The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (January 23) alerted members of the public to fraudulent job advertisements published on a social media platform. The fraudulent job advertisements… read more
The Civil Service College (CSC), in collaboration with the Institute for Hong Kong and Macau Studies, Peking University, launched an in-depth programme on “one country, two systems” and the contemporary China. As part of the programme, a lecture on the topic of “Upholding the Principle and Promoting the Development of ‘One Country, Two Systems'” was delivered by Professor Rao Geping of Peking University’s Law School at the CSC today (January 23).
Addressing the lecture, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said that the “one country, two systems” principle is of great vitality and the success of its implementation in Hong Kong has won recognition throughout the world. As the backbone of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, civil servants must understand accurately and implement fully the “one country, two systems” principle, safeguard the HKSAR’s constitutional basis and order as laid down by the Constitution and the Basic Law, uphold the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, and resolutely safeguard national security. Furthermore, civil servants not only have the responsibility but also should conscientiously and actively promote the achievements of “one country, two systems”, presenting to the world the true stories of Hong Kong’s openness, cultural vibrancy, prosperity and stability.
Around 70 civil servants at the rank of Directorate Pay Scale Point 1 and 2 attended the in-depth programme. In addition, about 110 politically appointed officials and other directorate officers enrolled and sat in on the lecture via video conferencing.
The programme was organised to further strengthen training for senior officials and directorate civil servants. It consists of 12 monthly lectures covering a wide range of topics, such as the Communist Party of China and the contemporary China, socialism with Chinese characteristics, the theory and practice of “one country, two systems”, as well as developments in contemporary Chinese society, economy, national defence, technology, and more. Distinguished scholars from the Mainland will deliver the programme and engage in in-depth discussions with participants.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to fostering the cultural development of Hong Kong and developing the city into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will join hands with the international art collective teamLab, Hong Kong artists, the First Initiative Foundation (FIF), K11 Group and Sino Group to again present a large-scale outdoor art project, the second “Art@Harbour 2024”, on both sides of Victoria Harbour from March 25 to June 2. Multiple outdoor art installations and digital art façades featuring the integration of art, science, and technology will bring the public a new inspirational and sensory experience at Victoria harbourfront.
The “teamLab: Continuous” exhibition, jointly organised by the LCSD’s Art Promotion Office and Science Promotion Unit (SPU), created by teamLab, will be launched at Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section). Hundreds of colourful luminous ovoids will be displayed with continuously changing colours and sound based on visitors’ interactions. The light of dozens of trees in the park will spread, changing its colour and resonating sound tones in response to the ovoids. The exhibits will span across the lawns of Tamar Park and extend to Victoria Harbour, showcasing the vibrant harbourfront. The installation of artworks is starting now at Tamar Park, allowing the public to witness the process of creating the artwork.
The SPU under the LCSD will also launch the “Science in Art” exhibition at the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) at the same time. The local art group LAAB Architects and local artist Dylan Kwok have been invited to create two interactive art installations, “Harbour Cup” and “Schrödinger’s Bed”, which are related to the nature and properties of light.
Furthermore, the FIF, K11 Group and Sino Group will showcase outdoor art installations and digital art façades at the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, K11 MUSEA promenade, the Sino LuminArt Façade at Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre respectively, transforming the waterfront promenade into a grand stage for cultural and artistic displays. More artworks will be rolled out soon. The FIF’s large-scale art installation project is also financially supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
Since 2022, the LCSD has invited different organisations to present the large-scale outdoor art project “Art@Harbour,” showcasing artistic creations integrating art, science, and technology. Bringing together creativity from all partners, the “Art@Harbour 2024” will make both sides of Victoria Harbour more diverse and innovative to enhance Hong Kong’s cityscape. More details of the exhibition will be available later. Members of the public can visit the following website: www.museums.gov.hk/en/web/portal/artatharbour.html.
In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary cold shelters in various districts today (January 23) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.
Clean mattresses and blankets/quilts, hot meals and hot water will be provided to shelter users free of charge during the opening of temporary shelters.
To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.
Anyone seeking temporary refuge or with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters may call the department’s hotline 2572 8427 for more information.
The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western:
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern:
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon:
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Kowloon City:
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong:
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Sham Shui Po:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po
Wong Tai Sin:
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Yau Tsim Mong:
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories:
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Islands:
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing:
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung
North:
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Sai Kung:
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin:
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tai Po:
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan:
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun:
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
Yuen Long:
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issues today (January 23) a public consultation paper seeking views on its proposal to allow Authorized Institutions (AIs) to share information on customer accounts for the purposes of preventing and detecting financial crime.
Recent years have seen a sharp global increase in financial crime, especially digital fraud, including in Hong Kong. In addition to the harm caused to victims, large-scale digital fraud could undermine public confidence in the use of new digital financial services. Information sharing is internationally recognised as an effective tool in addressing financial crime. While Hong Kong has achieved positive outcomes through public-private information sharing partnerships, criminals’ exploitation of the financial system to move illicit funds continues to pose a threat. There is a need for faster sharing of information to further support the advanced use of technology and analytics to detect and disrupt fraud and mule account networks and intercept illicit funds more effectively.
Against this backdrop, the HKMA invites views from the banking sector and members of the public on its proposal to facilitate AI-to-AI information sharing, including legislative amendments to provide legal protection to AIs and safeguards to protect data privacy and customer confidentiality. The proposed arrangement is in line with similar developments in other international financial centres.
The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, “Fraud and financial crime risks have surged globally. Criminals increasingly exploit information gaps between banks and abuse the financial systems to move and hide illicit funds. Effective information sharing will help the banking sector, supervisors and law enforcement agencies turn the tables on fraud and financial crime and help protect consumers of financial services.”
The public consultation commences today and will last until March 29, 2024. The consultation paper is available on the HKMA website (www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/consultations/open/). Interested parties are invited to submit their comments to the HKMA by email (recommended means) or post on or before the deadline. read more