Tag Archives: China

     A spokesman for the Environment Bureau (ENB) said today (May 29) that the Government has launched the Anti-epidemic Subsidy Scheme for the Laundry Trade under the Anti-epidemic Fund (AEF) to help the laundry trade cope with the challenges brought about by the current economic situation. The Scheme, being implemented by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), is open for application from today.

     The ENB spokesman said, “Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the business of various sectors has declined sharply. The laundry trade, providing downstream support, has also been hard hit. About 30 per cent of the trade’s employees are people aged 65 or above.

     “A sum of about $90 million has been earmarked under the AEF for the Scheme to provide a one-off subsidy to help the laundry and/or dry cleaning services industry meet their operational costs. The Scheme is expected to benefit about 1 400 laundry shops and workshops.”

     To take care of the livelihood of employees aged 65 or above in the laundry trade, the Government requires an undertaking from the applicants of the Scheme not to reduce the total number of employees aged 65 or above for three months upon receipt of the subsidies. Otherwise, the Government may retrieve any subsidy already disbursed.

     Under the Scheme, eligible applicants must hold valid business registration certificates for operating laundry and dry cleaning services or related collection and dispatch services at outlet shops. The services should have been in operation on or before May 12, 2020, and should be still in operation on the date of submitting applications for the Scheme.

     Each eligible laundry shop or workshop (premises) will receive a one-off subsidy depending on its size of operation. The subsidy amount is as follows:
 

Category	Size	Subsidy amount
First	Premises providing collection and dispatch outlet services only. No on-site laundry or dry cleaning service is provided.	$10,000
Second	Premises with average daily water consumption of less than 3.225 cubic metres (equivalent to average monthly water consumption of less than 100 cu m).	$40,000
Third	Premises with average daily water consumption of not less than 3.225 cu m but less than 32.258 cu m (equivalent to average monthly water consumption of not less than 100 cu m but less than 1,000 cu m).	$80,000
Fourth	Premises with (1) average daily water consumption of not less than 32.258 cu m (equivalent to average monthly water consumption of not less than 1,000 cu m) or (2) internal floor area of not less than 1,000 square metres	$150,000

     The application period for the Scheme is from today to June 12 (Friday). The laundry trade can visit the EPD website  (www.epd.gov.hk/laundry_subsidy.html) (Chinese only) for details of the Scheme and downloading the application form. The completed application form together with supporting documents should be submitted by email to laundry_subsidy@epd.gov.hk; by post to the EPD’s office at Room 3410, 34/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; or in person to the regional offices of the EPD. It is expected that the first batch of subsidies will be disbursed to approved applicants in late June at the earliest. For enquiries concerning details of the Scheme, applicants can call the telephone hotline (3107 8403) or send an email to laundry_subsidy@epd.gov.hk. read more

     The Government has proposed to allow China Mobile International Limited to install two optical fibre submarine cables from Chung Hom Kok to the eastern boundary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The extent of the area of foreshore and sea-bed affected is described in the notices published in the Government Gazette today (May 29).
      
     The cable of the South East Asia – Japan 2 Cable System – Hong Kong Segment is approximately 37.5 kilometres in length and 47 millimetres in diameter. It will connect Hong Kong with Japan and major Southeast Asian countries and provide reliable, fast, and high quality communication network infrastructure. The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence in September this year for completion by March 2021.
      
     The cable of the Bay to Bay Express Cable System – Hong Kong Segment, approximately 36.3km in length and 38mm in diameter, will provide lower latency connectivity among Hong Kong, the United States, Malaysia and Singapore. The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence in March 2021 for completion by September in the same year.
  
     The notices and the related plans are posted near the sites. The plans are also available for inspection at:
 
* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (23/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) where copies can be purchased on order;
 
* Southern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Southern District Office (G/F, Ocean Court, 3 Aberdeen Praya Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong);
 
* Islands District Office (20/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong);
 
* Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Sai Kung District Office (G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories); and
 
* Lands Department’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.
 
     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the above-mentioned date, i.e. on or before July 29. The notice of such objection shall describe the interest, right or easement of the objector and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected. 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 29) that due to big wav… read more

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (May 29) will be cancelled. read more

     Following is the letter to Hong Kong citizens by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, published in newspapers today (May 29):

Fellow Citizens,

      Hong Kong, the home we all treasure, is defined by the “Lion Rock spirit” by which we join hands to pursue our dreams while putting aside our differences. Since our return to the Motherland, Hong Kong has been a Special Administrative Region directly under the Central People’s Government, enjoying a high degree of autonomy and unique advantages under “One Country, Two Systems”.

      Over the past year, the Hong Kong community has been traumatised. Violence by rioters has escalated, with illegal firearms and explosives posing a terrorist threat. The opposition forces and organisations advocating “Hong Kong independence” and “self-determination” have blatantly challenged the authority of the Central Authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, pleaded for interference in Hong Kong’s affairs by external forces and even begged for sanctions against Hong Kong and thus disregarding the interests of Hong Kong people and our country. Meanwhile, external forces have intensified their interference in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, passed laws relating to Hong Kong and flagrantly glorified the illegal acts of radicals, all of which seriously jeopardise our nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests. Hong Kong has become a gaping hole in national security, and our city’s prosperity and stability are at risk.

      Regrettably, the current legal system and enforcement mechanisms for Hong Kong to safeguard national security are inadequate or even “defenceless”. Despite returning to the Motherland for 23 years, Hong Kong has yet to enact laws to curb acts that threaten national security in accordance with Article 23 of the Basic Law. In view of the current political and social situation, it is difficult for the Executive and Legislative authorities of the HKSAR to complete on its own legislation to safeguard national security in the foreseeable future. The decision now by the National People’s Congress to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security from the state level in accordance with the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law is an exercise of the authority and duty of the Central Authorities. It also demonstrates the commitment of the Central Authorities to fully and accurately implement “One Country, Two Systems” as well as their care for Hong Kong people. There is both the need and the urgency for legislation, the constitutionality, lawfulness and reasonableness of which are beyond doubt.

     The objective of the legislation is to prevent, curb and sanction secession, the subversion of state power, the organisation and carrying out of terrorist activities that seriously endanger national security, and interference by foreign and external forces in the affairs of the HKSAR. It will only target an extremely small minority of illegal and criminal acts and activities, while the life and property, basic rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of citizens will be protected. Citizens will continue to enjoy the freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of demonstration, of procession, and to enter or leave Hong Kong in accordance with the law. All relevant law enforcement will be conducted strictly in accordance with the law as well as statutory powers and procedures.

     Fellow citizens, every country has its own laws to safeguard national security for the long-term security of their country and the stability of people’s lives. The legislation by the Central Authorities for the HKSAR to safeguard national security aims to enable Hong Kong society to find a way out of the impasse, restore stability as soon as possible and resume development of the economy and livelihoods.

     I appeal for your full understanding and staunch support for the Decision passed by the National People’s Congress.

Carrie Lam
Chief Executive
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region read more