The colourful "Legends of Lion Dance" exhibition has returned to Belgium this year. It is being held in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium, from January 11 till February 2 (Antwerp time) to showcase Hong Kong's cultural heritage and traditional crafts and celebrate the Chinese New Year.
              
     With the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) and the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, Asian Events Tofoe, a non-profit-making organisation established by Hong Kong second-generation community members in Antwerp, is presenting around 15 unique embroidered lion heads made in Hong Kong.
              
     Visitors can learn about how lion heads are made, the meaning of lion dancing and Chinese New Year traditions. Live lion dances are included in the programme, and guided tours, in particular for schools, are provided. The event also ties in with Antwerp's Chinese New Year Parade to be held in the afternoon on January 25.  
              
     The Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, officiated at the opening ceremony on January 10, which featured an expertly performed lion dance and was attended by around 150 guests. 

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Miss Chau said that there are 480 items of intangible cultural heritage in Hong Kong's inventory, ranging from social practices, rituals and festivals to traditional crafts and foods. "Hong Kong is a modern and multicultural city, and we cherish and strive to safeguard our unique Chinese cultural heritage. A dedicated funding scheme has been set up by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for strengthening the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, to revitalise Chinese traditional culture by engaging audiences beyond the small enclave of specialists, and ensuring that our heritage will continue to be passed down from generation to generation," she said.
           
     "We believe that arts and culture transcend all boundaries and differences, and co-operation and mutual support will always prevail in strengthening people-to-people bonds and building inclusive societies," she added.
           
     The first "Legends of Lion Dance" exhibition was held in Antwerp in 2017. Antwerp has the biggest community of Hong Kong emigrants in Belgium and the event is also an opportunity for the second generation of Hong Kong emigrants to learn more about traditional Chinese culture and to strengthen their bonds with their family's city of origin. These second-generation talents are welcome to return to study, live and work in Hong Kong.
           
     The "Legends of Lion Dance" exhibition is being held until February 2 at Antwerp's main public library, the Bibliotheek Permeke, at 26 De Coninckplein. The exhibition is open seven days a week and entry is free of charge.

    

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the 13th Asian Financial Forum keynote luncheon today (January 13):
 
Dr Yellen (former Chair of the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve System, Dr Janet Yellen), Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Dr Peter Lam), Norman (former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Norman Chan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. Welcome to today's luncheon of the 2020 Asian Financial Forum. 

     And, just to reassure you, I am definitely not the main course. Nor am I today's luncheon keynote speaker. 

     That honour – indeed, our great honour – goes to Dr Janet Yellen. The distinguished economist and former Chair of the US Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors will take the stage soon.  

     The Fed, under Dr Yellen's clear and compelling leadership, adopted sound monetary policies to keep inflation in check, while promoting job and wage growth. 

     So, like you, I am looking forward to her insights on tackling the challenges we face in this New Year of daunting challenges and discreet promises.

     The challenges, for Hong Kong, are as much local as they are global. I know many of you are concerned about the recent social unrest here in Hong Kong, about whether it is affecting our financial market and whether there has an been out-flow of funds. 

     I understand those concerns, so please allow me, in the next few minutes, to address them. 

     First of all, there's the obvious: Hong Kong is undergoing a time of unprecedented turbulence. Dissension has gripped our community for months now. That said, we are working to address and respond to those concerns, determined to find a path to peace, harmony and renewed prosperity in 2020. 

     We have been making progress. But there is still much to be done before we can put this testing time behind us. 

     What I can tell is that the advantages Hong Kong has long been recognised for are still very much with us, and they are not going anywhere anytime soon. 

     They begin with our enviable location, at the heart of Asia. Which means that Hong Kong is fully plugged into the round-the-clock global financial trading cycle. We provide certain and seamless connectivity with the financial hubs of Europe and North America, as well as those in the Middle East and across Asia.

     Hong Kong is blessed with the dual advantages of "one country, two systems". The rule of law, an independent judiciary and an unshakable adherence to free enterprise are among Hong Kong's core values. 

     We offer businesses from the Mainland and all over the world – more than 9,000 at last count – a level-playing field, a competitive market, whatever their businesses, whatever their investments. Our linked exchange rate system remains solid, our currency fully convertible and capital flowing in and out freely, as enshrined in Article 112 of the Basic Law. Our capital markets are deep and liquid.

     Despite our external and domestic challenges, Hong Kong's financial market remains stable. Our banking system continues to run smoothly and with ample liquidity.  

     The figures speak for themselves. In 2019, Hong Kong again topped the world in funds raised through IPOs – some US$40 billion worth. This is the seventh time we have come first in the past 11 years. 

     Our stock market's capitalisation is about US$4.9 trillion. That's more than 13 times Hong Kong's GDP.  

     As at end November 2019, bank deposits in both Hong Kong dollars and foreign currencies continued to increase over the same period last year, totalling US$1.8 trillion.

