Tag Archives: China

     â€‹Regarding Lai Chee-ying’s case concerning the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 18) pointed out that as the legal proceedings involving Lai Chee-ying are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case. The HKSAR Government emphasised that all cases (including the relevant case) are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. All defendants will receive fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong (including the Hong Kong National Security Law) and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

     A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “Any attempt by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR by means of political power or media or any other means, thereby resulting in a defendant not being able to have a fair trial that one should receive, is a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of Hong Kong. Making a statement with the intent to interfere with or obstruct the course of justice, or engaging in conduct with the same intent, is very likely to constitute the offence of criminal contempt of court or the offence of perverting the course of justice.”

     The spokesman said, “The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or organisations concerned, which have nothing to do with freedom of the press, or the background of any person or organisation. The suggestion that persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities is tantamount to granting such persons or organisations privileges to break the law and is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.

     “The Department of Justice (DoJ) of the HKSAR, by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law, controls criminal prosecutions, free from any interference. All prosecutorial decisions by the DoJ are based on admissible evidence, applicable laws and guidelines such as the Prosecution Code. Prosecutions would only be commenced if there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction and if it is in the public interest to do so.”

     The spokesman emphasised, “The Hong Kong National Security Law clearly stipulates that HKSAR shall protect human rights and that the rights and freedoms that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law, and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, including the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, etc., shall be protected in accordance with the law. However, most if not all rights and freedoms are not absolute, and may be restricted for reasons such as protection of national security, public order or the rights and freedoms of others. All rights and freedoms must be exercised within the boundaries of the law.”

     “The Hong Kong National Security Law further affirms adherence to the principle of the rule of law in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security, and provides for the presumption of innocence and the prohibition of double jeopardy, and protection of the right to defend oneself and other rights in judicial proceedings that a criminal suspect, defendant and other parties in judicial proceedings are entitled to under the law.”

     The spokesman pointed out, “As guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence have the right to and will receive a fair trial by the judiciary. Articles 2, 19 and 85 of the Basic Law specifically provide that the HKSAR enjoys independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, and the courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. When adjudicating cases concerning offence endangering national security, as in any other cases, judges remain independent and impartial in performing their judicial duties.

     “All defendants will receive fair trial, strictly in accordance with all laws applicable to Hong Kong (including the Hong Kong National Security Law). Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the profession, political beliefs or background of the persons involved. To suggest otherwise is utter nonsense without regard to objective facts with the intention to smear the judicial system of the HKSAR.

     “Without commenting on individual case, we must point out that all cases concerning offence endangering national security will be handled in a fair and timely manner by the law enforcement, prosecution and judicial authorities of the HKSAR as required by Article 42(1) of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The time taken between the institution of prosecution and the completion of trial of each case depends on a multitude of factors. The prosecution and defence will adhere to any direction given by the court to ensure a timely trial.”

     “The HKSAR will continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security, effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law, and safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law at the same time,” the spokesman reiterated. read more

     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairperson of the Commission on Poverty, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, officiated at the Sham Shui Po Community Living Room Opening Ceremony this afternoon (December 18), to officially start the first project under the Pilot Programme on Community Living Room.

     Mr Chan said that the current-term Government has always attached great importance to the well-being of the grass-roots and brought together the strengths of the Government, the business sector and the community to enhance their sense of contentment and happiness. The Pilot Programme on Community Living Room is a new key initiative. As the first flagship project under the programme, the Sham Shui Po Community Living Room provides additional space with diversified facilities and services for grass-roots families to meet their needs in daily lives and social activities, thereby improving their quality of life.

     On behalf of the Government, Mr Chan expressed sincere thanks to the Sino Group and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation for providing the venue as well as the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, as the operator. Other enterprises and district organisations with dedication and capability are also encouraged to join the Pilot Programme on Community Living Room. The Government invites all sectors to act in concert and develop more Community Living Rooms for the benefit of more grass-roots families to build a more caring and inclusive community.

     Mr Chan; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Director of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation, Ms Nikki Ng; the Executive Director of the Sino Group, Mr Victor Tin; the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Alice Lau; the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee; and the Chairman of the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, Mr Lee Shing-kan, jointly officiated at the plaque unveiling ceremony and listened to Christmas carols performed by mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme, another targeted poverty alleviation project under the Commission on Poverty. They then played games with and presented Christmas gifts to children and parents of over 20 beneficiary households.

