Month: May 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 8) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Ting Kau Beach in Tsuen Wan District as Grade 4, which means the beach is not suitable for swimming. The red flag has been hoisted. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (May 8) that a long-term local entertainment business, Great Entertainment Group (GEG), has created a new joint venture – Harbour Mast Productions Limited – with Mast International, a Korean entertainment business in Hong Kong, as part of the companies’ long-term expansion plans in the region.
     
     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “We are excited to see the expansion of GEG in Hong Kong and welcome Mast International to the city. This initiative will not only enrich Hong Kong’s vibrant entertainment industry, but also significantly contribute to job creation and stimulate our local economy by fostering new business partnerships in the city.”
     
     Harbour Mast Productions will be the official promoter of Cirque du Soleil’s legendary show KOOZA, as it returns to Hong Kong for the first time in seven years. Cirque du Soleil chose Hong Kong as the city to kick off its relaunch in Asia. The show will then travel to Busan and Seoul in Korea following the performances in Hong Kong.
     
     According to the Chief Executive Officer of GEG, Mr Randy Bloom, the KOOZA Tour travels with more than 115 cast and crew, along with 60 family members. This represents a investment in Hong Kong of more than 8 000 room nights, transport, food and beverage and entertainment during the two months that the show will be in the city. In addition to the travelling crew, the show requires approximately 200 local hires.
     
     Mr Bloom added that with over 10 years of history and experience in producing entertainment events in Hong Kong, GEG decided to expand in the city where it has traditionally created its own local events, including the annual AIA Carnival, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel (HKOW) and well-known events such as The Grounds in the HKOW event space. He noted that Mast International, with its decades of experience bringing worldwide live entertainment events to Asia, was seen as the natural partner to join in this effort. The aim is to bring more and more high-quality events and entertainment to come to Hong Kong, serving as a gateway to the region.
     
     Mr Bloom said, “We hear and support the Government’s policy for mega events. We want to support the development of the entertainment industry and demonstrate our commitment to enhancing what Hong Kong can offer as a city for events both local and internationally. We have great trust in Hong Kong as a city.”
     
     The Chief Executive Officer and President of Mast International, Mr Yong Kim, added, “As a long-time producer and promoter of events in Asia, Mast recognises the opportunities afforded by the growth of the live events industry in Hong Kong. As our company continues to grow, we aim to expand and create more diverse experiences for people in Hong Kong. By bringing global entertainment around the world and into the city, we can offer a wider range of engaging entertainment options. Notably, the globally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil will be making its first appearance in Hong Kong since 2018 and will kick off a multi-destination Asia Tour.”
     
     GEG is a multi-award-winning group of companies with expertise in creating and producing exceptional live entertainment events and experiences in Asia. To date, GEG has engaged over 20 million consumers across over 500 events, pioneering some of the largest, most successful and enduring events and experiences.
     
     Mast International was founded as a subsidiary of Mast Media Limited in 2006. Since then, the company has successfully presented seven shows of Cirque du Soleil in Korea. Mast International has promoted other various international spectacles, sporting events, exhibitions, pop concerts, ballets and plays, etc, including the legendary French musical, “Notre-Dame de Paris”.
     
     For more information about GEG, please visit www.geg.asia.
     
     For more information about Mast International, please visit www.mastent.co.kr.
     
     To obtain a copy of the photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720325905295.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) that William Gillow Gibbes Austen Young be appointed as a non-permanent Court of Final Appeal judge.

Subject to the Legislative Council’s endorsement, the Chief Executive will make the appointment under Article 88 of the Basic Law and section 9 of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance.

Mr Lee announced that he is pleased to accept the JORC’s recommendation, noting that Mr Young retired from his role as a Permanent Judge of New Zealand’s Supreme Court, that country’s final court of appeal, in April 2022.

“He is a judge of eminent standing and reputation,” the Chief Executive said. “I am confident that he will contribute substantively to the Court of Final Appeal.”

Mr Lee highlighted that with Mr Young’s appointment, the panel of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions will consist of six eminent judges from the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

“The presence of these esteemed overseas jurists as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal is a manifestation of the independence of the Judiciary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as protected by the Basic Law.

“Their participation demonstrates a high degree of confidence in the Hong Kong SAR’s judicial system, and enables Hong Kong to maintain strong links with other common law jurisdictions.”

The Chief Executive expressed confidence that distinguished jurists bringing profound judicial experience from overseas will remain a unique strength of Hong Kong’s judicial system.

Article 90 of the Basic Law and section 7A of the ordinance provide that the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council on the appointment of Court of Final Appeal judges. The Government will seek such an endorsement in due course.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai attends reception commemorating 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
On the morning of May 8, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, attended a reception commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). In remarks, President Lai stated that our commemoration of the Victory in Europe underscores three crucial points: The pursuit of true peace is dependent on determination and efforts to protect freedom and democracy, and must be achieved through strength and unity; only freedom and democracy can truly bring about national development, and only with respect for human dignity can a nation itself earn respect; and remembering the lessons learned from the history of the war, those who cherish peace must remain vigilant toward acts of aggression.
The president emphasized that as Taiwan and Europe are now facing the threat of a new authoritarian bloc, lovers of freedom around the world, both individuals and nations, must work together to make sure that aggressors have no opportunity to advance on their ambitions. He said he is confident that so long as we combine our efforts, our strength can earn us true and lasting peace; so long as we join together in solidarity, our freedom can illuminate the vast, boundless world; so long as we stand firm in our convictions, we absolutely can protect our way of life, the homelands that support us, and every lover of freedom and democracy.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: 
We are solemnly gathered here today, along with representatives from nations around the world, to mark VE Day – the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. This is the first time that Taiwan is commemorating the war in Europe, signifying our growing connections with the international community.
Peace is priceless, and war has no winners. WWII was undoubtedly the deadliest war in human history, and the pain that it caused has echoed even to the present day.
On this day 80 years ago, Nazi representatives surrendered to the Allies, symbolizing the end of WWII in Europe. The Allies then shifted their focus to the Pacific theater, where the war ended three months later.
Victory in Europe was the beginning of the end of this long road, and it was a point at which humanity could start to envision a world beyond the war.
Victory in Europe counted on different countries all combining their efforts. And today, this event has brought together representatives from a total of 17 countries in addition to the European Union, a testament to the value of cooperation.
Our commemoration of VE Day underscores three crucial points:
First, the foundation for victory in WWII was built from determination and actions throughout human society to unite and resist aggression, defend hearth and home, and pursue true peace.
History has taught us that no matter the driving reason or ideology, military aggression against another country is an unjust crime that is bound to fail. Those who unite as partners to defend their homelands, freedom, and democracy ultimately emerge victorious.
In less than one month from now, we will also be marking the 81st anniversary of the Normandy landings, when airborne divisions descended and beachheads were established by Allied troops fighting courageously across different landing sites.
Through the cooperation and efforts of the Allies, as well as the sacrifices of freedom fighters in occupied territories, Europe was liberated from authoritarian enslavement. From this, we learned that the pursuit of true peace is dependent on determination and efforts to protect freedom and democracy, and must be achieved through strength and unity.
Second, the countries that were formerly Axis powers are now all 100 percent democratic, enjoying true peace and prosperity and respected the world over.
This proves that only freedom and democracy can truly bring about national development, and only with respect for human dignity can a nation itself earn respect. Authoritarianism and aggression lead only to slaughter, tragedy, and greater inequality.
When we look back at post-war history, we see that civilizations with democratic elections, free markets, and respect for human rights are those that humanity should pursue. We also see the value of freedom and democracy, and the reason why tens of millions of Allied soldiers crossed oceans or set foot on unfamiliar lands to fight gruesome battles.
Now, I would like to share the words of former United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during the war. In his order of the day for D-Day, he wrote: “Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.” These words tell us why we must commemorate the war in Europe; they also remind us again that freedom and democracy, being so precious, can only be resolutely defended through strength and constant vigilance. 
Third, those who cherish peace cannot sit idly by and allow aggression. The outbreak of the war in Europe certainly had much to do with an authoritarian regime seeking to satisfy its expansionary ambitions, but its wider spread throughout Europe had much more to do with a lack of vigilance toward acts of aggression.
At many points in history, people have thought to give the aggressor a small concession to earn peace. But as we all know from the painful lessons of WWII, indulging aggressors with a taste of expansion only whets their appetite; it makes them more confident and hungrier for more. They will continue their conquest until democratic countries have fallen and the light of freedom has been extinguished; until the last person unwilling to bend is eliminated. Only then will the aggressors stop. 
WWII broke out because ambitions for conquest were ignored; it was won by bringing together in solidarity every last bit of will to resist and defend hearth and home. 
The war in Europe ended 80 years ago. The meaning of that history is now as clear as day. After those 80 years, Taiwan now shares the same values as many of the democratic countries that fought in the war, and we face similar challenges.
Taiwan and Europe are now facing the threat of a new authoritarian bloc. We are seeing our decades-old undersea cables, crucial for communications and cybersecurity, being sabotaged. We are seeing external interference in our elections, crucial for healthy democratic development, through the spread of misinformation and disinformation, sowing intentional division in society. We are seeing our fair, free, and open international rules-based markets being tested by all manner of gray-zone activities, intrusions, dumping, and pressures.
Whenever we commemorate the peace at the end of the war in Europe, we must not forget the lessons learned from its history.
Lovers of freedom around the world, both individuals and nations, must work together now in tight solidarity, before risks turn into crises and before crises are taken advantage of by those with ambitions for outward expansion, to make sure that aggressors have no opportunity to advance on their ambitions. Only then can we continue on for generations with our current way of life; only then can we retain our human dignity and values.
This is our opportunity; there is no better time than now. I am confident that so long as we combine our efforts, our strength can earn us true and lasting peace. I am confident that so long as we join together in solidarity, our freedom can illuminate the vast, boundless world. And I am confident that so long as we stand firm in our convictions, we absolutely can protect our way of life, the homelands that support us, and every lover of freedom and democracy.
And so, let us keep striving together, From VE Day to Every Day. Thank you.
Also in attendance at the event were Head of the European Economic and Trade Office Lutz Güllner, British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones, and other diplomatic representatives in Taiwan.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Legislative Councillor for the Technology & Innovation Functional Constituency Duncan Chiu believes the Middle East can be a fertile market for Hong Kong tech companies looking to expand overseas.

Mr Chiu will be part of Chief Executive John Lee’s delegation on a visit to Qatar and Kuwait from Saturday and hopes the trip can provide insights into the two countries’ technology needs. Noting that both countries are reliant on imported technology, he stressed that Hong Kong companies’ strengths in areas such as artificial intelligence, life sciences and chip design mean they have much to offer the Middle Eastern market.

“I know that some Hong Kong people, especially people I know in the tech sector, they have moved to Qatar and were involved in the operation of the Tech Park (Qatar Science & Technology Park) and other university involvements,” he said. “Qatar is quite keen to have collaboration with Hong Kong and Mainland China in tech collaborations, not just in the purchasing of technology, but also collaboration in research and development.”

With the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government setting up a $10 billion Innovation & Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, Mr Chiu anticipates such funds can open the door to new investment in Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector from the sizeable sovereign wealth funds in Qatar and Kuwait.

Mr Chiu also plans to invite stakeholders from Qatar and Kuwait to visit Hong Kong.

“We have put in a lot of resources and efforts in Hong Kong in building up the tech ecosystem. So, I want to first let them know what has been happening in Hong Kong. And second, I would like to invite them to join our conferences and exhibitions in Hong Kong in August.”

In the past two years, Mr Chiu has organised return visits to Hong Kong after accompanying the Chief Executive on trips to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states.

He said Hong Kong companies have successfully recruited talent and expanded their operations in Singapore and Indonesia as a result of these exchanges, adding that he hopes to replicate this approach in relation to the Middle East.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart for a visit to Beijing today in the late afternoon to call on central ministries and meet representatives of Hong Kong enterprises there.

Mr Yau will then proceed to Qatar on Saturday. Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be the Acting Secretary during Mr Yau’s absence.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Customs today arrested a director and a company secretary over alleged wrongful acceptance of payments, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

The arrests were made after Customs received reports that private healthcare facilities operated by the company concerned had closed and subsequently failed to provide customers with services that had already been paid for.

Investigations revealed that before their suspected closure the facilities were still accepting payments for prepaid services.

Under the TDO, it is considered an offence if at the time of accepting payment a trader intends not to supply a product or intends to supply a materially different product, or if there is no reasonable ground for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period.

The arrests made were of a 61-year-old male director and a 31-year-old female company secretary.

As of 5pm on Wednesday, Customs and Police had received 1,686 reports in relation to the matter. They will continue to investigate and will take appropriate enforcement actions.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Council had received 844 complaints and said it will handle these in accordance with procedures.

On May 3, the Department of Health set up a dedicated telephone hotline, email address and WhatsApp number to handle public enquiries, free of charge. As of Wednesday, 112 enquiries had been received, including 50 concerning vaccines for children and 56 relating to vaccines for patients in other age groups.

The Government announced on May 2 that an inter-departmental team had been set up to look into the suspected closure of certain private healthcare facilities.