Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Bone Marrow Donor Award Ceremony 2024 organised by the Hong Kong Bone Marrow Donor Registry (HKBMDR) of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) was held today (September 7), recognising 38 dedicated bone marrow donors for their selfless contributions. The BTS calls on more citizens to join in saving lives by registering for bone marrow donation, thereby giving a new lease on life to patients.

     The ceremony was officiated by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, the Chairman of the BTS Governing Committee and the Hong Kong Bone Marrow Donor Registry Governing Sub-committee, Mr Ignatius Chan, the President of Hong Kong Marrow Match Foundation, Professor Alice Chiu, and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Tony Ko.

     Dr Lam paid tribute to all donors for their selfless contributions on behalf of patients in his opening remarks, “Donors have demonstrated the heroic and caring act by reaching out for the patients out of compassion and providing them with renewed hope. I encourage more citizens to register for bone marrow donation, offering the blessing of recovery for patients in need.”

     At the ceremony, a pair of bone marrow donor-recipient met each other for the first time and shared their experience. The recipient Ms Chang, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the donor Miss Chen, “With her kind donation, I can finally recover.” Ms Chang was diagnosed as lymphoma in 2016, and the situation of the recurrent illness went on and off. Later in 2017, Ms Chang started searching for bone marrow donation in the HKBMDR, and she finally received the bone marrow from Miss Chen for transplantation in March 2018. 

     Miss Chen, who is a regular blood donor, registered as a bone marrow donor in her college years. She agreed to donate with no hesitation. Her kind acts definitely saved the life of Ms Chang.

     The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) of donor and recipient must be highly or completely matched for a successful transplantation. “The BTS helped patients requiring unrelated transplantation search for any potentially matched donor in the database. According to statistics, the chance of finding a matching unrelated donor is about one in five to ten thousand only. The odds will be even less than one in one hundred thousand for patients who have rare HLA type,” the Chief Executive and Medical Director of the BTS, Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong added. He hoped to see more young people register as bone marrow donor to increase the chance for finding a matched donor for patients.

     The world’s first Chinese-based unrelated bone marrow donor registry was founded in Hong Kong in 1991. As of June 2024, more than 177 000 people in Hong Kong have registered for voluntary bone marrow donation, and provided matched haematopoietic stem cells for transplantation for 1 179 local and 132 overseas patients. 

     Members of the public aged between 18 and 50 and in good health condition can register for bone marrow donation at any blood donor centre. The simple registration process includes completing a registration form, followed by a health screening and taking blood samples for laboratory tests. For information on bone marrow donation, please call 2710 1206 or visit the website at www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.

      

     â€‹In support of the China Cybersecurity Week, the "2024 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign" organised by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) was officially launched today (September 7). It was kicked off with the &quo… read more

     â€‹Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Hong Kong Academy of Politics and Public Policy Senior Executive Diploma 2023-24 Graduation Ceremony today (September 7):

Ronny (Convener of the Path of Democracy, Mr Ronny Tong), Prof Ho (Head Principal, Hong Kong Academy of Politics and Public Policy, Professor Ho Lok-sang), Dr Gittings (Head of College of Humanities and Law, HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education, Dr Danny Gittings), ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to be here, with you, today, on this joyous occasion. Let me begin by extending my sincere congratulations to graduates receiving their Senior Executive Diploma in Political Leadership today.  

     We are here to pay tribute to the 30 graduates, to celebrate not only your hard work and dedication, but also the commitment you have made to becoming the leaders of our community.

     This intensive, 10-month distinguished programme, introduced in 2017, is created to cultivate professionals dedicated to politics, public policy and society at large. The programme has graduated more than 170 participants to date. With an average age of 39, the graduates are committed to serving the community, economy and Government of Hong Kong, today and long into the future. 

     Thanks to the programme, the graduates have acquired the systematic training, and the confidence, to take their place among Hong Kong’s new generation of political leaders and professionals. 

