Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (April 24). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (April 23) strongly disapproves and rejects the unfounded and biased content related to Hong Kong contained in the United States (US) Department of State's so-called 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
      
     A HKSAR Government spokesperson said, "The HKSAR Government strongly disapproves and opposes the US' repeated tactics through the so-called report in making slandering remarks against Hong Kong, where 'one country, two systems' is successfully implemented. The US is once again overriding the rule of law with politics and politicising human rights issues. Such attempt to undermine the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and interfere in Hong Kong's law-based governance is doomed to fail."
      
     "Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights of Hong Kong residents have been firmly protected by the Constitution and the Basic Law. The HKSAR Government resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst maintaining the common law system, adhering to the principle of the rule of law and upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems'. The HKSAR Government strongly demands the US to immediately stop acting against international law and the basic norms of international relations and interfering in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs."
      
     On legislation safeguarding national security, the HKSAR Government spokesperson pointed out, "content regarding legislation safeguarding national security in the HKSAR contained in the US' so-called report are completely absurd and untrue. Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in June 2020, the US has ignored the large-scale and incessant riots that occurred in 2019 and devastated the society, livelihood and economy of Hong Kong. Instead, it piled up false stories and fabricated narratives through various so-called reports to maliciously slander legislation safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and blatantly attack the HKSAR in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law. The US has also deliberately neglected the fact that such laws have enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community, and as well the business environment, to return to normalcy. Its bullying act and hypocrisy with double standards are utterly ugly and despicable."
      
     "The legal framework in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, as well as the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance which was gazetted and took effect last month clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication, and the freedoms of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR are to be protected in accordance with the law.

     "The offences endangering national security stipulated by the Hong Kong National Security Law target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant has the actus reus and mens rea of an offence before the defendant may be convicted by the court. The offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law do not have retrospective effect. This is in line with Article 12 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.
      
     "As a matter of fact, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. The US has at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security. It is therefore in no position to point its finger at other countries and regions for legitimately legislating to safeguard national security.
      
     "As regards the sedition offence, the courts of the HKSAR have ruled in different cases that the provisions relating to sedition are consistent with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights on the protection of human rights, and that a proportionate and reasonable balance has been struck between safeguarding national security and protection of the freedom of speech. The offence is not meant to silence expression of any opinion that is only genuine criticisms against the Government based on objective facts.
      
     As for enforcement actions, the HKSAR Government spokesperson reiterated, "The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation."
      
     "Like law enforcement agencies around the world, the HKSAR's law enforcement agencies released information of fugitive offenders who have allegedly committed serious offences and are wanted, and appealed for the public's assistance in bringing fugitive offenders to justice. This is legitimate, necessary, and squarely in line with international practice. The US often abuses 'long-arm jurisdiction' and unilateral sanctions to target citizens of other countries. Its smears on the HKSAR's enforcement actions taken in accordance with the law are simply untenable.
      
     "On the bail arrangement, the cardinal importance of safeguarding national security and preventing and suppressing acts endangering national security explains why the Hong Kong National Security Law introduces more stringent conditions to the grant of bail in relation to offences endangering national security. The content against the implementation of the arrangement mentioned in the US' so-called report are nothing but unreasonable smears.
      
     On safeguarding the due administration of justice and the rule of law, the HKSAR Government spokesperson reiterated, "Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. The HKSAR's judicial system has been highly regarded by the international community. The HKSAR Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, free from any interference. Everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing."
      
     "As far as legal practitioners are concerned, the right to choice of lawyers is protected by the Basic Law, and it is well-established by case law that such a choice means a right to choose lawyers who are available and entitled to practise in Hong Kong, and not overseas lawyers who are not qualified to practise generally. Amendments to the Legal Practitioners Ordinance in 2023 does not affect the ad hoc admission of overseas lawyers in criminal and civil cases not involving national security. In fact, most jurisdictions do not have similar regimes of ad hoc admission. Relatively speaking, the current ad hoc admission regime in the HKSAR is very open. Any remark that our admission regime qualifies the right to choice of lawyers is not only hypocrisy, but also manifestly without a sound legal basis.
      
     As regards the HKSAR's electoral system, the HKSAR Government spokesperson pointed out, "the improved electoral system of the HKSAR puts in place legal safeguards to ensure the full implementation of 'patriots administering Hong Kong'. Keeping political power in the hands of patriots is a political rule commonly adopted around the world. No country or region in the world will ever allow political power to fall into the hands of forces or individuals who do not love, or even sell out or betray, their own country. In Hong Kong, regardless of one's background, whoever meets the requirements and criteria of patriots can participate in elections in accordance with the law and serve the Hong Kong public by entering into the governance structure of the HKSAR after getting successfully elected."
      
     The spokesperson added, 'this term of Legislative Council has, by way of its rational and constructive interaction with the executive authorities, fully manifested the spirit of 'patriots administering Hong Kong', while a spectrum of different voices in the legislature steadfastly upheld the overall interests of Hong Kong, exemplifying quality democracy. Furthermore, the improved district governance system, including the reformed District Councils, enable patriots who have an affection for Hong Kong and are dedicated to serving their districts to participate in the work of the District Councils through a variety of channels, thereby reflecting public opinion more comprehensively and accurately."
      
     The HKSAR Government spokesperson reiterated, "the HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of 'one country, two systems'. With the strong support from the motherland, and as the city where the global advantage and the China advantage converge under 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong will continue to protect and promote human rights through security, development and co-operation, as well as to tell the international community good stories of the HKSAR's human rights situation in a reasoned and robust manner."

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council Panel on Security visited the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) and the Anti-Deception Alliance (ADA) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) in the Police Headquarters today (April 23) to better understand the latest measures and initiatives of HKPF to combat deception cases.

     Members first received a briefing from the representatives of the HKPF on the work of the ADCC in co-ordinating the relevant resources of the HKPF and enhancing collaboration with different Government departments, various stakeholders and law enforcement agencies outside Hong Kong, as well as the major strategies of the HKPF in preventing and combatting deception. They then toured the Call Centre of the ADCC and the ADA established by the HKPF and 10 major banks in November last year to enhance co-operation with the banking industry. 

     During the visit, Members noted how the ADCC assisted members of the public who were suspected to have been defrauded through its hotline "Anti-Scam Helpline 18222" to mitigate victims' losses and deployed the Scam Response Team officers in the District concerned to provide immediate assistance for the victims. The representatives of the HKPF also briefed Members on the latest situation and outcomes of its various initiatives with the banking industry, in particular how the ADA had expedited the process of intercepting crime proceeds and implemented the "Upstream Scam Intervention" mechanism to proactively identify and provide anti-deception advice to potential victims, in order to prevent the occurrence of fraud cases as early as possible.

     Members were generally supportive of the Government's various measures to prevent and combat deception cases. They exchanged views with representatives of the Security Bureau and the HKPF on the enhancement of the effectiveness of the anti-deception measures and made a number of suggestions to further strengthen the relevant work. They also urged the Government to continue to step up their efforts in preventing and combatting deception cases such that the public would not be defrauded.

     A total of 22 members and non-members of the Panel on Security attended the visit. 

      

     Police today (April 23) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tsing Yi.

     Wong Si-wo, aged 79, went missing after he was last seen in his residence in Cheung Hang Estate on April 1 evening. His family made a report to Police yesterday (April 22).
         
     He is about 1.55 metres tall and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short grey and white hair.
          
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 5239 7701 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (April 23) hosted a welcome dinner for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) delegates attending the second 2024 ABAC Meeting in Hong Kong from April 22 to 25.

     With the attendance of more than 200 ABAC members and staffers from APEC's 21 member economies, the second 2024 ABAC Meeting focuses its discussions on business sector priorities in the key areas of trade and investment facilitation, digital transformation, sustainability and inclusion under the theme "People, Business, Prosperity" for ABAC 2024, chaired by ABAC Peru.

     Speaking at the welcome dinner, Mr Lee highlighted the commitment of Hong Kong, China (HKC) to APEC. "We firmly believe in regional economic integration. We believe that co-operation, at every level, is essential if we are to overcome our shared global challenges," he said.

     "More than good business partners, the economies of APEC are incubators of ideas, promoting inclusive, innovative and sustainable growth for the Asia-Pacific region. We value the input and insights of ABAC and its business leaders in realising these collective goals," he said.

     Mr Lee also shared with ABAC delegates HKC's growth strategy through innovation, inclusiveness and sustainability, adding that he looked forward to working with the ABAC business community in fostering growth in the region.

     The second 2024 ABAC Meeting was officially opened this morning at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Addressing at the opening ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, stressed Hong Kong's staunch commitment to forging closer regional collaboration. He said, "As a member of APEC, Hong Kong, China is a proud contributor to the region's economic development. We are committed to communicating and co-operating with other member economies to advance the APEC and ABAC agenda, for the benefits of the businesses and people in the region."

     Mr Chan highlighted three areas on which Hong Kong could further work together with ABAC, namely to promote international free trade and overcome roadblocks to supply chain and logistics network; advance regional green transition and transformation; and drive the growth of the digital economy.

     The second 2024 ABAC Meeting, spanning four days, will continue to engage ABAC delegates in in-depth discussions on regional economic integration, sustainability, human development and innovation. In addition to meetings, the delegates will have the opportunity to visit various places in Hong Kong to experience its cultural scenes, performance sports, latest technological development, start-up ecosystem, smart health care, conservation efforts and world-class logistics infrastructure.

     Set up in 1989, APEC is a forum for high-level government-to-government dialogue on trade and economic issues. It currently comprises 21 member economies.

     ABAC was established in 1996 as a permanent business advisory body to provide advice to APEC on business sector priorities. The Chief Executive has appointed Ms Marjorie Yang, Ms Mary Huen and Ms Nisa Leung as HKC's representatives to ABAC, as well as Mr Spencer Fung and Mr Duncan Chiu as HKC's alternate representatives.