Hongkong Post announced today (May 11) that a special stamp issue and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Local Snacks in Hong Kong II" will be released for sale on May 26 (Thursday).
      
     Among the countless delicacies found in Hong Kong, local snacks of all varieties represent Hong Kong food culture at its best. Following the "Local Snacks in Hong Kong" special stamps issued in 2021, Hongkong Post is issuing a set of six stamps and a stamp sheetlet on the theme of "Local Snacks in Hong Kong II" this year, on which signature snacks will help bring people the taste of Hong Kong again.
      
     Hongkong Post has chosen memorable and nostalgic Hong Kong snacks such as egg tarts, fish and lettuce soup, Hong Kong waffles, dragon's beard candy, sachima, sesame rolls and others as the design basis of the set of six stamps of "Local Snacks in Hong Kong II". The abbreviation "HK" for Hong Kong can be found on the perforations of the stamp sheetlet, with three classic snacks shown on it, including stinky tofu with its unique aroma, the highly popular siu mai and the aeroplane olive, which is delivered with special skill.
      
     Official first day covers for "Local Snacks in Hong Kong II" will be placed on sale at all post offices from tomorrow (May 12), and on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall "ShopThruPost" (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk). This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and "ShopThruPost" from May 26, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps are available at philatelic offices only.
      
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on May 26 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. To observe social distancing and to avoid people gathering at the post offices, collection points will be set up at all post offices on the same day for submission of the covers requesting hand-back date-stamping service. Customers will be advised on the collection schedule upon acceptance of the covers.
      
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) and the "ShopThruPost" mobile app.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (May 11) announced that the eight designated clinics for COVID-19 confirmed cases (see Annex 1) will cease operation on May 12 and resume the provision of general out-patient clinic (GOPC) services on May 13. 

     "The HA has been closely monitoring the epidemic situation and has adjusted its services in accordance to the epidemic developments. Taking into consideration the demand for GOPC services and the recent developments of the epidemic situation, the HA will cease operation of the designated clinics for COVID-19 confirmed cases and resume the services of GOPCs by phases. Following the resumption of some GOPC services earlier, eight designated clinics will cease operation on May 12 and resume GOPC services on May 13 after thorough disinfection and cleaning. In addition, Tsing Yi Cheung Hong GOPC will resume night clinic services on the same day," the HA spokesperson said.

     The HA had earlier launched the services of HA designated clinics for COVID-19 confirmed cases in order to provide appropriate treatment for confirmed patients in the community, especially high risk patients (including the elderly aged 70 or above, children aged 5 or below, women at 28 or more weeks of pregnancy, and immunocompromised patients) presenting with relatively mild symptoms of infection requiring medical consultation. Following the activation of some GOPCs/Community Health Centres as designated clinics, the GOPC services of these clinics had been suspended. Moreover, other GOPCs also suspended or adjusted services to concentrate manpower and resources to support the services of designated clinics for COVID-19 confirmed cases so as to provide appropriate treatment for confirmed patients in the community. As at 5pm on May 10, the designated clinics for COVID-19 confirmed cases had provided for a total of 122 600 attendances, among these about 17 400 attendances were from appointments made via the "Care Booking Line" for high-risk patients. 

     Fifteen HA designated clinics will continue to provide services and support for confirmed patients in the community (see Annex 2). Patients and their carers can make an appointment with a designated clinic by calling the selected designated clinic during the booking and service hours, or booking via the "Book DC" function in the HA's one-stop mobile app "HA Go".

     The HA will communicate the service arrangements to the public and patients through different channels, including the display of notices at prominent places of the clinics, public media announcements, the publicity of the service arrangements via the HA website and contacting individual patients requiring follow-ups, to ensure that members of public and patients are informed of the relevant service arrangements.

     The HA will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation and service needs, especially the situation of the after-school resumption of face-to-face class arrangements as well as the relaxation of social distancing measures, and adjust its services (including the services of designated clinics and GOPCs) in response to the epidemic situation to provide appropriate treatment to needy patients.

     The Government announced today (May 11) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 220 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• North District – Choi Yuen Estate, Wo Hop Shek Village and Wo Hing Tsuen
• Tuen Mun District – Yeung Siu Hang Tsuen, Grandeur Garden, Brilliant Garden, Mount Regency, Mount Regency Phase II, Elegance Garden, Prime View Garden, Noble Place, Kingston Terrace and Fu Tai Estate
• Yuen Long District – Tin Shing Court and Tin Wah Estate

     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.
 
     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose of them properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
 
     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.

     Following is a question by the Hon Benson Luk and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, in the Legislative Council today (May 11):

Question:

     On developing the digital economy, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as it has been reported that the trading of non-fungible token (commonly referred to as NFT), a type of virtual assets, has been popular in recent years and has become one of the new trends in the development of the digital economy, and that through NFT online trading platforms, works of art and culture such as digital paintings, images, audio-visual products and animations can be traded, whether the Government has plans to make use of NFT to promote the development of the digital economy as well as the development of the digital arts and cultural industry in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) in view of the target that the digital economy should move towards a full expansion stage by 2025 as put forward in the circular, issued by the State Council in January this year, on the Development Plan for Digital Economy during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period, and on the premise of taking into account two national security fields of "economic security" and "science and technology security", whether the Government will formulate a blueprint for developing Hong Kong's digital economy, so that Hong Kong's digital economy can develop steadily and healthily and that Hong Kong can achieve the targets of developing into an international innovation and technology hub as well as an East-meets-West centre for cultural and art exchange as set out in the National 14th Five-Year Plan; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether it will consider including topics relating to the digital economy in existing teacher training courses and STEM courses (i.e. courses relating to science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in schools, so as to enhance young people's understanding of the development of the digital economy and nurture relevant talents?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Digital economy is a global trend. In light of the COVID-19 epidemic over the past two years and our experience in the distribution of consumption vouchers last year, electronic payment and electronic consumption are becoming more popular. In order to expedite the development process of digital economy in Hong Kong and promote digital transformation across different industries, the Government announced in this year's Budget that a Digital Economy Development Committee led by the Financial Secretary will be set up. Members of this Committee will comprise industry practitioners, experts, scholars, and representatives from relevant bureaux/ departments (B/Ds). We are now taking forward the relevant preparatory work in full speed. 
 
     In consultation with the Home Affairs Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Education Bureau, my reply to the Hon Luk's question is as follows:
 
(1) Digital economy brings different new development trends. In recent years, digital encrypted art has gained worldwide popularity. A number of Hong Kong artists and arts creators have attempted and explored the use of non-fungible token (NFT), a non-homogeneous token, in aspects including arts creation and trading, etc. With a free economy and a talent pool in fintech, law and intellectual property, Hong Kong possesses favourable conditions for arts and culture creation in the form of NFT and lawful trading on NFT platforms which are conducive to the development of digital arts and culture. The Home Affairs Bureau will continue to pay attention to the operation of NFT online trading platforms. The Bureau is also pleased to see the success of relevant industries, including artists and art groups in their development in this area.
 
(2) The 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology hub and put forth nurturing and building up of emerging digital industries, including artificial intelligence (AI), big data, blockchain, cloud computing and cyber security, etc. in the era of digital economy. In the past few years, the current-term Government actively promotes the development of smart city and digital economy by implementing a series of initiatives through a data-driven approach.

     To this end, following the publishing of the first Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong in 2017, the Government published the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0 in December 2020, setting out over 130 smart city initiatives under six smart areas, including "Smart Government" and "Smart Economy".

     For "Smart Government", the Government announced the new open data policy in September 2018 and released the open data of the Government and public and private organisations for free use through the "data.gov.hk" portal since 2019. We have also completed the construction of different digital infrastructures including the Next Generation Government Cloud Platform, Big Data Analytics Platform and "iAM Smart" one-stop personalised digital services platform launched in 2020. We are currently developing a Shared Blockchain Platform, which is expected to commence operation in the middle of this year, to promote the use of advanced technology by different government departments all-round.

     To actively promote digital transformation of government departments, we have implemented different schemes including the TechConnect (block vote), the Public Sector Trial Scheme under the Innovation and Technology Fund and the Smart Government Innovation Lab.

     Besides, data centre is an important infrastructure for digital economy development. The Government has been proactively driving forward the development of data centres in Hong Kong which include providing land for the development of high-tier data centres, encouraging conversion of industrial buildings and use of industrial lots to develop into high-tier data centres, so as to promote Hong Kong as the prime location for data centres in the Asia Pacific region.

     In addition, 5G technology opens up vast potential for various innovative commercial services and smart city applications in digital economy. We have promoted 5G development on various fronts, which include supplying spectrum, opening up suitable government premises for base station installations, subsidising the extension of fibre-based broadband to remote villages, and subsidising the use of 5G technology.

     For "Smart Economy", the Government is actively strengthening the current economic pillar of Hong Kong by leveraging innovation and technology (I&T). The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is actively developing the Commercial Data Interchange (CDI). It seeks to allow financial institutions, with the consent of enterprises (especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs)), to obtain more commercial data for conducting credit analysis in a more precise manner, thereby enabling SMEs to utilise their own data to receive more convenient and effective financing services. CDI is expected to be formally launched by end 2022. The HKMA and the Insurance Authority are also actively promoting the implementation of the Open Application Programming Interface for the banking and insurance sectors, with a view to allowing third-party service providers to gain programmatic access to the internal IT systems and data of banks and insurance companies, including information of various products and services, and aggregate the information under the same website or application, thereby enabling more innovative financial products and customer experience.

     We have also introduced the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) which supports local enterprises and organisations to use technology services and solutions so as to improve productivity or to upgrade and transform the business processes.

     B/Ds would continue to pursue and implement the initiatives related to digital economy, and will timely review and update the development goals in view of the latest development in smart city and I&T.

     In fact, the Government also attaches great importance to cyber security when developing digital economy. Various government information technology (IT) infrastructure projects (including the Next Generation Government Cloud Platform, Big Data Analytics Platform, "iAM Smart" one-stop personalised digital services platform and Shared Blockchain Platform) are implemented in accordance with the Government IT Security Policy and Guidelines. Independent professionals are engaged to conduct regular information security risk assessments and audits to ensure the security of information and systems of these IT infrastructures.

     To effectively enhance the cyber security of the community as a whole, the Government has all along been actively collaborating with different stakeholders to enhance the awareness and protection capability of the business sectors, in particular SMEs, as well as the general public through various measures. They include subsidising local enterprises to enhance their systems and cyber security measures through the TVP; providing cyber security information, free website scanning service, online self-assessment tools and suspicious email detection system for SMEs; joining hands with industry organisations to organise promotional and educational activities; and promoting exchange of cyber security information among public and private organisations through the cross-sector Partnership Programme for Cyber Security Information Sharing. 

     Meanwhile, the Government is undertaking preparatory work to clearly define the statutory cyber security obligations of critical infrastructure operators through legislation in order to strengthen the cyber security of the critical infrastructures, which could make Hong Kong a safer and more secure smart city and facilitate the robust development of digital economy.

(3) The Education Bureau (EDB) has been committed to promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools through implementation of various support strategies, including updating curriculum, enhancing teacher training, providing learning and teaching resources, etc. The EDB actively encourages schools to adopt a cross-disciplinary approach in arranging diversified "hands-on and minds-on" activities suitable for the primary and secondary levels both inside and outside the classroom to enhance students' ability in integrating and applying STEM-related knowledge and skills, as well as lay a foundation for their further learning of emerging topics in the future. To keep the school curriculum abreast of the times and the latest social and technological development, the EDB will keep in view the learning elements relating to I&T and their applications. The EDB will also review the curriculum according to the learning needs and abilities of students at secondary and basic education levels, so as to cultivate students' interests in learning I&T, creativity and problem-solving skills.

     Besides, apart from school curriculum, in order to nurture local students' creative thinking and interest in I&T at an early age, the Government has launched the IT Innovation Lab in Secondary Schools and Knowing More About IT Programmes to provide funding support for publicly-funded secondary and primary schools respectively to organise IT-related extra-curricular activities with topics covering AI, coding and big data, etc. The programmes enable students to acquire I&T knowledge as early as possible, thereby building a solid foundation for their future integration into digital economy and smart city development. As at end-April 2022, over 490 applications from the two programmes were approved, involving a funding of over $160 million.

     Following is a question by the Hon Lillian Kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, in the Legislative Council today (May 11):

Question:

     To encourage and support young people to work and pursue their career in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area), the Chief Executive announced in the 2020 Policy Address the launch of the "Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme" (the Scheme). Whilst the Scheme provides 2 000 places, as at the end of January this year, the Government received preliminary applications for allowance from enterprises for employing some 1 100 graduates only. Some young people consider that the Scheme has inadequacies, which have deterred them from participating in it. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has reviewed the effectiveness of the publicity of the Scheme; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) whether it will set up an online job information platform in respect of the Scheme; if so, of the details (including the target number of participating enterprises); if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) given that amid the epidemic, normal traveller clearance between the Mainland and Hong Kong has not been resumed for a prolonged period of time, of the Government's measures in place to continue encouraging young people to work and pursue their career in the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area?

Reply:

President,

     The vast development potential of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) not only provides new impetus for Hong Kong's future economic development but will also be where major opportunities for Hong Kong's economic recovery after the pandemic lie. The Government launched the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme (the Scheme) in January 2021 to encourage enterprises with business in both Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area Mainland cities to employ university graduates in Hong Kong and station them to work in the Greater Bay Area Mainland cities. Graduates who are legally employable in Hong Kong and holding bachelor's degrees or above awarded in 2019 to 2021 may participate in the Scheme. Participating enterprises shall employ the target graduates according to Hong Kong laws with a monthly salary of not less than HK$18,000. The Government will pay a monthly allowance of HK$10,000 to the enterprises for each qualified graduate employed for a maximum period of 18 months. Participating graduates employed under the Scheme have all reported for duty. The Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Labour Department are conducting an evaluation study on the Scheme which is expected to be completed within this year. The Government will map out the way forward, taking into account the survey results and the views of stakeholders.

     After consulting the Home Affairs Bureau, my reply to the Member's question is as follows:

(1) The Government has launched a series of publicity activities to encourage graduates and enterprises to participate in the Scheme. The Government has advertised in various newspapers, recruitment magazines, job-hunting websites (including the Joint Institutions Job Information System) and major means of transport; launched radio announcements and promoted the Scheme on various websites, mobile applications and online search tools to reach out to more young people and encourage graduates to join the Scheme. In addition, the Government has organised a large-scale online cum physical thematic job fair to provide a convenient and effective platform for participating enterprises to conduct recruitment and graduates to submit job applications. A series of online briefing sessions were co-organised with employer associations and universities to introduce the Scheme and encourage enterprises and graduates to join it.

     The Scheme has received from 417 enterprises a total of some 3 500 job vacancies, about half of which are innovation and technology posts.  Graduates have submitted over 20 000 job applications. These show that the publicity work has effectively encouraged enterprises and graduates to participate in the Scheme. The evaluation study being conducted on the Scheme also covers the effectiveness of the publicity work.

(2) The Government has set up a thematic website upon launching of the Scheme. All job vacancies submitted by enterprises were uploaded to the website after vetting for eligible graduates to choose. The website also has online application function to facilitate graduates to make job applications.  In addition, the Government has uploaded details of the Scheme, as well as practical information on working and living in the Greater Bay Area on the thematic website, which is hyperlinked to a number of related websites so that graduates can obtain more information relevant to the Greater Bay Area.  The Government welcomes all eligible enterprises to join the Scheme and is not bounded by a target number.  

(3) The Government has been closely monitoring the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Scheme, and has followed up with the enterprises on their arrangement for the employed graduates to work in the Greater Bay Area Mainland cities and offered necessary assistance. As of end of February 2022, about 85 per cent of the recruits under the Scheme have already been working on the Mainland, and the remaining 15 per cent are mainly employed in innovation & technology posts. According to the Scheme requirements, the latter recruits should be stationed in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area Mainland cities for about six to 12 months, and so some of them are still working in Hong Kong.

     Apart from the above-mentioned Scheme, the Home Affairs Bureau has launched two funding schemes on support for young people starting their businesses in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area Mainland cities, namely the Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship) and the Funding Scheme for Experiential Programmes at Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Funding Scheme for Experiential Programmes), providing entrepreneurial support and incubation services to young people.  The Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship supports 16 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to organise youth entrepreneurship projects, providing capital subsidy to about 230 youth start-ups (involving more than 800 Hong Kong young entrepreneurs) and rendering entrepreneurial support and incubation services to about 4 000 young entrepreneurs. Funded NGOs have started rolling out youth entrepreneurship projects and the response has thus far been positive.  Subject to the latest situation of the pandemic, the funded organisations will gradually assist young entrepreneurs in settling in innovative and entrepreneurial bases in the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area. The Funding Scheme for Experiential Programmes supports 15 NGOs to organise short-term experiential projects at innovative and entrepreneurial bases in the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area, with a view to deepening Hong Kong young people's understanding of such entrepreneurial bases, as well as the relevant policies and support measures on innovation and entrepreneurship. About 700 young people are expected to benefit from the projects.