HKSAR Government Condemns US Remarks on Wong Chi-fung's Sentencing as Groundless Political Manipulation

HKSAR Government strongly condemns and opposes political manipulations by spokesperson of US Consulate General in HK concerning "conspiracy to commit collusion" case of Wong Chi-fung

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (November 5) expressed strong opposition to the remarks made by the spokesperson of the United States (US) Consulate General in Hong Kong in response to media enquiries concerning the sentencing of Wong Chi-fung in relation to the offence of "conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries or with external elements to endanger national security" (contrary to Article 29 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL)). The HKSAR Government stated that the relevant remarks are groundless attacks and smears which are obviously despicable political manipulation, and strongly condemned the same.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government pointed out, "Before the implementation of the HKNSL, Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and others persistently colluded with foreign countries or external elements, actively lobbied the US to pass legislation relating to Hong Kong, and openly solicited foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and the HKSAR. In this case, Wong Chi-fung pleaded guilty to the charge and the relevant facts of the offence, including conspiring with absconder Law Kwun-chung and others to solicit, through various means, foreign countries or external elements including the US to impose sanctions or blockade or to engage in other hostile activities against the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR, and their officials (such as the US revoking the special treatment enjoyed by Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region under the US law). It is manifest that the relevant acts have endangered national security, and the malicious intentions behind the relevant hostile actions of the US have been seen through by all.

"The court also clearly pointed out that Wong Chi-fung and Law Kwun-chung were the masterminds of the case and the advocates 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. The court sentenced Wong Chi-fung to 10 years' imprisonment, and the reasons for sentence are well-reasoned and sound, pointing out that it is necessary to express the community's abhorrence of the defendant's scheme and acts together with others to collude with foreign forces or external elements to endanger national security, and to serve the imperative of deterrence."

The spokesman stated, "It is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR Government to safeguard national security, and the Government is determined and will continue to resolutely combat and pursue those anti-China and destabilising elements as well as agents of external forces. We will ensure that laws must be observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities endangering national security. The HKSAR Government urges the spokesperson of the US Consulate General in Hong Kong to immediately stop making non-constructive and irresponsible remarks on the HKSAR's resolute work in safeguarding national security, and to refrain from fabricating facts to mislead the public."

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