Tag Archives: China

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Luxury Symposium 2025 today (May 26):
 
Mr Alain Li (President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is truly my pleasure to be here at Luxury Symposium 2025, where leaders, experts and innovators from the global luxury industry gather together in the metropolitan city of Hong Kong to explore the future of luxury. And indeed, my activities today are intertwined. I met with the Hong Kong Retail Management Association just now, then I came to this Symposium, then I will go back for a meeting to prepare for our next peak of visitor arrival. This pretty much shows the importance of tourism and luxury spending and luxury sales on my radar screen.
      
     This year marks the 10th anniversary and this is the ninth edition of the Luxury Symposium series. Since its inception in 2016, the Symposium has established itself as a renowned platform for exploring the evolution of luxury and fostering meaningful dialogue. I’m most pleased to welcome distinguished speakers, world-class brands and passionate participants, many of you would be our old friends while some may have come our way for the first time. For this special milestone, the return of Luxury Symposium 2025 to Hong Kong is a firm testimony of Hong Kong’s unique position as Asia’s Events Capital, an international hub for arts and culture, and a shopper’s paradise.
      
     Hong Kong has a long and rich East-meets-West historical legacy. And with the strong support of the Central People’s Government, Hong Kong is striving to further develop this unique asset for the benefit of fostering deepened international cultural co-operation. Specifically, our role is the “super-connector” between our motherland and the rest of the world. 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable for Hong Kong’s cultural and creative scene. We have successfully hosted iconic international events like Art Basel and Art Central, which were warmly received by over 100 000 participants, including artists, galleries, art collectors and enthusiasts, and about 50 per cent of them were from outside of Hong Kong.
      
     Indeed, in the last couple of years, and indeed even right now, our M+ museum in West Kowloon and our Museum of Art have been staging exquisite exhibitions with modern and unique curation of Yayoi Kusama, I M Pei, Pablo Picasso, Renoir and Cézanne. These exhibitions are primarily in the area of visual arts, and an ability for Hong Kong people and our visitors to appreciate, and an instinct to achieve beauty and awe, is the fundamental driver for the creation and acquisition of sublime art pieces, many of which actually take the form of luxurious goods. Hong Kong has long been aware of the importance of, and actively fosters, the development of arts, culture and creative industries. Last year in November, we have introduced the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development. And “Develop Diverse Arts and Culture Industries with International Perspective” was one of the four strategic directions. I’m glad to see that Luxury Symposium 2025, by applying a unique perspective from global leaders of the industry, will generate innovative and inspirational ideas that benefit the long-term development of the luxury and relevant industries here in Hong Kong and globally.
      
     Apart from showcasing brilliant arts talent, we have also brought world-class fashion to our shores. An iconic example was the unforgettable Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Pre-fall fashion show in Hong Kong in end November 2023, which was the first ever runway show to stage against our iconic Victoria Harbour and the spectacular skyline along the Avenue of Stars. With the Government’s full facilitation, the event reached over 560 million views worldwide, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique allure to a global audience. Another one would be Chanel’s Cruise 2024/25 Show which creatively took place in the Hong Kong Design Institute in November 2024. The event not only successfully drew a big crowd of celebrities and fashion icons to Hong Kong, but also connected cinema lovers through film-related talks and happenings at Shaw Studios, taking note of the fact that cinema has always been at the heart of the brand. The event reaffirms the brand’s commitment to the city through celebrating the heritage and spirit of the collection, all the while paying tribute to the culture of Hong Kong.
      
     We certainly welcome more mega events, including luxurious brand events, with open arms and will be most happy to act as a strong facilitator. Of course, apart from government action, it takes joint efforts and collective wisdom from both local and international stakeholders, to cultivate an organic ecosystem for the development of arts, culture and creative industries on Hong Kong’s fertile soil. 
      
     Luxury should not just be about expensive art pieces or goods that are beyond the reach of ordinary people. Everyone needs and deserves a bit a luxury, be it peace of the mind, ample me-time, tranquil lifestyle, a super fine culinary experience, or just a bit of glitter once in a while. It is more about things in life that bring a joy so special or satisfying that it cannot be replaced by much else, so that one feels a desire to own it, to touch it and to come to it. It can mean different things to different people. And some of the things might be ultra expensive, but some are simply one of a kind, treasurable, without being overly costly. 
      
     The theme of this year’s Symposium is “Hong Kong Zoom in, Zoom out – The Asia edition”. Let us now zoom in a little bit and zoom out a little bit to see what Hong Kong has to offer. 
      
     Zooming in, Hong Kong is dedicated to advancing our infrastructure and enriching the content of our offering to drive new experiences and visitor engagement. The newly opened state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park which hosted world-class events like Coldplay concerts and the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens provide unforgettable excitement while fresh tourism initiatives announced last week like Hong Kong Industrial Brand Tourism, in-depth travel in Kowloon City and Old Town Central, rejuvenation of the Former Yau Ma Tei Police Station etc. There is no shortage of fun and nostalgia of Hong Kong’s cultural legacy.
      
     Zooming out, we are strengthening global connections by actively initiating, supporting or participating in platforms for arts and cultural exchange, to name a few, the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum where cultural administrators exchange views of cultural policies, and the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo newly launched in 2024 that brought together global arts institutions and practitioners for business partnerships and promotion of the industry all in one go. The Luxury Symposium is another precious piece in this puzzle – it is a platform for Hong Kong to connect with international peers, exchange ideas, gain experience, and explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation. These initiatives are introduced not only by the Government, but also the industries and various institutions.
      
     Ladies and gentlemen, rapid and vigorous changes have been taking place in our current world, and definitely to the luxury industry. It has come to my attention that a specific part on tackling talent challenges will be presented in our Symposium later today. Apart from talent, shifting market trends and customer preference, as well as technological advancement, all pose challenges to the luxury industry, particularly in this volatile age of geopolitical tension. Faced with evolving challenges of changing spending patterns and tourist behaviours every day, I always advocate an active approach to discover the opportunities that come with the challenges. At this year’s Luxury Symposium, we all have the privilege to learn about insightful thoughts on the future of luxury from leaders of the industry, academia and a wide range of related sectors with diversified backgrounds. When rivers of thought converge, civilisations bloom in shared moonlight, and the potential of the industry can then be fully unleashed. It is through collaboration, creativity, and shared wisdom that we can unlock one another’s potential as a vibrant, global industry.
      
     Before I close, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong for your unwavering dedication in organising the Luxury Symposium year after year. Your effort continues to strengthen the bond between Hong Kong and France while enriching cultural exchange on a global scale. My special thanks also go to the distinguished speakers, participating brands, collaborating organisations and amazing attendants like every one of you here and online. I wish Luxury Symposium 2025 a resounding success and all of you a fruitful journey of discovery, innovation and luxury in Hong Kong.
      
     Thank you. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 26) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From May 18 to 24, the CHP recorded one community-acquired LD case, involving an 84-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses who lives in Kowloon City District.

     The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any.

     As of May 24, 50 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2024 and 2023, there were 135 and 121 LD cases respectively.

     Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily. 

     
     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes: 

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     â€‹â€‹The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 26) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pat… read more

     â€‹The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (May 26) released the latest maintenance cost information on lifts in private residential and commercial premises in Hong Kong for public reference in choosing registered lift contractors.

     The EMSD had earlier engaged an independent consultant to conduct a sampling survey on the maintenance costs of lifts in private residential and commercial buildings in Hong Kong. The consultant analysed the data collected from about 11 264 lifts at about 2 758 locations, and calculated the average monthly maintenance costs of the lifts as follows:

Private residential buildings
 

Lift travel level	Rated speed of lift	Average monthly lift maintenance cost	Changes as compared with last survey (Note)
1 to 15	≤ 1.0m/s	$5,544	+0.6%
	> 1.0m/s	$6,977	+6.1%
16 to 25	≤ 1.5m/s	$5,925	+2.2%
	> 1.5m/s	$7,998	+5.3%
26 to 35	≤ 1.75m/s	$6,974	+1.8%
	> 1.75m/s	$10,160	+2.8%
More than 35	≤ 2.5m/s	$10,463	+1.5%
	> 2.5m/s	$11,503	+3.0%

