Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (May 30) said that in order to further enhance nursing training, the HA has consolidated its registered nurse schools at Caritas Medical Centre (CMC), Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH), along with the enrolled nurse school at Grantham Hospital, to form the HA Nursing School. The HA Nursing School will be centrally managed by the HA Academy to achieve resource sharing, synergistic effects and continuous improvement in nursing education standards.
 
     The HA Nursing School will co-ordinate various nursing training programmes. Students will be able to share the teaching resources and facilities currently available at the four nursing schools, which will help provide a more diversified teaching and training model as well as more flexible clinical placement arrangements. It will also leverage the unique strengths of each school to design programmes and subjects that suit their own characteristics, providing students and teaching staff with more comprehensive training and development opportunities.
 
     Speaking at today’s inauguration ceremony of the HA Nursing School, the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to nursing education. He said, “The HA attaches great importance to the professional training and development of nurses. I believe that the HA Nursing School will lead our nursing training programmes to a new level through curriculum innovation and enhanced teaching quality to cultivate competent, compassionate, and patient-centred healthcare professionals who can meet the evolving healthcare needs.”
 
     The Head of the HA Academy, Dr David Sun, said, “We anticipate four major advantages following the integration of the HA’s nursing schools. We will be able to facilitate flexible management and allocation of teaching resources to prepare for providing more nursing education opportunities, offering more continuous learning opportunities for both aspiring nurses and existing nursing staff. The integration will help streamline administrative work by reducing duplicative or unnecessary procedures while further enhancing teaching standards. It will also promote exchanges and collaboration with universities, specialty colleges, the Nursing Council of Hong Kong, and nursing schools worldwide. Furthermore, this will provide students and teaching staff with more diverse opportunities for learning, exchanges, and broadening horizons as well as a more enriching campus life.”
 
     The same day, the HA also held a graduation ceremony for the Professional Diploma in Nursing (PDN) Programme 2025. About 300 graduates from the HA Nursing School completed their 3.5-year training and qualified as registered nurses, ready to join the healthcare workforce.
 
     In his address, the Chief Manager (Nursing) of the HA, Dr Danny Tong, encouraged the graduates to uphold the spirit of people-centred care. He said, “The HA has always been dedicated to nurturing nursing talents. We value not only clinical expertise but also the fostering of their core nursing values. Remember to stay true to your aspirations and serve the community with empathy, professionalism and dedication.”
 
     Three outstanding graduates, Mr Lo Ming Laam (CMC), Miss Zoe Chan (QEH) and Mr Leung Kin Lok (TMH), shared that their learning experiences at the HA Nursing School had been very rewarding. They pointed that the Programme emphasised both theoretical knowledge and practical application, which deepened their understanding of holistic care. They pledged on behalf of all graduates to apply their knowledge and provide high-quality nursing services to patients and the community.
 
     The HA’s 3.5-year full time PDN Programme is currently open for enrollment, offering 300 places. On completion of the PDN Programme, graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse (General) under the Nursing Council of Hong Kong. The deadline for applications is August 8. For details, please visit the HA’s website
www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visitor_index.asp?Content_ID=251613&Lang=ENG&Dimension=100. In addition, the two-year Enrolled Nurses (General) Training Programme will admit 100 students this year, with applications open from June 16 to August 8. Individuals aspiring to join the nursing profession are welcome to apply. read more

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (May 30) attended the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo, Japan, to strengthen regional collaboration on promoting information and communications technology development.
 
     Speaking at a discussion session, Mr Yau shared with participating ministers Hong Kong’s latest efforts in building sustainable and accessible information and communications technology infrastructure, as well as its commitment to a more inclusive and resilient digital future.
 
     Mr Yau said that since the full liberalisation of its telecommunications market in 2003, Hong Kong’s telecommunications sector has become one of the most advanced, open, and dynamic markets globally. Hong Kong leads the world in mobile voice affordability, ranks second globally in mobile broadband affordability and seventh in fixed broadband affordability. Hong Kong’s 5G availability also ranks first in the Asia-Pacific region.
 
     Mr Yau highlighted that Hong Kong’s robust infrastructure provides a strong foundation for sustainable telecommunications development, including future 6G deployment and other cutting-edge services. The 6G Global Summit held in Hong Kong earlier this month, first held in the Asia-Pacific region, also fostered ideas and rallied regional support for 6G development.
 
     Turning to innovation and technology (I&T), Mr Yau said that Hong Kong promulgated the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint in 2022, setting out clear development directions and major strategies including accelerating the development of new digital infrastructure.
 
     He added that artificial intelligence opens up vast new opportunities for global economic development and scientific research. Hong Kong has been pursuing an all-round strategy to develop the AI ecosystem on various fronts, such as the launch of the AI Supercomputing Centre by Cyberport to meet the strong local demand for high-performance computing power.
 
     Mr Yau said that Hong Kong will continue to work hand in hand with fellow members and stakeholders to advance sustainable infrastructure and promote eco-friendly information and communications technology for a connected future.
 
     In addition to attending the APT meeting, Mr Yau also took the opportunity to meet with Japanese political and business leaders during his stay in Tokyo. Mr Yau today paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League, Ms Jimi Hanako, a Member of the House of Councillors, to give her an update on Hong Kong’s latest economic and trade developments.
 
     Upon arrival yesterday (May 29), Mr Yau paid a courtesy call on the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Miyaji Takuma. Recognising the close bilateral relations between the two places, Mr Yau updated him on the robust economic developments in Hong Kong on various fronts under the “one country, two systems” principle, and solicited Japan’s support for Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Mr Yau also met with representatives of Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages and investment opportunities.
 
     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 31) after the APT Ministerial Meeting concludes.

          

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Contribute”, “Rally” and “Twilight”, on May 26, 28, and yesterday (May 29) respectively. A total of 15 suspected illegal workers and three suspected employers were arrested.

     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 294 target locations including a construction site, residential buildings and restaurants. Fifteen suspected illegal workers and three suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 10 men and five women, aged 26 to 67. Among them, seven men and three women were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. In addition, two men and two women were also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Three men, aged 29 to 59, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.

     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”

     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

  

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tsing Yi this morning (May 30) in which a man died.      At 9.22am, Police received a report that a man was trapped between two heavy goods v… read more

     The Chief Executive in Council has decided to accept the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Remuneration for Members of the Executive Council and the Legislature, and Officials under the Political Appointment System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Independent Commission) on the remuneration package for Members of the Eighth-Term Legislative Council (LegCo) to continue to adopt the existing remuneration package of the Seventh-Term LegCo for Members of the Eighth-Term LegCo.
      
     A Government spokesman said today (May 30) that the Independent Commission had conducted a thorough review on the remuneration package for Members of the Eighth-Term LegCo. The Independent Commission had adopted a holistic approach and taken into account a host of factors before arriving at its recommendations.
      
     Factors that the Independent Commission had considered include:

     (a) the role and functions of LegCo Members;
     (b) the objective to enable a broad spectrum of quality individuals from different sectors of the community to serve the public in the capacity of LegCo Members vis-a-vis other pursuits;
     (c) the provision of a remuneration package that is adequate for LegCo Members to discharge their core duties;
     (d) views of LegCo Members;
     (e) utilisation rates of the allowances currently available to Members;
     (f) the economic situation of Hong Kong; and
     (g) market rates of salaries and rentals.
 
     Concerning the proposals put forward by the LegCo Subcommittee on Members’ Remuneration and Operating Expenses Reimbursement (LegCo Subcommittee) to the Independent Commission in July last year, the Independent Commission considers the proposals to adopt a weighted index as the basis for annual adjustment to Members’ Office Operation Expenses Reimbursement (OOER) and abolish the one-third reduction in the monthly remuneration for LegCo Members who also serve on the Executive Council (ExCo) (Dual Members) reasonable. However, in the face of the economic situation and the pressure on public finances, including the Government proposing in the 2025-26 Budget to reinforce the fiscal consolidation programme to strictly contain public expenditure, the Independent Commission recognises that it may not be a suitable time to implement changes in the remuneration package for LegCo Members which may lead to additional financial implications.   
      
     The Independent Commission has also reviewed other components of the remuneration package, including the monthly remuneration for the LegCo President, the President’s Deputy and other LegCo Members, end-of-service gratuity and medical allowance, as well as the OOER, Entertainment and Travelling Expenses Reimbursement (ETER), Setting Up and Information Technology Expenses Reimbursement (SUITER) and Winding Up Expenses Reimbursement (WUER). The Independent Commission considers the current levels adequate and recommends that status quo be maintained for these items. The Independent Commission therefore recommends that the existing remuneration package of the Seventh-Term LegCo be adopted for Members of the Eighth-Term LegCo. 
 
     “The Government expresses its gratitude towards the Independent Commission for its dedicated efforts in and valuable advice on reviewing the remuneration package for Members of the Eighth-Term LegCo, as well as to the LegCo Subcommittee for making proposals to the Independent Commission.
      
     “On the proposal to abolish the one-third reduction in the monthly remuneration for Dual Members, the Government accepts the observations of the Independent Commission that as a matter of principle, a Dual Member is performing two roles and does not devote lesser time in LegCo as compared with their counterparts, and should be entitled to both honoraria in full. The Government also acknowledges the contributions and dedication of Dual Members to society, particularly in balancing their dual roles in both the ExCo and LegCo to assist the Government in gathering public opinions and explaining policies,” the spokesman said. 
      
     In accordance with the said decision, the remuneration package for Members of the Eighth-Term LegCo (based on the rate effective from October 1, 2024) (Note 1) will comprise:

     (a) monthly remuneration at $108,790 (Note 2);
     (b) end-of-service gratuity at 15 per cent of the total remuneration for the term (payable at term end per term);
     (c) medical allowance at $37,890 per annum;
     (d) OOER at $2,984,860 per annum;
     (e) ETER at $238,400 per annum (Note 3);
     (f) SUITER at $375,000 per term (Note 4); and
     (g) WUER (being 1/12 of the annual OOER plus actual severance payments per term).
 
     Based on the remuneration package effective from October 1, 2024, the total funding for the remuneration package for Members of the Eighth-Term LegCo is estimated to be about $1.76 billion, or about $19.7 million per Member per term.  Implementing the results of the current review will not bring about additional financial implications.
      
     The Independent Commission is chaired by Mr Carlson Tong and comprises Mr Kevin Lam, Ms Winnie Tam, Mr Philip Tsai, Professor Alexander Wai and Ms Winnie Wong as members. It advises the Chief Executive, among others, on the remuneration package for LegCo Members. The Independent Commission started a comprehensive review of the remuneration package for Members of the Eighth-Term LegCo in mid-2024 and completed it in May 2025. The Independent Commission’s Review Report is available at www.admwing.gov.hk/pdf/IC Report_Eng.pdf.
 
Note 1: The existing mechanism whereby Members’ monthly remuneration, medical allowance, OOER, ETER and the LegCo President’s additional entertainment allowance will be adjusted in October each year in accordance with movements of the Consumer Price Index (C) will be maintained.
 
Note 2: The existing arrangement that the monthly remuneration for the LegCo President, the President’s Deputy and Dual Members will be fixed at 200 per cent, 150 per cent and two-thirds of the monthly remuneration of their fellow LegCo Members respectively will be maintained.
 
Note 3: The LegCo President is entitled to an additional President’s Entertainment Allowance at $238,630 per annum.
 
Note 4: For Members who have claimed setting up expenses in the previous term, they can claim $262,500 in the new term. read more