The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, chaired the fifth meeting of the Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development (CITID) this afternoon (December 20).

     At the meeting, members were briefed on the major initiatives in "The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address" that were related to the purview of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, as well as the key features of the Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Development Outline). Members then shared their views on the relevant measures as well as the development of the innovation and technology (I&T) industry.

     Moreover, representatives from the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau briefed members on the "patent box" tax incentive and listened to their views on the relevant measures. 

     Professor Sun said, "This year’s Policy Address is entitled 'Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together'. The development of I&T as well as new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions are investments for the future and necessary steps to take to facilitate societal progress, which in turn benefit people's livelihood. The Government will strive for an early implementation of the relevant measures announced in the Policy Address. The Development Outline was also recently promulgated on November 20, setting out the important development directions, strategy and target of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park) and leading the development of the Hong Kong Park through top-level design. The Government will join hands with all sectors of the community in promoting the high-quality development of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop."

     Established on March 3, 2023, the CITID advises the Government on the directions and strategies as set out in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint on promoting the development of I&T in Hong Kong, and enhances co-operation among stakeholders.

    

     Hong Kong Customs today (December 20) arrested a salesman of a medicine shop suspected of applying a false trade description in the course of selling dried fish maw, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesperson of a medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui claimed that the unit price of dried fish maw was calculated per catty. After the dried fish maw was sliced, the salesperson revealed that it was priced per tael.

     After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 30-year-old salesman of the medicine shop concerned.

     An investigation is ongoing, and the arrested man was held for inquiry.

     Customs has long been concerned about visitors being misled to make purchases by unfair trade practices and has established a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints lodged by short-haul visitors. The complaints will be promptly referred to investigators to handle with priority.

     Customs reminded traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase products from reputable shops. Consumers should also be cautious about the unit price and ask for more information, including the total price of the goods selected, before making a purchase decision.

     Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 20) investigating a suspected puffer fish poisoning case, and hence reminded members of the public not to consume puffer fish.
      
     The case involves two males aged 44 and 50, who developed perioral and limb weakness and shortness of breath about four hours after consuming cooked puffer fish, which was caught by themselves, on December 19. Initial investigations by the CHP revealed that they had also consumed puffer fish caught by themselves before, and the CHP believed that this incident was caused by consuming poisonous puffer fish handled improperly.

     They attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital yesterday (December 19) and was admitted for treatment. One patient is now in critical condition, and the other is in stable condition.
      
     A spokesman for the CHP said that consumption of puffer fish is the main cause of food poisoning from tetrodotoxin, which is a potent water-soluble neurotoxin that can affect the central nervous system.

     "Organs such as the liver, gonads and skin of puffer fish have high concentrations of tetrodotoxin. Being heat-stable, the toxin does not decompose upon cooking, boiling, drying or freezing. Tetrodotoxin intoxication can cause problems in respiration and circulation, and is potentially fatal. There is no known antidote or antitoxin that can decompose tetrodotoxin. Members of the public are advised to avoid purchasing and preparing puffer fish or unknown fish for consumption to prevent tetrodotoxin-related food poisoning," the spokesman said.

     Hongkong Post today (December 20) appealed to members of the public to stay alert to fraudulent SMS messages purportedly to be sent by Hongkong Post. The SMS messages spoofed the name "HKPost" or "+852 2921 2222" (which purportedly to be from the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline) and provided a hyperlink (https://hongkongpost-hk[.]com/track) that leads to a fake website, which requests the recipient to provide name and address, as well as payment for postage.

     Hongkong Post clarifies that it has no connection to these SMS messages and has reported the case to the Police for follow-up. Hongkong Post reminded the public that the Hongkong Post will only use "#HKPost" to send SMS messages to local subscribers of mobile phone services. Any SMS messages that do not have the prefix "#" or that use the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline number are not sent by Hongkong Post. In addition, Hongkong Post will not send embedded hyperlinks via SMS messages, emails, or social media platforms for collecting payments and personal information.

     Members of the public are reminded to stay alert to suspicious messages and not to visit suspicious websites or disclose any personal information. For enquiries, members of the public may contact the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline 2921 2222 or hkpo@hkpo.gov.hk.

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

     The President of Legislative Council (LegCo), Mr Andrew Leung, will lead seven members of the LegCo Parliamentary Liaison Subcommittee (the Subcommittee) to conduct a four-day duty visit to Japan tomorrow (December 21).

     Japan is a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and also an important trading partner of Hong Kong. The LegCo delegation will visit the National Diet of Japan, the relevant government departments, organisations and enterprises, with a view to strengthening ties with them and gaining a deeper understanding of the latest situations and opportunities of the country in the areas of trade, culture and tourism, fisheries and agriculture, and food safety. 

     During the visit from December 21 to 24, the delegation will meet and exchange views with the Chinese Ambassador to Japan and representatives of the business sectors in Japan.

     The delegation will visit the following places and organisations in Japan:

• The National Diet
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Toyosu Market
• Food museum
• Yokohama Chinatown and market

     The delegation is led by the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung. Deputy delegation leader is the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Tommy Cheung. Other participating Subcommittee members are Mr Jeffrey Lam, Mr Dominic Lee, Ms Nixie Lam, Ms Joephy Chan, Mr Tang Fei and Mr Yim Kong.