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News report on security law refuted

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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned a BBC report on remission of sentence under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the fact-twisting remarks by anti-China organisations and wanted persons absconded overseas.   In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that no matter whether before or after the ordinance comes into effect, the granting of early release is never a necessary right to prisoners.   It is the Commissioner of Correctional Services’ duty to strictly enforce any prison sentence imposed by the court on each prisoner and any discretion to grant early release of prisoners must be exercised in accordance with the law, the statement added.   “There have been cases in which prisoners convicted of offences endangering national security absconded or continued to carry out acts and activities endangering national security when they were granted early release under supervision.   “To safeguard national secu

Carnival to open culture festival

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The opening programme of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2024, “ImagineLand”, will be held at Victoria Park on April 6 and 7 with free admission.   It will kick off with a performance at 1.30pm on April 6, blending elements of fashion, film, martial arts, comics, music and dance.   Singer Gin Lee will perform rearranged film tunes in a fashion show created by artificial intelligence-generated images. Three martial arts athletes, Lau Chi-lung, Lydia Sham and Samuei Hui, will take the stage in martial arts hero personas from Jin Yong's novels, demonstrating their skills with young talent in front of an LED comics backdrop.   The two-day ImagineLand features both daytime and evening programmes. "Gen S Concert", "Memory Lane" and "Funarts Corner" will be available during the day, whereas film programme "Movie Under the Stars" will be held at night.   "Gen S Concert" will run from noon to 7.30pm. Two stages - the Fores

Alert issued on tuition scam

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The Education Bureau today called on the public to stay vigilant against a fraudulent WhatsApp message that falsely claims to be issued by school personnel and requests parents to transfer a tuition fee to apply for the Gifted Education Fund: Off-school Advanced Learning Programmes.   The case has been reported to Police.   All Gifted Education Fund: Off-school Advanced Learning Programmes for primary and secondary school students are free of charge, and registration must be made through the bureau's designated programme providers.   Citizens are advised to stay alert to suspicious messages and not disclose personal information or transfer any fees. Anyone who has been scammed should contact Police immediately.   For enquiries, call the bureau at 3698 3486. http://dlvr.it/T4kKqg

Choi Yuk-lin to visit Mainland

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Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin will depart for Beijing tomorrow to attend the National Security Education Study Tour opening ceremony due to be held there on Friday.   Ms Choi will proceed to Shaanxi on March 30 to meet officials from the province’s Department of Education in Xi’an. She will also lead a delegation of Chinese history teachers for a study tour to Yan’an.   On April 2, the education chief will depart for Kunming, Yunnan, to attend the closing ceremony of the Yunnan cultural exchange tour, which is part of the Strive & Rise Programme.   She will also meet local government officials and visit a university.    Ms Choi will return to Hong Kong on April 3. During her absence, Sze Chun-fai, her deputy, will be Acting Secretary for Education. http://dlvr.it/T4kKY8

Kevin Yeung meets SG official

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Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung today met Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community & Youth and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong,   Mr Yeung briefed Mr Tong on the latest developments in Hong Kong’s cultural and sports policies. They spoke about promoting culture and supporting sports, and explored opportunities for collaboration.        He said that Hong Kong is striving to set up a platform for international cultural exchanges and maintains frequent cultural exchanges with Singapore.   “This year for the first time, the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau launched ‘Art March’ to promote multiple mega arts and cultural events organised, funded or supported by the Government, making use of our blend of the East-West cultures and extensive international network to showcase the unique charm and diverse characteristics of Chinese culture in Hong Kong.”   The city looks forward to further collaborations with Singapore and boosting bilateral

Feb exports value down 0.8%

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The value of Hong Kong’s total exports decreased to $284.1 billion in February, down 0.8% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.   The value of imports of goods fell 1.8% to $325.7 billion for the same period.   A trade deficit of $41.7 billion, or 12.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in February.   Comparing the three-month period ending February with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 5.5%, while that of imports also increased 3.3%.   The Government noted that taking the first two months of the year together to remove the volatility caused by the difference in timing of the Lunar New Year, the value of exports posted a 16.6% growth against a very low base of comparison a year ago.   Exports to the Mainland and the US rose notably, while those to the European Union fell. Those to other major Asian markets recorded a mixed performance.   Looking ahead, the Gove

HK backs sustainability reporting: CE

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It is a great pleasure to be here, to have this welcome opportunity to speak to you, at the opening of the One Earth Summit.   The theme of this global gathering, “Planetary Crossroads: Investing in Innovations for a Sustainable Future”, highlights the importance of the challenges we face. For each and every one of us, for our families, companies and institutions, for the economies and countries we call home, for the world at large.   So it is reassuring to know that the speakers, as well as more than 500 attendees of this global summit, are internationally respected leaders and high-profile professionals in their fields. You have world-class expertise in the wide-ranging realm of sustainability, from finance and technology, to urban infrastructure and development, as well as agriculture, energy transition, new materials, industrial decarbonisation and more. Each of these sectors, and the critical challenges and boundless opportunities they present, are on today’s agenda, and w