Latest news with #Legco
RTHK
11 hours ago
- Business
- RTHK
Security risks put paid to communications tender
Security risks put paid to communications tender Chris Tang says tendering can still be adopted to procure items that don't have any national security implications. Photo: RTHK Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on Tuesday the government has decided to skip the tendering process in procuring a next-generation communications system for the police force after taking into consideration national security risks. The force began parallel tendering to select a service provider to upgrade its communication system with 5G capabilities two years ago. However, the open tender process has since been abandoned, with the force citing geopolitical risks affecting supply chains and concerns over information security. According to papers submitted to Legco, authorities said they opted to directly approach a "reliable" service provider of their choice. In a Legislative Council security panel meeting, Tang said the decision on next-generation communications does not mean that all police procurements will skip the tendering process. 'We believe national security considerations are necessary but they do not mean every procurement exercise has to place them as our top priority,' he said. 'For example, we would also have to procure stationery and other products. So as long as they don't have any national security implications, we believe we should still adopt the conventional method of putting procurements up for tender.' The project's estimated cost has also substantially reduced to HK$2 billion, a more than 60 percent decrease compared to the original estimate of HK$5.2 billion. Tang assured lawmakers that this would not affect the system's functionality. 'We have already enhanced the design," he said. "For example, initially we were supposed to have two sets of hardware, and now we can have one with built-in firewalls. "All these have been adopted without affecting our operational efficiency. Therefore it's now cheaper and still equally efficient.' The proposed system also adopts a hybrid model, whereby the government will build and operate the core network and base stations, which will be complemented by commercial services for broader coverage and cost-effectiveness. Tang said the police will have priority in using the 5G network in congested areas, such as during fireworks shows. Annual expenditure for the proposed system will be about HK$40 million higher than current costs, but Tang stressed the higher expenditure incurred in upgrading the system is necessary to enhance efficiency. Lawmakers agreed to allow the proposal to proceed to the finance committee stage this month.
RTHK
6 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
Legco passes bill to raise air passenger departure tax
Legco passes bill to raise air passenger departure tax An increase in the air passenger departure tax is expected to generate an extra HK$1.6 billion in government revenue per year. File photo: RTHK Lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill to raise the air passenger departure tax from the current HK$120 to HK$200 from October. The bill was supported by 77 lawmakers, while two voted against it and five abstained. Undersecretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Joseph Chan said the authorities earlier accepted a recommendation by lawmaker Perry Yiu that passengers who fly in and out of Hong Kong within 48 hours be exempt from the charge. But officials rejected Yiu's suggestion to only increase the departure tax to HK$160. Yiu, who is also an Airport Authority board member, said Hong Kong faces a lot of competition from other nearby airports. "With the three-runway system, the target is to serve 120 million passengers per year," he said. "It's a crucial time for Hong Kong to step up efforts to attract travellers and develop the tourism industry. Measures to raise the tax are contrary to this goal." Yiu voted against the bill. Other lawmakers who voted in favour described the tax increase as "reasonable" and "mild" when compared with fees at other airports. Frankie Yick, who represents the transport sector, urged the government to review the impact of the increased tax on the aviation sector, and roll out measures to enhance the airport's competitiveness. The increased duty is expected to raise an extra HK$1.6 billion for the government each year.
