The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mr Wang Shourui co-chaired the 10th meeting of the Joint Task Force on the Development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop in Hong Kong today (September 7).

     Professor Sun said at the meeting that the Central Government had earlier announced the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Development Plan for Shenzhen Park). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is grateful for the staunch support of the Central People's Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government regarding the development of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone (Co-operation Zone). Located on both sides of the Shenzhen River, the Co-operation Zone is built with the concept of "one river, two banks" and "one district, two parks". The series of measures outlined in the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park, which includes how to synergise with Hong Kong in promoting international technology and innovation, injects new impetus into the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and propels it to new heights.

     He said, "The HKSAR will continue its active collaboration with Shenzhen and proactive integration into the overall development of the country, promoting the advantages of the Co-operation Zone under the 'one zone, two parks' principle underpinned by the 'one country, two systems' principle. Such efforts include striving for the implementation of dedicated cross-boundary measures to promote the smooth flow of talent, materials, capital and information, enabling the Co-operation Zone to serve as the bridgehead for intensive innovation and technology (I&T) co-operation between the two places, and allowing Hong Kong to fully leverage its unique advantage of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being connected to the world. This, in turn, can support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) international technology and innovation centre. Hong Kong and Shenzhen will jointly promote the development of the Co-operation Zone and drive the high-quality I&T development of the GBA, thereby building the zone into a world-class innovation platform."

     Both sides received a briefing on the progress of I&T co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and construction of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) from the HSITP Limited, the progress of the supporting infrastructure in the Loop from the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), as well as the latest developments of the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone from the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government. In addition, both sides exchanged views on the future development of the Co-operation Zone, as well as dedicated cross-boundary measures that could be implemented in the Loop (such as enabling the travel of I&T personnel between the two places).

     Other officials of the Hong Kong side attending the meeting today included the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Eddie Mak, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, and representatives from the Development Bureau; the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau; the Education Bureau; the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; the Innovation and Technology Commission and the CEDD. Officials of Shenzhen Municipality included representatives of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office; the Development and Reform Commission; the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission; the Justice Bureau; the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau; Industry and Information Technology Bureau; the Office of Port of Entry and Exit; and the People's Government of Futian District, as well as the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Development Ltd.

      

　　The Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre temporary shelter (15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories), earlier opened by the Kwai Tsing District Office today (September 7) in response to the fire incident in Fu Kwok House in Tai Wo Hau Estate, has now stood down.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 7) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H7N6 avian influenza in Rustenburg Local Municipality of North West Province and Bela-Bela Local Municipality of Limpopo Province in South Africa, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with South Africa for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat was imported into Hong Kong from South Africa in the first six months of this year.

     â€‹"The CFS has contacted the South African authority over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital gave the following update today (September 7):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, two more patients (a male patient aged 74 and a female patient aged 89) in the High Dependency Unit of the Department of Neurosurgery were also identified as carriers of Candida auris while not having signs of infection. The two patients are in stable condition and are now being treated in isolation.
 
     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     â€‹The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, today (September 7) attended the International Symposium on Environmental Microbes of Health Concern held under the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative in Beijing and visited the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
      
     The international symposium, held by the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on September 7 and 8, aims to further promote the research on risks and control of pathogenic microbes in water, and the building of a corresponding international network among the B&R countries/regions. Representatives from 16 B&R countries attended the symposium, namely Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Morocco, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
      
     At the symposium, Dr Chui promoted Hong Kong's sewage surveillance programme in successfully combating the COVID-19 pandemic. EPD staff who joined the delegation also shared experience on the work of bacteriological water quality monitoring of bathing beaches in Hong Kong, and provided demonstration and training on the collection, pre-treatment and analysis of water samples.
      
     Dr Chui said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been participating proactively in the green co-operation with the B&R regions to combat climate change and environmental challenges together. This international symposium will spur the construction of an international network for bacteriological monitoring.
      
     Dr Chui also visited the Ministry of Ecology and Environment today.