The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, from May 28 to 31, led a delegation to attend the 24th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference in Perth, Australia.
      
     Hosted by Australian Customs, heads of Customs and senior officials from over 20 administrations in the Asia-Pacific region, the Secretary-General of the WCO, as well as delegates from the Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building and Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific, gathered at the conference with an aim to facilitate and deepen regional co-operation and exchanges.
      
     In the conference, Ms Ho outlined the vision and aspiration of Hong Kong Customs, in the name of Hong Kong, China, as the WCO Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region. Unanimous nomination from members of the Asia/Pacific Region to Hong Kong, China, as the next Vice-Chairperson (i.e. from 2024 to 2026) was received.
      
     In her speech, Ms Ho said that this is the first time since 2000 that Hong Kong, China, had served as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region, which not only underscored the enduring contribution of Hong Kong Customs to regional customs affairs, but also consolidated its leadership role in the WCO. Ms Ho also expressed her sincerest gratitude for the support of all Asia/Pacific Region members and pledged that Hong Kong Customs will spare no efforts in fostering sustainable and prosperous development of the Asia-Pacific region.
      
     The Vice-Chairperson of the Asia/Pacific Region takes on the mantle of promoting development and co-ordinating affairs in the region, while leading the members in navigating through challenges and contributing to the creation of a safe and prosperous society. Among other key issues such as promotion of green Customs, strengthening of Customs-industry resilience, etc, Ms Ho accentuated the significance of illustrating the Customs' duties to the public and industry stakeholders through media and publicity campaigns, and stressed the efforts made by Customs Administrations in bolstering economic development, especially the post-pandemic recovery.
      
     Furthermore, Hong Kong Customs motioned to establish a WCO Regional Dog Training Centre in order to provide professional training and support for members of the Asia/Pacific Region, enhance crime investigation capacity, and safeguard regional security. This motion also received unanimous endorsement from the Asia/Pacific Region members, marking a significant milestone in the development of regional canine training.
      
     During her visit, Ms Ho also took the opportunity to meet with the Director General of the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, Dr Kun Nhem, and the Deputy Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Mr Nguyen Van Tho, respectively, to discuss closer co-operation between the two sides and explore future development opportunities.  
      
     Subject to confirmation at the Customs Co-operation Council Sessions held in June next year, Hong Kong, China, will officially succeed Australia as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region of the WCO in July 2024 for a term of two years until June 2026. Hong Kong Customs will continue to collaborate and establish a closer and more comprehensive partnership with members in the region.

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following reply today (May 31) regarding a Legionella infection case:
 
     An 86-year-old male patient who had stayed in a medical and geriatric ward of UCH confirmed to have Legionnaires' Disease. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) visited the ward and collected water samples today. The source of infection is still under investigation. The patient is currently receiving treatment at UCH and is in stable condition.

     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and enhanced infection control measures, including:
 

1. Suspending use of related basin faucets and shower heads;
2. Installing bacterial filters for related water faucets and arranging to disinfect related water supply system; and
3. Providing boiled or bottled water to patients in the wards concerned for drinking and mouth rinsing.

     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP to investigate the source of infection.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 31) that due to the sighting of a suspected red tide, the red flag has been hoisted at Repulse Bay Beach and Deep Water Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches until further notice.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) delegation will participate in the recruitment events in Sydney of Australia organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for two consecutive days (June 2 and 3), together with representatives of the Department of Health and the two medical schools in Hong Kong, to promote the latest pathway and support available for medical students and medical practitioners to work in Hong Kong, with a view to attracting more non-locally trained doctors to join the public healthcare sector and serve patients in Hong Kong.

     During their stay in Sydney, the delegation will explain the latest registration arrangements for working in Hong Kong to medical students and medical practitioners in an online-offline hybrid format. The HA will also introduce the working environment in public hospitals, specialist training, living arrangements in Hong Kong, etc.

     The HA Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, said, "Following our trip to the United Kingdom in early April, we are delighted to have the opportunity to conduct recruitment exercises in Australia. Australia is one of the popular destinations for Hong Kong citizens to study medicine overseas, and there are currently seven medical schools that award medical qualifications recognised by the Special Registration Committee. We will seize this opportunity to recruit local medical students and medical practitioners to serve in Hong Kong. We also strongly encourage local medical students to visit our public hospitals for clinical observership to gain firsthand understanding of daily operation of Hong Kong's public healthcare sector."

     Dr Ko added that the HA will maintain close contact with the participants by a dedicated team. The HA will verify qualifications of those interested in working in Hong Kong and complete the relevant approval and appointment procedures as soon as possible. The HA will also assist them in other procedures for working in Hong Kong as well as provide other necessary support so that they can start working in the HA without any worries.

     In addition, the delegation will visit local medical schools and medical organisations to exchange views and explore co-operation on the latest developments in areas such as medical training, professional fields and academia.

     The HA will actively promote in different countries and places, and will continue to recruit eligible non-locally trained doctors to join Hong Kong's public healthcare sector through various registration schemes to meet the growing demand for services.

     The HA has established various online platforms (see appendix) to handle enquiries from medical students and medical practitioners and will provide full assistance.

      Police today (May 31) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok.

     Poong Kam-yiu, aged 60, went missing after he left an elderly home on Prince Edward Road West on May 28 night. The staff of the elderly home made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.5 metres tall, 45 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a long face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a T-shirt, dark vest and trousers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.