Category: MIL-OSI

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Taiwan Trade and Investment Center Opens in Phoenix, Arizona

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On May 1, Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung, together with Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke inaugurated the opening of the Phoenix-Taiwan Trade and Investment Center in Arizona.

Although Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs was unable to attend in person, she delivered congratulatory remarks via a pre-recorded video, which emphasized that the long-standing partnership between Arizona and Taiwan is stronger than ever.

The event marked the MOEA’s second trade and investment service office in the United States. The Center will work with the Dallas-Taiwan Trade and Investment Center to support Taiwanese enterprises in layout planning for the U.S. market. Those enterprises are engaged in local manufacturing and innovation ecosystems, further advancing the Taiwan-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding on investment.

Minister Kung said that this visit to the U.S. was to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit. Although the first stop in Arizona was brief, three major goals were achieved: First, leading industry representatives to meet with senior officials from the state and city governments, helping businesses grasp the local investment environment. Second, opening the trade and investment center will lead to local governments providing timely and professional services to investors. Third, exploring potential sites for developing industrial clusters in the U.S. based on the Taiwan model, and in line with the Taiwan-U.S. investment memorandum.

Governor Katie Hobbs, though unable to attend in person, expressed her congratulations via a pre-recorded video. She emphasized that Taiwan and Arizona have built an unprecedented close relationship based on friendship, mutual support, and a shared commitment to developing innovative technologies. She stressed that cooperation in the coming years will drive next-generation technological development and strengthen global supply chain resilience.

The MOEA stated that Arizona is Taiwan’s third-largest trading partner in the U.S. In 2025, bilateral trade reached USD 21.24 billion, with Taiwan being Arizona’s largest import source and second-largest export market.

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Taiwan Again Has the Largest Delegation at SelectUSA; Minister Kung Heads the Delegation to Deepen Taiwan-US Supply Chain Cooperation

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-Hsin and National Development Council (NDC) Chairperson Yeh Chun-Hsien led a delegation of Taiwanese business leaders to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit from May 3 to 6. Taiwan continued to be one of the largest delegations for the third consecutive year. In addition to leading the delegation to the SelectUSA Summit, Minister Kung’s itinerary included meetings with relevant U.S. government agencies and U.S. Senators. He urged them to complete the congressional legislative process for the Taiwan-U.S. Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) to eliminate tax barriers for Taiwanese companies investing in the U.S.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated in his opening remarks at the SelectUSA Summit that “America First” does not mean America alone; rather, it involves working hand-in-hand with allies to jointly build more resilient supply chains. This year’s Taiwan SelectUSA delegation consisted of 207 representatives from 113 corporations, associations, and research institutions. The delegation’s participation demonstrated the intent and capability of Taiwanese enterprises to strengthen investments in the U.S. and deepen Taiwan-U.S. supply chain cooperation.

Speaking at the SelectUSA Welcoming Reception hosted by TECRO on May 3, Minister Kung remarked that this was his fourth time to represent Taiwan at SelectUSA, and that on the three previous occasions Taiwan had also assembled the largest overseas delegation. Currently, the U.S. is not only Taiwan’s top trading partner, but Taiwan has also risen to become the fourth-largest trading partner of the U.S.

Minister Kung emphasized that in the future, Taiwan will continue to collaborate with the U.S. on advancing bilateral corporate trade and investment cooperation, which is built on the solid foundation of three major pillars: the Taiwan-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding on Investment Cooperation, the Taiwan-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), and the Taiwan-U.S. Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD).

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NEA Reaffirms Commitment To Keep Singapore Clean Through Enforcement And Stakeholder Partnerships; Public And Premises Owners Urged To Do Their Part

Source: Government of Singapore

23 June 2026 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) continued its enforcement efforts and stakeholder partnerships to uphold high standards of public cleanliness and hygiene in the first quarter of 2026.