     The world is facing challenges that require innovative solutions and strong, ethical leadership. The programme has equipped the graduates with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to navigate these complexities, and plays a part in nurturing the future political leaders of Hong Kong.  

     It helps, greatly, that the programme faculty includes such high-profile Hong Kong innovators and achievers as Professor Anthony Cheung, former Secretary for Transport and Housing, Jasper Tsang, former President of the Legislative Council, Dr Lam Ching-choi, a member of the Executive Council, and many others. 

     It helps, too, that the supporters of the programme, the Path of Democracy and HKU Space, are so well-versed in political theory and practice, and in Hong Kong’s strengths and needs, as well as its prospects and long-term promise. 

     The Path of Democracy, which recently celebrated its 9th anniversary, brings to the programme its renowned research skills, constructive advocacy and unwavering commitment to Hong Kong’s unique “one country, two systems” principle, the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success. 

     To take full advantage of the opportunities given to Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” principle, we need a continuing flow of talented professionals and political leaders who understand the essential value of our society. 
     
     Our country continues to create far-reaching economic opportunities for Hong Kong, and we have to grasp the opportunity by better integrating into the overall national development, including the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road initiatives. 

     In this regard, I am pleased to note that students of the programme have visited Beijing in the past two years, and met with Director Xia Baolong of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, as well as government officials, academics and community leaders, to gain first-hand insights into national policies.

     To all graduates, you are now tasked with advocating policy and inspiring others, contributing to the development of Hong Kong.  

     As you step into this new chapter, I encourage you to remain lifelong learners. The landscape of politics and public policy is ever-changing, and the most effective leaders are those who adapt and grow with it. Stay curious, stay informed, and continue to seek out opportunities for personal and professional development.

     Let us now take a moment to recognise the hard work and dedication of the professors, instructors and organisers who helped make the programme possible. Their guidance and support have been instrumental in shaping not just your education, but also your character.

     Enjoy this special day, ladies and gentlemen. Because tomorrow, we are counting on you to tackle the challenging business of building a flourishing Hong Kong. 

     Thank you very much. read more

     The Sustainable Lantau Office (SLO) under the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) will hold the “Flying to the Moon and Chasing our Dreams” Lantern Festival at Tung Chung East Promenade from tomorrow (September 8) to September 22 to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with the public.

     With an astral theme, the layout of the Lantern Festival is designed by veteran film director and contemporary artist Mr William Kan. On display at the promenade will be a 6-metre-tall rocket with a space rabbit, a large luminous moon chair, decorative lights featuring eight planets and adorable rabbits, as well as lanterns created by hundreds of kindergarten and primary school students. There will also be a 12-metre-wide “Dreams Come True” space, with animations on a giant screen to create the atmosphere of a space journey. The lighting hours are from 7pm to 10pm daily, and will be extended to midnight and 11pm on the Mid-Autumn Festival Day and the following day (September 17 and 18) respectively.

     To echo the theme of the Lantern Festival, an exhibition entitled “Space Exploration and Innovation Technology” will be held to introduce the country’s aerospace development and Hong Kong’s participation, as well as the CEDD’s applications of innovative technology.

     On the Mid-Autumn Festival Day and the following day, a number of free activities will take place at the Lantern Festival, including creative digital photography experience, street magic shows, lantern riddles, booth games and snack distribution, to celebrate the festival with the public. The opening hours of the Tung Chung Community Liaison Centre at the promenade will also be extended to 10pm during the Lantern Festival. Members of the public are welcome to visit.

     For details of the Lantern Festival, please visit the SLO’s website at www.lantau.gov.hk/en/whatsnew/index-id-218.html.

    

     A man who went missing in Mong Kok has been located.      Ng Cheung-tat, aged 25, went missing after he left his caring home on Boundary Street on September 5 morning. Staff of the caring home then made a report to Police.      The … read more