The Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Chan Chik-chi, briefed the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs today (14th) on policies in areas such as youth, sports, culture and arts, and community building.
Some lawmakers urged the authorities to make laws to control "fake news" as soon as possible, and even criticized the government's attitude of "laying down" and "coexisting with fake news".
Chen Jizhi denied that, saying that the authorities are conducting a detailed study and hope to complete the study in the first half of this year and make specific recommendations.
Chen Jizhi (left).
(Screenshot of the live broadcast of the Legislative Council)
Zheng Yongshun stayed at home and failed to preside over the meeting
Due to the fact that Huang Junshuo, a member of the accounting sector and the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, was initially tested positive for the new crown virus, other legislators in the party need to work from home temporarily.
Cheng Wing-shun, chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, who also belongs to the DAB, was unable to attend the meeting in person today, and was chaired by Deputy Chairman Fok Kaigang.
When Chen Jizhi briefed the policy, he mentioned that the sports culture will be actively promoted. The new building of the Sports Institute will be completed in mid-2024; the Kai Tak Sports Park is also expected to be completed on schedule by the end of 2023.
He also said that the authorities will use an experimental method to involve local organizations in contacting the owners of "three-nil" buildings and encourage them to set up corporations.
The project will be launched in the first and second quarters of this year in Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan respectively.
The meeting was chaired by Huo Qigang.
(Screenshot of the live broadcast of the Legislative Council)
Regulating fake news must refer to world experience and deny "coexistence with fake news"
Ge Peifan and Guo Weiqiang are also concerned about the "fake news" legislative timetable. Chen Jizhi responded that the research work is complicated, and it is necessary to refer to the experience from all over the world to select the most suitable and effective plan for Hong Kong, and to check whether legislation is required.
He pointed out that the authorities have tried their best to speed up the process, aiming to complete the study in the first half of this year and put forward specific recommendations for the government to consider.
Tian Beichen emphasized that fake information will hinder the anti-epidemic work, such as the recent fake recording of He Bailiang, director of the Center for Infection and Infectious Diseases of the University of Hong Kong, which has gone viral again.
He questioned the authorities' intention to "lie down" and "coexist with disinformation".
Chen Jizhi retorted, emphasizing that the government is by no means "dealing with false information lying flat", and is conducting a detailed study, hiring professionals and referring to the experience of other legal jurisdictions.
He said that although the current legislation is not comprehensive enough, it can still be dealt with through criminal means, and any information involving criminal elements will be seriously followed up by law enforcement officers.
Tian Beichen questioned whether the authorities were "coexisting with disinformation".
(Screenshot of the live broadcast of the Legislative Council)
Strengthen the home anti-epidemic hotline to ease the emotions of the elderly living alone
In terms of anti-epidemic, Zhou Haoding suggested that the government strengthen the anti-epidemic hotline at home, saying that the hotline can help citizens reflect the actual situation.
In response, Chen Jizhi said that the authorities are staying safe to fight the epidemic, and set up two hotline centers in a short period of time, mobilizing about 350 people to provide 24-hour service, and if necessary, they will study and increase the hotline.
He pointed out that at present, 40% of people will make inquiries about medical problems through the hotline and will be referred to the Department of Health or the Hospital Authority, and half of the people who inquire about social welfare problems will be referred to the Social Welfare Department.
Zheng Yongshun further suggested that the hotline should be used to support the emotional problems of people who are isolated at home, especially those who live alone and the elderly. He believes that volunteers can use the hotline to relieve their emotions.
Chen Jizhi praised the proposal as a good plan, and hoped that there would be civil forces to provide caring services.
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