Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 18) extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mr Li Ka-shing for his generous donation of $6 million, which will support the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Departments of 17 public hospitals. This funding will facilitate the analysis of brain computed tomography (CT brain) scan images, benefitting an estimated total of over 570 000 patient services in the next three years.
 
     The ageing population has resulted in an increasing number of patients with chronic diseases, leading to a growing demand for public healthcare services. This has posed daunting challenges to the HA. To ensure the sustainability of public healthcare services, the HA has proactively embraced AI technology to enhance service efficiency, patient safety, and service quality. The Li Ka Shing Foundation’s generous donation will enable the introduction of AI technology into the A&E Departments of public hospitals, facilitating more efficient and accurate analysis of CT brain scan images to identify life-threatening conditions such as brain injuries and intracranial haemorrhage. This technology allows real-time analysis and detection of bleeding in brain, thereby improving accuracy and expediting the treatment process in critical situations.
 
     The Chairman of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Mr Li, stated, “I have long been an advocate of leveraging technology to enhance healthcare services. The use of a comprehensive deep learning system can support radiologists and healthcare professionals with diagnostic accuracy, triage and flexibility to better serve our community. We are privileged to be part of the HA’s small steps of giant leaps into the future.”
 
     The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, said, “The HA expresses sincere gratitude to Mr Li Ka-shing for his generous donation, which supports the HA in developing ‘smart hospital’ that provides ‘smart healthcare’ to citizens. The AI technology will enhance the accuracy and efficiency in diagnosing acute brain problems, ultimately improving medical effectiveness and ensuring the sustainable development of healthcare services.”
 
     The application of AI technology in healthcare not only assists healthcare teams in promptly identifying changes in patients’ conditions, making appropriate clinical judgments and expediting the implementation of treatment plans, but also helps streamline clinical workflow processes. Currently, the HA has adopted AI technology in the A&E Departments and General Outpatient Clinics to facilitate the analysis of chest and hip joint X-ray images, reducing the time required for reviewing abnormal X-ray images. In the future, the HA will continue introducing suitable AI technologies to assist in image analysis and enhance diagnostic efficiency.
 
     The HA again expresses appreciation to the Li Ka Shing Foundation for the generous donation, which benefits patients and significantly alleviates the pressure faced by the A&E Departments of public hospitals. read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department today (December 18) announced that the Hong Kong Central Library and most public libraries, as well as all students’ study rooms, will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31). Public libraries at Butterfly Estate, Lek Yuen, Sha Tau Kok, Shek Wai Kok, Tai O, Tin Shui Wai North, Mui Wo, North Lamma and Peng Chau will close at 1pm as usual. The South Lamma Public Library and all mobile libraries will be closed on the two days as they are normally closed on Sundays.
 
     On Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1, 2024), all Hong Kong public libraries, mobile libraries and students’ study rooms will be closed.
 
     Moreover, system maintenance work will be carried out from 0.30am on December 25 to 11.59pm on December 26, and from 0.30am to 11.59pm on January 1, 2024, during which the following services will be suspended:
* library mobile app services and Internet and telephone renewal services;
* other online library services, including the library catalogue, borrowers’ record enquiries, reservation of library materials and Internet and Digital Service Workstations and electronic resources (e-books and e-databases); and
* self-service library stations (readers may still return books to the stations before the due date, and the loan record will be updated on the next working day).
 
     Details can be obtained from notices posted at all public libraries and the library website at www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/library-notices/library-notices-list.html. For enquiries, please call 2921 0208. read more

     Hong Kong Customs conducted a 12-day joint operation with Mainland and Macao Customs from December 4 to 15 to combat cross-boundary counterfeiting activities among the three places and with goods destined for overseas countries. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs seized about 14 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $5.4 million.
      
     During the operation, the three Customs administrations stepped up inspection of goods across the three places and destined for North America, Europe, South East Asia as well as other countries and regions to effectively curb cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities. The suspected counterfeit goods seized by Hong Kong Customs included handbags, mobile phones and accessories, clothes and footwear.
      
     This is the third joint operation by the three Customs administrations this year. Hong Kong Customs has seized a total of about 51 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $25.5 million in these operations.
      
     Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipping activities vigorously through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.
      
     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods with any forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

  

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 18) the selection results of the Venue Partnership Scheme and Artist-in-Residence Pilot Scheme of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC).      … read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:        The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (December 18) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection P… read more