The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for United Christian Hospital made the following announcement today (October 31): Seven male patients aged… read more
Following is a question by the Hon Ho Kai-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, in the Legislative Council today (October 31): Question: Under the Hawker… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Financial Services Development Council:
The Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University today (October 31) jointly hosted a forum to explore how big data and financial technology (Fintech) have changed financial institutions.
Entitled “How Big Data and FinTech Changed the World of Finance”, the forum was the 29th event under the FSDC’s Practitioner Speaker Series. The panel featured the Director of the Financial Services Advisory Team of EY, Mr Chris Barford, who also serves as Co-chair of the Big Data Committee of the FinTech Association of Hong Kong.
As Director in EY’s Data and Analytics practice leading the Financial Services team in Hong Kong, Mr Barford said, “Due to massive technological revolutions, surveys that predict that work is going to change for us all over the next 20 years may underestimate how significant the upcoming adjustments will be. However, there is so much hope and potential. In every prior technological revolution, we have created new jobs, new opportunities and different ways of being more productive.”
He added, “I encourage young graduates and university students to think for themselves how big data, Fintech and disruption will benefit Hong Kong’s future as a competitive hub for financial services. The focus on working for a single large financial institution for life that was often your parents’ dream is no longer the only route to a long career in financial services. At this point in your life, I would encourage you to consider a career path that embraces data, Fintech and disruption. ‘Risk on’, as investors would say.
“With the introduction of virtual banking licences, due in December 2018, Hong Kong is poised on the edge of a financial services revolution, which was kicked off with the use of stored value facilities over the last few years. I hope that the difference between a mainly cashless, mobile first Mainland and Hong Kong’s more traditional models that rely on money, paper forms and Octopus will converge. All of these innovations rely on big data, and I am hopeful this will occur imminently thanks to the Government’s focus in this area, and the significant Fintech investment that private businesses are making.”
The FSDC’s Practitioner Speaker Series is a project developed between the FSDC and local universities, with speakers from the financial services industry giving talks to university students about important industry facts and the skill sets required in developing a career in financial services.
About the FSDC
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established the FSDC in 2013 as a high-level, cross-sectoral advisory body to engage the industry in formulating proposals to promote the further development of Hong Kong’s financial services industry and to map out the strategic direction for development.
The FSDC set up five committees, namely the Policy Research Committee, the Mainland Opportunities Committee, the New Business Committee, the Market Development Committee and the Human Capital Committee, as the five streams of its work.
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, at a media session in the Legislative Council Complex after the passage of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2018 tod… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 31) received notification of an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in Guangxi from the National Health Commission, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The case involved a 44-year-old man from Hechi in Guangxi. He developed symptoms on October 18, was hospitalised on October 21 and died on October 27. The patient denied that he had contact with live poultry before the onset of symptoms.
From 2014 to date, 22 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by the Mainland health authorities.
“All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong,” the spokesman said.
Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.
Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.
While local surveillance, prevention and control measures are in place, the CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments.
The CHP’s Port Health Office conducts health surveillance measures at all boundary control points. Thermal imaging systems are in place for body temperature checks on inbound travellers. Suspected cases will be immediately referred to public hospitals for follow-up.
The display of posters and broadcasting of health messages in departure and arrival halls as health education for travellers is under way. The travel industry and other stakeholders are regularly updated on the latest information.
The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below if handling poultry: