Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chow Man-kong and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (May 7):

Question:

​It has been reported that a major air disaster occurred in South Korea in December last year, killing 179 passengers and crew members on board an aircraft, raising global concern about aviation safety. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as it has been reported that Boeing 737-800, the model of the aircraft involved in the aforesaid air disaster, accounts for approximately 15 per cent of the world’s passenger aircraft in service, whether the authorities have compiled statistics on the respective numbers of passenger aircraft of this model owned by the various airlines currently using Hong Kong as an operating base, and the specific information thereof (including the years of service of each aircraft, whether there have been any incidents on flights in the past, and whether safety inspections have been stepped up recently);

(2) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of bird strike warnings issued by the air traffic control towers of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) in each of the past three years, as well as the number of reports received from flight crews regarding bird strike encounters or potential bird strike encounters; if so, of the details of each bird strike warning or report;

(3) as it is learnt that the aforesaid air disaster has aroused grave public concern about the impact of birds on the landing and take-off of passenger aircraft, what measures are currently being taken by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the CAD to reduce the impact of birds on the aviation safety in Hong Kong’s airspace; whether the authorities and relevant departments will strengthen the existing preventive measures against bird strikes on aircraft, so as to further reduce the risk of bird strikes; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(4) as it has been reported that a concrete wall located about 250 metres from the end of the runway at the airport concerned might have been one of the causes contributing to the eventual crash of the aircraft in the aforesaid air disaster, whether the authorities will consider conducting a comprehensive inspection of the runways at Hong Kong International Airport for the existence of similar potential safety hazards; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(5) as it has been reported that the aircraft involved in the air disaster had operated 13 flights in 48 hours prior to the incident, arousing public concern about whether airlines have sufficient time to conduct routine inspections and maintenance on their aircraft, whether the authorities will formulate measures to step up the monitoring of flight safety for flights to and from Hong Kong, and to ensure that the necessary safety inspections are properly conducted before each flight operation, so as to minimise navigational risks and allay passengers’ concerns about aviation safety; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

As the regulatory body of civil aviation affairs, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has been strictly regulating the operational safety and airworthiness of all aircraft registered in Hong Kong in accordance with the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Cap. 448C) and the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

In consultation with the CAD and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the reply to Professor the Hon Chow is as follows:

(1) and (5) Every aircraft registered in Hong Kong is required to comply with the safety and design standards of the ICAO and the civil aviation authority of the State of Design, and must also comply with Hong Kong’s airworthiness standards in accordance with Cap. 448C and those issued by the CAD. These include relevant maintenance and operational records. 

Currently, there are eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft registered in Hong Kong. To ensure the safe operation of all aircraft registered in Hong Kong, including the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the CAD will continue to monitor incidents involving various aircraft models, assess the latest developments, and take appropriate follow-up measures in a timely manner.

In addition, in order to strengthen the safety oversight of foreign-registered aircraft, the CAD will continue to conduct safety assessment inspections on foreign-registered aircraft under a risk-based principle to ensure that aircraft operating at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) comply with international safety standards.

(2) and (3) The AAHK and CAD have been closely monitoring bird strike reports and trends at HKIA. According to the Aerodrome Licensing Requirements Document, the AAHK is required to formulate procedures for bird strike hazard assessment at HKIA and implement corresponding control measures. The major bird control measures implemented by the AAHK include:
 

• a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan has been developed specifically for HKIA based on the ICAO guidelines to control safety risks posed by wildlife (including birds) at the airport. The AAHK also hires bird experts to regularly observe bird activities within the airport and nearby areas, collect and analyse relevant data, and assist in formulating bird control measures to reduce the risk of bird strikes;
• the Bird Control Unit has been established to implement bird control measures, including patrolling the runways and apron every day to ensure that there are no bird activities on the runways and apron and there are no creatures or objects that may attract birds. If Bird Control Unit officers find any bird near the runways or taxiways, they will drive away the birds by means of using horn, emitting strong light, firing crackers, etc. The Bird Control Unit also extends patrol hours during bird migration seasons to strengthen bird control;
• with regard to plantation species and plant maintenance, the AAHK will only grow plant species that are less attractive to birds in the airport area, and will limit the grass height within the airfield area to between 100 millimetres and 200mm to avoid attracting birds;
• contractors have been hired to clean up the garbage in the airfield area from time to time and conduct pest control regularly to avoid attracting birds to enter the airport area;
• bird scaring and deterrent devices have been installed on all runways at HKIA; and
• procedures have been established such that when air traffic controllers or airport staff receive bird strike reports, they will immediately notify relevant parties and personnel.

According to the record in the past three years (i.e. from 2022 to 2024), there was an average of only approximately one bird strike report for every 10 000 aircraft movements each year at HKIA, and none of these reported events had caused serious damage to aircraft. It demonstrated that the above measures are effective in mitigating safety risks. The CAD will continue to review the AAHK’s bird control measures to ensure their effectiveness. 

(4) The design of HKIA and its operations comply fully with ICAO runway design standards, including equipping each end of the runways with a runway end safety area, and there are no physical barriers near the runways. The AAHK has reviewed the equipment and installations at the runway end safety area and its extended area of HKIA, and confirmed that there are no concrete barriers in place. As for the navigation equipment and essential installations (such as meteorological instruments) that must be installed on the runways and in adjacent areas, they were designed and installed in accordance with the relevant guidance of the ICAO. The structure meets the frangibility requirement to reduce flight safety risks. The AAHK will continue to closely monitor the runways and their surrounding areas, as well as carry out maintenance works as necessary, to ensure that the pavement and surface remain smooth.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Lam and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 7):
 
Question:
 
     The 2017 Policy Address proposed to explore the introduction of automated cleaning machines or technology for trial use at suitable venues or after large scale events. According to the Government’s paper submitted to the Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Improvement of Environmental Hygiene and Cityscape of this Council in 2021, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has in recent years fully deployed technologies for mechanisation and automation of cleaning operations. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the items of cleaning machinery or technology deployed by the FEHD in various districts of Hong Kong, and the average annual utilisation rates of such items, with breakdowns by each of the 18 districts across the territory; and
 
(2) whether the Government has regularly promoted and monitored the deployment of mechanised and automated technologies in cleaning operations by outsourced service contractors; if so, of the details; if not, how the Government will step up monitoring efforts?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     In recent years, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been actively introducing new technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of street cleansing and refuse collection services, enhance the occupational safety of frontline staff and strengthen enforcement effectiveness.
 
     My reply to the question raised by the Hon Andrew Lam is as follows:
 
(1) The FEHD has widely adopted the following technologies and equipment in public cleansing services, including:
 
(i) Mini street washing vehicles equipped with high pressure hot water cleaners and pressure washer surface cleaners have been introduced in various districts, which can quickly remove dirt from pavements and come with the advantages of saving time and energy, being flexible, reducing disturbances to pedestrians, etc. Since early this year, 67 teams have been using mini street washing vehicles with pressure washer surface cleaners for street washing across the territory, and the locations covered by these vehicles have increased to about 3 600, including those with stubborn dirt or moss, with a view to bringing substantial enhancement to the cleanliness of such locations;
 
(ii) Litter sweeping plays an important role in street cleansing. The FEHD has widely deployed 11 teams of new mechanical street sweepers in various districts to sweep roads, footbridges and central dividers. It has also provided 118 low-entry driver cab type refuse collection vehicles to enable drivers and cleaning workers in collecting and transporting refuse;
 
(iii) To improve the refuse collection facilities in rural or remote sites and for better environmental hygiene, the FEHD is implementing a scheme to improve waste collection facilities, under which 287 solar-powered aluminium refuse collection points as well as 51 solar-powered compacting refuse bins and solar-powered refuse compactors have been set up in rural sites. These facilities feature a solar sensor or a foot pedal for touchless control of the inlet openings, and are more convenient and hygienic to use. Their enclosed design can also reduce odour emission and prevent pest infestation. Some of these collection facilities are equipped with a compacting function which will compact refuse to increase storage capacity when the refuse yield reaches a certain level, thereby reducing the need for provision of more refuse containers or more frequent refuse collection; and
 
