W K LO's LegCo Express 

1. Amendment on motion of “Proactively expanding development opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”

I moved an amendment on the motion of “Proactively expanding development opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” on 20 March. I urged the Government to: (1) enhancing the training of innovation and technology talents, strengthening the integration and matching of production supply chains within the Greater Bay Area and promoting commercialization of research and development results; (2) further fine-tuning the arrangements for customs clearance of goods between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and striving for the opening up of more boundary control points to implement 24-hour clearance operation; (3) conducting negotiations with Mainland government departments to strive for lowering of the thresholds for operating various professional services on the Mainland and perfecting mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and further fine-tuning the arrangements for various corporate and personal taxation (including cross-border taxation); and (4) perfecting the portability of welfare benefits between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and providing more transport concessions to Hong Kong people who travel frequently between the two places.

Welcome to view my amendment speech via the link: 

http://www.irdrwklo.hk/articlesview.asp?ClassID=2&ArticleID=505 (Chinese only)

 

2. Funding projects approved in the PWSC

On 20 March, the PWSC approved a funding request of HK$33.6 billion for implementing the infrastructure works at Kwu Tung North new development area and Fanling North new development area. Another funding request of HK$2.4 billion was approved on the same day for design and construction of the Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 2 located at Sha Ling of the North District. On 29 March, the PWSC approved a funding request of HK$2.39 billion to carry out site formation and infrastructure works to support the proposed Wang Chau public housing development Phase 1, Yuen Long. These proposals would be reviewed by the Finance Committee for final funding approval as soon as possible.

 

3. Bills Committee on Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill 2019

The Bill was published in the Gazette on 8 Feb 2019 and received its First Reading at the Council meeting of 20 Feb 2019. The Bill seeks to amend Trade Marks Ordinance (TMO) to (a) empower the Registrar to make essential procedural rules for implementing the Madrid Protocol in Hong Kong; (b) confer powers on the Customs and Excise Department to enforce the criminal provisions under TMO; and (c) make miscellaneous technical amendments to enhance Hong Kong's trade mark application and registration system. I joined the Bills Committee in March. 

 

4. Bills Committee on Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Bill 

The Bill seeks to amend the Ordinance, two items of its subsidiary legislation, and the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance to (a) prohibit the import, manufacture or sale and restrict the giving, possession or promotion of prescribed alternative smoking products (ASPs); (b) extend the current prohibitions on the use of cigarettes, cigars or pipes in specified places to the use of ASPs; (c) extend the current restrictions on tobacco advertising to the advertising of ASPs; (d) exclude ASPs from being dutiable commodities; and (e) make related, textual and consequential amendments. I joined the Bills Committee in March. 

 

5. Joint Subcommittee to Follow Up Issues Relating to the Redevelopment, Maintenance and Management of Aged Buildings

This joint subcommittee aims to study and follow up the issues relating to the redevelopment, maintenance and management of aged buildings (including but not limited to redevelopment, building structure and fire safety of aged buildings, the handling of problems of water seepage and signboards on external walls of aged buildings and the formation of owners' corporations and building management, etc.) and make timely recommendations. I joined the subcommittee in March. 

 

6. Attended the CityU Veterinary Medical Centre opening ceremony

On 27 March, I attended the CityU Veterinary Medical Centre opening ceremony as board member of this Centre. It is among the largest veterinary clinics in Asia, and will provide opportunities of practical training for veterinary students of the CityU. With a floor area of approximately 33,000 square feet, the three-storey centre is equipped with advanced facilities and equipment for medical care and surgery for animals.