Author Archives: hksar gov

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 27) arrested a director of a pharmacy suspected of supplying disinfectant alcohol with false claims on its ethanol content and net volume. Customs appeals to traders to remove the disinfectant alcohol from their shelves.

     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false description on its composition at a pharmacy in Sha Tin. Customs officers were then deployed for immediate action to test-purchase a type of disinfectant alcohol labelled as containing 75 per cent ethanol in English from the pharmacy. Also labelled as 500 millilitres, the disinfectant alcohol was put on sale in transparent plastic bottles and sold at a price of $28 per bottle.

     Samples were sent to the Government Laboratory to establish its composition and safety. Test results revealed that the disinfectant alcohol consisted of 39 per cent ethanol, and its actual net volume was only 450 millilitres.

     The ethanol content and the net volume of the disinfectant alcohol were different from the product descriptions according to the test results, suspected to be in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Noting the test results, Customs yesterday conducted an immediate enforcement action and arrested a 36-year-old male director of the pharmacy.

     Apart from the pharmacy, over 100 retail spots in various districts were also checked yesterday and no such product was found for sale.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing disinfectant alcohol:
 

• Pay attention to the product description shown on labels, including the manufacturing date and validity period;
• Avoid choosing a disinfectant alcohol with unknown sources and limited information; and
• Purchase products from recognised brands at reputable shops.

     This operation is part of the “Guardian” operation, which has been running for over four months as of today (May 28) since its launch on January 27. More than 4 800 officers have been mobilised to conduct over 32 000 inspections at retail spots in various districts. The operation will continue.

     Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO), it is an offence to import, manufacture or supply consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on a subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the TDO or the CGSO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk). read more

     The Lands Department announced today (May 28) that in respect of the tender for the site Kowloon Inland Lot No. 11240 at the junction of Soy Street and Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, which was awarded on April 28 to the su… read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced today (May 28) that the Legislative Council has approved the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) (Amendment) Regulation 2020.    … read more

     An exhibition entitled “Heritage Over a Century: Tung Wah Museum and Heritage Conservation”, featuring more than 70 artefacts from the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), will open tomorrow (May 29) at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre.
      
     TWGHs has been offering a range of medical, educational, community, traditional and cultural services since its foundation. For celebrating its centenary in 1970, TWGHs converted the old main hall of Kwong Wah Hospital into the Tung Wah Museum for conserving and passing on the Tung Wah’s institutional heritage. This year marks not only the 150th anniversary of the founding of the TWGHs, but also the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tung Wah Museum and the 10th anniversary of it being declared a monument. This is an opportunity to share with the public the history and architectural merits of the Tung Wah Museum, as well as the work of the TWGHs in the conservation of built heritage and relics through the exhibition.
      
     Highlight exhibits include a plaque hung at the main entrance of the main building of Kwong Wah Hospital since 1911, couplets presented by the first Chairman of Kwong Wah Hospital, hooks and holders used to fix the couplets, the register of the hospital, a bronze bell cast in 1847 for commemorating the completion of Man Mo Temple and the five offering containers that have been at the main hall of Kwong Wah Hospital since 1911.
      
     Organised by the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) and the Tung Wah Museum, the free exhibition runs until September 23. Details are available on the AMO’s website (www.amo.gov.hk/en/whatsnew_20200511.php) or by calling 2208 4400.
      
     The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is located in Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

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     In response to the passage of the Decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to safeguard national security by the National People’s Congress (NPC) today (May 28), the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, issued the following statement:
 
     I welcome the passage of the Decision by the NPC. The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR and concerns every Hong Kong citizen.
 
     Given the difficulty of the executive and legislative authorities of the HKSAR to complete on their own legislation to safeguard national security in the foreseeable future, there is the need and the urgency for the passage of the Decision by the NPC to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for Hong Kong to safeguard national security at the state level. It also shows the care of the country towards the HKSAR. Nevertheless, we understand that the HKSAR still has the legal responsibility to enact legislation in accordance with Article 23 of the Basic Law and should complete the legislation to safeguard national security as soon as possible.
 
     The HKSAR Government will fully co-operate with the Standing Committee of the NPC to complete the relevant work on legislation as soon as possible and proactively reflect the detailed situation in Hong Kong during the process. We will also proactively explain the objective and the importance of the legislation to various sectors. As required by the Decision, the HKSAR Government will enhance enforcement and public education in relation to safeguarding national security, and report regularly to the Central People’s Government. 
 
     The legislation to be enacted for the HKSAR to safeguard national security aims to prevent, curb and sanction an extremely small minority of criminals who threaten national security, safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and maintaining “One Country, Two Systems”. It will not affect the legitimate rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. “One Country, Two Systems” has been Hong Kong’s top advantage, and a stable and safe society will provide a favourable business and investment environment. This will help better Hong Kong’s development down the road. I strongly believe that various sectors of society will lend their full support for the legislation. read more