This is the 1704th issue of "Hong Kong in a Day"
Li Jiachao talks about "five points of understanding" of Xia Baolong's speech
Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Li Jiachao said when meeting the media before the Executive Council on the 16th that yesterday (15th) was the national security education for all On the same day, Xia Baolong, director of the Central Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, led the leadership team of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office to attend online and delivered a speech. He expressed his gratitude for this. Li Jiachao said that he had five understandings of Xia Baolong's speech -
First, Director Xia Baolong's words of sincerity were addressed to the entire Hong Kong. To this end, the SAR government must first carry out high-quality development, eliminate all difficulties and interference, and remain committed to development goals; the business community must conform to the general trend of development, stimulate innovation and creativity, and explore new industries and new business formats; all sectors of Hong Kong society must unite We must be united and work together to build a beautiful homeland, contribute to Hong Kong, and shine brightly; young people should combine reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles, chase their dreams, work hard, and write a wonderful life.
Second, Hong Kong is experiencing a new period of economic development. Hong Kong has experienced different economic transformation periods in the past. Hong Kong people should understand and face the changes in this major trend. Just like in the past economic transformation periods, we must not blame others, do not blame others, act proactively, innovate, create, adapt, and understand Change.
Third, Hong Kong as a whole must give full play to the "Lion Rock Spirit", unite and work hard, forge ahead, strive for self-improvement, and write new legends.
Fourth, actively integrating into the overall development of the country will bring the most direct and largest business opportunities to Hong Kong. The country has a population of 1.4 billion and is the world's second largest economy. It is a market that everyone around the world wants to enter. Hong Kong is close to the water and has unlimited business opportunities.
Fifth, the country is Hong Kong’s strongest backing and will continue to introduce policies to benefit Hong Kong. Hong Kong must work tirelessly, strive for progress, strive for self-improvement, seize opportunities and advantages, and create new heights.
"Twelve Hong Kong Citizens Case" Deng Tie-ran was sentenced to 46 months in prison
One of the defendants in the "12 Hong Kong Citizens Case", Deng Tie-ran, admitted planning to make petrol bombs and absconding. The two crimes were executed in installments and was sentenced to 46 months in prison.
On the evening of September 30, 2019, Deng Qiran was stopped by the police after entering the underground lobby of Jinle Building in Wan Chai. The police entered the unit involved and found that some semi-finished petrol bombs and materials for making petrol bombs were stored. The mobile phone displayed the group In early September, members planned to make petrol bombs in the "safe house" and planned to use them at a public event on October 1. In August 2020, "12 Hong Kong people", including Deng Tieran, attempted to abscond to Taiwan on a speedboat and were arrested and interrogated in mainland waters. Deng Qiran, who was responsible for driving the speedboat, was convicted of organizing others to sneak across the border and was sentenced to three years in prison. He was the most serious of the defendants.
In August last year, Deng Qiran completed his sentence and was handed over to the Hong Kong police. He admitted possession with intent to destroy or damage property and two counts of perverting the course of justice. The judge pointed out that the two cases involved independent charges, and the sentences were executed in installments, with a total sentence of 46 months in prison.
District Court Judge Lian Jinhong pointed out when sentencing that in the petrol bomb case, Tang Fan played a leading role and planned the deployment and precise division of labor. As for the absconding plan, the judge believed that Tang Fan also took the lead in the entire process, including buying the boat and arranging the route. Going out to sea hastily without sailing experience will bring danger to your own life and that of other ships.
The judge believed that the defendant was imprisoned for three years in the Mainland and was self-inflicted. There was no reason to reduce the sentence. However, it could not be ruled out that the defendant made wrong decisions in the heated social atmosphere. The two charges were sentenced to 34 months and 12 months respectively, to be executed in installments. , sentenced to a total of 46 months in prison.
Among the other 11 people in the "12 Hong Kong Citizens Case", Li Yuxuan faced national security charges and became an accessory witness; the remaining 10 defendants were all charged with obstructing justice. Among them, Qiao Yingyu received the heaviest sentence, along with three counts of manufacturing and possession of explosives. He was sentenced to a total of 61 months in prison for the charges and is scheduled to appeal against his sentence.
As for the charge of the petrol bomb case, the other four co-defendants have been sentenced to 27 to 38 months in prison.
This "May Day", there will be brilliant fireworks over Victoria Harbor.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on the 16th that preliminary statistics show that the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2024 will be 11.23 million, a year-on-year increase of 1.5 times. This is a 5% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.The HKTB said the data reflected the continued gradual growth in visitor numbers. According to
data, the preliminary number of tourists visiting Hong Kong in March was approximately 3.4 million, an increase of nearly 40% compared with the same period last year. Among the tourists visiting Hong Kong in March, more than 2.46 million were from the mainland, a year-on-year increase of 25.4%. The number of non-mainland tourists exceeded 930,000, a year-on-year increase of 92.1%.
Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu said that the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the SAR government has held a co-ordination meeting for the May Day holiday in the mainland and actively deployed measures to attract tourists.
It is understood that the Hong Kong tourism industry has prepared diversified activities. The Hong Kong Tourism Board recently announced that starting from May, it will regularly launch maritime fireworks or drone performances in conjunction with festivals or large-scale events. Among them, the first maritime fireworks show will be held in Victoria Harbor on the evening of May 1, kicking off the "May Day" Golden Week. The first drone show will embellish the night sky of Victoria Harbor on May 11, with a traditional festival theme to add a festive atmosphere and aim to attract more tourists to Hong Kong.
Li Jiachao expressed pleasure at the active preparations by the Hong Kong tourism industry and hoped that these activities would attract more mainland tourists to Hong Kong and promote the recovery and development of Hong Kong's tourism industry. The SAR government will also continue to launch various measures to enhance Hong Kong's tourism attractiveness and competitiveness and provide tourists with a better travel experience.
Author丨Qiu Yatong, chief writer of Shenzhen Satellite TV Direct News
