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Yu. V. Kozachenko and I. V. Rozora
Theor. Probability and Math. Statist. 99 (2020), 113-124.
Abstract, references and article information

T. Bodnar, S. Mazur, S. Muhinyuza and N. Parolya
Theor. Probability and Math. Statist. 99 (2020), 39-52.
Abstract, references and article information

N. Kuznetsov
St. Petersburg Math. J. 31 (2020), 521-531.
Abstract, references and article information

A. Ilyin and A. Laptev
St. Petersburg Math. J. 31 (2020), 479-493.
Abstract, references and article information

Yu. K. Dem'yanovich
St. Petersburg Math. J. 31 (2020), 435-453.
Abstract, references and article information

C. Tintarev
St. Petersburg Math. J. 31 (2020), 421-434.
Abstract, references and article information

Carla Farsi, Laura Scull and Jordan Watts
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2717-2737.
Abstract, references and article information

Alyson Bittner
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2683-2693.
Abstract, references and article information

Shi-Zhong Du
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2631-2643.
Abstract, references and article information

Gregory J. Galloway and Hyun Chul Jang
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2617-2629.
Abstract, references and article information

Yingxiang Hu and Shicheng Xu
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2609-2615.
Abstract, references and article information

Jorge Lauret and Cynthia E. Will
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2601-2607.
Abstract, references and article information

Bin Li and Jieqiong Shen
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2565-2578.
Abstract, references and article information

Moacir Aloisio, Silas L. Carvalho and César R. de Oliveira
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2509-2523.
Abstract, references and article information

Claude Cibils, Marcelo Lanzilotta, Eduardo N. Marcos and Andrea Solotar
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2421-2432.
Abstract, references and article information

Alexander J. Rasmussen
Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 2345-2357.
Abstract, references and article information

The Security Bureau today said that the last Hong Kong resident who had contracted COVID-19 while aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship and was hospitalised in Japan has returned to Hong Kong.

Immigration Department staff that assisted Hong Kong residents in Japan have completed their mission and returned to Hong Kong as well.

In early February, a cluster of COVID-19 infection cases occurred on the Diamond Princess cruise docked in Yokohama.

Of some 3,700 passengers and crew, about 370 were from Hong Kong. The 712 confirmed COVID-19 cases associated with the cruise included 76 Hong Kong residents who were hospitalised in Japan for isolation and treatment.

While three Hong Kong residents passed away, the remaining 73 patients returned to Hong Kong or their places of residence after being discharged from the hospital.

As for other Hong Kong residents on the cruise, the bureau noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government arranged three flights, between February 19 and 23, to escort 193 of them back to the city.

Upon arrival, they were transferred to the quarantine centre at Chun Yeung Estate to undergo 14 days of quarantine.

Another 144 Hong Kong residents returned on their own via other flights, including 25 close contacts of the patients who had completed quarantine in Japan.

For those who returned to Hong Kong on their own and did not complete 14 days of quarantine in Japan, they were required to complete the remaining quarantine period at a quarantine centre.

Of the 231 cruise passengers admitted to the quarantine centre at Chun Yeung Estate, nine tested positive for COVID-19 and were sent to hospitals for isolation and treatment.

The Hong Kong SAR Government expressed profound condolences on the passing of the Hong Kong patients and its deepest sympathies to their families.

The SAR Government emphasised that the incident could not have been resolved smoothly without the staunch support of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan and Japanese authorities.

The SAR Government also thanked Cathay Pacific Airways and the Airport Authority for their assistance, the bureau added.

Police today welcomed the Communications Authority’s decision that Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) should be seriously warned regarding complaints against an episode of its programme Pentaprism broadcast on November 20, 2019.

Police said it had taken note of the press release issued by the authority on April 20 about its decision.

The authority found that the host’s remarks made in the programme were irresponsible and could be regarded as hate speech with the effect of inciting hatred against Police.

The remarks were also unfair to and were capable of adversely affecting Police’s reputation.

The authority took the view that the complaints in respect of accuracy, incitement of hatred and fairness were substantiated and decided that RTHK should be seriously warned.

Since the anti-extradition bill protests in June last year, rumours have been circulating to defame and smear Police in an attempt to disrupt its relations with the community, the force said.

Police reiterated that they are willing to accept criticisms which are constructive and based on goodwill, but they do not accept inaccurate or misleading reports and remarks, and will follow up as appropriate.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng today refuted suggestions that the law prohibiting group gatherings to combat the COVID-19 epidemic was being misused to crack down on protests and people's freedoms.

During a media session, Ms Cheng responded to criticisms from some legislators that Police were abusing the measure to clamp down on protests.

She said: “The Government respects and protects the freedoms that are set out in our laws, Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. However, these freedoms are not absolute. Insofar as they violate the laws, then of course appropriate actions will have to be taken.”

The Government had earlier introduced the Prevention & Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) to prohibit group gatherings with more than four people in public places with a view to combating COVID-19.

The regulation was made in accordance with the Prevention & Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599).

“Cap. 599G is enforced under Cap. 599 as a matter of the public health emergency situation that is facing Hong Kong at the moment. It is promulgated to encourage social distancing. It is not with any other motive except for the safety and health of the people in Hong Kong.

“I hope that you will all comply with it in spirit and in form, so that you will not gather and thereby extend Hong Kong's position in this public health emergency situation. That is the only way by which we can get back to normal life as soon as possible.”

In response to a reporter's question on the relevant provisions in the Basic Law that pertain to the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Cheng remarked that the liaison office must also comply with Hong Kong laws.

“The Central People's Government as defined in the Constitution Law is actually the State Council, and therefore when one looks at the whole thing about the Constitution Law, Article 5 of the Constitution Law states unequivocally that every body that is set up will have to comply with the relevant laws and the Constitution Law.

“In other words, the liaison office will have to obey and comply with the laws in Hong Kong.”

The violence and vandalism in recent months sparked a crisis of confidence of our rule of law. The so-called justice lawbreaking or civil disobedience is never justified under the law. I urge all of you not to engage in any illegal activities.

The Court of Final Appeal in its judgment (FACC8-10/2017) pointed out that: (1) unlawful assemblies involving violence, even a relatively low degree, will not be condoned and may justifiably attract sentences of immediate imprisonment in the future; and (2) little weight will be given to the mitigation that the offending act was committed in the exercise of constitutional rights or acts of civil disobedience because the fact of a conviction will necessarily mean the offender has crossed the line separating the lawful exercise of his constitutional rights from unlawful activity subject to sanctions and constraints.

There are suggestions that deliberate lawbreaking might be considered to achieve objectives, however, this would bring a wrong concept of the rule of law. The escalated violence and vandalism in the last few months have also undermined the perception of the rule of law among the public. My colleagues and I would promote and publicise the correct concept of the rule of law to the citizens through different channels. In analysing the current situation, I hope that we all could remain reasonable and objective by keeping an open mind, being informed and considering all relevant facts before coming to a conclusion.

Our rule of law has been highly regarded, and such an achievement was not easy to come by. We should all join hands to cherish and safeguard our rule of law. Abiding by the law is one of the many obligations that ought to be observed by the public. Law exists in practice but it should not only be practised by lawyers, judges and governments. More importantly, the rule of law should be observed and respected by the community as a whole. The Government would continue to be strongly committed to upholding the rule of law.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on December 22.

To counter our adverse economic conditions, I have unveiled four sets of relief measures since last August. Totalling some $25 billion, the funds are focused on supporting businesses and lightening the burden weighing on the people of Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, we will continue to reach out to the community. Through wide-ranging dialogue communication and the pursuit of policies that address the deep-seated issues at the heart of our divide, I am hopeful that together we will find a path to peace and prosperity.

From an economic perspective, there is reason for optimism. I am heartened by the confidence private equity investors have shown in us. In the third quarter of 2019, some 560 private equity companies here managed US$153 billion.

We have nearly 50 more private equity (PE) firms based here when compared with the previous quarter. Among the world's top 10 PE fund managers, nine have a presence here in Hong Kong. That, ladies and gentlemen, underlines Hong Kong's formidable strengths in the Asian PE market. In that we trail only Mainland.

By channelling capital into corporations and startups in the innovation and technology field, PE and VC (venture capital) funds may well become as important as banks and IPO markets one day.

This Government is determined to help unlock the vast potential of the asset and wealth management business, because we believe you are critical to ensuring Hong Kong's status as one of the world's leading financial centres.

Fund-service centre 

That is why we have been stepping up efforts to sharpen Hong Kong's competitive edge on asset and wealth management through a multi-pronged approach including: (a) diversifying our fund structures and streamlining the licensing process to encourage fund formation; (b) adopting a more user-friendly approach to attract family offices; (c) providing a more facilitative tax environment for funds; and (d) expanding our fund distribution network through deepening our mutual access arrangements with other major financial markets.

On fund structure, the long-awaited, limited-partnership fund regime is close to reality, thanks in part to your favourable feedback. Indeed, we are now developing the necessary legislation. Because of the current filibustering at the Legislative Council, the tabling of the legislation got a little delayed, but it remains our top policy priority for the rest of this year to put this forward.

We are confident that the new regime will attract PE and VC funds, and we count on your support for that. With the new regime in place, we aim to bring in as many offshore funds as possible onshore to Hong Kong. We are well positioned to capture the opportunity arising from what happened on the international front over tax base erosion. This is mutually beneficial to Hong Kong as a fund hub and also the PE industry at large as you search for a new home for the funds you manage.

PE and VC funds, whether onshore or offshore, have enjoyed a profits tax exemption since last April. A tax-exempt fund can invest in local and overseas private companies. Hong Kong, by now, has a tax regime at fund level that is competitive and caters to the needs of the PE industry. I fully understand that resolving the tax issues at fund level is not enough in itself. It is of even greater importance to tackle head-on the tax arrangement for investment managers. This is a hard nut to crack, but one that I am determined to look into and come up with solutions that will strengthen Hong Kong's position as a leading fund hub with one of the most competitive tax arrangements for investment managers in the PE industry.

The significance of the limited partnership fund regime in completing Hong Kong's fund manufacturing infrastructure is underpinned by its precursor - the open-ended fund company regime. Since its operation in July 2018, a number of open-ended fund companies have sprouted. The SFC (Securities & Futures Commission) is also looking into how to make the regime more business-friendly to facilitate the take-up.

In short, the Government and our regulators are committed to developing Hong Kong into a full-fledged fund-service centre.

We are equally intent on expanding our fund-distribution network. We continue to expand our Mutual Recognition of Funds arrangements. Last year, Luxembourg and the Netherlands joined existing partners, the Mainland, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom. More international partnerships will follow.

Family offices
Hong Kong is also an ideal location for the establishment of family offices, and we are boosting our promotional efforts in this regard.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and InvestHK will provide comprehensive services to attract family offices to Hong Kong. The SFC has also recently issued licensing guidance for PE firms and family offices. This will enhance clarity and would help address the industry's concerns.

Without a steady flow of talented professionals, of course, we will not be able to cash in on all the opportunities there for us. That is why the Government's Pilot Programme to Enhance Talent Training for the Asset & Wealth Management Sector has been supporting the industry since 2016.

I encourage you to offer exposure, opportunity and jobs for our youth. To give them a stake in the society through the programme.

Business bridge 

Zooming out a bit, the Government will continue to boost Hong Kong's singular advantage as the business and financial bridge between international markets and investors and their counterparts on the Mainland.

To that end, we continue to emphasise the established channels - our Stock Connects, Bond Connect and the Mutual Recognition of Funds arrangements. We will also strengthen our position as the global offshore Renminbi business hub.

Then there is the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development, and the extraordinary opportunity that it presents to Hong Kong.

With a GDP in excess of US$1.6 trillion and more than 70 million prosperous consumers, the Greater Bay Area presents vast potential for the asset and wealth management sector. For each and every one of you. The establishment of a Greater Bay Area wealth-management connect scheme, which was, as you know, recently announced, will go a long way towards realising that promise.

Our regulators are working out the details with their counterparts on the Mainland, and we will keep you posted and we are determined to push that forward as soon as possible. 

Financial Secretary Paul Chan gave these remarks at the Asia Private Equity Forum 2020 on January 15.

The Financial Secretary just delivered the latest Budget on Wednesday. The Department of Justice would foster the policy initiatives relating to "Diversified Economy" and continue our ongoing works. The Inclusive Dispute Avoidance & Resolution Office (IDAR Office, email: idar@doj.gov.hk), which was set up in January last year, is to better co-ordinate and implement initiatives in the areas of dispute avoidance and resolution, thereby further consolidating our position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Department of Justice has always been actively striving for the presence of international dispute resolution bodies in Hong Kong in order to meet the upsurge in demand for legal and dispute resolution services arising from the Belt & Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area Plan. Their presence in Hong Kong would also enhance our status as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services. With the support of the Central People's Government, we are now exploring the possibility for the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) to establish a regional centre for international commercial arbitration in Hong Kong.

Last year, the inter-sessional meetings of the Judgments Project of the Hague Conference on Private International Law were successfully concluded in Hong Kong. This invaluable experience has reinforced our determination in looking for decision-making meetings of international and intergovernmental organisations to be held in Hong Kong, including hosting the 59th Annual Session of AALCO and an intersessional meeting of UNCITRAL's Working Group III this year. High ranking government officials and legal experts from member states would take part in these meetings to discuss matters such as maritime law and cyber space law.

