Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

From the dunes, then into the jungle, and suddenly, an oasis comes into view. Strolling leisurely, the surroundings shift and transform before your eyes while the cheerful laughter of children playing echoes around. This is not a dream, it is a real life outdoor playground at Sham Shui Po Park, managed by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department.

Sham Shui Po Park, which has served the community for over 40 years, was recently revitalised as part of the Transformation of Public Play Spaces.

Prioritising inclusivity

Inspired by nature, the redesign features themes of water, sand, and plants, creating three zones: Sandy Bunker, Jungle Meadow and Oasis Spring. After consultation and design, which includes input from youngsters, the upgraded park has reopened, drawing many families and children to enjoy the new facilities.

 

The Sandy Bunker playground features a popular sand pit and a variety of slides. In addition to roller, group, and curved slides, visitors will also discover the longest spiral tube slide that exists at public playgrounds in Hong Kong. At over 6m high and 13m long, it offers a fun and interactive experience for visitors of all ages.

Nearby Jungle Meadow provides a natural play space with a face-to-face swing, rope swing, wheelchair-friendly carousel, percussion walls, and a play tunnel for hide-and-seek, fostering family fun and group play.

The Oasis Spring area offers climbing rope nets, trampolines, water play features, and sensory walls, creating a diverse adventure zone for children to explore.

Community-engaging playground

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department oversees over 680 outdoor playgrounds and by way of its Transformation of Public Play Spaces plan, the department aims to revitalise more than 170 play spaces across the city. So far, 11 projects have been completed and opened to the public.

Leisure & Cultural Services Department Senior Project Manager Vivian Ho said the department provides non-prescriptive and flexible playscapes according to the site topography, introducing natural or environmentally friendly elements, such as small climbing hills for toddlers, sand pits, water play facilities or small labyrinths that captivate children and enable them to unleash their creativity.

 

Architectural Services Department Senior Landscape Architect Grant Liu added that the design concept for the play space redevelopment project began with community engagement, embodying a “people-centred” design philosophy. He highlighted that the goal is to promote the idea of inclusive play in more playgrounds.

“The Spouting Whale and Octopus Fountain have water play basins and tables at different heights to allow children of all ages and those in wheelchairs to play together. As an added bonus, the tube slide is made of stainless steel, which is safe for children with hearing implants, and does not create static electricity like plastics or fiberglass slides do.”

Kid-friendly design

Tong Mei Road Children’s Playground, which was recently renovated, serves as a prime example of how children were treated as the protagonists of the playgrounds because their opinions are indispensable. The playground’s design consultant initiated a participatory design programme for the renovation. It included setting up street booths, questionnaires, parent-child workshops, and design workshops specifically for children, giving the consultant a lot of inspiration.

A workshop led by the playground’s design consultant Kevin Siu provided children with a unique opportunity to create their own playground. During the event, the young participants crafted models of imaginative play areas based on their ideas.

He explained that when sharing their designs for the playground, it was evident that different groups of children, despite being unfamiliar with each other, shared common features.

“Many expressed a desire for a high platform where they could escape from a pretend shark, which included hide-and-seek zones where they could feel temporarily protected.”

The organisers were surprised by the enthusiasm and creativity displayed. In a group of over 20 children who did not know each other beforehand, more than half raised their hands when asked if they knew certain games. The response highlighted how children naturally connect through play.

The workshop served as a compelling example of how children socialise and why public play spaces are vital platforms for engaging young minds. Such environments not only stimulate creativity but also help shape their collective memories and social interactions.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum was held today, inviting renowned legal experts and academics to review the legislative intent and background of the security law, and discuss its fruitful achievements.

CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong officiated at the forum’s opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Chief Executive and Hong Kong National Security Committee Chairman John Lee also delivered a keynote speech at the event.

Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong SAR Zhou Ji, Vice-Chairperson of the Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhang Yong, Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR Dong Jingwei, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR Cui Jianchun and Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Peng Jingtang also delivered speeches at the ceremony.

Mr Xia said the implementation of the security law over the past five years has proven the law to be a “guardian” in defending the “one country, two systems” principle and in safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

He added that Hong Kong must safeguard national security in the full process of implementing the “one country, two systems” principle, ensure that the governance of the Hong Kong SAR is firmly in the hands of the patriots, be steadfast in safeguarding security and promoting development as well as effectively protect the human rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people and maintain the city’s unique position and advantages.

Looking to the future, Mr Xia said the security law will surely safeguard the steady and far-reaching journey of the “one country, two systems” principle, enabling Hong Kong to achieve new and greater accomplishments in the grand endeavour of building a strong nation and realising national rejuvenation.

The Chief Executive thanked Mr Xia for his heartfelt review of the positive significance of the security law in restoring Hong Kong’s stability and implementing the “one country, two systems” principle in the past five years, and for providing direction for Hong Kong’s future security and development.

Mr Lee put forward several main points, stressing that Hong Kong must fully and accurately implement the “one country, two systems” principle and thoroughly adopt a holistic approach to national security; adhere to the solid foundation of the rule of law and leverage Hong Kong’s international advantages; cherish the stable situation and seize development opportunities; and enhance traditional advantages, focusing on reform and innovation.

He also noted that Hong Kong should continue to safeguard national security and make use of the stable situation to develop a vibrant economy, achieving prosperous development and improving people’s livelihoods.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said in his welcome remarks that the most important direction for safeguarding national security in the future is to balance the relation between security and development, strictly adhering to the principle of rule of law and the requirements of respecting and protecting human rights and freedoms set out in Articles 4 and 5 of the security law.

This would enable people to study, work and live with peace of mind and unite to seek breakthroughs and changes, overcoming various challenges to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international centre and encouraging people from abroad to come to Hong Kong for development, Mr Lam added.

There were two panel sessions in the forum, with the first session reviewing the legislative intent and background of the security law.

In the second session, Mr Lam engaged with young leaders from various sectors to explore the vital role of the youth in safeguarding national security, and envisage further joint endeavours between the Government and the community in enhancing legal literacy.

Concluding the forum, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan said that today’s event aimed to provide an in-depth and broad discussion loaded with insights and humour.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong today attended the 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum and visited the National Security Exhibition Gallery in Hong Kong.

In the morning, Mr Xia attended the forum held at the Convention & Exhibition Centre and delivered a keynote speech. Chief Executive John Lee also gave a keynote address at the forum.

Organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the forum aimed to review and preview the development of Hong Kong’s legal system in safeguarding national security, and enhance the understanding and awareness of various sectors of the community regarding the protection of national security.

Mr Xia, accompanied by Mr Lee, then visited the National Security Exhibition Gallery at the Museum of History to view the 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Acting Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Tim Chau, officiated at the prize presentation ceremony of the 2024/25 Statistical Project Competition (SPC) for Secondary School Students of the Hong Kong Statistical Society today (June 21). Principal Assistant Secretary for Education Ms Edith Tse also attended as an officiating guest. The President of the Hong Kong Statistical Society, Professor Chan Ngai-hang; the Chief Adjudicator of the competition, Professor Cheung Ka-chun; the Chief Strategy Officer of Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (sponsor of the competition), Ms Candy Lam; representative of the Department of Decision Analytics and Operations of the City University of Hong Kong (sponsor of the thematic prize), Ms Teresa Ng; and representative of the Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies of the College of Professional and Continuing Education of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (sponsor of the thematic prize), Dr Anthony Loh, also presented prizes to the winning teams and extended their congratulations to every member of the teams.
 
In his address at the prize presentation ceremony, Mr Chau emphasised that it is even more important for students to learn how to discern the reliability of statistical figures in today’s era of information explosion. Statistical knowledge not only helps students interpret data but also enables them to identify potential biases and misleading information within the data. He pointed out that quality statistical results are usually based on scientific statistical theories and methods, as well as logical analysis. He encouraged students to contribute to society by fully utilising their statistical knowledge as a valuable technical resource, and by harnessing their analytical capabilities and creative thinking.
 
     This edition of the competition received an encouraging response of 221 statistical projects from about 850 secondary school students, covering a broad spectrum of topics. Participating students were able to utilise official statistics as the main source of data to analyse and interpret social and economic issues in Hong Kong.
 
     The 2024/25 SPC, co-organised by the Hong Kong Statistical Society and the Education Bureau, is the 39th edition of the competition. The Commissioner for Census and Statistics is the patron of the competition. Over the past years, many statistician-grade staff members of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) have actively participated in the organisation and professional adjudication of the SPC in the capacity of members of the Hong Kong Statistical Society, with the aim of improving statistical literacy among secondary school students and promoting the application and importance of statistics in society. This fully demonstrates that the C&SD attaches great importance and commitment to nurturing young talent.
 
     The key objectives of the competition are to promote the interest of secondary school students in research methods, statistics and statistical techniques; encourage students to understand the local community in a scientific and objective manner through the proper use of statistics; and promote a sense of civic awareness.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to visit the webpage of the competition for the list of winners this year (www.hkss.org.hk/index.php/spc$en).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs today (June 20) conducted an enforcement operation at the Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), seizing about 50 pieces of suspected counterfeit jewellery with a total estimated market value of about $150,000.

Customs received information alleging that counterfeit jewellery was displayed for sale at some booths at the JGA which began yesterday (June 19) and will last for four consecutive days.

After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers today conducted test-buy operations and seized about 50 pieces of suspected counterfeit jewellery, with a total estimated market value of about $150,000, from three booths.

During the operation, three men and two women, aged between 28 and 48, were arrested for being suspected of contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. Three of them are persons-in-charge and two of them are staff members. An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs attaches great importance to combating infringing and counterfeiting activities and will deploy officers to different exhibitions to conduct inspections from time to time. Customs will contact the relevant trademark or copyright owners immediately to confirm the authenticity of the goods when suspected infringing or counterfeit goods are found. The department will also take enforcement action after investigations and with the assistance of the trademark or copyright owners.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action. Booth exhibitors are reminded to respect intellectual property rights and not to sell counterfeit goods.

Under the Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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

The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, today (June 20) in Hong Kong, met with representatives of the commercial and financial sectors, and learned about Hong Kong’s major tourism development projects.

At an engagement session, Mr Xia interacted with representatives of Hong Kong’s commercial and financial sectors, including those from major chambers of commerce and enterprises. The session was also attended by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; and the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan.

In the afternoon, Mr Xia visited Ocean Park in the company of Mr Lee; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Chairman of the Board of the Ocean Park Corporation (OPC), Mr Paulo Pong; and the Chief Executive of the OPC, Mr Ivan Wong. 

Afterwards Mr Xia took a boat trip to Lamma Island with Mr Lee, Mr Wong and the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, to gain an understanding of the ex-Lamma quarry site’s development plan. Mr Xia also received briefings en route on major tourism development projects.