Author Archives: hksar gov

     A case of suspected unauthorised access to the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS) has been detected by the Electronic Health Record Registration Office (RO).
 
     Upon receiving an application in mid-December 2018 for a new token for access to the eHRSS by a doctor who already had a user account, the RO carried out follow-up checks and found 11 instances of suspected unauthorised access to the health data of seven patients in the eHRSS between June and November 2018 at the JP Partners Medical (JP) clinic in East Point City, Tseung Kwan O.
 
     These instances of access were believed to have been made by two staff of the clinic by using the account and token of the above-mentioned doctor who had left the clinic. It has yet to be established that the staff concerned were authorised to access the relevant data.
 
     The Electronic Health Record Sharing System Ordinance (Cap 625) imposes responsibilities on healthcare providers for access to and use of patient data only with patients’ sharing consent, and ensuring access to health data is restricted to healthcare professionals for providing healthcare. A Code of Practice is also in place, reminding healthcare providers on how to properly handle patient registration with the eHRSS, management of user accounts and their clinical records, and ensuring system security. 
 
     In the light of the findings, the RO has contacted the seven patients concerned. The Food and Health Bureau has referred the case to the Police to consider if further investigation is warranted and informed the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. So far, there is no indication that security and data integrity of the eHRSS have been compromised.
 
     The RO will invite the healthcare provider involved to review its data and account management system and to satisfy the Commissioner for the Electronic Health Record that arrangements are in place to ensure full adherence to the requirements under the Ordinance and the Code, failing which cancellation of registration as an eHRSS healthcare provider may have to be considered.
 
     For enquiries on the eHRSS, members of the public may contact the RO at 3467 6300 during office hours. The clinic concerned has doctors that participate in the Hospital Authority (HA) General Outpatient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme and the Department of Health (DH) Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, which use the eHRSS for sharing patient health data. JP patients who are on these programmes may contact the HA and the DH at 2300 7300 and 3565 6288 respectively during office hours if they have any enquiries. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:      The Legislative Council (LegCo) Bills Committee on Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment… read more

     Charitable organisations wishing to hold flag days between April 2020 and March 2021 are invited to apply to the Social Welfare Department (SWD) between April 16 and May 15 this year.

     To enable more organisations to solicit donations through flag sales, 29 flag days in 2020-21 will be assigned as regional flag days so that three organisations can sell flags concurrently on those days, one each on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and in the New Territories. There will also be 29 territory-wide flag days to be held in the year.

     An SWD spokesman said today (April 16) that applicant organisations must be bona-fide non-profit-making organisations exempt from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap.112) and, after their registration for tax exemption, have organised charitable activities in each of the past three years. Applicant organisations should refer to the eligibility criteria as detailed in the “Explanatory Notes for Application for Flag Days in 2020-21”.

     “Flag day applications will be considered by the Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee according to factors including the organisation’s integrity and management capability; the nature, value and standard of its existing services; its financial need; and its ability to organise a flag day,” the spokesman said.

     The application form for flag days together with the “Explanatory Notes for Application for Flag Days in 2020-21” can be downloaded from the SWD’s website at www.swd.gov.hk or obtained from the Lotteries Fund Projects Section of the SWD at Rooms 3601-02, 36/F, Sunlight Tower, 248 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, from today to 6pm on May 15 this year.
          
     The completed application form together with the required documents should reach the department at the above address by 6pm on May 15 this year. Late applications will not be considered.

     “Applicant organisations will be informed of the results around October this year,” the spokesman added.

     Enquiries can be made by telephone to 2832 4318 or 2832 4301, or by fax to 2838 0441, or by email to eolf2@swd.gov.hk. read more

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the FinTech Forum of the Internet Economy Summit 2019 this morning (April 16):
 
George (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cyberport, Dr George Lam), Mr Zhong (Chief Operating Officer of Bank of China (Hong Kong), Mr Zhong Xiangqun), government colleagues, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning.
 
     It is a pleasure to join you for today’s FinTech Forum at the fourth annual Internet Economy Summit. 
 
     Like the past three events, this year’s Summit is packed with intelligence and insight from an international gathering of expert speakers, who like myself, have faith in the promise of the digital economy.
 
     Technology is bringing unprecedented opportunities as well as challenges to our financial services – and the customers they court with their innovative offerings. The title of today’s forum, “The New Era of Finance Redefined”, has aptly pointed this out.
 
     As one of the world’s leading international financial centres, Hong Kong is blessed with a strategic location, the “one country, two systems” unique arrangement and ever-growing economic collaboration with the Mainland of China.
 
     Moreover, Hong Kong has a remarkably enabling environment for the development of fintech. After all, we boast a highly efficient infrastructure in information and communications technology, transparent and reassuring financial regulation, the free flow of capital, talent and information, the rule of law underpinned by independent judiciary, and a government committed to a fintech future. 
 
     The results, to date, are clear and compelling. Hong Kong is home to over 550 fintech companies and start-ups. Celebrated innovation laboratories and accelerator programmes such as Accenture FinTech Innovation Lab, Deloitte Asia Pacific Blockchain Lab and the Floor from Israel have also established a presence here.
 
     Investment in our fintech sector is equally impressive. Over the past five years, fintech companies here have raised over US$1.1 billion, compared favourably with those based in Japan, Australia or Singapore.
 
     The Hong Kong SAR Government is determined to keep this momentum going and be its staunch backer. Indeed, fintech is one of our top priorities, and we’ve rolled out a wealth of fintech programmes and initiatives.
 
     Last September, we launched the Faster Payment System. It connects banks and stored-value facilities – the so-called “e-wallets” – enabling the public to transfer funds instantly, in both Hong Kong dollars and Renminbi, anytime, anywhere. You need only use a mobile phone number or an email address as an account proxy.
 
     As of the end of February, the Faster Payment System had recorded more than 2.5 million registrations, processing over 8.7 million transactions in all. A very fast start, I’d say.
 
     At the same time, we introduced the common QR code standard for retail payments. It helps merchants, especially SMEs, use a single QR code to accept various payment schemes. 
 
     In January, the first phase of the Open Application Programming Interface framework for banks got going. In enabling collaboration with technology firms, it offers more innovative financial services.
 
     Our Securities and Futures Commission last year released regulatory guidelines to impose licensing conditions on companies managing, or intending to manage, portfolios that invest in virtual assets. The Commission is now exploring whether it is suitable to and, if so, how it might regulate virtual asset trading platforms.
 
     As George noted in his address, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has started granting virtual bank licences last month. This is a milestone for Hong Kong opening up the possibility for our banking sector to offer a new kind of customer experience.
 
     I’m sure the emergence of virtual banks will help SMEs and boost the competitiveness of the entire banking sector, and transform the banking experience for customers.
 
     Insurtech is the future as well. And we must all plan for it. Last year, the Insurance Authority launched a Fast Track scheme. It expedites applications by insurance companies, in or from Hong Kong, looking to use digital distribution channels solely in carrying out their businesses.
 
     The first virtual insurer under the Fast Track scheme was granted a licence last December. I am sure more will follow. 
 
     The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers has also launched two Insurtech initiatives: the Motor Insurance DLT-based Authentication System or MIDAS, a blockchain application to help authenticate motor insurance cover notes, and the Insurance Fraud Prevention Claims Database. This helps detect insurance fraud through artificial intelligence and big data means. It will prove particularly beneficial in cases involving multiple claims and syndicates.
 
     In trade finance, a blockchain-based platform was developed by a consortium of 12 banks here last October. Called eTradeConnect, it enables participating banks to digitise and share trade documents, automate processes, reduce the risk of fraud and improve overall trade finance processes. 
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is now exploring connecting eTradeConnect with more overseas initiatives.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, there’s more, indeed much more, to come with fintech. The key is in making it work for the financial services sector, for business in general and, no less of course, for the end user. For all of us, in short.
 
     My thanks to the China Internet Development Foundation and Cyberport for organising this year’s Internet Economy Summit, and for the many other organisations that lent their invaluable support to this important, and innovative, annual gathering. 
 
     I wish you all a very rewarding day and the best of business in the digital economy. 
 
     Thank you very much.

    

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 15) arrested two male directors and one male salesperson of a ginseng and dried seafood shop suspected to have applied a false trade description in the sale of American ginseng, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that salesmen of a ginseng and dried seafood shop in Mong Kok used a gift to attract a customer and further claimed that American ginseng was being sold at a specific price. After the goods were sliced, the salesmen revealed that the American ginseng was priced per tael. The price was 16 times different from expected.

     After investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested three men, aged between 27 and 42.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement with the coming of the Labour Day Golden Week period.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase products from reputable shops. Consumers should also be cautious about the unit price and ask for more information, including the total price of the goods selected, before making a purchase decision.

     Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. The management staff will also be liable if the offence is committed with their consent or connivance or is attributed to their neglect.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk). read more