Government launches open tender for Sandy Ridge site under two-envelope approach
The Government launched today (October 10) an open tender for the disposal of Lot No. 953 in Demarcation District No. 89 at Sandy Ridge, North District (Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster site), under a two-envelope approach. The tender invitation will close on December 31, 2025 (Wednesday).
The Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster site is situated in the Northern Metropolis and is adjacent to Lo Wu. The site, with an area of approximately 116365square metres and being rezoned to "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Innovation and Technology (I&T)", is designated for the development of a data facility cluster and related industries purposes, aligning with the vision of developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. The maximum gross floor area (GFA) that may be attained is 250000 square metres, and no less than 70 per cent of the GFA must be dedicated to high-tier data centre use.
The launch of this tender for the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster site aims to provide advanced computing power facilities, foster the growth of data and artificial intelligence-related industries, strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional digital infrastructure hub, and advance the development of a digital economy and smart city initiatives.
A spokesperson for the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau said, "Through this tender, we hope to attract capable investors to develop Sandy Ridge into an advanced data facility cluster for a data centre and related industries to drive forward I&T development in Hong Kong. The Government has included specific provisions in the tender documents to ensure that the site will be primarily used for a data facility cluster, and will adopt a two-envelope approach in the tender assessment to enable a comprehensive evaluation of both non-premium and premium proposals with a view to selecting the proposal that best unleashes the site's potential."
Under the two-envelope tender arrangement, a weighting of 70 per cent will be allocated to the assessment of the non-premium proposal, and 30 per cent to the premium proposal. The tender must comply with the requirements on both non-premium and premium aspects specified in the tender documents. The detailed assessment criteria are set out in the tender documents.
The successful tenderer will be required to enter into a service deed with the Government, which will incorporate the commitments made in its tender to facilitate the Government's monitoring of its implementation.
Land sale documents for the lot including the Explanatory Statement, the Information Statement, the Form of Tender, the Tender Notice, the Conditions of Sale and the sale plans have been made available for public downloading from the Lands Department's website (www.landsd.gov.hk). Hard copies of the sale plan may also be purchased at the Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department, 6th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, from today until the close of the tender. Details of the tender have been gazetted today.
Source: AI-found images
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
