MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
 
     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
 
     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 12) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.html), the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index for Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District is 4, which means the predicted water quality at this beach is “Very Poor” due to potential transient water quality fluctuations caused by heavy rain. The red flag has been hoisted, and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Highways Department (HyD) will hold briefing sessions on July 25, August 1 and 7 in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong respectively to introduce the details of the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) (HSWRL) project and the upcoming invitation to the industry for submission of expressions of interest (EOIs).

     The HyD invites representatives from relevant organisations of the industry (including contractors, operators, consultants, railway system suppliers and rolling stock manufacturers, etc) which are interested in participating in the project to attend the briefing sessions. The registration details and forms are in the Annex. Industry representatives interested in attending the briefing sessions, please enrol on or before July 18 (Friday).

     The construction of the HSWRL is a crucial initiative in support of the thorough implementation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It will enhance the infrastructure connectivity in the GBA and facilitate Hong Kong’s integration into national development. Coupled with the co-location customs clearance arrangement, the HSWRL will connect the metro networks in the western regions of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. A trip from Hung Shui Kiu to Qianhai will only take approximately 15 minutes, which will help to foster the “one-hour living circle” in the GBA and enable convenient cross-boundary commerce, work, living, study and travelling activities of the residents of the two places. The HSWRL is also an important transport infrastructure promoting the development of the Northern Metropolis, catering to the local travelling demand in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area as well as Lau Fau Shan, Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai areas.

     The Government is conducting the investigation and design of the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL, including undergoing statutory processes such as an environmental impact assessment and gazettal. The goal is to have the project ready for tendering in 2027, striving to complete the construction works in 2034, followed by integrated testing and commissioning to realise the common goal of the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen to commission the HSWRL in 2035. Through the briefing sessions, the HyD hopes to attract the attention and interest of more Mainland, local and even overseas organisations of the industry towards the project, thereby actively submitting EOIs, which will enable the HyD to gain a better grasp of the industry’s views on the scheme, procurement and financial arrangements of the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL, to formulate appropriate tender terms and details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:

The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Hong Kong 2025 (July 19 and 20), Hong Kong Football Festival – Liverpool FC vs AC Milan – The Standard Chartered Trophy (July 26), and Hong Kong Football Festival – Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur – The Herbalgy Trophy (July 31).

The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (July 14), “The FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Hong Kong 2025 will gather top 3×3 basketball teams from around the world to Hong Kong, providing spectators with a thrilling viewing experience. The highlights of July will certainly be the two football friendly matches held at Kai Tak Stadium at the end of the month, featuring Liverpool FC versus AC Milan and Arsenal versus Tottenham Hotspur. These two exhibition matches will bring fans a world-class football experience. These three sporting events will not only bring high-level competitions to the spectators but also stimulate the local economy, enhancing Hong Kong’s international image and strengthening its status as an events capital.”

The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local National Sports Associations and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
 
For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.
 
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

An official Taxi Fleet Licence has been issued to SynCab Taxi (mixed fleet), operated by SynCab Service, in accordance with the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations for a period of five years, with the fleet starting services, including online hailing services, today.

The Transport Department said it has approved the taxi livery design and markings of the fleet which has to display fleet taxi plates at the front and rear as well as a fleet taxi certificate on the windscreen.

Fleet taxis may customise fares for pre-arranged journeys, charging a booking fee on top of the metered fare or charging a lump sum fare before the journey starts. Both must be agreed with the hirer in advance.

The fares of fleet taxis may vary for pre-arranged journeys, depending on the time of booking and the types of taxis the passengers request. Higher fares may be charged during peak hours or when the passenger requests a premium taxi.

For street-hailing trips, fleet taxis shall charge according to the same fare schedule as general taxis. The department has set up a website, providing information on the taxi fleet service.

There are about 80 designated fleet taxi stopping places at 13 locations such as the airport, certain boundary control points and Airport Express stations, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Information plates will be installed at these locations. The department will put up signage and display panels at some of the locations, and display online hailing QR codes via leaflets and posters for the public and tourists to make their bookings.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Major Sports Events Committee today said it awarded “M” Mark status to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Hong Kong 2025 as well as Liverpool FC vs AC Milan – The Standard Chartered Trophy and Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur – The Herbalgy Trophy of Hong Kong Football Festival.

The FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Hong Kong 2025 will be held on July 19 and 20, while the two football matches will take place on July 26 and 31 respectively.

Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng noted that the FIBA 3×3 World Tour will gather top 3×3 basketball teams from around the world, providing spectators with a thrilling viewing experience.

The highlights of July will certainly be the two friendly matches at Kai Tak Stadium, featuring Liverpool FC versus AC Milan and Arsenal versus Tottenham Hotspur, he said, adding that these exhibition matches will bring fans a world-class football experience.

“These three sporting events will not only bring high-level competitions to the spectators but also stimulate the local economy, enhancing Hong Kong’s international image and strengthening its status as an events capital.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (July 14) that an official Taxi Fleet Licence has been issued to SynCab Taxi (mixed fleet), operated by SynCab Service Limited, in accordance with regulation 12E(1) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D) for a period of five years. The fleet officially commenced services today.

     The TD has approved the taxi livery design and markings of the fleet. For easy identification by passengers, all fleet taxis are required to display fleet taxi plates (see Annex) at the front and rear of the taxi bodies, and a fleet taxi certificate on the windscreens of the taxis.

     All fleets provide online hailing services. Fleet taxis may customise fares for pre-arranged journeys, charging a booking fee on top of the metered fare or charging a lump sum fare before the journey starts. Both must be agreed with the hirer in advance. The fares of fleet taxis may vary for pre-arranged journeys depending on the circumstances at the time of booking and the types of taxis requested by the passenger. For example, higher fares may be charged during peak hours or when the passenger requests a premium taxi. For street-hailing trips, fleet taxis shall charge according to the same fare schedule as general taxis.

     The TD has set up a taxi fleet thematic website. It will also introduce information of the taxi fleet service to the public and tourists through various online and offline channels, including the TD’s HKeMobility mobile application, and the collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal operator and Hong Kong Talent Engage.

     In addition, the TD has set up about 80 designated fleet taxi stopping places across 13 locations, such as the airport, certain boundary control points, the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, some Airport Express stations, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the Hong Kong Disneyland. Information plates will be installed at these locations. The TD will also put up signage and display panels at some of these locations, and display online hailing QR codes via leaflets and posters for the public and tourists to make their bookings.

     The TD will monitor the fleet’s operations and continue to actively promote the remaining fleets to commence operations as soon as possible.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has received enquiries from members of the public about fraudsters forging HKMA documents which claim that an investment company’s assets have been frozen due to regulatory breaches, advising clients to suspend all transactions with the company. The fraudsters also posed as the company to issue a notice, claiming that clients can transfer their assets to a partner institution by paying a service fee.
 
The HKMA clarifies that the documents purported to be issued by the HKMA are fraudulent, and the company and partner institution as referred to above are not regulated by the HKMA.
 
The HKMA advises the public to carefully verify documents purported to be issued by the HKMA, or institutions purported to be regulated by the HKMA. If in doubt, they may refer to the Register of Authorized Institutions and Local Representative Offices, the Register of Stored Value Facility Licensees, and the List of Approved Money Brokers available on the HKMA website, or contact the HKMA (enquiry hotline: 2878 8222).
 
The HKMA has reported the case to the Hong Kong Police Force. Members of the public who suspect that they have become victims of any fraudulent acts should contact the Police or the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012 for follow-up actions and investigation by the Police.