The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 23) announced the operational arrangements for the GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities during this Lunar New Year (LNY). … read more
In response to media enquiries on the United Kingdom (UK) officials meeting with wanted persons suspected to have committed offences endangering national security, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (January 23) responded as follows:
Regarding the attempt by Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Mr David Lammy, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Ms Catherine West, to interfere in the HKSAR’s enforcement actions in accordance with the law by meeting with the wanted persons suspected to have committed offences endangering national security, the HKSAR Government expressed strong disapproval and condemnation.
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said that, “Endangering national security is a very serious crime. No country will watch with folded arms the acts and activities that endanger national security. Those persons who have fled overseas are suspected of continuing to commit offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law. Thus, the Police applied to the court for the arrest warrants in accordance with the law and put them on the wanted list. The UK Government has ignored the malicious acts of those wanted persons, which showcases the hypocrisy with double standards.”
The spokesman stressed that, “The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The HKSAR Government has the responsibility to pursue the legal liabilities of the persons who are suspected to have committed offences endangering national security and absconded overseas in accordance with the law.
“Any individuals who endanger national security should not believe that being overseas will allow them to evade criminal responsibility and remain beyond the reach of justice. The HKSAR Government will exhaust all means to pursue and combat criminals absconding overseas and endangering national security, ensuring that violations of the law will be pursued regardless of the distance. The HKSAR Government urged the wanted persons to return to Hong Kong and surrender so as to rectify their mistakes.”
The spokesman reiterated that, “The Constitution and the Basic Law steadfastly safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people. Any attempt by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s situation will only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail.
“The HKSAR Government will, as always, continue to resolutely discharge the duty of safeguarding national security, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’. The HKSAR Government strongly demands the UK Government to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China’s internal affairs.” read more
Hip Seng Builders Limited was fined $261,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (January 23) for violating the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Electricity) Regulations. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on August 19, 2023, at a construction site in Chek Lap Kok, Lantau. A worker, while carrying out electrical installation work on the false ceiling of a building under construction, received an electric shock. The worker subsequently lost consciousness and passed away on the same day. read more
In respect of the Hospital Authority (HA) initiating the process to recruit a Chief Executive to succeed Dr Tony Ko, who has indicated that he will not seek continued employment after the term of his contract ends in July this year, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, expressed today (January 23) his high recognition of and gratitude to Dr Ko for his contributions to the public healthcare system.
Professor Lo said, “I deeply appreciate the contributions made by Dr Tony Ko to the development of the public healthcare system over the past six years in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the HA. During this period, the HA faced numerous major challenges, especially the COVID-19 epidemic, which put tremendous and unprecedented pressure on the public healthcare system. Dr Ko did his utmost to lead the HA in its response to the challenges brought about by every wave of the epidemic, guiding staff of the HA to serve the community in concerted efforts. His work is highly commendable.
“Dr Ko has also stepped up efforts to enhance the management and efficiency of the public healthcare system, raising the quality, safety and effectiveness of the HA’s services, and has supported multiple government policies and explored more collaboration opportunities in healthcare with the Mainland and the rest of the world while improving services so that Hong Kong can give better play to its unique role and contribute to the healthcare development of the country. Dr Ko has made great contributions to the public healthcare system. I wish him every success in his future endeavours after leaving the post of Chief Executive of the HA.” read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) Board today (January 23) discussed and endorsed at its Administrative and Operational Meeting the commencement of recruitment of a new HA Chief Executive. The incumbent Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, had earlier indicated to the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, his wish to not seek reappointment upon completion of his current contract at the end of July this year.
“Dr Ko has served the HA with utmost dedication since his appointment as the Chief Executive in 2019. He had earlier expressed his wish to embark on a new chapter in life after his term expires at the end of July. He intends to leverage his extensive experience of over three decades in the public healthcare system to continue contributing and serving society through other platforms, and therefore decided not to seek reappointment as the HA Chief Executive,” Mr Fan said.
“It is with much regret that, despite my numerous attempts to persuade him to stay in the past few months, Dr Ko has decided to start a new chapter in his life after the contract expires. Both the HA Board and I deeply regret but fully respect his final decision. We are extremely grateful for his decade-long dedication and commitment to public hospitals for the well-being of patients and Hong Kong society. Dr Ko’s contribution is pivotal to the long-term development of the HA and the public healthcare system. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours as he continues to contribute to the medical profession.”
Dr Ko said, “Serving patients in public hospitals has been my lifelong honour. I am also very grateful that, during my tenure as the Chief Executive in the past six years, we have overcome various challenges together. Under the leadership of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, we defeated the COVID-19 epidemic. After the resumption of normalcy, we worked together for Hong Kong to maintain its leading role in the international healthcare field, strengthening connections and exchanges with the healthcare systems on the Mainland and with other regions. Meanwhile, we vigorously promoted the development of smart hospital initiatives for more patients to benefit from the technology. All these outstanding achievements could have only been accomplished with our concerted efforts. I would also like to sincerely thank the Health Bureau, all HA Chairmen, particularly the incumbent Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, all HA Board Members, as well as all HA staff, whose unstinting support has enabled us to overcome all difficulties together.”
On the recruitment exercise, the HA Board has appointed a Selection Board to advise on the details of the overall recruitment and selection process, including the recommendation of the proposed remuneration for the successful candidate. The HA will engage a search firm for the recruitment exercise. It is expected that the recruitment exercise will be completed within the next six months to allow adequate time for the new Chief Executive to have a smooth handover with Dr Ko. read more