The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority (HA) is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     In addition, the weekly bulletin "Surge in Brief" (appended) will be issued every Thursday to illustrate the past month trend of key service statistics in public hospitals. "Surge in Brief" can be accessed in the HA Winter Surge designated webpage (www.ha.org.hk/goto/wintersurge/en).

     A boy who went missing in Kwai Chung has been located.

     So Tsz-wang, aged 14, went missing after he left his residence in Kwai Chung Estate on February 14 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The boy was located in the Mainland on February 17 afternoon. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 21) that due to inclement weather, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (February 21) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

     On the occasion of the arrival of the Year of the Pig, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) has organised a series of Chinese New Year (CNY) receptions to celebrate the joyous festival and to update guests on the latest developments of Hong Kong. So far, CNY receptions have been held in seven European cities, namely Izmir (January 22, Izmir time), Dublin (February 1, Dublin time), The Hague (February 6, The Hague time), Milan (February 7, Milan time), Paris (February 11, Paris time), Luxembourg (February 13, Luxembourg time) and Brussels (February 19, Brussels time). 
 
     Officiating at the CNY receptions, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, highlighted the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, which protects Hong Kong's fundamental strengths, as well as the high degree of autonomy and the freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong.
 
     "Hong Kong has braved many challenges in the past and emerged even stronger than before each time. The magic that has enabled us to do so is the continuous openness of our society that allows free flow of people, information, capital and goods in and out of Hong Kong," Ms Lam said. 
 
     "In 2018 we saw a 6.4 per cent increase in the number of Mainland and overseas companies setting up in Hong Kong – the total number has now reached almost 9 000, and 17 per cent of them use Hong Kong as their regional headquarters or offices. Hong Kong's rule of law and business-friendly environment provide the greatest certainty to do business. In fact, the Heritage Foundation has just named Hong Kong as the freest economy in the world for 25 years in a row," Ms Lam continued. 
 
     Noting that more than 80 000 foreign professionals are working in Hong Kong, Ms Lam added that Hong Kong has a big pool of international talents who can be tapped by companies making investments in the city. However, Hong Kong wants to see even more talents move to Hong Kong, she said. Ms Lam also emphasised that in the coming years, Hong Kong will continue to boost its innovation and technology sector, and the city stands to play an important role in two national strategies of Mainland China.
 
     "I am sure our services will be indispensable for foreign participants in the Belt and Road Initiative projects," Ms Lam said, referring to Hong Kong's financial and professional services, deep debt and equity capital markets, and high degree of integration with the world economy, as well as its role as an international arbitration centre. Hong Kong is also expected to be the international finance, navigation and trade centre, as well as a transport hub, for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
 
     The latest CNY reception was held in Brussels on February 19 (Brussels time). Addressing guests of honour including the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Mr Miguel Arias Cañete, as well as over 350 government officials and representatives of business sectors, Ms Lam said Hong Kong and Belgium are close business and trading partners. Belgian companies have a presence in Hong Kong in various sectors, from banking, asset management and environmental technology to manufacturing and logistics. She welcomed more Belgian companies, big and small, as well as ambitious young Belgian entrepreneurs, to go to Hong Kong to find out the abundant opportunities offered by the city.
 
     HKETO, Brussels seized the opportunity to provide a platform for young Hong Kong musical talents and promote Hong Kong as a culture and artistic hub by inviting the CY Leo Electronic Trio to perform at the CNY receptions in The Hague, Paris and Brussels.
 
     In the coming weeks HKETO, Brussels will continue its series of CNY receptions and events in other European cities, including Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid, Athens and Limassol.