The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (September 26) welcomed that the Fraser Institute once again ranked Hong Kong as the freest economy in the world in the Economic Freedom of the World 2018 Annual Report. Among the five areas of assessment, Hong Kong was ranked top in "Freedom to Trade Internationally" and "Regulation".

     "The hard-earned results vividly reflect Hong Kong's steadfast commitment to building a free economy with a level playing field," a government spokesman said.

     "The Government will continue to build a robust institutional framework, uphold the fine tradition of rule of law and maintain an efficient government, so as to provide a level playing field. This should provide a favourable environment for our economy to thrive," the spokesman said.
     
     "The press release of the Fraser Institute states that there is a concern about the rule of law in Hong Kong, on which we do not agree. We must point out that there are no objective facts showing that the rule of law or judicial independence in Hong Kong has been subject to any interference. Judicial independence is the bedrock of Hong Kong's economic freedoms and is protected by the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The court system in Hong Kong is as transparent as ever and justice is impartial in Hong Kong. Hearings are generally held in open court and the media are free to report on proceedings while reasoned judgments are accessible on the Judiciary's website. The rule of law, including judicial independence, is alive and well in Hong Kong. Judicial independence is pivotal to Hong Kong's continuous success as the world's freest economy. We have faith in the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong, and will strive to enhance the proper understanding of the international community in this respect through different channels," the spokesman added.

     Hong Kong has long been and will continue to be an open market, founded upon strong rule of law, civil liberties and government transparency. Furthermore, Hong Kong is a staunch supporter of free trade and will continue to defend the multilateral trading system in the interests of global economic growth, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said in Washington, DC, the United States (US) today (September 25, Eastern Standard Time).
 
     Speaking at a gala reception and dinner hosted by Cathay Pacific Airways Limited to mark its inaugural direct flight between Hong Kong and Washington, DC, Mr Yau said that Hong Kong has always been a strong and important trade partner of the US. American businesses can capitalise on Hong Kong's strengths as an open market, a springboard to Asia and as a partner for innovation for exploring markets, he added.
 
     Before the gala reception and dinner, Mr Yau had a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of Commerce, Mr Wilbur Ross, to exchange views on US-Hong Kong trade and economic relations. He told Mr Ross that the strong tradition of rule of law, low levels of corruption, highly efficient business environment, a world-class infrastructure and highly professional services make Hong Kong a preferred platform for business and investment activities from the US. He also pointed out that a business delegation with representatives from major chambers of commerce and individual companies had also joined his visit to Washington, DC to strengthen government-to-government and business-to-business partnership between both sides.
 
     After the meeting, Mr Yau witnessed the signing of Statement of Intent on Smart Technology Collaboration between the US Department of Commerce and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. The collaborative agreement represents a new milestone in commercial activities between Hong Kong and the US.
 
     In the morning, Mr Yau met separately with the Deputy US Trade Representative for Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Industrial Competitiveness, Mr Jeffrey Gerrish, and Senator Steve Daines, to update them on the latest economic and trade developments in Hong Kong and to exchange views on Hong Kong-US trade relations. During the meeting with Mr Gerrish, he reiterated that as a founding member of the World Trade Organization, Hong Kong strongly supports the multilateral trading system and free trade.
 
     In the afternoon, after attending a luncheon organised by US-China Business Council, Mr Yau met with the founder of the Heritage Foundation, Dr Edwin Feulner. He welcomed the Heritage Foundation's recognition of Hong Kong as the world's freest economy for the 24th consecutive year, and was pleased to note that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's steadfast commitment in upholding the free market principles has always been affirmed internationally.
 
     Mr Yau will continue his visit programmes in Washington, DC tomorrow (September 26, Eastern Standard Time).

                

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (September 26). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure
     
     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.
     
     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions
     
     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 24) seized about 13 kilograms of suspected cannabis resin with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Delhi, India yesterday morning. Upon examination of his check-in luggage, Customs officers found the suspected cannabis resin concealed inside the false compartments of the suitcase. The man was then arrested.

     The arrested man, aged 49, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 26).

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
 

  

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley tomorrow (September 26). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.
     
A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.
     
     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.