A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (January 23) said that to facilitate diversion of cross-boundary passenger and vehicular movements during the Lunar New Year holidays, a consensus was reached with the relevant departments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality to make the following special arrangements:
 
 (1) Passenger and passenger vehicle clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, which usually close at 12 midnight, will operate overnight, providing round-the-clock services, from February 9 to 13; and
 
 (2) Passenger clearance service at the Lo Wu Control Point, which usually closes at 12 midnight, will be extended on February 9 and 11 to 2am the next day. The operating hours of the MTR East Rail Line will be extended correspondingly.
 
     The spokesman said, "The round-the-clock services at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point can provide an option for cross-boundary passenger vehicles in the small hours, avoiding congestions caused by concentrated traffic at the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang (LMC/HG) Control Point. It is believed that the extension of operation hours of the Lo Wu Control Point can attract some of the cross-boundary visitors taking passenger vehicles to switch to taking trains, thereby relieving the pressure on land boundary control points (BCPs) through the use of mass transit system."

     For more effective diversion of cross-boundary private cars during the five-day implementation of round-the-clock clearance at the Shenzhen Bay Port, only cross-boundary private cars issued with a permit for the LMC/HG Control Point are allowed to cross the LMC/HG Control Point during early-morning hours. For cross-boundary private cars issued with a permit for the ports at LMC/HG, Shenzhen Bay, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok, they can use the Shenzhen Bay Port during early-morning hours.

     "The support and co-ordination of the leaders and relevant departments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality are crucial to the timely implementation of the special boundary-crossing arrangements, reflecting the effective and close co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen," the spokesman said.

     For bus services on the Hong Kong side, the Government has made arrangements with public transport operators to enhance bus services to and from various BCPs to meet the passenger demand during the Lunar New Year holidays. These BCPs include Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, Shenzhen Bay Control Point, LMC/HG Control Point, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Control Point and Heung Yuen Wai Control Point. Furthermore, to tie in with the special round-the-clock passenger clearance arrangements of the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, franchised bus operators will also operate two special overnight bus routes, Nos. NB2 and NB3, to provide services to and from Yuen Long/Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun respectively during the same period.

     For cross-boundary coaches, the Government has also worked with cross-boundary coach service operators to arrange additional services using the Shenzhen Bay Port during early-morning hours, and to enhance the services using the LMC/HG Port, including cross-boundary coaches departing from stations in urban areas such as Jordan, Prince Edward, Wan Chai, etc, as well as Yellow Bus running between the Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange and the LMC/HG Port.

     The HKSAR Government will closely monitor the situation and take contingency actions promptly and deploy manpower flexibly where necessary to ensure orderly operations of the BCPs. The Transport Department (TD) and public transport operators will also monitor the passenger demand and make service adjustments as and when necessary.

     Following the resumption of normal cross-boundary travel, coupled with a series of major events during the Lunar New Year holidays, the Government has to adopt the bottom-line thinking to formulate contingency plans for the cross-boundary passenger peak periods and make preparation as well as preventive and control measures to cater for various scenarios to provide more appropriate service arrangements. Relevant bureaux and departments have formulated the plans below.

     First, with the extension of operating hours at certain BCPs during the Lunar New Year, the relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers and redeployed additional staff from other BCPs for flexible manpower deployment. All automatic channels and clearance counters will be in operation to divert passenger flow where necessary.

     Second, in view of the surge in passenger and vehicular flow during festive periods, the Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre, composed of departments such as the Customs and Excise Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, and the Immigration Department, will be activated during the period to monitor the situation at the BCPs and take contingency actions where necessary. Manpower will also be deployed flexibly according to the passenger flow, and more e-Channels, counters and vehicle clearance kiosks will also be opened to facilitate passenger and vehicular movements, so as to ensure that the BCPs are operating in an orderly manner. The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate 24 hours as usual to monitor the traffic conditions across districts, especially the ports and major stations, implement contingency measures when necessary, and disseminate the latest traffic information through various channels.

     Third, the Security Bureau will activate the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre in a timely manner to closely monitor the public order situation and co-ordinate necessary actions at various BCPs, and facilitate interdepartmental follow-up actions where necessary. In the event of serious traffic congestion at any BCPs, the Government will disseminate early warnings as soon as possible so that passengers can make necessary preparation to use alternative BCPs.

  

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the Gala Dinner hosted by the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to China today (January 23):
 
Your Excellency Al Hammadi (Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to China, Mr Hussain Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi), ladies and gentlemen,
    
     It is an honour to join you tonight at this dinner. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates for extending this invitation to me. Furthermore, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the United Arab Emirates on successfully hosting COP28, a significant milestone in the progress towards combating climate change.
 
     The year 2023 concluded with a glimmer of hope for all those dedicated to achieving the climate goals set forth at COP28. The Hong Kong SAR Government was delighted to have our Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury and Commissioner for Climate Change as representatives joining the Chinese delegation at COP28 in Dubai. Throughout the conference, the world witnessed several groundbreaking agreements that united global efforts to combat climate change, building upon the achievements of previous conferences. We deeply appreciate the remarkable pronouncements and key commitments made at COP28, including the establishment of a specific target to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030, the conclusion of the Loss and Damage Fund, the launch of the Industrial Transition Accelerator, and various climate discussions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These achievements have ushered the world into a new era of climate action, reflecting our unwavering determination to achieve net-zero emissions.
 
     Hong Kong will be part of the global efforts and we are committed to contributing to the global climate goals. The Hong Kong SAR Government has allocated approximately HK$240 billion to implement various measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the next 15 to 20 years, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality before 2050.
 
     We are eager to leverage our unique advantages in developing Hong Kong as a global green finance hub. As a leading green bond centre in Asia, we strive to provide a high-quality green financing platform for international issuers including those from the countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative. We lead by example and since 2019, the Government has issued approximately US$24 billion of green bonds under the Government Green Bond Programme. On the overall growth of the market, the total volume of green and sustainable debt (including bonds and loans) issued in Hong Kong increased by over 40 per cent from 2021 to reach US$80.5 billion in 2022. Hong Kong accounted for one-third of the Asian green and sustainable bond market, taking a leading position in financing green and sustainable companies and projects.
 
     In 2022, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited launched Core Climate, a voluntary carbon trading platform. Eligible participants can trade voluntary carbon credits on this platform to neutralise or compensate for their carbon emissions. Through the ongoing development of this platform, participants can effectively trade high-quality voluntary carbon credits, facilitating capital flow into green projects and fostering a new financial infrastructure for climate finance.
 
     Our objective is to accelerate the development of Hong Kong into an international centre for green technology and finance. To this end, we have established a high-level Green Technology and Finance Development Committee, chaired by the Financial Secretary, to promote the rapid and substantial growth of green technology and green finance. In this year, we will launch a dedicated proof-of-concept subsidy scheme for green fintech, with a view to accelerating the growth and application of green fintech in Hong Kong. This scheme will provide early-stage funding support for the pre-commercialisation of green fintech innovations, thereby fostering the expansion of the industry in Hong Kong.
 
     Hong Kong has long enjoyed a close relationship with the United Arab Emirates in various fields, including finance, commerce, and trade. During the Belt and Road Summit hosted in September of last year, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Economy and Tourism of Dubai. This MOU aims to foster financial collaboration between Hong Kong and the Emirate of Dubai, signifying a closer bond for us in the fields of family office, fintech, virtual assets, and green finance, while also enhancing knowledge exchange between the two markets. We will continue to explore opportunities for financial co-operation between Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates under the Belt and Road strategy, making further contributions to both of our markets.
 
     Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate collaborating with our friends from the United Arab Emirates. I firmly believe through enhanced financial co-operation and closer economic and trade ties, we can build a stronger relationship and create more mutually beneficial opportunities for the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
 
     Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for your support and participation in the Asian Financial Forum, which will be held tomorrow. Once again, I extend my sincere appreciation for the invitation to this dinner, and I wish you all an enjoyable evening and a prosperous 2024. Thank you.

     Following is the speech by the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at a reception to celebrate the 76th Anniversary of the Independence Day of Republic of the Union of Myanmar today (January 23):

Consul General Han (Consul General of Myanmar to Hong Kong-SAR, Mr Han Win Naing), Deputy Commissioner Pan (Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Pan Yundong), ladies and gentlemen, good evening,

     I am very delighted to be here tonight, with you, in celebration of the 76th anniversary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar's independence.

     I am also pleased to add that it is also the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and China.

     As the Consul General noted, just a few minutes ago, this is Myanmar's first Independence Day celebration in Hong Kong in three years. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a welcome confirmation that we are now well into the post-pandemic economy – and that business is back and presents more opportunities for both our economies.

     Hong Kong and Myanmar, of course, have long cooperated in trade, business and cultural exchange.

     It helps, and greatly, that Myanmar is a member of ASEAN, our second-largest trading partner. And with the Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in full effect since 2021, I am confident that trade ties and prospects between our two economies will only grow.

     In 2022, bilateral trade between Hong Kong and Myanmar totalled some US$300 million. In terms of investment, Hong Kong is among your nation's top investors in real estate, electricity and the garment business. Indeed, as the Consul General himself noted, Hong Kong is Myanmar's fourth-largest foreign investor.

     Being a longstanding supporter of free and open trade, Hong Kong is committed to expanding regional economic integration and cooperation.

     We share the vision of regional prosperity behind the establishment of RCEP – the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Our early accession to RCEP can only boost growth in trade and relations in general between Hong Kong and Myanmar. Of that, I am confident.

     I note with respect that Mr Min Thu, Myanmar's Deputy Union Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, spoke at the Eco Asia Conference here just three months ago.

