Tag Archives: China

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced that the Advance Passenger Information (API) System was implemented today (September 3).
      
     To meet the aviation security requirements of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and to align Hong Kong with other aviation hubs worldwide, as well as to enable the ImmD to further enhance its passenger clearance and enforcement capabilities to prevent undesirables, including potential non-refoulement claimants, from boarding flights heading to Hong Kong, the ImmD implemented the API System today, requiring aircraft operators to comply with the Immigration (Advance Passenger Information) Regulation (Cap. 115Q) by transmitting advance information to the ImmD about flights and passengers heading to Hong Kong.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “During check-in for a flight heading to Hong Kong, the aircraft operator will capture the required API data from a traveller’s travel document and transmit the API data of each traveller and the aircraft information to the API System, which will instantly process the information and provide a response message, i.e. a board or no-board direction, for each traveller back to the aircraft operator. The aircraft operator shall act upon the direction given through the API System, i.e. to allow or not allow specific travellers to board the aircraft heading to Hong Kong.”
 
     To allow sufficient time for over 100 aircraft operators to connect to the API system and to ensure the system will run in a smooth and orderly manner, the rollout will be carried out in phases. A transitional period of around 12 months will also be adopted. The offences and defences, and the miscellaneous provisions under Parts 4 and 5 of the Regulation will come into effect after the transitional period, starting from September 1, 2025.
 
     The spokesman emphasised, “The freedom to travel and the right of Hong Kong residents to enter or leave Hong Kong are guaranteed under Article 31 of the Basic Law and Article 8 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights as set out in the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap.383). Such freedom and right are not affected by the implementation of the API System. The API system will not issue a no-board direction against Hong Kong permanent residents who enjoy the right of abode in Hong Kong.” read more

     The Working Group on Patriotic Education (WGPE) under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee today (September 3) launched a theme song titled “Our Home” to actively promote patriotic education through different means and channels.
      
     “Our Home” is performed by member of the Media Publicity Sub-group under the WGPE Ms Cally Kwong, and produced by musician Alan Cheung. The key message encourages people to love their country as much as they love their families, as one can only have a family when they have a country.
      
     The Convenor of the Working Group, Ms Starry Lee, said, “We hope that by becoming familiar with this theme song and singing together, members of the public, especially the youth, will subtly develop national awareness and enhance their feelings of ‘Love our Country, Love Hong Kong, Love our Community’. We thank the Media Publicity Sub-group member Ms Cally Kwong for her involvement and support.”
      
     Ms Lee said that the WGPE will later distribute USB devices containing the karaoke version of “Our Home” to primary and secondary schools, so that patriotic education can be better integrated across campuses and into students’ daily studies and lives in an interesting and diversified manner.
      
     The karaoke version of “Our Home” features landmarks and scenery from Hong Kong, allowing viewers to enjoy the melody and catchy lyrics while appreciating the beauty of Hong Kong, thereby deepening their connection to the country. It can be viewed at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBJEaJS5SGE. read more

     ​The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held an official ceremony today (September 3) at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden to commemorate the Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
     
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and senior government officials attended the ceremony this morning. It included the playing and singing of the national anthem, flag raising, Rifle Volley by the Police Rifle Squad, the observation of silence in mourning and bowing in tribute by all those attended.
 
     Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Mr C Y Leung; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Liu Guangyuan; Deputy Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Li Jiangzhou; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Mr Cui Jianchun; Deputy Commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Navy Rear Admiral Tan Zhiwei; the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal; former Chief Executive of the HKSAR; members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council; representatives from war veteran groups; Hong Kong deputies to the National People’s Congress; Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the CPPCC; representatives from the District Councils, representatives of Heung Yee Kuk; representatives from district organisations; and representatives from uniformed groups and youth organisations, etc., were also present at the ceremony.
 
     In 2014, the National People’s Congress designated September 3 as the Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in remembrance of the resistance of Chinese people against Japanese aggression and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the war. The HKSAR Government has been hosting official commemorative activities in Hong Kong correspondingly since then.

      

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (September 3) reminded eligible Hong Kong students who are interested in applying for a subsidy under the Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) for the 2024/25 academic year to s… read more

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, will depart for Paris, France, in the evening today (September 3) to cheer for Hong Kong athletes who are participating in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. &nbsp… read more