Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing chaired the fourth meeting of the Task Force on District Governance today to review the preparatory work for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) celebration.

Noting that this year also marks the first National Day of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after the reform of District Councils and the completion of the legislation on Basic Law Article 23, Mr Cheuk said this year's October 1 anniversary is of great significance.

He said he will assist the Chief Secretary in leading various bureaus and departments to make good preparations for celebration activities and publicity programmes.

The task force also reviewed the implementation progress of seven district issues, including expanding the after-school care service. As at the end of February, 59 primary schools have participated in the School-based After School Care Service Pilot Scheme, providing approximately 2,900 service places in total.

Regarding caring for seniors, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has added elderly-friendly fitness equipment to 18 leisure venues, and will hold around 5,700 free recreation and sports activities for the elderly this year.

The LCSD also launched the Umbrellas for Loan by Elderly Park Visitors Scheme in February.

Meanwhile, the Social Welfare Department launched a pilot scheme in March, with Tsuen Wan and Southern Districts as pilot points, to identify hidden elders, carers of the elderly, and caregivers of people with disabilities in need of assistance during home visits by District Services & Community Care Teams.

On enhancing the cleanliness and hygiene of public markets and cooked food markets, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) is progressively increasing the frequency of cleansing work in markets, and began stall improvements at the Queen Street Cooked Food Market on a trial basis this February.

The FEHD is also increasing the number of overnight rodent control roving teams, and extending a trial scheme allowing food premises to place large-size waste containers in rear lanes for temporary storage of waste.

Police plan to install closed-circuit television in 615 locations with higher crime figures across districts to serve as a deterrent against and an aid in the investigation of street crimes. Fifteen installations have been completed for technical tests in Mong Kok this month.

On improving pedestrian facilities, the Highways Department (HyD) is expanding the repaving of footpaths, with works on 18 sections completed.

Meanwhile, the Transport Department is installing auxiliary pedestrian crossing devices with red light-beam projections at pedestrian crossing black spots in various districts, with devices at the first 17 locations installed and commissioned.

The HyD has selected 10 suitable locations and completed preliminary designs for installing bench railings on a trial basis for citizens rest on, with works targeted to commence in mid-2024.

To improve the environment of public housing estates, the Housing Department has rolled out improvement works for 10 public rental housing estates starting from the first quarter of this year, and will start improvement works based on various themes in another five in the second quarter.