Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the reception for the 76th Independence Day of the State of Israel today (June 17):
 
Consul-General Amir Laty  (Consul-General of the State of Israel in Hong Kong, Mr Amir Laty), Commissioner Pan Yundong (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Pan Yundong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
​     Good evening.

     â€‹I am pleased to be here with you, tonight, at the reception marking the 76th Independence Day of the State of Israel.
 
     Since the 1850s, when the Jewish community first took root in Hong Kong, our two economies, our two peoples, have developed multi-level ties.  
 
     Our trade relation is strong. As the Consul General said, our bilateral merchandise trade increased to around US$4.7 billion last year, representing an increase of more than 38 per cent. Our growth in exports to Israel last year includes a strong re-export element, reflecting Hong Kong’s strength as an international trading centre.
 
     Our two economies have also reached bilateral agreements in such areas as cultural exchange, air services, information technology, communications, and industrial research and development.
 
     I believe Hong Kong and Israel share a similar innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, visible in such initiatives as the Hong Kong-Israel R&D Cooperation Programme, which encourages collaboration on product development and commercialisation in the global market.
 
     Financial technology is another promising area. Today, Hong Kong is home to about 1 000 fintech companies. Israel also has long thrived in fintech. 
 
    I am pleased to note the signing of the MOU, in 2020, between Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission and the Israel Securities Authority, promoting fintech collaboration. 
 
     Israeli companies and start-ups can count on Hong Kong and our “one country, two systems” advantage, our rule of law and the free flow of capital, funds, people and data, our longstanding commitment to free trade and multilateral co-operation, and our close connectivity with the Mainland and Asia markets.  
 
     Thanks to that singular advantage, Hong Kong’s business promise also includes pivotal roles in such key national strategies as the Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative.
 
     As an international financial centre, Hong Kong’s doors are wide open. We continue to welcome business, capital and talent from all over the world. Here, they could realise their ambitions with the support of our world-class financial and professional services. Indeed, Hong Kong is the best base for Israeli companies to extend their reach to the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese Mainland, the rest of Asia and beyond. 
 
      My regards, once again, to the people of Israel on your nation’s 76th Independence Day. Thank you.

  

     The Department of Health (DH) today (June 17) said that the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) has endorsed the regulation of medical gases as pharmaceutical products under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance) with effect from June 14, 2026.

     In September 2023, the Board agreed that medical gases should be regulated as pharmaceutical products under the Ordinance after taking into account the regulatory control of medical gases in other jurisdictions and the current situation in Hong Kong. In this connection, a public consultation had been conducted by the DH in November last year for collecting views and comments from the public and relevant stakeholders.

     Noting that the overall responses were in support of the regulatory control of medical gases, the Board has decided at its meeting on June 14, 2024, to regulate medical gases as pharmaceutical products under the Ordinance by giving two years’ preparatory time (i.e. from June 14, 2024, to June 13, 2026) for the trade to apply for relevant licences and registration of their products. The Board has also promulgated relevant Guidance Notes and details are available at the Board’s website (www.ppbhk.org.hk/eng/index.html).

     The DH has started issuing letters to inform relevant traders and stakeholders about the aforesaid regulation. When the new regulatory control takes effect, the medical gases, as pharmaceutical products, have to be registered with the Board before they can be legally sold or supplied in Hong Kong. In addition, traders of the pharmaceutical products must obtain relevant licence(s) from the Board before conducting manufacture, wholesale (including import and export) of pharmaceutical products and retail sales of pharmaceutical products containing poisons. According to the Ordinance, illegal possession or sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products or prescription drugs, and manufacture, wholesale of pharmaceutical products and retail sales of pharmaceutical products containing poisons without relevant licences are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

     For relevant information on the Regulation of Medical Gases, please visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH (www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/do/en/pharmaceutical_trade/medical_gases_regulation.html). read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at a media session after attending the launch event for the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong today (June 17):  … read more

     The Department of Health (DH) today (June 17) endorsed a licensed drug wholesaler, namely Hong Kong Medical Supplies Ltd (HKMS), to recall eight batches (batch numbers: AAL56301, AAM03804, AAP27103, AAR88304, AAT62402, AAW72104, NAA04302 and NAA14002) of Ferrum Hausmann Drops 50mg/ml (Hong Kong Registration Number: HK-36593) from the market as a precautionary measure due to a potential quality issue.

     The DH received notification from HKMS that the overseas manufacturer of the product is initiating a voluntary recall of the above batches due to the presence of small plastic particles above the cap of the dropper in some samples of the product; the particles may fall out when used. As a precautionary measure, HKMS is voluntarily recalling the affected batches of product from the market. The DH’s investigation is continuing.

     The above product, containing iron, is an over-the-counter medicine for the treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia. According to HKMS, the concerned batches of product have been imported into Hong Kong for distribution to the Hospital Authority, local private hospitals, private doctors and pharmacies, as well as for re-export to Macao.
 
     HKMS has set up a hotline (2806 3112) to answer related enquiries.

     So far, the DH has not received any adverse drug reaction reports related to the affected batches of product. The DH will closely monitor the recall.

     Members of the public should consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell after using the affected product. 

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (June 19) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Electronic Traffic Enforcement (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2023 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
 
     On Members’ motions, Mr Lam Chun-sing will move a motion on promoting the popularisation of flexible working system. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Ms Nixie Lam, Professor William Wong, Mr Luk Chung-hung, Mr Lee Chun-keung and Mr Yim Kong will move separate amendments to Mr Lam’s motion.
 
     Ms Nixie Lam will move a motion on policies on supporting assisted reproduction. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Ms Judy Chan, Mr Kenneth Leung and Mr Lee Chun-keung will move separate amendments to Ms Lam’s motion.
 
     Mr Chan Yung will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending a subsidiary legislation. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 3.
 
     During the meeting, Mr Chan Chun-ying will present the “Finance Committee Report on the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure 2024-2025” and address the Council.
 
     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
 
     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more