To allow the maritime trade to get prepared for the marine safety enhancement measures that would be launched soon by the Government, the Marine Department (MD) today (September 6) met with trade representatives to introduce a life jacket developed by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) which is suitable for both adults and children. The manufacturer was also present to explain the details of production of the life jacket.

     The MD has in recent years been enhancing the regulatory regime for local vessels by enacting relevant legislation and implementing marine safety enhancement measures. These measures include enhancing the life jacket provision requirement on local vessels. A subsidiary consultancy company of the PolyU was commissioned by the MD in early 2015 to explore the feasibility of developing a type of life jacket that is suitable for both adults and children.

     It has been found that this type of life jacket is technically feasible. The PolyU has already reached an agreement with the manufacturer and the production of the life jacket will soon commence. At the meeting, the trade representatives expressed appreciation for the development of the life jacket.

     "This life jacket which is suitable for both adults and children will help the Government step up the regulatory work regarding marine safety, in particular for taking forward the enhanced life jacket provision requirement on local vessels. The Government has already commenced the trade consultations on the relevant proposed legislative amendments. The Local Vessels Advisory Committee will also be consulted on the legislative proposal later," said the spokesperson for the MD.

      

     Wing's Construction Company Limited, Wing Kei Structural Metalworks Company Limited and Hung Wo Iron Works Engineering Company were fined $47,000, $31,000 and $47,000 respectively at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 6) for violation of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Abrasive Wheels) Regulations. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.

     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on March 11, 2017, in Siu Ho Wan. While a worker was erecting a metal platform in a newly constructed workshop, he fell 7.7 metres from the metal platform to the ground and died as a result.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority Chairman, Professor John Leong, expressed gratitude to the Walt Disney Company (TWDC) at a launching ceremony today (September 6) for its generous donation of $4.1 million to support Hong Kong Children's Hospital (HKCH) in its "Dress Well" project.
 
     The "Dress Well" project is the first of its kind in public hospitals. It covers the design and production of a series of clothing for HKCH patients to wear during their hospital stay. Other officiating guests at the ceremony today included the Hospital Authority Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin; the Kowloon Central Cluster Chief Executive, Dr Albert Lo; the HKCH Hospital Governing Committee Chairman, Mr John Lee; the HKCH Hospital Chief Executive, Dr Lee Tsz-leung; the Disney Parks Eastern Region President and Asia Pacific Managing Director, Mr Michael Colglazier; the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) Managing Director, Mr Samuel Lau; the HKDL Communications and Public Affairs Vice President, Ms Linda Choy; the TWDC General Manager, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Mr Kerwin Lo; and the HKDL Entertainment and Costuming Director, Ms Annie Wharmby.
 
     "The new patient clothing is one of HKCH's children-friendly initiatives to enhance the patient journey. The cheerful design, alongside the home-like environment of the hospital, should help reduce anxiety and add some joy to uplift the healing experience of our paediatric patients," Professor Leong said in his thanksgiving remarks at the ceremony.
 
     Professor Leong also expressed appreciation to the HKCH and HKDL teams, who worked together to design the new patient clothing. "Taking paediatric patients' special needs into consideration, the designs combine visual appeal, comfort and functionality," he said.
  
     The "Dress Well" project covers three categories of inpatient clothing at HKCH, including regular pyjamas, pyjama tops for intravenous therapy and jackets. Different colour tones are adopted for male and female patients, and there are different patterns for young children and teenagers.
 
     Silhouettes of familiar Disney characters are hidden among colourful, nature-inspired patterns to offer treasure-hunting fun. Besides using fabric with higher cotton content for a softer touch and to reduce irritation, there will be side openings on the pyjama top for patients undergoing intravenous therapy for more body coverage and respect while facilitating clinical care.
 
     Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lau said, "Last March, TWDC announced its US$100 million global commitment to help reinvent the patient and family experience in children's hospitals around the world. Here in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort also fully supports the first specialist hospital for children and its paediatric patients, bringing them happiness and empowerment. Combining the expertise of both Hong Kong Children's Hospital and Disney, we have created clothing for child patients that embraces practicality and fun elements, encouraging them with Disney's magic and power.”
 
     HKCH will be the tertiary referral centre for serious, complex and uncommon paediatric cases requiring multidisciplinary management. Clinical services will commence in phases, starting with specialist outpatient services on December 18, followed by the gradual commissioning of inpatient services in 2019.
 

        

     The New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF) will be held from October 19 to November 18, featuring pioneering shows by overseas and local performing groups. In addition to the 10 selected programmes launched in the early bird period, tickets for all other programmes will be available for sale from tomorrow (September 7).
 
     These programmes are Zuni Icosahedron's Z Innovation Lab: "Blind Musician Dou Wun", "Monkey Business" and "The Interrupted Dream"; orleanlaiproject's "Zoo as Metaphor (2)"; and 11 programmes from ArtSnap – a unique festival within a festival.
 
     ArtSnap features a series of improvisational interactive micro-programmes from overseas, the Mainland and Hong Kong, including internationally renowned British lighting designer Michael Hulls' installation and production "LightSpace". Most of the other programmes are newly commissioned Hong Kong works, displaying local artists' creativity and reflecting the support for nurturing home-grown talent.

     World-class dancer Wayne McGregor, visual artist Olafur Eliasson and musician Jamie xx will open the festival with the cross-boundary creative work "Tree of Codes", combining literature, sculpture, architecture and space design with performing arts. It will be held from October 19 to October 21 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
 
     Asia premiere programmes will include Grammy and Academy Award-winner Tan Dun's new work "Buddha Passion"; the underwater concert "AquaSonic" by Between Music, the world's first underwater ensemble; and composer Du Yun's Pulitzer Prize for Music-winning work "Angel's Bone".
 
     Apart from staging performances, the festival will also offer an inspiring range of extension activities, including guided tours, meet-the-artist sessions, talks, workshops, foyer performances, exhibitions and an outdoor carnival.
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the NVAF showcases innovative interdisciplinary collaborations, new talents and cutting-edge commissions, offering a range of new experiences for audiences.
 
     Tickets will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from tomorrow. For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999.
 
     For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.

          

     The Trade and Industry Department (TID), the Hong Kong Brand Development Council (BDC), the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (CMA) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will jointly hold the "Branding to Win Seminar: New Era．New Vision" on September 11 (Tuesday). Guest speakers will explore opportunities and challenges brought about by various revolutionary business trends, and share branding strategies that enterprises can adopt to capture growth and enhance competitiveness under the changing market and economy.
 
     Guest speakers at the seminar will include the Presidential Chair Professor of the Shenzhen Finance Institute and the School of Management and Economics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Dr Jamie Jia; Partner of China Tax of KPMG Mr Daniel Hui; the Sales and Marketing Director of Octopus Holdings Limited, Ms Rita Li; Partner of Greater China of OC&C Strategy Consultants, Mr Jack Chuang; and the General Manager of Ettason (HK) Limited, Ms Diana Lam.
 
     The seminar, to be conducted in Cantonese and Putonghua, will be held from 2.30pm to 5.15pm in rooms S226 and S227 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. Admission is free.
 
     For those interested, online registration is available via the websites of the BDC (hkbrand.org/en/registration/1040) and the CMA (event.cma.org.hk/registrations/register/740), as well as the TID's Brand Development and Promotion website (www.branding.tid.gov.hk). Due to limited seating capacity, seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2542 8635.