Tag Archives: China

     â€‹The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) held Meet the Partners Networking Event with the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) today (December 12). Representatives of over 40 strategic enterprises from industries including life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, and advanced manufacturing and new-energy technology were invited to the event. The ITC’s representatives delivered a comprehensive introduction of the various funding schemes it offers to innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises and focused discussion on programmes that target to support research and development (R&D), such as the Enterprise Support Scheme, Research Talent Hub, as well as the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme newly launched by the Government in October. They also addressed concerns raised by attending enterprise representatives.
      
     The ITC administers the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) which aims to increase the added value, productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s economic activities. Currently, there are a total of 18 funding schemes under the ITF, providing support in five I&T areas, namely “supporting R&D”, “facilitating technology adoption”, “nurturing technology talent”, “supporting technology start-ups” and “fostering an I&T culture”, to meet different business development needs of enterprises.
      
     In his opening remarks, the Director-General of OASES, Mr Philip Yung, pointed out that I&T is one of the key development areas of the current-term Government, and attracting high-potential I&T enterprises is critical to promoting the development of strategic industries and building the I&T ecosystem. OASES has been working closely with the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau on relevant work, with a view to supporting the Government in consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s development of “eight centres” as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan, and expediting the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. Based on OASES’ experience over the past year, funding, talent and policy measures are common major concerns of enterprises regardless of their company size, industry or development plan. Identifying suitable I&T measures and resources would facilitate the setting up or expansion of operation of strategic enterprises in Hong Kong, which will in turn attract their upstream, midstream and downstream partners to Hong Kong, to generate synergies across the entire industry chain.
      
     OASES will continue to organise different promotional events to provide networking platforms for strategic enterprises and stakeholders for jointly promoting the vibrant development of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem.

    

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 12) reminded the public that, to facilitate the holding of the 57th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park from December 16, 2023, to January 8, 2024, the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in the vicinity of Causeway Bay and Tin Hau:

* Pedestrianisation continues to be implemented at East Point Road, Lockhart Road east of Cannon Street, and Great George Road Street west of Paterson Street from 4pm to midnight on Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays), and from noon to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays;

* Depending on the on-site crowd and traffic conditions, the section of Gloucester Road between Kingston Street and Causeway Road, Sugar Street, Great George Street, Paterson Street, Kingston Street, Cleveland Street, Hing Fat Street, Electric Road and Lau Li Street may be closed temporarily or intermittently, and a corresponding traffic diversion will be implemented upon the Police’s request;
 
* Bus stops on Causeway Road outside Victoria Park will be rearranged temporarily;
 
* The public light bus stands at Paterson Street and Sugar Street, and the taxi stands at Paterson Street and Lau Li Street may be suspended upon the Police’s request; and

* Hing Fat Street Public Carpark (except for disabled parking spaces) will be suspended at different time slots daily from December 13, 2023 to January 9, 2024.

     Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements are available on the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or mobile application “HKeMobility”. Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.
 
     Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements, subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or “HKeMobility”. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Air Transport Licensing Authority:      The Air Transport Licensing Authority has decided to renew the licence in relation to the application made by Hong Kong Airlines Limited with e… read more

     â€‹The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 12) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in November continued to drop to 1.8 per cent from 2.3 per cent in October, which remained at the lowest Level 1, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the areas surveyed was not extensive.

     In November, all the 64 survey areas were recorded with a gravidtrap index lower than the alert level of 20 per cent. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in November remained at 1, which represented that an average of one Aedes albopictus adult was found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, “The Government is very concerned about mosquito infestation. The FEHD has continued to intensify mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at suitable locations. The FEHD has also conducted site inspections with relevant departments, and provided them with professional advice and technical support to assist them in formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures swiftly. At the same time, the FEHD has strengthened publicity and education. Under the concerted efforts and collaboration of various parties, the index in November continued to drop. As the weather has turned cooler and drier, the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations launched since March 20 this year will be ended on December 15. Although the index remains at a low level, the breeding and activity of mosquitoes will not stop in winter. The FEHD will continue to monitor the mosquito infestation in all districts, and will conduct prompt and effective mosquito prevention and control work. At the same time, members of the public are advised to continue the routine mosquito prevention and control work, especially the repair and maintenance of structures. Cracks and dents which may accumulate water and become potential breeding grounds should be filled and leveled so as to reduce the chance of mosquito breeding when the rainy season approaches.”

     The FEHD appeals to members of the public to work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

     Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF). DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. The dengue activity in neighbouring areas has remained high and Hong Kong has recorded 59 imported DF cases so far this year. Members of the public should stay vigilant and continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (December 12):      A 75-year-old male patient in a medicine and ge… read more