Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Tourism Commission today (September 30) expanded the City in Time tourism project to Kowloon City with the addition of five new designated locations, allowing locals and visitors to experience Hong Kong’s past and present through the City in Time mobile application.
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The Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots of the Government announced in May this year that “Featured community – In-depth travel in Kowloon City” will be one of the projects to be implemented. The Tourism Commission expanded the City in Time Project to Kowloon City, allowing locals and visitors to experience the old days of Kowloon City and its changing scenery through augmented reality technology, enriching their city walk experience in Kowloon City District.

The five new City in Time designated locations in Kowloon City are Stone Houses Family Garden, Kowloon Walled City Park, Carpenter Road, Kai Tak Sports Park (near Kai Tak Stadium), and Kai Tak Sports Park (near the Kai Tak Mall).

Apart from the above five new designated locations, the City in Time Project currently encompasses areas including Central, the Peak, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sham Shui Po, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, Lei Yue Mun and Tai Hang. Locals and visitors can scan the “AR clocks” installed at the above designated locations using their smartphones with the City in Time mobile app downloaded to experience 360-degree historical panoramas developed from archival photos or artistic renderings by local artists.

Commissioned by the Tourism Commission, the City in Time Project is developed and produced by the School of Creative Media of the City University of Hong Kong. The mobile app is available for free download at the Apple App Store and Google Play. Locals and visitors can also embark on virtual journeys and find out more on the City in Time website (cityintime.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to four months’ and six months’ imprisonment respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (September 30) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO). One of them was also fined $1,500.
 
Customs officers intercepted a 27-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on July 28. About 42 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $127,000, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment today in contravention of the IEO.
 
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 35-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on August 4. About 10 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 26 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $118,000 and a duty potential of about $33,000 in total, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined $1,500 in contravention of the DCO, and was also sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. The sentences will run concurrently.
 
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
 
Under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities 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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (September 30) appealed to members of the public to keep places clean and mind their safety while watching the National Day Fireworks Display on October 1.

     The LCSD, together with law enforcement teams of relevant departments, will strengthen patrols at LCSD venues where large crowds are expected.

     These venues include the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, the Urban Council Centenary Garden, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park, the Kai Tak Sky Garden, the Kai Tak Promenade, the Kwun Tong Promenade and the Cha Kwo Ling Promenade along the Kowloon waterfront, as well as Tamar Park, the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and East Coast Park (Phase 1) on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island.

     The LCSD reminded members of the public to take their belongings with them when leaving the venues and not to leave trash behind.

     The LCSD also reminded members of the public that the above-mentioned venues will be very crowded during the fireworks display. Visitors should be careful and patient, pay attention to their safety, observe the crowd management measures at the venues, and comply with instructions by the Police.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is inviting library patrons to take part in a series of Reader Liaison Group gatherings, which will be held from October 4 to 25. Patrons are welcome to express their views on public library services and make suggestions for the improvement of library facilities and service quality.

     Details of the gatherings are as follows:
 

October 4 (Saturday)
10am – 11.30am	Sai Kung and Sheung Shui Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	Lockhart Road, Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan Public Libraries
11.30am – 1pm	Yau Ma Tei Public Library
October 5 (Sunday)
10am – 11.30am	Fanling Public Library
10.30am – noon	To Kwa Wan and Yuen Chau Kok Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	Shek Tong Tsui and Po On Road Public Libraries
1pm – 2.30pm	Tseung Kwan O Public Library
2.30pm – 4pm	Quarry Bay Public Library (views on North Point Public Library will also be collected)
October 11 (Saturday)
10.30am – noon	San Po Kong and Ngau Tau Kok Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	City Hall, Ma On Shan, Tai Po and Tiu Keng Leng Public Libraries
11.30am – 1pm	Chai Wan Public Library
2.30pm – 4pm	Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library
3.30pm – 5pm	Hong Kong Central Library
October 12 (Sunday)
10.30am – noon	Fa Yuen Street and Shui Wo Street Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	Yuen Long Public Library
2pm – 3.30pm	Tung Chung Public Library
2.30pm – 4pm	Ngau Chi Wan Public Library
October 18 (Saturday)
10.30am – noon	Aberdeen and Kowloon Public Libraries
11am – 12.30pm	Lam Tin Public Library
11.30am – 1pm	North Kwai Chung Public Library
2pm – 3.30pm	Cheung Chau Public Library
3pm – 4.30pm	Tsing Yi Public Library
October 19 (Sunday)
10.30am – noon	Sha Tin Public Library
11.30am – 1pm	Tuen Mun Public Library (views on Tai Hing Public Library will also be collected)
2pm – 3.30pm	South Kwai Chung Public Library
October 25 (Saturday)
11.30am – 1pm	Lai Chi Kok Public Library

Interested patrons may register online at www.hkpl.gov.hk/rlg or reserve a seat by completing the reservation form available at all public libraries. Completed forms should be returned to any public libraries, by fax to 2415 8211, or by email to hotline-lib@lcsd.gov.hk before 5pm on October 3. In addition, patrons are also welcome to share their views on public library services and make suggestions at the HKPL website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/rlgform), or by completing the printed feedback form available at all public libraries in Hong Kong, on or before October 31.

