Month: November 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Hong Kong Management Association 65th Anniversary Dinner today (November 17):

Professor Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (Chairman, Hong Kong Management Association), dear alumni, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 17) investigating two suspected puffer fish poisoning cases, and reminded members of the public not to consume puffer fish.
      
     The first case involves two females, aged 31 and 52. They cooked and consumed at home a puffer fish that was caught by a friend yesterday (November 16). Approximately two hours later, they developed limb numbness, nausea, dizziness and generalised weakness. They sought medical attention at hospitals today and were admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment respectively.

     The second case involves a 57-year-old female, who developed limb numbness, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhoea four hours after consuming a puffer fish cooked by herself, which was bought from a sampan at the Aberdeen pier yesterday. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital today and was admitted for treatment. The CHP has referred the case to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow up.
 
     The three patients are now in stable condition. Preliminary investigations have not found any epidemiological link between the two cases.
 
     The tetrodotoxin in puffer fish is a potent water-soluble neurotoxin that affects the central nervous system. It is primarily concentrated in the liver, gonads and skin of puffer fish. This heat-stable toxin does not decompose during cooking, drying or freezing.
 
     Tetrodotoxin intoxication can affect the respiratory and circulatory systems and may be fatal in severe cases. Currently, there is no known antidote or antitoxin to decompose tetrodotoxin. Members of the public are advised to avoid purchasing and preparing puffer fish or unknown fish for consumption to prevent tetrodotoxin-related food poisoning.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 17) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom (UK) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in Poland and the UK respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

The relevant areas are as follows:
     
Poland
—-
Kujawsko-pomorskie Region
(1) Inowrocław District

UK
—-
Cumbria County
(2) Westmorland and Furness District

Lincolnshire County
(3) South Kesteven District
(4) East Lindsey District

Worcestershire County
(5) Malvern Hills District

(6) Powys County of Wales

(7) South Lanarkshire of Scotland

Suffolk County
(8) East Suffolk District

A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland; and about 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.17 million poultry eggs from the UK in the first nine months of this 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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Computer Conference (HKICC) 2025 today (November 17):

(Deputy Director-General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Wan Ning), Mr Dave Chen (President of the Hong Kong Computer Society), Mr Andre Blumberg (Conference Chairperson of the HKICC 2025), Professor Jin Hai (Vice President of the China Computer Federation), Dr Albert Wong (Programme Chairperson of the HKICC 2025), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you all today at the HKICC 2025. The Conference has long served as a vital platform for cross-sector dialogue and technological advancement. This year’s theme, “Scaling AI Transformation Beyond Experimentation”, captures a timely and important leap in AI development.

AI is evolving from exploratory initiatives to real-world applications, driving productivity, resilience and competitiveness across sectors. In addition to the national proposal of the “AI+” initiative last year, the 15th Five-Year Plan announced last month reaffirms our country’s support for Hong Kong to develop as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. With national support and a strategic foundation in place, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is committed to contributing to the country’s prosperity by building an AI ecosystem where innovation flourishes, collaboration deepens and impact lasts.

The HKSAR Government took a number of moves to accelerate the conversion of AI concepts into impactful applications. A key milestone is the establishment of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) in late 2024, which will further be ramped up this year to meet the growing demand for high-performance computing power. We hope that this AISC will provide the necessary infrastructure for R&D (research and development) breakthroughs to be transformed into scalable business solutions for enterprises. We have also put in place the AI Subsidy Scheme to enable easier access for local research institutions and companies to these supercomputing resources.

Furthermore, the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will be established next year to serve as Hong Kong’s dedicated AI institution. The Institute will focus on the full development cycle, from upstream research to midstream transformation, as well as downstream industry adoption. We are also going to enhance the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme to assist eligible small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting off-the-shelf AI solutions in their daily operations.

In parallel, the Government is accelerating the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Co-operation Zone (Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone) in the Loop (Hong Kong Park), where AI is positioned as one of the key pillar industries. To facilitate scientific research and AI application testing, we are actively exploring with the relevant Chinese Mainland authorities the expansion of the cross-boundary flow of research data from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong for use by enterprises and organisations in the Hong Kong Park. We believe the establishment of a cross-boundary data flow management mechanism will facilitate safe and convenient flow of data between the two places.

In addition, a 10-hectare site at Sandy Ridge in the Northern Metropolis will be developed into a high-tier data facility cluster, providing advanced computing infrastructure to support data-intensive innovation across AI and data-driven industries. This will further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a regional digital infrastructure hub, and advance the development of a digital economy and smart city initiatives.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong’s AI journey is entering a new chapter. As we lay the infrastructural foundation and provide the necessary policy support, we call for collective efforts from across sectors to build the future of Hong Kong AI development, and participants of today’s Conference are definitely our key partners on this front.

Before I close, may I invite all registered voters to cast your vote on the polling day on December 7. My sincere gratitude goes to the Hong Kong Computer Society for bringing together this impactful event. I wish the HKICC 2025 another year of great success! Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police today (November 15) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Lok Ma Chau.

Mow Chun-hung, aged 67, went missing after he left his caring home on Ho Sheung Heung Pai Fung Road last night (November 14). Staff of the caring home then made a report to Police.

He is about 1.6 metres tall, 48 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a blue long-sleeved jacket, grey trousers and brown slippers.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3113 or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.