Author Archives: hksar gov

     Principal Chan Free Tutorial World Limited has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (May 28), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 
 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permit have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD’s website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD’s hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
 
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added. read more

     The Government exercises the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publishes in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at 42 specified places during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.

     In view of a number of cases testing positive, 42 specified places are included in the compulsory testing notice. The Government strongly reminds members of the public to strictly follow the compulsory testing requirements and undergo testing on time as required. Mobile specimen collection stations have been set up by the Government in different districts to facilitate testing to be conducted in compliance with the compulsory testing notice. The above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.

     Persons who have tested positive in the past three months (including positive cases tested either by nucleic acid tests recorded by the Department of Health (DH) or by rapid antigen tests (RATs) that have been self-declared to the DH) do not need to undergo compulsory testing. For those who are subject to compulsory testing (save for those who have declared their positive RAT results as mentioned above), they must undergo nucleic acid tests in accordance with relevant compulsory testing notices and cannot use RATs to fulfil the requirement of such notices. In other words, a negative RAT result cannot be deemed as fulfilling the compulsory testing requirement. Furthermore, unless a person subject to compulsory testing has obtained a medical certificate proving that he or she is unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons, the person cannot provide a deep throat saliva sample to fulfil the compulsory testing requirement.

     Details of the compulsory testing notice are available on the Centre for Health Protection (CHP)’s website via the following link: www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ctn_20220527.pdf.

     If any persons test positive under compulsory testing, such positive cases will be handled in the same manner as in those identified through other nucleic acid tests or self-declared through RATs. Their isolation arrangements (as well as the quarantine arrangements of their household members) are no different from other positive cases.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing in accordance with a compulsory testing notice must go to any of the mobile specimen collection stations, community testing centres (CTCs) or recognised local medical testing institutions to undergo professional swab sampling in fulfilling the requirements for compulsory testing. Young children may continue to undergo the test using a stool specimen. For details on obtaining stool specimen bottles, please refer to the COVID-19 thematic website: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/Stool_bottle_collection_points.pdf.

     If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above, the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or the post-super typhoon “extreme conditions” announcement by the Government is in force at any time during the period for undergoing the compulsory testing, the period for undergoing the compulsory testing will be extended for one day.

     The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from COVID-19. They can provide protection to those vaccinated to prevent serious complications and even death after infection. The Government appeals to persons who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated without delay. The Government is working towards the goal of boosting the vaccination rates of children, teenagers and the elderly so that they can be protected by the vaccines as early as possible. Furthermore, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the CHP of the DH has earlier updated the consensus interim recommendations, and persons aged 60 or above who have taken three doses of vaccine are recommended to receive an additional dose (i.e. fourth dose) of either Comirnaty vaccine or CoronaVac vaccine at least three months after their last dose. Members of the public who are eligible should get the fourth dose as early as possible for better protection.

     CTCs provide testing services for the public. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). The system shows the booking status of the centres for the coming two weeks to facilitate the public’s planning and selection of a suitable testing centre and a time slot for testing. The testing centres will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. As of 6pm today (May 27), there was around 97 per cent availability for booking places for the coming two weeks. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.

     The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection station at Cheung Wang Estate in Tsing Yi tomorrow (May 28). Separately, ticketing machines have been installed in a number of service points for on-site ticket arrangement. Members of the public who have obtained a ticket can visit the CTC website (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en) to check the real-time queueing ticket status. Booking service is also provided for some large-scale mobile specimen collection stations, and members of the public may use the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en) to reserve a suitable time slot for testing.

     Other than persons subject to compulsory testing, all members of the public may conduct free testing at CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable). The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations are stated in the Annex.

     Outdoor mobile specimen collection stations will be closed if the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 or Red Rainstorm Warning Signal has been issued, while all mobile specimen collection stations together with all CTCs will be closed when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:

(a) For tests which require using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs
1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
2. To attend any of the CTCs (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en);
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf), and the relevant sample must be taken through combined nasal and throat swabs; or
4. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the stool sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

(b) For persons holding a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner proving that they are unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons
1. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from post offices, vending machines set up at MTR stations or designated general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
2. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority; or
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results.

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau cautioned that testing received at the Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     “If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the CTCs.”

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notifications containing the result of the test and the relevant medical certificate (if applicable) for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. The fixed penalty for discharging the liability is $10,000. The person may also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Any person in breach of the compulsory testing order would be liable to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The spokesman said, “The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.” read more

     The China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Securities and Futures Commission issued a joint announcement today (May 27) on the in-principle agreement to include eligible exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Stock Connect. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government warmly welcomes the decision.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, “The National 14th Five-Year Plan expresses staunch support for enhancing Hong Kong’s function as a global offshore Renminbi (RMB) business hub, as well as deepening and widening the mutual access between financial markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong. Various mutual access programmes including the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Bond Connect have thrived over the past few years. Since the launch of Stock Connect, its Northbound trading has brought a net inflow of over RMB1,600 billion to the Mainland stock market; its Southbound trading has brought a net inflow of over $2,300 billion to the Hong Kong stock market. The amount of foreign holding of Mainland onshore bonds has reached over RMB3,700 billion through Bond Connect and other channels. The implementation of mutual access of ETFs marks another milestone in the continual integration of the two capital markets. It will further strengthen Hong Kong’s role in connecting financial markets in the Mainland and the rest of the world. As we welcome in the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, I am most grateful to the Central People’s Government for the announcement, which will considerably bolster investors’ confidence in the Hong Kong market. We will continue to capitalise on Hong Kong’s unique advantages under ‘one country, two systems’ as well as further consolidate and enhance its status as an international financial centre. Looking ahead, Hong Kong will better integrate into the overall national development and play a part in the development strategy and real economy of our country in pursuit of high-quality opening up.”

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “We have all along strived to expand the scope of mutual access of financial markets in Hong Kong and the Mainland. ETF Connect will further deepen the interaction and integration of the two capital markets, offer more diverse asset allocation choices to Mainland and overseas investors, and promote liquidity as well as sustainable development of ETF markets in the two places. The initiative also promotes the further opening up of the Mainland financial market, and at the same time, consolidates Hong Kong’s role as the gateway and the bridge for flows of international and Mainland capital. I would like to express my gratitude to the Central People’s Government and relevant authorities for their strong support, and the financial institutions in the Mainland and Hong Kong for their efforts in implementing the programme.”

     The stock exchanges in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong and the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited reached an agreement on the overall Stock Connect inclusion arrangements for ETFs at the end of last year. The parties are working closely on completing the preparations for launching relevant trading. A separate announcement will be made on the official launch date. read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) held a business conference and a reception in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (May 27) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and to strengthen economic, trade and people-to-people ties between Hong Kong, Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
 
     Themed “Resilience and Vibrancy: Hong Kong, Malaysia and the ASEAN”, the business conference was jointly organised by the HKETO Jakarta and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia.
 
     Addressing the event in a virtual keynote speech, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, stressed that Hong Kong has continued to possess a swathe of fundamental advantages and competitive strengths since its reunification with the motherland 25 years ago. These include an open and free market, free movement of goods and capital, a simple and low tax regime as well as a longstanding tradition of rule of law and judicial independence, as buttressed by the “one country, two systems” framework and the Basic Law.
 
     On the long-established close relationship between Hong Kong and Malaysia in economic and trade exchanges, Mr Hui highlighted that Hong Kong was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner and fourth-largest export market last year, as well as a trade conduit between Malaysia and Mainland China.
 
     Mr Hui further shed light on the latest developments of Hong Kong’s financial services, including initiatives to further consolidate Hong Kong’s edges in such areas as fintech and green and sustainable finance. He stressed that the HKSAR Government would continue to put its greatest efforts into strengthening ties and co-operation with ASEAN on relevant fronts for mutual benefits.
 
     Prominent business leaders from both places then participated in a panel discussion to explore means and areas to further deepen mutual ties and explore potential new opportunities. In his closing remarks, the Director-General of the HKETO Jakarta, Mr Law Kin-wai, added that with Southeast Asia as a key driver of future global economic development and the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, Hong Kong and Malaysia could both play significant roles with this new momentum.
 
     The HKETO Jakarta also hosted a reception in Kuala Lumpur on the same day to celebrate the milestone of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR with key Malaysian partners and interlocutors. Mr Hui, in his online speech, pointed out Hong Kong’s position as a first-choice springboard for Malaysia and ASEAN to the Mainland China market, particularly under the context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative.
 
