Tag Archives: China

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, began his visit to Beijing yesterday (September 11). He called on the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) yesterday afternoon. Mr Yeung briefed its Director, Mr Gao Zhidan, about the progress of Hong Kong’s preparation for the 15th National Games, with a focus on the arrangements of Hong Kong and cross-boundary events, the information system, market developments, publicity, media and broadcasting arrangements etc, as well as promotion of sports development in the Greater Bay Area in the future. Mr Yeung said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will spare no efforts in maintaining close liaison with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government to cohost the “simple, safe and wonderful” Games.
 
     Mr Yeung attended the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2024 this afternoon (September 12) and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) on cohosting the WTCF Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit in Hong Kong in April 2025.
 
     Mr Yeung later met with Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipality and the Executive Vice-Chair of the WTCF Council, Ms Sima Hong, for a brief discussion on local culture, tourism and industry development on both sides. Mr Yeung also mentioned Hong Kong’s tourism developments and a proposal on an upcoming cultural and tourism collaboration with Beijing, with a view to enhancing the integration of culture and tourism in line with the country’s development strategies, achieving the objective of being an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
      
     To better promote the concept of “tourism is everywhere”, Mr Yeung also visited a Beijing hutong this morning to gain a first-hand experience of a city-walk, a trendy way of travelling in Beijing. The stroll along special routes offered a glimpse into the city’s culture and history, as well as an opportunity to learn how the local government promotes relevant programmes and implements the concept of “tourism is everywhere”.

     Mr Yeung will depart from Beijing for Hong Kong tomorrow (September 13).

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Transport continued its duty visit in Shanghai today (September 12).

     In the morning, the delegation visited Hongqiao Comprehensive Transportation Hub to learn about its planning features, management experiences and response in emergency. It is the largest modernized transportation hub in the country, with a daily passenger flow of 1.1 to 1.4 million people, integrating various transportation networks including civil aviation, high-speed railway, inter-city railway, long-haul buses and rental vehicles. Members noted that the Transportation Hub serves as a convenient integrated transportation gateway in supporting the urban development of Shanghai and meeting the needs of the Yangtze River Delta regional economy efficiently.

     The delegation then participated in an exchange session with representatives of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission to exchange views on the latest developments of smart transportation and traffic management in Shanghai, as well as experiences and challenges in promoting smart mobility.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the digital management center of Shanghai Urban Operation (Group) Company Limited and observed its operation. Members noted that through its applications of various intelligent sensing technologies, including road cameras, sensors and robotics, to collect real-time data, the digital management center enhances the resilience of the city’s overall traffic system against extreme weather. The delegation then visited Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Company Limited and participated in an exchange session with the company’s representatives to gain insights into its experience in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructures.

     The delegation departed for Hangzhou in the evening and will continue its duty visit in Hangzhou tomorrow (September 13).

        

     The Department of Health (DH) is following up on an adverse event reported by the Hospital Authority (HA) yesterday (September 11) relating to an incident involving an angiography system used on a 66-year-old man during a medical procedure at Queen Elizabeth hospital (QEH) on September 9.
      
     A spokesman for the DH said that its Medical Device Division (MDD) immediately contacted the HA and the local responsible person (LRP) of the device to obtain details of the incident and conducted a follow up.
      
     The medical device concerned, namely the Artis Zee Biplane, used for X-ray imaging in medical procedures, is a Class III general medical device listed under the Medical Device Administrative Control System (MDACS). The manufacturer is Siemens Healthcare GmbH.
      
     The medical device concerned has been installed in QEH since April 2011 and is under regular maintenance by the manufacturer. The last maintenance check was conducted on July 24, 2024, and no abnormalities were found. After the incident, the LRP conducted an on-site investigation on September 10, obtained the event log from the system, and sent it to overseas manufacturer for further investigations into the underlying cause of the incident. 
      
     Preliminary information from the LRP revealed that the medical device concerned has been distributed to two public hospitals and one private hospital. Apart from maintaining liaison with the HA, the DH will inform stakeholders (including all private hospitals and relevant medical professional associations) to remind them of the incident and request them to contact the LRP as soon as possible if they are using the angiography system concerned. A special safety alert will be also posted on the MDD’s website.
      
     Since 2004, the DH has launched the voluntary MDACS, which includes listing systems for medical devices and traders as well as a post-market monitoring mechanism. Following a risk-based approach, LRPs can apply for listing of Classes II, III and IV general medical devices and Classes B, C and D in vitro diagnostic medical devices under the MDACS.
          
