The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) presents film productions by Ann Hui, one of the most acclaimed filmmakers from Hong Kong, under the "Tribute to Ann Hui" section at the 19th FILMASIA festival, taking place from December 7 to 11 in Prague (Prague time).

     The festival welcomed the Hong Kong director Ann Hui as a special guest in Prague, who "contributed to Hong Kong's prosperous film industry like hardly anyone else" as the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto, said in her speech at the festival's opening ceremony. Ann Hui would also give a masterclass on December 8.

     Hong Kong has always been a melting pot where East meets West, connecting people from different cultures. To further the city's efforts in establishing itself as an international cultural exchange hub, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is mapping out a blueprint for arts and culture and creative industries development, nurturing a diverse talent pool, and upgrading cultural infrastructure to further enhance the relevant ecosystem.

     "I sincerely invite all the film and creative professionals to come to Hong Kong, and join us in creating even better quality productions to bring a positive impact to the world", Ms Szeto added.

About HKETO Berlin

     The HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in the Czech Republic as well as Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

    

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 8) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
      
     From December 1 to yesterday (December 7), the CHP recorded four imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (one case), Malaysia (one case) and Thailand (two cases) respectively during the incubation periods.
      
     As of yesterday, 59 imported cases of DF had been recorded in 2023. In 2022, 26 imported cases of DF were recorded.

     The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand) compared to the same period last year. Members of the public, while travelling abroad, should stay vigilant and carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).

     "Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     
     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

​* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     â€‹â€‹The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

     To further enhance public awareness and the atmosphere of the District Council Election (the Election), and to encourage the public to fulfil their civic responsibility by casting their votes, the Government has announced earlier that the "District Council Election Fun Day" will be held tomorrow (December 9), the day before the polling day (December 10) of the Election, for the enjoyment of the public. A variety of activities will be held and special offers will be made available across various districts in Hong Kong. The Government reminds and encourages members of the public to proactively take part in the activities tomorrow and extend their best wishes towards the election.

     Details of the wide range of activities and special offers of the "District Council Election Fun Day" tomorrow are as follows:

(1) A number of carnivals to be held in various districts will include:
• A pop-up event entitled "Harbourfront is One and All" will be held by the Development Bureau and the Harbourfront Commission at the Wan Chai harbourfront from 2pm to 6pm.
• The NGO HKALPS will organise a "Tri Paddling Challenge" at the Kwun Tong waterfront from 9am to 6pm.
• The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will organise "Fun in Sports & DC Election" incorporating sports and games elements at six outdoor venues, namely: Kung Fu Corner at Kowloon Park, Kai Tak Station Square, Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Ginza Square in Tin Shui Wai, Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau and Quarry Bay Park (Tai Chi Garden). Except for Kai Tak Station Square, where the carnival will be held from 3pm to 5pm, events at the other five venues will all be held from 2pm to 5pm.
• The "District Council Election into the Community" exhibition will be set up at Domain Mall in Yau Tong while mobile game stalls will be set up at the Tung Chung Municipal Services Building. Three promotional vehicles will be stationed in Wong Tai Sin, Tai Po and Wan Chai to serve as mobile resource centres.

(2) Admission to fee-charging exhibitions of the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art as well as the Hong Kong Wetland Park, will be free. Offers on visiting historic buildings and monuments will be provided.

(3) The photo exhibition "Mission", which is themed on the six disciplinary forces and two auxiliary forces of the Security Bureau, will be held at the Hong Kong Central Library. Talks and six guided tours will be arranged for students.

(4) The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) will co-host an exhibition of vintage buses and electric buses at the KMB Yuet Lun Street Depot in Lai Chi Kok. Admission is free.

(5) The Education Bureau will host a "Parent-child Fun Day" with organisations to encourage kindergartens, primary and secondary school students and their parents to know more about their residential district through parent-child activities.

(6) Members of the public can earn 1 210 GREEN$ points for recyclables at a minimum weight of 0.5 kilograms when they recycle via the GREEN@COMMUNITY network under the Environmental Protection Department.

​     In addition, the "Build a Better Community" gala will be held at Wonderland of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) between 7pm and 10pm tomorrow. The gala will be broadcast live jointly by the Television Broadcasts Limited, ViuTV, HOY TV, Phoenix Satellite Television, Radio Television Hong Kong, Metro Broadcast and Commercial Radio (in no particular order). At the same time, satellite sites will be set up at HarbourChill, Wan Chai Harbourfront, and the Amphitheatre at Sha Tin Park. In addition to telecasting the programme from the gala in West Kowloon, there will also be live performances and game booths for public enjoyment. Moreover, the "Winter Harbourfront Pyrotechnics" will take place at 8pm tomorrow at the waters off the harbourside of WKCD Art Park. At 9pm, a drone show will also be staged at the waters southeast of the M+ museum of the WKCD. Members of the public may view these two performances along the promenade of the WKCD Art Park. These performances will also be broadcast live at the West Kowloon gala and the two satellite sites. Members of the public who cannot attend the shows at the venues may also enjoy the shows at home to celebrate the Election and support building a better community together.

     A Government spokesman said, "The District Council Election on December 10 is the first large-scale territory-wide election being held after improving the district governance system and reforming the District Councils. It is of utmost significance to the wellbeing of every citizen, the harmony and stability of the community as well as the good governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In pursuit of building a better community and a better Hong Kong together, the Government again appeals to members of the public to proactively participate in the election by casting their votes on the polling day for their preferred candidate to serve the community and the public."

     The Government announced today (December 8) that for the first time, two new drugs for treating cancer were approved for registration in Hong Kong yesterday (December 7) after review under the new mechanism for registration of New Drugs ("1+" mechanism). They are oral targeted drugs in different dosages for treating metastatic colorectal cancer, bringing new hope for treatment to patients for whom conventional chemotherapy has been ineffective or inapplicable.

     A Government spokesman said that the approval of new drugs for registration in just one month or so after the "1+" mechanism came into effect enabled the earlier use of effective new drugs in treating serious or rare diseases. This demonstrated the effective operation of the new "1+" mechanism and the realisation of the policy objective of "good drugs for Hong Kong". In addition to the important mission of life saving, the "1+" mechanism strengthens local capacity in drug evaluation, marking an important milestone for Hong Kong in the progressive development into an internationally recognised regulatory authority for drugs and medical devices and an international health and medical innovation hub.

     The "1+" mechanism announced in "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address" came into effect on November 1. Under the "1+" mechanism, applications for registration of new drugs beneficial for treatment of life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases that are supported with local clinical data are only required to submit approval from one reference drug regulatory authority (instead of two originally). The new drugs can register in Hong Kong after the applications are assessed by local experts and approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong.

     Since the commencement of the "1+" mechanism, the Department of Health (DH) has received enquiries from nearly 50 pharmaceutical companies and two new drug applications submitted under the above mechanism. Having the registration approval from the reference drug regulatory authority and the local clinical data submitted by the applicant considered and the Expert Group on Drug Registration consulted, the Board considered that the two new drugs satisfied the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality. The Board has officially approved the registration of the relevant new drugs at a meeting held yesterday afternoon. The DH will notify the applicant of the results of their applications. Details of the registered products will be uploaded to the website of the Board. The two new drugs secured approval for registration for use within a month or so after the "1+" mechanism came into effect.

     The "1+" mechanism facilitates the registration of worldwide new drugs that can meet the local unmet medical needs for life-threatening or severely debilitating disease in Hong Kong. These new drugs can also benefit patients in the Mainland cities of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) under the measure of using Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in the GBA. Furthermore, the new mechanism can attract more research and development, and clinical trials in relation to drugs to be conducted in Hong Kong. The requirements of local clinical data and recognition by relevant experts for application for registration (the "+" under the "1+" mechanism) will ensure fulfilment of the stringent requirements of safety, efficacy and quality by all pharmaceutical products approved for registration. It will also strengthen the local capacity of drug evaluation and enhance the development of relevant software, hardware and expertise, thereby contributing to the establishment of a drug registration regime based on the "primary evaluation" approach in Hong Kong and recognised by the Mainland and internationally in the long run.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesman for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (December 8):
 
     A 62-year-old male patient in an orthopaedic ward of PMH was confirmed to be carrying Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on November 9 without signs of infection.
      
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted a contact tracing investigation. Ten more male patients (aged from 55 to 89) in the same ward were found to be VRE carriers and asymptomatic. All patients are now being treated in isolation and are in stable condition.
 
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:

1.   Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2.   Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3.   Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.

     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.