The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (May 13) led a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises to commence its visit programme to Kuwait, meeting with local leaders and business representatives, and visiting cultural facilities.
      
     In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Amir of Kuwait, Mr Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is the head of state of Kuwait; the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Mr Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; and the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah, to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait. Mr Lee then attended a roundtable meeting chaired by the Acting Prime Minister, engaging in in-depth discussions with senior officials of the Kuwait Government on areas such as finance, trade, and innovation and technology (I&T). Mr Lee and the Acting Prime Minister witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding by Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority respectively. He and the delegation also participated in a luncheon hosted by the Acting Prime Minister.
      
     Mr Lee noted that Kuwait is the first member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) to sign both an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Hong Kong, establishing a robust framework and foundation for economic and trade co-operation between the two places.
      
     He said that Kuwait has been actively developing a diversified economy in recent years, proposing Kuwait Vision 2035 to promote digital transformation and develop the country into a regional and international financial and trade centre. Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping and trade centre with world-class professional services, has vast opportunities for co-operation with Kuwait in areas such as finance, investment, digital economy, and I&T, and can assist Kuwait in advancing its Vision 2035. Noting that Kuwait is the rotating President of the GCC currently, Mr Lee expressed his anticipation to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait, adding that he looks forward to establishing closer economic, trade and cultural exchanges with more GCC member states.
      
     Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of connecting the country with the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. Hong Kong will fully leverage its role as a bridge to serve enterprises in going global and attracting external investment, complementing the strengths of Mainland enterprises while deepening international exchanges and co-operation. He welcomed the Kuwaiti Government and enterprises to utilise Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to explore new opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative for mutual benefit.
      
     Later, Mr Lee and the delegation met with representatives of a local corporation, Bukhamseen Group Holding Company, to learn about the latest developments in the company's businesses in construction, real estate, financial services, and culture and tourism. Mr Lee introduced Hong Kong's development opportunities and its highly internationalised and market-oriented business environment with its pool of professional services talent. He welcomed the company to use Hong Kong as a springboard to develop diversified businesses and tap into the Mainland market, better grasping the immense opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
      
     Mr Lee then visited the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre to learn about Kuwait's arts and culture projects and developments. The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, which opened in 2018, comprises eight buildings, six of which are museums with different themes, housing a total of 22 display halls.
      
     Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, with the West Kowloon Cultural District as one of the world's largest arts and culture projects. Both Hong Kong and Kuwait place importance on arts and culture development, and he said he looks forward to further deepening connections and co-operation in cultural exchanges between the two places.
      
     The delegation led by Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the State of Kuwait, Mr Zhang Jianwei. Mr Lee expressed gratitude to the Embassy for making meticulous arrangements for this visit and for its continued support to the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Kuwait.
      
     Mr Lee will lead the delegation to continue its visit to Kuwait tomorrow (May 14), meeting with local political and business leaders, and visiting enterprises.

                                    

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, currently in Beijing for a visit, will conclude his visit tomorrow (May 14) and depart Beijing for visits to Hungary and Egypt from May 15 to 20 to attend the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conferences there, jointly organised by the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, to promote the development opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
 
     While in Beijing, Mr Tsang led the HKSAR Government delegation to meet with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Hua Chunying and leaders of various bureaus to deepen their understanding of the country's foreign policies and the latest developments of the international situation. He expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its staunch and continuous support for the HKSAR and hoped it would continue to provide support and guidance the HKSAR Government in handling external affairs of Hong Kong, to support Hong Kong in intensifying international interaction and co-operation, and to showcase the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" to the world.
 
     In addition to the visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Tsang also met with the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and toured the China Foreign Affairs University. Before leaving Beijing tomorrow, he will visit the Museum of Early Revolutionary Activities of the Communist Party of China in Beijing (the Red Building of Peking University), one of the main venues of the May Fourth Movement, meet with Hong Kong students in Beijing, and visit the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing to receive briefings on its work.
 
