The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government was notified by the Shenzhen authority today (November 10) that all clearance services at the Man Kam To Boundary Control Point will fully resume at 7am next Monday (November 13).
The Director of Architectural Services, Mr Edward Tse, was deeply saddened by the passing of a staff member of its contractor in an incident that happened at the construction site of the Hospital Authority Supporting Services Centre in North Lantau today (November 10). Mr Tse visited the construction site immediately after the accident to understand the situation and met the family of the deceased at North Lantau Hospital, expressing his deepest condolences to them. The Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) has requested the contractor to provide appropriate assistance to the deceased's family.
The incident happened today at about 1.45pm, when a 58-year-old male worker was found injured and unconscious on the ground on the site. The injured worker was sent by the ambulance to North Lantau Hospital for urgent medical treatment and was later certified dead.
The ArchSD will render full assistance to relevant departments to investigate the cause of the incident and related works have immediately been suspended.
The Development Bureau (DEVB), being the party to procure services for public works, has immediately suspended the contractor concerned from tendering for public works contracts pursuant to the regulating regime in response to the incident. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB will impose, as necessary, further regulating actions on the contractor concerned later on, including extension of the period of suspension from tendering for public works contracts and even removal from the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works.
Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at Shun Hing Group's 70th Anniversary Cocktail Reception today (November 10):
Ambassador Kenichi Okada (Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong), Mr Yuki Kusumi (President and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Panasonic Holdings Corporation), Dr David Mong (Chairman and CEO of Shun Hing Group), ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to join you all today to celebrate Shun Hing Group's 70th anniversary.
Shun Hing is just like an old family friend of Hong Kong. Since 1953, your company has supplied Hong Kong with useful products to enhance citizens' quality of life. Along the way, you have built a reputation as a reliable and caring company.
No doubt, some of us have fond memories of your early rice cookers, a well-received household appliance back in the 60s and 70s. You also brought to the market many other household goods, from kitchen appliances to trendy audio-visual equipment.
Shun Hing has remained steadfast to Hong Kong and continued to diversify, supplying the business sector with a wide range of tech equipment and even office furniture.
Business aside, Shun Hing is committed to upholding corporate social responsibility, I am pleased to note. The Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund, established by the late Dr William Mong, has supported wide-ranging charities and projects that benefit Hong Kong and the Mainland. They cover education, sports, arts and culture, scientific research, medical services, and community services.
No less important are Shun Hing's ongoing efforts to support the Government's work to build a better Hong Kong. Let me just highlight two examples.
One area is environmental protection. As a market leader in the electronics sector, Shun Hing has been supporting the implementation of the Government's green initiatives such as the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, and the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme.
Also, Shun Hing has adopted a number of energy-saving measures and your own waste scheme to collect recyclables, and co-operated with suppliers to produce greener products, to help create a sustainable living environment.
Another sector is sports, as mentioned by the Chairman (Dr David Mong, Chairman and CEO of Shun Hing Group) before. As a staunch supporter of Hong Kong athletes, Shun Hing has been sponsoring different events to promote a sporting culture in society.
Last year, the Panasonic Sports Scholarship Programme offered financial support of some 3.5 million Hong Kong dollars to ten athletes to prepare for the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Paris Olympics. No doubt, your support has contributed to the outstanding results of our athletes at the Asian Games, where they made us all proud with a record-breaking total of 53 medals.
On behalf of the Government, I thank Shun Hing for your contributions to our society over the past 70 years.
As the Chief Executive stressed in his second Policy Address last month, the Government is determined to create a cohesive and caring community, with a vibrant economy where everyone can enjoy life. I look forward to Shun Hing joining with us to achieve more worthy aims – to build a better Hong Kong together.
On that note, I wish Shun Hing Group a grand 70th anniversary, and every one of you the best of health and business in the years to come. Thank you.
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, today (November 10) led a delegation of Hong Kong Customs to visit the Macao Customs Service and sign the Co-operative and Mutual Assistance Arrangement (CCA) and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Man-chong.
Ms Ho expressed that, in view of the increased connection between Hong Kong and Macao since the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the two Customs administrations need to deepen co-operation to fit in with the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The signing of the CCA and the AEO MRA reflected the wish of both sides to strengthen mutual co-operation in different aspects, including strengthening co-operation in law enforcement and trade facilitation through closer administrative assistance, promoting high-quality development, establishing a mutually complementary co-operation relationship, and taking forward the construction of and safeguarding the development environment in the Greater Bay Area.
After the signing of the CCA, both sides will continue to strengthen intelligence exchange to combat cross-boundary crimes. Information sharing will also be stepped up to promote closer ties in trade facilitation and create a business-friendly environment for legitimate trade activities.
Currently, Hong Kong Customs has signed 31 similar CCAs with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, Macao Customs and 29 overseas customs administrations.
After the signing of the AEO MRA, customs clearance facilitation measures between Hong Kong and Macao will be further enhanced, providing facilitated trade benefits to authorised economic operators of both sides for goods traveling between the two places, such as reduced examination and prioritised clearance.
The signing of the MRA with Macao Customs brings the number of MRAs signed by Hong Kong Customs with other customs administrations to 14 in total.
Hong Kong Customs will maintain close co-operation with customs administrations worldwide to strengthen intelligence exchange, combat transnational criminal activities, and safeguard regional security. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Customs also takes up the role as an economic development promoter by fostering the Hong Kong AEO Programme and extending the MRA networks to bring more benefits to enterprises to further enhance the co-operation between Hong Kong and other neighbouring regions, in particular Southeast Asia and the entire Asia-Pacific region.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 10) provided an update on the investigation of the suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster. There are no additional cases identified today and currently the suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster involves a total of 18 females.
The CHP has set up for the related cases an enquiry hotline (2125 2372) since November 3. As of 5.30pm today, 22 calls were received, among which six females, aged 25 to 32, said that they had received relevant injection services and developed symptoms. They have been defined as cases of the infection cluster to receive follow-ups.
In addition, the CHP has not identified new venues where injections took place, or relevant Instagram social media accounts today. The CHP again appeals that persons who have patronised the premises announced on November 7, or have arranged and received relevant injections via relevant Instagram social media accounts after which they presented with relevant symptoms, should seek medical attention and call the hotline immediately. Officers of the CHP will assess their condition and arrange for follow-ups as appropriate.
The above hotline will continue to operate from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5.30pm to receive enquiries. The CHP will make an announcement if any additional case, new venues where injections took place, or relevant Instagram social media accounts have been identified.
Based on information obtained in a preliminary investigation, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility of illegal medical practice. Investigations are ongoing.
The DH reminded members of the public that injection procedures should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should look for his or her full name against the list of registered doctors of the Medical Council of Hong Kong as well as his or her professional qualifications and relevant experience. The DH also urged the public to observe the health advice below before receiving injections:
​The public may visit the DH's webpage on the differentiation between medical procedures and beauty services and the Drug Database of the Drug Office for more information.