Tag Archives: China

     The Transport Department (TD) today (November 29) announced that a 17th batch of two projects has been approved by the Management Committee on Smart Traffic Fund, involving a total grant of around $7.3 million.

     The two approved projects in the latest batch cover (1) an on-demand red minibus service system and (2) combining the big data and real time data for parking garage vacancy prediction services. Details of the projects are available on the Fund’s website (www.stf.hkpc.org).

     The Fund accepts applications throughout the year to provide funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and application of innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety. All applications are considered and assessed in batches by the Management Committee, which is chaired by the Deputy Commissioner for Transport (Planning and Technical Services) and comprises representatives from the Government, experts in the industry and relevant stakeholders.

     The TD appeals to interested organisations and enterprises for participation to help make the Fund a success, and to build Hong Kong into a more liveable and sustainable city by driving Hong Kong toward a new era of transportation.
 
     Application details are available on the Fund’s website. For enquiries, please contact the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Secretariat of the Fund, on 2788 5536 or stf_sec@hkpc.org. read more

     Police today (November 29) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Western District.      Lo Yiu-man, aged 64, went missing after he was last seen in a hospital on Po… read more

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that Japanese handcrafted eyewear brand, Kaneko Optical, will open its first directly managed store in Hong Kong tomorrow (November 30), offering high-end Japanese craftsmanship and genuine handmade eyewear to customers in the city.
      
     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Arnold Lau welcomed the opening of Kaneko Optical’s first store in Hong Kong. He said, “It offers not only a premium choice of eyewear for local customers, but also shows the attraction of Hong Kong as a global hub for international brands. We look forward to supporting Kaneko Optical and wish it every success in Hong Kong.”
      
     Located in the heart of Central Hong Kong, Kaneko Optical offers handcrafted eyewear produced at the brand’s factories in Japan, along with optical services. Its Chief Executive Officer of Japan Eyewear Holdings Hong Kong and Japan Eyewear Holdings International, and Global Strategy Officer of Kaneko Optical, Mr Toru Akita, said, “We already have a number of wholesalers in Hong Kong who sell our glasses. Many customers from Hong Kong already know our brand and visit our shops in Japan. Many of them have requested that we open a directly managed shop in Hong Kong.”
      
     He added, “We want to make good use of our Hong Kong shop to enhance our brand image in the city and offer better service to local customers, where they can enjoy our maintenance, repair and eyeglass consultation with peace of mind after purchase.”
      
     Founded in 1958 as an eyeglass wholesaler, Kaneko Optical has become a recognised trendsetter in the Japanese eyewear industry. With its own planning, design, and sales of eyewear brands, it actively collaborates with major collections and apparel manufacturers to create original brands.
      
     For more information about Kaneko Optical, please visit www.kaneko-optical.co.jp/en/.
      
     To get a copy of the photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720322198241.

    

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 29) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 6 500 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for five unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.

     A CFS spokesman said about 2 500 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 4 000 samples were taken for chemical and radiation level tests.

     The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators; the chemical tests included testing for pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others; and the radiation level tests included testing for radioactive caesium and iodine in samples collected from imported food from different regions.

     The samples comprised about 1 700 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 400 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 900 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 1 300 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 600 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 1 600 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).

     The five unsatisfactory samples comprised an imported frozen shrimp sample with an excessive metallic contaminant; a choi sum sample detected with a pesticide residue at a level exceeding the legal limit, and three imported clotted cream samples detected with total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limit.

     The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory samples including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.

     The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.

     Separately, in response to the Japanese Government’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the CFS will continue enhancing the testing on imported Japanese food, and make reference to the risk assessment results to adjust relevant surveillance work in a timely manner. The CFS will announce every working day on its dedicated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/daily_japan_nuclear_incidents.html) the radiological test results of the samples of food imported from Japan, with a view to enabling the trade and members of the public to have a better grasp of the latest safety information. read more

     A Government spokesman said today (November 29) that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) warmly welcomes and is grateful for the Central Government’s support in resuming the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for Shenzhen permanent residents and implementing a new arrangement to expand the multiple-entry IVS to Shenzhen residence permit holders on December 1, allowing them to visit Hong Kong more conveniently and freely, further adding new momentum to Hong Kong’s tourism, catering, retail, and other industries.

     Currently, Shenzhen only allows its permanent residents to visit Hong Kong under a “one trip per week” IVS. The resumption of the multiple-entry IVS removes restrictions on the number of visits for IVS holders. Starting from December 1, eligible individuals will be expanded from Shenzhen permanent residents to Shenzhen non-permanent residents holding residence permits. According to published statistics, the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents will increase the number of Shenzhen residents eligible for the multiple-entry IVS to over 10 million, enabling them to visit Hong Kong more conveniently and freely and experience Hong Kong’s diverse and vibrant tourism activities throughout the year, benefitting various tourism-related industries such as retail and catering.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “I wish to express my gratitude towards the Central Government’s continuous care and support for Hong Kong, valuing and considering HKSARG’s proposals, and continuing to roll out series of new measures benefitting Hong Kong. In my Policy Address, I proposed requesting the Central Government to further enhance arrangements for Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong, including the resumption of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents. I thank the relevant ministries of the Central Government for their active research and accelerated processing, enabling these measures to be swiftly implemented within a short period and bringing good news to the HKSARG.”

     To ensure the smooth implementation of the new arrangements on Sunday, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired an interdepartmental meeting yesterday (November 28) to co-ordinate and instruct various departments to make preparations on all fronts and co-ordinate with each other to ensure the smooth operation of border control points, tourist facilities, and public transportation networks, with a view to providing visitors with a pleasant travel experience.

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, “The Central Government has been providing support for Hong Kong’s economy and tourism development. IVS visitors are significant driving forces for the development of tourism-related industries in Hong Kong. The resumption of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen permanent residents and the expansion to Shenzhen non-permanent residents holding residence permits will substantially increase the number of visitors to Hong Kong, further stimulate Hong Kong’s tourism, retail, and catering industries, and create new impetus for Hong Kong’s economy. The Hong Kong Tourism Board will strengthen publicity about Hong Kong in Shenzhen and launch online platform promotions with a view to attracting more Shenzhen visitors to Hong Kong.” read more