Hong Kong's Innovation and Technology Excellence Celebrated at Reception for I&T Awards 2024, Recognizing Outstanding Achievements Globally and Locally

2024-07-15 20:19 Last Updated At：20:48

Hong Kong R&D achievements shine at international I&T arena

In recognition of the outstanding research and development (R&D) achievements of Hong Kong's talent in the field of innovation and technology (I&T) on the Mainland and overseas in the past year, the Innovation and Technology Commission organised the Reception for I&T Awards 2024 today (July 15). With the theme of "Hong Kong's Innovation and Technology Achievements Shine in International Arena", the reception gathered more than 300 representatives from the local I&T sector, including academics, scientists, and representatives of institutes and government departments who were commended for bringing glory to Hong Kong by showcasing Hong Kong's I&T strengths and telling Hong Kong's good stories to the world. The reception is also one of the events for celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

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Hong Kong R&D achievements shine at international I&T arena

Hong Kong R&D achievements shine at international I&T arena Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Hong Kong R&D achievements shine at international I&T arena

Hong Kong R&D achievements shine at international I&T arena Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Addressing the reception, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, congratulated the award winners and said that their remarkable achievements not only reflected the international recognition of Hong Kong's R&D outcomes, but also exemplified the profound strength of Hong Kong's I&T sector, laying a solid foundation for developing the city as an international I&T centre with the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

He added that the award-winning individuals and teams straddle various sectors, including the Government and industry, academic and research sectors, covering fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, medical science, green technology, polymer science, electronic and electrical engineering, and architectural engineering, which demonstrated Hong Kong's fervent I&T atmosphere. The Government will continue to promote full co-operation with all sectors to boost I&T development in Hong Kong, and support the industry to achieve greater success in the future.

In the past year, representatives from Hong Kong have stood out in a number of I&T competitions or exhibitions globally and on the Mainland, including the Edison Awards 2024, the 2023 R&D 100 Awards and the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (the Exhibition). The Hong Kong delegation won a record high number of over 350 prizes at the Exhibition where government departments performed tremendously, with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department receiving Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury.

Moreover, local scholars and scientists received a number of globally renowned individual awards and made significant contributions to the country, with their achievements in respective R&D expertise areas fully acknowledged, including the following:

Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering and Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Yung Kai-leung, led a space instruments development team to participate in various national space missions, including developing and manufacturing the "Surface Sampling and Packing System"for the Chang'e-6 to assist the nation in completing the world's first lunar far-side sampling mission;

Honorary Professor, Department of Pathology of School of Clinical Medicine at the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Mak Tak-wah, won the William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Basic & Tumor Immunology;

Associate Dean (Research) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Dennis Lo, given the Jiménez Díaz Commemorative Lecture Award;

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Vice-President and Li Shu Fan Medical Foundation Professor of Clinical Oncology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Anthony Chan, given the European Society for Medical Oncology Lifetime Achievement Award;

Dr William M W MongProfessor of Nanoscience and Chair Professor of Physics at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Dai Xi, given the State Natural Science Award (First Class) and Tan Kah Kee Science Award in Mathematics & Physics;

Chairman of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong,

Professor Liao Wei-hsin, given the 2023 Leonardo Da Vinci Award;

Choh-Ming LiProfessor of Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Francis Chan, given the 15th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize;

Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the City University of Hong Kong, Professor Hu Jinlian, given the 15th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize;

Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Anderson Shum, given the 15th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize; and

Choh-Ming Li Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics and Assistant Dean (Mainland Affairs) at the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Yu Jun, given the Wu Jiepeng -Paul Janssen Medical and Pharmaceutical Award.

By showcasing some of the award-winning research and inventions, the reception not only demonstrates Hong Kong's remarkable I&T achievements, but also provides a platform to stimulate interaction and experience sharing among attendees on their R&D breakthroughs.

The Government has been actively fostering the development of the I&T industry. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau launched the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint in 2022 to lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong to develop into an international I&T centre, and to encourage a vibrant environment for R&D and promote commercialisation of R&D outcomes through various measures, including the launching of the InnoHK research clusters, the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme and the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme, with an aim to promote Hong Kong's high-quality economic development and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces.

Health Authorities Warn Public: Protect Against Invasive Group B Streptococcus from Handling Raw Freshwater Fish

2024-09-16 21:40 Last Updated At：21:48

CHP updates on latest situation of invasive Group B Streptococcus infection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 16) continued its investigation into the latest situation of invasive Group B Streptococcus infection. The CHP appealed to members of the public for heightened vigilance and in particular, to pay attention when touching or handling raw freshwater fish and should wear gloves, as well as not to consume undercooked freshwater fish.

The CHP has been monitoring with the Hospital Authority (HA) the admission figures in relation to invasive Group B Streptococcus infection cases. Since the announcement of the situation of Group B Streptococcus infection belonged to serotype III sequence type 283 (ST283) on September 13, the CHP has today confirmed 13 additional ST283 cases involving patients recently admitted with invasive Group B Streptococcus infection. The CHP's epidemiological investigations showed that the 13 patients with ST283 infections involved seven males and six females, aged between 35 and 94. The patients mainly presented with sepsis (eight patients) and joint abscess (five patients). Together with the 27 cases of ST283 infection announced on September 13, this cluster involved a cumulative total of 40 patients residing in 18 districts throughout the territory. Their onset date of the disease were between August 8 and September 5, and 30 of them have underlying illnesses. The HA's information showed that among the 40 patients, 10 have been discharged, 25 hospitalised patients are in stable condition, three in serious condition and the other two with underlying illness passed away.

The CHP's analysis of samples of other recently admittedpatients is still in progress and it cannot rule out that the number of cases will further increase.

The CHP's epidemiological investigations revealed that 31 patients have contacted with or handled raw freshwater fish before onset of symptoms (five of them reported that they had wounds on their hands when handling raw freshwater fish), six patients cannot rule out that they have consumed undercooked freshwater fish (not freshwater fish sashimi), and the exposure history of the remaining three patients is under investigation.

Furthermore, none of the 40 patients were fishmongers or engaged in fish culture related jobs. As the patients resided in various districts throughout the territory, and the freshwater fishes concerned were bought from 23 markets in 11 districts respectively, the CHP considered that the affected freshwater fish may involve the wholesale level. After knowing that the genetic sequence of samples collected from a retail freshwater fish stall matched those found in some patients, the CHP immediately teamed up with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) to conduct an inspection in the Freshwater Fish Market under the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market, and collect environmental samples for testing and analysis. The laboratory analysis is still in progress. So far, no abnormality has been observed regarding the freshwater fish in the wholesale fish markets. Besides, the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have conducted medical surveillance on over 200 workers and no symptomatic worker identified. The FEHD have strengthened the cleansing and disinfection of the relevant markets.

The CHP has issued a letter to doctors to enhance their alertness for Group B Streptococcus infection cases. The CHP's investigations, as well as prevention and control works, which include closely monitoring the admission cases, conducting genetic analysis of patients' bacterial samples, testing environmental samples, and strengthening health education to workers and the public, especially the education related to wound care and consumption of freshwater fish, are still ongoing. The AFCD will continue to monitor the health condition of freshwater fish supplied to Hong Kong and ensure that there are no abnormalities and to implement feasible measures to reduce proliferation of bacteria.

"Members of the public shall wear gloves when touching or handling raw freshwater fish. If symptoms such as inflamed wound and fever develop, they should seek medical attention promptly. Meanwhile, the public should refrain from consuming undercooked freshwater fish," a spokesman for the CHP reminded.

To prevent Group B Streptococcus (ST283) infection, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene and should keep their hands clean and practice good wound care at all times, especially:

To minimise the infection risks, workers of aquatic products or restaurants must wear gloves when handling aquatic products and avoid direct contact with aquatic products or dirty water with bare hands;

When buying aquatic products, the public must avoid direct contact with the aquatic products or use any towel provided by the stalls. They should wash hands with liquid soap and water as soon as possible if having contact with aquatic products which are not fully cooked. When handling aquatic products at home, the public should also wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;

Members of the public must not eat any freshwater fish sashimi, raw or undercooked freshwater aquatic products. When consuming hot pot food or congee items which consist of aquatic products, they should ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked in which the centre of the food should reach a temperature of at least 75 degrees Celsius so as to destroy pathogen; and

People must not touch aquatic products directly whenever there is a wound on hands. If a wound is sustained during handling aquatic products, the wound must be cleaned immediately and properly covered with waterproof adhesive dressings. Individuals should seek medical advice promptly when wound infection is found.

The public may visit the CHP'sInvasive Group B Streptococcus Infection associated with Sequence Type 283 (ST283)page for more information.

Hong Kong's Innovation and Technology Excellence Celebrated at Reception for I&T Awards 2024, Recognizing Outstanding Achievements Globally and Locally

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