Ombudsman probes Highways Department's work on repair and maintenance of public roads
The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (April 11) announced the launch of a direct investigation operation to examine the work of the Highways Department (HyD) on the repair and maintenance of public roads, in particular the prevention of serious road subsidence incidents.
As the authority responsible for the repair and maintenance of public roads, the HyD engages contractors to carry out regular inspections and maintenance works to keep roads in safe and serviceable condition to ensure the safety of road users. However, the Office of The Ombudsman (the Office) has noted from media reports about incidents of public roads falling into disrepair from time to time, including uneven surfaces of carriageways, potholes and other damage, as well as serious road subsidence due to special incidents or extremely adverse weather conditions. The Office has also received from time to time public complaints against the HyD for failing to properly follow up on road maintenance, such as ineffective monitoring of contractors and delays in road repair works.
Furthermore, as extreme weather conditions have become more frequent in recent years, the HyD's contingency measures and emergency repair works in relation to extreme weather conditions are crucial to ensuring the safety of road users and minimising inconvenience to the public.
Mr Chan said, "Proper repair and maintenance of public roads are essential for ensuring safe and serviceable conditions of roads as well as safety and convenience for the public. Moreover, as sudden and exceptionally severe rainstorms brought about by extreme weather have happened from time to time in recent years, road closures due to subsidence and serious flooding also take place now and then. In this light, I have decided to launch a direct investigation operation to examine the HyD's work on the repair and maintenance of public roads, including the HyD's follow-up actions on complaints about road damages, monitoring of the road repair and maintenance works carried out by contractors, collaboration with the relevant departments in respect of large-scale road reinstatement works, as well as its contingency measures to handle road incidents in relation to extreme weather conditions, in particular serious road subsidence, and its emergency repairs. Where necessary, pertinent recommendations will be made for improvement."
The Ombudsman welcomes views from members of the public on this topic. Written submissions should reach the Office of The Ombudsman by May 11, 2025:
Address: 30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre
168–200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
Fax: 2882 8149
Email: di482@ombudsman.hk
Ombudsman probes Highways Department's work on repair and maintenance of public roads Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CS at Nobel Heroes Forum: Shaping Science and Future
Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Nobel Heroes Forum: Shaping Science and Future today (January 12):
Dr Wong (Chairman of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Council, Dr Peter Wong), Professor Zhang (President and Vice-Chancellor of the HKU, Professor Zhang Xiang), Mr Turner (Executive Director of Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, Mr Nikolaus Turner), distinguished Nobel Laureates, esteemed scientists,ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you today for the Nobel Heroes Forum: Shaping Science and Future.
To our Nobel Laureates – we are truly privileged to have you with us. You represent the very best of human curiosity and perseverance. Your ground-breaking work expands our understanding of the universe, lights the path for future discovery, and inspires generations. Thank you for joining this extraordinary gathering.
And to all our distinguished guests from around the world – a very warm welcome to Hong Kong.
Today's dialogue is more than an academic event. It is a powerful convergence of the world's finest scientific minds, right here in a city that is determined to play its part in global innovation.
Hong Kong's mission is clear and unwavering: to become a premier international innovation and technology centre. A hub where top scientists, scholars and entrepreneurs can thrive, collaborate and serve the world.
To achieve this, the Government is fully committed. We are building a world-class ecosystem and nurturing the talent to power it.
First, we are building the infrastructure for greatness.
We have established a strategic I&T framework centred on three major I&T (innovation and technology) parks and five key research and development institutions.
Building on the success of the Science Park and Cyberport, we officially launched the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone last month.
The Hetao Co-operation Zone is a major co-operation platform in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Park is envisioned as a world-class hub for technological innovation, connecting the Chinese Mainland with the international community, and serving as an important source for fostering new quality productive forces.
Together with our five key R&D (research and development) institutions focus on frontier technologies, these developments will create more favourable conditions for Hong Kong to attract global I&T resources and talent.
Second, we are investing decisively.
We back our words with resources. We have launched significant funding schemes across the entire innovation chain.
To support excellent and impactful research, the Research Grants Council (RGC) under the University Grants Committee administers more than 20 competitive research grant and fellowship schemes.
Furthermore, last year we launched the 3 billion HK dollars Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme to empower ground-breaking basic research led by world-class researchers and academics.
To accelerate the midstream and downstream development, we rolled out three separate 10 billion HK dollars initiatives to drive the commercialisation of R&D outcomes and new industrialisation.
Third, and most crucially, we are nurturing and attracting top talent.
Talent is our ultimate driving force. We are expanding our talent pool through multiple strategies.
On nurturing young research talent, the Government has launched the Young Collaborative Research Grant to support early-stage researchers in leading and managing collaborative research. We are also actively fostering research collaboration between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas research funding agencies through operating various Joint Research Schemes. These partnerships not only foster academic exchange but also provide opportunities to nurture researchers in exploring new frontiers in their respective fields.
On attracting global talent, the RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme has supported some 300 doctoral graduates from Hong Kong and around the world to pursue research careers at our universities.
Our international research flagship, the InnoHK research clusters, is also there to bring together brilliant minds from all over the world to conduct world-class scientific research. To date, our two existing InnoHK research clusters – one focusing on healthcare technology and another on AI and robotics – have successfully built links with over 30 world-class universities and research institutes from 12 economies, pooling together around 3 000 researchers locally and across the globe.
To go further, the Government is now expediting the development of the third InnoHK research cluster, with the focus on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials.
Our strategy follows a powerful cycle: promoting technology with talent, leading industries with technology, and attracting talent with industries.
And we are seeing results. Hong Kong ranks third globally in "Technology" in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranks first in the 2025 Global Innovation Index Ranking of the World's Top 100 innovation clusters.
Our startup community has grown nearly fivefold in the past decade, producing homegrown unicorns.
This progress is no accident. It is built on Hong Kong's unique strengths. Under "one country, two systems", we enjoy unwavering national support and unparalleled global connectivity. Our robust rule of law, free-flowing capital and vibrant multicultural society make Hong Kong the perfect incubator for scientific exploration and technological breakthroughs.
To every scientist, researcher and innovator here today: Hong Kong is open for you. We provide the platform, the funding, the freedom and the connections to turn visionary ideas into reality.
We invite you to build your legacy here. To join us in shaping not just the future of Hong Kong, but the future of science for humanity.
On this note, let the dialogue begin. I look forward to the fruitful and inspirational exchanges. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
