FS concludes visit to Beijing
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and Assistant Minister of Commerce Mr Yuan Xiaoming jointly hosted the eighth meeting of the Mainland and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Co-operation Committee in Beijing this morning (March 23). This was the Committee's first physical meeting held in Beijing. The progress of the economic and trade sectors of the two places was reviewed and future work of the Committee was discussed, including the implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, the joint promotion of the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and support for Hong Kong's participation in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and regional economic collaboration.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, and others also attended the meeting.
Mr Chan concluded his visit to Beijing and will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (third left), and Assistant Minister of Commerce Mr Yuan Xiaoming (third right) jointly hosted the eighth meeting of the Mainland and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Co-operation Committee in Beijing today (March 23). Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (second left), and the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho (fourth left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and Assistant Minister of Commerce Mr Yuan Xiaoming jointly hosted the eighth meeting of the Mainland and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Co-operation Committee in Beijing today (March 23). Photo shows Mr Chan (fourth left), Mr Yuan (fourth right), the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (third right), the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho (second left), and other officials. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (left), and Assistant Minister of Commerce Mr Yuan Xiaoming (right) jointly hosted the eighth meeting of the Mainland and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Co-operation Committee in Beijing today (March 23). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session regarding adjustment of Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media today (March 23), regarding the adjustment of the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme). Following are Mr Sun's remarks at the media session:
Reporter: Good afternoon. Firstly, how would you assess the monetary impacts on the Government for the revised policy and the impact on beneficiaries who might have to take more expensive or longer routes after the policy takes effect? And secondly, any concrete timetable on when to review the policy and roll out the second phase, which would be the cap on the 240 trips per month? Thank you.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Thank you for your questions. The estimated annual savings arising from the new measure will be around $550 million, so as to save the public monies by putting in place a new measure. If you look at the number of transport routes that will be affected, it will be around 40 per cent. Currently, if you look at the number of routes taking into account all modes of transport, around 60 per cent of them have fares of $10 or below. That means about 40 per cent will be over $10. We will step up our promotion and publicity to put across all the messages to our elderly people and the disabled to make sure that they are fully informed about the new measure.
Of course, when we roll out the new measure, we will keep a very close watch over usage patterns and also all relevant statistics. I am going to share it with the public from time to time. We will also look at what is needed to make sure that all those elderly people and the disabled are fully informed about the new measure. To put it simply, the process is very simple because they do not have to apply. They do not need to do anything by themselves. What they need to know is just look at the fare. If it is $10 or below, no change. It will be $2. If it is over $10, that means they have to pay 20 per cent of the adult fare, and the rest of the 80 per cent will be fully borne by the government. Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, Photo source: reference image
