This is the 1633rd issue of "Hong Kong in a Day"
Public consultation on the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong is underway
The Hong Kong SAR government is currently launching a public consultation on the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law. It is expected that the one-month consultation period will be completed soon. The draft will be submitted to the Hong Kong Legislative Council and the legislative work will be completed within the year.
Many SAR government officials responded to many hot issues of concern to the outside world on the 3rd.
Regarding how to characterize "stealing state secrets", Hong Kong Secretary for Security Tang Bingqiang said that cannot make a hasty decision whether an "ordinary piece of paper" is a state secret, and the source must also be considered. He explained that the "stealing of state secrets" mentioned in Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law includes disclosing secrets in major decisions related to the country or the Hong Kong SAR affairs, secrets related to the economic and social development of the country or the Hong Kong SAR without legal authority, etc. Seven major items.
Regarding the definition of foreign forces, Deng Bingqiang said that foreign forces include foreign governments and political organizations, but do not include overseas academic institutions. The "crime of foreign interference" also includes key misrepresentations, that is, knowing that the relevant information is wrong but still publishing it, and it also depends on whether the interference effect is achieved in the end, such as whether it will affect the Legislative Council election. He emphasized that normal collaborative research between local universities in Hong Kong and overseas institutions will not violate relevant laws.
Regarding whether the crime of stealing state secrets can be defended in the public interest, the Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Lam Ting-kwok, said that the authorities are actively studying it. Lin Dingguo pointed out that different places have different regulations on this issue. There are no relevant provisions in the United States and the United Kingdom, but in places such as Australia, public interest can be used as a defense, and there are clear and rigorous conditions. He emphasized that must be defended in the public interest and must be urgent and overriding, such as involving public safety and life safety, but it must be ensured that it will not be abused.
Lin Dingguo also pointed out that treason, with life imprisonment as the maximum penalty, is in line with international practice. Lin Dingguo mentioned that six countries and regions including the United States, Canada, and Australia have hidden crimes of treason, and the related crimes are reasonable. As for the issue of sentencing, he emphasized that Hong Kong's current legislation will stipulate the maximum sentencing, but it will ultimately be determined based on the circumstances of the case, and similar cases also need to look at the relevant background.
Whether freedom of press and freedom of speech will be restricted is also one of the issues of great concern to Hong Kong citizens. Lin Dingguo said that press and freedom of speech are not without legal regulations. Lin Dingguo said that the Hong Kong Basic Law protects freedom of press and freedom of speech, and the two human rights conventions applicable to Hong Kong also cover freedom of speech and press. The Hong Kong National Security Law also mentions that relevant rights must be respected when safeguarding national security. All constitutional Documents all have responsibilities and must be taken into account when drafting laws.
Hong Kong Police Commissioner Xiao Zeyi said on the 3rd that safeguarding national security is the top priority of the Hong Kong Police Force, and the Police Force is the backbone of safeguarding national security. After Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law is enacted, we will implement the policy that laws must be followed, violations must be investigated, and law enforcement must be strict. We hope that citizens can live and work in peace and contentment, and that the country and their family are safe.
As for whether a new law enforcement department will be established and manpower will be increased, Xiao Zeyi said that maintaining national security is not only the responsibility of the police force, but also the responsibility of every citizen. The National Security Department is the main department responsible for safeguarding national security and has the cooperation of the entire police force. However, the manpower deployment is highly confidential and cannot be disclosed. Xiao Zeyi also said that the progress of the police recruitment work is happy and encouraging. Since the entry requirements were adjusted in May last year, the number of applicants for trainee inspectors and police officers has increased.
Some foreign media questioned that the one-month public consultation was shorter than the three months usually required for important laws, and said that the SAR government's approach seemed to be just a "window." In this regard, Tong Jiahua, a member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and senior counsel, criticized. He said that the legislative consultation will last for one month and is of a tight schedule, but it is not a "going through the motions". He believes that Hong Kong faces national security risks and completing the legislation as soon as possible will help stabilize society. The general direction of the 23 legislation cannot be disputed, and the focus is on discussing the details of the crime.
TVB’s “queen foreigner” Ha Kwok-wing passed away at the age of 58
Comprehensive Hong Kong media reported on the 3rd that Ha Kwok-wing, known as TVB’s “queen foreigner”, was found in a village in Sai Kung, Hong Kong at around 10 pm on the 2nd. He died in the house and was suspected of committing suicide by burning charcoal. He was 58 years old. According to the news, Ha Guorong’s wife passed away in recent months.
public information shows that as one of the most familiar foreign faces to Hong Kong people, Ho Kwok-wing has signed contracts with TVB and Shaw Brothers, and has participated in about 300 dramas, including "Big Time", "O Record" and "Brothers in Need" He has played the roles of police superintendent, pastor, missionary, consul, lawyer, etc. in classic Hong Kong films such as "The Deer and the Cauldron", "The Hands of Mercy", "The Legend of the Dragon Slayer" and "Up to the Sky".
It is reported that Ha Guorong was a medical student at the University of New South Wales in Australia. He fell in love with Hong Kong pop culture in college, especially Leslie Cheung. Therefore, in 1988, Ho Kwok-wing decided to go to Hong Kong alone from Australia and named himself Ho Kwok-wing to pursue his dream of acting.
Initially, He Guorong worked as an English teacher in Hong Kong and met his wife during this period. Soon afterwards, TVB began to recruit foreigners who could speak Cantonese. With his fluent Cantonese and handsome appearance, he successfully became the first foreigner signed by TVB. After years of hard work, he eventually became a classic figure in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.
Hong Kong media pointed out that informed sources revealed that Ha Guorong’s wife died of illness at the end of last year, and he also suffered from depression, gastroesophageal reflux and other illnesses. In 2017, he had a malignant tumor behind his right ear removed and had two surgeries due to heart problems. The surgery, plus the medical expenses for taking care of the dog, were once rumored to be in debt of HK$800,000.
Ha Guorong played the role of Tony, a terminal cancer patient in last year's hit TV series "Savage Teacher", who finally bid farewell in the company of his friends, which left a deep impression on people. The work was well received, but unexpectedly became a farewell work.
He Guorong's last post on social platforms was posted in August last year, when he was smiling and taking a photo with weeds in the farmland.
His sudden death shocked many friends and fans in the industry. Bu Weijie, who is also a Hong Kong foreign actor, confessed on social platforms that he was "heartbroken", saying that he only learned that his friend Ha Guorong was in a difficult moment a week ago and tried to help him tide over the difficulties.
Many fans also flocked to Ha Guorong's social account to leave messages of condolence: "May you never have any pain and unhappiness again." "rip, you and your wife are getting together." "It's really hard to accept, but have a good journey. "Some people also said: "I often saw you when I was watching TV series. It feels like someone I have known for a long time is gone."
Survey: More than 60% of Hong Kong residents surveyed are satisfied with the SAR government's policies.
The Hong Kong Bauhinia Research Institute announced a survey on the 3rd A survey on Hong Kong citizens' evaluation of the new SAR government shows that more than 60% of the people surveyed are satisfied with the governance performance of the SAR government, and more than half of the people surveyed affirm that the governance level of the SAR government has improved and people's livelihood and livelihood have improved.
It is reported that the Hong Kong Bauhinia Research Institute successfully interviewed 681 Hong Kong citizens aged 18 or above through audio telephone random sampling from January 22 to 29, 2024, to learn about their views on the Chief Executive of the SAR and the new SAR government one year after taking office. Performance and evaluation over the past half year.
The survey showed that the citizens surveyed generally agreed with the performance of the Chief Executive of the SAR, Li Jiachao, and rated his overall performance at 62.2 points. 62.1% of the citizens surveyed expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of the new SAR government, and 66.1% of the citizens surveyed expressed satisfaction with the actions of the SAR government.
In addition, 66.1% of the citizens surveyed said they were satisfied with the SAR government's performance in safeguarding national security, and 38.8% of them said they were very satisfied. With regard to the SAR government's improvement of governance level, 52.3% of the citizens surveyed expressed satisfaction. Regarding the performance of the SAR government in promoting economic development, 48.6% of the citizens surveyed expressed satisfaction; 56.2% of the citizens surveyed expressed affirmation of the performance in improving people's livelihood. Regarding the performance of the current SAR government in its remaining term, more than 60% of the people surveyed expressed their expectations.
Tickets for the West Kowloon to Futian High Speed Rail will be added to 22 trains from the second to the fourth day of the new year and will be on sale from now on.
Shenzhen TV Direct News reporter in Hong Kong learned from the MTR Corporation that the Lunar New Year is approaching. In order to facilitate the exchanges between citizens of the two places, mainland tourists are encouraged to come to Hong Kong. To experience the Chinese New Year celebrations, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail service will add 11 pairs (22 trains) of high-speed rail trains to and from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Futian Station from the second day of the Lunar New Year (11th) to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year (13th). The number of trains has been increased to 105 pairs (210 trains).
Tickets for the new trains will be on sale from the 3rd, and the tickets can be changed on the same day using Foton's "Flexible Travel". The MTR Corporation expects an increase in the number of people traveling during the festive season and urges passengers to check the latest train conditions before departure to allow sufficient time for their journeys. Hong Kong West Kowloon Station will deploy additional manpower to assist passengers and strengthen station announcements and instructions.
In addition, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station has now added a New Year-themed check-in slot for the popular local original animation "Ding Dang", adding to the festive atmosphere and welcoming passengers to check in as a souvenir. "High-speed Rail Captain", "Dandang Cat" and "Azan Cat" will also greet passengers at pop-up stations at different times during the New Year and wish them a happy new year.
author | Lai Chenlu, chief writer of Shenzhen TV Direct News