     “With the relaxing of inbound travel requirements amid the pandemic for non-residents earlier this month, we do look forward to welcoming you back in Hong Kong to immerse yourselves once again in the vibrancy of our city,” he added.
 
     Dignitaries joining the occasion to mark this important milestone for the HKSAR included the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Ouyang Yujing; the President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, Dato’ Low Kian Chuan; the Regional Director of Southeast Asia and South Asia of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Peter Wong; and the Chairman of the Hong Kong-Malaysia Business Association, Mr Dixon Chew.
 
     The business conference and the reception were well attended, with respectively some 200 and some 150 participants from local government agencies, business communities and the media. The HKETO Jakarta will continue to organise a series of events in the coming months to underscore the remarkable achievements of the HKSAR over the past 25 years to the Malaysian and ASEAN communities.

      

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at the virtual signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the administrative arrangements for collaboration relating to private international law and international commercial law today (May 27):
      
Professor Malaguti (President of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), Professor Maria Chiara Malaguti) (Note), ladies and gentlemen,
      
     It gives me great pleasure to participate in today’s virtual signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law and the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Government of the HKSAR.
      
     In May last year, the DoJ and UNIDROIT concluded the first MoU which put in place our secondment programme. The signing of the MoU marked a milestone of our mutual collaboration, and pursuant to that MoU, we have successfully seconded two legal professionals from Hong Kong – a government counsel from the DoJ and a solicitor from private practice – to UNIDROIT. I am deeply grateful to UNIDROIT for their continuous support for the secondment programme. I also trust that our secondees have settled into their new roles at UNIDROIT and are making full use of this invaluable opportunity to gain international exposure and contribute to the development of international law by taking part in the various projects currently undertaken by UNIDROIT.
      
     Riding on this momentum, I am very pleased to announce that the DoJ and UNIDROIT will be turning a new chapter to our close co-operation, with the signing of our second MoU today. This MoU will lay the foundation for our enhanced collaboration in the field of private international law, furthering our shared goals and objectives in the promotion of the development, implementation and greater understanding of private international law and international commercial law in the Asia-Pacific region. Under the MoU, the DoJ and UNIDROIT will be co-organising events in Hong Kong regularly to advance these shared goals. To set things in motion, in November this year, we will be jointly launching with UNIDROIT the inaugural Asia-Pacific Private International Law Summit in Hong Kong. The Summit, which will be held biennially, will be one of the flagship events of our Hong Kong Legal Week.
      
     The conclusion of the MoU would not have been possible without the staunch support of the Central People’s Government, for which I am most sincerely grateful. The signing of the MoU today is a clear manifestation of the intrinsic advantages that Hong Kong enjoys under the policy of “one country, two systems” as codified in our Basic Law. It is our duty to earnestly uphold, honour and respect this policy which underpins Hong Kong’s continuing prosperity.
      
     I also wish to express my most heartfelt appreciation to eBRAM for providing the necessary technical support for this virtual signing, as well as to congratulate eBRAM for its recent achievements, being officially listed by APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) as one of the very first batch of online dispute resolution (ODR) service providers under the APEC Collaborative Framework for Online Dispute Resolution of Cross-Border Business-to-Business Disputes, and awarded a Bronze Medal at this year’s International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, one of the most significant annual events in the world devoted exclusively to inventions. We are much encouraged to see that Hong Kong’s homegrown service provider of ODR and related services has earned international recognition.
      
     Virtual signing and ODR are only a few of the many recent breakthroughs in lawtech which have cast a transformative impact on the way business is conducted. As the use of lawtech becomes increasingly prevalent, the interplay between law and technology will no doubt be a topic which continues to attract significant international attention. This is an area of great interest to both the DoJ and UNIDROIT, and it is my hope that our synergy under the MoU will bring about fresh perspectives and new achievements in this area.
      
     Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to UNIDROIT for their continuing trust and support to the DoJ. With the signing of the MoU today, our relationship with UNIDROIT has been as close as ever. I look forward to collaborating closely with UNIDROIT in areas of our common interest in furtherance of this MoU and to meeting Professor Malaguti, as well as all of you, in person very soon. Thank you.

Note: Professor Malaguti signed the MoU in place of the Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, Professor Ignacio Tirado. read more