Government Makes Full Efforts to Support Wang Fuk Court Residents After Fire

Government makes full efforts to follow-up work on Tai Po fire

A Government spokesman reiterated today (July 19) that the Government is making full efforts to follow up on the work of support for the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po and with empathy as the priority so as to assist the residents to overcome difficulties and move on to rebuild their long-term homes.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

First, there is no need for the residents of Wang Fuk Court to worry that their personal belongings remaining in the flats may not be retrievable upon transferring titles to the Government. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration together with relevant departments are consolidating the experience drawn from last two rounds of arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents to return to their flats to collect their personal belongings and then decide on the next step of work. The general direction is to provide opportunity for the residents to return to the flats to take their necessary belongings to tie in with their new accommodation arrangements as far as possible.

In considering residents' wish to collect more belongings, the Government will make concrete arrangements, having regard to the actual circumstances including the overall condition of the buildings, the safety of residents and working staff, as well as the substantial manpower and logistical support required.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

Second, the Government has announced earlier a two-year standard rental grant for the owners of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po until December 21, 2027. This arrangement will help them rebuild their long-term homes with greater flexibility. The advantages of the enhanced arrangement are, regardless of which long-term housing arrangement option the owners have chosen, whether they have successfully selected a flat, or even if they do not participate in the long-term housing arrangements, they will receive a rental grant totalling $300,000 over two years from December 22, 2025, to December 21, 2027.

In addition, if owners opt to join the Special Sales Exercise, their eligibility for the rental grant will only cease three months after the date of the assignment of the new flat purchased. Rental grants disbursed need not be refunded, but no further grants will be disbursed thereafter.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement actions against counterfeit goods activities with approach of National Day Golden Week of Mainland

Hong Kong Customs mounted special enforcement operations in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok on September 3 and yesterday (September 8) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods, and seized about 3 100 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1 million.

Customs earlier conducted patrols at popular visitors' spots and discovered some traders selling suspected counterfeit goods in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement actions during the abovementioned dates and raided nine fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei and eight fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, clothes, and toys, was seized.

During the operations, Customs arrested one man and six women, aged between 34 and 65. An investigation is ongoing.

With the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities in order to safeguard local consumers' and visitors' rights at full strength.

Customs appeals to local consumers and visitors to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Customs also reminds traders not to sell counterfeit goods and to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement actions against counterfeit goods activities with approach of National Day Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases