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Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan

Today is the Winter Solstice, one of the most important festivals for the Chinese community. First and foremost, I would like to wish everyone a joyful and peaceful reunion on this special occasion. Following the Winter Solstice, we have Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year holidays around the corner. My colleagues and industry friends have already made full preparations for the seamless flow of people and goods, ensuring everyone can enjoy this festive season with their families and friends.

Aviation Capacity Restored to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) successfully operated all three runways simultaneously last month, just in time for the Christmas peak. I believe some of you may have already set off last night as the Airport Authority anticipates that we will see a peak in departures this weekend.

Another piece of good news to share is that the Airport Authority expects daily passenger traffic to reach pre-pandemic peak of approximately 200,000 passengers during Christmas. In fact, we have reached 1,150 flight movements today, which is very close to the pre-pandemic 1,200 daily movement and these all reflect that the airport’s capacity has been fully restored. Local airlines are actively exploring new destinations to support the expansion of HKIA’s network, in order to provide more choices for travellers. To inject new demand into HKIA, we have launched direct passenger services to Xining, Zhoushan, Huangshan, and Yichang in Mainland China; Vientiane, Laos; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Sendai and Yonago, Japan; and Cairns, Australia earlier this year. Local airlines will also open direct flights in phases to the Gold Coast, Australia; Dallas, the US; Hyderabad, India; Munich, Germany; and Brussels, Belgium next year.

World-Class Temperature-Controlled Logistics

As the flow of people at HKIA is bustling, the achievements in our logistics industry are equally undeniable. Earlier, I celebrated Christmas with colleagues from my bureau and shared with them seasonal fruits from around the world. Hong Kong’s fruit market gathers top-quality produce with strict temperature requirements from the five continents, all at reasonable prices and arriving fresh to customers. This is made possible by Hong Kong’s world-class and highly efficient air transportation facilities, which clearly demonstrate the city’s advantages in air freight, especially in temperature-controlled logistics.

The Christmas holiday is filled with opportunities for gatherings and feasts. I invite everyone to take the chance to experience the convenience of Hong Kong’s temperature-controlled logistics, enjoying global cuisine right here in the city. The high-quality temperature-controlled goods in Hong Kong not only benefit the 7.8 million residents but also extend their reach to the 86 million people in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

By the end of next year, the Airport Authority will complete the first phase of the permanent facilities for the “HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park” aiming to gradually handle 1 million tons of cargo annually. To meet the growing demand in the GBA for fresh food, such as high-value frozen tuna, salmon and other seafood, the Airport Authority is working with the Dongguan Municipal Government to establish a new customs-designated supervision area for fresh food at the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park. The Dongguan Municipal Government has received approval from the General Administration of Customs of People’s Republic of China to establish a new designated customs supervision site for fresh food at the Logistics Park. Facilities such as refrigerated storage and inspection areas are currently being prepared for construction.

As the world’s busiest cargo airport, HKIA has always made me proud. In 2023, HKIA handled 4.3 million tonnes of cargo. This year, the growth momentum continues, with 4.5 million tonnes of cargo processed in the first eleven months alone, surpassing the total cargo volume for the entire previous year. HKIA was named “Cargo Airport of the Year – Asia Pacific” and “Air Cargo Technology Provider of The Year” at the 11th Payload Asia Awards, held in Singapore. I hope HKIA continues their excellent work, propelling both passenger and cargo services to new heights.

Welcoming travellers of Shenzhen’s Multiple-Entry Individual Visit Scheme

The central government has resumed the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for Shenzhen permanent residents and is implementing a new arrangement to expand the multiple-entry IVS to Shenzhen residence permit holders on December 1. In addition, various exciting activities are taking place across Hong Kong in December, including the New Year’s Eve countdown fireworks display, and it is expected that the number of visitors to Hong Kong will significantly increase during that period. I sincerely invite travellers from the Mainland and overseas to stay a few more days in Hong Kong to experience the charm of this metropolitan city and the unique blend of Eastern and Western Christmas atmosphere.

