Tag Archives: China

     Regarding the untruthful smearing and unscrupulous attacks made by some government authorities and officials of Western countries (including the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), the European Union, Australia, Canada and more), anti-China organisations, anti-China politicians and foreign media on the sentences handed down by the court yesterday (November 19) to 45 convicted individuals in a case of conspiracy to commit subversion in accordance with law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (November 20) strongly condemned and opposed such acts.

     A spokesman for the Government said that, “Following as many as 118 days of open hearings and thorough considerations of the relevant legal principles, a massive amount of evidence and submissions from the prosecution and the defence, the Court of First Instance of the High Court had earlier delivered the reasons for verdict which comprises over 300 pages, as well as two annexes totalling over 400 pages which summarised the evidence of the prosecution and defence witnesses, detailing the courts’ analysis of the law and evidence as well as the reasons rendering the verdict of conviction. Similarly, the court has also clearly listed out its reasons and considerations in sentencing in its 82-page reasons for sentence. All relevant information is open and can be downloaded from the webpage of the Judiciary.
      
     “Any reasonable and fair person, upon reviewing the court’s judgment, would be convinced of the severity of the crime and the guilt of the convicted individuals, supported by irrefutable evidence. Despite these ironclad facts, Western countries, anti-China organisations and politicians, and foreign media continue to distort the truth and maliciously attack. The HKSAR Government must again firmly refute these claims to set the record straight.”

     The spokesman pointed out, “Evidence adduced in the court revealed that the persons concerned conspired to indiscriminately vote down the Government’s budget and public expenditure proposals after securing a majority in the Legislative Council (LegCo) through the so-called ‘primary election’, such that the Chief Executive would be required to dissolve the LegCo in accordance with Article 50 of the Basic Law; and after re-electing the LegCo, vote down the Budget again, forcing the Chief Executive to resign, thus paralysing the Government. At the same time, they sought to bring Hong Kong society to a standstill through large-scale street riots and other means. Coupled with international political and economic sanctions, causing endless harm and suffering to Hong Kong society and members of the public.
      
     “The objective of the whole scheme was to exert a severe impact on society, the economy and people’s livelihood and create a constitutional crisis in the HKSAR. The court stated in its reasons for sentencing that had the so-called ‘Project 35+’ been carried out to the very end, the adverse consequences would be far reaching and no less serious than overthrowing the Government of the HKSAR. Such an attempt to subvert the state power is indeed a serious act endangering national security and has nothing to do with freedom and democracy.

     “The proposed imposition of the so-called ‘visa restrictions’ on HKSAR officials by the US Government smack of despicable political manipulation to intimidate People’s Republic of China and HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. These grossly interfere in China’s internal affairs and Hong Kong’s affairs, and violate the international law and the basic norms governing international relations. The HKSAR despises such threats and will not be intimidated by such despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will continue to resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security.
      
     “In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states. Many common law jurisdictions, including the US, the UK and Canada, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation to safeguard national security. Turning a blind eye to the facts and making exaggerated remarks, the US and some Western countries, anti-China organisations, anti-China politicians, foreign media, and more, have demonstrated typical despicable political manipulation and hypocrisy with double standards. The HKSAR Government strongly urges them to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs, and stop any untruthful reporting on and malicious smearing of the relevant judgment,” the spokesman reiterated. read more

     With an aim to further enhance the corporate governance and operational transparency of national sports associations (NSAs), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has engaged the Sports Federation and… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     The Research Grants Council (RGC) today (November 20) held a Workshop on the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing (SF) Degree Sector at the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, covering the RGC Faculty Development Scheme (FDS), the Inter-Institutional Development Scheme (IIDS), the Institutional Development Scheme (IDS) Collaborative Research Grant, and the IDS Research Infrastructure Grant. The event attracted close to 200 academics from 10 institutions in the SF education institution sector.
      
     Organised mainly for teaching and research staff from the SF education institution sector, the Workshop invited faculty members who had successfully obtained research grants to share their stories. The achievements of completed FDS projects were also featured at a poster session organised for the first time in parallel with the Workshop. The Chairman of the Assessment Panel of the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector, Professor Julie Li, together with members of the Panel, also shared their observations on proposals in the latest round of exercise.
      
