In response to media enquiries on the procession today (April 28), a government spokesman made the following statement:

     Since the return to the Motherland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has been exercising "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law. The "one country, two systems" principle has been fully and successfully implemented.

     Human rights and freedom in Hong Kong including freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, etc. are fully protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation. The rule of law and judicial independence are the core values of the HKSAR. The HKSAR Government attaches utmost importance to them and is determined to fully safeguard them. In addition, the Department of Justice has all along upheld its constitutional responsibility in handling its prosecution work in strict accordance with the law in an impartial, professional and apolitical manner.

     The Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 (the Bill) aims to deal with a murder case which happened in Taiwan in early 2018 involving Hong Kong residents. At the same time, it seeks to plug the loopholes in Hong Kong's overall co-operation mechanism in criminal and juridical assistance matters, including the geographical restrictions and impractical operational requirements under the existing laws. The Government's proposed amendments, which have been thoroughly and prudently considered, can achieve these two objectives.

     The proposed amendments do not pinpoint any particular jurisdiction. After the legislative amendments, Hong Kong can, where necessary, using the same set of standards and under the principle of mutual respect, handle serious criminal cases by case-based surrender arrangements with a jurisdiction that does not have any long-term surrender of fugitive offenders arrangement with Hong Kong. The proposed legislative amendments will not affect any long-term agreements in force.

     All existing human rights and procedural safeguards provided for in the current legislations will be maintained under the case-based arrangements. These include the double criminality principle, protection against death penalty, restriction against re-surrender, rule against double jeopardy, application for habeas corpus and right to appeal and judicial review, etc. The Government will thoroughly and carefully consider each case. The executive authority and the court will perform their respective gate-keeping roles in handling all surrender requests. The Government will reject any surrender request if it could not meet the legal requirements.

     The Taiwan murder case has clearly shown that serious crimes can happen in any place and at any time. It is just a question who the unfortunate victim may be. Hence, we have to plug the loopholes in the current mechanisms as quickly as possible. After the Bill is passed, the Government will have the legal basis to deal with the requests on juridical assistance in criminal matters and surrender of fugitive from Taiwan as soon as possible.

     The Government understands that there are different views in the community on the proposed legislative amendments. The Legislative Council has established a Bills Committee and will soon commence scrutinising the Bill. The Government hopes that the Bills Committee can start its work as soon as possible during which we will continue to explain the legislative proposals in detail to the Legislative Council and the public and exchange views.

     The 7th Hong Kong Games (HKG) Opening Ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Coliseum this afternoon (April 28). The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, officiated at the ceremony and witnessed the official opening of the 7th HKG with an audience from the 18 districts.
 
     Addressing the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said the biennial HKG provides a platform for competition and exchanges between athletes, enhances communication and fosters friendship among the 18 districts, and promotes sports culture in the community. The HKG can also identify young athletes with potential for further training to become elite athletes in future and bring glory to Hong Kong, he added.
 
     After the Acting Chief Executive's announcement of the official opening of the 7th HKG, an athlete representative from Yuen Long District, the overall champion of the 6th HKG, took an oath on behalf of all participating athletes of the 7th HKG.
 
     Mainland Olympic gold medallists Wei Qiuyue (women's volleyball) and Wang Zhen (men's race walking) and Hong Kong elite athletes Sarah Lee and Au Chun-ming held the torch to enter the venue and lit the cauldron of the Games. They were joined by former member of the Hong Kong Cycling Team Wong Kam-po, who led athletes of the 18 districts to take part and helped to raise the energy of the HKG.
 
     A number of Hong Kong elite athletes also participated in various performing sessions at the ceremony to show support for the 7th HKG.
 
     The ceremony's programme featured a variety of performances, including displays by winning teams of the 18 districts' cheering team competition in the pre-show to demonstrate the uniqueness and vitality of their districts. There were also dragon and lion dances; a grand dance show; demonstrations of artistic gymnastics, rope skipping, basketball and tai chi; and performances by pop singers.
 
     Highlights of the opening ceremony will be broadcast on TVB Jade between 10.30pm and 11.30pm tonight.
 
     Also officiating at today's ceremony were members of the Legislative Council Mr Ma Fung-kwok and Mr Lau Kwok-fan; the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), Mr Timothy Fok; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Cherry Tse; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Chairman of the 7th HKG Organising Committee, Mr David Yip; and the Executive Adviser of the 7th HKG Organising Committee, Mr William Tong.
 
     The 7th HKG comprises eight sports competitions, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. In order to boost the lively atmosphere of the Games, finals competitions will be held in the HKG Finals Fortnight on May 18, 19, 25 and 26. Members of the public are welcome to watch the competitions at venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and cheer for the athletes. To encourage more people to witness these exciting events, finals of the eight sports competitions will be webcast live. Four of the final competitions will be broadcast live on Radio Television Hong Kong TV 32, namely the swimming, volleyball, futsal and basketball finals to be held on May 18, 19, 25 and 26 respectively. Members of the public can also take part in community participation programmes like the Dynamic Moments Photo Contest and voting and guessing activities. Details of these programmes and the competition schedule are available on the HKG designated website www.hongkonggames.hk.
 
     The 7th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by the Community Sports Committee along with the 18 District Councils; the LCSD; the SF&OC; and relevant national sports associations as co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the Principal Contributor.
 
 

              

     The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 28) that no additional case of measles infection has been recorded as at 4pm today.
 
     Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), no person received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today. The cumulative number of vaccinations given remains at 8304.
 
     From tomorrow (April 29) to May 17 (excluding Sundays and public holidays), measles vaccination will be provided to airport staff who:
 
(1) Were born in or after 1967, and have not received two doses of measles vaccination, and have not been infected with measles before; or
 
(2) Have laboratory evidence of testing not positive against measles antibody (IgG).
 
     The vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport will be increased to 600 doses daily. The venue and operation hours of the airport vaccination station are as follows:
 

 
     As for the blood test service, the DH will continue to provide the measles serology test service to about 200 airport staff who were born in or after 1967 daily on April 30 and May 2 and 7.
 
     The venue and operation hours of the airport blood test station are as follows:
 

 
     A pilot service at the blood test station during the same designated dates and times to provide measles serology testing for a total of about 200 Filipino foreign domestic helpers who are coming or returning to work in Hong Kong will also be carried out.
 
     A hotline (2125 1122) has been set up for public enquiries and operates during office hours from Mondays to Fridays. A total of 3 281 enquiries have been received so far. 
 

     Jointly organised by the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB), the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education (CPCE) and the Working Group on Local Community under the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee the Basic Law Quiz Competition Final cum Prize Presentation Ceremony was held today (April 28).
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said that upon the resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China (PRC) established the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with the provisions of Article 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China. The Constitution provides a basis for the Basic Law which prescribes the systems to be practised in the HKSAR, in order to ensure the implementation of the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong, i.e. "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. The Basic Law also upholds national unity and territorial integrity and maintains the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
 
     He added that in view of the importance of the Constitution and the Basic Law to Hong Kong, bureaux and departments of the HKSAR Government have been dedicated to enhancing public understanding of the Constitution and the Basic Law. He said that the HKSAR Government would continue the promotion of the Basic Law through different channels and activities to help the public to have a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the Basic Law from different angles. He said he also hoped that different sectors could make use of the advantages of the "two-systems" on the basis of "one-country" to move towards a brighter future for Hong Kong.
 
     The quiz competition covered all chapters of the Basic Law, its development and the relationship between the Constitution and the Basic Law. Divided into Family, Senior Primary School, Secondary School and Open categories, participants first answered questions about the Basic Law online, or completed question sheets published by the organisers and distributed to schools and community organisations. Those with the highest scores in each category were selected by ballot to attend the final. They were then selected from each category on the spot for question sessions to compete for the champion and first- and second runner-up prizes. The quiz competition this year received an overwhelming response, attracting over 23 000 participants.
           
     To tie in with the quiz competition, the organisers hosted two seminars from January to February this year to introduce to secondary school teachers and students the development and practice of the Basic Law, as well as the relationship between the Constitution and the Basic Law.
 
     The HAB has been working closely with the CPCE to promote the Constitution and the Basic Law at the community level through various channels, including publications for young people and thematic exhibitions and interactive games about the Basic Law in the Civic Education Resource Centre. Sponsorship is also granted through the Community Participation Scheme and the Co-operation Scheme with District Councils every year to support civic education activities to be held in the community, including promotional activities for the Constitution and the Basic Law.

    

     The Hong Kong Police Force today (April 28) held the Junior Police Call 45th Anniversary Open Day launching ceremony at JPC@Pat Heung.

     Officiating at the ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, praised the Junior Police Call (JPC) as a key player in mobilising youth development and its initiatives echoed with the Government’s youth policy. JPC@Pat Heung has provided leadership and personal growth training to over 40,000 local and ethnic minority youths since its opening in 2017.
 
     Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lo Wai-chung, said the Force always spares no effort in youth development. The Force would continue to enhance the JPC scheme with a view to nurturing its members to become fight crime leaders and role models of the youth.

     The open day offered a rich diversity of programmes, including a joint counter terrorism exercise as well as Police Band and Police Dog Unit performances. There were also display of special Police vehicles and uniforms in different eras. Some 20 exhibitions and game booths were also set up by various Police units, JPC members, arts and sports clubs for visitors.

     In addition, visitors could also take part in activities such as zipline, rope course, mini-Police uniform photographing, laser gun shooting, horse riding, and Dialogue in the Dark, experiencing the services and facilities of JPC@Pat Heung. The JPC History Museum, which was officially opened today, presented the development of JPC with a 13-metre interactive wall.

     Today’s open day is one of the highlights of the Hong Kong Police Force 175th Anniversary celebration, attracting the participation of more than 4,000 visitors. Other celebratory events include open days of police buildings, publication of a commemorative book, and release of special stamps. For details, please visit the Police Public Page (www.police.gov.hk).