A spokesman for the Housing Department (HD) today (October 30) reminded residents of public rental housing (PRH) estates and PRH applicants to truthfully declare their income and assets.

     Recently, a PRH resident did not declare his joint ownership of a residential property and its related rental income, and understated his monthly employment income on a 2017 Income and Asset Declaration Form. The resident was prosecuted by the HD for making a false statement knowingly and neglecting to furnish information specified in the Income and Asset Declaration Form, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) and Section 27(a) of the Housing Ordinance respectively.

     In another case, a PRH applicant declared on two separate declaration forms in 2015 that he had no land and related net asset value. Subsequent investigation, however, revealed that he had been the joint tenant of land located in the New Territories since 2012 and its net asset value was approximately $870,000. Eventually, the applicant was prosecuted for making a false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(c) of the Housing Ordinance.

     Both defendants were previously convicted by the presiding magistrate at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts, who considered that a fine as punishment would not reflect the gravity of the offence. After considering their probation reports by the Court, the defendants were sentenced to 100 hours and 80 hours of Community Service Order respectively.

     The spokesman said that households living in PRH should complete their income and asset declaration forms accurately, as doing so provides the foundation for the assessment of rent and their eligibilities 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 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. In addition, the spokesman also reminded all PRH applicants that if they are convicted by the court for making a false statement knowingly during the PRH application, contrary to Section 26(1)(c) of the Housing Ordinance, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months, while the PRH application will also be cancelled.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to Japan today (October 30). She toured a number of innovation and technology (I&T) institutions and facilities, including Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City in Chiba Prefecture and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Ibaraki Prefecture as well as the University of Tsukuba, and met with the Mayor of Tsukuba City.
 
     In the morning, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai; and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Dr George Lam, Mrs Lam visited Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City to learn about its developments in innovation, health services and smart city initiatives. Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City, a public-private partnership project commenced in 2001 and involving a developer, employs advanced technology to create a liveable neighbourhood which is environmentally friendly, favourable to development of new industries and suitable for people of all ages. The city is the first in Japan to produce and distribute electricity with a smart grid to increase the use of solar energy and reduce power consumption.
 
     Mrs Lam and the other officials then visited the AIST in Ibaraki Prefecture and were briefed by its President, Dr Ryoji Chubachi, on the operation and research achievements of the AIST. Founded in 2001, the AIST is one of the largest public research organisations in Japan and about 2 000 researchers work at research bases across the country. They conduct studies in I&T and scientific research in various fields and help with transformation of technological achievements so as to strengthen the competitiveness of Japanese industries and create new industries. Mrs Lam pointed out that there are exchanges between the universities in Hong Kong and the AIST and welcomed the AIST to collaborate with more universities and scientific research institutions in Hong Kong to promote mutual development in I&T.
 
     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam and the other officials had lunch with the Mayor of Tsukuba City, Dr Tatsuo Igarashi, to learn about the city's successful experience in promoting I&T and measures by the city government in attracting scientific research institutions and talents. Known as the "Science City of Japan", Tsukuba City has over 300 science and technology entities. She said that Hong Kong is striving to advance I&T development and expressed the hope of strengthening collaboration with Tsukuba at the government level to provide more opportunities for joint development for enterprises in the two cities.
 
     Mrs Lam and the other officials then visited the University of Tsukuba. Founded in 1973, the University of Tsukuba holds academic strengths in fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physical education, and has had three Nobel laureates and about 70 athletes who have participated in the Olympic Games. Mrs Lam said she was pleased to know that the university has international exchange arrangements with the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has also collaborated with it on publications. During the visit, while she was receiving a briefing by the school on its research on artificial intelligence and cybernics, she said that the Hong Kong Science Park will establish in Hong Kong two world-class research clusters on healthcare technologies and on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies to attract top local, Mainland and overseas universities, research and development institutions and scientific technology enterprises to establish a presence. She encouraged the University of Tsukuba to join the clusters and take part in scientific research projects in Hong Kong, and also welcomed its students to come to Hong Kong for exchanges.
 
     Mrs Lam called on the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Mr Cheng Yonghua, and attended a dinner hosted by him in the evening. She thanked the embassy for its continuous support for the work of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo), and the assistance it offers to a large number of Hong Kong people visiting Japan when in need.
 
     At night, Mrs Lam met with around 200 Hong Kong people living, working and studying in Japan to learn about their everyday lives and updated them on Hong Kong's latest developments, including the recent commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which have enormously enhanced the connectivity between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
 
     Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Japan tomorrow (October 31).

        

     The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will visit Tokyo, Japan, and Shenzhen from tomorrow (October 31) to November 3.

     During her stay in Tokyo, Ms Cheng will lead a delegation of Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution practitioners to make presentations at the thematic session "From Deal Making to Dispute Resolution: Legal Risk Management for Enterprises in Japan", which is part of the "Think Global, Think Hong Kong" symposium organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. During the event, Ms Cheng will meet with representatives from legal and business associations in Japan to promote professional exchanges and Hong Kong's legal services. In addition, Ms Cheng will meet with senior government officials.

     Ms Cheng will then depart for Shenzhen on November 2 to attend the 3rd Qianhai Legal Intelligence Forum. The theme of the Forum this year is "International Commercial Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution". She will deliver a speech on the topic of "The Contribution of 'One Country, Two Systems' to the Sustainable Development of International Commercial Dispute Settlement".

     She will return to Hong Kong on November 3.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, chaired the second meeting of the Commission on Children (Commission) today (October 30).
 
     The Commission agreed to establish four Working Groups to render full support for the Commission to take forward its committed work programmes. Apart from the agreement at the first meeting of the Commission to establish two Working Groups to focus on research, public engagement, public education and publicity, the Commission agreed to establish two additional Working Groups, one on children with special needs and the other on children protection.
 
     "The two additional Working Groups will respectively help review services and support for children with special needs and on children protection, as well as identify areas for improvement and recommend measures to bridge any service gaps on relevant support services. With the establishment of the four Working Groups, this would facilitate Members' more in-depth discussions on particular issues and formulation of practical proposals for the Commission's consideration. It would provide an effective mechanism for the Commission to address a host of priority issues for the early benefits of children," Mr Cheung said.
 
     Meanwhile, the meeting noted the measures related to school education, parent education and home-school co-operation regarding play time for children. These measures include emphasising "child-centredness" as the core value of the curriculum, and adopting the approach of "learning through play" as a learning and teaching strategy at the kindergarten stage. For the stage of primary schools, schools and parents are encouraged to leave suitable room and time for students/children to decide on their schedule for the development of multiple talents. There is also active promotion of parent education and home-school co-operation to enable parents to better understand the characteristics of children's growth and learning and to give their children appropriate care and support.
 
     The meeting also noted the efforts made by the Government in providing diversified, innovative and interesting outdoor play areas for children to have fun and enjoyment, develop their mind and body, and enhance their interaction with others. Major examples include ushering in new design concepts and bringing local community involvement in the design process, and organising creative and diversified activities in parks including collaboration with non-governmental organisations to enhance the play experience of children.
 
     The meeting also noted the support measures in the education of children of ethnic minorities, in particular in supporting schools and non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students to learn the Chinese language systematically, as well as providing multiple pathways for NCS students. These measures include continuing to implement and refine the Chinese Language Curriculum Second Language Learning Framework (Learning Framework); continuing to commission tertiary institutions to provide school-based professional support service for schools admitting NCS students to enhance teachers' professional capability; adapting the school-based curriculum, learning and teaching strategies and assessments with reference to the Learning Framework; and providing additional resources to assist schools in stepping up support for NCS students.

     Hipmex Form Work Construction Company Limited was fined $40,000 at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (October 30) for violation of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.

     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred at a construction site in Sheung Wan in which a worker was found dead at the bottom of a lift shaft on October 20, 2017. It was believed that on October 17, 2017, the deceased fell from the opening of the lift shaft on 19th floor to the bottom of the lift shaft in the course of work.