Speech by S for S at Opening Ceremony of International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange 2025
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at the Opening Ceremony of the International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange 2025 today (November 25):
Deputy Director Xu Zhongshun (Deputy Director General of the National Fire and Rescue Administration), distinguished guests, respected colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. On behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to Hong Kong and to the opening ceremony of the International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange (IARTX) 2025.
I extend a particularly warm welcome to delegation members from our national rescue teams, the Macao SAR (Special Administrative Region) rescue team, and distinguished experts from our neighbouring countries and regions across Asia Pacific. Your presence today exemplifies a shared commitment to advancing regional collaboration in disaster prevention, response and rescue.
In recent years, the realities of climate change have become ever more apparent, with extreme weather events occurring more frequently and with greater intensity, including here in Hong Kong. Against this backdrop, the HKSAR Government remains unwavering in its dedication to enhancing disaster preparedness, strengthening emergency response capabilities, and safeguarding public safety.
Aquatic rescue is among the most challenging and high-risk domains of emergency operations. Through the technical exchange platform provided by the IARTX, experts and frontline practitioners from across our region will come together for practical training, live demonstrations, thematic presentations and site visits. These valuable interactions are essential for deepening mutual understanding, sharing best practices and fostering robust operational co-ordination.
Such collaboration does more than enhance our technical capabilities, it forges the spirit of solidarity so vital in times of crisis. The knowledge and experience gained through this exchange will further empower the Hong Kong Fire Services Department to contribute effectively to our national strategies on disaster management, and will help us deepen international partnerships to better protect lives in our region.
The HKSAR Government is also steadfast in developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub. In the field of aquatic rescue, we actively promote the integration of advanced technologies, such as underwater remotely operated vehicles and side-scan sonar rescue tools, so as to enable our rescuers to work more safely, efficiently, and precisely.
Today's gathering vividly demonstrates that disaster risk knows no boundaries, and neither should our efforts to address it. Co-operation, co-ordination and cohesion are the pillars of collective resilience. I am confident that, through the collaborative spirit of the IARTX, we will forge even stronger partnerships, further strengthen our capabilities, and secure a safer future for our communities.
In closing, I wish the IARTX 2025 every success, and hope that all participants find the coming days to be both fruitful and inspiring. Thank you.
Speech by S for S at Opening Ceremony of International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses
Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.
Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.
The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:
(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.
(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.
"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.
To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.
Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.
Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.
Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.
Source: AI-found images
