Speech by SCST at "Stars of Tomorrow 2025-When Dreams Come True" Gala Opening
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at "Stars of Tomorrow 2025-When Dreams Come True" Gala Opening today (August 16):
Committee Members of the Tsinforn C. Wong Memorial Scholarship, distinguished guests, alumni, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It is my honour and great pleasure to join you all tonight at the "Stars of Tomorrow 2025 – When Dreams Come True" Gala Opening, celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the esteemed Jean M. Wong School of Ballet. My warmest congratulations to the School on this remarkable milestone.
"Stars of Tomorrow" has long been a platform showcasing the brilliance of elite young ballet dancers. This year, the performance is centred on the remarkable journey of the School Principal, Ms Wong. It is a fitting tribute to both this landmark anniversary and to Ms Wong's unparalleled contributions to the world of ballet in Hong Kong. I am confident that students from both the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet and the Hong Kong International Summer Dance School 2025 will unleash their potential to present a captivating and inspiring production. With every gravity-defying jeté and every precise spin, we witness not just technical mastery, but also the strong passion of these budding talents.
Tonight's celebration, however, would not be possible without the unwavering efforts of those who have nurtured these rising stars. Among them, we must extend our deepest gratitude to Ms Wong, a true pioneer and pillar of ballet education, who founded the very first ballet school in Hong Kong run by a Chinese-speaking native.
For more than six decades, Ms Wong has been a luminous beacon, guiding generations of dancers and choreographers in her school. She has not only finessed their skills on stage but also instilled in them the values intrinsic to ballet — discipline, perseverance, and an unrelenting will to excel, equipping her students with this precious asset to thrive in all their endeavours in life. Her profound impact on the local art scenes have rightfully earned her widespread acclaim.
As we mark this significant milestone of the School, we must also acknowledge the vital role played by The Tsinforn C. Wong Memorial Scholarship, established by Ms Wong in honour of her dear father. The scholarship empowered aspiring dancers and choreographers to pursue their dreams, ensuring that talent and passion are not hindered by financial constraints. I encourage all scholarship recipients to embrace the spirit of this scholarship, and pass on the essence of ballet to those around you for many more years to come.
In closing, my heartfelt congratulations once more to the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet on 65 years of artistic excellence. May Ms Wong's story inspire all of us to chase our dreams with courage and determination. Thank you.
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
