The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 12) investigating a suspected case of paralytic shellfish poisoning affecting a 68-year-old man.

     The patient, who presented with perioral and limb numbness, vomiting and diarrhoea 10 minutes after consuming whelks at home yesterday (June 11). The patient is in stable condition and does not require hospitalisation.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the whelks were purchased from a fish stall in the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market. Investigations by the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department are continuing.

     "Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin is a natural toxin sometimes found in bivalve shellfish. It is heat-stable and cannot be destroyed through cooking," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "The symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning are predominantly neurological and the onset is usually within minutes to hours after ingestion of the shellfish. Initial symptoms may include tingling, numbness of the mouth and extremities, headache, dizziness and gastrointestinal discomfort. In the majority of cases, symptoms resolve completely within a few days. In severe cases, difficulty in swallowing and speech, paralysis with respiratory arrest and even death may occur," the spokesman added.

     The spokesman reminded members of the public that they should seek medical advice immediately if they develop shellfish poisoning symptoms, and save any leftovers for investigation and laboratory testing.

     To reduce the risk of shellfish poisoning, the public should:
      
     • Buy shellfish from reliable and licensed seafood shops;
     • Remove the viscera, gonads and roe before cooking and discard any cooking liquid before consumption;
     • Eat a smaller amount of shellfish in any one meal; and
     • When symptoms occur after consuming shellfish, seek medical advice immediately.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     â€‹The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by HKT Payment Limited – Tap & Go relating to unauthorised messages. The relevant stored value facility (SVF) licensee has reported the case to the HKMA. 

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that anyone who has provided his or her personal information or account credentials, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the instant messages concerned, should contact the relevant SVF licensee, and report to the Police or contact the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the Police at 18222.

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (June 14) at 11 am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex.  During the meeting, the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     On Members' motions, Mr Luk Chung-hung will move a motion on importing electricity from the Mainland to stabilise electricity tariffs in Hong Kong. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Andrew Lam and Dr Hoey Simon Lee will move amendments to Mr Luk Chung-hung's motion.

     Professor Chan Wing-kwong will move a motion on actively promoting the development of Chinese medicine to alleviate the pressure on the healthcare system. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Ms Chan Hoi-yan, Ms Joephy Chan and Mr Lee Chun-keung will move amendments to Prof Chan Wing-kwong's motion.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     Police today (June 12) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sheung Shui.

     Leung Kwok-fai, aged 49, went missing after he was last seen on at a mall on Fanling Station Road on June 9 afternoon. His family made a report to Police yesterday (June 11).

     He is about 1.78 metres tall, 65 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a long face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a yellow T-shirt, dark-coloured shorts, black shoes, a black cap and carrying a black backpack.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3112 or 6273 5787 or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
 

  

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong announced today (June 12) the launch of the Network of Family Office Service Providers (the Network), a platform specially designed to help promote Hong Kong as a preferred destination of choice for global family offices. The Network's launch event was officiated by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui. Over 100 representatives from a wide array of family office service providers participated in today's event, under the witness of key representatives from regulators and industry associations at the HKEX Connect Hall.

     Launching the Network is one of the eight initiatives in the Government's Policy Statement on Developing Family Office Businesses in Hong Kong announced on March 24, 2023. The Network aims to nurture the ecosystem that continues to support local and global family offices as they set up or expand in the Hong Kong market. It also provides a two-way channel for the Government to brief the industry on the latest development and provide opportunities for family offices in Hong Kong, and to mobilise their networks around the world to advocate opportunities in Hong Kong for family offices.

     Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Chan said, "Hong Kong, with our vibrant financial ecosystem, sophisticated financial infrastructure and the best professional services providers, as well as the convergence of investment opportunities in the Mainland and the world, is naturally the preferred choice of location for global family offices.

     "The Network of Family Office Service Providers brings together the relevant professional services providers, including private bankers, trustees, lawyers, accountants, wealth management professionals, etc, to create mutual business opportunities and promote Hong Kong's advantages to target markets. The Network will also provide advice to the Government on how we could better facilitate the sector's growth and thrive together."

     On the launch of the Network, Mr Hui said, "The launch of the Network of Family Office Service Providers marks a key milestone of the Government's basket of measures to promote Hong Kong as a family office hub. Looking ahead, we will thrive to work together with the regulators and the industry to roll out other new initiatives in the Government's Policy Statement, with a view to facilitating the rapid growth of the ecosystem for global family offices and asset owners in Hong Kong."

     When elaborating on the mission and objectives of the Network, the Global Head of Family Office of Invest Hong Kong's FamilyOfficeHK, Mr Jason Fong, said, "Invest Hong Kong's FamilyOfficeHK team strives to make a significant and positive impact on Hong Kong's family office industry. The Network underscores our commitment to engage and inspire global family offices to consider setting up and operating in Hong Kong. We look forward to working with the Network's partners to further develop Hong Kong into a vibrant and conducive hub for global family offices." 

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is actively pursuing various initiatives announced in the Policy Statement to create a conducive and competitive environment for the businesses of global family offices and asset owners to thrive and propel the family office ecosystem in Hong Kong. Besides launching the Network, some of the new initiatives include a new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, tax concessions, a new Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy, establishing art storage facilities at the airport and developing Hong Kong as a philanthropic centre.