kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Appointments of Private Columbaria Appeal Board members
29.9.2017

The Chief Executive has appointed 28 persons, on an ad personam basis, as panel members of the Private Columbaria Appeal Board for a three-year term from September 29, 2017, to September 28, 2020. The appointments were gazetted today (September 29). The Private Columbaria Appeal Board was established under section 83 of the Private Columbaria Ordinance (Cap. 630). An Appeal Board consisting of a presiding officer (principally the Chairperson or a Deputy Chairperson) and four panel members will be constituted to hear and determine an appeal lodged by an applicant or a holder of a specified instrument who is aggrieved by a decision made by the Private Columbaria Licensing Board or the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene referred to in section 84(1) of the Ordinance. All presiding officers of the Appeal Boards are legally qualified as defined in section 82 of the Ordinance. The regulation of private columbaria involves complicated and sensitive issues. There is a balanced mix of panel members from diverse backgrounds. The 28 panel members have expertise in legal, planning, land, building, surveying, architectural, engineering, community, social work, education and consumer protection fields relevant to the work of the Appeal Board, and possess experience in serving on appeal boards/tribunals and participating in public and community services. Amongst them, the Chairperson, Mr Ambrose Ho, and the Deputy Chairpersons, Mr Frederick Chan, Mr Kenneth Kwok and Dr William Wong, are all seasoned barristers and have rich experience in presiding over appeal boards/tribunals. Mr Ho has extensive experience in leading various statutory boards, including the Telecommunications (Competition Provisions) Appeal Board, the former Broadcasting Authority and the Communications Authority. The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, welcomed the panel members, and said she believes that with the leadership of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairmen and the joint efforts of panel members, the Appeal Board will rise admirably to the challenges ahead. The membership list of the Appeal Board for the first term is as follows: Chairperson Mr Ambrose Ho, SC Deputy Chairpersons Mr Frederick Chan Hing-fai Mr Kenneth Kwok Hing-wai, SC Dr William Wong Ming-fung, SC Members Mr Chan Hak-kan Ms Bonnie Chan Jo-ying Mrs Pamela Chan Wong Shui Dr Chau Chi-kwan Mr Chiu Kam-kuen Dr Catherine Chong Shiu-yin Dr Choy Hung-tat Mr Ivan Fu Chin-shing Mr Nevin Ho Chi-lok Mr Sunny Ho Lap-kee Mr Lincoln Huang Ling-hang Mr Spencer Kwan Tin-che Mr Alex Lai Ting-hong Miss Queenie Fiona Lau Mr Ben Leung Chi-hung Mr Philip Leung Kwong-hon Mr Fred Li Wah-ming Mr Thomas Lo Sui-sing Mr Timothy Ma Kam-wah Mr Aidan Tam Lon-foong Mr Tang Chi-wang Mr Aaron Wan Chi-keung Mr Wu Kam-fai Miss Vivian Yu Yuk-ying Information about the Appeal Board is available for public information at the website on the Appeal Board ( www.pcab.hk ). Ends/Friday, September 29, 2017 Issued at HKT 14:25 NNNN
Celebrations to mark 68th National Day
29.9.2017

A series of celebration activities will be held in Hong Kong on October 1 (Sunday) to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Major activities will include a flag-raising ceremony and a National Day reception in the morning, and a variety show and a fireworks display in the evening. The flag-raising ceremony will be held at 8am at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai. The Chief Executive will join some 2 400 people at the ceremony including invited guests, senior government officials, and members of uniformed groups and community groups. The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and a mixed choir from Diocesan Boys' School and Diocesan Girls' School will sing the national anthem under lead singers Frankie Liu and Alison Lau, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services. A number of Invited Guests Viewing Areas will be designated for the exclusive use of invited guests, members of uniformed groups and community groups. Members of the public are also welcome to watch the ceremony from a Designated Public Viewing Area with a capacity for about 1 000 viewers. The Designated Public Viewing Area can be accessed through the footbridge leading from Harbour Centre to Convention Avenue and Expo Drive East. To ensure the smooth running of the flag-raising ceremony, people must remain in their respective areas and observe the regulations and directions given by the authorities on-site. Hosted by the Chief Executive, the National Day reception will be held after the flag-raising ceremony at the Grand Hall, Level 3, HKCEC. About 3 800 invited guests will attend, including members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the consular corps, senior government officials, community group leaders and members of various community sectors. The two lead singers, the school choir and the Police Band will perform and sing the national anthem at the reception. In addition, there will be an entertainment programme performed by the local a cappella choral theatre group Yat Po Singers and dance art group Studiodanz. At 7pm, the Organising Committee of Compatriots in Hong Kong in Celebration of the 68th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China will present a variety show at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom. A spectacular fireworks display will start at 9pm at Victoria Harbour to celebrate National Day. It will last about 23 minutes. People planning to watch the fireworks display on either side of Victoria Harbour are requested to behave in a safe and orderly manner and follow the advice of police officers. They should also pay attention to the special traffic arrangements for the National Day celebration activities announced by the Government. Ends/Friday, September 29, 2017 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Appointment of Chairman of Market Misconduct Tribunal and Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal
29.9.2017

