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  A new law will regulate subdivided units to ensure they meet requirements such as having windows, independent toilets and kitchens as well as a minimum size of 86 sq ft., said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in the policy address this morning. More than 200,000 people live in subdivided units according to the Census and Statistics Department in 2021.  This doesn’t include people living in other substandard housing, such as cage homes or partitioned rooms. These can suffer from inadequate infrastructure, poor air circulation, infestations of pests and rodents and unsanitary conditions, according to a Society for Community Organization press release in August. Subdivided flat resident, Wong, 41, who declined to provide her full name due to family issues, said she never opens the window in her flat “because rats and ants will come in.” Some residents of subdivided flats are waiting for public housing, which has an average wait time of 5.5 years, according to the Housing Authority.  “The waiting time for public housing is too long in Hong Kong. If people can’t wait for public housing, we hope to improve their living environment,” said Sze Lai-shan, the deputy director of SOCO.  The legislation will provide a grace period for landlords to renovate substandard housing.  The government will establish a registration system for existing subdivided units. Unregistered flats will be illegal.  Tenants will not be held liable.  “The worst situation will be the landlord raising rent during contract renewal, when the subdivided flats are required to be improved,”said Angela Lui Yi-shan, 35, community organizer. Cheung Kwai-wing, 54, who has been living in a subdivided unit with his daughter for six years said, “The landlord told me he must raise the rent as the living condition improves.”  Cheung said it is important to regulate the starting rent, otherwise, landlords …

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the government will actively boost panda tourism to revive the economy. A lawmaker advised adding panda-related elements to mega-events and cooperating with travel agencies to attract tourists.  While Lee didn’t mention the details, the “panda economy” is already booming since the arrival of two giant pandas to Hong Kong’s Ocean Park in September.  Southern District, where Ocean Park and the new pandas are located, has been actively organizing various activities to increase the number of tourists.  “We have organized some panda-themed bus parades. Some tourists came specifically to take photos with these buses,” said Lam Wing-yan, the district councillor of Southern District. Lam said that because Sichuan is the hometown of pandas, many people may not immediately associate pandas with Hong Kong.  “We can combine Ocean Park with other tourist attractions in Southern District to form a tourist route, such as dining at the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter or taking a stroll along the seaside promenade,” Lam said.  Chow Man-kong, 43, a lawmaker and economist, suggested developing tourism products with pandas and making pandas the theme and selling point of shopping malls. “For example, placing panda decorations in the atrium of the shopping mall can serve as a popular photo spot for residents and tourists,” he said. “It can also be developed as a panda souvenir shop, panda-themed restaurants and panda theatres to attract tourists and create a panda economy.” Chow also advised adding panda-related elements to mega-events.  “For example, the opening ceremony of Kai Tak Sports Park next year can include a panda-themed drone show and mascot design,” said Chow. He added that the government can cooperate with local and foreign travel agencies to launch panda tourism and invite KOLs to visit the pandas to gain more popularity. The government has also collaborated with …

Carers and elderly in Hong Kong across 18 districts will be able to receive support services from government “care teams” starting next year. This year’s pilot scheme in two districts “achieved good results” in identifying and reaching out to households in need and providing support to the elderly and carers who called a designated hotline, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in today’s policy address. “In the past six months, the care teams visited 4,700 families and referred about 900 cases to social welfare organizations for follow-up,” Lee said. Huang Zhi-qiang, 59, with his wife Chen Mei-ling, 63, take care of his father, Huang Jiong Hui, 81, who suffers from Alzheimer's. Huang said his family has benefited from the scheme. "As an older couple, we've found that the service from the care team has been incredibly helpful and sustaining for us," Huang said, adding that the care team came to the hospital where his father is. "Expanding resources for home-based elderly caretakers is essential; many families like ours rely on this assistance from the government and care team to maintain the quality of life for our loved ones," Chen said. Li Lee, captain of the Fortress Hill District Service and Care Team, said that the government should consider increasing the number of care team members ahead of launching the scheme next year.  His team currently has 11 members, according to the Home Affairs Department.  "We tend to visit elderly caretakers every one to two months and provide services like house repair, cleaning as well as escort service,” Li said. District councilors organize the care teams of health professionals and public volunteers..   The government will also explore the setting up of an inter-disciplinary and inter-organisation database that could provide early intervention and support for high-risk cases. Tsui Hiu-kit, captain of the …