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Tag Archives: China
Speech by CE at APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (with photos)
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2021 Economic Leaders’ Meeting held online tonight (November 12):
Madam Chair,
Allow me to first thank New Zealand for its excellent leadership in APEC this year, and for organising this virtual meeting amidst the persistent challenges of COVID-19.
Since we last met in July, COVID-19, particularly the spread of the Delta variant, has continued to claim lives and cast uncertainties over the global economic outlook. The International Monetary Fund has further cautioned that the risks and obstacles to a balanced global recovery have become even more pronounced. Under these circumstances, APEC Leaders must maintain our guard, lest the resurgence of the pandemic would set back some of the good progress made in the road to recovery.
For Hong Kong, China, our economic outlook remains reassuring. Being one of the world’s freest economies, sixth largest trading entity and third largest destination of foreign direct investment, we are benefiting from the revitalised manufacturing activities and resumption of demands around the world as shown by our 14.2 per cent year-on-year growth in goods export in Q3 of this year. Our economy has grown by 7.0 per cent year-on-year in the first nine months and we are expecting 6.4 per cent for the whole year. Hong Kong, China continues to do well in IPOs, particularly as a platform for biotech firms’ listing and for green bonds issuance.
One important lesson we have learnt from this global public health crisis is that efforts in achieving a full-fledged economic recovery must go hand in hand with unimpeded progress towards the sustainable development goals, not one after another. This calls for determination in domestic policies and heightened international cooperation where APEC members could help set global examples.
Having overcome severe political challenges with staunch support of the Central People’s Government, Hong Kong, China has formulated an array of domestic initiatives to support the achievement of sustainable development goals. Key measures include:
- On tackling climate change, taking Hong Kong, China towards fulfilling the pledge of phasing out coal for daily electricity generation by 2035, followed by of carbon neutrality before 2050. My Government announced last month an ambitious Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, to de-carbonise the energy, transport and waste sectors. Leveraging our strength as a leading global financial centre, we aspire to develop Hong Kong, China into a green finance hub, particularly for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
- On conservation of biodiversity, my Government will adopt for the first time a proactive policy to acquire privately owned farmland and fish ponds for establishing integral wetland parks. Indeed, in our recently announced visionary plan to transform some 30 per cent of Hong Kong’s land in the northern part of the Hong Kong SAR into another major metropolis housing 2.5 million people and focusing on innovation and technology (I&T) as the engine for economic growth and job creation, development and conservation will co-exist and interact in harmony.
- On exploiting the potential of innovation and technology as a catalyst for sustainable growth, my Government has invested over US$17 billion in recent years to boost R&D, build science parks, nurture talents, etc, and the cities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen will join hands to develop a complete I&T ecosystem in the GBA. Our monetary authority has just introduced a Commercial Data Interchange to help SMEs access bank finance.
- On the public health front, we have recently legislated to ban e-cigarettes altogether in Hong Kong, China. This is an important step towards meeting our ultimate goal of achieving the tobacco endgame in Hong Kong, China as well as promoting the well-being of our people.
A people-centred approach sits at the core of all sustainable development goals and is the guiding principle in our anti-COVID-19 strategy. Over the past two years, apart from vigilant public health measures to control the spread of the virus, Hong Kong, China has rolled out a substantial package of relief measures amounted to about 11 per cent of our GDP. In tandem with these domestic efforts, we have donated 7.5 million doses of COVID vaccine to WHO’s COVAX to help vulnerable countries fight the pandemic. We look forward to joining hands with all APEC economies in building an inclusive Asia-Pacific region that will being benefits to all.
Lastly, let me reaffirm Hong Kong, China’s unequivocal support for multilateralism and international cooperation in overcoming this global crisis and delivering an inclusive and sustainable recovery. One way of doing this is to strengthen the rules-based Multilateral Trading System with the World Trade Organization (WTO). As a champion of free trade, Hong Kong, China stands by the system steadfastly. We will collaborate constructively with other WTO Members for a meaningful outcome at the 12th Ministerial Conference. As the APEC community, we must honour our commitment to the full implementation of the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040.
Hong Kong, China is determined to join all member economies to navigate through the pandemic, and turn our vision into reality – achieving a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable Asia-Pacific region and ensuring that the benefits are shared by all, both today and in the future.
Thank you very much.
Anti-epidemic measures for air crew strengthened
A Government spokesman said today (November 12) that the Government is deeply concerned about the two imported cases of COVID-19 involving locally based cargo crew. The Government will further enhance the prevailing anti-epidemic measures applicable to air crew, with a view to maintaining smooth air cargo services into and out of Hong Kong and addressing the basic daily needs of society, while safeguarding public health.
The Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) promptly had a meeting with the airline concerned regarding the two cases, and directed the airline to expedite its investigation, submit reports and take follow-up action. The THB also urged the airline to strictly comply with the relevant requirements under the anti-epidemic measures in order to prevent the importation of cases.
As a matter of fact, the THB has all along been closely communicating with the aviation industry to ensure that the essential air cargo services into and out of Hong Kong would not be disrupted, while exercising vigilance against any potential public health risks. The prevailing anti-epidemic measures applicable to air crew are formulated on a risk-based approach, building upon the robust closed-loop operation for air crew. Cargo crew operate flights without passengers, and therefore, should have no potential risks in relation to interactions with passengers. Under closed-loop operation, they also have no direct interaction with the local community, and are subject to self-isolation at hotel rooms arranged by airlines and point-to-point transportation between airports and hotels during their stays at outports. They are required to undergo testing upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and are subject to self-isolation and/or medical surveillance depending on circumstances such as the outports at which they have stayed and the nature of their flight duties. During their stay in Hong Kong, they are also required to undergo regular testing in order to monitor their health conditions on a continual basis.
The Government has to stress that despite the ongoing epidemic, there remains strong demand for air cargo services, which are necessary for the transport of daily necessities, personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals and vaccines etc. into Hong Kong. Hong Kong continues to serve as an international air cargo hub under the pandemic, connecting markets and supply chains in the Mainland and other parts of the world. HKIA handled 4.5 million tonnes of cargo with a total value of $3,500 billion in 2020, accounting for about 43 per cent of the total value of Hong Kong’s external trade. It is necessary to ensure the essential air cargo services into and out of Hong Kong would not be disrupted, so that the normal operation of Hong Kong’s economy and even the global supply chain can be maintained.
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To counter the risks arising from the latest developments of the COVID-19 epidemic and mutant strains, the THB has reviewed and considered enhancements on all possible fronts, and has requested airlines to carry out the following measures as a matter of priority:
- Assigning on-site personnel to monitor cargo crew layovers at outports and stepping up independent auditing, to ensure crew members’ compliance with the requirements under closed-loop operation and to minimise their infection risks;
- Imposing more stringent restrictions on local cargo crew’s movements during their medical surveillance periods, promulgating clearer guidelines and strengthening monitoring, with a view to minimising their contact with the local community;
- Imposing daily post-arrival testing for returning local cargo crew, in order to strengthen the continued monitoring of their health conditions; and
- Mandating all local air crew to receive their third doses of vaccines to offer themselves, travellers and the local community better protection.
Government gazettes compulsory testing notice and specifications under Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation
The Government exercises the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publishes in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice and specifications, which requires any person who had been present at 11 specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test, and continue to empower a registered medical practitioner to require any person whom he or she clinically suspects has contracted COVID-19 to undergo a test during a period of 14 days from November 13 to November 26, 2021.
Compulsory testing notice
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In relation to a previous imported case who had stayed in Hong Kong during the incubation period, any person who had been present at three specified premises during the specified period has to undergo additional testing. The Government strongly reminds members of the public to strictly follow the compulsory testing requirements and undergo the multiple tests on time as required. The above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well. They are advised to closely monitor their health conditions. They should seek medical attention and undergo testing even they have only mild symptoms.
Furthermore, since there was an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection and/or influenza-like illness in eight schools, and the symptoms of the diseases concerned are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence’s sake, the relevant schools or their specified levels are covered in the compulsory testing notice. Persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notice.
Persons subject to compulsory testing in accordance with a compulsory testing notice must go to any of the mobile specimen collection stations, community testing centres (CTCs) or recognised local medical testing institutions to undergo professional swab sampling in fulfilling the requirements for compulsory testing. Young children may continue to undergo the test using a stool specimen.
If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above, the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or the post-super typhoon “extreme conditions” announcement by the Government is in force at any time during the period for undergoing the compulsory testing, the period for undergoing the compulsory testing will be further extended for one day.
The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from COVID-19. They can provide protection to those vaccinated to prevent serious complications and even death after infection. The Government appeals to persons who are not yet vaccinated, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, to get vaccinated as soon as possible for better self-protection before the fifth wave strikes in Hong Kong.
Details of the compulsory testing notice are in Annex 1.
Subsequent to the announcement by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with a mutant strain, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on specified dates in accordance with the announcement by the Department of Health (DH). They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day (see the details of the buildings and dates of testing at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf). For prudence’s sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.
In accordance with the compulsory testing notice issued earlier, all household members of close contacts are required to undergo compulsory testing. Any person who had lived with a person placed under quarantine pursuant to section 22 of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (person under quarantine) in the same residential unit on the date of commencement of quarantine or during the 14 days before that day, and who becomes aware of the quarantine of the person under quarantine when the relevant quarantine has not yet been completed, has to undergo testing within two days of him or her becoming aware that the person under quarantine has been placed under quarantine and report to the Government the result of the test by phone (6275 6901), fax (2530 5872) or email (ct@csb.gov.hk) within three days of undergoing the test. For prudence’s sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.
CTCs provide testing services for the public, including free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). The system shows the booking status of the centres for the coming two weeks to facilitate the public’s planning and selection of a suitable testing centre and a time slot for testing. The testing centres will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. As of 6pm today (November 12), there were around 34 000 booking places available for tomorrow (November 13) at the CTCs, and around 94 per cent availability for booking places for the coming seven days. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.
The service period of the temporary extension of the Airport CTC at South Transition Deck, L6, Terminal 1 in Hong Kong International Airport will be extended to November 28 (Sunday). Outdoor mobile specimen collection stations will be closed if Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force while all mobile specimen collection stations together with all CTCs will be closed when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force.
Coupled with all CTCs, there will be a total of 26 CTCs/mobile specimen collection stations in various districts tomorrow to provide free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. The testing capacity should be sufficient to meet the demand. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are stated in Annex 2. Persons subject to compulsory testing and those with the “LeaveHomeSafe” COVID-19 exposure notification or SMS notification from the CHP reminding them to undergo testing as soon as possible may receive free testing at CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable).
Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:
1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
2. To attend any of the CTCs (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en);
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf), and the relevant sample must be taken through combined nasal and throat swabs; or
4. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the stool sample collected as per relevant guidelines.
If a person subject to compulsory testing obtains a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner, proving that he or she is unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons, then he or she may choose to undergo testing via the following routes by providing a deep throat saliva sample:
1. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
2. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority; or
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results.
A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau cautioned that testing received at the Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.
“If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the CTCs.”
Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notifications containing the result of the test and the relevant medical certificate (if applicable) for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.
Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notices should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.
Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the CTCs, they can check the centre’s appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the CTCs are available at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info.
Relevant specifications for compulsory testing for persons clinically suspected to have contracted COVID-19
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According to expert advice, compulsory testing for symptomatic patients can effectively slow down the transmission of the virus by early identification, early isolation and early treatment. To keep the epidemic situation under control, the Government considers it necessary to continue to solicit help from medical practitioners in identifying possibly infected persons as soon as possible.
During the period of 14 days from November 13 to November 26, 2021 registered medical practitioners may, by a written direction, require a person whom the medical practitioner attends to in the course of professional practice and clinically suspects to have contracted COVID-19 to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test. Persons who receive the written direction (persons who are subject to testing under written directions) should undergo a test within two days after the issue date of the written direction (the testing deadline).
Persons who are subject to testing under written directions may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:
(1) To use the specimen bottle provided by the registered medical practitioner who issued the written direction to collect a deep throat saliva specimen and submit the specimen bottle to a designated specimen collection point by the testing deadline (see the specimen collection points and times at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html). Having reported the case to the DH, the registered medical practitioner who issued the written direction will be notified of the test result; or
(2) To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories recognised by the DH (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf) by the testing deadline and submit the test result to the medical practitioner who issued the written direction or his clinic staff by email, fax or hard copy within four days after the testing deadline.
For example, if the written direction is issued on a Monday, the person subject to testing under the written direction should undergo a test via one of the above options on or before Wednesday, the testing deadline. If the test result of the specimen is preliminary positive, the specimen will be referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the DH for a confirmatory test. Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the CHP of the DH.
“Persons who are subject to testing under written directions are suspected to be infected and should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the CTCs for testing. To reduce transmission risk, relevant persons who underwent testing are advised to stay at home and avoid going out when waiting for test results.”
The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.
Relevant officers of different government departments are empowered to perform certain functions under the relevant Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), including requesting individuals to provide information and assistance when necessary. Any person who fails to comply with the relevant request commits an offence and would be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). Collection and use of any personal data for conducting COVID-19 tests must meet the requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Government departments or testing service providers which handle the relevant information may provide the data to the DH or other relevant departments for anti-epidemic purposes as necessary. The workflow does not involve the provision of any personal data to organisations or persons outside Hong Kong.
The spokesman said, “The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.” read more
EPD responds to media report on illegal operation sites
In response to a media report on the illegal waste disposal sites found by an environmental group, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) gave the following response today (November 12):
Before receiving the environmental group’s report this August, the EPD has been conducting regular inspections at the concerned site on Long Hon Road in Yuen Long. Inspection records revealed that the site commenced operation this June, as a storage place for second-hand electrical goods and did not involve any dismantling processes or illegal practices. The EPD had not received any public complaints against the site. In fact, storage of second-hand electrical goods is not illegal.
The site mentioned in the media report is a storage place for second-hand electrical goods, mainly providing temporary storage for second-hand electrical goods like refrigerators, washing machines and dehumidifier, for trading. Clear plastic wrap was used for packaging and systematic classification of the stored electrical equipment was found. Since this June, the EPD had conducted over ten inspections at the site concerned, with the recent one carried out on November 9. The department also checked the site’s trading receipts which showed normal transaction records, and found that it did not involve any dismantling processes or illegal practices. In a night blitz operation conducted by the EPD, no malpractices was found. The department has informed the site’s persons-in-charge that they must obtain the relevant chemical waste or electrical waste disposal license if the site involves dismantling chemical waste or disposing of electrical waste, including dismantling regulated Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
On the other hand, the media report also noted that the environmental group enquired the EPD earlier on the suspected malpractices found in the two recycling sites at Hung Lung Hang in Sheung Shui and Siu Hum Tsuen in Yuen Long. The EPD had replied to the media that the two sites were suspected to have violated the relevant regulations under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the department would consider taking prosecution action. The collection of evidence has now been completed and prosecution action are under way.
The EPD will continue to monitor the sites in the concerned areas, and will take appropriate enforcement actions if violations of environmental laws are found.
The EPD has been committed to combating illegal collection, storage, treatment and import/export of hazardous e-waste. Except under exempted circumstances (such as the storage of e-waste with a total volume of not more than 50 cubic metres), any person who is engaged in the disposal of (including storage, treatment, reprocessing or recycling) regulated e-waste (such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, television sets, computers, printers, scanners and monitors), must obtain a waste disposal licence from the EPD under the WDO. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
For more information about the Waste Disposal Licence and Waste Import/Export Permit for e-Waste, please visit the EPD’s website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/wdo_e-waste.html. read more