March 10 - 15, 2020

HEALTH

Compulsory home quarantine for US travelers to Hong Kong

In light of the health risks arising from the outbreak of the COVID-19 in the United States (US) and other parts of the world including Egypt, Europe, Ireland, and the United Kingdom (UK), the Hong Kong SAR Government has issued Red Outbound Travel Alert on these regions. Correspondingly, the Department of Health has reinforced health quarantine arrangements on inbound travellers arriving from these places. Effective March 19, people entering Hong Kong who have been to the US as well as Egypt, Ireland and the UK in the past 14 days, regardless of whether they are Hong Kong residents, will be under compulsory home quarantine. Meanwhile, quarantine measures announced earlier for people arriving in the city who have been to Korea, Iran, Hokkaido in Japan and the Schengen Area in Europe in the past 14 days remain unchanged. Hong Kong residents are encouraged to register contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong through the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service. 

ADMINISTRATION & CIVIC AFFAIRS

Government responds to US report

The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that Hong Kong has been exercising "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law, since its return to the Motherland. In a statement in response to comments about the Hong Kong SAR in the US Department of State's 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, a spokesman said safeguarding human rights and freedoms is the constitutional duty of the Government, which is firmly committed to upholding human rights and various freedoms in Hong Kong. The spokesman refuted any alleged "political prosecutions" and stressed that judicial independence is upheld in Hong Kong. 

Commitment to rule of law reaffirmed

The Rule of Law Index 2020, released by the World Justice Project, reaffirmed Hong Kong's commitment to the rule of law. According to the Index, Hong Kong maintains its No. 5 ranking in the East Asia and Pacific region and No. 16 globally. Hong Kong improved its ranking in four categories: "Absence of Corruption", "Civil Justice", "Criminal Justice", and "Order and Security". The Government reiterated that Hong Kong's solid foundation of rule of law remains strong and the fundamental rights are well protected by the Basic Law.

LOGISTICS & INFRASTRUCTURE

2019 port statistics released

Hong Kong's total port cargo throughput increased by 4.2% year-on-year to 67.8 million tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2019. Total port cargo throughput for 2019 grew by 1.8% year-on-year to 263.3 million tonnes. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the port of Hong Kong handled 4.59 million TEUs of containers, representing a 7.5% year-on-year decrease. In 2019, the port of Hong Kong handled 18.3 million TEUs of containers, a 6.6% decrease compared with the previous year. 

POSTAL SERVICE

Airmail services to the United States are subject to delay

Hong Kong Post announced that the city's airmail services are affected due to flight adjustments. Airmail services, including Speedpost, to the United States are subject to delay.

HKETONY EVENT

Hong Kong film kicks off film festival in Chicago

Acclaimed Hong Kong film "i'm livin’ it" kicked off the opening night of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) in Chicago with a full house. Attending the opening night screening, HKETONY Director Joanne Chu said the Hong Kong Government has continued to support the local film industry, including allocating funding to encourage more local film productions and launching a new Scriptwriting Incubation Program. This is the fifth year HKETONY has partnered with APUC to promote Hong Kong films and talents in the Windy City.

BASIC LAW

Hong Kong and its Basic Law

The Basic Law (BL) is the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Put into effect on July 1, 1997, it enshrines within a legal document the important concept of “One Country, Two Systems". 

Q: Is Chinese the only official language allowed under the Basic Law?
A: No, in addition to Chinese, English is also an official language used by the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary of the HKSAR. (BL Article 9)