4 | Wednesday, March 25, 2020 HONG KONG EDITION | CHINA DAILY CHINA Outbreak: HK residents COVID­19 told to shun ‘attacks all, relentlessly’ social gatherings From page 1 “Many French people would like to return to normalcy, but it will Call comes as city confirms 30 new not (happen) tomorrow,” he told French television TF1 news. cases on Tuesday, pushing the tally to 386 He said that open­air markets in France would be closed start­ By HE SHUSI in Hong Kong ing on Tuesday. People would be [email protected] allowed to go out for a walk with their children or to exercise once Hong Kong health authorities on Any kind of social a day for no more than one hour. Tuesday told residents to stay at As of Monday, France has home as much as possible as infec­ gathering poses a reported 19,856 cases of coronavi­ tions of the novel coronavirus con­ high risk of cross­ rus infection and 860 deaths, tinue to rise, with at least seven new Health Minister Olivier Veran said. confirmed cases linked to social infection even it does World Health Organization gatherings. not involve eating or Director­General Tedros Adhan­ The appeal came after the city om Ghebreyesus said at a news recorded 30 new cases on Tuesday, drinking.” Andrew Cheung Kui­nung (left), the chief justice­designate of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong, conference in Geneva on Mon­ taking the tally to 386. Nineteen of Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the walks with incumbent Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao­li on Tuesday outside the CFA building. Tues­ day that it is “heartbreaking” to the patients had returned from over­ Communicable Disease Branch day’s appointment will take effect on Jan 11, subject to the Legislative Council’s endorsement. Con­ see more than 300,000 cases of seas or Macao. at the Centre for Health Protec­ cerns on whether the appointment will progress smoothly have arisen as political wrangling in LegCo COVID­19 reported worldwide, Eleven of the 30 — 18 males and 12 tion continues to mount over the election of the House Committee chairman. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY and he urged countries to take females aged 15 to 66 — had no not just defensive but also offen­ record of travel during the incuba­ sive measures. tion period. It’s the fourth day in a While the virus spreads rapidly row that Hong Kong has seen the 5 across the world, Stephen Perry, number of daily infections in double the number of latest patients Andrew Cheung appointed as chairman of The 48 Group Club, digits. tied to a band that had been a British organization composed The latest patients include five performing at bars in Lan Kwai of company leaders promoting Fong — a nightlife hub located members of a band that had been China­UK trade, said COVID­19 in one of the most prosperous performing at bars in the Lan Kwai areas in Hong Kong Hong Kong ’s new chief justice is a “world virus” that requires an Fong entertainment district international response, and indi­ recently; one from a wedding ban­ vidual countries should not quet at a Discovery Bay hotel on By CHEN ZIMO in Hong Kong that if he is appointed, he will do his under the “one country, two sys­ blame any particular nation. Lantau Island; and another who keep social gatherings down by [email protected] utmost to ensure that the rule of tems” principle that the chief jus­ In reference to some politicians went to an outdoor party at Wong banning alcoholic drinks at restau­ law and judicial independence are tice of the Court of Final Appeal repeated using of the term “Chi­ Chuk Hang on southern Hong rants and bars, other private gath­ Hong Kong Chief Executive Car­ maintained, and that the rights and leads an independent judiciary nese virus” in speeches and on Kong Island that had more than erings are beyond its control, rie Lam on Tuesday announced freedoms of the individual are safe­ and upholds the rule of law. social media in the past few days, 100 people. Chuang said. the appointment of Andrew guarded. Cheung has served as a perma­ Perry called it “unfortunate if So far, 10 cases have been traced One more patient was dis­ Cheung Kui­nung as the new chief Cheung will succeed Geoffrey Ma nent judge of the Court of Final some wish to criticize others to to the banquet, seven linked to the charged from a hospital on Tues­ justice of the Court of Final Tao­li and become the third chief Appeal of Hong Kong since Oct 25, steer blame away from them­ band in Lan Kwai Fong, and five day, raising the number of patients Appeal. justice of the Court of Final Appeal 2018. He joined the judiciary as a selves. This is the world’s virus and others to the Wong Chuk Hang who have recovered to 102. The Cheung’s appointment received since Hong Kong returned to the district judge in June 2001. it is best handled by the world”. party. occupation rate of the city’s total