Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 4.67 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Ching Ming festive period (from April 4 to 7). Among them, about 80 per cent, or around 3.74 million passengers, will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound passengers will be at its highest on April 6 (Saturday) with around 509 000 passengers departing Hong Kong, while the number of inbound passengers using land boundary control points will reach its peak on April 7 (Sunday), with around 573 000 passengers arriving in Hong Kong.

     Lo Wu will be the busiest control point, and it is estimated that there will be around 1.17 million passengers, with a daily average of about 292 000 passengers, travelling via this control point during the festive period. The passenger traffic at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay control points will also be heavy, with daily average forecasts of about 196 000 and 149 000 passengers respectively.

     To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment and operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.

     Furthermore, the ImmD, the Police, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with the Mainland frontier inspection authorities. To ensure smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.

     To avoid congestion and a longer than usual waiting time for immigration clearance, the ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance and avoid making their journeys during busy periods, and to keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at the various control points. The expected busy times at boundary control points are available on the website of the ImmD at www.immd.gov.hk. Furthermore, passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at all land boundary control points at any time or place via the Immigration Mobile Application (ImmD Mobile App). They can then plan their trips effectively and save time queuing up at control points. The ImmD Mobile App can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store (supports iOS version 9.0 or above) and Google Play (supports Android version 5.0 or above). The links for downloading can also be found on the ImmD website, www.immd.gov.hk. In addition, information on public transport services to and from various control points is available on the Transport Department website at www.td.gov.hk.

     The ImmD will upload daily passenger statistics for the above festive period to its website at www.immd.gov.hk for public reference.

     For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.

     Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.

     About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. Hong Kong residents enrolled for the Express e-Channel should re-enrol if they have been issued with a new identity card. Furthermore, re-enrolment is required for enrolled Mainland visitors holding a booklet-type Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao who have changed their enrolment information, e.g. having renewed their exit endorsement. Eligible Mainland holders of the electronic Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP) can enrol for the e-Channel service by using their e-EEP and undergoing the enrolment process at a traditional entry counter on their first visit to Hong Kong. Eligible Mainland visitors who have renewed their e-EEP have to go through the aforesaid enrolment process again before they can use the e-Channel.

     In addition, all control points have introduced self-service departure for visitors to Hong Kong (Smart Departure) which provides greater travel convenience for visitors. The service employs facial recognition technology for identity verification, which allows eligible visitors holding electronic travel documents to perform self-service departure clearance through Smart Departure e-Channels without prior enrolment.

     Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868. read more

     The Government today (March 29) announced that the Chief Executive has appointed the new-term Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC) for two years from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021.

     Membership of the new-term HKFDC is as follows:

Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai (Chairman) #
Mr Felix Chong Man-keung (Vice Chairman) #
Ms Sylvia Chang Ai-chia #
Ms Amy Chin Siu-wai
Mr Ding Yuin-shan #
Mr Percy Fung
Mr Gordon Lam Ka-tung #
Mr Stephen Lam Ping-kwan
Mr Anthony Lee Ying-lok
Ms Belinda Tang
Mr Mathew Tang Hon-keung #
Mr Patrick Tong Hing-chi
Mr Ivan Wong Chi-fai #
Mr Wong Chun #
Mr Adam Wong Sau-ping
Ms Bonnie Wong Tak-wei
Ms Cora Yim Ka-nim #
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Creative Industries) (Vice Chairman) (ex-officio member)
Executive Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council or her representative (ex-officio member)

# New appointee

    The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said, “The HKFDC has been instrumental in promoting the development of Hong Kong’s film industry. With members’ rich experiences, outstanding achievements and representativeness in various fields of the industry, I am confident that the new-term HKFDC will continue to provide expert advice to the Government to help the local film industry thrive further, in particular with the proposed $1 billion injection into the Film Development Fund (FDF).”

     Mr Yau expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, and outgoing members Mr Enoch Chan Chi-to, Professor Cheuk Pak-tong, Mr Chu Chung-on, Mr Jason Lam Kee-to, Ms Connie Lam Suk-yee, Mr Albert Lee, Mr Maurice Lee Wai-man, Mr Stephen Shin Kei-yin and Ms June Wong Bo-chu for their valuable contributions to the HKFDC.

     The biographies of the new appointees are as follows:

     Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai is the Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and Asian Film Awards Academy.

     Mr Felix Chong Man-keung is a noted screenplay writer and film director who has produced many award-winning films including “Infernal Affairs” and “Project Gutenberg”.

     Ms Sylvia Chang Ai-chia has outstanding multidisciplinary achievements as an actress, scriptwriter, director, singer and producer.

     Mr Ding Yuin-shan is a senior lecturer (film production) and project co-ordinator of the Master of Fine Arts Programme at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and has participated in production and promotion of over 20 feature films.

     Mr Gordon Lam Ka-tung is a well-known producer and actor, as well as the Vice-president of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild.

     Mr Mathew Tang Hon-keung is the executive producer of Movie Addict Productions Limited. He participated in production of many popular films including “Cold War” and “Finding Mr Right”.

     Mr Ivan Wong Chi-fai is the managing director of UA Cinema Circuit Limited and Lark International Multimedia Limited and has been one of the directors of the Hong Kong Theatres Association since 2014.

     Mr Wong Chun was a winner of the 1st First Feature Film Initiative under the FDF and the director of the film “Mad World”, which was a box-office hit and won him Best New Director in the 53rd Golden Horse Awards and the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards.

     Ms Cora Yim Ka-nim is the Senior Vice President of Fox International Channels overseeing the Chinese Channels group.

     The HKFDC was set up in 2007 to advise the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development on policies and measures relating to development of the film industry, including nurturing talent, enhancing local film production, expanding markets and building the audience. read more

     The Government announced today (March 29) the appointment of the membership of the Board of Trustees and the Council of the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust for the term from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021.  &n… read more

     â€‹The Government announced today (March 29) the appointment of the membership of the Board of Trustees of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund for the term from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2022.  The m… read more

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations, including an operation codenamed “Twilight” and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department codenamed “Champion”, on March 25, 26 and 28. A total of 12 illegal workers and three suspected employers were arrested.

     During operation “Twilight”, ImmD Task Force officers raided 31 target locations including an elderly home,  exhibition halls, a factory, hotels, industrial buildings and restaurants. Nine illegal workers and three employers were arrested. The illegal workers comprised seven men and two women, aged 32 to 62. Among them, one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Meanwhile, one man and two women, aged 40 to 64, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.

     In addition, during operation “Champion”, enforcement officers raided six target locations in Chai Wan and North Point including shops, restaurants and wet markets. Three female illegal workers, aged 28 to 37, were arrested. Among them, one woman was the holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. 
 
     “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties,” an ImmD spokesman said.

     The spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment should be applied in such cases. It is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threat and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent interference, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments. read more