Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and foreign anti-China media for turning a blind eye to the court’s conviction judgment in Lai Chee-ying’s case, in an attempt to mislead the public, deliberately whitewashing criminal Lai Chee-ying under the cloak of so-called democracy.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the court verdict was made strictly in accordance with the law and evidence.

It pointed out that such an attempt aims to obscure Lai Chee-ying’s shameless acts and subversive work as an agent of external forces, in order to infiltrate and brainwash young people, through manipulating the media to incite the public, the interests of the country and the people.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said the HKJA has no credibility, lacks recognition and representativeness, and has even been refusing to disclose the list of its latest executive committee members. It is despicable for an organisation of such a nature to call itself the representative of the press.

The HKJA, as with other foreign anti-China media outlets, has been intentionally misleading the public by consistently and deliberately conflating the criminal acts in Lai Chee-ying’s case with press freedom. It has even played up, with ill intent, different cases to discredit the Hong Kong SAR’s human rights and rule of law situation, aiming precisely to confuse the public and smear the Hong Kong SAR.

These are extremely despicable political manipulations that must be strongly condemned, the Hong Kong SAR Government said.

It reiterated that the conviction verdict was entirely free from any political considerations, as the court clearly pointed out in the reasons for verdict that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The 855-page reasons for verdict in this case are fully open for public inspection, and include the court’s analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons for convicting Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies in full detail.

Furthermore, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that the case has nothing to do with press freedom at all.

Over the years, it explained, the defendants have used journalism as a guise to commit acts that brought harm to our country and Hong Kong. Lai Chee-ying was fundamentally the mastermind behind a series of anti-China and destabilising activities in Hong Kong, and was no doubt an agent of external anti-China forces.

The public trial of this case revealed Lai Chee-ying’s close management and hands-on control of the editorial direction of Apple Daily, and one of the senior managers even said they were free within a “bird cage”.

The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly urges the HKJA and other foreign anti-China media to understand the facts relating to Lai Chee-ying’s case as soon as possible, and do the right thing to stop any form of infiltration and activities of a subversive nature, including “brainwashing” young people of the Hong Kong SAR for external forces.

It will absolutely not condone any acts endangering national security that incite the public to betray the interests of the country and the people.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced traffic and public transport arrangements for the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (CKB (YMT Section)), which is due to be commissioned on December 21.

Connecting Yau Ma Tei Interchange in West Kowloon and Kai Tak Interchange in East Kowloon, the new road section will allow motorists to travel directly between Yau Ma Tei and Kowloon Bay, with the journey time being significantly reduced from about 30 minutes currently to just about five minutes.

Traffic arrangements

At the Yau Ma Tei end of the CKB (YMT Section), there are seven entrances and exits. Motorists can travel to and from Tsim Sha Tsui, the Western Harbour Crossing, Tai Kok Tsui or Kwai Chung via Hoi Po Road, West Kowloon Highway or Lin Cheung Road.

Meanwhile, at the Kai Tak end of the bypass eight entrances and exits enable motorists to travel to and from Kai Tak, Kowloon Bay, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal or Kwun Tong via Shing Kai Road, Kai Cheung Road or Kai Fuk Road.

Traffic signs and road markings have been put in place to guide motorists on how to reach various destinations.

Public transport arrangements

From December 22, a total of eight bus routes, comprising three new routes and five adjusted routes, will provide services via the CKB (YMT Section) during peak hours from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

The three new routes are KMB 33X, KMB 252S and Citybus A28X.

Five of KMB’s existing routes, namely 258X, 259S, 259X, 268P and 269S, will be adjusted to run through the bypass.

Additionally, four more bus routes will commence service next year.

The Central Kowloon Bypass will be a toll road, with tolls commencing when the entire bypass, including the Kowloon Bay Section, is fully commissioned next year.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.8% in the September to November period, unchanged from the August to October period, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate remained at 1.6%.

Total employment was 3,669,900, down around 2,800 from August to October, while the labour force also decreased by around 8,000 to 3,814,300.

Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the solid expansion of the Hong Kong economy and improving consumer confidence should continue to support the overall labour market.

“Yet, the employment situations in some sectors may remain under pressure as their businesses face challenges,” he added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) said today (December 16) that, upon the commissioning of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (CKB (YMT Section)), respective traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented.

Traffic arrangements

     The CKB (YMT Section) connects Yau Ma Tei Interchange in West Kowloon and the Kai Tak Interchange in East Kowloon. At the Yau Ma Tei end, there are seven entrances and exits. Motorists can travel to and from Tsim Sha Tsui, the Western Harbour Crossing, Tai Kok Tsui or Kwai Chung via Hoi Po Road, West Kowloon Highway and Lin Cheung Road. At the Kai Tak end, the eight entrances and exits enable motorists to travel to and from Kai Tak, Kowloon Bay, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal or Kwun Tong via Shing Kai Road, Kai Cheung Road and Kai Fuk Road (see details in Annex 1). Upon its commissioning, it will divert the traffic along the existing major east-west corridors in Kowloon and alleviate the traffic congestion during peak hours.

     Appropriate traffic signs and road markings have been put in place on relevant road sections to guide motorists to enter and exit the Bypass for various destinations. The TD appealed to motorists to heed traffic signs on-site and drive carefully when passing through road sections concerned, and reduce speed and be courteous when approaching the new merging points.

Public transport arrangements

     From December 22 (Monday), the first working day upon commissioning, a total of eight bus routes, comprising three new routes and adjusting five existing routes, will provide services via the CKB (YMT Section) during peak hours on Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays):
 

Three new routes via Bypass	Adjusting five existing routes to run through Bypass
KMB route No. 33X (Tsuen Wan West Station – Yau Tong) KMB route No. 252S (Handsome Court – Kwun Tong Ferry) Citybus route No. A28X (Tseung Kwan O Station to Airport (Ground Transportation Centre))	KMB route No. 258X (Po Tin – Kwun Tong Ferry) KMB route No. 259S (Lung Mun Oasis – Kwun Tong Ferry) KMB route No. 259X (Lung Mun Oasis – Kwun Tong Ferry) KMB route No. 268P (Ma Wang Road – Kwun Tong Ferry) KMB route No. 269S (Tin Shui Wai Town Centre – Kwun Tong Ferry)

     The above franchised bus routes plying via the CKB (YMT Section) will provide convenience for passengers across various districts. While journey times of travelling between East and West Kowloon will be significantly shortened, as the Bypass connects with the West Kowloon Highway, travelling times of long-haul bus routes operating between East Kowloon and New Territories West (including Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan) will be substantially reduced, improving their efficiency.

     In the initial period upon the commissioning of the CKB (YMT Section), as motorists may take time to adapt to new road sections, it is anticipated that traffic may be busier during various periods. The TD urged motorists to refer to the driving videos of different driving routes set out in the driving guide and the TD’s YouTube channel playlist, and choose appropriate routes for their journeys subject to actual traffic conditions.

     A spokesman for the TD said, “The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor the traffic condition of the CKB (YMT Section) upon commissioning, including the traffic flow and public transport services of road sections connecting the existing road network and trunk roads across the territory. Motorists, transport trades and the public should plan ahead their journeys, and reserve time to adapt to new routes and adjust their commuting habits.”

     The TD also reminds passengers to refer to the notices, websites or mobile apps of bus operators to take note of the new arrangements of the routes plying via the CKB (YMT Section), as well as their bus stop locations and service hours. The TD has steered bus operators to closely monitor the operations of these routes and reserve standby vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand. The TD will continue to proactively discuss with bus operators any additional routes or adjustment to existing ones to make better use of the capacity of the Bypass for the benefit of more passengers.

     The Government has briefed District Councils concerned and stakeholders on the above arrangements, including distributing pamphlets to District Council members, district personalities, neighbouring housing estates and schools, relevant motoring associations and public transport operators on various driving routes. The Highways Department and the TD have stepped up publicity since December to remind motorists about the new arrangements via large banners, tunnel broadcasts, variable message signs on major roads and electronic parking meters in the districts in phases.

     Members of the public may refer to the TD’s webpage on CKB (YMT Section) and the HKeMobility mobile app for details of the traffic and transport arrangements. They should also heed the latest traffic news through radio and TV broadcasts, the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility.