HONG KONG - China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Netherlands on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to mark the establishment of a bilateral Working Holiday Scheme for young people of the two places.The agreement was signed by the HKSAR government's Secretary for Labor and Welfare, Law Chi-kwong, and the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong, Annemieke Ruigrok.Law said, "Apart from broadening their horizons, this scheme provides an opportunity for young people in Hong Kong and the Netherlands to gain living and working experience in a foreign culture."Ruigrok hailed the MoU as a sign of the excellent shape of friendly relations between the Netherlands and Hong Kong. She encouraged young people to make full use of the opportunities provided by the scheme. "This will lead to a deeper understanding of each other's cultures, which will further strengthen our relations, today and in the future," she said.The scheme with the Netherlands is Hong Kong's 13th working holiday scheme. Since 2001, Hong Kong has established working holiday schemes with New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Canada, South Korea, France, Britain, Austria, Hungary and Sweden. So far, more than 85,000 Hong Kong youths have benefited from these schemes.The working holiday scheme between Hong Kong and the Netherlands will commence operation on Jan 1 next year. Under the scheme, youths from each side will be able to apply for a visa, which will allow them to stay in the Netherlands or Hong Kong for up to 12 months. During the period, they may work to finance their stay or study short-term courses. There will be an annual quota of 100 from each side. pink wristbands bulkwristbands with a messagejordan wristband rubberrubber bracelets cheapsilicone fidget spinner
PYONGYANG -- The official media of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Tuesday called on the Republic of Korea (ROK) to avoid any action that could harm the on-going inter-Korean rapprochement.Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the DPRK, called a ceremony recently held marking the 8th anniversary of the sinking of ROK warship Cheonan "an unpardonable confrontational act of throwing a wet blanket over the atmosphere of improved inter-Korean relations."High-ranking authorities and officials, opposition parties and the commander of the US troops in ROK attended the ceremony held at the State Taejon Hyonchung Cemetery.The daily, a newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, called the ceremony an anti-DPRK confrontational farce invented by South Korean conservatives to completely destroy north-south relations."Nevertheless, the present South Korean authorities ... are chiming in on the anti-DPRK smear incident," the daily said.The Cheonan sunk in 2010. Of the 104 soldiers onboard, 46 were killed. Seoul said the corvette was sunk by torpedoes fired by the DPRK, a charge repeatedly denied by Pyongyang.The two Koreas held a high-level dialogue last week, agreeing to hold a summit between ROK President Moon Jae-in and top DPRK leader Kim Jong-un on April 27 in Panmunjom.
