Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced today that the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme will be extended to Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine (GPHCM) in Guangzhou starting July 31.

The Elderly Health Care Vouchers are applicable for outpatient healthcare services provided by 10 departments at the GPHCM. The service fees are denominated in renminbi.

The GPHCM is the fourth service point in Guangzhou and the second Chinese medicine hospital under the pilot scheme, providing eligible seniors with additional choices in healthcare services, the Government said.

With this additional service point, the number of service points in the Greater Bay Area where the vouchers can be used will increase to 16, benefitting more than 1.78 million eligible Hong Kong elderly people.

Apart from the GPHCM, the other three service points in Guangzhou are The First Affiliated Hospital and its Nansha Division at Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Clifford Hospital.

Users should register with eHealth before using the vouchers at GBA service points, the Government added.

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 – 4

Police are investigating a murder and suicide case happened in Tsuen Wan today (July 27) in which a man, a woman and two boys died.

At 4.45am, Police received a report that a man was found lying unconscious on Kwan Mun Hau Street, suspected of having fallen from height.

Police officers sped to the scene and located the 37-year-old man sustaining multiple injuries. He was rushed to Yan Chai Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 5.03am. Officers later located a 36-year-old woman, a six-year-old boy and a three-year-old boy lying unconscious inside a hotel room on Tsuen Wah Street. The three, believed to be the man’s wife and sons, had sustained multiple injuries and were certified dead at scene.

Initial investigations revealed that the man had allegedly attacked the other three deceased with a knife inside the hotel room.

A 24 centimeters long kitchen knife in suspected connection with the case was seized inside the room.
Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

Active investigation by the District Crime Squad Team 2 of Tsuen Wan District is underway.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment and fined $800 at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today (July 26) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the 18-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 25) and seized 42 587 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $175,000 and a duty potential of about $141,000 from his personal baggage. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 26) strongly disappoved of and opposed untrue and biased remarks by the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom (UK) Mr David Lammy and the Home Secretary of the UK Ms Yvette Cooper on HKSAR’s lawful act to pursue wanted persons endangering national security absconding from Hong Kong.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “Endangering national security is a very serious offence. No country will watch with folded arms on acts and activities that endanger national security. The ‘Hong Kong Parliament’ aims to subvert state power; its objectives include promoting ‘self-determination’, promulgating the so-called ‘Hong Kong Constitution’, and overthrowing or undermining the basic system of the People’s Republic of China established by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China or overthrowing the body of the central power of People’s Republic of China or the body of power of the HKSAR with unlawful means, thereby suspected of having committed the offence of ‘Subversion’ contrary to Article 22 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). Thus, Police applied to the court for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and put the persons on wanted list.”

“Extraterritorial effect for the offences under the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. It is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world. As the law enforcement department of the HKSAR safeguarding national security, the Hong Kong Police are duty bound to pursue the liability of those who have allegedly endangered national security overseas. Those absconders hiding in the UK and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security. More so, they continue to collude with external forces to cover for their evil deeds. It is necessary for the Police to take all lawful measures to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, and such actions are fully justified, necessary and legitimate.

In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state’s inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. With at least 14 pieces of laws in the UK safeguarding national security, the UK has displayed hypocrisy and exposed its double standards by pointing fingers at the HKSAR’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, while entirely disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the HKSAR to legislate, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of the relevant national security legislation on economic development and protection of human rights.

The spokesman said, “Any individuals who endanger national security should not believe that being outside Hong Kong will allow them to evade criminal responsibility and remain beyond the reach of justice. The HKSAR Government will exhaust all means to pursue and combat criminals absconding from Hong Kong and endangering national security, ensuring that violations of the law will be pursued regardless of the distance. The HKSAR Government urged those wanted persons to return to Hong Kong and surrender so as to rectify their mistakes.”

“Regarding the surrender of fugitive offenders, in accordance with the instruction of the Central People’s Government (CPG), the HKSAR Government has suspended the agreement between the HKSAR Government and the Government of the UK concerning surrender of fugitive offenders in July 2020. The relevant position remains unchanged. All along, with the authorisation and assistance of the CPG, the HKSAR Government has conducted law enforcement co-operation and mutual legal assistance with other jurisdictions in accordance with the law based on the principle of mutual assistance and reciprocity. The HKSAR Government will, as always, handle relevant matters appropriately.”

The spokesman emphasised, “The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely discharge the duty of safeguarding national security, 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’. The HKSAR Government strongly demands the UK Government to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China’s internal affairs.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will begin her visit to Osaka, Japan, today (July 27). She will attend a thematic seminar on education and deliver a speech to share Hong Kong’s experiences in achieving quality and equity in education, and promote the advantages of Hong Kong as an international post-secondary education hub. Before the seminar, Dr Choi will meet with education representatives from different places to discuss new trends in global education.

The seminar will be held during the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and is part of the Expo’s “Theme Weeks” programme. It aims at bringing together experts and scholars to share insights on thematic education issues.

Dr Choi will conclude her visit and return to Hong Kong on July 29. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (July 27) led his team of 21 Principal Officials to attend the 2025 Policy Address District Forum to listen to the views and suggestions of members of local communities on the fourth Policy Address of the current-term Government. The District Forum was held at Ma Tau Chung Government Primary School (Hung Hom Bay). About 120 people from different backgrounds attended the event.
 
     The two-hour District Forum consisted of two sessions. In the first session, the Chief Executive and the Principal Officials listened to the views of members of the public. The matters raised straddled many areas, including land and housing, transport, innovation and technology, financial services development, culture and sports, education, youth issues, poverty alleviation, healthcare services, social welfare and more. In the second session, participants were divided into four groups centred on the themes of “pursuing development and economic growth” and “improving people’s livelihood and building our future together” to engage in more extensive exchanges with the Chief Executive and Principal Officials. The Chief Executive also interacted and discussed with members of each group in turn and listened to their views.
 
     Mr Lee said, “There are issues that members of the public care deeply about, so I attach great importance to district consultations. This morning, my team and I attended the Policy Address District Forum, engaging in extensive exchanges with the public and learning about their concerns. These views will let me have a better grasp on formulating policies and allocation of resources when I prepare the Policy Address.”
 
     Principal Officials participating in the District Forum were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; and the Acting Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai.
 
     The Government launched the public consultation for the Policy Address on June 16. The Government will continue to widely gather input from organisations and individuals in different sectors over the coming month through activities including consultation sessions and district visits. Members of the public can also give their views through various channels, including the Policy Address website, social media platforms, hotlines, email, fax and post.