 
Private commercial buildings
 

Lift travel level	Rated speed of lift	Average monthly lift maintenance cost	Changes as compared with last survey (Note)
1 to 15	≤ 1.5m/s	$7,692	+3.0%
	> 1.5m/s	$10,297	+8.1%
16 to 25	≤ 2.0m/s	$9,331	+3.4%
	> 2.0m/s	$13,305	+2.9%
26 to 35	≤ 3.0m/s	$12,413	+8.6%
	> 3.0m/s	$17,239	+3.3%
More than 35	≤ 3.5m/s	$22,712	+3.0%
	> 3.5m/s	$27,042	+1.2%

 
     â€‹The cost information is available in the Responsible Persons’ Corner on the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/lifts_and_escalators_safety/responsible_persons_corner/index.html). The EMSD will update it on a half-yearly basis.

     In choosing registered lift contractors, the responsible persons for lifts are advised to make reference to the materials published in the Responsible Persons’ Corner in addition to the price factor. The materials include:

* performance ratings of registered contractors;
* sample contracts for procurement of lift maintenance services;
* a guidebook for persons responsible for lifts;
* guidelines for selection of registered contractors for provision of maintenance services;
* guidelines for modernisation of existing lifts;
* guidelines for management of lift maintenance works;
* a checklist for building management staff to conduct daily safety inspection of lifts; and
* common questions and answers on lift management.

Note: The above price figures were updated on March 31, 2025, whereas the previous price figures were updated on September 30, 2024. read more

     The Department of Health (DH) officially launched the Community Dental Support Programme (CDSP) today (May 26) to provide additional government-subsidised dental services to the underprivileged with financial difficulties. The CDSP is expected to provide a service capacity of at least double that of the current service quotas of dental general public sessions at government dental clinics (i.e. about 40 000 participants every year). Currently, 32 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are participating in the CDSP, providing nearly 80 dental service points that cover all 18 districts in Hong Kong.
      
     Service users of the CDSP must be a holder of a Hong Kong identity card, be enrolled in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHealth), and be a current beneficiary or recipient of any of the following measures:
 

• Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) of the Social Welfare Department (SWD);
• Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly (Level 2 of co-payment category) of the SWD;
• Integrated Home Care Services (Frail Cases) (IHCS (Frail Cases)), or Enhanced Home and Community Care Services (EHCCS) or Home Support Services (HSS) (Level 1 or Level 2 fee charge or co-payment category) of the SWD; or
• Patients of the Hospital Authority (HA) who have been provided Medical Fee Waiver (full waiving and partial waiving) of the HA.

 
     Under the CDSP, each service user can apply for subsidised dental services once every 180 days. Subject to the assessment by the attending registered dentist, a service user will be provided with specified subsidised dental services, including:
 

1. oral health assessment;
2. medication for dental pain relief (when necessary);
3. X-ray examination;
4. dental filling or extraction, with each tooth counted as a “Teeth Filling/Extraction Quota”.

 
     Each service user is required to pay an administration fee of $50 directly to the NGO for each tooth (teeth filling or teeth extraction services), that is, a maximum fee of $150 is required (treatment for a maximum of three teeth will be provided for every 180 days). If the service user receives IHCS (Frail Cases), EHCCS or HSS (Level 1 fee charge or co-payment category) of the SWD, or is eligible under the Medical Fee Waiver (full waiving) of the HA (including recipients of OALA aged 75 or above), the Government will subsidise the administration fee in full. While current beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme under the SWD may apply for the CDSP for the above-mentioned subsidised dental services, they can also make use of the dental grants under the CSSA to receive comprehensive dental services.

     Interested and eligible persons can refer to the list of NGO dental clinics participating in the CDSP on the DH’s thematic webpage. They can then select and contact a clinic of their choice to make an appointment for the services. Individuals can contact the registered social worker of their case for enquires about their eligibility for the CDSP.
      
     Through the eHealth app, service users can check their consultation records, including consultation date and treatment items. Later this year, relevant electronic oral health records will also be available through the e-Health app for service users to better understand and monitor their dental conditions.
      
     The Government formulated the Oral Health Action Plan according to the development strategies and recommendations made by the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care in December 2024. The CDSP is an initiative that focuses on providing subsidised dental services to the underprivileged who have difficulties in accessing dental care.
      
     For more information about the CDSP, please visit the DH’s CDSP webpage.  read more