Month: July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam arrived in Paris, France on Tuesday as he continued a trip spanning various European countries.

Mr Lam attended a Hong Kong legal services seminar organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and briefed representatives of various international organisations on Hong Kong’s arbitration system and the advantages offered by its legal service sector.

On meeting Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President Elisa de Anda Madrazo on Tuesday, Mr Lam remarked that as an international financial centre Hong Kong has always supported the FATF’s work to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing and to maintain the stability of the international financial system.

He added that the DoJ has participated in mutual evaluations among FATF member jurisdictions.

Mr Lam later visited the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris (the Paris Maritime Arbitration Chamber) and met its Secretary General Pascale Mesnil. He was briefed on the chamber’s operations, France’s arbitration sector, and developments in resolving international maritime disputes through arbitration.

He highlighted that Hong Kong is committed to optimising its arbitration system through multi-pronged policy measures, and to enhancing and consolidating its status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Lam also expressed hope for a deepening of exchanges and co-operation with the French arbitration sector.

Yesterday morning, Mr Lam visited the office of the French National & Olympic Sports Committee (CNOSF) and met representatives of the Chambre Arbitrale du Sport (the Chamber of Arbitration for Sport) and the CNOSF Conference of Conciliators to learn about the committee’s sports arbitration and conciliation services.

He also spoke about the DoJ’s work in promoting sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong.

At noon, Mr Lam attended a lunch event hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the French Republic Deng Li.

Mr Lam briefed Mr Deng on Hong Kong’s efforts in safeguarding national security, implementing the principle of “one country, two systems” by rule of law, and leveraging its unique advantages to promote development.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam attended the seminar organised by in Paris by the DoJ: “Hong Kong Legal Services – Gateway to China and Beyond”.

He outlined the unique advantages of Hong Kong’s legal services sector under the principle of “one country, two systems” to about 130 participants.

Giving a keynote speech, Mr Lam stressed that Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China and the only jurisdiction in the world with a bilingual common law system in Chinese and English.

He said that Hong Kong’s common law system aligns with the legal systems of many major economies and with the rules of international trade and business, adding that the city’s professional and comprehensive legal services industry provides high-quality legal services to support global financial and commercial activities.

During the seminar, Mr Lam also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and Jus Mundi, an AI-powered legal research platform based in Paris, that will enhance co-operation in legal and alternative dispute resolution between Hong Kong and France.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The steering committee on handling extreme weather, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (July 10) in response to the development of weather conditions.
 
     Due to the impact of torrential rain and squally thunderstorms brought by the remnant of Tropical Cyclone Danas, the weather conditions are expected to remain severe tomorrow (July 11). To ensure the safety of students, and considering that schools across Hong Kong may have already started their summer vacation and the actual impact of class suspension on students’ learning and teaching is relatively small, the Education Bureau announces that classes of all day schools, including secondary schools, primary schools, special schools, kindergartens, and kindergartens-cum-child care centres, will be suspended tomorrow.
 
     The Secondary One registration procedures were originally scheduled for today and tomorrow (July 10 and 11) at the allocated secondary schools. Considering that some parents may have already made arrangements to register at the schools today, the original whole-day registration arrangements for today will remain unchanged. If parents choose to register their child at the allocated secondary school today, they should pay attention to the weather conditions and ensure safety. For safety reasons, parents should not bring their children to the school for registration.
 
     Additionally, the registration originally scheduled for Friday, July 11 will be rescheduled to next Monday, July 14. If parents are unable to register in person or through an authorised representative on the above dates, please contact the allocated secondary school or the School Places Allocation Section of the Education Bureau (Tel: 2832 7700 or 2832 7740) to make appropriate registration arrangements.
 
     Units under the Social Welfare Department (SWD) providing child care centre services, services under the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, and after school care programmes for pre-primary or primary school children will not open to the public tomorrow (July 11). Members of the public in need may contact the centres or services units concerned for assistance. The SWD will closely monitor the weather conditions and make timely announcements on the latest arrangements of other services when necessary. Members of the public should pay attention to the announcements.
 
     Under the cross-departmental co-ordination by the steering committee, various government departments have completed all necessary preparatory work and response plans, arranging extra manpower on standby, to safeguard the lives and property of the public as well as public safety. The preparatory work includes:
 

• The Home Affairs Department (HAD) is ready to activate the Emergency Co-ordination Centre as soon as necessary and to open temporary shelters for people in need of temporary accommodation. District Offices have also co-ordinated with other departments and organisations to enhance preparedness and mobilised District Council members, members of “the three committees” and Care Teams to disseminate the latest weather information to residents in flood-prone areas, reminding them to make necessary preparations.

 

• The Drainage Services Department (DSD) had made special arrangements to inspect and carry out necessary clearance at about 240 locations prone to flooding due to blockages. The “just-in-time” arrangement will continue, with 180 emergency response teams to conduct inspection and clearance of drainage channels in different districts across the territory. Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding to the DSD by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline at 2300 1110.

 

• The Highways Department has reminded relevant staff members and contractors to make preparations for the activation of the Emergency Control Centres and handle road emergencies when necessary, including promptly clearing obstructions on roads and blocked road gullies and drains, reinforcing collapsed slopes with emergency shotcrete, etc, with a view to resuming road traffic on major public roads as soon as possible.

 

• The Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) of the Security Bureau has made arrangements and will be fully activated when the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued or from 5pm today to monitor the situation in the city. Utilising the Common Operational Picture, the EMSC will conduct real-time citywide monitoring and integrate updates from various departments to swiftly assess risks and formulate response plans and measures. Various emergency response teams, including the Fire Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Civil Aid Service and the Auxiliary Medical Service, have completed all necessary preparatory work and are on standby to handle possible emergencies during heavy rainstorms and high winds, and to provide assistance to those in need.

 

• The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the Transport Department will continue to operate round-the-clock. It will closely monitor traffic and transport conditions with public transport agencies and disseminate emergency traffic information and public transport service arrangements to the public in a timely manner.

　　
     The steering committee on handling extreme weather is tasked with holistically reviewing and steering cross-departmental overall preparations and response plans for typhoons and rainstorms, and strengthening information dissemination. The committee urges the public to continue to stay alert, stay away from dangerous places such as rivers and slopes in adverse weather conditions, refrain from water sports, and to pay attention to the latest news released by the Government.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

This week, under the leadership of Principal Mr. Liang Kun-Ming, Music Class Director Ms. Tso Yi-Chun, Conductor Mr. Chen Shun-Fa, and PTA President Mr. Huang You-Liang — along with incredible support from parents — the talented students of Guangjen’s music programs are proudly representing Taiwan at the Australian International Music Festival in Sydney.
On July 8 noon, they gave a stunning performance at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu along with Director Ms. Chiang Chia-Hui, Cultural Division Director Ms. Chen Chih Yi, and Senior Policy Officer Ms. Jessica Li were also in attendance to show their support.
The young musicians wowed the crowd with Taiwanese folk classics like “Diu Diu Deng,” a lively puppet show, and wrapped up the show with a high-energy dance to Little Tigers’ “Green Apple Paradise”! The audience couldn’t get enough — calling out for an encore!

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu warmly welcomed the organizers of TW Runners, including President Ming-Jen Chang of the National Chengchi University Alumni Association of Sydney, along with co-organizer Charles Lin, President-Elect of the Distinguished Citizens Society NSW, and team member Frederick Liao. They discussed preparations and showcased exquisite Taiwan-Australia themed gifts prepared for TW Runners participants.
TW Runners, officially registered for City2Surf, is included in the “National Day Cup Marathon” as part of the “National Day in Motion” series of three sports events organized by the 114th Double Tenth National Day Celebration Committee in Sydney. Join the World’s largest fun run, combining health and charity—don’t miss out!

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 (July 10) that due to inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region