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Table of Contents Government .................................................................................................................................... 1
Economy .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Public Holidays ................................................................................................................................ 2
Geography ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Climate ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Population ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Language ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Student Visa ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Hong Kong Identity Card ..................................................................................................................... 4
http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/forms/hkid.html ................................................................................. 5
Transport in Hong Kong ...................................................................................................................... 5
Health care .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Student Life@HKBU ............................................................................................................................ 7
Campus Areas ................................................................................................................................. 8
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a vibrant city, and a major gateway to China. This page will give you the facts
about Hong Kong – from the form of government to the languages used.
Government
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Following
British rule from 1842 to 1997, China assumed sovereignty under the 'one country, two
systems' principle. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's constitutional document,
the Basic Law, ensures that the current political situation will remain in effect for 50 years.
The rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong are based on the impartial rule of law and
an independent judiciary.
Head of Government: Chief Executive
Cabinet: Executive Council
Legislature: Legislative Council, 70 seats
Highest Court: Court of Final Appeal
Economy
Hong Kong's economy is characterised by free trade, low taxation and minimum
government intervention. It is the world's 10th largest trading economy, with the mainland
of China as its most significant trading partner. Hong Kong is also a major service economy,
with particularly strong links to mainland China and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.
Currency: Hong Kong dollar
GDP: HK$1,823.2 billion (2011)
GDP per capita: HK$266,026 (2011)
Real GDP growth: +5.8% (2011)
Labour force: 3.74 million (2011)
Public Holidays
Hong Kong provides two types of public holidays: statutory and general holidays. Statutory
holidays are mandated under the Employment Ordinance and must be provided to all
employees. General holidays include every Sunday, all statutory holidays and an additional 5
holidays.
Working week: Monday to Saturday
Statutory holidays: 12
General holidays: 17 (including the 12 statutory holidays)
Geography
At the south-eastern tip of China, Hong Kong covers Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, the
Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories, including 262 outlying islands. Between Hong
Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula lies Victoria Harbour, one of the world's most
renowned deep-water harbours.
Total area: 1 104 square kilometres
Land developed: less than 25%
Country parks and nature reserves: 40%
Hong Kong maps
Climate
Hong Kong's climate is sub-tropical, with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees Celsius in
winter and exceeding 31 degrees Celsius in summer. It is warm, sunny and dry in autumn,
cool and dry in winter, and hot, humid and rainy from spring to summer.
Average annual rainfall: 2 398.5mm
Wettest months: June and August
Driest months: January and December
Population
Hong Kong's population was approximately 7.07 million in 2011. People of Chinese descent
comprise the vast majority of the population, with foreign nationals comprising 6.4%.
Population density: 6 540 people per square kilometre
Crude birth rate: 13.5 per 1000
Percentage of population Chinese descent: 93.6%
Other significant national groups
Indonesia (164 260 total)
Philippines (153 060 total)
USA (29 080 total).
Language
Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. English is widely used in the
Government and by the legal, professional and business sectors. Trilingual professionals
who speak English, Cantonese and Putonghua play a vital role in the numerous enterprises
trading in Hong Kong or doing business with mainland China and Taiwan.
Cantonese speakers: 89.5% of population
Putonghua speakers: 1.4% of population
Other Chinese dialect speakers: 4% of population
English speakers: 3.5% of population
Other language speakers: 1.6% of population
Student Visa
If you wish to enter Hong Kong for education and you do not have the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong, you MUST obtain a student visa from the Immigration Department (of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) BEFORE coming to Hong Kong. Application Procedure
To apply for such a visa, you should complete the application form ID995A "Application for Entry for Study in Hong Kong" in BLOCK (CAPITAL) LETTERS with (i) your photograph affixed
on it; (ii) photocopies of your travel document containing your personal particulars, its issuance and expiry dates and details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable); and (iii) evidence of your financial standing, e.g. bank statements, savings account passbooks, scholarship letters, etc. Your travel document should be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in Hong Kong. The completed application form should be returned TOGETHER with your HKBU "Application for Enrollment - Study Abroad/Exchange Students" to us. Do NOT submit your visa application directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department as that will slow down the process. As your sponsor, HKBU will complete form ID995B "Application for Entry for Study (Sponsor)". The whole set of documents will then be submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department on your behalf. It normally takes six weeks for the Immigration Department to process a visa application. If your application is successful, a student visa will be issued to you. HKBU will collect the visa for you, and will mail it to you. When you receive the visa, please attach it to a blank page in your travel document. Be sure that the immigration officer sees the visa and enters you into Hong Kong on the student status. Otherwise, the officer may issue you a tourist visa which will not allow you to begin studies in Hong Kong. Do draw attention to the visa; sometimes the immigration officer might overlook it. Conditions for a Person holding Student Visa Status It is clearly stipulated by the Immigration Department that any person entering Hong Kong as a student shall be subject to the following conditions of stay that: (a) he/she shall become a student only at a specified school, university or other educational institution and undertake such course of study as may be approved by the Director of Immigration; and (b) he/she shall not (i) take any employment, whether paid or unpaid; or (ii) establish or join in any business. Useful Link/Information The Immigration Department http://www.info.gov.hk/immd/
Hong Kong Identity Card
Any non-local student, 11 years of age or above who intends to stay in Hong Kong
for a period exceeding 180 DAYS can apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) from the Registration of Persons Office of the Immigration Department within 30 days of arrival. The address is:
Hong Kong - 8/F Immigration Tower 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai
Tel: (852) 2824-6111 Kowloon - 3/F Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
303 Cheung Sha Wan Road Tel: (852) 21507-933
The International Office will provide assistance in this regard. Hong Kong law requires that official personal identification be carried at all times. Persons who fail to comply with this requirement risk being fined by the law court if caught. The HKID card is a convenient means of complying with this law. While in Hong Kong, either while visiting or prior to obtaining a temporary identification card, foreign nationals should carry their passports at all times.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/forms/hkid.html
Transport in Hong Kong
http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/publictransport/
Railways are safe, efficient, reliable, comfortable and environmentally friendly mass carriers. They are the backbone of Hong Kong's public transport system which account for about 37% of all trips made on public transport each day.
Hong Kong's railways are run by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL). MTR is a heavily patronized railway network consisting of nine lines, including Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Island Line, Tung Chung Line, Tseung Kwan O Line, Disneyland Resort Line, East Rail Line, Ma On Shan Line and West Rail Line. The total route length is about 175 kilometers with 82 stations. The network carries about 3.9 million passenger trips per day in June 2011.
MTRCL also operates a 35.2 km Airport Express (AEL), which provides services to the Hong Kong International Airport and also in-town check-in facilities in some stations. The AEL carries about 31,500 passenger trips per day in June 2011.
Light Rail is a local transportation network which started operation in 1988 to meet the transport needs of the residents in the Northwest New Territories. It now has a route length of about 36.2 kilometres with 68 stops. It carries about 430,000 passenger trips every day in June 2011. In addition, the MTRCL provides feeder bus services to and from many Light Rail stops in the New Territories to facilitate passenger interchange between the Light Rail and West Rail Line networks.
Service and fare details: MTR Corporation Limited
Bus
http://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/buses/index.html
Trams
Electric trams have been operating on Hong Kong Island since 1904, The Hongkong
Tramways Limited operates seven routes on 13 kilometres of double track along the
northern shore of Hong Kong Island between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, and about
three kilometers of single track around Happy Valley.
The company's 164 trams, including two open-balcony trams for tourists and private hire
and one special maintenance tram, make up the world's only fully double-deck tram fleet.
The trams recorded an average of 230,000 passenger trips daily. Fares were $2.3 for adults,
$1.2 for children under 12 and $1.1 senior citizens aged 65 or above.
http://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/tram_and_peak_tram/index.ht
ml
Health care
General practitioners and dental services are available on campus at the Health Services Centre.
Referrals to specialist treatments can be made if required.
HKBU also operates a Chinese medicine clinic on campus.
All full-time students (including exchange students) and part-time students are covered by a group
personal accident insurance policy against death and permanent disablement arising from accidents
while participating in academic or extra-curricular activities arranged by the University and/or
student organizations. The maximum coverage for each student is HK$100,000. Also included is
additional accidental medical coverage of up to HK$5,000 and emergency repatriation of
HK$50,000.
If traveling outside Hong Kong in connection with HKBU organized activities, students are covered up
to HK$100,000 in the event of death and HK$250,000 for medical & accident. Students are not
covered by the university plan and should arrange personal travel insurance when traveling on
personal trips (non-university related) outside Hong Kong. Additional optional insurance is available
at affordable rates.
As an exchange student holding a valid Hong Kong Identity card, you will be entitled the same rates
as for local citizens in all public hospitals. The fees escalate considerably for medical services at local
private hospitals and clinics.
Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-
mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine,
and your yearly flu shot.
All exchange students should have adequate insurance with international coverage.
Exchange students should first check with their home institutions and/or insurance agents about
insurance coverage. Certainly, coverage in force from your home institution/agent that covers you in
international circumstances should be retained, and even be acquired, if need be on a short-term
basis, before coming. If necessary, the International Office can assist you in purchasing medical
coverage for the duration of your stay in Hong Kong.
HKBU student insurance coverage does not apply to personal travel in and outside from Hong Kong
for non-HKBU related activities/travel. You will want to be sure that you have adequate insurance
when traveling outside Hong Kong for personal travels.
Student Life@HKBU
East-West Encounters
The “East-West Encounters” Program aims to orientate newly arrived international
exchange students and to foster cross-cultural exchanges between local and non-local
students at HKBU. It does so by mixing the student ambassadors and the non-local students
in a range of educational and cultural activities including Buddies Scheme, Orientation for
International Students, Global Café and Monthly Outing. The Programm is designed to
nurture student ambassadors to cultivate their leadership, organization and communication
skills. It is hoped that through this means friendships are developed between local and non-
local students
For enquiries, please contact Christine Kan or Lorraine Chan of the International Office at
3411-6472 or 3411-6471, or [email protected]
Course Selection
You are free to choose and enroll in any courses you want (provided you also meet the
prerequisite requirements, if any, of the courses). You should confer with your home
institution academic adviser to seek approval for selected courses for the purpose of credit
transfer.
Choose and list on the enrolment application in priority order six to eight courses which you
wish to study (six to eight courses should be listed in the event that some of the courses are
not available due to time scheduling conflicts, etc.). Based on the information, the
University will try to pre-register you in these courses as far as possible. You need to be
aware, however, that as at your home institution, it may not always be possible for you to
register for every class you choose.
Click here for a list of the course offerings for exchange students. The specific courses that
are offered in a given semester are subject to change. Consult the current list of course
offerings online in planning your course selections.
http://buar2.hkbu.edu.hk/curr/ug_std/course_reg_withdrawal/course_offer_exchange_intl_visiting
_std/fall/
Campus Areas
The University has four campuses: the Ho Sin Hang Campus, the Shaw Campus, the Baptist
University Road Campus and the Kai Tak Campus. Together they provide an attractive,
student-focused urban university environment that helps to nurture body, mind, and spirit.
Located in the heart of Kowloon, these campuses are only a few minutes' walk from MTR
stations, and are well serviced by public transport from virtually every area of Hong Kong.
Ho Sin Hang Campus, Shaw Campus and Baptist University Road Campus The three campuses are conveniently located in Kowloon Tong where our Faculty of Arts, the School of Business, the School of Chinese Medicine, the School of Communication, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the School of Continuing Education and the Graduate School are situated.
The Kowloon Tong MTR Station is the closest to the University. From there, you can take Green Minibus No. 29A to the Ho Sin Hang Campus, No. 25M and No. 25M(S) to the Shaw Campus and the Baptist University Road Campus. The Minibus Terminus is near Exit B2 of the MTR Station. Pay the fare when you board the Minibus. The fares for an adult are HK$3.90 for No. 29A, HK$4.70 for No. 25M, and HK$3.7 for No. 25M(S). Tell the driver that you would like to get off at Baptist University.
Alternatively, you may take a taxi from just outside Exit B2 of the MTR Station. The taxi fare is about $25.
Accommodation
Exchange students can choose to live on- or off-campus. In order to integrate more fully
into the University experience, you are encouraged to live in on-campus dormitories. For
students who decide to live in on-campus housing, you will be notified of the application
details after you are formally admitted for studies at HKBU.
If you choose to live off-campus, it will be your responsibility to make housing arrangements
either before or after arrival in Hong Kong. Please note that often times, off-campus
housing is more expensive than on-campus housing. Also, places closer to campus are
normally quite difficult to acquire and often cost much more than those farther away. You
should begin searching right away and prior to your arrival. And because of the high
demand of on-campus dormitories, once you have decided to live off-campus, it will not be
possible for us to entertain your later request to live in on-campus dormitories. Please do
keep this in mind when you make your decision as to whether you should be
accommodated on- or off-campus.
For Undergraduate Exchange Students
Undergraduate exchange students are housed in the University's 21-storey Undergraduate
Halls on the Baptist University Road Campus (BURC). The Undergraudate Halls are
composed of the South Tower and the North Tower providing some 800 rooms. Majority of
the rooms accommodate two students and are air-conditioned (separately controlled in
each room). For each occupant, the provision includes one bed, closet, desk and shelf, one
chair, and one LAN point and wifi connected to the University's network system.
Linens (sheets, pillows, towels, etc.) are the responsibility of the individual occupant. Please
bring your own or buy them in Hong Kong. Every two rooms share a common restroom and
shower facility. There is no telephone in the bedroom, but you can use the public
telephones at the common areas of the Halls. Other facilities include a common lounge
(with a small pantry & kitchenette) on each floor, a music/TV room, a multi-purpose room, a
table tennis room, a computer room, a gym room, a study room, and a laundry area.
You can have the option of sharing a room with a local student, a Mainland Chinese student,
or an international student, of the same gender.
The rate schedule for a double occupancy room in the Undergraduate Halls is as follows:
Undergraduate Halls 2013/14 HK$ US$*
1st (Fall) Semester
26 August - 28 December 2013 (12:00 noon)
6,275 805
2nd (Spring) Semester (For students continuing from 1st (Fall) Semester)
28 December 2013 - 23 May 2014 (12:00 noon)
7,388 947
2nd (Spring) Semester (For new students admitted in 2nd (Spring)
Semester)
6 January 2014 - 23 May 2014 (12:00 noon)
6,933 889
* US$1 is roughly pegged to HK$7.75.
Additional Fees:
Caution Money
(refundable upon completion of the housing period less charges due to the loss or
damage to hall properties)
HK$1,000.00
Fees for Activities Organized by Hall Councils
(HK$50 for 1 semester, HK$100 for 2 semesters)
HK$50.00 or
HK$100.00
Stored-Value Card
(issued upon check-in for in-room controlled air-conditioning and laundry)
HK$100.00
TOTAL HK$1,150.00 or
HK$1,200.00
Students are expected to pay room rates, in full, on a semester basis. Monthly payments are
not accepted. Room fees are not refundable.
Air conditioning (A/C) expenses are not included in the accommodation fees. Students
sharing rooms will be equally responsible for the amounts at an average of HK$ 600 (US$
77) per student per month (calculated on a 24-hour usage).
I. Guidebook for Entry for Study in Hong Kong
I. Introduction
1 This guidebook sets out the entry arrangement for persons who wish to
enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for study.
II. Eligibility Criteria
2
An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for study may
be favourably considered if :
a. the applicant:
i. is admitted to a private school registered under the Education
Ordinance (Cap. 279) or Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320) (entry for study in public or aided schools is not
permitted except for tertiary education);
ii. takes up studies in a full-time locally-accredited post-secondary programme including short-term course, part-time locally-
accredited taught postgraduate programme, or full-time
exchange study programme for not more than one year at degree or above level; or
iii. is enrolled in a course on the register of non-local higher education or professional courses as set up under the Non-local
Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance (Cap.
493);
b. the applicant is:
i. from the age of 5 years and 8 months to 11 for primary
education; or
ii. below the age of 20 for secondary education;
c. the applicant holds a school acceptance letter to confirm that he/she has been accepted for a course of study; and
d. the applicant is able to meet the fees for the course, the living
expenses for his/her maintenance and accommodation without working and without recourse to public funds.
3 This entry arrangement does not apply to:
a. Chinese residents of the Mainland and Taiwan;
b. former Mainland Chinese residents settled in Macao who were
not settled there by 14 January 1979; and
c. nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic Peoples' Republic of ), Nepal and Vietnam.
4
However, subject to meeting the conditions at sub-paragraphs 2(c) & (d)
above, Chinese residents of the Mainland, Macao and Taiwan may apply
for entry to take up:
a. studies in full-time locally-accredited post-secondary
programmesNote 1;
b. full-time exchange study programmes for not more than one
year at degree or above level; or
c. short-term studies, subject to the following conditions:
i. the programme concerned is offered by Hong Kong higher
education institutions with degree-awarding powersNote
2(excluding their continuing and professional education arms); and
ii. the cumulative duration of short-term studies taken up by any student should not exceed 180 days within any 12-month period.
In addition:
a. Chinese residents of Macao and Taiwan may apply to take up
studies in part-time locally-accredited taught post-graduate programmes;
b. Chinese residents of the Mainland may apply to take up studies in
part-time locally-accredited taught post-graduate programmes offered by the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded
institutions; and
c. Chinese residents of the Mainland may also apply to attend
secondary school level short-term exchange programmes approved
by the Education Bureau of not more than 2 weeks, if accompanied by Mainland teachers.
Note 1: The agreement between the Mainland and Hong Kong on mutual
recognition of degree awards in higher education is not applicable to
sub-degree qualifications (i.e. associate degree, professional
diploma and advanced diploma programmes). Mainland students
may come to attend sub-degree level study programmes in Hong Kong since there is no restriction in the Mainland prohibiting them to
pursue further studies at educational institutions outside the
Mainland on a personal basis.
Note 2:
They comprise the eight University Grants Committee-funded institutions, the Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Shue
Yan University, Chu Hai College of Higher Education and Hong Kong
Academy for Performing Arts.
III. Application Procedures
Application Forms
5
Applicant should complete application form (ID 995A). The sponsor
should complete application form (ID 995B). The application forms (ID
995A and ID 995B) can be obtained free of charge from the following
offices:
a. Immigration Department Headquarters.
b. Immigration Branch Offices.
c. Overseas Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions.
d. Immigration Division of the Office of the Government of the
HKSAR in Beijing.
e. Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong.
The forms can also be downloaded from the Immigration Department's
website at www.immd.gov.hk.
Sponsor in Hong Kong
6
To apply for entry for study, the applicant should nominate a local
sponsor. A local sponsor can either be the educational institution granting
the acceptance or an individual. If the local sponsor is an individual,
he/she should be:
a. of the age of 18 or above;
b. a bona fide Hong Kong resident;
c. acquainted with the applicant; and
d. financially capable to support the applicant and provide him/her with accommodation.
7
Besides, if the applicant is under the age of 18, one of the applicant's
parents should authorise the sponsor or his/her relative/friend in Hong
Kong to be the guardian of the applicant. A consent letter duly signed by
both the guardian and one of the applicant's parents should be produced.
Supporting Documents
8 Please refer to the checklist at Part VIII.
Submission of Application
9
All the forms must be duly completed and signed. Where there are
accompanying dependants (please refer to information at Part VI below),
each dependant must complete and sign Part B of application form ID
995A . For an applicant or a child dependant under the age of 16, it must
be signed by the parent or legal guardian of the child. Completed
application forms, i.e. ( ID 995A and ID 995B, and all supporting
documents should be submitted in either one of the following ways:
a. By post directly or through the local sponsor in the HKSAR to:
o Receipt and Despatch Unit Hong Kong Immigration Department
2/F, Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road Wan Chai, Hong Kong
b. Applicants residing in overseas countries or territories may
submit their application forms together with the relevant supporting documents and their travel documents in person to
the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in their place of domicile.
c. Holders of foreign passports who are living in the Mainland of
China may submit the application forms together with all supporting documents to the Immigration Division of the Office
of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing (Beijing Office).
Applicants are required to produce their travel documents to the
Immigration Division of the Beijing Office so that a visa/entry
permit could be issued if the application is approved. The address of the Beijing Office is:
o No. 71, Di'anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District Beijing 100009
People's Republic of China
10
Applications from the Chinese residents of the Mainland should be
submitted to the Immigration Department through the educational
institution (the sponsor) granting the acceptance.
VI. Travel Documentation Requirement
11
Visa/Entry permit label will be issued upon successful application. It
should be collected by the sponsor from the Immigration Department for
onward transmission to the successful applicant. For application
submitted to the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission or the
Immigration Division of the Beijing Office, visa/entry permit will be issued
through the relevant Chinese diplomatic and consular mission or the
Immigration Division of the Beijing Office as appropriate.
12
The visa/entry permit label should be affixed onto a blank visa page of
the applicant's travel document for presentation to the immigration
officer upon arrival in the HKSAR.
13
Successful applicant who is a Chinese resident of the Mainland should
apply for an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and
Macao (EEP) and a relevant exit endorsement from the Public Security
Bureau office where his/her household registration is kept. The entry
permit label should be affixed onto a blank endorsement page of the
applicant's EEP on which his/her relevant exit endorsement has been
obtained. The applicant should present the EEP for immigration
examination upon arrival in the HKSAR.
V. Extension of Stay
14
Persons admitted for study may apply for extension of stay to study in
the HKSAR within 4 weeks before their limit of stay expires. Such
applications will be considered only when the applicants continue to meet
the eligibility criteria for entry for study. Extension of stay, if approved,
will normally be on a yearly basis or in accordance with the duration of
their studies (whichever is shorter).
VI. Entry of Dependants
15
Applicants admitted for study (in full-time undergraduate or post-
graduate programmes in local degree-awarding institutions) may apply to
bring in their spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of
18 to the HKSAR under the prevailing dependant policy. Persons
admitted or applying for admission for study will be the sponsors of their
accompanying dependants to the HKSAR. An application for admission of
a dependant may be favourably considered if:
a. there is reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the
dependant and the sponsor;
b. there is no known record to the detriment of the dependant; and
c. the sponsor is able to support the dependant's living at a
standard well above the subsistence level and provide him/her with suitable accommodation in the HKSAR.
16
This entry arrangement does not apply to:
a. former Mainland Chinese residents residing in Macao who have
acquired residence in Macao through channels other than the One-way Permit Scheme; and
b. nationals of Afghanistan and Korea (Democratic People's
Republic of).
17
The length of stay of such dependants will be linked to that of their
sponsors. Dependants are required to leave the HKSAR when the
sponsors leave the HKSAR. Dependants whose sponsors have been
admitted into the HKSAR for study are prohibited from taking up
employment in the HKSAR unless they have obtained prior permission
from the Director of Immigration under existing policy.
VII. Other Information
18
In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the
HKSAR, he/she requires a visa/entry permit to study in the HKSAR. While
each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant
should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid
travel document with adequate returnability to his/her country of
residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security
or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a
burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility
criteria detailed above before he/she may be considered for the grant of
a visa/entry permit. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be
subject to change from time to time.
Conditions of Stay
19
A successful applicant entering the HKSAR as a student shall be subject
to the following conditions of stay that:
a. he/she shall become a student only at a specified school, university or other educational institution and undertake such
course of study as may be approved by the Director of Immigration; and
b. he/she shall not:
i. take up any employment, whether paid or unpaid; or
ii. establish or join in any business.
20
The restriction in respect of internship and part-time employment for
non-local students has been relaxed from the 2008/09 academic year
onwards. Non-local students of full-time locally-accredited programmes
at degree level or above whose study period is not less than one
academic year may take up internship subject to the following conditions:
a. the internships must be study/curriculum-related and be
arranged or endorsed by the institutions they are studying inNote
3; and
b. the duration of the internship is up to one academic year, or
one-third of the normal duration of the relevant full-time
academic programme, whichever is the shorterNote 4.
There is no restriction on the nature of work, level of salary, location,
number of working hours and employers.
21
Moreover, these students (excluding exchange students) may take up:
a. part-time on-campus employmentNote 5 for not more than 20 hours per weekNote 6 throughout the year;
b. employment during the summer months from 1 June to 31
August (both dates inclusive) without any limit in relation to
work hours and location.
Note 3: The study/curriculum-related internship must be endorsed by
designated officers of the relevant institution, not by individual
offices, schools, faculties or faculty members.
Note 4:
The internship cannot take place before a non-local student is officially registered with the institution and begins attending any
scheduled classes of his/her registered programme in Hong
Kong, or when the student concerned has fulfilled all the course/credit requirements for graduation (e.g. a student who
has just finished his/her year of study).
Note 5: The employment must take place within the campus of the
institution (including only the campus of the institution which the
non-local student is enrolling, and excluding the campus of any subsidiary and associated body of the relevant institution proper
or its self-financing arms) where the non-local student is
studying or, if the work location is outside campus of the institution, the employer is the institution itself.
Note 6:
Students are not allowed to roll-over unused hours from one week to another.
22
Eligible students will be notified of the relaxation individually by a "No
Objection Letter" (NOL) upon approval of entry and extension of stay
applications. The NOL will spell out the type(s) and conditions of
employment which the student may take up.
Termination of Study
23
If the educational institution or student for any reasons terminates the
studies before the completion of such study course, the educational
institution should notify the Director of Immigration of the date of
termination of study in writing or provide the Director of Immigration
with completed "Notification of Termination of Studies" (ID 977) within 7
days following the termination.
Re-entry into Hong Kong
24 Non-permanent residents of the HKSAR, irrespective of their nationality
and type of travel document held, do not require a re-entry visa/entry
permit to enter the HKSAR provided that they return within the validity of
their permitted limit of stay and that the circumstances upon which they
have acquired their residential status remain unchanged. Non-permanent
residents, if returning after a long absence of, say, 12 months or more,
may be required to approach the Immigration Department Headquarters
to have their residential status verified.
Payment of Fees
25
If the application is submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department
direct, payment of fees should be made upon collection of the visa/entry
permit either in cash, by EPS or by cheque. The cheque should be
crossed, made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region", properly dated and signed.
26
If the application is submitted to an overseas Chinese diplomatic and
consular mission or the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office, the
visa/entry permit fee should be paid direct to the Chinese diplomatic and
consular mission or the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office as
appropriate.
Processing Time
27
It will normally take six weeks to process a visa/entry permit application
for study upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration
Department would not be able to start processing the application unless
all the required documents and information are received. Please refrain
from making enquiries about the progress of the application unless it is
absolutely necessary, as it may delay the processing of the application.
28
All applications are processed and determined by the Immigration
Department. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is
subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration
reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the
application meets all eligibility criteria.
Warning
29
It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an
immigration officer. A person who knowingly and wilfully makes a
statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does
not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of
Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter
or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.
Disclaimer
30
The information in this guidebook serves as reference only. The
Immigration Department of the HKSAR is not responsible for any loss or
damage whatsoever arising out of or in connection with any information
in this guidebook. The Immigration Department reserves the right to
omit, suspend or edit all information in this guidebook at any time in its
absolute discretion without giving any reason or prior notice. The
Immigration Department further reserves the right to change the
eligibility criteria and details of the arrangement set out above from time
to time without notice.
Enquiries
31
For more information about the entry arrangement for study, please
contact the Immigration Department by enquiry hotline at (852) 2824
6111 or by fax at (852) 2877 7711; or visit the Immigration
Department's homepage atwww.immd.gov.hk.
VIII. Checklist of Forms and Documents to be Submitted
A. Forms and Documents to be Submitted by the Applicants
✔ Forms/ Documents Required
Application for Entry for Study in Hong Kong (ID 995A)
The applicant's recent photograph (affixed on page 2 of the application form ID 995A )
Photocopy of the applicant's travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and/or details of any re-
entry visa held (if applicable). For an applicant who is currently staying in the HKSAR, photocopy of his/her travel document page
containing the latest arrival stamp/extension of stay label in the HKSAR. Chinese resident of the Mainland who has not been issued
with a travel document may submit a photocopy of his/her People's Republic of China resident identity card.
Photocopy of the applicant's Hong Kong identity card (if any)
A letter of acceptance from the educational institution
One of the applicant's parents should authorise the sponsor or his/her relative/friend in Hong Kong to be the guardian of the
✔ Forms/ Documents Required
applicant. A consent letter duly signed by both the guardian and
one of the applicant's parents should be produced. [if the applicant is under the age of 18]
Photocopy of proof of the applicant's accommodation arrangement
[if the applicant is under the age of 18]
Photocopy of proof of the applicant's financial support, e.g. bank
statements, savings account passbooks, tax receipts and salary slips [if the sponsor is the educational institution]
Photocopy of the applicant's Macao identity card [for Macao
residents only]
Photocopy of the applicant's household registration in Taiwan and
Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only]
B. Forms and Documents to be Submitted by the Sponsors
✔ Forms/ Documents Required
Application for Entry for Study (Sponsor) in Hong Kong (ID 995B)
An undertaking that the sponsor is prepared to provide
accommodation to the applicant during his/her period of study in Hong Kong [if the applicant is under the age of 18]
Photocopy of the sponsor's Hong Kong identity card #
Photocopy of the sponsor's travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry, and the latest arrival
stamp/extension of stay label in the HKSAR [for non-permanent resident of the HKSAR only] #
Photocopy of proof of the sponsor's financial standing, e.g. bank
statements, savings account passbooks, tax receipts and salary slips; and an undertaking that the sponsor is prepared to provide
financial support to the applicant during his/her period of study in Hong Kong #
C. # Submission of the documents is not required if the sponsor is the educational institution granting the acceptance.
D. Forms and Documents to be Submitted by each accompanying
Dependant of an Applicant for entry for Study
✔ Forms/ Documents Required
The applicant's application form, Application for Entry for Study in Hong Kong (ID 995A) with Part B duly completed by the dependant
The dependant's recent photograph (affixed on page 2 of the application form ID 995A)
Photocopy of the dependant's travel document containing personal
particulars, its date of issue, date of expiry and/or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable). For a dependant who is currently
staying in the HKSAR, photocopy of his/her travel document page
containing the latest arrival stamp/extension of stay label in the HKSAR. Chinese resident of the Mainland who has not been issued
with a travel document may submit a photocopy of his/her People's Republic of China resident identity card.
Photocopy of evidence of the applicant's relationship with the
dependant, e.g. marriage certificates, birth certificates, family photographs, family letters (with envelopes), census record book
and Privilege Card for Single Child (if applicable)
Photocopy of the dependant's Macao identity card [for Macao
residents only]
Photocopy of the dependant's household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only]
Important Notice:
1. Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants, accompanying dependant(s) and
sponsors may still be required to submit further supporting
documents and information in connection with the application(s)
when necessary.
2. Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be
accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public
translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.
HONG KONG : THE FACTS
Coming to Hong Kong Hong Kong, with a population of about 7.15 million in mid-2012, is a small but dynamic city which has earned an international reputation as a leading commercial and financial centre as well as a highly efficient entrepot. Almost from the outset 150 years ago, Hong Kong enjoyed a prosperous entrepot trade, thanks mainly to its world-class harbour strategically located on the main Far Eastern trade routes. Subsequent historical and political events led to the development of the manufacturing industry. Hong Kong has also seen a rapid expansion of its services sector in the past two decades, contributing up to 93 per cent of Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in recent years. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established on July 1, 1997. Under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong’s previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years and the HKSAR will be run by Hong Kong people and enjoys a high degree of autonomy. The Basic Law: The Basic Law is a constitutional document for the HKSAR. It enshrines within a legal document the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong and prescribes the various systems to be practised in the HKSAR. It prescribes the relationship between the Central Authorities and the HKSAR; the fundamental rights and duties of Hong Kong residents; the political structure of the HKSAR; the economic and social systems of the HKSAR; the conduct of external affairs by the HKSAR as well as the interpretation and amendment of the Basic Law. The Government: The Chief Executive (CE) is the head of the HKSAR. According to the Basic Law, the CE shall be selected by election or through consultations held in Hong Kong, and be appointed by the Central People’s Government. At present, the Election Committee which is responsible for selecting the CE is composed of 1 200 members. Most members of the Election Committee are returned by election. The Executive Council assists the CE in policy making. The CE shall consult the Executive Council before making important policy decisions, introducing bills to the Legislative Council (LegCo), making subordinate legislation, or dissolving the LegCo. The LegCo shall exercise the powers and functions, which include to enact, amend or repeal laws in accordance with the Basic Law and legal procedures; examine and approve budgets introduced by the government; approve taxation and public expenditure; and raise questions on the work of the government. At present, Legislative Council has 70 members: 35 from geographical constituencies, 35 returned by functional
constituencies. At the district level, 18 District Councils offer advice on the matters affecting the well-being of the people in their districts and provide a forum for public consultation. Constitutional Development: The Basic Law prescribes the methods for electing the CE and for forming the LegCo. The Basic Law further prescribes the ultimate aim of selecting the CE by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures, and of electing all the members of the LegCo by universal suffrage in the light of the actual situation in the HKSAR and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. According to Annexes I and II to the Basic Law, if there is a need to amend the methods for electing the CEs and for forming the LegCos for the terms subsequent to the year 2007, such amendments must be made with the endorsement of a two-thirds majority of all the members of the LegCo and the consent of the CE, and they shall be reported to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) for approval or for the record. The NPCSC made a decision on December 29, 2007 that the CE may be elected by universal suffrage in 2017, and following that, all the members of the LegCo may be elected by universal suffrage. The NPCSC also decided that appropriate amendments conforming to the principle of gradual and orderly progress may be made to the methods for electing the fourth-term CE and for forming the fifth-term LegCo in 2012. The motions put by the HKSAR Government concerning the amendments to the methods for the selection of the CE and for the formation of the LegCo in 2012 were passed by a two-thirds majority of all the Members of the LegCo on June 24 and 25, 2010 respectively. For the first time since the establishment of the HKSAR, LegCo had managed to go through the procedures stipulated in the Annexes to the Basic Law to amend the methods for selecting the CE and for forming LegCo. The number of members of the 2012 Election Committee of the CE has been increased from 800 to the current 1 200. As regards the 2012 LegCo Election, the number of seats is increased from 60 to 70. Aside from increasing the number of geographical constituency seats by five, the five new functional constituency seats are nominated by elected District Council members. They are elected by all registered voters who are not registered to vote in functional constituencies, on a one-person-one-vote basis. Under this proposal, every voter has two votes in the 2012 LegCo Election, one for geographical constituency, and the other for functional constituency.
Laws and Justice: Laws in Hong Kong consist of the Basic Law, locally enacted ordinances, subsidiary legislation, the common law, rules of equity and customary law. A few national laws of the PRC listed in Annex III to the Basic Law are also applicable (covering subjects such as national flag and anthem, nationality law and diplomatic privileges and immunities). The courts of justice in the HKSAR comprise the Court of Final Appeal, the High Court (which includes the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance), the District Court (which includes the Family Court), the Lands Tribunal, the Magistrates’ Courts (which include the Juvenile Courts), the Labour Tribunal, the Small Claims Tribunal, the Obscene Articles Tribunal and the Coroner’s Court. Public Finance: As at end-March 2013, the Government’s fiscal reserves stood at $733.9 billion. Estimated government revenue for 2013-14 amounts to $435.1 billion. About 44 per cent of the revenue comes from direct taxes and 22 per cent from indirect taxes. Other sources of revenue include land premium, investment income and fees and charges. Estimated public expenditure for 2013-14 amounts to $467.1 billion, representing about 21.7 per cent of GDP. This includes government expenditure of $440 billion and expenditure by the Housing Authority and the Trading Funds of $27.1 billion. The major areas of public expenditure in the year are: education (16.5 per cent), social welfare (13.1 per cent) and health (11.5 per cent). Economy: The success of Hong Kong as a leading trade, finance and business centre stems from a policy of free enterprise and trade, industrious work- force, well-developed infrastructure and excellent telecommunications. Over the past 20 years, the Hong Kong’s GDP has grown by an average annual rate of 3.7 per cent per annum in real terms. In 2012, GDP at current market prices amounted to $2,041.9 billion, while per capita GDP has reached $285,403. Trade: The value of total trade (including merchandise imports, domestic exports and re-exports) in 2012 was $7,346.5 billion, 3.4 per cent higher than that of 2011. The principal market for Hong Kong’s total exports was the mainland of China which took 54.1 per cent of Hong Kong’s total export value in 2012, followed by the United States of America (9.9 per cent), Japan (4.2 per cent), Taiwan (2.4 per cent) and Germany (2.3 per cent). The main suppliers of imports were the mainland of China (47.1 per cent), Japan (8.0 per cent), Singapore (6.3 per cent), Taiwan (6.3 per cent) and the United States of America (5.2 per cent). Housing: As at 31 March 2013, there were a total of 2.39 million households in Hong Kong, among which 692 000 households or 2 million (around 30 per cent) of the Hong Kong population lived in public rental housing (PRH) of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), and about 31 100 households or 86 900 persons lived in PRH of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS). Furthermore, about 368 000 households or 1.16 million (roughly 16 per cent) of the Hong Kong population lived in subsidised sale flats of the HA and the HKHS. In other words, almost half of the households in Hong Kong are living in housing units with government subsidies. Of the remaining 1.3 million households who were living in private properties, 870 000 were owner-occupants. So taken together, over half of Hong Kong’s families are living in self-owned accommodation. Health: Hong Kong is, on the whole, a healthy place. The general health indices compare favourably with those in Western countries. The hospitals are among the
finest and best equipped in the world. Comprehensive medical facilities and specialist services are available throughout Hong Kong. There is no National Health Service and medical advice and treatment have to be paid for. However, government medical services are available to all residents at a nominal charge. As at end-December 2012, the total number of hospital beds were 36 579#, distributed in 41 public and 11 private hospitals as well as 50 nursing homes and 21 Correctional Services Department hospitals. The bed-population ratio was 5.1 beds per thousand population. At the same time, there were 13 006 registered doctors, 6 565 registered Chinese medicine practitioners and 2 733 listed Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong, equivalent to 1.8 registered doctors, 0.9 registered Chinese medicine practitioners and 0.4 listed Chinese medicine practitioners per thousand population respectively. Education: In the 2011/12 school year, there were 946 kindergartens, 568 primary schools and 524 secondary schools. Enrolment in kindergarten was 157 433, with another 322 881 and 467 087 in primary and secondary schools respectively. The enrolment of the University Grants Committee (UGC) funded programmes offered by the eight UGC-funded institutions in the 2011/12 academic year was 75 597 students. The enrolment of locally-accredited self-financing post-secondary programmes (except the Vocational Training Council) at sub-degree or above level was 105 714 students. For the Vocational Training Council, the enrolment of the pre-employment programmes in the 2011/12 academic year was 51 750 students. The Government has introduced a New Academic Structure (NAS) that covers three yeas of junior secondary education, three in senior secondary and four at university. The 3-year senior secondary education under the NAS was implemented in S4 in September 2009 and the 4-year university courses were implemented in September 2012. Social Welfare: The Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations (including 171 subvented welfare organisations) provide a full range of welfare services through about 2 800 agreement service units. Services include social security, family and child welfare, medical social work, group and community work, services for young people, services for the elderly, rehabilitation services for the disabled, and services for offenders. The department operates a 24-hour hotline providing information on social welfare services. Social workers are also available round the clock to provide immediate telephone counselling, support and referral services. Transportation: Sea: In 2012, 30 700 ocean-going ships and 160 160 river-trade vessels arrived at the port of Hong Kong – one of the busiest container ports in the world. During the year, about 11.8 million passengers came from the Mainland and Macao on board jetfoils and catamarans to disembark at the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal (The Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal has ceased operation after the ferry operator terminated the tenancy agreement and returned the terminal to the Government in September 2012). About 13.9 million passengers made outbound ferry trips from the three terminals. Road: In 2012, there are 2 090 kilometres of roads with a total number of 653 010 licensed vehicles and government vehicles, a density of 313 vehicles per kilometre. Three cross-harbour tunnels link Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. As at end 2012, about 5 740 franchised buses and more than 3.8 million daily passenger journeys were recorded during the year.
There were large fleets of minibuses and taxis, and 164 tram cars. Railways: The railway system in Hong Kong is operated and managed by the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Corporation Limited. It consists of Kwun Tong Line (Tiu Keng Leng – Yau Ma Tei), Tsuen Wan Line (Tsuen Wan – Central), Island Line (Chai Wan – Sheung Wan), Tung Chung Line (Hong Kong – Tung Chung), Tseung Kwan O Line (Po Lam/LOHAS Park – North Point), East Rail Line (Hung Hom – Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau), West Rail Line (Tuen Mun – Hung Hom), Ma On Shan Line (Wu Kai Sha – Tai Wai) and Disneyland Resort Line (Sunny Bay – Disneyland Resort). There are 82 stations along the 175 kilometre route. The MTR also operates a 35.2 km Airport Express Line and a 36.2-kilometre Light Rail network which has 68 stops in the northwest New Territories. Light Rail feeder bus services provide rail passengers with a more comprehensive service network. The entire system carries an average of 4.28 million passengers each day. Besides, the MTR also provides cross-boundary through-train services between Hong Kong and Beijing, Shanghai and cities in Guangdong. Air: Hong Kong International Airport is among the busiest in the world. There are about 110 airlines providing about 6 700 scheduled passenger and freight flights each week. In 2012, it handled over 55.66 million international passengers and 4.03 million tonnes of air cargo. Telecommunications: As at January 2013, the fully digitalised telephone systems serve nearly 4.26 million telephone exchange lines. The mobile telephone systems serve over 16.47 million subscribers (as of January 2013), a penetration rate of about 230 subscribers per 100 inhabitants, which is one of the highest in the world. With 9.95 million subscribers, the third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) mobile service continues to grow, enabling consumers to enjoy high-speed mobile multi-media services. Other than basic voice services, data services are becoming popular among consumers. As at January 2013, local mobile data usage recorded a remarkable surge to 8 057 Terabytes (i.e. 8 056 550 Gigabytes), or an average of 758.9 Mbytes per 2.5G/3G/4G mobile user. This represents 1.8 times and 4 times the mobile data usage over the same period in 2012 and 2011 respectively. The local broadband Internet service market has also been growing rapidly in recent years by having nearly 2.26 million of subscribers as at January 2013. The household broadband penetration rate has reached almost 86 per cent. Hong Kong has also developed into a leading wireless city with 18 880 hotspots (as of March 2013) covering about 6 000 locations which enable the public to access the Internet via Wi-Fi. Banks: Hong Kong is an international banking centre. As at the end of 2012, there were 155 licensed banks, 21
restricted licence banks and 24 deposit-taking companies in Hong Kong. Together they operated a comprehensive network of 1 404 local branches. These institutions come from 34 countries and include 70 out of the world’s largest 100 banks. There were also 60 representative offices of banks incorporated outside Hong Kong. Exchange Rate: Since October 1983, Hong Kong has been adopting the linked exchange rate system under which the Hong Kong dollar is linked to the US dollar at the fixed rate of HK$7.80 to US$1. Taxation: Under the territorial source concept of taxation, only income arising in or derived from Hong Kong is chargeable to tax. Profits from any trade, business or profession carried on in Hong Kong are chargeable to profits tax. For the year of assessment 2011/12, the profits tax rate for corporations is 16.5 per cent and that for other businesses is 15 per cent. Income from employment is charged with salaries tax which is calculated at progressive rates after deducting various deductions and allowances. Salaries tax is however limited to the standard rate of 15 per cent on the net income before deduction of allowances. Property tax is charged on the owner of any properties in Hong Kong at the standard rate of 15 per cent on the annual rent receivable less rates and a statutory deduction of 20 per cent for repairs and outgoings. Mass Media: Hong Kong has one of the highest newspaper readerships in Asia. It is also one of the world’s largest centres for Chinese-language publications. There were a total of 735 publications registered as at April 2013, 51 of which were newspapers including 25 Chinese-language dailies and 12 English dailies. There were 684 periodicals covering a wide variety of subjects from public affairs/politics to technical matters and entertainment. Hong Kong’s television viewers can access to over 400 domestic and non-domestic television programme service channels broadcast by local licensees. These include 15 free-to-air channels provided by two domestic free television programme service licensees, about 370 pay TV channels provided by three domestic pay television programme service licensees, and about 40 non-domestic television programme service channels. Three radio stations in Hong Kong have 13 analogue channels in Chinese and English and broadcast more than 2 000 hours of programmes a week. Four operators have launched digital audio broadcasting (DAB) services. The new service will comprise a total of 18 DAB channels. # The number of hospital beds includes all hospital beds in Hospital Authority hospitals, private hospitals, nursing homes and correctional institutions, which follows the coverage of the Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Maternity Homes Registration Ordinance (Cap. 165) of Hong Kong. The bed-population ratio may not be directly comparable with figures for other countries.
Published by the Information Services Department,Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government GovHK Website: http://www.gov.hk Information contained in this publication may be freely used. No acknowledgement is necessary.
July 2013
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Chapter 25: Helpful Chinese Place Names and Cantonese Phrases
Not all Chinese people speak English well and this sometimes makes communication difficult. The idea of this chapter is to take the hassle out of asking for directions, shopping and just getting around. Chinese place names
This list of place names will be helpful in general but if you are taking public transport it is simpler to show the driver your destination, which he / she will immediately know from the Chinese characters.
Hospital Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital 雅麗氏何妙齡那打素醫院Caritas Medical Centre 明愛醫院Fanling Hospital 粉嶺醫院Kwong Wah Hospital 廣華醫院Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital 東區尤德夫人醫院Pok Oi Hospital 博愛醫院Prince of Wales Hospital 威爾斯親王醫院Princess Margaret Hospital 瑪嘉烈醫院Queen Elizabeth Hospital 伊利沙伯醫院Queen Mary Hospital 瑪麗醫院St. John Hospital 長洲醫院Tang Shiu Kin Hospital 鄧肇堅醫院Tuen Mun Hospital 屯門醫院United Christian Hospital 基督教聯合醫院Yan Chai Hospital 仁濟醫院
Police Stations
Hong Kong Island 香港島
Central 中區警署Waterfront 海傍警署Peak 山頂警署
153
Western 西區警署Aberdeen 香港仔警署Stanley 赤柱警署Wan Chai 灣仔警署Happy Valley 跑馬地警署North Point 北角警署Chai Wan 柴灣警署
Kowloon 九龍
Yau Ma Tei 油麻地警署Tsim Sha Tsui 尖沙咀警署Mong Kok 旺角警署Sham Shui Po 深水埗警署Cheung Sha Wan 長沙灣警署Kowloon City 九龍城警署Hung Hom 紅磡警署Wong Tai Sin 黃大仙警署Sai Kung 西貢警署Kwun Tong 觀塘警署Tseung Kwan O 將軍澳警署Sau Mau Ping 秀茂坪警署Ngau Tau Kok 牛頭角警署
New Territories 新界
Tsuen Wan 荃灣警署Kwai Chung 葵涌警署Tsing Yi 青衣警署Sha Tin 沙田警署Tin Sum 田心警署Ma On Shan 馬鞍山警署Lantau North 大嶼山北警署Mui Wo 梅窩警署Airport District 機場區警署Sha Tau Kok 沙頭角警署Ta Kwu Ling 打鼓嶺警署Lok Ma Chau 落馬洲警署Yuen Long 元朗警署Tin Shui Wai 天水圍警署Pat Heung 八鄉警署Tai Po 大埔警署
154
Sheung Shui 上水警署Tuen Mun 屯門警署Castle Peak 青山警署
Places of Interest Hong Kong Island 香港島
Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter 香港仔避風塘Cat Street 摩囉街City Hall 大會堂Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware 茶具文物館Happy Valley Race Course 快活谷馬場Hong Kong Arts Centre 香港藝術中心Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre 香港會議展覽中心Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence 香港海防博物館Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences 香港醫學博物館Hong Kong Park 香港公園Hong Kong Racing Museum 香港賽馬博物館Hong Kong Stadium 香港大球場Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens 香港動植物公園Lan Kwai Fong 蘭桂坊Man Mo Temple 文武廟Ocean Park 海洋公園Police Museum 警察博物館Queen Elizabeth Stadium 伊利沙伯體育館Repulse Bay 淺水灣St. John’s Cathedral 聖約翰大教堂Stanley Market 赤柱市場Staunton Street 士丹頓街Victoria Park 維多利亞公園Victoria Peak 山頂Western Market 西港城
Kowloon 九龍
Clock Tower 鐘樓Hong Kong Coliseum 香港體育館Hong Kong Cultural Centre 香港文化中心Hong Kong Museum of Art 香港藝術館Hong Kong Museum of History 香港歷史博物館Hong Kong Science Museum 香港科學館
155
Hong Kong Space Museum 香港太空館Jade Market 玉器市場Knutsford Terrace 諾士佛台Kowloon Park 九龍公園Kowloon Walled City Park 九龍寨城公園Ladies’ Market (Tung Choi Street) 女人街(通菜街)Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum 李鄭屋漢墓博物館Temple Street 廟街Wong Tai Sin Temple 黃大仙廟Yuen Po Street Bird Garden 園圃街雀鳥花園
New Territories 新界
Che Kung Temple 車公廟Ching Chung Koon 青松觀Fung Ying Sin Koon 蓬瀛仙館Hong Kong Disneyland 香港廸士尼樂園Hong Kong Heritage Museum 香港文化博物館Hong Kong Railway Museum 香港鐵路博物館Kat Hing Wai (Kam Tin Walled Village) 錦田吉慶圍Lok Ma Chau Lookout Point 落馬洲Penfold Park 彭福公園Po Lin Monastery’s Giant Buddha 寶蓮寺天壇大佛Sai Kung Sheung Yiu Folk Museum 西貢上窰民俗文物館Sam Tung Uk Museum 三棟屋博物館Sha Tin Race Course 沙田馬場Tai Fu Tai 大夫第Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery 萬佛寺Tsang Tai Uk 曾大屋Yuen Yuen Institute 圓玄學院 Transportation
Ferry Pier to Outlying Islands 港外線碼頭Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal 中港客輪碼頭Hong Kong International Airport 香港國際機場Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier 港澳碼頭大樓Hung Hom Railway Station 紅磡火車站Peak Tram Lower Station 花園道纜車總站Peak Tram Upper Station 山頂纜車總站Star Ferry Pier 天星碼頭
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Major Buildings
Hong Kong Island 香港島
Admiralty Centre 海富中心Bank of America Tower 美國銀行中心Bank of China Tower 中銀大廈Central Plaza 中環廣場China Resources Building 華潤大廈Citibank Plaza 萬國寶通廣場Citibank Tower 花旗銀行大廈CTS House 中旅集團大廈Exchange Square 交易廣場Fairmont House 東昌大廈Hongkong Bank Headquarters Building 匯豐銀行總部大廈Hopewell Centre 合和中心Jardine House 怡和大廈Landmark 置地廣場Lippo Centre 力寶中心Pacific Place 太古廣場Shun Tak Centre 信德中心Times Square 時代廣場United Centre 統一中心World Trade Centre 世界貿易中心World Wide House 環球大廈 Kowloon 九龍
Argyle Centre 旺角中心Bank Centre 銀行中心Cameron Plaza 金馬倫廣場Carnarvon Plaza 加拿芬廣場Cheung Sha Wan Plaza 長沙灣廣場China Hong Kong City 中港城Chinachem Tower 華懋大廈Chungking Mansions 重慶大廈Festival Walk 又一城Grand Century Place 新世紀廣場Harbour City 海港城Hollywood Plaza 荷里活廣場New World Centre 新世界中心Ocean Centre 海洋中心
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Ocean Terminal 海運大廈The Palace Mall 名店城Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard 柏麗購物大道Silvercord 新港中心Sino Centre 信和中心 Handy phrases in Cantonese
These handy phrases, with a pronunciation guide cover the basics, will help you to communicate in Cantonese. The main thing to remember is that Cantonese is a “tonal” language. A word can have different meanings depending on how high or low it is pronounced. However, with practice, you’ll eventually get it right.
We have also put in the Chinese characters so that if the person you are speaking to does not understand, you can just point to the Chinese text. The Chinese text will also help if you want to ask your Chinese friends to teach you the exact pronunciation.
Basics English Pronunciation ChineseI Ngoh 我 (“ng” sounds like the “ng” in “sing”)You Nei 你 (“n” is sometimes pronounced like “l” as in “lei”)He / she / it Kui 佢We Ngoh dei 我哋You (plural) Nei dei 你哋They Kui dei 佢哋0 Ling 零1 Yat 一 (壹)2 Yi / leung 二 / 兩3 Saam 三4 Sei 四5 Ng 五6 Luk 六
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7 Chat 七8 Baat 八9 Gau 九10 Sap 十11 Sap yat 十一12 Sap yi 十二20 Yi sap 二十30 Saam sap 三十100 Yat baak 一百1,000 Yat chin 一千10,000 Yat maan 一萬
Hellos and how-are-you
Hello / How are you Nei ho 你好Good morning Jo san 早晨Goodbye Joi gin 再見 (拜拜) (but often just “bye-bye”)Thank you M goi 唔該 (when someone helps you) Doh je 多謝 (when someone gives you something)You’re welcome M sai m goi / 唔駛唔該 / M sai haak hei 唔駛客氣I’m sorry Dui m jue 對唔住
At home
Mother Ma ma 媽媽 A ma 阿媽 Mummy 媽咪Father Ba ba 爸爸 A ba 阿爸 Daddy 爹哋Uncle Baak baak (A baak) 伯伯 (阿伯) Suk suk (A suk) 叔叔 (阿叔)Aunt A yi / Kaau mo 阿姨 / 舅母Son Jai jai (A jai) 仔仔 (阿仔)Daughter Nui nui (A nui) 女女 (阿女)
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Kitchen Chue fong 廚房Bathroom Chung leung fong 沖涼房Bedroom Sui fong 睡房Living room Haak teng 客廳Dining room Faan teng 飯廳Table Toi 枱Chair Dang 櫈Dishes Dip 碟Carpet Dei jin 地毯Sofa Soh fa 梳化Lamp Dang 燈Laundry Sai saam 洗衫Cleaning / Washing Maat / Sai 抹 / 洗
Getting around Taxi Dik si 的士Bus Ba si 巴士Mini-bus Siu ba 小巴MTR station Dei tit jaam 地鐵站LRT station Hing tit jaam 輕鐵站Star Ferry pier Tin sing ma tau 天星碼頭New ferry terminal San ma tau 新碼頭Ticket Fei 飛Turn left Juen joh 轉左Turn right Juen yau 轉右Turn around Juen goh wan 轉個彎Stop here Ting 停Keep going Gai juk 繼續How much Gei chin a 幾錢呀Which way is ... Dim hui 點去I want to go to ... Ngoh seung hui … 我想去……I’m lost Ngoh dong saat lo / 我盪失路 / Ngoh m sik lo 我唔識路
In the market Rice Faan 飯Bok choy Baak choi 白菜Choy sum Choi sam 菜心
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Broccoli Gaai laan 芥蘭Carrot Loh baak 蘿蔔Green onion Chung 蔥Onion Yeung chung 洋蔥Ginger Geung 薑Garlic Suen tau 蒜頭Bamboo shoot Sun 荀Mushrooms Gwoo 菇 Dung gwoo 冬菇 Moh gwoo 蘑菇Chicken Gai 雞Fish Yue 魚Shrimp Ha 蝦Pork Chu yuk 豬肉Beef Ngau yuk 牛肉Catty Gan 斤Half Yat boon 一半Quarter Yat goh gwat / 一個骨 / Sei fan yat 四分一How much is it Gei doh chin 幾多錢That’s too expensive Taai gwai / 太貴 / Ho gwai 好貴
What’s cooking? Breakfast Jo chaan 早餐Lunch Ngan jau 午餐 / 晏晝Dinner Maan chaan 晚餐Snack Ling sik 零食Are you hungry To ngoh mei a 肚餓未呀I’m full Ngoh ho baau 我好飽Soup Tong 湯That’s delicious Ho mei do / 好味道 / Ho sik 好食It’s not delicious M ho mei / 唔好味 / M ho sik 唔好食Salt Yim 鹽Pepper Woo jiu fan 胡椒粉Water Sui 水
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Would you like Yiu m yiu doh di / 要唔要多啲 / some more Jung yiu m yiu di 仲要唔要啲Yes Hai / Ho / Dak 係 / 好 / 得No M hai / M ho / M dak 唔係 / 唔好 / 唔得Big Daai 大Small Sai 細Too big Taai daai 太大Too small Taai sai 太細Too much Taai doh 太多
Useful words and phrases
Wait a moment Dang (yat) jan 等 (一) 陣I don’t understand Ngoh m ming / 我唔明 / Ngoh m sik 我唔識I want ... Ngoh yiu / 我要 / Ngoh oi 我愛Do you have Nei yau mo 你有無Yes, we have (ngoh) yau (我) 有No, we don’t have (ngoh) mo (我) 無
Daily necessities Soap Faan gaan 番梘Toilet paper Chi ji 廁紙Tissue / napkin Ji gan / “tissue” 紙巾Sanitary pads Wai sang gan 衛生巾Tampons Wai sang min tiu 衛生棉條Toothpaste Nga go 牙膏Comb Soh 梳Brush Soh / Chaat 梳 / 刷Writing paper Ji 紙Pen Bat 筆Envelope Sun fung 信封Stamps Yau piu 郵票
Symptoms
Headache Tau tung 頭痛Stomach ache Wai tung 胃痛
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Toothache Nga tung 牙痛Sore throat Hau lung tung 喉嚨痛Runny nose Lau bei sui 流鼻水Influenza Gam Mo 感冒Fever Faat siu 發燒Dizzy Tau wan 頭暈Diarrhoea To se 肚瀉Insomnia Sat min 失眠Allergy Man gam 敏感Cramping Chau gan 抽筋Itching Han yeung 痕癢Sprain Nau seung 扭傷Asthma Haau chuen 哮喘
Emergencies I feel sick Ngoh being joh 我病咗I am injured Ngoh seung joh / 我傷咗 / Ngoh sau seung 我受傷Hospital Yi yuen 醫院Fire Fok juk 火燭Police Ging chaat 警察Help Gau meng 救命Thief Yau chaak a / 有賊呀 Chaak a 賊呀Rapist Keung gaan a 強姦呀
Remember:
• The ‘a’ sound is like the ‘u’ in ‘cut’ or the ‘o’ in ‘mother’ - not like the ‘a’ in ‘bang’
• The ‘ei’ sound is like ‘ay’ in ‘day’ • The ‘eu’ is like ‘er’ in ‘were’ but there is no ‘r’ sound • The letter ‘i’ is pronounced ‘ee’ and so ‘yi’ sounds like ‘yee’ • ‘leung’ is like ‘lerng’ but without the ‘r’ sound
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Chapter 6: Banks and Money
Hong Kong currency
Notes in everyday circulation are denominated in HK$10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000. The HK$20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000 notes are issued by the three note-issuing banks, namely The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, and a new series was issued in 2010. The last series issued in 2003 will co-circulate with the 2010 Series and be gradually withdrawn from circulation. So don’t worry if you have different looking HK$100 bills in your wallet - they are all legal tender. For the HK$10 notes, there is a paper note issued by the Government since 2002 and a polymer note issued by the Government since 2007.
Coins are issued in denominations of HK$10, $5, $2, $1, 50 cents, 20 cents and 10 cents.
Please visit the Hong Kong Monetary Authority website at www.hkma.gov.hk for details of Hong Kong notes and coins in circulation.
Exchange rates
Since 1983, the Hong Kong dollar has been tied to the US dollar around the rate of US$1 = HK$7.80. Because the exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and other currencies changes from day to day, it’s best to check the newspaper or your bank for the current rate of exchange.
Advice: • Banks and moneychangers charge a commission. Similarly, commissions
are charged by hotels and major retail outlets which provide exchange facilities for guests and customers.
• As elsewhere, the rates of exchange for cash and travellers’ cheques are marginally different and coins are not exchangeable.
• Rates of exchange offered by banks and moneychangers are not uniform. The best way to check if you are getting a fair deal is to compare the rates offered by different banks and moneychangers.
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• The display of net rates of exchange by moneychangers is a legal obligation. You are advised to check them and also the amount of any additional commission payable for the exchange of travellers’ cheques before handing over the money for exchange. Receipts must be issued by law.
• You may approach the police for help if you believe that you have been cheated.
Opening a bank account
When opening an account with a bank, you will be required to provide your identification document (for example, a valid travel document and identity card) and other information such as residential address to the bank. You may ask the bank about its identification requirements for opening an account. There is generally no fee or charge for opening a bank account. However, some banks may levy a low-balance fee on accounts which do not meet the minimum balance requirement of the banks. When you open an account with a bank, you are advised to obtain details of any fees and charges which may apply, as well as any waiver policies of the bank.
Sending money back home
When sending money (remitting) to your family back home, the best advice is to look for a bank from your home country with branches in Hong Kong, as they probably have special remittance facilities. If not, use a Hong Kong-based bank that has branches in your country.
IndiaAllahabad Bank 1908-1909, Tower 1, Lippo Centre 2523-8363 89 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong Axis Bank Limited Unit 805-809, Alexandra House 3656-4000 18 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong Bank of Baroda 4/F, Dina House, Ruttonjee Centre 2521-5166 11 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong Bank of India 2/F, Ruttonjee House 2524-0186 11 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong Canara Bank Room 904, Aon China Building 2529-1398 29 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong ICICI Bank Limited Units 1504B-1505, Level 15 2234-2600 International Commerce Centre 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
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Indian Overseas Bank 3/F, Ruttonjee House 2522-7157 11 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong Punjab National Bank Room 1003, 10/F, Li Po Chun Chambers 2970-4819 189 Des Voeux Road Central Hong Kong State Bank of India Suite 1501, Central Tower 2523-3166 28 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong UCO Bank Suites 4102-4106, Cosco Tower 2524-9240 183 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Union Bank of India Unit 1903-1904, 19/F 2524-2221 9 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong IndonesiaPT. Bank Negara G/F, Far East Finance Centre 2529-9871Indonesia (Persero) 16 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong KongTBK. PT. Bank Mandiri 7/F, Far East Finance Centre 2877-3632 (Persero) TBK. 16 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong PakistanNational Bank Units 1801-1805, ING Tower 2521-7321of Pakistan 308-320 Des Voeux Road Central Hong Kong The PhilippinesBanco De Oro G/F, Euro Trade Centre 2868-0323Unibank, Inc. 13-14 Connaught Road Central Hong Kong Philippine National Unit 02, 9/F 2543-1066Bank Tung Wai Commercial Building 109-111 Gloucester Road Wan Chai, Hong Kong Thailand Bangkok Bank Public Bangkok Bank Building 2801-6688 Company Limited 28 Des Voeux Road Central Hong Kong Bank of Ayudhya Unit 1102, 11/F, Millennium City 3 2525-7398Public Company 370 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun TongLimited Kowloon
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Kasikornbank Public Unit 3316, 33/F 2526-6811Company Limited China Merchants Tower Shun Tak Centre 168-200 Connaught Road Central Hong Kong The Siam Commercial Suites 3209, 32/F, Jardine House 2524-4085Bank Public Company 1 Connaught Place Central Limited Hong Kong
Advice: • Hong Kong has no exchange controls, so you may bring in or send out as
much money as you wish. • International telegraphic transfers are fast and efficient. All major banks in
Hong Kong can provide this service for you. • Send money in US dollars by telegraphic transfer or a bank draft - don’t
send cash in the mail or through other persons going back to your country.
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Chapter 5: Getting Around Hong Kong
Road crossing code
It is safer to cross the road using footbridges, subways, “Zebra” or “Green man” crossings. If you cannot find any such crossing places, there are some basic steps for crossing roads that you need to observe:
1. Find a safe place where you can see clearly along the roads in all directions for any approaching traffic.
2. When checking traffic, stay a little way back from the kerb where you will be away from traffic.
3. Look all around for traffic and listen. If traffic is coming, let it pass. Look all around and listen again.
4. Let the drivers know your intention to cross but do not expect a driver to slow down for you.
5. Do not cross unless you are certain there is plenty of time. Walk straight across the road when there is no traffic near.
6. Keep looking and listening for vehicles that come into sight or come near while you cross.
7. Do not use a mobile telephone, listen to any audio device or talk while crossing the road.
Using crossing places
Crossing aids are often provided to help you cross busy roads.
Footbridges and subways: Footbridges, pedestrian subways and elevated walkways are the safest places to cross busy roads as they keep pedestrians well away from the dangers of traffic.
Zebra crossings: Zebra crossings are marked with black and white stripes on the road and zigzag lines on either side. These markings warn drivers that there may be pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road. They also tell drivers that they must give way to pedestrians on the crossing. A yellow beacon, usually flashing, marks the location of the crossing. Always give drivers plenty
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of time to see you and to slow down and stop before you start to cross. If necessary, put one foot on the crossing. The traffic does not have to stop for you until you have stepped onto a Zebra crossing.
Green man crossings: When you arrive at the “Green man” crossing, stand on the pavement near the kerb. At some crossings, a control box is attached to the traffic light pole. Press the button and wait. When the steady “Green man” light shows, you may cross with care. You should not start to cross if the pedestrian light shows a flashing “Green man”. If the “Green man” starts flashing while you are crossing, keep the pace and continue to cross the road. Never cross or start to cross if the pedestrian light shows a “Red man”.
If there is an island in the middle of the crossing, stop on it and follow the Road Crossing Code and the above rules and advice again.
No crossing of road is allowed within the zigzag lines of the Zebra crossings or within 15 metres of the “Green man” crossings, footbridge and subway.
Cycling safety
Please note the following safety tips when you ride on the road:
Do’s1. Check the condition of the bicycle and wear safety helmets and protective
gears before setting off.2. Obey traffic light signals, traffic signs and road markings.3. During times of darkness or low visibility, wear bright or fluorescent
clothing and ensuring the front white lamp and rear red lamp are lit.4. Always use a cycle track if it is available.5. Always ride in single file except when overtaking or making a right turn.6. Ride along the left side of the road and keep clear of the kerb.7. Alight when crossing roads.
Don’ts1. Do not carry passengers.2. Do not carry any goods or animals which may obstruct your vision or upset
your balance.3. Do not let go of the handlebars or the pedals when riding.4. On the road, do not hold onto other vehicles or drag any object.
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5. A child aged under eleven is not allowed to ride a bicycle on the road without company of an adult.
6. Do not ride on the footway.7. Do not drift from side to side or zig-zag through traffic.8. Do not ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.9. Do not use a mobile phone or headset while cycling.
For more safe cycling information, please visit the Cycling Information Centre website of Transport Department at www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/cic/en.
Safe motoring
Please note the following rules and advices whenever you are driving:
Do’s1. Obey traffic regulations.2. Wear a seat belt.3. Always leave a two-second time gap between you and the vehicle in front.
Don’ts1. No drink driving or drug driving.2. Avoid careless lane changing.3. Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front.
For more safe motoring information, please visit Safe Motoring Guides of Transport Department at www.td.gov.hk/en/road_safety/safe_motoring_guides/index.html. MTR
The MTR Corporation Limited operates a coordinated railway network in the urban areas, New Territories and Lantau Island as well as an express connection to Hong Kong International Airport. It also provides through train services to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Zhaoqing in Mainland China.
The network covers the Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Island Line, Tseung Kwan O Line, Tung Chung Line, Disneyland Resort Line, East Rail Line, Ma On Shan Line and West Rail Line. Trains run every 2-10 minutes during the peak hours and every 4-12 minutes in the remaining hours from around 5:30 am to 1:30 am daily. In addition, the MTR system covers the Airport Express Line
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as well as the Light Rail. The former provides service from 5:50 am to 1:15 am daily at every 10 minutes. The latter operates daily from around 5:10 am to 1:20 am and the tramcars run at every 4-15 minutes during peak hours.
The Airport Express Line whisks incoming and departing passengers between the Airport’s passenger terminal and Hong Kong Station in the heart of Central, passing through Tsing Yi and Kowloon Stations. The service was extended to a new AsiaWorld-Expo Station to serve the new international exhibition centre at the Airport.
The Light Rail network links up new towns in Northwest New Territories, namely Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long. It connects with the West Rail Line which reaches West Kowloon.
There are also intercity passenger services between Hong Kong and the Mainland with three through train routes to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou / Zhaoqing. There are currently 12 pairs of through trains running between Hung Hom and Guangzhou East daily. The Beijing-Kowloon Through Train and the Shanghai-Kowloon Through Train operate on alternate days with a total journey time of about 23.5 and 18.5 hours respectively.
Enquiries: 2881-8888
Advice:A highly convenient type of ticket is called the “Octopus”, which is a stored-value card for multiple trips on the MTR, all franchised bus routes and most ferry routes. As the stored value runs out you can reload your card at an Add Value Machine / Customer Service Centre at any railway station or 7-11 Convenience Store. The Octopus Enquiry Processor can be used to check the remaining value of your Octopus. For Light Rail, please note that once you have a single ride ticket or have validated your Octopus card, you can board the train directly without going through a gate or turnstile. However, this “honour” fare system is enforced by occasional spot checks conducted by Passenger Services Assistants.
Note:Route map of MTR is shown at the back of this Guidebook.
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Franchised bus services
Five companies operate franchised bus services in Hong Kong. They are the Kowloon Motor Bus Co (1933) Ltd, Citybus Ltd (which has two franchises), New World First Bus Services Ltd, New Lantao Bus Co (1973) Ltd and Long Win Bus Co Ltd. Most bus services run from about 6:00 am until midnight, with some running all night.
Advice: You don’t need to buy a ticket to travel by bus. Just drop the exact fare into the box next to the driver as you get on board. Easier still, all the above buses accept payment by Octopus. When you want to get off, press the stop button.
Enquiries: Citybus 2873-0818 KMB 2745-4466 Long Win 2261-2791 / 2745-4466 NLB 2984-9848 NWFB 2136-8888
Minibuses
There are two types of minibus in Hong Kong. Both are cream coloured but some have red roofs (red minibuses) and others have green roofs (green minibuses). Green minibuses provide scheduled services with fixed routes, fares, vehicle allocation and timetables; red minibuses operate without fixed routes, fares and timetables.
Fares are paid on a green minibus when you get on board. Majority of green minibuses accept payment by Octopus, but for those that don’t, always have the correct amount in coins with you. On most red minibuses, you pay when you get off. Some red minibuses accept payment by Octopus but most of them do not. Make sure you have the exact fare in case the driver runs out of change. Advice:To halt either a green or a red minibus so you can alight, do it like a local and say “yau lok” which means “stop please” in Cantonese. If you want to commend a minibus driver, or if you are not satisfied with the service, get the date, time, location of incident as well as the vehicle registration number and call the transport complaint hotline at 2889-9999 or 1823 Call Centre.
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Trams Double-decker tramcars operated along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. The longest route starts from Western Market and runs all the way to Shau Kei Wan. There are also six routes operated, they are: between Shau Kei Wan and Happy Valley; North Point and Whitty Street; Causeway Bay and Whitty Street; Happy Valley and Kennedy Town; Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town; and a short route between Western Market and Kennedy Town.
Single-journey fare for person of 12 years or more is $2.3 while $1.2 is charged for children aged under 12 and $1.1 is charged for senior citizens aged 65 or above. No change is given so be sure you have the exact fare. Or pay with your Octopus card. Depending on the routes of service, tram service is generally operated from about 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight daily.
Enquiries: 2548-7102
Ferries
The Star Ferry runs between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm daily and between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai from 7:20 am to 11:00 pm on Mondays to Saturdays (except public holidays) and from 7:30 am to 11:00 pm on Sundays and public holidays. To take the Tsim Sha Tsui and Central or Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai services, simply buy a fare token from a vending machine or drop the exact fare into the turnstile or use an Octopus card and different fares will be charged on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. New World First Ferry (NWFF) runs services to Lantau Island (Mui Wo) and Cheung Chau, while Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Ltd (HKK) serves Peng Chau; and Winnertex Ltd and Islands Ferry Company Ltd serves Lamma Island. These outlying island ferry services depart from the piers in Central. Fares vary according to your destination, vessel type and different fares will be charged on Sundays and public holidays.
The Discovery Bay Transportation Services Ltd (DBTPL) provides a 24-hour service to Discovery Bay on Lantau Island, departing from Pier 3 in Central.
The Park Island Transport Company Ltd (PITCL) runs services to Ma Wan, departing from Pier 2 in Central and Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier.
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All these services accept payment by cash or Octopus card.
Enquiries: Star Ferry 2367-7065 NWFF 2131-8181 HKK 2815-6063 Winnertex 2815-6063 Islands Ferry 2815-6063 DBTPL 2987-7351 PITCL 2946-8888 Taxis
Urban taxis (red) operate in most areas in Hong Kong (except Tung Chung Road and roads in south Lantau). New Territories taxis (green) mainly operate in the north-eastern part (i.e. north of Sha Tin) and north-western part (i.e. north of Tsuen Wan) of the New Territories. Lantau taxis (blue) operate only on Lantau Island (except Discovery Bay) and Chek Lap Kok. All taxis are allowed to provide services at Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland. A written address in Chinese shown to a taxi driver is usually the best way to ensure effective communication.
When a taxi is available for hire, it should display a small red “For Hire” flag near the centre of the window screen. Also, at night, the “TAXI” sign on the roof should be lit up. Fares are charged according to the approved fare scales which are shown on the taximeter. A taxi fare table is also displayed on the door panel inside the taxi.
Advice: If you want to commend a taxi driver, or if you are not satisfied with the service, get the vehicle registration number and call the transport complaint hotline on 2889-9999. If you leave something valuable in a taxi, contact the police or call the Road Co-opt Lost and Found 24 Hours Free Hotline for lost property on taxis at 187-2920.
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Chapter 10: The Hong Kong Police Force
999 emergency calls
If you are confronted by an emergency and need urgent assistance from the Police, the Fire Services Department or hospitals, dial 999. Your call will swiftly be answered and help sent.
But if your problem isn’t an emergency, DON’T ring 999 - instead report it to the nearest police station. It costs nothing, and the desk officers are trained to be helpful and sympathetic.
Police stations
Police stations in Hong Kong are open 24 hours a day. If you want to report a case, English-speaking police officers are on duty at all stations to assist you.
The addresses and telephone numbers of the police stations are as follows:
Hong Kong Island Kowloon West Region Police Stations Police Stations
Central 3661-1600 Yau Ma Tei 3661-1652Peak 3661-1604 Tsim Sha Tsui 3661-1650Western 3661-1618 Mong Kok 3661-1642Aberdeen 3661-1614 Sham Shui Po 3661-1646Stanley 3661-1616 Cheung Sha Wan 3661-1644Wan Chai 3661-1612 Kowloon City 3661-1640Happy Valley 3661-1610 Hung Hom 3661-1638North Point 3661-1608 Traffic Kowloon West 3661-1654Chai Wan 3661-1606 Traffic Hong Kong 3661-1620Island
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Kowloon East Region New Territories South Region Police Stations Police Stations
Wong Tai Sin 3661-1632 Tsuen Wan 3661-1708Sai Kung 3661-1630 Kwai Chung 3661-1690Kwun Tong 3661-1622 Tsing Yi 3661-1692Tseung Kwan O 3661-1624 Sha Tin 3661-1702Sau Mau Ping 3661-1628 Tin Sum 3661-1706Ngau Tau Kok 3661-1626 Ma On Shan 3661-1700Traffic Kowloon East 3661-1636 Lantau North 3661-1694 Mui Wo 3661-1696 Airport District 3661-1688 Penny’s Bay Police Post 3661-1698 Traffic New Territories 3661-1710 South
New Territories North Region Marine Region Police Stations Police Stations and Posts
Sha Tau Kok 3661-1664 Marine East 3661-1718Ta Kwu Ling 3661-1666 Marine South 3661-1724Lok Ma Chau 3661-1658 Marine West 3661-1726Yuen Long 3661-1680 Marine North 3661-1722Tin Shui Wai 3661-1678 Cheung Chau 3661-1712Pat Heung 3661-1676 Peng Chau 3661-1716Tai Po 3661-1674 Lamma Island 3661-1714Sheung Shui 3661-1672 Sok Kwu Wan 3661-1736Tuen Mun 3661-1670 Marine Harbour 3661-1720Castle Peak 3661-1668 Traffic New Territories 3661-1684North
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Central Service Centre 3661-1602Reporting CentresShau Kei Wan 3661-1620 Shek Kip Mei 3661-1648
Siu Lek Yuen 3661-1704 Tsz Wan Shan 3661-1634
Lok Ma Chau 3661-1660 Lok Ma Chau Spur 3661-1662Control Point Line Control Point
Lo Wu 3661-1656 Man Kam To 3661-1686Control Point Control Point
Shenzhen Bay Port 3661-1682
Report Hotlines Enquiry Hotlines
Police Hotline 2527-7177 Recruitment Matters 2860-2860Organised Crime and 2527-7887 Complaints Against 2866-7700Triad Hotline Police Office Police Drug Reporting 2527-1234 Certificate of 2396-5351Hotline No Criminal Conviction Office Commercial and 2860-5012 Licensing Matters 2866-2973 Technology Crime Hotline
Website of the Hong Kong Police Force: www.police.gov.hk.
Your rights
What should I do if the police stop me?
Remember to carry proof of identity every time you go out. Proof of identity can be your Hong Kong ID card, a temporary Hong Kong identity card or your passport.
By law, a policeman or policewoman may:•• stop you and demand that you produce proof of identity for inspection if he
/ she believes you are acting suspiciously.
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•• question you about things like your address, where you are going, or what you are doing.
•• detain you for a reasonable period if the police officer suspects that you’ve committed an offence.
•• search you for weapons that may threaten the safety of the police officer or the public.
Warning:Don’t resist the police when they are performing their duties, or lose your temper and try to assault them. Otherwise, you may face prosecution. Be polite and cooperative.
If you are doubtful about a police officer’s identity, politely ask him or her to produce their warrant card for inspection. This has the officer’s photograph, name, rank, unique identification number and badge on it. The words “Hong Kong Police” are printed at the front and the back of the card.
If a police officer wants to search you, you have the right to ask that it be done in a quiet area or at the nearest police station. If you are female, a female police officer will search you.
What are your rights if you are in police custody?
1. Seeking legal assistance•• To make private telephone calls to, or communicate in writing or in
person with a lawyer.•• To have a lawyer present during any interview with the Police.•• To communicate privately or refuse to communicate with a lawyer
claiming to have been instructed by a third person on your behalf.•• To be provided with a list of solicitors published by the Law Society of
Hong Kong.
2. Telling someone that you are at a police station•• To require the Police to try to inform a relative or friend that you are at a
police station, and to be informed of the result.
3. Communicating with a relative or friend•• To be given reasonable opportunities to communicate with a relative or
friend by telephone.
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•• To receive visits from a relative or friend. If for an arrested person and detained person, the permission of the Duty Officer for such visits is required.
•• To be supplied with writing materials and to have your letter posted as soon as practicable at your own expense.
4. Receiving copies of written record under caution•• To be supplied with a copy of your written record under caution as soon
as practicable after the interview.•• To refuse to answer subsequent questions until a copy of the written
record under caution has been provided to you.
5. Communication with consulate if you are a foreign national•• To receive visi ts from or to communicate in private with ( i)
representatives from the consulate or the relevant authority of your home country or (ii) a lawyer whom such representatives arrange for you.
6. Notificationtoconsulateifyouareaforeignnational•• To require the Police to notify the consulate of your home country in
Hong Kong of your arrest or detention.•• To require the Police to notify the relevant authority of your home
country of your arrest or detention, if there is no consular representation in Hong Kong.
7. Provision of food and drink •• To be provided with drinking water upon request while in police custody.•• To be offered three meals a day with drinks.•• Due to a special reason, e.g. religious need or outside the canteen
operating hours, etc. food from an outlet or delivered by your relative or friend may be arranged on your behalf subject to the permission of the Duty Officer or an inspector and the inspection of such food.
8. Seeking medical attention•• To be given medical attention if you feel unwell.
9. Requesting for release or admittance to bail (applies to persons detained in police custody only)•• To request to be released or to be admitted to bail. (If you are remanded
by order of a magistrate, the decision of release or granting bail will be made by the magistrate.)
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For Rights 1 to 5, you are entitled to the rights provided that no unreasonable delay or hindrance is reasonably likely to be caused to the process of investigation or administration of justice.
Home security
Although Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world, however, new arrivals in the city should take precautions to protect their property such as: •• Lock doors and windows to keep burglars out. •• Do not permit strangers to enter your premises without checking their
identity.•• Switch off cooking devices when leaving home to avoid fire.•• Never leave infants or young children at home alone.
Further Crime prevention and home security advice can be found on the Hong Kong Police Website at www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/04_crime_matters/cpa/cpa.html.
HONG KONG : THE FACTS
Transport Every day, about 12 million passenger journeys, are made on a public transport system which includes railways, trams, buses, minibuses, taxis and ferries by end June 2012. There are about 306 licensed vehicles for every kilometre of road, and the topography makes it increasingly difficult to provide additional road capacity in the heavily built-up areas. Buses and Minibuses: By end June 2012, the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) operates 315 bus routes in Kowloon and the New Territories and 60 cross-harbour routes. Fares range from $2.9 to $12.2 for urban routes, from $1.8 to $42 for the New Territories routes and from $8.4 to $35.6 for the cross-harbour routes. With a fleet of 3 918 buses, mostly double-deckers, KMB is one of the largest road passenger transport operators in the southeast Asia. The total licensed fleet carries about 2.56 million passengers a day. The New World First Bus Services Limited operates 51 Hong Kong Island routes, 33 cross-harbour routes and 8 routes serving Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O, and carries 484 000 passengers daily by a fleet of 717 buses. Fares range from $3.2 to $9.8 for Hong Kong Island routes, $3.4 to $10 for Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O routes and from $8.4 to $35.6 for the cross-harbour routes. Citybus Limited operates two bus networks under two franchises. One of the networks comprises 62 Hong Kong Island routes, one New Territories route and 29 cross-harbour routes. With a fleet of 764 air-conditioned buses, this network carries about 545 000 passengers a day. Fares range from $2.5 to $10.6 for Hong Kong Island routes, and from $9.3 to $32.2 for the cross-harbour routes. Citybus Limited has another bus network providing services between urban areas and Airport/North Lantau. This network comprises 19 routes and 169 air-conditioned buses. Daily patronage is about 66 000 passengers and fares range from $3.5 to $48. Long Win Bus Company Limited provides bus services between New Territories and Airport/North Lantau. It operates 19 routes with a fleet of 165 air-conditioned buses. Daily patronage is about 84 000 passengers and fares range from $3.5 to $30.9. The New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited operates 22 Lantau routes and one New Territories route and carries an average of 59 000 passengers daily. Fares range from $3.1 to $43. The fleet comprises of 104 single-deckers. These bus companies are continuously encouraged to fit their fleet with environmental-friendly engines. Public Light Buses (PLBs) are minibuses with not more than 16 seats. Their number is fixed at a maximum of 4 350 vehicles. Some PLBs are used for scheduled services (green minibuses) and others for non-scheduled services (red minibuses).
Red minibuses are free to operate anywhere, except where special prohibitions apply, without fixed routes or fares. By end June 2012, there are 1 274 red minibuses. Green minibuses operate on fixed routes and frequency at fixed fares. By end June 2012, there were 72 green minibus routes on Hong Kong Island, 80 in Kowloon and 200 in the New Territories, employing a total of 3 076 vehicles. Red minibuses carry about 356 000 passengers a day, while green minibuses carry about 1 528 500 passengers daily. Augmenting franchised buses and PLBs, there are 7 069 non-franchised buses registered at end June 2012 to provide services mainly for tourists, students, employees and residents. Taxis: The 15 250 urban taxis (red), 2 838 New Territories taxis (green) and 50 Lantau taxis (blue) carry about one million passengers daily. Urban taxis operate throughout Hong Kong except Tung Chung Road and roads in south Lantau. New Territories taxis mainly operate in the north-eastern (i.e. north of Sha Tin) and north-western (i.e. north of Tsuen Wan) part of the New Territories. Lantau taxis operate only on Lantau Island (excluding Discovery Bay) and Chek Lap Kok. Taxi fare scales are stipulated in the law. Urban taxis charge $20 for the first two kilometres or any part thereof. The incremental charge for every subsequent 200 metres or part thereof and for every waiting period of 1 minute or part thereof is $1.5 until the amount reaches $72.5, and $1 after the amount has reached $72.5. New Territories taxis charge $16.5 for the first two kilometres or any part thereof. The incremental charge for every subsequent 200 metres or part thereof and for every waiting period of 1 minute or part thereof is $1.3 until the amount reaches $55.5, and $1 after the amount has reached $55.5. Lantau taxis charge $15 for the first two kilometres or any part thereof. The incremental charge for every subsequent 200 metres or part thereof and for every waiting period of 1 minute or part thereof is $1.3 until the amount reaches $132, and $1.2 after the amount has reached $132. Rail Systems: MTR is a heavily patronised railway network. At present, the MTR system consists of Kwun Tong Line (Tiu Keng Leng – Yau Ma Tei), Tsuen Wan Line (Tsuen Wan – Central), Island Line (Chai Wan – Sheung Wan), Tung Chung Line (Hong Kong – Tung Chung), Tseung Kwan O Line (Po Lam/LOHAS Park – North Point), East Rail Line (Hung Hom – Lo Wu/ Lok Ma Chau), West Rail Line (Tuen Mun – Hung Hom), Ma On Shan Line (Wu Kai Sha – Tai Wai) and Disneyland Resort Line (Sunny Bay – Disneyland Resort). The route length of the system is about 175 kilometres. By end June 2012, standard class adult single journey fare ranges from $4 to $53.5. The MTR also operates a 35.2 km Airport Express connecting the city centre with the Hong Kong International Airport and the AsiaWorld-Expo with adult single journey fares
ranging from $5 to $100. The MTR and Airport Express networks comprise a total of 84 stations and carry an average of about 4.15 million passengers per day. The MTR System also covers a Light Rail network in north-west New Territories. In September 1988, phase one of the system came into operation to serve Tuen Mun and Yuen Long new towns. Two Tuen Mun Extensions began operation in 1991 and 1992 respectively. In 1995, the network was further extended to Tin Shui Wai. The system comprises 36.2 kilometres of double track with 68 stops and 141 single-deck light rail vehicles. It is supported by feeder bus services. Adult single journey ticket fares range from $4 to $6. About 450 000 passengers travel daily on the system. Besides, the MTR operates intercity through train services from Hung Hom to Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, Shanghai and Beijing. Twelve pairs of through trains are available daily between Hung Hom and Guangzhou for which ten northbound trains and ten southbound trains call at Dongguan. One train is available daily to Zhaoqing via Foshan. Trains to Shanghai and Beijing operate on alternate days. Electric trams have been running in Hong Kong since 1904. Hongkong Tramways Limited operates six main routes along the north shore of Hong Kong Island on a 16-kilometre track. A total of 161 double-deck trams are used for the services between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town and around Happy Valley. The adult fare is $2.3 and some 209 000 passengers are carried daily by end June 2012. The company also has two open-balcony trams for tourists and private hire. Another Hong Kong’s tramway is a cable-hauled funicular railway, operated by Peak Tramways Company Limited since 1888. The 1.4-kilometre line runs between Central and the Peak, with four stops en route, climbing 373 metres on gradient as steep as one-in-two. By end June 2012, the line carries about 15 900 passengers a day, mainly tourists and local sightseers. A single trip for adults costs $28. Ferries: The "Star" Ferry Company Limited, established in 1898, operates two cross-harbour services and one harbour tour service. Fares range from $2 to $3.4 and from $80 to $200 respectively. New World First Ferry Services Limited took over the operation of the passenger ferry services previously operated by Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited as licensed ferry services on January 15, 2000. Currently, it is operating six inner harbour and outlying island ferry services with fares ranging from $5.5 to $40.8. The Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Limited, Discovery Bay Transportation Services Limited, Park Island Transport Company Limited and some other operators operate other cross-harbour and outlying island passenger ferry services. In 2011, about 135 600 passengers took local ferry services daily. In addition to passenger ferry services, there are two vehicular ferry routes used by dangerous goods vehicles. Private Transport: There are 443 442 licensed private cars, accounting for 69 per cent of all vehicles as at end June 2012. Parking: There are about 7 900 parking spaces in 14 government multi-storey car parks and one open-air car parks by end June 2012. These car parks are managed by two private operators. There are an estimated some 688 000 additional spaces, of which about 208 000 are for public use and about 479 000 are designated for private use in commercial, residential and industrial premises. If traffic situation permits, Transport Department would provide on-street parking spaces at appropriate locations
to address the demand. To deter prolonged parking, on-street parking spaces are metered in areas where spaces are limited but demands are high. Currently, about 18 100 on-street parking spaces are metered, most of them operate from 8 am to 12 midnight on weekdays and from 10 am to 10 pm on Sundays and public holidays. Road Tunnels: There are 16 road tunnels, including three immersed-tube cross-harbour tunnels by end June 2012 The Government owns eleven road tunnels and the other five are private tunnels. The Lion Rock Tunnel, opened in November 1967, provides a link from north Kowloon to Sha Tin. It is used by 87 000 vehicles daily. The toll is $8. The Aberdeen Tunnel was opened in March 1982. It is used by 65 000 vehicles daily. The toll is $5. The toll-free Kai Tak Tunnel, opened in June 1982, runs beneath the runway of the former Kai Tak Airport linking the central area of Kowloon with Kwun Tong and is used by 54 000 vehicles per day. The Shing Mun Tunnels, opened in April 1990, link up Tsuen Wan to Sha Tin. They are used by 48 000 vehicles each day. The toll is $5. The Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, opened in November 1990, provides a road link between Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O New Town. On average, 82 000 vehicles per day use the tunnel. The toll is $3. The dual three-lane 1.6-kilometre long Cheung Tsing Tunnel, which is within the Tsing Ma Control Area, forms part of Route 3 and links West Kowloon with Lantau and northwest New Territories. It is toll-free. The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, opened in August 1972, is used by 119 000 vehicles daily. Upon the expiry of the franchise on August 31, 1999, the tunnel is vested in the Government. Tolls range from $8 to $30. The Eastern Harbour Crossing, opened in September 1989, is operated by the New Hong Kong Tunnel Company Limited. It is used by 70 000 vehicles daily. Tolls range from $13 to $75. The Tate’s Cairn Tunnel is run by the Tate’s Cairn Tunnel Company Limited. Opened in June 1991, it is used by 55 000 vehicles daily. Tolls range from $12 to $32. The Western Harbour Crossing, opened in April 1997, is operated by the Western Harbour Tunnel Company Limited. It is used by 58 000 vehicles daily. Tolls range from $80 to $455. The tunnel company offered concessionary tolls and the actual tolls range from $23 to $128. The Tai Lam Tunnel and Yuen Long Approach Road is operated by the Route 3 (CPS) Company Limited. Opened in May 1998, it is used by 55 000 vehicles daily. Tolls range from $60 to $210. The tunnel company offered concessionary tolls and the actual tolls range from $20 to $135. The Discovery Bay Tunnel Link, opened in May 2000, is operated by the Discovery Bay Road Tunnel Company Limited. It is used by 1 100 vehicles daily with tolls ranging from $50 to $250. Tai Wai Tunnel, Sha Tin Heights Tunnel, Eagle’s Nest Tunnel and Nam Wan Tunnel which are within the Tsing Sha Control Area, form part of Route 8 and link Sha Tin withTsing Yi. Opened in March 2008, Tai Wai Tunnel, Sha Tin Heights Tunnel and Eagle’s Nest Tunnel are used by 38 000 vehicles daily. The toll is $8. Nam Wan Tunnel, opened in December 2009, is toll-free. Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System: Opened in 1993, the system consists of covered walkways, 18 reversible one-way escalators and three reversible one-way travelators. It starts at Des Voeux Road Central, passes through narrow streets and ends at Conduit Road. Managed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the system is used by about 85 000 people daily by end June 2012.
Tsing Ma Control Area (TMCA): Opened in May 1997, it covers a key section of the highway route to North-West Lantau, Ma Wan and the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. It comprises a 21-kilometre expressway network including Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, Northwest Tsing Yi Interchange, Ting Kau Bridge, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Lantau Link, Ma Wan Road and North Lantau Highway (up to Sunny Bay Interchange). On average, 67 000 vehicles per day use Lantau Link by end June 2012. Equipped with the most extensive traffic control and surveillance system ever introduced in Hong Kong, TMCA is managed, operated and maintained by the Transport Infrastructure Management Limited. With a one-way toll collection arrangement, vehicles travelling on Lantau Link will be charged twice the single journey toll at Lantau Toll Plaza or Ma Wan Toll Plaza. The double tolls range from $20 to $80. Cross-boundary Traffic: There are two rail boundary crossings, namely the Lo Wu and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Crossings, connecting Hong Kong and the Mainland. By end June 2012, the Lo Wu boundary crossing handles an average of about 258 000 travellers a day; whilst Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Crossing handles about 103 100 travellers a day (in which about 56 100 are railway passengers). There are also about 11 200 passengers a
day taking the through train services travelling between Kowloon and the various cities on the Mainland. Apart from rail boundary crossings, there are four road crossings connecting Hong Kong and the Mainland, namely Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen Bay road crossings. The Lok Ma Chau crossing is currently the only road crossing that operates round-the-clock for goods and passenger vehicle traffic, while the Shenzhen Bay crossing is the only road crossing implementing the co-location arrangement where travellers can go through the necessary clearance procedures of the two sides under one roof. The daily average numbers of cross-boundary travellers who use the Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen Bay crossings by end June 2012 are about 82 300, 500, 8 600 and 72 600 per day respectively. By end June 2012, the total number of cross-boundary travellers using the above crossings reaches about 536 300 passengers a day among which 325 300 passengers by rail, 65 000 by cross-boundary coaches, 26 600 by shuttle buses at Lok Ma Chau, 26 400 by other cross-boundary vehicles and 93 000 by other local public transport services. For cross-boundary vehicular traffic, the average daily number of vehicle trips recorded at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen Bay crossings are 26 300, 4 200, 2 500 and 9 800 respectively, giving a total of 42 800 vehicle trips a day.
Published by the Information Services Department, Transport Department Home Page address: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government http://www.td.gov.hk GovHK Website: http://www.gov.hk Information contained in this publication may be freely used. No acknowledgement is necessary.
September 2012
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Chapter 21: Tropical Cyclone and Rainstorm Warnings
1 Standby signal
3 Strong winds
8 NW Gale or storm force winds from the northwest
8 SW Gale or storm force winds from the southwest
8 NE Gale or storm force winds from the northeast
8 SE Gale or storm force winds from the southeast
9 Increasing gale or storm force winds
10 Hurricane force winds
Tropical cyclone warning signals
In Hong Kong, tropical cyclones normally occur during the months from May to November. Tropical cyclone warning signals are to warn the public of the threat of winds associated with a tropical cyclone. The weather in different parts of Hong Kong cannot be simply inferred from the signal issued. Simply knowing what signal is issued is not enough. You should take note of the latest tropical cyclone information and related announcements broadcast on radio and TV, given in the Hong Kong Observatory’s Internet website (www.hko.gov.hk and www.weather.gov.hk) and Dial-a-Weather system (Tel: 1878-200) to decide on the actions to take in response to the signal issued. The following table indicates the meaning of tropical cyclone warning signals:
Signal Symbol Meaning
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Important points to note: • Owing to local topographical conditions or the presence of buildings nearby,
winds at your locality may be substantially different from the general wind strength over Hong Kong. Winds are often stronger over offshore waters and on high ground. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.
• The Hong Kong Observatory provides to the public detailed information on regional wind and rain through a diversity of channels, especially the Internet. Members of the public should consider their own circumstances and level of acceptable risk when taking precautions in response to warnings.
• When the No. 1 signal is issued, you should take the existence of the tropical cyclone into account in planning your activities and beware that strong winds may occur over offshore waters.
• When the No. 3 signal is issued, secure all loose objects, particularly on balconies and roof tops. Secure hoardings, scaffoldings and temporary structures. Winds over offshore waters and on high ground may reach gale force.
• When the No. 8 signal is issued, complete all precautions before gales commence.
• When the No. 9 or No. 10 signal is issued, all precautions should be completed. Stay indoors and away from exposed windows and doors to avoid flying debris.
Rainstorm warning signals
There are three levels of warning: amber, red and black.
The amber signal gives alert about potential heavy rain that may develop into red or black signal situations. There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. Heavy rain may also bring about flash flood.
The red or black signals warn that heavy rain is likely to cause serious road flooding and traffic congestion.
Amber rainstorm warning signal
Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue.
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Action: • Heavy rain may bring about flash floods. People should stay away from
watercourses. People who are likely to be affected by flooding should take necessary precautions to avoid losses.
• Listen to radio or television announcements on the weather, road and traffic conditions.
Red rainstorm warning signal
Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 50 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue.
Action: • Employees working outdoors in areas exposed to rain should suspend
outdoor duties if weather conditions in those areas so warrant. • People who have to travel should carefully consider weather and road
conditions. • Flooding is occurring or is expected to occur in watercourses due to heavy
rain. People should stay away from watercourses. Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation if their homes may become flooded.
• If the red signal is issued before working hours, employees should report for duty as usual, provided that transport services are available. Supervisors are encouraged to adopt a flexible attitude in case their staff have genuine difficulties in arriving at work on time.
• If the red signal is issued during office hours, employees working indoors should remain on duty as usual unless it is dangerous to do so. Employees in areas where transport services are about to be suspended can be exceptionally released at the discretion of the supervisor. In exercising their discretion, supervisors should take into account the weather and road conditions.
Black rainstorm warning signal
Very heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue.
Action: • Stay indoors or take shelter in a safe place until the heavy rain has passed. • Flooding is occurring or is expected to occur in watercourses due to heavy
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rain. People should stay away from watercourses. Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation if their homes may become flooded.
• Employees working outdoors in exposed areas should stop work and take shelter.
• Employers are advised not to require their employees to go to work unless prior agreement on work arrangements during rainstorms has been made.
• People who are already at work should stay where they are unless it is dangerous to do so.
Landslip warning
The Hong Kong Observatory will issue the landslip warning in conjunction with the Geotechnical Engineering Office when there is a high risk of many landslides as a result of persistent heavy rain. If you have received a notice to evacuate because of landslip danger, or if you believe that your home is endangered by an unstable slope or retaining wall, or overhanging boulders, you should make immediate arrangements to move to a safe shelter.
Ways to obtain weather information
Dial-a-weather System 1878-200Hong Kong Observatory’s Website www.hko.gov.hk www.weather.gov.hk
Home Affairs Department (HAD) emergency hotline
Whenever a tropical cyclone signal No. 3 or above or a landslip warning or a red / black rainstorm warning is issued, the HAD’s emergency hotline (2835-1473) will be activated round-the-clock to answer enquiries of a non-technical nature on the general weather situation.
Temporary shelters
Hong Kong experiences frequent rainstorms and tropical cyclones especially during the summer. If you need temporary accommodation in such bad weather conditions, you may stay at HAD’s temporary shelters which will be activated during typhoon, landslide, heavy rainstorm or other emergency situations under the discretion of respective District Officers.
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We also provide temporary shelters to people in need in the event of cold or prolonged oppressively hot weather. Blankets and mattresses are provided to shelter-seekers at a number of widely-publicized locations. District Emergency Coordination Centres
When tropical cyclone signal No. 8 or the red / black rainstorm warning is issued, 18 District Emergency Coordination Centres will be activated where necessary to coordinate emergency relief work, and to arrange temporary accommodation for members of public affected by natural disasters. For further information, please call 2835-1473 which will be operated when the mentioned warning signal is in force.
HONG KONG : THE FACTS
Emergency Services Located within the sub-tropical region, Hong Kong experiences both extreme wet and dry seasons which can result in anything from floods to fire. Each year, an average of five to six tropical cyclones affect this 1 100 square kilometres region. Although tropical cyclones can bring torrential rain, flooding and landslides, Hong Kong has learned to protect, recover and rebuild. A comprehensive warning system relayed through the media keeps the public informed. As the danger increases, emergency services agencies swing into action at once. Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre is activated when major emergencies or natural disasters happen or are likely to happen. It monitors the response of the emergency and support services, and provides support to these services. It briefs the Chief Executive and senior officials on developments and disseminates central government policy decisions and advice. Home Affairs Department, through its 18 District Offices, ensures that assistance is provided to victims of disasters. District Offices co-ordinate actions for relief arrangements, including the provision of temporary shelters, registration of victims, distribution of meals, relief articles and cash assistance. For major incidents, the District Office will co-ordinate the setting up of an inter-departmental help desk at the scene or at hospitals to provide relief and other services. The department’s network of emergency co-ordination centres ensures continuous feedback of local conditions to the Government. The department also provides a round-the-clock telephone enquiry service to the public when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.3 is issued, or when a Rainstorm Red Warning, Rainstorm Black Warning, or Landslip Warning is issued. Hong Kong Observatory provides weather forecasts, warnings of severe weather and other meteorological and geophysical services for the public, aviation and shipping communities. Signals are issued to warn the public as tropical cyclones approach. Warnings or special announcement are also issued for rainstorms, landslips, floods in the northern New Territories, thunderstorms, strong monsoon, frost, cold and very hot weather, and fire danger. They are broadcast on radio and television, and are also available through the Internet (http://www.weather.gov.hk) and the department’s 'Dial-a-Weather' information enquiry system (187 8200). The Observatory also monitors environmental radioactivity, storm surge, earthquake and tsunami. A tsunami warning or information bulletin will be issued if a tsunami is expected to affect Hong Kong. Hong Kong Police Force operates a 999 emergency telephone system located in three command and control centres which are manned 24 hours a day to receive
reports of emergencies throughout Hong Kong. Patrolling police officers, police vehicles or police launches maintain a direct link with command and control centres via radio systems, which enable the immediate deployment of officers to handle reported emergencies. In some cases, police launches will be deployed to assist in ferrying injured or sick persons from outlying islands to hospitals in the urban area. Close liaison is maintained between the Police Command and Control Centres and the Fire Services Communications Centre. Requests for services of ambulance and fire officers will be referred to Fire Services Department without delay. Information Services Department is the main link between the Government and the public. During typhoons, major disasters or any other emergency, ISD will activate its Combined Information Centre to disseminate the latest information on the situation and government responses to the media round the clock. Marine Department, through its Vessel Traffic Centre, monitors and manages marine traffic within Hong Kong waters. Its Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre provides search and rescue services in the international waters of the South China Sea north of latitude 10° North and west of longitude 120° East. Both centres are operating 24 hours a day, and comply with all international standards and obligations of related international Conventions. Fire Services Department is responsible for extinguishing fires and carrying out rescues in all fire and non-fire emergencies where life and property are in peril. It is equipped with up-to-date fire-fighting and rescue appliances. Contingency plans for dealing with disasters such as aircraft crashes, major fires, chemical incidents, landslips and floodings are at hand and are regularly reviewed. Its Communications Centre, manned round the clock, is linked to all fire stations, fireboat stations, ambulance depots, major hospitals and other emergency services. Government Flying Service (GFS) provides a wide range of flying services, including 24-hour search and rescue coverage, support to the law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, fire fighting and support to other government departments. It also provides emergency services to aircraft within the Hong Kong Flight Information Region and vessels within the Hong Kong Maritime Area. Hospital Authority (HA): HA manages 41 public hospitals and institutions, of which 15 are acute general hospitals with Accident & Emergency (A&E) Departments. Medical teams from the A&E Department of the concerned area, if required, would be deployed to the incident scene of major disasters. They will provide essential treatment and triage
patients according to severity of the injury to hospitals. An HA duty officer coordinates the overall hospital response. Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS), consisting of 4 620 volunteers, is responsible for augmenting the regular medical and health services. All members are trained in first aid, paramedic care, disaster medicine, control of infectious diseases and inoculation. Their duties include providing paramedic treatment to the injured at the scene and conveying them to hospitals in times of emergency and natural calamities; rendering inoculation service to the public to prevent epidemics; and caring for patients in acute or convalescent hospitals. In the unlikely event of a nuclear accident, members will also be charged with the responsibility of manning the monitoring centres and scanning points and carrying out the decontamination process. Civil Aid Service (CAS) is an auxiliary emergency relief organisation assisting the Government in tackling emergencies. The CAS provides emergency relief for the community in the event of natural or other disasters. The services embrace rescue from collapsed buildings, floods, landslides and aircraft accidents, evacuation of people in dangerous buildings/sites, and recovery and transportation of casualties. The CAS also renders professionally trained mountain search and rescue services in Hong Kong, and assists the Government in setting up and managing quarantine centres for the control of communicable diseases. Other duties include crowd management in public events. Transport Department is responsible for liaising with other departments and public transport operators on traffic and transport arrangements during serious traffic and transport disruptions, rainstorms and typhoons. Highways Department clears and repairs public roads, removes dangerous boulders and landslips on roadside slopes along public roads (also on government land which has not been allocated to any department for maintenance), and provides support for containment and removal of oil spill pollution on beaches and foreshores. Architectural Services Department is responsible for the maintenance of government buildings and facilities. In the event of threat of damage, or actual damage, arising from fire, accident or storm, the department provides advice and emergency protection and/or repair services under its maintenance responsibility on a 24-hour basis. An Emergency Centre will be activated when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is issued or in times of heavy rainfall or under other emergencies. It receives reports of damage or distress from building occupants, and to arrange temporary repairs to those buildings and facilities under the department’s maintenance responsibility until the typhoon or other disasters subside. Thereafter, full repairs or remedial works are done as soon as possible. Buildings Department provides an emergency service to the public on dangers relating to private buildings. The 24-hour service is linked to the police communication network. Professional officers are on duty to deal with reports and inspections are normally made within three hours. An Emergency Control Centre is activated when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is issued or in times of heavy rainfall and other disasters. It co-ordinates professional services to deal with dangerous buildings, landslides, dangerous scaffolding and advertising signs. Civil Engineering and Development Department decides, in liaison with Hong Kong Observatory, when a Landslip Warning should be issued and cancelled. It maintains a 24-hour service to advise government
departments on immediate or potential danger due to landslides and on measures to deal with them. It deals with emergencies related to Government's transportation and storage of explosives and also emergencies related to the use of explosives and blasting in the capacity of Commissioner of Mines as the regulator. If an aircraft crashes into the sea, the department provides divers and floating equipment to assist in conducting rescue or salvage operation. Drainage Services Department is responsible for clearing and repairing blocked or damaged public sewers and stormwater drains, and for ensuring the satisfactory operation of sewage treatment plants, sewage and stormwater pumping stations. An Emergency Control Centre will be activated when Red or Black Rainstorm Warning or Typhoon Signal Pre-No. 8 Special Announcement is issued or under other emergencies. It ensures prompt attention to flooding incidents or other emergency situations. Electrical and Mechanical Services Department ensures the availability of emergency power, lift and other electrical and mechanical services to public buildings and provides equipment, recovery vehicles and floodlights for salvage and clearance operations. Water Supplies Department is responsible for provision of water services. In emergencies, it isolates and repairs damaged water mains; and provides temporary water supply and fire-fighting water. Social Welfare Department provides emergency relief for victims of disasters. Teams are deployed to disaster scenes to register victims and to provide urgent cooked meals (or cash grant in lieu of cooked meals) and relief articles as soon as possible. The department is empowered to approve grants and to make payments in respect of grants for death and personal injuries under the Emergency Relief Fund. A cadre of clinical psychologists and social workers will be mobilised to provide emotional and other welfare support services to those in need. Housing Department provides transit accommodation for the homeless and subsequent rehousing to the eligible. In an emergency, a communication centre is activated, linking duty teams to field staff to guide operations while co-ordinating with other services. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department obtains reports on damage or loss to fishing boats or gear, fish ponds and mariculture rafts or stocked fish, farm stock or crops, and stockhousing on farm buildings. It relays up-to-date information to the media through the Information Services Department. When Typhoon Signal No.8 is issued, its emergency tree felling teams assist in clearing blocked roads. Immediately after a disaster, the department assesses damage and processes applications from farmers, fishermen and fish culturists for ex-gratia payment from the Emergency Relief Fund. It also fights hill fires in country parks and assists in locating people lost in hilly areas. Hong Kong St John Ambulance Brigade has over 5 800 volunteers and 12 ambulances which are stationed at three depots in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively to provide free emergency ambulance service around-the-clock. Trained volunteer members provide first-aid and allied services at the scene or public gatherings as required. Hong Kong Red Cross Local Disaster Relief Service keeps a stock of 2 000 clothing bundles, 1 200 jackets and
sweaters, 200 quilts and blankets, 2 000 towels and daily necessities for immediate distribution to those made homeless by disasters. In a major disaster, the organisation also receives public donations in cash or in kind to assist the people affected, and is able to provide trained volunteers to render first aid, escort and psychological support services.
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service is managed by the Hospital Authority and provides all local hospitals with fully tested blood and blood components derived from approximately 800 daily donations by voluntary non-remunerated donors. Round-the-clock service is available for emergency blood supply through all hospital blood banks.
Published by the Information Services Department,Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government GovHK Website: http://www.gov.hk Information contained in this publication may be freely used. No acknowledgement is necessary.
September 2012
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Chapter 14: Consumer Rights
Hong Kong is a great place to shop. But like anywhere else, you have to use common sense to make sure you get the best deal.
First, try to compare prices with different store (see tip below). Since there is no price control in Hong Kong, consumer may bargain prices as they like. It would be very difficult for you to get your money back when you find that the same items is cheaper in a nearby store and you realize you’ve been overcharged.
Tip: Shop around and compare prices before you purchase. But watch out if the price is too low - it could be a trick!
Buying parallel goods
Hong Kong is a free port so importers can import goods from any source they wish. This means you may find the most up-to-date models imported directly from the factory and their country of origin.
However, some products get into Hong Kong without going through the authorized agents. These “parallel import” or “grey market” goods are often cheaper than the same goods brought in by the authorized agent. This is not illegal in Hong Kong, but you may not get an international warranty. So if you buy something you intend to send home as a gift or take back with you to your own country, you should look for goods that are covered by international warranty.
Tip: If you don’t want to buy parallel import goods, always tell the sales person you wish to buy a product that is guaranteed by the Hong Kong authorized agent. Get the guarantee in writing before you pay.
Returning goods
Return policy varies with stores and trades. In most cases, only defective goods can be returned for exchange. So don’t expect to exchange or return a product simply because you change your mind after the purchase.
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Warning:Watch out for dishonest shopkeepers! Bait-and-switch (promising one product at a lower price than saying only a higher priced one is available) happens in Hong Kong. Always check product information first.
Smart shopping tips
• Ask your friends in Hong Kong where the best shops are so you can get the best value.
• Visit a Consumer Council Advice Centre or the authorized agent for such product information as features, test reports, performance, and after sales service, before you decide which product to buy. Once you’ve decided on a model, don’t let a sales person talk you into buying a different (higher-priced) model.
• A very low price could be a trap for bait-and-switch (see above). • Before you pay, ask the shopkeeper to write down on the receipt what was
promised during the transaction. • Don’t give your credit card to anybody before a transaction is concluded.
Only sign a credit card slip that has been properly filled out. Remember to get a copy of the voucher after signing it.
• Once a credit card voucher is signed, the transaction is final. The chance of cancellation is very slim.
• Check all details of the purchase and make sure that they are written on the receipt. If they are not correct, don’t pay.
• Inspect the merchandise and make sure it is the same as you agreed to buy. • In case of a dispute, don’t stay in the shop and argue. Get the receipt and
approach either the Police or the Consumer Council as soon as possible.
The Consumer Council
The Consumer Council is an independent public organisation that protects your rights and interests as a consumer. It can also help solve any problems you might experience while shopping in Hong Kong. Its Complaint and Enquiry Hotline is 2929-2222. Consumer Council Advice Centres are located at the following addresses -
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HONG KONG ISLAND
Address FaxNorth Point Consumer Council Advice Centre 2590-6271Room 1410, 14/F, Kodak House II39 Healthy Street East, North Point, Hong Kong
KOWLOON
Wong Tai Sin Consumer Advice Centre 2323-9496Unit 201, 2/F, Lung Cheung Office Block138 Lung Cheung Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon Sham Shui Po Consumer Advice Centre 2708-2713G/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon Tsim Sha Tsui Consumer Advice Centre 2721-1580G/F, Consumer Council Resource Centre3 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
NEW TERRITORIES
Tsuen Wan Consumer Advice Centre 2413-7042Room 105, 1/F, Princess Alexandra Community Centre60 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan, NT Yuen Long Consumer Advice Centre 2474-7971G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, NT Sha Tin Consumer Advice Centre 2695-1964Room 442, 4/F, Sha Tin Government Offices1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin, NT
Consumer Advice Centre office hours:Monday to Friday (except public holidays): 9:00 am to 1:00 pm 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Chapter 17: Places of Worship
Roman Catholic
Sunday Mass is celebrated in English at the Cathedral, 16 Caine Road, Hong Kong, and at the Catholic Centre Chapel, 3/F, Grand Building, 15-18 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong. Sunday Mass in English is also celebrated in many other Catholic churches throughout Hong Kong, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Hong Kong. For locations and times of services, please refer to the church notices in the newspapers.
Anglican
The Holy Eucharist / Holy Communion is celebrated daily in English (unless otherwise indicated) at St. John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong (Tel: 2523-4157). Other English-speaking Anglican congregations are:
St. Stephen’s Chapel St. Stephen College 2813-0408 Stanley, Hong Kong Emmanuel Church Bethanie, 139 Pokfulam Road 2523-4157 Pokfulam, Hong Kong Discovery Bay Church SKH Wei Lun Primary School 2987-4210 Discovery Bay, Lantau Island Christ Church 132 Waterloo Road 2336-0848 Kowloon Tong, Kowloon Resurrection Church Sam Yuk Middle School Chapel 2792-1873 12 Miles Clearwater Bay Road Sai Kung, NT Sha Tin Anglican Church SKH Tsang Shiu Tim 2694-9928 Secondary School Wo Che, Sha Tin, NT St. Andrew’s Church 138 Nathan Road 2367-1478 Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon St. Peter’s Church Mariners’ Club, 11 Middle Road 2368-8261 Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
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For more information on services held by these churches, please see the church notices in the newspapers.
Aglipayan church
Members of the Philippine Independent Church / Iglesia Filipina Independiente, commonly known as the Aglipayan Church, gather at St. John’s Cathedral for Holy Communion at 2:00 pm on Sundays. For enquiries, please contact St. John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong (Tel: 2523-4157 / 2523-4381).
Other Christian churches
Services are also held in English at the:
Kowloon Union Church 4 Jordan Road, Kowloon 2367-2585Union Church 22A Kennedy Road 2523-7247Hong Kong Mid-level, Central, Hong Kong Methodist Church 271 Queen’s Road East 2575-7817 Wan Chai, Hong Kong Jesus is Lord Church Room 201, Asian House 2368-8996 Building, 1 Hennessy Road Wan Chai, Hong Kong
For more information on services held by these and other Christian churches, please see also the church notices in the newspapers.
Buddhist
Buddhist temples in Hong Kong conduct services in Chinese. However, you may wish to visit the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, where you can view the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Another famous Buddhist temple is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin, NT.
Hindu temple
The Hindu Temple is at 1B Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong (Tel: 2572-5284). Every Sunday, Prasad (food offered to deity) is served to everyone free of charge.
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Islamic
The Kowloon Mosque at 105 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (Tel: 2724-0095) is the largest Islamic centre in Hong Kong. There are few others:
Ammar Mosque 40 Oi Kwan Road 2575-2218 Wan Chai, Hong Kong Cape-Collinson Mosque Chai Wan, Hong Kong 2556-5507Jamia Mosque 30 Shelley Street 2523-7743 Central, Hong Kong Yuen Long Mosque Flat A & B, Chuk Bun Building 3193-4143 1 Tat Fai Path, Yuen Long, NT
Sikh temple
The Sikh Temple (Khalsa Diwan) Hong Kong is at 371 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (Tel: 2572-4459). Prayers are held in its congregation hall daily.
Health The following vaccinations and applicable frequencies are recommended for students coming to
China:
Hepatitis A (within the last 10 years)
Hepatitis B (within the last 5 to 10 years)
Japanese B Encephalitis (within the last 3 years)
Tetanus (within the last 10 years)
Polio (within the last 10 years)
Typhoid (once in a lifetime)
Students 55 and older should also have a Pneumococcal vaccine
Required by the Chinese Government, all international students must have medical insurance when
studying in China. For your convenience and safety, students are strongly encouraged to purchase
their own insurance before coming to China. However, if you are not covered by any type of
insurance when you come to China, you can buy foreign student insurance provided by Chinese
insurance companies with the guidance of the school's Foreign Students Administration Office.
A health examination is required for students holding an X Visa for those studying in China for more
than 6 months. (F visa holders studying for less than 6 months do not need to undergo this test).
Health Examination in Your Own Country
If you are examined in your home country, the exam must take place in a public hospital within 6
months before coming to China. The check-up form must:
· Be the same as that used in China (obtained from the Chinese Embassy)
· Contain your photo
· Bear the hospital's official stamp
· Include doctor's signature in section containing results of examination, with the original laboratory
test reports attached
Health Examination in Beijing
You may also undergo the physical examination after you arrive in Beijing. Those who pass the
examination, and when confirmed by the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, will
receive a Health Certificate. This is a procedure that your school will assist you with.
Prohibited and Restricted Imports --The following items cannot be brought into the PRC:
(1) Weapons, articles that appear to be or are replicas of weapons, ammunitions and explosives,
including fireworks.
(2) Counterfeit currency and fake securities.
(3) Printed articles or films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser
optic disks, omputer memory media and other articles which are considered socially disruptive or
harmful to China's politics, economy, culture or morality.
(4) Poisons and poisonous liquids.
(5) Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana and other narcotics or hallucinogens.
(6) Animal and plant products that carry dangerous germs, pests and bacteria.
(7) Food, drugs and other articles which are harmful to the health of human beings or animals or
which come from infectious disease-stricken regions or which are known to be disease-spreading.
--The following items are subject to restricted entry:
(1) Radio transceivers and secure communication devices.
(2) Cigarettes and alcohol.
(3) Endangered species of fauna and flora (including chemical and scientific specimens) as well as
their seeds and reproductive materials.
(4) Amounts over RMB 6, 000 in Chinese Yuan Renminbi.
Prohibited and Restricted Exports
--The following items cannot be taken out of China:
(1) Weapons, articles that appear to be or are replicas of weapons, ammunitions and explosives,
including fireworks.
(2) Counterfeit currency and fake securities.
(3) Printed articles or films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser
optic disks, computer memory media and other articles which are considered socially disruptive or
harmful to China's politics, economy, culture and morality.
(4) Poisons and poisonous liquids
(5) Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana and other narcotics or hallucinogens.
(6) Animal and plant products that carry dangerous germs, pests and bacteria.
(7) Food, drugs and other articles which are harmful to the health of human beings or animals or
which come from infectious disease-stricken regions or which are known to be disease-spreading.
(8) Manuscripts, printed materials, films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video
tapes, laser optic discs, computer memory media and other articles whose contents are related to
China's State secrets.
(9) Antiques and relics of extreme cultural significance.
(10) Endangered species of fauna and flora (including chemical and scientific specimens) as well as
their seeds and reproductive materials.
--The following items may be subject to restricted exit:
(1) Precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum.
(2) Chinese national currency in amounts in excess of RMB 6,000.
(3) Foreign currencies and securities in foreign currencies.
(4) Radio transceivers and secure communication devices.
(5) Rare Chinese medicinal herbs and materials.
(6) Antiques.
Using your mobile in China There are two ways to use your mobile in China:
(1) Visitors who wish to directly use phone numbers assigned by their domestic telecommunication
operators should make sure that "international roaming service" has been turned on by their local
provider before their entry to China.
Your domestic mobile telecommunication operator should provide an agreement on international
roaming services with the local operator that you wish to use in China (which might be China
Mobile). Your international roaming service charges will be collected according to the applicable
charging rates as specified by your domestic mobile telecommunication operator. If your domestic
operator and the local operator in Beijing haven't signed a roaming agreement, the international
roaming service will be unavailable through your domestic phone number.
(2) Visitors entering China can buy SIM phone cards and pre-paid phone cards in Beijing to enjoy all
the services provided by local mobile phone operators.
If you wish to use your own phone from home, make sure to bring a compatible GSM/GPRS
900/1800 dual-frequency mobile phone (the phone must be unlocked). You may purchase the pre-
paid "Easy-Own" SIM phone cards and recharge cards provided by China Mobile to enjoy convenient
mobile telecommunication services from China Mobile.
Visitors entering China can also buy (or rent) mobile phone terminals and buy SIM phone cards and
pre-paid phone cards in China, they can then enjoy all the services provided by local mobile
operators.
Currently, the "Easy-Own" pre-paid SIM phone cards sold at the China Mobile Service locations
within Beijing have a unit price of 60RMB/card, including a credit of 50RMB. The pre-paid phone
cards of China Mobile are available in a variety of price values. Once your pre-paid SIM card has run
out of credit, you can conveniently recharge credit with a pre-paid recharge card.
Beijing has two main mobile phone service operators, China Mobile, and China Unicom. For more
details from China Mobile, please call China Mobile's Beijing customer service hotline at +86 10
10086, or visit China Mobile's website.
If you cannot use your mobile phone charger you can probably buy one (likely less than 50 RMB) at a
local mobile phone store.
103, 208
20829A
25M, 29A, 72, 73, 85
72, 73, 85
3C, 7, 81C, 81P, 87D, 270A, 271, 281A, 72X, 103, 170, 182
72X, 80M, 81C, 81M, 82M, 85, 85A, 85B, 86C, 87D, 88M, 170, 182, 270A, 271, 281A
2B, 2F, 3C,7, 85, 85A,85B, E22
29A
25M
Pedestrian Entrance行人入口
Vehicular Entrance車輛入口
Meals & Refreshments餐廳
Light Bus Stop專線小巴站
Bus Stop巴士站
Baptist University Road Campus (BURC) 浸會大學道校園
Baptist University Road Campus (BURC) 浸會大學道校園
Shaw Campus (SC) 逸夫校園
Shaw Campus (SC) 逸夫校園
Ho Sin Hang Campus (HSHC) 善衡校園
Ho Sin Hang Campus (HSHC) 善衡校園
Campus Map (Kowloon Tong) — HSHC, SC & BURC校園地圖(九龍塘) — 善衡校園、逸夫校園及浸會大學道校園
Kowloon Tong MTR Station Exit A2港鐵九龍塘站A2出口
Visitors may walk toour campuses from Kowloon Tong MTR Station Exit A2, it takes about: 為節省候車時間，可由港鐵九龍塘站A2出口步行至各校園，行程只需︰ 6 min/分鐘 HSHC 善衡校園 12 min/分鐘 SC 逸夫校園 15 min/分鐘 BURC 浸會大學道校園
Kowloon Tong MTR Station Exit B港鐵九龍塘站B出口
29A, 72, 73, 85To Lok Fu MTR Station 往港鐵樂富站
2B, 2F, 3C, 7, 85, 85A, 85B, E22, 103, 208
Academic & Administration Building (AAB) 教學及行政大樓
Baptist University Road Campus (BURC)浸會大學道校園Location of School/Faculty/Academy/Talk 所在學院/講座School of Chinese Medicine 中醫藥學院School of Communication 傳理學院Faculty of Social Sciences 社會科學院Academy of Visual Arts 視覺藝術院
Ho Sin Hang Campus (HSHC) 善衡校園Location of Faculty/Talk 所在學院/講座Faculty of Arts 文學院Faculty of Science 理學院
Wai Hang Sports Centre (WHS) 偉衡體育中心
Sir Run Run Shaw Building (RRS) 邵逸夫大樓
Fong Shu Chuen Library (FSC) 方樹泉圖書館
Yeung Shui Sang Building (YSS) 楊瑞生紀念館
Cha Chi-ming Science Tower (SCT) 查濟民科學大樓
Oen Hall Building (OEE, OEM & OEW) 溫仁才大樓
Lui Ming Choi Centre (LMC) 呂明才中心
Academic Community Hall (ACH) 大學會堂
Christian Education Centre (CEC) and University Chapel 基督教教育中心暨大學禮拜堂
Sing Tao Building (STB) 星島樓
Au Shue Hung Building (ASH) 區樹洪樓
Shaw Campus (SC) 逸夫校園Location of School/Talk 所在學院/講座School of Business 工商管理學院
Dr. Ng Tor Tai International House (NTT) 吳多泰博士國際中心
Low-Rise Buildings (RL1 & RL2) 低座校舍第一及第二座
Jockey Club Academic Community Centre (ACC)/ Madam Chan Wu Wan Kwai SCE Tower (SCE)
賽馬會師生活動中心/ 陳瑞槐夫人胡尹桂女士持續教育大樓
Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building (SCM) 賽馬會中醫藥學院大樓
Student Residence Halls (SRH) 學生宿舍
Communication and Visual Arts Building (CVA) 傳理視藝大樓
Kai Tak Campus (KTC) 啟德校園51 Kwun Tong Road, Kowloon 九龍觀塘道51號
Location of Academy/Talk 所在學院/講座Academy of Visual Arts 視覺藝術院
Shek Mun Campus (SMC) 石門校園8 On Muk Street, Shatin (near Shek Mun Station on Ma On Shan Rail Line) 沙田安睦街8號 (鄰近沙田馬鞍山鐵路石門站)
Location of College/Talk 所在學院/講座College of International Education 國際學院
Shuttle bus available, please refer to有關穿梭巴士服務，請參閱 Route 循環線3
Shuttle bus available, please refer to有關穿梭巴士服務，請參閱 Route 循環線4
Please refer to the Programme Booklet for location of Talks and Activities 請參閱節目有關講座及活動之位置
25M,25M(S)
25M,25M(S)
25M(S)
Shaw Tower (SWT) 逸夫行政樓
David C Lam Building (DLB) 思齊樓
Lam Woo International Conference Centre 林護國際會議中心
The Wing Lung Bank Building for Business Studies (WLB) 永隆銀行商學大樓
Au Shue Hung Memorial Library (AML) 區樹洪紀念圖書館
Madam Kwok Chung Bo Fun Sports and Cultural Centre 郭鍾寶芬女士康體文娛中心
Joint Sports Centre (JSC) 聯校運動中心
Shuttle Bus Service 穿梭巴士服務
Shuttle Bus Stops 穿梭巴士站Kowloon Tong MTR Station Exit B 港鐵九龍塘站B出口[near Yew Chung International Schools (Primary) 森麻實道耀中國際學校(小學)入口]
HSHC 善衡校園 (Oen Hall Building entrance 溫仁才大樓入口)
SC 逸夫校園 (Lam Woo International Conference Centre entrance 林護國際會議中心入口)
BURC 浸會大學道校園 (Communication and Visual Arts Building entrance 傳理視藝大樓入口)
Route No. 路線號碼
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Time 時間
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
per 8 min/bus每8分鐘一班
Bus Stops 所經車站
Route 循環線2
Route 循環線1
Route 循環線4
BURC 浸會大學道校園 (Jockey Club Academic Community Centre entrance 賽馬會師生活動中心入口)
per 20 min/bus每20分鐘一班
Route 循環線3
4:05 pm - 5:30 pmTo Kowloon Tong MTR Station Only只開往港鐵九龍塘站
Special bus 特別車
11:00 am - 4:20 pmKTC 啟德校園per 40 min/bus每40分鐘一班
1:00 pm - 4:00 pmSMC 石門校園per 60 min/bus每60分鐘一班