In response to a public procession today (June 9) on the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 (the Bill), a Government spokesman said:

     As a free, open and pluralistic society, we acknowledge and respect that people have different views on a wide range of issues. The procession today is an example of Hong Kong people exercising their freedom of expression within their rights as enshrined in the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. At the time of this statement, we note that apart from some obstructions to traffic, the march, though large, was generally peaceful and orderly. As usual, the Police have provided the needed facilitation before and during this public order event and taken resolute actions against breaches of the law.

     The reasons why the Government tabled this Bill have been explained in detail on many occasions. Based on experience in recent weeks that face-to-face explanations by relevant officials have helped to dispel misunderstanding, the Government will continue to engage, listen and allay concerns through calm and rational discussion.

     The Government spokesman stressed the following points:
 

• The Bill was prompted by the murder of a Hong Kong citizen in Taiwan which brought into sharper focus deficiencies of the existing regime dealing with mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the surrender of fugitives. If these deficiencies were not addressed as a matter of priority, Hong Kong would continue to be a bolt-hole for criminals, putting Hong Kong residents' safety at risk and disregarding our international responsibilities in the fight against cross-border and transnational crimes.

• The Bill covers only the most serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of seven years or more (i.e. cases that would normally be tried in Hong Kong's High Court) and the crimes must exist in the laws of both Hong Kong and the requesting jurisdiction before a surrender request will be processed.

• None of these serious criminal offences relate to the freedom of assembly, of the press, of speech, of academic freedom or publication. And no surrender for a political offence or if the purported charges are in fact on account of race, religion, nationality or political opinions.

• Executive and judicial safeguards built into the system protect all the human rights enshrined in the Basic Law and Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and ensure that any requests for assistance or surrender are legal, and subject to challenge and review up to the Court of Final Appeal. As guaranteed under the Basic Law, the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

     Throughout the past four months, the Government has listened attentively to views expressed and responded positively to suggestions made. As a result, two sets of amendments were made, respectively before and after the presentation of the Bill. These have provided additional safeguards which have been welcomed by stakeholders and have effectively allayed most of those earlier concerns. The Chief Executive could not bypass the Court to surrender a fugitive to any requesting party including the Mainland. The government's proposals are therefore firmly grounded in the rule of law.

     "We urge the Legislative Council to scrutinise the Bill in a calm, reasonable and respectful manner to help ensure Hong Kong remains a safe city for residents and business."

     The Second Reading debate on the Bill will resume on June 12.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 9) that Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     A 60-year-old female remand person in custody at Tai Lam Centre for Women died in a public hospital today (June 9).

     The remand person in custody suffered from diabetes mellitus and acute brain stroke. She required continuous medical care and follow-up at the institution hospital. Yesterday (June 8), she was sent to a public hospital for treatment due to physical discomfort and was later diagnosed with multi-organ failure. During the hospitalisation, her condition deteriorated and she was certified dead at 11.02am today.

     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court.

     The person in custody was remanded for the offence of murder in December 2018.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) has held its Annual Donor Award Ceremony 2019 today (June 9) and last Sunday (June 2) to present awards to 3 378 blood donors who have achieved 25-times donations and above (multiple of 25) in 2018/19.
      
     The officiating guests of award presentation included the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Professor John Leong; the Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Red Cross, Mr Philip Tsai; the BTS Governing Committee Chairman, Mr Ambrose Ho; the HA Director (Quality and Safety), Dr Chung Kin-lai and the HA Kowloon Central Cluster Chief Executive, Dr Albert Lo.
      
     In her opening remarks, Professor Chan pointed out that facing our ageing population and the increasing demand for medical services by citizens, the selfless commitment of blood donors play an important role in public health. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to donors and made an appeal to the public for more participation in blood donation to stabilise the blood supply. She also thanked the support of corporates and community groups for hosting blood drives, and encouraged the Government, especially civil servants and disciplinary forces to take the lead in supporting the life-saving mission.
      
     Also speaking at the ceremony, the HA Chairman, Professor Leong, reiterated that a sustainable and stable blood supply is an integral part of the health system. He also expressed his deep gratitude to all blood donors on behalf of the Hospital Authority.
      
     The Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Red Cross, Mr Tsai urged members of the public to support World Blood Donor Day on June 14. This year the, slogan is 'Safe Blood for All'. There is no substitute for blood despite advance in medical technologies. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure all patients could have access to safe blood in time for clinical treatments.
      
     In addition to individual donation awards, Special Merit Awards were presented at the Ceremony to the Civil Aid Service and Tsz Shan Monastery in recognition of their enthusiastic support for blood donation. Po Leung Kuk Ma Kam Ming College was awarded the Jean Cassels Trophy and Commendation Shields for highest percentage participant school while the BTS Trophy and Commendation Shield was presented to the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Kwai Chung) for highest number of school donations.
      
     To celebrate the World Blood Donor Day and thank blood donors for their selfless donations, everyone who donates blood successfully from today to June 14 will be presented with a World Blood Donor Day Packing Cube (see attached photo) as souvenir while stock lasts.

            

     The Hong Kong Cup dragon boat race was held at the promenade of Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan, today (June 9).

     The championship went to Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, which beat 17 teams in the race and was presented with the Hong Kong Cup trophy by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Mr Thomas Wu.

     The Yokohama Dragon Boat Races, which have been held since 1994, attracted a total of about 190 teams this year to compete in a four-day event spread across two consecutive weekends. The Hong Kong Cup race, sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo (HKETO), was one of the highlights. 

     The HKETO also set up a booth and display panels at the race venue to introduce to park visitors and race spectators the latest developments in Hong Kong. The HKETO aimed to promote cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Japan as well as enhance Japanese people's understanding of Hong Kong through participating in the event.