WK Lo’s LegCo Express
Oct 2020
1. Elected Chairman of the Panel on Development and Deputy Chairman of the Public Works Subcommittee
In the LegCo session 2020-21, I was elected Chairman of the Panel on Development and Deputy Chairman of the Public Works Subcommittee under the Finance Committee of the LegCo.
2. 2020 Work Plan of Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation
The Chief Executive and the Governor of Guangdong Province signed the 2020 Work Plan of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation (2020 Work Plan) on 30 Oct to jointly take forward 57 measures covering eight major areas on the basis of complementarity and mutual benefit. The 57 measures aim to further facilitate exchanges between residents of Hong Kong and Guangdong, improve the quality of living of the people of the two places, take forward developments in innovation and technology, as well as strengthen co-operation in various sectors and industries, thereby contributing to the joint endeavour of Hong Kong and Guangdong to support and lead the Greater Bay Area in the economic development and opening up of the country.
3. Qianhai Opens Construction and Engineering Sector to Hong Kong
I was invited to speak at an event jointly organised by the Qianhai Authority and the Development Bureau on 20 Oct with participants from both sides connected through the web. It was announced at the event that two sets of record‑filing measures were issued for allowing professional firms and qualified practitioners respectively from Hong Kong’s construction and engineering sector to practise in the Shenzhen Qianhai Shenzhen‑Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone. The measures are for a trial period of five years commencing from 1 October 2020. The two documents provide for the relevant Hong Kong professional firms and practitioners to enjoy the same treatment as their mainland counterparts, facilitating the participation of Hong Kong’s construction and engineering sector in business operations and construction projects in the Qianhai Cooperation Zone through bidding and tendering procedures.
4. Subcommittee on Emergency (Date of General Election)(Seventh Term of the Legislative Council) Regulation
The Government announced on 31 July 2020 that, amid the severe COVID-19 epidemic situation, the Chief Executive has decided to postpone the LegCo Election for a year in order to protect public safety and health as well as ensure elections are conducted openly and fairly. The regulation came into operation on 1 August 2020. A Subcommittee was set up to study on this Regulation. I joined the Subcommittee in Oct.
5. Subcommittee on Proposed Senior Judicial Appointment
The Chief Executive has accepted the recommendation of Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on the appointment of the Right Honourable Lord Patrick Hodge as a non-permanent judge from other common law jurisdictions (CLNPJ) of Court of Final Appeal (CFA) on 5 Oct. A Subcommittee was set up to study on this matter. I joined the Subcommittee in Oct.
6. Bills Committee on Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Bill 2019
The Bills Committee on Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Bill formed in 2019 ceased its work in June 2020, thus the Bill could not be passed in the LegCo session 2019-2020. The authority introduced this Bill to the LegCo in Nov again to prevent electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products from establishing themselves in Hong Kong. I joined the Bills Committee.
7. $2 transport fare concession scheme
On 27 Oct, together with some district members and LegCo members, I submitted a petition outside the Government Headquarter to urge the Government to implement the $2 transport fare concession scheme for the age group of 60 to 64. The Government official meeting us emphasized that the authority still set the target for implementation in the next financial year, but there is no clear timetable for it yet.
8. Participated in seasonal influenza vaccination event
On 28 Oct, I was invited to receive seasonal influenza vaccination at the LegCo. I appealed to the public the importance of the vaccination, and urged eligible persons to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination in the public health system to better protect them in the coming winter influenza season.