In addition, we are committed to strengthening Hong Kong's status as a regional capacity building centre which seeks to enhance legal infrastructure in the neighbouring regions and facilitate cross-border mobility and business activities. For instance, the Department of Justice organised the Investment Law & Investor-State Mediator Training Course for two consecutive years since 2018. World-renowned trainers were invited to share with the participants their experience in international investment law and investor-state mediation. We would be stepping up our efforts in organising capacity building courses in dispute resolution.

At the same time, the Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the Hague Academy of International Law, one of the world's leading academic institutes on international law, to support them in organising law courses in Hong Kong regularly in collaboration with the Asian Academy of International Law from this year. We anticipate this cooperation would provide Hong Kong and the neighbouring regions with high quality training for legal professionals, which helps further raise our international profile.

Looking ahead, colleagues in the Department of Justice would keep pursuing co-operation or partnership agreements with other jurisdictions and international organisations and host important events in Hong Kong, with a view to raising the international profile of Hong Kong in deal-making and dispute resolution through overseas capacity building and promotional activities.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on March 1.

Hong Kong has, for the first time, held the Willem C Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot (VEM) through an online platform amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While most of the competitions in other jurisdictions have been cancelled or postponed due to challenges posed by the pandemic, the 17th VEM was the only international mooting which went ahead as scheduled through an online dispute resolution (ODR) platform.

Though the outbreak of COVID-19 has changed our travel patterns and presented many challenges, advance in modern technology has helped us to address them. For the first time in the moot’s history, the mooting competition was conducted completely online with the support of Electronic Business Related Arbitration & Mediation (eBRAM). The platform supported by eBRAM accommodated 71 teams from 21 jurisdictions and about 250 arbitrators from 52 jurisdictions to take part in the moot which started on March 22. This exemplifies the importance of technological developments in the legal field.

The audience, with the latest lawtech support by eBRAM, watched the lively and intensive oral arguments online with participants of the finalists showing considerable flair and aptitude in trying their best to present their case to an international panel of distinguished arbitrators. The Chinese University of Hong Kong won the competition after rounds of rigorous and remarkable oral submissions before the panel.

The Government has always been supportive of the development of lawtech spearheaded by, amongst others, eBRAM, which is expected to be launched this year to resolve cross-boundary disputes online. If funding is approved by the Legislative Council Finance Committee on time, eBRAM would be able to provide an efficient, cost-effective and safe online platform for deal-making and resolution of cross-boundary commercial and investment disputes. We understand that eBRAM also plans to develop an online dispute resolution platform to support cross-boundary business-to-business transactions in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region.

We would continue to offer our support to the VEM as part of our legal education campaign. However, the VEM would not have been held smoothly without the technical support provided by eBRAM and also the tenacity and determination displayed by the Vis East Moot Foundation. The successful conclusion of the moot proved that Hong Kong has the capability of developing lawtech.

Changes are inevitable, including technological changes. The COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges to Hong Kong, but it also provides an opportunity for us to explore lawtech in the provision of legal services. We all should join hands to make the best use of the technologies to develop ODR to assist all parties in resolving disputes in an efficient, effective and fair manner with a view to bringing rule of law and justice for all.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on March 31.

An extraordinary strings crossover performance by erhu master Xu Ke and the Tokyo String Quintet will be held in December.

Heralded as the Paganini of the erhu world, Mr Xu is currently a guest professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Japan.

Presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department as part of the Music Delight Series, the concert will be held at Tsuen Wan Town Hall on December 14.

Tickets are available at URBTIX.

Click here for details.

The Wetland Park is holding its annual Bird Watching Festival, with "Incredible Bird Parents" as this year’s theme.

Running until April 20, the event shows how versatile and sophisticated birds are in providing parental care for their offspring.

For the first time, five unique Lego brick wetland animal models are displayed as another festival attraction.

They include the saltwater crocodile Pui Pui, a kingfisher, paddy frog, fiddler crab and the common tiger, as well as Lego brick wall art.

Co-created by the Wetland Park and Lego Certified Professional Andy Hung, the Lego series aims to inspire kids to build a better future for nature.

Other edutainment comprises bird watching tours, thematic bird interpretation sessions, bird photography workshops, public lectures and a kids reading club.

Click here for details.

Last month a friend in the history department passed along a notice from the American Historical Association entitled “AHA Signs onto ASA Statement on Teaching Evaluations.” This ASA is the American Sociological Association, and their statement is a devastating takedown … Continue reading →

“Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self.” Dean Jackson It’s hard to understand what we haven’t experienced or lived. Particularly, it is hard to make decisions that affect others when we don’t … Continue reading →

Recently, I have been re-reading Michel Houellebecq’s 2015 novel Submission. It’s about a hedonistic literature professor who sleeps with his students, has the diet of a frat boy, and occasionally does “work” researching an obscure (at least, to me) 19th-century … Continue reading →

With the novel coronavirus expected to further impact Hong Kong’s already slowing economy, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is working hand in hand with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to brave the...

Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Dr Peter Lam welcomes the new 2020-21 Budget, including the additional HK$150 million funding to the HKTDC to help Hong Kong businesses find new opportunities and to help the...

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted business activity and supply chains across the globe, with numerous trade fairs and events around the world being postponed or cancelled, depriving many enterprises of business and marketing...

Carla Mooney lands role in spy thriller ‘Kickback’ opposite John Cusack, Stuart Townsend nabs multi-episode part in US TV show ‘Elementary’ and Jason Barry and Brian Robinson both to star in new feature ‘Murphy’ from Caspian Pictures.

The Buildings Department approved 13 building plans in February - four on Hong Kong Island, one in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, nine were for apartment and apartment-commercial developments, one was for commercial development, one was for factory and industrial developments, and two were for community services developments.

Consent was given for works to start on two building projects, which will provide 77,942 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

The department also issued 14 occupation permits - four on Hong Kong Island, one in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.

Buildings certified for occupation have 149,306 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 2,912 units, and 67,594 sq m for non-domestic use.

The declared cost of new buildings completed in the month was $3.7 billion.

The Transport Department today announced that its driving test (road test) service will resume on May 4 to align with the resumption of public services in phases.

The department said candidates scheduled to take a road test on or after May 4 should take the test according to the test date, time and the driving test centre specified in their appointment letter.

Candidates affected by the suspension of driving test centres will be notified by post of the rescheduled test.

Driving test (written test Part A) and taxi written test services will resume on May 26.

Candidates affected by the suspension of written test services will be rescheduled to take the tests from May 26 and thereafter and notified by post of the rescheduling.

All candidates participating in the driving, road and written tests, must wear surgical masks inside the test centres and throughout the test.

They must also clean their hands with alcohol sanitisers and undergo body temperature screening.

If a candidate does not wear a surgical mask, refuses body temperature screening or has a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius, the candidate will not be allowed to enter the venue and the test will be rescheduled.

To improve air circulation inside the vehicle compartment, driving examiners may open vehicle windows during the test.

The department urged candidates not to attend a driving test if they are unwell.

For applicants who are absent from a driving test on medical grounds, they may submit their postponement applications with the original sick leave or medical certificate to the Driving Test Appointment Office within one month from the test date for rescheduling.

Candidates applying for a postponement, temporary cancellation of driving test appointment or change of driving test region may submit signed application letters, copies of identification document and driving test appointment letter via the drop-in box at the Kowloon Licensing Office or post them to the Driving Test Appointment Office on 2/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road.

Application of driving test appointment services for fresh candidates and repeaters will continue to be suspended until further notice. Call 2771 7723 for enquiries.

Vehicle Examination Centres will resume full services on May 4. The department will continue to process applications for licensing and related services submitted by applicants with scheduled appointments via the drop-in boxes, by post or online except for the direct issue of a full Hong Kong driving licence.

Applications may be submitted via the drop-in boxes at the offices concerned between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday except public holidays.

Those who have made online appointments for renewal of a full driving licence, vehicle licence, and transfer of vehicle ownership or international driving permit can visit the Licensing Office concerned at the scheduled time.

To maintain social distancing to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, the offices concerned will continue to suspend walk-in counter services.

Meanwhile, the Highways Department's public services will return to normal from May 4.

The department will implement social distancing and precautionary measures, including the introduction of flexible working and lunch hours, meeting adjustments and stepping up the cleansing of its offices.

Members of the public may call the 24-hour hotline 2926 4111 or 1823 for making suggestions, enquiries or complaints. The department can also be contacted by email or fax.

The tender for a Mong Kok site has been awarded on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $467.18 million, the Lands Department announced today.

Kowloon Inland Lot No. 11240 at the junction of Soy Street and Shanghai Street was awarded to Worth Forever, a subsidiary of Bring Bright.

It has a site area of about 625.5 sq m with a minimum gross floor area of 3,751.75 sq m.

The maximum gross floor area for private residential purposes is 4,691.25 sq m.

The maximum gross floor area for non-industrial purposes is computed according to the relevant special condition in the conditions of sale.