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Site visit to Lok Ma Chau Loop, proposed Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Frontier Closed Area (Panel on Development) I joined a site visit to Lok Ma Chau Loop, proposed Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Frontier Closed Area held on 15 November 2008 with 11 members from the Panel on Development. Participants also included Mrs. Carrie Lam, the Secretary for Development; Mr. Raymond Young, the permanent secretary for Development; Mrs. S Y Tse Ng, director of Planning Department and others. The staff from the Civil Engineering and Development Department as well as the Planning Department briefed us on the latest developments of Lok Ma Chau Loop; the background information on the Frontier Closed Area; the vicinity of Wetland conservation; the development concept of Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and their connecting roads. Forum on "Ways to promote and put Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle into effect" A Forum on "Ways to promote and put Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle into effect" was held on November 14, 2008. The Forum, co-organized by the Office of Hon. Samson TAM and Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council (HKITJC), was a response to the related issues raised in the recent Policy Address. Mr. ZHANG Keke（張克科），Vice Chairman of the Shenzhen Association for Science and Technology, was invited to deliver a keynote speech and exchange views with local ICT professionals. The concept of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle and the Lok Ma Chau Loop Development Plan were well received by the ICT industry in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The major issue ahead is how to unite the ICT professionals of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, so that we can make good use of the resources of both cities, and also push the governments to take actions accordingly. Collecting public opinions on “Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance” (COIAO) The reviewing of the “Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance” by the Government is now in the process of first round consultation. A meeting was held on 20 November 2008 under the Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting. Various representative groups from different societal sectors including women, media, religion, ICT industry, academic and homosexual organization were invited to share their views in the meeting. I think the Government could be able to strike a balance between different opinions and voices in the community when reviewing the ordinance. Also, in order to further understand the work of the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, I joined in a visit together with the members from Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting on 11 November. Digital Copyright Digital Copyright is one of the important agenda this year, and will be discussed in April 2009. In the past two months, our office has met several parties including Internet Service Providers, Internet Content Providers, Online Service Providers and also Commerce and Economic Development Bureau officials to understand the current situation and to carefully heed their concerns on the issue. Our office has also formed an expert focus group to study the solutions available with an aim to facilitate the legislative work. Issues arising from Lehman Brothers-related minibonds Since the Lehman Brothers minibonds incident broke out in September, many victims are of the view that the banks and the Government have not clearly spoken out the truth about the incident. They were annoyed by the attitude of those bankers involved in the negotiation as these bankers simply refused to admit their mistakes. They hope to seek help from the legislative councilors and have been fighting for setting up a Subcommittee to study the issues in the legislative council. To this end, I met with two groups of Lehman Brothers minibonds victims on 11 November. They hoped the council would invoke the Powers and Privileges Ordinance in investigating the Lehman Brothers minibonds issue and find out the truth for them. After eight hours of heated debate, the Legislative Council passed a motion on November 12 to invoke the Powers and Privileges Ordinance to probe into the Lehman Brothers saga. I also voted in support of the motion. Although there are reservations or opposition from the government and the banking sector, I think special power is necessary for the Subcommittee to find out more truth: Whether there are any flaws in our banking regulatory system? Whether any officials had neglected their duties? Whether local banks had used unfair or misleading sales tactics? Online support to the protest of “starving the oil demon” The transport industry has staged their protest against the oil companies in November, the so-called “Starving the oil demon”exercise. They called on the industry and the public not to buy gasoline from a designated oil company selected by drawing lots. I supported the action but was of the view that the solidarity of the community might not be enough. Therefore, on 19 November, I had a meeting with the transport industry representatives to discuss on means to further mobilize the public to participate in the campaign. Finally, A facebook group was set up to support the boycott action against some oil firms. I hope that more public attention could be aroused and support be garnered. Monopoly and price collusion as evidenced in the gasoline industry must be put to an end. To see more details, please visit the following link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37147117084
Panels agenda
1. Panel on Commerce and Industry Next Meeting：16 Dec 2008 Items for Discussion：
- Progress update on the support measures for small and medium enterprises arising from the global financial turmoil
- Follow-up to the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2007: (a) refined proposals for the Safe Harbour Regulation; and (b) Rental Rights for Comics
- Progress of the World Trade Organization Doha Development Agenda Negotiations
2. Panel on Constitutional Affairs
Next Meeting：15 Dec 2008
Items for Discussion：
- Electoral Affairs Commission Report on the 2008 Legislative Council Election
- Financial provision for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in 2008-2009
- Report of the HKSAR under the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
3. Panel on Development Next Meeting：18 Dec 2008 Items for Discussion：
- Heritage conservation - an update on key initiatives
- Review of the Urban Renewal Strategy
- Measures to foster a quality and sustainable built environment
- Amendments to the Land Titles Ordinance
4. Panel on Economic Development Next Meeting：16 Dec 2008 Items for Discussion： - Report on the public consultation on the competition law
- Replacement and upgrading of Hong Kong Observatory's meteorological facilities to enhance aviation weather services: A funding proposal
- Progress update on Hong Kong Disneyland
5. Panel on Education
Next Meeting：12 Jan 2009
Items for Discussion：
- (agenda still in preparation)
6. Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting Next Meeting：12 Jan 2009
Items for Discussion：
- (agenda still in preparation)
Major issues discussed by various Expert Groups In order to have support and inputs from the ICT industry on a regular basis, I have set up five Expert Groups covering different ICT areas. Whenever there are any motions or issues raised in Legislative Council, I will seek advice and inputs from members of these Expert Groups. In the last month, these ICT experts had been deliberating on the following issues: Supporting small and medium enterprises to tide over the financial tsunami, formulating a roadmap for a low carbon economy, utilizing intelligent traffic system to divert traffic flows, etc. Expert group meetings have been held and some major topics are discussed, corresponding work will also be followed in the coming year. Focus groups are formed and each will review respective topics and work closely with the industry. If you have any inputs on these topics, please feel free to send your feedback to me. | Expert Group | Major topics to be explored in respective Focus Groups | | Expert Group on Engineering, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Policies
工程、通訊及廣播政策專家小組 | To enhance Hong Kong as a telecommunications hub under the CEPA arrangement | | Expert Group on Education and Professional Development
教育及專業發展專家小組 | - Strengthening of ICT Education in the Secondary School Sector;
- eLearning;
- ICT Professional Certification
| | Expert Group on ICT Industry and Regional Cooperation
科技產業及區域合作專家小組 | - To develop Hong Kong as an International Data Centre hub;
- Development of Digital Entertainment Industries;
- Wireless Application
| | Expert Group on Internet and Information Security
互聯網及資訊保安專家小組 | - Control of the Obscene and Indecent Article Ordinance (COIAO);
- Digital Copyright;
- District Cyber City
| | Expert Group on Youth and Social Affairs
青年及社會事務專家小組 | Issues related to Research Students
| Elected to be soccer team leader of the Legislative Council The newly formed soccer team of the Legislative Council has been set up and I am glad to be elected as the team leader. The first meeting held on 19 November has fixed the schedule of events in the coming year. | 
