Diaoyu activists to return on Wed

The last seven of the 14 activists who protested on the Diaoyu Islands will return to Hong Kong on Wednesday, a day behind schedule because of mechanical problems on board the vessel Kai Fung Two. Their arrival has been postponed to 2 pm on Wednesday at the earliest.

Chan Miu-tak, chairman of the Committee of Activists for the Diaoyu Islands, announced the delayed arrival on Monday, after talking to protesters on board in the afternoon.

He said the vessel's speed had to be reduced, as a result of a collision with a Japanese vessel near the Diaoyu Islands where the sovereignty confrontation occured.

A total of 14 activists from Hong Kong and Macao were arrested by the Japanese authorities after they sailed to the Diaoyu Islands, which belong to China, yet claimed by Japan.

Firemen's workinghours reduced

The Fire Services Department on Monday introduced reduced working hours at Kowloon Tong Fire Station, that shorten the work week from 54 to 51 hours. The decision also means a cut in manpower. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Ng Kuen-chi said he is confident the new plan will be accepted by the staff, adding a working team will be formed immediately to research the feasibility of cutting working hours to 48 hours once the new plan is implemented.

The Fire Services Department Staff General Association said it hasn't decided whether to support the plan. Firefighters have been campaigning to have their working hours cut to 48 hours per week. The plan will be discussed at a general meeting early next month.

Two charged in contract bribery

Two directors of a subcontracting firm have been arrested and charged by the ICAC in a case involving a HK$1 million bribe in exchange for a water works project of the Water Supplies Department.

The project, involving a HK$163 million term maintenance contract, was awarded to China National Chemical Engineering Hong Kong Limited. The company later assigned an assistant manager to supervise the project. Stephen Au Yeung Ching-cheong and Eric Choi Chun-wai, both 58 and directors of Sunshine Traffic Engineering and Contractors Company Limited (STE), allegedly offered a monthly bribe of HK$30,000 to the defendants between 2007 and 2011. Both men are free on bail and will appear in court on Wednesday.

City Planning Gallery opens

The City Gallery, the SAR's first permanent exhibition hall based on planning and infrastructure, opened on Monday. It will be open to the public from August 22.

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief secretary for administration, said the gallery held responsibilities - to its people and visitors - to introduce Hong Kong's achievements in city planning and to keep citizens up to date on latest plans.

City Gallery, located at 3 Edinburgh Place, Central, occupies five stories with a floor area of more than 3,200 square meters.

It also has a thematic exhibition area, multi-purpose hall, resource centre and meeting room for organizing special exhibitions and various activities related to planning and infrastructure development.

China Daily

(HK Edition 08/21/2012 page1)