No Y2K-induced incidents reported

September 9, 1999

The Government and various essential service sectors went on full alert during the rollover to 9 September, which is one of the Y2K critical dates.

As at 1 am this (Thursday) morning, the Central Coordinating Centre (CCC), which was activated at 10 pm yesterday (Wednesday), has not received any reports on Y2K-induced incidents in the territory.

The CCC has been set up to monitor the territory-wide situation during the rollover to 9 September, to coordinate cross-sector emergency responses to Y2K-induced incidents, as well as to collect, collate and disseminate information. It is manned by officers from a number of concerned bureaux and departments, including the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau, Security Bureau, Information Technology Services Department, Office of the Telecommunications Authority and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.

To coincide with the activation of the CCC, the 13 sector-wide coordinating centres covering various essential services have also come into operation. The sectors are food supply, transport, financial services, public order, fire and emergency services, environment, aviation, public health, telecommunication, port management, energy supply, immigration and broadcasting.

These sector-wide centres are responsible for coordinating emergency responses to Y2K-induced incidents among different departments/organisations within their respective sectors. They maintain close liaison with the CCC and report to it on a regular basis.

"This territory-wide monitoring arrangement has been operating smoothly, and so far no Y2K incidents have been reported," said Mrs Jessie Ting, Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting who is also the Controller of the CCC.

"Both Government and the essential services providers have made tremendous efforts to resolve the Y2K problem. We have also drawn up contingency arrangements to ensure a prompt response to any unforeseen Y2K-induced incidents. The risk that Hong Kong will be adversely affected by the Y2K problem on the rollover to 9 September is very minimal," Mrs Ting said.

She added that the experience gained from the operation of the CCC and the 13 sector-wide coordinating centres on this occasion would help Government and all concerned to set up an effective monitoring and coordinating mechanism during the rollover to the new millennium.

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