     For enquiries, please call 2921 0208.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (September 30) the optimisation of quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland. Animal health certificates issued by official veterinarians of Mainland Customs of all regions are now accepted.

The Mainland has been included in Group IIIA since June 3 this year, with official veterinarians of Shenzhen Customs issuing animal health certificates in the first phase. In light of the smooth implementation of the new quarantine arrangements for importing cats and dogs, and to further facilitate their movement from the Mainland to Hong Kong, the AFCD now accepts relevant animal health certificates issued by official veterinarians of Mainland Customs of all regions. Cats and dogs imported from the Mainland can enter Hong Kong via Hong Kong International Airport (as manifested cargo) as well as by land at designated control points.

The quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland can be reduced to 30 days upon arrival in Hong Kong as long as they meet the Group IIIA requirements. Relevant quarantine requirements include having the animal implanted with a conforming microchip, holding a valid vaccination certificate for rabies and designated infectious diseases, obtaining satisfactory results from rabies antibody titer testing conducted at a laboratory recognised by the AFCD on a blood sample taken not less than 90 days and not more than one year before departure, and possessing an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians.

Details of the quarantine arrangements and the application procedures for importing cats and dogs from the Mainland, including the method of reserving quarantine facilities, are available on the AFCD website. Detailed requirements for issuing health certificates by the Mainland can be obtained from the Mainland authorities.

The AFCD will continue to closely monitor the latest information on animal diseases announced by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and optimise the quarantine requirements for imported cats and dogs in a timely manner based on operational experience, risk assessment and other factors.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government will launch a three-year “Pilot Scheme for Elderly Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance to Reside in Residential Care Homes in Guangdong” on October 1.

Funded by the Community Care Fund, the scheme offers subsidies to elderly recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) who choose to retire in Guangdong, allowing them to reside in residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong. A quota of 1,000 eligible participants will each receive a monthly subsidy of $5,000.

Applicants must have already joined the Portable CSSA (PCSSA) Scheme or be eligible to do so; reside in designated RCHEs; and not be concurrently receiving any other subsidy for residential care services from the Social Welfare Department or other organisations.

In addition to cash assistance under the PCSSA Scheme, elderly participants in the pilot scheme will receive a monthly subsidy of $5,000 to cover the costs of residing in RCHEs and related living expenses.

The Social Welfare Department has commissioned the New Home Association as the approved service provider (ASP) to assist in implementing the scheme.

Starting from October 1, eligible elderly CSSA recipients can apply to the ASP or social security field unit responsible for their case. ASPs will provide relevant information about designated RCHEs to help recipients and their family members select suitable RCHEs and file their applications.

Upon completion of vetting procedures, the Social Welfare Department will issue notification letters to applicants to inform them of the outcome of their application and the relevant subsidy disbursement arrangements.

ASPs will organise experience tours to some of the designated RCHEs, giving participants an opportunity to view the facilities and experience the services in order to select a suitable care home. Tentatively, the first experience tour will be held in November.

The Social Welfare Department will issue letters to eligible elderly CSSA recipients in batches to promote the pilot scheme and invite them to join the experience tours.

Since March, the Housing Authority has adopted a more flexible tenancy arrangement, providing a longer adaptation period for elderly persons who choose to retire on the Mainland.

Elderly Public Rental Housing (PRH) tenants participating in the pilot scheme can retain their existing PRH units or tenancies for six months, starting from their departure from Hong Kong to retire in the Mainland. The arrangement is also applicable to the elderly residents of Housing Society rental estates.

Call 3422 3090 or 2815 7399 for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government released the Long Term Housing Strategy Annual Progress Report 2025, setting the supply target at 420,000 units for the next 10-year period from 2026-27 to 2035-36.

At a split of 70:30, the public housing supply target will be 294,000 units and the private housing supply target will be 126,000 units.

There will be sufficient land for meeting such targets, the Government stressed.

For public housing supply, which is planned to move towards a 60:40 ratio between public rental housing (PRH)/Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) units and other subsidised sale flats (SSF), the 294,000-unit goal will comprise 176,000 PRH/GSH units and 118,000 other SSF units.

Since the current-term Government took office, more than 103,000 families have been housed to PRH or purchased SSF offered for sale by the Housing Authority and the Housing Society, representing a significant increase of about 50%, as compared to approximately 68,500 families in the previous three-year period  from July 2019 to June 2022.

In the coming five years from 2026-27, the total public housing supply, including Light Public Housing, will reach 189,000 units, an increase of about 80% compared to when the current-term Government took office.

In terms of traditional public housing, the supply over the coming five years is expected to reach 169,500 units, comprising about 110,600 PRH/GSH units and about 58,900 other SSF.

This means an average annual completion of over 30,000 units, the highest in the past 24 years, the Government highlighted.

In addition, compared to the five-year period at the start of this Government, the supply of Home Ownership Scheme flats is projected to increase by approximately 50% over the original estimates.

As for private housing, the supply in the primary private residential property market for the coming three to four years is about 101,000 units.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region