Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a detached house in Sheung Shui yesterday’s afternoon (May 16), in which a male worker fell from a canopy while working thereon. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the work on the canopy of the detached house concerned. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.”

The spokesman added, “We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the relevant duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.”

To prevent workers from falling while working at height, the LD reminds contractors to take suitable safety measures, including installing guard-rails and toe-boards at the edges of workplaces, providing workers with suitable working platforms and, in exceptional circumstances, providing workers with fall arresting equipment, as well as ensuring the proper use of such equipment by the workers throughout the work.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to yesterday’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application “OSH 2.0”, website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Established more than half a century ago, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps (HKACC) has long been a foundation for the development of local aviation talent. Until recently, however, training was carried out at borrowed school and community centre facilities.

HKACC Commanding Officer Chan Mang-lang highlighted the challenges faced over the years. “Venue limitations restricted our ability to hold training activities according to our needs or introduce professional equipment like flight simulators.”

Renovation project 

To improve its training environment, in 2018 the corps began looking for a suitable location to establish a new headquarters and training centre. Ultimately, in 2023, it chose a vacant school on Shiu Fai Terrace in Wan Chai.

HKACC Deputy Officer Commanding Operations Group Martin Choi explained that the original school had 12 classrooms and an assembly hall, meaning the refit could be accomplished without major renovations, allowing for time and cost savings.

After over a year of refurbishments, the new headquarters officially opened in March. Classrooms were transformed into multi-purpose rooms, conference rooms and other facilities, providing cadets with ample training and learning areas. The corps also added several small flight simulators and a helicopter simulator.

“As Hong Kong integrates into the Greater Bay Area’s aerospace developments, the new headquarters equip the youth with cutting-edge facilities to explore aviation careers,” said Mr Choi. “These professional facilities could enhance the cadets’ technical skills. In future, we will also introduce one-to-one fixed-wing aircraft simulators for cadets.”

Overcoming challenges

As a youth uniformed group, foot drill training is vital for the corps. The original playground has been converted into a parade ground for Chinese-style foot drills and a flag-raising training zone. During reconstruction, however, technical challenges arose when it came to installing flagpoles.

Due to the lack of road access, which prevented large machinery from entering the site, the contractor opted to use manual labour and small machines to lift and install three steel sections for the 15m main flagpole and the two 13m flagpoles on either side of it.

Building pride

The new headquarters also features a national education corner aimed at strengthening young people’s national identity and pride through showcasing the country’s achievements and development.

HKACC No. 402 Squadron Non-commissioned Officer-in-charge Lui Wai-fung, who joined the corps five years ago, outlined that the new training centre offers numerous opportunities for training and growth, as well as increasing cadets’ sense of belonging.

Vital support

From April 2024, the corps has been supported and funded by the Government Flying Service (GFS), which also assisted in establishing the new headquarters.

GFS Air Crewman Officer III Nicholas Choi stated that the service participated in site selection meetings led by the Security Bureau and the Development Bureau to ensure that the facilities at the new headquarters would meet  the corps’ future development needs. Having offered technical and professional advice to assist the corps in setting up its flight simulation equipment and teaching facilities, it also provides ongoing virtual reality and flight simulator training for cadets. In addition, it hosts cadets at GFS headquarters on enriching educational field trips.

Bright prospects

GFS Acting Senior Pilot Martin Yu explained that on such visits, “when the cadets enter the hangar, they may actually have a quick touch on the helicopters, so they are usually very happy and become more interested in our daily job for GFS and aviation on the whole.”

Mr Yu also revealed that over 10% of current flight personnel in the GFS are former cadets, and said he hopes this percentage can rise even further in the future.

“Apart from that, many cadets has become a professional in aviation industry, including in many different streams, like the air traffic controllers, like in the maintenance industry, in the aviation, as well as a pilot.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned US senators who requested a review, through a so-called bill, that includes a number of judges and the Department of Justice’s prosecutors in a so-called list of sanctions, in an attempt to intimidate Hong Kong SAR personnel who safeguard national security.
 
In a press statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that safeguarding national security falls within the internal affairs of a sovereign jurisdiction, and the implementation of the National Security Law is free from any intervention.
 
It further pointed out that the US politicians, however, insisted on turning a blind eye to facts and even clamoured for so-called sanctions against the Hong Kong SAR personnel and judges who dutifully safeguard national security.
 
Stressing that it despises any so-called sanctions and shall never be intimidated, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the city shall continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security. It also strongly urged the US politicians concerned to discern facts from fallacies, stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations, and stop interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.
 
Separately, the Hong Kong SAR Government said its law enforcement agencies have been taking enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the people or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.
 
It also emphasised that the Department of Justice is in charge of criminal prosecutions of the Hong Kong SAR makes all its prosecutorial decisions on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws.
 
Furthermore, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted that the Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing.

It explained that the courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws, and cases will never be handled any differently owing to the professions, political beliefs or backgrounds of the persons involved. Additionally, the prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court.
 
The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that any attempt to interfere with Hong Kong’s judicial proceedings by means of political power is a reprehensible act undermining the city’s rule of law. Making any statement with the intent to interfere with or obstruct the course of justice, or engaging in conduct with the same intent, is very likely to constitute the offence of criminal contempt of court or the offence of perverting the course of justice.
 
Furthermore, it elucidated that it will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government added that it will uphold the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (May 17) strongly condemned those United States (US) senators who requested a review, through a so-called “bill”, of including a number of judges, and prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DoJ), in a so-called list of “sanctions” in an attempt to intimidate the HKSAR personnel concerned who safeguard national security.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “It is clear that safeguarding national security falls within the internal affairs of a sovereign jurisdiction, so the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) is free from any intervention. However, those US politicians insist on turning a blind eye to all these facts, and even clamour for so-called ‘sanctions’ against the HKSAR personnel and judges who dutifully safeguard national security. The HKSAR despises any so-called ‘sanctions’ and shall never be intimidated. It shall continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the US politicians concerned to discern facts from fallacies, and immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.”

The spokesman pointed out, “Nearly five years having passed since the implementation of the HKNSL, 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, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The DoJ of the HKSAR is in charge of criminal prosecutions under Article 63 of the Basic Law, with all its prosecutorial decisions made on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws.”

     “The Judiciary of the HKSAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws. Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the professions, political beliefs or backgrounds of the persons involved. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court.”

     “The judicial system of the HKSAR has always been highly regarded by international communities. Any attempt by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR by means of political power is a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of the HKSAR. Making any statement with the intent to interfere with or obstruct the course of justice, or engaging in conduct with the same intent, is very likely to constitute the offence of criminal contempt of court or the offence of perverting the course of justice.”

The spokesman reiterated, “The HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, 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 upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung, Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Clement Leung and Commissioner for Digital Policy Tony Wong today joined the Civil Service Bureau Volunteer Team and the Digital Policy Office Volunteer Team to take part in a volunteer service under the “Smart Silver” Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders at the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lok Man Alice Kwok Integrated Service Centre.
 
With the help of the volunteers, the elderly learnt how to use the “iAM Smart” mobile app to access useful information such as weather conditions, the use of Scameter, and the waiting time at accident and emergency departments of hospitals.
 
The senior citizens also did physical exercises using an artificial intelligence application developed by the service centre for people with knee problems in the community. In addition, the elderly played games for sensory integration training and cognitive training to help enhance their responsive abilities.
 
Mrs Yeung encouraged civil servants to make use of their knowledge, skills and life experience to contribute to the community in their spare time, as well as to demonstrate civil servants’ care for society and dedication to serving the community.
 
In 2024, civil service volunteer teams organised or participated in around 2,040 volunteer activities, while the attendance of participating volunteers and hours of volunteer service were about 23,500 and over 111,700 respectively, representing an increase of more than 400 volunteer activities and 22,400 hours of service, or 25% for both figures when compared with those of 2023.