The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) and the Thailand Board of Investment jointly organised a webinar titled "Resilience Strategy: Thailand-Hong Kong Partnership" today (June 29). The Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs of Thailand, Dr Kobsak Pootrakool, said in the webinar that the Government of Thailand announced this afternoon the decision to set up a special travel arrangement for cross-border control with five economies including Hong Kong as a first step in relaxing its inbound passenger control.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomed the announcement. A newly established inter-departmental team will start discussing with the relevant departments in the Thai Government in the coming week or two.

     "This is a very encouraging news for both Hong Kong and Thailand. If the special relaxation arrangements for cross-border control can be established between the two places, cross-boundary business exchange can be gradually resumed for Hong Kong, which is set to give a tremendous boost to our economic recovery," the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said.

     "Hong Kong and Thailand have enjoyed very strong and long-standing economic and trade relations and people-to-people connection. For the past five years, an average of nearly 900 000 Hong Kong people have visited Thailand every year while over 500 000 Thai visitors have come to Hong Kong. Building on the foundation laid down in the 'Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Economic Relations' signed between the two governments in November last year, as well as achievements made in fighting the epidemic in both places, we are keen to explore with the Government of Thailand the special travel arrangement. We are confident that we can reach an agreement expeditiously and become one of each other's first partners of the special travel arrangement for cross-border control.
 
     "On establishing the relevant mechanism with Thailand, it is most important to contain the potential risk brought about by the increase of passenger flow and continuously monitor the epidemic development and prevention work of the two places while relaxing the control on inbound passenger traffic progressively. The overall goal is to strike a balance between economic considerations and epidemic control. The discussion between the two sides will be based on science and aim to formulate simple and practical operation procedures with appropriate health control and protocol. The relevant discussion will touch on details of the relaxation measures for cross-border control, specific operation arrangements to reduce the risks of spreading the virus across the borders, the provision of transport services and more," Mr Yau added.

     The inter-departmental team will be led by the Commissioner for Tourism and comprise representatives from bureaux and departments such as the Food and Health Bureau, the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Department of Health, etc.

     Today's webinar not only provided a platform to share experience and insights of Hong Kong on applications of innovation and technology (I&T) to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 and in response to related livelihood needs, but also showcased the strengths of Hong Kong's I&T enterprises and research capabilities and services. It also facilitated Hong Kong enterprises intending to expand into the Thai market to better understand the local business environment, thereby fostering closer economic and trade collaboration with Thailand.

     The Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment, Ms Duangjai Asawachintachit, also participated at the webinar where she outlined investment opportunities in Thailand that are available to Hong Kong enterprises. 

     A panel discussion session titled "Hong Kong’s Role in Regional Co-operation and Business Partnership" was also featured in the webinar. Moderated by the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mr Bernard Chan, the session offered insights in the areas of trade, economic and I&T, as well as future opportunities on Hong Kong-Thailand partnership. Panelists of the session included the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Dr Peter Lam; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai; the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Dr Daniel Yip; and the Chairman of hpa (Ho & Partners Architects Engineers & Development Consultants Limited), Mr Nicholas Ho, who has investment projects in Thailand.

     Participants of the webinar noted that the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) could achieve synergy through complimentary co-operation of these three places, and that Hong Kong could act as a two-way open platform for "going global" together with GBA cities. Development of GBA could drive the development of the mid-south and southwest regions of the Mainland. This could also reinforce an important economic support belt for Southeast Asia including Thailand, and compliment the Belt and Road Initiative.

     The webinar attracted nearly 600 participants from chambers of commerce, small and medium enterprises and start-ups in Hong Kong and Thailand.

    

     The Government launched today (June 29) the Pilot Scheme on Facilitation for Persons Participating in Arbitral Proceedings in Hong Kong (the Scheme). It aims to provide facilitation for eligible non-Hong Kong residents participating in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong on a short-term basis in order to strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international centre for legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, and be in line with the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development.
 
     Under the Scheme, nationals of countries who may visit Hong Kong visa-free (visa-free nationals) and are in possession of the "Letter of proof" (the Letter) are allowed to participate in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong as visitors, i.e. they will not be required to obtain employment visas. The duration that they may stay in Hong Kong for participating in arbitral proceedings shall not exceed the current visa-free period for visit. The Scheme will run on a trial basis for two years.
 
     The Scheme covers the following four categories of visa-free nationals, namely (i) arbitrators; (ii) expert and factual witnesses; (iii) counsel in the arbitration; and (iv) parties to the arbitration (Eligible Persons).
 
