kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Appointments to Arboriculture and Horticulture Industry Development Advisory Committee
30.5.2022

The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (May 30) the appointment of 12 non-official members to the Arboriculture and Horticulture Industry Development Advisory Committee (AHIDAC) for a term of two years from June 1, 2022. The new non-official member is Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuet. The re-appointed non-official members are Professor Leslie Chen Hung-chi, Mr Kingsley Choi Lim-cho, Mr Daniel Ho Tat-pui, Ms Iris Hoi, Mr Lai Ka-ming, Dr Allen Lim Miaw-shin, Mr Victor Man Kwok-hing, Mr Ken So Kwok-yin and Dr Peter Yau as well as the Construction Industry Council and the Vocational Training Council. A spokesman for the DEVB said, "The AHIDAC comprises a wide range of experienced academics, practitioners and vocational trainers from trade associations, unions, professional groups, and higher education and vocational training institutions in the industry. The Committee offers a broad perspective and valuable insight on a wide range of issues related to the industry's development." The spokesman also expressed gratitude to the outgoing non-official member, Mr Ho For-hei. Appointed by the Secretary for Development, members of the AHIDAC advise the DEVB on issues related to the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel, the Study Sponsorship Scheme and Trainee Programme under the Urban Forestry Support Fund, as well as development and manpower supply and demand of the arboriculture and horticulture industry. The membership of the new term of the AHIDAC is set out below: Chairperson ------------- Deputy Secretary for Development (Works) 1 Non-official members (individuals) -------------------------------------- Professor Leslie Chen Hung-chi Mr Kingsley Choi Lim-cho Mr Daniel Ho Tat-pui Ms Iris Hoi Mr Lai Ka-ming Dr Allen Lim Miaw-shin Mr Victor Man Kwok-hing Mr Ken So Kwok-yin Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuet* Dr Peter Yau Non-official members (institutions) -------------------------------------- Construction Industry Council Vocational Training Council Official members ------------------- Head of Greening, Landscape, and Tree Management Section, DEVB Representative of Education Bureau Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Representative of Highways Department Representative of Housing Department Representative of Leisure and Cultural Services Department * New non-official member
SDEV and SFH visit Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility (with photos)
27.5.2022

The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, and the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, visited the Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility (CIF) this afternoon (May 27). Accompanied by the Director of Architectural Services, Ms Winnie Ho, Mr Wong and Professor Chan received a briefing from the Assistant President of the contractor, China State Construction International Holdings Limited, Mr Huang Jiang, on the scale and features of the project, as well as the challenges encountered during construction. They then inspected the isolation units and facilities to learn about the operation of the CIF. The construction of the Kai Tak CIF project commenced on February 19 and will be delivered in batches. The project will provide about 3 000 units upon completion. Mr Wong once again expressed gratitude to the Central Government for its staunch support, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for its intensive co-ordination and the construction team for working around the clock to enable the project to be handed over in phases in a timely manner, enhancing the anti-epidemic capabilities of Hong Kong. Each block of the Kai Tak CIF has four storeys and is equipped with lifts. Each unit is fitted with an individual toilet and bathroom. The construction adopted the modular integrated construction (MiC) method. The MiC modules are prefabricated with interior fittings, building services and furniture in a factory. Upon arrival at the construction site, the units will be ready for use after simple installation and connection to the fresh water, electricity and sewerage system, which can reduce the overall construction time.
SDEV distributes anti-epidemic service bags in Quarry Bay (with photos)
4.4.2022

âThe Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, together with staff members from the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the departments under its purview, today (April 4) distributed anti-epidemic service bags to residents including grassroots families in Quarry Bay, calling for concerted efforts by the community to fight the epidemic. Accompanied by the District Officer (Eastern), Mr Simon Chan, Mr Wong, together with the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), Ms Bernadette Linn; the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau; the Under Secretary for Development, Mr Liu Chun-san; the nine Heads of Department under the DEVB; and other colleagues of the DEVB and its departments, distributed to households the anti-epidemic service bags, each containing surgical masks, proprietary Chinese medicines, rapid antigen test (RAT) kits, an information booklet on epidemic prevention and a message card. Mr Wong said, "Fighting the epidemic is the utmost priority of the Government. The DEVB and the works departments have stayed united and spared no effort over the past month or so. With the staunch support of the Central Government, the intensive co-ordination of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the relentless effort of the construction team, the first batch of six community isolation facilities constructed with Mainland support has been completed and handed over, providing about 20 000 beds to Hong Kong. The two community isolation facilities in Penny's Bay and Kai Tak under construction will provide an additional 20 000 beds." Mr Wong appealed to the public to fight the epidemic and conduct RAT every day from April 8 to 10 after receiving the anti-epidemic service bags in order to cut the transmission of COVID-19 as early as possible. Together, we will win the anti-epidemic battle, he said.
EMSD Symposium 2022 successfully held (with photos)
20.1.2022

The EMSD Symposium 2022 organised by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) concluded successfully today (January 20). With the theme "C0-innovinity" to promote carbon neutrality and collaboration in innovation, the symposium was held via video conferencing and attracted over 1 400 participants from various sectors, including local, Mainland and overseas government departments as well as public organisations, the innovation and technology (I&T) sector, the electrical and mechanical trade and academics. The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, said in his opening address that the Government has been actively promoting the application of I&T to foster sustainable development. The online symposium organised by the EMSD served as a platform for professionals to share experience and technology, inspire creativity and strengthen collaboration, with a view to shaping a smarter and greener Hong Kong. In his welcoming speech, the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Eric Pang, said that the EMSD will continue its enduring efforts as the Government's innovation facilitator in encouraging research and development (R&D) and promoting the adoption of I&T and artificial intelligence to work out infinite solutions with the trades to jointly create a brighter future as well as striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. As one of the events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the symposium also launched a virtual exhibition for government departments, trades, universities and R&D institutions to share their innovative solutions and R&D outcomes in the fields of smart city, AI and low-carbon energy.
Three approved outline zoning plans referred back for amendment
22.12.2023

The Town Planning Board (the Board) announced today (December 22) that the Secretary for Development has referred three outline zoning plans (OZPs) to the Board for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals, namely the approved Mong Kok OZP, the approved Pok Fu Lam OZP and the approved Mid-Levels East OZP. Each OZP incorporating the respective amendment(s) will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance. The Mong Kok OZP and the Pok Fu Lam OZP were last approved by the Chief Executive in Council (CE in C) in May 2023, while the Mid-Levels East OZP was last approved by the CE in C in July 2010.
SDEV concludes visit to Shanghai (with photos)
21.12.2023

Led by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, the delegation of the Development Bureau (DEVB) concluded the visit to Shanghai today (December 21). In the morning, the delegations of the DEVB and the Legislative Council Panel on Development met with Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government Mr Zhang Xiaohong, to introduce the objectives of the visit and learn about the latest development of Shanghai. Ms Linn said that frank and fruitful exchanges were conducted with relevant government authorities during the visit, covering areas including development of new districts, renewal of old districts and building of resilient cities. She looked forward to continuous experience sharing between the two places in the future. After that, the delegations visited West Bund International AI Tower, West Bund Media Port and West Bund Financial City to understand the overall planning and development progress of the waterfront area in Xuhui District. The delegations then visited century-old Zhangyuan to learn about the successful cases of revitalisation of heritage buildings through public and private partnership. Upon completion of the visit, Ms Linn was invited to attend the signing ceremony of the memorandum of co-operation between the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the Shanghai Construction Consultants Association as well as the plaque presentation ceremony for the new liaison office of the HKIS at the Shanghai Xuhui Hong Kong Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre. Ms Linn said the establishment of the Shanghai liaison office is a milestone for professional exchanges between Shanghai and Hong Kong, laying a good foundation for the development of professionalism on surveying between the two places. The delegations returned to Hong Kong in the evening after the visit to Shanghai.
SDEV and delegation continue visit in Shanghai (with photos)
20.12.2023

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, leading a delegation of the Development Bureau, continued her visit to Shanghai today (December 20), together with a delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Development. The delegation called on the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing, Urban-Rural Development and Management (SMCHURDM) this morning. They met and exchanged views with the Director-General of the SMCHURDM, Mr Hu Guangjie; Deputy Director-General of the SMCHURDM Mr Jin Chen, and other responsible officials on various issues, including urban planning and management, redevelopment of old areas, emergency response and flood prevention works, riverside development and built heritage conservation. Ms Linn said that Hong Kong and Shanghai are facing similar challenges on urban planning, redevelopment of old areas and building of liveable city. During the process, various needs of the society should be taken care of. The exchange of views allowed the delegations to learn from the rich experience of SMCHURDM. In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Lingang Special Area to ride in autopilot vehicles and smart public transport. They met with the Deputy Director of Lingang Special Area Administration, Mr Tang Hao, and other responsible officials to learn about the overall planning and development approach of the Lingang Special Area, including institutional innovation, data sharing, smart city management and division of work between enterprises and the government. The delegation will continue their visit to Shanghai tomorrow (December 21).
SDEV leads delegation to begin visit to Shanghai (with photos)
19.12.2023

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, leading a delegation of the Development Bureau (DEVB) started her visit to Shanghai today (December 19), together with a delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Development. The delegations called on the Shanghai Water Authority (SWA) in the afternoon. They met with its Director General, Mr Shi Jiaming, and his fellow officials to learn about their efforts in maintaining the city's resilience, flooding control and relevant emergency handling measures, as well as to exchange views on related issues. Ms Linn said that in the face of extreme weather, apart from enhancing the handling capacity of existing infrastructures and expediting relevant infrastructure projects, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government had taken forward advance planning and engineering study with a view to building Hong Kong into a livable and resilient city. For the experience exchange, the DEVB and the SWA emphasised that it would not be practical to pursue a design standard that could mitigate all flooding risk without taking account of cost consideration. Rather, the capacity of flooding control should be enhanced through urban planning and flooding prevention management, while the whole society should be well prepared for relevant contingency plans. Ms Linn thanked the SWA for sharing their experiences and views, and looked forward to further exchanges between the governments of the two sides on relevant issues in the future. In the evening, the delegations had dinner and exchanged views with representatives from the Hong Kong communities in Shanghai. Ms Linn commended that Hong Kong people living in Shanghai have played an important role in the co-operation between the two cities and made significant contributions to promote economic and cultural exchanges. She looked forward to more opportunities of co-operation and development between the two cities in the future. The delegations will continue their visit in Shanghai tomorrow (December 20).
SDEV to lead delegation to visit Shanghai
18.12.2023

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, will lead a delegation of the Development Bureau (DEVB) tomorrow (December 19) to visit Shanghai with a delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Development. Ms Linn will visit the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and relevant departments with policy areas related to the DEVB, namely the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing, Urban-Rural Development and Management, the Shanghai Water Authority and the Lingang Special Area Administration. Ms Linn will also visit development projects at Xuhui West Bund and Zhangyuan. Ms Linn will return to Hong Kong on December 21 evening. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam, will be the Acting Secretary for Development.
"Under the Same Roof: Origin and Art of Lingnan Traditional Architecture" exhibition opens (with photos)
12.12.2023

Co-organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB), the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the exhibition entitled "Under the Same Roof: Origin and Art of Lingnan Traditional Architecture" officially opened today (December 12). It is the first exhibition jointly curated by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Exchange and Collaboration on Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Amongst the Greater Bay Area last year. The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, the Director of Art Exhibitions China, Mr Tan Ping; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Ms Leong Wai-man; and the Deputy Director General of the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, Ms Ou Caiqun, officiated at the opening ceremony. The exhibition showcases the history and features of Lingnan traditional architecture, as well as the culture and traditions of the Lingnan region and the Central Plains, which share the same origin. Featuring 170 painstakingly selected invaluable items/sets of exhibits from Guangdong, Macao and Hong Kong, the exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to appreciate the distinctive features of Lingnan traditional architecture from a close distance. Most of the exhibits are displayed in Hong Kong for the first time. Highlight exhibits include the Panyu shrine, a grade-one national treasure from the Guangdong Museum of Folk Arts; the earliest discovered green-glazed barrel tile and board tile from the Nanyue King Museum; cased coloured glass windows and woven bamboo architectural decorative components from the Macao Museum; a carved red sandstone column base of the Chenghua reign of the Ming dynasty unearthed in Hong Kong; traditional building components on loan from various clans, temples and private organisations in Hong Kong. The exhibition runs at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, until June 2 next year. Admission is free. For details, please visit the website of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the Development Bureau ( www.amo.gov.hk/en/news/index_id_146.html?year=2023 ) or call 2208 4488. The AMO has also produced a short video about the preparation of the exhibition which can be viewed at the AMO's website.
17th Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Planning Co-operation Meeting held in Hong Kong (with photos)
30.11.2023

