Tag Archives: China

     The two-day Training Workshop on Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Intervention 2024 organised by the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) was concluded today (September 13). A total of 150 healthcare professionals from Hong Kong, the Mainland and Macao attended the training workshop, which aimed at enhancing healthcare professionals’ skills in providing smoking cessation services.

     To strengthen knowledge exchanges on tobacco control and share local experiences in cessation service provision among local, Mainland and Macao healthcare professionals, TACO extended invitations to healthcare professionals from the Mainland and Macao to participate in this year’s workshop. Among the 150 healthcare professionals participating in the workshop, 33 were from the Mainland and Macao, and 23 of them were recommended by the Health Commission of Guangdong Province. 

     The training content this year spanned smoking cessation counselling, prevention of relapse, treatment of tobacco dependence, motivational interviewing in smoking cessation, case sharing of smoking cessation, and pharmacotherapy, providing healthcare professionals with knowledge and skills in different smoking cessation interventions, which prepared them to help smokers quit smoking by various channels.

     The DH has become a regional hub for supporting training in smoking cessation treatment and services after it was designated by the World Health Organization to establish the Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence in April 2012. In addition to the Annual Training Programme on Tobacco Control for tobacco control workers in the Western Pacific region, TACO also regularly holds smoking cessation treatment training courses to enhance the capability of local healthcare professionals to provide smoking cessation support.

     TACO will further strengthen collaboration and communication with the Mainland in tobacco control, and it is committed to providing continued support in cessation training and assistance, as well as jointly promoting the construction of a smoke-free Greater Bay Area.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released today (September 13) the key analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund at the end of August 2024.
      
     Foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, increased during the month by HK$30.5 billion to HK$3,507.3 billion.
      
     The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government‑issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to HK$1,934.9 billion.
      
     Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HK$264.4 billion.
      
     Foreign liabilities amounted to HK$29.8 billion.
      
     The analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund are released in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and are referred to as the Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank under SDDS (Annex).

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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month.  Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s SDDS.  The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency.  For the month of September 2024, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (September 13).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
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Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
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Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 13) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented from September 16 to 18 to facilitate the holding of the festive activities of the Mid-Autumn Festival (September 17):

Special traffic arrangements
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     To facilitate the holding of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, road closure and traffic diversion arrangements will be implemented in the vicinity of Tai Hang from September 16 to 18. In addition, road closure and traffic diversion arrangements will be implemented in various parts on Hong Kong Island (including Causeway Bay, The Peak, Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam, Repulse Bay and Shek O) and in the New Territories (including Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Ma On Shan) on September 17 and 18. Some parking spaces, taxi stands and public light bus stands in the above areas will also be suspended.

Public transport arrangements
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     Public transport services on the Mid-Autumn Festival will be adjusted as follows:

(i) MTR lines (except the Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and the section of East Rail Line to and from Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations) will operate overnight, and strengthen services from 3pm onwards;

(ii) Seven light rail routes will operate overnight;

(iii) Tram services will be extended to 1am of the following day, and will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;

(iv) Three special bus routes (route Nos. N64P, N272 and 173R) will be operated. Franchised bus companies will also extend the service hours of 10 bus routes and adjust the frequency/departure time of some routes respectively;

(v) 10 green minibus routes will extend their service hours;

(vi) 31 bus routes and 14 green minibus routes will be diverted and adjust their stop locations temporarily in connection with the road closures and traffic diversion arrangements; and

(vii) Star Ferry, Sun Ferry and Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry will strengthen their ferry services subject to passenger demand.

     For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or its mobile application “HKeMobility”. Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.

     Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements, subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or “HKeMobility”.  read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) announced today (September 13) the schedule of regular press releases on statistical data in 2025 at Annex. The schedule, which covers 126 items, has been uploaded on the C&SD’s website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/press_release.html) to facilitate access by the public.  

     “We have been making continuous efforts to shorten the time lag in releasing statistics. At present, we are able to release most monthly statistics within one month and all quarterly statistics within three months after the reference period,” a spokesman for the C&SD said.

     The press releases listed on the schedule will be issued via the Information Services Department (ISD) at 4.30pm on the release day. They will also be posted on the C&SD’s website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/press_release.html) shortly afterwards.

     “We will adhere to the pre-announced schedule for issuing these regular press releases. Only under exceptional circumstances such as those arising from unexpected adverse weather conditions might the releases be postponed. In such events, an announcement will be made via the ISD regarding the special circumstances and the revised date for issuing the press release concerned,” the spokesman added.

     In addition to these regular press releases, press releases on other statistical data (e.g. results of ad hoc surveys) are also issued by the C&SD from time to time.

     All press releases issued by the C&SD in recent years are posted on its website for reference by the general public.

     Enquiries on the schedule can be directed to the C&SD at telephone number 2582 4958. read more