To support carers or people with disabilities, starting today, four financial assistance schemes under the Community Care Fund will be regularised, the Government announced. They include the Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of Elderly Persons from Low-income Families, the Scheme on Living Allowance for Low-income Carers of Persons with Disabilities, the Special Care Subsidy Scheme for Persons with Severe Disabilities, and the Scheme on Providing Subsidy for Higher Disability Allowance Recipients in Paid Employment to Hire Carers. After regularisation, the monthly allowance of the first two schemes, ie the Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of Elderly Persons from Low-income Families and the Scheme on Living Allowance for Low-income Carers of Persons with Disabilities, will increase from $2,400 to $3,000. In tandem with the new arrangement, the allowances of these two schemes will no longer be counted as income under the Working Family Allowance Scheme. This ap
The Government today said it strongly rejects and condemns individual foreign politicians' biased and groundless statements on so-called issues relating to human rights, freedoms and political participation in Hong Kong.
It said the statements issued by individual foreign politicians, including those from the US, the UK, the European Union and Australia, are flagrant and unsubstantiated attacks on Hong Kong and provocative interventions of China's internal affairs.
In its response, the Government noted that the oath-taking of district council members was conducted in full compliance with the Basic Law.
It strongly deplored and condemned the smearing and unfair comments by foreign governments of this legitimate oath-taking process and the rightful decisions to disqualify some district councillors whose oaths are invalid for failing to meet the legal requirement to uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The Government also pointed out that the implementation of the National Security Law and the improved electoral system are the turning points for Hong Kong.
With stability restored, Hong Kong has got back on the right track of "one country, two systems". Citizens can once again go about their normal lives and are looking ahead with renewed confidence in the future.
In addition, the city's financial market has remained steady since the implementation of the National Security Law.
The banking sector is as robust as ever, financial services remain promising and development opportunities, both in Hong Kong and on the Mainland, continue to open up.
The Government stressed that the National Security Law has been implemented in full accordance with national and local laws.
The National Security Law states that freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication are among rights and freedoms explicitly protected in accordance with Hong Kong laws.
It also ensures the resolute, full and faithful implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy will not be changed and the legitimate rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law will not be undermined.
Any claims of politically motivated prosecutions are factually incorrect, nonsensical and misguided, the Government noted.
It reiterated that all prosecutorial decisions are based on admissible evidence and applicable laws. Cases have never been or will never be handled any differently owing to the political beliefs or background of the people involved.
The Government said: “Following a long period of acrimonious political stalemate, the operation of our Legislative Council has returned to normal after the implementation of electoral reforms.
“People from all walks of life with different opinions about government policies are able to participate in the political system, as long as they uphold the Basic Law and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR.
“People are free to vote and stand for election, regardless of their political affiliation.
“We urge foreign politicians to stop their blatant interference in Hong Kong matters which are the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China.”
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http://dlvr.it/SB69zd