The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to Israel yesterday (September 4, Israel time) and promoted Hong Kong’s unique strengths and outstanding business environment.

     He attended the 6th Annual Summit for Business with China this morning in Tel Aviv, one of the key topics of the submit is the massive opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative. Mr Chan pointed out in his keynote speech that Hong Kong boasts unique advantages and strategic position to serve as multiple service platforms for the Belt and Road, and for Israeli businesses and entrepreneurs.

     He said that as one of the world's leading financial centres and China's international financial capital, Hong Kong can be the platform for capital formation and funding.  Our deep liquidity, premier financial infrastructure and comprehensive options for raising capital can meet the financing needs of any mega Belt and Road infrastructure project.  Hong Kong can also be the platform for high-end professional services and the platform for enterprises to find the right partners and base their offshore operations.

     Mr Chan, other officials and business delegates then headed to Jerusalem for a visit to a technology company which specialises in developing artificial vision products that aim to improve the lives of the visually impaired.  Mr Chan introduced to the firm's senior management various measures being put in place to support applied research and development (R&D) in Hong Kong. He also encouraged more Israeli innovation and technology companies to start their operations in Hong Kong.

     The delegation then attended a luncheon hosted by an Israeli equity crowdfunding platform to learn more about its operation. The platform is investing in start-ups from around the world, including companies from Hong Kong.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan, joined by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, where they laid a wreath to mourn the Holocaust victims.

     Later, Mr Chan and the delegation attended a dinner hosted by the Israeli Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, before returning to Tel Aviv.

     Today (September 5, Israel time), Mr Chan will continue his visit to Israel in Tel Aviv.

        

     In response to media enquiries today (September 4) on the media reporting arrangements for the handover of the Mainland Port Area and the "B5 level" of the West Kowloon Station (WKS), a spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau gave the following reply:
 
     In the press release issued by the Government as well as the paper submitted to the Legislative Council Panel on Transport on August 30, 2018, it was stated that the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (Co-location) Ordinance (Cap 632) would come into operation on September 4, 2018, in order to dovetail with the preparatory works for the implementation of the co-location arrangement at the WKS of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).
 
     As agreed between the Governments of both sides, the HKSAR Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government handed over the Mainland Port Area last evening (September 3) at the working level in a modest and simple manner, which signified that the HKSAR Government made available the completed Mainland Port Area to the Mainland Authorities Stationed at the Mainland Port Area for their exercising of jurisdiction, so as to make final preparations for the joint implementation of the co-location arrangement.  Press releases were respectively issued by both sides so that citizens of both places could be aware of the arrangements in the first instance.  The official opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL will be held in the morning of September 22.  It will be jointly hosted by the Chief Executive and Mr Ma Xingrui, the Governor of the Guangdong Province, and media will definitely be invited to cover the ceremony.
 
     As regards media reports on the existence of a so-called "B5 level" in the WKS, it is actually a back of house service corridor underneath the B4 Platform Level of the WKS managed by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) as the operator of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL, with plant rooms for air conditioning, drainage and sewage systems alongside and will be used during rescue and evacuation.  This is not an area for passenger use and is not within the Mainland Port Area.  A typical level has a floor area of about 110 000 square metres, but the aforesaid back of house service corridor only has an area of about 3 100 square metres, representing less than three per cent of the floor area of a typical level.  As such, this back of house service corridor is not a "floor" as such.  Rather, since the corridor is underneath the B4 Level, it was marked as "B5 level" for easy identification.  In fact, in the quarterly reported submitted by the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Highways Department to the Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways in September 2016, it was mentioned that works were ongoing at the "B5 level".  There is therefore no question of covering up the matter.
 
     The aforesaid corridor forms part of the XRL WKS fire rescue and evacuation system and was designed based on the fire safety risk assessment by MTRCL to satisfy the relevant buildings legislation and fire safety guidelines.  The design has been approved by the Safety and Security Coordination Committee that oversees relevant matters.  This arrangement is in line with the other railway stations.  The Committee is chaired by the representative of the Railways Branch of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, with members comprising representatives of the Fire Services Department, Buildings Department, Highways Department, the Police Force and MTRCL.  The aforesaid corridor, together with the entire WKS, was constructed by the contractor of contract 810A – West Kowloon Terminus Station (North), and statutory inspections by the Fire Services Department and the Buildings Department have been completed.
 
     Further, when relevant personnel need to enter the aforesaid corridor for performance of duties, they must enter through the cross-boundary restricted area.  Such relevant personnel must first be issued a valid cross-boundary restricted area permit by MTRCL, and have authorisation from MTRCL before they enter the corridor for performance of duties.
 
     Other than in the above circumstances, no person will be entitled to use the corridor.  All exits and entrances to the corridor, including relevant passageways, doors and lifts that connect with the Mainland Port Area in the WKS, are locked by security systems.  MTRCL has a stringent control mechanism and have assigned patrols to prevent unauthorised entry.  In addition, security systems such as closed-circuit television and alarm systems have been installed together with clear warning signs so as to prevent unauthorised persons from using the corridor.

     In response to media enquiries arising from recent concern about university admission, a spokesperson for the Education Bureau today (September 4) replied as follows:

     Through the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, the Government currently provides around 15 000 publicly-funded first-year-first-degree intake places for local students every year. With the Government's respect for the principle of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, universities can decide on its own arrangements for admission, and can admit local students via the Joint University Programmes Admission System (JUPAS) or non-JUPAS route. Neither the Government nor the UGC would require UGC-funded universities to specify a particular ratio of local students admitted through the JUPAS or non-JUPAS routes.

     Generally speaking, the share of students who gained admission to UGC-funded places intake via JUPAS route stood at about 83% in the past three years without much fluctuation. Among local students admitted via non-JUPAS routes, over half are sub-degree or degree holders. For the remainder, less than half hold non-local qualifications when applying for admission. The statistics prove that candidates of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) have all along been the major source of local students for UGC-funded undergraduate programmes.

     The UGC Notes on Procedures clearly state that UGC-funded universities enjoy autonomy in selection of students and they are accountable for their decisions in the matter. Regardless of whether the applications were submitted by JUPAS or non-JUPAS applicants, each university has its admission policy and criteria based on the principles of fairness and merit-based selection. All the universities shall endeavour to ensure that only the most suitable and deserving applicants are offered admission. Universities would assess the applicants in a variety of aspects, including their academic qualifications and results, interview performance, personal attributes, non-academic achievements, interests and experiences, programme preferences, etc. Examination results alone are not a comprehensive basis for comparison. All universities have accumulated a wealth of experience in assessing applicants with different academic qualifications and would ensure that the admission thresholds are consistently applied to applicants holding different types of academic qualifications on a merit-based principle.

     The Education Bureau understands that universities are committed to selecting the most deserving students among numerous applications, irrespective of the academic qualifications held by local applicants.  International score comparison system (such as the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) also shows that elite students of the HKDSE and other international examinations (such as the International Baccalaureate and the General Certificate of Education A Level) are equally outstanding. The Education Bureau is of the view that there is no evidence showing that it is easier for local students taking international examination to be admitted to the UGC-funded undergraduate programmes.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating today (September 4) one additional local case 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.

     The case involves a 61-year-old female patient with underlying illness, who developed fever, headache, myalgia, cough with sputum, runny nose and skin rash since August 14. She attended Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic on August 23 and no hospitalisation was required. She has all along been in a stable condition.

     Her blood sample collected on August 23 tested positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to dengue virus but was negative in antigen and genetic testing. Thus, a second blood sample was taken and there was a more than four-fold increase in the antibody titre against the DF virus when compared with the first specimen. The case was classified as a confirmed local case today.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Tsui Chuk Garden in Wong Tai Sin and had visited Lion Rock Park in the end of July. She had day trips to Shenzhen in Guangdong on July 31 and August 2. She could not recall history of mosquito bites.

     Her home contact has remained asymptomatic and has been put under medical surveillance.

     "We are working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to assess and prevent possible spread of infection. The FEHD's vector investigations, surveillance and control are ongoing. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "The CHP has provided information and locations of the residences and local movements of the local DF cases on the CHP's designated webpage for DF to facilitate handy access to information for the public," the spokesman said.

     The CHP appeals to members of the public not to visit Lion Rock Park during the closure period in order to prevent contracting DF. Scientific studies have shown that infected persons can transmit the virus to mosquitoes through mosquito bites even if they remain asymptomatic or before their onset of symptoms, leading to further spread of the disease. Hence, people who have visited Lion Rock Park are advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days after their last visit, and those with DF symptoms should seek medical advice as early as possible. Meanwhile, people who reside in or visit Cheung Chau should also be advised to apply insect repellent during their stay and continue applying it for 14 days after their last day of stay to prevent infection and secondary spread.

     Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin (particularly Lion Rock Park), Kwai Shing West Estate, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Cheung Chau (Hillside Road, Tsan Tuen Road, Fa Peng Road, San Hing Street, Cheung Chau Sai Tai Road, Lung Tsai Tsuen, Xavier House, Sai Wan Road, Tung Loi Court and Cheung Chau Peak Road) and Charming Garden with DF symptoms should call the CHP's hotline (2125 1122) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. The hotline operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily.

     "We have informed the Guangdong and Macao health authorities to alert them to the latest situation," the spokesman added.

     This is the 29th local case recorded this year. Excluding the local cases, as of noon today, 65 imported cases had been recorded in 2018. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (26), the Philippines (12) and Cambodia (8).
 
      In the rainy season, 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 light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
   

      To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) 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 should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the DF pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) held the Opening Ceremony of the Jockey Club Cancer Research Laboratory today (September 4) to mark the completion of a redevelopment programme. Equipped with a large Cancer Biobank and specialised cancer research equipment with advanced technologies, the redeveloped Laboratory provides a professional cancer research platform for public hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA), bringing together doctors and researchers to carry out various forms of scientific and translational medical research conducive to cancer diagnosis and treatment, which can benefit more patients. 
 
     The officiating guests at the Opening Ceremony included Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Mr Michael Lee; the HA Chairman, Professor John Leong; the HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin; the Chairman of the QEH Hospital Governing Committee, Dr Kam Pok-man; and the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of QEH, Dr Albert Lo.
 
     Officiating at the ceremony, Professor Leong expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generous donation and unfailing support for cancer research. "With the generous support of the Trust, our Laboratory has become the largest cancer research laboratory in the HA alongside the similar facilities in the two local university hospitals. It shoulders the responsibility of building a cancer biobank. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our QEH oncology team, and hope that they will keep up their professionalism and seek patients' support in collecting tissue and blood specimens, which enables translation of research findings into applications ranging from cancer prevention and diagnosis to treatment, bringing benefits to more patients."
 
     Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said the HKJC hoped that its support for the redevelopment of the Cancer Research Laboratory could help to increase the effectiveness of cancer diagnosis and treatment, benefiting more cancer patients. "The Club believes that prevention is better than cure, and that regular check-ups and early treatment are very important, especially in dealing with cancer," he said. "Therefore the Club has been investing actively in cancer prevention and treatment, as well as co-operating with different organisations to enhance cancer-related services."
 
     On behalf of the QEH Hospital Governing Committee and hospital staff, Dr Kam expressed heartfelt thanks to the Trust for its generous donation to upgrade the Laboratory into a well-equipped research platform where research knowledge would be explored to benefit patients of various cancer types in Hong Kong.
 
     Located in the Department of Clinical Oncology of QEH, the Cancer Research Laboratory has undergone redevelopment since 2014 with the generous donation of $54.7 million from the Trust. Following interior renovation, enhancement of laboratory facilities and installation of high-end research equipment, the whole project was completed in 2017. The key research areas of the Laboratory include setting up a Cancer Biobank, genomic study and cancer biomarker research, cell line and animal experiments, preclinical tests for anti-cancer drugs, and histological and cytological analyses. The state-of-the-art equipment enables laboratory researchers to conduct cancer research and analyses leading to applications in cancer screening and diagnosis.
 
     The redeveloped Laboratory has established a large Cancer Biobank, which is research infrastructure to facilitate cancer study, in the hope that it will become a base for collection of cancer specimens. Tumour specimens such as tissues of various cancer types, blood and body fluids collected from cancer patients will be stored in ultra-low temperature freezers or liquid nitrogen storage tanks.
 
     Researchers will access the stored specimens from the Cancer Biobank and conduct genomic study on the specimens with the application of high-end equipment like a next-generation sequencer, confocal and fluorescent microscopy and more to identify cancer biomarkers for cancer prognostication, disease monitoring and prevention, screening and treatment, as well as culturing cancer cells for anti-cancer drug tests. The Laboratory has set a target of collecting hundreds of tumour specimens and thousands of blood samples annually from the HA cancer centres in the coming five years. Currently the Laboratory's researchers are working closely with QEH oncologists in studying the development of common cancers in Hong Kong such as nasopharyngeal cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer, as well as finding cancer-associated genes and cancer biomarkers for local populations in order to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment outcomes.