The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 18) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Kern County of the State of California in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 63 470 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 17.2 million poultry eggs from the US in the first nine months of this year. 

     "The CFS has contacted the American authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for August – October 2024) released today (November 18) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.0% in July – September 2024 to 3.1% in August – October 2024. The underemployment rate decreased from 1.2% in July – September 2024 to 1.1% in August – October 2024.
 
     Comparing August – October 2024 with July – September 2024, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased across most major economic sectors, with more distinct increases observed in the cleaning and similar activities sector; arts, entertainment and recreation sector; and transportation sector.  As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the construction sector; and warehousing and support activities for transportation sector.
 
     Total employment decreased by around 3 100 from 3 710 200 in July – September 2024 to 3 707 100 in August – October 2024. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 2 200 from 3 830 100 to 3 827 900.
 
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 800 from 119 900 in July – September 2024 to 120 700 in August – October 2024. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 3 700 from 46 000 to 42 300.
 
Commentary
 
     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed low at 3.1% in August – October 2024, though edging up by 0.1 percentage point from July – September 2024. The underemployment rate declined slightly by 0.1 percentage point to 1.1%. The labour force and total employment decreased slightly, by 2 200 and 3 100 to 3 827 900 and 3 707 100 respectively. The number of unemployed persons increased slightly by 800 to 120 700."
 
     Among the different sectors, more notable increases in the unemployment rates were seen in the cleaning and similar activities sector; the arts, entertainment and recreation sector; and the transportation sector. On the other hand, the unemployment rates of the retail sector and the food and beverage service activities sector eased back slightly. The unemployment rate of the construction sector stayed unchanged.
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "The labour market should remain tight in the near term alongside the continued economic growth, though the employment situation may continue to vary across sectors depending on their business performances."
 
     In August – October 2024, the Labour Department (LD) recorded a monthly average of 62 131 vacancies from the private sector, representing a year-on-year decrease of 36.7% and a decrease of 6.2% over the average figure in July – September 2024.
 
     Job seekers may make use of LD's online platforms, such as the Interactive Employment Service website, for obtaining more information on available vacancies.
 
Further information
 
     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
 
     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
 
     The survey for August – October 2024 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of August to October 2024.
 
     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
 
     Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter April – June 2024 while the next issue covering the quarter July – September 2024 will be available by end November 2024. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
 
     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Secretary of Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited Shanghai today (November 18) and met with Deputy Director General of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission Professor Luo Meng to explore collaboration between Hong Kong and Shanghai in the areas of healthcare talent exchanges and digital healthcare. Professor Lo also attended the Fifth High Quality Development Forum of Shanghai Public Hospitals and the 180th Anniversary of Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

     During the meeting with Professor Luo, Professor Lo expressed gratitude to the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission for the continuous support towards promoting the two-way healthcare talent training and exchanges between Hong Kong and Shanghai. In particular, the Hospital Authority (HA) of Hong Kong has established a bilateral talent exchange channel with three hospitals in Shanghai, namely Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, covering multiple specialties such as cardiology, anesthesiology, endoscopy and organ transplantation. To date, eight doctors from Shanghai and Hong Kong have participated in two-way clinical exchanges, while arrangements for that next year will be implemented gradually.

     Professor Lo also said, "We will proactively explore digital healthcare collaboration between Shanghai and Hong Kong with the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, including facilitation arrangement for cross-boundary use of electronic health records to dovetail with cross-boundary medical collaboration programmes and support the cross-boundary medical needs of citizens. We will also promote exchanges and collaboration in the field of medical innovation and technology, with the aim to leverage the unique advantages of the two places to support clinical diagnosis and treatment, new drug research and development as well as public health research, thereby driving further the medical development of the two places."

     Professor Lo attended the Fifth High Quality Development Forum of Shanghai Public Hospitals and the 180th Anniversary of Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine this morning. He delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the forum and introduced the latest progress and related work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in encouraging public hospitals under the HA to participate in the Hospital Accreditation Programme.

     He said, "The HA is encouraging Hong Kong public hospitals to adopt the China's International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) (International Standards) for the Hospital Accreditation Programme. In 2023-24, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital resumed the Hospital Accreditation Programme by adopting the International Standards. On-site accreditation surveys for the two hospitals are planned to take place in the fourth quarter this year to ensure that the hospital management, service level and healthcare quality are on par with the International Standards. The HA is currently drawing up a timetable for other public hospitals to get accredited by the International Standards in the coming year. The preliminary plan is to roll out the Programme in two to three other public hospitals."
      
     After the forum, Professor Lo visited the Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, which has a talent exchange mechanism established with the HA. Starting from this year, the two parties have arranged for healthcare staff to conduct reciprocal visits, enabling two-way training and exchanges.

     Members of the Hong Kong delegation include the Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan, and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko. Professor Lo will return to Hong Kong tonight. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, is the Acting Secretary for Health.

          

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (November 20) at 11 am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Bill 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.

     The Second Reading debate on the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill 2024 will also 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.

     In addition, the Stamp Duty Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     On Members' motions, Dr Hoey Simon Lee will move a motion on expeditiously kick-starting the construction of a carbon inclusive market. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Dr Starry Lee and Mr Yim Kong will move separate amendments to Dr Hoey Simon Lee's motion.

     Professor William Wong will move a motion on formulating an AI Plus strategy. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Chow Man-kong, Ms Carmen Kan, Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Mr Tang Fei, Dr Tan Yueheng and Dr So Cheung-wing will move separate amendments to Professor Wong's motion.

     Dr Chan Han-pan 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.

     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 2024 implementation meeting of the Culture and Tourism Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the Plan) was held in Hong Kong today (November 18) to summarise the progress made in the implementation of the Plan in 2023 and to discuss the key tasks for the upcoming year. The 2024 implementation meeting was co-ordinated and organised by the Tourism Commission of the Culture, Sport, and Tourism Bureau, with representatives of central ministries from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council; the National Development and Reform Commission; the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region. Representatives from the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR), the culture and tourism departments of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities, the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality; the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences also attended.
      
     The Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung, stated during the meeting that based on the Plan's principle of shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism, the HKSAR Government, by optimising Hong Kong's rich tourism resources such as its coastline and outlying islands, and integrating them with its cultural and artistic heritage, will fully leverage Hong Kong's positioning as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchanges under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, and to develop Hong Kong into an international tourism hub and a core demonstration zone for multidestination tourism. She noted that the meeting concluded with fruitful results, and the HKSAR Government will fully support and implement the key tasks of the Plan, closely collaborating with the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, as well as other culture and tourism departments of GBA cities to deepen tourism co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong's role in national tourism development and contributing to achieving the goal of developing a world-class bay area for leisure, as set out in the Plan.
      
     The Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Ms Ku Mei-leng, stated at the meeting that as of early November 2024, the number of visitors to Macao has surpassed 30 million, recovering to 87 per cent of the levels seen in 2019. The development trend of Macao's tourism industry continues to be positive. The Macao SAR Government will strive to leverage the "culture plus tourism" synergistic effect by making good use of policies and cultural and tourism co-operation mechanisms and continue to strengthen co-operation with the GBA's partner cities, complementing each other's strengths to jointly build a cultured Bay Area, and a Bay Area for leisure .
      
     Level I Bureau Rank Official of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province Mr Zhang Yimin stated that the Department will work under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to collaborate with Hong Kong and Macao to pragmatically advance and co-create brands to further promote the prosperous development of the cultural and tourism industry in the GBA. This includes accelerating the joint development of the cultured Bay Area, fostering cultural prosperity, enriching the supply of tourism products, enhancing cultural and tourism brands, and increasing the cultural and tourism influence of the GBA in order to jointly make the GBA a world-class tourism destination.
      
     The Deputy Director of the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Kong Lun, stated at the meeting that the Plan has been implemented in an orderly manner and achieved with significant results over the past year. For the way forward, he mentioned three suggestions, including (i) to further co-ordinate and integrate resources in creating popular multidestination tourism products for inbound travelers and promote synergistic development of inbound tourism marketing to attract more international visitors to the GBA; (ii) to continue making efforts in jointly creating high-quality cultural products, improving public cultural services as well as  the cultural and creative industries and carrying out high-standard cultural exchange activities in order to promote Chinese culture to the world; and (iii) to seize new trends and demands in the cultural and tourism market in cultivating new business trends to enhance service quality towards cultural and tourism consumption, establishing a "golden brand" for the GBA's culture and tourism through driving high-quality development with innovative thinking.
      
     The Plan was jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Office of the Leading Group for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the Leading Group) and the People's Government of Guangdong Province on December 24, 2020, to further implement the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Under the framework of the Leading Group, the related departments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will continue to enhance co-ordination and communication to establish an implementation and daily communication mechanism, with a view to jointly taking forward the implementation of the Plan. The 2025 meeting for the Plan will be hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on the Mainland.