The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, in Dublin today (June 1, Dublin time) sought closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Ireland.

     On the second day of his visit, Mr Chan first attended a roundtable discussion with the Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform of Ireland, Mr Michael D'arcy and a group of key figures in Irish financial services, to discuss the latest development of green finance in both places.

     Mr Chan said that a number of measures were launched in the Budget this year to promote the development of green finance in Hong Kong, including a Government Green Bond Programme with a borrowing ceiling of $100 billion for funding green public works projects; and a Green Bond Grant Scheme to subsidise qualified green bond issuers in using the Green Finance Certification Scheme. He said that given the well-developed financial services in Ireland, there are clear synergies for Hong Kong and Ireland to work together in green finance.

     He then met with the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform of Ireland, Mr Paschal Donohoe, to exchange views on global and Europe's economic prospect. Both sides looked forward to further collaboration between Hong Kong and Ireland in financial services, trade and other sectors.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with senior management of the National Treasury Management Agency and shared experience in management of public finances. Following this was a meeting with members of the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland as well as the Fintech & Payments Association of Ireland. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong strives to provide an enabling environment for developing innovation and technology and Fintech. In terms of payment system and infrastructure, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will launch a Faster Payment System that allows banks and Stored Value Facility service providers to provide real-time, round-the-clock, cross-institution payment and fund transfer service to their business and personal customers.

     Earlier today, Mr Chan paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Yue Xiaoyong.

     Concluding the visit to Dublin, Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong in the morning of June 4 (Hong Kong time).

          

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 1) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The 12-year-old boy, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough and sore throat since May 28. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital yesterday (May 31) where he was admitted on the same day. He was subsequently transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for further management today.

     His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was shock. He is now in a serious condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history in the incubation period. His younger brother was also confirmed to have Influenza A infection recently and has recovered. His other  home contacts are asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub as an effective alternative;
• Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 1) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The 12-year-old boy, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough and sore throat since May 28. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital yesterday (May 31) where he was admitted on the same day. He was subsequently transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for further management today.

     His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was shock. He is now in a serious condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history in the incubation period. His younger brother was also confirmed to have Influenza A infection recently and has recovered. His other  home contacts are asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub as an effective alternative;
• Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 1) noted that a prepackaged chilled goose sample imported from the Mainland was found to contain veterinary drug residue of doxycycline. The CFS is following up on the incident.
      
     Details of the product are as follows:
      
Product name: Not available in English
Brand: Merry Gold
Place of origin: China
Importer: Best Union Chilled Meat Company Limited
Use-by date: May 22, 2018
      
     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the abovementioned sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained doxycycline at a level of 340 parts per billion (ppb), exceeding the legal limit of 100ppb. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity. According to the information provided by the importer, the affected batch of product has been sold out. The CFS is tracing the distribution of the product concerned. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted."
      
     According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap. 132AF), muscle of poultry sold in Hong Kong for human consumption is not allowed to contain doxycycline exceeding the level of 100ppb per kilogram of the food. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
      
     The CFS will inform the relevant authorities, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
 

     Police today (June 1) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.

     Wong Lai-shan, aged 23, went missing after she left her residence in Lower Wong Tai Sin Estate in January, 2017. Her family made a report to Police on May 30.

     She is about 1.5 metres tall, 43 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a pointed face with yellow complexion and long straight brown hair.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or 9886 0060 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.