Suspected theft case involving personal data held by FEHD
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (January 2) that the department attaches utmost importance on a suspected theft case of document files and has reported the incident to the Police for follow-up. Since the files contain personal data, the department has immediately contacted all the data subjects affected to offer its apologies and appeal for their heightened vigilance.
The incident involves two internal document files stored at the Kowloon City District Environmental Hygiene Office. These files contained records of public complaints against environmental nuisances in the district, including the names and contact information (telephone numbers or email addresses) of approximately 100 complainants.
The spokesman said, "The office area concerned is access-controlled by a digital lock and also has an independent door lock. As the incident may involve criminal act of theft, the FEHD has reported the case to the Police for follow-up and will fully co-operate with the investigation. The FEHD has also notified the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and notified the data subjects affected by the incident."
The spokesman for the FEHD stressed, "The department offered its apologies to those affected. The FEHD attaches great importance to the security of personal data, and has laid down clear internal guidelines and control mechanism to ensure compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and other relevant laws and ordinances. Staff members are also regularly reminded to adhere to these guidelines and provisions. While the case is believed to be an isolated incident, the department will take stringent action should the investigation reveal any negligence or mishandling by any officer. The FEHD will also review the current personal data security measures to ensure effective protection of the personal data it collects."
SDEV concludes visit to Beijing
The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, today (April 20) conducted a series of exchanges and visits in Beijing.
In the morning, Ms Linn called on the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and held a working meeting with Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of the SASAC Mr Xie Hui, to brief him on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's work in accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM) and encouraging enterprise participation. Ms Linn said that to expedite the development of the NM, the HKSAR Government has been adopting various diversified implementation approaches. These include establishing an industry park company owned by the Government to promote industry anchoring and development, and inviting tenders at the end of last year for the pilot area of about 11 hectares under large-scale land disposal in the Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area. In addition, the SAR Government strives to introduce dedicated legislation to accelerate the development of the NM within this year, further removing barriers and facilitating business operations.
Ms Linn expressed gratitude to the SASAC for supporting and encouraging state-owned enterprises to participate in the development of the NM. She said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong in accelerating the development of the NM. Hong Kong will definitely seize the opportunity to proactively align with the requirements of national strategies, translating the Central Government's support into tangible outcomes that will drive high-quality development and improve people's livelihoods in Hong Kong.
Afterwards, Ms Linn met with Vice President of the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Mr Chen Yong and his team to exchange views on how to forge the construction industry into strong new quality productive forces, and to discuss deepening co-operation in promoting the adoption of advanced construction technologies by the industry in both places, particularly the application of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), with a view to making MiC a high-end industry of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) with global reach. Ms Linn then had lunch with the Chairman of the CSCEC, Mr Zheng Xuexuan, to exchange views on how enterprises could participate in the development of the NM by multiple means and innovations in the construction industry. She thanked the CSCEC for its active participation in Hong Kong's construction over the years, and said she looks forward to the CSCEC and its subsidiaries' continuous support and participation in the development of the NM, jointly promoting the sustainable development and innovation of the construction industry.
Ms Linn also visited Building 28 in Sanlihe Yiqu, a redevelopment project for dilapidated and old buildings in Xicheng District of Beijing undertaken by a subsidiary of the CSCEC. She learned that the project adopted the "in-situ demolish-and-rebuild" model and incorporated the MiC smart construction technology, which significantly shortened the construction period and enabled rapid topping-out and early rehousing of residents.
In the afternoon, Ms Linn attended the "Hong Kong Engineering Legacy Exhibition@Capital" organised by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Themed "revisiting 50 years of glory, building a new generation together", the exhibition showcases the remarkable achievements of Hong Kong's engineering sector over the past half-century and introduces the new development trends of integrating innovative technology with the engineering industry in the future.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the exhibition, Ms Linn said that the HKIE's hosting of the exhibition in Beijing expresses through action the engineering profession's dedication for integrating into the overall development of the country and its passion and commitment to serve the nation. The National 15th Five-Year Plan provides clear direction for the future development of the construction industry, calling on the sector to consolidate and enhance its global standing and competitiveness. Over the years, the Hong Kong engineering sector has accumulated rich experience in major infrastructure projects. This, coupled with the sector's excellent talent, world-class professional standards, outstanding capabilities for project management, and achievement of multiple international awards, laid a solid foundation for Hong Kong to develop into an international infrastructure centre. Looking ahead, Ms Linn encouraged the engineering professionals to actively leverage the unique advantages of enjoying the country's strong support while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world. With the familiarity with and extensive experience in applying international construction standards, combined with the engineering technology and thriving supply chain in the Chinese Mainland, jointly build the "China construction" brand, supporting the country to promote its advanced construction and water infrastructure technologies, materials, and products to the world, ultimately benefiting mankind.
Ms Linn concluded her visit and returned to Hong Kong this evening.
SDEV concludes visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SDEV concludes visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SDEV concludes visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SDEV concludes visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SDEV concludes visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SDEV concludes visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
