SITI attends opening ceremony of 2024 China Cybersecurity Week
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended the opening ceremony of 2024 China Cybersecurity Week this morning (September 8) in the main venue in Nansha, Guangzhou, and witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cybersecurity collaboration among the Digital Policy Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, the Cyberspace Administration of Guangdong Province (CAGP), and the Comissão para a Cibersegurança of the Macao SAR Government.
During his opening speech, Professor Sun said that the theme of the China Cybersecurity Week, "Cybersecurity for the People, Cybersecurity relies on the People" profoundly interprets the close relationship between cybersecurity and the public. He called on all sectors of society to remain vigilant at all times, enhance public awareness of cybersecurity, and ensure the security of the networks and data against the cybersecurity hazards which are getting more severe in the face of ever-changing technology.
At the ceremony, the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, the CAGP and the Comissão para a Cibersegurança of Macao SAR signed a MoU on facilitating cybersecurity exchange and collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This MoU aims to adhere to the holistic approach to national security, take effective measures to promote cybersecurity exchange and collaboration among the three regions, and provide robust cybersecurity support for building a digital GBA and the economic and social development of the regions.
Professor Sun said that the MoU will strengthen collaboration on cybersecurity among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, with enhancement on co-operation in the aspects of technological exchange, information sharing, and emergency response measures among the three regions with a view to facilitating the high quality development of the GBA.
Professor Sun said, "During the China Cybersecurity Week, numerous activities will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao to further deepen industry collaboration, cultivate cybersecurity talent and promote cybersecurity awareness in the GBA. The cybersecurity week provides a great opportunity for deepening collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in building a defense on cybersecurity together, thereby making greater contribution to the boosting of strength in cyberspace and the advancement of Chinese modernisation."
Professor Sun also visited the Cybersecurity Expo held at the same venue and toured the Hong Kong Pavilion to learn about the achievements of Hong Kong's cybersecurity industry in exchanges and collaboration with mainland counterparts.
Professor Sun concluded his itinerary and returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon today.
SITI attends opening ceremony of 2024 China Cybersecurity Week Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SITI attends opening ceremony of 2024 China Cybersecurity Week Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Kowloon City today
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a building in Kowloon City this afternoon (November 5), in which a male worker, while dismantling a bamboo scaffold at the external wall of the building, fell from height to the first-floor canopy. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the erection, alteration, dismantling and use of the bamboo scaffold at the external wall of the building. The contractors cannot resume the work until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
To prevent workers from falling from height while dismantling bamboo scaffolds at external walls of buildings, the LD reminds employers to take suitable safety measures, including providing every worker engaged in the work with a suitable full-body harness that is attached continuously to a suitable and secure anchor point or an independent lifeline with a fall arresting system, and ensuring the proper use of the safety equipment by the workers concerned throughout the work.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.
In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.
