Tag Archives: China

     â€‹The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (March 1) strongly disapproved of and condemned scaremongering remarks made by the Consul General of the United States of America (US) to Hong Kong, Mr Gregory May.
      
     The HKSAR Government spokesman said, “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. The suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts, including those involving collusion with foreign or external forces, is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. As guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence have the right to and will receive a fair trial by the judiciary. The courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. It is extremely inappropriate for the US Consul General to make unwarranted comments on criminal trials which are ongoing in the HKSAR courts, and even attempt to compare the Lai Chee-ying’s case with the efforts of the HKSAR Government in promoting the city. It is also a complete disregard to the spirit of the rule of law.
      
     “Every state will enact laws on safeguarding national security. This is an inherent right of every sovereign state, and is also an international practice. In terms of national security-related legislation, the US has at least 21 pieces. There have also been countless administrative orders issued in the name of so-called ‘national security’. The US has even at every turn suppressed dissidents through covert surveillance, illegal wiretapping, and global manhunt, and is in no position to point its finger at other countries and regions for making their own legislation for safeguarding national security legitimately. The US Consul General also deliberately ignored the HKSAR’s constitutional duty and practical needs for the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, and blatantly smeared the Basic Law Article 23 legislation and the law enforcement actions conducted in accordance with the law. This is in total contradiction with his professed intention for the US to foster a better relationship with Hong Kong.”
      
     “As repeatedly stressed by the HKSAR Government, the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Basic Law Article 23 legislation are precisely for safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; and ensuring the full and faithful implementation of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. It will also better safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of the residents of the HKSAR and other people in the city, including those doing business in Hong Kong. The legislation will not affect regular exchanges between Hong Kong residents and people doing business in Hong Kong with foreign countries. These normal interactions are protected by the Basic Law and the local laws of the HKSAR. The acts and activities endangering national security which the NSL and the Basic Law Article 23 legislation seek to prevent and suppress are distinctly different from normal exchanges and business activities. The US should immediately act reasonably and sensibly once again, stop making irresponsible remarks on the Basic Law Article 23 legislation and HKSAR’s effort in safeguarding national security, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are internal affairs of China,” the spokesman stressed. read more

     The Council of the China National Arts Fund announced today (March 1) the list of arts projects to be funded by the China National Arts Fund 2024. Twelve Hong Kong arts projects are selected this year, which marks a new record.

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung said, “I would like to express heartfelt thanks to our country for the support and recognition to Hong Kong’s arts and culture sector. I would also like to congratulate the twelve Hong Kong arts projects on being selected and awarded by the China National Arts Fund. A wide variety of projects have been selected this year, including traditional Cantonese Opera as well as ballet production, which manifests Hong Kong’s unique characteristic as a melting pot of East and West cultures. We are delighted to see that projects submitted by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts have been selected for two consecutive years” 

     The selected projects this year cover areas such as small-scale productions, visual arts creations, cultural exchange, training of arts talents, and youth in arts creation. This is the third time that Hong Kong projects are selected since the opening up of the China National Arts Fund for projects from Hong Kong and Macao in 2022.

     Mr Yeung said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to capitalise on and consolidate Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, help extend the reach of Chinese culture and tell the good story of China.”

     The China National Arts Fund also announced the application guide of the China National Arts Fund 2025 today. The application period will be from April 15 to June 15, 2024.

     The HKSAR Government announced in the Policy Address 2022 to take forward policy measures to support the awardees of the China National Arts Fund in Hong Kong by providing them funding to conduct cultural exchange activities, with a view to bringing these recognised quality arts projects from Hong Kong to the international community, and enhancing overseas audience’s understanding of Chinese culture. Many of the funded programmes were successfully held in the Mainland, Macao, North America and Central and Eastern Europe in 2023. Other cultural exchange projects will be presented progressively in the Mainland and overseas in 2024. The Hong Kong arts projects selected his year will also benefit from the measure.

     In addition, the HKSAR Government will organise the Chinese Culture Festival on a regular basis from this year onwards. It will include outstanding local works recognised by the China National Arts Fund, providing the public with more opportunities to enjoy programmes on Chinese culture, and enabling them to understand the essence of Chinese culture in a more holistic and multifaceted manner, thereby promoting the inheritance and development of Chinese culture. In October this year, we will organise the first Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo and the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival in Hong Kong to consolidate our role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The second Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival will be launched in April. The on-going Art March 2024 covers events like arts exhibition, pop and film events and cultural summit. These showcase the diverse arts and cultural offerings in Hong Kong. read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted Chinese New Year receptions in Lisbon, Portugal (February 22), in Barcelona, Spain (February 27), and in The Hague, the Netherlands (February 28), and concluded the month-long celebrations for the Chinese New Year.