We have also made arrangements for transportation on New Year’s Eve. The Transport Department will coordinate with the opening hours of boundary control points to enhance transportation services connecting various ports, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus (Gold Bus), the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus service. Public transport operators will increase their capacity. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Corporation will not only provide overnight service on most railway lines on New Year’s Eve but also extend the service of the East Rail Line to and from the MTR Lo Wu Station. There will be a bus route between MTR Sheung Shui Station and San Tin Public Transport Interchange to facilitate East Rail Line passengers in using the 24-hour crossing at Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang after the service to Lo Wu concludes.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all citizens a sweet and warm Christmas, and to carry the joy into 2025. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who will be on duty in various locations during the holiday period to serve the public.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan wrote this article and posted it on her blog on December 21.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Chief Executive John Lee today met CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee Secretary Xu Qin to exchange views on strengthening Hong Kong’s co-operation with Heilongjiang.

Mr Lee said he was pleased to see Mr Xu again since they last met in Harbin in February. He stressed that Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantage as a bridge between the Mainland and the world under “one country, two systems” to serve Mainland enterprises in going global while attracting more foreign investment to the country.

The Chief Executive highlighted that Heilongjiang’s successful hosting of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 sets an excellent example for the 15th National Games to be jointly held by Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau in November. He added that Heilongjiang’s integration of winter sports with cultural tourism development, along with its full promotion of the ice and snow economy, provides inspiration for Hong Kong’s cultural tourism development.

Separately, as the Individual Visit Scheme has been extended to include Harbin, whilst direct flights between Harbin and Hong Kong have been launched, Mr Lee noted these developments will further foster economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Heilongjiang and Hong Kong.

He welcomed Heilongjiang enterprises and talent to organise and participate in various activities in Hong Kong and encouraged Heilongjiang tourists to visit to experience the city’s unique charm.

The Beijing Office and Liaoning Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to serve as a bridge to promote deeper co-operation between Hong Kong and Heilongjiang, jointly making new and greater contributions to the country’s high-quality development, the Chief Executive added.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Chief Executive John Lee today met Secretary of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee Wei Hao to discuss deepening Hong Kong’s co-operation with Dongguan and promoting the Greater Bay Area’s high-quality development.

Welcoming Mr Wei and his delegation, Mr Lee stressed that Hong Kong and Dongguan enjoy close geographical and cultural ties, and have long maintained close co-operation in areas such as economics, trade, and shipping.

He outlined that Hong Kong will give full play to its advantages as a bridge between the Mainland and the world, and its dual roles in helping Mainland firms to go global while attracting foreign investment, in order to assist Dongguan enterprises as they seek to expand internationally.

The Chief Executive also mentioned the successful collaboration between the two cities in operating the Hong Kong International Airport Dongguan Logistics Park, in Dongguan, under the “sea-air intermodal cargo-transshipment” mode.

Combining Hong Kong’s strengths in aviation and logistics with Dongguan’s land and manpower resources, the project aims to create a model of successful co-operation within the bay area. Mr Lee emphasised that it will enhance logistics connectivity within the bay area and boost the international competitiveness of the area’s manufacturing and import-export industries.

The Chief Executive expressed confidence that Hong Kong and Dongguan will leverage their complementary advantages and pursue greater co-operation, thereby contributing to world-class development in the bay area. 

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee said this morning that a review of charges and fees for public health services is part of wider reforms to healthcare and will not involve cutting back on expenditure or compromising care for those in need.

Mr Lee was responding to questions from reporters about upcoming adjustments to fees for public hospital and medical services. He stressed that the Health Bureau has been instructed to observe three principles as it reviews the relevant fees.

“First, it is not an expenditure cutting exercise. We shall spend no less money, just to readjust the spending distribution for the sake of efficiency and effectiveness.

“Second, priority should be given to the most needed. This includes helping those with economic difficulties and those cases in which the patient suffers from emergency, the most serious, and critical illnesses.”

Mr Lee outlined that the third principle is to reduce wastage of resources. He added that he has urged the bureau to finalise its review as soon as possible, with an aim to announce details before the end of March.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Chief Executive John Lee today expressed sorrow over the passing of entrepreneur Lee Shau-kee.     

