Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Law Reform Commission:

     The Law Reform Commission (LRC) today (December 31) announced that Ms Frances Lok Man-yin, SC, has been appointed by the Chief Executive as a new member of the LRC for three years with effect from January 1, 2025.
 
     Ms Lok, who is a senior counsel with broad experience in commercial, company and insolvency areas, will replace Ms Winnie Tam, SC, following her completion of two three-year terms as an LRC member. The LRC believes that the substantial expertise and experience of Ms Lok in the legal sector will benefit the LRC in law reform.
 
     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, who is also the Chairman of the LRC, expressed his appreciation to Ms Tam for her valuable contributions and advice to the LRC’s work over the years.
 
     With this latest appointment, the LRC comprises the following members:

Secretary for Justice (Chairman)
Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (ex officio member)
Law Draftsman (ex officio member)
Mr Justice Johnson Lam Man-hon
Ms May Chan Suk-mei
Professor Lutz-Christian Wolff
Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun
Mrs Janice Choi Kwan Wing-kum
Mr Chan Chak-ming
Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee
Professor Alexander Loke
Professor Michael Jackson
Ms Frances Lok Man-yin, SC read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Process Review Panel for the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council:
 
     The Process Review Panel (PRP) for the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) published its annual report today (December 31), covering the work of the PRP in 2023-24.
 
     The Chairperson of the PRP, Ms Edith Shih, said, “The PRP has conducted a review of the AFRC’s work in 2022-23 under its statutory functions of inspection, issuance of practising certificates, registration and recognition, investigation and enquiry, as well as oversight of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ performance of specified functions. The PRP concluded from the review that the AFRC had carried out the work in accordance with its internal procedures. The PRP also made a number of observations and recommendations to the AFRC with a view to helping it further enhance its regulatory efficiency and effectiveness.
 
     “We are grateful for the co-operation and support rendered by the AFRC in facilitating the work of the Panel, as well as its positive response to the PRP’s recommendations,” she added.
 
     The 2023-24 Annual Report has been uploaded to the website of the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau at (www.fstb.gov.hk/fsb/en/business/prp/doc/afrc_prp_report23_e.pdf). The PRP welcomes views of the public and market participants on the PRP’s work. Comments can be referred to the PRP via email at afrcprp@fstb.gov.hk.
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     The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) announced today (December 31) the reappointment of five incumbent members and the appointment of three new members, including two new members appointed through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY), to the Youth Square Management Advisory Committee (MAC) for a two-year term from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026. 

     â€‹The Chairperson and non-official members of MAC are as follows:

Chairperson
———–
Commissioner for Youth, HYAB
 
Ex-officio members
——————
Vice-Chairperson of the Youth Development Commission, or a representative
Chairperson of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, or a representative
Representative from the Eastern District Council
Representative from the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries
 
Newly appointed members
———————–
Ms Hoo Yuk-wai
Mr Poon Pak-ki*
Mr Yeung See-chai*

Reappointed members
——————–
Ms Debbie Cheung Sui-ki
Ms Dana Lau Sing-she
Dr Wendy Lee Woon-ming
Mr Eric Yeung Chuen-sing

Reappointed co-opted member
—————————-
Ms Susanna Lai Shuk-ching
 
Existing members
—————-
Mr Victor Lam Tsz-hung
Ms Cherry Lee Suet-yee
Mr Leung Kwok-shing
Mr Jan Noel Shih
 
*Appointed through the MSSY

     MAC also includes representatives from the HYAB, the Education Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as members.

     A spokesman for the HYAB thanked the outgoing members, Dr Wilson Choo Ming-yin, Mr Dave Ho and Mr Yeung Hok-lam, for their support and contributions since their appointment to MAC.

     â€‹MAC is a non-statutory advisory body which advises the Government on matters pertaining to the operation of Youth Square, including the overall strategy and objectives of Youth Square; themes and contents of youth development programmes; the use, allocation, leasing and charging arrangements of relevant facilities; the evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of Youth Square in promoting youth development programmes and monitoring the performance of the operator. Furthermore, the Government regularly recruits young persons aged between 18 and 35 who are eager to serve the community to join the Government’s advisory committees through the MSSY with a view to providing more opportunities for young people to participate in policy discussions. read more

     â€‹The Central People’s Government, on the nomination and recommendation of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, has approved today (December 31) the appointment of Mr Chan Tsz-tat, formerly Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise, as Commissioner of Customs and Excise and the removal of Ms Louise Ho Pui-shan from the post of Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Ms Ho proceeded on pre-retirement leave today after serving the Customs and Excise Department for 33 years.
      
     Commenting on the appointment of Mr Chan, Mr Lee said, “Mr Chan has served in the Customs and Excise Department for 30 years and has extensive experience in departmental operations. He possesses solid management and leadership skills. I am confident that he will lead the Customs and Excise Department in meeting the challenges ahead.”
      
     Speaking on Ms Ho who reached the retirement age and proceeded on pre-retirement leave, Mr Lee said, “Since taking up the appointment as Commissioner of Customs and Excise in October 2021, Ms Ho has made sustained efforts in leading the Department with distinguished results on the prevention of smuggling activities, the protection of Government revenue on dutiable goods, the detection and deterrence of narcotics trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, the protection of intellectual property rights and consumer interests and the combat of money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism. During her tenure, she has also been committed to maintaining close collaboration with international and regional partners to uphold the position of Hong Kong as an international trade centre and logistics hub. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I convey my heartfelt appreciation to Ms Ho for her contribution to the HKSAR and I wish her a happy retirement.”
      
     The following are biographical notes of Ms Ho and Mr Chan:
 
Ms Louise Ho
——————
 
     Ms Ho joined the Customs and Excise Department as Inspector of Customs and Excise in February 1991. She was promoted to Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2010, to Senior Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2013, to Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2017 and to Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2019. She took up the Commissioner of Customs and Excise post in October 2021.
      
     Ms Ho has been awarded three Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise’s Commendations in 1999, 2003 and 2005 respectively; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Long Service Medal in 2009, with the first clasp and second clasp in 2016 and 2021 respectively; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Meritorious Service in 2017; and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Distinguished Service in 2022.
 
Mr Chan Tsz-tat
—————
 
     Mr Chan joined the Customs and Excise Department as Inspector of Customs and Excise in August 1994. He was promoted to Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2015, to Senior Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2017, to Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2020 and to Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2022.
      
     Mr Chan has been awarded Hong Kong Customs and Excise Long Service Medal in 2012, with the first clasp in 2019; and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Distinguished Service in 2023.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (December 31) that the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank (HKBMB), located at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, will commence service on January 6, 2025. In the initial phase of service commencement, the HKBMB will recruit donors and accept breast milk donation, while the second phase of services is expected to begin in March of the same year, providing breast milk to premature or critically-ill newborns. This marks a milestone in neonatal medical services, providing a healthy start for the most vulnerable lives.

     Director of the HKBMB, Dr Rosanna Wong, stated, “Breast milk is the best food for babies, providing nourishment and multiple health benefits. However, some mothers of extremely premature or critically-ill newborns are unable to breastfeed for various reasons. We appeal to eligible mothers who are currently breastfeeding to generously donate their breast milk to support these needy newborns, allowing them to receive adequate comprehensive nutrition and establish a protective barrier for their health.”

     Dr Wong added that, for preterm and sick babies, breast milk can offer protection from infections, feeding intolerance and life-threatening complications such as necrotising enterocolitis, and foster better long-term growth and development.

     Donors have to be currently lactating, and their babies have to be under one year old. Mothers interested in becoming donors can register through the following methods:
 

1. Submit a form on the HKBMB official website (https://www31.ha.org.hk/hkch/SupportUs/HKBMB/HowToBecome);
2. Reach the HKBMB at 3513 6688; or
3. Contact the lactation clinic at HA hospitals (for those who have delivered in the respective hospitals)

     Upon receiving donor registration, staff from the HKBMB or lactation clinics will invite potential donors for face-to-face interview, completion of assessment questionnaire, and blood tests. Eligible donors will sign a consent form for breast milk donation, after which healthcare personnel will provide details regarding the donation process and appropriate support. The HKBMB will arrange qualified courier to collect breast milk from the donors’ homes and deliver it to the HKBMB for further processing, adhering to strict standards. Donors can complete the entire donation process in the comfort of their own home, making it simple and convenient.

     To ensure safety and quality, breast milk collected will undergo a robust processing system of pasteurisation, microbiological testing and nutritional analysis, all under precise temperature control. Then it will be supplied to nine public hospitals with neonatal intensive care units for prescribing to premature and critically-ill newborns. The HKBMB hopes to collect 1000 litres of breast milk annually, benefiting 450 to 600 premature and critically-ill newborns.

     For more information on donating breast milk, please visit the HKBMB website (www.ha.org.hk/hkch/hkbmb) or refer to the pamphlet (see Annex). Pamphlets are also available at the Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics departments in public hospitals, as well as Maternal and Child Health Centres under the Department of Health. read more