     I am grateful as well that the Consul General attended the eighth Belt and Road Summit, last September, here in Hong Kong. Needless to say, I welcome more Myanmar participation at this year's Belt and Road Summit.

     Myanmar is not only among the Belt and Road's many economies, it is also a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

     Today's Belt and Road, now into its second decade, has become a force for global economic growth, giving rise to wide-ranging projects and prospects. I look forward to working closely with the businesses, and the people, of Myanmar to realise the promise of the Belt and Road for us all.

     Beyond business, there is boundless potential in pursuing arts and cultural exchanges between our two economies, our two peoples.

     And a fine example of these exchanges is our Belt and Road Scholarship programme which welcomes Myanmar students to pursue full-time, publicly funded university studies here in Hong Kong. This school year, the programme supported 10 students from Myanmar. In the years to come, I hope to see more Myanmar students taking advantage of Hong Kong's world-class, post-secondary education.

     Ladies and gentlemen, please join me now in a toast: to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on the 76th anniversary of its independence. Cheers!

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the meeting of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, today (January 23, Geneva time). The Working Group examined China's fourth report, which includes a part concerning the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), submitted under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism of the UNHRC.
      
     Mr Chan, as Deputy Head of China's delegation, attended the meeting together with officials of the HKSAR Government as members of China's delegation. In addition to making opening remarks, he actively responded to comments and suggestions about the HKSAR's human rights situation from meeting participants, and sternly refuted the unfounded and untrue remarks from a small number of countries.
      
     The HKSAR Government will continue to fully co-operate with the motherland in the Universal Periodic Review of the UNHRC. It will also continue to tell the international community good stories of the HKSAR's human rights situation in a reasoned and robust manner.
 
     Following is the response made by Mr Chan at the meeting today:
 
Mr President,
 
     Various comments and concerns on Hong Kong were raised today. However, some of these clearly come from misconceptions and a lack of understanding about our real situation. I am pleased to explain.
      
     No country will watch with folded arms in the face of acts and activities that endanger national security. For those who doubted the need for the Hong Kong National Security Law, let me bring you back to the darkest times of Hong Kong in 2019. Violent and random assaults took place on our streets like never before. Thousands of petrol bombs were thrown; public property was destroyed; traffic was brought to a standstill; and law enforcement officers were viciously attacked. Our community was traumatised. Radical forces blatantly advocated "Hong Kong independence" and sought foreign interference, jeopardising our nation's sovereignty, security and development interests.
      
     The Hong Kong National Security Law was enacted precisely to tackle this situation: to bring back stability, security, as well as the rights and freedoms which people in Hong Kong had been deprived of during such a period of serious violence. Its implementation has played an important role, allowing Hong Kong residents to return to their peaceful and prosperous way of living.
      
     Fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech and of the press, etc, are guaranteed by the Basic Law at the constitutional level. Article 4 of the Hong Kong National Security Law clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. Any measures or enforcement actions taken under the Hong Kong National Security Law must observe this principle.
      
     Many rights and freedoms are not absolute, and the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) clearly states that they can be restricted by law where necessary to ensure national security or public order, or to protect the rights and freedoms of others. As a matter of fact, Hong Kong fully complies with all applicable provisions of the ICCPR and other relevant international covenants.
      
     Law enforcement actions are taken strictly in accordance with the law, including the protection of fundamental rights. Such actions are entirely based on available evidence and applicable law, and have nothing to do with a person's background, occupation or political stance.
      
     I wish to make it clear that it is inappropriate to comment on, or interfere with, the ongoing legal proceedings which were mentioned today. Judges decide national security cases independently in accordance with the law. The suggestion that certain individuals or groups should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law. This totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.
      
     It is the legitimate right and duty of every state to safeguard its national security, and to do so by enacting laws is in line with international practice. In fact, it is our constitutional responsibility to enact local legislation to safeguard national security. The provisions of the Basic Law, including those on the protection of human rights, will be fully observed when we take forward the legislative exercise.
       
     Mr President, the HKSAR Government is firmly committed as ever to the protection of human rights and always seeks to make improvements suited to Hong Kong's realities. We have expanded support for women, children, the elderly, the disadvantaged, the ethnic minorities, our imported workers, etc; and we have emerged from challenges with even greater strengths. With the strong support from our country, we will continue to better harness our unique institutional strengths in a new chapter from stability to prosperity. Thank you. 

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (January 23) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.

     The case involves a 37-year-old male patient. He had developed skin rash since January 11, and visited the Wan Chai Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on January 19. He is in stable condition and arrangements have been made for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital.

     An initial investigation revealed that the patient had visited Portugal and the United States during the incubation period. According to the patient, he had high-risk exposure during his stay at the two places. No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.

     A total of 56 confirmed Mpox cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far. The CHP appeals again to high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. Persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.

     The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice.

     The DH provides vaccination service for high-risk groups of MPox. The following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
 

1. Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
2. Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.

     High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at all of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information of the clinics including their locations is available at www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.

     Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

     â€‹For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox.