Tag Archives: China

     The Department of Health (DH) today (November 14) said that it is investigating a case of digitoxigenin poisoning after consumption of herbal medicine labelled as “Rhizoma Bletillae”, and reported the progress and relevant investigation results with regard to the voluntarily recall by a licensed Chinese herbal medicines wholesaler, Kam Hing Hong Limited (Kam Hing Hong) from the market one batch of herbal medicine labelled as “Rhizoma Bletillae” (batch number: 17082023) as announced earlier.

     ï»¿The DH earlier received a notification of a suspected case of digitoxigenin poisoning from the Hospital Authority (HA) and commenced investigations immediately. The case involved a 56-year-old female patient, who developed dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and bradycardia (abnormally low heart rate) after consuming a broth containing “Rhizoma Bletillae” prescribed by a Chinese Medicine Practitioner (CMP) on October 25. She attended the Princess Margaret Hospital for management on the next day (October 26) and was discharged on October 30. Laboratory testing by the HA revealed that digitoxigenin was detected in both patient’s urine and the unused herbs.

     According to source tracking and intelligence, the DH conducted an investigation at Kam Hing Hong and seized the concerned herbal medicine. After comparing with the morphological features of Rhizoma Bletillae as stipulated in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2020 Edition), the herbal medicine was identified not being Rhizoma Bletillae. The DH received a test result today from the Government Laboratory confirming that the samples of the alleged Rhizoma Bletillae were found to contain digitoxigenin. According to the Chinese medicine literature, Rhizoma Bletillae should not account for the presence of the digitoxigenin detected.

     “Consumption of herbal medicines containing digitoxigenin could cause poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, bradycardia and arrhythmia. Hypotension, convulsion, coma or even death may result in severe cases,” the spokesman for the DH explained.

     Kam Hing Hong started to recall the herbal medicine concerned on November 3 and the DH has been closely monitoring the recall progress. The DH noted that Kam Hing Hong have recalled from market most of the relevant herbal medicine. Further investigation by the DH revealed that the relevant herbal medicine has also been distributed to the following retailers:
 

• Kam Hing Hong Limited (Address: G/F, 175 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan)
• Kam Lung Chinese Medicine Co. (Address: Room 204, Ha Lung Building, 25-29 Ko Shing Street, Sheung Wan)

 
     Rhizoma Bletillae, the tuber of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb. f., is used to act as an astringent, stop bleeding, disperse swelling and promote tissue regeneration. Members of the public who have Chinese herbs containing the alleged Rhizoma Bletillae purchased from the above retailers on or after August 17 are advised to stop using them. If they feel unwell, they are advised to consult healthcare professionals as soon as possible. Chinese medicine practitioners, or Chinese medicine personnel who have the affected Chinese herbal medicine in hand should refrain from selling or using them and submit the affected Chinese herbal medicine to the DH’s Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal, or return them to the supplier.

     The DH will set up a hotline (2961 8949) which operates from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) starting tomorrow (November 15) for public enquiries related to using the affected batch of herb.  read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:      The Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports (Panel) visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) today (November 14) to understand t… read more

     “The Reflection – Art & Design of Hon Bing-wah” exhibition will be staged starting tomorrow (November 15) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM), featuring over a hundred selected works and sketches created by renowned local designer and artist Professor Hon Bing-wah since the 1970s, so that members of the public can learn more about the artistic journey of this master and pioneer of local design.

     Addressing the opening ceremony today (November 14), the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu, said that Professor Hon was committed to promoting the development of the design industry of Hong Kong and the Mainland as well as the combining of the Western and Eastern elements as well as the use of elements of the Chinese traditions and local culture. Professor Hon has been active in artistic creation since he joined the design industry in the 1970s. In addition to commercial design, he has also actively engaged in different types of public and charity design projects and made significant contributions to public services and culture promotion. Through Professor Hon’s designs, drawings, sculptures and public art works displayed in this exhibition, visitors can observe Professor Hon’s passion for the Chinese culture and appreciate his diverse forms of art and design combining the East and West, and old and new elements.

     Other officiating guests included the Chairman of the Art Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Desmond Hui; Professor Hon; and the Acting Museum Director of the HKHM, Dr Raymond Tang.

     Professor Hon is a renowned local designer and artist who is a visionary pioneer in promoting the seamless integration of Eastern and Western elements, by integrating the Western design concept with Chinese traditions and local culture. His works, ranging from graphic to three-dimensional displays, embody humanistic ideas and reflect his concern for the community. Apart from commercial design, he took part in the modification and finalisation of the design of the Regional Flag and Regional Emblem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and designed logos for numerous public, charity and cultural institutions.

     Highlight exhibits include art installation “Bauhinia”, poster designs “Cultural Value Redeeming Culture” and “Peace – Kiss or Kill”, logo designs for the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, embroidery pattern design “Dragon”, and a model of “Transformation”, a piece of public art installed in the Sculpture Walk, Kowloon Park.

     To tie in with the exhibition, a series of talks and workshops will be organised by the HKHM, including the special programme “Evolving Hong Kong – Dialogue with Mr. C.Y. Leung” on November 25. Professor Hon will discuss his design of several important projects and his passion for serving the community with the special guest, the Chairman of the GX Foundation and Chairman of the School Board of Minxin Hong Kong School (Guangzhou Nansha), Mr C Y Leung.

     The exhibition will run from November 15 until April 15 next year at the HKHM (1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin). For more details, please visit hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/exhibitions/data/hon-bing-wah.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.

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     ​ A fire broke out at a warehouse and a recycling site at Deep Bay Road in Lau Fau Shan at 1.09pm today (November 14), and was upgraded to No. 3 alarm at 1.20pm. The fire was surrounded at 4.09pm, put under control at 4.54pm … read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Promotion of New Industrialization visited the Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) at the Tseung Kwan O InnoPark today (November 14) to learn more about the role it plays in supporting the high-quality development of Hong Kong.

     Accompanied by the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), Mr Albert Wong, Members first received a briefing on the development of InnoParks by representatives of the HKSTPC. They noted that the HKSTPC repositioned three industrial estates in Tai Po, Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O as “InnoParks” in 2021, with a view to promoting the development of high-end industries and “new industrialisation” through innovation and technology. The city’s first AMC, which offers a high-specification and fully-serviced production base for advanced manufacturing, was opened at the Tseung Kwan O InnoPark last year. Members also learnt that the HKSTPC was conducting studies for the construction of a second AMC at the Tai Po InnoPark.

      Members later toured three enterprises in the AMC to understand their businesses and how its facilities meet their operational needs. The companies specialise in smart logistics and supply chain management, commercial aerospace satellite design and manufacturing, and intelligent security product manufacturing respectively.

      At the invitation of the Government, Members who joined the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Jimmy Ng, the Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Holden Chow, and Subcommittee members Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Lam Chun-sing, Mr Duncan Chiu, Dr Wendy Hong, Mr Dennis Leung and Mr Shang Hailong.

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