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23 building plans approved in Jan

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The Buildings Department approved 23 building plans in January - four on Hong Kong Island, 10 in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.   Of the approved plans, 15 were for apartment and apartment-commercial developments, five were for commercial developments, two were for factory and industrial developments and one was for a community services development.   Consent was given for works to start on nine building projects which will provide 117,013 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 2,755 units and 144,989 sq m for non-domestic use.   Additionally, the department received notification of commencement of superstructure works for five building projects.   The department also issued 17 occupation permits - six on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.   Buildings certified for occupation have 152,580 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 3,178 units and 35,955 sq m for non-domestic use. http://dlvr.it/SlPVDJ

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Chief Justice to visit Guangdong

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Chief Justice Andrew Cheung will lead a Judiciary delegation to visit Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai for three days starting tomorrow, the Judiciary announced today.   The delegation will meet Supreme People’s Court Vice-president Yang Wanming, visit court facilities, attend forums and have professional exchanges with Mainland judges and judicial staff on court operation matters and other judicial issues.    The Judiciary explained that this visit forms part of the ongoing exchanges between the Judiciary and the Mainland courts.   The delegation will return to Hong Kong on March 22. During Mr Cheung’s absence, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal Roberto Alexandre Vieira Ribeiro will be Acting Chief Justice. http://dlvr.it/Sl99WG

Govt rejects EU official’s remarks

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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly disapproved of and firmly rejected the scandalising of the Hong Kong SAR’s criminal justice process concerning National Security Law cases by a spokesperson for the European Union Foreign Affairs & Security Policy.   In a statement this evening, the Hong Kong SAR Government strongly urged the relevant EU official to immediately stop acting against international law and the basic norms of international relations, and interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs at large.   It said that as guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence have the right to and will undergo a fair trial by the Judiciary.   The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws. Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the profession, political beliefs or background of the people involved.   It als

Northern Metropolis advisers meet

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The Advisory Committee on the Northern Metropolis held its first meeting today where members received a briefing on the mega project’s overall spatial planning and transport infrastructure layout.   The briefing, given by the Development Bureau, also covered the latest development in the area, involving the progress of new development area projects, land and housing supply as well as the approaches of industries’ development and associated supporting facilities.   Members gave views and initial suggestions on the development positioning, development of industries, land use planning and environmental conservation.   They also agreed to set up four sub-committees under the advisory committee to facilitate more in-depth discussions on planning, land and conservation, development of industries, transport and infrastructure facilities, and promotion and public engagement.   Financial Secretary Paul Chan, the committee’s chairman, said that the Northern Metropolis serves as an import

Govt supports special needs children

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Children are our hope for the future. Their potential and talent are key to driving society to move forward. UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories worldwide to support children in need. In our city, UNICEF Hong Kong has been joining with the Government to promote children's rights through a number of children- and youth-related programmes.   An example of such joint efforts is the Say Yes To Breastfeeding campaign initiated by UNICEF Hong Kong and supported by the Health Bureau and the Department of Health. Since its launch in 2015, the campaign has received positive responses from various sectors. It now covers close to 440 breastfeeding spaces for public access as well as over 1,200 workplaces for working parents, offering greater convenience to breastfeeding mothers. These actions speak of UNICEF Hong Kong's efforts in caring for children.   The current-term Government continues to safeguard children's rights and well-being. I am leading a high-level Com

CS to visit Guangzhou

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Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will depart for Guangzhou tomorrow to attend a conference on the high-quality development of talent services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area the following day.   The conference is jointly organised by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun will accompany Mr Chan to Guangzhou.   During their absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be Acting Chief Secretary, while Under Secretary for Labour & Welfare Ho Kai-ming will be Acting Secretary. http://dlvr.it/Sjf7P3

Law underpins HK's attractiveness

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As a leading global financial centre, Hong Kong offers a full range of investment choices and financing solutions. Be it traditional investments, alternative assets (such as private equity, hedge funds), green and sustainable financing, or virtual assets. You name it, we have it. Such an important and competitive edge of Hong Kong is underpinned by its robust and internationally regarded common law legal system, which connects and bridges Mainland China to the global market. Hong Kong therefore plays an important role of "super-connector" by facilitating Chinese enterprises to "go global" in doing business overseas on the one hand, and bringing in capital, skills and talent to China on the other. We are in a unique position for everyone who wishes to seize the investment and business opportunities brought by our national strategies.   The Belt & Road Initiative is an important national development strategy which promotes co-operation, furthers market integrati