Tag Archives: China

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, today (May 9) paid a visit to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in Beijing.

     In the morning, he called on the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, to brief him on the latest situation of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) and development of new industries, as well as the progress of key areas of work under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), which include enhancing Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem, promoting “new industrialisation”, fostering the development of technology industries, developing digital economy, and attracting strategic I&T enterprises and talent. Director Xia highly commended the performance of the ITIB and fully recognised the work of the bureau.

     Director Xia said that the current-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has placed the promotion of I&T development at the forefront of its administration, while continuously enhancing the I&T ecosystem and actively attracting I&T enterprises and talent, noting that the efforts have achieved positive results that deserve full recognition. The Central Government will, as always, fully and faithfully uphold the principle of “one country, two systems”, and fully support Hong Kong in consolidating its unique position and advantages and accelerating the development of an international I&T centre.

     Professor Sun expressed his gratitude for Director Xia’s encouragement. The country staunchly supports the development of Hong Kong as an international I&T hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will live up to the mission that the country has entrusted to it, support the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and continue to strengthen I&T co-operation with different Mainland provinces and cities, thereby complementing each other’s strengths. Hong Kong will better integrate itself into national development and contribute to the country’s grand vision of realising self-reliance and self-improvement and building a strong nation in science and technology.

     Professor Sun visited the MOST in the afternoon for a work meeting with Vice Minister of Science and Technology Mr Chen Jiachang and relevant responsible officials. Professor Sun expressed his gratitude to the Central Government and the MOST for their staunch support for Hong Kong’s I&T development over the years, with the introduction of numerous important technology measures benefitting Hong Kong, including the expansion of national science and technology programmes open to Hong Kong and promoting the cross-boundary flow of key elements of scientific research. Both sides exchanged views in the meeting on advancing the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and explored the implementation of dedicated cross-boundary measures to promote the flow of I&T elements, such as people, materials and data, thereby allowing Hong Kong to further contribute to the science and technology development of the country. They also discussed the restructuring of the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong and the arrangements for the 18th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee.

     Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 10). Before concluding his visit to Beijing, Professor Sun will meet with the leadership of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the spokesp… read more

     The Security Bureau held an interdepartmental pre-typhoon tabletop exercise today (May 9) at the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre in the Central Government Offices to enhance the collaboration of bureaux, departments and other parties concerned in handling possible emergency situations if Hong Kong is struck by a super typhoon.
      
     According to the Hong Kong Observatory’s forecast, there will be five to eight tropical cyclones hitting Hong Kong this year and the tropical cyclone season will begin in or after June. To be well prepared in a comprehensive manner for coping with the possible emergency situations should a super typhoon batter Hong Kong, representatives from around 40 bureaux, departments and other parties concerned participated in this year’s exercise. 
      
     The exercise simulated the scenario of a super typhoon and rainstorm battering Hong Kong and causing widespread property damage and serious blockage of main thoroughfares. Participants were required to set out what they would be doing in different scenarios. The exercise also served as an interdisciplinary platform for the participants to share their experience and expertise. Through the exercise, the participating parties have gained a better understanding of the operation of the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre as well as their own roles and responsibilities, and those of others, which is conducive to better preparedness and enhanced interdepartmental collaboration in responding to threats arising from super typhoons. 

     The Government will continue to work on strengthening capabilities on all fronts in the face of the challenges of extreme weather, so as to safeguard the life and property of Hong Kong people. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, May 9, 2024 is 106 (same as yesterday’s index). read more

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Kai Tak yesterday morning (May 8), in which a male worker, while inspecting the progress of construction works on a power-operated elevating work platform, was trapped between the platform and a metal structure. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

     The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the use of the platform. The contractors cannot resume the work until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.”

     The spokesman added, “We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.”

     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.

     In regard to yesterday’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application “OSH 2.0”, website and by email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

     The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

     For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers. read more