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.

     The Government today (June 17) announced the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong (the Hydrogen Strategy).

     Announcing the Hydrogen Strategy today, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said, "To tackle the challenge of climate change, the world is striving to phase out fossil fuels and accelerate energy transition. Hydrogen energy is regarded as a low-carbon energy with development potential, and countries around the world are actively promoting the development of the hydrogen energy industry. With a solid foundation for developing the hydrogen energy industry, our country has stated clearly that hydrogen would be an important component of the national energy system in the future.  Seizing the opportunities brought about by the development of hydrogen energy can help Hong Kong strive towards carbon neutrality, develop a new quality productive force and maintain international competitiveness."

     To prepare for opportunities presented by the development of hydrogen energy, the Government has set up an Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel (the Working Group) in 2022, comprising more than 10 bureaux and professional departments, to remove barriers and facilitate commencement of local hydrogen applications. The Working Group has assisted in formulating interim standards for hydrogen applications in Hong Kong and has given agreement-in-principle to 14 projects. These projects, which include cross-boundary hydrogen transportation, supply facilities, as well as applications in transport, construction sites and remote areas, etc, have commenced progressively.

     Having reviewed various considerations, the Government has formulated the Hydrogen Strategy to address the technical challenges in the six major areas of safety, suitable technologies, infrastructure, cost effectiveness, capacity building and public acceptance, as well as the unique situation of Hong Kong. The Strategy sets out the four major strategies of improving legislations, establishing standards, aligning with the market, and advancing with prudence to create an environment conducive to the development of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong in a prudent and orderly manner, so that Hong Kong would be able to capitalise on the environmental and economic opportunities brought about by the recent developments of hydrogen energy in different parts of the world, the country in particular. It can also help Hong Kong broaden co-operation with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and even the world, integrate into the country's overall development, and develop a new quality productive force.

     According to the Hydrogen Strategy, the Government will introduce legislative amendments in the first half of 2025 to provide a legal basis for regulating the manufacture, storage, transport, supply and use of hydrogen used or intended to be used as fuel, and formulate the approach for certifying a hydrogen standard that aligns with international practices by 2027. The Government will also promote regional co-operation, investment outside Hong Kong, development or importation of hydrogen through joint ventures; leverage on Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world to promote Hong Kong as a demonstration base for the development of hydrogen energy in the country; facilitate the development of the hydrogen industry in the Belt and Road region; and, in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong and relevant bureaux and departments, capitalise on Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to reach out to overseas and Mainland potential enterprises and talent to promote Hong Kong's business opportunities arising from hydrogen energy development.

     Regarding the implementation of the Hydrogen Strategy, the Government will expand the roles and functions of the Working Group. In addition to examining and approving future trial projects, the Working Group will also co-ordinate the development and continuous enhancement of the relevant technical standards and guidelines for hydrogen applications; advise on the pathway for wider application and commercialisation of various hydrogen projects; provide support for local infrastructure developments and capacity building for hydrogen applications; assist in the promotion of the popularisation of hydrogen applications; and regularly review the implementation progress and update the Hydrogen Strategy.
      
     The full text of the Strategy has been uploaded to the Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development website of the Environment and Ecology Bureau (cnsd.gov.hk/strategy-of-hydrogen-development-in-hong-kong_booklet_en.pdf).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 17) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From June 9 to 15, the CHP recorded three community-acquired LD cases and one imported LD case:
 

1. A male patient, aged 56 with good past health, who had been to Indonesia during the incubation period and was classified as an imported case;
2. A female patient, aged 82 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Yuen Long District;
3. A male patient, aged 48 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Kwai Tsing District; and
4. A female patient, aged 76 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Shatin District.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of June 15, 45 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2023 and 2022, there were 121 and 80 cases respectively.

     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily. 

     â€‹
     â€‹The public should observe the health advice below:
          

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes: 

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     â€‹â€‹The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

     In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on June 14 to noon today (June 17), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 387 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category, in the past three days (including last Saturday and Sunday). No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).
 
     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 150 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 59 583 samples of food imported from Japan (including 38 522 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 14 790 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 17) the preliminary statistics on Hong Kong's Gross National Income (GNI) and related figures for the first quarter of 2024.
 
     Hong Kong's GNI, which denotes the total income earned by Hong Kong residents from engaging in various economic activities, increased by 9.6% in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier to $831.0 billion at current market prices. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), estimated at $769.7 billion at current market prices in the same quarter, recorded a 7.1% increase over a year earlier. The value of GNI was larger than GDP by $61.3 billion in the first quarter of 2024, which was equivalent to 8.0% of GDP in that quarter, mainly attributable to a net inflow of investment income.
 
     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, Hong Kong's GNI increased by 6.3% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier. The corresponding GDP in the same quarter increased by 2.7% in real terms.
 
     Hong Kong's total inflow of primary income, which mainly comprises investment income, estimated at $494.9 billion in the first quarter of 2024 and equivalent to 64.3% of GDP in that quarter, recorded a significant increase of 14.0% over a year earlier. Meanwhile, total primary income outflow, estimated at $433.6 billion in the first quarter of 2024 and equivalent to 56.3% of GDP in that quarter, also increased by 9.9% over a year earlier.
 
     As for the major components of investment income inflow, direct investment income (DII) increased by 6.1% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent local enterprises from their direct investment abroad. Portfolio investment income (PII) recorded a significant increase of 20.1% over a year earlier, mainly attributable to the increase in interest income received by resident investors from their holdings of non-resident debt securities.
 
     Regarding the major components of investment income outflow, DII increased by 4.3% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent multinational enterprises from their direct investment in Hong Kong. PII increased by 8.8%, mainly attributable to the increase in interest payout to non-resident investors from their holdings of resident debt securities.
 
     Analysed by country/territory, the mainland of China continued to be the largest source of Hong Kong's total primary income inflow in the first quarter of 2024, accounting for 40.5%. This was followed by the British Virgin Islands (BVI), with a share of 15.3%. Regarding total primary income outflow, the mainland of China and the BVI remained the most important destinations in the first quarter of 2024, accounting for 30.9% and 19.6% respectively.
 
Further information
 
     GDP and GNI are closely related indicators for measuring economic performance. GDP is a measure of the total value of production of all resident producing units of an economy. GNI denotes the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities, irrespective of whether the economic activities are carried out within the economic territory of the economy or outside.
 
     Figures of GNI and primary income flows analysed by income component from the second quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2024 are presented in Table A, while selected major country/territory breakdowns of primary income inflow and outflow for the same quarters are presented in Tables B(1) and B(2) respectively.
 
     Statistics on GDP and GNI from 2022 onwards and primary income flows from 2023 onwards are subject to revision when more data are incorporated.
 
     More detailed statistics are given in the report "Gross National Income and External Primary Income Flows, First Quarter 2024". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1040005&scode=250).
 
     For enquiries about GNI and related statistics, please contact the Balance of Payments Branch (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7054 or email: gni@censtatd.gov.hk).