     In terms of the post-marketing monitoring system, the MDACS includes monitoring of safety alerts of medical devices issued by other regulatory jurisdictions, and handling of safety alerts notified by manufacturers. Furthermore, taking reference to the recommendations of the Global Harmonization Task Force, the MDACS has established a Medical Device Adverse Event Reporting System to collect and conduct analyses on information related to adverse events for early detection of safety signals to protect the health of patients and users of the medical device.
      
     “The DH will continue to closely monitor the situation and maintain ongoing communication with the LRP,” the spokesman added. read more

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Reception of 214th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Mexico today (September 12):
 
Ambassador Macedo (Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong, Mr Pablo Macedo Riba), Deputy Commissioner Fang (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Fang Jianming), ladies and gentlemen, 
 
     Good evening.
 
     It is a pleasure to be here, tonight, with you, in celebration of the 214th anniversary of Mexico’s independence.
 
     I am grateful to the Consulate and the Ambassador, now into his fourth year as Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong, for this welcome opportunity to celebrate this proud national occasion with our Mexican friends and business partners. 
 
     Mexico is a dynamic nation, Latin America’s second-largest economy and a fast-rising global economy. 
 
     The research team of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council recently visited Mexico, meeting with government officials and a wide range of trade, investment and industry representatives, coming away favourably impressed with the country’s “extensive industrial infrastructure and friendly business environment”.
 
     Your nation of more than 130 million people is a major country in the Latin American region and an important emerging market. It is creating opportunity for a world of business and investment. 
 
     Not surprisingly, Mexico was Hong Kong’s largest merchandise trading partner in Latin America last year.
 
     Mexico’s ties with our country are also encouraging. Indeed, the value of Mexico’s foreign direct investment stock from China has soared 190 per cent over the last decade to US$1.24 billion in 2022. Last year, the value of Mexico’s imports from China grew by over 85 per cent to US$114 billion compared to 2013. 
 
     This year, the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership is celebrating its 11th anniversary. 
 
     As the bond between China and Mexico grows stronger and more rewarding, Hong Kong is proud to be contributing to the building of this closer partnership.  
 
     Thanks to the “one country, two systems” arrangement, Hong Kong acts as a “super connector” that enjoys convenient and sometimes priority access to the Mainland market, while maintaining seamless connections with the rest of the world.  
 
     We can help fast-track business, trade and investment between Mexico and the Mainland. In fact, around US$6 billion of the total merchandise trade between Mexico and the Mainland was routed through Hong Kong.
 
     With the support of the Mainland, Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in major national strategies such as the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. 
 
     Looking ahead, our country is committed to high-standard opening up, and to supporting countries and economies in the Global South to achieve their developmental goals and common prosperity. In this process, Hong Kong’s “super connector” role will only grow stronger.  
 
     We are proud to be a premier fundraising platform, and a trading and business hub for Mexican businesses seeking to tap into the Mainland market and access the capital in this part of the world. Mexican businesses are most welcome to establish their regional headquarters in our city.
 
     Beyond trade and investment, we warmly welcome Mexican artists, performing groups, filmmakers, and creative industry professionals to showcase their talents and works in Hong Kong, a vibrant theatre of international cultural exchange.
 
     In short, we are looking forward to building a more prosperous future together for our two economies, our two peoples. 
 
     Now please join me in a toast: “To the people of Mexico”.

     Cheers! Salud!

    

     The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, today (September 12) welcomed the Deputy China International Trade Representative, Ms Li Yongjie, to visit Hong Kong Customs with her delegation at the Kwai Chung Customhouse. The two sides exchanged views on facilitating international trade and consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a maritime centre.

     Ms Ho told the delegation that Hong Kong Customs has officially assumed the post of Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region of the World Customs Organization, and is expected to organise a number of large-scale events in the Asia Pacific region during the two-year tenure to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Belt and Road Initiative. She added that Hong Kong Customs will fully co-operate with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to develop the intermodal operation and launch various trade facilitation measures, including the Single E-lock Scheme and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Customs Clearance Information Platform, particularly in the GBA. Along with the promotion of mutual recognition arrangements of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) focusing on the Belt and Road countries and regions, all these initiatives would help Hong Kong enterprises to explore international markets, facilitate foreign trade, and maintain Hong Kong’s position as an international trade and maritime centre.

     The delegation today toured the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound to learn about the situation of sea cargo clearance at Hong Kong Customs.