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Biological Weapons Bill to be gazetted on Friday
The Governor-in-Council has approved proposed legislation to localise UK laws extended to Hong Kong which implement the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (the Convention).
"The Biological Weapons Bill will enable Hong Kong to continue to implement the Convention after July 1, 1997," a government spokesman said today (Wednesday).
The Bill prohibits the development, production, acquisition or retention of biological agent or toxin that has no justification for peaceful purpose, or weapons designed to use biological agents or toxins.
"As a centre for international trade in goods and services, Hong Kong is committed to the prevention of the proliferation of dangerous weapons of mass destruction like those using biological agents," the spokesman said.
He said the Chinese side of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group had agreed that the Convention should continue to apply to Hong Kong after July 1, 1997 and that the localisation of the relevant UK legislation should proceed.
The Bill will be gazetted on Friday (January 19) and is expected to be introduced into the Legislative Council on January 31.
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Imported workers attempting to depart HK for China
In response to press enquiries about a group of imported workers attempting to depart Hong Kong for China without travel documents, a spokesman for the Immigration Department said today (Wednesday) that 13 workers were encountered in the departure hall of Lo Wu Control Point at 11.10 am today.
They claimed that their travel documents were being held by the local agent and asked for the department's assistance to depart for China, he said.