September 14, 2022 DAB LegCo member for the Import and Export functional constituency, Kennedy Wong held an online press conference today (September 14, 2022) with the Hong Kong Chinese Importers' & Exporters' Association, urging Chief Executive to introduce measures for SMEs to overcome difficulties and provide new growth engines for Hong Kong’s economy in the coming Policy Address. They proposed over ten recommendations in three main areas that included: promote e-commerce, allow SMEs to claim a 500,000 HKD tax allowance on chargeable income generated from e-commerce, raise the funding ceiling of the Distance Business Programme to 500,000 HKD, strengthen support for SMEs to promote their business, continue to waive charges and provide tax incentives, etc. Kennedy Wong pointed out that the government has to alleviate SMEs’ operation difficulties and he suggested to extend the application period for the Special 100% Loan Guarantee under SME Financing Guarantee Scheme. Former LegCo member Wong Ting-kwong who also attended the press conference, emphasized that the government should attach great importance on the commercialization of Hong Kong’s technological outcomes into products, including stepping up procurement efforts, and providing tax incentives for SMEs to invest in technological research. Media enquires: DAB Commerce and Industry Spokesperson Kennedy Wong (3589 6648)

8 September, 2022 The applicable age of the Vaccine Pass would be lowered to five years old at the end of the month. A new function would be added to the LeaveHomeSafe mobile App later that allows parents to save their children’s Vaccine Pass with their own concurrently. DAB Health Services Spokesperson and LegCo Member Edward Leung welcomed the government’s acceptance of his concept of "Parent-Child Electronic Vaccination Record " which is convenient for parent to use when entering designated premises. With respect to doubts of some parents about whether to vaccinate their children, Edward Leung urged the government to provide pre-vaccination health assessments and professional medical advice under a public-private partnership model for parents to assuage their doubts. Media enquiry: DAB Health Services Spokesperson, LegCo member Edward Leung (9665 0660)

September 7, 2022 A tower crane fell during operation at a construction site on Anderson Road, Sau Mau Ping, near On Tai Estate. Several container offices were hit and casualties were found on the site, a number of whom were in a coma. LegCo members Frankie Ngan and Stanley Li, Kwun Tong District Council members Hsu Yau-wai and Lam Wai were shocked and deeply saddened by this unfortunate accident, and they sent their deepest condolences to the victims and their families. In response to the successive industrial accidents that took place in recent years, Frankie Ngan and Stanley Li urged the government to lead a campaign to inspect construction sites in Hong Kong, speed up the development of smart construction sites, provide subsidy for construction sites to utilize smart tools to monitor whether high risk processes were carried out with sufficient equipment and support and in accordance with rules and regulations, allowing managers to identify and correct problems in time to prevent tragedies.

September 6, 2022 The first imported case of monkeypox was found in Hong Kong. A man who had travelled to the United States and Canada arrived in Hong Kong from the Philippines, developed symptoms at a quarantine hotel yesterday (on the 5th). He was tested and confirmed to be infected and was sent to Queen Mary Hospital. DAB Health Services spokesperson Edward Leung urged the government to take follow up actions properly to alleviate public concern, and made the following recommendations: 1. Enhance public promotion about monkeypox and follow up actions 2. Ensure that vaccines will arrive in Hong Kong within this month as scheduled 3. Raise awareness of frontline medical officers to avoid delays in treatment Media enquiry: LegCo Member and DAB Health Services Spokesperson Edward Leung (96650660)

September 1, 2022 The Chief Executive John Lee announced that he received backing from the Guangdong and Shenzhen Governments to carry out "reverse quarantine" measure in Hong Kong, after an online meeting with the leaders. A task force would be established to formulate implementation plans. The DAB has long advocated the said measure and welcomed John Lee’s announcement. We hoped that the measure would be put in place as soon as possible, allowing citizens in mainland and Hong Kong to make steady strides along the path to normalcy. We believed that Hong Kong’s role as gateway to Mainland would be strengthened after the implementation of the measure. LegCo member Ben Chan reiterated that the measure could be supervised and managed with the assistance of the National Health Commission, and nucleic acid test standards should meet with the national requirements. Staff from the immigration department could help quarantined citizens to complete immigration clearance, allowing them to enter mainland directly by bus after quarantine and avoid contact with non-quarantined persons. Enquiries: DAB LegCo Member Ben Chan (9274 7035) DAB LegCo Member Edward Leung (91268390) Assistant to DAB LegCo Member Ben Chan, Chow Lai Hei (98792411)

August 30, 2022 Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs) played an important supporting role for many Hong Kong families. In recent years, issues related to FDHs often led to heated discussions in the community. The DAB released the "Policy Initiatives for Improving the Policy on Foreign Domestic Helpers" to put forward suggestions to resolve difficult issues. The recommendations were summarized as follows: Establish a FDH Authority The Authority is responsible to handle FDHs matters, including answering enquiries from and providing assistance to FDHs. Review the Standard Employment Contract (ID407) to clarify the standard of fitness for FDHs, travel expenses to be borne by employers upon termination or expiry of FDHs contracts, and arrangements for rest days, statutory holidays and paid annual leave. Introduce new guidelines on loans for FDHs, and set limits on loans Provide tax deduction for expenses of employing FDHs, such as medical examination fees, training courses and salary paid Establish FDH Centres which would be open to FDHs during holidays Regulate FDH agencies FDH agencies must be accredited by the consulate of the place of origin Revise the Code of Practice for Employment Agencies to set out clearly the fees for each service and terms of payment arrangements, guarantee terms and refund/other arrangements Establish a rating system for FDH employment agencies for employers’ reference Step up efforts to combat non-compliant FDH employment agencies and "job-hopping" FDHs Regulate FDH boarding facilities operated by employment agencies Set up training courses and provide more information Arrange "FDH Training Course" and "Employers' Orientation Course on Employment of FDHs" Set up information website specifically for employers and FDHs to provide latest information. Media enquiry: DAB LegCo member and Family Affairs Committee Chairperson Frankie Ngan（6600 2511）

August 29, 2022 The Chief Executive announced the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy last October, putting forward plans to implement land development projects in the Northern Metropolis. Together with the future layout planning of the New Territories West announced earlier, Yuen Long Hung Shui Kiu, Tuen Mun and Lantau Island would become key development areas in Hong Kong in the future. As there were limitations on sites available for development, the DAB believed that the transport network has to increase its carrying capacity and the benefits of development while being in line with the principle of sustainable development, in addition to well planning, convenience and accessibility. We then followed up the aforesaid situation and proposed ten recommendations in five areas, including new roads planning, new railway planning, infrastructure facilities for new development areas, and reliable and convenient transportation service for residents in the New Territories Northwest. Build a new backbone for new development areas Build a "New North-South Route" (tentatively named Route 12) to divert traffic flow from Tolo Highway Build a "Northern Express Route" (tentatively named Route 13) to connect the east and west of the northern area Build more side roads to enhance the diversion effect of Route 11 Improve the railway network to strengthen regional connection in the New Territories Build a "Tsuen Wan-Kwai Tsing -Sha Tin Central Railway" to form a circular railway network in the central part of the New Territories Build a "New North-South Railway" to divert passengers from the East Rail Line Expand the coverage of planned railway project to better meet the needs of the future development of the Northern Metropolis Introduce the "corridor + property development" model for infrastructure development Plan infrastructure-driven projects to build up a new town with a circular route Build park-and-ride facilities and utilize its superstructures under the "single site, multiple use" model Leverage diversification of operations to provide transportation service for new development areas Introduce a "contract model" with government backing Introduce a new mass transit system to match with the development of environmentally friendly and green public transport Conduct studies on efficient and environmentally friendly public transport

August 27, 2022 The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is the largest free trade zone in the world. In order to deepen members’ understanding of the importance of RCEP on economy and trade, the DAB Training Committee and the Talent Development Committee co-organized the "Macro - 30th Anniversary Lecture Series" and invited Professor Terence Tai-Leung Chong, Executive Director of Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, to give a lecture on "Development Opportunities Brought to Hong Kong by RCEP". Professor Chong said that Hong Kong should strive to join the RCEP. The RCEP concerns the free flow of talents that Hong Kong, with lots of professional talents in fields such as law, scientific research, and accounting, etc., can complement the other countries by facilitating projects in the RCEP region. At that time, Hong Kong's financial and professional services will enjoy a bigger market with the protection of law. With a robust legal system and legal talents, Hong Kong can be a legal and dispute resolution center to assist companies in the RCEP region to handle disputes and litigation. This also aligns with the country's 14th Five-Year Plan. Iris Wong, member of the DAB Training Committee, expressed her gratitude to Professor Chong for being the guest speaker for the fourth session of "Macro - 30th Anniversary Lecture Series" which helped DAB members gain a better understanding of the development opportunities that RCEP brought to Hong Kong.

August 25, 2022 The government established the "Steering Committee on Land and Housing Supply” and "Task Force on Public Housing Projects" to co-ordinate work relating to land and housing on 6 July. The DAB met the Financial Secretary, Mr. Paul Chan, and the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr. Michael Wong to share our expectations for the two groups. We emphasized the two groups must set clear and quantifiable work objectives, relevant performance indicators (KPIs) and an accountability system. Secondly, we were specifically concerned about increasing short-term housing supply. We urged the government to strive for the Town Planning Board’s approval on raising plot ratios of residential projects as permitted by the capacity of the infrastructure and community facilities. Thirdly, we expected the government would submit bills about streamlining the development process and proposals on further compression of the development process when the Legislative Council resumes in October. With the application of new technologies such as MIC and BIM, we believed the supply of housing would speed up. Last but not least, we again urge the government to adopt a multi-pronged approach to increase land supply, including a comprehensive review of the use of 16,000 hectares of green belts sites and resumption of studies in respect of sites on periphery of country parks. Media enquiries: DAB LegCo member Edward Lau (9782 7408) DAB LegCo member Chan Hok Fung (6099 3800)

August 24, 2022 DAB LegCo member (New Territories Northwest) Holden Chow, together with the DAB Tuen Mun team including Tuen Mun Branch chairperson Mo Shing Fung, visited the Tuen Mun Yan Oi Dental Clinic during midnight to learn more about dental services from people waiting overnight. The provision of public dental services in Tuen Mun in fact was not sufficient, as the clinic was only open to the public once a week and the consultation quotas was only 21. Holden Chow requested the government to provide ticketing service, to increase the number of days the clinic is open to public and the consultation quotas for public dental services. In the long-term, the government should relax the restrictions on the practice of non-locally trained dentists to alleviate the shortage problem. Media enquiry: DAB LegCo member Holden Chow (3703 9870)

August 22, 2022 DAB Supermarket Price Watch (The Watch) found out in a survey that the prices of some supermarket goods increased significantly by 40% during the two years of epidemic. In fact, supermarkets which sell many goods of daily necessity were not adversely affected while Hong Kong’s retail industry was hardly hit by the epidemic. Many reports revealed that supermarkets might even have significant increase in revenue. The Watch convenor and DAB LegCo member Frankie Ngan considered it unreasonable for supermarkets to introduce price increase. He proposed the following recommendations and urged the government to protect the interests of consumers. Urge supermarkets to enhance sense of togetherness with citizens The Housing Department should curb regional monopoly by supermarket when negotiating leases of shops in housing estates Formulate guidelines on price tag to prevent sleight-of-hand in pricing Review existing legislation related to consumer protection to prevent supermarkets from dishonestly pricing and promoting their goods Strengthen the role of the Competition Commission The Consumer Council should provide more data to help the public understand price trends Media enquiries: DAB LegCo member Frankie Ngan 6600 2511 DAB Community Officer Tsang Wing Fai 6185 1698

August 22, 2022 The Education Bureau announced today entry facilitation measures for Hong Kong students going to study in the mainland. The Guangdong provincial authority had Hong Kong students covered under the compassionate quotas for travelling at land boundary control points between Guangdong and Hong Kong. Following proactive co-ordination by the Central Government, more passenger flights between Hong Kong and various Mainland cities would be arranged with priority given to Hong Kong students to book tickets. A minority of students might remain unable to register with the institutions they had enrolled in as scheduled. With the co-ordination by the Ministry of Education, the related institutions would adopt flexible measures to retain students' eligibility to study and arrange online classes. The DAB welcomed and supported the arrangement and expressed its gratitude to the Central Government for caring for Hong Kong students. The DAB urged students in need to prepare the required information and documents in advance, and to complete the form specified by the government before Friday. We hoped that the authorities in the mainland and Hong Kong would work together efficiently and notify the students of the results as soon as possible after receiving the information and approving the applications. The above latest arrangements provided support for Hong Kong students who are able to travel alone. The DAB hoped that the government would continue discussions with the mainland government to introduce facilitation measures which allow students aged 14 or below travelling with family or relatives to be covered under travel quota, for them to pursue their studies in the mainland. Media enquiry: DAB Education Spokesperson, LegCo member Lillian Kwok (5541 8128)