The National Anthem Bill was published in the Gazette today (January 11). The Bill implements the Law of the People's Republic of China on National Anthem (National Anthem Law) in Hong Kong by local legislation.
 
     On November 4, 2017, the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress adopted the decision to add the National Anthem Law to Annex III to the Basic Law. According to Article 18(2) of the Basic Law, the national laws listed in Annex III to the Basic Law shall be applied locally by way of promulgation or legislation by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It is thus the responsibility of the HKSAR Government to implement the National Anthem Law locally.
 
     Having regard to the common law system practised in Hong Kong, as well as the actual circumstances in Hong Kong, the Government proposes to implement the National Anthem Law in the HKSAR by local legislation. This approach is consistent with the "one country, two systems" principle.
 
     The legislative principle of the Bill is to fully reflect the purpose and intent of the National Anthem Law, which is to preserve the dignity of the national anthem and promote respect for the national anthem; and at the same time to give due regard to the common law system practised in Hong Kong, as well as the actual circumstances in Hong Kong.
 
     The crux of the Bill is two-pronged: to state that the national anthem is the symbol and sign of the People's Republic of China and to lead people to respect the national anthem by directional provisions; and to introduce penalties for people who publicly and intentionally insult the national anthem or misuse the national anthem.
 
     A Government spokesman said, "The Government consulted the Panel on Constitutional Affairs of the Legislative Council (LegCo) in March last year and attended two special meetings of the Panel in April and May last year respectively to listen to the views of individuals and organisations. The Government has also exchanged views and conducted discussions with political parties, representatives from various sectors such as education, and performing arts and culture, as well as legal representatives and academics."
 
     The Government spokesman added that the Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first reading and second reading on January 23. The Government will fully complement the work of LegCo in scrutinising the Bill to strive for its early passage.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate of medical wards in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     Hong Kong Customs conducted an anti-counterfeiting operation from January 4 to today(January 10) to combat the sale of counterfeit clothing and accessories. A total of about 6 400 pieces of suspected counterfeit goods, including clothing, caps, belts and backpacks, with an estimated market value of about $2.5 million were seized.

     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of suspected counterfeit clothing and accessories at shops in the retail market. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers raided eight shops in Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan in the past week andseized the batch of suspected counterfeit clothing and accessories.

     During the operation, five men and four women were arrested, including five persons-in-charge and four salespersons, aged between 20 and 66.

     Investigations are ongoing.

     With the imminent arrival of the Lunar New Year, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to combat the sale of counterfeit goods.

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.

     Customs also reminds traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal liability.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark 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 infringing activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (January 10) in which a 63-year-old man died.

     At about 3.41pm, a school bus driven by a 65-year-old man was travelling along Yeung Uk Road towards Kwai Chung. When approaching near 45 Yeung Uk Road, it reportedly knocked down the 63-year-old man who was crossing the road.

     Sustaining head and abdomen injuries, the man was rushed to Yan Chai Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 4.38pm.

     The school bus driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for further enquiries.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is underway.
         
     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1300 or 3661 1348.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Secretary of the CPC Zhaoqing Municipal Committee, Mr Lai Zehua, at the Chief Executive's Office this afternoon (January 10). The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, was also present.
 
     Welcoming Mr Lai's visit to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong and Zhaoqing enjoy close ties in economic affairs and trade. Zhaoqing is not only the ancestral hometown of many Hong Kong people, but also a city in which many Hong Kong businessmen invest, with Hong Kong enterprises accounting for more than 80 per cent of its external investment. The commissioning of infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link has made travel and trade between Hong Kong and Zhaoqing more convenient, enabling the two places to explore further co-operation.

     Noting that both Hong Kong and Zhaoqing are cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong is Asia's world city, an international financial, maritime and logistics centre with efficient professional services and a large pool of professional and management talents, while Zhaoqing is rich in natural resources and large in area, with plenty of space for development. She said the development of the Greater Bay Area will bring about new opportunities for Zhaoqing and Hong Kong, and that the two places can complement each other and enhance the development of the Greater Bay Area. She also encouraged young people of the two places to strengthen exchanges, and expressed the hope that the Zhaoqing Municipal Government would consider providing internship programmes for Hong Kong young people to provide them with more opportunities for personal development.