     Mr Tsang will depart Beijing for Budapest, Hungary, in the early hours of May 15. He will attend the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area – Europe (Hungary) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference co-organised by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao on May 16. The conference aims to promote the enormous business opportunities brought about by the GBA to the Hungarian business community and how Hong Kong can play its important function as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the two places.
 
     During his stay in Hungary, Mr Tsang will meet with local political and business representatives to learn about the latest developments in the region and explore ways to further strengthen co-operation between Hungary and Hong Kong, with a view to opening up new opportunities for enterprises of both places.
 
     After completing his visit to Hungary, Mr Tsang will depart for Cairo, Egypt, on May 17 and attend the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area – Africa (Egypt) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference on May 19 to promote the latest developments and the development potential of the GBA, as well as Hong Kong's unique advantages under "one country, two systems". During his stay, he will exchange views with representatives of the local political and business circles to understand the local development trends and promote interface between the industries of Hong Kong and Egypt.
 
     The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, and the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, will join the visit.
 
     Mr Tsang will depart from Egypt on the evening of May 19 and return to Hong Kong on May 20. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo, will be the Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs.

     The Department of Health (DH) announced today (May 13) that the Community Dental Support Programme (CDSP) will be launched on May 26 to provide additional dental services to the underprivileged with financial difficulties, in addition to the existing dental grants under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme and the emergency dental services provided by government dental clinics. The CDSP is expected to provide a service capacity of at least double that of the current quotas of dental general public sessions (GP sessions) at government dental clinics (i.e. about 40 000 participants every year).
      
     At the end of last year, the DH invited eligible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to participate in the CDSP to provide additional service points. To date, 32 NGOs (see Annex) have been assessed and are participating in the CDSP, providing nearly 80 dental service points covering all 18 districts in Hong Kong. At the same time, in addition to tooth extraction and pain relief services, the scope of dental services will expand and provide tooth filling services when deemed appropriate by dentists to encourage retaining tooth. Furthermore, compared to the current GP sessions which address one tooth per visit, participants under the CDSP can receive treatment for up to three teeth at each visit.  
      
     The Government, in December 2024, formulated the Oral Health Action Plan according to the development strategies and recommendations made by the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care. The CDSP focuses on providing subsidised dental services to the underprivileged who have difficulties in accessing dental care. 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 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 which cover preventive and curative oral health and dental care 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), of which 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 CSSA Scheme under the SWD may apply for the CDSP, they can also make use of the dental grants under the CSSA to receive comprehensive dental services.
      
     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 app to help service users better understand and monitor their dental conditions.
      
     The DH is organising briefing sessions for the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) in various districts to introduce the background and details of the CDSP so that the underprivileged with financial difficulties in the community can better understand and participate in the CDSP through the Care Teams' district networks.
      
     The DH has set up a dedicated webpage (www.communitydental.gov.hk/en/cdsp/) with a complete list of NGO dental clinics participating in the CDSP. Interested and eligible persons can visit the webpage starting from today, select and contact the clinic of their choice to make an appointment in advance for government-subsidised dental care services on or after May 26. Individuals who have questions about the eligibility for the CDSP should contact the registered social worker who is following up their case.
 
Optimising arrangements for dental general public sessions
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     On the other hand, the DH will increase the service quotas of the GP sessions by nearly 30 per cent from June onwards and optimise the registration process for the convenience of the public.
      
     The online registration system for dental general public session (ORDGP) has been operating smoothly since its launch on December 30, 2024. Members of the public, especially the elderly, no longer need to go to the dental clinics to queue up in the early morning to compete for a service quota. The DH further introduced an over-subscription ballot and waiting list mechanism to optimise the use of public resources. Since the launch of the ORDGP four months ago, the average utilisation rate of the GP sessions is as high as 99 per cent.
      
     Following the passage of the Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Legislative Council in July last year and introduction of new pathways for qualified non-locally trained dentists, the DH has made progress in dentist recruitment, with more than 65 new recruits, including nine non-locally trained dentists with limited registration. The actual manpower ratio of active dentists has increased from 69 per cent (as at September 1, 2024) to 81 per cent at present. With improved manpower supply, the DH will increase the total service quotas of GP sessions by about 30 per cent starting from next month.
      
     Furthermore, in order to make it more convenient for the general public in using the service, the ORDGP will introduce enhancements at the end of June to streamline the registration process, including real-time identity authentication by logging in to the "iAM Smart" or "eHealth" apps, an auto-complete function to minimise the need for repeated entries, the addition of an appointment cancellation function and an upgraded waiting list mechanism by replacing the current manual process with automatic distribution of service quotas from the waiting list. These enhancements will improve the operational efficiency of the ORDGP. Details will be announced in due course.

     The DH will implement the development strategies and recommendations made by the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care, and continue to help members of the public manage their own oral health through publicity, education, promotion and development of primary oral health and dental care, emphasising on prevention, early identification, and timely intervention to encourage people to retain their teeth. The DH will also focus on the provision of essential dental services to the underprivileged who have difficulties in accessing dental care services, including those with financial difficulties, persons with disabilities or special needs and high-risk groups, through public or subsidised models.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Policy Issues relating to Strengthening and Promoting the Development of Kowloon East as the Second Central Business District visited two enterprises in Kowloon East today (May 13) to gain insight into the Government's latest developments in promoting new industrialisation and how these enterprises are actively upgrading and restructuring.

     Members first visited Sew Solution Limited, a textiles and clothing company in Kwun Tong, to learn about the operation and effectiveness of its digital knitwear smart production line. Members noted that the company received a $15 million funding in 2023 from the Innovation and Technology Commission's Re‑industrialisation Funding Scheme (renamed as New Industrialisation Funding Scheme now) to establish a smart production line covering product design, digital simulation of samples, engineering parameters and programming. The funding helped it increase the overall equipment efficiency and reduce production costs.

     Members then visited King Bakery's modern food factory in Kwun Tong to learn how the company leverages research and development to enhance product quality. Members received a briefing from the company's representatives that it had introduced various specialised machinery for producing egg custard tart pastry, fillings as well as molten mooncake to optimise production processes and standards, and to monitor food quality simultaneously.

     During the visit, Members gained a deeper understanding into the challenges faced by traditional enterprises. They also exchanged views with representatives of the Development Bureau, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the enterprises on issues including how to support businesses in establishing smart production lines, promoting the "Made in Hong Kong" branding to meet market demands and providing updated information on the supply and conditions of industrial buildings in the district.

     Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Tang Ka-piu, and Subcommittee members Mr Chan Pui-leung, Professor William Wong; as well as a non-Subcommittee member Mr Yim Kong.

        

     The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, met the Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Mao Weiming, today (May 13) to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Hunan. Also attending the meeting were the Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo, and the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan.
 
     Mr Chan welcomed Mr Mao and his delegation to Hong Kong to organise an exchange conference promoting economic and trade co-operation between Hunan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong and Hunan have been maintaining close economic and trade relations, and Hong Kong has been a significant source of external investment and an important trading partner for Hunan. In the past year, Hong Kong established 208 foreign-invested enterprises in Hunan, and the total value of imports and exports between the two places reached about RMB56.3 billion. Many Hong Kong enterprises have investment projects in Hunan. He pointed out that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. Hong Kong will fully leverage its strengths as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to assist Hunan in expanding into international markets. He believes that the two places can complement each other's strengths and achieve mutual success through collaboration.
 
     Mr Chan said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is determined to develop the low-altitude economy and has set up a working group to formulate the development strategy. Hunan is the first province in the country to pilot the opening of an entire low-altitude area, and possesses policy and industrial strengths. He believes that the two places can strengthen exchanges and co-operation in the field of low-altitude economy.
 
     Mr Chan also mentioned that after the commissioning of Express Rail Link service between Hong Kong and Changsha, the shortest travelling time between the two places was reduced to within three hours. With profound historical and cultural value, Hunan Province has become a popular travel destination for Hong Kong citizens. He also hoped that citizens of Hunan would visit Hong Kong more often to experience the charm of Hong Kong as an events capital, further promoting cultural exchanges between the two places. Hong Kong will continue to strengthen co-operation with Hunan in areas including trade, culture, tourism and youth exchanges, with a view to making greater contributions to the country's development together.