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Secretary for Justice Paul Lam started his two-day visit to Macau this afternoon by meeting senior officials ahead of attending the 12th Mainland, Hong Kong & Macau legal seminar tomorrow.   He first met Macau Secretary for Administration & Justice Cheong Weng Chon to deepen collaboration between Hong Kong and Macau, with a view to facilitating the interface of legal systems and rules as well as the nurturing of legal talent in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.   At the meeting, Mr Lam thanked the Macau Office of the Secretary for Administration & Justice for its continuous support to the Department of Justice, including co-organising a forum during Hong Kong Legal Week 2023 to jointly promote legal and dispute resolution services in the Greater Bay Area. He also introduced the department’s preparation work for establishing the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, noting that he looked forward to Macau’s support to jointly contribute to the devel

The Fire Services Department (FSD) today announced that from December 1, the entry requirements for Station Officer (Operational), Ambulance Officer, Fireman/Firewoman (Operational/Marine) and Ambulanceman/Ambulancewoman will be adjusted.   The passing mark for test items in the physical fitness test will be revised and the time limit for test items will be extended. Inclined chin-ups will be introduced as an optional test item for candidates in the physical fitness test.        The eyesight test requirement will also be revised and candidates may choose to wear spectacles during the test. This revision is only applicable to Station Officer (Operational) and Fireman/Firewoman (Operational/Marine).   The FSD pointed out that it has always upheld the principle of meritocracy and from time to time reviews its recruitment policy to ensure candidates of the highest calibre are selected.   Upon review, the department considered there was room for adjusting the eyesight test a

The Government held exchange meetings on the theme of improving the district governance system and reforming the District Councils (DCs) at the Central Government Offices today.   Over 80 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and Hong Kong SAR members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) were there to exchange views on improving the district governance system and supporting the District Council election.   Chief Executive John Lee noted that it is the first major citywide election after improving the district governance system and reforming the DCs, and is of particular significance.   He said it also marks the final mile for the full implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” in the district governance structure.   The Chief Executive also noted that the election is of great significance to the good governance and the long-term st

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan will depart for Dubai tomorrow to join the Chinese delegation to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.   Mr Tse will attend the high-level segment, side events and other activities of COP28.   He will also hold bilateral meetings with other conference representatives and attend the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group's steering committee meeting to introduce Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 and the latest policies and measures adopted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to combat climate change.   Commissioner for Climate Change Wong Chuen-fai and Environment & Ecology Bureau officers will join the visit. Permanent Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury (Financial Services) Salina Yan will also take part to promote Hong Kong's advantages and latest developments of green and sustainable finance.   Mr Tse will re

The Environmental Protection Department said it does not tolerate concrete batching plants operating without a licence and will make every effort to stop any illegal operations.   The department made the statement in response to media reports yesterday of a concrete batching plant at 20 Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong continuing to operate without holding a valid Specified Process Licence (SPL).   The department has been closely monitoring the operation of two plants, both owned by China Concrete. The other plant is at 22 Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong.   Regarding the plant at 20 Tung Yuen Street, the Air Pollution Control Appeal Board dismissed an appeal lodged by China Concrete against the department’s refusal of its application for renewal of an SPL for the plant on November 22.   Under the Air Pollution Control (Specified Processes) Regulations, the plant’s SPL ceased to be valid with immediate effect and the department issued a letter requesting that all works be halte

The Development Bureau has suspended the contractor involved in yesterday's fatal industrial incident on a private works site at the Peak from tendering for public works contracts pursuant to the regulating regime.   The contractor concerned was under the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works.   As the party that procures services for public works, the bureau issued a notification to the contractor concerned that evening to suspend it from tendering for public works contracts in the site formation category with immediate effect.   The contractor must conduct an independent audit to review its safety management system. Taking cognisance of its outcome, the contractor is required to submit an improvement action plan and implement improvement measures to demonstrate that it has an effective safety management system in place, before lifting of the tendering suspension can be considered.   The suspension from tendering is both confined to future tender exercises