The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (November 15) submitted to the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) the new applications of three non-locally trained doctors for limited registration to serve in public hospitals.
 
     The HA spokesperson said public hospitals have been facing doctor manpower shortages and workload issues in various clinical units. The recruitment of non-locally trained doctors has been supported by the respective Co-ordinating Committees and endorsed by the HA Task Force on Limited Registration Scheme.
 
     The three new applications for limited registration submitted to the MCHK today are in radiology, emergency medicine and family medicine.
 
     The HA spokesperson added, "The recruitment of overseas doctors has been progressing well since last year with the extension of limited registration to a three-year term. So far about 20 non-locally trained doctors have been assessed to be eligible for the recruitment exercise, passing the screening by the respective specialty panels, vetted further by the Task Force and considered suitable for appointment after interviews by user departments. All the applicants have fulfilled related qualification requirements recognised by the constituent Colleges of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, and they all have license to practise in their respective countries. The HA will submit limited registration applications for non-locally trained doctors by batches according to their intended date of reporting duty."
 
     As at January 2019, there are 10 non-locally trained doctors working in public hospitals under limited registration in the specialties of anaesthesia, cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, family medicine and internal medicine to help relieve the manpower pressure in the respective units.
 
     The HA will continue the recruitment of non-locally trained doctors under limited registration and closely monitor the overall manpower situation in public hospitals.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Security meeting at the LegCo Complex today (February 15):

Reporter: Secretary, since this case, its major content regarding this proposal is mainly concerned about possible extradition to the Mainland. So why is it not possible, or wouldn't it actually be a better agreement to single out the Mainland and not put it in this bill for now? And then for Mainland cases, we handle these through signing a long-term extradition agreement. The second question, what will be the consequences if the LegCo does not back this proposal? 

Secretary for Security: Well, this loophole on this big problem has existed in our statute of Cap 503, the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, for 21 years. The Taiwan murder case indicates that this is a loophole that we must address. If I only deal with a single case now, this loophole will continue to exist. That would mean we will repeat the same problem, the same saga and the same injustice that this – the present situation – has been presenting. I think it is a real fact that a case of similar nature to the Taiwan murder case can happen again. So I think it is important that we address this defect in the law now, rather than repeating making the same mistakes. Can I have your second question?
 
Reporter: The second question is the consequences if the LegCo does not back this (proposal).
 
Secretary for Security: The immediate consequence that is so obvious is the suspect in the Taiwan murder case will be free to move around, live in Hong Kong. His case will just be ended like that. The second thing is, as I have reported to the LegCo, I have in hand at least three murder cases in Hong Kong, in which Hong Kong residents were murdered. Two of the cases involve suspects now hiding in a place which is outside Hong Kong and within the PRC (the People's Republic of China). There is another one which involves a suspect who is now hiding in another country. I also have a case involving a suspect who has done a kidnapping case in another country, and this suspect is a Hong Kong resident. Suspects of this kind will be living in Hong Kong with us every day. So I must address the risk to safety and the law and order problem, that if I allow them to continue to either stay in Hong Kong or do nothing, so as to ensure the justice is done. Thank you very much.      
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     Several red tides have been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 15).
 
     On February 11, one red tide was sighted at Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach.
 
     On February 13, five red tides were spotted at Cyberport, Rambler Channel, Wong Shek Pier, Hoi Ha Wan and Tuen Mun Pier.
 
     On February 14, another red tide was observed at the Tolo Channel.
 
     The red tides at Cyberport and Wong Shek Pier still persist while the other five red tides have dissipated. No associated death of fish has been reported.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide spotted at Cyberport was formed by Gonyaulax polygramma and Noctiluca scintillans. The red tide spotted at Wong Shek Pier was formed by Akashiwo sanguinea. The other five red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. All species are non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters."
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au, Lo Fu Wat, Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Ma Wan, Tap Mun, Kau Lau Wan and Sham Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
 
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Tsuen Wan District this afternoon (February 15).
 
     Mr Lau first visited the Mills, a revitalisation project that turned textile factories into a destination for innovation, culture and learning. His first stop there was the Mills Fabrica, an incubator that boosts the growth of innovative start-ups in the fashion, textile and technology industries by offering hardware facilities, financial support and business advice to industry professionals. It also serves as a platform for start-ups to connect with their strategic partners for creative exchange and business development.
 
     He then visited the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile at the conserved and renovated former cotton spinning mills. He said he was pleased to note that the Centre will hold seminars and workshops to engage the community in the culture and art of textiles and build appreciation of the crucial contribution of the trade to Hong Kong's industrial development.

     Next, Mr Lau toured the product showcase of various designers and manufacturers at the Mills Shopfloor, an integrated zone for learning and experiential retail. He said he appreciated that visitors could take part in interactive activities to explore the inspiration, innovation and production process of the products.
 
     Mr Lau later met with the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chung Wai-ping, and other members to exchange views on issues of concern, including management fees of the Mandatory Provident Fund, tax measures and the impact of China-US trade friction.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 18 open meetings and a closed meeting during the week from February 18 to 22 in the LegCo Complex. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees. Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.