Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 4) investigating a fatal case of invasive pneumococcal disease, and reminded the public to observe hygiene practices against the disease.

     The patient was a four-year-old girl with good past health, who had developed fever and cough since November 14, and convulsion on November 26. She was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department at Caritas Medical Centre for medical advice on November 27, and was transferred and admitted directly to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital for further management. Her condition deteriorated and she died on November 30.

     Her blood specimen tested positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was severe pneumonia and septic shock.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the girl had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.

     The case will be referred to the Coroner for investigation.

     “Pneumococcal infection is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). It causes a wide range of diseases. More common ones include middle ear infection and chest infection. It may also cause various forms of invasive pneumococcal diseases, such as infection of the brain membranes and blood stream. The infection can be serious or even life-threatening,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Pneumococci are commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy people, particularly in children. Occasionally, these bacteria will cause an infection. They mainly spread through droplets via coughing and sneezing, close contact with the patients or contact with materials soiled with the bacteria.

     To prevent pneumococcal infection, the CHP appealed to the public for pneumococcal vaccination and hygiene practices. The public may visit the CHP’s invasive pneumococcal disease page for more information. read more

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 6 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $4 million at Hong Kong International Airport on December 2.

     Customs officers inspected an air parcel arriving in Hong Kong from France on that day and found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed in milk powder packages inside five carton boxes.

     Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers today (December 4) arrested a 35-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Tsim Sha Tsui.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcels and express courier channels.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

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

  

     The auction of Hong Kong Flower Show 2020 commercial stalls was conducted smoothly today (December 4) at Lockhart Road Sports Centre in Wan Chai. Fifty-three stalls were successfully let at the auction, bringing in total revenue of $1,816,865.
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the 10-day flower show will be held from March 6 to 15, 2020, at Victoria Park. The 55 commercial stalls in the showground include six fast food stalls, one fast food stall – floral cafe, two beverage stalls, three agricultural produce stalls, two handicraft stalls, one traditional snack food stall, one photographic equipment stall, one book stall and 38 flower and gardening stalls.

     The results of today’s auction are as follows:
 
Fast food stall (5 metres x 10m): 4
Upset price: $15,155
Bid prices: All are $15,155
Average price: $15,155
 
Fast food stall – floral cafe (5m x 10m): 1
Upset price: $15,155
Bid price: $20,000
 
Beverage stall (5m x 5m): 2
Upset price: $15,155
Bid prices: $15,155 and $55,000
Average price: $35,078
 
Agricultural produce stall (5m x 5m): 3
Upset price: $11,370
Bid prices: Ranging from $130,000 to $250,200
Average price: $181,733
 
Handicraft stall (5m x 5m): 2
Upset price: $11,370
Bid prices: All are $11,370
Average price: $11,370
 
Traditional snack food stall (5m x 5m): 1
Upset price: $11,370
Bid price: $180,000
 
Photographic equipment stall (5m x 5m): 1
Upset price: $11,370
Bid price: $12,000
 
Book stall (5m x 10m): 1
Upset price: $7,750
Bid price: $7,750
 
Flower and gardening stall (5m x 5m): 38
Upset price: $11,370
Bid prices: Ranging from $11,370 to $86,000
Average price: $23,642
 
     The two remaining fast food stalls will be leased on December 18 at the upset price of $15,155 on a first-come, first-served basis. Details will be announced at the flower show webpage later. For enquiries, please call 2601 8260 or visit www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2020/commercial.html. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 4) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in the vicinity of Causeway Bay and Tin Hau to facilitate the holding of the 54th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park from next Tuesday (December 10) to December 31.

     The special traffic and transport arrangements mainly include:

* Pedestrianisation will be implemented at East Point Road, Lockhart Road east of Cannon Street, and Great George Street west of Paterson Street from 4pm to midnight on weekdays, and from noon to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays;

* Depending on the on-site crowd and traffic conditions, the section of Gloucester Road between Kingston Street and Causeway Road, Sugar Street, Great George Street, Paterson Street, Kingston Street, Cleveland Street, Hing Fat Street, Electric Road and Lau Li Street may be temporarily closed. In addition, the Tin Hau Station Public Transport Interchange, public light bus stands at Paterson Street and Sugar Street and taxi stands at Paterson Street and Lau Li Street may also be suspended;

* Bus stops on Causeway Road outside Victoria Park will be suspended, relocated or temporarily provided; and

* The Hing Fat Street Public Carpark (except disabled parking spaces) will be suspended from 9am to 8.59pm daily on December 7, 8 and between December 10 to 30; from 8am to 8.59pm on December 9; and from 9am on December 31 to 8.59am of the following day.

     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Causeway Bay and Tin Hau will be busy during the holding of the above event. Members of the public are advised to use public transport services as far as possible and avoid driving to the affected areas. Early planning of journeys is also advised to cater for unexpected delays. Public transport passengers are advised to pay attention to the special public transport arrangements.
 
     The actual implementation of road closures, traffic control and diversion measures will be exercised or altered by the Police depending on the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions. Motorists are advised to be patient when driving to the affected areas and follow police instructions.

     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.

     Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements are now available on the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk). read more

     Following is the opening remarks (translated from Chinese) made by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, for the proposed resolution under Article 73(7) of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and section 7A of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance (Cap. 484) in the Legislative Council today (December 4):

Mr President,

     I move that the first motion under my name, as printed in the Agenda, be passed, that this Council endorses the appointment of the Right Honourable Lord Jonathan Sumption (Lord Sumption) as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction (CLNPJ) of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA). I will subsequently move that the second motion under my name, as printed in the Agenda, be passed, that this Council endorses the appointment of the Honourable Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor (Mr Justice Poon) as the Chief Judge of the High Court (CJHC).

Constitutional and statutory framework

     The CFA is the final appellate court in Hong Kong, hearing both civil and criminal appeals. It consists of the Chief Justice (CJ) and the permanent judges (PJs). Non-permanent judges may be invited to sit and they may come from Hong Kong or other common law jurisdictions. When hearing and determining appeals, the CFA is constituted by five judges, comprising the CJ, three PJs, and one non-permanent Hong Kong judge (HKNPJ) or one CLNPJ. Since July 1, 1997, apart from very few exceptions, one of the judges has invariably been drawn from the list of CLNPJs to hear a substantive appeal on the CFA.

     CJHC is the President of the Court of Appeal and the Court Leader of the High Court. CJHC presides in the Court of Appeal in the most important appeals. As the Court Leader of the High Court, CJHC has to lead the High Court administratively and is accountable to the Chief Justice who is the Head of the Judiciary and is charged with the administration of the Judiciary.

     Pursuant to Article 88 of the Basic Law and the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission Ordinance (Cap. 92), judges of the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) shall be appointed by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC). Pursuant to Article 92 of the Basic Law, judges of the HKSAR shall be chosen on the basis of their judicial and professional qualities and may be recruited from other common law jurisdictions. In addition, Article 90 of the Basic Law provides that CJHC shall be a Chinese citizen who is a permanent resident of the HKSAR with no right of abode in any foreign country; and the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council (LegCo) in the case of the appointment of judges of the CFA and CJHC.

The current appointments

Non-permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal

     At present, the CFA has 18 non-permanent judges, comprising four HKNPJs and 14 CLNPJs. A CLNPJ is normally required to come to Hong Kong for a period of four weeks each time. The JORC noted that the availability of the 14 CLNPJs to come to Hong Kong for four weeks to sit on the CFA is somewhat limited. All of them have extensive professional commitments, including judicial duties, arbitration, mediation and lecturing work, as well as personal and family commitments. In addition, most of the judges have particular expertise in certain areas. When a judge who has an expertise in a particular area of law is not available to sit on the CFA, the listing of the case may have to be delayed. In order to give greater flexibility for dealing with the heavy caseload of the CFA and to ensure its effective operation, there is a need to increase the number of CLNPJs.

     The JORC has recommended the appointment of Lord Sumption as a CLNPJ for a term of three years. Lord Sumption had been a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom since January 2012 until he retired from the office in December 2018. He is a judge of eminent standing and reputation and his appointment will be a great asset to the CFA. With the appointment of Lord Sumption, the panel of CLNPJs will consist of 15 eminent judges from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. The presence of these non-permanent judges manifests the judicial independence and international status of Hong Kong.

Chief Judge of the High Court

     Mr President, The office of CJHC became vacant on October 25, 2018 when the Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, who was the CJHC immediately prior to that date, assumed office as PJ of the CFA and vacated the office of CJHC on the same date. To meet essential operational needs, the Honourable Mr Justice Wally Yeung Chun-kuen, Vice-President and Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, acted in the office of CJHC for the period from October 25, 2018 to July 31, 2019. With effect from August 1, 2019, Mr Justice Poon, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, has been acting in the office of CJHC until the CJHC vacancy is substantively filled.

     The JORC has recommended the appointment of Mr Justice Poon as CJHC. Mr Justice Poon joined the Judiciary as Magistrate in 1993. He was appointed as Deputy Registrar of the High Court in 1999, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court in 2006, and Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court in 2015.

     Mr Justice Poon is a highly competent judge of high integrity who commands respect within the Judiciary and from the legal profession. He is experienced in both civil and criminal appeals and possesses rich administrative experience. We are confident that Mr Justice Poon, if appointed, will discharge his duties as the Court Leader of the High Court with distinction.

     The Chief Executive has accepted the recommendations of the JORC on the appointment of Lord Sumption as a CLNPJ and the appointment of Mr Justice Poon as CJHC. Subject to the endorsement of this Council, the two appointments shall take effect in December 2019. 

     In accordance with the procedures previously endorsed by the House Committee of LegCo, the Government informed the House Committee on May 22, 2019 that the Chief Executive had accepted the recommendations of the JORC on the two appointments. Representatives from the Government and the Secretary to the JORC attended the meeting of the Subcommittee on Proposed Senior Judicial Appointments on June 11, 2019 and answered Members’ questions. I would like to thank Dr Honourable Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, Chairman of the Subcommittee, and other Members of the Subcommittee for scrutinising and supporting the two appointments. 

     Mr President, I invite Members to endorse the two appointments. Thank you. read more