Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at Munsang College Topping-out Ceremony for its newly developed teaching complex today (May 31):
 
Dr Daniel Yung (Chairman, Munsang Education Council), Ms Lily Wong (Chairperson, Munsang College Foundation), Dr Alice Yuk (School Supervisor, Munsang College), Ir Gary Ko (Convener of Building Sub-committee, Comprehensive Roadmap of Strategic Succession, Munsang College), distinguished guests, principals, teachers, parents and students,
 
     Good afternoon. I am most delighted and honoured to join you all here this afternoon to celebrate the structural completion of the new teaching complex of Munsang’s Kowloon campus.
 
     This topping-out ceremony marks a key milestone in the continuous development of Munsang College, Munsang College Primary School and Munsang College Kindergarten. It also demonstrates clearly the dedicated commitment of the school management in providing quality education in Hong Kong.
 
     Founded in the year 1926, Munsang College began with the operation of just one class at each junior secondary level. Expansion followed with the setting up of the primary and kindergarten sections in the year 1927 and the senior secondary section in 1928. With the strong professionalism, dedication and visionary leadership of the management, the schools have become one of the leading education bodies in Hong Kong, currently accommodating a total of about 3 500 students. 
 
     Guided by the mottoes of “Light and Life” and “All For One, One For All”, the Munsang schools have earned an enviable reputation of offering a high quality, rigorous academic programme in a caring environment. Since their establishment nearly a century ago, the schools have nurtured generations of prominent leaders who serve the community with remarkable achievements across all sectors of the community.
 
     Our young people are the pillar of Hong Kong’s future, they are our hopes as well. Education therefore plays a crucial role in unleashing and realising their potential. The current-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is totally committed to investing in education. In its first year after inauguration in the year 2017, the Government increased by $3.6 billion recurrent resources to introduce a package of measures to increase additional manpower, funding and hardware to improve our quality of education. Last year, another $2 billion of recurrent funding was allocated to further enhance teacher development, kindergarten, and integrated as well as life-wide learning. In parallel, the Quality Education Fund also set aside $3 billion for school-based curriculum development, student support measures and other improvement initiative.
 
     This year, the total expenditure on education will increase remarkably to $124 billion, representing a surge of 12 per cent growth over last year. Of this, the recurrent expenditure on education will increase to $90.6 billion, representing a 6 per cent growth. Over the past 10 years, recurrent expenditure on education has increased by 77 per cent, with an average growth rate of 6.6 per cent per year. This massive investment in education fully demonstrates the Hong Kong Government’s commitment in nurturing talent for the long-term development of Hong Kong.
 
     I always give this example in my speeches: for every $100 we spend every day, roughly $21 goes to education, $19.70 goes to social welfare, and $17.50 goes to medical services. So in other words, education, welfare and medical services in that order – and this has been almost number one, the lion’s share of government spending all along. This is very simple. Hong Kong has no resources, except our people. Investing in human capital is the only way we keep Hong Kong going. If we don’t invest in our own young people, Hong Kong has absolutely no future at all. So education is a very, very important policy area. It’s an important investment for Hong Kong in the future. While the Government plays an active role in promoting quality education, success in education requires the collaborative efforts of all who care about our next generation. Munsang College, and Munsang School as well, have all along been our close partners in promoting whole-person education for our next generation, with the aim of nurturing them into quality citizens who are socially responsible and equipped with a love for Hong Kong, a sense of national identity, and of course an international outlook.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, the completion of this 7-storey new teaching complex ties in well with the Government’s latest new initiative in enhancing the support to schools in widening students’ learning experiences. Indeed, education is founded on dedication, passion and commitment. The Munsang schools have been a shining example in cultivating our future generations for Hong Kong and neighbouring regions.
 
