Tag Archives: China

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Serv… read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 27) that the Environmen… read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council this afternoon (May 27):
 
Reporter: Secretary, Macau officials have banned a June 4 commemoration because they said slogans like “end one-party rule” will constitute instigating subversion. Is that the same reason why Hong Kong is banning a June 4 vigil? Second question, according to a report, you have sent letters to bankers, warning that they would face jail or fines for any dealings with Jimmy Lai’s accounts. Why would they face such punishment? Are they falling afoul of the national security law or other laws? Would this practice cause harm to Hong Kong’s reputation as a financial centre and cause an exodus of banking sector representatives?
 
Secretary for Security: The Commissioner of Police deals with the notice of public meeting and public gathering in accordance with the Public Order Ordinance of Hong Kong. He is the man to exercise the power. In connection with the May 30 and the June 4 public gatherings, the Commissioner of Police takes considerations of factors that are prevailing. That is our Hong Kong system and our decision is made in accordance with the Hong Kong law. As regards my written notice to companies and institutions regarding property which is offence-related property under the national security law, I am exercising the power because Lai has been charged with two offences of collusion with other country or external forces to endanger national security. It is my duty to specify in my notice to the relevant parties what will be the consequences if they fail to comply with my direction. The purpose of my notice is targeted at the offence-related property in relation to offences endangering national security. Normal businesses have nothing to do with any acts that may endanger national security. So we should not associate the two matters in any way. Normal businessmen will go about their duties and have nothing to do with endangering national security, and we should not associate the two matters.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     A 38-year-old woman was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for 14 days by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (May 27) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C).

     The woman was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she was found during a surprise check on November 2, 2020, to be leaving the place of quarantine, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 14 days.

     Breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the regulations. As of today, a total of 140 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations. read more

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip; the Under Secretary for Development, Mr Liu Chun-san; the Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), Mr Chan Ka-kui; and the President of the Hong Kong Construction Association (HKCA), Mr Eddie Lam, today (May 27) visited a construction site office at Muk Long Street, Kai Tak, to inspect the operation of the Government’s outreach COVID-19 vaccination service for site workers. They also expressed gratitude and support for the efforts of the construction industry in fighting the epidemic.

     Mr Nip said, “Employees can protect themselves and their families by receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Such a move is also very important for the enterprises and organisations, and it can help safeguard the health of their employees and maintain normal business operations. The outreach vaccination service was launched last week and the Government has been getting in touch with various sectors, corporates and organisations with a view to providing a more effective and convenient way for their employees to get vaccinated through the leverage of these organisations.”

     Mr Liu said, “The construction industry has spared no efforts in its anti-epidemic efforts. Apart from enhancing anti-epidemic measures at construction sites and taking the initiative earlier this year to implement voluntary testing every two weeks, the industry has proactively encouraged construction personnel to receive vaccinations for better protection. Since the launch of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in late February, over 71 000 construction workers and resident site personnel have received the first dose of vaccine, which is equivalent to half of the population of those working at all construction sites in Hong Kong, and of which about 45 000 have received two doses of vaccines.”  

     Mr Liu expressed gratitude to the main contractors of the construction sites of the Central Kowloon Route project and in the Kai Tak Development Area for their support for this outreach vaccination service. They have encouraged their workers to join and provided assistance to them, demonstrating the unity and commitment of the construction industry in the fight against the epidemic.  

     Mr Nip called on enterprises and organisations concerned from various sectors and trades to encourage their employees to get vaccinated. Should the enterprises and organisations have a sufficient number of employees who would like to receive vaccinations and a suitable venue with sufficient space, they can call the hotline for the outreach vaccination service at 3904 1490 for arrangements.

     Also joining the visit were the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Director of Highways, Mr Jimmy Chan; the Executive Director of the CIC, Mr Albert Cheng; the Vice President of the HKCA, Mr Conrad Fung, and representatives of the participating main contractors.

     This round of outreach vaccination service for the site workers of the Central Kowloon Route and the Kai Tak Development Area is available today and tomorrow (May 28) at a site office at Muk Long Street, Kai Tak. The BioNTech vaccine and Sinovac vaccine will be administered to the workers on May 27 and 28, respectively, by vaccination service teams currently operating Community Vaccination Centres. The service aims to provide convenience to site workers to receive vaccinations. It is estimated that around 500 doses will be administered over the two days.