Tag Archives: China

     April 15 this year marks the first National Security Education Day after the implementation of The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (NSL). The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has launched a video talk on the NSL to strengthen civil servants’ awareness towards safeguarding national security.

     The talk is delivered by the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Deng Zhonghua, and covers the necessity, urgency and legitimacy of the enactment of the NSL, the legislative intent and purpose of the NSL, as well as major institutional designs under the NSL.

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, sent an email to Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Department today (April 12) to encourage civil service colleagues to watch the talk, with a view to enabling them to have a more thorough understanding of the NSL. In addition, bureaux and departments will make arrangements for civil servants reaching Master Pay Scale Point 14 or above, or equivalent, and joining the Government on or after July 1, 2018 to view the talk as part of the induction training.

     “The civil service is the backbone of the HKSAR Government. I expect all civil servant colleagues, particularly the new recruits, to have a correct understanding of the NSL and an enhanced awareness of safeguarding national security, and to act in accord fully with the HKSAR Government in discharging its duty of safeguarding national security,” he said. read more

     Two men were fined by the magistrates’ courts today (April 12) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) and the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E) respectively.    

     The first case involved a man aged 77, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine twice on July 1 and 2, 2020, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with two counts of contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) and was sentenced by the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts today to a fine of $1,500 for each of the two charges.

     The second case involved a man aged 53, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on September 10, 2020, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer and was stopped by an immigration officer at the Hong Kong International Airport. He was charged with contravening sections 8(1), 8(4) and 8(5) of the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E) and was fined $2,000 and $10,000 for each of the two charges by the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today.

     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 sentences send 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 123 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) in medical wards, the spokesperson… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital made the following announcement today (April 12) concerning the interruption of the negative pressure system in the isolation ward of the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC):
 
     At 9.15am today, the negative pressure system of some cubicles of the isolation ward on the ninth floor in the IDC was interrupted due to the malfunctioning of an exhaust fan caused by faulty electromechanical components. The system immediately automatically turned on the standby exhaust fan. After an inspection by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the negative pressure system of the cubicles concerned resumed as normal at 9.25am.
 
     During the incident, there were four COVID-19 patients residing in the affected isolation cubicles. No personnel had entered or left the rooms nor had any high risk procedure been performed. All ward staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment. According to the hospital’s assessment, the risk of infection is very low.
     
     The hospital is very concerned about the incident. The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. The hospital has urged the EMSD to conduct an investigation to prevent similar incidents from happening again. read more

     The “Policies, Strategies and Opportunities” webinar on opportunities for Hong Kong’s legal industry under the 14th Five-Year Plan was held successfully this morning (April 12). The event was co-organised by the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Department of Justice, and supporting organisations included Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association Legal Affairs Steering Committee.
 
     The webinar was attended by guest speakers including Vice-Chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr C Y Leung and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Ms Maria Tam. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, delivered the closing remarks for the event.
 
     Speakers enthusiastically shared their views and insights on topics including the measures for further promoting and stimulating Hong Kong’s cross-boundary trade developments and the latest developments of Hong Kong’s dispute resolution services under the 14th Five-Year Plan at the webinar. They also spoke on their experiences in contributing their expertise and career development on the Mainland.
 
     In her closing remarks, Ms Cheng pointed out that the 14th Five-Year Plan promotes Hong Kong’s development in various key areas and supports Hong Kong in fully utilising its unique status and advantages. These measures will further highlight the importance of Hong Kong as an international dealmaking and legal and dispute resolution services centre. Different sectors of Hong Kong should grasp the opportunities and better integrate into national development by complementing the country’s “dual circulation” development strategy.
 
     She said she believed that the 14th Five-Year Plan will bring more and better opportunities for the local legal and dispute resolution services sector, and further increase the demand for Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution services from the Mainland and international communities.
 
     The full event will be available for review later at the Hong Kong Legal Hub’s website.