Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
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     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (February 9) announced that the department collected 12 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in Janua… read more

     Following is the translation of the Lunar New Year message delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (February 9):
      
     The Lunar New Year is a time for reunions, a time for families and friends to get together and cherish the joy and warmth of the festive season. We share our wishes for children to grow strong and healthy and for grown-ups to be blessed with good fortune.
      
     The dragon is an auspicious symbol signifying nobility and good luck. As we welcome the Year of the Dragon, Hong Kong is nurturing fresh vitality and prosperity. We will seize each and every new opportunity, showcase the charm of our city, and write a bright new chapter for Hong Kong.
      
     My wife and I wish the people of Hong Kong a full house of happiness and harmony in the Year of the Dragon. May all your wishes come true and may good health be with you. We wish you all the best in the Year of the Dragon!
      
     (The message is available on the website of the Chief Executive’s Office: www.ceo.gov.hk/lny-message/24/en/)

  

     â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) welcomed over 120 guests and friends to celebrate the Year of the Dragon together at a spring reception jointly hosted with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) on February 8 (Toronto time). Business, cultural, academia and community partners came together and learned about the latest developments of Hong Kong on its economic and cultural fronts.

     In her welcoming speech at the reception, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Ms Emily Mo, shared pleasing economic-related figures with the guests, including a forecast of 3.2 per cent GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth of Hong Kong in 2023, an as-low-as 2.9 per cent overall unemployment rate, a new record of the number of start-ups setting up in Hong Kong, and new policies and measures introduced to connect Hong Kong with other markets. 

      “Looking forward, we are facing a challenging global economy filled with complexities. Nevertheless, with the institutional advantages of Hong Kong under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong is prepared and inspired to create and present opportunities for the city and everyone who sees it as their destination for business, career or personal growth,” she said.

     Turning to cultural aspects, Ms Mo pointed out that international major events bearing strategic significance for Hong Kong all returned to Hong Kong, and some even grew in scale. 

     She said, “Hong Kong has been presenting its charm as the Events Capital of Asia to the world. In anticipating the full recovery of its flight connection capacity this year, we will stage over 80 mega events in the city in the first half of this year.”

     At the reception, the Director for Americas of the HKTB, Mr Michael Lim, shared with participants the HKTB’s achievements in 2023 and tourism marketing initiatives in 2024. “Over the past year, we welcomed 34 million visitors,” said Mr Lim. “The dynamic Night Vibes Hong Kong campaign has brought new life to Hong Kong’s night scene as we showcase our city’s unique metropolitan charm.”
 
     Hong Kong kicked off 2024 with the biggest and longest New Year countdown fireworks musical ever. Mr Lim added that there will be an action-packed calendar of events and festivals, including Arts in Hong Kong with Art Basel returning to full scale. This year, Art Central is expected to be the fair’s largest and most dynamic since its introduction in 2015. Together with Art@Harbour and the WestK FunFest, these events position Hong Kong as one of the world’s top arts destinations and as an arts hub in Asia. Sporting events will continue, such as Hong Kong Sevens in April and much more.

     This year, the Toronto ETO invited an award-winning team of kendama players from Hong Kong to perform in Canada at its spring receptions to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Guests enjoyed the eye-opening tricks, the energetic power and the fun and joy brought by the young performers.

     In closing, Ms Mo invited the guests to visit Hong Kong to experience its unique East-meets-West culture and seize the tremendous opportunities presented by Asia’s world city.

      

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 9) concluded its enforcement actions on food labelling in 2023. The CFS inspected food labels of about 55 200 prepackaged foods and collected more than 930 prepackaged food samples from different retail outlets for testing if the energy and specified nutrient content (including total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sugars, sodium, protein, carbohydrates, and more) are consistent with the declared values on their nutrition labels. The CFS has instituted 155 prosecutions against breaches of the stipulated requirements of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) and the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W). In addition, the CFS has announced the test results of the unsatisfactory samples and conducted corresponding follow-up actions.

     Food labels and nutrition labels are the major channels of communication between food manufacturers and consumers. The food trade may use them as a tool to provide information and attract consumers to buy their products, and assist them in making informed and healthier dietary choices. Meanwhile, the labels may encourage food manufacturers to apply sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods and regulate misleading or deceptive labels and claims. According to the Ordinance and the Regulations, all prepackaged foods for sale in Hong Kong must be marked or labelled as required by the law. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, “The variations in seasons, processing practices, storage conditions, etc, may result in discrepancies in the nutrient values among the same product of different batches, yet it should be close to the declared values.” To ensure the accuracy of food nutrition labels, Hong Kong has set tolerance limits for nutrient declarations with reference to the international standards and regional practices, and has included them in the technical guidance notes for general prepackaged foods as well as infants and young children formulae and foods. The CFS organises technical meetings and symposiums regularly to facilitate traders’ compliance.

     The spokesman reminded the trade to comply with the law, and urged members of the public to pay attention to the information on nutrition labels when purchasing foods to make informed food choices so as to maintain a balanced diet and stay healthy. read more