Tag Archives: China

     The Government today (June 28) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action-Iran) (Amendment) Regulation 2024 (the Amendment Regulation), which came into operation today.
 
     “The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action-Iran) Regulation to reflect the expiry of certain restrictive measures imposed against Iran under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231,” a Government spokesman said.

     The expired measures relate to the prohibition against:
 

• the supply, sale, transfer or carriage of certain items to Iran;


• the supply, sale, transfer or carriage of certain items from Iran;


• the provision of certain training, services or assistance related to conventional arms;


• the provision or transfer of certain technology, assistance, training, services or resources related to ballistic missiles;


• making available to, or for the benefit of, certain persons or entities any funds or other financial assets or economic resources (economic assets);


• dealing with economic assets belonging to, or owned or controlled by, certain persons or entities;


• the sale and acquisition of interest in certain commercial activities; and


• entry into or transit through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by certain persons.

     The HKSAR Government has all along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People’s Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations.
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     A 47-year-old male person in custody who had been found unconscious in Shek Pik Prison died in a public hospital today (June 28).

     The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug in March 2012. He was admitted to the institution hospital for medical treatment due to physical discomfort. At 1.23am today, he was found unconscious in his bed in a hospital cell by correctional officers. The officers immediately provided first-aid treatment to him and called for reinforcement. A helicopter was called to send him to a public hospital for further treatment. His condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 2.53am.

     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner’s Court. read more

     A Government spokesman said today (June 28) that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) warmly welcomed and expressed sincere gratitude for the Central Government’s active response to the HKSARG’s proposal, announcing that the duty-free allowance for luggage articles brought into the Mainland from Hong Kong by visitors who are Mainland residents will be increased from the current level of RMB5,000 to RMB12,000, while retaining the measure of allowing for additional duty-free goods at the value of RMB3,000 purchased at port entry duty-free stores, bringing the total amount of allowance to RMB15,000. 

     The new measure will be applicable to six land ports, including Lo Wu, Futian (Lok Ma Chau Spur Line), Shenzhen Bay, West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and more, starting from July 1, and then be implemented at all ports starting from August 1. 

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “I am very grateful for the care of the Central Government and the introduction of various measures to promote Hong Kong’s economy. The current measure of increasing the duty-free allowance for luggage articles brought into the Mainland from Hong Kong by visitors who are Mainland residents, implemented under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, shows the Central Government’s support for the HKSAR’s economic development. The new measure will enhance the shopping experience for Mainland resident visitors in Hong Kong and allow them greater flexibility when shopping, which is beneficial for Hong Kong in attracting more visitors and boosting the development of diversified tourism. Additionally, the measure can help stimulate the retail atmosphere in Hong Kong and bring vibrancy to the local economy.” 

     The number of visitor arrivals has continued to increase in the first five months of this year. As of end-May, the total number of visitor arrivals reached 18 million, representing an increase of around 78 per cent compared to the same period last year. Of this, 13.8 million were Mainland visitors, an increase of around 74 per cent compared to the same period last year. The average length of stay for overnight Mainland visitors was 3.1 nights in the first quarter of this year, with an average per capita spending of HK$5 400. The new measure will provide Mainland visitors with more shopping choices in Hong Kong to cater to their consumption needs, allow them to enjoy the pleasure of shopping and enrich their travel experience in Hong Kong. 

     Under the new arrangements, it is roughly estimated that this will bring an additional HK$8.8 billion to HK$17.6 billion in shopping expenditure to Hong Kong, generating value-added of about HK$2.7 billion to HK$5.4 billion to the Hong Kong economy.

     The various measures introduced by the Central Government in support of Hong Kong, including adding 10 more Individual Visit Scheme cities, extending the period of stay for holders of an exit endorsement for business visit travelling to Hong Kong, and launching the Express Rail Link sleeper train between Hong Kong and Beijing/Shanghai, will further support Hong Kong’s tourism and economic development and ensure the long-term prosperity and stability. Hong Kong’s tourism and related industries are in the process of complementing the concept of “Tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong” through innovation and transformation, and developing more diversified tourism resources and vibrant travel itineraries in Hong Kong, with a view to adding vitality to the city’s economy. 

     The HKSARG will carry out promotional efforts to inform Mainland visitors and related trades about the new policy arrangements. In addition, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will launch a new summer promotional event, Summer Chill Hong Kong, on July 11 to coincide with the peak season of visitor arrivals during the summer holidays. This will involve distributing 500 000 sets of offers worth more than HK$100 million, covering sightseeing and transport, dining and consumption discounts. Full support will also be given to various large-scale consumption and promotion activities, including the second edition of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival organised by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, to collaborate with the trade in attracting more overnight visitors to Hong Kong and encourage them to increase consumption.  read more

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (June 28) announced that the remaining temporarily closed traffic lane of a section of Yiu Hing Road near Yiu Tung Estate in Shau Kei Wan will be reopened at about 5.30am on June 30 (Sunday) to fu… read more

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm. read more