Speech by DSJ at Opening Ceremony of Law Society of Hong Kong's Teen Talk 2025 "Deepening Legal Cooperation, Youth Shaping Tomorrow" GBA Study Tour
Following are the opening remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Opening Ceremony of Law Society of Hong Kong's Teen Talk 2025 "Deepening Legal Cooperation, Youth Shaping Tomorrow" GBA Study Tour today (July 5):
Mr Roden Tong (President of the Law Society of Hong Kong), Mr Liu Chunhua (Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Mr Cao Hailei (Deputy Director of the Justice Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality),
Good morning everyone! It is my great pleasure to join you at today's opening ceremony of "Teen Talk GBA Study Tour 2025" organised by the Law Society of Hong Kong.
Our youth today are the leaders of tomorrow. I am pleased to note that the Law Society has empowered over 18 000 students through Teen Talk since 2009, fostering essential values such as empathy, team work and respect for the rule of law.
In recent years, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) has emerged as one of the world's most significant economic zones. This dynamic region represents the successful collaboration between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, leveraging their complementary strengths to create exceptional opportunities for talented individuals like yourselves.
As Asia-Pacific's premier hub for international legal services, Hong Kong's established common law tradition provides distinctive expertise in bridging different legal systems. We should leverage our unique advantages and reinforce our connectivity with both the Mainland and the world, offering our unique contribution as the GBA continues its remarkable development.
It is therefore most timely for the Law Society to organise this second edition of cross-boundary Study Tour to Shenzhen. I would also like to welcome our participants assembled here today. Over the next two days, you will visit leading institutions, as Roden has mentioned, including the Qianhai People's Court and the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, gaining valuable insights into cross-jurisdictional legal systems. I am sure that the volunteer solicitors who are joining today will be most happy to share their experience and broaden your understanding of legal practice.
I encourage you to approach this unique experience with intellectual curiosity, and embrace this opportunity for learning and meaningful exchanges.
I wish you all a highly successful and fruitful study tour. Enjoy!
Speech by DSJ at Opening Ceremony of Law Society of Hong Kong's Teen Talk 2025 "Deepening Legal Cooperation, Youth Shaping Tomorrow" GBA Study Tour Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Tsuen Wan today
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (January 14), in which several oxy-acetylene cylinders fell from a container during a lifting operation and hit workers underneath, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to two workers. The LD is saddened by the death and injury of the workers in the accident, and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and the injured workers.
The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the lifting operation at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
To prevent loads being lifted from falling and hitting workers, the LD reminds employers to ensure that (i) the loads have been safely and securely connected to lifting gear before lifting operations; (ii) the gate of the container holding the loads is properly locked or fastened; and (iii) lifting zone is demarcated and barricaded, with no one entering the zone during lifting operations.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.
Source: AI-found images
