The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, visited the Department of Health (DH) today (March 11) to gain insights into its pioneering efforts in advancing global public health, prevention and control of infectious diseases, traditional Chinese Medicine development and effective implementation of tobacco control strategies.

     This visit marks Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala's first trip to Hong Kong since his appointment by the WHO last year. During the meeting, the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, gave an overview of the DH's extensive services, covering disease prevention and control, health regulation, health promotion, dental, rehabilitation and specialised health services. The Controller of Regulatory Affairs of the DH, Dr Amy Chiu, highlighted Hong Kong's commitment and proactive tobacco control strategies, especially the imposition of a ban on alternative smoking products, which can effectively prevent their use in the territory. The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui, also outlined the response measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and shared experiences on prevention and control as well as future plans. The DH also engaged in discussions with Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala to enhance collaborative efforts in the prevention and control of various infectious diseases, including influenza, AIDS, and viral hepatitis.

     Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala applauded the measures and commended Hong Kong for the DH's active participation and contributions to the prevention and control of various diseases and global health governance.
      
     "We are looking forward to stronger collaboration with the DH. Together, for the sake of the young generation and the world, we hold the power to make a difference," said Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala.
      
     Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala was then accompanied by the Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO), Dr Fung Ying, to a statutory no smoking area in Admiralty to inspect the enforcement work of the staff of TACO of the DH. He was also briefed on the tobacco control policy and the way forward to control smoking in Hong Kong.
      
     In the afternoon, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala went to the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the DH and was briefed by the Assistant Director (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, on the work of the GCMTI as well as the DH's efforts in promoting the development of the Chinese medicine locally and internationally, including the development of standards for Chinese herbal medicines, and new identification and testing skills and methods for Chinese medicines to add momentum to the modernisation and standardisation of Chinese medicine.
      
     DH staff then accompanied Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala to visit the Harlech walking trail on the Peak to appreciate the wild medicinal plants there, including pavettahongkongensis bremek, cibotiumbarometz (L) J Sm, and ficus hirta vahl, which are recorded in a publication called "Hong Kong Characteristic Medicinal Plants" published by the DH.
      
     "The DH is committed to advancing global health initiatives and overcoming public health challenges in collaboration with the WHO. Our designation as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence demonstrates our dedication to enhancing human health and well-being. Furthermore, the WHO has designated the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH as reference laboratories for various communicable diseases, making significant contributions to fighting epidemics worldwide. We will continue to strengthen our work with the WHO and other WPRO member states, and embrace our role as a 'super-connector' bridging Mainland and global health partners," said Dr Lam.
      
     Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala met with the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, yesterday (March 10). During their stay in Hong Kong, the DH also arranged for the WHO delegation to meet with other representatives of the public health sector.

    

     Hong Kong Customs on March 5 detected a suspected air freight gold bullion-smuggling case, and seized about 64 kilograms of suspected gold bullion with an estimated market value of about $46 million at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). This is the largest gold bullion-smuggling case detected by Hong Kong Customs on record in terms of the seizure volume and market value.  

     Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day examined an outbound air cargo consignment, declared as carrying toys, lamps and hats departing for Japan, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected smuggled gold bullion in four cardboard boxes therein.

     An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
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     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (March 11) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Chodzież District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, and in Torbay District of Devon County in the United Kingdom (UK), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 6 600 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland, and about 910 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 1.34 million poultry eggs from the UK last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Polish and British authorities 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.

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the GreenTech Hub Opening Ceremony today (March 11):
 
Albert (Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Mr Albert Wong), GreenTech Hub partners and tech ventures, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. 
      
     It is a pleasure to join you all today for the opening of GreenTech Hub at InnoCentre. 
      
     This opening is a significant moment. When there are backlashes elsewhere in the world against climate action; when politicians mock green transition as green scams, today, we demonstrate our commitment, unflinching as ever, to be a leader in green tech and to advance regional and global collaboration in the fight against climate change. 
      
     Two years ago, in the 2023-24 Budget, I outlined Hong Kong’s vision to become an international green tech and green finance centre. At that time, we saw a world facing both challenges and opportunities in green transition, including a funding gap measured in trillions of dollars, and a technology gap short of the innovative solutions that can accelerate the journey to carbon neutrality. We firmly believe Hong Kong is in the position to lead.
      
     We are a leader in green finance. Being an international financial centre, we offer a full range of funding options, from angel investments, venture capital, private equity to stocks and bonds for companies and projects at various stages of development to pursue worthy causes. Take bonds, for example. Green bonds issued in Hong Kong account for over one-third of Asia’s total. 
      
     And our capabilities extend beyond green and transition finance.  Hong Kong backs new green ventures and supports traditional industries to decarbonise.
      
     Equally vibrant is Hong Kong’s green tech community – a community many of you here embody. Indeed, in our Science Park and Cyberport, there are some 300 green start-ups specialising in energy-efficient materials, carbon capture, EV (electric vehicle) infrastructure, and much more. Many of these solutions are already finding markets globally, from Southeast Asia to the Middle East. They are part of a green movement, fuelled not just by technical ingenuity but a shared mission to create a greener and better world together.
      
     By marrying green tech with green finance, we’re not just contributing to global green progress but also creating new impetus for Hong Kong’s economic future. 
      
     The GreenTech Hub, announced in the Budget this year, is a cornerstone of this vision. Housing some 200 green enterprises, this space will gather innovators in the green industry, forming a nexus for fresh ideas, transformative solutions and business partnerships. Here, both start-ups and established tech firms will find mentorship, professional support, collaboration opportunities and access to a thriving network of financiers, academia as well as international businesses looking for opportunities in cutting-edge climate technologies. 
      
     And we envision this hub to become a cross-sector and cross-border exchange platform on green policies, standards, know-how, business practices and opportunities.
      
     In other words, it is presenting boundless opportunities for green enterprises. Here, allow me to extend my gratitude to the HKSTP, the ITIB (Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau) and our academic, corporate and industry partners for bringing this hub to life. Today, more than launching a hub, we begin building a legacy – a legacy defined by action and collaboration to create a sustainable future for generations to come. 
      
     Thank you very much.

    

     Hong Kong Customs conducted a joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaign today (March 11) with members of the Yuen Long District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health, the Police, the Housing Department (HD) and the Community Care Teams in Tin Tsz Estate and Tin Yiu Estate in Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long.

     During the event, in addition to patrolling housing estates, Customs officers also set up a promotional booth to distribute leaflets, explain anti-illicit cigarette messages to residents, and encourage them to report suspected illicit cigarette trading activities to Customs.

     Customs reminds young people, especially students, not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets, to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities through risk assessment, intelligence analysis and interception at source. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.

     Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years. Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

     In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotion leaflets). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflets distribution to TACO's hotline 2961 8823.