     Persons who are seeking to benefit from the Scheme shall obtain the Letter confirming that they are Eligible Persons participating in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong:
 
(a) For arbitrations that are being administered by an arbitral institution, the Letter shall be issued by one of those qualified arbitral and dispute resolution institutions and permanent offices in Hong Kong which satisfies the criteria set out under Article 2(1) of the "Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the HKSAR". For details of the list of institutions and permanent offices and their contact details, please visit the Department of Justice (DoJ) website (www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/interim_measures_outcome.html and www.doj.gov.hk/pdf/2019/list_of_institutions_e.pdf).
 
(b) For ad hoc arbitrations (i.e. arbitrations not administered by an arbitral institution) that are held in reputable venue(s) with established and well-equipped hearing facilities (namely, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the DoJ), the Letter shall be issued by such venue providers.
 
     The DoJ has issued a Guidance Note on the Scheme to the abovementioned arbitral institutions.
 
     The Scheme will be reviewed in two years' time. Subject to the review, it may be extended to those Eligible Persons coming from other jurisdictions including the Mainland of China.
 
     It should however be noted that in view of COVID-19, with effect from March 25, 2020, until further notice, all non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas countries and regions by plane will be denied entry to Hong Kong, and non-Hong Kong residents coming from the Mainland, Macao and Taiwan will be denied entry to Hong Kong if they have been to any overseas countries and regions in the past 14 days. Persons covered by the Scheme are also subject to the entry restriction for the time being.

     A 60-year-old man was sentenced to imprisonment for two weeks by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 29) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C).

     He was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine and took off his electronic wristband without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer and was stopped by staff of the Immigration Department at Shenzhen Bay Control Point on March 26. He was charged with two counts of contravening sections 8(1), 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for two weeks for each of the two charges, which are to run concurrently.

     Pursuant to the Regulation, save for exempted persons, all persons who have stayed in the Mainland, Macao or Taiwan in the 14 days preceding arrival in Hong Kong, regardless of their nationality or travel documents, will be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Moreover, pursuant to the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E), starting from March 19, all persons arriving from countries or territories outside China would also be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. The Department of Health (DH) solemnly reminds persons under quarantine to comply with the statutory requirements and conduct quarantine for 14 days.
 
     A spokesman for the DH said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching the Regulation is a criminal offence and that the Government will not tolerate such actions. As of today, a total of 22 persons have been convicted by the court with imprisonment sentences of up to three months or a fine of HK$10,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the Regulation.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Select Committee to Inquire into Matters about the Agreement between Mr Leung Chun-ying and the Australian firm UGL Limited will hold a closed meeting at 2.30pm tomorrow (June 30) in Conference Room 5 of the LegCo Complex.

     A spokesman for the Housing Department (HD) today (June 29) reminded residents of public rental housing (PRH) estates to declare truthfully their income and assets.

     A PRH tenant living at Wan Hon Estate in Kwun Tong declared on a 2019 Income and Asset Declaration Form that he had 50 per cent ownership of a ground floor shop located at Yee Kuk Street, Sham Shui Po, with a rental income of approximately $30,000. He also declared his total household net asset value did not exceed by 100 times the Public Rental Housing Income Limit (i.e. $2,930,000). Subsequent investigation revealed that the market value of the shop concerned was approximately $10,000,000. The net asset value of the property for 50 per cent ownership held by the tenant, after deducting the unpaid mortgage repayment, should be around $4,200,000, which had exceeded the prescribed asset limit as mentioned above. He was therefore ineligible for living in the PRH unit and was prosecuted by the HD for neglecting to furnish information specified in the Income and Asset Declaration Form, contrary to Section 27(a) of the Housing Ordinance. The defendant was convicted by the presiding magistrate at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today. Having considered the gravity of the offence, the defendant was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment (suspended for 12 months) and a fine of $20,000 by the presiding magistrate.

     Together with this case, there have already been six PRH applicants or PRH residents prosecuted by the HD this month for the offences of making a false statement knowingly or neglecting to furnish information as specified in a declaration form and sentenced to suspended imprisonment by the court.

     The spokesman said that households living in PRH should complete their Income and Asset Declaration Forms accurately, as doing so forms the foundation for the assessment of rent and their eligibility for continuing residence. Before making the declarations, households should read the content and completion guidelines of the Income and Asset Declaration Form carefully and compute their income and assets in accordance with the methods specified. Otherwise, they may be prosecuted for making a false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) of the Housing Ordinance (if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for six months) or being prosecuted for neglecting to furnish information as specified in a declaration form, contrary to Section 27(a) of the Housing Ordinance (if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $25,000 fine and imprisonment for three months). Notwithstanding the above, the HD will take action to recover the undercharged rent incurred due to the inaccurate information or even recover their PRH units.