Tag Archives: China

     Following is a question by the Hon Yang Wing-kit and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, in the Legislative Council today (December 18):
 
Question:
 
     It is learnt that a series of test events are being held in the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) to test out the facilities in the venues of KTSP and the traffic arrangements outside KTSP. The test events held at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground of KTSP in recent months have been operating smoothly, while the test events for the Main Stadium are expected to be held in January next year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it knows if the MTR Corporation Limited has formulated contingency plans for scenarios in respect of the Main Stadium, such as during peak hours, rainy days, and when concerts overrunning until the time close to the departure of the last MTR trains; if it knows, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(2) whether it will discuss with operators of public transport services such as buses, tour coaches and ferries corresponding arrangements for diverting passenger flows after the holding of large-scale events in the Main Stadium (especially during peak hours); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3) whether it will discuss with merchants’ associations in the Kowloon City District the provision of concessions to customers or even the organisation of other large-scale activities during the holding of events in KTSP, so as to attract the spectators to stay in the district for consumption and alleviate the pressure on local traffic arising from the dispersion of crowds from events in KTSP; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Being the largest sports infrastructure project ever commissioned in Hong Kong, the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) plays a significant role in boosting sports development, injecting impetus into the recreation, entertainment and tourism industries, as well as the development of mega-event economy. To prepare for the opening of the KTSP in the first quarter of the next year, the Government established the inter-departmental Task Force on KTSP, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, to oversee and co-ordinate the preparations for the completion and commissioning of the KTSP.
      
     The Government, in collaboration with the Kai Tak Sports Park Limited (KTSPL), will conduct around 20 test events and stress tests, including stress tests involving up to 50 000 participants. To facilitate these tests, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has set up a dedicated “Exercise Team”. The “Exercise Team” employs the “Red Team” concept, formulates different testing areas for the various venues and facilities of the KTSP, and reviews the co-ordination and response of relevant departments in handling emergency situations. A total of seven test events and stress tests have been completed so far. With the concerted efforts of all parties, extensive testing and assessments have been conducted on the KTSP facilities, as well as crowd management and traffic dispersal plans, with a view to drawing on the experience gained for optimising the arrangements. We will progressively expand the scope and enhance intensity of the tests to ensure thorough preparation for the opening of the KTSP.
      
     In consultation with the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), and the Home Affairs Department (HAD), my consolidated reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) The KTSP is only around a 10 to 15-minute walk from Kai Tak Station and Sung Wong Toi Station of the MTR Tuen Ma Line. When mega events are held at the KTSP, the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) will communicate with the KTSPL and relevant Government departments (in particular the Transport Department (TD) and the HKPF) in advance, so as to make detailed plans and preparation, including enhancement of railway service at the relevant periods and the corresponding station passenger flow management measures, in consideration of the event nature, the number of spectators, the expected event ending time and the needs of the spectators. During the dispersal of mega events in KTSP, the MTRCL will arrange to enhance the frequency of the Tuen Ma Line, at maximum to a level similar to that of the morning peak. Among the trains of enhanced frequency, “special spare trains” may be arranged specifically for the dispersal of spectators.
 
     Moreover, on the day of mega event, the MTRCL will maintain close liaison with the inter-departmental liaison group co-ordinated by the Government to closely monitor the event progress and weather conditions, and make appropriate contingency arrangements as required. The MTRCL will also deploy additional staff to assist passengers and enhance the dissemination of passengers’ information, including real-time train frequency, special signage and public announcement. 
      
     The MTRCL has already devised different operation plans for the aforementioned arrangements, and will continue to actively take part in the test events and stress tests of the KTSP, so as to test and refine the relevant operation plans.
 
(2) The TD will communicate with public transport operators in advance regarding the time of mega events at the KTSP to facilitate the latter’s enhancement of service as necessary. The HKPF will set various scenarios in future test events and stress tests to assess the traffic and transport capacity of the nearby areas, in order to optimise and enhance the relevant arrangements.
 
     Concerning buses, other than the over 40 bus routes in the nearby areas of KTSP that connect to various districts in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, when mega events are held, the TD will arrange for suitable special bus services having regard to the nature and scale of the event as well as the transport needs of the participants, so as to meet the additional transport needs during the events. 
      
     Regarding ferry services, currently, the berthing facilities in the vicinity of the KTSP are rather limited. The Kowloon City Ferry Pier, being relatively close to the Main Stadium, is approximately a 15 to 20-minute walk away and offers the “North Point – Kowloon City” route. If ferries are to be utilised for crowd dispersal, factors such as walking distance, road conditions en route, crowd dispersal measures, ferry service schedule and the actual passenger demand, etc. must also be taken into account. While other land transport is more efficient than ferries in dispersing large crowds, the Government is open to utilising ferries for crowd dispersal.
      
     In respect of coach arrangement, the KTSPL and event organisers will arrange coach services, including cross-boundary coaches, when necessary. The KTSPL has commenced discussion with cross-boundary coach companies, and has been co-ordinating with them to work out the special cross-boundary services arrangements. We note that some event organisers will also work with cross-boundary coach service providers to offer travel packages to cross-boundary travelers to enhance their experience.
 
(3) There are various kinds of catering facilities at the KTSP. Amongst which, there are some 30 bars and catering outlets in the Main Stadium, which could meet the catering needs thereat as compared to other facilities of similar scale in the world. The KTSP could also flexibly arrange mobile catering booths during large-scale events. The number of mobile catering booths will be flexibly increased based on actual situation.
 
     Besides, there are over 700 thousand feet of retail, catering as well as leisure and entertainment facilities in the KTSP, including a 20 thousand feet food hall and various popular outlets of international cuisines. The Dining Cove also accommodates nine diversified concept restaurants where citizens and tourists can choose to dine in the indoor or outdoor areas and enjoy the breath-taking views of the Victoria Harbour.
      
     On the other hand, the neighbouring districts of Kowloon City and To Kwa Wan, which are in close proximity of the KTSP, also provide an array of dining options. The Kowloon City District Office (KCDO) has all along been maintaining close liaison with merchants in the district through local organisations and trade associations, encouraging them to provide all kinds of offers with a view to attracting members of the public from outside the district as well as tourists to shop and tour around Kowloon City District. Recently, the KCDO invited merchants in the district to provide offers to members of the public participated in the test events and stress tests at the KTSP on a trial basis, with a total of 15 merchants joining the scheme. The KCDO is holding the “Taste, Shop and Explore Kowloon City with Pets” activity series this month with an aim to promoting special hotspots in the district. Over 120 merchants have made different types of offers. We will discuss with the merchants involved as to whether the promotional period can be extended to attract spectators of upcoming KTSP events to shop and dine in the district. read more

     The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (December 18) held the Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong Colouring and Drawing Competitions and Cherish Water Campus Award Ceremony to commend the school-sponsoring bodies, principals, teachers and students for their enthusiastic participation in the celebration activities and efforts in promoting water conservation. Guests presenting awards at the ceremony included the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong; Principal Education Officer of the Education Bureau Miss Yvonne Lam; the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Water Supplies, Professor Joseph Kwan; the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Aided Primary School Heads Association, Ms Kathy Chung; and the Chairperson of the Subsidised Primary School Council, Dr Cheung Chok-fong.
 
     To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang’s water supply to Hong Kong next year, the WSD held a colouring competition and a drawing competition for all kindergartens and primary schools respectively from September to October this year. The competitions aimed to deepen students’ understanding of Dongjiang’s water supply and the country’s care and long-term support for Hong Kong. The events were well received by the education sector, attracting more than 18 000 entries in total. The winning entries not only exhibit students’ creativity but also demonstrate the strong blood ties between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wong said that due to severe droughts, stringent water rationing measures were implemented in Hong Kong in the 1960s, with only four hours of water supply for local people every four days during the most severe period. The country’s timely support to complete the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Scheme within about one year with the mobilisation of a large amount of manpower and resources – enabling an uninterrupted Dongjiang water supply to flow into Hong Kong – helped the city become an international metropolis. Mr Wong encouraged students to learn from history and be grateful for the care rendered by the country and cherish every drop of water as it cannot be taken for granted.
 
