MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) today said it has referred to Police and Customs the details of cases concerning the suspected sale of non-self-produced agricultural products by individual farm stalls during FarmFest.

The AFCD emphasised that it will not tolerate any acts that deceive consumers and will deal with any such violations seriously as it is assisting law enforcement agencies in their investigations.

Furthermore, the AFCD will disqualify the farms concerned from participating in the upcoming FarmFest, and is considering a permanent ban on non-compliant farmers from taking part in all future promotional activities organised by the department.

To prevent similar incidents from recurring, the AFCD is reviewing optimising the event’s contract terms, including introducing heavy penalties for breaches of contract and a compensation mechanism for claiming reputational damage.

It will also require local agricultural organisations and associations to remind their members to ensure compliance in the sale of their products.

The AFCD explained that all farmers and fishermen taking part in FarmFest must pass a qualification assessment in advance, including submitting detailed information on the agricultural and fisheries products intended for sale.

Prior to FarmFest, AFCD officers will inspect all participating local farms to record the varieties and quantities of the produce in detail, to ensure that the products sold during the event are produced by the farms themselves.

On January 10, the second day of FarmFest, AFCD officers ordered seven stalls suspected of irregularities to cease operation immediately. It took action against another suspicious stall the next day.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee met Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC) Lei Haichao at Government House today to exchange views on deepening medical and healthcare co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Together with Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) Zhou Ji, they also witnessed the signing of the co-operation agreement on Chinese medicine and the Framework Agreement on Collaboration between the National Cancer Center and the Health Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

Commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) Yu Yanhong signed the renewed agreement on Chinese medicine with Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau to foster the innovative development of Chinese medicine.

The agreement also aims to advance the construction of Chinese medicine in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), further strengthen the collaboration between the NATCM and the Health Bureau in this field, and push forward the implementation of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the framework agreement signed by the health chief and Director of the National Cancer Center He Jie aims to push forward co-operation between the bureau and the centre in cancer prevention and treatment under the principle of complementarity and mutual benefits.

The framework agreement will also deepen collaboration in basic cancer research, screening, early diagnosis and treatment, standardisation of diagnosis and treatment, big data, and public education outreach and other areas.

The Chief Executive expressed gratitude to the country for its continuous support to Hong Kong’s work in healthcare, noting that the Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to collaborating with the NHC and the NATCM.

The two agreements signed today will further strengthen mutual co-operation and advance the high-quality healthcare development in Hong Kong, Mr Lee said, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government is deepening healthcare system reform, strengthening primary healthcare, and promoting collaboration in the GBA.

“Hong Kong will continue to fully capitalise on its unique advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world to foster healthcare co-operation within the GBA, with a view to contributing to propelling the important national strategy of ‘Healthy China’ through concerted efforts.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A launch ceremony was held today for the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI), with Chief Executive John Lee officiating.

A number of national officials also attended, along with more than 300 guests, including representatives from the city’s Chinese and Western medical sectors and members of the Legislative Council, as the development of Chinese Medicine (CM) in Hong Kong entered a new stage.

Joining the Chief Executive in a plaque-unveiling ceremony were Minister of the National Health Commission Lei Haichao; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Zhou Ji; Commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Yu Yanhong; Director General of the Fifth Bureau of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Zhao Xudong; and Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau.

In a speech, Mr Lee said the official launch of the CMHHK and GCMTI initiates the formation of a CM ecosystem in Hong Kong that will connect academic institutions and hospitals, scientific research and the CM industry.

He stressed that the Hong Kong SAR Government has aligned with national strategies by integrating fully with the overall national development of CM. He added that is committed to promoting the high-quality development of CM, and will fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle to become a bridgehead for CM to go global.

He said he hopes the CM sector in Hong Kong will “innovate from inheritance and develop through innovations”, with a view to making greater contributions to the health of all mankind.

Mr Lei highlighted that the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine are fully committed to promoting the role of CM in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, innovation, talent training and more.

He said the two bodies are also working to establish integrated centres that combine Chinese and Western medicine, strengthen the pool of “Western doctors learning CM”, deepen clinical collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine in treating major and complex diseases, and improve the service system connecting Chinese and Western medicine.

Prof Lo said the commencement of services at the CMHHK and GCMTI in phases from last month is conducive to Hong Kong’s further development in areas such as CM clinical services, talent training, and testing standards.

He thanked the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for their ongoing strong support for CM development in Hong Kong, and the city’s CM sector and other relevant stakeholders for supporting the two projects. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced that Tiffany Chung will assume the post of District Officer (Tai Po) tomorrow, succeeding Eunice Chan.

Ms Chung joined the Administrative Service in 2010. She has served in various bureaus and departments, including the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Development Bureau, the then Policy Innovation & Co-ordination Office and the then Food & Health Bureau.

Before taking up the new post, Ms Chung was Assistant Director (Market Development) at the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Buildings Department approved 10 building plans in November – three on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon and four in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, six were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, two were for factory and industrial developments, and two were for community services developments.

Consent was given for works to start on five building projects which, when completed, will provide 7,025 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 140 units, and 5,620 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

Additionally, the department received notifications of commencement of superstructure works for seven building projects.

It also issued 14 occupation permits – five on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and four in the New Territories.

The buildings certified for occupation comprise 39,753 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 1,616 units, and 301,458 sq m for non-domestic use.

Meanwhile, the department received 2,214 reports about unauthorised building works in November and issued 413 removal orders. Six demolition consents were also issued.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has announced that new notes and good-as-new notes will be available for exchange at the branches of note-issuing banks from February 3 to 16.

It also encouraged the public to use electronic channels such as the Faster Payment System or other e-wallet services to send lai-see gifts.

The three note-issuing banks – the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) and Bank of China (Hong Kong) – will put in place appropriate measures to ease the exchange of notes, including extended opening hours and offering an online booking services.

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