The following is issued on behalf of the Air Transport Licensing Authority:

     The Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) has been following up on the financial situation of Hong Kong Airlines Limited (HKA) in accordance with the Air Transport (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations (Cap. 448 Subsidiary Legislation A) (the Regulations).  ATLA had considered the plan submitted by HKA in improving its financial situation shortly, and decided after the meeting today (April 15) to request HKA to provide further clarifications as to how HKA can improve their financial situation shortly.  ATLA will review the further clarifications to be submitted by HKA in accordance with the Regulations and take appropriate actions under the Regulations when necessary.

     In addition, HKA reported to ATLA that it has been in active discussion with and has made partial repayment to the creditors involved regarding the claims against it for recovery of arrears filed in the court on February 22, 2019.  ATLA has requested HKA to continue to report the settlement progress until the claims have been settled completely.

     HKA assured ATLA that it would ensure smooth operation of air services, especially during the upcoming travelling peaks of Easter and Labour Day holidays.
    

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 2.2 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $410,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on April 8.

     Customs officers inspected a parcel arriving in Hong Kong from the United States on April 8 and seized the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside the parcel.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers today (April 15) arrested a 49-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case in Tsuen Wan.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs will maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcels or express courier channels.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Customs also reminds that cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs under the Ordinance. Importation of products (including food and drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of food and drinks.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 15) that no additional case of measles infection has been recorded as at 4pm today.
 
     Separately, on the measles case notified earlier by the health authority of Japan as announced yesterday, according to the latest information provided by the Japanese health authority, the patient took the World Dream cruise from April 7 to 9 travelling from Shenzhen to Naha, Okinawa. The patient, who developed fever on April 8 and rash on April 10, disembarked in Naha on April 10 and was diagnosed with measles on April 12. Initial investigations revealed that 118 passengers from Hong Kong were also on board. The CHP's contact tracing is ongoing and close communication will continue to be maintained with the Japanese health authority for further information.

     "The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Members of the general public who had been on board the World Dream cruise from April 7 to 10 should observe if they develop relevant symptoms such as fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes until May 1 (the end date of medical surveillance for contacts). If symptoms arise, they should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals," a spokesman for the DH advised. 

     Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), a total of 20 persons received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 160.

     From tomorrow (April 16) to April 28, the vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 500 doses daily. Vaccination for eligible airport staff will be provided to the following target groups who:

(1) Were born in or after 1967, and have not received two doses of measles vaccination, and have not been infected with measles before, and with evidence of living with infants under 1 year old or living with pregnant women; or 

(2) Have laboratory evidence of testing not positive against measles antibody (IgG)

     Details of evidence are as follows:

(a) Supporting documents for living with infants under 1 year old: for example, birth certificate, discharge summary or vaccination card of the infant

(b) Supporting documents for living with pregnant women: for example, positive pregnancy tests or antenatal follow-up cards of the pregnant women

(c) Supporting documents for laboratory evidence: for example, blood results from the DH's measles serology test or any laboratory within the past 12 months

     The venue and operation hours of the airport vaccination station are as follows: 
   

     As for the blood test service, the DH will continue to arrange the provision of a measles serology test service for airport staff to identify those who need the measles vaccination. A DH contractor will provide the blood test service to about 200 airport staff who were born in or after 1967 daily from Tuesdays to Thursdays (April 16 to 18 and 23 to 25). The blood test service will be suspended from Fridays to Mondays.

     The venue and operation hours of the airport blood test station are as follows: 
   

     A hotline (2125 1122) has been set up for public enquiries and operates during office hours from Mondays to Fridays. A total of 3 160 enquiries have been received so far.

     The 4th Internet Economy Summit (IES), themed "Digital Economy Redefines Our Future", opened today (April 15). Over 70 renowned experts, industry leaders and government officials from overseas, the Mainland and Hong Kong are gathering at the two-day Summit to share their insights on global technology trends and business adoption in spurring the growth of the Internet economy. An attendance figure of more than 2 000 is expected for the Summit over the two days.
      
     There are six thematic forums this year, focusing on how data will fuel innovations in different technology sectors including FinTech, artificial intelligence (AI), smart manufacturing and cyber security as well as in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Emphasis is also put on the exchange of strategies and best practices of businesses.
      
     The IES today started with the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam. The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Victor Lam; Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China Mr Yang Xiaowei; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Ms Lu Xinning; the President of the China Internet Development Foundation, Ms Ma Li; and Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee Mr Chen Xinhua also officiated at the opening ceremony.
      
     Today's IES programme featured two thematic forums, the Visionary Forum and the Chambers Forum. At the Visionary Forum, speakers enlightened the audience on the ways businesses and the community can stay ahead and resilient amid the technology disruptions. The General Counsel of Amazon Web Services, Mr Bob Kimball, talked about how cloud service is going to help business bloom, and the President of the Alibaba Global Business Group, Ms Angel Zhao, and the Vice President of Asia Pacific, Twitter, Ms Maya Hari, shared examples of how technology solutions can escalate business value chains to a new level and the power of real-time public conversations in driving economic development and solving tangible real-world problems respectively.
      
     The Government is actively taking forward various initiatives to build Hong Kong into a smarter city. Estonia is well known for deploying technology innovations to transform the nation into a digitally integrated and seamlessly connected country. The Global Affairs Director of Government Chief Information Officer Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia, Ms Sandra Särav, spoke to the audience today on Estonia's experience, especially in leveraging new and emerging technologies to maximise value in government processes.
      
     Other keynote speakers at the Visionary Forum included Professor Steven Weber from the UC Berkeley School of Information; the Chief Representative Officer, Greater China and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, Mr David Aikman; and the EY Global Artificial Intelligence Leader, Dr Nigel Duffy.
      
     The Chambers Forum in the afternoon presented to the participants keynote speeches by representatives from Microsoft and Sino Group. Four panel discussion sessions were also staged, covering the new opportunities brought about by open data; practical tips for small and medium-sized enterprises to enhance logistics agility and operations with new technologies like AI, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT); and innovation in the Greater Bay Area.
      
     The Summit will continue tomorrow (April 16) with the FinTech Forum, in which the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will give opening remarks. Prominent industry experts will dig into areas including virtual banking, InsurTech and blockchain.
      
     Three parallel sessions, namely the AI Forum, the Enterprise 4.0 Forum and the Cybersecurity Forum, will be held in the afternoon with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute as co-organisers respectively. This special arrangement is to prepare the participants for the new digital era when AI and smart manufacturing become the key technologies to transform enterprises and businesses, and revolutionise the way people live and work. Also, with IoT and data-related technologies widely adopted these days, cyber security is of paramount importance to tackle more frequent and sophisticated attacks. The dedicated forum will help participants gain a better understanding of the cyber security ecosystem and tactics to embrace related challenges.
      
     The Summit is not only an event for participants to learn from the heavyweights but also a precious chance for attendees to collaborate. A networking reception was held today. Participants can also join the various investor matching sessions and meet with representatives of venture capital funds tomorrow to look for new funding opportunities.
      
     The IES was organised by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, with the China Internet Development Foundation as the supporting organisation. Details of the Summit are available on the event website www.ieconomysummit.hk.
    

            

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, at a media session today (April 15) at the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex on the loss of a Register of Electors relating to the 2016 LegCo General Election:

Reporter: Secretary, do you think you also have a responsibility to monitor this kind of incident that should not have happened? Why don't you need to step down for this incident?

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: First of all, we need to conduct a thorough investigation to find out what actually has happened, whether it is a systemic issue or there are insufficient guidelines or protocols, or whether there are problems in implementing the relevant guidelines and protocols. We need to find out the problems, the cause of the issues and who should be accountable or responsible. As I said, if there was deliberate cover-up or human error, we would, of course, follow strictly the existing disciplinary mechanism.  

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)