Tag Archives: China

     The Government exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and published in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at five specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.
     
     Since there were outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection and/or influenza-like illness in five schools, and the symptoms of the diseases concerned are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence’s sake, two schools and the specified level of three schools are covered in the compulsory testing notice today (June 10). Under existing practice, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) will provide schools subject to compulsory testing with stool specimen bottles and deep throat saliva specimen collection packs direct.

     Details of the compulsory testing notice are in Annex 1.

     Subsequent to the announcement by the CHP on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with the N501Y mutant strain, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases and had been released from the quarantine centres will be subject to compulsory testing on the third, seventh, 12th and 19th day 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).

     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.

     Persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notices and hence are not required to undergo compulsory testing. Completion of the vaccination course in general means having received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine 14 days ago.

     Currently, there are a total of 21 community testing centres (CTCs) providing 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 week 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. The number of tests available for appointments at CTCs has been increased to over 46 000 per day, and additional manpower has been deployed to serve the public. As of 6pm today, there were around 36 000 booking places available for tomorrow (June 11) at the CTCs, and around 87 per cent availability for booking places for the coming seven days. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.
 
     As persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of local COVID-19 cases with the N501Y mutant strain will be subject to compulsory testing on the third, seventh, 12th and 19th day following the announcement of the relevant confirmed cases by the Department of Health (DH), the Government will set up mobile specimen collection stations at Island Harbourview in Tai Kok Tsui and Tin Shing Court in Tin Shui Wai tomorrow (June 11) to provide free testing service for residents and workers subject to compulsory testing.
 
     The service period of the mobile specimen collection stations at Lai Kok Community Hall in Cheung Sha Wan, Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan, Kin Sang Community Hall in Tuen Mun, plaza of Sha Tin Town Hall and Tai Po Community Centre will be extended to June 27 (Sunday). 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 the 21 CTCs, there will be a total of 38 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 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 outpatient 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);
4. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority;
5. 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); or
6. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

     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 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 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (June 10) firmly opposes the unfounded accusations made by the European Union (EU) to the Decision on Improving the Electoral System of the HKSAR (the Decision) passed by the National People’s Congress (NPC) on March 11, 2021. 

     “The Decision is entirely constitutional, legal, reasonable and rational. The Central Authorities take the initiative from the national level to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR, aiming to plug the loopholes in and eliminate the deficiencies of the existing electoral system. Through constructing a democratic system that is consistent with the actual situation of Hong Kong, it fully conforms to the constitutional order under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and manifests Hong Kong characteristics that can thereby put Hong Kong back on track and make rectification,” a spokesman for the Government said.

     “We firmly oppose the misleading claims by the EU concerning the improvement to the electoral system as well as their ulterior motives. We stress that the improvement to the electoral system of the HKSAR is both timely and necessary, as anti-China forces had created chaos in the Legislative Council, paralysed the operation of the HKSAR Government, and even colluded with external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s safety and interests. No country or government could turn a blind eye to such dangers. The Government is committed to ensuring elections being conducted in a fair, just and open manner.”

     The spokesman added that it is hypocritical for the EU to attack China by creating issues in the HKSAR using the pretext of human rights, democracy and autonomy.

     “We strongly refute the accusation that ‘one country, two systems’ is undermined. On the contrary, no one is more committed than the Central People’s Government (CPG) to the implementation of ‘one country, two systems’, which is the best institutional arrangement to ensure Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability. President Xi Jinping has stressed that the CPG will unswervingly implement the policy of ‘one country, two systems’ and ensure that it is fully applied in Hong Kong without being bent or distorted.

      “The legal basis for implementing ‘one country, two systems’ is the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Basic Law), not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stressed time and again, the Sino-British Joint Declaration stipulated the resumption of exercise of sovereignty by China over Hong Kong and relevant arrangements during the transition period. The basic policies regarding Hong Kong declared by China in the Joint Declaration were China’s statement of policies, not commitment to the United Kingdom or an international obligation as some erroneously claim.” 

     Since the implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, stability has been restored to society and national security has been safeguarded in the HKSAR. The spokesman emphasised that the protection of human rights and freedom are all enshrined in the Basic Law. 

     The spokesman also opposes the EU’s accusation on the arrest of so-called “pro-democracy activists”. Any law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law, for the acts of the person concerned, and have nothing to do with his/her political stance, background or occupation. It would be contrary to the rule of law to suggest that people of certain political background could be above the law.

     “The international community should fully acknowledge this fact and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are internal affairs of China.” read more

     An exhibition entitled “Art of the South Nanling: A Selection of Guangdong Painting from the Hong Kong Museum of Art” will be held from tomorrow (June 11) at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA). The exhibition showcases over 80 works from Guangdong dating from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties to the 20th century that present the historical and artistic development of painting in the Lingnan region. Showing how artists from Guangdong facilitated the modernisation of Chinese painting by adopting both traditional and modern ideas, as well as integrating local and foreign elements during the era of great change, the exhibition also highlights how it exerted a major influence on Hong Kong’s early painting movement.
 
     “Lingnan” refers to south of the great Nanling Mountains geographically, while leafing through the history of art brings up the term “Lingnan” as a cultural footnote marking the development of art in southern China. Over the past 100 years or so, the region of Guangdong located in South Nanling has become the cradle of modern Chinese painting. From its origins, Guangdong painting quickly flourished and established itself in Chinese art history as a new offshoot branching out from the traditional mainstream of its northern counterparts.
 
     Precious masterpieces by Guangdong artists have been selected from the HKMoA collection for display in this exhibition. The artists include Li Jian, Xie Lansheng and Su Liupeng of the Qing dynasty, who portrayed local Lingnan landscapes in paintings; Ju Chao and Ju Lian of the Geshan school, who employed the ingenious water infusion and powder infusion techniques in depicting plants, birds and insects; the “Three Masters” Gao Jianfu, Gao Qifeng and Chen Shuren, representing the Lingnan school of painting, who promoted reformed art through eclecticism; and Wen Qiqiu, Zhao Haogong and Pan He, who established the Chinese Painting Research Society committed to defending tradition. Later, gifted Guangdong artists such as Huang Bore, Deng Fen, Chao Shao-an, He Qiyuan and Lui Shou-kwan also left their artistic mark in Hong Kong. The territory’s unique cultural environment provided vast space for artistic development for Guangdong artists, and new and old trends of thought consequently advanced shoulder to shoulder in this southernmost corner of Lingnan. Together, they wrote a compelling chapter in the early art history of Hong Kong that built on the heritage of the past and opened up a path to the future.
 
     Multimedia art elements have also been included in the exhibition, offering visitors a refreshing experience. An immersive projection display has been set up at the entrance of the gallery, showcasing a panoramic animation designed by Hong Kong artist Oliver Shing. By capturing images from various exhibits, the animation allows visitors to enter the world of paintings, experience the mountains and rivers, bridges and streams featured by the Guangdong artists and review a century of Guangdong painting development.
 
     The exhibition will run from tomorrow until November 3 at the HKMoA (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), visitors are required to scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” QR code or register their name, contact number and date and time of entry before being allowed to enter the museum for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. An appeal is made by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to members of the public to download the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app in advance and scan the QR code with the app before entering. Members of the public who opt for registering their personal information at the scene are reminded to arrive early to avoid delaying their visit, as a longer time is required for such registration.
 
     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the museum will apply a quota to limit visitor flow. Visitors to the museum will need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to temperature checks before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Children under 12 will only be allowed to enter the museum and exhibition facilities when accompanied by an adult. For details of the exhibition and the admission arrangements, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/art-of-the-south-nanling.html or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.

                    

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 9) seized over 1.4 tonnes of suspected scheduled dried Gekko gecko, an endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $1.24 million at Hong Kong International Airport. This is the first seizure of suspected illegally imported dried Gekko gecko made by Customs since Gekko gecko was listed in the Appendix of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance on April 30 this year.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected two air consignments, declared as carrying pet food, arriving in Hong Kong from Indonesia. Upon examination, Customs officers found two batches of suspected smuggled dried Gekko gecko in 59 carton boxes. 

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 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).

    

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 9) seized about 9.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $26 million and a duty potential of about $18 million in Tsuen Wan.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Tsuen Wan yesterday afternoon, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes at an industrial building unit. Two men suspected to be in connection with the case, aged 29 and 27, were arrested.

     Customs believes that a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse was raided during the operation. Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to combat illicit cigarette activities on all fronts through a multi-pronged approach.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

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