Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the Donor Appreciation Cocktail Reception of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation today (June 15):
 
Ms Chen (Foundation Chair of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, Ms Judy Chen), Mr Kung (Chairman of Ocean Park, Mr Leo Kung), Ms Gendron (Foundation Director of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, Ms Suzanne Gendron), Dr Fong (Associate Professor of Lingnan University, Mr Jonathan Fong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. It is my honour to join you again this year at the Donor Appreciation Cocktail Reception of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation. When I was approached to lend my support to host this meaningful fund-raising event at Victoria House, I did not hesitate for a moment as wildlife conservation is always a subject dear to my heart.
      
     Ocean Park Conservation Foundation has been a committed and valued partner of us when it comes to conservation of Asian wildlife. As revealed from this year’s theme “giant panda conservation”, it further underlines the Foundation’s commitment and dedication in promoting the biodiversity in the region with an emphasis on giant pandas. The reason is obvious – not only are they iconic endangered species, but also “umbrella species”, meaning protecting the species would indirectly protect the many other species that make up the ecological chain of its habitat.
      
     To this end, the Foundation has supported numerous projects on giant panda over the years. The flagship project being the two-year Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme jointly organised by the Ocean Park and the Foundation launched in 2016. A custom-designed initiative for secondary school students, the programme encourages participants to nurture a love for nature through first-hand experiences, develop a sense of responsibility to protect wildlife and the natural environment and take concrete actions through volunteer work.
      
     The highlight of this two-year programme was a five-day trip to Wolong National Nature Reserve attended by some 60 secondary students aged between 12 to 16 during May to July last year. Upon return to Hong Kong, the students were trained to become “conservation ambassadors” to share their experiences with people in Hong Kong. So far, they have reached out to over 72 000 local and foreign visitors visiting Ocean Park, Hong Kong Wetland Park and country parks to promote wildlife conservation awareness, contributing over 3 000 voluntary hours in the past two years. During my visit to Sichuan last month, I was thrilled by the compliments from my counterparts there on the remarkable contribution made by the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong community including the Ocean Park to the reconstruction of the national nature reserve and restoration of infrastructure in Sichuan.
      
     The Foundation is also a devoted partner of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in the promotion of marine animal conservation. This cross-sector partnership has successfully established an effective response programme to attend to every stranding case in Hong Kong swiftly and conduct follow-up investigation timely and professionally. Since its establishment in 2006, the programme has handled over 380 stranding cases from which samples collected have provided us valuable basis for the development of science-based conservation plans for these species and their habitats.
      
     Looking ahead, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to join hands with the international community in preserving our environment. To control ivory trade for protection of elephants, we have brought into operation the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Amendment) Ordinance since May this year. Accordingly, a three-step plan is being taken forward to ban the commercial possession of all ivory (except antique ivory) in Hong Kong by end-December 2021.
      
     On this encouraging note, I would like to thank the Foundation again for their sterling support for advocating, facilitating and participating in effective conservation of Asian wildlife. Much of the success in this respect relies heavily on the generosity of donors including many of you over the years. I appeal for your continuous support for preserving the precious wildlife habitats. Together, we can build a more liveable and harmonious environment for our next generation to share with other species on earth. Thank you! read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:      The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 15 open meetings during the week from June 18 to 22 in the LegCo Complex. Details of… read more

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts on June 18 (Monday) to facilitate the public to watch dragon boat races and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movement and pedestrian safety. &n… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 15) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection, and again urged the public and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The case involves a 2-month-old baby boy with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting and diarrhoea since June 7. He was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital for medical treatment on June 11 and is now in a stable condition.

     His cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for EV upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was meningitis.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. His home contacts remain asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should be vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:
 

• Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.

    
     Children suffering from EV infection should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered.

     The public may visit the CHP’s page on hand, foot and mouth disease and EV71 infection for more information. read more

     A woman aged 19 was arrested today (June 15) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for suspected illegal sale of a slimming product called “MΛTCHΛ SURIMU”, which is suspected to contain an undeclared banned drug ingredient.
 
     From the DH’s market surveillance, a sample of the above slimming product was purchased from an Internet seller for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contains sibutramine, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138). During today’s operation, the Police arrested the seller for suspected illegal sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part 1 poison.
 
     The DH’s investigation is ongoing.
 
     Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk.
 
     According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Part 1 poisons can only be sold in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Illegal sale of Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
 
     A spokesman for the DH strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of HK-XXXXX. Unregistered pharmaceutical products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy are not guaranteed.
 
     “Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control,” the spokesman advised.
 
      The public may visit the DH Drug Office’s pages for health messages on weight control and slimming products and information on slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients.
 
     Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if they feel unwell or in doubt after consuming the product. They may submit the product to the DH’s Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during office hours for disposal.

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