Tag Archives: China

     The Department of Health (DH) today (April 16) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product, namely Honey Q Level Up, as it was found to contain undeclared controlled and banned drug ingredients.
                
     During the DH’s market surveillance, samples of the above product were purchased via an online sales platform for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the samples contained sibutramine, benzyl sibutramine and fluoxetine, which are Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance). The DH’s investigation is continuing.       
                            
     Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, pharmaceutical products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk. Benzyl sibutramine is a substance structurally similar to sibutramine. Fluoxetine is used for treatment of mood disorders and may cause hallucination and insomnia.
                               
     According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. 
                       
     The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption.           
                
     The spokesman added that weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control. They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for “Health message on overweight problem and slimming products” and “Slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients” for information.  
      
     The public may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (April 16) by the Government on the fare increase applications submitted by the taxi trade, the district beautification programme and the application of innovative technology in road maintenance.  

     The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, “The TAC discussed the fare increase applications submitted by the taxi trade, and noted its latest operating situation. When deliberating on the fare increase applications, we have considered and balanced all relevant factors including financial viability of taxi operation and public acceptability. Members also acknowledged that the Government had launched a series of measures to enhance taxi service quality, including introducing a taxi fleet regime and raising the penalties of taxi-driver-related offences.”   

     “Similar to other fare increase applications, the TAC will submit its advice to the Government for consideration by the Chief Executive-in-Council,” Professor Cheung added.

     In addition, members were also briefed by the Highway Department (HyD) on the renovation and beautification works of highway structures (including bridges and pedestrian subways), of which the relevant works for about 500 structures had been completed from 2017 to 2023. Under the Steering Committee on District Governance and the Task Force on District Governance set up in July 2023, the HyD is forging ahead with the renovation and beautification works of two footbridges/subways in each of the 18 districts (i.e. a total of 36 footbridges/subways) to improve the safety and comfort of pedestrians. Meanwhile, the HyD has been striving to make use of innovative technology in its road maintenance works. Key initiatives include the research and development of more durable bituminous paving materials, adoption of artificial intelligence technology in road inspection, and usage of small unmanned aircrafts to survey highway structures, as well as implementation of the Digital Road Maintenance Management System to digitise workflow.

     Professor Cheung said, “Members are pleased to learn about the HyD’s ongoing efforts in the beautification works for highway structures and streetscape, which can enhance the walking experience for citizens. Meanwhile, members also support the adoption of various innovative technologies in road maintenance works and look forward to more advanced technologies being put into application, so as to further enhance the efficiency and quality of the inspection and maintenance of road facilities.” read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (April 16) the April 2024 issue of the “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” (HKMDS).
 
     Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled “Business Performance and Operating Characteristics of the Transport Industry, 2013 to 2023” and “The Financial Services Sector in Hong Kong”.
 
“Business Performance and Operating Characteristics of the Transport Industry, 2013 to 2023”
 
     Transport plays an important role in the sustainable development of an economy. The transportation, storage, postal and courier services sector continues to play a significant role in our economy. In 2022, this sector accounted for 7.5% of the Gross Domestic Product at current basic prices.
 
     This feature article presents statistics on the business performance and operating characteristics of the transport industry in recent years, mainly compiled based on the findings of the Annual Survey of Economic Activities for the period 2013 to 2022. Reference has also been made to the relevant statistics from other sources updated to the year 2023.
 
     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Logistics and Producer Prices Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7255; email: transport@censtatd.gov.hk).
 
“The Financial Services Sector in Hong Kong”
 
     Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant international financial centres in the world. The contribution of the financial services sector to Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product increased from 20% in 2007 to 22% in 2022. This feature article presents the operating characteristics and business performance of selected industries in the sector between 2020 and 2022. It also briefly highlights the overall quarterly business performance of selected industries in the sector in 2023.
 
     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Business Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7266; email: business-services@censtatd.gov.hk).
 
     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460).
 
     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).
  read more

　　The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, will lead a delegation of 18 District Officers (DOs) to Beijing and Zhejiang Province tomorrow (April 17) for a study programme and duty visit on district governance.   　　The Ho… read more

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will depart for Hangzhou and Suzhou tomorrow morning (April 17). During his visit, he will visit various innovation and technology enterprises engaging in artificial intelligence, Int… read more