Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, at a media session on matters relating to trade conflict between China and the United States (US) after meeting with representatives of major chambers of commerce and associations of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) today (May 10):

Reporter: Do you mean the impact on Hong Kong trade and Hong Kong business has been minimal because Hong Kong trade has been expecting the tariff hike? Would the Government roll out more extra measures in spite of this? Are you expecting that a trade deal can be reached, and no more tariff hike?

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: Having discussed for the 12th time with all major (business) chambers in Hong Kong, the general reaction to the additional tariffs just imposed this afternoon is saddened but calm. Saddened in the sense that nobody wishes to see, particularly from Hong Kong’s perspective, the US using tariffs as a trade protection measure to distort trade. Certainly it would add burden to not just manufacturers, exporters, traders, but eventually also consumers. From where Hong Kong stands, we obviously wish that any trade disputes should be settled through negotiations instead of exchanging, or doing tit for tat, sanctions.

     The general feedback from the trade remains calm partly because this is not totally unexpected. We recall that since last September when we sat down to tackle the increase of additional tariff at 10 per cent, there were worries and preparations for further increase in tariff. That’s why feedback from the trade said that they are getting prepared in a number of ways – in finding an alternative source of products for the US market, including relocation of certain factories and production lines outside the Mainland to Southeast Asia and further away; and also starting negotiations with importers on who to share the additional tariff. From the trade, the 25-per cent tariff is certainly a toll far beyond they can afford, therefore somebody has to foot the bill. That would be a matter of negotiation between exporters and importers. So all these have to be taken into account of and that explains why the reaction from the people I met today is calmer that I expected.

     Certainly that (additional tariff) would pose a very negative impact on trade and our economy. We see in the first quarter (of 2019), export trade decreased at 2.4 per cent. Although the business sentiment has taken up in early months of this year, it would be dampened with this additional (tariff) measure. As to how hard it would hit Hong Kong’s economy, I think it’s yet to tell because the negotiation between the US and China is still going on and we still hope that there would be positive developments. As usual, both the Government and the trade are preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.

      For the additional (government) measures, we have been getting ourselves prepared for this. A lot of measures were actually rolled out well before the scenario today. The export (credit) insurance has been enhanced with the reduction of premium and extension of services, which are used by about 1 300 policy holders. This demonstrates that more people are using the export credit insurance, which also covers pre-shipment. The Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation also intends to extend these special enhanced measures for another year until the middle of 2020.

       The second batch of measures is related to financing. Liquidity is a major concern among SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in facing all these challenges. Since we stepped up the measures regarding the loan financing scheme, i.e. the financing guarantee for SME (special concessionary measures under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme), additional loans approved (amounted) up to $3.9 billion and additional guarantee commitment of $3.1 billion. The total amount of guarantee approved under the scheme represents a 49 per cent of take-up rate of the commitment we have made for this scheme. We still have money around and certainly this (scheme) provides a timely relief for SMEs.

     Last but not the least, the last seven to eight months has been a very active time (for the trade) as we see enterprises and SMEs seeking out to find new markets, new trading partners and new production locations. Essentially, they go out to the Mainland to look at the Mainland market. As a result, the applications for the SME funding (the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales) for the Mainland market jumped by 100 per cent. The new initiative, which allows them to use the funding on ASEAN markets, has received about 300 applications. We have also rolled out a new measure, which is still subject to Legislative Council’s approval, an additional $1 billion for branding, upgrading and market development (the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales) for extension to markets which have entered into free trade agreements with Hong Kong.

     All these measures are timely taken up, and hopefully, they will provide some buffer (to the trade) in this difficult time.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     A sick 69-year-old male person in custody at Tai Lam Correctional Institution died in a public hospital today (May 10).

     On April 30, he was convicted for the offence of possession of dutiable goods. Thereafter, he has all along received treatment in the institution hospital due to his heart disease, lung disease, hypertension and physical discomfort. Yesterday (May 9), he was sent to a public hospital due to shortness of breath. During hospitalisation, his condition suddenly deteriorated and he was certified dead at 8.12am today.

     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner’s Court. read more

     The Department of Health (DH) today (May 10) presented commendations to over 70 community members and 80 participating organisations at the “I’m So Smart” Community Health Promotion Programme Recognition Ceremony for their participation in promoting an active lifestyle with regular physical activity and less sedentary behaviour, and a healthy diet with adequate intake of fruits and vegetables.

