Category: MIL-OSI

EDB announces Private School List      
     The spokesman stressed that all schools operating in Hong Kong, whether they are included in the List or not, must comply with the registration and daily operational standards under the Education Ordinance and the Education Regulations. Schools not included in the List remain subject to the regulation of the EDB.Issued at HKT 16:00

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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected smuggled electronic chips worth about $6.25 million (with photo)      
     Based on risk assessment, Customs yesterday intercepted an outbound private car at the control point. After an inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected smuggled electronic chips in the trunk of the vehicle.
      
     After an investigation, Customs arrested a 39-year-old local male driver and a 50-year-old Mainland male passenger suspected to be connected with the case. They were jointly charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargo and will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 30).
      
     Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
      
     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:20

Korea’s long-running music theatre production “The Little Musician” sets off on adventure to save the frozen world  
     “The Little Musician” was selected at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe as one of the top three popular children’s performances, and has captivated audiences in the United Kingdom, the Chinese Mainland, Uzbekistan and beyond. The long-running show has remained a favourite in Korea for a decade. The upcoming Hong Kong performances are upgraded with enhanced musical arrangements, lighting design and stage settings compared to the original production.
 
     The story follows the mysterious disappearance of the sun, plunging the Earth into darkness and extreme cold, gradually freezing humanity into ice. The main character, Mobichi, is determined to restore the sunlight. With her beloved recorder in hand, she sets off on a journey alongside her polar bear friend Kuku, meeting quirky new companions along the way. With the power of music, they sing and play instruments to overcome numerous challenges and gradually thaw the frozen world. However, just as hope seems within reach, a fierce snowstorm strikes and takes the sunlight away once again.
 
     The performers use superb vocal skills together with simple props to imitate animal sounds and everyday sound effects, creating a stage full of imagination. Bubble wrap becomes a frozen lake, inflatable plastic bags transform into ice blocks, and wooden boards turn into a glowing sun, showcasing boundless creativity. The beloved show is suitable for families, enabling audiences to rediscover the joy of play and imagination, while conveying a message of unity and hope.
 
     The music theatre production “The Little Musician” will be held at 7.30pm on August 7 and 8, and 3pm on August 9 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. Tickets priced at $280 and $340 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk 
     This year’s IAC is presenting over 100 performances and related activities in July and August, bringing together artists from overseas, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong for an exciting lineup of interactive, inspiring and family-friendly programmes, including acrobatics, dance, music, theatre and multimedia. There are also film screenings, library activities, parent-child workshops, an online programme and exhibitions.
 
     For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:00

Research Grants Council announces funding results of Areas of Excellence Scheme and Theme-based Research Scheme 2026/27          
     “By fostering a dynamic basic research ecosystem in Hong Kong and leveraging the unique strengths of our universities to drive transformative, world-class research, the RGC remains dedicated to consolidating Hong Kong’s leading position in global higher education and technological innovation,” said Professor Tong. Issued at HKT 17:20

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Six projects approved in 11th round of Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme      
     The two newly approved CR projects seek to promote countryside revitalisation through organising new in-depth cultural and ecotour activities in the Yan Chau Tong area, showcasing the unique cultural assets and green tourism attractions in the area. Another four newly approved RA projects focus on Sha Lo Tung (SLT), including a comprehensive cultural heritage study and three research projects on a hydrological monitoring network, hydromorphological mapping and a hydrological model respectively. These projects will provide scientific data to support water resources management, habitat conservation and biodiversity in SLT, which assist the Government in formulating precise and cost-effective conservation actions, and facilitate the planning of sustainable cultural and ecotourism.
      
     In addition, the tendering exercise for the new round of the Proactive Conservation Project in SLT approved earlier by the ACCC has been completed in accordance with the Government’s established procurement and tendering procedures. The project commenced on May 1, 2026, with a view to strengthening the conservation of biodiversity in SLT.
      
     A total of 63 projects, involving an aggregate funding amount of around $358 million, have been approved in the 11 rounds of CCFS applications conducted so far, supporting local non-profit-making organisations’ work in promoting different aspects of countryside conservation and revitalisation in areas such as natural ecology, non-graded built heritage, as well as cultural and historic assets. All CCFS applications are examined and considered by the ACCC, which is chaired by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology. Details of the approved projects are available on the CCFS webpage (www.eeb.gov.hk/en/conservation/ccfs/ccfs_approved_projects.htmlIssued at HKT 11:00

Labour Department to hold webinar on Subsidy Scheme for Abolition of MPF Offsetting Arrangement      
     The abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement took effect on May 1, 2025. To tie in with the abolition, the LD on the same day launched the 25-year Subsidy Scheme for Abolition of MPF Offsetting Arrangement (SSA) to share out the severance payment/long service payment expenses of employers after the abolition. The key features of the abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement, and the main points and application procedures of the SSA and the Subsidy for Shortfall in Aggregate Benefits will be introduced in the briefing.
      
     The webinar will be conducted in Cantonese via Zoom, and admission is free of charge. The quotas will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and the enrolment deadline is August 18, 2026 (Tuesday). The enrolment form can be downloaded from the TransitionEase Portal (www.offsettingsubsidy.gov.hk/en/pdf/enrolment_form_aug26_e.pdfIssued at HKT 11:30

Two persons arrested during joint anti-illegal worker operation by Immigration Department and Travel Industry Authority       
     As there have been suspected illegal workers utilising social media platforms to advertise tour guide and photo-taking services in Hong Kong, the ImmD and the TIA initiated an operation. Officers disguised as customers enquired about and booked services from the suspects. The suspects were subsequently arrested while providing such services in Hong Kong. The arrested illegal workers were women, aged 22 and 31. The ImmD will consider prosecution against them 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 escort 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.hkIssued at HKT 19:33