     I trust that the Munsang schools will continue their excellent work and make full use of all these new state-of-the-art facilities to accomplish their mission of developing students as self-motivated, resolute and devoted individuals with the spirit of “Light and Life”. On this encouragement note, I wish the schools continuous success in the many years ahead and all of you good health, every happiness and every success. Thank you very much.

    

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited Wan Chai District today (May 31) and met with local District Council members to exchange views on district matters. He also visited a music academy in the revitalised Haw Par Mansion.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Wan Chai District Council (WCDC), Mr Stephen Ng, and the District Officer (Wan Chai), Mr Rick Chan, Mr Wong first visited Haw Par Music Farm. Located at Haw Par Mansion, the music academy is one of the projects under Batch III of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme. The old mansion has been revitalised into Haw Par Music Farm by the Aw Boon Haw Foundation for providing Chinese and Western music training and community outreach activities to promote music culture.

     During his visit, Mr Wong was briefed by a representative of the academy on details of the restoration and revitalisation of this Grade I historic building, including retaining as far as possible the interior layout of the mansion. The external walls, doors, windows and interior decorations have been restored to the former 1930s look, while the original furnishings of the mansion and the former owners’ private collection are conserved and displayed.

     The Development Bureau launched the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme in 2008. Through collaboration with non-profit-making organisations, historic buildings are preserved, revitalised and put into good use. So far, five batches of projects have been rolled out, involving a total of 19 projects. Haw Par Music Farm was soft launched at the end of last year and has been open with free guided tours to the public since April this year.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Wong met with WCDC members to gain a better understanding of the latest developments and needs of the district, and listen to members’ views and suggestions on the work of the Government. read more

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited Wan Chai District today (May 31) and met with local District Council members to exchange views on district matters. He also visited a music academy in the revitalised Haw Par Mansion.

     Accompanied by the Vice-chairman of the Wan Chai District Council (WCDC), Dr Jennifer Chow, and the District Officer (Wan Chai), Mr Rick Chan, Mr Wong first visited Haw Par Music Farm. Located at Haw Par Mansion, the music academy is one of the projects under Batch III of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme. The old mansion has been revitalised into Haw Par Music Farm by the Aw Boon Haw Foundation for providing Chinese and Western music training and community outreach activities to promote music culture.

     During his visit, Mr Wong was briefed by a representative of the academy on details of the restoration and revitalisation of this Grade I historic building, including retaining as far as possible the interior layout of the mansion. The external walls, doors, windows and interior decorations have been restored to the former 1930s look, while the original furnishings of the mansion and the former owners’ private collection are conserved and displayed.

     The Development Bureau launched the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme in 2008. Through collaboration with non-profit-making organisations, historic buildings are preserved, revitalised and put into good use. So far, five batches of projects have been rolled out, involving a total of 19 projects. Haw Par Music Farm was soft launched at the end of last year and has been open with free guided tours to the public since April this year.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Wong met with WCDC members to gain a better understanding of the latest developments and needs of the district, and listen to members’ views and suggestions on the work of the Government.

        

     Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police today (May 31) conducted an anti-smuggling operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using a fishing vessel in the waters off Sha Chau. A batch of suspected smuggled foods and live fish with an estimated market value of about $1 million was seized.

     Officers from Customs and the Marine Police spotted a suspicious fishing vessel leaving Hong Kong in the early hours today. Officers then took immediate action and intercepted the fishing vessel for examination. About 79 cartons of suspected smuggled goods were seized on board the vessel.

     During the operation, Customs officers arrested a 56-year-old female coxswain and a 50-year-old male crew member. The fishing vessel involved was also detained for further investigation.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 30) seized about 3 500 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, shoes, clothing and handbags, with an estimated market value of about $600,000 in Tsing Yi.

     Acting on information, Customs officers inspected 283 outbound express consignments destined for the United States and European countries at an express courier service centre in Tsing Yi. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected counterfeit goods were seized.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Hong Kong Customs will continue to combat cross-border infringing activity.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports counterfeit goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).