Hong Kong resident jailed for conspiracy to defraud
A Hong Kong male resident charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud was convicted and sentenced to 11 months and 10 days' imprisonment by Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (January 22).
The Shatin Magistrates' Courts, the Shatin Law Courts Building
During the follow-up investigation on a case of a bogus marriage by the Outside Investigation Section of the Immigration Department (ImmD), the 48-year-old defendant was found to have contracted marriage with one Mainland resident in 2008. Since the marital relationship between the defendant and the Mainland resident was in doubt, an investigation was conducted against him.
The Immigration Department, Photo source: FB
The defendant under caution admitted that under the arrangement of a middleman, he was paid $5,000 as monetary reward to contract a bogus marriage on the Mainland with the Mainland resident for assisting her to obtain an endorsement for visit and residence status in Hong Kong.
The defendant was recently charged by the ImmD. He pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to defraud yesterday. The Mainland resident in the case was convicted of conspiracy to defraud and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment in 2011. The investigation of other suspects is still underway, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.
"The ImmD has been very concerned about non-Hong Kong residents staying in Hong Kong by means of a marriage of convenience, and will continue to spare no effort in combating the related illicit activities. For people who have obtained their residence in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residence status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin," the ImmD spokesman stressed.
"According to the Immigration Ordinance, any person who makes any statement or representation which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true to immigration officers commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Moreover, according to the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years," the ImmD spokesman warned.
Speech by SITI at Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference - A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellence
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference -A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellencetoday (January 24):
Chairman Kan (Chairman of the Iron Ring 100 Organising Committee, Mr Fred Kan), Charles (Consul General of Canada to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Charles Edwin Reeves), deans, distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join all of you here at the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference.
Today, we mark a milestone of profound significance as we celebrate the centennial of the Iron Ring, a symbol that has guided generations of Canadian engineers in their commitment to integrity, humility and service to society. As a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, today's gathering in Hong Kong bears especial meaning to me. Like many of you, my studies and work experience in Canada have shaped my teaching and research journey in Hong Kong, and continue to inspire my work until this day.
For one hundred years, the Iron Ring has not only reminded engineers of their professional obligations, but also borne witness to the passage of time and the progress of civilisation. As we honour this century-long legacy, we must also look ahead and recognise that engineering is undergoing unprecedented transformation. The next hundred years of engineering, like the whole world, will be defined, and redefined, by innovation and technology (I&T).
Hong Kong is embracing this transformation with ambition and determination. Guided by the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint promulgated in 2022, the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionGovernment is investing heavily to build a fast-growing, globally-connected I&T ecosystem powered by solid R&D (research and development) capability, world-class talents, and an increasingly vibrant startup community.
Home to five of the world's top 100 universities, Hong Kong has a rich pool of top-tier scientists, engineers, and tech talents, and possesses exceptional strengths in scientific research. Our flagship global research collaboration initiative, the InnoHK Clusters, which hosts 31 research centres, pools together over 30 world-renowned non-local universities and research institutes from 12 economies to collaborate with our local universities. The University of Waterloo and the University Health Network stand among our most valued partners, contributing Canadian excellence to Hong Kong's research landscape. To welcome more top-notch talent to Hong Kong, we have launched the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme.
In recent years, Hong Kong has also taken decisive steps to strengthen its position in frontier technologies. Notably, we have established the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute in 2024 to drive third-generation semiconductor research and accelerate the transformation of R&D outcomes into industry applications. And we will also set up the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute within this year.
Furthermore, the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone formally commenced operation last month, housing more than 60 enterprises at the moment. The Park signals our commitment to building world-class innovative platform and deepening cross-boundary collaboration. We welcome I&T talent and enterprises from around the world to join us in our I&T journey.
Over the years, Hong Kong and Canadashare many similarities and a wide range of common interests. We both thrive on engineering ingenuity, education aspiration, and a bold vision for I&T development. As we navigate an era defined by AI, robotics, and rapid technological transformation, the I&T partnership between the two economies will become ever more vital.
The presence of eight distinguished Canadian engineering deans at this conference speaks to the strength of our academic ties and the shared vision we hold for the future. Let us further strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and Canada, between engineering, innovation, and beyond.
Finally, I congratulate the organising committee on this remarkable milestone and wish you all a rewarding conference. Thank you.
Speech by SITI at Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference - A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
