The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (April 20) attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 in Hainan and held a number of bilateral meetings.
 
     Mrs Lam attended the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 in the morning. The theme of this year's conference is "A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation". President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech with the theme of "Pulling Together Through Adversity and Toward a Shared Future for All" via video at the opening ceremony, while Vice President Wang Qishan attended in person.
 
     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam attended the session "Invigorate Development through Vibrant City Clusters: The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a Model" to discuss with participating guests topics including how the GBA can draw on the development experiences of various city clusters around the world, construct a focused area of global innovation and technology (I&T) and emerging industries, and attract talents. She pointed out in her remarks that Hong Kong has unique advantages under "One Country, Two Systems" and is a highly market-oriented and international economy underpinned by the rule of law, which can complement the advantages of the GBA cities to create synergy. On I&T development in particular, Hong Kong has top-notch capabilities in basic scientific research, and, coupled with the advanced manufacturing technology of the GBA cities in the Mainland, Hong Kong can promote the development of an international I&T hub in the GBA together with other cities. Hong Kong can also serve as a talent base in the GBA, leveraging its metropolitan status and attractiveness to entice overseas talents to work in the GBA, thereby enhancing the flow of talents.
 
     Mrs Lam also attended the Women Roundtable with women's power and social responsibility as the theme to discuss with outstanding women leaders from around the world how women can take up social responsibility in a better way and participate in economic activities more proactively in the post-pandemic era. Mrs Lam said that whether in Hong Kong or in other places of the world, many of the people who were involved in the fight against the virus in the past year or so were women, making remarkable contributions to public health. She pointed out that through the continued efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, good progress has been made in the promotion of women's development and rights. She said that the Government will continue to roll out appropriate support measures to unleash the female labour force, allowing women to give full play to their potential.
 
     Mrs Lam had a number of bilateral meetings. The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, also attended some of them.
 
     In the morning, Mrs Lam met with the Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), Mr Fang Xinghai. Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the CSRC for its long-standing support for the financial development of Hong Kong, and said that Hong Kong will proactively integrate with the overall development of the nation. She also expressed the hope that, with the support of the CSRC, Hong Kong will fully leverage its advantages as an international financial centre to contribute to the country's economic reform and opening up in the financial area.
 
     Mrs Lam also met with the Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), Mr Hao Peng. She thanked the SASAC for its staunch support for the HKSAR Government for its work to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, including the Belt and Road Summit held every year in Hong Kong and the high-level roundtable conducted earlier this year, promoting exchanges and co-operation between state-owned enterprises and Hong Kong's business and professional services sector to take part in projects of the Belt and Road Initiative. She said that the HKSAR Government will seize the opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and continue to give full play to the city's advantages to serve as a vital connection platform under the country’s "dual circulation" strategy.
 
     At a meeting with the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Mr Jin Liqun, Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to him for being the keynote speaker of the 14th Asian Financial Forum held in Hong Kong in January this year and congratulated the AIIB for completing its first five years of operation, enabling it to move from the stage of building up to that of expansion. She said that the HKSAR will continue to give unwavering support for the operations of the AIIB including project financing, bond issuance, investment, financial management and foreign exchange management, and will actively participate in the development of the AIIB at its next stage.
 
     Mrs Lam also met with the Secretary of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, Mr Shen Xiaoming, yesterday (April 19) and will meet with the Governor of Hainan Province, Mr Feng Fei, later today. She told Mr Shen that she was very pleased to travel to Hainan in person this year to participate in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Boao Forum for Asia, she wished Hainan Province's forum this year a great success. Mrs Lam pointed out that Hainan Province is an important gateway at the forefront of China's new opening-up era. She said that Hong Kong has all along been externally oriented with a free trade policy and a legal system in line with international standards and that the two places can work together to help Hainan enterprises "go global".
 
     In addition to attending the events of the Annual Conference and holding bilateral meetings in the past two days, Mrs Lam also gave interviews to a number of Hong Kong, Mainland and international media organisations. She will conclude her visit to Hainan tomorrow (April 21).

              

     Police today (April 20) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Hung Hom.
      
     Chan Hung-kan, aged 83, went missing after he left his residence on To Kwa Wan Road yesterday (April 19) morning. His family made a report to Police today.
           
     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a light blue T-shirt, an apricot jacket, dark blue trousers and black leather shoes.
      
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8038 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
     

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (April 20), 13 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 11 287 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 653 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 196 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 169 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 17 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which three patients are in critical condition, four are in serious condition and the remaining 162 patients are in stable condition.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.
 
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows:
 

     Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) co-hosted a hybrid symposium with Mainland government authorities today (April 20) aimed at updating foreign companies based in Hong Kong and Mainland companies in Jiangsu and its free trade zone, on the various business advantages between the two places.
      
     The event entitled "Jiangsu-Hong Kong: Symposium on Arising Business Opportunities from RCEP" was jointly organised by InvestHK, the Commercial Office of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Department of Commerce of Jiangsu Province. It was also co-organised by the Jiangsu Pilot Free Trade Zone in Nanjing Area, the Jiangsu Pilot Free Trade Zone in Suzhou Area and the Jiangsu Provincial Economic and Trade Office in Hong Kong, as well as supported by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong) and the German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong.
      
     InvestHK's Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, and the Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of the Commercial Office of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Mr Liu Yajun, delivered welcome remarks in Hong Kong, followed by Deputy Director-General of the Department of Commerce of Jiangsu Province Mr Sun Jin in Jiangsu.
      
     Mr Phillips highlighted the important roles of Hong Kong and Jiangsu as places where opportunities connect. "Jiangsu Pilot Free Trade Zone is a pioneering zone for developing an open economy, and a model for a real economy’s innovative development, industrial transformation and upgrading. It is, of course, home to many excellent companies and many more will grow. As they do, looking for growth opportunities outside China on the global stage is a natural step. And that is where Hong Kong can play a key role," said Mr Philips.
      
     Mr Liu gave insights on the emerging Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which would bring mutual benefits to both Hong Kong and Jiangsu. "The RCEP brings a high level of openness and inclusiveness plus tremendous growth potential, and is poised to generate a regional policy environment conducive to investment and trade. It will boost the economic prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and help bring the global economy back on the growth track, offering Jiangsu and Hong Kong plenty of collaboration opportunities," said Mr Liu.
 
     Mr Sun shared with the audience the business advantages provided in the two sub-zones of the Jiangsu Pilot Free Trade Zone. "The Jiangsu Free Trade Zone is an important vehicle for building the 'One Centre, One Base, One Hub' model. It is intended as the most open, systematic and vibrant platform offering total opportunities for unlimited development," said Mr Sun.
      
     Speakers at the event included government representatives from the Nanjing and Suzhou sub-zones as well as executives from Singapore, German and US companies operating in the two sub-zones. They shared their first-hand experiences about the competitive advantages and the business-friendly environment in the sub-zones. They also added that Hong Kong serves as the ideal two-way platform where new companies can access the sub-zones, while the existing ones in the sub-zones can expand globally.
      
     The Jiangsu Free Trade Zone consists of Nanjing, Suzhou and Lianyungang sub-zones, with each having its unique characteristics and positioning. Among the three sub-zones, the Nanjing sub-zone includes a pilot proprietary innovation demonstration zone that commands a global influence and a modern and open industry demonstration zone. The Suzhou sub-zone is home to a new, world-class high-tech industrial park. It provides a new focus for driving innovation with an international dimension, developing high-end industries and implementing modern management systems for economic opening up on all fronts.
      
     A total of 15 countries covering China, the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand signed the RCEP agreement in November last year, with an aim to promote regional economic integration and progressively attain an overall tariff abolition rate of 91 per cent. As a major financial and trade centre and a logistics hub of the region, coupled with high quality free trade agreements signed with 13 of the RCEP participating economies (i.e. Mainland China, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand), Hong Kong is well placed to join the RCEP.
      
About InvestHK
                  
     InvestHK is the department of the HKSAR Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
      
     For a photo of the symposium, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157718972582839.

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 0.00am, April 20, the CHP was investigating eight additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 704 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 703 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, three are imported cases and four are local cases with unknown sources, and the remaining one is pending for classification.
 
     A total of 171 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (April 6 to 19), including 37 local cases of which 11 are from unknown sources.
 
     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to the compulsory testing notice. The Regulation also requires all household members of close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within a specified period according to compulsory testing notices published in the Gazette. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop and undergo testing as soon as possible.
 
     The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).
 
     The CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with everyday tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.
 
     The spokesman said, "Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
 
     "The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
 
     "As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps). After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."
 
     Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.