     Prior to the ceremony, accompanied by other officiating guests, Mr Chan toured the facilities of the Community Living Room, including the reception area, the interview rooms, and the communal living room for doing homework, holding interest classes and group activities, as well as shared cooking equipment and dining area for beneficiary households to cook, dine and mingle. This flagship project provides additional facilities including the self-service laundry, the shower cubicles, the children’s corner and reading room, the sports facilities and the case interview room. Mr Chan and guests visited these shared facilities and services to take a closer look at how they improve the living and community environment of the sub-divided unit households.

     “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” set out the Pilot Programme on Community Living Room, while embarking on a study to tackle the issue of sub-divided units in the long term. The pilot programme continued to adopt the strategy of tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, under which the business sector provides venues and the Community Care Fund provides funding to commission non-governmental organisations to operate the Community Living Rooms, providing targeted support to sub-divided unit households in the district. The Community Living Rooms offer shared pantries and dining rooms as well as common spaces for doing homework, holding interest classes and group activities, providing sub-divided unit households with additional living space in their respective communities. To strengthen community support for the service targets, the pilot programme also arranges information and talks, and makes referrals to other community services as appropriate. The business sector and local organisations are also approached for in-kind donations (e.g. food or food vouchers) and providing volunteer services (e.g. learning support to students).

     Located on 1/F, 188 Fuk Wa Street, the Sham Shui Po Community Living Room will operate for a period of three years and is expected to serve at least 500 sub-divided unit households, with about 80 000 attendances a year.

                      

     The Transport Department (TD) said today (December 18) that the overall cross-harbour traffic at the three road harbour crossings (RHCs), namely the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC), the Cross-Harbour Tunnel (CHT) and the Ea… read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (December 18) that, upon completion of renovation works, the two 5-a-side hard-surface soccer pitches at the park located to the east of Fan Kam Road (i.e. part of … read more

     The Civil Service Staff Exchange and Collaboration Programme, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Mainland municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), was launched in Shenzhen today (December 18). It signifies the official start of the exchange, spanning about three months, for the first batch of Hong Kong civil servants in Shenzhen.
 
     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Director General of the Organization Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr Cheng Buyi; and the Director General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Ms Li Huanchun, officiated at the launch ceremony. The Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, and the Director General of the HKMAO of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, Mr Jiang Likun, were also present.
 
     Addressing the ceremony, Mrs Yeung said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the training and exchange on the Mainland for Hong Kong civil servants. It is to deepen their understanding of the national policy directions, development trends, and history and culture, so as to solidify their sense of national identity and patriotism. It also serves to let them exchange experience and insights with civil servants in Mainland cities and to draw reference from each other, with a view to applying their valuable exposure and experience to their work in Hong Kong in the future, and contributing to the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.
 
     She pointed out that the development of the GBA is a significant national strategy, and Hong Kong’s civil service plays a crucial role in promoting its development. Therefore, the HKSAR Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government signed the Agreement on Civil Service Staff Exchange and Collaboration Programme with the Mainland municipalities in the GBA in September this year, establishing exchange activities with the Mainland municipalities in the GBA.
 
     The first batch of participants begins their exchange in Shenzhen starting today, set to last for around three months. Mrs Yeung said that Hong Kong and Shenzhen enjoy close ties across a wide range of areas. With its thriving social and economic development, Shenzhen stands as a vital base for high-technology research, development and manufacturing. This exchange will enable Hong Kong civil servants to have a deeper understanding of the development of Shenzhen, thereby better complementing the GBA’s development strategy.
 
     Mrs Yeung expressed her gratitude to the HKMAO of the State Council, the HKMAO of the Guangdong Provincial Government and the HKMAO of the Shenzhen Municipal Government for their support for the programme. She also set forth three expectations for the participants: first, to integrate their learning from the exchange with the situation in Hong Kong and apply it to their future work; second, to seize opportunities for networking and establish connections with their Shenzhen counterparts; and third, to effectively fulfil their roles as goodwill ambassadors for Hong Kong. She hoped that the participants will play an active role in future co-operation between the two places.
 
     The 10 participating middle and senior-level civil servants came from eight departments and grades, including the Administrative Officer Grade, the Executive Officer Grade, the Environmental Protection Department, the Highways Department, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Planning Department and the Transport Department. They have been assigned to different government departments in Futian and Qianhai to engage in in-depth exchanges in areas such as district management, technology development, town planning, transportation and environmental protection.
 
     Under the co-ordination of the HKMAO of the State Council, the Civil Service Bureau has organised the Civil Service Staff Exchange Programme jointly with a number of Mainland municipalities since 2002. Under the programme, officers from Hong Kong and the Mainland are attached to each other’s side to share experience and expertise so as to better understand each other’s structure, regulations, policy, operation, etc, to foster co-operation and communication and gain first-hand experience of the host city’s latest developments.