Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 2) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The case involves a 7-year-old girl with underlying illnesses, who has presented with cough and runny nose since March 27. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Queen Mary Hospital for medical attention on March 29 and was admitted for management. She was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the hospital yesterday for further management.
 
     Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. She is now in a serious condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her parents, elder brother and domestic helper developed upper respiratory tract infection symptoms recently and have sought medical attention. They have been in a stable condition and no hospitalisation is required.
 
     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
  
     “The latest surveillance data showed that the local influenza activity has further decreased to a level approaching the baseline. We urge the community to continue heightening its vigilance against seasonal influenza. As young children are particularly affected in this influenza season, we appeal to parents who have not yet arranged vaccination for their children in this season to do so as soon as possible to strengthen their personal protection,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Apart from children, people aged 50 to 64 years, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses who have not yet received influenza vaccination this season are also urged to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. Medical advice should be sought promptly if influenza-like symptoms develop so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as early as possible to prevent potential complications. Parents and carers are reminded to render assistance in prevention, care and control for vulnerable people.

     Besides receiving seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible for personal protection, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses. For more information, please visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly Flu Express. read more

     In response to the sections on Hong Kong as set out in the 2019 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report issued by the United States Trade Representative last Friday (March 29), a Government spokesman made the following remarks today (April 2):

     The NTE Report made an inaccurate statement about Hong Kong due to its misinterpretation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) requirement for Members to submit Checklist of Issues replies to the WTO Committee on Customs Valuation. Our Economic and Trade Offices in Washington and Geneva immediately followed up with the relevant US authorities on April 1 to convey our concerns over the inaccurate information and clarify that Hong Kong has, since 1996, fulfilled its notification obligations under the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement.

     In point of fact, Hong Kong is a free port and does not impose any customs duties on imported goods. We therefore do not have any laws, regulations or administrative procedures for valuing goods for customs duties purposes. In accordance with the relevant WTO agreement, Hong Kong has duly made the relevant notifications to the WTO in 1996. As there has been no change to our policy since, there is simply no need for Hong Kong to submit further notifications to the WTO or reply to the Checklist of Issues which concerns individual WTO Members’ valuation systems for the collection of customs duties.

     As a founding member and staunch supporter of the WTO, Hong Kong takes its obligations and rights seriously. We also attach great importance to fulfilling the notification requirements under all WTO Agreements and maintain a good track record of submitting timely notifications to the WTO.

     On the other hand, we acknowledge the positive remarks made in the NTE Report on Hong Kong’s efforts in the protection of intellectual protection rights (IPR). The Report recognises Hong Kong’s robust IPR protection and enforcement, our dedicated and effective enforcement capacity, our judicial system that supports enforcement efforts with deterrent fines and criminal sentences, and our youth education programmes that discourage IPR-infringing activities.

     The NTE Report mentioned the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s unsuccessful attempts to update our copyright system. That the two amendment bills we introduced in 2011 and 2014 to reform the copyright regime had not been approved by the Legislative Council reflects the controversial nature of copyright issues, where it is difficult to achieve a meeting of minds between the copyright owners and users. That has not deterred our efforts to enhance our copyright regime as appropriate to meet international standards. Our recent proposals to amend the Copyright Ordinance to enhance the copyright exceptions for persons with a print disability, so as to meet the standards under the Marrakesh Treaty, is a testimony to our determination and efforts. On the enforcement front, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) will continue to take rigorous enforcement actions against online piracy, so as to protect the legitimate interests of copyright owners.

     As to the issue of counterfeit products mentioned in the NTE Report, as any law enforcement agency could readily testify, combating effectively the transnational flow of such products requires the joint and close collaboration of various stakeholders and different jurisdictions. In this regard, the C&ED has signed memoranda of co-operation with major courier operators to strengthen co-operation with the express courier industry to intercept infringing shipments. The C&ED will also continue to enhance its co-operation with IP enforcement authorities in other jurisdictions, including the US, in combating the transnational flow of infringing goods. read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Security meeting at the LegCo Complex today (April 2):

Reporter: Secretary, does it mean that the Government would not consider making the current proposal not retroactive? And secondly, do you have anything to say to the Bar Association (Hong Kong Bar Association)’s statement?
 
Secretary for Security: The principle of surrender of fugitives, of course, is in regard to a person who has committed a crime previously and that is the reason why he tries to escape justice and becomes a fugitive. So obviously, the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance is to deal with people who have committed a crime previously. I think that is a very obvious principle that anybody can understand. In the Bills Committee, of course we will be explaining all the amendment proposals that the Government has made and answer any questions that may arise. At that time, we will explain all the reasons, all the purposes, and all the intentions.
 
     Your second question?
 
Reporter: Do you have anything to add to the Bar Association’s statement?
 
Secretary for Security: I respect opinions from everybody. But to me, it is a fact that I cannot deal with, first of all, at present, the Taiwan murder case because there is no law. The second factor is the surrender on a case basis is full of matters that make it not practicable. So to me, it is a loophole that I must plug. I respect, of course, other opinions, and that is why at the Bills Committee, we will be explaining more to questions that will be raised with my colleagues at the time.   
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)   read more

     A company providing pet hospice services in Kwai Chung, Goodbye Dear Company Limited, was convicted and fined by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (April 2) for contravening the Air Pollution Control (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations. The company was fined $10,000, plus a daily fine totalling $4,800, making a final total of $14,800, for illegal installation of cremators for cremating pet carcasses.

     In relation to air pollution caused by private companies providing pet hospice services, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) found a crematorium for cremating pet carcasses installed in a pet hospice services company in Wing Loi Industrial Building, 8-14 Wing Lap Street, during a proactive inspection of the area in Kwai Chung in September last year. After investigating and gathering evidence, the EPD confirmed that the total fuel consumption rate of the cremators exceeded the statutory limit. Moreover, the company had not obtained approval from the EPD before the installation of the cremators as required by law. The EPD prosecuted the company involved under the Air Pollution Control (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations.

     A spokesman reminded all pet hospice services organisations that they should submit an application to the EPD and obtain approval from the department prior to installing any furnaces (including pet cremators) with a conventional liquid fuel consumption rate exceeding the exempted limit of 25 litres per hour in total. The organisations must adopt a proper design for the furnace, air pollution control as well as exhaust systems that meet the requirements of the department. Moreover, the relevant organisations must adopt effective air pollution control equipment during operation to avoid causing air pollution and nuisance to the public.

     Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and a daily fine of $500 may be imposed for a continuing offence. read more

     Six persons and a trading company involved in five cases of illegal waste disposal in Sheung Shui, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Yuen Long were convicted and fined a total of $26,000 at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (April 2) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation. In addition to the above cases, five other cases of the same kind are scheduled for hearings in different district courts next week.

     From September to November last year, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) successfully traced five cases of illegal waste disposal on government and private land on Kwu Tung Road in Sheung Shui, Tai Chung Road in Tsuen Wan, Chun Pin Street and Lam Tin Street in Kwai Chung, and Sha Kiu Tsuen as well as Wing Kei Tsuen in Yuen Long based on intelligence gathered through various channels, including videos, photos and complaints from members of the public as well as surveillance camera systems installed by the EPD. The offenders included the owner of the vehicle involved, the person-in-charge of the relevant works, a goods vehicle driver and a worker. The waste deposited included wood waste, used wooden boards, construction waste and commercial and industrial (C&I) waste. The waste deposited not only caused obstruction to pedestrians, but also caused environmental hygiene problems. The EPD prosecuted the persons and the company involved under the WDO and the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation after collecting evidence.

     An EPD spokesman said the department has installed surveillance camera systems in different districts and has hoisted banners with the slogan “Stop illegal dumping. Someone is watching” with a view to enhancing efforts to combat illegal waste disposal. The department hopes that the above series of successful convictions against illegal waste disposal can strengthen the deterrent effect.

     The spokesman also reminded all members of the renovation, construction and transportation sectors, including persons-in-charge of construction sites, workers and drivers as well as owners of goods vehicles, that they must properly deliver construction waste and C&I waste to the government waste management facilities in accordance with the law. Otherwise, they may commit an offence. Under the WDO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months’ imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions. According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, it is an offense to dispose of waste on the streets or in public places from vehicles, including goods vehicles, private cars and motorcycles. The registered owner may be prosecuted. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

     The spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111.