     Addressing the recognition ceremony, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH, Dr Wong Ka-hing, said that Hong Kong faces an increasing threat from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). An unhealthy diet and insufficient physical activity are among the behavioural risk factors responsible for NCDs. In 2019/20, the Programme will continue to promote reducing sedentary behaviour, and will encourage members of the public to walk more to increase their physical activity levels and to integrate physical activity into daily life. In addition, the programme will emphasise a low-salt healthy diet, raising the public’s awareness about salt consumption and enhancing their knowledge about the hidden salt in food.
 
     Dr Wong pointed out that consuming too much salt is detrimental to health, which may raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that healthy adults should consume below 5 grams of salt per day, and that children should consume less salt than adults.
 
     However, according to the findings of the DH’s Population Health Survey 2014/15, over 85 per cent of the respondents had a salt intake above the WHO’s recommended daily limit. The DH has been carrying out various measures to encourage the public to reduce salt intake, such as implementing the Salt Reduction Scheme for School Lunches in the 2017/18 school year to build a favourable school environment for promoting a healthy diet, and to cultivate good eating habits for children.
 
     Dr Wong added that globally about one in four adults are not physically active enough, while an alarming four in five of the world’s adolescent population are not sufficiently physically active. The DH launched the “Healthy Hong Kong 2025 | Move for Health” Campaign last year to encourage the public to “move for health” and increase their physical activity to build an active lifestyle.

 â€‹     Dr Wong said, “To address the threat of NCDs, last year the Government launched ‘Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong’ (SAP), with a focus on four NCDs, namely cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, and four shared behavioural risk factors, namely an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.

​     “The SAP sets out a series of actions to prevent and control NCDs and address the burden of NCDs. Nevertheless, the participation and co-operation of the community is of paramount importance in achieving the goal of reducing the burden of NCDs. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all participating organisations and members of the community for their support and involvement, and hope that we shall continue to work in close partnership to establish healthy lifestyles and a healthy culture and make Hong Kong a healthier city.”

     The “I’m So Smart” Community Health Promotion Programme was launched in 2012 and aims at enhancing community collaboration to promote healthy lifestyles with healthy eating and regular physical activity. Over 80 groups participated in the Programme last year, including the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA), Estate Management Advisory Committees of housing estates under the HKHA, Healthy Cities Projects and 50 non-governmental organisations. Related activities by participating organisations attracted a total attendance of more than 65 300 last year.
 
     Other officiating guests at today’s ceremony included the Chief Manager/Management of the Housing Department, Mrs Harriet Lau; the Vice President of the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China, Mr Roy Ngai; and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Dietitians Association, Ms Sylvia Lam.

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 10) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection, and again urged the public and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The case involves a 2-month-old baby girl with good past health, who has presented with cough, runny nose and vomiting since April 28 and fever since May 8. She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of North District Hospital for medical attention on April 30 and was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on the same day for management. The patient has all along been in a stable condition.

     Her cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for EV upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was meningitis.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had recently travelled to Qingyuan, Guangdong. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should be vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:
 

• Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.

     Children suffering from EV infection should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered.

     The public may visit the CHP’s page on hand, foot and mouth disease and EV71 infection for more information. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (May 10) investigating two cases of measles infection.

     As at 4pm today, two cases were recorded. The first case involves a 47-year-old man with good past health who developed cough since May 6 and fever and rash since May 8. He consulted private doctors on May 6 and 8, attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Prince of Wales Hospital on May 8 and was admitted for treatment on the following day. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He has been in a stable condition. The patient’s measles vaccination history is unknown. He had no travel history during the incubation period and communicable period.

​     The second case involves a 27-year-old woman with good past health who developed fever on May 4 and rash since May 8. She consulted a private doctor and attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on May 8 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. A laboratory test of her respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. She has been in a stable condition. The patient’s measles vaccination history is unknown. She travelled to the Philippines during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.

     According to both patients, they did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. Their home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.

      Upon notification of the cases, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing. The public places the patients visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.

     “The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals,” a spokesman for the DH advised.

     Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), a total of four persons had received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 393.

     From tomorrow (May 11) to May 17 (excluding Sundays and public holidays), measles vaccination will be provided to airport staff who:

(1) Were born in or after 1967, and have not received two doses of measles vaccination, and have not been infected with measles before; or
(2) Have laboratory evidence of testing not positive against measles antibody (IgG).

     The vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 600 doses daily. The venue and operation hours of the airport vaccination station are as follows:
 

Venue:	Multi-function Room, HKIA Tower (Level 5, Terminal 2)
Hours:	May 11 to 17 (excluding Sundays and public holidays) 10am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm

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