He said Lee Shau-kee was an outstanding business leader and entrepreneur who had made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s economic development, as well as the city’s prosperity and stability.

The Chief Executive also emphasised that the entrepreneur was a highly respected philanthropist.

“He had made outstanding contributions to education and community service in the past decades, including his generous donations to a number of universities and tertiary institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and his ardent support for the development of higher education and talent development.

“He had established the Lee Shau Kee Foundation and the Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation, which promote education, with special concern on the development of education and research in Chinese communities. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2007.

“I express sorrow over the passing of Dr Lee and extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak also expressed sadness over Mr Lee’s passing.

Ms Linn said Mr Lee was an outstanding entrepreneur who had led Henderson Land Group in making significant contributions to Hong Kong’s land and housing development.

She added that besides his remarkable achievements in business, Mr Lee was committed to promoting corporate social responsibility and actively engaged in philanthropic endeavours.

Ms Ho said: “We are grateful to Henderson Land Development for actively supporting the Government’s transitional housing programme by providing land and short-term vacant units in urban areas and the New Territories, helping to alleviate the housing pressures faced by those living in poor conditions and those with urgent housing needs.”

Ms Choi stressed that Mr Lee’s donations to various tertiary institutions, secondary schools and primary schools, in Hong Kong and Mainland China, for campus expansion, improvements to facilities, and the establishment of various scholarship,s have benefited numerous students.

Miss Mak highlighted, meanwhile, that Mr Lee had spared no effort in youth development. In particular, the Lee Shau Kee Foundation supported the Government’s Youth Hostel Scheme, including through a donation of land in Yuen Long to the Po Leung Kuk.

The Po Leung Kuk Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis is currently the largest project under the Youth Hostel Scheme, and its construction was fully funded by the Government.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired the first meeting of the fourth-term Human Resources Planning Commission, during which the Office of the Government Economist briefed the members on Hong Kong’s latest economic performance and labour market situation.

 

The committee members took note that the economy progressed steadily last year amid a complicated and changing external environment, recording a moderate growth of 2.5%.

 

The labour market, on the other hand, remained tight with the latest unemployment rate staying low at 3.1%. Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s economy is expected to register further growth of 2 to 3% in 2025 despite a challenging external environment.

 

The members were also informed about the 2024 highlights and 2025 plans of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE). HKTE organised the inaugural Global Talent Summit · Hong Kong in May last year, which successfully promoted Hong Kong’s dual role as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent to the international community, while strengthening regional talent co-operation.

 

To reinforce the city’s status as an international hub for high-calibre talent, HKTE will organise the second Global Talent Summit early next year. The committee members discussed HKTE’s work strategy for attracting talent and promoting Hong Kong.

 

The committee was also briefed by the Labour & Welfare Bureau on the outcomes of the latest round of the Talent List update. With the addition of nine new professions, the updated list covers 60 professions with local talent shortages, and would help attract top talent and professionals required for the industries related to the “eight centres” to generate new impetus for growth.

 

The members were pleased to note that the committee’s views and those from local business chambers and industry organisations have been taken on board. They also discussed ways to strengthen external promotion of the Talent List.

 

Emphasising that the Human Resources Planning Commission is an important policy platform, Mr Chan said that he looks forward to working closely with its members in the future to assist the Government’s work in building a vibrant economy and striving for development, ensuring effective human resources planning to promote diversified development of the economy.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Housing Department (HD) will enhance the existing measures against illegal parking in public rental housing (PRH) estates to ensure that estate roads, especially the emergency vehicular access (EVA), remain unobstructed.

 

It made the statement today after the Office of the Ombudsman released a report on its direct investigation into the illegal parking issue in PRH estates.

 

Apart from expressing thanks for the Ombudsman’s valuable views on current road control mechanisms, the department said that it agrees with and accepts all the Ombudsman’s suggestions, most of which are already implemented in PRH estates.

 

The Housing Authority (HA) and HD have been continuously strengthening management practices and introducing various facilities equipped with innovative technologies, including Internet of Things sensors, artificial intelligence, etc to enhance enforcement effectiveness in combatting illegal parking.

 

In addition, the HA and HD promote law-abiding awareness among residents through publicity and education with the aim of maintaining estate roads, especially to keep EVA unobstructed.

 

The HD explained that its staff will continue to conduct daily monitoring, surprise inspections and regular meetings with service contractors to ensure they have effectively executed their contractual obligations such as road control.

 

To strengthen road control, the Mobile Operations Unit under the HD will base on the actual circumstances and requests from estate offices to carry out surprise enforcement actions on roads with higher instances of illegal parking, especially the EVA.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Three projects were approved in the 2023-2024 round of the Lantau Conservation Fund, involving a total amount of about $8.5 million, the Sustainable Lantau Office announced today.

 

The approved projects are namely the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society’s “Between Mountain & Sea – Nature Conservation Management for Shui Hau”, the Baptist University’s “The Military History of Lantau Island from the Early Modern Period to the Early Cold War: A Spatial History Project (1600-1960)”, and Outdoor Wildlife Learning’s “Lantau Odonata Ecological Education & Conservation Program”.

 

The Sustainable Lantau Office also said that the Lantau Conservation Fund, which aims to raise community awareness about the conservation of Lantau and engage the community to put conservation into practice, is now accepting a new round of applications.

 

The application deadline for the “Conservation Management Agreement Project” and “Education & Engagement Project” is April 30 at 5pm, while the cut-off point for the “Research Project” is March 31 at 5pm.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Government today published the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2025, which covers the implementation of an electronic driving licence (eDL), in the Gazette.

 

The bill proposes to amend the Road Traffic Ordinance and related legislation to give holders of driving licences and driving instructors’ licences an alternative option to producing a driving licence for examination or inspection when requested. It would allow holders to displaying their electronic licences on their smart phones, via a specified electronic platform.

 

The eDL will not be a substitute for a physical driving licence, as driving licence holders will still be issued with a physical driving licence, but they may offer an eDL when requested to show their licence.

 

The Government believes implementation of an eDL will bring greater convenience to some 2.5 million driving licence holders – especially commercial vehicle drivers, whose physical driving licences are more susceptible to damage due to frequent use.

 

Those who choose to use an eDL will be able to display it by logging on to a specified eDL mobile application on their smart phones via iAM Smart or the Transport Department’s e-Licensing Portal.

 

To prevent eDL forgeries, the relevant application will be equipped with security features, including identity authentication and disablement of the screen capture function.

 

The bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for a first reading on March 19.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Housing Authority announced today that the White Form Secondary Market Scheme 2024 (WSM 2024) will open for applications starting from 8am tomorrow until 7pm on March 26.

 

Starting from WSM 2024, the quota will increase significantly by 1,500 to 6,000, the authority explained. The additional 1,500 quotas are designated for the Youth Scheme (WSM) and will be allocated to young applicants aged below 40.

 

The additional Youth Scheme (WSM) quotas comprise 1,350 quotas allocated to young family applicants and 150 allocated to young one-person applicants.

 

The remaining 4,500 ordinary quotas include 4,050 quotas allocated to family applicants and 450 quotas allocated to one-person applicants.

 

Regarding application arrangements, the authority pointed out that the WSM 2024 will adopt the eligibility criteria for the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2024, including the income and asset limits as well as restrictions on domestic property ownership in Hong Kong.

 

The income and asset limits for family applicants are set at $60,000 per month and $1.23 million, while the income and asset limits for one-person applicants are set at $30,000 per month and $615,000.

 

Balloting exercises are expected to be held in the second quarter of this year, and the issuance of approval letters to successful applicants are expected to start from the third or fourth quarter of this year.

 

Application forms and guides can be viewed and downloaded from the designated website from today.

 

Printed copies can be obtained from the authority’s Customer Service Centre in Lok Fu, the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Sales Unit’s office, estate offices and district tenancy management offices as well as the Housing Society’s rental estate offices and the Home Affairs Department’s Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, also from today.

 

Call the 24-hour hotline at 2712 8000 for application matters.