Tag Archives: China

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (February 7) expressed sorrow over the passing of Mr Choi Chang-sau, a master of the Arts of the Guqin, which is on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Miss Law extended her condolences to Mr Choi’s family.
 
     Miss Law said, “Inheriting the craftsmanship of guqin making, Mr Choi took up the operation of his family business, the Choi Fook Kee musical instrument shop, and founded the Choi Chang Sau Qin Making Society in 2011. Dedicated to the arts for many years, he shared his knowledge generously with local guqin lovers, making remarkable contributions to nurturing talent and passing on precious intangible cultural heritage. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Choi.”
 
     With a history dating back more than 3 000 years, the guqin is one of the oldest plucked musical instruments in China. Guqin making is a traditional art that involves various skills including woodwork, lacquering, calligraphy and the actual making of music. The Arts of the Guqin was inscribed onto the fourth National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014.
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     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (February 7) that, as advised by the postal administration of Côte d’Ivoire, due to the impact of a strike, mail delivery services to the country are subject to delay. read more

     â€‹The Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (February 7) to jointly promote the upcycling of food waste and the development of environmentally friendly products, injecting new impetus into the sustainable development of the correctional industry.
      
     The MOU sets out a framework for collaboration between the CSD and PolyU to jointly promote innovative development initiatives over the next five years, including the application of PolyU’s scientific research results on food waste upcycling to industrial production in correctional institutions; and the provision of vocational training to persons in custody (PICs) in the design and production of environmentally friendly products by PolyU to enhance their employability. The collaboration not only promotes environmental protection but also assists in the rehabilitation of PICs.
      
     Witnessed by the Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services (Rehabilitation and Management), Mr Ng Chiu-kok, and the Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, Professor Christopher Chao, the MOU was signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Services (Rehabilitation), Mr Tong Soen, and the Director of the Research Institute for Future Food, Professor Wong Ka-hing.
      
     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Ng said that the CSD has been committed to introducing green measures in correctional work to build an integrated and sustainable correctional system. The signing of the MOU marks an important milestone in the sustainable development of correctional work. The first phase of the collaboration involves the application of PolyU’s patented technology for making 3D printing material with spent coffee grounds to the industrial production work performed by PICs. PolyU will also provide vocational training in product design for PICs to develop more environmentally friendly spent coffee grounds products.
      
     Professor Chao said at the ceremony that PolyU has been tackling social challenges and promoting sustainable development through innovative research and translating research outcomes over the years. The “food waste-derived 3D printing material” patented technology covered in the collaboration project was developed by PolyU’s Research Institute for Future Food, which opens up a new way to tackle the problems of municipal food waste and greenhouse gas emissions in Hong Kong. Both parties will work together to create a mutual aid ecosystem, where new economic, ecological, and cultural value can be generated, contributing to the realisation of a cohesive society and sustainable development.
      
     The environmentally friendly spent coffee grounds products will be available for sale on the CSD Sports Association’s online charity gift sales platform, Made In Prison, to promote messages of supporting rehabilitation and environmental protection to the public. All proceeds from the sale, after deducting necessary costs, will be donated to various local registered charities, providing PICs with opportunities to contribute to the community.

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     â€‹In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary cold shelters in various districts today (February 7) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.
 
     Clean mattresses and blankets/quilts, hot meals and hot water will be provided to shelter users free of charge during the opening of the temporary shelters.
      
     To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.
      
     Anyone seeking temporary refuge, or those with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters, may call the department’s hotline 2572 8427 for more information.
      
     The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western:
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern:
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon:
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Kowloon City:
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong:
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin:
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong:
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories:
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Islands:
Tung Chung Community Hall 
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing:
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung
 
North:
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung:
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin:
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po:
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan:
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun:
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long:
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (February 7) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccinations.

     The case involves a 34-year-old male patient with good past health. He developed rashes and vesicles since February 1. He attended the Wan Chai Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on February 5. He is in stable condition and is being isolated at Princess Margaret Hospital.

     According to the patient, he had a history of high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period. An initial investigation has not revealed any epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.
     
     High-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccinations with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. In addition, persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.

     The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice.

     The DH provides vaccination services for high-risk groups of MPox. The following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:
 

1. Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
2. Healthcare workers responsible for caring for patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.

     High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at all of the DH’s Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH’s Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre.
 
     Meanwhile, the DH’s Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority’s Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
      
     For more details, please visit the CHP’s page on Mpox and Mpox Vaccination Programme. read more