The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) today (October 29) mounted a raid operation in Sham Shui Po against two radio dealers for the suspected sale of radio jammers, which are illegal and strictly prohibite… read more
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, on the abolition of using employers’ mandatory contributions under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System to offset severance payment and long service payment, after officiating at the Citi-HKCSS Community Intern Program 2018 Recognition Ceremony this afternoon (October 29):
Reporter: Secretary, it seems there are a lot of different scenarios, situations and very complicated calculations with regards to how businesses will bear extra cost and how the Government can compensate or subsidise the businesses when we scrap the MPF “offsetting” mechanism. So is there a healthy discussion because it seems that there are still a lot of misunderstandings. They are saying that you said this number, while you are saying that their calculations may not work for everyone. So when can we see an agreement or is there going to be an agreement when the Government introduces the proposal to the LegCo for lawmakers to vet? My second question is: Some businesses are still proposing that they want a fund pool instead of having subsidies. Is this completely off the table?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Let’s go back to the last question first. The Government has considered all possible alternatives that have been expressed and suggested to the Government. In fact, all these options, most of them were actually mentioned before this administration, that is, in the last administration.
The “fund pool” idea sounds attractive for those particularly who do not really understand what possibly the impact would be for their own business. But then if you look at all these kinds of “fund pool” arrangements, it has particularly a moral hazard and that moral hazard would be unfavourable to those who are doing business in a proper manner and fair to their own employees. Therefore, this is basically out of the question for the Government to set a system to encourage moral hazards in such a way which is unfair to business. Your first question?
Reporter: The calculation, numbers.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I do think that the Government has a duty, at least I as the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, has the duty to explain to the community, in particular the business community, the details of the proposal and the implication in abolishing the MPF “offsetting” mechanism. I guess, a lot of business people having the MPF “offset”, they have actually forgotten what the long service payment and severance payment are really meant for, and who will be eligible. Who will not be eligible? And the implication of such abolition of the “offsetting” mechanism will mean to them. Therefore, I do see a need for me, at least, and my colleagues to try to explain to the community and the business as far as possible. That is what we are going to do in the future. In fact, we will try to solicit support from other professional bodies, too, so as to help them ease their mind. Because if they do not believe in the Government, they have to believe in other professionals. So that is what we are going to do. Thanks.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more
The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (October 29) visited two education institutions and an innovation and technology enterprise in Zhejiang to learn more about the diversified education and development pathways for young people in the province.
In the morning, Mr Yeung visited Hangzhou CIS, a project run by Chinese International School, and the Xixi Park of Alibaba Group. In the afternoon, he called at the China Academy of Art.
Established in 1999, Alibaba Group engages in e-commerce, digital media, entertainment and other innovative projects. All these provide young people with new opportunities for career development. During his visit to the Xixi Park of Alibaba Group, Mr Yeung took the opportunity to meet some young people from Hong Kong and learn more about their work in the enterprise.
Mr Yeung said that the Internet and other technological advancements had removed the geographical barriers that used to hinder young people’s learning and development. In recent years, Hong Kong had put more emphasis on information technology and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education in the stage of basic education and at the same time increased its investment in higher education substantially to provide more research funding and nurture talents.
He encouraged the young people to continue with their efforts in exploring these areas and contribute to Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub in the future.
In these two days, Mr Yeung met with a number of senior officials, including the Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, Mr Cheng Yuechong; the Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, Mr Guo Huawei; the Secretary of the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee, Mr Zhou Jiangyong; the Secretary General of the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee, Mr Xu Ming; the Vice Mayor of the Hangzhou Municipal Government, Ms Chen Hongying; and the Director of the Hangzhou Municipal Education Bureau, Mr Shen Jianping. They exchanged views on education developments in Zhejiang Province and Hong Kong.
Tomorrow morning, Mr Yeung will visit the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Ningbo Xiaoshi High School, followed by a meeting with senior officials of Ningbo. In the afternoon, he will join members of the Hong Kong education sector to participate in the Ningbo-Hong Kong Education Co-operation Forum 2018, where he will deliver a speech and witness the signing of four sister school agreements by eight schools from Hong Kong and Ningbo.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (October 29) met with officials from the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Commerce during her visit in Beijing, with a view to fostering closer ties and enhancing exchanges with the relevant Mainland authorities in respect of matters relating to food safety and the supply of agricultural food to Hong Kong.
Professor Chan met with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Mr Ni Yuefeng, and the Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mr Yu Kangzhen, this morning and took the opportunity to learn about the latest situation of the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) on the Mainland.
Professor Chan said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is very concerned with, and is paying close attention to, the outbreak of ASF on the Mainland, and has been maintaining close liaisons with the General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on the development and response actions. So far, no pig farm registered for supplying Hong Kong is affected and the supply of live pigs from the Mainland remains generally stable. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for their efforts over the past two months or so in the management and control work at source, as well as their efforts in ensuring steady supply of live pigs to Hong Kong. In particular, the announcement of a package of measures in quarantine and control in transporting live pigs to Hong Kong last week can ensure that live pigs for supply to Hong Kong undergo strict quarantine and control by the Customs authorities.”
She added, “Although there is no food safety issue connected with ASF, the HKSAR Government has already stepped up bio-security measures in various areas, including pig farms, slaughterhouses and boundary checkpoints, to prevent infection to local pig farms. Among them, cleaning and disinfection of vehicles and personnel entering and leaving slaughterhouses and pig farms have been enhanced, and use of swill of animal origin as pig feed is being phased out.”
In addition, Professor Chan told Mr Yu, “The HKSAR Government has been actively promoting the sustainable development of the fisheries industry in recent years, consistent with the direction of development on the Mainland. We believe that the option for HKSAR fishermen to develop aquaculture business in Mainland waters is worth exploring.”
Aside from the outbreak of ASF, Professor Chan and Mr Ni also discussed other issues relating to food safety and supply. She also signed a protocol with the Director General of the General Office of the General Administration of Customs, Mr Zhang Guangzhi, on the importation of bird’s nest products into the Mainland.
Professor Chan remarked, “The formal signing of the protocol on implementation of inspection and quarantine arrangements for imported bird’s nest products from Hong Kong will help foster the trading of bird’s nests between the Mainland and the HKSAR, and will also be welcomed by the trade of the two places. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I thank the General Administration of Customs for its great support on this issue.
“In addition, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the General Administration of Customs will continue to work on the regulatory scheme on the carriage by travellers, as well as postage, of bird’s nest products into the Mainland.”
In the afternoon, Professor Chan paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Song Zhe, and the Assistant Minister of Commerce, Mr Ren Hongbin. Professor Chan told Mr Song that the Central People’s Government and the SARG had attached great importance to the development of the Greater Bay Area, under the framework of which the Mainland and the HKSAR had been stepping up co-operation in all aspects.
During the meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Commerce, both sides exchanged views on food supply to Hong Kong, particularly on safeguarding the stable supply, quality and safety of agricultural products. They also agreed to maintain close co-operation on these issues.
Those accompanying Professor Chan on the visit included the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mr Philip Yung; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai; the Controller of the Centre for Food Safety, Dr Ho Yuk-yin; and the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Boundary and Ports), Ms Louise Ho. Professor Chan departed for Hong Kong after her Beijing visit this evening.
Hongkong Post announced today (October 29) that, as advised by the postal administration of the United States, mail delivery services to North Carolina, South Carolina, southwest Virginia (postcodes 27000 to 29999 and 23000 to … read more