Second "Extension Notice" published under Extension of Government Leases Ordinance
The Lands Department published the second "Extension Notice" under the Extension of Government Leases Ordinance (Cap. 648) today (December 27) in accordance with the requirement under the Ordinance to give six years' prior notice, covering general purpose leases (GPLs) (i.e. general residential, commercial, industrial leases, hereafter "applicable leases") which expire in 2031 (i.e. from January 1 to December 31, 2031) and do not contain a right of renewal. All land leases of the three lots involved in this batch have been extended for a term of 50 years.
Land leases extended under the Ordinance, including the leases of the three lots in this batch, do not require payment of additional premium but are subject to an annual payment of Government rent equivalent to 3 per cent of the rateable value of the relevant land. The three lots include one located in Kowloon and two on Hong Kong Island, and the leases of these three lots are mainly for residential use. The Extension Notice has been uploaded to the website of the Lands Department (www.landsd.gov.hk/tc/resources/gov-notices/lease-extension/ext_2024.html).
Regarding the leases extended by the Lands Department through the above "Extension Notice", the encumbrances, interests and rights under the original lease (such as mortgages) will be carried forward to the extended lease term without being affected. Owners do not have to perform any procedures, nor are they required to execute lease extension documents with the Government or rearrange mortgages. The Lands Department has issued letters to the relevant owners or owners' corporations to inform them of the lease extension arrangements.
A spokesperson for the Development Bureau said, "The arrangement of extending land leases without having to execute a new contract under the Ordinance provides certainty for lease extension, enhances the confidence of property owners and investors in the real estate market, and brings tremendous convenience to the public and businesses. It has received widespread support from various sectors of the community. The mechanism manifests the solid safeguards for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'."
The Ordinance, which came into effect on July 5, 2024, establishes a standing statutory mechanism for handling lease extension matters for applicable leases which do not contain a right of renewal and expire on or after the effective date in batches. Together with the first "Extension Notice" published on July 5, 2024, the Government has extended leases expiring from July 5, 2024, to the end of 2031. The Government will publish the next "Extension Notice" by the end of 2025, covering applicable leases expiring in 2032, in accordance with the requirement under the Ordinance to give six years' prior notice.
The spokesperson has also said that the Ordinance is not applicable to special purpose leases (SPLs). Different from GPLs, SPLs are mainly granted to groups or organisations for specific purposes of education, welfare, recreation, public utility, special industries, petrol filling stations, etc. The Lands Department will process lease extension matters and execute new leases (if renewed) with the lessee six years prior to lease expiry. For SPLs executed before July 5, 2024, and expiring in or after 2031 (1634 lots in total) (Note), the Lands Department has made an "SPL identification note" in the Land Registry register of the relevant land leases today, in accordance with the requirement under the Ordinance, for the purpose of identifying the SPLs for the handling of lease extension matters in accordance with the original administrative procedures outside the Ordinance. The Lands Department will also inform the lessee in writing that his land lease has been identified as an SPL. If the lessee does not agree with the identification of his lease as an SPL, he may submit a review application to the Lands Department within one year from the date of identification. For details, please refer to the list of SPLs and review guidelines on the website of the Lands Department (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/land-disposal-transaction/extension.html).
Note: In July this year, the Lands Department made an "SPL identification note" in the Land Registry register of those SPLs which were executed before July 5, 2024, and would expire before 2031 (244 lots in total).
Chinese medicine sector fully supports residents affected by Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire by providing free Chinese medicine consultation services
The Health Bureau (HHB) announced today (December 14) that free Chinese medicine (CM) consultation services will be provided to residents affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po starting tomorrow (December 15). In addition, various CM services will also be deployed to fully address their medical needs.
Free Chinese medicine consultation services
To ensure the affected residents receive more comprehensive medical support, free CM consultation services will be launched starting tomorrow. Under the co-ordination of the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) and the Chinese Medicine Unit of the HHB, 150 CM practitioners have participated in the free CM consultation services, covering more than 170 service points. Starting from tomorrow until February 28, 2026, all residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including foreign domestic helpers) can receive up to three free CM consultation services, including the provision of medication and related treatments based on their clinical needs, through the arrangement of the District Health Centres/ District Health Centre Expresses (collectively referred to as DHCs) across all 18 districts in Hong Kong. The scope of free CM consultation services covers health conditions that may arise after the fire, such as emotional changes, insomnia, palpitations; coughing, wheezing, dry throat, and itchy throat; physical weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, dyspepsia; as well as pain and musculoskeletal injuries.
Affected residents with medical needs can call the hotlines or visit any DHC in person to seek assistance, regardless of their current place of residence. Those who are registered DHC members may also contact their respective DHC directly. The hotlines have been posted on the websites of the PHC Commission and the DHCs. Case managers of the DHCs will pair them with CM practitioners participating in the free CM consultation scheme based on their individual situation and preferences.
The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong
All residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including foreign domestic helpers), and all individuals injured in the fire and admitted to public hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA) can receive full fee waivers at the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) until December 31, 2026. The waivers cover all government-subsidised services of CMHHK, including General Clinic, Specialised Clinic, Allied Health Services, day-patient services, as well as special Western medicine diagnostic procedures and medications (discharge medication collection). Relevant individuals can identify themselves to CMHHK and provide basic personal information (including name, identity card number and residential address) during consultations to facilitate the arrangement.
Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres located in 18 districts
Following the fire, the Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) under the HA promptly provide support in Sha Tin District, Tai Po District, and North District through enhancing CM services, arranging rescheduling of appointments, and re-dispensing of Chinese medicines.
Starting from December 2, the 18 CMCTRs have been fully supporting all residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including foreign domestic helpers). They are eligible for full medical fee waivers until December 31 2026, covering government-subsidised CM outpatient services, including general consultation, acupuncture and bone-setting/tui-na. Relevant individuals can call the CMCTRs during their service hours or make an appointment via the "18 CM Clinics" mobile application. They shall identify themselves to the CMCTRs and provide basic personal information (including name, identity card number and residential address) upon registration to proceed with the arrangement. The CMCTRs will provide priority booking for the affected residents. In addition, the Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Services under the HA's public hospitals/ambulatory care centres/out-patient clinics (currently available for six selected disease areas) will also waive service fees for relevant individuals.
Information about the 18 CMCTRs can be found on the HACMK website.
The HHB expresses gratitude to the CM sector and non-governmental organisations for their dedication to providing various CM support to the affected residents. The Government will continue to co-ordinate various medical services to support the physical and mental health needs of the residents.
Source: AI-found images
