In response to an online post today (January 26) saying that the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, engaged in private activities during her duty visit to Switzerland, the Chief Executive's Office states that the content of the post is far from the facts and has no basis.

     The Chief Executive arrived in Zurich, Switzerland in the morning on January 21 and travelled to Davos by car, arriving at noon. In the morning on January 24, she left Davos by car, and departed from Zurich by flight at noon. During her visit, Mrs Lam attended over 30 bilateral meetings, interviews by international media organisations and other speaking occasions. In the last day of her visit (January 23), the Chief Executive met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte; Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Finance of Switzerland, Mr Ueli Maurer; the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Professor Klaus Schwab; the Executive Chairman of Investcorp, Mr Mohammed Alardhi; the Group Chairman of Standard Chartered, Mr José Viñals; and the Chairman of the Asia Pacific Initiative, Mr Yoichi Funabashi, and attended the lunch of the WEF Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders, a speaking session organised by the Young Presidents' Organization and "the Hong Kong Night" – a flagship event co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and various Hong Kong organisations and enterprises to promote Hong Kong in Davos. The Chief Executive had no time during her visit, and in fact did not engage in any private activity. Her itinerary was covered by press releases issued earlier. The Chief Executive's Office expresses regret over the false accusations deliberately made by some people against the Chief Executive.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (January 26):

Reporter: Mr Chan, how would the government help the medical sector and also in the hospitals to deal with the outbreak of the new coronavirus, would the government inject more money in the upcoming Budget to support the sector?

Financial Secretary: Money is not a constraint in this current fight against the outbreak of the virus. We have made this very clear at the beginning. Even at yesterday's meeting, we specifically mentioned this to the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority. In case they need any additional resources, they should feel free to let us know and we will make the provisions accordingly. They told us that so far, they had enough resources to cope with what they needed, and they were very well aware of the fact that resources should not be a constraint. Say, for example, last year in the Budget, I earmarked a $10 billion funding to ensure that if they need emergency money, if they need stability in their funding, they can call upon it anytime.

Reporter: Mr Chan, just one question. I see that you are wearing a mask today, can you just say, are you feeling sick or are you just wearing a mask for a precautionary measure?

Financial Secretary: I am fine, thank you very much. It is precautionary measure. It is an advice by the government, when people go to gatherings with mass participation of people, for public health, we'd better wear a mask. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

    

     A man who went missing in Kwun Tong has been located.

     Khan Mohamed, aged 80, went missing after he left his residence on in Yau Tong Estate on January 19 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on January 21.

     The man returned to his residence this morning (January 26). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority :

     In response to the latest development of the novel coronavirus infection, the Government announced yesterday (January 25) a package of measures, including to convert Fai Ming Estate, an unoccupied public estate in Fanling, into temporary flats for quarantine and observation of close contact persons without symptoms if needed. Healthcare staff in need may also be accommodated there.

     As a result, public rental housing applicants who have accepted advanced allocation offers of flats in Fai Ming Estate will be affected; their actual intake date cannot be confirmed yet. The Hong Kong Housing Authority will make special arrangements for the affected applicants. Details will be announced as soon as possible.

     The masked rioters gathering in Mong Kok built barricades with trash to paralyse traffic in the vicinity of Portland Street at about 10pm yesterday (January 25). In response to the violent acts, Police officers had no alternative but to take resolute enforcement actions to halt the unlawful road blockage. At around 11pm, when Police were preparing to leave after law enforcement actions, some rioters threw glass bottles and miscellaneous objects at a Police vehicle. Police used a tear gas grenade to combat the violence of rioters. At around 11.30pm, some rioters built barricades with wooden boards and roadside trash at the junction of Nathan Road and Shan Tung Street. Police officers swiftly attended the scene to take enforcement actions and to remove the barricades.

     Police always respect people’s freedom and rights to express their views peacefully. Nonetheless, in face of the unlawful road blockage and violent attacks by rioters, officers had no alternative but to respond with minimal and necessary force in order to stop the violence. Police strongly condemn the violent and illegal acts of rioters which endanger the public safety.