kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Government announces appointments to Travel Industry Authority
6.12.2019

The Government announced today (December 6) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Ma Ho-fai as the Chairperson of the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) and 28 persons as ordinary members of the TIA for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2020. The appointments were made in accordance with section 1 in Schedule 9 to the Travel Industry Ordinance (TIO) (Chapter 634). The TIA is a new statutory regulatory body of the travel industry established under the TIO. It is primarily responsible for the licensing and regulation of travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts. On the appointments, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said, "The TIA will take up a range of challenging tasks in establishing itself as a new regulator of the travel industry in Hong Kong. Mr Ma has rich experience in public service. We are confident that under his leadership, the TIA will work closely with different stakeholders in setting up a new robust regulatory regime for the travel industry. "Apart from the Chairperson and the Vice-chairperson (the Commissioner for Tourism), there are 28 ordinary members, namely 13 trade members and 15 non-trade members, in the TIA. The trade members comprise individuals who are engaged in inbound and outbound travel agent business, tourist guides and tour escorts, and members of the Board of Directors of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC), enabling the TIA to have representation from a broad spectrum of the trade. "For the non-trade members, they come from various fields and can provide valuable advice to the TIA with their expertise and experience in the respective areas, including law, accountancy, finance, education, consumer affairs and general administration, thereby contributing to the setting up of a comprehensive and effective regulatory regime for the travel industry." The following is the membership list of the TIA: Chairperson: Mr Ma Ho-fai Vice-chairperson: Commissioner for Tourism Ordinary members: Trade members ------------------ Ms Lanny Leung Kong-lan Mr Paul Leung Yiu-lam Mr Martin Ma Yuk-man Dr Priscilla Poon Chau-min Mr Jason Shum Jiu-sang Ms Catherine So Ka-woon Mrs Ann Tang Yu Li-hua Mr Tse Yun-sang Mr Jason Wong Chun-tat Mr Wong Ka-ngai Ms Gianna Wong Mei-kiu Mr Michael Wu Siu-ieng Mr Yiu Pak-leung Non-trade members ---------------------- Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung Ms Kerry Ching Kim-wai Mr Alex Fan Hoi-kit Professor Cathy Hsu Hui-chun Mr Chris Ip Ngo-tung Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung Mr Kevin Lam Sze-cay Mr Johnny Leung Ka-kui Mr Fred Li Wah-ming Ms Elaine Liu Yuk-ling Dr Barry Mak Lui-ming Mr James Tong Wai-pong Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man Mr Charles Yang Chuen-liang The Government expects that it will take about two years for the TIA, upon establishment, to complete all necessary preparation before taking over the licensing and trade regulatory functions from the Travel Agents Registry and the TIC respectively for the full implementation of the new regulatory regime. Ends/Friday, December 6, 2019 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Appointment of Hong Kong, China&apos;s representatives to ABAC
4.12.2019

The Government today (December 4) announced that the Chief Executive had re-appointed Ms Marjorie Yang as Hong Kong, China's representative, and Mr Nicholas Ho as alternate representative, to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC), until the end of 2021. Ms Marjorie Yang is the Chairman of Esquel Group, while Mr Nicholas Ho is the Deputy Managing Director of hpa (Ho & Partners Architects Engineers & Development Consultants Limited). "I am very grateful to Ms Yang and Mr Ho for continuing to serve on ABAC. I am sure that their wealth of business experience will inject further impetus into the work of ABAC," the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said. ABAC was established in 1996 as a permanent business advisory body to provide advice to APEC on business sector priorities. Hong Kong, China has appointed three representatives and two alternate representatives to ABAC. Currently, the Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, Dr Allan Zeman, and the Chairman of Sunwah Group, Dr Jonathan Choi, are the other two representatives. The Chairman and CEO of the Harilela Group, Dr Aron Hari Harilela, is the other alternate representative. Ends/Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
3.12.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (December 3): Reporter: Mrs Lam, you said you were going to set up an independent review committee to look into the causes … but that's not what people have been asking for almost six months now. It's clear that so many people, at least the 2 million people on the streets, back in June, they wanted to have an independent commission of inquiry to look into the Police's handling of the protests as well as the causes of the unrest. In fact, the international expert panel of the IPCC already said that the IPCC itself lacks the power to conduct a rigorous inquiry into the Police and the protests. You said you wanted to find a way out of the crisis so why not try listening to the people and what's stopping you from doing what so many people have so sincerely wanted you to do over the past six months? Chief Executive: First of all, it has been some time ago that I announced that we would invite a group of community leaders, academia and experts to independently look into the causes of this prolonged social unrest, including the underlying, deep-seated problems that have been bothering Hong Kong. What I said perhaps in more explicit terms last Tuesday was the idea of inviting these people to form themselves into an independent review committee. This independent review committee would look into the causes, which is the first part of your question, of the social unrest and come up with recommendations for the Government, because we don't want to see the recurrence of this social disturbance in future. We have to tackle not only the phenomenon but also the underlying causes. As far as the investigation into the Police, the well-established mechanism is to use the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Council) to look into those allegations and complaints and this time the IPCC has taken the initiative to conduct a thematic fact-finding study into the more significant incidents that have caused a lot of public concern. By now, the IPCC has already worked for five months. I think the best way is for the IPCC to complete its finding, and for society to examine the findings and have a good discussion on the outcome of the IPCC report. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Issued at HKT 13:12 NNNN
CE to visit Thailand
26.11.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Bangkok, Thailand, on November 28. On the next day, she will meet with senior officials of Thailand and sign, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Thailand on strengthening of economic relations. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, who is leading a business delegation to visit Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, will join the programme. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the evening on November 29. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Issued at HKT 15:04 NNNN
CE thanks public for voting in District Council election
25.11.2019

In response to the sixth District Council election held yesterday (November 24), the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (November 25) issued the following statement: A total of about 2.94 million registered electors cast their votes in the 2019 District Council election yesterday, representing a record high cumulative turnout rate of about 71.2 per cent. It shows that voters hoped to express their views through this election. I sincerely thank the public for their active participation in the District Council election. This District Council election was conducted in very difficult circumstances due to the social incidents of recent months. I thank all candidates for their participation despite the challenges. The District Councils are an important component of our political system. Apart from reflecting views from the districts to the Government and contributing to the development of the communities, they also play a positive role in monitoring the provision of public services in the districts. With the sixth-term District Councils assuming office on January 1, 2020, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will strengthen co-operation with the District Councils to solve district problems which are of concern to the public. I would also like to thank the outgoing District Council members, many of whom have served in the relevant districts for many years and made tremendous contributions to the improvement of residents' lives. In general, the election yesterday was held in a peaceful, safe and orderly manner. After the social unrest in the past five months, I firmly believe that the vast majority of the public would share my wish for the peaceful, safe and orderly situation to continue. The HKSAR Government respects the election results. There are various analyses and interpretations in the community in relation to the results, and quite a few are of the view that the results reflect people's dissatisfaction with the current situation and the deep-seated problems in society. The HKSAR Government will listen to the opinions of members of the public humbly and seriously reflect. I express my gratitude to the Electoral Affairs Commission and more than 30 000 civil servants for their hard work, enabling the smooth operation of the election. Ends/Monday, November 25, 2019 Issued at HKT 12:52 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session
24.11.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session after casting her vote at Raimondi College at Central and Western District this morning(November 24): Chief Executive: Good morning. Let me just say a few words in English. Today is a voting day of the District Council Elections, which are held once every four years. I appeal to all registered voters in Hong Kong to come out to cast your vote to select your preferred candidate to represent your interests in the next term of the District Councils, which will start on January 1, 2020. District Councils are a very important partner of the Hong Kong SAR Government in addressing district affairs, in promoting district interests and also in undertaking many district-based projects. I hereby pledge that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to fully support the work of the District Councils, provide more resources and listen more attentively to the views and opinions expressed by the District Council members on behalf of the local population. We are facing an extremely challenging situation in organising this year’s elections but I’m pleased to say that with the concerted efforts of all parties, including, of course, over 30,000 civil servants in many departments working today, we should have a relatively peaceful and calm environment to conduct these elections successfully. Thank you very much. Reporter: Mrs Lam, this is your confidence vote. Are you confident in winning support from the citizens? Chief Executive: Today’s vote is for registered voters to select their preferred candidates to represent their district’s interests in the 18 District Councils. I’m sure each registered voter will take into account all factors in deciding their choices. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Sunday, November 24, 2019 Issued at HKT 11:08 NNNN
Chief Executive strongly condemns attack on Secretary for Justice
15.11.2019

​The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (November 15) expressed outrage at the attack on the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, which injured her while she was attending an event in London yesterday (November 14, London time). Pointing out that the attack was barbaric and violated the principles of a civilised society, Mrs Lam said the act should be strongly condemned. She expressed hope that the local police will follow up on the case thoroughly to bring the offenders to justice. Ends/Friday, November 15, 2019 Issued at HKT 11:53 NNNN
CE officiates at 2019 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony
9.11.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, presented honours and awards to 329 recipients at the 2019 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony at Government House today (November 9). Among the recipients, two received the Grand Bauhinia Medal, eight the Gold Bauhinia Star, 17 the Silver Bauhinia Star, three Medal for Bravery (Silver), ten the Distinguished Service Medal for the disciplined services and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), 36 the Bronze Bauhinia Star, and seven the Medal for Bravery (Bronze). In addition, 43 recipients received the Meritorious Service Medal for the disciplined services and the ICAC, 85 the Medal of Honour, 81 the Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service and 37 the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government /Public Service. The 2019 Honours List was issued earlier on July 1 ( www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201907/01/P2019062900825.htm ). Ends/Saturday, November 9, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:56 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session in Shanghai
5.11.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session in Shanghai this evening (November 5): Reporter: Can you please tell us what you have discussed with President Xi about how much longer you may be in your position and can you give us some idea of what the time frame on that might be? And secondly, can you characterise whatever discussions you had with him regarding how to handle the unrest in Hong Kong? Could we see a new change of tack coming? Might we see the PLA playing a more active role? Please. Chief Executive: My very precise answer to your two questions is, during a very short meeting with President Xi Jinping, he expressed care and concern about Hong Kong, especially given the social disturbances that we have seen in the last five months, and he expressed support for the various actions taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. And we will continue to do so in strict accordance with the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, upholding the rule of law and trying to put an end to the violence that we have seen in the last few months. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Issued at HKT 21:11 NNNN
CE to visit Beijing
3.11.2019

After concluding her visit to Shanghai to attend activities of the 2nd China International Import Expo on November 5, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Beijing in the evening. The next day, she will be received by the Vice Premier of the State Council, Mr Han Zheng, in the morning and in the afternoon, she will attend the third plenary meeting of the Leading Group for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Leading Group). The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit. The Leading Group, led by Mr Han, held the first and second plenary meetings in August last year and March this year respectively, endorsing a number of measures to facilitate Hong Kong people to develop, work and reside in the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area, as well as strengthen the convenient flow of people and goods within the Greater Bay Area. These measures include the method for calculating payment of individual income tax in the Mainland, providing tax relief by municipal governments to non-Mainland (including Hong Kong) high-end talents and talents in short supply by offsetting the tax differential between the two places, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in the nine Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area by the youth of Hong Kong and Macao, supporting higher education institutions and scientific research institutes from Hong Kong and Macao to participate in projects under Guangdong technology programmes and facilitating the use of Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong on November 7. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Sunday, November 3, 2019 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
Re-appointment of Panel Judge under Interception of Communications and Surveillance Ordinance
1.11.2019

The Government announced today (November 1) that the Chief Executive, on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, has re-appointed Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, a Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, as a Panel Judge under the Interception of Communications and Surveillance Ordinance (Chapter 589) (the Ordinance) for another term of three years from November 4, 2019, to November 3, 2022. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, "I am grateful to Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah for his full dedication in handling the law enforcement agencies' applications for authorisations under the Ordinance during the past three years. I am confident that he, on re-appointment, will continue to work with the other two incumbent Panel Judges, Mr Justice Mohan Tarachand Bharwaney and Madam Justice Lisa Wong Kwok-ying, to make use of their expertise and experience to ensure the effective operation of the regulatory regime under the Ordinance." The Ordinance provides a comprehensive statutory framework for regulating the conduct of interception and covert surveillance by law enforcement agencies, and aims to strike a balance between maintaining law and order and protecting the privacy rights of individuals. Under the Ordinance, Panel Judges shall consider applications for authorisations of interception and Type 1 surveillance and for device retrieval warrants. Ends/Friday, November 1, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:00 NNNN
Appointments to Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Appeals Tribunal and Process Review Committee
1.11.2019

The Government announced today (November 1) that the Chief Executive has made appointments to the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal) and the Process Review Committee in connection with the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 584) (the Ordinance). Members of the Tribunal are appointed on a three-year term with effect from November 4, 2019. The membership list is as follows: Chairman ------------ Mr Michael John Hartmann Members ------------ Ms Annie Chan Wai-hing * Professor Chen Nan Ms Joan Ho Yuk-wai * Ms Cindi Hui Ming-ming Ms Sabita Prakash * Mr Gary Soo Kwok-leung Members of the Process Review Committee are appointed on a three-year term with effect from December 1, 2019. The membership list is as follows: Chairman ------------ Professor Francis Chin Yuk-lun * Members ------------ Mr Jack Chan Hoi Ms Annie Chan Wai-hing * Ms Sabita Prakash * Mr Michael Shue * *re-appointment Welcoming the above appointments, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, said, "I am confident that the expertise and experience of the appointees will contribute to the effective operation of the Tribunal and the Process Review Committee." Mr Lau also expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr Anthony Gordon Rogers, SC, and other outgoing members for their valuable contributions over the past years. They are Mr Eugene Fung Ting-sek, SC, Mr Vincent Marshall Lee Kwan-ho and Mr Anson Wong Man-kit, SC, who will retire from the Tribunal, and Ms Joan Ho Yuk-wai, who will retire from the Process Review Committee. The Tribunal is a statutory tribunal established under the Ordinance to hear appeals from persons aggrieved by any reviewable decision of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) made under the Ordinance. The Process Review Committee is an independent committee established by the Chief Executive to review the processes and procedures adopted by the HKMA in making decisions relating to or affecting the designated systems in which the HKMA has a legal or beneficial interest. The above appointments were gazetted today. Ends/Friday, November 1, 2019 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
Appointment to Pensions Appeal Panel and Appeal Panel on Government&apos;s Voluntary Contributions under Civil Service Provident Fund Scheme
1.11.2019

The Government announced today (November 1) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Henry Wu King-cheong as a member of the Pensions Appeal Panel (PAP) and the Appeal Panel on Government's Voluntary Contributions under the Civil Service Provident Fund Scheme (APGVC) for a term of three years with effect from November 9, 2019. As a statutory body established under the Pension Benefits Ordinance, the PAP is responsible for advising the Chief Executive on petitions made by civil servants against decisions to cancel, suspend, reduce or refuse to grant pension benefits. On the other hand, the APGVC is an administrative panel set up to tender advice to the Chief Executive on representations made by civil servants against decisions to forfeit or recover their accrued benefits attributable to government voluntary contributions under the Civil Service Provident Fund Scheme. Mr Walter Chan Kar-lok is convenor-cum-member, while Miss Elaine Chan Wing-yi is the other serving member, of the two appeal panels. Ends/Friday, November 1, 2019 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN