The Government today (April 12) announced that the Chief Executive has, pursuant to section 4 of the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance (URAO), appointed Mr Chow Chung-kong as Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Board for a term of three years with effect from May 1, 2019. The Chief Executive has also re-appointed/appointed 17 non-executive directors of the URA Board, including four official non-executive directors, for a term of three years with effect from May 1, 2019.

     The nine new non-official non-executive directors are Mr Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, Ms Ivy Chua Suk-lin, Mr Ho Wing-cheong, Dr Lee Ho-yin, Ms Elaine Lo Yuen-man, Professor Tang Bo-sin, Ms Judy Tong Kei-yuk, Mr Andy Tong Sze-hang and Mr Wong Yuen-shan. The four re-appointed non-official non-executive directors are Ms Judy Chan Ka-pui, Mr Roger Luk Koon-hoo, Mrs Cecilia Wong Ng Kit-wah and Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam.

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, welcomed the appointment. "Mr Chow Chung-kong has had a long record of public service and possesses vast experience in the business sector, and will be able to lead the URA to meet future challenges," he said.

     The Government is particularly grateful to the outgoing Chairman, Mr Victor So Hing-woh, who will soon have served for six years, for his outstanding contributions to the URA. "As Chairman of the URA Board, Mr So led the URA in undertaking urban redevelopment plans with a broader vision, which includes taking forward urban renewal efforts in Kowloon City under a district-based approach to bring about greater planning and social benefits. Under his leadership, the URA has commenced a number of strategic studies to explore the way forward for urban renewal with a forward-looking mindset. Mr So has also strived to ensure that the URA maintains financial sustainability, laying a solid foundation for the long-term development of the URA," Mr Wong said.

     "The newly appointed non-official non-executive directors come from different sectors of the community. I am sure their expertise and experience in their respective fields will help contribute and provide valuable input to the work of the URA Board," he added.

     Mr Wong also expressed gratitude to the 10 outgoing non-official non-executive directors, namely Dr Ann Chiang Lai-wan, Mr Edward Chow Kwong-fai, Mr Laurence Ho Hoi-ming, Professor Eddie Hui Chi-man, Mr Nelson Lam Chi-yuen, Dr Gregg Li Ka-lok, Mr Laurence Li Lu-jen, Mr Timothy Ma Kam-wah, Mr David Tang Chi-fai and Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai.

     The new URA Board will comprise 19 non-official non-executive directors (including the Chairman), four official non-executive directors and three executive directors. All the non-official non-executive directors are appointed in their personal capacity.

     The membership of the URA Board is set out below:
 
Chairman
————
Mr Chow Chung-kong
 
Non-Executive Directors (Non-official)
——————————————
 
Mr Evan Au Yang Chi-chun
Ms Judy Chan Ka-pui
Mr Vincent Cheng Wing-shun
Ms Ivy Chua Suk-lin
Mr Ho Wing-cheong
Dr Lee Ho-yin
Professor Joseph Lee Kok-long
Ms Elaine Lo Yuen-man
Mr Roger Luk Koon-hoo
Ms Alice Mak Mei-kuen
Dr Lawrence Poon Wing-cheung
Professor Tang Bo-sin
Ms Judy Tong Kei-yuk
Mr Andy Tong Sze-hang
Mrs Cecilia Wong Ng Kit-wah
Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam
Mr Wong Yuen-shan
Mr Wu Chi-wai
 
Non-Executive Directors (Official)
————————————-
Director of Buildings
Director of Lands
Director of Planning
Deputy Director of Home Affairs (2)
 
Executive Directors
———————-
Managing Director/Deputy Chairman
Two Executive Directors

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 12) reminded members of the public who intend to travel during Easter holidays to stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases in their destinations, and with the approach of the rainy season, they are urged to adopt necessary precautions to guard against mosquito-borne diseases whether locally or abroad.
 
     "Members of the public should adopt anti-mosquito measures and remove stagnant water and clear rubbish to prevent mosquito breeding in and around your home with the approach of the rainy season," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     There are many mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever (DF), Japanese encephalitis (JE), malaria, yellow fever and Zika virus infection (ZVI). To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body. Travellers returning from areas affected by DF and ZVI should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong.
 
　　Regarding the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, from April 4 to 11, the CHP recorded four imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (one case), Indonesia (one case), Malaysia (one case) and Sri Lanka (one case) during the incubation period.
 
     As of April 11, the CHP had recorded a total of 39 confirmed cases in 2019, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Indonesia (eight cases), Malaysia (eight cases) and Thailand (six cases).

     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2019 revealed that 14 774 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 48 634 in the Philippines, 31 901 in Malaysia (which was 2.5 times the number of cases reported in the same period in 2018), 2 423 in Singapore (since December 30, 2018), 44 404 in Vietnam (which was 3.6 times the number of cases reported in the same period in 2018) and 71 in Japan. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 9 585 cases were filed in Mexico in 2019.
 
　　For ZVI, no local cases have been recorded by the CHP to date. Due to the high volume of international travel, there is always a risk of importation of ZVI to Hong Kong. As the mosquito Aedes albopictus is commonly found locally, there is also the risk of local spread if ZVI is imported into Hong Kong.
 
     Meanwhile, members of the public should also pay attention to cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) abroad. The spokesman pointed out that as countries in the Middle East, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, continue to report MERS cases from time to time, travellers should refrain from going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. Most of the cases reported in the Middle East had history of exposure to camels, consumption of camel milk or contact with other MERS patients.
 
     Scientific evidence showed that camels are reservoirs for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through nasal and eye discharge, faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus may also be found in the raw organs and meat of infected animals. Therefore, the best protection is to practise good hygiene and avoid direct contact with all of these.
 
     "From time to time, suspected MERS cases reported to the CHP for investigation involved patients with history of contact with camels in the Middle East. The CHP strongly advises travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS-CoV," the spokesman said.
 
     If returning travellers develop any symptoms, they should seek medical advice immediately and report their travel history to the healthcare professionals. Moreover, members of the general public should always take the following measures to prevent respiratory and other infections:
 

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70-80 per cent alcohol-based handrub as an effective alternative;
• Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when develop respiratory symptoms;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation; and
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks in such places.

 
     The public may also visit the CHP's pages on DF, ZVI and MERS for more information. 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited on phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the email concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the email should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

    Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending a special meeting of the LegCo Finance Committee today (April 12):
 
Reporter: Regarding the incident of Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary School, what sort of investigations has the Education Bureau conducted and what are the results? And how is the Education Bureau following up on this incident?
 
Secretary for Education: As I said, actually before the incident was reported in the media, we had already started the investigations into mainly those (issues) relating to the usage of government funding, whether they complied with government guidelines in, for example, the tendering procedures, as well as the promotion of staff.
 
     We did find out that there were some irregularities, and so we have already issued a letter to the IMC (Incorporated Management Committee) and advised them that they had breached some of the guidelines and they had to have some remedial actions. And they actually have replied to us that they would take some remedial actions. At this stage, we will be following up and make sure that what they have promised us to do will be implemented and followed up closely.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 12) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.