Tag Archives: China

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong announced today (February 14) that Mainland karaoke chain brand Mei KTV opened its first Hong Kong flagship store in Lan Kwai Fong, Central, bringing another valuable addition to Hong Kong’s vibrant leisure and entertainment industry. The Hong Kong flagship store will be managed by their design team from Singapore, blending local characteristics to craft an entertainment space that caters to Hong Kong people’s preferences. The venue features luxurious karaoke rooms, a full-screen display and performance stage alongside innovative and interactive facilities such as a virtual DJ mixing station.
      
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion for Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “We welcome Mei KTV for choosing Hong Kong to open its flagship store and using the city as a platform for international expansion. Many companies choose to establish in Hong Kong to enhance their brand’s international standing. The operational experience gained here can also be replicated in other markets to support their further expansion. I wish Mei KTV great success in Hong Kong and beyond.”
      
     Co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Mei KTV, Mr Tang Hong Wei, explained the rationale behind choosing Hong Kong. “Hong Kong is an important market and the birthplace for Chinese pop music; opening a store in Hong Kong will provide a music-themed social space for more music enthusiasts. Hong Kong, as an important bridge connecting the Mainland with international markets, will make Mei KTV’s flagship store a benchmark for its overseas business. We plan to use this as a base to gradually expand into Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, and establish a regional office here in the future.”
      
     He added, “As of 2024, Mei KTV has opened nearly 800 stores nationwide, covering over 100 cities on the Mainland. Our parent company also plans to be listed in Hong Kong, which is a significant driving factor behind our investment in the region.”
      
     Mei KTV is a karaoke chain brand which strives to blend innovative technology with entertainment experiences, primarily targeting the young market. With a core mission to “create joy through technology”, Mei KTV has integrated cutting-edge technologies such as AI and virtual reality into traditional karaoke, and launched innovative features such as AI-powered sound correction and metaverse music video production to provide customers with an immersive entertainment experience.
      
     For more information about Mei KTV, please visit www.meiktv.com.
      
     For a copy of the photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720323789874.

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     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Sam Hou-fai, at Government House today (February 14) to exchange views on further promoting Hong Kong’s co-operation with Macao and the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Also attending the meeting were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Sam and his delegation to Hong Kong. Noting that Hong Kong and Macao are the country’s special administrative regions that enjoy distinctive advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said that the two cities are as close as brothers, with frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, alongside solid economic and trade relations. He noted that the “one country, two systems” principle is a good policy for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. Hong Kong will continue to firmly uphold the principle of “one country” and leverage the benefits of “two systems” with Macao. He also noted that Hong Kong and Macao, both of which are core cities of the GBA, can achieve complementarity and participate in and promote the development of the GBA together, benefiting the people of both cities with the fruits of economic development.
      
     Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Macao have been working closely in such areas as economy, cross-boundary infrastructure, tourism and trade. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), has remarkably shortened the distance between Hong Kong and Macao, promoting closer communication and connections between the two cities. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has long provided dedicated support to the cross-boundary transportation arrangements and measures of the HZMB to maximise the economic and transport benefits of the bridge. Besides, the “Mutual Use of QR Code between HKSAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service”, jointly launched by the HKSAR Government and the Macao SAR Government in July last year, provides a faster and more convenient immigration experience for residents of both cities and further facilitates their exchanges.
      
     In promoting tourism, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Macao will work together to expand the market of twin-destination tourism of the two cities. Hong Kong will collaborate with other cities in the GBA, including Macao, to establish a regional and international tourism brand.
      
     Mr Lee also welcomed Mr Sam’s visit earlier today to the Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development at Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong Palace Museum to learn more about the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine and cultural tourism in Hong Kong. Mr Lee said he looks forward to working with Mr Sam in further enhancing exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Macao in various aspects.

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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 14) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highl… read more

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Secretary of the CPC Guangzhou Municipal Committee, Mr Guo Yonghang, at Government House today (February 14), to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong’s co-operation with Guangzhou. Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Guo and his delegation’s visit to Hong Kong. Mr Lee noted that both Hong Kong and Guangzhou are core cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and have maintained close co-operation in various sectors, including government, the business sector and the community, over the years. The 15th National Games this year, which will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, is of great significance as it is the first time for the GBA to host the country’s highest-level, largest and most significant multisport games. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will dedicate its fullest efforts and adhere to the principle of “simple, safe and wonderful”, to co-host the Games successfully with Guangdong and Macao.
      
     Mr Lee said that according to the Global Innovation Index 2024, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster has been ranked second globally for five consecutive years, which shows that the three places embrace great potential for innovation and technology (I&T) development, and gives recognition to the leading position of the GBA in the global I&T field. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), established in Nansha, welcomed its first cohort of undergraduate students in the 2023/24 academic year, cultivating talent in such areas as artificial intelligence and data science. It will foster the joint building of a major I&T platform of Hong Kong and Guangzhou, contributing to the establishment of China as a strong country in science and technology, he added.  
      
     Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong will further promote the integrated development of the GBA. It will also leverage the complementary advantages and foster high-level collaboration with Guangzhou, with a view to promoting high-quality development of the GBA, as well as making new and greater contributions to the further reform and opening up of the country, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
      
      

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 14) is investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection and reminds the public to avoid direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons and to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of contracting this serious disease.
      
     The case involves a 73-year-old male with underlying diseases, who presented with high fever and decreased consciousness since February 12. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on the same day and was admitted for treatment. His blood sample and cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing. His clinical diagnosis was meningococcaemia and meningitis. He passed away today. Initial investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. 

     Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, of infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days and is usually three or four days. The clinical pictures among the infected may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis). Meningococcaemia is characterised by a sudden onset of fever, an intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases.
 
    To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take the following measures:
 

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly, especially when they are soiled by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing, and clean hands with alcohol-based handrub when they are not visibly soiled;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue, dispose of nasal and mouth discharge in a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands immediately;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Avoid close contact with patients who have a fever or severe headache;
• Consult doctors about meningococcal vaccination before travelling to high-risk areas; and
• Seek medical advice if you become ill after returning from high-risk areas, and discuss your recent travel history with your doctor.

 
     The public may visit the CHP’s website for more information on meningococcal infection. read more