Tag Archives: China

     The Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, met the media together with the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Dr Pang Yiu-kai; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Dane Cheng; the Chairman of Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee, Dr Adrian Cheng, and announced a range of measures to promote mega event economy, with a view to strengthening the co-ordination mechanism and the effectiveness of publicity for mega events. 
 
     Mr Wong said, “The Government will step up promoting the development of mega event economy. We will reach out proactively and attract more world-class mega events to be staged in Hong Kong. Amongst others, the HKTB will leverage on its existing network, together with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Economic and Trade Offices of the Government, to scout for suitable events worldwide. The HKTB will proactively contact the organiser or agency of the relevant events, and discuss the feasibility and the assistance and supporting arrangement needed for bringing in the events to Hong Kong. We will also further strengthen and enhance co-ordination, establish a more effective mechanism as well as create a more favorable environment, with a view to attracting mega events and facilitating the smooth organisation of these events.”
 
     The Government will set up an inter-departmental coordination group to be chaired by the Deputy Financial Secretary, with the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism as deputy. Members include representatives from relevant bureau, departments and statutory bodies. The coordination group will ensure the major events to be held in Hong Kong would have sufficient cross-departmental support, and will ensure close communication and collaboration amongst relevant bureaux, departments and statutory bodies, with a view to promoting a culture of supporting and facilitating the successful organisation of mega events in Hong Kong.
 
     A dedicated team will also be established under the HKTB serving as the first point of contact. The team will communicate with the organisers of the mega events and facilitate discussions on the necessary arrangements for the events to be held in Hong Kong. The HKTB will understand the expectation and need of the organisers, and conduct preliminary assessments, including evaluating the benefits of the events. They will then submit recommendations to the Government.
 
     Hong Kong has been presenting her charm as Asia’s Events Capital to the world. International major events bear strategic significance for Hong Kong. Not only do the events boost the local economy, but also attract elites of industries from around the world to personally experience Hong Kong’s actual situation and vibrancy. In addition to the culture, sports and tourism-related events which are highly popular among local citizens and visitors, the scope of other events is very wide, covering different fields and industries.
 
     Mr Yeung said, “Since its establishment, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) has been sparing no efforts in promoting culture, sports and tourism-related mega events in a comprehensive manner on both policy and implementation fronts. Looking ahead in 2024, there will be over 80 mega events just in the first half of the year: Inter Miami CF is visiting Hong Kong on February 4, Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of Lunar New Year, the first ever LIV Golf, Art March, Hong Kong Sevens Pop Culture Festival and a wave of other happenings.”
 
     The Government established the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund (Mega ACE Fund). To date, 15 applications have been successfully approved, six of which have completed or are currently underway. The first three mega events supported by Mega ACE Fund in 2024 will gradually commence in the coming two months, including the art installation “Chubby Hearts Hong Kong”, “A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial, Edinburgh Place Exhibition” (tentative English title) and “ComplexCon Hong Kong 2024”.
 
     The CSTB also launched various measures to enhance the “M” Mark System in April 2023. So far, a total of 17 major international sports events were awarded “M” Mark status in 2023/24, which is the highest in record. In 2024, it is envisaged that over 20 major international sports events would be supported by the “M” Mark System.
 
     The Tourism Commission led the HKTB to successfully bring in the first-ever UIM E1 World Championship (E1), which will stage its grand finale – E1 Hong Kong Grand Prix – in Hong Kong for the first three seasons from 2024 to 2026. The HKTB will continue to organise various major events and assist in promoting different cultural and sports events in every part of the world, thereby showcasing the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism and Hong Kong’s multifaceted charm to the world, as well as attracting visitors and enriching their travel experiences.
 
     In the future, the mega events in Hong Kong will be even more dazzling. The Government will enhance promotional efforts and raise public awareness of these events. The Radio Television Hong Kong will soon launch a new multimedia information programme on television, radio, Internet and social media platforms, available in Cantonese, Putonghua and English. The programme will provide daily updates on the latest information about the happenings in the city, in order to engage the entire community and citizens to enjoy the joy and lively ambience brought about by these events.
 
     The Government will adopt a more proactive approach to attract mega events to anchor in Hong Kong, support their implementation and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an Events Capital. The calendar of mega events in Hong Kong (first half of 2024) is at Annex.
 
     The public can also browse the latest update on various mega events through the website for Brand Hong Kong (www.brandhk.gov.hk). read more

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) jointly organised a youth musical drama, “Life Revitalisation Go Go Goal!”, at Queen Elizabeth Stadium today (January 26). More than 2 000 teachers and students from 27 schools, principals, members of parent-teacher associations, social workers, members of Fight Crime Committees, as well as other community partners of the CSD attended the event.
      
     Speaking at the opening ceremony of the musical drama, the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, said that the CSD has actively engaged in crime prevention and education work beyond the prison walls in recent years, including disseminating to youngsters the messages of “safeguarding our country and home, leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation” through the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project. The musical drama provided youngsters with a good opportunity to learn and become a new force with social aspirations to uphold the rule of law and promote social integration. He appealed to stakeholders from various sectors to support the CSD’s rehabilitation and community crime prevention.
      
     Adopted from a true story, the musical drama features the story of a teenager who, during the 2019 black-clad violence, committed illegal acts due to being misled by false online information and was subsequently sentenced to a rehabilitation centre, and then began a journey of rehabilitation. The CSD hopes that, through the musical drama, youngsters can understand the heavy price of committing crime, and develop a sense of critical thinking and law-abiding awareness.
      
     Today’s musical drama, combining popular and original songs, was performed by professional actors, student actors and correctional officers. An interactive session with the audience was also included to enable students to express their views and inspire them to think from different perspectives. The CSD also arranged for a rehabilitated person to talk about the heavy price she had paid for committing crime, reminding the youngsters not to believe in unverified online information and not be incited to commit illegal acts which undermine social security. She also shared her journey of rehabilitation with the support of correctional officers and society.
      
     After today’s performance, the musical drama will tour five schools to spread the messages of the play to more students.

          

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has all along been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat, and raided two licensed fresh provision shops (FPSs) in Wong Tai Sin District and Tuen Mun District suspected of selling frozen meat as fresh meat today (January 26).
 
     During the operations, FEHD officers raided two licensed FPSs at Tsz Wan Shan Market in Wong Tai Sin and Yan Tin Market in Tuen Mun, and destroyed around 552 kilograms and about 177kg of suspected frozen beef seized respectively. Samples were also collected for testing for preservatives, and prosecutions will be initiated should there be sufficient evidence. The licensees of the FPSs are suspected of breaching the licensing condition for the display and sale of frozen meat as fresh meat, and the FEHD is proceeding with the cancellation of the FPSs’ licences. 
 
     Verbal warnings were also given to the licensees for non-compliance with the relevant licensing condition by failing to provide delivery invoices for inspection.
 
     A spokesman for the FEHD said, “The selling of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat breaches the licensing condition and causes food safety problems. Also, the operation of these profiteers is unfair to other shops that comply with the requirements.”
 
     The spokesman added, “Anyone selling chilled or frozen meat without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment on conviction. The department will continue to conduct regular inspections at licensed FPSs and market meat stalls, and will deal with the complaints promptly. In detecting any irregularities, the FEHD will carry out immediate investigations and take appropriate enforcement action. In addition, the FEHD also proactively investigates suspected violations from time to time and conducts surprise inspections and enforcement actions as necessary. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecutions will be initiated and follow-up action will be taken on any breach of licensing conditions or tenancy agreements. The licences of those FPSs breaching licensing conditions may be cancelled, while the tenancies of market meat stalls breaching tenancy agreements may be terminated.” 

     The spokesman stressed that the FEHD is very concerned and has been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat by taking stringent enforcement actions against the violations.

    

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 25) seized 72 eggs of suspected scheduled and endangered parrot species with an estimated market value of about $450,000 at Hong Kong International Airport.
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     A 35-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from South Africa via Ethiopia yesterday. He was intercepted for customs clearance at the arrivals hall of the airport. Customs officers found the batch of parrot eggs inside plastic boxes in his carry-on baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the parrot eggs were suspected to be endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.

     The case has been handed over to the AFCD for follow-up action. Hong Kong Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited. 

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Home Affairs Department (HAD) today (January 26) to learn about the work and challenges facing the department and meet with its staff from various grades.
 
     Mrs Yeung said, “The new-term District Councils (DCs) after the improvement of district governance have assumed office early this month. One of the keys to effective implementation of district work hinges on maintaining positive interaction between civil servants and the DCs. I hope that we can have candid communication to harness the collective wisdom for taking practical actions to resolve district problems and promote district development. The HAD serves as a bridge between the Government and the people. Collecting public opinion allows the Government to keep close tabs on the pulse of the community to ensure effective communication between the Government and the public so that the Government will be able to formulate policies and services that better meet the needs of the people.”
 
     Mrs Yeung, together with the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, met with the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, and directorate staff and received an update from them on the department’s work in promotion of district governance.
 
     She also met and exchanged views with staff representatives from various grades. Mrs Yeung commended colleagues for their dedication in serving the public and thanked them for their commitment and diligence in their work for the DC election last month. She also encouraged them to continue to actively promote district work and to respond to the aspirations of the public.
 
     Mrs Yeung visited the divisions responsible for supporting and overseeing the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams), supporting building management and promoting social enterprises. She was briefed by frontline staff on how to co-ordinate with the 452 Care Teams in various districts to strengthen support for district work and district networks. Mrs Yeung was pleased to learn that all District Offices would join hands with the DCs and collaborate with Care Teams of their district before the Lunar New Year to launch a series of care activities locally, so as to provide care and support to the elderly and those in need in the district.
 
     Mrs Yeung also visited the offices of the Wan Chai District Council Secretariat, the Community Affairs Section and the District Management and Administration Section to get an idea of their work in co-organising community activities and liaison with the DCs. Lastly, she visited the Wan Chai Home Affairs Enquiry Centre to learn about its general enquiry and free oath/affirmation service for members of the public.