Tag Archives: China

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HKETO, Brussels supports Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals in Antwerp and Dublin (with photos)

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supported the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals in Antwerp, Belgium on September 15, and in Dublin, Ireland on September 15 and 16 .

     In Belgiums port city of Antwerp, the 8th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival organised by the Rotary International, Antwerp West, is one of the city’s biggest annual events, attracting 32 teams of competitors and around 6 000 enthusiastic paddlers and visitors. HKETO, Brussels, the title sponsor of the Festival, entered two boats, Hong Kong Dragon and Hong Kong International Paddlers, in the races. The crew of Hong Kong Dragon comprised staff of HKETO, Brussels and their family members and friends, while the Hong Kong International Paddlers had a crew of expats and locals. Many community groups and companies in Belgium also took part in the Festival as a team-building event. The University of Gent and the University of Antwerp in Belgium also fielded teams with the support of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society. The starting shot was given by Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, while Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, presented the trophy to the fastest team.

     In Dublin, HKETO, Brussels was the title sponsor of the Hong Kong Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta for the third time. Organised by the Irish Dragon Boat Association in conjunction with Plurabelle Paddlers, and supported by Waterways Ireland and Dublin City Council, the Regatta took place at the heart of the capital city,the Grand Canal Dock in Dublin. A total of some 1 000 participants in 52 teams from different regions joined the most entertaining races carried out on the two days. Their joy and laughter were shared by about 2 500 visitors each day. Assistant Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Mr Paul Leung, officiated at the event and presented medals to the winning teams.

     In both Antwerp and Dublin, booklets and information about Hong Kong, including its tourist attractions and its first Talent List, were distributed at the Hong Kong booth. Visitors to the booth could receive Hong Kong brand prizes after successfully completing a quiz about Hong Kong.

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Responsible persons of two recycling sites in New Territories convicted for illegal collection and storage of bulk hazardous electronic waste (with photo)

     â€‹The responsible persons of two recycling sites in Ping Che in North District and Shek Wu Wai in Yuen Long, who illegally stored hazardous electronic waste (e-waste), were convicted and fined a total of $50,000 at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (September 18) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that during operations in January and March, EPD officers raided two recycling sites that illegally stored printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are classified as chemical waste. The recycling sites were located in Ping Che in North District and Shek Wu Wai in Yuen Long and used to collect, store, dismantle, import and export hazardous e-waste. The recycling sites concerned illegally stored PCBs at the open spaces with some PCBs chaotically scattered on the ground. A total of 2.5 tonnes of PCBs were found during the two operations with a total market value of $250,000. Upon investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the recycling sites’ responsible persons in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
      
     The spokesman stressed that dismantled or destroyed PCBs, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste. Chemical waste is hazardous by nature and, if not properly controlled, will pollute the environment and pose a risk to the health of relevant trade practitioners and the general public. The EPD has all along been committed to combating the illegal collection, storage, handling and import and export activities of hazardous e-waste. Anyone who violates the above laws shall be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment for the first conviction. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

     For more information about the control of chemical waste, please visit the EPD’s website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

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Members of public invited to Hospital Authority Board Meeting

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Members of the public are invited to attend the Hospital Authority (HA) Board Meeting to be held on September 20 (Thursday) at 3.45pm. 
 
     The HA Board Meeting has been open to members of the public since 1998 to demonstrate the continuous efforts of the Authority to enhance its transparency and public accountability. The HA Board holds meetings at regular intervals to discuss major health policy issues which have an impact on the public.
 
     Through these open meetings, the community is able to understand more about the role and functions of the HA Board as well as the operation and services of the HA and its hospitals.

     The HA Board will discuss the following agenda items in the coming meeting:

  • Hospital Authority Annual Report 2017-18;
  • 2017 Patient Experience Survey on Inpatient Service;
  • HA Chief Executive’s Progress Report on Strategic Priorities; and
  • Cluster Presentation Programme – Hong Kong East Cluster: The First Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Centre in the HA.
 
     The meeting agenda and papers will be made available to the public at the meeting. Members of the public are reminded that they may attend the Board Meeting only as observers and will not be participating in the meeting discussions.
 
     Members of the public who are interested in attending the coming Board Meeting have to make advance booking by contacting the Secretariat of the HA Board at 2300 6797 during office hours. To facilitate booking arrangements, members of the public are advised to provide their name and contact telephone number. In view of the limited seating available in the Public Gallery of the meeting venue, seating will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. read more