The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 2) reported two suspected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The cases are detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise 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 Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     The 2019 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display is scheduled to be held at 8pm on the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 6) over Victoria Harbour.
 
     A total of 23 888 firing shells will be discharged in the display from three barges in a 23-minute extravaganza consisting of eight scenes.
 
     The event is co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Bureau and sponsored by Shimao Group and supported by the Friends of Hong Kong Association.
 
     Highlights of the fireworks display will include the display of the number "8" and golden ingots in the first scene to symbolise a prosperous year to come, as well as the display of pig noses and Saturn rings alongside the theme song of local comics character McDull in the second scene, wishing people all the best in the Year of the Pig. Strobes and waterfall-like effects in the fourth scene, "When I fall in love", will create a romantic ambience, sending wishes to all lovers for the Valentine's Day that follows the Lunar New Year. The fireworks display will reach its climax in the last scene with the firing of 10 seven-inch shells featuring brocade crowns and purple pistils simultaneously in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
 
     The display can be seen from many vantage points on both sides of the harbour including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-levels, Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.
 
     To maximise enjoyment of the display, spectators are invited to tune in to Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) for synchronised music.
 
     People are also urged to help keep public areas clean and to show respect for public property. They are also urged to show consideration in order to make the event a safe one.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     Shopping centres under the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) are setting up festival decorations to welcome the Year of the Pig, and a variety of promotion activities will be organised for shoppers to enjoy and celebrate the Lunar New Year.
 
     The pig represents luck, prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture. The HA will hold a series of celebration activities on February 14 (Thursday), February 16 (Saturday) and February 17 (Sunday) under two themes, "Precious Pretty Pigs" and "Piggy Pigs Party".
 
     Precious Pretty Pigs events will be held at:
 
     – Ching Long Shopping Centre, Kai Tak
     – Choi Tak Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong
     – On Tat Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong
     – Nam Shan Shopping Centre, Sham Shui Po
     – Yau Lai Shopping Centre, Yau Tong
     – On Kay Commercial Centre, Ngau Tau Kok
     – Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung
     – Mei Tin Shopping Centre, Sha Tin
 
     "There will be carnivals, free snacks, lion dances and tours of the God of Wealth for visitors to enjoy," a spokesman for the HA said today (February 2).
 
     "In the afternoon of February 16, there will be artists performances at Ching Long Shopping Centre and Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre including singing and games to celebrate the Lunar New Year," he added.
 
     Piggy Pigs Party events will be held at:
 
     – Ping Shek Estate Commercial Facilities, Kwun Tong
     – Hoi Lai Shopping Centre, Shamshuipo
     – Kwai Chung Shopping Centre, Kwai Chung
     – Siu Hong Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
     – Yan Tin Shopping Centre, Tuen Mun
     – Tin Yan Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai
     – Shui Chuen O Plaza, Shatin
 
     There will be games booths, free snacks, lion dances, tours of the God of Wealth and redemption of gifts on a first-come, first-served basis.

     "In the afternoon of February 16, there will be variety shows at Kwai Chung Shopping Centre and Shui Chuen O Plaza by artists," said the spokesman.
 
     Moreover, in the afternoon of February 17, there will also be well-known artists performances at Domain, the HA's regional shopping centre in Yau Tong, which is decorated in the theme of a Festive Jubilee Royal Garden. Go and join the fun – don't miss it!
 
     In addition, an official opening ceremony was held in the HA's On Tat Shopping Centre, Kwun Tong, in mid-January. Many residents participated in activities including games booths, workshops on pinwheel-making and lucky draws.
 
     On Tat Shopping Centre has two wings – north and the south – with a total lettable floor area of about 4 500 square metres. It has a total of 40 shops including a Chinese restaurant, a fast food restaurant, restaurants, a supermarket, household utensils stores, convenience stores, medical clinics, self-service banks and education and cultural centres.
 
     "Currently, all shops have been leased out, providing shopping and service facilities to cater for the daily needs of residents," the spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman added that to encourage visits to HA shopping centres, free parking subject to spending requirements is provided to shoppers at Domain and Yau Lai Shopping Centre, Yau Tong. Details of free parking are available at the shopping centres.

        

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (February 2):
 
Reporter: Mr Chief Secretary, you ask officials to put themselves in people's shoes when they formulate a policy? But isn’t that what they are supposed to do when they do that? 
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: Yes, certainly this is what they should do. But in certain circumstances where cross-bureau, cross-departmental co-operation is involved, I think that there is room for improvement and enhancement. Particularly, I will make use of the policy committee, of which all principle officials are members already, so that we can find out problems straight away and make sure that the policies when it comes to implementation is smooth. And also we will make sure that the policies really serve the purpose of benefiting the community at large.
 
Reporter: Secretary, if you don't mind, one more question. It's been reported that you need Beijing approval to extend the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance to the Chief Executive. Can you confirm if that is true?
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: Well, in my answer to a question in the Legislative Council recently, I made it quite clearly in my reply that the issue involved is very complicated. It also has implications on the constitutional status of the Chief Executive and it also has a lot of legal points involved. So at this time, we are still continuing the study. The study has to be holistic in order to sort out all these problems in the first place.
 
Reporter: So it involved Beijing?
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: Well, I won't go into all the details, but this is a complicated issue with constitutional and also legal implications. Very complicated. So we need time to look into it very closely.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     There has been a mutually beneficial partnership in economic and trade between Hong Kong and the United States, which also enjoys the largest surplus in trading with the city, said the Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Eddie Mak.
 
     Speaking at a Chinese New Year reception at the Carter Center, Atlanta, on January 31 (Atlanta time), Mr Mak said Hong Kong remains a free trade practitioner and supporter of the multilateral trading system, despite growing global trade tensions and the rise of protectionist sentiment. 
 
     "We do not wish to see the marginalisation of a system which has benefited so many in the world. Instead, this underscores the need to constantly update and enhance the system," he said.  
 
     The Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), Ms Joanne Chu, highlighted the growing trade, business and education ties between Hong Kong and Georgia at the annual festive event organised by HKETONY.
 
     Hong Kong is the sixth largest Asian export destination of the Peach State. At least 37 Georgia companies have operations in Hong Kong, including six Fortune 500 companies. They are UPS, Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, Southern, Mohawk Industries, and NCR. Atlanta-based media giant CNN produces over 30 hours of regionally-focused programme each week from its Hong Kong production centre. 
 
     During the two-day visit in Atlanta, Mr Mak also called on the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Mr Pat Wilson, who said agribusiness, technology, fintech, e-gaming and film could be areas for further collaboration between the two places. The state economic chief said the fourth largest export product from Georgia to Hong Kong was sunglasses, with high-end brands such as Ray Ban.
 
     The Commissioner has also met with the President of UPS International, Mr Nando Cesarone, and exchanged views on the impact of the US-China trade tensions on international commerce, and on how the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was facilitating ground logistics. Meeting Hong Kong students currently studying at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Mr Mak encouraged the young guests to forge new frontiers in Hong Kong on completion of their studies.
 
     In mid-February, the Commissioner will continue his duty visits to major cities such as New York and Miami in the Eastern USA under the ambit of the HKETONY to foster ties with government leaders and major stakeholders.