Tag Archives: China

     The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (August 28) met trade representatives on the Cross-sectoral Territory-wide Anti-rodent Action, to share with them the Government’s latest anti-rodent experiences and to strengthen co-operation among the Government, businesses and the community while encouraging various sectors to continue to adopt effective rodent prevention and control measures in the coming year.

     Through a multipronged approach, the anti-rodent work has gradually shown achievements. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) caught around 72 600 live rodents in the past year (from August 2023 to July 2024), about 24 per cent more than the 58 400 rodents caught in the corresponding period of the previous year (from August 2022 to July 2023). If both live and dead rodents are considered, the FEHD caught a total of around 106 100 rodents from August 2023 to July 2024, about 19 per cent more than the 89 500 rodents caught in the corresponding period of the previous year (from August 2022 to July 2023).

     The FEHD will continue to conduct anti-rodent operations targeting 97 priority rodent black spots with a view to achieving the target of reducing the number of black spots by 60 per cent by the end of 2024 as set out in the 2023 Policy Address.

     Representatives from different sectors (including markets, licensed hawkers, property management, catering industry and construction sector) were informed of the latest progress of the Government’s rodent control work, and they expressed that they will continue to share the relevant information with various stakeholders. The FEHD and the pest control sector also expressed that they stand ready to provide more in-depth briefings as needed.

     Regarding the new rodent surveillance programme implemented by the FEHD this year, the survey results for the first half of 2024 of various districts have been announced earlier. The overall Rodent Absence Rate was 95.1 per cent (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/rat_free_percentage.html). This marks the first time the department has adopted thermal imaging cameras with artificial intelligence technology for surveillance of rodent activities in all districts. Compared to the previous survey method, the new technology offers higher sensitivity and precision, broader coverage, and lower susceptibility to environmental factors. The surveillance results provide useful information and data on rodent infestation, reflecting the overall rodent infestation situation. The FEHD will also implement targeted rodent prevention and control measures according to the survey results at individual locations and take follow-up actions including collaborations with other departments, relevant shop operators concerned and residents for joint actions in effective rodent prevention and control. The programme covers public places where pest control services are provided by the FEHD this year and will be extended to venues managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Housing Department (HD) in the coming year depending on the actual circumstances.

     The work of the overnight rodent control roving teams implemented in various districts since mid-2022 has been notably effective. Among the 72 600 live rodents caught from August 2023 to July 2024, around 36 400 live rodents were caught by the FEHD’s overnight rodent control roving teams, accounting for about 50 per cent of the total number of live rodents caught by the FEHD across the territory in the same period. Currently, the FEHD has a total of 36 overnight rodent control roving teams established across different districts. Besides sharing the experiences with other departments (including the LCSD and the HD), the FEHD and the pest control sector also stand ready to provide more in-depth briefings for interested stakeholders.

     Regarding food waste recycling, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has also made remarkable progress. As of June this year, the EPD has installed a total of 740 food waste smart recycling bins (FWSRBs) covering all of the 213 public rental housing estates in the territory. In addition, about 200 FWSRBs have been installed in 62 private housing estates under the support from various schemes. The EPD expects that about 400 FWSRBs will be put into service in more than 100 private housing estates within this year. The EPD has set up around 60 food waste recycling spots at suitable locations in proximity to residential areas for residents living in buildings without sufficient space to install food waste recycling bins (including single-block and “three-nil” buildings) and street-level restaurants, to provide night-time food waste collection services for households and restaurants at fixed time and locations. Meanwhile, the EPD has already installed FWSRBs at GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities near residential areas, including GREEN@SHAM SHUI PO, GREEN@SAI KUNG, GREEN@EASTERN, GREEN@SHA TIN and GREEN@TUEN MUN, for public use.

     The EPD and the FEHD have also installed “Food TranSmarter”, a food waste pre-treatment system, at Tai Po Hui Market and Tai Kok Tsui Market, and they plan to trial other food waste pre-treatment systems at Shek Wu Hui Market. A FWSRB was installed at Lockhart Road Market and it will be installed at Fa Yuen Street Market in October this year. The EPD has also set up food waste recycling points at 96 public refuse collection points to collect food waste generated by nearby restaurants and households. Looking forward, they are progressively expanding food waste recycling facilities to other suitable FEHD markets and suitable public refuse collection points. The FEHD will incorporate relevant knowledge of food waste recycling into the Hygiene Supervisor Training Courses starting from the fourth quarter of this year.

     The EPD will continue to expand the food waste collection network to enable the public and various sectors to provide food waste for turning into energy or resources, and to enhance environmental hygiene by eliminating the food sources of rodents.

     Regarding mosquito infestation, with the onset of the rainy season, the Gravidtrap Indices have been relatively higher since April. Under the collaboration of various parties, the monthly index in July recorded a significant drop, which was at the lowest Level 1, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the areas surveyed was not extensive. Nonetheless, the Government, various sectors and members of the public should continue to make relentless efforts and remain vigilant. In response to the four local cases of dengue fever recorded this year, the FEHD has continued to intensify the mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at suitable locations. The FEHD has also provided departments with professional advice and technical support to assist them in swiftly formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures while strengthening publicity and education at the same time. The FEHD will continue to monitor the mosquito infestation in all districts, and will conduct prompt and effective mosquito prevention and control work.

     In the meeting, trade representatives reported the progress of various areas of work under the Action, including complying with the rodent control guidelines and management rules; keeping their premises free from rodent infestation; applying new techniques and tools more widely; and participating in training seminars and promotional activities on rodent prevention and control. Representatives from the construction and pest control sector also shared the latest progress of anti-rodent and anti-mosquito work.

     The Action has been introduced since the end of 2022 to consolidate strengths from the Government and various sectors of the community for a cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary, and community-wide approach to anti-rodent work. While various sectors and government departments are consolidating the rodent control work, the public is encouraged to actively participate in rodent prevention and control actions by eliminating the food, harbourage and passages of rodents.

     The meeting was chaired by the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong. Participants of the meeting came from 15 organisations or institutions, namely the Hong Kong Housing Society, Link, People’s Place, the Hong Kong Property Services Alliance, the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, the Federation of Hong Kong Property Management Industry, the Hong Kong Association of Property Services Agents, the Pest Control Personnel Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Pest Management Association, the Federation of Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories Hawker Associations, the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, the Association of Restaurant Managers, the Hong Kong Construction Association and the Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association.

  

     The Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) and the Transport Department (TD) today (August 28) jointly held the Taxi Service Commendation Scheme Prize Presentation Ceremony 2023 to compliment quality taxi drivers and taxi service management teams.
 
     Speaking at the Prize Presentation Ceremony, the Commissioner for Transport and Chairman of the CTSQ, Ms Angela Lee, was pleased to note the sustained increase in participation of taxi drivers, the trade and the public in the Commendation Scheme, showing the public’s recognition of drivers and management teams providing quality services. She encouraged drivers and management teams to continue to strive for excellence and act in concert with all sectors of society to tell the good stories of taxi services.
 
     Ms Lee said that the Government had introduced a series of initiatives to enhance the overall quality of taxi services and promote the healthy development of the taxi industry in the long run, including the taxi fleet regime. The Government hopes that the taxi fleets will set a good example for other trade members by playing an exemplary and leading role in the trade, thereby boosting passengers’ confidence in taxi services, and gradually improving the development prospects for the trade. The trade also acted in congruence with the Government’s Hospitality Campaign which encouraged drivers to “Go the Extra Mile”, and took the initiative to take forward measures to enhance the trade’s image, she added.
 
     Under the Commendation Scheme, among a total of 497 nominated taxi drivers, 20 were selected as Quality Taxi Drivers by an assessment panel comprising non-trade members of the CTSQ and representatives of relevant government departments, in recognition of their endeavours to provide quality services to passengers. Among them, the Most Popular Taxi Driver was presented to the one with the highest number of votes in the public voting, while the Good Driver, Good Service awards were presented to two drivers providing exceptional services during the ride.
 
     In addition, in recognition of proactive efforts to improve service quality and effective management of its fleet and drivers, the assessment panel selected one Quality Taxi Service Management Team based on the management of taxi service quality, the application of advanced technology in enhancing the efficiency and quality of taxi service, and the social responsibility of taxi service management teams over the past two years.
 
     The list of awardees is set out in the Annex.

        

     The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, today (August 28) expressed profound sadness at the passing of a Senior Field Assistant, Mr Lam Kin-wai, and offered his deepest condolences to Mr Lam’s family.

     Mr Lam’s right palm was injured when collecting plant specimens at Tai Mo Shan Country Park with his colleagues this morning. He quickly lost consciousness. His colleagues immediately called the police for help. However, he was certified dead after being sent to a hospital. Mr Lam was 46 years old. The cause of his death will be investigated.

     Mr Lam worked in the Conservation Branch of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and was mainly charged with collecting plant specimens in the wild and identifying plant species.

     Mr Lai said, “Having joined the AFCD for over 13 years, Mr Lam served the community with dedication and perseverance. His performance was excellent and he was held in high regard by colleagues. I am deeply grieved at the loss of such a devoted colleague. On behalf of all our colleagues, I offer the deepest condolences to his family.”

