Tag Archives: China

     The Government has always attached great importance to the mental health of youth. In view of recent student suicide cases, the Government will implement the Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism through cross-departmental collaboration of the Health Bureau, the Education Bureau (EDB) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) from today (December 1) to January 2024 in all secondary schools in Hong Kong, working together with schools, parents and other stakeholders in society to ensure early identification of and support for students at high risk.

     A Government spokesperson said, “The epidemic in the past few years had caused an unprecedented impact on the mental health of Hong Kong citizens. There was no exception with students. They faced greater adjustment challenges following the full resumption to normalcy. In view of the recent upward trend of student suicide cases, the Government has launched the Mechanism to help schools identify students with higher suicide risk early and provide appropriate support to these students as quickly as possible, thereby building a stronger safety net for them.”

     Details of the Mechanism are as below:
 
(1) The first tier is to assist schools to identify students at an early stage with higher suicide risk or mental health needs with an aim of giving them priority for timely and appropriate intervention. Schools should review the mental health needs of students at school with the school’s multidisciplinary team, give priority to caring for and counselling students at higher risk of suicide, and provide timely assistance and seek professional counselling or treatment services for them.
 
(2) The second tier is to organise an off-campus support network through cross-departmental, cross-professional and cross-sectoral co-operation to enhance external support for schools in the short term. If schools have difficulty in deploying manpower to meet the needs of students, the EDB will assist in referring the cases to the off-campus support network team, which is co-ordinated and arranged by the SWD, for follow-up action. The team will contact the students concerned as soon as possible and arrange follow-up services, including emergency intervention services covering assessments, support and counselling in individual, group or online format. It will also refer the students to other services according to their individual needs.
 
(3) For the third tier, school principals can refer students with severe mental health needs to the psychiatric specialist services of the Hospital Authority (HA). After triage and screening, those students in urgent cases will be accorded priority. In addition, the HA has set up a telephone consultation hotline specifically for school principals to provide them with professional advice.

     The EDB has issued a circular letter to all secondary schools to inform them of the details of the Mechanism. The Government will monitor the operation of the Mechanism closely. 
 
     To strengthen parents’ support for their children, the EDB will co-organise a face-to-face parent seminar on December 9 (Saturday) with the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations in 18 districts and regional school heads associations. The bureau has also been organising “gatekeeper” training regularly for parents every year, proactively promoting parent education on an ongoing basis.

     The Government strives to bring all sectors of the community together to build a support network and cultivate a culture of acceptance and care to support students in coping with different challenges along their growth journey, thereby enhancing their physical and psychological wellbeing. read more

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, today (December 1) inspected a new site for innovation and technology (I&T) use in Sandy Ridge in North District, and saw for himself the site’s development potential for I&T purposes.
      
     The Government has been endeavouring to provide space for the development of the I&T industries by increasing I&T land supply and upgrading supporting infrastructure. This year’s Policy Address proposed a change in the use of a two-hectare formed site at Sandy Ridge in North District for I&T and related purposes, with a view to supporting Hong Kong’s I&T development.
      
     Accompanied by the Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office of the Development Bureau, Mr Vic Yau, and the Acting Project Manager (North Development Office) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Mr Gavin Tse, Professor Sun conducted an inspection at Sandy Ridge and was briefed by the relevant officers on the situation of the site, including the land formed and the relevant infrastructure facilities which have been completed.
      
     Professor Sun said taking into account the location of the site, infrastructure planning, lead time for developing the site, commercial, transport and community facilities in the vicinity, as well as the industry’s keen demand for similar facilities, the Government is of the initial view that the site may be feasible for data centre development, which should not generate large people flow.

     “The Government plans to complete the technical assessment and relevant rezoning procedures within next year, the site will be ready for I&T and related development, providing a disposed site for I&T use in a relatively short term in addition to the Loop. This aligns with the ‘South-North dual-engine (finance-I&T)’ planning,” he said.

     The Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Eddie Mak; the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong; and the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Tony Wong, also joined the visit to Sandy Ridge site. read more

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a joint operation codenamed “Mungoshunt-3 (2nd stage)” with the Hong Kong Police Force and Guangdong Provincial authorities to combat non-ethnic Chinese illegal immigrants for two consecutive days on November 28 and 29. During the second stage of the operation, a total of 78 persons were arrested in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. 

     Officers from ImmD and the Hong Kong Police Force conducted territory-wide anti-illegal immigrant operation and raided the suspected hideouts of illegal immigrants. The ImmD also mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations to step up enforcement actions against non-ethnic Chinese illegal immigrants. In addition, to combat illegal immigrants sneaking into Hong Kong by sea, Marine Police collaborated with the Mainland authorities to step up maritime patrol and interception of suspicious vessels.
      
     During the operation, the ImmD joined the Hong Kong Police Force to conduct sudden raids at over 60 target locations and intercepted 29 vessels and 452 persons, successfully seizing one vessel and arresting 52 persons. Fifteen male and six female illegal immigrants, consisting of two Mainlander, four Bangladeshi, two Pakistani and seven Vietnamese men, aged 20 to 56, and one Mainlander and five Vietnamese women, aged 25 to 36, were arrested. For the arrested illegal immigrants, two Mainlander men aged 31 and 32 were also arrested for “aiding and abetting others to land in Hong Kong unlawfully and remain in Hong Kong”. During the anti-illegal worker operation, six Mainlanders and 18 non-ethnic Chinese were arrested for the breach of recognizance’s condition, taking up unapproved employment and overstaying in Hong Kong respectively. The arrested Mainlanders consisted of four men and two women, age 30 to 57, while the 18 arrested non-ethnic Chinese consisted of seven men and 11 women, age 23 to 47, among which eight were holders of recognizance forms issued by the ImmD, which prohibit them from taking up employment. The majority of the non-ethnic Chinese arrested in the anti-illegal worker operations were primarily those who had either entered Hong Kong illegally or overstayed. During the operation, seven suspected employers were arrested, consisting of four men and three women, age 41 to 66.
      
     Mainland authorities from Guangdong Province stated that 26 persons, including 10 arrangers and 16 non-ethnic Chinese, who intended to sneak into Hong Kong illegally have been arrested since November 25. A significant decline was observed.
      
     An ImmD spokesman said, “As stipulated in the Immigration Ordinance, ‘Arranging passage to Hong Kong of unauthorized entrants’ and ‘Assisting unauthorized entrant to remain’ are serious offences. Offenders arranging passage to Hong Kong of unauthorized entrants face a maximum fine of $5,000,000 and up to 14 years’ imprisonment while offenders assisting unauthorized entrant to remain face a maximum fine of $500,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The ImmD would continue to collaborate with the Hong Kong Police Force and relevant departments to step up enforcement actions and conduct joint operations to combat illegal immigration activities.”
      
     The spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
      
     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”
      
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
      
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
      
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately. read more

     The China Manned Space delegation ended its four-day visit to Hong Kong this afternoon (December 1). The delegation leader, Mr Lin Xiqiang, expressed the delegation’s heartfelt thanks to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and Hong Kong people before departing.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, hosted a farewell ceremony for the delegation at Government House before their departure. Mr Lee presented to Mr Lin a photo album portraying the delegation’s visit to Hong Kong.
 
     At the farewell ceremony, Mr Lee expressed his sincere gratitude to the delegation for accepting the invitation to visit Hong Kong, which allowed Hong Kong citizens to experience the country’s determination to realise the dream of space, and feel proud of the country’s extraordinary achievements in aerospace technology. The visit also helped sow three seeds of strengthening national pride, exploring science and technology and inspiring people in the community to follow their dreams. Mr Lee said Hong Kong people, himself included, all hope that the dream of a local astronaut can come true, which could inject Hong Kong’s presence into the nation’s aerospace system, towards contributing to building the country into one which stands tall in science and technology.
 
     Mr Lin said in the ceremony that the China Manned Space Agency will follow the plan to recruit the fourth batch of astronauts, with a view to obtaining a result by year end to address concerns from Hong Kong people. In addition, the Agency will foster exchanges with Hong Kong’s education and technology sectors. He pointed out that the Chief Executive had just likened the impacts of the delegation’s visit on Hong Kong’s youth as sowing three seeds. The delegation sincerely hoped that these three seeds could sprout, blossom and yield fruits in the hearts of youth, as they will be the new force to build Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub. Mr Lin also wished that under the leadership of Mr Lee, the HKSAR Government will usher in a brighter future for Hong Kong.
 
     Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Ms Lu Xinning; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Fang Jianming; and the Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Navy Rear Admiral Lai Ruxin, attended the farewell ceremony. HKSAR Government officials also attended, including the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak.
 
     During the four-day visit, the China Manned Space delegation attended various activities and met members of the public as well as people from different sectors for exchanges, including the innovation and technology sector, as well as teachers and students from tertiary, secondary and primary schools. Furthermore, the delegation attended a variety show to mark Hong Kong’s welcoming of the China Manned Space delegation and officiated at the opening of the China Manned Space Exhibition to share with Hong Kong people the joy of the distinguished development of China Manned Space Program. read more

     â€‹Operators and their associated staff of five bars/restaurant premises were mentioned at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today (December 1) for aiding and abetting another person of waterpipe smoking in a no-smoking area, displaying smoking product advertisement related to waterpipe, or failing to display prescribed signs or notices as stipulated in relevant ordinances. Three bars/restaurant premises were convicted and the fine for each bar/restaurant premises ranged from $6,000 to $15,600. The case of the remaining two bars/restaurant premises was adjourned.

     The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) conducted a joint operation with the Police against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no-smoking areas in Tsim Sha Tsui in May this year. During the operation, a total of 19 fixed penalty notices were issued to persons illegally smoking waterpipes at five bars/restaurant premises. Prosecutions were also made against operators and their associated staff of the bars/restaurant premises who contravened the relevant ordinances and regulations.

     In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) (the Ordinance) and the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance (Cap. 600), any person who conducts a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area commits an offence and is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221), any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the like offence. A spokesman for the DH urged venue managers of no smoking areas to refrain from assisting any person in breaching the smoking ban.

     Moreover, the Ordinance also prohibits any person from displaying or distributing smoking product advertisement. Any person who offers for sale, or promotes the sale, purchase, smoking or use of, conventional smoking products, or sells or supplies intoxicating liquor in a face-to-face distribution at a place in the course of business, shall comply with the requirement of displaying relevant prescribed signs or notices, as stipulated in the Ordinance and the Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) Regulations (Cap. 109B).

     The spokesman stressed that the TACO will follow up and investigate every complaint about illegal smoking and will conduct inspections and take enforcement actions in the venues concerned. It will also conduct joint inspections and enforcement actions with other law enforcement agencies from time to time with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement. The DH will continue to closely monitor and to take stringent enforcement actions against illegal waterpipe smoking.

     Due to deeper inhalations and a longer smoking session, waterpipe users usually inhale more toxins than they would when smoking cigarettes. For more information on the hazards of waterpipe smoking, please visit www.livetobaccofree.hk/pdfs/waterpipe_leaflet_new.pdf. The spokesman cautions against waterpipe smoking or the use of other smoking products. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. read more