     Our exchange rate remains stable. These and other measures reflect the integrity of Hong Kong's financial and legal system, the confidence it conveys, even as we face formidable external and domestic shocks.

     In September last year, the Global Financial Centres Index once again ranked Hong Kong among the world's top three financial centres, behind only New York and bearing in on London. 

     Last October, the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report ranked our financial system tops in the world, while the World Bank rated Hong Kong the third-easiest place to do business. 

     Hong Kong is still very much the largest offshore Renminbi business hub in the world.

     We are, as well, the premier asset and wealth management centre. Apart from exempting onshore and offshore funds from profits tax, we are considering introducing a more competitive tax arrangement to attract private equity funds to domicile in Hong Kong.   

     The insurance industry is equally important. We have, after all, the highest concentration of insurers in Asia – more than 160 at the end of September. And we will enable the issuance of insurance-linked securities, expanding the insurable risks of captive insurers in Hong Kong. 

     On the taxes front, we already have the world's most business-friendly tax system, according to "Paying Taxes 2020", a  report produced by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the World Bank. Still, we plan to provide tax relief to promote the development of marine insurance and the underwriting of specialty risks in Hong Kong. 

     Green finance is our policy priority going forward. Green bonds issued and arranged in Hong Kong increased over 200 per cent to US$11 billion in 2018 as compared to the previous year.

     That was followed by our inaugural Government green bond issuance of US$1 billion last May. And we plan to issue more, and encourage more entities to arrange financing for their green projects right here in Hong Kong.

     Financial technology is another area where we strive to excel. You would have got the update on our exciting developments from the opening remarks of our Chief Executive this morning, so I would not repeat them here.   

     Looking at the big picture, the International Monetary Fund's latest projection of global economic growth this year has been adjusted downward to 3.4 per cent. Growth in Asia, however, will continue to outperform the rest of the world. 

     The IMF forecasts the Mainland economy to grow by 5.8 per cent in 2020, down slightly but still far and away leading most other jurisdictions. 

     As for Hong Kong, the IMF Staff Report last month commended the resilience of our financial system and linked exchange rate, despite its slowing economy. The IMF's Hong Kong report noted, and I quote, that "robust policy frameworks and ample buffers will help the economy weather the challenges ahead."

     The IMF also expressed approval for the Government's wide-ranging policies to support the economy and safeguard financial stability. 

     While we welcome the IMF's confidence in Hong Kong, I am prepared to roll out further relief measures as necessary.  

     We will also step up efforts to capitalise on emerging opportunities – not only from green finance and Fintech but from the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative, which demonstrates Hong Kong's uniqueness and irreplaceable position in the Mainland's national and economic development strategy.  

     In short, ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is, and will remain, the business bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world. Count on Hong Kong, as always, to be your partner, to help you build your business in the Mainland, throughout the Asian region and around the world. Count on Hong Kong to connect you with abundant capital and continuing opportunities.

     I wish you all the best of business at the Asian Financial Forum and a healthy, happy and prosperous 2020. Thank you.

      

     The Director of Social Welfare (DSW), Mr Gordon Leung, and members of the Management Committee of the Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Fund, including advisors Mr Richard Tang and Mr Hamilton Ho, today (January 13) hosted an annual reception for the elderly and distributed lai see packets to them in celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year.
      
     Speaking at the reception, Mr Leung said that since its inception in 1977, the Fund has been providing financial assistance for needy families and individuals to help them tide over difficulties. Assistance from the Fund helps the poor face adversity in life and relieves their distress by providing timely and impactful support.
      
     Mr Leung pointed out that the Fund granted $2.67 million to 659 approved cases in 2018-19, and approved a further 338 applications totalling $1.55 million from April to September 2019. In view of the increased need for financial assistance as reflected from the expenditure of the Fund in the first six months of 2019-20, the anticipated economic downturn and the rise in the unemployment rate in Hong Kong which may lead to more demand for financial assistance, the sum earmarked for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) as social relief grants for the coming fiscal year has been increased to $3.3 million.
      
     Mr Leung took the opportunity to extend his sincere thanks to all members of the Management Committee for their long-term support and care for those in need.
      
     Mr Leung added that the Government promotes senior citizens' sense of belonging, sense of security and sense of worthiness. The Government will continue to offer support in terms of hardware and policy to promote active ageing while taking care of the service needs of frail elderly persons. Under the policy of promoting "ageing in place as the core, institutional care as backup", the Government strives to provide appropriate long-term care services for elderly persons in need.
      
     The Government will, within 2020 and 2021, provide an additional service quota of 3 000 under the Integrated Home Care Services (Frail Cases) in phases to support ageing in place for elderly persons with impairment. The Government is also continuing to implement the Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly and plans to provide a further 1 000 vouchers to bring the total to 8 000 in 2020-21, in order to provide services for more elderly persons in need.
      
     Since the Government launched the $1 billion Innovation and Technology Fund for Application in Elderly and Rehabilitation Care in December 2018, eligible elderly and rehabilitation service units receive subsidies to try out and procure/rent technology products, thereby improving the services for the elderly and their quality of life as well as reducing the burden and pressure on care staff and carers.
      
     For residential care for elderly persons, the SWD will purchase an additional 5 000 EA1 places under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme in the next five years starting from 2019-20 and continue to build new contract homes as well as implement the Special Scheme on Privately Owned Sites for Welfare Uses to increase the supply of subsidised residential care places for the elderly. Furthermore, the Pilot Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong was regularised this month to provide an additional option for eligible elderly persons who are waitlisted for subsidised care-and-attention places to choose to reside in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Shenzhen Society for Rehabilitation Yee Hong Heights or the Hong Kong Jockey Club Helping Hand Zhaoqing Home for the Elderly.
      
     Attending the reception today were some 40 elderly persons, with the oldest at the age of 93. The Fund treated them to a wonderful show and a lavish and healthy lunch as well as offered them best wishes for a happy Lunar New Year.
      
     The Fund was founded by the late Sir Tang Shiu-kin and the late Dr Ho Tim, with the DSW Incorporated acting as the trustee of the Fund under Chapter 1096 of the Laws of Hong Kong. Members of the Management Committee include descendants of the founders (advisors), prominent members of the community and representatives from relevant government departments, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the Po Leung Kuk.
      
     The objective of the Fund is to provide timely financial assistance to needy individuals and families in emergency situations for which other sources may not be applicable or readily available. Recipients of the Fund include the unemployed, victims of disasters, the chronically ill, persons with disabilities, single parent families and the elderly.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (January 13), only Princess Margaret Hospital had admitted one patient (female, aged 38) in the past 24 hours who has been to Wuhan in the past 14 days and presented with fever, respiratory infection or pneumonia symptoms. The patient concerned has not visited wet markets in Wuhan before the onset of symptoms.
 
     Including the above-mentioned case, the Hospital Authority (HA) has reported 68 patient cases since December 31, 2019. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent to the Department of Health (DH) for testing. Among all the suspected cases, 56 have been discharged and those patients staying in hospitals are in stable condition. 
 
     The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers with the latest information in a timely manner.

     Following the recognition of qualifications of its training programmes under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF) in 2018, the Immigration Department (ImmD), in the capacity of programme operator, was further accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications in November 2019 to include its induction training programme for Immigration Officers and passenger clearance programme for in-service Immigration Assistants in the Qualifications Register, marking another milestone for the ImmD's training programmes.
      
     The Director of Immigration, Mr Tsang Kwok-wai, officiated at the Certificate Presentation Ceremony of Accredited Training Programmes of the ImmD held at the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD) on January 7. On the same occasion, Mr Tsang also officiated at the launching ceremony of the ISITD Open Day cum Youth Development Day in the company of directorate officers and members of the Immigration Department Youth Leaders.
      
     Upon completion of the induction training programme under the HKQF, the newly recruited Immigration Officers will be awarded the Professional Diploma in Management in Immigration Services and Control for Immigration Officers, which is at HKQF Level 5 (equivalent to the Bachelor's Degree level). In addition, in-service Immigration Assistants who have completed the passenger clearance programme will be awarded the Professional Diploma in Immigration Control and Passenger Clearance, which is at HKQF Level 4 (equivalent to the level of an Associate Degree or a Higher Diploma).
      
     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tsang said that the further accreditation of the ISITD's self-operating training programmes showed that the ISITD's facilities, course contents, teaching staff and more had won high recognition, which helped motivate members of the Immigration Service to enhance their knowledge and competitiveness by pursuing continuing education and lifelong learning. He also encouraged all graduates to remain true to their original aspirations, uphold professionalism, stand fast at their posts, and make concerted efforts to provide dedicated services for the public with impartiality.
      
     A total of 69 graduates, comprising 29 Immigration Officers and 40 Immigration Assistants, attended the ceremony. Looking ahead, the ImmD will continue to apply for the inclusion of various in-service training programmes in the Qualifications Register.
      
     The ceremony also launched the ISITD Open Day cum Youth Development Day, which was held on January 11. It aimed to introduce the ImmD's history and work so as to familiarise the public with its latest developments and services.
      
     The Open Day cum Youth Development Day this year included elements related to youth development. A number of youth uniformed groups as well as primary and secondary school students were specially invited to join the event. Members of the Immigration Department Youth Leaders also set up a game booth to heighten a sense of discipline among teenagers and enhance their understanding of the Government's work.
      
     In order to enable the public to learn more about the ImmD, in addition to exhibitions and game booths, a series of booths were set up to display the various areas of work of the department. There were also a performance by the Immigration Band and a foot drill demonstration. The ImmD's tactical training gear as well as uniforms and working dress over the years were also displayed. About 1 800 visitors attended the Open Day cum Youth Development Day.