Conference on Private International Law opens Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung opened the Third Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the Hague Conference on Private International Law yesterday. The three-day event is jointly organized by the Department of Justice and the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Recognizing the need to enhance international legal and judicial cooperation, Wong said: "The Hague Conventions stand out as shining examples of a pool of international instruments, especially in the field of civil and commercial matters."

Financial Secretary looking into investor protection

Financial Secretary John Tsang said the government will review the finance policy to further improve the regulatory framework and enhance investor protection.

Speaking at a luncheon yesterday, Tsang sympathized with small investors who have suffered losses from the Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy. He said the Monetary Authority and the Securities & Futures Commission have been meeting with the investors and offering assistance, while keeping in close touch with concerned trustees and distributor banks.

Transport Dept celebrating 40 years with a look back

The Transport Department will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Sunday by holding an exhibition on Hong Kong's transport system over the past 40 years.

From 10 am to 5 pm at Victoria Park, more than 40 transport operators will display buses, taxis, minibuses and rescue vehicles of yesteryear, along with modern designs such as accessible hire cars and renewable-energy-powered vehicles. There will also be performances and game booths disseminating road-safety messages.

Food poisoning confirmed in Yuen Long, Aberdeen

The Centre for Health Protection yesterday confirmed two suspected food-poisoning cases involving 21 people who dined in Yuen Long and Aberdeen.

The first case involved two groups of 11 women, aged 15 to 30, who came down with diarrhea, abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting and fevers after eating at a restaurant in Yuen Long Saturday and Sunday. The second case involved a man and nine women aged 26 to 37 who developed symptoms after eating at a canteen in a private venue in Aberdeen on Sept 13.

Secretary for Development inspects Aussie waterfront

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam, who is currently in Australia, met with the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) in Sydney yesterday to learn about the management and revitalization of waterfront areas.

The SHFA is a statutory authority set up by the New South Wales Government to preserve and manage Sydney's historically and culturally significant waterfront locations.

Lam toured a number of harborfronts managed by the SHFA.

Transportation complaints up in second quarter

The Transport Complaints Unit received 5,066 grievances and suggestions in the second quarter, up 19.7 percent on the previous quarter, and 2.5 percent from a year earlier.

They were mostly related to public transport services (77 percent), enforcement matters (15 percent) and traffic conditions (5 percent).

Public-transport-services cases rose 17.7 percent in the last quarter to 3,924, while traffic-condition cases rose from 232 to 256. Road-maintenance cases grew from 67 to 69.

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/25/2008 page1)