Quarantine-free travel advocated

With the adoption of stringent measures to prevent the importation of COVID-19 cases, Hong Kong has successfully prevented imported cases from spreading into the community and maintained zero local infection. As the epidemic situation is clearly under control, Hong Kong people hope that quarantine-free travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland can be resumed so that they may enter the Mainland without being subject to quarantine. I and the entire Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government have been taking the matter very seriously. The first expert meeting between the relevant authorities of Hong Kong and the Mainland was held in Shenzhen yesterday, with a view to creating conditions for resuming quarantine-free cross-boundary travel.

 

How the epidemic has developed

 

Having gone more than 40 days without recording a single local case since August 17, Hong Kong has basically achieved zero infection. In fact, the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has been under control for some time. The handful of local cases identified earlier were either re-positive or exceptional cases where no community infections have occurred as a result. For the imported cases recorded during the past month, all of them were detected upon arrival or during quarantine under the stringent measures to prevent the importation of cases. While these cases did not pose a threat to the community, we dare not take them lightly. Erring on the side of caution, we enforced compulsory testing measures for every confirmed case that had stayed in Hong Kong during the incubation period. Similarly, although the total number of cases worldwide has shown signs of decline recently, hundreds of thousands of cases involving various virus variants are still recorded every day, and with some countries having given up on achieving zero infection, we cannot be too optimistic about the situation.

 

Anti-epidemic efforts

 

The current stringent measures to prevent the importation of cases undoubtedly cause inconvenience and difficulties to those who need to return to Hong Kong, but they are indeed necessary. The Government has reacted swiftly to ensure the smooth operation of the measures in general. For example, the Food & Health Bureau has been in constant contact with the governments of different places and has accepted vaccination records issued by many more places as recognised vaccination records, so as to meet the entry requirements. In response to the earnest demand for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs), the Government has also opened 800 units in Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre on Lantau Island, as an exceptional arrangement for quarantine of fully vaccinated FDHs upon arrival in Hong Kong. As we have explained publicly, the thousands of FDHs should only return to Hong Kong in batches in a gradual manner. Otherwise, should there be many cases of infection, our hospital system may become overloaded. Quarantine units (including the 800 units in Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre and the 400 units in a designated hotel) were provided in such a way so as to limit the number of arrivals to Hong Kong. I appeal to FDH employers for their understanding. The Labour & Welfare Bureau will closely monitor the situation, consider adjusting the number of quarantine units on the premise of safety, and strive to optimise the booking process.

 

In addition, we have been actively striving to boost vaccine uptake. The Government, together with our experts, have been constantly explaining the situation and calling on members of the public to get vaccinated, while the business sector and various organisations have provided incentives to encourage their employees and the public to get the jab. As at September 26, the first dose vaccination rate among all eligible people was 66.2%; among those aged 20 to 59, the rate exceeded 70%; and among people aged 40 to 49, the rate even exceeded 80%. However, the vaccination rate among the elderly is still not good enough. Only 40% of the 70 to 79-year-old population, and less than 15% of people over 80 years old have been vaccinated. As the elderly are at a higher infection risk, the current situation can hardly be described as satisfactory. If a new wave of the epidemic arrives, the consequences may be disastrous. We will continue to pursue all methods that can facilitate vaccination of the elderly. We also appeal to all sectors of the community to continue their efforts, such as assisting the Government in promoting outreach vaccination services at the district level.

 

The major measures introduced are set out here in chronological order:

 

Date

Event

August 27

The arrangement for distribution of same-day tickets at 24 community vaccination centres (CVCs) (except those run by private hospitals) was expanded to cover students aged 12 or above, and have been further expanded to cover all eligible people who want to receive a COVID-19 vaccination with effect from September 22.

September 8

The Government resumed quarantine exemption for Hong Kong residents returning from both Mainland areas other than Guangdong Province and Macau under the Return2hk Scheme.

September 9

The Government announced that reaching out to the community was a priority of the vaccination programme and thus outreach vaccination services at the community level would be enhanced. Five CVCs would be closed from November while the operation of 21 CVCs would be extended to the end of this year.

September 13

A further $343 million was approved under the Health & Medical Research Fund to support local universities to conduct research studies on COVID-19.

September 15

Non-Hong Kong residents coming from Guangdong Province and Macau could be exempted from compulsory quarantine upon entry into Hong Kong under the Come2hk Scheme. However, in the light of the latest epidemic situation in Macau, all arrivals in Hong Kong from Macau would not be exempted from compulsory quarantine under the Return2hk Scheme or Come2hk Scheme from September 25.

September 15

To balance the risk and benefit, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging & Zoonotic Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health recommended people aged 12 to 17 years to receive one dose of the Comirnaty vaccine. The Education Bureau updated the arrangements for whole-day face-to-face classes and related activities.

September 20

The Government opened 800 units in Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre on Lantau Island for quarantine of FDHs, who have been fully vaccinated in Group A specified places, upon arrival in Hong Kong.

