The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) conducted a large-scale stress test at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) tonight (January 24) to test the operation and capability of the three venues and the supporting facilities in the vic… read more
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) joined The Beacon and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to host a compelling “lunch and learn” session on January 23 (Antwerp time), in Antwerp, Belgium, aimed at promoting Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities to European businesses and entrepreneurs in the maritime industry.
Based in Antwerp, the most important port city of Belgium, The Beacon is a thriving community of forward-thinking companies dedicated to addressing challenges in cities, ports, and industries through digital innovation. As a hub for collaboration, The Beacon aims to inspire technology companies and drive impactful solutions for the future.
In the sharing session, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Li provided an in-depth overview of Hong Kong’s robust economic fundamentals, its strategic role in connecting Belgian and European businesses to Asian markets, in particular its unique position as a gateway to the Greater Bay Area and Mainland China. Miss Li stated, “Hong Kong’s strong ground rules and distinctive advantages including the rule of law, free flow of capital, a free trade and investment regime and an efficient and clean government are kept under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. Hong Kong’s ranking fourth in the 2024 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index is a testament to our strengths and the pivotal role in global shipping and international trade.”
Miss Li also highlighted Hong Kong fleet’s high degree of safety and reliability, “Hong Kong-registered ships rank as the fourth largest in the world in terms of gross tonnage, and the Port State Control detention rate of Hong Kong-registered ships is only 0.81 per cent, which is significantly lower than the world average of 3.39 per cent”. Miss Li also shared with the participants on the latest policies regarding the maritime industry.
During the sharing session, Marketing Manager, Frankfurt Office, HKTDC, Ms Kristie Chu had an intriguing dialogue with Editor-in-chief of Flows magazine Mr Koen Dejaeger on the experience of his participation in the Hong Kong Maritime Week in November 2024 and the latest opportunities in Hong Kong’s maritime sector.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) partnered with Focus Hong Kong to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a curated selection of Hong Kong films at the British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank in London from January 23 to 26 (London time).
The Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, remarked that the office is committed to supporting initiatives that showcase the vibrancy and creativity of Hong Kong’s film industry on the international stage. “The Government will continue to strengthen support to Hong Kong film industry through the Film Development Fund, increase the exposure of the Hong Kong film industry globally, and leverage the cultural influence of films to strengthen tourism promotion and attract more visitors to Hong Kong,” Mr Law added.
The Focus Hong Kong Chinese New Year programme showcases three films at the BFI, namely, the UK Premiere of “True Love, for Once in My Life”, “All Shall be Well” and “Shanghai Blues (4K Restoration)”.
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Fo Tan this afternoon (January 24), in which a male worker, while dismantling a metal I-beam on an elevating work platform, was struck by the suspended dismantled portion of the I-beam and fell from the work platform to the ground. He was certified dead at the scene. The LD is saddened by death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the dismantling work of I-beams at the construction site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.”
The spokesman added, “We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.”
To protect workers’ safety, the LD reminds contractors that substantive support shall be provided to the structures being dismantled to prevent them from accidental displacement or sudden collapse during dismantling work.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
In regard to today’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application “OSH 2.0”, website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers. read more
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 23) detected a case involving possession of suspected etomidate (the main ingredient of “space oil drug”), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, by an incoming passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. A total of ten suspected “space oil drug” capsules were seized.
A local 19-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, ten suspected “space oil drug” capsules were found in his jacket pocket. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man has been put on bail pending further investigation.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
