The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a Cargo Working Area in Tai Kok Tsui this afternoon (June 24), in which a male worker was hit by metal pipes while assisting in lifting of the metal pipes. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
      
     The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the employer and the occupier of premises concerned, suspending the handling of metal pipes at the Cargo Working Area. The employer and the occupier of premises cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
      
     The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
      
     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.
      
     In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
      
     The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
      
     For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

     With the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO), the Copenhagen Dragon Boat Festival 2024 was held June 22 and 23 (Copenhagen time) in Copenhagen, Denmark; and the 2024 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival was held June 8 and 9 (London time) in Manchester, United Kingdom (UK).

     At the Copenhagen Dragon Boat Festival 2024, around 30 teams from the Danish community competed in over two days of racing. Beyond the thrilling on-water competition, sports enthusiasts and families enjoyed music performances and immersed themselves in a variety of cultural experiences along the shores of Copenhagen. The event was graced by the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Ms Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, and other esteemed guests.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Copenhagen Dragon Boat Festival 2024, the Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, encouraged the audience to visit Hong Kong and experience the dynamic atmosphere of the city. "The Dragon Boat Festival is widely celebrated in Hong Kong, showcasing our city's energy and vibrancy, as well as our deep Chinese cultural heritage. In particular, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races at Hong Kong's iconic Victoria Harbour vividly demonstrates the city as a dynamic hub with a unique fusion of tradition and modernity where we celebrate Eastern and Western festivals with equal enthusiasm," he added.

     The festival was also celebrated in Manchester, UK, where over 80 teams participated in races of various categories during the two-day 2024 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. Martial arts, lion dance and dragon dance performances were staged alongside the exhilarating dragon boat races. 

                

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 24) announced that a kind of imported bottled coconut drink was found to contain milk, an allergen, but it was not declared on the product's food label. The CFS advised consumers who are allergic to milk not to consume the batch of product concerned. Those who feel unwell after consuming it should seek medical treatment. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of product concerned immediately.

     Product details are as follows:

Product name: Fresh Coconut Juice
Brand: �尺本館 (English brand name not available)
Place of origin: China
Volume: 450 ml
Best-before date: May 9, 2025
Sole agent: KitKat (Hong Kong) Company Limited

     "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a retail outlet in Tsuen Wan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained milk, an allergen, but it was not declared on the product's food label," a spokesman for the CFS said.

     The spokesman said that the CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. According to the CFS's instructions, the sole agent has initiated a recall on the affected batch of the product. Members of the public may call its hotline at 2478 0819 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned.

     "People who are allergic to milk may have an immunologic response like vomiting, diarrhoea and rash upon consumption of food containing this allergen. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may even develop. As for other members of the public, generally speaking, they would not be subject to such reactions when the food in question is consumed," the spokesman added.

     The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

     Hong Kong today (June 24, Yerevan time) signed a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with Armenia in Yerevan, signifying the sustained efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in expanding Hong Kong's CDTA network, in particular with tax jurisdictions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.  

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "This CDTA is the 50th agreement that Hong Kong has concluded. It marks a major milestone in the Government's drive to expand Hong Kong's tax treaty network. We will continue to sign CDTAs with more trading and investment partners to promote closer economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the rest of the world. This will enhance the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a business and investment hub, and consolidate the city's status as an international economic and trade centre.

     "This CDTA sets out the allocation of taxing rights between Hong Kong and Armenia and will help investors better assess their potential tax liabilities from cross-border economic activities. I have every confidence that the CDTA will encourage the business sectors of both sides to do business or make investments."

     In accordance with the Hong Kong-Armenia CDTA, Hong Kong companies can enjoy double taxation relief in that any tax paid in Armenia, whether directly or by deduction, will be allowed as a credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the same income, subject to the provisions of the tax laws of Hong Kong.  

     Moreover, Armenia's withholding tax rate for Hong Kong residents on dividends will be capped at 0 per cent or 5 per cent (depending on the percentage of their shareholdings), while that on interest and royalties will be capped at 5 per cent. 

     The Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mr Tam Tai-pang, signed the CDTA on behalf of the HKSAR Government with the Government of Armenia on the margins of the Sixth High-level meeting of the Asia Initiative hosted by Armenia. Representing the Government of Armenia was the Minister of Finance of Armenia, Mr Vahe Hovhannisyan.  

     The CDTA will come into force after the completion of ratification procedures by both jurisdictions. In Hong Kong's case, it will be implemented by way of an order to be made by the Chief Executive in Council under the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112). The order is subject to negative vetting by the Legislative Council.

     The Asia Initiative was launched by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2021. It focuses on developing tailored solutions to ensure the implementation of tax transparency standards across Asia and enhancing regional co-operation. To date, Hong Kong and 16 other tax jurisdictions have joined the Asia Initiative.    

     Details of the Hong Kong-Armenia CDTA can be found on the Inland Revenue Department's website (www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/Agreement_Armenia_HongKong.pdf).

    

     Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department (FSD) co-organised a counter-terrorism intelligence and hazardous material incident exercise codenamed "WOLFHUNT" this afternoon (June 24) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.  

     Over 50 officers from Customs and the FSD participated in the exercise. The exercise simulated the identification of an outgoing light goods vehicle driver who was suspected to be involved in terrorist activities by Customs officers during customs clearance at the Outbound Cargo Examination Building. During the examination, a container carrying suspected hazardous material was found hidden underneath the light goods vehicle, whereupon it was noted that leakage of the hazardous material occurred. Customs officers swiftly activated the contingency response plan. They immediately summoned the FSD and informed the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit of suspected terrorism-related clues for follow-up action. FSD officers sped to the scene upon being summoned, and the Hazardous Materials Team was deployed to carry out decontamination procedures and handle the hazardous material. 

     The exercise raised the counter-terrorism awareness of frontline officers and their ability to handle counter-terrorism intelligence, while enhancing the co-ordination and communication between the two departments in case of emergency. In the exercise, Customs officers made use of the recently introduced Smart Under Vehicle Robot to assist in cross-boundary vehicle inspections to deter illegal importation of prohibited and controlled items into Hong Kong, or stop transshipments of such items to the Mainland via Hong Kong, protecting the lives and property of citizens as well as safeguarding national security.