 

Striving to resume quarantine-free travel with the Mainland

 

Following the new direction in fighting the pandemic that I announced on April 12, social distancing measures have been relaxed cautiously and gradually and daily life has largely returned to normal. For instance, as estimated by the catering sector, the sales turnover of the catering industry during the Mid-Autumn Festival stood at 90% of the pre-epidemic level. The long-awaited Water World officially opened on September 20, attracting many fun seekers. The Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections were held on September 19. Face-to-face classes have been resumed in the new school year. The first school in Hong Kong that had reached a vaccination rate of 70% resumed whole-day face-to-face classes on September 27. All these have been conducted smoothly and in a risk-controlled manner with the implementation of anti-epidemic measures by people in various sectors and members of the public.

 

After the resumption of normal life, what many residents look forward to most is the resumption of cross-boundary people flow, especially quarantine-free travel with the Mainland. In fact, the inability to resume cross-boundary travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland has a great impact on residents of both places in their daily life, study, family visits, work and business. Some of them even have to be separated from family members for a long period of time. Along with the stabilisation of the epidemic situation in Hong Kong, the implementation of quarantine-free travel with the Mainland is at present our primary goal.

 

The Return2hk Scheme, which allows quarantine exemption for Hong Kong residents returning from the Mainland, has been operating for a period of time. Also, the Come2hk Scheme, through which non-Hong Kong residents coming to the city are not required to undergo quarantine, commenced on September 15, marking a step closer to quarantine-free travel with the Mainland. On quarantine-free travel to the Mainland by Hong Kong people, I have been continuously reflecting this aspiration to the central authorities for some time, expressing the hope of setting up meetings for communication between experts on both sides as soon as possible to create conditions for quarantine-free travel with the Mainland. The Chief Secretary yesterday led a delegation to Shenzhen, including experts from the Centre for Health Protection and a member of the Government’s Expert Advisory Panel, Prof David Hui, for a meeting with the Mainland ministries and experts. They are proactively following up on the issues raised at the meeting. The Hong Kong SAR Government will spare no effort to achieve its goal.

 

Chief Executive Carrie Lam issued this article titled Maintaining Zero Infection, Striving to Resume Quarantine-free Travel with the Mainland on September 27.

 

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SJ stands against foreign meddling

Last Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a fact sheet setting out a host of malicious acts of the US in interfering in Hong Kong affairs and supporting anti-China, destabilising forces. It also shows that the US is in breach of international practice.

 

Sovereign equality is a basic norm of international relations and a fundamental principle of international law, with the Charter of the United Nations (UN) expressly stating this principle. Meanwhile, the principle of non-intervention is an important concept central to sovereign equality, which was reaffirmed in the declaration on friendly relations and co-operation adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1970. Further, the International Court of Justice in its judgment in 1986 reiterated non-intervention as a principle of customary international law. The fact sheet clearly shows the US interference in Hong Kong affairs and support for anti-China, destabilising forces. Some US politicians continue to blatantly collude with anti-China, destabilising forces attempting to interfere with Hong Kong’s affairs. Their acts are in violation of international law and have undermined the spirit of the rule of law. Any society that cherishes the rule of law should condemn such abominable behaviours and indeed has an obligation to stop these from happening.

 

Over these two years, the central authorities exercised the sovereign rights to enact the Hong Kong National Security Law and make a decision on improving the electoral system in accordance with the law, aiming to plug the national security loopholes and facilitate the implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. In doing so, Hong Kong is able to stay true to the aspiration of the principle of “one country, two systems” by safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity as well as maintaining the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. Since the enactment of the National Security Law, Hong Kong has reverted to a safe, rational and inclusive society. International investors’ confidence in Hong Kong has also been enhanced. For example, as at the end of May 2021, the amount of initial public offering funds raised is about $184 billion, an increase of 621% when compared with $25.5 billion for the same period last year. In the securities market, the average daily turnover for the first six months of 2021 was $188.2 billion, representing an increase of 60% when compared with $117.5 billion for the same period in 2020. These figures speak for themselves, debunking all the baseless allegations and smears on the National Security Law.

 

In addition to the outstanding performance in economic development, Hong Kong is also praised for its efforts in safeguarding the rule of law since the return to the motherland. According to the World Governance Indicators published by the World Bank, Hong Kong enjoys favourable scores in the area of the rule of law, rising steadily from 69.85 in 1996 to 91.58 in 2003. Hong Kong’s scores have been maintained over 90 since 2003, which are testimony to the international recognition of Hong Kong’s effort in safeguarding the rule of law.

 

It is undeniable that following the enactment of the National Security Law, Hong Kong has been transformed from chaos to governance, and gradually towards development and prosperity. The improvements to the electoral system prove to be an important milestone in Hong Kong’s democratic electoral system under which the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” has been fully observed so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.

 

In spite of the unilateral coercive measures, which are in violation of international law, imposed by the US on our country and Hong Kong with an attempt to meddle in the internal affairs of China, we all wholeheartedly safeguard the development interests of our nation and our people in accordance with law. Such unscrupulous attempts are to be futile. I strongly support the issuance of the fact sheet by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to expose the contemptible acts by the US. I am also committed to rendering my full support in guarding against foreign forces interfering with the internal affairs of Hong Kong.

 

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on September 26.

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Heartfelt appeal for security law

We must remain vigilant – the stability could be short-lived if we let our guard down, especially when local terrorism, which previously remained underground, has surfaced recently. On July 1 this year, which is the 24th anniversary of our return to our motherland, a man stabbed a policeman in a busy street of Hong Kong and committed suicide afterwards. The attacker was believed to have been radicalised by numerous fake information posted in local media.

