Tag Archives: China

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs, the Police and the Lands Department (LandsD) have mounted joint operations at various smuggling black spots on Lantau Island since September 30 this year with a view to vigorously combating sea smuggling activities. 

     Customs and the Police earlier conducted an anti-smuggling operation in the vicinity of Lantau Island and discovered that smugglers have placed some speedboats suspected to be used for smuggling in the remote area of the seashore. It is also suspected that the area is unleased land. Customs therefore carried out a joint enforcement operation with the Police and the LandsD on October 4.

     During the operation, the three departments found a total of 39 speedboats suspected to have been illegally modified or constructed, and eight brand new high-power outboard engines on the unleased land near Ngau Au Village, Tung Chung. It is suspected that the unleased land was being unlawfully occupied, in contravention of the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28). 

     Staff of the LandsD then posted notices on the speedboats and outboard engines, requiring the unlawful occupation of the unleased land to cease. Since the objects concerned had not been removed before the specified date, the LandsD has removed the concerned speedboats and outboard engines in accordance with the relevant Ordinance.

     Customs will probe into whether the batch of speedboats and outboard engines have been involved in sea smuggling activities. The department will also continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities.

     The relevant joint operations will continue.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council:
 
     The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), Dr Wilfred Wong, welcomed the proposed establishment of a Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau in “The Chief Executive’s 2021 Policy Address” delivered today (October 6).
 
     Dr Wong said he fully supported the Chief Executive for her proposal in the Policy Address to set up a Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to oversee the policies regarding the creative industries and tourism portfolio, which will spearhead the development of Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The FDC will continue to proactively support the long-term development of the local film industry.
     
     Responding to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Hong Kong’s film industry, the Government announced in mid-July last year that around $260 million was earmarked under the Film Development Fund to implement five major measures, namely the Directors’ Succession Scheme, relaxation of the Film Production Financing Scheme, the Scriptwriting Incubation Programme, sponsoring free short-term advanced professional training courses, and enhancement to the First Feature Film Initiative with a view to increasing the number of local film productions, nurturing young film talents, and enhancing professional training to inject impetus into the Hong Kong film industry.
 
     “These measures have benefitted numerous film practitioners in the past year and achieved notable results in promoting the recovery of the film sector. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Executive for her support to the film development and talent nurturing, as well as the enhanced efforts to promote cultural industries,” said Dr Wong. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
     
     Following is a transcript of remarks by the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo), Mr Bernard Chan, at a media session on “The Chief Executive’s 2021 Policy Address” in the Legislative Council Complex today (October 6):
 
Reporter: Mr Chan, how satisfied are you with the plans and what do you think are the highlights of the Policy Address?
 
Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members: This is the last Policy Address of the current administration and it’s a good recap of what we have achieved in the last four years. We are very impressed that more than 96 per cent of the policy initiatives have been either adopted or already in the process of implementing. So I think that is a very good recap. But apart from recapping what have been achieved by this current administration, the Chief Executive also highlighted some of her vision for Hong Kong in the next 10, 15, 20 years. I think the major highlight of this particular Policy Address is definitely the Northern Metropolis, which is a very new initiative that I am sure most of you, including myself, only found out for the first time. But it makes a lot of sense, it’s the way how we can make best use of these resources, the border resources, especially together with our neighbour – Shenzhen, how to take advantage of Shenzhen and Hong Kong collaborating together, especially developing into an innovation and technology hub, that is I think obviously an additional future for Hong Kong apart from being an international financial centre, trade centre, aviation hub. I think innovation and technology clearly is the way forward and to make use of the resources of the northern part of Hong Kong is obviously the most ideal. We are not only just creating jobs, but we’re also creating additional accommodation areas for people. On top of that, we are also going to be putting efforts to preserve the wetlands even better. So I think it’s definitely a “win-win-win”. But obviously, this initiative will take many years to achieve. I think it’s good that the Chief Executive raised this in her final Policy Address to put forward a vision for Hong Kong in addition to all the other already existing initiatives. Especially behind the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Central Government has already clearly identified and agreed with Hong Kong the eight different initiatives, including the financial centre, aviation and, of course, most notably and very important one I think will be the innovation and technology hub, and of course, the other stuff would be the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. All these I think are very promising.
 
     One other initiative, a very important point that the Chief Executive mentioned in her Policy Address is talent. It’s the retention of talent and also the ability to attract talent from overseas. Because in order for us – Hong Kong – to be able to achieve, to carry forward all these new initiatives, we need to have talents. So whether it’s local talent, how do you nurture local talent, how do you retain talent and bring in overseas talent to Hong Kong? It’s the key. I am glad to hear that the Chief Executive paid much attention to that and I look forward to seeing that to happen.
 
Reporter: Mr Chan, what do you think of the Government’s ambitious plan to re-organise the Government and with only a few months left for the current term, what work can be carried out before the end of the term?
 
Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members: I think we all agree that there are some inefficiencies within the bureaucracy. It’s not easy to implement change. I think what the Chief Executive has highlighted is the area where there could be an easy solution. I mean obviously by combining culture, sports and tourism, that’s the one, I think, with the least conflict. It’s not so easy in other plans, but at least she highlighted the fact that these are the sort of changes that can actually improve governance, improve efficiency and better outcome.
 
