Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 9) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection, and again urged the public and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The case involves a 2-month-old baby girl with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough and runny nose since June 4. She was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for medical treatment on the next day. The patient is all along in a stable condition.

     Her cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for EV upon laboratory testing and the clinical diagnosis was meningitis.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history. Her elder brother had recent upper respiratory tract infection and has recovered. Her other home contacts remain asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should be vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:
 

• Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.

     Children suffering from EV infection should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered.

     The public may visit the CHP’s page on hand, foot and mouth disease and EV71 infection for more information. read more

     Electors of the Eastern District Council Kai Hiu Constituency are urged to vote in the by-election in their constituency tomorrow (June 10).
 
     Two polling stations will be open to electors from 7.30am to 10.30pm. They are located at the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong-Chai Wan Centre, Units 1-10, G/F, Sui Lok House, Siu Sai Wan Estate, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, and Siu Sai Wan Community Hall, G/F, Siu Sai Wan Complex, 15 Siu Sai Wan Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.
 
     “Electors must bring the original of their Hong Kong identity card or other specified alternative documents to the designated polling station to collect their ballot paper to cast their vote. Voting is very simple. Electors must use the chop provided by the polling station to stamp the ballot paper with a tick in the circle opposite the name of the chosen candidate, and fold the ballot paper inward in half before putting it into the ballot box,” a spokesman for the REO said today (June 9).
 
     If any Kai Hiu Constituency electors who are remanded or detained by law enforcement agencies other than the Correctional Services Department (CSD) on the polling day wish to vote in this by-election, they will be arranged to cast their votes at the dedicated polling station located at Chai Wan Police Station, 6 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. The polling hours will be from 7.30am to 10.30pm.
 
     Should there be any electors of the Kai Hiu Constituency imprisoned or remanded in the CSD’s custody on the polling day, arrangements will be made for them to vote at dedicated polling stations set up at their respective penal institutions. For security reasons, polling hours for the dedicated polling stations at penal institutions will be from 9am to 4pm.
 
     The voting procedure for electors and the venue setup at the dedicated polling stations will be basically the same as those of the ordinary polling stations.
 
     The spokesman reminded the public that according to the law, the polling stations are restricted areas accessible only by electors and authorised persons.
 
     “Unauthorised persons are strictly prohibited from using mobile phones or any other device for electronic communication, taking photographs, filming, and making video or audio recordings in the polling stations,” he said.
 
     Enquiries about the by-election can be made to the election hotline at 2891 1001, which will operate from 7am to 11pm tomorrow.
 
     A complaints hotline (2827 7251) will be in service from 7.30am to 11pm tomorrow to handle complaints about breaches of electoral rules or guidelines.
 
     Once the poll is closed, the polling stations at the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong-Chai Wan Centre and Siu Sai Wan Community Hall will be converted into counting stations. The public will be able to watch the vote counting within the designated area at the counting stations.
 
     To protect the secrecy of votes, the ballot boxes at the dedicated polling stations will be delivered to the main counting station at the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong-Chai Wan Centre for opening after the close of polling. The ballot papers concerned will be mixed with the ballot papers cast at the main counting station before counting of votes begins.
 
     The election results will be announced at the counting station at the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong-Chai Wan Centre.
 
     The three candidates contesting this by-election are Tan Chun Chun Enki (No. 1), Ishigami Lee Fung-king Alice (No. 2) and Chik Kit-ling Elaine (No. 3).
 
     The elected candidate will fill the vacant seat of the elected member of the Eastern District Council. read more

     The following is the address by the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, at the Ceremony for the Admission of the New Senior Counsel today (June 9):
 
Chief Justice, members of the Judiciary, Chairman of the Bar, President of the Law Society, fellow members of the legal profession, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     My Lord, this is a day of joy, pride and solemnity. It is a privilege for us all here to witness our distinguished members of the Bar be admitted as senior counsel.
 
     It is a day of joy for each of the four senior counsel as the call to the Inner Bar is a recognition of their ability, integrity and professionalism. No doubt their families, friends and chamber mates all join in sharing their happiness, as evidenced by the enthusiasm of their participation in this ceremony here.
 
     It is a day of pride for the legal profession to have them added to the list of silks, strengthening the legal fraternity thereby reinforcing our legal system. We are proud to see you reach the peak of your legal profession – maybe not quite the peak yet, as you will no doubt aspire to be elevated to the bench one day.
 
     Importantly it is a day of solemnity for Hong Kong. Having taken silk, the legal profession and indeed Hong Kong expects that you will continue to discharge your duty of upholding the rule of law without fear or favour, and to do so with added determination, professionalism and dedication. When you embarked upon the study of law, I am sure like most, you hoped that you are part of a system that sees that justice be done – not by your own or anyone’s standards, but by the laws. Today, with the two letters, SC, after your names you have the increased burden to partake in this important mission as leaders of the legal profession, setting examples for the juniors and where necessary to come forth and defend against arbitrary and baseless accusations and attacks on our legal system and judiciary and, as the Chief Justice said, to help properly inform the public the law and how the law operates. Apart from discharging your duties as officers of the court, in pronouncing the proper analysis of the law and the fair and objective application of the facts, I hope that you will also be ready and willing to serve the community using your legal skills and assume roles that will contribute to the advancement of the society of Hong Kong.
 
     As tradition would have it, I will say a few words about each of our new silks. But before that, I must express gratitude to all those who have relentlessly given them the support and guidance, without which they would not have achieved their goals and status here today.
 
     Most will suspect that I have no direct knowledge about the criminal silks – and to be honest, you are right. But I have reliable hearsay evidence. This is the beauty of working in DoJ (Department of Justice) – it has a good and wide source for information and a corporate memory. Hence I can assure you that whilst it may be hearsay, you can properly afford adequate weight to it.
 
Ms Maggie Wong Pui-kei

     Let me start with Ms Maggie Wong.

     She was pupil to Mr Justice Andrew Macrae when she first joined his Chambers. At that time Andrew did not know much about her. He told Maggie to take a look at two of his briefs when he left for an overseas trip. On his return, Andrew found the two briefs lying tidily at their original position, so he thought Maggie had not read them at all. But when he looked at the papers, he found in each of them Maggie’s notes on the law, the legal issues involved and detailed analysis of the case. Since then he took her as his junior in every case, including the one in Brunei which lasted for several years.
 
     I can summon my colleague Mr David Leung, SC, DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) to testify if so directed by your Lordships. But he told me this.About 10 years ago when Mr Justice Macrae was still in private practice and Maggie was his junior, there was an appeal in which David was acting for the respondent. Shortly before the hearing of appeal, the appellant decided to abandon the appeal. Apart from ringing up David informing him of the intended abandonment, Maggie took the time and trouble to deliver, in person, the notice of abandonment to the office of David and he was impressed by Maggie’s dedication and meticulousness in seeing the proper discharge of her professional duties.
 
Mr Edwin Choy Wai-bond
 
     The second new silk, Mr Edwin Choy was identified at a very early stage to be one of great potential. In 2004, he argued a case before the Appeal Committee for leave (FAMC 56/2004). There were only 2 paragraphs in the judgment. The first sentence reads:
 
     “This application has been argued by Mr Edwin Choy with great ability…”
 
The last sentence reads:
 
     “….With an expression of our indebtedness to Mr Choy for his able arguments, we refuse leave to appeal”
 
     These short paragraphs have succinctly spelt out Edwin’s high competence in advocacy even in his early days.
 
Mr Pao Jin-long
 
     Coming to our third new silk, Mr Pao is one of the youngest and brightest practising barristers being called to the inner Bar.
 
     As a law student, Jin took up the habit of winning scholarships. I would not list them out here as he has an unbeatable record of receiving as many as 21 scholarships and prizes. Having been called to the Bar in 2002, Jin, in one of his very first cases, acted for an environmental organisation in its successful challenge against intended harbour reclamation works in Wan Chai. This case, as I understand it, is one which Jin has found to be most memorable, as it was his first judicial review in the growing important area of environmental protection which went all the way to the Court of Final Appeal.
 
     Jin is well-known for his quick thinking and wittiness, as demonstrated by his superb advocacy skills which have gained him points at all levels of courts. I also hasten to add that his mahjong skills are just as stunning which have earned him a second place in the World Series of Mahjong 2010.
 
Mr Derek Chan Ching-lung
 
     The next new silk was a very hotly sought-after junior, so much so that criminal trials has to be fixed because Mr Derek Chan, as opposed to the leading counsel, is fully engaged professionally until around six months thereafter.
 
     Derek has appeared as junior counsel in a number of high profile criminal cases including the trial of the ex-Chief Executive of the HKSAR, the murder trial of Nancy Kissel, the criminal prosecution arising out of the consent scheme sale of flats in a residential development in Tuen Mun and in one of the earliest criminal proceedings brought in the District Court under the Securities and Futures Ordinance against defendants accused of large-scale market manipulation.
 
     I wonder if some of the SCs might have invited your lordships to defer Derek’s appointment as senior counsel so that they would not lose such a good junior.
 
     My Lords and My Ladies, the institution of silk has a long history in the common law system. The tradition began when the title of Queen’s Counsel was first conferred on Sir Francis Bacon more than four centuries ago, giving him precedence in the bar. It gives me the distinct pleasure to witness our new silks carrying forward this fine heritage.
 
     On this note, it remains for me to warmly welcome the four of you to the rank of silks on this auspicious and joyful day, and wish you all continuing success in a new chapter of your life.
 
     Thank you. read more

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (June 9) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Professor Liu Yi-chang and extended his deepest condolences to Professor Liu’s family.

     Mr Lau said, “Professor Liu, a master of Chinese literature, had a lifelong devotion in promoting Hong Kong literature. Generations of local writers have benefitted from Professor Liu’s contributions. His passing was a great loss to the cultural sector. He will be remembered fondly.” read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The following is the full text of an address by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, at the Ceremony for the Admission of the New Senior Counsel today (June 9):
 
Secretary for Justice, Chairman of the Bar, President of the Law Society, fellow judges, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     I extend a warm welcome to you on the occasion of the admission to the rank of Senior Counsel of Ms Maggie Wong, Mr Edwin Choy, Mr Jin Pao and Mr Derek Chan. Today is a day of personal triumph for them and the happiness of the occasion is made all the more so by the presence of family and friends. I extend to them in particular a warm welcome and congratulations as well. You know more than most the dedication, industry, sacrifice and sometimes even disappointment and heartache that have been experienced by the four newest members of the Inner Bar to get to this important day in their lives.
 
     However, it is the new chapter in their professional lives that we also celebrate on this occasion of their taking silk. My own silk gown, which I wear today, was first worn almost exactly 25 years ago when I, together with four others, including the Head of Chambers where Ms Wong and Mr Chan practise, took silk. The practice of law has perhaps changed little. Neither has the tradition of public service and devotion to the public interest.
 
     The context of Hong Kong and the public perception of the role of the law, and the greater awareness of issues relating to the rule of law, have however dramatically changed. There can be little doubt that particularly since 1997, there has been a considerably much deeper understanding of how the law affects everyone’s daily lives and, more important, everyone’s future. As members of the community increasingly grasp the concept of fundamental rights – the constant, almost daily, references to the Basic Law and the Bill of Rights demonstrate this – there must inevitably be clashes of rights and opinions. I have often spoken of the phenomenon of apparently reasonable points of view – in legal terms, the engagement of different rights or even facets of the same right – pulling in diametrically opposite directions. The important word here is “reasonable”. It is the task of the courts to adjudicate on these different points of view and they do so in accordance with the law, legal principle and the spirit of the law. This responsibility of the courts, to decide legal disputes before them in accordance with the law, is simple enough to state, and to all of you in this Court, it may seem obvious. However, particularly in recent years, it would appear that some members of the community lose sight of this. This often happens when cases come before the courts having their origins in controversial political, economic or social events. These are the types of situation where most people will have strong views and the way they view the law will be synonymous with the result of the particular matter before the court. Their perception and even confidence in the legal system become largely, if not wholly, dependent on the result. One will then in these circumstances quite easily lose sight of the fundamental point that courts deal only with the law. One completely forgets also that only two qualities are stated in the Basic Law for the appointment of judges: judicial and professional qualities. Their views, political or otherwise, or any other aspect, do not enter into it.
 
     I have just returned from a speaking tour of Australia, where one of the topics of the talks I gave was the criticism of judges. Within this theme was the necessity of properly informing the public of how the law operates. It is critical to the viability of any legal system that it truly enjoys the confidence of the community. Without this confidence, the system – however good it is and however lauded it is by others – will have failed.
 
     It is in the above context that the role of the leaders of the legal profession comes into play. By leaders I include leaders of both barristers and solicitors. Leading Counsel all play a critical part in promoting the system of law in Hong Kong; this is also a recognition of the responsibility to understand and promote the rule of law itself. The Inner Bar now number over 100, not including the Senior Counsel in the Department of Justice. They are leaders of the Bar not just in the cases that they take up for their clients, but also in providing leadership to enable the community to understand the operation of the law. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of this latter aspect. In a talk I gave in London two years ago at the 2016 Presidential Address of the Bentham Association I referred to the Bar as an “Old, Honourable and Distinguished Friend”. It is precisely that.
 
     I return to the main event of this morning. We are here primarily to congratulate the success of Ms Wong, Mr Choy, Mr Pao and Mr Chan. Maggie Wong, Edwin Choy and Derek Chan are all criminal practitioners of the very highest standing, reputation and ability. Jin Pao is a civil practitioner, with an emphasis in recent years on public law. He too, like the others, enjoys a formidable reputation. You will hear more about them presently, but I make a brief mention of Ms Wong. Not only is she the product of Sacred Heart Canossian College, she also numbers 100 on the list of Senior Counsel in Hong Kong.
 
     Once again, I congratulate the four new Senior Counsel and their family and friends, and wish you every success and happiness in all your future endeavours. read more