Tag Archives: China

     A total of 64 nomination forms for the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election were received by the Returning Officers for the 18 District Committees constituencies (DCCs) and 44 District Council geographical constituencies (DCGCs) today (October 19).
 
     This brings to 179 the total number of nomination forms received since the start of the nomination period on October 17. The nomination period will continue until October 30.
 
     The number of nomination forms received for each District Council is as follows:
 

	DCCs		DCGCs
District Council	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total	No. of nomination forms received today	Cumulative total
Central and Western District Council	1	4	0	4
Eastern District Council	2	4	0	7
Kowloon City District Council	0	0	2	8
Kwun Tong District Council	0	0	2	11
Sham Shui Po District Council	2	2	1	2
Southern District Council	0	0	2	4
Wan Chai District Council	0	3	0	1
Wong Tai Sin District Council	0	4	0	8
Yau Tsim Mong District Council	7	8	1	8
Islands District Council	2	3	1	2
Kwai Tsing District Council	3	5	0	6
North District Council	3	5	2	2
Sai Kung District Council	3	3	0	6
Sha Tin District Council	8	11	2	2
Tai Po District Council	1	10	2	4
Tsuen Wan District Council	3	8	1	6
Tuen Mun District Council	5	8	2	6
Yuen Long District Council	6	12	0	2
Total	46	90	18	89

 
     The Registration and Electoral Office reminds nominees that due to limited space in the Returning Officer’s office, each nominee shall be accompanied by only one companion during submission of the nomination form. Please refer to the “Points to Note for Submission of Nomination Forms” on the election website (www.eac.hk/pdf/distco/2023dce/Points_to_Note_for_Submission_of_Nomination_Forms(Eng).pdf).
 
     Particulars of the nominees received today will be available on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk/dc2023/eng/nomination2.html). read more

     Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the National Day of the Republic of Korea reception today (October 19):
 
The Honourable Consul General (Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, Mr Yoo Hyungcheol), Mr Fang (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Fang Jianming), ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. It’s a great pleasure to join you tonight for the Republic of Korea’s National Foundation Day, a day of celebration throughout this proud nation – and well beyond.
 
     South Korea is an economic role model for the world, with real GDP growth averaging 5.9 per cent between 1982 and 2022.
 
     Hong Kong much values our Korean business ties. Last year, Korea was our fifth largest merchandise trading partner and seventh largest market for domestic exports.
 
     Last year, too, more than US$39 billion, or 10.7 per cent, of the total merchandise trade between Korea and the Chinese Mainland was routed through Hong Kong. And Korea ranked 20th among Hong Kong’s sources of inward direct investment at the end of 2021, with total stock in excess of US$4 billion.
 
     Hong Kong is home to about 140 Korean companies. I’m pleased to add that more than 40 per cent of them have chosen Hong Kong as their regional headquarters or offices. That speaks clearly of their confidence in Hong Kong’s economy and our future.
 
     And I’m confident that our strong trade, business and investment ties are just getting started, particularly given that Hong Kong has formally requested accession to RCEP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.
 
     Korea, of course, is a founding member of RCEP. And we look forward to your support of Hong Kong’s accession and the dynamic role we can play in RCEP.
 
     As one of the world’s most open economies, Hong Kong has long been an important trade and investment partner of RCEP’s member nations. No less important, we are blessed with the “one country, two systems” framework and the wide-ranging opportunities that singular reality presents.
 
     Business aside, our cultural links are warm and welcome. I need not tell you how popular K-pop, Korean TV dramas and movies are here in Hong Kong. Later this month, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) performs in Seoul and Daegu. In both cities, the concerts will be accompanied by star Korean violinist Inmo Yang. Hong Kong music lovers get to hear prize-winning Yang and the HK Phil next week, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.  
 
     And there’s much more Korean arts and culture on offer this month and next month, too, thanks to the annual Festive Korea, now in its 13th edition here in Hong Kong.
 
     This year’s Festive Korea features some 40 programmes covering the performing and visual arts, film, sports, education and K-food. Call it K-fun, and know that it all takes place under the theme of “Closer to Korea”.
 
     That’s a theme, and a reality, Hong Kong believes in – and counts on.
 
     Please join me now in toast – to the Republic of Korea on its national day.

     Cheers! 

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     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at the dock loading area of a cruise terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui today (October 19), in which one worker fell in the sea and was certified dead later in a hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
     
     The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and warned the employer concerned, and urged that they must comply with the relevant occupational safety and health regulations and adopt suitable precautions to ensure the work safety of workers.”
     
     The spokesman added, “We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.”
     
     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment, or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.
     
     In regard to today’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its website and by email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
     
     The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
     
     For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers. read more

     â€‹The Women Empowerment Fund is open for the second round of applications this year starting from today (October 19) until November 20. The Fund subsidises community projects that support women in juggling their jobs and family life, bringing women’s awareness to their own physical and mental health, and unleashing their potential.
      
     Set up in June 2023, the Fund aims to empower women, regardless of their age, occupation and background, to unleash their full potential in their respective roles, ultimately achieving the goal of promoting women’s development in Hong Kong.
      
     The Fund is divided into general and thematic projects. The funding cap of each one-year and two-year general project is $400,000 and $800,000 respectively. For thematic projects this year, namely the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programmes, each project shall be completed within one year and the funding cap is $120,000.
      
     The Fund accepts two rounds of applications each year. The Guide to Application and the application form have been uploaded to the Fund’s website (www.wef.gov.hk). Interested women’s organisations and non-governmental organisations may submit an electronic or paper application. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:        The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Octopus Cards Limited relating to a… read more