Author Archives: hksar gov

     Hong Kong swimming athlete Siobhan Bernadette Haughey today (July 31, Paris time) won the bronze medal in the Women’s 100m Freestyle event for Hong Kong at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, bringing more good news to the city. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to Haughey and her coach.

     “Siobhan has maintained a high level of performance and remained fearless against the world’s best athletes throughout the competitions. She has now won two medals in a row, setting another brilliant result. All Hong Kong people and I are proud of her.

     “I recognise and appreciate the efforts and dedication of all Hong Kong athletes at the Paris Olympic Games. Driven by strong determination, they have undergone rigorous training and competed with their utmost, demonstrating their talents regardless of the results. Hong Kong people have witnessed the passion, unwavering efforts and dedication of each athlete towards sports. We support and commend them. Their unyielding professionalism and sportsmanship have made me and the people of Hong Kong proud,” Mr Lee said.

     Taking into account the bronze medal she won in the Women’s 200m Freestyle event earlier, Haughey has won two bronze medals at these Olympic Games for Hong Kong. read more

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government on July 31 strongly disapproved of and rejected Forbes Magazine’s commentary titled “Hong Kong’s Economy Is Now Risky Business”. It cited a so-called report by an anti-China organisation, namely the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation, fabricating false and unfounded narratives against the implementation of sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and safeguarding of national security, etc. in the HKSAR.
      
     “The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and has all along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC pursuant to the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC to fulfil our international obligations. The HKSAR Government has been closely monitoring the UNSC’s latest adopted resolutions and sanctions lists, as well as reports and announcements of the relevant committees or panels of experts under the UNSC for follow-up actions. Certain countries may impose unilateral sanctions against some places on the basis of their own considerations. The HKSAR Government does not have the legal authority to, and it will not implement, unilateral sanctions imposed by other countries,” a spokesman for the HKSAR Government said.
      
     “Hong Kong has a robust system to implement sanctions imposed by the UNSC. Coupled with the vigilant investigation efforts of our law enforcement agencies which are effective and deterrent, a number of suspected Hong Kong-registered companies had been struck off, and suspicious vessels had been denied entry into Hong Kong waters. All these are conducive to preventing attempts to make use of Hong Kong as a base to violate UNSC sanctions, and hence safeguarding the international reputation of Hong Kong. Hong Kong will continue to maintain a stringent system of implementing the UNSC sanctions in accordance with the law. Exercising their statutory authorities, the law enforcement agencies will continue to proactively follow up on all suspected violations of the UNSC sanctions, and will institute prosecution when there is sufficient evidence.
      
     “It is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR to safeguard national security. In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states. Many common law jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation to safeguard national security. Turning a blind eye to the fact and making blatant remarks, the anti-China organisation CFHK Foundation has demonstrated typical political hegemony and hypocrisy with double standards”, the spokesman added.
      
     “When discharging their duty to safeguard national security, the HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law. The Department of Justice of the HKSAR makes independent prosecutorial decisions, and prosecutions are only commenced if there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction and if it is in the public interest to do so. The HKSAR Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law. As guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence shall have the right to a fair trial by the Judiciary.
      
     “It is incontrovertible that safeguarding national security will provide a better business environment for businesses operating in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly state that the principle of the rule of law shall be adhered to. The relevant laws have set out clear definitions and criminal elements, which will not affect regular exchanges between Hong Kong residents and people here for business with foreign countries.
      
     “Under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantages of having the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, making our role as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ unrivalled. Hong Kong’s highly open and international market, the common law system, regulatory regimes that align with those of the major overseas markets, and the free flow of information and capital, have made Hong Kong an ideal place for companies to expand their operations and talents to give full play to their strengths. The HKSAR Government is steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, fully and faithfully upholding this top priority of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. At the same time, it protects the legal interests, rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and other people in Hong Kong in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguarding the overall interest of the community and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems'”, the spokesperson reiterated. read more

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (July 31) led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation to continue their visit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to meet with the Prime Minister of Cambodia and attend a business lunch. The delegation departed for Hanoi, Vietnam, in the afternoon.
      
     In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr Hun Manet, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Cambodia, Mr Sar Sokha, respectively. Mr Lee noted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has emerged as a powerhouse of economic growth, with the Cambodian market growing rapidly and possessing remarkable economic potential. As a “super connector” and “super value-adder” connecting the Mainland with the world, Hong Kong has first-class financial and professional services that can actively contribute to Cambodia’s economic development, while Hong Kong can also gain many business opportunities during the process, he added.
      
     After the meeting, Mr Lee and Mr Hun Manet jointly witnessed an exchange of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with the Council for the Development of Cambodia, with a view to strengthening Hong Kong-Cambodia co-operation in investment promotion, economics and trade. Mr Lee also thanked the Cambodian Government for supporting Hong Kong’s accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
      
     Afterwards, Mr Lee, together with the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr Sun Chanthol, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr Wang Wenbin, attended a business luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok and the HKTDC. Addressing over 300 representatives of the government and business leaders of Cambodia, Mr Lee introduced Hong Kong’s development opportunities and business advantages. During the luncheon, enterprises and organisations of Hong Kong and Cambodia exchanged 11 MOUs in areas including economics and trade, aviation and financial services. A total of 13 MOUs were reached between Hong Kong and Cambodia during the visit.
      
     In the afternoon, Mr Lee and the delegation departed for Hanoi, Vietnam, and attended a dinner with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry upon arrival.
      
     Mr Lee will continue his visit in Hanoi tomorrow (August 1).

                                      

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the third meeting of the Steering Committee on District Governance today (July 31). The meeting discussed the preparatory work of various bureaux and departments on the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and formulated strategies to address district issues of people’s concern.
      
     Mr Chan said, “This year’s National Day is of great significance, being the first such anniversary after the improvement of governance at the district level and the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Bureaux and departments are pressing ahead at full steam with preparations for an array of rich and diverse celebratory activities, with a view to sharing the joy of the National Day with members of the public and strengthening the sense of patriotism in the community. We will mobilise the support of different sectors in society to foster a colourful and enthusiastic atmosphere for the National Day.”
      
     On district issues, the Steering Committee on District Governance discussed further promoting digital inclusion among the elderly and tasked the Digital Policy Office under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau with setting up community-based help desks and organising digital inclusion activities. The objective is to provide the elderly with necessary digital support and strengthen their interest and capability in adopting digital technologies, so that they can enjoy the benefits of digital services. Also, the Steering Committee formulated an enhanced mechanism to handle some common complaints at the district level; and followed up the progress of the seven district initiatives previously identified, namely (1) expanding after-school care service and enhancing support for parents; (2) caring for the elderly and enhancing community support; (3) fostering clean markets and mobilising the community to participate in anti-rodent work; (4) enhancing public order and combatting crimes on all fronts; (5) improving pedestrian facilities and ensuring road safety; (6) enhancing the walking experience for citizens and creating a pedestrian-friendly environment; and (7) improving the environment of public housing estates and creating comfortable homes.
      
     In accordance with the overall strategies set by the Steering Committee on District Governance, the Task Force on District Governance, chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will continue to co-ordinate bureaux and departments in taking forward the various district initiatives to raise people’s standard of living with concrete results and enhance their sense of achievement, satisfaction and security.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following appeal today (July 31) regarding the condition of a patient who requires an urgent heart transplant:
 
     A patient who requires an urgent heart transplant is currently hospitalised at Queen Mary Hospital and is in critical condition. In response to an urgent appeal from the patient and family members concerned, the HA appeals to members of the public to proactively support organ donations and consider donating the heart of a deceased relative to rekindle the lives of others.
      
     In view of the critical condition of the patient, in addition to proactively searching for a suitable heart locally, the HA will also seek assistance from the Mainland through relevant procedures as soon as possible. When a patient who is willing to donate an organ is deceased and no suitable patient is identified to receive the organ on the Mainland, the cross-boundary organ donation and matching mechanism will facilitate a transplant in Hong Kong to bring hope to a critically ill patient.
      
     The spokesperson emphasised that when a suitable heart is found, the HA will strictly follow the relevant organ transplant regulations and make an application with the authorities to ensure that all procedures comply with relevant standards and regulatory requirements. The HA will arrange transplant operations with an aim to save the patient’s life the soonest.
      
     For critically ill patients with organ failure, an organ transplant is often the only hope to extend their lives. When deceased patients and their families show selfless act of love and donate the deceased person’s organs to save dying patients, it not only gives critically ill patients the hope of life, but also eases their families from hardship in life. The HA appeals to the public to pass on the great love, blessing and care to those who are still fighting for their well-deserved lives.
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