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TD’s Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group convenes second meeting  
     At the meeting, members were first briefed on the progress of trials approved with an AV pilot licence so far, and examined the necessary support and co-ordination efforts for each project. Members were also introduced by a pilot proprietor to the road tests and operation of a remote control centre prior to driverless operation.
 
     In addition, the Working Group discussed the special study on “how to promote AV development and popularisation”; explored opportunities for autonomous driving development in the Northern Metropolis, and members provided views on introducing different scenarios for autonomous driving trials and applications. The meeting also followed up on directions for enhancing the Code of Practice for Trial and Pilot Use of Autonomous Vehicles, and discussed public education activities to promote autonomous driving in the community.
 
     Miss Tse said, “The Government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach through policy support, regulatory backing and financial subsidy. Drawing on the local, Mainland and overseas practical experiences of AVs, we will adhere to the principles of ensuring safety, facilitating the industry, optimising technologies and managing risks. We will promote and scale up the safe driverless development of AVs in a proactive and orderly manner towards commercial operation, further integrating digital technologies and artificial intelligence into public transport.”
 
     The Working Group will monitor the progress of various AV trials, oversee the trial and application of AV or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) initiatives, and strengthen publicity and public education to enhance public understanding of autonomous driving. A sub-committee has been set up under the Working Group to provide technical support on AV and V2X projects.
Issued at HKT 18:33

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Princess Margaret Hospital responds to case of Legionnaires’ disease 
     A 39-year-old male patient who had stayed in the high dependency unit of the Neurosurgery Department and the Intensive Care Unit of PMH was confirmed to have Legionnaires’ Disease. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health visited the ward and collected water samples today. The source of infection is under investigation. The patient was admitted to PMH on June 2. His condition continued to deteriorate, and he eventually succumbed on June 22.
 
     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and enhanced infection control measures in the wards concerned, including:
      The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP to investigate the source of infection.
Issued at HKT 18:20

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Water Supplies Department signs MOU with South China University of Technology       
     The MOU was signed by the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, and Vice-President of the SCUT Professor Lin Yiwen. Under the MOU, both parties will engage in reciprocal visits, technical exchanges and information sharing, as well as explore and promote relevant research projects and co-organise conferences and seminars.
      
     Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Wong said that in addressing the challenges of global climate change and pressures on water demand arising from urban development, water resources management must keep pace with the times by continuously adopting innovative technologies. Leveraging the strong cross-disciplinary research capabilities of the SCUT, this collaboration will inject powerful impetus into the WSD’s digital transformation. Currently, both parties are collaborating to develop an AI model capable of predicting the remaining useful life of water mains for implementing predictive maintenance, thereby facilitating early repairs to prevent water main bursts. In the future, both parties will deepen co-operation across three core areas: the research and application of water supply technologies, equipment and materials; innovative water supply engineering design methods and construction techniques; and the development and practical application of AI models. He further expressed the hope to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages by deeply integrating “industry-academia-research” to accelerate the adoption of research outcomes by the industry and their expansion into international markets, jointly building a sustainable smart water ecosystem.
      
     Mr Wong further stated that the collaboration between both parties aligns with the forward-looking blueprint set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which emphasises the promotion of deep integration of AI with technological innovation, industrial development and social governance. He emphasised that through the empowerment of “digital intelligence”, the deepened application of data and intelligent technologies in areas such as water supply diversion planning, water quality monitoring and leakage prediction would not only enhance operational efficiency, but also ensure stable and reliable water supply services, improve the service experience for citizens, and effectively meet public expectations for a stable water supply, thereby leveraging the advantages of smart technologies to improve people’s livelihood.
      
     The Chancellor of the SCUT, Professor Tang Hongwu, stated that the collaboration between the SCUT and the WSD rests on a solid foundation and holds broad prospects. He looks forward to drawing upon the WSD’s successful experience to jointly explore the efficient operation of the dual systems of seawater for flushing and fresh water supplies, and to promote the advanced experience of dual water supply networks to cities on the Mainland. Through the sharing of cutting-edge research findings and technical exchanges, the two parties aim to jointly protect precious water resources, strengthen the efficient utilisation of water resources and drive innovative breakthroughs in smart water technologies.
      
     During the visit, Mr Wong toured the International Campus of the SCUT and exchanged views with Professor Tang, Professor Lin and other leaders of the university. In their meeting, both parties had in-depth discussions on a “water-secure future” and advancing “digital water” initiatives.
      
     Located in Guangzhou, the SCUT is a key national university directly affiliated with the Ministry of Education, designated under the National “Project 985”, “Project 211” and the “Double First-Class” initiatives. It is one of the Mainland’s “Four Leading Institutes of Technology”, with its science, engineering and architecture schools being among the “Eight Historic Schools of Architecture”, enjoying a prestigious international reputation.
      
     Today, Mr Wong also led a delegation of 20 operational staff from the water treatment works of the WSD to visit the Huangge Smart Water Treatment Works and the Lanhe Smart Water Treatment Works of the Nansha Water Company under Guangdong Water Co Ltd in Guangzhou to participate in practical training. They also jointly witnessed the plaque-unveiling ceremony for the establishment of the Smart Water Treatment Works Practical Training Base at the Huangge Water Treatment Works. The milestone establishment of this practical training base not only establishes a professional exchange platform for the smart operation and management of water treatment works in both places, but will also provide systematic professional training for operational staff. This will help further enhance the operational efficiency of water supply and deepen the collaboration between Guangdong and Hong Kong in the realm of smart water management.
Issued at HKT 18:00

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Bus services to be enhanced to ease passenger flow amid ferry service adjustments on July 2 and 6