Author Archives: hksar gov

     Regarding the recent sighting of a whale in Sai Kung waters, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (July 26) strongly urges members of the public not to pursue the whale.

     A spokesman for the AFCD said, “Members of the public should not go on boat trips to watch the suspected Bryde’s whale emerged in waters in the vicinity of High Island and Port Shelter. The department has stepped up patrols of the waters where the whale has appeared and at places including the Sai Kung Public Pier, urged public not to go on boat trips to watch the whale. Meanwhile, upon sighting of whales, public is reminded that they should keep a distance, slow down their vessels and be aware of their personal safety to avoid accidents.”

     The spokesman said, “All cetaceans are protected by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). Irresponsible whale watching behaviour may constitute an act of wilful disturbance of protected wild animals. Offenders are liable to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of $100,000 upon conviction.”

     Since receiving sighting reports of a whale in Sai Kung waters in mid-July, the AFCD and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong have kept sending staff to inspect the concerned waters, stepped up patrols with other concerned departments and distributed promotional leaflets to public. The AFCD will keep monitoring the condition of the whale closely and work with other concerned departments and non-government organisations to explore appropriate and feasible options to help the whale.

      

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:      As the Standby Signal No.1 has been issued, the Marine Department remi… read more

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation to continue their visit in Jakarta, Indonesia, today (July 26). He visited the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway, a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative. He also visited local major enterprises and attended a business luncheon to exchange views with local business leaders.
      
     In the morning, Mr Lee visited the local office of a Hong Kong insurance company, FWD Group, to understand its business development in Indonesia. Noting that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner, and its market is continuously growing, Mr Lee expressed his hope that the Group could share its successful experience with other Hong Kong enterprises seeking to enter the ASEAN market.
      
     Later, Mr Lee visited an Indonesian conglomerate, Lippo Group, to learn about its developments in areas such as real estate, telecommunications and financial services. He introduced the latest economic developments of Hong Kong to the Group’s representatives and encouraged them to further invest in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
      
     At noon, the delegation led by Mr Lee attended a business luncheon jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Addressing about 200 representatives of the Government and business leaders of Indonesia, Mr Lee introduced in his keynote speech Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under “one country, two systems” and the latest development opportunities.
      
     Government departments, enterprises and institutions of Hong Kong and Indonesia also signed 15 memoranda of understanding and agreements in such areas as trading and commerce, finance, logistics, maritime services, professional services, exchange of meteorological information, and co-operation in aerospace technology.
      
     In the afternoon, the delegation led by Mr Lee visited the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway to learn about the latest developments of the project. He said that the railway, which connects Jakarta and Bandung, the capital of West Java Province and the third-largest city of Indonesia, is a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative. He also said that the railway, which will be commissioned in August, bears a special meaning as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.
      
     In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to ASEAN, Ms Hou Yanqi. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the Mission of the PRC to ASEAN for its continuous support to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, and for its assistance in promoting Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
      
     Mr Lee will depart for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tomorrow (July 27) morning to continue his visit programme and will meet with local political and business leaders.

                          

      A male illegal immigrant from the Mainland was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment yesterday (July 25) by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts.

      In March 2023, two Mainland illegal immigrants attempted to depart Hong Kong at the Lo Wu Control Point by forged Hong Kong landing slips but were successfully apprehended by officers of Immigration Department (ImmD). During investigation, they admitted to having sneaked into Hong Kong and were each convicted for having landed in Hong Kong unlawfully, remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration, making false representation to ImmD officers and using a false instrument and were sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment respectively. After an in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, ImmD officers successfully arrested another illegal immigrant from the Mainland.

      Under caution, the 63-year-old defendant admitted having sneaked into Hong Kong from the Mainland by a fishing vessel with the abovementioned illegal immigrants in October 2022. He also admitted having assisted the duo to remain in Hong Kong unlawfully and arranged the forged Hong Kong landing slips for them. The defendant was charged with remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully, aiding and abetting others to remain in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully, and possessing false instruments. He pledged guilty at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts and was sentenced to a total of 24 months’ imprisonment yesterday.

      “It is an offence to remain in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and fine of $25,000. Those aiding and abetting such crimes are liable to the same penalty. It is an offence to make, possess or use false instruments or copies of false instruments. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment,” an ImmD spokesman said. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (July 26):      Three female paediatric patients and … read more