     In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, emphasised the unique advantages of Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” principle, as well as its role as both a gateway to China and a prime destination for businesses. She also encouraged guests to explore Hong Kong’s beautiful natural landscapes and experience the exciting cultural festivals and events in the city.

     Underlining the special position of Hong Kong as an international arts and cultural hub, the HKETO, Brussels presented at the receptions the cultural talents from Hong Kong. In Lisbon, it invited musicians from Hong Kong, namely harmonicist and composer CY Leo and pianist Joyce Cheung, for a performance comprising original composition, and rearrangement on classics and Chinese folk music. In addition, an exhibition was arranged with drawings by Hong Kong comics artists Pen So and Yandy Wu, curated by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) in the theme Wanderers’ Land – Cityscapes in Hong Kong. In The Hague, guests were presented with a captivating floral installation and an interesting live demonstration as designed and arranged by an internationally awarded floral artist from Hong Kong, Dr Solomon Leong. The flower arrangements not only brought joy and festivity, but also showcased the linkage between Hong Kong and the Netherlands, highlighting Hong Kong as a melting pot of Western and Eastern cultures.

     The Chinese New Year receptions were well received, with a total of around 500 guests of various backgrounds including government representatives, businessmen, academic, and members of the local Chinese and Hong Kong community. The three receptions were hosted in co-operation with Invest Hong Kong, and respectively with the Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, and the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association.

     From the end of January, the HKETO, Brussels has organised receptions in Paris, France (January 30), Milan, Italy (February 6), Luxembourg (February 8), Ankara (February 15) and Istanbul (February 16) in Türkiye, and Brussels, Belgium (February 20).

              

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     â€‹The spokesperson for United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following announcement today (March 1) regarding an improper use of electronic vital signs recording system (eVital) incident:

     An 89-year-old male patient with diabetes and hypertension attended the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of UCH due to vomiting and fever at around 10pm on February 20. Healthcare staff conducted detailed examination for the patient, including measuring blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen saturation level, conducting X-ray examination as well as blood taking. The patient was arranged to stay in the observation ward of the AED. The patient was in stable condition and conscious. His vital signs were also stable. At noon the next day (February 21), the patient was admitted to medical ward. His fever had subsided and his condition was stable.

     Upon the patient being admitted to medical ward, healthcare staff monitored the patient’s condition and measured his blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen saturation level. Healthcare staff also arranged intravenous infusion, blood taking and blood glucose level measuring. Since the patient’s blood glucose level was relatively high, healthcare staff measured his blood glucose level three times from 1pm to around 8pm and injected insulin to control the blood glucose level. Healthcare staff also prescribed oral medication and assisted the patient to take oral medication at 4pm and 8pm respectively. During the period, the patient remained conscious and his condition was stable. Patient care assistant also helped him to change positions in bed every four hours for the prevention of pressure sores.

     Healthcare staff replaced the intravenous fluid for the patient at around 11pm and the patient was given intravenous antibiotics at midnight. At 2am, healthcare staff went into the cubicle to check the patient’s condition and no abnormality was found. At around 5am, when patient care assistant helped the patient change positions in bed, the patient had eye contact with the staff and no abnormality was found. At around 5.30am, the patient had cardiac arrest with vomitus noted at bedside. Healthcare staff performed active resuscitation for patient immediately. However, the patient passed away at 5.58am.

     As healthcare staff reviewed clinical records, it was noted that after the patient was admitted to the ward at noon on February 21, doctor had requested the nurse to check patient’s blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen saturation level every four hours, but the nurse did not input the scheduling instructions into eVital. During the patient’s stay in the ward, his blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen level were only measured once upon his arrival in the ward and there were no other relevant records.

     UCH is very concerned about the incident and saddened by the passing away of the patient. Healthcare staff and Patient Relations Team have conducted open disclosure with the patient’s family and expressed deep condolences to them. The hospital will continue to provide necessary assistance to the patient’s family. The hospital supplemented that the omission of doctor’s instructions for vital signs measurements into the system is suboptimal, but healthcare staff had been closely monitoring the patient’s condition and provided appropriate treatments all along.

     The hospital has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System. The incident has also been referred to the coroner for follow-up. A Root Cause Analysis Panel has been set up to investigate root cause of the incident and propose recommendations. The panel members are as follows:

Chairperson:

Dr Michael Wong
Director (Quality and Safety), Hospital Authority

Members:

Dr Victor Ip
Service Director (Quality and Safety), Kowloon East Cluster

Dr Jones Chan
Consultant, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital

Mr Tang Siu-keung
General Manger (Nursing), United Christian Hospital

Ms Chi Chui-yee
Department Operations Manager, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital

Dr Nicole Chau
Senior Manager (Patient Safety and Risk Management), Hospital Authority

     The panel will complete the investigation and recommend improvement measures within eight weeks. The report will be submitted to the Hospital Authority Head Office. read more

     Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide large-scale special operation codenamed “Tempest” in mid-February to step up enforcement in combating illicit cigarette activities on all fronts at each control point and all districts across the territory in Hong Kong. In the first phase of the operation (as of February 28), Customs detected a total of 560 related cases and seized about 16 million suspected illicit cigarettes, about 1 760 grams of cigars, and about 400g of manufactured tobacco products with a total estimated market value of about $62 million and a duty potential of about $43 million. During the operation, Customs arrested 538 persons aged between 18 and 83, and detained three vehicles suspected to be used for illicit cigarette distribution. Furthermore, Customs has collaborated with the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health to crack down on the distribution of illicit cigarette promotion leaflets in public housing estates and the sale of illicit cigarettes through telephone orders.
      
     At the cross-boundary smuggling level, Customs has stepped up efforts to combat smuggling of tobacco products at airport, port, land boundary, rail and ferry control points, and detected a total of 17 illicit cigarette smuggling cases. Moreover, Customs imposed penalties to 481 incoming passengers on offences compoundable under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (imposing penalty instead of prosecution), with total penalties of $2 million. During the operation, a total of about 90,000 suspected duty-not-paid illicit cigarettes, about 1 760 grams of suspected duty-not-paid cigars and about 400g of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco products were seized.
      
     During the operation, Customs also detected a large-scale cigarettes smuggling case. Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis on February 22, Customs officers at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound selected for inspection a 40-foot container, declared as carrying plastic boxes and mouse pads, arriving from United Arab Emirates to Hong Kong. Upon inspection, Customs officers found 4.2 million suspected illicit cigarettes in the container.
      
     At the storage and distribution level, Customs also cracked down on illicit cigarette storage centres downtown. Among them, Customs shut down a large-scale mobile illicit cigarette storage centre. Customs officers identified on February 22 a cigarette smuggling syndicate active in Tuen Mun District and raided a medium goods vehicle and a 40-foot container parked in an open-air parking lot in Tuen Mun that night. After searches, Customs officers seized about 3.2 million and 5.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes in the vehicle and container respectively, and arrested a 26-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case.
      
     Customs has also taken strict enforcement actions against small illicit cigarette storage and distribution centres downtown. Customs cracked down on an illicit cigarette storage and distribution centre at a subdivided unit in an urban area, commonly known as a “subdivided room”. Customs officers seized about 350 000 suspected illicit cigarettes from the “subdivided room” in Sham Shui Po on February 21 and arrested a 53-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case.
      
     At the peddling and retail level, Customs during the operation arrested a total of 30 men and five women in various districts across Hong Kong, including 25 buyers and 10 sellers. Most of the relevant cases involved buying and selling of small quantities of illicit cigarettes for personal use.
      
     All the above-mentioned cases have been duly followed up. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
      
     Customs will continue to step up enforcement to vigorously combat different levels of illicit cigarette activities through risk assessment, intelligence analysis and interception at source.
      
     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
      
     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, incoming passengers, who fail to declare or make a false or incomplete declaration to a Customs officer on the quantity of dutiable goods in their possession which are in excess of the duty-free concessions are liable to prosecution. In 2023, the maximum penalty imposed by the court for possession of dutiable commodities by an incoming passenger is $20,000, and the maximum imprisonment sentence is three months.
      
     Customs may consider imposing penalty on offences compoundable under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Under the “Compounding Scheme”, an offender is required to pay a penalty five times the equivalent of the duty payable on the dutiable goods concerned plus a fine of $2,000. Under the new duty rates of tobacco, if a passenger brings an extra pack of 200 stick cigarettes which are in excess of the duty-free concessions into Hong Kong without declaring it to Customs officers, the offender is required to pay a penalty of $5,306 under the “Compounding Scheme”
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).