Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Today (May 4) is the fifteenth day of phased arrangements for residents of seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to return to their units. Five high-zone floors of Wang Tai House and 11 high-zone floors of Wang Shing House were opened. The access arrangements were carried out in an orderly manner and operated smoothly.
 
A total of 140 households (487 people) registered to return to their units today through the “one social worker per household” service, while 140 households (526 people) actually turned up.

The average time residents spent entering and leaving the building today was two hours and 35 minutes, with the shortest time being 20 minutes and the longest four hours and nine minutes. About 63 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than three hours. About 24 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than two hours. About 3 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than one hour.

​A total of 63 households (131 people) went up and down the building more than once. Among them, 36 households (87 people) made one additional trip, 22 households (37 people) made two additional trips, and 5 households (7 people) made three additional trips.

The integrated enquiry counter set up by relevant departments today received thirteen cases requesting police assistance and one case involving resident seeking help due to physical discomfort.

The 13 cases requesting police assistance involved suspected loss of property, including watch, jewellery, cash and gold items. Officers were immediately deployed to assist in searches, and lost property was recovered in one case. In three cases, the units concerned were severely damaged and residents believed after investigation that the property might have been destroyed by fire. In another five cases, there were no signs of ransacking in the units, and the residents could not provide details on the property concerned. For the remaining four cases, the Police will make further investigation.
 
The Government spares no effort in supporting the residents returning to their units. Each day, the Government deploys over 1 000 personnel from various departments, including the Police, the Civil Aid Service, the Fire Services Department, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Home Affairs Department, the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the Housing Bureau, and the Housing Department, as well as District Services and Community Care Teams members. The “Government-wide Mobilisation” mechanism has also been activated to bring together greater interdepartmental resources to support residents.

​Under the “Government-wide Mobilisation” mechanism, the Civil Service Bureau has co-ordinated nine government departments to mobilise civil servants to form the Government Quick Response Unit to support these access arrangements. These civil servants come from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Lands Department (LandsD), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Post Office, and the Water Supplies Department (WSD). They will form dedicated teams with social workers and clinical psychologists from the SWD, stationed on different floors to provide support to residents returning to their units. The civil servants mobilised in the first three days were from the AFCD, those mobilised from the fourth day to the sixth day are from the EMSD and the LCSD, those mobilised from the seventh day to the ninth day are from the LandsD and the WSD, those mobilised from the tenth day to the twelfth day are from the Post Office and the ArchSD, while those mobilised from the thirteenth day to the fifteenth day (including today) are from the FEHD and the EPD.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) today (May 4) mounted a joint anti-illegal worker operation to combat illegal workers providing tourist guide and tour escort services in Hong Kong. A Mainland visitor, who is a suspected illegal worker, was arrested.
 
As there have been suspected illegal workers utilising social media platforms to advertise tour guide and tour escort services in Hong Kong, the ImmD and the TIA initiated an operation. Officers disguised as customers enquired about and booked services from the suspect. The suspect was subsequently arrested while providing such services in Hong Kong. The arrested illegal worker was a man, aged 27. The ImmD will consider prosecution against him for the offence of breaching conditions of stay.
 
The ImmD and the TIA have also deployed officers to distribute leaflets to the public and visitors at tourist hotspots, conveying the message of “Don’t employ illegal tour escorts or tourist guides”.
 
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 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 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Stanley this afternoon (May 4), in which a male worker was struck by a falling object while he was working inside a lift shaft. 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 issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the lift works at the site. 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 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 being struck by falling objects while working inside a lift shaft, the LD reminds employers to plan and coordinate works inside the lift shaft well to avoid incompatible activities being conducted at the same time; and ensure the lift works are conducted under the immediate supervision of a qualified person who is competent by virtue of his/her substantial training and practical experience in relation to the relevant works. 

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 today’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: Republic of China Taiwan

April 30, 2026  No. 168  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly condemns and protests Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s inappropriate distortion of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 during a recent meeting with President of the 80th session of the UNGA Annalena Baerbock. He falsely claimed that the resolution had resolved the issue of representation for all of China—including Taiwan—and that it had been universally accepted within the UN system.
MOFA reiterates that UNGA Resolution 2758 merely addressed the issue of China’s representation in the United Nations and that it made no mention of Taiwan throughout its entire text. The resolution did not determine that Taiwan was part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and it certainly did not authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan in the UN system. Thus, the resolution has no bearing on Taiwan and cannot serve as a basis for precluding Taiwan’s participation in the UN system or other multilateral mechanisms. Only the democratically elected government of Taiwan has the right to represent Taiwan in the UN system and other international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.
 
MOFA notes that following World War II, the Treaty of San Francisco—which has the force of international law—replaced political declarations such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. The treaty did not grant sovereignty over Taiwan to the PRC, and the PRC has never governed Taiwan. Therefore, Taiwan is by no means part of the PRC.
 
Moreover, in the mid-1980s, Taiwan began a bottom-up transition toward political liberalization and democratization, culminating in its first direct presidential election in 1996. Since then, the representatives of the executive and legislative branches of the Republic of China (Taiwan) government have all been democratically elected by the people of Taiwan, making the ROC (Taiwan) government the sole lawful government that effectively governs and represents Taiwan internationally. This has also established the objective fact that the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC exist as equals and the status quo that neither is subordinate to the other. Further, the ROC (Taiwan) has experienced three changes of governing party—in 2000, 2008, and 2016. The continued consolidation of Taiwan’s democratic system and sense of identity reflects the Taiwan people’s staunch belief in and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of freedom and democracy. 
 
MOFA urges the international community to continue taking concrete action to counter China’s misrepresentation of UNGA Resolution 2758 and jointly refute China’s efforts to claim that the issue of Taiwan is an internal matter by improperly linking the resolution to the so-called “one China principle,” thereby attempting to change the objective cross-strait status quo and establish a legal basis for the potential future use of force against Taiwan.
 
MOFA also calls on the UN system to strictly abide by the principle of neutrality and refrain from acquiescing to China’s unreasonable suppression of Taiwan’s legitimate right to seek participation and acceding to inappropriate statements on behalf of all UN member states.
 
MOFA emphasizes that Taiwan, as a force for good in the international community, is capable of actively contributing to the UN system’s varied initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals and international peace and security. Only by including Taiwan can the United Nations truly realize the principle of universality and the goal of leaving no one behind. (E)

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The 15-day arrangements for residents at seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to return to their units in batches concluded today.

Among the 1,736 households of the seven blocks, a total of 6,265 residents from 1,674 households have returned to their units.

The Government said the process was generally smooth and completed in an orderly manner.

Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing expressed his gratitude for the understanding and co-operation of the residents.

He noted that the vast majority of the residents returned to their units within the 15-day period, while only fewer than 10 households required other arrangements. About 50 households decided not to return to their units.

“There were safety hazards at different parts in the seven blocks after the fire. Arranging safe and orderly access for over 1,670 households was highly challenging.

“To ensure the safety of residents and working staff, meticulous planning was required, including removing unsafe scaffolding, strengthening building structures, installing window safety nets on damaged windows, clearing piles of rubble and debris from common areas, accompanying residents up to the units, providing emotional support, managing crowds, and deploying a large number of interdepartmental supporting staff.”

Mr Cheuk expressed heartfelt appreciation to all staff involved in the arrangements, who worked as one team and displayed commitment and empathy in supporting the residents. Specifically, the staff attentively escorted the residents and assisted in transporting their belongings on their way down. 

Their dedication helped ensure that the arrangements proceeded smoothly, Mr Cheuk added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Inland Revenue Department today issued about 2.77 million tax returns for individuals for the year of assessment 2025-26.

Taxpayers should file their tax returns by June 4. For sole proprietors, a three-month period is allowed and the filing deadline is August 4. Those filing through eTAX will be granted a one-month extension.

Moreover, starting from today, electronic tax filing services will be further extended to cover the filing of tax returns for claiming exemption of salaries income and relief from double taxation, and by taxpayers running sole proprietorship businesses with a gross income exceeding $2 million.

At a press conference this afternoon, Commissioner of Inland Revenue Benjamin Chan outlined the concessionary tax measures proposed in the latest Policy Address and Budget, including reductions of salaries tax, tax under personal assessment and profits tax; increases in allowances; an increase in the deduction ceiling for elderly residential care expenses; and an extension of the claim period for additional child allowance for newborns.

Mr Chan also noted that the first phase of mandatory electronic filing of profits tax returns came into effect on April 1. The “relevant entities” of multinational enterprise groups subject to the global minimum tax regime are required to file their profits tax returns electronically from the year of assessment 2025-26 onwards. He said the Inland Revenue Department will launch a new function under the Business Tax Portal in the fourth quarter to enable those entities to file top-up tax returns, as well as to view and download the electronic notices of top-up tax assessments.

Separately, on revenue collection, the department collected $458.3 billion for 2025-26, an increase of 22% from the previous year.

The revenue collection for 2026-27 is estimated at $455.1 billion, representing a 0.7% year-on-year decrease.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Justice today launched Mediation Week 2026 under the theme “Mediate First: An Attempt of Mediation Harvests Abundant Harmony”, beginning with a school mediation seminar.

The five-day programme, aims to promote mediation as an amicable way to resolve conflicts and foster a more harmonious community. Seminars throughout the week will cover disputes related to schools, sports, the elderly and neighbourhoods.

Addressing the kick-off event, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said young people are the future and that the Government is committed to embedding a mediation culture within schools.

Mr Lam noted that this year’s Mediation Week aims to promote the values of diversified solutions and harmonious relationships, and he encouraged students to use mediation skills to achieve win-win solutions in a peaceful and rational manner.

The opening seminar, titled “Capital of Mediation: You are the Future”, featured a session where peer-trained students demonstrated how mediation builds communication skills and empowers them to address disputes collaboratively.

A second session highlighted winners of the Mediation Essay Competition 2026. This year, the competition expanded for the first time to include students from across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, together with the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), led an industry delegation to participate in the 28th Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, Italy, held from April 24 to May 2 (Udine time). The delegation witnessed Hong Kong’s veteran director and acclaimed action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping receiving the FEFF’s Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement; and Hong Kong directors Kwok Ka-Hei and Jack Lee for winning the White Mulberry for First Time Director with “Unidentified Murder”.

Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and the Secretary-General of the FDC, Mr Gary Mak, and the Chairman of the FDC, Dr Wilfred Wong, attended the closing ceremony of the FEFF in the evening on May 2 (Udine time), at which Yuen received the Lifetime Achievement Award. They extended congratulations and expressed gratitude for his profound contributions to the Hong Kong and the global action cinema. Yuen began his career as a martial arts choreographer in Hong Kong films since the early 1970s, and has since directed more than 30 local and non-local films. Films he choreographed include “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “The Matrix” series and the “Kill Bill” series, cementing the international stature of Hong Kong action films. His latest directorial work, “Blades of the Guardians”, has further set a new global box office record for the Chinese martial arts film genre.

As a key platform for promoting Asian cinema to European audiences, the FEFF has been attracting strong attention from the international film industry and the cultural sector. Riding on the FEFF, CCIDA and the FDC, together with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, organised the Hong Kong Night networking reception on April 29 (Udine time). CCIDA and the FDC also presented “Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema” programme, to showcase Hong Kong’s latest and classic films and have several Hong Kong emerging directors attended post-screening meet-and-greet sessions to engage with local audiences.

In addition, CCIDA and the FDC collaborated with the FEFF’s programme FOCUS ASIA to organise HONG KONG LAB@FOCUS ASIA, inviting senior international film professionals to share their experiences in co-production, cross-border financing and international distribution with potential Hong Kong producers and directors. Business matching sessions were also arranged to support Hong Kong filmmakers in exploring international collaboration opportunities.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Yim Tin Bridge and the Po Chue Tam Bridge (the Twin Bridges) linking the riverbanks of Tai O will open to the public from 9am tomorrow (May 4). The Twin Bridges are movable footbridges located at Lung Shing Street and Kat Hing Back Street respectively. Their commissioning will strengthen connectivity across riverbanks, improve the pedestrian network in the area, and enhance travel convenience for residents and visitors.
​
The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, attended the opening ceremony for the Twin Bridges today (May 3).

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Linn said that the completion of the Tai O Twin Bridges opens a new chapter for the co-existence of development and conservation in Tai O. The Twin Bridges connect the two riverbanks and are movable, designed to cater for the Dragon Boat Water Parade, a national intangible cultural heritage item. The project strikes a balance between connectivity in the region and cultural traditions. While enhancing infrastructure, it preserves the unique historical and cultural charm of Tai O. The Twin Bridges have become a new landmark fostering community connections and injecting new vitality into Tai O, demonstrating the principle of “integrating development into conservation, and sustaining culture alongside development”.

The Yim Tin Bridge is Hong Kong’s first retractable bridge, mimicking the characteristics of Tai O’s “hand-pulled ferry” in the past, while the Po Chue Tam Bridge adopts a rotational design that harmonises with the setting of the nearby Yeung Hau Temple and showcases cultural conservation. Through public engagement, the project collected design concepts and integrated Tai O’s distinctive characteristics into the bridge designs, balancing practical function with local culture.

The Yim Tin Bridge and the Po Chue Tam Bridge were constructed by the Civil Engineering and Development Department. They are the core facilities under the project “Improvement Works at Tai O – Phase 2, Stage 2”. The project will comprehensively enhance community facilities in Tai O. Other works include repaving the open space in front of the Yeung Hau Temple, which has already been completed, to enhance the overall environment of this declared monument; an amphitheatre-cum-open space at Yim Tin to provide diversified community leisure and performance spaces; and additional public parking spaces on Lung Shing Street to meet parking demand, these facilities are expected to open later this year.