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Author Archives: hksar gov

First batch of visa applications approved under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme – Immigration Department and Invest Hong Kong partner up to boost business friendliness (with photos)

     â€‹In June, the Immigration Department approved the first batch of visa applications under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), with Formal Approval granted in less than three months. The Immigration Department and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) work closely together on the New CIES and are actively exploring other collaboration opportunities to boost business travel convenience in Hong Kong. 
      
     Here are the key numbers of the New CIES since its launch on March 1 to June 30.
           

Number of enquiries Over 3 700
Number of applications 339
Number of Approval-in-Principle (Granting of 180-day visitor visas for making investment) 88
Number of approved visa (Investment of HK$30 million already made) 3
Expected investment amount to be brought into Hong Kong Over HK$10 billion

     The Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, said, “The Government has introduced various policies to attract talent and capital to Hong Kong, including the New CIES. We have approved the first batch of entry applications and are actively processing other applications. I believe the New CIES will bring new vitality and opportunities to Hong Kong. The Immigration Department will continue to collaborate closely with InvestHK to create an even more business-friendly environment in Hong Kong.”

     The Director-General of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “The New CIES brings a vast pool of talents to Hong Kong, attracting successful businessmen and innovative entrepreneurs, and with current application numbers an expected investment of over HK$10 billion (if more than 300 applications are all approved) to enhance the developmental strengths of Hong Kong’s asset and wealth management industry. InvestHK and the Immigration Department have been working closely together on the New CIES and will continue to deepen co-operation to further strengthen Hong Kong’s appeal as a business hub.”

     In addition, the country has announced that non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will soon be eligible for a card-type document to enhance convenience of clearance at control points of the Mainland. Under this new measure, cardholders will be able to travel to the Mainland multiple times within five-year validity period, without the need to apply for a separate visa. They will also be able to enjoy self-service clearance at control points of the Mainland, significantly enhancing clearance efficiency. This serves to foster stronger economic ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
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CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 3) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

  • Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
  • Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
  • Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
  • For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
  • Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
  • Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.
     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 
  • Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
  • Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
  • Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
  • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
  • While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.
    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecastUV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more

SCS begins visit to Beijing (with photos)

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, began her visit in Beijing today (July 2). She called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and visited a short video live streaming platform company.

     Mrs Yeung and the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, called on Deputy Director of the HKMAO Mr Wang Linggui in the morning and introduced to him the latest situation and work progress on civil service matters in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

     Mrs Yeung and other officials went to the headquarters of Kuaishou in the afternoon where they toured around the office facilities and broadcasting centre. They also had a meeting with the senior executives of Beijing Kuaishou Technology Company Ltd to learn about the latest trends and experiences in short video and live streaming platforms.

     She said, “With the advent of the 5G Internet era, various short video platforms have emerged and flourished, with short videos disseminating information at high speed and with an increasingly wide reach. In addition to e-commerce, live streaming platforms are now also being used for recruitment of certain jobs and even the promotion of public affairs. We should pay attention to the trend of development of information technology to gain a better understanding of it for inspirations in publicity and promotion.”

     Mrs Yeung will visit the School of Government of Peking University and attend the graduation ceremony of the inaugural cohort of the Master’s Degree in Public Policy Programme co-organised by the HKSAR Government and Peking University for senior civil servants of the HKSAR tomorrow. She will also meet with the graduates and the HKSAR civil servants who are currently studying in the University.

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Sample of imported swordfish sashimi detected with methylmercury exceeding legal limit

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 2) announced that a sample of imported swordfish sashimi was detected with methylmercury, a metallic contaminant, at a level exceeding the legal limit. Members of the public should not consume the affected product. The CFS is following up on the incident.

     “The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online shop, named Oi-Shi-Sushi, for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained methylmercury at a level of 1.4 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

     The spokesman said that the CFS had informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected product. The CFS is also tracing the source and distribution of the product concerned.

      “Methylmercury is the major form of mercury in fish. At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development, and affect vision, hearing, muscle co-ordination and memory in adults. Furthermore, as some international organisations such as the World Health Organization have pointed out, consuming predatory fish species is the main source of mercury intake for human beings. The report of the CFS’s Total Diet Study has also pointed out that large fish or predatory fish species may contain high mercury levels (for example, tuna, alfonsino, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and king mackerel). Hence, groups particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury, such as pregnant women, women planning a pregnancy and young children should opt for fish that are smaller in size for consumption and avoid consumption of the above-mentioned types of fish to minimise excessive exposure to metal contaminants in food,” the spokesman added.

     According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     â€‹The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more