The 17th Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Planning Co-operation Meeting was held in Hong Kong today (November 30). Hong Kong and Shenzhen have been maintaining close ties and regularly exchanging the latest progress on town planning work of the two cities through the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Planning Co-operation Meeting. Those attending the joint co-ordination meeting included the Director of Planning, Mr Ivan Chung, and the Chief of the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Xu Songming. The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, also met with Mr Xu and the delegation of the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality after the meeting. At today's meeting, the Planning Department and the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality introduced Hong Kong's latest amendment of the Town Planning Ordinance and the "Shenzhen Spatial Planning on Emergency Evacuation and Rescue (2021-2035)" respectively. Both sides also exchanged views on developments such as the Northern Metropolis and San Tin Technopole, and have agreed to foster closer interaction, including arrangements for meetings and reciprocal visits next year. After the meeting, officials from the Planning Department and the delegation of the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality visited the Tung Chung Community Liaison Center. The party was briefed by representatives of the Sustainable Lantau Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department on the development of Tung Chung East reclamation and the conservation of Lantau, and conducted a site visit to Tai O to learn more about projects under the Lantau Conservation Fund. Officials from the Planning Department and the delegation of the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality will visit New Territories North tomorrow (December 1) to learn more about the latest planning and development of main new development areas in the Northern Metropolis.
Transcript of remarks by SDEV at media session
19.11.2023

âFollowing is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (November 19): Reporter: Secretary, so given the recent unsuccessful tenders, should there be any adjustments in tendering conditions or their land use? Does it affect the government's overall land supply and the plan in having more land? And second on the Northern Metropolis, is the government still on track with its goal of starting land resumption procedures for all development projects by 2027? Secretary for Development: First of all, on your question about the failed tender, I think failed tender is largely because of the current economic situation in Hong Kong and in the world. So it shouldn't be something permanent. And whenever we have a failed tender, we will consider rolling out the site again sometime later, under different market circumstances, and sometimes with adjustments to the tender conditions, for example in the past when a particular site is a bit large, we may sort of reduce it, cut it up into two different sites, and that may help the tender, but it depends on the site concerned. As regards whether we will change the land use, whenever there is a failed tender, I think we should not run into knee-jerk reactions because the land uses for different parcels of land are premised on comprehensive planning and known demand. So if we change it too readily, it will upset the balance of the different land uses we have in mind. As regards your question as to whether failed tenders will affect our plan in land supply and producing land, we will not. Because tender is about the situation reaction in a particular market condition, but the production of land and increase of land supply is a long-term land supply issue, and we have to be determined to roll out different sources of land supply if we are to meet the different demands of land for Hong Kong's development. Regarding your question about the Northern Metropolis, in the recently published Action Agenda (Northern Metropolis Action Agenda) we have pledged that we will commence the resumption of land for all the development projects by 2027, it is by 2027. Actually we have commenced resumption of land for different land parcels, for example those in Hung Shui Kiu and Kwu Tung North quite some years ago. So our pledge is to commence the resumption for the rest of the development areas by 2027, actually it's continuing. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Approved URA Kwun Tong Town Centre - Main Site Development Scheme Plan referred back for amendment
10.11.2023

The Town Planning Board announced today (November 10) that the Secretary for Development has referred the approved Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Kwun Tong Town Centre (KTTC) - Main Site Development Scheme Plan (DSP) to the Board for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals. The DSP incorporating the respective amendments will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance. The URA KTCC - Main Site DSP was last approved by the Chief Executive in Council in July 2008.