Hong Kong Security Chief Defends 10-Year Sentence for Joshua Wong Amid International Criticism.

Remarks by S for S at media session after Fight Crime Committee meeting (with video)

Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after the Fight Crime Committee meeting at the Central Government Offices, Tamar today (November 5):

Reporter: What do you make of the sentencing of Joshua Wong, and what are your thoughts towards comments made by overseas governments as well as groups towards Joshua Wong's sentencing?

Secretary for Security: Regarding the case concerning Wong Chi-fung involving the offence of "conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries or with external elements to endanger national security", following his earlier guilty plea, the Court of First Instance of the High Court delivered the sentence this morning. Wong was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, and the court ruled that the case fell within the category of an offence of a "grave nature" and warrants severe punishment.

Wong, together with Law Kwun-chung, who has been specified as an absconder, and their accomplices are among the primary culprits responsible for undermining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. They began by obstructing the Government's effort to promote national education in an attempt to weaken national identity. Wong, in particular, has repeatedly broken the law, including illegal assemblies and contempt of court, demonstrating his complete disregard for the rule of law.

Since before the implementation of the HKNSL (Hong Kong National Security Law), Wong and others colluded with foreign or external forces, actively lobbied the United States to pass so-called legislation concerning Hong Kong, and openly solicited foreign sanctions.

Following the enactment of the HKNSL, they continued to conspire and collude with external forces. The reasons for sentence handed down by the court ruled that the offence in this case was of a "grave nature", and pointed out that at the material time, Hong Kong was confronted with social turmoil and the serious effects of riots, and was facing very high risks to national security and the rule of law. They had direct engagement with top or senior officials of foreign countries, and continued to promote the calls for sanctions through their own social media accounts and via prominent news media or outlets in the West, reaching both local and international audiences.

The court remarked that Wong Chi-fung and Law Kwun-chung were the masterminds of the case, and they advocated at the forefront, calling for foreign countries to impose sanctions and hostile measures. After the implementation of the HKNSL, they persisted in acts endangering national security and deliberately adapted their respective roles, yet their roles were equally crucial. They indeed contributed to the imposition of sanctions and hostile measures by foreign countries, and such sanctions and measures significantly impacted upon and endangered national security.

The Court also said that it is necessary to express the community's contempt for the defendant's scheme and acts, together with others, to collude with foreign forces, and to serve the imperative of deterrence.

I note that since the sentence of Wong, external forces have launched malicious attacks and smears regarding the present case. Those launching attacks against us are exactly the same external forces that Wong Chi-fung and Law Kwun-chung attempted to collude with, whom they beg for mercy and lean on that day. They must be strongly condemned, and Hong Kong citizens must recognise and acknowledge that clearly.

In fact, Wong pleaded guilty, and Wong was sentenced through fair and open judicial proceedings and fully demonstrated the rule of law that the courts of the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) have consistently upheld. It is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR Government to safeguard national security, and the Government is determined and will continue to resolutely combat those actions that endanger national security.

Regarding the sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, in fact, the court has confirmed that it's a category of an offence of a "grave nature", and a sentence of 10 years has reflected the severe nature of that act. We will discuss with the Department of Justice to see if there's any need for a review of the sentence. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source: AI-found images

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Sha Tin today

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened on a construction site in Sha Tin this morning (November 5). While washing vehicle tyres on the vehicular lane at a site entrance, a female worker was run over by a grab lorry to death. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to the deceased’s family members.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending any work on the vehicular lane at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if any violations are found during the investigation."

To prevent workers from being struck by vehicles, the LD reminds employers to take adequate precautionary measures, including placing suitable barriers to segregate workers from vehicular lanes. If setting up barriers is not feasible, employers shall ensure that workers keep a safe working distance from vehicles. In addition, employers shall provide reflective vests to workers and ensure their proper use.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should also co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Source: AI-found images