Tag Archives: China

     â€‹Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors 40th Anniversary Cocktail Reception today (March 22):

Francis (President of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, Mr Francis Lam), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good evening. 

     It is a pleasure to be here, to join you in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS).

     The surveying profession has made remarkable contributions to Hong Kong’s development. And your Institute has been a driving force in this continuing process with a membership more than 11 000 professionals and students today.

     Over these four decades, you have nurtured generations of outstanding leaders and practitioners in the surveying industry. You have contributed to better construction and building standards, and tendered valuable advice on land development, urban renewal and town planning. 

     And you have also established longstanding ties with like-minded institutes and organisations all over the world. Through exchanges and discussions, you have been telling the good stories of Hong Kong to the world. 

     As you well know, the Government places a strong focus on land and housing supply, on economic growth and sustainability. In this, and much more, the Institute has been the Government’s close partner and valuable sounding board. 

     Take, for example, the standard rates for premium assessment in NDAs (New Development Areas) and others. It was, an initiative first proposed by the Institute in industrial buildings and agricultural land well supported by infrastructure. 

     That, as we all know, was readily and positively accepted by the market. 

     And in working out the legislative amendments for lowering compulsory sale thresholds, the Institute outlined the pain points and helped us find appropriate solutions.

     Another example concerns land leases. The Government introduced, last December, a bill to standardise and streamline lease extension arrangements.

     And I’m grateful for the valuable suggestions made by the Institute in this regard. On the day the new legislation comes into effect – by mid-year, I hope – the Government will publish the extension of land leases expiring up to 2030. We’ll do so regularly after that. 

     More than considered counsel, you contribute through constructive action. This year, the Institute and other professional organisations will partner with the Government to inspect high-risk buildings in old districts.

     Ladies and gentlemen, looking to the future, opportunities are wide open to the surveying profession. Mega-projects such as the Northern Metropolis are advancing fast. Other development projects will also progress as planned. 

     And consider the Greater Bay Area and the Mainland market beyond. In that respect, a registration system with Mainland authorities was launched three years ago, allowing surveyors to acquire equivalent qualifications in the Mainland, to provide direct service in the nine sister cities of the Greater Bay Area. I am glad to note that to date, 10 surveying consultants and 150 surveying professionals have completed their registrations.

     Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will treasure this very special evening.

     Once again, my congratulations to the HKIS on your 40th anniversary – on the major achievements you’ve accomplished over the years, and the many contributions to come. 

     And I wish you all the best of business, and health, in the coming year. Thank you.

    

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 22) signed, in accordance with Article 48(3) of the Basic Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council. The Ordinance will take effect upon gazettal tomorrow (March 23).
      
     “The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will officially take effect on March 23, 2024, ensuring the effective protection of national security. It signifies that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility as stipulated in Article 23 of the Basic Law to enact local legislation to safeguard national security, and accomplished a historic mission, living up to the trust placed in us by the Central Authorities and the country,” Mr Lee said.
      
     “The completion of the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law is essential to the implementation of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, ensuring the effective protection of national security of ‘one country’ and the long-term prosperity and stability of the HKSAR under ‘two systems’.
      
     “The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will bring safety to society. With safety comes stability; with stability comes prosperity. A safe and stable environment is crucial to the success of business activities and enterprises, without which businesses might suffer financial losses, and their investments and operations could be sabotaged or come under attack. Therefore, a safe and stable environment will make Hong Kong an attractive place for enterprises and investments.”
      
     “While safeguarding security, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance ensures human rights and freedoms are protected, and the principles of protecting human rights and freedoms have already been clearly and explicitly stipulated in the legal provisions, indicating that, under the Ordinance, human rights are to be respected and protected, and the rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication, the freedoms of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, enjoyed under the Basic Law and the provisions of two international covenants as applied to the HKSAR, namely the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, are to be protected in accordance with the law. The Ordinance also, as stipulated, ensures the property and investment in the HKSAR are protected by the law.
      
     “The Ordinance fully implements the requirements set out in Article 23 of the Basic Law, the Decision of the National People’s Congress on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the HKSAR to Safeguard National Security (5.28 Decision), and the Hong Kong National Security Law for improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security, ensuring the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the protection of national security. The HKSAR Government will effectively discharge its responsibilities and carry out the work under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It will also continue to enhance public education and publicity to deepen public understanding of the necessity of safeguarding national security and its pivotal role in maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
      
     “From tomorrow on, the national security of the HKSAR will be more effectively safeguarded, allowing Hong Kong to move forward without worries or burden. The HKSAR Government will continue to lead Hong Kong in fully focusing on economic development, improving people’s livelihoods, and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of the city, with a view to creating a brighter and more abundant future together.”

    

      The Hong Kong Police Force held the Bank Staff Recognition Ceremony today (March 22) to commend and thank banks and their staff for their close collaboration with Police and excellent performance in preventing and combatt… read more

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 21) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 20 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $4.6 million. A man and a woman were arrested.

     Yesterday, Customs intercepted a 18-year-old male passenger and a 42-year-old female passenger, both arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, at the airport. During customs clearance, about 10kg of suspected cannabis buds were found in each of their checked-in luggage. The duo were subsequently arrested.

     The two arrested persons have been each charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Their cases will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 23).

     Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     With Easter holidays approaching, Customs believes that the local demand for drugs will increase. The department will therefore further step up enforcement action to fiercely combat different kinds of dangerous drug trafficking activities during the long holidays. Customs again reminds the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

    

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) held a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Academy today (March 22). The Chairman of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Security, Mr Chan Hak-kan, reviewed the parade, marking the graduation of 42 Officers and 81 Assistant Officers II.
      
     At the parade, the CSD Guard of Honour and passing-out correctional officers assembled to form the two Chinese characters of “correction” and “rehabilitation” during a foot drill demonstration, symbolising that they will take on the challenges ahead with courage, continue to support the Department’s principle of placing dual emphasis on safe custody and rehabilitation and assist persons in custody (PICs) to get back on the right track. They then assembled to form a shield pattern incorporated with the number “23”, symbolising that the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance can safeguard the country and protect Hong Kong like a shield, while correctional officers are strongly committed to ensuring the effective implementation of the Ordinance, so as to protect national security.
      
     Speaking at the parade, Mr Chan pointed out that correctional officers have been serving their duties steadfastly and diligently to protect the public and prevent crime for a better Hong Kong. He said that he witnessed the remarkable achievements of the CSD in its custodial and rehabilitation work, which are widely recognised by the community.
      
     Mr Chan mentioned that the redevelopment of the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, which has successfully secured funding approval from the LegCo Finance Committee, would give solid support for the CSD’s future development to cater for the increasing remand penal population in recent years.
      
     He commended the CSD for launching the Social Visit e-Booking Service last November, which offers greater convenience to visitors by shortening the waiting time for registration in correctional institutions. The CSD also launched a series of new initiatives on rehabilitation such as setting up the Ethics College at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution and Lo Wu Correctional Institution last October to provide a one-year full-time Diploma of Applied Education programme for adult PICs, assisting them to equip themselves and providing them with opportunities for upward mobility. Moreover, the CSD has established four multi-purpose family and rehabilitation service centres in Shau Kei Wan, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin and Sheung Shui. Apart from providing video social visit services to the families and friends of PICs, the centres also provide psychological and counselling services for rehabilitated persons and their families, with a view to strengthening their determination to rehabilitate through restoring family relationships.
      
     Praising the CSD’s community education work, Mr Chan said that the department has organised a wide variety of diversified community education activities under the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project to disseminate to young people the messages of safeguarding the country and home, leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation. In addition, the CSD has organised the Chinese Cultural Journey exchange programme last year, under which arrangements are made for trainees of its youth uniformed group, the Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders, to visit cities of the Greater Bay Area, with a view to nurturing them into a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and a global vision.
      
     Mr Chan encouraged the passing-out correctional officers to stay united, display good team spirit and rise to challenges in the face of difficulties and adversities, guarding the last element of Hong Kong’s criminal justice system.
      
     During the parade, Mr Chan presented the Principal’s Shield to two Officers, namely Mr Dy Derrick Klein A and Ms Shiu Man-yip, and the Golden Whistle to four Assistant Officers II, namely Mr Tam Siu-hin, Ms Ho Wing-shan, Mr Chan Hei and Mr Yu Chi-chiu, for their outstanding performance in the recruit training.