kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Government to double cash incentives under Green Lifestyle Local Tour Incentive Scheme
18.6.2020

To foster local economic revival and relaunch the tourism industry, the Government will double the cash incentives for travel agents organising green lifestyle local tours, so as to boost local tourism and encourage the public to get close to nature and practise green lifestyles, thereby supporting tourism and related sectors including catering and transport. The Government will enhance the Green Lifestyle Local Tour Incentive Scheme, which was announced late last year. The cash incentive amount per tour participant served by a travel agent will be increased from the original $100 to $200. The quota of tour participants for each travel agent to apply for cash incentives will also be increased from the original 500 to 1 000. These enhancement measures will be effective tomorrow (June 19). The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said, "We believe the revival of tourism will begin with the local market, and therefore we encourage Hong Kong people to be tourists in our own city to energise the local community. With the epidemic subsiding locally, the Government will relax the social distancing measures under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance starting from tomorrow. This includes relaxing the number of persons allowed in group gatherings in public places from eight to 50 under the group gatherings regulation (Cap. 599G), offering a great opportunity to relaunch local tourism activities. "Under the further enhancement measures, the maximum amount of cash incentives available to each travel agent will be increased from $50,000 to $200,000 to encourage them to organise more local tours. At the same time, as the scheme requires local tours to incorporate catering and transportation elements as well as engage accredited tourist guides or tour escorts, the measures can also benefit the relevant sectors." Mr Yau said that the Holiday at Home campaign launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) earlier this week encourages Hong Kong people to be tourists in their own city and rediscover the beauty of Hong Kong from a new perspective. With the staunch support of the local tourism, retail and catering industries, the campaign provides different offers to boost local consumption. Once it is possible for visitors from a certain market to travel to Hong Kong, the HKTB will appeal to those visitors by extending to them the travel and local spending information and offers featured in this campaign, together with attractive flight-and-hotel packages. With the support of the Environment Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau earlier rolled out two enhancement measures for the Green Lifestyle Local Tour Incentive Scheme, namely extending the deadline from the end of July 2020 to the end of December 2020, and increasing the commitment for the scheme from the original $50 million to $100 million. Application details of the Green Lifestyle Local Tour Incentive Scheme are available on the website of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong ( www.tichk.org/ ).
SCED speaks on draft Decision on establishing and improving legal system and enforcement mechanisms for HKSAR to safeguard national security
25.5.2020

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, on the draft Decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security at the media session after attending a meeting of the Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council today (May 25): Reporter: Many business chambers have expressed concern over the proposed national security law? What's your response to them? Are you worried about a "brain drain" because many talents may want to leave Hong Kong because of the uncertainties? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I think the draft Decision to be made by the NPC (National People's Congress) is one that is needed for Hong Kong. It has a very specific purpose focusing on the stopping of any acts of secession, subversion, terrorist activities as well as interference by foreign forces. We all notice that Hong Kong has undergone a very difficult time in recent years, particularly in 2019. In my meeting with many chambers and international interlocutors, while they expressed concern about Hong Kong in general, they also expressed their concern on whether Hong Kong will continue to be a safe city, which is a very important element in supporting international businesses in Hong Kong. I hope the draft Decision can pass and the enactment of the relevant law in Hong Kong could help to ease their mind that Hong Kong would be able to cope with the situation, to avoid social unrest, particularly those arising from activities that amount to terrorist activities. We have seen those activities recently emerging in Hong Kong. The seizures of lethal weapons are also cause for concern by the Government. I believe we need to have a fuller articulation and explanation to the international chambers, making sure that they understand better about the draft Decision. I believe with fuller understanding, they would restore their confidence in Hong Kong. Because we do believe that the law, which is an essential part of upholding national security and stability, would also be conducive to the business environment in Hong Kong as an international city. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
CEDB responds to CA's decision on complaints against "Headliner"
19.5.2020

In response to media enquiries on the Communications Authority (CA)'s decision regarding complaints against the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) TV programme "Headliner", a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) said the following today (May 19): "The CA held that the complaints against an episode of the RTHK TV programme 'Headliner' broadcast on February 14 this year was in breach of various provisions in the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards (the Code). The CA decided that RTHK should be warned to observe more closely the relevant provisions. "The CEDB took the view that the situation is very serious given that RTHK, as a public service broadcaster, has been repeatedly ruled to have breached the various provisions in the Code, including failure to ensure the accuracy of the factual contents in the programme; remarks and content regarded as hate speech, denigrating and insulting the Police; and failure to include a sufficiently broad range of views in the personal view programme. The CEDB has asked RTHK to undertake the following: (1) To state clearly that RTHK fully accepts the CA's decision regarding complaints against the programme 'Headliner' and to offer an apology; (2) To examine whether there is any negligence and error committed by staff and personnel in the course of the programme production and editorial processes, and, if so, to follow up or take disciplinary actions; and (3) To conduct a full review of the programme production and editorial system in order to ensure that all RTHK programmes fulfil in full the public purposes and mission specified in the Charter of RTHK. "The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development has been stressing that RTHK must fully abide by the Charter of RTHK, duly meet its responsibility as a public service broadcaster and strictly comply with the relevant codes of practice issued by the CA. RTHK should address the concerns raised by different stakeholders on its programmes, management and governance. It should take positive and proactive follow-up actions and give an account to the public," the spokesman said.
SCED speaks on new funding proposal to support Ocean Park (with video)
11.5.2020

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met the media today (May 11) on a new funding proposal to support Ocean Park. Following is the transcript of his remarks: Reporter: Firstly, Secretary, is there any Plan B if lawmakers oppose this bailout plan in the Finance Committee meeting? The second question, what would happen if this sum of money runs out before the 12 months? If the tourist number is not really recovering in the short term, would it turn out that this bailout plan can't really help much and it's just like delaying the inevitable that Ocean Park will be running out of money sooner or later? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: Thank you. This is the plan. This is the plan to save Ocean Park from going bust, from being liquidated, so that it can continue to serve the Hong Kong community. This is a revised plan different from the original plan we put forth on January 20 this year. There was a plan to redevelop Ocean Park into the next stage. But one thing has changed the whole scenario, which is the epidemic. Soon after we submitted the plan to the Finance Committee in late February (should be Economic Development Panel in late January), within a week, Hong Kong was hard hit by COVID-19. The park has since closed for more than three and a half months during which there was zero income and zero visitors. We also see great difficulties even the park is to be re-opened in the not-too-distant future. I think the whole tourism landscape, both locally, across the boundary and globally will undergo major changes. So in submitting this revised plan, we hope to serve two purposes. One is to avoid the park (from being) in a form of liquidation. That's why we need to help them to repay the commercial loans and to delay the repayment of the government loans. On the other hand, we need to give them the contingency money so that they can keep the park running while we are sorting out the future (of the park). So there will be, at a later stage, another plan to take the park forward, but I think circumstances have required (us) to have a major rethink (first), in particular taking into account the drastically changed business operation and tourism scene which we have seen since the COVID-19 (outbreak). Reporter: Is it delaying the inevitable? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I think we are trying to catch up with the new circumstances because if we are unable to formulate a plan for the park to take things forward, they will continue to suffer from the pressure of reduced tourism and reduced (number of) visitors, and at the same time difficulties in maintaining the park open. I think that's the catching up we have to do. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
LCQ6: Financial support for Ocean Park Corporation
29.4.2020

Following is a question by the Hon Yiu Si-wing and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (April 29): Question: The Ocean Park Corporation (OPC) has recorded deficits of over $200 million for successive years since the financial year of 2015-2016. The OPC is now unable to repay two commercial loans due in the last and current financial years totalling $2.3 billion, nor will it be able to repay two government loans for which repayment should commence in the next financial year. In January this year, the Government submitted to the Panel on Economic Development of this Council a funding proposal on the financial arrangements for the OPC, which includes providing a one-off endowment of $10.64 billion, as well as deferring the commencement date of repayment and waiving the interest of the two government loans. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the respective projected amounts of (i) income, (ii) expenditure and (iii) deficit of the OPC for the first half and the whole of the current financial year; for how long that the OPC's current liquidity can sustain its operation; (2) in view of the recent rapid deterioration of the global economic situation, whether it has plans to increase the proposed amount of the aforesaid one-off endowment; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and (3) whether it has drawn up fallback options in the event that the Government's funding proposal is not approved by the Finance Committee of this Council, so as to prevent the OPC from closing down due to financial difficulties; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that? Reply: President, In view of the COVID-19 outbreak and for the safety of the visitors and employees, the Ocean Park has been temporarily closed since January 26, 2020. Despite the drastic cost cutting measures taken by the Ocean Park Corporation (OPC) in the past two months, given the high fixed costs, the financial situation of the OPC has worsened as compared with the situation in January 2020 when the relevant item was discussed in the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Economic Development. Hence, the need for Government's financial support is even more imminent. We consulted the LegCo Panel on Economic Development on January 20, 2020 regarding the OPC's Strategic Repositioning Plan (SRP). We understand members' concerns on how the OPC would make use of the funding and the effectiveness of the SRP. We will submit the development proposal of the Ocean Park to the LegCo Finance Committee for consideration as soon as possible.
CEDB responds to CA's decision on complaints against "Pentaprism"
20.4.2020

In response to media enquiries on the Communications Authority (CA)'s decision regarding complaints against an episode of the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) TV programme "Pentaprism" broadcast on November 20, 2019, a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) said the following today (April 20): "The Government noted that the CA has issued a press release today, covering its decision regarding complaints against an episode of the RTHK programme 'Pentaprism'. The Government respects the CA's decision regarding the complaints against RTHK. In its decision, the CA took the view that the programme was in breach of various provisions in the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards (the Code), including contents containing inaccurate and distorted information, without conducting any fact checking on its own, and involving hate speech. The CA has decided that RTHK should be seriously warned and be urged to observe more closely the relevant provisions. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED) took the view that RTHK, as a public service broadcaster, being ruled to have breached the Code is a matter of serious nature. RTHK must promptly respond to the CA's decision in a positive and responsible manner, including a full review of its editorial oversight of the programme production so as to avoid the recurrence of similar mistakes. The SCED stressed that RTHK must fully abide by the Charter of RTHK, duly meet their obligations as a public service broadcaster, strictly comply with the relevant codes of practice issued by the CA and ensure attaining professional standards as required of it."
SCED speaks on Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme
17.4.2020

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, on the Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme at a media stand-up after attending the Legislative Council Finance Committee meeting today (April 17): Reporter: Mr Yau, will the Government demand these companies not to use those titles or brandings (of the Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme) before they actually sign the agreement (with the Government), or before they actually get the certifications to provide the masks? If there is no way for the Government to rein these companies in, is it really fair to customers? Will the authorities be at least punishing some of these? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I have mentioned from the outset that all products sold in Hong Kong, in particular surgical masks, have to fulfil (requirements under) the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance. These are the prerequisites, irrespective of whether they are produced in Hong Kong or under any schemes. They need to be subject to these consumer protection (requirements). The Customs and Excise Department has been carrying out a lot of inspections. Since late January till now, they have conducted no less than 270,000 (should be 27,000) inspections, involving 40 likely prosecutions and arrests. These are very stringent standards that everybody would need to comply with. As for the subsidy scheme that we are running for local mask production, we impose very stringent requirements on the quality of masks produced to meet the surgical mask standard, which is ASTM Level 1 (American Society for Testing and Materials Level 1 standard). They also need to fulfill certain clean room production requirements. Only when they have produced certifications in these areas that we would formally engage them and procure (masks) from them. We are in this process. While giving some approvals-in-principle (to some applications), we also allow these successful applicants to go through this certification process to start formal production. In the meantime, I would urge any of these companies to be very cautious in promoting themselves through the scheme because there will be a lot of misunderstanding created to the consumer market. Essentially they should produce for the Government. The production under the scheme could commence only when they meet these standards. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SCED speaks on RTHK
7.4.2020

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, on issues relating to the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) at a media session after attending special meetings of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council today (April 7): Reporter: You said that it's not only the question itself, but the expression of the whole programme, so what's wrong with the show itself? Will you take any follow-up actions regarding the issue with RTHK? Will there be any punishments? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I think I have made it crystal clear in my earlier public statement. And I also fully explained at the meeting with the LegCo Finance Committee (just now). We are focusing on RTHK, both as a government department and a public service broadcaster, that they have the obligation to uphold and abide by the Charter of RTHK. Also, as a government department, of course we all uphold the One-China Principle, which is a fundamental constitutional right. That's why I think we have a duty to remind RTHK, being part of the government departments and also the only public service broadcaster (in Hong Kong), to make sure that this principle is not being undermined. Reporter: RTHK has said that it hasn't violated the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, so how do you want it to further deal with the matter, when it said it hasn't done anything wrong? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I think I have made it very clear, both in public and also in my direct enquiry with RTHK, on this matter. I think it will be followed up accordingly. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
CEDB responds to media enquiries on RTHK programme
2.4.2020

In response to media enquiries regarding concerns arising from an interview with an official of the World Health Organization (WHO) in a Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) programme ("The Pulse"), a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) said the following today (April 2): "The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, has clearly stated in a press release issued by the CEDB on February 18 and at his media stand-up on March 17 that RTHK must uphold and abide by the Charter of RTHK in discharging its duties to provide public service broadcasting. In reporting their work to the CEDB, the Director of Broadcasting and RTHK management have repeatedly pledged to the Secretary that RTHK will strictly adhere to and at all times abide by the Charter. The public purposes and mission of RTHK have been clearly specified in the Charter, which includes engendering a sense of citizenship and national identity through programmes that contribute to the understanding of our community and nation; and promoting understanding of the concept of "One Country, Two Systems". The Secretary holds the view that the presentation in that episode of the aforesaid programme has breached the One-China Principle and the purposes and mission of RTHK as a public service broadcaster as specified in the Charter. It is common knowledge that the WHO membership is based on sovereign states. RTHK, as a government department and a public service broadcaster, should have proper understanding of the above without any deviation. As the Editor-in-chief of RTHK, the Director of Broadcasting should be responsible for this. The Secretary has once again urged the Director of Broadcasting and RTHK to fully abide by the Charter and that they must handle all programmes in a professional and vigilant manner as required of them."
Transcript of remarks by SCED at media session
28.3.2020

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (March 28): Reporter: So you described the measures yesterday as some kind of lesser evil, for example, ordering cinemas to close for a fortnight. Could you explain a little bit on that? Can the affected business owners look forward to some kind of immediate relief measures? Thank you. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I think the measures going to be introduced tonight and tomorrow night are necessary to strengthen social distancing as an important step in fighting against the coronavirus. They are introduced for obvious reasons, because the upsurge in (infection) cases often happened in places that we try to put them under more stringent control. In this regard, I think we need understanding and cooperation of, not only the sectors involved, but also the community at large. Inevitably, these sectors will suffer a bit. But I think it's a balancing situation for the companies, the sectors and also the society as a whole. In certain sectors I think they are also facing this dilemma, for instance, cinemas. Cinema (operators) have taken some very positive steps to increase social distancing within cinemas. And they have also taken some precautions. But on balance, I think, if (the number of) people going to cinemas have dropped to such a low rate, taking a pause and closing down the cinemas for two weeks, might help to send a very clear signal to the community that the best way to handle the situation is to stay home and to avoid unnecessary social contacts. I am grateful to them for joining us in this community fight against the epidemic. Reporter: Can the business owners look forward to short term relief measures? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: The Government as a whole is thinking of stepping up relief measures. You have seen us introducing a few rounds of relief (measures) already since late last year. Both the Budget and the Anti-epidemic Fund have rolled out quite a large number of sector specific and also across the board measures. We will continue these efforts because apparently many sectors are still very much hard-hit, and they might need further help from the Government. We are seeing a prolonged battle (against the epidemic). Therefore, the Chief Executive has asked the whole team to give consideration to what more we can do to help our respective sectors. Thank you. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)