Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (November 20) continued his visit to Beijing and met with financial officials of the Central Authorities.

     This morning, Mr Chan and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, met with the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Wang Zhigang. Mr Chan stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is determined to develop innovation and technology (I&T), pooling a huge amount of resources for I&T development as well as enhancing the I&T environment. It attracts leading research institutions and technology enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong, and nurtures talents for a knowledge-based economy. Mr Chan thanked the Ministry of Science and Technology for its unfailing support for I&T development in Hong Kong and for signing an arrangement with the HKSAR Government on enhancing I&T co-operation, which marked a new page for technological collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

     Later, Mr Chan, joined by Mr Lau; the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Norman Chan; and the Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, Mr Tim Lui, met with the Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Mr Liu Shiyu. They discussed a wide range of subjects, including Hong Kong’s financial security and the latest situation of Hong Kong’s property market. Both sides agreed to further enhance co-operation in regulatory work.

     Together with the Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Authority, Mr Clement Cheung, they then met with the Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Mr Yi Gang, followed by a lunch. Both sides exchanged views on matters including financial regulation.

     This afternoon, accompanied by Mr Lau, Mr Norman Chan and Mr Cheung, Mr Chan met with the Vice-Chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, Mr Wang Zhaoxing, and both sides exchanged views on their respective banking and insurance industries. They also discussed ways for the Hong Kong insurance industry to help and participate in the development of the country, for example by allowing Hong Kong insurance companies to set up after-sales service centres in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to better serve the residents in the area.

     They also called on the Vice-Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Ms Shen Ying. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong has established itself as a prime platform and a key link for the Belt and Road Initiative, hoping to encourage Mainland enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a platform for financing Belt and Road infrastructure projects and setting up captive insurers to arrange insurance for their overseas businesses for better risk management. Mr Chan also introduced Hong Kong’s work in promoting green finance.

     Tomorrow (November 21), Mr Chan will pay a courtesy call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

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     The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (November 20) reminded the public that a temporary restricted flying zone (RFZ) will be established in the waters off Tsing Yi and over Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier from tomorrow (Nove… read more

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 19) seized about 780 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $810,000 from a female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A 30-year-old female transit passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Nairobi, Kenya, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for onward transit to Macao yesterday. A pellet of suspected cocaine was found on her upon Customs clearance and she was escorted to hospital for examination.

     Subsequently, the woman discharged a batch of suspected cocaine. She was then arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     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.

     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).

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 20) investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.

     The case involves a 5-year-old girl with underlying illness, who has presented with fever, vomiting, headache and neck pain since November 15. She was admitted to St Teresa’s Hospital on the same day and was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further management on November 17. She is now in stable condition.

     Her cerebrospinal fluid sample tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B upon laboratory testing. Her clinical diagnosis was meningitis.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. The CHP’s investigation is continuing.

     “Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact through respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, from infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, and is commonly three or four days,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The clinical picture may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis).

     Meningococcaemia is characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache and stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or a rash. It can cause brain damage or even death. The brain damage may lead to intellectual impairment, mental retardation, hearing loss and electrolyte imbalance. Invasive meningococcal infections can be complicated by arthritis, inflammation of the heart muscle, inflammation of the posterior chamber of the eye or chest infection.

     Meningococcal infection is a serious illness. Patients should be treated promptly with antibiotics.

     To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take heed of the following measures:
 

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing, and clean hands with alcohol-based handrub when they are not visibly soiled;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue, dispose of nasal and mouth discharge in a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands immediately;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Avoid close contact with patients who have fever or severe headache;
• Travellers to high-risk areas may consult doctors for meningococcal vaccination; and
• Travellers returning from high-risk areas should seek medical advice if they become ill and should discuss their recent travel history with their doctor.

     The public may visit the CHP’s website for more information on meningococcal infection. read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Li Xi, at Government House this morning (November 20). The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah; the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan; and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, were also present.
 
     Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Li’s first visit to Hong Kong after his assumption of office as the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee last year and the delegation led by him which includes the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Xingrui. She thanked Mr Li for supporting the work of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in various areas all along since he took office, in particular in providing Hong Kong young people with more opportunities for exchanges, studying and starting businesses in Guangdong Province and implementing a number of facilitation measures to help Hong Kong people living in the Mainland. As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up of the country, she pointed out that Hong Kong has contributed to the reform and opening up and developed close ties with Guangdong Province, in which Hong Kong is still the largest source of external investment. Looking ahead, she said that Hong Kong will continue to step up co-operation with Guangdong Province, especially in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, in which Hong Kong and Guangdong may complement each other to jointly establish an international innovation and technology hub in the Greater Bay Area, and that both sides may arrange more activities to promote the advantages of the Greater Bay Area overseas.
 
     After the meeting, Mrs Lam hosted a lunch for Mr Li and the delegation members.

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