Tag Archives: China

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 2023 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards Dinner today (December 19):
      
Mr Ronnie Chan (Chair of Hang Lung Properties), Professor Guo Yike (Chair of Steering Committee of the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards), Professor Richard Schoen (Chair of Scientific Committee of the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards), distinguished guests, parents, teachers, students, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good evening. It is my great pleasure to join you all, virtually, at the 2023 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards Dinner. Tonight, we celebrate the exceptional achievements of our younger generation. Tonight, we also reaffirm our dedication in promoting mathematical education and nurturing talent for Hong Kong.
      
     Throughout the past two decades, the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards have been one of the most influential mathematics competitions for secondary school students in Hong Kong. The Awards contributed significantly to fostering a conducive learning environment for our students, encouraging them to embrace the beauty, and the power, of mathematics and science.
      
     I myself was a keen learner of maths at school. I have always been fascinated by the vitality of maths. It could start with just a simple chain of symbols, and end up unveiling the mystery of nature.
      
     As a medium of scientific inquiry, maths is a logical language for verifying hypotheses, analysing scenarios, proving theories, and understanding the complexities of the universe. In less academic terms, maths holds a tangible connection to the real world, as its footprints can be found everywhere, and its applications pervade all aspects of life.
      
     Mathematical tools are powerful means that help us model the physical world, economies, and even the mechanism of our thinking, by identifying mathematical relations amongst variables. It helps us make reasonable comparisons, and informed predictions to come up with optimal solutions. As a decision-maker in the Government, I can certainly tell you that maths is very important to making our policies for Hong Kong, more important than one might think.
      
     In my Policy Address this year, I stressed on the importance of further strengthening the promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education, for which the applications of maths is an integral and indispensable component.
      
     To strengthen students’ capability in the application of maths, we will launch a wide range of support measures in promoting mathematical modelling at schools. We aim to provide our students with more opportunities to utilise the language of maths in analysing real-life problems, identifying innovative yet practical solutions, and most importantly, instil in them the concept of connecting maths to the real world.
      
     But it takes more than the Government, and our schools, to nurture the scientific talent of our young people. For this, I thank the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards for your important contribution. Thanks should also be given to every distinguished scholar and expert, devoted teacher, loving parent, and hardworking student, for the devotion and support in taking forward the projects, all of which signify how intelligence crystalises in the form of mathematics.
      
     To our awardees, I express my warmest congratulations to you on your accomplishments. Speaking to you, I could imagine that if the Awards were set up when I was a student – well, a little more than two decades ago – I would be thrilled to take part, too.
      
     You have all come along the intellectual path to manifest your creativity, perseverance and flexibility of mind, as well as your capacity to appreciate the beauty of nature.
      
     Embrace these values and virtues, as they go beyond the confines of the classroom to guide you in the pursuit of knowledge, and your life as a whole.
      
     As you pursue your academic career, please do remember that success is not solely measured by academic achievements or accolades. True success lies in the impact we make, and the positive changes we bring to the lives of others.
      
     Your talents are not just meant for personal gain, but also for the betterment of humanity and the world. I encourage you to use your knowledge and skills to inspire others, and contribute to invigorating our society through science and education.
      
     Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to all committee members of the Awards, Hang Lung Properties, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and all those involved in the organisation of the Awards.
      
     I wish you all a fruitful and joyous evening. Thank you. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 19) investigating a case of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     The female patient, aged 86 with underlying illnesses, lives in a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Wan Chai. She has developed fever, shortness of breath and oxygen desaturation since December 15. She was admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital on the same day for treatment. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. She is currently in serious condition.

     The patient’s urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period.

     “Epidemiological investigations with the RCHE are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs have been collected from potential sources for testing,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Tracing of contacts including staff and residents in the RCHE where the patient stayed is ongoing and those identified will be put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and residents, including suspending the use of water dispensers in the RCHE immediately, and providing sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing. Furthermore, for the sake of prudence, the CHP also suggested the RCHE to suspend the use of shower heads concerned, or install effective water filters against legionella at the concerned water outlets. Investigation is ongoing.

     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 which 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. A shower may also generate small aerosols; 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.

     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.

     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.  read more

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, called on the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Beijing today (December 19) to exchange views with the leaders of the two ministries on issues of common interest.

     Mr Lee first met with the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Yin Hejun. Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is moving full steam ahead with the development of the Northern Metropolis, which provides key impetus for the future development of Hong Kong and the promotion of high-quality co-operation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The HKSAR Government also proactively co-operates with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to develop the Hetao Shenzhen‑Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co‑operation Zone, leveraging the comparative advantages of the two places.

     Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the country’s support and confidence in Hong Kong’s development in innovation and technology, having established 16 State Key Laboratories in the city. Mr Lee said the “Arrangement between the Mainland and Hong Kong on Expediting the Development of Hong Kong into an International Innovation and Technology Centre”, signed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the HKSAR Government this March, signified a new chapter for science and technology co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. He said that he looks forward to working with the Ministry to further strengthen co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong in innovation and technology, expediting the development of Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong will capitalise on its unique advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world to build a collaborative innovation platform for industries and the academic and research sectors around the world, with a view to pooling global innovation resources for the country and better integrating into the overall development of the country.

     Mr Lee then met with the Party Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Sun Yeli. Noting that the number of visitors to Hong Kong in the third quarter this year has already returned to about 70 per cent of that in the same period in 2017 and 2018, Mr Lee said that the tourism industry in Hong Kong has enjoyed a speedy recovery since the full resumption of normal travel between the city and the Mainland in February this year. He also said that the HKSAR Government will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s role as an international tourism hub and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism. Upcoming priorities of the HKSAR Government include attracting more high value-added overnight visitors by tapping into new source markets, stimulating visitors’ spending, and promoting the high-quality development of tourism.

     Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will continue to proactively leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a melting pot of Chinese and Western cultures and being a highly internationalised city, fully utilise the city’s rich cultural resources, and promote the fine traditional Chinese culture.

     Mr Lee will continue his visit to Beijing tomorrow (December 20) and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

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     The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) hosted two meetings of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its headquarters, namely the 34th Meeting of the Asia Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG/34) from December 11 to 13, and the 13th Meeting of Regional Aviation Safety Group – Asia Pacific Regions (RASG-APAC/13) on December 18 and 19.  

     The APANPIRG, a regional steering body to ensure the effective implementation of the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan in Asia Pacific (APAC) states and administrations, holds a high-level regional meeting annually. The APANPIRG meeting brings together APAC states and administrations and international organisations to discuss and collaborate on air navigation planning and implementation of air traffic management enhancement initiatives. Among the representatives are Directors-General of Civil Aviation and senior officials of APAC states and administrations. The meeting serves as an essential platform for enhancing air traffic management efficiency and addressing regional challenges.

     This year, about 160 representatives from 26 APAC states and administrations and seven international organisations attended the three-day meeting and were engaged in productive discussions and presentations on a wide range of topics, including airspace management, air traffic flow management, aviation safety, and emerging technologies with milestones achieved. The CAD also arranged technical visits to the Control Tower Simulator and Aviation Education Path of the CAD Headquarters.

     The Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Mr Victor Liu, reaffirmed that the APANPIRG was a very important forum for APAC states and administrations to work hands in hands together to enhance air traffic management efficiency and address regional challenges.

     Meanwhile, the RASG-APAC is crucial for supporting a regional performance framework for the management of aviation safety. The RASG-APAC promotes states and industry safety initiatives in harmony with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan and Global Aviation Safety Roadmap. About 100 representatives from 20 APAC states and administrations and eight international organisations attended the RASG-APAC/13 to discuss key safety issues for the continuous improvement of aviation safety.

     Mr Liu has completed a three-year term as the Chairperson of the ICAO RASG-APAC this year. He was succeeded by Captain Norazman Mahmud, the Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, after the election. The meeting expressed their appreciation to Mr Liu, the outgoing Chairperson, for his leadership and dedication since 2020. The meeting also elected Ms Clara Wong, Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation, of the Hong Kong CAD as the new Vice Chairperson of the RASG-APAC. She was elected for a three-year term.

     “The RASG-APAC plays an instrumental role in ensuring the continuous improvement of aviation safety in the Asia Pacific Regions. I am very honoured to be elected to this important position. I look forward to working with the ICAO APAC Office to further promote aviation safety with our regional partners,” Ms Wong said.

     The Hong Kong CAD has been actively participating in the RASG-APAC since its establishment. The election of a senior official of the Hong Kong CAD as the Vice Chairperson is a recognition of Hong Kong’s efforts and commitment to aviation safety through its continued collaboration with the ICAO, aviation regulators and industry partners in the international aviation community.   

     Hosting these important international meetings in Hong Kong manifests the Hong Kong CAD’s commitment to maintaining a safe, resilient and sustainable aviation system conducive to the advancement of aviation development through collaboration with industry partners in the international aviation community.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.      The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (December 19):        A 89-year-old female patient i… read more