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New Year’s Eve countdown & fireworks display returns to HK after 5 years

Posted on 30 December 2023 No comments

 

The New Year's eve countdown and fireworks display can also be viewed on TV

People in Hong Kong will be able to ring in 2024 with a bang – literally – when the New Year countdown and fireworks display returns to Victoria Harbour for the first time since 2018.

The Tourism Board says the 12-minute “pyromusical” show titled will be the biggest  and longest of the countdown fireworks ever staged in the city, surpassing all previous countdowns in both scale and duration.

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The main show will be set along a 1.3 km stretch along Victoria Harbour from Central to North Point, and will depict the “changing seasons and the beauty of nature” set to the theme of “New Year New Legend”.

Five ships lined up along the harbour will be used to launch the fireworks, accompanied by an eclectic mix of music, from Western classical to Chinese traditional tunes and electronic beats. At the same time, lighting effects and pyrotechnics set off from the rooftops of iconic buildings on Hong Kong Island.

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Mini fireworks displays will also be staged every 15 minutes starting at 11pm, culminating with the main show at exactly midnight until 12:12 am of Jan. 1.

The finale of what's billed as HK's biggest New Year's fireworks show 

Hong Kong staged the last countdown fireworks in 2018, with the 2019 show cancelled due to anti-government demonstrations. The pandemic prevented its resumption in the past three years.

The re-staging tomorrow of the revered Hong Kong tradition follows the resumption of large-scale public events this year, as the government seeks to put the spark back in the city’s night life.

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This phenomenal display will depict the changing seasons and the beauty of nature through colourful fireworks, as well as lighting effects and pyrotechnics set off from the rooftops of iconic buildings on Hong Kong Island.

Various vantage points will be available along Victoria Harbour, many fitted with audio systems to broadcast the soundtrack of the firework musical.

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These are some of the few suggested vantage spots for those who wish to see the show in full splendour:

Hong Kong Island

Central Harbourfront area, including Central Piers No.9 and 10*

Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai*

HarbourChill, Wan Chai*

East Coast Park Precinct, North Point*

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Kowloon

Tsim Sha Tsui Harbourfront area, including Hong Kong Cultural Centre Open Piazza and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

Avenue of Stars

West Kowloon Cultural District

Kwun Tong Waterfront Promenade

Cha Kwo Ling Promenade

Kai Tak Sky Garden'

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Those who cannot join the revelry in person will be able to catch the live broadcast on local television, the Tourism Board’s Discover Hong Kong website or on social media.

Apart from the Victoria Harbour fireworks, there will be a New Year’s Eve market and countdown concert at Kwun Tong Promenade Garden on Dec 30 and 31.

The festivities at the promenade will start from 2pm and last until midnight, with nearly 100 stalls selling food and drinks, while the concert will run from 8pm to midnight on Dec. 31.

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Meanwhile, extensive road closures will be implemented from 12 noon tomorrow, so spectators are advised to be at their preferred locations early, and to use public transport as much as possible. The Here is a summary of the temporary traffic and public transport arrangements as announced by the government earlier today:

Road closures

Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from noon on that day in the road sections in the vicinity of Wan Chai, Central District and the Peak on Hong Kong Island. The section of Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (except for franchised buses) from 11.55pm until the reopening of roads.

Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon Cultural District in Kowloon from about 6pm until the crowds disperse and the roads reopen. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the above affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.

Public transport services arrangements

(i) In connection with the road closure arrangements, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be subject to diversion or suspension, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated accordingly.

(ii) The following MTR service enhancements will be implemented on New Year's Eve:

Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, Tseung Kwan O Line (sections between North Point - Po Lam and between Tiu Keng Leng - LOHAS Park), South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line (section between Admiralty - Sheung Shui), Tuen Ma Line, and Light Rail Routes 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 706 and 751 will provide overnight services;

The service levels of Island Line, South Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, East Rail Line and Tung Chung Line will be strengthened gradually from 7am on that day;

The operating hours of Disneyland Resort Line and MTR Bus Route Nos. 506, K51 and K54 will be extended;

(iii) Special bus services of KMB Route No. N64P, Citybus Route Nos. 4S, 18R and 38S and Cross Harbour Route No. 967N will be operated in the small hours on January 1. The service level and operating hours of various bus routes (including 19 KMB routes and three Citybus routes) will be strengthened or extended respectively;

(iv) The operating hours of eight GMB routes in Kowloon and the New Territories will be extended;

(v) Tram services will be extended to 1am the following day and will also be strengthened subject to passenger demand;

(vi) Star Ferry, Sun Ferry, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Discovery Bay Transportation Services and Park Island Transport will gradually adjust and suspend part of their services from 10.30pm on that night to facilitate the holding of the fireworks display; and

(vii) In connection with the road closure arrangements in the vicinity of Wan Chai North, the terminus of the cross-boundary coach service plying between Wan Chai and Huanggang Port at the Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from 8.30pm on that night until the roads reopen. During that period, passengers can use the pick-up point at Hennessy Road westbound near Southorn Centre.

Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services

(i) The operating hours of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on New Year's Eve will be extended to 3am the following day.

For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or mobile application "HKeMobility". Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.

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Ex-DH jailed 9 months for trafficking in 1 kilo of cannabis resin

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Cannabis resin (file photo from HK Customs)

A former domestic helper who sought asylum after overstaying her visa has been jailed for nine months, after she admitted trafficking in a kilo of cannabis resin, a product derived from the marijuana plant.

Police had arrested Abegail Dipatuan, 34 years old, last Nov. 22 in an alley on Lynden Road in Tsim Shat Sui during a regular police patrol in the area.

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A police officer said they questioned Dipatuan after noticing that she acted suspiciously.

Seized from her were two plastic bags -- one containing 516 grams of cannabis resin and another containing 501 grams –$600 in cash and two mobile phones.

Analysis by the government laboratory confirmed that the substance found in the plastic bags was cannabis resin.

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In a hearing at the Kowloon City Courts yesterday (Dec. 29), Deputy Magistrate Van Ma brushed aside the request of Dipatuan’s lawyer for a lenient sentence, telling Dipatuan, “The quantity of the dangerous drug is not small.”

She set the starting point for Dipatuan’s sentence at 12 months’ imprisonment.

Because of Dipatuan’s guilty plea, Magistrate Ma cut her penalty by a third to eight months.

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However, she noted that Dipatuan applied last August for non-refoulement, seeking asylum so she would not be sent back to the Philippines by force. As an asylum seeker, Dipatuan is prohibited by law from doing any work, whether paid or unpaid.

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For committing the offence while not allowed to accept employment, she was given another month in jail.

Ma also ordered that the drug offered as evidence be confiscated.

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NGOs join migrant workers in welcoming Christmas

Posted on 29 December 2023 No comments

 

Joyous singing of Christmas carols at the Christmas eve party hosted by MFMW and Bethune House

The days before Christmas were marked by various activities organized by the Mission for Migrant Workers and its shelter, the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, for migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong. 

The activities were highlighted by a Christmas eve party hosted by the two charity organizations for its migrant worker-clients, volunteers, supporters, and friends. 

December 24 being a Sunday, a big number of migrants were able to attend the gathering where guests were encouraged to sing, play games, and extend Christmas cheer to each other. Home-cooked Filipino and Indonesian foods and hot drinks kept guests full and warm. Bethune House residents were also given gifts to bring a smile to their faces and ease their worries away.

On Christmas Day, the same group braved the chilly weather to gather in West Kowloon Park for an afternoon of food, games, and more fun. The gathering again helped cheer up migrant workers who were missing their loved ones on the special occasion.

Braving the chilly Christmas Day outdoors in West Kowloon Park

The activities were kicked off with a Give Care to Caregivers fair on the grounds of St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road. Almost a thousand migrant workers took advantage of the pampering services given them, including free massage, chiropractic and Chinese doctor’s consultations, acupuncture, as well as blood glucose and BMI testing.

There was also an information booth for those who wished to undertake short financial literacy and mental health awareness consultations.

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To add fun to the event, participants were encouraged to wear costumes and have their Christmas pictures taken at the Bank of America photo booth, and to write down their Christmas wishes and hang them on a Christmas tree to receive gifts. Many of those who took part in making a Christmas wish said all they wanted was good health or relief from sickness for themselves and their loved ones.

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Among those who joined the early Christmas celebration were MFMW board members Mary Yuen and Eman Villanueva.

Pinning their hopes on a Christmas tree
The event ended with a program where a posthumous award was presented to Mrs June Li, who was remembered for her generous help to the migrant workers community at St John’s Cathedral. On hand to receive the plaque was Mrs Li’s son, John, and Eunice, the domestic worker who took care of her.

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This was followed by the presentation of the six Happy Homes awardees for 2023 by MFMW’s community relations officer, Johannie Tong. The project aims to promote mutual understanding, respect and care between migrant workers and their employers.

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The gathering was capped with the awarding of certificates of appreciation to individuals and organizations that took part in the three-month long “Coins for Bethune House,” held annually as part of fund-raising efforts for the shelter which provides free accommodation and support to migrant women in distress.

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Mission for Migrant Workers call on charity draw winners to collect prizes

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One of the big winners is young Seysey, shown here with his mom and Tess Aquino of the Mission

A MacBook Air computer topped the list of prizes handed out to winners of the Mission for Migrant Workers’ Charity Raffle Draw 2023, where the winning tickets were picked out on Dec 17.

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The other top prizes included a Samsung Galaxy Tab,  a staycation package for two, a Xiaomi phone, three-course executive lunch for two, a HK Disneyland entrance ticket awarded to two winners, plus supermarket vouchers.

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The winning ticket numbers are posted below. All winners are asked to collect their prizes on or before Jan. 31, 2024. Please call 2522 8264 before collecting your prize.

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Prizes may be claimed in person or through an authorized representative at the MFMW office in St John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong.

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Proceeds from the yearly charity raffle are used to support the Mission’s programs aimed at promoting migrant domestic workers’ physical and mental well-being, and empower them through skills training.



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Penalty set by law insufficient for Filipina’s crime

Posted on 28 December 2023 No comments

 

The principal magistrate said the prescribed penalty for the crime is insufficient

A Filipina may have thought that reporting to police a crime that never happened was a minor offense. After all, the Police Force Ordinance sets a maximum penalty of a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment of not more than six months.

Soledad Solomon, 54 years old and a resident, pleaded guilty at the Eastern Court today to the charge of making a false report of commission of an offense on Dec. 13, 2022.

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But Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui said Solomon’s offense was so serious that the penalty specified by the law is “not strong enough” as a deterrent to similar offenses in the future.

She said Solomon’s false report caused the police to waste so much time and resources that would have been spent more productively in fighting crime.

So instead of following the penalty schedule set by the ordinance, Magistrate Chui ordered reports done on Solomon by a probationary officer and a community service officer to determine the more appropriate punishment for her.

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Court documents said Solomon went to the Wanchai Police Station on Arsenal Street to report to Detective Police Constable Tony Chan that someone entered their house in Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, and stole her bag containing $35,000 worth of foreign currency and $2,000 in Hong Kong bills.

She also told the police investigator that her son recovered the bag later from a garbage bin, but without the contents.

When investigators checked the CCTV at the lobby of the floor where their flat was located, the video footage showed only her and her son leaving and entering the flat the whole night.

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In mitigation, Solomon’s lawyer said she had a clear record and was remorseful.

He even presented a letter from her husband seeking a lenient sentence.

The lawyer suggested a fine be imposed on her.

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But Magistrate Chui would have none of it and scheduled the next hearing for Jan. 18 to consider the reports she ordered.

She freed Solomon on bail of $2,000.

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