(iv) The FEHD also utilises technologies to monitor the cleanliness condition in order to step up the combat against illegal deposit of refuse. Currently, Internet Protocol (IP) cameras have been installed at over 500 illegal refuse deposit blackspots in various districts. The footage captured will be analysed by artificial intelligence to identify the acts of illegal deposit of refuse so that the Department can plan more effective enforcement actions, and institute prosecutions directly. Recently, IP cameras have been installed on traffic roads at over 30 suitable locations in various districts to combat littering from vehicles by irresponsible drivers or passengers. The footage captured will be used for prosecution. In 17 remote coastal sites, 360-degree cameras are used to remotely monitor their cleanliness for timely removal of refuse.
 
     Given the extensive use of the above technologies and equipment in the discharge of regular duties, the FEHD does not keep any specific statistics on their utilisation rates. The summary of the utilisation of the equipment is set out in Annex.
 
     The FEHD has made continuous effort in examining and testing out new technologies not only for greater work efficiency, but also for enhanced protection of the safety of frontline staff, who will have a reduced chance of sustaining work-related strains and injuries. For example:
 
(i) The FEHD is working with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) on the application of automated sweeping robots, which will be used for street cleansing so as to reduce the physical exertion of cleansing staff. The robots have been tested in the Hong Kong Science Park, and will undergo the second phase of testing on suitable pavements in due course;
 
(ii) Electrically assisted trolleys are introduced to ease the physical burden on frontline street cleansing staff. These trolleys, apart from being electrically assisted, are equipped with indicator lights, buffers, reflective stickers, etc, which help enhance safety and work efficiency; and

(iii) The FEHD is also bringing in the most advanced industrial grade robot dogs from the Mainland with a view to enhancing the efficiency in transportation of refuse and reducing the risk of injuries of cleansing workers caused by handling heavy objects. The Department will conduct tests on the refuse handling capacity of the robot dogs at specific locations, such as slopes, stairs and rugged areas. It will also explore ways to upgrade the ancillary facilities.
 
     In addition, the FEHD plans to, in collaboration with the EMSD, commence a trial on hydrogen fuel cell street washing vehicles in Yuen Long District and North District in mid-May this year to promote the use of cleaner hydrogen energy, which will contribute to achieving the carbon neutrality target of Hong Kong.

     After the trial use of new technologies, the FEHD will review their effectiveness and solicit views from different stakeholders for consideration of whether and how they should be put into wider use. It will also continue to identify technologies and equipment for improving street cleansing service and refuse collection work through various channels, such as drawing on the local, Mainland and overseas experiences.
 
(2) The FEHD encourages the contractors bidding for service contracts to put forward suggestions on innovative applied technologies. If any suggestion(s) is/are rated as effective and practical, extra scores will be given to the tender. If the contractor is awarded the contract, such suggestion(s) will become the contract terms that shall be implemented. Innovative applied technologies proposed by contractors in recent years include the use of on-board refuse bin cleaners, which can help reduce the need for manual washing and enhance efficiency. The FEHD will progressively extend their scope of application in view of the satisfactory results.
 
     On the monitoring of contractors, the FEHD’s public cleansing service contracts will clearly set out the mechanical and automated cleaning equipment that shall be provided by contractors. The FEHD will monitor contractors’ performance (including whether applied technologies and equipment are provided as required in the contracts) through site inspections, surprise checks and examination of job records. In the event of any non-compliance with the contract requirements, the Department will take follow-up actions, which include the issue of warnings, default notices as well as deduction of monthly service charges. Contractors’ service performance records will also have a bearing on their eligibility or rating in future bidding for the FEHD’s outsourced service contracts.
 
     Thank you, President.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (May 7):
 
Question:
 
     It has been reported that the project of the new Huanggang Port building is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Upon commissioning, the new Huanggang Port will implement the “co-location arrangement”, and the time for immigration clearance will be shortened from the current 20 ‍minutes to 5 minutes. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has discussed with the Shenzhen Municipal Government the commissioning date of the new Huanggang Port, and of the progress of the preparatory work for the commissioning of the port;
 
(2) given that, according to Government information, the new Huanggang Port will have a design flow of approximately 200 000 ‍passenger trips and 15 000 cross-boundary vehicle trips per day, whether the authorities have estimated the daily passenger and vehicle flows in the initial period after the new Huanggang Port is commissioned;

(3) as it has been reported that the new Huanggang Port will be connected to five rail lines, including the Shenzhen Metro Line 7 and the MTR Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line, and the Government indicated in its paper submitted to the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways of this Council on March 31 this year that it was actively discussing with the MTR Corporation Limited for commissioning the NOL Main Line and Spur Line together by 2034 or earlier, of the progress of the discussions; and
 
(4) of the arrangements for public transport services, such as franchised buses, minibuses, taxis and cross-boundary coach services, upon the commissioning of the new Huanggang Port; as it is learnt that 24-‍hour clearance will be implemented at the new Huanggang Port, whether the authorities will allow public transport operators to operate overnight bus routes providing services between the new Huanggang Port and Yuen Long, Sheung Shui and urban Kowloon; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:
 
President,

     The Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government have obtained the Central Government’s support for the implementation of co-location arrangement at the redeveloped Huanggang Port to provide greater convenience for cross-boundary passengers. The new Huanggang Port building will be a multi-storey building with customs, immigration and quarantine clearance facilities and public transport interchanges for the Mainland and Hong Kong set up on different floors, laying the foundation for implementing the co-location arrangement at the new port. The new Huanggang Port will also adopt the new clearance mode of collaborative inspection and joint clearance to further enhance passenger clearance efficiency.

     In consultation with the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the reply to the question raised by the Hon Kenneth Lau is as follows:

(1) The superstructure of the new Huanggang Port building is currently under construction and the target is to strive for basic completion of the new port building by end-2025. The arrangements and timetable for the commissioning of the port are subject to further discussions by the two governments.

To promote the progress of the Huangguang Port redevelopment project from multiple perspectives, the two governments have set up various task forces which are actively working together to take forward the tasks on various aspects, such as design and construction, clearance arrangements and cross-boundary transport. In addition, the task force for collaboration on planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points co-chaired by the Secretary for Security of the HKSAR Government and the Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government holds regular meetings to oversee the planning and development of various boundary control point projects, including the works and progress related to the redevelopment of the Huangguang Port.

Regarding the financial arrangement for the redevelopment of the Huanggang Port, the Shenzhen Municipal Government has agreed in principle to bear the design and construction costs of the entire project (including the Hong Kong Port Area (HKPA)). The HKSAR Government will bear on its own the costs of other items for the HKPA other than basic construction works, such as furniture and equipment required by various departments and the information systems necessary for the operation of the control point. The HKSAR Government will seek funding for the related items from the Legislative Council at a suitable juncture.
 
(2) The design flow of the redeveloped Huanggang Port is about 200 000 passenger trips per day, which can be increased to about 300 000 upon the commissioning of the Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line of the MTR, while the design flow of cross‑boundary vehicles is about 15 000 vehicular trips per day. The above design flow will be sufficient to meet the estimated demand of passenger and vehicular traffic during the initial period after the commissioning of the port.

After the two governments have reached a consensus on the specific arrangements regarding the commissioning of the port (including the estimated passenger and vehicle flows in the initial period), advance arrangements for manpower deployment will be made. The HKSAR Government will, as always, closely monitor the actual clearance traffic during the initial commissioning of the port, flexibly allocate manpower and utilise innovative technology to meet the service demands at the port.

(3) The governments of Shenzhen and Hong Kong are jointly taking forward the NOL Spur Line project through the Task Force for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation on Cross-Boundary Railway Infrastructure. The detailed planning and design are anticipated to commence this year. The HKSAR Government will strive to implement the NOL Main Line and Spur Line projects simultaneously. The target is to advance the NOL Spur Line for commissioning with the NOL Main Line concurrently by 2034 or earlier.

(4) The co-location arrangement will be adopted at the new Huanggang Port. A public transport interchange will be set up in the HKPA of the new port for use by local public transport and cross-boundary transport services.

With reference to the case of the Shenzhen Bay Port, the Transport Department (TD) will arrange various local public transport services (including franchised buses, green minibuses and taxis (including urban, New Territories and taxi fleet taxis)) to meet the transportation needs of passengers traveling to and from the new port. The TD will announce details of the relevant services in due course.

As for cross-boundary transport services, the TD has been liaising with the relevant Mainland authorities on providing appropriate and adequate cross-boundary passenger transport services (including cross-boundary coach and cross-boundary hire car) with a view to meeting the travel needs of the public.

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 07 MAY 2025 3:45PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has successfully secured the postponement of the auction of the sacred Piprahwa Buddhist relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, which was scheduled for May 7, 2025. 

The Piprahwa Relics, comprising bone fragments of the Historical Buddha, along with soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and offerings such as gold ornaments and gemstones, were excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé. An inscription in Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms these as relics of the Buddha, deposited by the Sakya clan. The majority of these relics were transferred to the Indian Museum, Kolkata, in 1899 and are classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law, prohibiting their removal or sale. A portion of the bone relics was gifted to the King of Siam, while a selection of funerary gems retained by W.C. Peppé’s great-grandson, Chris Peppé, was listed for auction. 

Upon learning of the auction through media reports, the Ministry of Culture immediately initiated the following actions: 

• On May 2, 2025, the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) wrote to the Consulate General of Hong Kong, requesting the immediate cessation of the auction. 
• During a bilateral meeting on the same day, Culture Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat raised the matter with Rt Hon Lisa Nandy, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, emphasizing the relics’ cultural and religious significance and urging immediate action. 
• On May 5, 2025, the Secretary, Ministry of Culture, convened a review meeting to discuss next steps. 
• A legal notice was issued to Sotheby’s (through representatives Ms. Ivy Wong and Julian King) and Chris Peppé on the same day, demanding the auction’s halt. 
• The Ministry of External Affairs was requested to follow up through its Europe West and East Asia Divisions with embassies in the UK and Hong Kong to ensure the auction’s stoppage. 

On May 5, 2025, Sotheby’s Hong Kong acknowledged the legal notice via email, assuring that the matter was under consideration and a written reply would be submitted. 

On May 6, 2025, a high-level delegation led by the Secretary, Ministry of Culture, including the Joint Secretary (East Asia Division, MEA) and the Consul General of India to Hong Kong, held discussions with Sotheby’s representatives. The delegation highlighted that the relics were not ordinary artifacts but held sacred significance for millions of Buddhists worldwide. It was further emphasized that the relics rightfully belong to India, from where they were taken during the colonial era. 

Late on May 6, 2025, Sotheby’s Hong Kong informed via email that the auction of the Piprahwa relics was being postponed and proposed further discussions. The auction page was subsequently removed from Sotheby’s website.

The Ministry’s efforts were supported by – The Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO,  Krista Pikkat, Director, UNESCO, Buddhist organizations from India, Sri Lanka, and other countries, Prof. Naman Ahuja, who filed a representation with the Prime Minister’s portal and national and international media.

The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the ASI and MEA, will now engage all stakeholders to advance discussions on the repatriation of the relics to India. 

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2127516) Visitor Counter : 25

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 07 MAY 2025 3:52PM by PIB Delhi

The Election Commission of India has now taken another unprecedented step of training field-level election functionaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in Tamil language. 293 participants comprising 264 BLO Supervisors, 14 EROs, 2 DEOs and other officials are part of this mixed-batch training programme at IIIDEM, Delhi.

2. In his inaugural address Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar said that the BLOs are the first interface of the Election Commission of India with the voters and have a vital role in ensuring correct and updated electoral rolls. With this, nearly 2,300 participants have benefited from intensive training programmes being organised at IIIDEM during the past few weeks.  This 2-day training programme is in line with the expansive training programme to train election functionaries at all levels including over 1 lakh BLOs in the country in next few years.  

3. The BLO supervisors are being trained through interactive sessions, role plays, to ensure accurate filling of various forms including Form 6, 7 & 8. The module includes practical training in the use of IT solutions. These BLO supervisors are being equipped as Assembly Level Master Trainers to train other BLOs.

4. The participants were also familiarised with the provisions of first and second appeals against the final published electoral rolls with the District Magistrate (DM or an officer of equivalent rank) under section 24(a) of RP Act 1950 and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State/UT under section 24(b) respectively.

5. It may be recalled that no appeals were filed from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry after the completion of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise as of 6th-10th of January 2025.

******

PK/GDH/RP

(Release ID: 2127514) Visitor Counter : 24

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 7):

Question:

     It has been reported that the traditional agriculture and fisheries industry is facing the challenges of transformation and sales promotion. Regarding the measures to support the agriculture and fisheries industry, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) given that the Government currently assists fishermen and farmers in overcoming the problem of capital shortfall through various measures (e.g. the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund and the Farm Improvement Scheme), which enable them to enhance production efficiency and product quality with the use of modernised equipment or technologies, whether the Government has assessed the effectiveness of such measures; if so, of the details;

(2) as there are views pointing out that fishermen and farmers generally lack market information and marketing skills to sell agricultural and fisheries products, whether the Government has, apart from organising the FarmFest annually and developing the “Local Fresh” mobile app and shopping website, considered providing them with training related to sales and promotion, as well as establishing more platforms and channels for selling agricultural and fisheries products; and

(3) as there are views that the supply chain of local agricultural and fisheries products is plagued by the problem of insufficient preservation and transportation facilities, how the Government improves the logistics infrastructure in areas for agriculture and fisheries uses, especially the cold chain logistics and transport network; of the Government’s plans in place to assist fishermen and farmers in setting up a modern storage and distribution system, thereby reducing the loss of and damage to their products and expand their sales network?

Reply:

President,

     The Government is actively taking forward the various initiatives under the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, with a view to promoting the upgrading and transformation of the agriculture and fisheries industries towards modernisation and sustainable development. Such initiatives include providing financial support and technical support, as well as improving the marketing environment, thereby meeting the development needs of the industries on various fronts.

     The reply to the question raised by Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung is as follows:

(1) In terms of financial support, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), through the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund and the Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund (SADF) of HK$1 billion each, assists the local agriculture and fisheries industries to switch to sustainable and high value-added mode of operations, thereby boosting the overall competitiveness of the industries. The Equipment Improvement Project and the Farm Improvement Scheme under the two respective Funds have also been providing financial assistance to eligible local fishermen/farmers for purchasing modernised and mechanised operational equipment and materials to enhance their competitiveness.

     Since the establishment of the two Funds, progress has been made with initial achievements, benefitting more than 4 570 fishermen/farmers. The AFCD reviews from time to time the effectiveness of approved or completed projects under the two Funds in fostering the sustainable development of the agriculture and fisheries industries. Upon project completion, the grantee should submit a final report and an audited account, specifying the project’s financial position and benefits brought to the industry, and should share the achievements with the industries. In addition, the AFCD will also organise seminars and sharing sessions for the trade.