RTHK
15-05-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Legco subcommittee finishes vetting security laws
Legco subcommittee finishes vetting security laws Paul Lam, right, said the subcommittee's efficiency demonstrates the collaboration of the executive and lawmakers in safeguarding national security. Photo: RTHK A Legco subcommittee completed the vetting of subsidiary national security laws on Thursday, after spending more than five hours examining the provisions clause by clause. The subcommittee was formed during a special House Committee meeting in the morning and aimed to scrutinise the new subsidiary laws by negative vetting. Subcommittee chairman Martin Liao said he'll report its work to the House Committee on Friday. Liao was among the same group of 15 lawmakers on the subcommittee who vetted the national security bill under Article 23 of the Basic Law last year. No one present at Thursday's meetings said they planned to move any amendments. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam thanked the subcommittee for its work. The minister said the efficiency showed that the executive and legislature had worked together to fulfil their constitutional duties to safeguard national security by improving relevant laws. "We have spent more than five hours, and the number of questions plus opinions expressed by members of the Legislative Council exceeded 150," Lam told reporters. "So I think any reasonable person would have agreed that the whole process is extremely serious, and that thorough discussion had been given to all relevant provisions." Lawmaker Regina Ip, who was on the subcommittee, said she too was satisfied with its work. "We actually exceeded the time allowed for us to do the scrutiny. Two meetings were provided for, but we actually ran three sessions, running into more than five hours and we raised more than 150 questions. "I think all of us discharged our duties very vigorously and very conscientiously, and I'm satisfied that the legislative procedure is a completely satisfactory one." Security minister Chris Tang stressed that the government will keep improving security laws if necessary.
South China Morning Post
14-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Legco to hold special meeting for subsidiary security legislation
Hong Kong lawmakers will hold a special meeting to discuss new subsidiary legislation for the city's domestic national security law , after a minister called on them to expedite the oversight process. The Legislative Council's meeting schedule on Wednesday showed that its House Committee would hold a special one-day session on the morning of the next day following a government request, paving the way for the creation of a bills committee to proceed with scrutinising the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance's subsidiary legislation. The new legislation came into force after its gazettal on Tuesday, just a day after the government unveiled the proposals. Authorities also issued an order designating six premises under Beijing's national security office in the city as 'prohibited places'. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung earlier wrote to Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of Legco's House Committee, urging her to fully support the government's legislative work and consider holding a special meeting. He stressed that the national security risks faced by Hong Kong could come 'suddenly and unpredictably'. 'Hong Kong has the responsibility to complete the legislative work surrounding the subsidiary legislation as soon as possible, as well as to expedite the relevant work under the principle of 'the sooner, the better,'' Tang wrote.
RTHK
07-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Law relaxing Victoria Harbour reclamation ban passed
Law relaxing Victoria Harbour reclamation ban passed The government said the new laws provide a more solid legal basis for improving the harbourfront. File photo: RTHK Lawmakers on Wednesday approved legal changes that relax a general ban on reclamation in Victoria Harbour. Before changes to the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance, any reclamation in the harbour is forbidden unless it is proven to have an "overriding public need". After the change, a new system will be set up such that the Chief Executive in Council is empowered to make the call on whether or not large-scale reclamation for roads and infrastructure satisfies such a need. Developers will also need to present reports to the public. Harbour improvement works smaller than 0.8 hectares will be allowed, such as the construction of ramps, spaces for boat repairs and wave-absorbing infrastructure. Temporary reclamation works smaller than three hectares will also be possible, provided they are completed within seven years, and have gone through stakeholder consultations and obtained government approvals. Development chief Bernadette Linn said officials will still protect the harbour while allowing projects that improve the harbourfront to take place. "We hope that through the streamlined mechanism, we will be able to promote more works that will benefit the public," she said inside the Legco chamber. "This bill will give us a more solid legal basis for improving the harbourfront so that we can build a harbour that we can all be proud of." The vast majority of lawmakers who spoke supported the change, saying the public will in future be able to enjoy the harbourfront quicker – because improvement works will no longer be subject to lengthy procedural delays. The DAB's Starry Lee described the change as a milestone achievement that would lift restrictions on harbourfront development, allowing the people to reach the shore across different districts easier, rather than only fragmented segments of it. The Federation of Trade Union's Bill Tang supported the bill but said officials should narrow down the definition of "harbour" protected by the law. He called on officials to reconsider his proposal that places like Rambler Channel and Kai Tak shouldn't be considered as part of Victoria Harbour that needs special protection. Third Side lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen, meanwhile, abstained from voting, saying he has grave reservations that the new system will allow the chief executive to vet reclamation proposals made by his or her own governments. Linn stressed in response that officials will make proposals based on existing laws, and people who oppose future reclamation plans can still file a judicial review.
