Tag Archives: China

     In view of the latest developments in Lebanon, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (September 30) raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Lebanon to black.

     A Government spokesman said, “The black OTA signifies severe threat. Due to the highly unpredictable security situation in Lebanon, the HKSAR Government advises Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Lebanon. Those already there should attend to personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safe regions immediately.”

     The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation there. Any updates will be issued through the media, the Bureau’s mobile app and the OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota).

     Hong Kong residents in Lebanon should attend to personal safety and pay attention to announcements made by local authorities and the Chinese Embassy there. Hong Kong residents there who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department (ImmD) at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the Immigration Department Mobile Application, send message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline, send message to the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form, or contact the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon at its consular protection hotline: (961) 3866468.

     â€‹Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the ImmD to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, in a timely manner when necessary. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The spokesperson for Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) made the following announcement today (September 30):           &n… read more

     â€‹The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (September 30) attended an activity in Beijing in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. She also called on the Ministry of Education to exchange views on education issues.
      
     Dr Choi attended the National Day reception at the Great Hall of the People. She said that the country is forging ahead with Chinese-style modernisation in full force, and continuously deepening reform and opening up, striving to build a strong nation and achieve national rejuvenation. The Education Bureau (EDB) will continue to map out the education development plan from a holistic perspective and take long-term needs into account to build Hong Kong into an international education hub, cultivate and attract outstanding talent, enhance Hong Kong’s development momentum, promote high-quality development, and contribute to the building of a leading country in education and technology.
 
     In addition, Dr Choi met officials of the Ministry of Education to exchange views on education issues of mutual concern. She also visited the Institute of Applied Linguistics and met its Director, Mr Liu Pengjian, to discuss promotion of the Test of Proficiency in Putonghua conducted by the State Language Commission in Hong Kong. She said that the EDB launched the Sponsorship Scheme for Teachers Taking the National Putonghua Proficiency Test in June this year to encourage teachers to raise their Putonghua proficiency level. Qualified serving and prospective teachers of primary and secondary schools are fully sponsored by the Language Fund to take the test once. She said she looks forward to more teachers taking the test.
      
     Dr Choi will conclude her visit and return to Hong Kong tomorrow (October 1).
 

      

     The Government announced today (September 30) the reappointment of Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee as the Chairperson of the Lantau Conservation Fund Advisory Committee (LCFAC), the appointment of six new members and the r… read more

     Since September 28, Hong Kong Customs has conducted patrols during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week period at popular shopping spots in various districts to remind traders to comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), with a view to safeguarding the rights of local consumers and visitors.
 
     Apart from patrolling popular shopping areas, Customs officers will also promote compliance at dried seafood and ginseng shops, pharmacies and jewellery shops in different tourist shopping areas such as Yau Tsim Mong and Causeway Bay. Retail shops and workers in the tourist industry will be reminded to comply with the requirements of the TDO.
 
     Customs officers will also distribute pamphlets at control points and popular shopping spots to remind visitors to have a good understanding of a product’s specifications and make comparisons before purchasing. They should patronise shops with good reputations. They are also reminded to carefully check the total price and unit price of goods before making payment and to retain transaction receipts and related records, which can serve as supporting documents in case a complaint is lodged in the future.
 
     Customs has long been concerned about visitors being misled into making purchases through unfair trade practices and has established a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints lodged by short-haul visitors. The complaints will be promptly referred to investigators for priority handling.
 
     Under the TDO, any trader who adopts unfair trade practices, including making false trade descriptions in relation to goods, misleading omissions, aggressive commercial practices as well as bait and switch practices, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
 
     Members of the public may report suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or 182 80 80 (in service starting tomorrow (October 1)), or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).