     Besides, the Government, through the AFCD, the Fish Marketing Organization (FMO) and the Vegetable Marketing Organization (VMO), manages six fisheries and agricultural loan funds which provide fishermen/farmers with low-interest loans to help them switch to more sustainable operations or further enhance and expand their business. The AFCD and the FMO/VMO have been monitoring the operation of these funds on a continuous basis. Over the past five years, a total of about HK$500 million of loans were approved under these fisheries and agricultural loan funds, benefitting more than 1 660 fishermen/farmers.

(2) The AFCD and the FMO/VMO have been providing proactive assistance to the industries to promote their local premium agricultural and fisheries products, including the organisation of major events such as the 75th National Day Farm and Gourmet Festival and the FarmFest, participation in food exhibitions (e.g. Vegetarian Food Asia, Food Expo, HOFEX and Organic Aquaculture Festival), development and setting up of the “Local Fresh” e-commerce platform and a physical store, collaboration with retailers to establish regular sales channels, and organisation of holiday bazaars and thematic sales activities in supermarket chains. The AFCD and the FMO/VMO will continue to explore online and offline sales channels, identify more partners for collaboration and step up the promotional efforts. We are also actively promoting leisure farming and fisheries, including allowing the public to taste fresh local agricultural and fisheries products at farms and fish farms, which will help publicise and promote the products.

     To further enhance the competitiveness of local agricultural and fisheries products and strengthen sales and promotion, the AFCD plans to establish a unified new brand for safe, low-carbon and premium local agricultural and fisheries products covering various locally produced agricultural and fisheries products, and to establish production standards, farming methods as well as a certification and traceability system for these products to ensure that the quality is up to standard. The AFCD is carrying out preparatory work with the local certification body, agricultural and fishermen organisations and other stakeholders. The AFCD and the certification body will make reference to international experiences when formulating a certification system that applies to the local agricultural and fisheries products and will fully consult the industries and relevant stakeholders before launching the new brand to ensure that the system standards are widely accepted by the industries. The AFCD is actively striving to build the unified new brand in 2025/26.

     In addition, the AFCD has in recent years offered courses on practical skills, such as business start-up, business operation, simple clerical and accounting processing, to fishermen with a view to enhancing their marketing and administrative knowledge. The AFCD also plans to organise training courses related to brand building and online marketing in future to enhance farmers and fishermen’s knowledge and understanding of various marketing practices, tools, sales channels, etc, so as to assist the industries in enhancing the competitiveness and market visibility of their agricultural and fisheries products.

(3) The FMO/VMO have established a fish processing centre and the Premium Vegetables Section respectively to provide processing, freezing and packaging services for local agricultural and fisheries products, enhancing product value and extending shelf life of the products. In recent years, the FMO has actively introduced the vacuum skin packaging technology to enhance the freshness and appearance of products and facilitate logistics and transportation. For agricultural products, the “Pilot Scheme on Marketing and Branding of Graded Local Vegetables”, which is financially supported by the SADF, has been launched to grade local “accredited vegetables” and establish regional packaging and distribution centres with a view to providing a steady supply of premium vegetables and enhancing the consumers’ awareness of and demand for “accredited vegetables”. In addition, the FMO/VMO will review the utilisation and planning of existing wholesale markets, such as studying the feasibility of expanding the processing and cold storage facilities at Tai Po Wholesale Fish Market and other suitable locations.

     Regarding logistics, the existing logistics distribution services in Hong Kong can generally meet the needs of the local agriculture and fisheries industries. Local farms and fish farms usually arrange their own logistics and distribution services to deliver the harvested agricultural and fisheries products to customers or sell them through wholesale markets. Meanwhile, the FMO/VMO also provide logistics, delivery and marketing support to some farmers and fishermen.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Lam So-wai and a reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (May 7):

Question: It has been reported that earlier on, due to the severe inadequacy of ancillary transport facilities at the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir (East Dam), numerous visitors were left stranded there in the evening. Some taxi drivers even took advantage of this situation by overcharging. Furthermore, some members of the public have relayed insufficient mobile network coverage in the area, which has adversely affected public communications and their ability to seek assistance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: