Author Archives: hksar gov

     For the fourth consecutive year, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) has sponsored the Vienna International Film Festival (Viennale) in Austria to showcase Hong Kong movies. The screening of First Night Nerves directed by Stanley Kwan has been scheduled for November 3 (Vienna time) and on October 28 (Vienna time), Derek Chiu’s award-winning melodrama No. 1 Chung Ying Street has made its debut in Vienna. The 56th edition of Austria’s biggest international film event is being attended by more than 90 000 visitors who enjoy a carefully picked selection of 300 new films from all over the world.
 
     In the evening on October 28 (Vienna time), HKETO Berlin hosted the Hong Kong Reception at the Kunsthalle Wien at Museumsquartier, welcoming representatives of the Austrian and international film industry. Invited on stage by Viennale’s Director, Ms Eva Sangiorgi, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Bill Li, highlighted the importance of the film industry for Hong Kong’s development into a value-added and diversified economy. “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to promote the development of Hong Kong as a regional intellectual property trading centre and encourage commercialisation of intellectual property so that the development of our creative industries can further diversify,” Mr Li said.

     Hong Kong is aspiring to become the arts and cultural hub in Asia. Known for its inexhaustible source of film talents, the city attracts young film makers and actors bringing inspirations and new ideas to enrich Hong Kong’s film industry. “We will promote further development of Hong Kong’s local film industry, and nurture more talents. We also welcome film production professionals from around the world to work in Hong Kong,” Mr Li said, making reference to the recently published Talent List of Hong Kong. The Talent List of Hong Kong has been drawn up with a view to attracting high quality talents from all over the world to take advantage of the abundant opportunities in the city. It currently comprises 11 professions, including creative industry professions in film, music and digital entertainment. After the reception, guests were invited to join the screening of No. 1 Chung Ying Street under attendance of the film’s director Derek Chiu who provided an introduction.
 
     The renowned works of the Hong Kong film industry are not only showcased at the Viennale, but can also be witnessed on the spot at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market which will take place in Hong Kong in March 2019.
 
About HKETO Berlin
 
     HKETO Berlin is the official HKSAR Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Austria as well as the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

    

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (October 30) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of renowned writer and veteran newsman Professor Louis Cha.

     “A learned man and an acclaimed writer of martial arts novels, Professor Cha’s works inherited the tradition of Chinese classics with the integration of history and culture, and are very popular among Chinese in various parts of the world. His works had been widely adapted into television serials and films, contributing significantly to the promotion of Chinese culture.

     “Professor Cha is also highly regarded in the newspaper industry with decades of experience in it. He founded Ming Pao in his early years and also wrote editorials with constructive comments for society, earning the respect of the sector.

     “Professor Cha served in various public duties, including member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Drafting Committee, the Hong Kong convenor of the sub-group on the political system and member of the Executive Committee of the Basic Law Consultative Committee. Professor Cha was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2000 for his outstanding achievements in Chinese literature and journalism and contributions in public service.

     I was grieved to learn of Professor Cha’s passing. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family,” Mrs Lam said.  read more

     Hong Kong Customs seized a batch of suspected smuggled goods, including 391 game discs, 100 boxes of accessories, 30 pairs of shoes, 10 bottles of red wine and about 1.3kg of bird nest with an estimated market value of about $540,000 at Man Kam To Control Point today (October 30).

     Customs officers intercepted an outgoing private car at Man Kam To Control Point this afternoon and found the batch of suspected smuggled goods on board the vehicle. The 30-year-old male driver and the 42-year-old male passenger were arrested.
          
     Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

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

  

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (October 30) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Professor Louis Cha and extended his deepest condolences to Professor Cha’s family.

     Mr Lau said, “The masterpieces written by Professor Cha laid the cornerstone of the development of martial arts (Wuxia) novels in Hong Kong. The permanent exhibition of Jin Yong Gallery in the Hong Kong Heritage Museum showcases Professor Cha’s contribution to Hong Kong culture since its establishment. Professor Cha’s work and its chivalrous spirit manifested will always be recognised and remain for generations. He will be remembered fondly.”
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     A spokesman for the Housing Department (HD) today (October 30) reminded residents of public rental housing (PRH) estates and PRH applicants to truthfully declare their income and assets.

     Recently, a PRH resident did not declare his joint ownership of a residential property and its related rental income, and understated his monthly employment income on a 2017 Income and Asset Declaration Form. The resident was prosecuted by the HD for making a false statement knowingly and neglecting to furnish information specified in the Income and Asset Declaration Form, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) and Section 27(a) of the Housing Ordinance respectively.

     In another case, a PRH applicant declared on two separate declaration forms in 2015 that he had no land and related net asset value. Subsequent investigation, however, revealed that he had been the joint tenant of land located in the New Territories since 2012 and its net asset value was approximately $870,000. Eventually, the applicant was prosecuted for making a false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(c) of the Housing Ordinance.

     Both defendants were previously convicted by the presiding magistrate at Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts, who considered that a fine as punishment would not reflect the gravity of the offence. After considering their probation reports by the Court, the defendants were sentenced to 100 hours and 80 hours of Community Service Order respectively.

     The spokesman said that households living in PRH should complete their income and asset declaration forms accurately, as doing so provides the foundation for the assessment of rent and their eligibilities for continuing residence. Before making the declarations, households should read the content and completion guidelines of the income and asset declaration form carefully and compute their income and assets in accordance with the methods specified. Otherwise, they may be prosecuted for making false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) of the Housing Ordinance (if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for six months), or being prosecuted for neglecting to furnish information as specified in a declaration form, contrary to Section 27(a) of the Housing Ordinance (if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $25,000 fine and imprisonment for three months). Notwithstanding the above, the HD will take action to recover the undercharged rent incurred due to the inaccurate information or even recover their PRH units. In addition, the spokesman also reminded all PRH applicants that if they are convicted by the court for making a false statement knowingly during the PRH application, contrary to Section 26(1)(c) of the Housing Ordinance, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months, while the PRH application will also be cancelled. read more