     Not every of these changes can be done in short time. It might take a few more months. It might take the next administration to able to carry them out. But I think it’s a good time for her to bring it out for discussion because it takes time. In fact, she encouraged the community to speak out on this topic, so it might take time. Clearly, it will take more than just a few months to be able to achieve those things, so at least they give that head start for the next administration. You can imagine if the next administration starts next year and they have too many priorities to address, they may not have time to even have the discussion on this topic. So I think the fact that our current Chief Executive brings out this idea, we have enough and ample public discussions. So hopefully, when the next administration comes, they can actually just go forward and try to make this happen. I would say this will be a way to save time. But it won’t happen just overnight, it will take some time for these changes to happen. Thank you.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     The Government exercises the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publishes in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at one specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.
 
     Since there was an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection and/or influenza-like illness in one school, and the symptoms of the diseases concerned are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence’s sake, its specified level is covered in the compulsory testing notice. Persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notice.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing in accordance with a compulsory testing notice must go to any of the mobile specimen collection stations, community testing centres (CTCs) or recognised local medical testing institutions to undergo professional swab sampling in fulfilling the requirements for compulsory testing. Young children may continue to undergo the test using a stool specimen.

     If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above is hoisted or the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or the post-super typhoon “extreme conditions” announcement by the Government is in force at any time during the period for undergoing the compulsory testing, the period for undergoing the compulsory testing will be extended for one day.

     The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from COVID-19. They can provide protection to those vaccinated to prevent serious complications and even death after infection. The Government appeals to persons who are not yet vaccinated, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, to get vaccinated as soon as possible for better self-protection before the fifth wave strikes in Hong Kong.

     Details of the compulsory testing notice are in Annex 1.

     Subsequent to the announcement by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with a mutant strain, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on the third, seventh, 12th and 19th days counting from the announcement of the relevant confirmed case by the Department of Health (DH). Relevant persons have to undergo testing on specified dates. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day (see the details of the buildings and dates of testing at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf). For prudence’s sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.

     In accordance with the compulsory testing notice issued earlier, all household members of close contacts are required to undergo compulsory testing. Any person who had lived with a person placed under quarantine pursuant to section 22 of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (person under quarantine) in the same residential unit on the date of commencement of quarantine or during the 14 days before that day, and who becomes aware of the quarantine of the person under quarantine when the relevant quarantine has not yet been completed, has to undergo testing within two days of him or her becoming aware that the person under quarantine has been placed under quarantine and report to the Government the result of the test by phone (6275 6901), fax (2530 5872) or email (ct@csb.gov.hk) within three days of undergoing the test. For prudence’s sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.

     CTCs provide testing services for the public, including free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). The system shows the booking status of the centres for the coming two weeks to facilitate the public’s planning and selection of a suitable testing centre and a time slot for testing. The testing centres will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. As of 6pm today (October 6), there were around 30 000 booking places available for tomorrow (October 7) at the CTCs, and around 91 per cent and around 95 per cent availability for booking places for the coming seven days and 14 days respectively. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.
     
     Outdoor mobile specimen collection stations will be closed if the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 or Red Rainstorm Warning Signal is hoisted while all mobile specimen collection stations together with all CTCs will be closed when the No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal or higher or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is hoisted.
          
     Coupled with 18 CTCs, there will be a total of 27 CTCs/mobile specimen collection stations in various districts tomorrow to provide free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. The testing capacity should be sufficient to meet the demand. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are stated in Annex 2. Persons subject to compulsory testing and those with the “LeaveHomeSafe” COVID-19 exposure notification or SMS notification from the CHP reminding them to undergo testing as soon as possible may receive free testing at CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable).

     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:

1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
2. To attend any of the CTCs (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en); 
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf), and the relevant sample must be taken through combined nasal and throat swabs; or
4. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the stool sample collected as per relevant guidelines.
 
     If a person subject to compulsory testing obtains a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner, proving that he or she is unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons, then he or she may choose to undergo testing via the following routes by providing a deep throat saliva sample:
 
1. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
2. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority; or
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results.

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau cautioned that testing received at the Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     “If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the CTCs.”

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notifications containing the result of the test and the relevant medical certificate (if applicable) for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notices should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the CTCs, they can check the centre’s appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the CTCs are available at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     Relevant officers of different government departments are empowered to perform certain functions under the relevant Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), including requesting individuals to provide information and assistance when necessary. Any person who fails to comply with the relevant request commits an offence and would be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). Collection and use of any personal data for conducting COVID-19 tests must meet the requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Government departments or testing service providers which handle the relevant information may provide the data to the DH or other relevant departments for anti-epidemic purposes as necessary. The workflow does not involve the provision of any personal data to organisations or persons outside Hong Kong.

     The spokesman said, “The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.” read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation:
 
     The Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation (CHSC), Mr Eugene Fong, welcomed the education initiatives announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2021 Policy Address” today (October 6).
 
     Mr Fong said, “I fully support the Government’s effort to foster positive values among students as well as develop in our youth a sense of identity and responsibility towards the nation and our society. The coverage of the initiatives are comprehensive, including the updating of curriculum, development of learning and teaching resources, strengthening the professional training for teachers and supporting schools to implement national education through various learning activities within and beyond the classroom.
 
     “I also appreciate the Government’s support for schools in promoting media and information literacy in education. As the Chairman of the CHSC, I fully understand the importance of cultivating virtues and critical thinking in students since they are young. I believe that the related initiatives can support schools to implement different aspects of work and promote learning as well as all-round development of students.”
 
     Mr Fong was glad to note that the Policy Address attached great importance to family education and emphasised that parents’ influence on their children is irreplaceable. He also appreciated the Government’s commitment to support various initiatives for reinforcing home-school co-operation and promoting parent education, and said that the CHSC would continue to collaborate with the Government and other stakeholders to promote home-school co-operation and enhance students’ development through organising various activities. read more