     Mr Lai added that the AFCD will maintain close contact with Mr Lam’s family and provide all appropriate support and assistance to help them through this difficult time. read more

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (August 28) expressed profound sadness upon the death of Senior Field Assistant of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Mr Lam Kin-wai.
  
     While performing his duties today at Tai Mo Shan Country Park, Mr Lam’s right hand was injured and he later fell unconscious. He was subsequently admitted to hospital and certified dead.
     
     Mr Tse said, “On behalf of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, I offer my deepest condolences to Mr Lam’s family. We will make every effort to provide necessary support and assistance to the family.” read more

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is holding two business seminars today and tomorrow (August 28 and 29) in Nanjing to raise awareness among local enterprises about Hong Kong’s advantages in financial services and supply chain management, and to encourage them to seize the opportunities that Hong Kong can offer for going global.
     
     The first seminar today (August 28) entitled “Hong Kong: Unparalleled Opportunities to Expand Your Global Business” is part of the “SmartHK” event. It is organised by InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and co-organised by Jiangsu Provincial Financial Regulatory Administration and Jiangsu Development and Reform Commission (DRC). The seminar began with welcoming remarks by Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion Dr Jimmy Chiang, followed by Deputy Director of the Office of Financial Commission of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee Mr Qian Dongping. Second-level Inspector of Jiangsu DRC Mr Cao Yang attended the seminar.
     
     Dr Chiang said, “Hong Kong is Jiangsu’s largest source of foreign direct investment as well as its largest investment destination. It is also an important platform for Jiangsu enterprises to go global. Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong offers distinctive advantages as an important gateway for overseas companies to enter the mainland market, but also an important platform for mainland companies to connect with the world. Hong Kong is an international financial centre, a global offshore Renminbi business hub, an international asset management centre and a risk management centre, with a robust financial system, a diversified and efficient capital market, sound financial infrastructure and an international legal and regulatory regime. It is also a green finance hub in Asia attracting many Mainland and overseas companies to set up businesses. Jiangsu enterprises can make use of Hong Kong’s advanced financial professional services and new investment opportunities to accelerate the pace of going global.”
     
     Representing the government authorities of Jiangsu Province, Mr Qian told the audience that Jiangsu will continue to deepen co-operation with Hong Kong and encourage local enterprises to leverage the financial services advantages of Hong Kong in going global.
 
     The Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of InvestHK in Shanghai, Mr Arthur Lam, introduced Hong Kong’s unique financial advantages at the seminar and the services that InvestHK offers to Jiangsu enterprises in assisting them to achieve high-quality development via Hong Kong. Other speakers included Vice President, Global Issuer Services, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Wang Xiao Fang; Deputy General Manager of CECEP (Hong Kong) Investment Co, Ltd, and Vice President of the Hong Kong Green Finance Association Mr Yang Xing; and Member of the Greater China Legal Affairs Committee, the Law Society of Hong Kong, Mr Brian Ho. They discussed how Jiangsu enterprises can leverage Hong Kong’s capital market to expand overseas, the latest developments and opportunities of green finance in Hong Kong, and the legal regulations for Mainland enterprises listing in Hong Kong. The Director of XCMG Treasury Management (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Song Guoxiang, shared the experience in expanding their global footprints via Hong Kong.
     
     The second seminar and luncheon entitled “Hong Kong serves as a multinational supply chain management centre for Mainland enterprises” will be held tomorrow (August 29). It will introduce Hong Kong’s advantages as an off-shore trade and multinational supply chain management centre, encouraging Jiangsu enterprises to make use of Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities to expand overseas amid the Belt and Road Initiative, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
     
     The event is hosted by InvestHK, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, organised by the Department of Commerce of Jiangsu Province, and co-organised by Jiangsu Association of Supply Chain, with the support from Bank of East Asia (China) Limited. The Director of the SHETO, Mrs Laura Aron; Deputy Director-General of Department of Commerce of Jiangsu Province Mr Sun Jin; and the Executive Vice President of Jiangsu Association of Supply Chain, Mr Jiang Zhiping, will deliver welcoming remarks, followed by a thematic presentation by Dr Chiang. The event aims to promote Hong Kong’s strategic status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and an international hub for high-calibre talent. It also aims to encourage Jiangsu enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s advantage in the business and professional services sector and opportunities arising from its active role as a multinational supply chain management centre, where enterprises can better manage their overseas production capacity and supply chain.
     
     The Head of Trade Services Department of Bank of East Asia Limited, Mr Tony Wong, will share information on cross-border finance and comprehensive trade financing services. The General Manager of E-commerce of Kidswant Children Products Co, Ltd, Mr Liu Hao, will share their practical experience in supply chain management at the event.
     
     For photos of the seminar, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720319864714.