Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Path of Democracy 9th Anniversary Fundraising Gala Dinner today (June 6):
 
Ronny (Convener of the Path of Democracy, Mr Ronny Tong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. I'm pleased to be here with you, tonight, in celebration of the 9th anniversary of the think tank, the Path of Democracy.
 
     I congratulate Ronny on his energy, commitment and more importantly, the puberty he always has. And I hope that puberty is not just on developing new talents, but also on other things. Since its founding in 2015, the Hong Kong think tank has remained true to its mission. And, I'm pleased to say, it has done so consistently and collaboratively, through research, dialogue and engagement.
 
     Indeed, the Hong Kong SAR Government last year granted subsidies to two research studies of the think tank, on public education towards citizens' rights and responsibilities under the Basic Law, and on Hong Kong's business environment for the international community.
 
     I welcome your considered views, and constructive advocacy, on the development of Hong Kong's unique "one country, two systems" principle.
 
     Indeed, reasoned dialogue and knowledgeable exchange enable progress. In a free and enterprising city such as Hong Kong, it is essential to maintain a harmonious environment, one in which people from all walks of life can engage in rational discourse, sharing ideas that inform and enlighten us.
 
     The Hong Kong SAR Government has its own agency to tap into brilliant thinkers and strategic achievers, locally and globally. That's the Chief Executive's Policy Unit (CEPU).
 
     The CEPU has a mandate to boost the Government's capacities in research and advocacy, on long-term and strategic issues. In doing so, it collaborates with academia and a wide variety of think tanks, including of course the Path of Democracy. These, in turn, contribute the expert views and fresh ideas that help keep Hong Kong's economy resilient and innovative, while maintaining the diversity and vitality of our community.
 
     That, ladies and gentlemen, helps us realise the full potential of "one country, two systems" principle, the cornerstone of Hong Kong's success – the only city in the world to enjoy both the China advantage and the global advantage.
 
     Our future flourishing depends on "one country, two systems". On better integration into the national development. This includes the "eight centres" we've been entrusted with under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, as well as our pivotal role in the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road. At the same time, it means Hong Kong remaining as an international city, highly connected with the international world, pursuing a world of opportunities.
 
     To take full advantage of the "one country, two systems" principle, we must ensure that our economy and our community have what it takes to meet today's increasingly complex challenges and demands – and still come away with fresh prospects.
 
     Every sector of our community, including all think tanks, institutions and intellectuals, has a key role to play. We count on your wealth of experience, and expertise, to come up with new means to stay connected with both traditional and emerging markets, and with every economy keen on mutually rewarding development. To help us take full advantage of the opportunities that follow.
 
     In that regard, I'm pleased to note the recent exchange trip to Beijing by the Path of Democracy and its Hong Kong Academy of Politics and Public Policy. Ronny, no doubt, kept the Hong Kong delegates busy, very busy.
 
     The group was received by Director Xia Baolong and met with a variety of officials, scholars and community leaders. And, from everything I've heard, the visit was welcomed by all concerned. In Ronny's words, "increasing understanding and building mutual trust solves problems."
    
     Ladies and gentlemen, where there's a will there's a way. There are no problems we can’t solve. But the will must be helped by wise ideas. We must also work together as a Hong Kong team. Together, we can fast-track Hong Kong’s progress from stability to prosperity – and all of it under the wide and welcoming embrace of "one country, two systems".
 
     My congratulations again on the Path of Democracy's 9th anniversary.
 
     The Hong Kong SAR Government, and I, look forward to a long, co-operative and mutually rewarding future with all of you.
 
     Thank you.

    

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 6) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner to better protect themselves during the influenza season.

     The case involves a 16-year-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever and sore throat since June 4. He was brought to the accident and emergency department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital yesterday (June 5) for medical attention and was admitted on the same day. His respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock. He is now in serious condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received SIV for this season and he had been to the Mainland during the incubation period. His home contacts are currently asymptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website."

     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.

     The Lands Department announced today (June 6) that the tender for a site, New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6639 at No. 8 Kai Fuk Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, has been awarded to the highest tenderer, Sinopec (Hong Kong) Petroleum Holding Company Limited, on a 12-year land grant at a premium of $81,980,000.

     The tenderers, other than the successful tenderer, in alphabetical order, with the name of the parent company where provided by the tenderer in brackets, were:

(1) CLPe Solutions Limited (CLP Holdings Limited);
(2) DC Power Express Limited;
(3) Goldfort Corporation Limited;
(4) Mercury E&E Services Limited (CCIAM Future Energy Limited);
(5) PetroChina International (Hong Kong) Corporation Limited;
(6) Resources Shajiao C Investments Limited (China Resources Power Holdings Company Limited); 
(7) Shell Hong Kong Limited; 
(8) Sino International Industrial Limited; and
(9) 海�科技（香港）有�公�* (Shenzhen Haylion Technologies Co., Ltd).

     â€‹New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6639 has a site area of about 1 127 square metres and is designated for electric vehicle charging station purposes. 

* Without an English name

     â€‹The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched a fish-restocking exercise today (June 6), the designated National Fish Releasing Day, concurrently with other exercises nationwide, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as raising public awareness of the conservation of aquatic resources and the need to improve the aquatic habitat.

     At the launching ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said, "Today is the National Fish Releasing Day designated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Hence, fish restocking exercises are launched nationwide concurrently to restore and enhance aquatic resources. To actively respond to this initiative, we are launching a fish restocking exercise locally.

     "In the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries released by the Government in collaboration with the agriculture and fisheries sectors last December, the implementation of restocking, that is releasing appropriate fish species with a science-based method to let them grow and breed in a natural environment for the conservation and enhancement of marine resources and ecology, was put forward," Miss Wong added.

     She pointed out that the AFCD has been reminding members of the public to think carefully before participating in animal release activities to avoid affecting the ecological environment or causing unnecessary suffering to animals. 

     She stressed that the AFCD encouraged members of the public to consider, in lieu of animal releases not properly conducted, other virtuous actions and living habits such as environmental protection, tree planting, forest protection and vegetarianism, etc. The relevant publicity and education work has achieved significant results. Through this public activity, the AFCD encourages members of the public to support and participate in science-based restocking, with a view to raising public awareness of the conservation of marine resources and the ecological environment, and replace animal releases not properly conducted.

     The AFCD today released some 18 000 Hong Kong grouper (Epinephelus akaara), star snapper (Lutjanus stellatus) and black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) fingerlings in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (YCTMP). These released fingerlings, being native species with declining populations, are from reputable hatcheries and in good health. With artificial reefs, natural rocky reefs and boulders as habitats, and a ban on commercial fishing in place, YCTMP provides a favourable habitat for the released fingerlings. The AFCD will conduct underwater visual surveys regularly to monitor the condition of the released fingerlings, and expects that the restocking exercise can raise the population of the relevant native fish species.

     The fish restocking exercise today, supported by the Hong Kong Buddhist Association and the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium, brought together about 100 representatives from religious groups, fishery bodies and green groups, etc. The AFCD will also arrange for students to take part in other restocking exercises later this year.

     The headquarters of the Immigration Department (ImmD) will move from Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, to Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, on June 11 (Tuesday).
 
     Apart from the Registration of Persons – Hong Kong Office located on the 8th Floor of the Immigration Tower in Wan Chai, which will continue to provide services at its current address, other public offices at the Immigration Tower in Wan Chai will be relocated to the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O on June 11 (Tuesday) to continue to serve members of the public at the same hours and with new addresses in Annex 1. For details of the addresses and working hours of the new services provided at the Immigration Headquarters, i.e. Personal Documentation Self-services, Marriage Registration and Births Registration, please refer to Annex 2. Addresses and working hours of the offices are also available on the ImmD's website (www.immd.gov.hk) and its mobile application.
 
     Furthermore, to tie in with the relocation of the headquarters, the incoming mail counter located on the 2nd Floor and the drop-in box located on the 1st Floor of the Immigration Tower in Wan Chai will cease service with effect from noon on June 8 (Saturday) and 5pm on June 11 (Tuesday), respectively. The incoming mail counter and the drop-in box for document submission by the public will be available at the G/F lobby of the Administration Tower at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O from June 11 (Tuesday), onwards.
 
     For enquiries, please contact the ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline (2824 6111), by fax (2877 7711) or by email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk).