The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) today (July 19) released a list of the locations, functions and equipment of the 50 smart lampposts which have been installed so far. The aim is to enable the … read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 19) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
A. Dengue fever
From July 12 to 18, the CHP recorded seven imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (two cases), Malaysia (two epidemiologically linked cases), Indonesia (one case), Nepal (one case) and multiple countries (one case, who had been to Cambodia and Laos) during the incubation period.
As of yesterday (July 18), 84 cases had been recorded this year, all of which were imported. The cases were mainly imported from Malaysia (17), Thailand (15) and Indonesia (13).
The CHP has been closely monitoring the latest DF situation in neighbouring and overseas areas. DF is endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas this year has been uploaded to the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).
According to the ovitrap data from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus rose from 11 per cent in May to 16 per cent in June, indicating that mosquito infestation was slightly more extensive in the areas surveyed. Members of the public, especially residents in areas with extensive mosquito infestation, should stay vigilant and carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures.
​”Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
B. Chikungunya fever
​ From July 12 to 18, the CHP confirmed one CF case. The patient had been to Thailand (epidemiologically linked to the cluster of three cases recorded last week) during the incubation period. Apart from this cluster of four CF cases who had travelled to Thailand together during the incubation period, no other confirmed CF cases were recorded in Hong Kong in 2019.
CF is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus. It is clinically characterised by fever frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually lasts for a few days or may be prolonged for weeks. Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years.
Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. Although one vector, Aedes aegypti, is not found in Hong Kong, the other vector, Aedes albopictus, is widely distributed locally. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours, though there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon.
The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
The second Joint Conference on Advancing Hong Kong’s Full Participation in and Contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative was held in Beijing today (July 19). At the conference, the work launched by relevant Mainland ministries and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to take forward Hong Kong’s full participation in and contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative after the first Joint Conference was looked at. There were exchanges on key initiatives, including the deliberation on the establishment of a Belt and Road-related dispute avoidance and resolution mechanism. Both sides agreed on fostering collaboration on policy exchanges and capacity building between the HKSAR Government and relevant Mainland ministries.
The conference was convened by the HKSAR Government with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and other relevant Mainland ministries.
The Vice Chairman of the NDRC, Mr Ning Jizhe, attended the conference with the Deputy Secretary General of the NDRC, Mr Su Wei, who chaired the conference as the Convenor of the Joint Conference. Other Mainland authorities in attendance included the HKMAO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Transport, the People’s Bank of China, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme People’s Court.
HKSAR Government officials attending today’s Conference were the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development and Hong Kong-side Convenor of the Joint Conference, Mr Edward Yau. Representatives from the Department of Justice, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and Invest Hong Kong also attended. Other attendees included representatives of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Insurance Authority and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
Ms Cheng said that Hong Kong can assume an important role as a deal maker and dispute resolver to serve the Belt and Road Initiative given that Hong Kong is privileged to have a sound and robust legal system, international arbitration and mediation legislation. The Department of Justice will continue to promote Hong Kong’s dispute resolution services to the countries and regions along the Belt and Road, leading to high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Mr Yau pointed out that the HKSAR Government will strengthen co-operation with the relevant Mainland authorities on policy exchanges and capacity building, particularly to share, discuss and have interactive exchanges on the practices and experiences of Hong Kong on finance, commerce, foreign-related legal matters, dispute resolution, city management, aviation and transportation, professional services, anti-corruption, and so on. Such collaboration would enhance the professionalism of both sides. This exchange programme was proposed to be held once or twice a year in Hong Kong, and to be led by a Mainland ministry official at the director-general level.
The HKSAR Government also briefed the Conference on progress made in the past year on implementing the six key areas covered in the “Arrangement between the NDRC and the HKSAR Government for Advancing Hong Kong’s Full Participation in and Contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative” (the Arrangement). The areas include finance and investment, infrastructure and maritime services, economic and trade facilitation, people-to-people bonds, taking forward the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and enhancing collaboration in project interfacing and dispute resolution services. Key progress of work includes the launching of the Green Bond Grant Scheme, signing of Free Trade Agreements and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with more trading partners, and expansion of Hong Kong’s overseas Economic and Trade Office network as well as enhancement of the HKTDC’s Belt and Road Portal.
The Arrangement, signed between the HKSAR Government and the NDRC in December 2017, serves as the principle and blueprint for Hong Kong’s full participation in and contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative. The Joint Conference mechanism has been set up to follow up on the implementation of the Arrangement and meetings are convened at least once a year. The first Joint Conference was held on June 12, 2018, at which the HKSAR Government introduced the strategies for promoting Hong Kong’s full participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Mainland authorities agreed to deepen co-operation in various key areas under the Arrangement. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
Pursuant to the statutory regulatory regime for insurance intermediaries under the Insurance Ordinance and the approval of the Chief Executive in Council, the Insurance Authority (IA) today (July 19) announced to delegate its inspection and investigation powers to the Monetary Authority (MA), taking effect on September 23, 2019 when the statutory regime comes into operation.
The MA is responsible for supervising authorised institutions (AIs)* in accordance with the Banking Ordinance. The IA, under the statutory regime, is responsible for regulation of insurance intermediaries which includes granting of licences, setting regulatory requirements and conduct standards, conducting inspections and investigations, and imposing disciplinary sanctions. The delegation of IA’s powers of inspection and investigation to the MA in relation to insurance related businesses of AIs aims to improve efficiency and to minimise possible regulatory overlap.
To strengthen the co-operation between the IA and the MA under the statutory regime and to ensure regulatory consistency, the two parties today entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding which sets out, amongst others, the arrangements on supervision, complaint handling and enforcement in relation to insurance related activities carried on by AIs.
“At present, the insurance intermediary businesses are carried on by over 40 AIs. Close collaboration between the IA and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) helps enhance efficiency and efficacy in regulating these institutions.” said the Chief Executive Officer of the IA, Mr Clement Cheung.
The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Norman Chan, said, “The delegation of inspection and investigation powers by the IA to the MA supports effective supervision of insurance related activities carried on by AIs. We look forward to continuing the close collaboration with the IA.”
* Authorised institutions mean licensed banks, restricted licence banks and deposit-taking companies. read more
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) released a green turtle in the southern waters of Hong Kong today (July 19). During a field study on March 29, 2018, AFCD staff fou… read more