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(5) given that the Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin is due to open in the third quarter of this year, whether the Government has plans to adopt the same allocation method as the Tsang Tsui Columbarium and establish a regular mechanism (e.g. monthly allocation) for allocating niches at the Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin; if so, of the timetable and arrangements; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     My reply to the question raised by the Hon Dominic Lee is as follows:
 
(1) and (2) At present, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) allocates public niches at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium on a monthly basis (monthly allocation). Meanwhile, the annual comprehensive allocation mechanism (annual allocation) is in place to allocate public niches at the Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling, the Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in Eastern District, and the Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin which was newly opened in September 2025. Since mid-2020, all eligible applicants for the FEHD’s public niches (whether through monthly or annual allocation) have been allocated with niches without the need to wait. The actual numbers of niches allocated over the past five years are tabulated by columbarium as follows: