EPD team visits PLA Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center
The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, today (May 23) led the directorate officers of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to visit the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks. Accompanied by representatives of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, the team toured the exhibition themed "Dreams of the East".
The exhibition comprises three thematic exhibition halls, namely "the Chinese Dream", "the Dream of a Strong Military" and "the PRC HK Garrison", along with a weaponry and equipment area. After the visit, Dr Chui and the team members expressed that the exhibition enhanced their appreciation of the nation's illustrious military legacy and modernisation efforts, while deepening their grasp of the strategic significance of the holistic approach to national security.
Dr Chui said, "Ecological security is a pivotal element of the national security system. EPD has been upholding a spirit of professionalism and innovation, collaborating to build a green, resilient city. Through environmental initiatives, we reinforce the 'one country, two systems' principle and inject impetus into Hong Kong's sustainable development."
In addition to internal training to enhance staff awareness of national security, the EPD has rolled out diverse educational activities in recent years to strengthen public understanding of the country, particularly among the youth.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the EPD, in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, have produced the documentary series "Enchanting China". With the first series launched last September, the documentary helped the public understand the country's progress in ecological civilisation development in building a beautiful China, as well as the contributions and achievements made by the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in environmental protection and nature conservation through showing the country's achievements and contributions in environmental protection. The second series of "Enchanting China" is currently in production and slated for release later this year.
EPD team visits PLA Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
EPD team visits PLA Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR Government welcomes court's decision to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on clothing policy for persons in custody
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court today (January 13) to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on the clothing policy for persons in custody (PICs).
The court judgment pointed out that the current clothing policy for PICs, including the requirement for female PICs to wear trousers in summer daytime, was formulated by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) as authorised by the Prison Rules. The Court was satisfied that the CSD had the expertise and experience in the relevant context, and that it had carefully considered various factors, taken into account of professional opinion when making the decision, as well as reviewed the policy continuously. The Court ruled that Chow Hang Tung had failed to demonstrate that the current policy constituted less favourable treatment of a particular gender. The Court pointed out that there was currently no factual evidence to support any assertion that there was widespread concern about the health effects of wearing trousers in summer. In addition, the rule was not absolute, but instead allowed individual PICs to apply for exceptional arrangements in special circumstances. At the same time, the Court also rejected Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she had requested to the CSD in July and August 2024 to wear shorts and had been refused.
A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The ruling of the Court of First Instance confirmed that the CSD's approach is reasonable, justified and lawful. According to Rule 26 of the Prison Rules, the CSD must provide every PIC with a uniform that meets a scale imposed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. Over the years, the CSD had appointed task groups from time to time to review the clothing arrangements of PICs. These reviews gave ample consideration to numerous factors, including the type of correctional institutions, PICs' varying daily routines and activities involved, the need for thermal, physical and psychological comfort for PICs of different genders, privacy and decency of PICs and the security, good order and discipline of the prison, so as to continuously refine clothing arrangements according to the prevailing circumstances."
The spokesman stated, "Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she requested to wear shorts in summer and was rejected by the CSD is entirely inconsistent with the facts and was rejected by the Court. Besides, the current clothing policy for PICs already provides a degree of flexibility. For example, a PIC may make an application to wear other clothing on medical or non-medical grounds to the CSD, and the CSD would make appropriate arrangements having considered the actual circumstances and relevant factors."
The CSD will continue to impartially implement the relevant rules of the Prison Rules in accordance with the law and commit to providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment.
Source: AI-found images
