Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the Symposium on Cancer Challenge in Hong Kong today (October 6):

Dr Leong (President of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, Dr Leong Che-hung), Mrs Chu (Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, Mrs Patricia Chu), HRH Princess Dina (President of the Union for International Cancer Control, Princess Dina Mired), Sophia (Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan), distinguished speakers, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It is my honour to join you at this Symposium. First and foremost, my warmest welcome to all the speakers, experts, guests and participants from abroad. I would also like to congratulate the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society on staging this meaningful and important event, not only for the medical professions but also for the betterment of public health in Hong Kong.

     The theme of this Symposium is "Sustainable Cancer Control Plan for Hong Kong". It goes without saying that cancer is a public health threat and challenge nowadays. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death across the globe, causing about 9.6 million deaths in 2018. In other words, about one in six deaths worldwide are attributable to cancer. Worse still, the number of new cases is expected to rise by about 60 per cent within the next 20 years given the ageing population globally.

     In Hong Kong, cancer claimed over 14 300 lives in 2017 or nearly one-third of total deaths, and has ranked top among all fatal diseases for many decades. We are mindful that both the high mortality rate and the number of new cancer cases are on the rise, mainly because of the ageing population and changes in lifestyle. The adverse implications of this growing trend on the healthcare system and economic development should not be underrated.

     What can we do to tackle the problem? As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". In 2001, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established the Cancer Coordinating Committee (CCC), chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health, to steer the direction of work and advise on the strategies on cancer prevention and control. The membership of the Committee comprises experts, academics, doctors and professionals from both public and private sectors in the field. A Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening set up under the CCC is tasked to regularly keep track of local and international scientific evidence and formulate evidence-based responses to local circumstances.

     Scientific evidence also shows that unhealthy lifestyles, particularly high consumption of red and processed meat, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, physical inactivity, smoking and alcohol consumption, are key risk factors for developing cancer. Indeed, about 40 per cent of cancer deaths can be prevented by modifying or avoiding the aforesaid factors. To promote a healthy lifestyle, the HKSAR Government this year introduced "Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong". The target is to reduce the risk of premature deaths caused by key non-communicable diseases, including cancer, by 25 per cent.

     Furthermore, early detection and diagnosis of cancer is another of the most effective means to lower mortality and reduce suffering during treatment. To this end, we have so far launched three territory-wide science-based screening programmes, namely the Cervical Screening Programme for women aged from 25 to 64, the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme for people aged from 50 to 75 and the Community Care Fund Pilot Scheme on Subsidised Cervical Cancer Screening and Preventive Education for Eligible Low-income Women, to strengthen our efforts to reach out to women in need.

     While the HKSAR Government is committed to preventing proliferation of cancer in the community, we need the concerted and persistent support of the entire community, including the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, in this uphill battle. While there is steady improvement in cancer cure and control in areas such as breast cancer and thyroid cancer, we need relentless support from all quarters of society for substantial and continuous improvement in cancer care, cancer control and prevention.

     On this note, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation again to the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society for its staunch support in promoting cancer prevention and cancer care over the past 50 years. This Symposium indeed provides a valuable platform for government representatives, non-governmental organisations, professional bodies, academic institutes and private corporations to share their experience and latest know-how in furtherance of a sustainable cancer control plan for Hong Kong.

     I wish the Symposium every success, all of participants a fruitful discussion and our overseas visitors an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong.

     Thank you.

     The Hong Kong Biodiversity Festival (HKBF) 2018 will offer more than 100 fun-filled activities from October to December to promote the rich biodiversity of Hong Kong. Its launch ceremony was held at Tamar Park, Admiralty, today (October 6).

     With the support of 48 partners including government departments, universities, community organisations and the public and private sectors, the HKBF public event has again been organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department this year. The theme of the three-month HKBF 2018 is "City within Nature".

     Officiating at the launch ceremony of the HKBF 2018 today, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that as a "city within nature", Hong Kong's urban side co-exists with the natural environment. Biodiversity has been considered during various government projects for urban development, enabling Hong Kong to be a more sustainable and liveable city.
 
     Mr Wong said he hopes the Festival will help enhance public awareness of local biodiversity, and members of the public can also appreciate the natural ecology in urban areas.
 
     The AFCD will hold a number of guided eco-tours on projects under different government departments from October to December. These facilities support the sustainable development of the city and, in parallel, conserve the nearby ecology and protect biodiversity. They include green premises, slopes and vegetation projects, and heritage sites. Participants will be able to appreciate how various types of urban premises and projects integrate with nature, and understand that city life and nature are closely linked.
 
     Apart from a film appreciation activity held at Tamar Park this afternoon, the HKBF 2018 features the Mr. B Adventure Truck, which enables the public to learn more about living with nature in the busy urban city of Hong Kong through games. The Mr. B Adventure Truck will meet the public in different places in Hong Kong from October to December. Furthermore, to promote biodiversity and foster a sense of nature appreciation, a series of fun-filled activities including workshops, exhibitions, seminars, training, volunteer programmes and family days will also be held during the HKBF 2018. Members of the public are invited to join.
 
     For event details, please visit the event webpage (hkbf.afcd.gov.hk) and the "Mr. B Nature Classroom" Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hkbf.hk).

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, officiated at the opening ceremony of the "Port Works 90 Exhibition – A Time to Remember" today (October 6).

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan said that due to the unique geographical features of Hong Kong, reclamation has always been one of the city's major strategies for expanding land resources. Reclamation also plays an indispensable part in promoting urban development, laying the foundation for the prosperity of Hong Kong, he said. He also expressed his gratitude to colleagues and members of the construction industry who had taken part in port works development, for helping to create a safe and quality living environment for all.

     The Director of the Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said in his welcome remarks that next year will be a special year as it marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) as well as the 90th anniversary of the Port Works Division under the CEDD. The CEDD will hold a series of events to enhance public understanding of the development of port works in Hong Kong.

     Established in 1929, the Port Works Division has played a vital role in the port and city development of Hong Kong by implementing various marine works-related engineering projects as well as providing port maintenance and marine works advisory services. To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Port Works Division, the CEDD has specially organised the "Port Works 90 Exhibition – A Time to Remember".

     Through thematic exhibition areas, interactive games and parent-child workshops, members of the public can revisit the history and development of the Port Works Division. They can also get a glimpse of the changes to Hong Kong's coastlines over the years at the augmented reality zones.

     The exhibition will be open for public from 1pm today to October 31 at City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central. For details of the exhibition, please visit the dedicated website (www.pwd90.hk).
 
     Other officiating guests at the ceremony today included the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung; the Under Secretary for Development, Mr Liu Chun-san; and Mr Lam.

      

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (October 7).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (October 6) rolled out taxi and public light bus (PLB) driver identity plates with a 10-year validity period. New specifications for the driver identity plates also came into effect.

     Having regard to the request from taxi and PLB trades for a longer validity period of driver identity plates, and as one of the facilitation measures put forth in the report of the Public Transport Strategy Study released in June 2017, the validity period of taxi and PLB driver identity plates has been extended from one year to 10 years.
 
     Taxi and PLB driver identity plates issued before October 6, 2018, will still be valid for 12 months. For example, if a driver identity plate was issued on September 1, 2018, it will still be valid until August 31, 2019. The driver can then apply for a new driver identity plate on September 1, 2019, and it will be valid until August 31, 2029. Therefore, there is no need for holders of valid taxi or PLB driver identity plates to rush to change to the new driver identity plates.

     Taxi or PLB drivers with valid taxi or PLB driving licences can obtain their new taxi or PLB driver identity plates at the TD's authorised agents. They can obtain flyers listing the information of the TD's authorised agents at the TD Licensing Offices and Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Also, the TD is distributing the flyers to taxi and PLB drivers through taxi and PLB trade organisations, some designated LPG gas filling stations and the TD's authorised agents. For the addresses and opening hours of the agents, please visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), or call 2804 2600
 
     The TD reminded all taxi and PLB drivers that they are required to display driver identity plates when providing services. Those who fail to do so will be subject to a fine of $2,000.