Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Magpie" between July 2 and 25 to combat illegal activities involving party room and restaurant operators providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. 

     During the operation, Customs officers raided 31 party rooms and one restaurant in various districts, including Kwun Tong, Causeway Bay, Tsuen Wan and Mong Kok. A total of 39 sets of karaoke devices used for playing suspected infringing songs, four sets of game consoles with suspected pirated electronic games, and a batch of audio and video equipment and network devices were seized. The total estimated market value is approximately $1.1 million. Eleven men and seven women, aged between 23 and 49, were arrested for being suspected of contravening the Copyright Ordinance and Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). They include seven persons-in-charge of the venues, six company directors and five shop proprietors. Two of the arrestees were charged under the Copyright Ordinance, while the rest were released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing and further arrest may be made.

     In addition, Customs detected the first-ever case of providing infringing karaoke songs by using streaming technology. Through in-depth investigation and with the assistance of copyright owners, Customs officers raided one data centre and four party rooms involved in the case, seizing five karaoke devices preloaded with suspected infringing karaoke songs and a batch of network equipment. 

     Customs also found a party room owner who claimed to have obtained a valid licence that allowed customers to legally watch movies and television programmes. However, upon investigation, it was revealed that the subject party room did not obtain such a licence and was suspected of making a false trade description in the course of business, contravening the TDO. 

     Customs reminds business operators to comply with the Copyright Ordinance and the TDO.

     Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat infringing activities on all fronts and safeguard the rights of copyright owners and consumers.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who, without the license of the copyright owner of a copyright work, possesses infringing copies of a copyright work for the purpose of, or in the course of, any trade or business with the view to it being used by any person commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.

     Under the TDO, any trader who engages in unfair trade practices, including making false trade descriptions in relation to service, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

      

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 26) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From July 19 to yesterday (July 25), the CHP recorded one imported DF case; the patient had been to Indonesia during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday, 38 cases of DF, including 35 imported and three local cases, had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.

     According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmission, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, had resulted in close to a historic high of over 6.5 million cases and more than 7 300 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of 2024, the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina and Peru, have recorded over 10 million cases, a record number. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).

     "Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to a doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     
     â€‹DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
     

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     â€‹The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

     The Government announced today (July 26) that the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, under the authority delegated by the Chief Executive, has reappointed Mr Victor Dawes, SC and appointed Mr Vincent Chan Chun-hung as Non-Executive Directors of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for a term of two years from August 1, 2024.

     A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, "Mr Dawes, SC has been offering insightful advice for the effective performance of functions and governance of the SFC. His wise counsel and support will continue to steer the SFC's work.

     "Mr Chan has extensive experience in the private equity sector and in-depth knowledge of the operation and regulation of the securities and futures markets in Hong Kong. We are confident that his expertise will be valuable to facilitating the development of the SFC.

     "We would also like to thank the outgoing Non-Executive Director, Dr James Lin, for his active contribution to the SFC over the past six years. His stewardship has been conducive to enhancing the SFC's role as a regulator with a focus on market quality."

     The SFC is chaired by Mr Tim Lui Tim-leung. Other serving Non-Executive Directors are Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen, Mr Chew Fook-aun, Mr Johnson Kong Chi-how, Mr Nicky Lo Kar-chun, Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam and Mr Dieter Yih Lai-tak.

     The Government announced today (July 26) appointments to the Advisory Committee of the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) for a term of two years from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2026.

     The Financial Secretary appointed Mr Edmund Wong Chun-sek as a new member and reappointed the 11 members below in accordance with the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588).

Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing
Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han
Mr Stephen Fung Sing-hong
Mr Edward Lau Fu-keung
Ms Elizabeth Law
Mr Patrick Law Fu-yuen
Ms Doris Lian Shaodong
Mr Webster Ng Kam-wah
Dr Christopher To Wing
Ms Flora Wang Fang
Ms Daisy Yeung

     A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, "Since the launch of the new regulatory regime of the accounting profession in 2022, the Advisory Committee has been rendering constructive advice on the regulatory objectives and policies of the AFRC. With his extensive and strong connections with the accounting profession, we are confident that Mr Edmund Wong, together with the other members of the Advisory Committee, will further serve as a conduit between the AFRC and the sector, thereby assisting the AFRC in discharging its important functions of promoting and supporting the development of the profession.

     "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the outgoing member, Mr Low Chee-keong, for his valuable contribution to the work of the Advisory Committee during his tenure."

     The Advisory Committee was established on August 1, 2022, to advise the AFRC on matters of policy regarding any of the AFRC's objectives and functions under the new regulatory regime of the accounting profession. It comprises the AFRC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, as well as government-appointed members who are practitioners, service users and other stakeholders of the accounting profession. The government-appointed members are empowered to second nominations of candidates in the Council elections of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

     â€‹The Government announced today (July 26) the reappointment of the Chairman, Mr Eugene Fung Ting-sek, and two incumbent members, Ms Fung Po-yee and Mr Suen Jenkin, and the appointment of two new members, Professor Fong Yuk-fai and Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun, to the Air Transport Licensing Authority for two years from August 1, 2024.

     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, "We are confident that the team of new and serving members, with their expertise and backgrounds in different sectors, will make valuable contributions to the work of the Authority in facilitating the development of air services in Hong Kong.

     "The Government is most grateful to the retiring members, Professor Leung Siu-fai and Ms Miranda Kwok Pui-fong, for their invaluable contributions during their six years with the Authority. Their current term of service will expire on July 31, 2024."

     The appointments have been published in the Government Gazette today.

     The Authority is an independent statutory body established under the Air Transport (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations (Cap. 448A). It is responsible for considering applications from airlines of Hong Kong for licences to operate scheduled services to and from Hong Kong in accordance with the provisions of the said regulations. The Authority comprises a Chairman and seven non-official members. The membership list with effect from August 1, 2024, is as follows:
     

Chairman
Mr Eugene Fung Ting-sek

Members
Ms Kelly Chan Yuen-sau
Professor Fong Yuk-fai 
Ms Fung Po-yee
Ms Jasmine Lee Shun-yi
Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun 
Mr Suen Jenkin
Ms Avon Yue Nga-fong