Tag Archives: China

     Globally, 2023 is likely to be the warmest year on record according to the World Meteorological Organization’s preliminary assessment. The global mean sea level continued to rise, reaching a new record high in 2023. Over the Arctic, sea-ice extent remained well below average in the year and the minimum sea-ice extent in September was the sixth lowest in the satellite record. In 2023, different parts of the world were ravaged by various extreme weather events, including heatwaves in many parts of the world, including Europe, North Africa, southern China, Japan and much of Southeast Asia; severe drought in northwestern Africa, the Greater Horn of Africa region, parts of the Iberian Peninsula, parts of central and southwest Asia, many parts of Central America, northern South America, parts of Canada and the United States; extreme rainfall that triggered severe flooding in China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Greece, southern Bulgaria, parts of Türkiye, northeastern Libya, Spain, and the North Island of New Zealand; and severe damage and heavy casualties brought by tropical cyclones in Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines and China. Rampant wildfires also wreaked great havoc in Greece, Hawaii and Canada.
 
     The La Niña event of 2022 lasted till January 2023. Sea surface temperatures of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific continued to increase in the following months. An El Niño event was established in August 2023 and persisted through to the end of the year.
 
     In Hong Kong, with all 12 months warmer than usual, 2023 was one of the second warmest years on record with the annual mean temperature reaching 24.5 degrees, 1.0 degree above the 1991-2020 normal (Note 1). The annual mean minimum temperature of 22.6 degrees and annual mean maximum temperature of 27.2 degrees were respectively one of the highest and one of the second highest since records began in 1884. In particular, the mean temperature for summer (June to August) reached 29.7 degrees, the highest on record. The highest temperature recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory in the year was 36.1 degrees on July 27, one of the third highest on record. There were 54 very hot days (Note 2), 56 hot nights (Note 3) and four extremely hot days (Note 4) in Hong Kong in 2023, respectively ranking as one of the highest, the second highest and one of the fifth highest on record.
 
     The lowest temperature recorded at the Observatory in the year was 8.1 degrees on December 23. The number of cold days (Note 5) in the year was 14 days, 1.2 days less than the 1991-2020 normal.
 
      2023 was characterised by a dry spring and summer, and very wet autumn. Mainly owing to the record-breaking rainfall in autumn, the annual total rainfall in 2023 was 2 774.5 millimetres, about 14 per cent above the 1991-2020 normal of 2 431.2 millimetres. Eight red rainstorm warnings and two black rainstorm warnings were issued by the Observatory in the year. The number of days with thunderstorms reported in Hong Kong was 40 days in 2023, about two days fewer than the 1991-2020 normal.
 
     A total of 19 tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in 2023, fewer than the long-term (1961-2020) average of about 30. There were 11 tropical cyclones reaching typhoon intensity (Note 6) or above during the year, fewer than the long-term average of about 15, and five of them reached super typhoon intensity (with maximum 10-minute wind speeds of 185 km/h or above near the centre). In Hong Kong, five tropical cyclones necessitated the issuance of tropical cyclone warning signals, slightly fewer than the long-term average of about six in a year. The Hurricane Signal No. 10 was issued during the passage of Saola in September, the Increasing Gale or Storm Signal No. 9 was issued during the passage of Koinu in October and the Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 was issued during the passage of Talim in July.
 
     Detailed descriptions of the weather for individual months are available on the Monthly Weather Summary webpage:
www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/pastwx/mws/mws.htm.
 
     A detailed version of the Year’s Weather for 2023 with some significant weather events in Hong Kong is available at:
www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/pastwx/ywx.htm.
 
Note 1: Climatological normals for the reference period of 1961-1990, 1971-2000, 1981-2010 and 1991-2020 are available at: www.weather.gov.hk/en/cis/normal.htm. Climatological normals of 1991-2020 are referenced in the text unless otherwise stated.
Note 2: “Very hot day” refers to the condition with the daily maximum temperature equal to or higher than 33.0 degrees.
Note 3: “Hot night” refers to the condition with the daily minimum temperature equal to or higher than 28.0 degrees.
Note 4: “Extremely hot day” refers to the condition with the daily maximum temperature equal to or higher than 35.0 degrees.
Note 5: “Cold day” refers to the condition with the daily minimum temperature equal to or lower than 12.0 degrees.
Note 6: Information on the classification of Tropical Cyclones is available at: www.weather.gov.hk/en/informtc/class.htm. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 8) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The 2023/24 seasonal influenza vaccination programmes have started and the CHP appealed to members of the public to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) to better protect themselves in the coming influenza season.

     The case involves an 11-year-old boy with underlying illnesses living on the Mainland. He developed fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath on January 2. He travelled to Hong Kong and visited a private doctor for medical attention on that day, and returned to the Mainland on the same day. He visited the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital on January 6 due to persistent symptoms. He was admitted on the same day and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for management. His respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia. He is now in serious condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received SIV for this season and had stayed on the Mainland during the incubation period. One of his home contacts is currently symptomatic. The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, “Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP’s website.”

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council:
 
     The Government introduced time-limited relaxation measures to the Film Production Financing Scheme (FPFS) under the Film Development Fund in mid-July 2020, with the objectives of encouraging more commercial investment in film production, increasing the number of local film productions in the short term and creating more development opportunities for local film practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of the relaxation measures has achieved satisfactory results so far. Having regard to the positive feedback from the sector, the deadline for application under the FPFS with relaxation measures will be further extended for one year to January 14, 2025. The Government will consolidate the experiences from implementation of the relaxation measures so as to enhance the scheme.
 
     “Seventeen film production projects have been approved under the relaxed scheme. Many of them, such as ‘Chilli Laugh Story’, have achieved outstanding box office performances. Among the approved projects, ‘A Guilty Conscience’, which was theatrically released in 2023, also became the highest-grossing Chinese film in Hong Kong, with a box office of over $100 million. This further extension will drive more Hong Kong film productions and promote the sector’s long-term development,” the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Dr Wilfred Wong, said.
 
     Details of the relaxation measures and the relevant application form are available on the website of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (www.fdc.gov.hk/en/fpfs). read more

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (January 8) that a tender of 10-year Government Bonds (Bonds) through the re-opening of existing 15-year Government Bond issue 15GB3403 under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme will be held on January 17, 2024 (Wednesday), for settlement on January 18, 2024 (Thursday).
      
     An additional amount of HK$1.5 billion of the outstanding 15-year Bonds (issue no. 15GB3403) will be on offer. The Bonds will mature on March 7, 2034 and will carry interest at the rate of 2.02 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrears. The Indicative Pricings of the Bonds on January 8, 2024 are 87.83 with an annualised yield of 3.481 per cent.
      
     Under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme, tender is open only to Recognized Dealers which are appointed as Primary Dealers. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the current published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.
      
     Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, the Refinitiv screen (HKGBINDEX), and Bloomberg (GBHK <GO>) not later than 3pm on the tender day.
 
HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme Tender Information
—————————————————————————————–
     Tender information of re-opening of 15-year Government Bonds under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:
 

Issue Number	:	15GB3403 (Re-open)
Stock Code	:	4237 (HKGB 2.02 3403)
Tender Date and Time	:	January 17, 2024 (Wednesday) 9.30am to 10.30am
Issue and Settlement Date for Tender Amount	:	January 18, 2024 (Thursday)
Amount on Offer	:	HK$1.5 billion
Maturity	:	10 years
Remaining Maturity	:	Approximately 10.14 years
Maturity Date	:	March 7, 2034
Interest Rate	:	2.02 per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrears
Interest Payment Dates	:	March 7, 2024 September 9, 2024 March 7, 2025 September 8, 2025 March 9, 2026 September 7, 2026 March 8, 2027 September 7, 2027 March 7, 2028 September 7, 2028 March 7, 2029 September 7, 2029 March 7, 2030 September 9, 2030 March 7, 2031 September 8, 2031 March 8, 2032 September 7, 2032 March 7, 2033 September 7, 2033 March 7, 2034
Method of Tender	:	Competitive tender
Tender Amount	:	Each competitive tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof. Any tender applications for the Bonds must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the current published list.   The accrued interest to be paid by successful bidders on the issue date (January 18, 2024) for the tender amount is HK$368.03 per minimum denomination of HK$50,000.   (The accrued interest to be paid for tender amount exceeding HK$50,000 may not be exactly equal to the figures calculated from the accrued interest per minimum denomination of HK$50,000 due to rounding).
Other Details	:	Please see Information Memorandum available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk or approach Primary Dealers.
Expected commencement date of dealing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited	:	The tender amount is fully fungible with the existing 15GB3403 (Stock code: 4237) listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

 
     Price/Yield Table of the Government Bonds at tender (for reference only*):
 

Yield-to-Maturity	Price	Yield-to-Maturity	Price
2.481	96.02	3.481	87.84
2.531	95.59	3.531	87.46
2.581	95.17	3.581	87.07
2.631	94.74	3.631	86.69
2.681	94.32	3.681	86.31
2.731	93.90	3.731	85.93
2.781	93.48	3.781	85.55
2.831	93.06	3.831	85.18
2.881	92.65	3.881	84.81
2.931	92.24	3.931	84.43
2.981	91.83	3.981	84.06
3.031	91.42	4.031	83.70
3.081	91.01	4.081	83.33
3.131	90.61	4.131	82.97
3.181	90.21	4.181	82.61
3.231	89.81	4.231	82.25
3.281	89.41	4.281	81.89
3.331	89.02	4.331	81.53
3.381	88.62	4.381	81.18
3.431	88.23	4.431	80.83
3.481	87.84	4.481	80.48

 
* Disclaimer: The information provided here is for reference only. Although extreme care has been taken to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, the HKMA does not warrant that all, or any part of, the information provided is accurate in all respects. You are encouraged to conduct your own enquiries to verify any particular piece of information provided on it. The HKMA shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any use or reliance on any of the information provided here. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 8) investigating a case of suspected food poisoning and reminded the public not to pick or consume wild plants, and beware of vegetables containing calcium oxalate raphide to avoid food poisoning due to accidental consumption of giant alocasia.
 
    The female patient, aged 50, developed a sore throat and hoarseness of voice shortly after consuming a wild taro at home yesterday (January 7). She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital today and was admitted for further treatment on the same day. She is now in stable condition. The clinical diagnosis was suspected calcium oxalate raphide poisoning.
 
    Initial investigations revealed that the patient had consumed wild taro picked from a hillside near Jordan Valley Park. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.
 
     Taro is a popular ingredient used to prepare various dishes and desserts. However, some plants look like taro (e.g. giant alocasia) but contain toxins which can cause food poisoning. Consuming plants containing calcium oxalate raphide (a needle-shaped crystal of the chemical) can injure the skin and mucous membranes, and cause irritation such as numbness and a burning sensation of the tongue, mouth and lips, and swelling of the tongue and lips. Consumption of vegetables accidentally mixed with calcium oxalate raphide-containing plants may also cause food poisoning.
 
     Members of the public should take heed of the following when consuming vegetables:
 

• Do not pick or consume wild plants;
• Purchase vegetables from reliable suppliers; and
• Remove any plants mixed with edible vegetables and wash them thoroughly before cooking and consumption.

 
     â€‹â€‹The public may visit the pages on Food Poisoning Related to the Giant Alocasia and Calcium Oxalate Food Poisoning of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for more information and health advice. read more