Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH follows up on outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent, United Kingdom
Epidemiological investigations by the local health authority revealed that all those affected are young adults; some of them visited a local nightclub called “Club Chemistry” between March 5 and 7. The local health authority is conducting contact tracing and has provided preventive drugs to over 2 500 persons who visited the nightclub during the period and to those who were close contacts of the cases. Since some of the patients are students at the University of Kent, the university has also collaborated with the UK health authority to provide health advice and conduct contact tracing among its staff and students, as well as offering vaccinations to students who reside in campus halls.
The CHP has enquired with the UK health authority whether any persons who visited the nightclub during the relevant period were students from Hong Kong. No notification has been received so far. The CHP will maintain close liaison with the UK health authority to obtain the latest information.
Meningococcal infection is a statutory notifiable disease in Hong Kong. The CHP has recorded three cases this year so far, all of which are sporadic. A total of 11 cases were recorded last year.
“According to overseas literature, there is a higher risk of transmission or outbreak of meningococcal infection in crowded settings including university or staff dormitories. The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the CHP last year reviewed the local epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease, the recommendations of the World Health Organization and overseas practices. In light of the very low invasive meningococcal disease incidence in Hong Kong, the SCVPD did not recommend introducing universal meningococcal vaccination into the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme from the public health perspective. However, the SCVPD recommended
Dr Tsui added that with the Easter holidays approaching, overseas students may return to Hong Kong. He reminded members of the public to seek medical advice as soon as possible if they develop symptoms of meningococcal infection. Travellers should seek professional advice from doctors for meningococcal vaccination. Doctors will take into account their age, health conditions, and details of their journeys (including destination, duration and activities) when giving vaccination advice.
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. 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. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache, stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or rash; it can cause brain damage or even death.
To prevent meningococcal infection, Dr Tsui urged members of the public to take the following measures: The CHP will continue to monitor the situation to safeguard public health and the well-being of citizens. The public may also visit the CHP’s websiteIssued at HKT 19:10
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Global Talent Summit Week fosters integration of education, technology and talent to support Hong Kong in building international hub for high-calibre talent
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week) organised by Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) commenced today (March 18). Its flagship events, the International Talent Forum and the CareerConnect Expo, will be held over two consecutive days. From now until March 29, HKTE will collaborate with local and overseas partners to host nine satellite events focusing on the integration of education, technology and talent. The GTS Week highlights Hong Kong’s position and advantages as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, officiated at the opening ceremony of the GTS Week and delivered the opening address. He said that Hong Kong is fast rising as an international talent hub, driven by a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy that integrates talent development with economic transformation, technological advancement and regional co-operation. Such efforts have been widely recognised, with Hong Kong rising to fourth globally and first in Asia in the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025.
Mr Lee said that Hong Kong will continue to uphold openness, deepen international engagement and align closely with national development strategies. Policies in education, innovation and infrastructure will be further refined to ensure Hong Kong remains a fertile ground for ideas and enterprises, where global talent feels welcomed, valued and supported. He stressed that while economic indicators and technological achievements are important, human development remains the ultimate goal, and Hong Kong will continue to place people at the centre of its vision for the future.
Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Mr Yu Jiadong stated in his speech that talent is the primary resource for economic and social development. Building a national high-calibre talent hub is the top-level design and strategic plan, to accelerate the building of a strong country with talent. In recent years, Hong Kong has been fully committed to boosting the economy, proactively attracting talent, leveraging the role as the country’s gateway for talent. This year’s GTS Week has successfully established an important platform for all parties to exchange experiences, providing strong support for accelerating the development of a high-calibre talent hub. He emphasised the need to jointly build a talent hub, share talent dividends, and foster an open, inclusive, and complementary talent ecosystem, ensuring that these benefits better serve both Hong Kong and the Mainland, ultimately contributing to the nation’s prosperity.
This year’s International Talent Forum, themed “Connecting Global Minds”, brings together leaders from government, business and academia from Hong Kong and abroad to discuss future trends and strategies within the talent ecosystem.
Professor Christopher A Pissarides, a 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, delivered a keynote speech on the future of work in a changing world. He said, “Artificial intelligence is not intended to replace human labour, but to enhance capabilities, drive productivity growth and improve overall well-being. To meet this technological transformation, it is essential to promote lifelong learning and help talent prepare for the future. As a global financial and trade centre, Hong Kong can leverage the Greater Bay Area’s advantages as a hub for innovation hardware and industrial artificial intelligence to attract more young talent and build itself into an international innovation and technology centre.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, shared in a featured speech on how the Jockey Club reinforces its position as an ideal employer to attract global high-calibre talent. He also elaborated on strategies for nurturing potential employees into leaders and retaining talent. The Chairman of McKinsey & Company Greater China, Mr Joe Ngai, and the Chief Development Officer of the South China Morning Post, Mr Eugene Tang, then engaged in a fireside chat exploring the new talent equation for China in the next era of tech and AI models.
Three panel discussions were held in the afternoon, focusing on education, technology and talent respectively. In the education session, the President of Peking University, Professor Gong Qihuang; the President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Nancy Ip; Professor of Higher Education (Emeritus) at the University of Oxford Professor Simon Marginson; and the American President and Executive Vice Chancellor of Duke Kunshan University, Professor John Quelch, discussed the paradigm shift in education and talent strategy in the future. They also shared insights on fostering innovation and nurturing talent through cross-border collaboration and industry partnerships.
In the technology session, the Chief AI Officer and Director of the Labour Market Information Department, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, United Arab Emirates, Mr Omran AlShamsi; the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of KESK, Ms Basima Abdulrahman; the Chief Executive Officer of AlipayHK and General Manager of Greater China at Ant International, Ms Venetia Lee; Co-founder and the Chief Scientist of SenseTime Group Limited, Dr Lin Dahua; and the Group President of Animoca Brands, Mr Evan Auyang, explored the identification of emerging capabilities, team hiring and development, as well as forward-looking strategies to provide innovative solutions for the sustainable development of the global technology and talent ecosystem, thereby addressing future international challenges and opportunities.
The talent session featured the Vice President of Talent Solutions of Asia Pacific at LinkedIn, Ms Ruchee Anand; the Managing Director of Global Partnerships and Client Solutions, and Chief Representative of Beijing Representative Office at CFA Institute, Mr Paul Moody; Group Executive of Artificial Intelligence of SEEK Mr Grant Wright; and Group Chief People and Culture Officer at DFI Retail Group Ms Joy Xu. They shared insights on how AI and digital technology are reshaping talent strategies, and elaborated on how Hong Kong can reinforce its role as a “super connector”, linking the Chinese Mainland with the world, to further strengthen its position as an international talent hub.
In addition, HKTE premiered its latest promotional video during the GTS Week’s opening session. The video features four talents with diverse backgrounds currently living and working in Hong Kong. They share how they are utilising the city’s international and multicultural platform and its liveable environment to further their careers while enjoying a diverse lifestyle with their families, truly “orchestrating achievements” in Hong Kong. The video also highlights Hong Kong’s unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, demonstrating the city’s irreplaceable appeal to global talent.
Prior to the GTS Week’s opening session, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, accompanied Mainland official delegates to tour the concurrently running CareerConnect Expo. They visited the HKTE exhibition area, as well as the thematic zones for education, technology and talent.
The GTS Week will continue tomorrow (March 19). The International Talent Forum will be webcast live, and the CareerConnect Expo will be open from 10am to 5.30pm tomorrow at Hall 3F of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Satellite events under the GTS Week are also taking place concurrently. Interested parties can visit the GTS Week website (gts.hkengage.gov.hk) or HKTE’s social media platforms for more details.
InvestHK and EEB cohost seminar: cross-departmental collaboration to explore how businesses can leverage Hong Kong to expand into Chinese Mainland F&B market
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (March 18) jointly organised a seminar titled “New Opportunities for Hong Kong Food and Beverage (F&B) Industry in Expanding into Chinese Mainland Market”, attracting the participation of around 80 industry representatives. The seminar aimed to help the industry keep abreast of the latest information and capture emerging business opportunities following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Inspection, Quarantine and Hygiene Requirements for Meat Products Exported from Hong Kong to the Mainland and the Cooperation Arrangement for the Export of Dairy Products from Hong Kong to the Mainland (collectively referred to as co-operation agreements) in May last year between the EEB and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China to facilitate food trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
The seminar showcased the synergy of cross-departmental collaboration, focusing on how the co-operation agreements facilitate the entry of Hong Kong-manufactured meat and dairy products into the Mainland. Discussions also explored how food brands can leverage the intellectual property advantages of “Made in Hong Kong” products to expand more efficiently into the Mainland food market and enhance competitiveness.
Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “Demand for high-quality food products in the Mainland market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for ‘Made in Hong Kong’ food products, which are well known for their high-quality standards. With further streamlined cross-boundary trade procedures, InvestHK will fully support companies establishing F&B operations in Hong Kong to forge connections with Mainland distribution channels and partners, helping them seize the opportunities arising from the Mainland food trade.”
A spokesperson of the EEB said, “‘Food from Hong Kong’ is a reputable brand for Mainland customers. Coupled with the potential of the Mainland market, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has facilitated the food industry in opening up the Mainland market by strengthening co-operation with Mainland authorities. We encourage food enterprises to make good use of the policy and seize the market opportunities by exporting food products that satisfy the prescribed requirements to the Mainland.”
During the seminar, representatives from the EEB provided a detailed briefing on the requirements and procedures for Hong Kong food products entering the Mainland market, including testing and certification and facilitation measures for customs clearance, and shared updates on the practical implementation of the co-operation agreements signed last year, offering food enterprises new opportunities for growth. Representatives from InvestHK introduced the wide range of supportive services available to overseas and Mainland companies and highlighted how the Northern Metropolis offers attractive land resources for food businesses to scale up production, strengthen competitiveness through the “Made in Hong Kong” advantage, and capitalise on the growing Mainland market demand.
InvestHK will continue to strengthen cross-departmental collaboration, maintain close engagement with the industry, and provide timely information and support to help Hong Kong-manufactured food and beverage businesses seize development opportunities, while promoting economic and trade exchanges and two-way investment between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
To download photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720332586638.
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March
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