Tag Archives: China

     The Award Presentation Ceremony for the “Innovative Application with AI” Innovation Competition, organised by the Smart Government Innovation Lab (Smart Lab) of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), was held today (March 15). The “Improving communications through generative sign language” project won the grand award, while the “AI Environmental Air Nuisance Investigation Robot Dog” project and the “Mass Deployment of Semantic Modelling using BIM, BIM-AM and iBMS” project won the first runner-up and the second runner-up respectively in the competition.

     At the award presentation ceremony, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, commended the contestant teams for submitting quality proposals that fully encompass the needs of their departments and innovative ideas. The proof-of-concept exercise conducted for the proposals in the past few months had not only provided opportunities for the local innovation and technology (I&T) industry to participate in, but also fostered a stronger vibe of I&T within the Government.

     “Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in the latest wave of technology and the promotion of high-quality development, and will become an important engine for the development of new quality productive forces. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has always been encouraging departments to keep abreast of the times, and make good use of I&T in enhancing service standards and work efficiency for the convenience and benefit of the public and the business sector. This competition can thus grasp the latest technological development trends in the world and provide government departments with the opportunity to enhance their overall service standards by better utilising AI to empower public services,” Professor Sun added.

     In the competition, a total of 71 innovative proposals were received from 22 teams comprising personnel from different government departments. Ten proposals were shortlisted by a selection panel and then matched with technology solutions from the industry (including local start-ups) by the Smart Lab for a six-month proof-of-concept exercise. The judging panel selected the winners today after listening to the presentations of the 10 finalists on the progress and results of the proof-of-concept development. The results are as follows:
 

Awards	Project Title (Departments to which team members belong)
Grand Award	Improving communications through generative sign language (Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Census and Statistics Department )
First runner-up	AI Environmental Air Nuisance Investigation Robot Dog (Environmental Protection Department)
Second runner-up	Mass Deployment of Semantic Modelling using BIM, BIM-AM and iBMS (Electrical and Mechanical Services Department)
Merit Awards (in random order)	AI Drone Building External Wall Spalling/Water Seepage Detection System for Deteriorated Buildings in Hong Kong (Architectural Services Department)
	AI-powered Long-range Video Analytics for Water Sports Activities (Electrical and Mechanical Services Department)
	Chatbot Kiosk for Police Foundation Training (Hong Kong Police Force)
	Intelligent Electro-optical Sensors (EOS) and Cameras Search System (Hong Kong Police Force)
	Intelligent Signboards Detection System (iSDS) (Buildings Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department)
	LiDAR-Based Fiducial Marker Positioning System (Civil Engineering and Development Department)
	Monitoring of Shoreline Cleanliness Using AI Image Recognition Technology (Environmental Protection Department)

     The winning solutions will be showcased in the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion at the InnoEX 2024 to be held from April 13 to 16 this year at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Details of the 10 shortlisted proposals are available on the theme page of the Smart Lab.
 
     The “Innovative Application with AI” Innovation Competition is the highlight of the “Catch the Innovation” Campaign launched by the OGCIO last year. With an aim of promoting the adoption of AI technology by government departments to enhance public services, the campaign features a series of thematic seminars, workshops and technology forums to strengthen government personnel’s know-how in applying innovative technologies including AI and stimulate their creativity, thus enabling various departments to develop more innovative and smart solutions to make Hong Kong a more efficient smart city. read more

     â€‹In response to recent media reports of bedbugs in overseas areas, the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (March 15) held a meeting with representatives from the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the MTR Corporation L… read more

     Twenty-seven landlords of subdivided units (SDUs), who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance) by failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced, pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $37,600 today (March 15) at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts.  One of them who committed seven offences was fined $5,600. Since the Ordinance has come into force, a total of 169 SDU landlords have been convicted of contravening the Ordinance.
 
     The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon an in-depth investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted against the landlords.
 
     A spokesman for the RVD appeals to SDU landlords that they must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, and also reminds SDU tenants of their rights under the Ordinance. He also stresses that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether the landlords concerned have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecutions against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance.
 
     To help curb illegal acts as soon as possible, members of the public should report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to facilitate SDU tenants’ reporting to the RVD.
 
     The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. Since the first batch of regulated tenancies has already approached their second-term tenancies, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work in order to assist SDU landlords and tenants to understand the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy. In addition, the RVD has started issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the concerned landlords and tenants of regulated tenancies by batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to remind them about their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions, etc. SDU landlords and tenants are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.
 
     For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 15) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza B 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 3-year-old boy with good past health. He had developed a fever, runny nose and cough since March 9. He sought medical attention at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on March 11 and was admitted for treatment the same day. He was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital due to shortness of breath and oxygen desaturation yesterday (March 14). His respiratory specimen was positive for influenza B virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza B infection complicated with pneumonia. He is now in serious condition.
 
     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received SIV for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Two of his home contacts are currently symptomatic. 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. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:         Regarding an earlier announcement on three patients in a ward of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics in Prince of Wales Hospital confirmed as carrie… read more