Tag Archives: China

     As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (August 15) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the “Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and ‘Extreme Conditions'” and the “Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather” issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297. read more

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo, Food Expo PRO, Home Delights Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair 2024, today (August 15):
 
Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam), Margaret (Executive Director of the HKTDC, Ms Margaret Fong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I am delighted to welcome you to the joint opening ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo, Food Expo PRO, Home Delights Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair 2024.

     The Food Expo and the concurrent fairs are the annual signature events of the city’s convention and exhibition (C&E) industry. Not only do they showcase a vast array of delicacies, beverages, tea, and lifestyle products to both traders and the general public, but the Food Expo PRO also serves as a professional business platform, enabling players in the food and beverage industry to build connections and explore new markets with international buyers and suppliers, further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global food trading hub.
 
     The C&E industry has always been crucial to Hong Kong’s economy by attracting high-spending overnight business visitors to Hong Kong, spurring economic activities and creating employment opportunities across various sectors, including tourism, retail, catering and entertainment. Last year, we welcomed 1.3 million overnight Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions visitors. In this spirit of attracting high-value visitors to Hong Kong, I am glad to know that this week’s fairs have gathered over 1 800 high-quality exhibitors from 28 countries and regions. This impressive turnout underscores our strategic position as a one-stop sourcing platform for traders and the general public. On this front, I would like to thank the HKTDC for its tireless efforts in making this splendid event happen.
 
     The Government is devoted to enhancing our city’s status as an international trade centre, with the C&E industry being an important element thereof. Bearing in mind the indispensable need for physical C&E activities, particularly in facilitating business collaboration and network building, the Government has been actively taking forward the expansion projects of our C&E facilities in Wan Chai North and the Airport Island, with seamless integration with the existing venues. Upon completion of the projects, our C&E space will increase by more than 40 per cent to over 220 000 square metres in total. I firmly believe this expansion will provide more space and opportunities for companies and businesses to meet, to connect and thrive in Hong Kong and in the many more years to come.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, it is truly inspiring and motivating to see so many buyers and suppliers from all around the world attending the fairs this week. I hope you all have a blast shopping, strike all the business deals you wanted, and bring home a wide selection of goods to your liking. Thank you. read more

     The Government announced today (August 15) the launch of the Healthy Mind Pilot Project at three District Health Centre (DHC)/District Health Centre Expresses (DHCEs) to offer free initial mental health assessments to members of the public on a trial basis at the community level starting today. Members preliminarily assessed to have mild symptoms of depression or anxiety will be referred to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for further assessment and follow-up, so that they can receive appropriate support at an early stage.
 
     The Pilot Project is being trialled at Tuen Mun DHC, Yau Tsim Mong DHCE and Eastern DHCE. Trained staff of these DHC/DHCEs will in parallel conduct preliminary mental health questionnaire assessments (including Patient Health Questionnaire – 2 (PHQ-2) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder – 2 (GAD-2)) for members aged 18 or above while conducting health risk assessments for them. The preliminary assessments will help identify the members’ risks of emotional distress in relation to depression and anxiety.
 
     Based on the assessment results and in accordance with the protocol, DHC/DHCE staff will refer members with mental health needs to partnering NGOs of the Pilot Project in the same district, namely the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association or Mind HK, for their professional personnel with mental health training (Wellbeing Practitioners) to follow up. The Wellbeing Practitioners will conduct emotional assessments for the cases and offer evidence-based low-intensity psychological therapy to those with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or depression through guided self-help treatment and psychoeducational groups, with a view to enhancing their capacity in managing their psychological health. For the high-risk cases identified, they will be referred to the Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness or multidisciplinary support services in the community for more comprehensive and professional care and support.
 
     At present, DHCs/DHCEs have already covered basic assessments of emotional distress in its health risk assessments, while providing mental health services at the primary healthcare level, such as sleep health and training on mental relaxation. Furthermore, various DHCs/DHCEs collaborate with different service partners in the districts to refer members to the latter for getting support services to tackle emotional distress. Among these, Wong Tai Sin DHC, Southern DHC and Sai Kung DHCE are partnering with the JC JoyAge Project, in which members with mental health needs will be taken care of and supported by the dedicated teams under that project.
 
     In his Policy Address last year, the Chief Executive put forward the initiative of launching a pilot scheme at three DHCs, in collaboration with community organisations, to provide mental health assessments for the public, thereby assisting individuals with mental health needs through early follow-up and referral of high-risk cases.  
 
     The Government aspires to leverage the roles of DHCs as co-ordinators of primary healthcare services and case managers to run the Pilot Project on a trial basis. By enhancing the emotional issues-related components of DHCs’ health risk assessments, the Pilot Project aims to provide timely and appropriate mental health support services at the community level, such that individuals suffering from mild to moderate symptoms of depression or anxiety can receive evidence-based low-intensity psychological therapy.
 
     Under the Pilot Project, the assessment as well as subsequent counselling and therapy services are all free of charge. Members of the public may visit the DHC website for more details on the Pilot Project (www.dhc.gov.hk/en/mental_health) and the service hours of the three DHC/DHCEs.   read more

     The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) today (August 15) sent out about 350 000 requisition forms asking payers of rates and/or Government rent to provide details of rents and other terms of tenancies for different types of prope… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) will issue Renminbi Bills through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Please find attached the tender notice and the tender information memorandum of the Renminbi Bills to be issued by the PBOC. Please also find attached the tender-related information provided by the Issuing and Lodging Agent through the HKMA. read more