The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, began his visit to Hangzhou this afternoon (August 12) to foster exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang, and between Hong Kong and Hangzhou, in various aspects.
      
     Mr Chan attended a welcome dinner for the Hangzhou study tour under the Strive and Rise Programme. On behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, he expressed gratitude to the Hangzhou Municipal Government for its strong support and co-ordination for the study tour. The tour is sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and co-organised by the Hong Kong Children & Youth Services, enabling more than 80 mentees to have exchanges in Hangzhou.
      
     Addressing the dinner, Mr Chan thanked The Hong Kong Jockey Club for serving as Vice-chairperson of the Partners’ Board under the Strive and Rise Programme with contributions and commitments continuously made. Such contributions include provision of funding support for the programme’s implementation, nomination of staff to serve as mentors, and arrangements of distinctive group activities for mentees to broaden their horizons and enrich their knowledge.
      
     Mr Chan added that Hong Kong athletes have excelled with their outstanding performances at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year and the Paris Olympic Games this year. He was pleased to learn that Olympic-gold medal-winning Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong has joined the Hangzhou study tour to share with mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme her endeavours and success stories.
      
     Mr Chan encouraged mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme to learn the Hong Kong spirit – the “strive-and-rise” and “never-give-up” spirit – of Hong Kong athletes, uphold positive thinking and endeavour to achieve their goals. He expressed his confidence that the mentees will give full play to their strengths and achieve their dreams.
      
     Mr Chan will continue his visit to Hangzhou tomorrow (August 13). He will meet with leaders of Zhejiang and Hangzhou, as well as Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises there, to discuss issues of mutual concern and strengthen exchanges and co-operation in various aspects.

            

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (August 12) began a visit to Shanghai, together with the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Education delegation comprising 14 LegCo Members, to learn about the innovation and technology (I&T) development of local higher education institutions and special education there.
 
     They visited the Grand neoBay Sci-tech Innovation Park of Shanghai Jiao Tong University to learn about result transformation projects of higher education institutions and the experience of teachers and students of such institutions in starting up businesses. They also toured the Student Innovation Center of the University to understand how it nurtures students' capabilities to put their innovative and business ideas into practice, and ignites students' potential to innovate and start a business through teaching, I&T competitions and institution-industry collaboration, among others.  
 
     Subsequently, they visited the Minhang Special School for Mentally Retarded Children to learn about its self-developed special education lesson plans, activities and research. The School offers nine years of free education and has extended this to pre-primary education and vocational education in recent years, providing comprehensive education for intellectually and physically disabled students.
 
     Dr Choi and the delegation also met representatives of East China Normal University, Ms Mei Bing, to exchange views on patriotic education and digital transformation in education in primary and secondary schools. Dr Choi said that the Education Bureau (EDB) has been adopting a multipronged and co-ordinated approach to support and encourage primary and secondary schools to deliver national education and national security education. The EDB will continue to work proactively in alignment with the national requirements on patriotic education, promote patriotic values, and strengthen students' identification with the country and Chinese culture.
 
     She said that, in line with the national strategy on digital education, the EDB has been striving to promote digital transformation in education by enhancing the information technology environment in primary and secondary schools to facilitate learning and teaching effectiveness. In addition, higher education institutions in Shanghai and Hong Kong have been conducting professional exchanges through different means. Co-operation covers talent cultivation, student admissions and employment, and scientific research. She said that she looked forward to the higher education institutions in both places continuing to further promote scientific research co-operation and student exchanges.
 
     Dr Choi and the delegation will continue their visit to Shanghai tomorrow (August 13).

          

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (August 12) laid charges against two Mainlanders suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages on a Mainland vessel in waters off Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po.

     A Mainland vessel suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages in the said waters yesterday (August 11) was intercepted at around 5.30pm the same day for investigation. Some fishing gear on board was seized by the AFCD. 

     After the investigation, charges were laid against the two men who were suspected to have violated the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171). They will appear at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 13).  

     Only vessels registered under the Ordinance can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters. Regardless of the type of fishing gear used, a non-local fishing vessel is not allowed to carry out fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

     The AFCD spokesman stressed, "The Government is committed to combatting illegal fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. The AFCD will continue to step up patrols and take stringent enforcement action."

  

     In view of a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that recently occurred off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, and that the Japanese authorities have issued a megaquake advisory for parts of Japan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 12) reminded Hong Kong residents who are already there or intend to visit Japan to exercise caution.

     A Government spokesman said, "Given it is now the peak travel season during the summer holiday and that Japan is a popular travel destination for Hong Kong residents, in light of the megaquake advisory for parts of Japan issued by the local authorities, the Government reminds Hong Kong residents who intend to visit the country or are already there to exercise caution, attend to personal safety and monitor the announcements by the Japanese authorities."

     The Security Bureau, in view of the megaquake advisory for parts of Japan issued by the Japanese authorities, has already updated the Outbound Travel Alerts (OTA) webpage regarding supplementary information for Japan and will continue to closely monitor the situation there. Any update will be issued through the media, the Bureau's Mobile App and the OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota).
    
     Hong Kong residents in Japan who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the Immigration Department Mobile Application, send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, submit the Online Assistance Request Form or contact the Chinese Embassy in Japan at the consular protection hotline: +81-3-6450-2195.
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     Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the Immigration Department (ImmD) to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, on a timely basis when necessary.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 12) following up on a cluster of Candida auris carrier cases announced earlier involving a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Sha Tin, with a new case recorded. The CHP reminded members of the public about the proper use of antimicrobials and maintaining personal hygiene against infection.

     The CHP received notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) that an 83-year-old male resident of the aforementioned RCHE, who was earlier admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital, was confirmed to have carried Candida auris upon testing. The patient, with underlying illnesses, has no symptoms of infection and is in stable condition. Epidemiological investigations by the CHP revealed that the patient shared the same room with one of the cases (another 83-year-old male patient) of the cluster at the RCHE that was earlier announced (involving two cases related to clusters of Candida auris cases in Prince of Wales Hospital and Shatin Hospital as well as one infection case at the RCHE). Currently, the Candida auris carrier cases cluster of the RCHE concerned involves two patients, including the case announced today. The two other patients earlier announced had passed away due to their underlying medical conditions.

     The CHP has immediately carried out follow-up actions and site inspection at the RCHE, and found that the physical limitations at the RCHE have contributed to the transmission of Candida auris in the RCHE. In light of the new case in the RCHE, the CHP has informed the Social Welfare Department and the Community Geriatric Assessment Team of the HA to strengthen the relevant support to the RCHE and assist the RCHE to implement appropriate infection control measures. The epidemiological investigation of the CHP is ongoing.

     Apart from the follow-up measures mentioned above, the CHP has again provided infection control advice and training to staff of the RCHE. The RCHE is advised to follow the prevailing guidelines to enhance infection control measures, including appropriate placement of carrier residents, strict implementation of contact precautions, enhancement of environmental cleansing and disinfection, and the use of dedicated medical equipment, toilet and bathing facilities, to prevent the spread of Candida auris. The CHP will keep in close liaison with the RCHE concerned, monitor the situation of the residents and ensure the RCHE has carried out the various infection control measures.

     A spokesman for the CHP explained that Candida is a fungus commonly found in the natural environment, particularly in moist and warm environments. In humans, it is commonly found in body sites such as the oral cavity, the digestive tract, the skin and the vagina. It is a common fungus living on or in the human body but can occasionally cause infections, especially in individuals with impaired immunity.

     â€‹Among the different candida species, Candida auris is more drug-resistant. Infections vary from being mild to potentially life-threatening or fatal, depending on which part of the body is affected and the general health condition of the patient. The spokesman stressed that proper use of antimicrobials and maintaining personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene, are crucial to the prevention of the emergence and cross-transmission of Candida auris.