About 3,000 fines issued for ground littering offences in Q1 2026

2.          From January to March 2026, NEA issued about 3,000 fines for ground littering offences islandwide. NEA also conducted 24 enforcement blitzes at cleanliness hotspots, which are identified through localised litter counts, public feedback and sustained ground observations. At these hotspots, NEA deployed visible patrols, standees, surveillance cameras, and carried out ground engagements to deter littering. In addition, over 150 Corrective Work Orders (CWOs) were issued in Q1 2026, and these offenders will be required to perform corrective work at these hotspots, serving as a visible reminder to members of the public of the consequences of littering.[1]

3.          NEA’s enforcement efforts have also resulted in convictions for repeat offenders. On 15 May 2026, Tang Bo Xiang, a 43-year-old Singaporean man, was convicted in the State Courts for throwing a cigarette butt in a public place. He was fined $2,500 and ordered to perform 12 hours of corrective work. This was his 13th conviction for littering since 2000. The court took into account his previous convictions when assessing the sentence.

Decline in rat burrows recorded in early 2026

4.          NEA’s two-monthly surveillance cycle recorded a decrease in the average number of rat burrows per cycle, from about 4,900 in 2025 to about 2,900 in early 2026, based on the January-February and March-April cycles. The majority of burrows were detected in public housing estates, followed by grass verges along roadsides and in industrial estates.

5.          About 260 enforcement actions were jointly taken by NEA and the Singapore Food Agency against premises owners for rat-related lapses from January to March 2026, of which about 150 were for poor refuse management.[2]

Reducing upstream lapses through ground efforts and partnerships

 6.          Targeted efforts at areas with high trade activity and poor refuse management under the Cleaner Neighbourhood initiative have shown results. At Chai Chee Avenue/Road, refuse management lapses fell by more than half over four months – from 23 in November 2025 to 10 in end-February 2026 – through engagements with trade premises on proper refuse management, close collaboration with Town Councils to reduce visible waste, and the deployment of surveillance cameras.

7.          Similar progress was also observed during the same period at Serangoon Avenue 2/3 where refuse management lapses dropped 52 per cent. Advisories were issued to trade premises to install additional bins and remove bulky items stored outside their shops, which can serve as potential harbourage for rats. These stepped-up efforts have led to 12 enforcement actions taken, including two enforcement actions under the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act 1998 issued to a premises owner amounting to a $6,000 fine.

8.          Good rat management practices by premise owners also made a difference. AMK Hub has not experienced sustained rat activity since end-2023 – a result of a deliberate focus on prevention, early detection, and quick response, rather than relying solely on reactive pest control. This includes training staff to spot early signs of rat activity, isolating F&B units to limit rat movement, and having clear protocols in place for fast containment. The approach was put to the test. When a rat was brought in with raw materials, it was detected promptly and trapped shortly, with no further activity observed. These measures are in line with NEA’s rat management guidelines, which emphasise prevention and the use of technology alongside conventional control methods.

 9.          NEA will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach encompassing enforcement, innovative solutions, and stakeholder engagements, to uphold high standards of public cleanliness. ​Everyone plays a part to keep Singapore clean. Public health offences can be reported via the OneService app.

– End –

 

[1] Under the Environmental Public Health Act, any individual who litters is liable on conviction to a court fine of up to $2,000 for a first conviction, $4,000 for a second conviction, and $10,000 for the third and subsequent convictions. The court may also impose a Corrective Work Order, requiring offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours.

[2] Figures provisional as of 18 Jun 2026. Premises managers and owners who fail to practise proper refuse management or create conditions favourable to the harbouring or propagating of rats are subject to enforcement by NEA under the Environmental Public Health Act (EPHA) and the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act (CVPA) respectively. The maximum penalty under the CVPA is a fine of up to $20,000 or imprisonment for up to 3 months, or both, for a first offence. For a first offence under the Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations, premises owners can be fined up to a maximum of $1,000.

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Hospital Authority statement on dismissal of resident doctor

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hospital Authority statement on dismissal of resident doctor 
     The HA holds doctors to the highest standards of professional conduct, behaviour, and discipline. The HA insists that all doctors serving patients in public hospitals must possess both medical competence and conduct themselves in a professional manner. In addition to having professional knowledge to treat patients, they must uphold the strictest professional conduct and place patient well-being, privacy, safety, and care as their foremost priority at all times. The HA has absolutely zero tolerance for any form of behaviour that undermines the professional conduct of doctors. The HA will not permit any doctor who fails to meet the relevant requirements to practise in public hospitals, in order to safeguard patient safety.
 
     Following an investigation, the HA found that a resident doctor at Tuen Mun Hospital was involved in conducting an unauthorised examination on a patient at Ruttonjee Hospital. The incident is linked to an intern doctor who was previously dismissed for a series of serious misconduct. The investigation committee concluded that the resident doctor acted dishonestly and committed serious misconduct, in breach of doctors’ professional ethics and integrity. The HA has taken action to dismiss the resident doctor and will refer the case to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up.
 
     The HA has notified the resident doctor of the dismissal decision. The HA spokesperson reiterated that the HA will not tolerate or condone any behaviour that compromises patient safety and undermines doctors’ professional integrity, in order to uphold professional ethics and safeguard patient safety. The HA unequivocally condemned the conduct in question.
Issued at HKT 19:30

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Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing/importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing/importing duty-not-paid cigarettes       
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming 34-year-old local male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on June 13 and seized 3 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $13,000 and a duty potential of about $10,500. The man was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 44-year-old Chinese male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 21) and seized about 17 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $73,000 and a duty potential of about $59,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes 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 $2 million and imprisonment for seven 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.hkIssued at HKT 19:36

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Independent Committee in relation to fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po continues its review in current form

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Independent Committee in relation to fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po continues its review in current form      
     The Chairman of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (Independent Committee), Mr Justice David Lok, said today (June 22) that after careful consideration of various factors, the Independent Committee had decided not to make recommendation to the Chief Executive for turning the Independent Committee into a statutory commission of inquiry. The Independent Committee would continue its work under the current approach.
      
     Mr Justice Lok announced the decision at the evidential hearing of the Independent Committee today. He pointed out that, as a matter of principle, the purpose of a public inquiry was to “identify what happened in the incident and why it happened”. Criminal and civil matters and the Government’s internal accountability did not fall within the scope of the inquiry. “Whether an investigation should be conducted under a particular approach is a strategic decision. The Independent Committee must weigh the pros and cons of various options with the legal principles and the overall public interest in mind. In making this decision, the Independent Committee has thoroughly considered five factors,” he said.
      
     The first factor considered by the Independent Committee was that it had so far received a substantial amount of information (including more than one million files) from different parties. Mr Justice Lok said, “With the assistance of its legal team, the Independent Committee has obtained sufficiently comprehensive information on the roles and responsibilities of different parties in relation to the fire and related matters, as well as whether there are systemic problems in the tendering process of large-scale building maintenance and renovation works. The Independent Committee is confident that it can identify what happened in the incident and why it happened, and analyse and draw conclusions on the matters set out in its terms of reference (ToR). In view of the above, the Independent Committee considers that even if it were to turn into a statutory commission of inquiry, it would be unlikely that the conversion could bring any distinct material help in further clarifying the facts. In fact, even if an involved party decides to forego the opportunity to attend the hearings to give oral evidence, the Independent Committee can still make adverse findings based on the information that it has already obtained. Neither will this affect its ability to draw conclusions on the party’s roles and responsibilities.” Mr Justice Lok added, “Although a statutory commission of inquiry can compel witnesses to attend and give evidence, whether they will co-operate remains uncertain. Indeed, the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have already laid charges against a number of individuals and companies involved in the case and commenced criminal proceedings. This has made the situation more complicated.”
      
     The second factor was the longer time that an investigation of a statutory commission of inquiry would require as a legal procedure. Mr Justice Lok explained that this involved rather technical legal considerations. The legal procedure of a statutory commission of inquiry had certain complexity and was comparatively less flexible. As a result, the statutory commission of inquiry might lose procedural control more easily, thereby prolonging the time that the inquiry would take. For example, a statutory inquiry required that notice and time be given to the parties under investigation to prepare and submit witness statements and documentary materials. The parties under investigation might, through legal procedures, make various applications to the commission, including requesting the commission to re-summon persons who had already given evidence to testify again or requesting further disclosure of documents from a certain party. Further, the parties might provide their evidence and materials only when attending the hearings, thereby causing the hearings to proceed in a fragmented manner. All these would inevitably cause the inquiry to take longer to complete.
      
     The Independent Committee had always attached importance to efficiency. When the Government established the Independent Committee, it set a target for it to complete its work within nine months from the time the committee commenced operation. This was because, taking into account the number of fatalities and injuries and the scale of the fire, the fire at Wang Fuk Court was the gravest incident in Hong Kong in recent years. Apart from the families of the deceased and injured as well as the victims, the public also expected the Independent Committee to identify the causes of the incident as soon as possible and make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. In addition, based on past experience, the pursuit of such matters as criminal and civil liabilities and accountability of officials generally awaited the completion of the public inquiry. Meanwhile, some large-scale building maintenance and renovation works in Hong Kong were currently being put on hold, pending the findings of the Independent Committee’s review and its reform recommendations. In view of the above reasons and considering the wider public interest, there was a need for the Independent Committee to complete its work and submit its report in an efficient manner, so as not to affect the pace of calling those responsible into account and of reform.
      
     The third factor was that turning the Independent Committee into a statutory commission of inquiry might affect other legal proceedings, including ongoing or subsequent criminal and civil proceedings. Mr Justice Lok reiterated that the Independent Committee’s purpose was to identify what happened in the incident and why it happened, while personal accountability should be pursued through criminal and civil proceedings. If personal responsibility was investigated by means of a statutory inquiry, it might make the ongoing or subsequent criminal and civil proceedings more complicated and protracted, and create further uncertainty for the prosecution. The work of the LEAs would become more difficult if the hearings of a statutory commission of inquiry and the investigations of the LEAs were to take place concurrently. Also, to avoid affecting ongoing or subsequent criminal proceedings, the LEAs would not be able to disclose the contents of their investigations to the statutory commission of inquiry or the public. This would in turn affect the commission’s work.
      
     Mr Justice Lok said the fourth factor was that, compared with a statutory commission of inquiry which must proceed in accordance with arrangements applicable to other legal proceedings, the current modus operandi of the Independent Committee offered greater flexibility. The Independent Committee had more room and could be more lenient over the evidence-giving process and media coverage of the hearings. Outside the hearings, it could allow witnesses or residents to respond to and comment on the evidence, on who should be held responsible, and on whether certain procedures and practices were appropriate. The Independent Committee could therefore conduct its review in a relatively more open manner, while still upholding the principles of fairness and impartiality.
      
     The fifth factor was whether the presence of bid-rigging and irregularities or not in the large-scale maintenance and renovation works of Wang Fuk Court should be investigated by means of a statutory commission of inquiry. Mr Justice Lok said the ToR(2) of the Independent Committee was to examine whether such behaviours existed in various stages of large-scale building maintenance and renovation works across the territory, not targeting Wang Fuk Court in particular. Therefore, while this was a matter of grave concern to the residents of Wang Fuk Court and the Independent Committee had never shied away from this issue, the Independent Committee considered that bid-rigging or irregularities in the maintenance and renovation works of Wang Fuk Court should be followed up by the LEAs. In fact, over the past months, the LEAs (including the Police, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Competition Commission) had filed cases against, arrested, and laid charges against parties involved in the fire at and the maintenance and renovation works of Wang Fuk Court. Further enforcement action to bring the suspected criminals into justice had not been ruled out.
      
     Mr Justice Lok stressed, “The work of the Independent Committee must base on facts and evidence. The Independent Committee may need to make some difficult decisions. But, we can assure the public that all decisions made by this judge-led Independent Committee are grounded in legal principles and the public interest. Political and public relations considerations play no part in the Independent Committee’s deliberations.”

     Based on the above five considerations, the Independent Committee had decided to complete its investigation under the current approach, with the aim of completing the work within the scheduled timeframe. Under the current plan, the Independent Committee would hear the final submissions of the involved parties from July 15 to 17. Details would be announced separately. After the final submissions, the Independent Committee would continue to process the large volume of written evidence and other materials received, and prepare its report.
      
     The Chief Executive established the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to review the causes of the fire and related issues, and to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The ToR of the Independent Committee provides that issues concerning legal liabilities of those involved in the fire are matters for the LEAs’ investigation. Such matters fall outside the scope of the Independent Committee’s ToR.
      
     The Independent Committee formally commenced its work on December 19, 2025. The evidential hearings commenced on March 19, 2026. Four rounds of 24 hearings have been held, and the fifth round is under way. The Independent Committee clarifies the relevant facts through oral evidence given by witnesses in the evidential hearings, written submissions from different parties, and other evidence submitted by other means. These provide an important basis for the preparation of its report and recommendations.
Issued at HKT 19:55

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FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June  

District

District　　With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April every year. The indexes are higher from May to June. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. As compared with last year, the temperature began to climb earlier this year and the rainfall in June increased substantially, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further, but the overall trend of gravidtrap indexes this year is similar to those of previous years.

　　The FEHD has also carried out a series of actions, including:      ​During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a construction site, a park, four public housing estates and three private housing estates in Eastern District, Kwun Tong District and Sha Tin District, the FEHD has issued nine statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. In addition, the FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant estate management company and property management company following the discovery of mosquito breeding respectively at a construction site and a park in Kwun Tong District. 

     Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:     ​Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

     ​Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage
     (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 21:16

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CE leads delegation to begin visit programme to Fujian

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 22) led a delegation to begin its visit programme to Fujian. He met with the Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, Mr Zhou Zuyi, in Fuzhou and later attended the High-Level Meeting and the Fifth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong-Fujian Cooperation Conference (meeting-and-plenary), jointly witnessing multiple co-operation outcomes between Hong Kong and Fujian.

     ​At the meeting with Mr Zhou, Mr Lee exchanged views on deepening Hong Kong-Fujian co-operation. He said that Fujian, as one of the country’s forerunner provinces in reform and opening up, is an important part of the high-level open economy, with its digital industry developing rapidly. Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, and is an international financial, trade and shipping centre. In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook, Hong Kong rose one place to second globally. Hong Kong is also one of the key driving engines of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and is formulating at full speed its first Five-Year Plan, proactively integrating into and serving the overall national development. Hong Kong and Fujian are both important gateways for the country’s high-level opening up, reflecting close economic and trade ties between the two places.

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CE begins Fujian visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today led a delegation on a visit to Fujian, where he met CPC Fujian Provincial Committee Secretary Zhou Zuyi and attended the High-Level Meeting and Fifth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Cooperation Conference.

 

In their meeting, Mr Lee and Mr Zhou exchanged views on deepening Hong Kong-Fujian co-operation. The Chief Executive said that Fujian, as a forerunner province in the country’s reform and opening up, is an important part of China’s high-level open economy, with a digital industry that is developing rapidly. He added that Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, and is an international financial, trade and shipping centre.

 

Mr Lee stressed that Hong Kong and Fujian are both important gateways for the country’s high-level opening up, and enjoy close economic and trade ties.

 

He highlighted that Hong Kong has long been the largest source of external investment in Fujian. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s “Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global” supports Mainland enterprises, including those from Fujian, in exploring global business opportunities and reaching overseas markets through leveraging Hong Kong as a springboard.

 

Mr Lee later attended the High-Level Meeting and Fifth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Cooperation Conference, jointly witnessing the signing of multiple co-operation agreements between Hong Kong and Fujian.

 

The two sides signed a memorandum of co-operation covering finance; civil aviation, maritime transport and logistics; economics, trade and investment; innovation and technology; and legal and dispute resolution.

 

They also signed six co-operation agreements and memoranda of understanding covering culture and tourism, youth development, finance, economics and trade, and education.

 

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Janice Tse and Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip also attended the meeting.

 

Mr Lee said the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference mechanism is an important platform for deepening exchanges and co-operation between the two places, and has yielded fruitful results.

 

He added that he was pleased to witness the deepening of co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian and is confident the two places will continue to leverage their respective strengths, achieve complementary advantages, and contribute to the country’s high-quality development.

 

​In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by Mr Zhou and later visited a local historical and cultural project, Sanfang Qixiang.

 

He said that Hong Kong is developing as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchanges and attaches great importance to cultural conservation.

 

He expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Fujian will continue to strengthen cultural and tourism co-operation and jointly promote fine traditional Chinese culture.

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Fire committee to keep existing form

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The independent committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po said today that it has decided against recommending to the Chief Executive that it become a statutory commission of inquiry.

 

The committee’s Chairman, Justice David Lok, told an evidential hearing that after careful consideration of various factors, the committee believes it should continue its work in its current form.

 

He stressed that determining the approach to take is a strategic decision.

 

“The independent committee must weigh the pros and cons of various options with the legal principles and the overall public interest in mind,” he said. “In making this decision, the independent committee has thoroughly considered five factors.”

 

The first of these is that the committee has to date received a substantial amount of information, including more than one million files, from different parties. This includes comprehensive information on the roles and responsibilities of different parties in relation to the fire and related matters, in addition to whether there are systemic problems in the tendering process for large-scale building maintenance and renovation works. The committee is confident that it can identify what happened and why it happened, and analyse and draw conclusions on the matters set out in its terms of reference.

 

The committee considers that even if it were to turn into a statutory commission of inquiry, it would be unlikely that the conversion would bring any distinct material help in further clarifying the facts.

 

The second factor is the longer time that an investigation of a statutory commission of inquiry would require as a legal procedure. Mr Lok explained that the legal procedure for a statutory commission of inquiry had certain complexities and was comparatively less flexible.

 

When the Government established the independent committee, he said, it set a target for it to complete its work within nine months of commencing operation. There was a need for the committee to complete its work and submit its report in an efficient manner, so as not to affect the speed of calling those responsible to account and of implementing reforms.

 

The third factor is that turning the independent committee into a statutory commission of inquiry might affect other legal proceedings, including ongoing or subsequent criminal and civil proceedings.

 

Mr Lok’s fourth factor is that, compared with a statutory commission of inquiry – which must proceed in accordance with arrangements applicable to other legal proceedings – the current modus operandi offers greater flexibility.

 

The independent committee has more room and can be more lenient with regard to the evidence-giving process and media coverage of the hearings, he said. Outside of the hearings, it can allow witnesses or residents to respond to and comment on evidence, on who should be held responsible, and on whether certain procedures and practices are appropriate.

 

The fifth factor, said Mr Lok, is whether the possibility of bid-rigging and irregularities in large-scale maintenance and renovation works at Wang Fuk Court should be investigated by means of a statutory commission of inquiry. The independent committee considered that this should be followed up by the law enforcement agencies.

 

Mr Lok stressed: “The work of the independent committee must base on facts and evidence. The independent committee may need to make some difficult decisions. But, we can assure the public that all decisions made by this judge-led independent committee are grounded in legal principles and the public interest. Political and public relations considerations play no part in the independent committee’s deliberations.”

 

The committee formally commenced its work on December 19 and the evidential hearings commenced on March 19. Four rounds of 24 hearings have been held, and the fifth round is under way.