 

Following the attack, messages that honoured and paid tribute to the attacker and attempted to romanticise and glorify the despicable act with seditious intent to incite hatred in society were circulated online. The society was further disconcerted by a statement made by a student association of a local university, stating that the association was “grateful for [the attacker’s] sacrifice”.

 

In the same month, members of a terrorist group were arrested. Evidence showed that they were plotting to set bombs in public places (including courts and tunnels), illustrating the lingering national security threat which the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region faces. It is fortunate that we now have the legal tool to sanction the acts advocating or promoting terrorism by virtue of the Hong Kong National Security Law as well as other local laws, to bring those criminals to face justice.

 

Clear and present danger

To the general public of Hong Kong, before the serious violence and riots in 2019, such scenarios would only show up in news reports on terrorist attacks in other countries, or in movie scenes. The threat is now real and it begs the question – why are all these happening now?

 

In the four decades or so before the violent riots, Hong Kong had been witnessing a steady decline in its crime figures. The encouraging trend, however, was disrupted and reversed by the serious violence and riots, with rioters preaching what they called “mutual destruction”, to jump off the cliff with Hong Kong. Some shameless individuals even incited the young people “to break the law to achieve justice”.

 

It is also ridiculous that some countries smear the Hong Kong National Security Law, or even ask the Hong Kong National Security Law to be abolished, when these very countries have their own national security laws, many more stringent or having a wider scope than the Hong Kong National Security Law. I could not find a better word than “double standard” to describe these countries. Moreover, as I have elaborated above, we have to stay alert of the rekindling of national security risks that remain.

 

To look at the matter in greater depth, the emergence of the acts and activities endangering national security was fuelled by conspirators who managed to get their way into public offices through open elections. In recent years, these people made use of their status as public officers to obstruct or even paralyse the operation of the Government, and glorified the violent acts of the rioters, trying to sway the public opinion to distrust the Government. Some even colluded with external forces to undermine both our country’s and Hong Kong’s security and interests. This chaos has exposed that there are indeed loopholes and deficiencies in Hong Kong’s electoral system.

 

Way out of the hazard

Hence, to truly achieve long-term stability and safety, not only the Hong Kong National Security Law has to continue to be in effect; the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR must also be improved to uphold the principle of “one country, two systems” and fully implement the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

 

In this regard, in March 2021, with the authorisation of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the Standing Committee of the NPC adopted the amended Annexes I and II to the Basic Law covering the method for the selection of the Chief Executive and the method for the formation of the Legislative Council respectively. The Hong Kong SAR Government subsequently gazetted the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Ordinance 2021, which was passed by the Legislative Council and came into effect in May.

 

At the same time, the Public Offices (Candidacy & Taking Up Offices) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2021 came into effect on May 21, which enhances the oath-taking requirement for public officers, including District Council members, as well as provides for the handling mechanism for breach of oaths. On top of all government officials and civil servants who have already pledged, the oath-taking by District Council members is now underway. The Hong Kong SAR Government will also gradually extend the oath-taking to officers of certain statutory bodies; let me make it clear that the oath only requires one’s affirmation to uphold the Basic Law and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR in accordance with the law, which any person holding a public position in Hong Kong could hardly dispute.

 

With the full implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” and the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Hong Kong SAR Government is now well equipped to prevent and suppress acts endangering national security, focus our attention and energy to address Hong Kong people’s concerns in the social, livelihood and economic fields, achieve good governance for the public good, and make best use of the opportunities in the Greater Bay Area so as to ensure the continued prosperity of Hong Kong.

 

I am sure that as long term stability and safety are achieved, even more opportunities await. Hence, I hope you will join me in supporting the Hong Kong National Security Law and the improvement of our electoral system, and together we shall explore and capture the vast opportunities ahead.

 

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung gave these remarks at a side event webinar at the 48th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on September 23.

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HK set to become tech hub

Research and development (R&D) is always the foundation of innovation and technology (I&T), and we have invested heavily in encouraging and supporting local R&D works. Apart from supporting R&D activities through various schemes, the Government has also been fostering technology transfer and realisation of R&D results. One of the good examples is to foster the development of local technology startups from our universities by launching the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities under the Innovation & Technology Fund to support teams from our local universities, including Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), in starting technology businesses and commercialising their R&D results. Annual funding provided to each university has been increased up to $8 million, and each startup may receive up to $1.5 million per year for a maximum of three years. Since its inception, the support scheme has provided funding support to 334 startups with a total amount of $250 million.

      

Quality infrastructure and facilities for R&D are also indispensable for promoting I&T. We have set up two InnoHK research clusters focusing on two major areas, namely healthcare technologies and artificial intelligence as well as robotics technologies. We aim to pool in top-notch researchers all over the world via this initiative to consolidate Hong Kong’s leading position as the hub for global research collaboration. The first batch of some 20 R&D laboratories including world-renowned universities and research institutes, as well as our local universities, have begun operation in the Science Park. I am so grateful for the support and participation of CUHK in this InnoHK initiative. Last month, the Chief Executive visited the Microbiota I-Center, MagIC, and I am particularly impressed by the research team’s vision to have a new pharmaceutical and healthcare frontier in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

      

Outstanding institutes and excellent researchers in Hong Kong will definitely have bigger roles to play on the road of building Hong Kong into an international I&T hub, leveraging the vast opportunities brought about by the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the GBA development. I sincerely hope that CUHK and the academia can seize every opportunity ahead and embrace the country’s support, thereby bringing more impetus to the research and innovation sector in Hong Kong.

 

Secretary for Innovation & Technology Alfred Sit gave these remarks at the CUHK Innovation Day 2021 on September 23.

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SJ to meet Legal Subsector

The Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections were held successfully yesterday. It signifies an important milestone in Hong Kong’s democratic electoral system.

 

I would like to extend my congratulations to all the elected members, including the 15 members from the Legal Subsector. They will be joined by the ex-officio members, nominees by eligible bodies and candidates who have been returned uncontested to form the new term of the Election Committee which is entrusted with the important task of nomination and election of the Chief Executive. They are also given two new functions in the electoral system – nomination of candidates for the Legislative Council election and election of 40 LegCo members.

 

Political security is fundamental to national security. I am very grateful to the National People’s Congress for swiftly making a decision on improving our electoral system in accordance with the law after carefully considering the actual situation of Hong Kong. It ensures the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”, safeguarding the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country, as well as ensuring the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

 

It has come to my attention that the turnover rate in the Legal Subsector is 100%, demonstrating that the legal sector has placed great importance to the elections. I will arrange for a meeting with all the Election Committee members from the Legal Subsector at the soonest possible so that we can jointly explore ways to seize the opportunities brought about by the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Greater Bay Area development and the Qianhai Plan, as well as integrate the needs of the country with the strengths of Hong Kong. We are determined to establish Hong Kong as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region so as to facilitate the long-term development of Hong Kong, the bay area as well as the whole country by proactively participating in the national development.

 

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on September 20.

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Green initiatives create prospects

Before I speak on Hong Kong’s “going green” agenda, let me first express my appreciation to the European Union Office to Hong Kong & Macao and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong for jointly organising this event with InvestHK serving as a partner. With the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) due to take place later this year in Glasgow, it is indeed timely to focus our minds on this global issue. In fact, prior to COP26, my Government will publish a Climate Action Plan to map out the road to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, a pledge I made in my Policy Address last year.

 

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report released last month highlights the urgent need to tackle human-induced climate change, which is unequivocally affecting climate and weather extremes, and doing so in every corner of the world. While the world is still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, we must also gear up to act to limit global warming and the catastrophic consequences it can have for us all. On both COVID-19 and climate change, governments all over the world must act in concert; there is no room for confrontation or politicisation.

 

Hong Kong has been an active participant in global efforts to combat climate change since China signed the Paris Agreement in April 2016, and included Hong Kong in its pledge. Less than a year later, we produced the Climate Action Plan 2030+. I still remember as the then Chief Secretary, I was chairing an inter-bureau/departmental steering committee and authorised that plan. Among other things, the plan set a target to reduce our carbon intensity by 65% to 70% between 2005 and 2030. I am pleased to say that we should be on target. Hong Kong’s carbon emissions peaked in 2014. By 2019, our carbon intensity was about 35% lower than the 2005 baseline year. This achievement has been made possible by the implementation of carbon reduction measures set out in our Climate Action Plan, including substantial investment in low-carbon technologies and infrastructure.

 

Indeed, over the last decade, we have allocated more than five billion euros to energy-saving and renewable-energy programmes and measures. In addition, with electricity generation being the predominant source of carbon emissions in Hong Kong, accounting for 66%, our two power companies are investing some 4.3 billion euros in decarbonisation projects over a 10-year span facilitated under their Scheme of Control Agreements with the Government. And my Government has put in place requirements that the power companies use cleaner fuel for electricity generation. As a result, last year, the share of coal accounted for less than one quarter of the fuel mix for electricity generation. That is substantially lower than coal’s share – about 50% – just six years ago. Gas-fired units now generate about half of our electricity. I should add that the two power companies will continue to phase out their existing coal-fired generating units, gradually replacing them with natural gas and non-fossil fuels.

 

Turning to renewable energy, while Hong Kong’s geographical environment restricts its development, we are determined to maximise its potential. For example, the Government has set aside about 300 million euros to install small-scale renewable energy systems on government premises. And, in co-operation with the two power companies, we have established a Feed-in Tariff Scheme to encourage the community to invest in distributed renewable energy. This scheme has proven to be very popular and to date, more than 16,000 applications have been received, and over 14,000 of which have been approved. These, we estimate, will generate sufficient renewable energy to meet the electricity demands of some 67,000 households in Hong Kong.

 

Our transport sector accounted for about 18% of Hong Kong’s carbon emissions in 2019. To lower that, we have put in place a variety of initiatives, including the New Energy Transport Fund. The fund encourages the transport sector to test and adopt innovative green technology.

 

We are also supporting electric vehicles (EVs), offering first registration tax concessions and launching a 220 million Euro EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme. The initiative promotes the installation of EV charging facilities in the car parks of residential buildings. Six months ago, we published a roadmap on popularising EVs. Its purpose is to help Hong Kong reach zero vehicular emissions before 2050. Hand in hand with this is the Government’s landmark decision to cease the new registration of fuel-propelled private cars by 2035. That fits smoothly with our carbon-neutrality target.

 

In February, the Government announced the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035. It will tackle the waste sector, which accounted for some 7% of our carbon emissions in 2019. In this, the Government will work with the industry and the community. Our goal is to reduce per capita municipal solid waste disposal by up to 45%, while raising the recovery rate to about 55% in the medium term. Eventually, we plan to move away from reliance on landfills, replacing them with waste-to-energy and waste-to-resources facilities. Zero waste landfill is the objective. The passing of the municipal waste charging legislation in the Legislative Council last month has certainly given us a major boost in our waste management efforts.

 

Finance plays a key role in creating a low-carbon world. And Hong Kong, one of the world’s leading financial centres, is committed to becoming a global leader in green finance. It helps that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Outline Development Plan supports Hong Kong’s development as the region’s green finance centre. Last year, we established the Green & Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group. Chaired jointly by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Securities & Futures Commission, the group’s goal is to accelerate the growth of green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong and support the Government’s climate strategies.

 

We are no less committed to green bonds. In 2018, we introduced our first Government Green Bond Programme. It came with a borrowing ceiling of nearly 11 billion euros. To date, through two offerings, we have launched US$3.5 billion green bonds. In both, I learnt that no less than 20% of the bonds were allocated to European investors. This is a ringing endorsement of European investor confidence in Hong Kong’s credit strengths and economic fundamentals. It also illustrates our shared commitment to promoting sustainable development and combating climate change. To enable Hong Kong to go further, we have already got LegCo’s approval to double the borrowing ceiling of the Green Bond Programme to about 22 billion euros. That should allow the issuance of green bonds worth more than 19 billion euros over the next few years.

 

These and other green initiatives will go a long way towards limiting climate change in Hong Kong. They will also create business prospects, including more than 5,000 employment opportunities over the coming few years. In addition, the Government’s drive to reduce carbon in electricity generation will boost investment in the private sector, estimated to create another 5,000 employment opportunities.

 

We need more young people to join us in this green journey, which is why the Environment Bureau launched a Graduates Subsidy Programme last year and renewed it again this year. The programme subsidises private companies and organisations wishing to employ fresh graduates specialising in areas related to environmental protection, green energy, sustainable development and more.

 

For the EU community, these endeavours could easily be translated into business prospects and sharing of technological know-how. We have seen this in almost all the advanced environmental facilities built in recent years – from T·PARK and WEEE·Park to O·PARK1 and I·PARK, involving companies from France, Germany, Spain and Belgium. On the automotive sector, the popularisation of EVs will mean plenty of opportunities for bringing in European brands. As for green finance, I am sure my colleague Chris Hui, the Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, will have more to say. And all these new technologies adopted in Hong Kong will have a much bigger market – the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area – to tap.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, China is committed to achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. Hong Kong aspires to become a green leader, in infrastructure, in finance, transport, leisure and more. To that end, we will continue to be an active participant in combating climate change. And we will continue our participation in such global gatherings as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.

 

To underline the Government’s commitment, I am chairing a new Steering Committee on Climate Change & Carbon Neutrality. It will lead the way for the Government in mapping out our climate strategy. The steering committee is now finalising an updated Climate Action Plan for Hong Kong to be published shortly after my 2021 Policy Address to be delivered on October 6, and I look forward to receiving your feedback on the plan.

 

Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the EU & Hong Kong: The Green Way forum on September 16.

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Reliable logistics help fight virus

We are living in unusual times, and if there is one thing that I have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic it is this – we need to work together to defeat the virus. The fact that this year’s Logistics Summit is held in person here at Hong Kong Science Park as well as in cyberspace is another indication that we are adapting to a new normal way of life and working together to combat the virus. No doubt the knowledge sharing among the summit’s speakers and participants around the world will help to maintain the momentum in our joint efforts to resume normal economic and social activity.

 

I believe you would agree that so many of us can meet here today indicates that we have so far successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. Our strategy in the fight against the virus has been, from the outset, guided by facts and science and implemented as swiftly and as transparently as possible. The key measures to combat COVID-19 include immigration control, quarantine and isolation, social distancing, virus testing, contact tracing and vaccination. Innovations and advances in technology have helped in each step of the way. I am personally involved in a number of these measures as our colleagues looking after health policy understandably have too much on their plates. I am delighted to have this opportunity to share with you some experiences on how we have reached where we are today, and how logistics and technology played a vital part in our combat against COVID-19.

 

Although logistics and anti-epidemic work may apparently seem remote, in many cases good logistics support is the prerequisite of the latter. Let me share with you two stories on logistics, one is the Universal Community Testing Programme, or UCTP for short, and the other is the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

 

The UCTP was launched this time last year. In the first two weeks of September 2020, we invited all members of the public to be tested using combined nasal and throat swabs. It was during the time when the third wave of the epidemic was on the declining path. Once the decision to launch the programme was made, the testing programme had to be implemented as soon as possible as we had to act quickly to get the COVID-19 situation back under control – we only had two weeks to get ourselves ready and to roll out the programme.

 

Thanks to many government colleagues, including the Innovation & Technology Bureau, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and many others, and outside parties, an online booking system and more than 140 community testing centres were set up across the city at very short notice. The manpower logistics alone were challenging: some 6,000 healthcare personnel, 4,000 serving and retiring civil servants and 2,000 supporting staff were recruited to support the UCTP. They helped in the operation of the testing centres, information and technology, logistics, safety management and the 24-hour hotline.

 

Among the many moving parts, let me use the humble testing bottles as an example of the logistical challenges. While testing bottles may look fairly plain, they need to be properly imported and stored upon arrival in Hong Kong; delivered to the testing centres, not just at any time but at the appropriate time; paired with the right person; collected and tracked after specimens were taken; and finally delivered to the laboratory. All these involved forecasts of inventory and delivery, real time tracking of each and every bottle, and the digitalisation of such information depended on a reliable and sophisticated logistics chain.

 

With the unfailing support of our logistics partners, most notably Logistics & Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM), we completed the testing of more than 1.78 million people during the two-week period.

 

Apart from the immediate effect of identifying more than 40 positive cases, and halting the potential spreading chains in the community, the UCTP was a key milestone in our anti-epidemic work. It achieved very positive effects in the longer term –

 

(a) We built up a much higher virus testing capacity and enhanced our capability to conduct virus testing, especially when there is a rapid surge of cases;

 

(b) The general population is now much more receptive to virus testing and aware of the importance of early identification of COVID-19 cases.

 

(c) It has paved the way for the subsequent introduction of other anti-epidemic measures, including the three-tier testing strategy, comprising compulsory testing, targeted testing and voluntary testing, and the restriction-testing declaration or RTD. Under RTD, residents within a specified restricted area are required to stay in their premises, usually overnight, and undergo compulsory testing until all have done so and the test results have been ascertained.

 

Soon after we have successfully concluded the UCTP, another challenge, as well as opportunity, was then presented – the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

 

We firmly believe that large-scale vaccination is the best way, perhaps the only way, to defeat the pandemic. Our vaccination programme formally started on February 26, 2021, and has lasted for more than six months now. As of yesterday, we have already administered 8 million doses; 4.3 million people have received their first jab. Judging from the latest trend, particularly on the declining trend, we anticipate that 70% of our eligible population – those aged 12 or above – will have received at least one dose by next month.

 

Hong Kong is fortunate to have stable and sufficient supplies of vaccines to support our vaccination programme. People have a choice of two vaccines, Sinovac or BioNTech. Members of the public can receive free shots through various channels, including 29 community vaccination centres, over 1,000 private clinics, and more than 1,000 residential care homes. In addition, we have conducted outreach vaccination services to workplaces, theme parks, shopping malls, elderly centres, schools and the local community. Our objective is to boost the vaccination rate by making it easier and more convenient for people to receive the jabs, particularly the elderly.

 

The success of our vaccination programme hinges on reliable and effective logistics. The supply chain readiness is key to efficiently deploying COVID-19 vaccines to the population across all delivery channels. This is particularly the case for the BioNTech vaccine, which must be stored at special facilities at minus 70 degrees Celsius. At the same time, COVID-19 vaccines are scarce and have a short shelf life, so cold chain equipment, temperature monitoring, vaccine distribution, inventory management and monitoring mechanisms need to be particularly rigorous and efficient.

 

With the assistance again from our partner LSCM, we have deployed solutions underpinned by the latest technology. We have made good use of real-time inventory management systems with special features such as secured point-to-point electronic lock and instant stock-tracking functions to monitor the lot number, the expiry time and usage of every single vaccine vial.

 

The systems have enabled us to ensure the traceability of COVID-19 vaccines in dispensing and dilution processes, to meet the stringent quality control requirements of the vaccines. It safeguards the stock in storage and during the distribution and reduces wastage of the precious vaccines. The information is not only useful in ensuring the integrity of the vaccine in the supply chain, but also enables us to capture essential data to provide useful management statistics and information. We can predict and constantly monitor the stock level as well as the local ultra-cold chain capacity, including surge capacity, to deploy vaccine supplies and respond quickly to any gaps in supply. A smooth and trusted vaccination process also gives people extra peace of mind when they are considering whether to have the jab.

 

I have highlighted how logistics has played an essential role in our testing and vaccination programmes, areas where my colleagues and I are directly involved.

 

Hong Kong has worked hard to contain the spread of COVID-19, achieving a zero infection rate for a period of time, but we are not out of the woods yet. The emergence of new virus mutant variants and an uneven global recovery from the pandemic continue to cause concern. Experiences of other places remind us all that the tide can change quickly, in a matter of days. We therefore cannot let our guard down. We will make use of the current narrow window of the zero infection situation in Hong Kong to shore up our defences. We have to build double barriers against COVID-19. That is building a strong wall to prevent the importation of cases and a protective shield for the community through vaccination.

 

To build the double barriers, we have revamped and streamlined the risk profiling of overseas places, and we continuously monitor and revise the travel, testing and quarantine arrangements for people travelling to Hong Kong to plug any loopholes. We understand that maintaining a 21-day quarantine period for Hong Kong people returning from designated high risk places is very tough and inconvenient. At the same time, I hope we appreciate that the stringent measures have successfully suppressed the virus and prevented a rebound in Hong Kong, despite the resurgence and the widespread transmission of the Delta variant globally. As a matter of fact, in just the past two weeks we have identified 70 imported cases, preventing a potentially devastating chain of infection in the community. You could imagine the chain of infection if these cases were leaked into the community.

 

As for the building of a protective shield for the community through vaccination, we appreciate that at present about 64% of the eligible population have taken their first jab in response to our call for early vaccination. I have to say that given the very low infection rate in Hong Kong and the unique characteristics of our society, it is by no means easy nor could we take it for granted for us to reach where we are today in terms of the vaccination rate. That said, our weakest link is the low vaccination rate among the elderly population. So far only 27% of elderly aged 70 or above and 13% of those aged 80 or above have taken their first jab; less than 10% of the residents of elderly homes have received the first dose of the vaccination. We cannot underestimate the risks to the elderly population should there be a new wave of infection. The elderly are the most vulnerable to COVID-19 as they have a higher risk of severe illness or even death if they become infected. Therefore, in the coming days and months, we will invest resources to reach out to the elderly through district networks, and to appeal to them and their family members to act and encourage their relatives to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, the pandemic has presented us, and the whole world, with serious challenges to our society and economy. Overcoming these challenges will require a constant stream of new ideas, technology and solutions. Working closely with logistics partners to implement testing and vaccination programmes in Hong Kong has been a very rewarding experience for me and my colleagues. I am confident that industry experts, such as your good selves, will continue to explore new and innovative solutions, not just to combat COVID-19, but also to gear up for the new normal post-pandemic economy.

 

 

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip gave these remarks at the Logistics & Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre Logistics Summit 2021 on September 10.

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Qianhai plan boosts HK

The Plan for Comprehensive Deepening Reform & Opening Up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone was promulgated by the Central Government yesterday, under which Qianhai will be developed into a new platform for Guangdong-Hong Kong co-operation, aiming to establish a new system for a higher-level open economy and build a globally competitive business environment preliminarily. The total area of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone is eight times of the existing one, increasing from 14.92 sq km to 120.56 sq km.

 

A higher level of opening up in legal matters and the establishment of an international legal services centre and an international commercial dispute resolution centre in the region have been clearly stated in the Qianhai plan. After the expansion of the zone, the number of registered Hong Kong-invested enterprises will definitely be higher than the present number of 11,500. In other words, more opportunities will be created for the legal and dispute resolution sector. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks on behalf of the sector to the central government for its support and care. The Department of Justice (DoJ) will join hands with the legal sector to seize the opportunities and utilise the expertise to integrate into the overall national development.

 

In respect of the legal and dispute resolution matters, five points can be collated from the measures set out in the Qianhai plan as below:

 

(1) Explore ways to improve the mechanism for wholly owned Hong Kong enterprises (WOKEs) to adopt Hong Kong law and choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong

 

The regulations of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone implemented last October and the Opinions of the Supreme People’s Court on Providing Judicial Guarantee for the Building of Pilot Free Trade Zones announced some years ago demonstrated the feasibility for WOKEs to adopt Hong Kong law and choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong. With the expansion of the Qianhai co-operation zone, the number of enterprises that are applicable to adopt such measures will no doubt increase. The DoJ will continue to explore ways of improving the mechanism with relevant Mainland authorities and strive to better implement such measures in Qianhai.

 

(2) Establish a new mechanism for civil and commercial judicial assistance and exchanges

 

The judicial assistance measure for mutual recognition of and assistance to corporate insolvency proceedings and debt restructuring implemented earlier illustrated the feasibility of cross-border insolvency co-operation. The DoJ and Shenzhen will jointly explore the enhancement of the implementation mechanism in this area, as well as different legal systems and cross-border legal regulatory interface to further facilitate the assistance and exchanges of all parties.

 

(3) Deepen the reform of the partnership association mechanism

 

In 2019, the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province removed the restriction of the minimum capital injection ratio of 30% by Hong Kong partner firms in the partnership associations set up between Mainland and Hong Kong law firms, encouraging and facilitating more Hong Kong law firms to establish partnership associations to provide a one-stop shop of cross-jurisdictional legal services in the Mainland. Coupled with the GBA Legal Professional Examination, more lawyers familiar with the laws of the two places will be available for the Qianhai co-operation zone for seizing the business opportunities together. This can play a leading role to demonstrate to the legal professions of the two places for exploring the ways to deepen the reform mechanism, with a view to providing high-level legal services to the business community.

 

(4) Support and encourage the establishment of representative offices

 

With the support of the governments of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, South China International Arbitration Center (HK), and Des Voeux Chambers will serve as the first batch of Hong Kong institutions to join the Greater Bay Area International Arbitration Centre exchange and co-operation platform. The platform embodies the collaboration between the industries of both places and is committed to jointly build an international investment arbitration and mediation mechanism in the Qianhai co-operation zone.

 

(5) Jointly promote the international commercial dispute resolution business

 

Hong Kong has a pool of experienced professionals in legal and dispute resolution services, and is also the only common law jurisdiction within China. Shenzhen has been actively developing a one-stop dispute resolution platform for mediation, arbitration and litigation, and a huge market has been created by the policies on Qianhai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution services sector shall make good use of the measures under the Qianhai plan, while following the principle of complementary and mutually beneficial as well as joint construction and shared benefits, to complement Qianhai’s development, so as to jointly promote the international commercial dispute resolution business.

 

Following the successful rollout of the bay area Legal Professional Examination, more legal practitioners who are familiar with the legal matters of the two places will be available for the Qianhai co-operation zone and the bay area, enabling the effective implementation of above policies. As such, we believe that more enterprises will be attracted to invest in the bay area.

 

The DoJ and the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with the support of the Hong Kong Law Society, will co-host a seminar on Hong Kong legal professionals’ practice and other opportunities in the bay area this Thursday (September 9). It is our honour to have central government officials to explain to the Hong Kong sector, the policies beneficial to Hong Kong and the opportunities in the bay area. Different sectors of Hong Kong should, on the premise of “one country, two systems” and under the principle of pursuing mutual benefit and win-win co-operation, continue to integrate the needs of the country with the strengths of Hong Kong, and further enhance the city’s advantages, in order to foster the long term development of Hong Kong, the bay area and our country, and more importantly, to strengthen Hong Kong people’s sense of belonging to the nation and boost their national identity.

 

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on September 7.

via Moroccan Trader Qianhai plan boosts HK

Jab aids post-COVID recovery

The “fantastic four” fairs are expected to attract more than 30,000 trade buyers, from Hong Kong and around the world. They are keen to connect, source and do business, in person and online, with some 1,000 exhibiting brands.

 

It is heartening to see this compelling show of confidence. And it is led, I am pleased to say, by some of my favourite sectors: food and beverage, hospitality and retail.

 

Now in its 19th edition, HOFEX presents another inspired programme of events and activities, including the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic. I understand that more than 300 chefs, cooks and other food aficionados will battle it out over afternoon tea, pastry and Chinese and Western cuisine.

 

The Hong Kong Coffee Competition and the Foodtech Asia seminar are among the fair’s stimulating new offerings.

 

And I am pleased to see that ProWine Hong Kong is once again a featured event alongside HOFEX. Highlights include a series of masterclasses of wine and spirits, with Japan and California in the spotlight this year.

 

Hong Kong may not be blessed with vineyards. But we are Asia’s pre-eminent wine trading and distribution centre. That is thanks to our long-standing experience in the wine trade, world-class logistics infrastructure, zero wine duties and our singular ties to the Mainland.

 

That Hong Kong is hosting four high-profile trade fairs over the next three days is testimony to the resilience of our convention and exhibition industry and our unwavering belief in the business, and in the value, of trade.

 

The Government fully supports the industry and the critical importance of its speedy recovery. Which is why we have put aside a $1-billion Convention & Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme for exhibition and convention organisers. And today’s event is one of the scheme’s beneficiaries.

 

That said, vaccination is by far the most comprehensive and cost-effective means of beating COVID-19 and moving into the post-pandemic economy.

 

The Government’s Early Vaccination for All campaign offers free and easy vaccination throughout the community. If you have not yet to be vaccinated, I urge you to do so. For your family, your business and your future.

 

Financial Secretary Paul Chan gave these remarks at the joint opening ceremony of HOFEX, ProWine Hong Kong, Natural & Organic Asia & Retail Asia Conference & Expo on September 7.

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More law activities set for students

The Department of Justice is always committed to upholding the rule of law. Last year, we launched the Vision 2030 for Rule of Law initiative to promote the proper understanding of the rule of law in the community especially among the youth. In the coming new school year, the department will continue to introduce diversified activities for primary and secondary students to advance their understanding and practice of the rule of law.

 

In February this year, the department, through touring drama performances for all citywide primary schools, conveys the basic concepts of the rule of law and cultivates law-abiding awareness in a lively and interesting way to students. As to secondary students, the department supports the launch of the Pilot Scheme on Rule of Law Education for Secondary School Students by the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute (HKPRI) in the 2020-21 academic year. Lawyers were invited to serve as facilitators while law students and graduates served as ambassadors. Secondary students are able to grasp the proper core concepts of the rule of law after taking part in seminars, interactive games and group discussions.

 

The department also assists in the preparation of teaching materials on the rule of law. For instance, the Basic Law Foundation’s e-Resources for Rule of Law & the Basic Law, which was supported by the department, provides a series of teaching materials on the Constitution, the Basic Law and the rule of law for teachers of secondary schools. At the same time, the department is in support of the training course “Respecting the Law, Reinforcing the Rule of Law” co-organised by the Endeavour Education Centre and the Education Bureau for teachers from both primary and secondary schools. The course covers topics including the Constitution, the Basic Law, national security, Hong Kong’s legal system and the rule of law, etc., with a view to fostering the promotion of the rule of law education.

 

In the new school year, the department will not only continue the above programmes, but also stand ready to introduce the Rule of Law Enlightenment Programme to further promote the rule of law in a more interesting way with enriched content. To name a few:

 

School talks: students can raise questions at the talk to enhance interaction; Prosecution Week: Quiz and visit to courts will be arranged for students; Rule of Law Journey: students can learn more of the legal development through visits to the Hong Kong Legal Hub.

 

To highlight the importance of abiding by the law and the application of law in our daily life, the department will organise a law quiz competition for primary students. A video competition will be held in which secondary students are encouraged to share their thoughts on the rule of law.

 

If you are interested in any of our programmes, please do not hesitate to read the latest booklet on Vision 2030 for Rule of Law.

 

The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success. Everyone in society shoulders the responsibility to promote the proper concept of the rule of law. I would like to thank the HKPRI, the Basic Law Foundation and the Endeavour Education Centre for joining hands with the department in supporting rule of law education. The department will actively strengthen rule of law education so as to further enhance the proper understanding and practice of the rule of law amongst youth.

 

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on September 4.

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