The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: ​Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital gave the following update today (December 4… read more
A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (December 4) said that, as it is expected to have more respiratory tract infections in winter including seasonal influenza as the temperature drops, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH will continue to closely monitor the situation in the local community through its regular surveillance mechanism. Members of the public, especially high-risk groups, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) and COVID-19 vaccines at appropriate times for enhanced personal protection.
The CHP has all along been closely monitoring the activity of respiratory pathogens locally through different channels such as laboratory testing, hospital admission, disease outbreak reports, etc. Surveillance data in the past four weeks (as of November 25) revealed that the rhinovirus/enterovirus has the highest activity level among the local respiratory tract pathogens, accounting for about 10 per cent of the respiratory specimens testing positive received by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch and the Hospital Authority (HA), though maintaining at a steady level. The next active pathogens are parainfluenza viruses and adenovirus, with the latest positive percentage of 5.2 per cent and 4.4 per cent respectively and are on a rising trend, which are in line with corresponding seasonal trends before the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, according to the figures from the HA, the number of paediatric admission to public hospitals involving Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in the past three months hovered 110 to 170 each month. The figures are higher than 50 plus cases in August, but the trend remains largely stable. Other than that, the local seasonal influenza and COVID-19 activities continue to maintain at a low level. There is also no recent increase in the number of outbreaks involving respiratory tract infections reported.
​As many respiratory pathogens including influenza virus may have increasing activity and community transmission during winter, while vaccination is safe and effective in preventing seasonal influenza and COVID-19, the DH strongly urged members of the public, especially high-risk groups, to receive SIV as soon as possible, and high-risk groups (regardless of the number of doses received previously) should receive a booster dose to be given at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later).
​The spokesman said that mask wearing can effectively reduce the risk of viral infection and transmission. The CHP has all along suggested the following persons to wear masks:
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 4) laid charges against three Mainland men on board a Mainland vessel suspected of engaging in illegal fishing in Hong Kong waters off Sheung Pak Nai.
Marine Police officers intercepted a Mainland vessel suspected to be carrying out illegal fishing activities in the above-mentioned waters at about noon yesterday (December 3) while on duty, and notified the AFCD.
After investigation, charges were laid today against the three men who were suspected to have violated the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171). They will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (December 5).
According to the Ordinance, only a registered local fishing vessel can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters. Regardless of the type of fishing gear used, a non-local fishing vessel is not allowed to carry out fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. Any offender, on conviction, is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for six months.
An AFCD spokesman said, “The Government is committed to combatting illegal fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. The AFCD will maintain close liaison with relevant law enforcement departments, continue to step up patrols and take stringent enforcement action.”
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (December 6) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Disposal Gain by Holder of Qualifying Equity Interests) Bill 2023 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
Meanwhile, the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2023, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Deductions for Spectrum Utilization Fees) Bill 2023 and the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
On Members’ motions, Mr Paul Tse will move a motion on initiating the development of a strong maritime port strategy. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Yim Kong will move an amendment to Mr Tse’s motion.
Mr Yim will move a motion on giving full play to the role of China-capital enterprises to promote Hong Kong’s integration into the overall development of the country. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Tan Yueheng and Mr Chan Pui-leung will move separate amendments to Mr Yim’s motion.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary for Administration will present “The Government Minute in response to the Annual Report of The Ombudsman 2023” and address the Council.
In addition, the Chairman of the Panel on Welfare Services, Mr Tang Ka-piu; the Chairman of the Panel on Environmental Affairs, Ms Elizabeth Quat; the Chairman of the Panel on Financial Affairs, Mr Jeffrey Lam; the Chairman of the Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services, Mr Martin Liao; the Chairman of the Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, Mr Vincent Cheng; the Chairman of the Panel on Health Services, Mr Tommy Cheung; the Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene, Ms Chan Hoi-yan; the Chairman of the Panel on Public Service, Mr Kwok Wai-keung; and the Chairman of the Panel on Housing, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, will present the Reports of the related Panels and address the Council respectively.
Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more
Led by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, a business delegation of enterprises of Belt and Road countries operating in Hong Kong today (December 4) began in Shenzhen a two-day visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Taking the opportunity to integrate the two important national development strategies of the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI) and GBA development, the mission seeks to promote Hong Kong as a services hub in assisting enterprises to tap the Mainland market, riding fully on Hong Kong’s distinctive role in connecting the Mainland and the rest of the world in “going global and attracting foreign investment” for the country.
The visit is the first business networking event organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for enterprises of Belt and Road countries operating in Hong Kong. Members of the delegation include 20 representatives from 15 of these enterprises from countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, covering industries such as investment, finance, tourism, construction, environmental protection, energy and infrastructure. The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho; the Director-General of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, Mr Philip Yung; the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong, Miss Linda So; as well as representatives of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Invest Hong Kong, also joined the visit.
The visit is arranged under the themes of “green development” and “innovation and technology” to proactively respond to “promoting green development” and “advancing scientific and technological innovation” of the eight major steps to support the high-quality development of the B&RI, as announced by President Xi Jinping at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, demonstrating the full support of the HKSAR Government in taking forward the eight major steps.
In the morning, Mr Yau led the delegation to visit the headquarters of BYD Company Limited to learn about its latest developments in areas such as vehicles, rail transit, ternary lithium batteries and blade battery nail test experiments. The delegates also experienced first hand the intelligent rail transit system, SkyShuttle.
At noon, Mr Yau hosted a welcome luncheon for the delegation. Speaking at the luncheon, he said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the B&RI, under which Hong Kong is not only a “super connector”, but also a “super value-adder”. He added that Hong Kong has a lot to offer with its professional services sector, and enterprises would benefit a lot by utilising such world-class professional services.
A sharing session moderated by Mr Ho was featured at the luncheon for in-depth exchanges with Mr Yung, Miss So, the Director of Corruption Prevention of the ICAC, Mr Bryan Chong, and a number of representatives of the enterprises on Hong Kong’s unique role and strengths in promoting the high-quality development of the B&RI, including the work of attracting strategic enterprises and promoting a clean Silk Road, to firmly take forward the eight major steps.
Mr Yau and the delegation visited Tencent’s headquarters in the afternoon, and were briefed by its representative on digital transformation and financial solutions, artificial intelligence technology, as well as its services and products in the areas of social media and electronic games, and real-case applications in Southeast Asia.
The delegation later met with representatives of the Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center (Shenzhen) (B&RETTC) to learn about its work and explore collaboration opportunities. Jointly established by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, the B&RETTC is a service platform for the Mainland and Belt and Road countries to promote international co-operation in environmental protection. Witnessed by Mr Yau and Mr Ho, four enterprises respectively signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the B&RETTC, laying a good foundation for further co-operation in promoting green development.
In the evening, Mr Yau and the delegation attended a dinner with Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government Mr Wang Shourui. Mr Yau said that with the experience of this visit and a profound foundation of collaboration with the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, it is hoped that more diversified enterprises from Belt and Road countries operating in Hong Kong will have the opportunity to explore business opportunities in the GBA. He also looked forward to organising more visits with fruitful outcomes in future.
The delegation will conclude the visit in Shenzhen tomorrow morning (December 5), and proceed to Guangzhou in the afternoon to continue the visit.