     During the ceremony, the award-winning students shared that the creative ideas for their artworks were inspired by the connection between Guangdong and Hong Kong people by Dongjiang’s water, and acknowledged the strong blood ties between Hong Kong and the country. 
 
     The ceremony also presented various awards for Cherish Water Campus for the 2023/24 school year to commend contributions made by the teachers and students in water conservation, including gold awards for outstanding schools in the 18 districts and the Water Conservation Star Award, etc. A full list of awardees for Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong Kindergarten Parent-child Colouring Competition and Primary School Parent-child Drawing Competition, as well as the award list of Cherish Water Campus, are available on the WSD website.
 
     The WSD has been dedicated to promoting water conservation to the public, in particular the young generation, through various channels. The WSD launched the Cherish Water Campus Integrated Education Programme to primary schools in 2015. The programme was extended to all kindergartens in the 2018/19 school year. As of now, over 450 primary schools and 460 kindergartens have joined the programme. The programme provides a wide range of interactive educational resources which enable students to know more about water as a precious resource, thereby inspiring them to think about the importance of saving water and develop a sense of civic responsibility.

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  The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out a repatriation operation today (December 18). A total of 18 Vietnamese illegal immigrants and overstayers were repatriated to Vietnam. The persons removed comprised seven men and 11 women, all of who… read more

     â€‹Following is a question by the Hon Judy Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (December 18):

Question:

     It has been reported that there has been an increasing number of people choosing to use assisted reproduction services in recent years, for example, last year over 20 000 frozen eggs were stored in the institutions holding licences related to assisted reproduction services issued by the Council on Human Reproductive Technology (licensed centres) (commonly known as “egg freezing”), representing an increase of nearly 70% compared to two years ago. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the following information of each licensed centre at present: (i) the name of the institution, (ii) the type of institution (i.e. public and private), (iii) the type of licence, and (iv) the assisted reproduction services provided (set out in a table);

(2) whether it knows the number of persons who used frozen-thawed eggs in each of the past three years, together with a breakdown by type of licensed centres (i.e. public and private) in which the eggs were stored;

(3) whether it knows the number of patients who had retrieved frozen eggs stored in Hong Kong in the past three years; if it has not kept the relevant data, whether it has plans to compile statistics expeditiously;

(4) whether it has compiled statistics on the respective numbers of specialists in reproductive science serving in the public healthcare system and private healthcare institutions in each of the past five years;

(5) given the rising number of people using assisted reproduction services in recent years, whether the authorities have plans to increase the training opportunities for specialists in reproductive science in the public healthcare system; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(6) given that during the debate on the Member’s motion on “Policies on supporting assisted reproduction” in this Council on June 20 this year, the Secretary for Health indicated that, last year, only 50 patients used their frozen-thawed eggs and only seven eventually established an ongoing pregnancy, reflecting that egg freezing may not increase the fertility rate, but there are views that the growth in fertility brought about by the increase in egg freezing may not be reflected in the short term and, coupled with the fact that some people would retrieve frozen eggs for use outside Hong Kong, the figures on the use of frozen-thawed eggs locally may not reflect the full situation, whether it has studied how the increase in egg freezing in recent years will affect the fertility rate in the future; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(7) as there are views pointing out that, in recent years, the egg freezing service has become industrialised in various places of the world and outsiders can be attracted to use it, whether the authorities have plans to develop and promote in Hong Kong various types of assisted reproduction services including egg freezing?

Reply:

President,

     In consultation with the Hospital Authority (HA), the consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Judy Chan is as follows:

     The Government encourages the public to give birth in their best reproductive years and promotes fertility through an array of measures creating a conducive environment for childbearing, to alleviate the problem of ageing population. Couples facing medical difficulties in conceiving may use reproductive technology (RT) procedures to fulfil their wishes in childbearing. Unlike general medical procedures, RT procedures involve social, moral and ethical issues such as human life, family values, the rights of the service users and the welfare of the children born as a result of RT. Relevant policies, measures and matters must be fully considered and handled with caution.

     Currently, RT procedures are regulated by the Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance (Cap. 561) (Ordinance). The Council on Human Reproductive Technology (CHRT) was established under the Ordinance with representatives from sectors such as medical, legal, social work, religious, philosophical or ethical education, psychology, and sociology to examine comprehensively and make decisions on various regulatory matters relating to RT. The Ordinance stipulates that healthcare institutions must hold licences issued by the CHRT to provide RT procedures. Currently, a total of 13 public and 23 private healthcare institutions have been licensed by the CHRT (including 18 artificial insemination by husband licences and 18 treatment licences). For details, please refer to Annex.

     According to the Code of Practice on Reproductive Technology and Embryo Research (Code) made by the CHRT, the overall clinical responsibility for RT procedures should be held by a registered medical practitioner (RMP) with post-graduate qualifications recognised by the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong and recognised as an accredited specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), Surgery or Reproductive Medicine (RM) under the Specialist Register kept by the Registrar of Medical Practitioners under the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161). According to the statistics of the CHRT, there are a total of 195 O&G, Surgery or RM specialists providing such services in licensed centres at present, with 107 and 88 in public and private licensed centres respectively. According to the information from the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, it is estimated that about 500 RMPs hold the relevant post-graduate qualifications recognised by the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (including O&G and RM), and 1 100 RMPs hold the relevant post-graduate qualifications recognised by the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong. 

     RM is a subspecialty of O&G. Upon completion of specialist training in O&G, doctors may undergo subspecialty training in the training hospitals (i.e. Queen Mary Hospital – Kwong Wah Hospital Joint Training Centre and Prince of Wales Hospital) for two to three years, during which they are required to complete a specified number of procedures and assessments before they can apply for certification as a specialist in RM under the Specialist Register. Based on the current caseload, the HA can train four doctors to obtain specialist qualifications in RM every two to three years. Among the specialists currently providing services in the licensed centres, 14 are specialists in RM on the Specialist Register, with one of them providing assisted reproductive services in the public sector and the other 13 in the private sector. Although there is no requirement in the Code that RT procedures must be performed by specialists in RM, in the HA, more advanced RT procedures (e.g. in-vitro fertilisation and frozen embryo transfer) are performed by doctors who have completed or are currently undergoing specialist training in RM. In 2024, 11 doctors possess relevant post-graduate qualifications and four doctors are undergoing specialist training in the HA. The Government does not have the relevant figures for the private sector.

     The Government respects individuals’ rights in life planning and therefore under prevailing regulations the public may choose to receive gamete freezing services for non-medical reasons. However, when using oocyte cryopreservation services, the public should be aware that relevant procedures are invasive medical procedures that involve multiple hormonal injections for ovarian stimulation, conscious sedation for oocyte retrieval, and insertion of a needle through the top of the vagina to retrieve oocytes from the ovaries. As with other surgical procedures, the entire oocyte cryopreservation procedure may result in various complications, including those related to ovarian stimulation, sedation, and oocyte retrieval procedures. It is the responsibility of the RMPs performing the relevant procedures to explain in detail the risks involved to the service recipient undergoing the procedures to ensure informed consent.  

     Medically, oocyte cryopreservation cannot fully reverse the physiological limitations in terms of age in childbearing. As women age, the risks associated with pregnancy and delivery for both the fetus and the woman increase, while the success rate of pregnancy decreases. According to the statistics of the CHRT in 2023, the success rate of in-vitro fertilisation treatment with fresh embryos for women aged 26 to 30 in achieving an ongoing pregnancy was about 50 per cent; for women aged 40 to 45, the success rate was reduced to 8 per cent. The above shows that it is a natural phenomenon that women’s fertility decreases significantly with age, and RT can only assist but not reverse this situation.

