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     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, accompanied by the Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr David Chung, and the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Victor Lam, attended the 5th World Internet Conference (WIC) in Wuzhen, Zhejiang, today (November 7).

     Yesterday (November 6), after arriving in Wuzhen, Mr Chan, Dr Chung and Mr Lam called on the President of the China Internet Development Foundation (CIDF), Ms Ma Li. Both sides agreed to strengthen co-operation, including to support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in holding the annual Internet Economy Summit next year.

     Approved by the State Council, the CIDF has a wide scope of work, including enhancing international exchanges and co-operation in relation to Internet development.

     Mr Chan attended the opening ceremony of the Conference this morning, and took part in the plenary session in the afternoon to further understand the world’s leading technological achievements in Internet-related areas.

     Joined by Dr Chung and Mr Lam, Mr Chan met with the representatives of a large-scale cross-border e-commerce platform to exchange views on future trends in the Internet’s development. Mr Chan said that e-commerce and financial technologies (fintech) have become the main engines to promote economic growth, given their fast development across the world. He added that Hong Kong has been enjoying the advantage of an environment conducive to developing e-commerce and fintech because of its well-developed capital market, a financial regulatory regime on par with international standards, the free flow of capital, the rule of law and a level playing field for business.

     He said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to put in resources to actively promote the development of e-commerce and fintech in the city.

     Later, they met with Hong Kong delegates attending the WIC.

     Organised by the Cyberspace Administration of China and the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, the three-day conference under the theme of “Creating a Digital World for Mutual Trust and Collective Governance – Towards a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace” has attracted representatives from governments, enterprises and international organisations. There are 19 sub-forums covering a range of popular topics, from artificial intelligence, fifth-generation mobile services and big data to cyber security.

     Tomorrow (November 8), Mr Chan will attend a sub-forum with a theme of “FinTech  and Construction of a Social Credit System” and deliver a speech on the development of financial technology in Hong Kong.

     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon of the same day (November 8).

      

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (November 7) investigating a case of severe enterovirus (EV) 71 infection, and again urged the public and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     A boy, aged 11 with good past health, has presented with fever, cough and runny nose since October 30. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment on November 3. He developed convulsion and upper limbs weakness on November 4 and was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management on the same day. The patient is now in a critical condition.
 
     His rectal swab specimen tested positive for EV71 upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnoses were EV71 infection and encephalomyelitis.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His father has upper respiratory tract infection symptoms recently and is in a stable condition. His other home contacts have remained asymptomatic.
 
     The CHP’s epidemiological investigations also revealed that there is a hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in the school, Po Leung Kuk Fong Wong Kam Chuen Primary School in Tuen Mun, where the patient attended. Apart from the patient, eight boys aged 11 to 12 have developed HFMD symptoms since October 28. They all sought medical attention and no hospitalisation was required. They are now in a stable condition.
 
     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. As a precautionary measure, the school was advised to suspend classes in Primary 5 and Primary 6. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     “EV71 is one of the causative agents for HFMD. The infection is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. Good personal and environmental hygiene are the most important measures to prevent EV71 infection,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     “HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet,” the spokesman said.
 
     “The local HFMD activity is currently at high level. The usual peak season for HFMD and EV71 infection is from May to July. A smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact,” the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:

* Maintain good air circulation;
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
* Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
* Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
* Children with EV71 infection are advised to refrain from going to schools or group activities such as parties, interest classes and swimming until two weeks after fever has subsided and all the vesicular lesions have dried and crusted to prevent the spread of disease;
* Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
* Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The public may visit the CHP’s page on HFMD and EV71 infection for more information. read more

     Police are investigating a Police open fire case in Sham Shui Po this morning (November 7).      At about 7.40am, while police officers were conducting an anti-crime patrol in Sham Shui Po MTR S… read more

     A total of 96 dry goods stalls were successfully let on the third day auction for stalls at the 2019 Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair today (November 7).        Around 410 people attended the auction… read more

    Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (November 7) at a breakout session during Sichuan‧Hong Kong‧Macao Cooperation Week, pledging mutual co-operation on investment promotion exchange and support.
     
     The MOU was signed by the Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Dr Jimmy Chiang, and the Director General of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce, Mr Liu Xin, and witnessed by guests including Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr C Y Leung; the Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Mr Peng Qinghua; the Vice-Governor of Sichuan Province Mr Li Yunze; and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Tan Tieniu.
     
     The document aims to provide a framework to enhance co-operation of the two places in investment promotion and business opportunities, especially in the areas of financial services, exhibitions, trading, commerce and retail, and logistics arising from the Belt and Road Initiative.
     
     The roundtable had around 130 participants, comprising senior representatives of the organisers and co-organisers in Sichuan and Hong Kong as well as representatives of various professional services industry and business associations in Hong Kong.
     
     Dr Chiang told the panel that the MOU marks a new milestone in the relations between Hong Kong and Sichuan in terms of investment promotion. He said that Hong Kong, as a strategic city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with a crucial role in the Belt and Road Initiative, offers Sichuan companies a global business platform with strong support in areas such as financial services, professional services and dispute resolution.
     
     Dr Chiang said, “Hong Kong and Sichuan have very close trade and economic ties, and Hong Kong is also one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Sichuan. The MOU signed today between InvestHK and the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce will reinforce our collaboration amid the Belt and Road Initiative.”
         
About InvestHK
         
     InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk. read more