Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government today (March 29) announced that the Chief Executive has appointed the new-term Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC) for two years from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021.

     Membership of the new-term HKFDC is as follows:

Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai (Chairman) #
Mr Felix Chong Man-keung (Vice Chairman) #
Ms Sylvia Chang Ai-chia #
Ms Amy Chin Siu-wai
Mr Ding Yuin-shan #
Mr Percy Fung
Mr Gordon Lam Ka-tung #
Mr Stephen Lam Ping-kwan
Mr Anthony Lee Ying-lok
Ms Belinda Tang
Mr Mathew Tang Hon-keung #
Mr Patrick Tong Hing-chi
Mr Ivan Wong Chi-fai #
Mr Wong Chun #
Mr Adam Wong Sau-ping
Ms Bonnie Wong Tak-wei
Ms Cora Yim Ka-nim #
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Creative Industries) (Vice Chairman) (ex-officio member)
Executive Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council or her representative (ex-officio member)

# New appointee

    The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said, “The HKFDC has been instrumental in promoting the development of Hong Kong’s film industry. With members’ rich experiences, outstanding achievements and representativeness in various fields of the industry, I am confident that the new-term HKFDC will continue to provide expert advice to the Government to help the local film industry thrive further, in particular with the proposed $1 billion injection into the Film Development Fund (FDF).”

     Mr Yau expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, and outgoing members Mr Enoch Chan Chi-to, Professor Cheuk Pak-tong, Mr Chu Chung-on, Mr Jason Lam Kee-to, Ms Connie Lam Suk-yee, Mr Albert Lee, Mr Maurice Lee Wai-man, Mr Stephen Shin Kei-yin and Ms June Wong Bo-chu for their valuable contributions to the HKFDC.

     The biographies of the new appointees are as follows:

     Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai is the Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and Asian Film Awards Academy.

     Mr Felix Chong Man-keung is a noted screenplay writer and film director who has produced many award-winning films including “Infernal Affairs” and “Project Gutenberg”.

     Ms Sylvia Chang Ai-chia has outstanding multidisciplinary achievements as an actress, scriptwriter, director, singer and producer.

     Mr Ding Yuin-shan is a senior lecturer (film production) and project co-ordinator of the Master of Fine Arts Programme at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and has participated in production and promotion of over 20 feature films.

     Mr Gordon Lam Ka-tung is a well-known producer and actor, as well as the Vice-president of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild.

     Mr Mathew Tang Hon-keung is the executive producer of Movie Addict Productions Limited. He participated in production of many popular films including “Cold War” and “Finding Mr Right”.

     Mr Ivan Wong Chi-fai is the managing director of UA Cinema Circuit Limited and Lark International Multimedia Limited and has been one of the directors of the Hong Kong Theatres Association since 2014.

     Mr Wong Chun was a winner of the 1st First Feature Film Initiative under the FDF and the director of the film “Mad World”, which was a box-office hit and won him Best New Director in the 53rd Golden Horse Awards and the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards.

     Ms Cora Yim Ka-nim is the Senior Vice President of Fox International Channels overseeing the Chinese Channels group.

     The HKFDC was set up in 2007 to advise the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development on policies and measures relating to development of the film industry, including nurturing talent, enhancing local film production, expanding markets and building the audience. read more

     The Government announced today (March 29) the appointment of the membership of the Board of Trustees and the Council of the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust for the term from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021.  &n… read more

     â€‹The Government announced today (March 29) the appointment of the membership of the Board of Trustees of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund for the term from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2022.  The m… read more

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations, including an operation codenamed “Twilight” and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department codenamed “Champion”, on March 25, 26 and 28. A total of 12 illegal workers and three suspected employers were arrested.

     During operation “Twilight”, ImmD Task Force officers raided 31 target locations including an elderly home,  exhibition halls, a factory, hotels, industrial buildings and restaurants. Nine illegal workers and three employers were arrested. The illegal workers comprised seven men and two women, aged 32 to 62. Among them, one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Meanwhile, one man and two women, aged 40 to 64, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.

     In addition, during operation “Champion”, enforcement officers raided six target locations in Chai Wan and North Point including shops, restaurants and wet markets. Three female illegal workers, aged 28 to 37, were arrested. Among them, one woman was the holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. 
 
     “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties,” an ImmD spokesman said.

     The spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment should be applied in such cases. It is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threat and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent interference, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments. read more

     The Government Property Agency is inviting tenders for the government property situated at No. 121 Peak Road for restaurant (excluding take-away services) purpose only.

     The tender notice was uploaded today (March 29) to the Agency’s website: www.gpa.gov.hk. Tender documents are available for collection at the Government Property Agency, 31/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, during office hours (8.30am to 5.45pm from Mondays to Fridays). The documents can also be downloaded from the Agency’s website.

     Interested tenderers who wish to inspect the site should make prior appointment with the Government Property Agency by calling 2594 7697 on or before April 15 this year.
 
     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box situated on the ground floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, before noon on May 2 this year. Late tenders will not be accepted. read more