The Chief Executive has re-appointed former Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Michael John Hartmann, as the Chairman of the Market Misconduct Tribunal (MMT) for a term of three years from December 1, 2017 to November 30, 2020, and as the Chairman of the Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal (SFAT) for a term of three years from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. Announcing the appointment today (September 29), the Financial Secretary said, "Mr Hartmann has made invaluable contributions to the effective performance of both tribunals over the years.” Both the MMT and the SFAT are established under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) (SFO). The MMT deals with six types of market misconduct, namely insider dealing, false trading, price rigging, disclosure of information about prohibited transactions, disclosure of false or misleading information inducing transactions, and stock market manipulation. In addition to these, the MMT is empowered to deal with the breaches of disclosure requirements on price sensitive information of listed corporations. The SFAT has jurisdiction to review specified decisions made under the SFO by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and an investor compensation company recognised by the SFC. It serves as an effective safeguard to ensure that the relevant regulatory decisions are reasonable and fair. Mr Kenneth Kwok Hing-wai and Mr Garry Tallentire, former Deputy Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, are the other serving Chairmen of the MMT and SFAT. The Chairman of each tribunal conducts hearings with the assistance of two members appointed by the Financial Secretary. Ends/Friday, September 29, 2017 Issued at HKT 11:30 NNNN
CE meets new Liaison Office Director
28.9.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the new Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Wang Zhimin, at Government House today (September 28). Mrs Lam extended a warm welcome to Mr Wang, who served in the Liaison Office a few years ago, on his return to Hong Kong to assume the post of Director of the Liaison Office. She said she believed that under Mr Wang's leadership, the Liaison Office will continue to support the work of the HKSAR Government in accordance with the Basic Law and the "one country, two systems" principle, so as to help maintain and contribute to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Noting that the country's current economic development, its opening up policy, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development present Hong Kong with tremendous opportunities, she expressed the hope that the Liaison Office will continue to help promote co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland to enable Hong Kong to give full play to its unique advantages and boost developments in various areas. She also expressed her gratitude to Mr Wang for his support for work on Hong Kong's young people over the years, and said she looked forward to joining with him to explore more opportunities and provide assistance for Hong Kong youths who would like to exchange, study, and take part in internship programmes in the Mainland and develop careers there. Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2017 Issued at HKT 20:49 NNNN
CE meets leaders of Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province
27.9.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, Mr Li Qiang, and the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee, Mr Tang Yijun, separately today (September 27) to explore ways to strengthen Hong Kong’s co-operation and exchanges with Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province. Mrs Lam met Mr Tang at the Chief Executive's Office in the morning. Welcoming Mr Tang's visit to Hong Kong again to attend the 2017 Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum organised by the Ningbo Municipal People's Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, she said that the Forum has become an annual major event which contributes positively to the wide-ranging exchanges and development of the two places. Noting that both Hong Kong and Zhejiang Province are keen to facilitate the implementation of the national Belt and Road Initiative, she expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Zhejiang Province, including Ningbo, would strengthen co-operation in port logistics business, high-end maritime services and other professional services to seize together the opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative. She said that the Zhejiang Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government which officially opened in April this year will actively promote exchanges between the two places in various areas. Mrs Lam met Mr Li at Government House in the evening. She welcomed Mr Li’s first delegation visit to Hong Kong after his assumption of office as the Secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and congratulated Jiangsu on the successful conclusion of the Jiangsu-Hong Kong Summit on Interconnected Development today. She said that trade and economic connections between Hong Kong and Jiangsu Province have always been close and that Hong Kong is not only the major source of external investment in Jiangsu, but also the primary platform for Jiangsu enterprises to "go global". As an economically vibrant province, Jiangsu holds an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Noting that Hong Kong is an international financial centre and offshore Renminbi business hub with extensive and strong connections with markets around the world and a large pool of professional talent well versed in international regulations, she said she looked forward to providing necessary support in respect of investment and financing as well as professional services for Jiangsu's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. At the meetings, Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the Governments of Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province for their staunch support for Hong Kong's work on youth development. She said she hoped to continue the co-operation with Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province to strengthen exchanges between young people in Hong Kong and the two provinces and implement the Central Government's policy to roll out various measures to assist Hong Kong people to study, work and live in the Mainland. Ends/Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Issued at HKT 20:36 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
26.9.2017

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (September 26): Reporter: Do you think there is an urgent need to legislate on the bus driver working hours after the incident? Chief Executive: I think it is not a question of legislation. It is a question of how we can ensure the bus operation is safe in Hong Kong, which requires also not only regulation on the part of government, but also full support and co-operation of the bus companies. But on a broader scale, it also concerns an issue of labour supply. So the government will tackle this both at the more macro level of labour supply and also at the operational level with the various bus companies. But I certainly do not believe that everything needs a legislative regulation. We need to find pragmatic solutions to some of the problems we are facing. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, September 26, 2017 Issued at HKT 11:14 NNNN
CE meets CPPCC Vice-Chairman and Minister of Science and Technology
23.9.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Minister of Science and Technology of the Central People's Government Professor Wan Gang at Government House this evening (September 23). Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to Professor Wang for his support over the years for the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong, and for visiting Hong Kong to attend the InnoTech Expo 2017 and a seminar with young entrepreneurs tomorrow (September 24). Committed to developing the local innovation and technology industry to boost economic growth, the current term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will act as a facilitator and a promoter proactively to create a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and technology, she said. Mrs Lam said that in addition to the implementation of policies and measures to support the development of innovation and technology, the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to enhancing co-operation with the Mainland in this field to bring about mutual benefits. In particular, Hong Kong and Shenzhen have already been collaborating on a number of projects in recent years, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in January this year to establish the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop. The Park will be a key base for co-operation in scientific research, and relevant higher education, cultural and creative and other complementary facilities will be set up. Noting that the on-going Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area city cluster development plan is set to bring co-operation in innovation and technology in the area to a new level, she said Hong Kong will leverage on its advantages under "one country, two systems", including the judicial system, the intellectual property protection regime and the financial system to complement and develop with the other cities in the area. Ends/Saturday, September 23, 2017 Issued at HKT 22:54 NNNN
CE continues visit to UK
23.9.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to London, the United Kingdom (UK), today (September 22, London time). Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, started the day by visiting the Hamlyn Centre of the Imperial College London. The Hamlyn Centre aims to develop safe, effective and accessible medical technologies. She was delighted that it has established collaboration with the Chinese University of Hong Kong on education and research related to healthcare innovation and biomedical robotics. Noting that the current term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will spare no effort in promoting innovation and technology, she said she looked forward to the Centre's participation in the future development of this area in Hong Kong. Mrs Lam and the other officials then visited an enterprise involved in online investment management and financial technology (FinTech) in London to know more about the application of technology in financial services. She said that Hong Kong, an international financial centre with highly developed information and communication technology, is an ideal platform for starting FinTec business and that she welcomes the enterprise to launch its business in Hong Kong. In the afternoon, Mrs Lam and the other officials attended a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Association. In her speech, she introduced to the audience Hong Kong's strengths and opportunities, as well as her vision and priority areas of work as the Chief Executive. The mission of the Association is to act as a champion in the UK for the long-standing and special links between Hong Kong and the UK, in particular with regard to business and bilateral trade. Mrs Lam, Mr Lau and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council, Mrs Laura M Cha, then attended a discussion on asset management and the Belt and Road Initiative with members of the business sector in the UK. Highlighting Hong Kong's leading position as an international asset management centre in the region and its advantages in green finance and infrastructure financing, she said Hong Kong is capable of satisfying the needs of British investors in respect of asset management, in particular for those who are interested in the Belt and Road Initiative. Before concluding her visit to London, Mrs Lam and the other officials met with Hong Kong people living in the UK to learn about their everyday lives. Mrs Lam and the other officials will leave London later in the evening today and arrive in Hong Kong in the afternoon on September 23. Ends/Saturday, September 23, 2017 Issued at HKT 2:29 NNNN
Acting CE&apos;s statement on appointment of Liaison Office Director
22.9.2017

On the State Council's appointment of Mr Wang Zhimin as the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, issued the following statement today (September 22): The HKSAR Government and I would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr Wang Zhimin on his assumption of the new post. Mr Wang has been engaged in Hong Kong and Macau affairs for a long time. He had served as the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office and is very familiar with the situation in Hong Kong. I believe that under the leadership of Mr Wang, the Liaison Office will continue to support the work of the HKSAR Government in accordance with the Basic Law and the "one country, two systems" principle, to help maintain and contribute to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and to promote exchanges and communication between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Ends/Friday, September 22, 2017 Issued at HKT 18:26 NNNN
Acting CE&apos;s statement on appointment of HKMAO Director
22.9.2017

The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (September 22) issued the following statement regarding the appointment of Mr Zhang Xiaoming as the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council: I congratulate Mr Zhang Xiaoming on his assumption of the post of the Director of the HKMAO. Mr Zhang has served as the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for years. Under his leadership, the Liaison Office has actively co-operated with the work of the HKSAR Government in accordance with the Basic Law and the "one country, two systems" principle. The Liaison Office has spared no effort in fostering a closer relationship between the Mainland and Hong Kong and exploring co-operation opportunities for the two places in different areas. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I express my sincere thanks to Mr Zhang for his contribution to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. As the HKMAO is responsible for Hong Kong affairs in the Central Government, it has a close relationship with the HKSAR Government. I look forward to continuing to co-operate closely with Mr Zhang to ensure the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong and to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. I am also grateful for Mr Wang Guangya's work in the HKMAO over the years and wish him good health and happiness. Ends/Friday, September 22, 2017 Issued at HKT 18:25 NNNN
Appointment of Under Secretary and Political Assistants
22.9.2017

The Chief Executive's Office announced today (September 22) that the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has, on the recommendations of the Appointment Committee, appointed one Under Secretary and two Political Assistants of the fifth term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The newly appointed Under Secretary and Political Assistants are the Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, Dr Raymond So Wai-man; the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Kenneth Ng King-tsun; and the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Henry Fung Hing-lai. Dr So and Mr Ng will assume office on September 25 while Mr Fung will assume office on October 9. The Chief Executive has appointed 12 Under Secretaries and 12 Political Assistants so far. The Government will announce the appointment of the remaining Political Assistants separately. Following are biographical notes on the new appointees: Dr Raymond So Wai-man ---------------------------- Aged 52. Before joining the Government, Dr So is the Dean of Continuing Education at the Hong Kong Baptist University. Prior to that, he worked at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hang Seng Management College with responsibility for teaching, research and academic administration. Dr So previously took up various public service appointments, including membership of different committees of the Hong Kong Housing Authority from 2007 to 2017. Mr Kenneth Ng King-tsun ---------------------------- Aged 33. Before joining the Government, Mr Ng was a Principal Reporter in the Division of News and Information Services of Television Broadcasts Limited, covering mainly political news. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Government and Public Administration from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a Master of Science degree in International Development from the University of Bristol, the United Kingdom (UK). Mr Henry Fung Hing-lai ------------------------- Aged 30. Before joining the Government, Mr Fung is an Assistant Manager with the Hong Kong Tourism Board. He previously worked in the advertising field, focusing on communication and branding strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol, the UK. Ends/Friday, September 22, 2017 Issued at HKT 15:07 NNNN