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The following press release is issued on behalf of the Independent Commission Against Corruption:
 
Yuen Long DC member charged with $147,000 salary payments fraud
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     A member of the Yuen Long District Council (DC) has been charged by the ICAC today (August 28) with defrauding the Home Affairs Department (HAD) of reimbursement of his part-time assistant’s salary payments totalling $147,000.
      
     Man Kwong-ming, 56, faces one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
      
     The defendant will appear in the Tuen Mun Magistracy on Thursday (August 30) for plea.
      
     The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
      
     At the material time, the defendant was a member of the Yuen Long DC. He was entitled to apply for reimbursement of operating expenses incurred from employing staff members to assist him in running his ward office.
      
     The charge alleges that between February 28, 2012 and June 29, 2016, the defendant dishonestly and falsely represented that a man was employed by him as a part-time assistant between January 1, 2012 and January 31, 2016; submitted to the HAD operating expenses reimbursement applications to evidence that he had paid a monthly salary to the man in the sum of $3,000 each month during that period; and with intent to defraud, induced staff members of the HAD to process and effect payments to him of a total sum of $147,000 as reimbursement of the operating expenses, which resulted in benefit to him or prejudice to the Government.
      
     The HAD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
      
     The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Thursday. read more

     The Government promulgated today (August 28) the first Talent List of Hong Kong. Aiming to attract quality people from around the world in a more effective and focused manner to support Hong Kong’s development as a high value-added and diversified economy, the Talent List, which contains 11 professions, has been drawn up after extensive consultation with the stakeholders.

     The Talent List highlights specific professions needed most for Hong Kong’s economic development. In order to attract relevant world talents to Hong Kong, immigration facilitation is provided to eligible persons under the Talent List through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) within its existing annual quota of 1 000. Successful applicants under the QMAS are not required to have secured an offer of local employment for settlement in Hong Kong. For applicants who meet the specifications of the respective profession under the Talent List, bonus marks will be given under the General Points Test of the QMAS.

     The 11 professions are listed as follows:

(a) Experienced waste treatment specialists/engineers;

(b) Experienced management professionals in asset management including but not limited to trust fund management;

(c) Experienced professionals in marine insurance;

(d) Actuaries;

(e) Experienced professionals in Fintech;

(f) Experienced data scientists and experienced cyber security specialists;

(g) Innovation and technology experts in, but not limited to, the following fields: (i) pharmaceutical and life science/biotechnology; (ii) data engineering (e.g. data mining/data analytics), artificial intelligence, robotics, distributed ledger technologies, biometric technologies and industrial/chemical engineering, etc.; and (iii) materials science/nanotechnology;

(h) Naval architects;

(i) Marine engineers and superintendents of ships;

(j) Creative industries professionals in: (i) music: recording engineers, mastering engineers, and cutting/pressing engineers for Vinyl LP; (ii) digital entertainment: game development experts (game designers, game programmers and game graphic designers) and game producers; and (iii) films: various roles in pre-production, production and post-production and winner of designated renowned international film festivals; and

(k) Dispute resolution professionals specialising in resolving international financial and investor-state disputes, and transactional lawyers with specialised knowledge of and experience in cross-border transactions from investing or host states.

     Detailed information on the 11 professions in the Talent List and qualification/experience requirements of the talents can be found in the dedicated website for the Talent List (www.talentlist.gov.hk) launched today.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the Human Resources Planning Commission, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, “Hong Kong welcomes talents from all over the world with valuable skills, knowledge and experience to work here, bringing their talent into full play and further developing their careers. The promulgation of the Talent List is one of our major initiatives to enhance our competitive advantages in attracting international talents, creating cluster effects, stimulating the development of local talents and propelling Hong Kong forward.”

     Application under the QMAS for eligible persons in the Talent List starts today. Information on application arrangements can be found in the websites of the Talent List and the QMAS (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/quality_migrant_admission_scheme.html). Meanwhile, the QMAS continues to welcome talents from other industries and sectors not covered by the Talent List.

     With the joint efforts of Government’s overseas and Mainland Economic and Trade Offices, as well as the support of industry stakeholders, the Talent List will be publicised with the theme “Hong Kong • Talent Hub – Unlimited Opportunities” to attract targeted quality talents from around the world.

     The Talent List will be regularly updated to ensure that it can keep up with Hong Kong’s latest economic development and the changing needs for different talents. read more

     â€‹Yuen Long food premises Pao Dim Tat Yan at Yuen Long New Street discharged sub-standard wastewater into a communal storm drain and was fined $30,000 by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (August 28) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) officers conducted a blitz inspection in Yuen Long in January and found that sub-standard wastewater was being discharged by the food premises concerned into a communal storm drain at the rear lane, thus polluting nearby drainage channels. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the operator of the restaurant in accordance with the WPCO.
      
     The EPD spokesman said that anyone who directly discharges untreated wastewater into storm drains will pollute the environment and adversely affect public hygiene. The spokesman reminded the responsible persons of food premises that they should ensure proper operation of their wastewater treatment facilities and properly treat wastewater before its discharge to avoid causing environmental pollution.
      
     Under the WPCO, anyone who discharges wastewater into storm drains commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. A maximum fine of $400,000 and six months’ imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 is 103.7 (down 0.2 against yesterday’s index). read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:        Rents for 1 753 flats, tentatively scheduled for completion between August and December 2018, in four non-standard blocks at three Hong Ko… read more