CE listens to views expressed by CECA on Policy Address (with photos/video)
The Chief Executive's Council of Advisers (CECA), chaired by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, held luncheon meetings for three consecutive days this week (July 9 to 11) to listen to the views expressed by CECA members for the forthcoming Policy Address and the overall development of Hong Kong.
Mr Lee said, "This is the first meeting for the new term (second term) of CECA members. I warmly welcome the three new members of the CECA, namely Dr Zhu Min, who served as the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and the Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China, along with two enterprises of Hangzhou's "Six Little Dragons" - the founder of BrainCo, Mr Han Bi-cheng, and the founder of Unitree Robotics, Mr Wang Xing-xing, for attending the meetings in Hong Kong. During the meeting, they emphasised that Hong Kong is bestowed with its unique advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the world, excellent education and research capabilities, and advantageous geographical location, and it is also an international financial centre with free flow of capital. These advantages would greatly attract Mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong and use Hong Kong as the gateway to go global. "
The CECA conducted in-depth discussions on a range of important issues under three major themes:
Economic advancement and sustainability – including how to consolidate Hong Kong's position as the international financial, shipping and trade centres amid geopolitical changes and economic restructuring.
Innovation and entrepreneurship – including how to promote the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries, proactively nurture emerging industries, expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis, and proactively attract capital and talents to assist in the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.
Regional and global collaborations – including how to leverage the opportunities of our motherland and deepen international exchanges and co-operation, strengthen ties with countries along the Belt and Road and explore emerging markets such as the Middle East, the ASEAN, South America, and Central Asia in order to seek new opportunities, and to provide high quality professional services to Mainland and international enterprises, amid an ever‑changing geopolitical landscape and constantly increasing uncertainties.
Mr Lee said members of the Council are all distinguished and eminent leaders in their respective fields or internationally renowned scholars, experts or entrepreneurs. He thanks all members for actively providing him with valuable insights and wise counsel regarding the current situation and vision for future developments of Hong Kong. These contributions have provided important references for the overall development strategies of Hong Kong and the upcoming Policy Address.
The three meeting sessions were chaired by the Chief Executive. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Acting Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, and the Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit (CEPU), Dr Stephen Wong, attended the three sessions respectively.
The Chief Executive will deliver his fourth Policy Address this September, for which the public consultation commenced on June 16.
The Chief Executive established the CECA in 2023 to seek advice on the strategic developments of Hong Kong with a view to leveraging the opportunities from national and global developments. The second term of the CECA took effect on July 1. For the membership of the CECA, please refer to the website of the CEPU (www.cepu.gov.hk/en/CECA/membership.html), which serves as the secretariat of the CECA.
CE listens to views expressed by CECA on Policy Address (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE listens to views expressed by CECA on Policy Address (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE listens to views expressed by CECA on Policy Address (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters with epidemiological linkage
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 9) investigating two epidemiologically linked suspected food poisoning clusters affecting 39 students from two primary schools. The students developed symptoms after consuming lunch provided by the Sailing Boat Luncheon Production Limited. The CHP reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.
The first cluster involves 12 boys and 16 girls aged between 6 and 11. They attend a primary school in Sham Shui Po. The investigation revealed that the affected students developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea approximately three to 31 hours after eating school lunch containing fish, chicken cutlets, sauce, garnish and rice, which was provided by the abovementioned school lunch supplier on January 6.
While investigating the first cluster, the CHP of the DH traced the supply chain of the school lunch supplier and identified another cluster, involving eight boys and three girls, aged between 10 and 12, who attend a primary school in Diamond Hill. The investigation revealed that the affected students developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea approximately five to 15 hours after eating lunch containing chicken, cervelat sausage, sauce and fusilli at school yesterday (January 8). The food concerned was also provided by the same school lunch supplier.
None of the affected students required hospitalisation and they are all currently in stable condition.
Officers of the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch, have inspected the food factory of the school lunch supplier concerned and the kitchen of the first school. They inspected the food storage, the food preparation process and environmental hygiene. Investigation revealed that some food items, such as meat and sauce, were prepared at the food factory, while the other food items, such as rice and garnish, were prepared at the school kitchen. It is suspected that some food items were prepared too early in advance. The CFS immediately instructed the premises concerned to suspend operations for thorough cleaning and disinfection, improve food preparation process and hygiene standards. The CFS has provided food safety and environmental hygiene education to the staff. Food and environmental samples were collected for testing.
The investigation of the CHP and CFS is ongoing.
To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:
Avoid eating raw seafood;
Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;
Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;
Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;
Drink boiled water;
Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;
Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Source: AI-found images
