Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government announced today (March 7) that, in accordance with the Articles of Association of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) and as the majority shareholder, the Financial Secretary Incorporated has appointed Mr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen to succeed Professor Frederick Ma Si-hang as the next Chairman of the board of directors of the Corporation with effect from July 1, 2019. The appointment is for two and a half years until December 31, 2021. Mr Auyeung was appointed, with immediate effect, as a director of the Corporation by the MTRCL earlier today.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, thanked Professor Ma for his contribution in the board of the MTRCL over the years. The MTR is a major public transport mode, serving a daily patronage of around 5.8 million. It is part of the daily life of the general public. Under the leadership of Professor Ma, the MTRCL commenced the service of the Kwun Tong Line Extension and the South Island Line smoothly, facilitating citizens’ travelling and adding vibrancy to the areas served. The Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link also started operations in September last year, connecting to the high-speed railway network of the country, further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as the regional transport hub and promoting collaboration between Hong Kong and different provinces and cities of the Mainland of China in various fronts including people flows, logistics and tourism, creating new opportunities.

     Mr Chan noted that the MTRCL has also appointed its new Chief Executive Officer. He said he expected that, when the new Chairman and the new Chief Executive Officer assume office, they would strengthen the MTRCL’s corporate governance, promote the steady growth of the Corporation, drive continuous enhancement of the safety and quality of its services, and step up communication with the Government and the community, so as to fulfil the community’s aspirations. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (March 7) that the official foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong amounted to US$434.5 billion as at the end of February 2019 (end-January 2019: US$432.1 billion) (Annex).
 
     Including unsettled foreign exchange contracts, the foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong at the end of February 2019 amounted to US$427.3 billion (end-January 2019: US$425.0 billion).
 
     The total foreign currency reserve assets of US$434.5 billion represent about seven times the currency in circulation or 46 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3.

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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS). The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of March 2019, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

March 7	SDDS International Reserves (Hong Kong’s Latest Foreign Currency Reserve Assets Figures)
March 14	SDDS Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank (Analytical Accounts of the Exchange Fund)
March 29	SDDS Template on International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity
March 29	Exchange Fund Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 7) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From March 1 to 6, the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had been to Vietnam during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (March 6), 29 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Indonesia (seven), Malaysia (seven), Sri Lanka (four) and Thailand (four). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2019 revealed that 9 044 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 15 540 in Vietnam, 1 837 in Singapore (since December 30, 2018) and 41 in Japan. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 5 503 cases were filed in Mexico in 2019.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF and Zika virus infection should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP’s tips for using insect repellents for details. read more

     Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements from March 9 to 11 to facilitate the holding of a car racing event to be held in Central Harbourfront. Crowd safety management meas… read more

     The Government announced today (March 7) that Mr David Wong Fuk-loi, Administrative Officer Staff Grade B, will succeed Ms Ada Leung Ka-lai as Director of Intellectual Property on March 18, 2019. Ms Leung will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day.

     Commenting on the appointment of Mr Wong, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, said, “Mr Wong has strong leadership and management skills as well as rich experience in public administration. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Intellectual Property Department to meet the challenges ahead and continue to deliver quality service to the community.”

     On the retirement of Ms Leung, Mr Law said, “Ms Leung has served with dedication and professionalism in the civil service throughout the past 35 years. As Director of Intellectual Property, she has made exemplary contributions and led the department in taking forward various tasks, including enhancing the legislative framework of Hong Kong’s intellectual property (IP) regime and promoting IP protection. I wish her a fulfilling and happy retirement.”

     Brief biographical notes of the two officers are set out below:

Ms Ada Leung Ka-lai
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     Ms Leung joined the Government as Executive Officer II in September 1983. She was appointed as Assistant Crown Counsel in July 1990. She was promoted to Assistant Director of Intellectual Property in June 2002 and to Deputy Director of Intellectual Property in June 2012. She has been Director of Intellectual Property since May 2014.

Mr David Wong Fuk-loi
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     Mr Wong joined the Administrative Service in August 1990 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B in April 2013. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Transport Department, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former Trade Department, the Financial Secretary’s Office, the Security Bureau, the former Education and Manpower Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

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