The Government announced today (November 28) the following senior appointments:
 
(a) Mr Ringo Mok Wing-cheong, Principal Government Engineer, will take up the post of Director of Drainage Services on December 1, 2023. He will succeed Ms Alice Pang, who has proceeded on pre-retirement leave; and
 
(b) Mr Michael Li Kiu-yin, Deputy Director of Architectural Services, will take up the post of Director of Architectural Services on December 30, 2023, when Mr Edward Tse Cheong-wo commences his pre-retirement leave.
 
     Commenting on the appointments of Mr Mok and Mr Li, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "The two appointees have proven leadership and management skills, as well as profound professional knowledge. I am confident that they will be able to lead the respective departments to meet the challenges ahead and continue to deliver quality services to the community."
       
     On the retirement of Ms Pang and Mr Tse, Mrs Yeung said, "Ms Pang has served with professionalism and commitment in the civil service throughout the past 33 years. As Director of Drainage Services, Ms Pang has made sustained efforts in leading the Drainage Services Department to bring continuous improvements to our wastewater and stormwater drainage services as well as river environments. Mr Tse has served with diligence and commitment in the civil service throughout the past 30 years. As acting Director of Architectural Services, Mr Tse has successfully led the department to implement various construction projects and provided a comprehensive range of professional advice and services on construction to the Government and quasi-government organisations. I wish them a fulfilling and happy retirement."
 
     Brief biographical notes of the four officers are set out below:
 
Ms Alice Pang
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     Ms Pang joined the Government as Assistant Engineer in September 1990. She was promoted to Chief Engineer in September 2011, to Government Engineer in July 2015 and to Principal Government Engineer in June 2017. She served as Director of Drainage Services from November 2020 to September 2023.
 
Mr Edward Tse Cheong-wo
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     Mr Tse joined the Government as Architect in March 1993. He was promoted to Chief Architect in August 2012, to Government Architect in July 2018 and to Deputy Director of Architectural Services in August 2021. He has been acting as Director of Architectural Services since July 2022.
 
Mr Ringo Mok Wing-cheong
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     Mr Mok joined the Government as Engineer in May 1997. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in September 2015, to Government Engineer in July 2018 and to Principal Government Engineer in June 2021.
 
Mr Michael Li Kiu-yin
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     Mr Li joined the Government as Architect in December 1997. He was promoted to Chief Architect in September 2015, to Government Architect in July 2020 and to Deputy Director of Architectural Services in November 2022.

        

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 28) announced that the designated Mpox vaccination centre situated at 2/F, CHP building, 147C Argyle Street, Mong Kok, will cease operation starting from December 1. Those in need can continue to receive Mpox vaccinations at other vaccination service venues.

     The Government's Mpox vaccination programme commenced on October 5 last year, under which Hong Kong residents belonging to high-risk groups (including individuals with high-risk sexual practices; healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox; laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong) can receive vaccination on a voluntary basis.

     The Government assesses the risk in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, and implements corresponding control measures. As the number of Mpox confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong increased, the CHP set up the designated Mpox vaccination centre starting from July 27 this year for high-risk groups to receive vaccination by appointment. As at November 26, more than 1 400 doses of vaccine were administered at the designated Mpox vaccination centre and over 14 800 doses administered under the Mpox vaccination programme. With underutilisation of the designated centre located on Argyle Street in recent months, the centre will cease operation starting from December 1.

     Those belonging to high-risk target groups can continue to receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at eight Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) of the DH (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information on the clinics is available at www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html. Meanwhile, the DH's Integrated Treatment Centre in Kowloon Bay, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will continue to provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

     A total of 54 confirmed Mpox cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far. The CHP appeals again to high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. Persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.

     â€‹Please visit the CHP's page on Mpox Vaccination Programme (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/106090.html) for the latest information.

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     In conjunction with the "China Manned Space Exhibition" at the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will hold a public lecture on the China Manned Space Program and Aerospace Engineering at the Hong Kong Science Museum on December 2 (Saturday). All are welcome.
 
     The RGC has invited Associate Professor of the Department of Earth Sciences and Department of Physics of the University of Hong Kong Dr Lee Man-hoi, and Associate Professor of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies of the Education University of Hong Kong Dr Chan Man-ho, to introduce China's Tianwen Planetary Exploration Program and space-based observation plans. Details are as follows:
 
Time: 10am – noon
Venue: Lecture Hall, 1/F, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Admission: Free (seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis)
 
     Members of the public can also watch a live broadcast of the lecture through the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hkscm) or the YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/hksciencemuseum) of the Hong Kong Science Museum.
 
First session: China's Tianwen Planetary Exploration Program
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     China's first planetary exploration mission, Tianwen-1, was launched in 2020, and its Zhurong Mars Rover was successfully deployed on Mars in 2021. Dr Lee will discuss current and future missions in China's Tianwen Planetary Exploration Program in the context of the history of planetary exploration and key open questions about the solar system.
 
Second session: Space-based telescope observations and particle experiments in the new era
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     Modern astronomical and space observations have entered a new era. Many observations and experiments have already changed from ground-based to space-based in order to reduce the noise generated by the atmosphere and human activities, which can greatly enhance the quality of data obtained. In addition, analysing particles in space can help the public understand the mystery of the universe and the origin of life. Dr Chan will introduce the current and future space-based observations planned by China and other countries. He will also discuss how these space-based observations can answer unsolved physics and cosmological questions.
 
     The RGC has been regularly organising public lectures since 2009, featuring various distinguished scholars as speakers. These lectures aim to promote research knowledge of Hong Kong's tertiary institutions and to raise public awareness of the significance and value of local research work.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). In addition, members of the public can register for the RGC's email subscription service at www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribe to receive regular updates.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 is 104.7 (down 0.1 against  yesterday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 is 104.7 (down 0.1 against  yesterday's index).