CMAB launches the website for the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War
The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) today (August 20) officially launched the Website for the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, introducing a series of diverse commemorative activities for the public to join and remember the history.
The website lists a series of commemorative activities organised by government bureaux and departments, community groups, non-governmental organisations, and various sectors of community from later this year to next year. These activities include the official ceremony, exhibitions of historical artefacts and photos, guided tours to wartime relics, seminars, thematic lectures and workshops, film screenings, micro-dramas, book exhibitions, and performances.
A CMAB spokesman said, "The core spirit of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is 'remembering history, honoring martyrs, cherishing peace, and creating a great future.' To deepen and broaden the public's understanding of wartime history and the historical significance of victory in the war, and to strengthen their affection for and sense of belonging to our country, theHong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Governmentwill organise various forms of commemorative and educational activities. It will also make appropriate arrangements to co-ordinate and support commemorative activities in the community."
The official ceremony will be held on September 3 at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden to commemorate the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, honoring the martyrs and civilians who lost their lives in the war.
To enhance public understanding of the historical significance of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Government will stage two large-scale special exhibitions. The first is the "United in Arms, Standing for Peace – 80th Anniversary of the Chinese Victory in the War of Resistance" Exhibition, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) and the National Museum of China, running from August 27 to December 15. The second is the "Standing Together for Peacebuilding: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance in Guangdong and Hong Kong" Exhibition, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence (MWRCD) and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, running from August 29, 2025, to July 8, 2026.
Additionally, the Hong Kong Film Archive, in collaboration with the HKMH, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, and the MWRCD, will present a thematic screening programme "Cine Memories of the War of Resistance" from August 30 to September 20, featuring six films on the theme of the war free of charge, including "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru".
Apart from the special exhibitions and a series of other exhibitions of historical artefacts and photos held at different venues, the HKSAR Government and non-governmental organisations will also introduce different thematic activities in order to encourage the public to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this significant period in history with a profound impact on our country. These activities include thematic Mainland exchange tours for students and youths, field studies on local wartime history, as well as educational visits to museums.
Please visit the website for the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War (www.80avictory.gov.hk) for details.
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
