The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out a repatriation operation today (April 30). A total of 26 Vietnamese illegal immigrants were repatriated to Vietnam. The persons removed comprised 12 men and 14 women, all of whom were un… read more
One Hong Kong resident (defendant) was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment upon conviction for eight charges including dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence (money laundering), conspiracy to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, conspiracy to use identity card relating to another person, conspiracy to defraud, transferring an identity card to another person and making false representation to Immigration Officers at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (April 29).
The Immigration Department (ImmD) launched an anti-illegal worker operation last year and arrested a number of overstaying foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) working as cleaners in the same restaurant. It was later discovered that the arrested FDHs had all used others’ identity cards during job seeking. The rightful holders of the identity cards concerned were investigated. In the course of investigation, one of the identity card holders, the defendant, admitted to have knowingly transferred her identity card to an overstaying FDH to impersonate her during job seeking. The defendant had also transferred her bank account to the FDH for receiving salary with the account and applying for a loan at a finance company. Also, the defendant defraud Immigration officers in the dependant visa application of her foreign spouse, requesting the FDH to provide her with the income proof the FDH obtained by illegal work for her to submit as her own income proof in the application.
The defendant then adopted the same method and assisted her spouse to take up illegal work and receive salary using other’s identity card and bank account. The defendant’s foreign spouse was a recognisance form holder and he was not permitted to take up any employment in Hong Kong.
The FDH and the defendant’s foreign spouse pleaded guilty to offences related to the use of others’ identity cards and were sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment respectively earlier.
“Under the laws of Hong Kong, any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse transfers to another person an identity card commits an offence. It is also an offence to use or have in his custody or possession an identity card which relates to another person. Offenders are liable upon conviction to the maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 10 years,” an ImmD spokesman said.
“Under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to make a false representation to Immigration Officers. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction, the maximum penalty of a fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years,” the spokesman warned.
The spokesman continued that conspiracy to defraud is a serious offence. Under the Crimes Ordinance, offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years. read more
Police today (April 30) laid charges against a 35-year-old man with three counts of manslaughter. Police arrested the man today in relation to a fatal in… read more
The exhibition “Breaking New Ground: Donated Works of Chan Wing-sum” will be held from tomorrow (May 1) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM). This exhibition showcases more than 10 flower-and-bird and landscape paintings created and donated by Chan to the HKHM, and also works by his mentor, Professor Chao Shao-an, renowned master of the Lingnan School of Painting. It allows visitors to see how Chan has incorporated his mentor’s painting technique into his own works and to appreciate his mastery of ink adaptation.
Chan is an accomplished painter of the Lingnan School of Painting with a strong personal style. He learned painting from Professor Chao starting in 1976, while apprenticing for traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, and seal carving from other renowned teachers. He has participated in various joint and solo exhibitions in Hong Kong, the Mainland, Canada, etc. In 2019, Chan’s painting “Lotus and bird” was featured in the Japan-China Suiboku Joint Exhibition, where it was awarded the Foreign Minister of Japan’s Commendation.
Based on the composition, imagery and ink adaptation in traditional Chinese painting, Chan adds his carefree brushwork and contemporary interpretation to create his ink paintings in an abstract manner. His works embrace the flexible concept of the Lingnan School of Painting to blend traditional and modern elements with innovative approaches. Highlight exhibits include “Lotus and bird”, “Rain came upon lotus pond”, “Birds singing in banana tree” and “Red kapok and blue bird”.
The Chao Shao-an Gallery was set up with a donation of works from Professor Chao during the establishment of the HKHM. It aims to showcase the heritage and innovation of the Lingnan School of Painting, and to promote Professor Chao’s artistic vision. As a student of Professor Chao, Chan not only inherited his painting skills, but also continues his selfless acts. In 2021, Chan generously donated 15 of his representative artworks, enriching the HKHM’s collection of the art of the Lingnan School of Painting.
To tie in with the exhibition, Chan has been invited to conduct painting demonstrations for students and the public, and co-host a lecture on the Lingnan School of Painting with the curator during the summer holidays so that audiences can gain a more in-depth understanding of his art exploration and the art of the Lingnan School of Painting.
The exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), and organised by the HKHM. For details of the exhibition, please visit
www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en/web/hm/exhibitions/data/chan-wing-sum.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.
The exhibition is one of the activities of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has all along promoted Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (April 30) to explore an innovative proposal for the application of technologies in four areas, i.e. Innovative Immigration Control Operation, Biometric Identification and Authentication, Artificial Intelligence Assisted Immigration Application and Collaborative Robotics Technology, with a view to providing quality and efficient public services. The MOU was jointly signed by the Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, and the Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, Dr Denis Yip, witnessed by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Board Chairman of ASTRI, Mr Sunny Lee.
In his speech, Mr Kwok stated that the ImmD has been actively adopting advanced technologies and innovative thinking in various business areas to enhance service quality and efficiency. The collaboration with ASTRI this time will support the research and development of local innovation and technology, and pursue the goal of developing Hong Kong into a Smart City. It is of paramount importance to facilitate Hong Kong’s transformation into an international innovation and technology centre under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, enabling the public and visitors from around the world to experience the benefits of innovative technologies.
In appreciation of the ImmD’s decision to co-operate with ASTRI to support technology research in Hong Kong, Mr Lee stressed that the collaboration would set an example for neighbouring smart cities to expedite the adoption of innovative solutions that enhance public convenience.