backing from local political leaders motherland in 1997. His term starts Also backing the government’s “It is for all to unite to fight it. Hospital Authority Chief Manager 971 isolation beds is 51 percent. and prominent members of the on Jan 11. decision was lawmaker Holden Don’t be distracted. Don’t use (Patient Safety and Risk Manage­ Referring to a female doctor legal profession. They expressed Ma said he was confident that Chow Ho­ding, who said he racist words. Be brave and face ment) Sara Ho Yuen­ha told the with the Department of Health confidence in Cheung, a highly Cheung will make an outstanding expects Cheung to take measures this together.” Department of Health’s daily press who was confirmed on Monday to qualified person, to safeguard the chief justice and continue to to deal with the backlog of cases United Nations Secretary­Gen­ briefing on Tuesday that the strong­ have been infected, Chuang said rule of law in Hong Kong. uphold the rule of law and protect since June that are related to the eral Antonio Guterres also urged est support the public can give to the doctor was responsible for Speaking to reporters ahead of a judicial independence — if his “Extradition Bill Incident”, such warring parties across the world medical workers is to avoid going issuing quarantine orders and weekly Executive Council meet­ appointment is ratified by the leg­ as extending court hours, hiring to lay down their weapons in sup­ out. explaining relevant information to ing, Lam said the decision, based islature. additional manpower, and estab­ port of the wider battle against She warned that no matter how travelers arriving at Hong Kong on the recommendation of the He expected the judiciary will lishing 24­hour courts. the coronavirus in an appeal many isolation beds the city has, it International Airport. Judicial Officers Recommenda­ continue to safeguard the rights However, the Legislative Coun­ issued Monday. He called the won’t be enough if the situation gets She said the job was relatively tion Commission, will also need and freedoms of the individual cil has been facing an impasse for virus “the common enemy” now out of control. low­risk, and the doctor was wear­ the endorsement of the Legislative under Cheung’s leadership. six months over a delay in elect­ threatening all of humankind. Chuang Shuk­kwan, head of the ing adequate protective gear, Council — currently in deadlock The Law Society of Hong Kong ing a House Committee chair­ “The virus does not care about Communicable Disease Branch at including a face mask, a face shield over the selecting of a House Com­ also welcomed the decision, saying man. race or nationality, faction or faith. the Centre for Health Protection, and gloves. The authorities will mittee chairman. in a statement that Cheung is Chow said it was irresponsible for It attacks all, relentlessly,” he said. also said it’s the responsibility of the review the protective measures for Lam urged lawmakers to set highly qualified for the position, the opposition camp to politicize “Meanwhile, armed conflict general public to practice social dis­ medical employees at the airport to aside their differences and select a given his extensive judicial and this issue and hold up the House rages on around the world. The tancing and avoid gatherings. see which areas need to be chairman soon so the appoint­ administrative experience. He also Committee for political purposes. most vulnerable — women and She said any kind of social gather­ improved. ment can proceed. has an impressive reputation The public image of Hong children, people with disabili­ ing poses a high risk of cross­infec­ A colleague of the infected doctor Cheung said he was honored to within and outside the judiciary, Kong’s judicial system will be tar­ ties, the marginalized and the tion even it does not involve eating at the airport who had suspicious be nominated and was fully aware the society added. nished if stonewalling in the legis­ displaced — pay the highest or drinking. symptoms tested negative for COV­ of the community’s high expecta­ The Law Society said it is of car­ lature delays Cheung’s price. They are also at the high­ Although the government can ID­19. tions of the judiciary. Cheung said dinal importance to Hong Kong appointment, added Chow. est risk of suffering devastating losses from COVID­19,” he said. “Let’s not forget that in war­rav­ aged countries, health systems Picturesque have collapsed. Health profession­ Economy: Effectiveness palace als, already few in number, have often been targeted. Refugees and of Fed’s moves uncertain Visitors take a picture at a others displaced by violent con­ park with the snow­capped flict are doubly vulnerable,” he Potala Palace in the distance said. From page 1 new infections in China will allow for in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous The UN chief said he believes a normalization of economic activity region, on Tuesday. Snow fell the world should strive to “end “The Fed’s unexpected moves, over the second quarter, with factory in the city on the plateau on the sickness of war and fight the the most aggressive monetary eas­ output likely picking up more quick­ Monday night. disease that is ravaging our world. ing programs in the history of cen­ ly than activity in the services sector,” HE PENGLEI / CHINA NEWS SERVICE It starts by stopping the fighting tral banking, showed the urgency said Madhavi Bokil, a vice­president everywhere — now”. “It is time to to buoy investors, which is necessa­ and senior researcher at Moody’s put armed conflict on lockdown ry for the market, although more Investors Service. and focus together on the true time is needed to see whether buy­ Chen Yulu, vice­governor of Chi­ fight of our lives,” he added. ing an infinite quantity of Trea­ na’s central bank, said on Sunday surys will lead to a sustained that the economy is returning to Contact the writers at rebound for global markets. The its potential growth rate, with sig­ wangmingjie@ credit crush will last if the global nificant improvement expected in mail.chinadailyuk.com economy further retreats,” said the April­to­June period. Ming Ming, a senior analyst at CIT­ The government’s ability to Xinhua and agencies IC Securities. quickly and effectively lock down contributed to this story. The Fed’s new actions failed to infected populations has allowed boost US stocks immediately. The China to restart production more Dow Jones Industrial Average closed quickly and to limit the damage to down 582.05 points, or 3.04 percent, longer­term growth prospects, said at 18,591.93 on Monday. The S&P lost economists. Hubei: Caution urged in production resumption 67.52 points, or 2.93 percent. Chinese policymakers have But it caused stocks to rise in Asia, responded to the negative economic including A shares. China’s CSI 300 impact and accelerated production From page 1 vocational institutions remains epidemic is over and everything will index of the Shanghai­ and Shen­ resumption. Measures include cut­ postponed and will be set at a later be back to normal,” said Liu Xiao­ zhen­listed stocks added 2.69 per­ ting the amount of cash that banks The easing of traffic restric­ Lifting the lockdown date. cui, a resident in Wuhan who is cent at the close on Tuesday. The have to set aside as reserves, in a tions came as the number of The provincial government recovering from COVID­19. “It also benchmark Shanghai Composite move that will pump 550 billion new infections in Hubei has means the epidemic urged all localities to strictly man­ means that all the efforts from Index rose 2.34 percent, after a drop yuan ($78 billion) into the economy, seen a continuous drop since is over and everything age risks brought by the increased everyone have not been in vain,” she of 3.11 percent a day earlier. The ren­ and offering 800 billion yuan of rel­ March. By the end of Monday, movement of people and gather­ said. minbi appreciated against the US ending and rediscounting financing regions outside Wuhan in will be back to ings and properly respond to Feng Bangli, an employee at a dollar as the US dollar index to commercial banks to increase Hubei had seen zero new infec­ normal. It also means imported risks. printing company in the city, said he dropped. loans. Also included is providing dis­ tions for 19 days in a row and It also asked for work arrange­ was glad to hear the news that “Asia appears past the worst of the cretionary fiscal supports that Wuhan also reported zero new that all the efforts ments to be refined to ensure safe Wuhan will lift the lockdown and virus, and while there is still consid­ include more government spending cases for five consecutive days from everyone have and orderly traffic and active pro­ that his company will resume pro­ erable economic fallout to come, the and tax cuts. from March 18 to 22. motion of the resumption of work duction soon so that he can go to region’s economy should be able to Additional actions will be taken if The announcement said not been in vain.” and production to minimize the work again. eke out a small gain in GDP this necessary to help China’s economy Wuhan will gradually resume Liu Xiaocui, a resident who is losses and restore normal economic “I want to thank the central gov­ year,” said Mark Zandi, chief econo­ rebound, including boosting fixed­ production based on risk evalua­ recovering from COVID­19, in and social development as soon as ernment for its effective efforts, mist at Moody’s. asset investment and consumption, tion. The reopening of schools, Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei possible. which resulted in the containment “The plateauing of the number of officials said. colleges, kindergartens and province “Lifting the lockdown means the of the epidemic,” he said.