Police held a counter-terrorism exercise codenamed “PURPLEFLAME” at the Hong Kong City Hall in the early hours today (July 19) to enhance the ability of Police and various stakeholders to collaborate, prevent and respond to emergency.

     The exercise simulated that several terrorists broke into the Hong Kong City Hall where a large-scale celebration was taking place and launched a terrorist attack. Police officers swiftly attended the scene and made immediate tactical intervention. Eventually, Police subdued the terrorists, rescued the citizens, evacuated members of the public in a safe and orderly manner, and resolved the crisis.

     More than 200 officers from Operations Bureau, Emergency Unit and Police Tactical Unit of Hong Kong Island Region, regular and auxiliary police officers of Central District, and Counter Terrorism Response Unit participated in the exercise. In addition, a number of students also actively participated in the exercise.

     The head and members of the delegation of the Volunteer Special Constabulary of the Singapore Police Force, as well as the Chairman and members of the Wan Chai District Fight Crime Committee were invited to observe the exercise and visit the new mobile command post, so that they could better understand the Hong Kong Police Force’s work in counter-terrorism and crisis management.

     Through this exercise, Police aimed at enhancing the communication and response capabilities of officers in dealing with terrorist attacks, testing the collaboration capabilities of frontline units as well as elevating the counter-terrorism awareness of the participating students.

     Police reminded members of the public to report to the Police as early as possible for assistance if they notice any suspicious persons, objects or incidents.

     Police appealed to the public to adopt the safety advice of “Run, Hide and Report” in the event of emergency situations:

     Run – leave via a safe route without staying to take pictures;

     Hide – if it is impossible to leave, take cover or hide in a lockable room and refrain from using sound emitting or luminous devices; and

     Report – call 999 for assistance when you are safe.

                    

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (July 18) welcomed the State Council's appointment of Mr Dong Jingwei as Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government (CPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

     Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will continue to work and communicate closely with the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR and to do its utmost in implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law, fulfilling the duty and responsibility of the HKSAR in safeguarding national security.

     In accordance with Article 49 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR shall perform the following mandate: analysing and assessing developments in relation to safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and providing opinions and making proposals on major strategies and important policies for safeguarding national security; overseeing, guiding, co-ordinating with, and providing support to the HKSAR in the performance of its duties for safeguarding national security; collecting and analysing intelligence and information concerning national security; and handling cases concerning offences endangering national security in accordance with the law.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) led by the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, continued its study visit in Fujian Province and visited Xiamen today (July 18).

     In the morning, the delegation visited the Xiamen campus of Huaqiao University, where they first listened to an introduction of the school's development by students studying in the university. The delegation also learnt about the university's vision in nurturing talents and toured the campus's facilities. Members noted that Huaqiao University adheres to the education policy of "facing overseas, facing Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan", and it is one of the Mainland universities with the highest number of Hong Kong students. Currently, Huaqiao University has over 7,600 students from overseas countries as well as from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, among these students more than 2,900 are from Hong Kong. The delegation also talked to a number of university students from Hong Kong to understand their learning situation and lives there.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited Gulangyu Island to learn about the unique architecture on the island that combines both Chinese and foreign features, as well as efforts by local authorities to promote local history, culture and the development of tourism industry. Members learnt that Gulangyu Island was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017 and is rated as a national 5A tourist attraction, which is the result of the city's heritage conservation efforts.

     Hong Kong is the largest source of external direct investment in Fujian province. In the evening, the delegation held talks with the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Fujian province and exchanged views with Hong Kong businessmen to learn about their investments and business environment in the province. They also discussed how Hong Kong businesses can seize the opportunity to integrate into national development.

     The delegation will continue its study visit in Xiamen tomorrow (July 19).

          

     â€‹The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit in Guangzhou and Zhaoqing today (July 18).
      
     Mr Tse first visited the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guangdong Province. He met with officials to exchange views on development of agriculture and fisheries and better seizing development opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including aquaculture in the Greater Bay Area, multi-storey livestock farming and the equine industry in the Greater Bay Area, with a view to continuing to strengthen the exchanges and co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong.
      
     In the afternoon, Mr Tse visited a high-rise pig farm in Huadu District in Guangzhou and received a briefing on technologies and operation of the multi-storey livestock farm facilities. Thereafter, he visited the aquaculture farm of Guanxing (Zhaoqing) Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd, to learn about the latest developments in aquaponic container farming. This farm in Dinghu District in Zhaoqing is a "National New Aquaculture Standard Demonstration Area" and adopts a container recirculating aquaculture system.
      
     Mr Tse will continue his visit to Guangzhou tomorrow (July 19), including visiting the Guangdong International Fishery High Tech Park and the Vegetable Basket Project (Zengcheng) Customs Clearance Facilitation Zone of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He will visit the Conghua Racecourse the next day with representatives of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

          

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (July 18) that it is investigating two confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) cases, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.

     The first case involves a 20-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed fever since July 8 and rash since July 10. He visited Princess Margaret Hospital on July 16. According to the patient, he has travelled to Japan during the incubation period. An initial investigation revealed that he had high-risk exposure during his stay in Japan.

     The second case involves a 57-year-old male patient with underlying illness. He had developed rash since July 10 and was referred to Tuen Mun Hospital by a family doctor on July 13. An initial investigation revealed that he had visited Thailand and Macau during the incubation period. The high-risk exposure history of the patient during the incubation period is still under investigation.

     The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch today confirmed that their samples tested positive for the virus. They are still hospitalised and are both in a stable condition. The CHP has yet identified epidemiological linkages between these two cases. No epidemiological linkages between these two cases and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier are found so far either. The CHP's epidemiological investigations of the cases are ongoing, including contact tracing and infection source investigation.

     The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization. The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice. Meanwhile, the CHP reminds the public, especially those subject to high risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches.

     The CHP reminds members of the public that Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. Proper personal and hand hygiene can help prevent getting infected via contact.

     The Government has activated the Alert level of the preparedness and response plan for the disease in September last year and will continue to assess the risk in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, and implement corresponding control measures.

     The Mpox vaccination programme for high-risk groups commenced on October 5 last year. Under the programme, the following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
 

1. Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
2. Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.

     Currently, high-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccination at any one of the DH's six Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information of the clinics including their locations is available at www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.

     Meanwhile, the DH's Integrated Treatment Centre in Kowloon Bay, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will continue to provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

     â€‹â€‹For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox.