Delegation of LegCo Panel on Transport Explores Beijing's Ride-Hailing and Smart Transport Innovations

LegCo Panel on Transport visits ride-hailing service and smart transport in Beijing

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport continued its duty visit in Beijing today (September 3) to understand the daily operational models of local ride-hailing platform and the latest developments of smart transport management.

In the morning, the delegation first visited the headquarters of Didi Chuxing to gain a better understanding of daily operation and management of its ride-hailing platform and to observe its service workflow. During the visit, Members exchanged views with its representatives on issues such as the regulation of ride-hailing services, vehicle fleet size controls and platform fee structure, with a view to assisting the Administration in refining the point-to-point transport services in Hong Kong.

In the afternoon, the delegation went to Tongzhou District to examine the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and its overall planning and construction, including the Integrated Transportation Hub, which was commissioned late last year and is now known as Beijing Tongzhou Station. As Asia's largest underground integrated transport hub, it adopts a development pattern that integrates an underground transport hub with above-ground urban development. The station connects four railway networks including high-speed rail, subway and intercity railways, connecting Beijing's two airports, Tangshan City, new areas in Tianjin and Hebei. Its design allows citizens to complete transfers within a short period of time.

The delegation then visited the Beijing Municipal Transportation Operations Coordination Center to receive a briefing from its representatives on the new-generation transport operation command and dispatch system, as well as the application of big data. Members learnt that as the “strongest brain” of the capital’s transport, the Center monitors real-time traffic conditions through video surveillance and big data analysis, assisting the government in providing travel information and issuing early alerts during major events and emergencies.

In addition, the delegation met with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport to learn about the latest developments in local transport facilities and road planning, promoting smart transport, and formulating transport regulatory frameworks. Both sides engaged in an in-depth exchange on matters such as road planning and urban transport management to draw on each other’s experience.

In the evening, the delegation visited the headquarters of Sinotrans Limited to learn about developments in shipping agency operations, freight transportation, as well as smart and innovative logistics system and services.

The delegation will continue its duty visit in Beijing tomorrow (September 4).

A total of 13 members and non-members of the Panel on Transport participated in the duty visit. The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, also led a government delegation to join the duty visit.

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport continues the duty visit in Beijing today (September 3). Photo shows LegCo Members and the government delegation visiting the headquarters of Sinotrans Limited. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport continues the duty visit in Beijing today (September 3). Photo shows LegCo Members and the government delegation visiting the Beijing Municipal Transportation Operations Coordination Center and exchanging views with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Panel on Transport continues the duty visit in Beijing today (September 3). Photo shows the Chairman of the Panel on Transport, Dr Chan Han-pan (front row, fourth left), and other Members with the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan (front row, centre), and the Government delegation at the headquarters of Didi Chuxing. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Panel on Transport continues the duty visit in Beijing today (September 3). Photo shows the delegation visiting the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Panel on Transport continues the duty visit in Beijing today (September 3). The delegation visits headquarters of Didi Chuxing and receives a briefing from its representatives on the daily operations and management of its ride-hailing platform. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government launches public consultation on proposed amendments to Sweeteners in Food Regulations

The Government today (September 4) launched a three-month public consultation exercise on the proposed amendments to the Sweeteners in Food Regulations (Cap. 132U) to invite views from the public.

Sweeteners are food additives that impart a sweet taste to food in place of sugars. Like other food additives, sweeteners are permitted for use only after stringent safety evaluations that demonstrate they are fit for consumption. The Regulations stipulate that no person shall sell, consign, deliver or import any food containing sweeteners, except the permitted sweeteners.

The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have reviewed the Regulations and proposed amendments to update Hong Kong's food safety standards. The proposed amendments have primarily made reference to the General Standard for Food Additives formulated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The proposed legislative amendments include bringing polyhydric alcohols under the regulatory scope, expanding the list of permitted sweeteners, setting maximum permitted levels for different "sweetener-food" pairs, as well as making technical amendments, with a view to better protecting public health and harmonising with international standards. The proposed amendments are supported by the Expert Committee on Food Safety, which comprises local, Mainland and overseas experts. The Government also briefed the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene in June this year on the proposed legislative amendments, which received general support from the Panel.

A Government spokesman said, "Apart from enhancing the protection of food safety, the proposed amendments expand the list of permitted sweeteners to offer more choices for the trade and consumers. At the same time, harmonising local food safety standards for sweeteners with non-local standards helps facilitate the food trade. To allow reasonable preparation time for the trade and other stakeholders, the Government proposes to provide an 18-month transitional period following completion of the legislative procedure for the subsidiary legislation to amend the Regulations."

The consultation document can be downloaded from the CFS website (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew_fstr_Proposed_Amendments_Sweeteners_Food_Regulation.html). Members of the public may submit their written views on the proposed amendments by email (sweetener_consultation@fehd.gov.hk), fax (2893 3547) or post (43/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong) within the consultation period.

The Government will also conduct consultation forums to collect views from the public. For details, please refer to the CFS website.

Source: AI-found images