Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Hong Kong Customs hosts landmark regional conference to drive future of Smart Customs       
     With the support of the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, this inaugural large-scale regional workshop on Smart Customs brought together over 200 representatives from the WCO, global Customs administrations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat and the innovation and technology sector.
      
     The opening ceremony of the conference on March 11 was officiated by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat; and the Assistant Commissioner (World Customs Organization) of Customs and Excise, Mr Li Kin-kei.

     In his opening address, Mr Tang underscored the vital role of Smart Customs in supporting A/P region’s dynamic trade flows and addressing transnational challenges. He highlighted four key pillars of Smart Customs initiatives in the region, namely data driven intelligence, digital single window trade, intelligent inspection, and multilateral connectivity, citing Hong Kong Customs’ AI-driven video analytics system “WiseShield” and Project “ValidAP” as examples of innovation. He called for harmonised digital standards, bridging the digital divide and stronger public-private co-operation to ensure growth and resilient supply chains.       
     The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to drive the Smart Customs agenda, leveraging technology and partnership to create a more efficient, secure, and connected future for global trade.
Issued at HKT 19:00

Speech by DSJ at closing ceremony of second edition of National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong) (English only) (with photo) 
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. I am delighted to address you today as we mark the successful completion of the National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong). Over the past few days, you have delved into the intricacies of international arbitration, gaining fresh perspectives that will advance your professional careers. On behalf of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to all of you, who have contributed to the success of this Course.
 
     I would like to first express our most sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China, the Bureau of Public Legal Services Administration, the China Legal Service (H.K.) Limited and the China University of Political Science and Law, for their invaluable support throughout the Course. Our thanks also extend to our institutional partners, and esteemed moderators and speakers who have played a pivotal role in enriching every aspect of this Course.
 
     I hope that you have enjoyed a packed programme together, featuring insightful lectures on arbitration, alongside lively exchange sessions with the International Organization for Mediation, international arbitration institutions in Hong Kong, barristers’ chambers, and legal professional bodies. The Course has provided invaluable exposure to Hong Kong’s robust legal system, and has fostered connections that extend far beyond this room, which I trust, has been both rewarding and fulfilling for all of you.
 
     Just now, we have had the pleasure to hear some reflections from our participants, and I must say, my colleagues and I are truly inspired. Some of you spoke passionately about how this Course broadened your horizons on international arbitration, while others shared how the lectures and exchange sessions elaborated and clarified complex issues that often arise in handling disputes. Such positive feedback has provided strong encouragement to us, and we are heartened to know that you have not only enjoyed the Course but also have fruitful takeaways.
 
     On a related note, I am pleased to share a few initiatives of the DoJ of the HKSAR Government. In recent years, the DoJ has taken active steps to position Hong Kong as a leading hub not only for international legal and dispute resolution services, but also in specialised areas such as sports dispute resolution to meet emerging demands. Launched in December last year, the Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution (Pilot Scheme) provides a fair, efficient, and convenient mechanism for resolving sports disputes. The Pilot Scheme adopts a pragmatic “mediation first, arbitration next” approach to resolve both commercial and non-commercial sports disputes, featuring an online mediation and arbitration platform, as well as expedited procedures to enhance the efficiency of dispute resolution and to handle urgent disputes that may arise during competitions. The Pilot Scheme officially commenced its services in accepting case applications in February this year. I am delighted that the panels of mediators and arbitrators established under the Pilot Scheme now comprise 53 mediators and 43 arbitrators from the legal and sports sectors across 23 jurisdictions. Experts in international sports mediation and arbitration have also joined the panels. This, together with the bespoke mediation and arbitration rules, reflect the professionality of the Pilot Scheme. The DoJ will continue to work closely with stakeholders to organise promotional and capacity-building activities, establishing Hong Kong as an international centre for sports dispute resolution that contributes to the sustainable development of the sports industry in Hong Kong.
 
     Another important recent initiative by the DoJ is advancing lawtech for strengthening the legal sector’s competitiveness. With the use of lawtech in areas like review of documents, data retrieval and processing to streamlining dispute resolution workflows, efficiency could be enhanced and time saved would allow lawyers to focus on tasks which are human-centric and irreplaceable by AI, like strategic planning, professional judgment and client engagement. We are dedicated to promoting the use of lawtech through active engagement with the legal sector and relevant services providers, promoting awareness and experience sharing. The DoJ is also reviewing the legislation needed to complement the wider application of AI. This ensures that our legal regime evolves in tandem with technological advancement while upholding key principles like accountability and confidentiality. On this, we would make reference to the practice and experience in other jurisdictions, including the Chinese Mainland.
 
     Meanwhile, we also seek to closely collaborate with our Chinese Mainland counterparts by assisting their enterprises in making full use of Hong Kong as the launch pad to go global. To this end, the DoJ rolled out the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform last December, alongside the publication of the first edition of the “Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global”, to facilitate Chinese Mainland enterprises in connecting and collaborating with Hong Kong’s professional services. Our collaboration is hence pivotal in offering comprehensive support to enterprises, safeguarding their interests and minimising their risks. I would encourage you to strengthen collaboration with Hong Kong’s legal sector in supporting enterprises’ global ventures.
 
     As we wrap up this Course, I invite each of you to take a few minutes to complete the feedback form for the Course. Please share your thoughts on what worked well, what could be improved, and any ideas for future editions. Your suggestions are very important in shaping the Academy’s ongoing capacity-building strategies and direction.
 
     Moving forward, the Academy will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s bilingual common law system and international status, to serve as a capacity-building, as well as knowledge and experience-sharing platform for legal and dispute resolution professionals in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and beyond. Building on the success of this Course, the Academy looks forward to more collaboration with the Ministry of Justice to deliver arbitration-focused capacity building programmes to promote knowledge exchange between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, in line with the national strategy to be set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations once again. I wish you continued success in your endeavours. Safe travels home, and I look forward to crossing paths again in future collaborations. Thank you very much.
Issued at HKT 18:43

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Crowd management measures and special traffic arrangements for Cycle for Millions 2026—————-
 
     The following road will be closed from 8pm on March 14 to about 1pm on March 15: 
– Northbound Sai Shan Road between its junction with Tsing Yi Road and the eastern entrance of Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi).
 
     The following roads will be closed from 1am to about 11am on March 15:
 
– Southbound Tsing Long Highway between North West Tsing Yi Interchange and Tai Lam Tunnel and North West Tsing Yi Interchange (Tsing Sha Highway bound); and
– The slip road leading from Tuen Mun Road to southbound Ting Kau Bridge.- The slip road leading from West Kowloon Highway (Airport bound) to Tsing Sha Highway (Airport bound);
– The slip road leading from Container Port Road South to Tsing Sha Highway (Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct);
– The slip road leading from Tsing Sha Highway (Lai Chi Kok Viaduct) to Tsing Sha Highway (Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct);
– All slip roads leading from North West Tsing Yi Interchange to Tsing Sha Highway (Sha Tin bound);
– All slip roads connecting Tsing Yi Road and Tsing Sha Highway; and
– Eastbound Tsing Yi Road from its southern cul-de-sac to its junction with Sai Shan Road.
 
Traffic diversions
———————
 
     During road closures, the following traffic diversions arrangements will be implemented:
 
– Vehicles from North West Tsing Yi Interchange heading for Kowloon, Eagle’s Nest Tunnel and Container Port Road South will be diverted via Route 3;
– Vehicles from North West Tsing Yi Interchange heading for Tsing Yi South will be diverted via southbound Cheung Tsing Highway and its slip road connecting Tsing Yi Road West, northbound Tsing Yi Road West, eastbound Ching Hong Road, northbound Tsing Yi Road and Tsing Yi Interchange;
– Vehicles from Tsing Yi South heading for North West Tsing Yi Interchange will be diverted via northbound Tsing Yi Road, Tsing Yi Interchange, southbound Tsing Yi Road, westbound Ching Hong Road, southbound Tsing Yi Road West and its slip road connecting Cheung Tsing Highway, and northbound Cheung Tsing Highway;
– Vehicles from Tsing Yi South heading for Kowloon, Eagle’s Nest Tunnel and Container Port Road South will be diverted via northbound Tsing Yi Road, Tsing Yi Interchange, eastbound Kwai Tsing Road and its slip road connecting Tsing Kwai Highway, and southbound Tsing Kwai Highway;
– Vehicles from Container Port Road South heading for North West Tsing Yi Interchange and Tsing Yi South will be diverted via northbound Lai Po Road, westbound Lin Cheung Road, roundabout and northbound Tsing Kwai Highway;
– Vehicles from Eagle’s Nest Tunnel heading for North West Tsing Yi Interchange and Tsing Yi South will be diverted via westbound Ching Cheung Road and northbound Tsing Kwai Highway;
– Vehicles from Kowloon heading for North West Tsing Yi Interchange and Tsing Yi South will be diverted via Route 3;
– Vehicles from Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel heading for Lantau Link will be diverted via eastbound Tuen Mun Road, southbound Tsuen Wan Road, Tsuen Tsing Interchange, westbound Tsing Tsuen Road and westbound Tsing Yi North Coastal Road;
– Vehicles from Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel heading for Kowloon will be diverted via eastbound Tuen Mun Road, southbound Tsuen Wan Road and southbound Tsing Kwai Highway;
– Vehicles from Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel heading for Eagle’s Nest Tunnel and Container Port Road South will be diverted via eastbound Tuen Mun Road, southbound Tsuen Wan Road and southbound Kwai Chung Road; and
– Southbound Sai Shan Road between its junction with Tsing Yi Road and the eastern entrance of Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) will be converted into one-lane-two-way traffic. 
     The Police will implement crowd management and traffic control measures subject to the prevailing conditions. Members of the public are advised to exercise patience and tolerance, and take heed of instructions of the police officers on site.
Issued at HKT 18:42

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17 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photo) 
     During the anti-illegal worker operations, investigators raided multiple target locations including restaurants and warehouses. Twelve suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers and one overstayer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised one man and 11 women, aged 27 to 62. Among them, three women were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment, and four women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Three men and one woman, aged 42 to 67, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
 
     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”
 
     The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:45

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