Tag Archives: China

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (June 19) officiated at a reception to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo (Tokyo ETO), during his visit to Tokyo, Japan.
      
     Speaking at the reception, Mr Yau thanked more than 300 guests from various sectors, including Japanese political and business sectors, academia, the media and community groups, for their support to Tokyo ETO’s work over the years. He noted that among the 14 overseas ETOs set up by Hong Kong around the world, the Tokyo ETO is one of the earliest, demonstrating the close economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Japan all along.

     “In the first four months of 2023, Hong Kong visitors were the third largest source of Japan’s inbound visitors. The total amount of their consumption during the first quarter of 2023 was about 105 billion yen, coming to the fourth place and accounting for more than 10 per cent of Japan’s revenue from foreign tourists,” Mr Yau said.
      
     Meanwhile, Mr Yau pointed out that Hong Kong has always been a preferred location for foreign companies including Japanese companies. “In 2022, around 9 000 overseas and Mainland Chinese companies have established a presence in Hong Kong. Out of those, about 1 400 are Japanese companies, making Japanese companies the largest foreign business community in Hong Kong,” he said.
                
     Mr Yau stressed that against the headwind of the pandemic and social unrest earlier, Hong Kong continues to enjoy unrivalled advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, and is on track to become a gateway for foreign businesses to tap into the huge market potential of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     He also called for support from Japanese stakeholders for Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), adding that Hong Kong’s prospective membership in the RCEP will bring more business and investment opportunities to the business communities of RCEP member economies.

      He added that according to a survey conducted recently, nearly 80 per cent of responding Japanese companies based in Hong Kong anticipated more benefits to come upon Hong Kong’s accession to RCEP.

     In addition to attending the reception, Mr Yau today briefed Japanese enterprises on Hong Kong’s business environment and advantages during a business roundtable with members of the Japan-Hong Kong Business Cooperation Committee organised by the Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). He also hosted lunch for Japanese lawmakers of the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League to exchange views on various trade and economic issues.

     Mr Yau also paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Mr Wu Jianghao, to give him an update on Hong Kong’s latest developments.

     Mr Yau will continue his visit in Tokyo tomorrow (June 20).

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:        The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by UnionPay International on UnionPay … read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 19) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting seven persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental … read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (June 19) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a kindergarten in Mong Kok, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

     The outbreak involves 18 pupils, comprising 12 boys and six girls aged 3 to 5, and six staff members. They developed vomiting and diarrhoea since June 14. Eight of the affected pupils sought medical attention, two of whom required hospitalisation and have been discharged after management. All patients are in stable condition.

     The CHP’s epidemiological investigation revealed that there was a student in the outbreak who vomited at the school. Other students and staff members developed gastrointestinal symptoms in subsequent days. The CHP considers that the outbreak has a higher chance of person-to-person transmission or environmental contamination, while the chance of involving food poisoning is relatively low.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the kindergarten concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The kindergarten has been put under medical surveillance.

     Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP reminded that alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses frequently causing AGE, e.g. norovirus. Members of the public are advised to take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
 

• Ensure proper personal hygiene;
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
• Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Pay attention to food hygiene;
• Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
• Drink boiled water; and
• Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

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     The public may visit the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) for more information. read more

     The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, will lead a delegation to commence a two-day visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area tomorrow (June 20). He will visit Macao, Zhuhai and Jiangmen, and return to Hong Kong the next evening.
 
     Mr Tang will call on the Secretariat for Security, the Unitary Police Service, the Public Security Police Force and the Judiciary Police in Macao tomorrow. He will visit Qingmao Port in Macao, call on the public security bureaux of Zhuhai and Jiangmen, as well as visiting a local enterprise the next day.
 
     Members of the delegation include the Deputy Secretary for Security, Mr Howard Yam; the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Lui Kam-ho; and the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Fire Services Department (Operational Support and Professional Development), Mr Yiu Men-yeung.
 
     During Mr Tang’s absence, the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, will be the Acting Secretary for Security. read more