Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 1) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, September 1, the CHP was investigating 10 342 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 3 091 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (1 419 confirmed cases, 1 408 asymptomatic cases and 264 cases with pending status) and 7 251 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 244 additional imported cases were reported, including 215 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (30 confirmed cases, 130 asymptomatic cases and 55 cases with pending status) and 29 cases that tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 890 747 and 660 642 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations of the cases. Please refer to the “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.

     â€‹Among the specimens received by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch during August 23 to 29 for verification testing of local cases, about 6.9 per cent and 53.0 per cent of them (seven-day moving average) are related to the sub-lineages BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 (including suspected cases) of the Omicron mutant strain respectively.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, September 1, a total of 9 488 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 407 and 78 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as three deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 9 701 death cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

     Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (August 31), the total number of confirmed cases was 385 858, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 262 771, 31 and 238 781 respectively.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed that the local situation of COVID-19 infection is severe with the number of cases tested positive growing at an increased pace. The CHP strongly appeals to the community to strictly comply with social distancing measures and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or mass gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

     â€‹â€‹The spokesman reminded the public that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who have yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients, children, and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected. read more

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the 11th meeting of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) today (September 1). Members were briefed about the Government’s initial thinking in relation to the formulation of the Youth Development Blueprint (the Blueprint), and discussed about how the YDC could assist in the formulation.

     Members agreed that the Blueprint should outline the vision, directions and major work areas of youth development work in a comprehensive manner and set out the respective future work plans, specific actions, initiatives and indicators. Members agreed that the YDC and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau should organise a series of activities to engage young people and other stakeholders and consult their views on the Blueprint.

     Mr Chan, who chaired the YDC meeting for the first time, said, “The Youth Development Blueprint is the first important guiding document on the promotion of youth development formulated by the Government. I would like to express my gratitude to members for raising various pragmatic views and suggestions at today’s meeting. The Government will continue to collect young people’s and other stakeholders’ views on the Blueprint through different means, and target to promulgate and announce the first edition of the Blueprint by the end of this year. Subsequently, the Government will continuously review and enrich the content of the Blueprint to ensure that the Blueprint is abreast of the times and can address the need of youths.”

  

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at a media session after meeting leaders of the Guangdong Province, Guangzhou and Shenzhen via video conferencing today (September 1):
 
Reporter: About the arrangement to have people quarantine in Hong Kong before crossing the border to the Mainland, is there any preliminary details you can share with us, like the quota, the duration; and does this arrangement mean that Hong Kong has already given up a quarantine-free arrangement with the Mainland? My second question is about reopening the border with the rest of the world, because Hong Kong is trying to resume normal travel with the Mainland and Mainland puts an emphasis on preventing imported cases. How can Hong Kong further reopen the border with the rest of the world under these circumstances? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: In the proposal of undergoing quarantine in Hong Kong for people who wish to travel to the Mainland, after undergoing quarantine in Hong Kong, they will be regarded as having fulfilled the “7+3” requirement of the Mainland. The main purpose is to, first of all, alleviate the burden of hotels in the Mainland by making use of the facilities in Hong Kong, so that there will be more opportunities of allowing quarantine facilities for the would-be travellers.
 
     The second goal of this proposal is to ensure that we will have a system to allow a regular flow of people from Hong Kong into Shenzhen fulfilling the “7+3” quarantine requirement. How this is to be done, of course, will have to be examined by the task force that will be set up between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. As the purpose is to allow the would-be travellers to satisfy the “7+3” quarantine requirement as a standard procedure in Shenzhen, we have to, of course, seek agreement regarding the actual details of the implementation of the proposal, so that those who have finished the quarantine requirements in Hong Kong will be regarded as fulfilling the “7+3” quarantine requirement in the Mainland. The task force will, of course, look into every detail including how, after the quarantine requirement, they will be going from Hong Kong into the Mainland without contamination. These details will be worked out closely by the task force. I’m sure that with the indication from the leaders of the governments in the Mainland, in Guangdong and Shenzhen, there will be a way to ensure that the details will be worked out and then be endorsed according to the normal procedure, and then implemented. We will try to do this fast. As always, we want to ensure the action comes quickly.
 
     This proposal of undergoing quarantine in Hong Kong, so as to fulfil the “7+3” requirement in Shenzhen, is in no replacement of other measures that we always try to seek, so as to allow more convenience for people to travel from Hong Kong to the Mainland. We are working on all possible options, and there has been good dialogue between Hong Kong and the Mainland authorities. We are looking at all options besides this new quarantine arrangement. As regards the connectivity with the world, it’s always my intention and the Government’s intention to allow maximum connectivity with the world. That is why we have suspended the circuit breaker system regarding flights, and also introduced the “3+4” and Red and Amber Codes arrangements, so as to allow more activities and allow more convenience for people who, according to the risk groups, need not be subject to very tight special arrangements.
 
     But one important thing I think is we have to realise is that the number of infected cases in Hong Kong is high, an average of 8 000 to 10 000 (per day). This is not just a threat to the very old and the very young who do not have a high vaccination rate, this is posing a serious threat to the public hospital service. Because of the large number of infected cases, the number of people that need to get into hospital is rising and it’s rising fast. We have already cut public hospital service by 30 per cent. So we need to control the number of infected cases so as to ensure the public service continues to provide service. That is needed for society. It is a threat, which we have to take into consideration seriously. The trend is still going up. We’ll do our best so that the pace of increase will be reduced, and hopefully it will actually come down. That is why we have introduced various measures to try to lower the figure of infected cases. We also need the community to all work together so that the number of infected cases will come down. And, if the number of cases comes down, there will be more room for me to do extra things so as to ensure that the normal activities of Hong Kong, and also visits to and out of Hong Kong, can be given the maximum possibility.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

  

     Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) as organising partner, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2022 – Hong Kong Branch was successfully held at Hong Kong Science Park today (September 1). A number of influential scholars, representatives from public service organisations, entrepreneurs, a unicorn representative and government officials engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanged views on artificial intelligence (AI) and smart city development. Over 230 participants joined the conference in person and about 1.2 million views through livestreaming. There were about 30 featured research and development platforms as well as enterprises participating in the interactive exhibition, signifying Hong Kong’s rapid growth as a global hub for AI innovation and development.

     The event took place simultaneously with the annual WAIC event in Shanghai, where the world’s leading AI summit originated. This year’s WAIC carried the theme of “Intelligent Connectivity” and “Infinite Multiverse”.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered a video speech and said that the National 14th Five-Year Plan sets out the target to develop the country into an innovative nation with strong science and technology. It clearly supports Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and presents historic opportunities for Hong Kong. He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will leverage Hong Kong’s unique strengths of having the motherland’s support and connect with the world, so as to keep creating strong impetus for growth for Hong Kong and the country and address earnestly people’s concerns and difficulties in daily life.

     Speaking on behalf of the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, said that the HKSAR Government will establish clear development plans and targets for Hong Kong’s I&T development over the next five to 10 years, continue to enhance the I&T ecosystem and enrich the talent pool with a result-oriented approach.

     In the welcoming remarks, the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Ms Rebecca Pun, thanked the WAIC for its invitation to host the Hong Kong Branch. She said, “Shanghai and Hong Kong have established a platform for exchange and co‑operation between the technological departments of both Governments and also technological institutions in both cities. Joining of the WAIC also manifests this common goal.”
 
     The Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTP, Mr Albert Wong, said, “The HKSTP is deeply honoured to co-organise with the ITC the WAIC 2022 – Hong Kong Branch, which is a great showcase of Hong Kong’s AI innovation and talents. This is proof of the critical importance of AI in driving a successful digital economy and creating a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s next era of growth.”

     The keynote speeches of the WAIC 2022 – Hong Kong Branch covered topics ranging from macro developments of the AI industry to advances in AI chip design and nurturing AI talents. One panel discussion session focused on AI and smart city development with the sharing of views from representatives of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the MTR Corporation and SenseTime, while another panel discussion featured digital intelligence and smart industry with industry leaders from Amazon Web Services, Insilico Medicine, Lenovo and SmartMore. In addition, the 14 research laboratories from InnoHK, the flagship I&T initiative of the HKSAR Government, focusing on AI and robotics technologies, and a number of AI tech ventures as well as HKSTP park companies participated in the interactive exhibition showcasing their latest AI innovations and solutions to real-world problems in business and society.