Tag Archives: China

     The Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Supporting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Equine Industry Development, and the Cooperation Agreement on the Requirements of Inspection, Quarantine and Hygiene of Hong Kong Aquaculture Products Exported to the Mainland today (November 29), with a view to further enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong in respect of the equine industry and the export of Hong Kong aquatic products to the Mainland.
      
     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said, “The MOU will further enhance the exchanges and co-operation between the equine industries of Hong Kong and Guangdong and contribute to the transformation and upgrading of the country’s equine industry. The Agreement will help Hong Kong’s aquaculture industry explore the Mainland market, in line with the HKSAR Government’s Blueprint for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries to expand the sales outlets of fisheries products for the aquaculture industry and promote its sustainable development.”
      
     The MOU will further enhance co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong in quarantine and customs clearance arrangements of horses, forage feed, biological products, etc; support the construction and development of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Conghua Racecourse, and deepen co-operation and exchanges in the field of laboratory technology between the two sides.
      
     On the export of aquatic products, the Agreement will expand the variety of Hong Kong cultured aquatic products to be exported to the Mainland, and set out clearer inspection, quarantine and hygiene requirements for the related cultured aquatic products, as well as establish a co-operation mechanism.   

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following reply today (November 29) regarding a Legionella infection case:

     A 75-year-old male patient who had stayed in a medical and geriatric ward of UCH was confirmed to have Legionnaires’ Disease. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) visited the ward and collected water samples today. The source of infection is still under investigation. The patient was admitted to UCH on November 12. His condition continued to deteriorate and eventually succumbed on November 25.

     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and enhanced infection control measures, including:
 

1. suspending use of related basin faucets and shower heads;
2. installing bacterial filters with specifications for related water faucets and arranging to disinfect the related water supply system; and
3. providing boiled or bottled water to patients in the wards concerned for drinking and mouth rinsing.

     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP to investigate the source of infection. read more

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg, Mr Xavier Bettel, today (November 29), to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, also attended the meeting.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Bettel’s visit to Hong Kong. Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong boasts a highly internationalised and market-oriented business environment, with talent proficient in multiple languages, making the city an ideal place for companies to expand their global operations. He welcomed enterprises from Luxembourg to leverage Hong Kong’s platform as an international financial and trade centre to explore overseas and Mainland markets, achieving mutual benefits.
      
     Mr Lee introduced a series of measures by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government designed to enable enterprises to set up headquarters or corporate divisions in Hong Kong, as well as details and achievements of various talent admission schemes. Mr Lee looks forward to strengthening co-operation with Luxembourg in the future, with the HKSAR Government continuing to promote trade, investment, arts and cultural exchanges with Luxembourg through the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels.
      

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     â€‹The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government held the Enterprise Participation in Northern Metropolis Development Event today (November 29) to encourage local, Mainland and overseas enterprises to support and participate in the Northern Metropolis development. The Event received guidance from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and was supported by the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG).
      
     This morning, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, led a delegation of enterprise representatives on a visit to the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop and the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area to understand their latest planning and developments, and to learn about the three large-scale land disposal pilot areas in the Northern Metropolis. The Government will openly invite enterprises next month to express their interest in the three large-scale land disposal pilot projects. The Government will finalise the tender terms after considering feedback from the market.
      
     In the afternoon, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, hosted a luncheon at the Central Government Offices for enterprise representatives. This was followed by a signing ceremony attended by over 80 enterprise representatives. Witnessed by Mr Lee and the Director of the LOCPG, Mr Zheng Yanxiong, etc, a Memorandum of Understanding about supporting and participating in the Northern Metropolis development was signed. During the ceremony, 35 of the enterprise representatives also signed agreements among them to collaborate in the Northern Metropolis development, with a total investment of over $100 billion.
      
     Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Lee remarked that as a new engine for Hong Kong’s growth, the Northern Metropolis can complement the high-quality integration of Hong Kong with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, offering quality business opportunities for all. Mr Lee highlighted the Government’s commitment to leading all sectors of the community and the market to participate in expediting the Northern Metropolis development. Mr Lee encouraged enterprises to actively participate in land development and other commercial, innovation and technology industry projects in the Northern Metropolis, including the new large-scale land disposal development approach, thereby delivering the visions of the Northern Metropolis project collectively in creating a bright future. 
      
     Representatives of the HKSAR Government attending the Event today also included the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; and the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong.

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     Hong Kong Customs held a Canine, Enforcement and Detection Capacity Building Workshop from November 26 to 29. Thirty-seven representatives from members of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Region, mainly dog handlers, dog instructors and frontline officers responsible for customs clearance duties, were invited to participate in the workshop. The workshop concluded today (November 29).

     Recent recognition as a Regional Dog Training Centre (RDTC) by the WCO in June 2023 solidified Hong Kong Customs’ position as a leader in canine enforcement in the A/P region, underlining the department’s dedication to providing professional canine training and support to WCO members. 

     The workshop was the first canine-themed capacity building event held after the 6th WCO Global Canine Forum that was organised in March this year. Key agenda items included a series of presentations and discussions focusing on best practices in canine enforcement, training and breeding, and visiting facilities of Hong Kong Customs. Participants shared experiences on emerging smuggling trends and challenges, and explored innovative initiatives and operational strategies to enhance their canine professionalism and enforcement capacity. They also visited the newly established RDTC of Hong Kong Customs and enjoyed dog demonstrations, gaining insights into the achievements and latest developments of the Hong Kong Customs Canine Force.

     The four-day workshop yielded fruitful results. Members not only benefited from the practical knowledge and invaluable insights, but also built up partnerships and connections with their neighbouring canine enforcement counterparts that will help to strengthen their own canine forces and bolster collective efforts in combating transnational smuggling activities.

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