Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government today (June 14) announced the appointment of Dr Sunny Chai as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) and the appointment/re-appointment of 11 members to the HKSTPC for two years starting from July 1, 2018.
          
     The appointment of the HKSTPC Chairman is made by the Chief Executive under section 1(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the HKSTPC Ordinance (Cap. 565). Dr Chai is a seasoned industrialist with rich experience in public service. He will succeed the incumbent HKSTPC Chairman, Mrs Fanny Law, whose term of appointment will end on June 30, 2018.
      
     “I am deeply grateful to Mrs Law for her tremendous contribution to the work of the HKSTPC and the development of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem,” the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said.
      
     “During the past four years, Mrs Law capably steered the work of the Hong Kong Science Park as the flagship innovation and technology institution of Hong Kong. Under her leadership, a number of new initiatives and important infrastructural projects, including the Science Park expansion programme, the Data Technology Hub and the Advanced Manufacturing Centre, have been making good progress,” Mrs Lam added.
      
     The Government also announced the appointment of eight new members and re-appointment of three serving members by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan.
      
     Mr Herbert Chia, Mr Donald Choi, Mr Dennis Ho, Professor Mak Tak-wah, Mr Jimmy Ng, Mr Gavin Poon, Professor Sean Tang and Mr Denis Tse are appointed as new board members of the HKSTPC.
      
     Mr Theodore Ma, Mr Joseph Ngai and Professor Tsui Lap-chee are re-appointed as board members of the HKSTPC.
      
     A Government spokesman said, “The Corporation’s board of directors is a repository of strong expertise from a wide variety of technology and professional areas. With the immense experience and knowledge of board directors, we believe that they can steer the Corporation to fulfil its public mission effectively and further enhance Hong Kong’s position as a hub for innovation and technology.”
      
     The tenure of four incumbent board members, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Professor Shyy Wei, Mr Richard Sun and Mr Billy Wong, will expire on June 30 this year.
      
     “The outgoing members have contributed valuably to the Corporation and the betterment of the local innovation and technology ecosystem. The achievements of the Corporation are due in no small measure to their guidance and wise counsel,” the spokesman added.
      
     The HKSTPC, which began operation in 2001, manages the Hong Kong Science Park, three industrial estates and an InnoCentre. It provides a comprehensive range of services to cater for the needs of industry at various stages, including nurturing technology start-ups through its incubation programme, providing premises and services for applied research and development activities, and providing developed land for production. read more

     An Indonesian illegal worker holding a recognisance form was jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (June 13).
 
     During operation “Twilight” conducted on June 11, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a restaurant in Tuen Mun. A female Indonesian illegal worker, aged 46, was arrested. When intercepted she was washing dishes. Upon identity checking, she produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits her from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that she was a non-refoulement claimant. Meanwhile, two employers suspected of employing the illegal worker were arrested and the investigations are ongoing.
 
     The illegal worker was charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday with taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration or while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. She pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.
 
     The ImmD 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.
 
     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 the 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 on 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

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 14) that due to b… read more

     Hongkong Post announced today (June 14) that an exhibition displaying the winning entries and other entries of the 17th Inter-School Stamp Exhibits Competition will be held at Sha Tin Town Hall from June 29 to July 1. The competition is co-organised by Hongkong Post and the Education Bureau to promote philately among students. The exhibition will be open to the public and admission is free.

     Hongkong Post will issue a souvenir cover, together with a special postmark and a cachet, to mark the event. Souvenir covers will be put on sale at $2 each at all philatelic offices from tomorrow (June 15) to July 1. A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided at the exhibition venue and all philatelic offices on June 29.
     
     Information about the exhibition and the souvenir covers is available on Hongkong Post’s website at www.hongkongpost.hk and the Hongkong Post mobile app.
 

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced today (June 14) that the Base Rate was adjusted upward by 25 basis points to 2.25% with immediate effect … read more