     The statistics of the CHRT shows that the number of frozen oocytes stored in licensed centres has been on the rise in recent years. As of the end of 2023, 20 375 oocytes are stored in the licensed centres, with 5 983 oocytes newly stored within 2023. In the meantime, the total number of people who have exported frozen oocytes outside Hong Kong from licensed centres between 2021 and 2023 is 90. The number of people using fresh embryos created from frozen oocytes in public and private licensed centres, ongoing pregnancies and live birth events in the same period are tabulated below:
 

Year	Number of people using fresh embryos created from frozen oocytes in public licensed centres	Number of people using fresh embryos created from frozen oocytes in private licensed centres	Number of ongoing pregnancies	Number of live birth events
2023	2	48	7	N/A (Note 1)
2022	6	55	7	5
2021	1	43	6	5

Note 1: Licensed centres are required to report the details concerning the outcome of pregnancy within 12 months after treatment. Information on live birth for treatment cycles carried out in the later part of 2023 is not yet available.

     The above data shows that the utilisation rate of frozen oocytes is very low, and there is no indication that oocyte cryopreservation service for non-medical reasons can have a substantial impact on the fertility rate. International studies have also had similar findings. A recent systematic review (Note 2) covering more than 13 000 individuals who had frozen their oocytes for non-medical reasons in different countries and regions (including 27 relevant studies with a median follow-up time of 7 years since oocyte retrieval) showed that only about 10 per cent of them used their frozen oocytes, and among them, only less than one-third successfully gave birth.

     Based on the above considerations and factors, from the health policy perspective, the Government does not encourage undergoing invasive medical procedures with associated risks, and procedures that might delay childbearing decisions and cause one to miss the best reproductive years without medical reasons. However, the Government is aware that there are calls for an extension of the maximum gamete storage period to allow greater flexibility in life planning. As the relevant policy involves medical, legal, ethical and moral considerations, the CHRT and its Ethics Committee will convene a meeting in the first quarter of 2025 to discuss the relevant issues. The CHRT will carefully consider the views of various parties from different aspects, before making appropriate recommendations to the Health Bureau. The Government will thoroughly consider the recommendations made by the CHRT before deciding on the way forward.

Note 2: Reference: Kirubarajan A, Patel P, Thangavelu N, Salim S, Sadeghi Y, Yeretsian T, Sierra S. Return rates and pregnancy outcomes after oocyte preservation for planned fertility delay: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril. 2024 Nov;122(5):902-917. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.06.025. Epub 2024 Jul 2. PMID: 38964588. read more

     Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, in the Legislative Council today (December 18):
 
Question:
 
     It has been reported that some unscrupulous and unlawful intermediaries on the Mainland have been soliciting businesses by spreading rumours on social media platforms about various talent admission schemes of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, going as far as falsifying academic qualifications and proofs of employment for clients to facilitate their applications for study or employment in Hong Kong or visa renewal, so as to reap a profit. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the number of cases involving the use of false information by applicants applying for entry to Hong Kong for employment or renewal of employment visas under various talent admission schemes in the past three years, as well as the types of applications involved and the follow-up actions taken in respect of such cases; the relevant figures on applications for study in Hong Kong which involved the use of false information and the follow-up actions taken;
 
(2) of the measures in place to prevent the use of false information by applicants for entry to Hong Kong under various talent admission schemes; and
 
(3) whether it will step up co-operation with the relevant Mainland authorities to combat the illegal acts of unlawful intermediaries; if so, of the details?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The continuous development of Hong Kong requires adequate human resources. The current-term Government has actively launched a number of measures to trawl for talents, including the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), and has also enhanced various talent admission schemes, including the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates. to expand the local talent pool. The Government attaches great importance to the problem of lawbreakers attempting to apply for study or employment in Hong Kong by falsifying academic qualifications or proofs of employment. All relevant bureaux and departments are performing their respective duties and actively handling relevant matters, and will continue to strictly enforce the law.
 
     The Immigration Department (ImmD) has put in place mechanisms for assessing each visa or entry permit application under the talent admission schemes in a rigorous manner. It is an offence for any person or company to furnish false information or make false representation to the ImmD in visa or entry permit applications. Offenders are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Any person who makes, uses or possesses false instruments or copies of false instruments commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.
 
     In addition, should any person be unveiled for obtaining his visa or entry permit to Hong Kong by illegal means, the visa or entry permit so obtained will become null and void according to the law, and the person will be subject to removal back to his place of origin. Even if the person has obtained the right of abode in Hong Kong, it will be declared invalid according to the law, and he will be subject to removal back to his place of origin.
 
     In view of the situation of unscrupulous intermediary agencies falsifying academic qualifications, the Education Bureau (EDB) has requested post-secondary institutions to adopt enhancement measures, such as requiring applicants to submit verification proof by third-party authorities before admission as the circumstances may require, so as to further ensure the authenticity of the academic qualifications obtained. Various post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong have made it clear that they have not granted any intermediary agencies for overseas studies any degree of authority for admission. They have also reminded, from time to time, persons who intend to study in Hong Kong not to easily and blindly believe in the agencies’ claim of so-called “guaranteed admission”, and reiterated that furnishing false information is a serious criminal offense in Hong Kong. Relevant institutions will diligently undertake their gatekeeping responsibilities and clearly demonstrate their zero tolerance stance against falsifying or furnishing fraudulent academic qualifications. Upon discovery of any violations, post-secondary institutions will take immediate and decisive disciplinary actions, including rescission of admission offers or expulsion, and refer such cases to law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for follow-up action as appropriate.
 
     In consultation with the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the EDB, the ImmD and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), my reply to the question raised by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong is as follows:
 
(1) The ImmD has been assessing each application for student visa or visa to Hong Kong under the talent admission schemes in a rigorous manner. LEAs will conduct thorough investigations and take resolute enforcement actions against suspected cases involving furnishing fraudulent academic qualifications or other false proofs.  From January 2022 to December 2024, 25 persons were arrested on suspicion of using fraudulent academic qualifications to enrol in local post-secondary institutions. Eight persons have been charged, three of whom have been convicted and five have been released on bail pending trial. The cases of the other 17 persons are under investigation. Among the convicted persons, the highest sentence was imprisonment for 17 weeks. The ImmD has declared the visas or entry permits of these convicted persons invalid according to the law.
 
(2) When processing each visa or entry permit application to Hong Kong, the ImmD will conduct random checks and verification on the information and documents submitted by the applicant as necessary, including verifying the applicant’s status with the organisation that issued the document. The ImmD will also conduct surprise inspections from time to time, including on-site verifications against the employing company on the operating model, financial status and employee information, so as to determine the authenticity of the information provided by the applicant or his employing company when applying for a visa or entry permit and extension of stay.
 
     On the other hand, the ImmD has completed a comprehensive review on the relevant visa policy. Apart from stepping up random checks on general employment visa applications, the ImmD requires all applicants of Categories B and C under the TTPS and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme to submit verification proof of academic qualifications issued by designated third-party credential verification organisations or the awarding institutions. The updated requirements are clearly set out on the ImmD’s website.
 
     The ImmD has also actively publicised to the public and intermediary agencies, through various channels such as the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices, press releases, social media and talks, that furnishing false information or making false representations to the ImmD are serious criminal offences punishable by imprisonment. The public has been urged not to defy the law. The Government constantly reminds those who are interested to come to Hong Kong for employment or establishing businesses that they do not need to apply through intermediaries. They are also advised not to easily and blindly believe in claims made by intermediaries, such as the so-called “guaranteed success in application”. Applicants are reminded that it is a serious criminal offence to provide false information and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
 
(3) The above relevant bureaux and departments have been maintaining close communication with the relevant Mainland authorities.
 
     The HKPF has been working closely with the relevant Mainland enforcement authorities in timely referral of information of Mainland intermediary agencies involving in cases of fraudulent academic qualifications in Hong Kong to the relevant Mainland authorities for follow-up. As at December 2024, the HKPF had referred information of a total of 14 suspected unscrupulous Mainland intermediary agencies or intermediaries to the relevant Mainland authorities for follow-up.
      
     The ImmD and the relevant Mainland authorities have established communication mechanism and maintained close intelligence exchanges and co-operations. In respect of the recent cases involving false proofs and unscrupulous intermediaries, the ImmD has been maintaining close communication and exchanging intelligence with the relevant Mainland authorities.
      
     The Mainland and Hong Kong will conduct joint enforcement action against relevant illegal acts in a timely manner. read more