     The Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong, said, “Being an important part of the Hong Kong academic research community, the SF education institution sector has been making noticeable contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the past decade. I am pleased to see that many of the funded projects have brought about remarkable research outputs and achievements, in particular in benefitting the progress and development of Hong Kong society.
      
     “The IDS Research Infrastructure Grant has catalysed capacity building within the SF education institutions by supporting various research infrastructure and facilities, such as research centres on healthcare, green business as well as children and youth. This year, for example, the RGC has supported a proposal for an education institution to set up a Caregiving Research and Development Centre, which was timely and relevant to Hong Kong’s current social development. In addition, the IDS Collaborative Research Grant has encouraged and supported SF education institutions to conduct high-quality cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaborative research projects. Funded projects this year included research on the monitoring of construction tower cranes by artificial intelligence and detection of antibiotics in wastewater, which had high novelty and societal relevance.

     “Looking forward, the RGC will continue working alongside institutions and colleagues of the SF degree sector to promote excellence in Hong Kong’s research culture and vibrancy of our research ecosystem.”
      
     The Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector aim at developing the research capability of institutions and faculty members in the sector. Since the launch of the research funding schemes in 2013, the RGC has funded more than 800 projects with a total amount of more than $830 million.
      
     Details of the funding schemes are available on the RGC website:

FDS:
www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/fds/index.html;

IDS Collaborative Research Grant:
ww.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_crg/index.html;

IDS Research Infrastructure Grant:
ww.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_rig/index.html; and

IIDS:
www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/iids/index.html

    

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 20) that in view of notifications from the General Veterinary Inspectorate of Poland and the World Organisation fo… read more

     The 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Road Cycling Race and the 15th National Games road cycling test event will be held on November 24. A press conference hosted by the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO), Mr Yeung Tak-keung, was held jointly with representatives of relevant government departments and the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China today (November 20) to announce details of the test event and the relevant arrangements, including temporary traffic control measures, clearance arrangements at the boundary control point (BCP), and emergency response and rescue arrangements.
 
     A men’s individual road cycling race will be arranged for the test event and is scheduled to start at 9am on November 24, and is expected to conclude at 2.30pm. The event will feature 23 teams from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, with a total of 71 athletes competing. The race spans across Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao, covering a total distance of 230 kilometres, which comprises a 160.7km section in Zhuhai, a 55.8km section in Hong Kong and a 13.5km section in Macao. Setting off from the Zhuhai Museum, the race will pass through Macao, then enter Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), travel along the North Lantau Highway, pass through the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and turn back to the North Lantau Highway and the HZMB, enter Hengqin before racing to finish at the Zhuhai Museum. It is estimated that the race convoy will spend about one and a half hours in the Hong Kong section of the race.
 
     A public viewing zone will be set up on the footpath of Fantasy Road located outside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which can accommodate a few hundreds of spectators. Implementation of crowd management measures will be made by the Police depending on conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to take heed of instructions of the Police and the staff on site. As temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the race route at the North Lantau Highway, members of the public should take the MTR to the Disneyland Resort station as far as possible to reach the viewing zone. In addition, Zhuhai is arranging for live webcast of the event, and Hong Kong also plans to arrange for live webcast by Radio Television Hong Kong.
 
     To facilitate the holding of the race, temporarily control measures will be implemented on the HZMB Hong Kong Port, the HZMB and some roads on that day. Relevant arrangements are set out below:
 
(1) Temporary control measures for HZMB and suspension of departure clearance services at the BCP 

     On the event day, temporary control measures will be implemented on the HZMB eastbound from Zhuhai/Macao towards Hong Kong from 9am to 12.30pm, and on the HZMB westbound from Hong Kong towards Zhuhai/Macao from 7.30am to 12.30pm. During the temporary control period, all vehicles are prohibited from using the HZMB. Special arrangements will be implemented on the departure clearance services. Travellers or vehicles wishing to leave Hong Kong for Zhuhai or Macao before the implementation of the temporary control measures are required to arrive at the Departure Hall of Passenger Clearance Building or Outbound Vehicle Clearance Plaza of the HZMB Hong Kong Port before 6.30am on the event day in order to undergo departure and clearance procedures. The Departure Hall of Passenger Clearance Building and Outbound Vehicle Clearance Plaza of the HZMB Hong Kong Port will be closed at 6.30am.
 
     The departure and clearance services at the HZMB Hong Kong Port will resume after 12.30pm. It is expected that traffic will be busy. Travellers and drivers who plan to use the bridge on that day are advised to plan their trips in advance. Drivers of cross-boundary private cars and goods vehicles should also consider the use of other land BCPs in accordance with the terms and conditions of the vehicle’s Closed Road Permit.
 
(2) Transport arrangements
 
     Cross-boundary public transport services travelling on the HZMB between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, including the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and cross-boundary coaches services, will be suspended during the implementation of the temporary control on the HZMB Main Bridge and the HZMB Hong Kong Port on that day. In addition, during the temporary control period, public transport services to and from the HZMB Hong Kong Port will implement temporary services adjustment, including airport bus A routes and shuttle bus B routes. The en-route stop at the HZMB Passenger Clearance Building for bus A routes will be suspended during certain periods. The bus companies will issue notices to inform affected passengers.
 
     The Transport Department (TD) will notify affected operators of cross-boundary and local public transport services, while the Marine Department will liaise with cross-boundary ferry operators, to work out manpower and frequency arrangements.
      
     During the temporary control period, travellers should consider the use of land BCPs between Hong Kong and Shenzhen for their travel between Hong Kong and Zhuhai. They should also consider taking cross-boundary ferry services between Hong Kong and Macao.
      
     Booking for the time slot between 6am and noon for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles has been suspended.
      
     Regarding passenger bus services of SkyPier Terminal Transfer Coach of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the service from Macao Port to HKIA will be suspended after the 7.30am departure and will resume at 2pm. The first departure from HKIA to Macao Port and Zhuhai Port, and that from Zhuhai Port to HKIA will depart at 2pm.
 
(3) Temporary traffic arrangements 

1. Temporary road traffic control measures

     Temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the North Lantau Highway and roads near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort between 10.20am and 11.50am on the day of the race (exact time will depend on the actual progress of the race).
      
     Temporary traffic control measures will be implemented in the vicinity of the race route on the North Lantau Highway. The travel time to and from the airport via the North Lantau Highway is expected to increase by about 30 minutes. Members of the public who plan to travel to and from the airport should plan their trips in advance and allow sufficient travelling time. They are advised to use railway services, including the Airport Express, the Tung Chung line and the Disneyland Resort line, and avoid driving to the relevant area. Drivers who need to drive to the airport may consider using the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel.
      
     Temporary traffic control measures will be implemented on the race route near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort during the race. Travelling time to and from the park, hotels and the Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre via Penny’s Bay Highway, Sunny Bay Road, Magic Road and Fantasy Road may be increased by about 30 minutes due to the traffic control measures. Members of the public who plan to travel to the vicinity of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort should consider using railway services as far as possible.
 
     In addition, as this road section connects to the North Lantau Highway, members of the public and travellers who need to travel between the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and HKIA may also be affected by the temporary traffic control measures on the North Lantau Highway, and the travelling time required may be increased.

2. Temporary road closure
 
     Shun Long Road (both bounds) will be closed starting from 6.30am and expected to reopen at about 2pm after the related road section returns to normal. During the above road closure period, the TD will implement traffic diversion such that the original traffic of Shun Long Road (both bounds) will be diverted via Chek Lap Kok Island. The journey time is expected to increase by about 10 minutes. The bus companies will issue notices to inform passengers of the details of service adjustment.

(4) Emergency response and rescue arrangements
 
     The Fire Services Department (FSD) has formulated relevant contingency plans and will deploy fire services and ambulance resources at strategic locations inside and outside the closed-loop race convoy during the race to ensure that the most expeditious and effective measures can be executed to deal with emergencies.
      
     In addition, the medical team of the Hospital Authority will also be on board the FSD ambulances in the convoy to ensure that medical personnel with ambulance equipment can respond quickly to emergencies in the race convoy.
      
     In addition, as the North Lantau Highway is one of the main roads for access to and from the airport and the urban area of Tung Chung, the Police will reserve emergency vehicular lanes for the passage of emergency vehicles to maintain normal operation of emergency services during the race.
 
     A spokesman for the NGCO said that the relevant BCP and transport arrangements are crucial to the preparation for the test event, the smooth running of the race and the safety of athletes and staff members. The spokesperson thanked members of the public and travellers for their understanding of the inconvenience caused, as well as the concerted efforts of various organisations and departments in implementing the relevant arrangements. read more