Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (March 31) that the HA will reopen children’s play facilities at its public housing estates starting from tomorrow (April 1).
 
     “Members of the public are urged to wear masks and maintain social distancing when using the facilities. The number of people in group gatherings should not be more than that as stipulated by the law,” a spokesman for the HA said.
   
     The outdoor recreational facilities, assembly/multipurpose halls and multipurpose activity rooms at the HA’s public housing estates have been reopened earlier for public use.

     The spokesman stressed that estate staff will step up cleaning of the HA’s recreational facilities to safeguard public health. Staff will also check the usage of the facilities from time to time. When irregularities are found, appropriate follow-up action will be taken. read more

     A saleslady of a fitness centre was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment today (March 31) after earlier conviction of conspiracy to engage in aggressive commercial practices in the course of selling fitness services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts. She was also ordered by the court to pay compensation of about $2,000 to the victim of the case.

     Hong Kong Customs earlier received information alleging that staff members of a fitness centre in Kowloon Bay were suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices when selling fitness services, and coercing a customer to procure fitness membership and personal fitness trainer contracts.

     After an investigation, it was revealed that the salespersons of the fitness centre asked a customer to sign a form to check whether there were any promotional offers available. The customer was told that no payment was needed. After the customer had signed the form, the saleslady involved in the case immediately revealed that the form was a fitness membership contract. Later, she pressured the victim to purchase an extra personal fitness trainer contract and pay for the contracts by means of credit card and autopay.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services from reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence of engaging in aggressive commercial practices if harassment, coercion or undue influence is used to impair the consumer’s freedom of choice or conduct in relation to the product concerned, causing the consumer to make a transactional decision. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

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

     The Planning Department today (March 31) published a report entitled "Projections of Population Distribution 2021-2029", which presents the latest population distribution projections for 2021-2029.    &nbs… read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 31) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 3 700 food samples tested were satisfactory exce… read more

     The Government announced today (March 31) the appointment of Mr Roland Wong Ka-yeung, Mr Wong Wing-lik and Ms Cecilia Ho Chung-chee as members to the Fight Crime Committee. Mr Roland Wong and Mr Wong Wing-lik are appointed under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth. Their appointments are from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Ms Ho’s appointment is from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the Fight Crime Committee, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, welcomed the new appointments. He also thanked the outgoing member, Ms Alexandra Lo Dak-wai, for her valuable contribution to the work of the Committee during her term of service.

     The Fight Crime Committee is responsible for drawing up plans to reduce crime, co-ordinating efforts in fighting crime and monitoring the results, and determining ways in which the public can be encouraged to contribute to the fight against crime. read more