SG60 Gala Dinner Celebrates Singapore's Independence and Strong Hong Kong Ties

Speech by DCS at Celebrate Singapore's 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing,at theCelebrate Singapore's 60th Anniversary (SG60) Gala Dinner organised by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong) tonight(August 1):

Honourable Consul General Ong Siew Gay (Consul General of Singapore in Hong Kong),Chairman Lawrence Chia (Chairman, Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong)), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I'm honoured to be here at the SG60 Gala Dinner organised by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong) to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Singapore.

This year also marks the 35thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. This milestone gives another meaning and significance to this year's celebration.

Just two days ago, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government attended Singapore's 60th National Day Reception and underlined the deep and long-standing ties that bind our two economies, our two cultures and peoples.

Hong Kong and Singapore have long enjoyed close and cordial bilateral trade and economic relations. To note, Singapore is Hong Kong's fourth-largest trading partner and our largest ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) partner in merchandise trade, as well as the fifth-largest destination of our outward investment. The fact that the Chief Executive led a high-level business delegation to Singapore two years ago highlights the importance we place on strengthening our partnership with Singapore.

Hong Kong is keen to contribute further to regional integration through our early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). We are encouraged by the favourable responses we have received from RCEP members, and we are grateful to Singapore for lending support to our formal accession request.

I look forward to much more collaboration between Hong Kong and Singapore down the road. Under the great concept of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong, being a Special Administrative Region of China, benefits from national programmes such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. At the same time, Hong Kong has been accorded the position of the "eight centres" in the National 14th Five-year Plan, which has opened up a whole host of new opportunities for various industries in Hong Kong, ranging from finance, I&T, trade, aviation, logistics to arts and cultures. These opportunities are not only for Hong Kong, but are also open to overseas companies - including of course Singapore companies - which can use Hong Kong as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between Mainland China and the rest of the world.

Singapore and Hong Kong bear a lot of resemblance. We are geographically small, and our population is not big. What's more is that our people are hardworking and possess characteristically good entrepreneurial spirit and a global perspective. And we are good-natured and friendly people. I have no doubt the friendship between Singapore and Hong Kong will grow stronger and stronger, for us to shine together, today and tomorrow.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take the opportunity to bid farewell, once again, to Consul-General Ong Siew Gay, who will be returning to Singapore next week. Siew Gay, you have been such a dear friend and partner, not only to the Hong Kong SAR Government but also to the whole Hong Kong community. Thank you for your immense contribution, and we wish you the best in your new journey.

Tonight, with dinner, wine, dancing and entertainment, as well as a charity auction and lucky draw, and even a supper of Singaporean hawker fare, this will surely be a night to remember.

So, enjoy the party. Best wishes to Singapore and Singaporeans in Hong Kong! Thank you very much.

Source: AI-found images

Speech by DCS at Celebrate Singapore's 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by DCS at Celebrate Singapore's 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases