The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, leading a Hong Kong delegation of foreign-related legal talent comprising representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association as well as local, international and registered foreign law firms, including various non-Chinese lawyers and GBA lawyers, departed for Shenzhen today (December 6) to continue his visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

     Upon arrival in Shenzhen this morning, they called on Deputy Secretary-General of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Ms Wu Jing. They had a meeting with representatives from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, the Justice Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Shenzhen Lawyers Association and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality to gain a better understanding of the latest developments of Shenzhen on various fronts, including innovative technology, and to explore strengthening co-operation on legal services between the two places.

     At noon, Mr Lam and the delegation visited the Shenzhen Reform and Opening-Up Exhibition Hall at the Shenzhen Museum to learn more about the city's development and the history and achievements of Guangdong's reform and opening up.

     Mr Lam and his delegation then visited the Shenzhen Qianhai Cooperation Zone People's Court (Qianhai Court) and held discussions with judges from the China International Commercial Court of the Supreme People's Court, the High People's Court of Guangdong Province and the Qianhai Court, as well as representatives from the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, the Mediation Centre of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen Municipal Committee, the Benchmark Chambers International & Benchmark International Mediation Center, and Shenzhen lawyers specialising in foreign-related matters. The meeting enabled the delegation to gain a better understanding of the latest developments of the China International Commercial Court and the construction of a multifaceted dispute resolution mechanism. Through discussions on topical issues relating to foreign-related commercial disputes and sharing practical experiences in tackling related issues, participants explored specific directions for the Hong Kong legal sector to make more contributions.

     Mr Lam and his delegation will visit BYD Company Limited's headquarters in Shenzhen tomorrow morning (December 7) and exchange views with the company's representatives to learn about the latest developments of the company's global business and its demand for cross-border legal services. They will conclude their visit and return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon.

              

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Fastrack" and "Twilight", and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion", for four consecutive days from December 2 to yesterday (December 5). A total of 20 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers and three overstayers were arrested.

     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 18 target locations including massage parlours, premises under renovation and restaurants. Nine suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four men and five women, aged 25 to 63. Among them, one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. One man and one woman, aged 44 and 45, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers, were also arrested. 

     During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 244 target locations in the Central district and New Territories North region. Eleven suspected illegal workers, two suspected employers and three overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised seven men and four women, aged 28 to 62. One man and one woman, aged 41 and 68, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were arrested. One male and two female suspected overstayers, aged 26 to 36, were also arrested. Among them, 10 suspected illegal workers, two suspected employers and two overstayers were handled by the ImmD.

     An ImmD 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. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. 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.

  

     To further facilitate general dental services for the public, the Department of Health (DH) today (December 6) announced that an online registration system for the dental general public session (ORDGP) will be launched on December 30. Members of the public who register online and are allocated a quota will be informed via SMS notification and can receive dental services at designated dental clinics at the specified time.

     "Aiming to enhance service arrangements and minimise waiting times for the public, the ORDGP replaces the need to queue in person at the dental clinic to obtain a disc, making it easier for members of the public to receive public dental services," said a spokesman for the DH.

     "Following the launch of the ORDGP, members of the public in need of public dental services can register via the ORDGP between 9.30am and 11.30am for public dental services at designated dental clinics on the following day. Members of the public are required to register once under their real names. Quotas for general public sessions will be allocated by computer ballot. Half of the quotas will be allocated on a priority basis to elderly people aged 65 or above."

     â€‹"People who are successfully allocated a quota will receive a confirmation notification via SMS. They can also log into the ORDGP to check the ballot result after 12.30pm on the same day. At that time, if any quota remains unallocated, the ORDGP can provide the public with a list of relevant dental clinics. Members of the public can make appointments by phone on a first-come, first-served basis between 2pm and 5pm on the same day, or between 7.45am and 9.15am on the next service day for public dental services at relevant dental clinics with unallocated quotas. Details will be announced on the ORDGP website," he added.
      
     Once the ORDGP is launched, citizens will be able to access the ORDGP through the eHealth mobile application to register for public dental services. Citizens registered with eHealth and their family members/carers can also view their relevant attendance records in the eHealth app. For details, please visit the thematic website of eHealth.
        
     For easy authentication, SMS messages issued by the DH will bear the ID "#DH-DENT GP" with the prefix "#". Relevant SMS messages will not contain hyperlinks.

     "The DH is now producing a short video to illustrate the registration process for public viewing. It will be uploaded on the DH website once ready. Online briefing sessions have also been arranged to introduce the registration system and process to staff of the District Health Centres (DHCs), District Health Centre Expresses (DHCEs) and community support services to elderly people in various districts. Anyone who needs assistance in using the ORDGP can visit the relevant dental clinics where they intend to receive public dental services, or the DHCs and DHCEs (www.dhc.gov.hk/en/index.html) during the designated registration period from 9.30am to 11.30am for assistance," the spokesman said.

     Following the launch of the ORDGP, the DH will suspend preliminary registration arrangements starting from December 30. The DH will closely monitor the operation and the effectiveness of the ORDGP.

     The dental clinics under the DH are mainly responsible for providing dental benefits for civil servants/pensioners and their eligible dependents as required by the Government as terms of employment for civil servants, and therefore civil servants/pensioners and their eligible dependents are the major service targets of these clinics. The DH provides free dental treatments to the public through designated sessions in 11 government dental clinics. The services include treatment of acute dental diseases, prescription for pain relief, treatment of oral abscess and teeth extraction. With an aim to enhance the oral health of the community, the DH will launch the Community Dental Support Programme in collaboration with healthcare non-governmental organisations to enhance dental services for underprivileged groups, covering all 18 districts in Hong Kong.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 6) that the Tung Chung Swimming Pool in Islands District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 6) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From November 29 to yesterday (December 5), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. Both patients had travelled to the Philippines during their incubation periods.

     As of yesterday, 157 cases of DF, including 152 imported and five local cases, had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.

     According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmissions, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, had resulted in close to a historic high of over 6.5 million cases, and more than 7 300 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. Since the beginning of 2024, the WHO has recorded over 13 million cases, reaching a record number of cases.
 
     The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore) compared to the same period last year.
 
     Although the number of DF cases recorded in Guangdong Province in the past few months remained at a high level, and most of the cases were locally acquired infection, the number of local DF cases has been decreasing gradually, from over 1 200 cases a week (November 4 to 10) to around 500 cases a week (November 18 to 24), according to the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
      
     Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).

     The continued occurrence of DF cases outside Hong Kong, coupled with the frequent travel by residents to and from Guangdong, Hong Kong and other areas, has resulted in an increased risk of importing DF cases into Hong Kong, posing a risk of local transmission.

     "Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to a doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     
     â€‹DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
     

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.