In response to the tragic incident that occurred in Diamond Hill on June 2, the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (Advisory Committee) will convene a meeting this Friday evening (June 9) to have discussion on the incident and make recommendations to the Government on enhancing the public mental health.

     The Chief Executive announced earlier that the Health Bureau would convene an Advisory Committee meeting as soon as possible to explore ways to address mental health issues in Hong Kong in a more integral, safe and comprehensive approach.

     The Advisory Committee meeting will cover the following topics: (1) the service model of the Hospital Authority’s (HA) psychiatric services and manpower of relevant professions; (2) rehabilitation services and support for persons in mental recovery in the community, as well as mental health support for carers and specific groups in society; (3) reducing public misunderstanding towards persons with mental health needs; and (4) handling of videos and online information that involve violence or have widespread impact on public mental health.

     The Health Bureau and the Advisory Committee are highly concerned about the incident and will continue to work closely with the HA and bureaux and departments including the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Department of Health, the Social Welfare Department, as well as other stakeholders in the community to review and further enhance the mental health services in Hong Kong.

     The Advisory Committee once again appealed to the public not to be unnecessarily fearful of persons with mental health needs. The public should continue to support them and encourage them to seek help. 

     Established in December 2017, the Advisory Committee advises the Government on mental health policies, assisting the Government in formulating policies, strategies and measures related to mental health with a view to enhancing mental health services in Hong Kong.

     A Security Bureau (SB) spokesman today (June 5) strongly opposed and condemned the fact-twisting and unfounded remarks by international and local organisations, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Hong Kong Journalists Association, to smear the lawful enforcement actions of the Police under the guise of the freedoms of speech, of the press and of assembly.
 
     The spokesman stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people as protected under the law. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The Hong Kong National Security Law clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and that the rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong shall be protected in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR also expressly states that some of them may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for protection of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc.
 
     Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. Article 25 of the Basic Law provides that all Hong Kong residents shall be equal before the law. All law enforcement actions taken by law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the people or organisations concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance or background. It would be totally contrary to the rule of law for someone to suggest that certain group of people could enjoy privileges and break the law without getting arrested or bearing legal responsibilities due to their capacity. Everyone, including journalists, should abide by the law.
 
     Any attempt to undermine HKSAR's prosperity and stability by slandering the rule of law and freedom in the HKSAR will only be futile. The HKSAR Government law enforcement agencies will continue to enforce the laws without fear or favour to safeguard national security and social order.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) expressed its serious concern for the unfortunate incident at Sham Shui Po today (June 5) and expressed its deepest condolences to the relatives of the deceased. The HA is aware that some members of the public may feel anxious and uneasy and the HA's mental health hotline services will spare no effort to provide emotional support to the public. Those in need may receive assistance from professional medical staff by calling the hotline at 2466 7350 without making an appointment. The hotline concerned operates 24 hours a day. The HA will deploy additional manpower to provide emotional support to citizens in need, including the ethnic minority, hoping to help those affected in dealing with their uneasy emotions.
 
     The spokesperson for the HA said that members of the public may have developed acute stress reactions if they are feeling anxiety, panic, anger, or are having difficulty sleeping, experiencing unconscious flashbacks of the event, avoiding relevant people and events, and recalling memories of past traumatic events. Everyone may react differently to the situation while those in need should seek professional medical help immediately.
 
     The spokesperson added that since the unfortunate incident at Diamond Hill last Friday, the HA's mental health hotline has received 45 calls as at noon today, and emotional support and assistance have been provided by healthcare professionals. 

     â€‹The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (June 5) announced that the services of Tai Kok Tsui Customer Enquiry Centre will be suspended from tomorrow (June 6) for urgent repair works. The arrangement will remain effective until further notice.

     Members of the public applying for fishing or plumber's license may visit Wan Chai Customer Enquiry Centre for services. Customers who wish to purchase water tickets may visit Shau Kei Wan Marine Office located at 10 Tam Kung Temple Road, Shau Kei Wan. For its service hours, please call the enquiry hotline of the Marine Department at 2542 3711.

     The public requiring other services may visit the WSD's Customer Enquiry Centres located at Wan Chai, Sha Tin, Tai Po and Tuen Mun, or through the WSD Customer Services Hotline 2824 5000 or by email (wsdinfo@wsd.gov.hk) for enquiries.

     The 2023 Set Sail for GBA – Scheme for Financial Leaders of Tomorrow programme, co-organised by the Shenzhen Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, was launched at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (June 5).
 
     2023 Set Sail for GBA – Scheme for Financial Leaders of Tomorrow is a Shenzhen-Hong Kong youth internship programme under which around 40 undergraduates studying business, finance, economics, mathematics, computer science, etc, in tertiary institutions in Hong Kong are provided with the opportunity to undertake a six-week internship in financial institutions in Shenzhen as well as a four-day trip in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It enables youngsters to deepen their understanding of the financial markets in the GBA and gain first-hand experience of the latest developments in Mainland cities.
 
     Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "The GBA has enormous economic power and is a fast-growing economy attracting worldwide attention. Financial co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao can explore greater market potential, growth areas and financial innovation, enabling finance to serve the real economy more effectively and bring wider benefit to the people. Hong Kong and other cities of the GBA have room for more and deeper co-operation and innovation in the areas of Renminbi business, investment and financing, asset management, green finance, fintech, risk management, etc. This will definitely provide more employment and development opportunities for young people of both places who are interested in joining the financial sector."    
 
     The Director of the Shenzhen Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau, Mr He Jie, said, "The Programme launched today has incredible significance as it represents a concrete action of Shenzhen-Hong Kong co-operation, as well as a vivid example of implementing national strategies. Through the two-way exchange between young people of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, we hope that the Programme can help young people of Hong Kong to have a better understanding of Shenzhen, of the GBA, and of the national development, thereby attracting more of them to study, work and live on the Mainland. At the same time, we look forward to the wider perspectives and new energy to be brought to the Shenzhen financial sector to stimulate more innovative, productive and creative thinking."
 
     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, shared his views on the development of the financial markets of the two places, pointing out that Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as core cities and engines of the GBA development, could co-operate and complement each other to promote the sustained development of the financial industry in the GBA. He encouraged students participating in the Programme to broaden their horizons and seize the opportunities of the GBA development in their career planning, thus enjoying the great benefit.  
 
     Other officiating guests at the launch ceremony included the Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR, Mr Xu Weigang; the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan; First-class Inspector and Deputy Director General of the Youth Department of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Professor Song Lai; and the Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, Mr Ng Win-kong. Local tertiary students joining the Programme and representatives from participating Shenzhen enterprises and tertiary institutions in Hong Kong also attended the event.