HKSAR Government strongly condemns Chris Patten's malicious slandering of Court Final Appeal's judgment and exerting political pressure on judges
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (August 14) strongly condemned and vehemently opposed Chris Patten's malicious slandering against the judgment of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) in the case of Lai Chee Ying and others participating in an unauthorised assembly, and his wanton personal vilifications against Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, an overseas Non-Permanent Judge (NPJ) involved in the adjudication of the relevant appeal.
The HKSAR Government spokesperson said, "Patten's slandering remarks were made in blatant disregard of the detailed legal analysis by the CFA in its 76-page judgment and the factual background of the relevant case. Such remarks were made for the sole purpose of exerting political pressure on the judges of the CFA who adjudicated the case independently in strict accordance with the law, in an attempt to influence the judicial system of the HKSAR, and were nothing but a despicable political manoeuvre.
"Patten's criticisms against Lord Neuberger NPJ who handled the relevant case were completely groundless and unjustified personal attacks aiming to smear and slander the NPJ's reputation, which fully exposed Patten's malicious attempt to undermine the system of NPJ. As a matter of fact, all the judges of the case (including the NPJ) have made very detailed legal analysis and explanations on the rulings in their judgments, such as providing authoritative expositions and modifications to the legal concept of 'operational proportionality', placing it in the well-established framework for constitutional challenges in this jurisdiction, as well as explaining clearly why, from the jurisprudential point of view, the two United Kingdom (UK) case authorities should not be followed by Hong Kong courts. Lord Neuberger NPJ not only delivered a separate judgment which clearly explained his reasons for agreeing with the joint judgment delivered by the Mr Justice Cheung, the Chief Justice of the CFA, and Mr Justice Ribeiro, Permanent Judge of the CFA, but also presented his observations on Ziegler, Abortion Services and in other UK case authorities. The NPJ observed that while the differences in the constitutional framework in Hong Kong and the UK do require a different approach if the court concludes that the restriction is not proportionate, they do not mandate a different approach when it comes to considering whether a restriction on the freedom of assembly is proportionate. The relevant legal perspectives bear great significance to the development of the constitutional jurisprudence in the HKSAR.
"Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the robust rule of law, where citizens enjoy the freedom of speech. Everyone has the right to express his or her views on court decisions within the boundaries permitted by the law, but no one can abusively criticise or slander judges, or make baseless allegations purely out of political motives. Patten deliberately ignored the judgment delivered by Lord Neuberger and maliciously accused the judge of not properly explaining the reasons for his judgment. Such an act was totally unfounded and outrageous. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns Patten's blatantly improper words and deeds."
Source: AI-generated images
DH signs Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines with Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to promote implementation of innovation and high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, today (September 11) witnessed in Beijing the Department of Health (DH) and the Experimental Research Center (ERC) of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), which is a subsidiary organisation under the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), signing a Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines (Co-operation Agreement) that covers a period of five years. The Co-operation Agreement reinforces the exchange and collaboration, jointly promote the modernisation and innovation of Chinese medicines, as well as the advancement of high-quality development of Chinese medicines.
Witnessed by Dr Ronald Lam, Director of the Department of International Co-operation (Office of Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan Affairs) of the NATCM, Mr Wu Zhendou, and the Vice President of the CACMS, Dr Yang Hongjun, the Co-operation Agreement was signed by the Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, and the Deputy Director of the ERC, Dr Yuan Yuan.
The areas of collaboration include reinforcement on research and standardization of Chinese medicines quality testing, establishment of Chinese medicines quality testing data platforms, holding expert meetings on different fields of Chinese medicines jointly. The Co-operation Agreement enhances the standard of local Chinese medicines testing technology, reinforces the exchange and collaboration on testing technology, nurtures innovative talents and further foster the internationalisation of Chinese medicines, so as to align with the national development strategies for Chinese medicines as outlined in the Development Plan for Traditional Chinese Medicine during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period.
"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the NATCM and the CACMS for their continuous support to the DH, including sending Chinese medicine experts to join Hong Kong to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, arranging acupuncture experts to provide guidance and training for local Chinese medicine practitioners on smoking cessation services with the Chinese medicine and acupuncture, sending Chinese medicine experts to assist Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in conducting the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination, and inviting HKSAR Government to participate in the 'the Fourth National Survey of Chinese Materia Medica Resources' and providing guidance in various technical aspects. We have maintained close collaboration on the inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicine and to the development of global health over the years. I earnestly look forward to deepening our co-operation and exchange in Chinese medicine through the Co-operation Agreement signed today, and continue to work together to build a healthy China, healthy Greater Bay Area, and a healthy Hong Kong!", Dr Lam said.
After the signing ceremony, Dr Lam visited the ERC and the National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica of the CACMS, to learn about the latest development of Chinese medicines testing and research work in the Mainland and had discussion with professional staff in the laboratories. Dr Lam stated that upon the completion and commissioning of the new building of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, there will be more opportunities for both parties to collaborate on Chinese medicines research, allowing more research results to be published in the new journal Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The DH has been actively facilitating exchange and co-operation with the NATCM in the testing and reference standard research of Chinese medicines. Both parties will implement the work related to promoting the high-quality development of the traditional Chinese medicines industry as outlined in the Development Plan for Traditional Chinese Medicine during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period, including the joint construction of a quality testing platform for Chinese medicines, and accelerating the standardisation, informatisation, modernisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicines. Under this synergistic effect, it can further promote the Chinese medicines industry towards high-quality development.
DH signs Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines with Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to promote implementation of innovation and high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH signs Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines with Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to promote implementation of innovation and high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
