WSD closely follows up on water supply incident affecting some Taikoo Shing residents
Regarding the appearance of black particles in the drinking water of some Taikoo Shing households, a spokesman for the Water Supplies Department (WSD) stated today (November 16) that the department is closely following up on the situation. Since receiving the notification from the Taikoo Shing management office last night (November 15) that residents (mainly from phases four and five) had found small black particles in drinking water, the WSD immediately dispatched staff to look into the incident. Water samples were collected from affected households and the sump and roof drinking water tanks of the buildings for laboratory testing. Results are pending. Based on past experience, the black particles are believed to be bitumen protective coating in the water pipes.
The black particles in the drinking water of some buildings in Taikoo Shing, Photo source: FB
To facilitate pipe maintenance works, the WSD carried out temporary redirecting of water supply near Taikoo Shing last night in which the changes in water pressure may have disturbed sediment inside the pipes. At the same time, investigations revealed damage to one of the filter facilities at the estate's public water inlet, which may have allowed a small amount of sediment to enter the estate's public water pipes, causing particles to appear in some households' drinking water. The WSD routinely inspects these inlet filters, with the most recent regular check on November 3 showing no abnormalities. The damaged filter was repaired last night, and the WSD has strengthened pipe flushing in the affected system.
The WSD understands residents' concerns. To safeguard users, it is advised that if water has remained in pipes for some time, or when using taps for the first time each morning, residents should let the water run until it becomes clear before consumption. To reassure residents, water trucks have been stationed on-site to provide temporary water supply.
Additionally, the WSD has set up a service counter at the site, working with the property management office to assist residents in flushing water meters and to answer enquiries immediately. If residents notice abnormalities in their drinking water, they should notify the management office at once or call the WSD Customer Service Hotline at 2824 5000. The WSD will arrange for staff to follow up as quickly as possible.
The Water Supplies Department, Photo source: news.gov.hk
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception on March 12 (Philadelphia time) in Philadelphia, one of the most significant life science clusters in the United States, to promote Hong Kong's expanding role as a global hub for health and life sciences innovation and to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Over 130 business leaders, investors, and innovators from across Greater Philadelphia gathered to learn more about Hong Kong's role as an international life and health science hub.
As part of the Economic and Trade Express initiative, the business forum was co-organised by the New York ETO, Invest Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), strengthening efforts in trade and investment promotion, and reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".
In her welcome remarks, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted Hong Kong's remarkable progress in life sciences and healthcare, emphasising the latest measures to propel Hong Kong's life sciences and health technology ecosystem through a multipronged approach.
She elaborated on Hong Kong's integrated development plan, including reforming the evaluation regime for drugs and medical devices, promoting the use of real-world data to facilitate clinical research, setting up dedicated institutes and academies for research and clinical trials at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in the Northern Metropolis, as well as dedicated efforts in attracting strategic enterprises, with a view to further strengthening Hong Kong's position as a leading health and innovation node.
Ms Ho added that Hong Kong's well-established financial ecosystem continues to play a pivotal role in supporting this growth. "Hong Kong ranks as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub, supporting a diverse range of innovative companies," she said.
The business forum featured two keynote presentations connecting life sciences and health innovation between Philadelphia and Hong Kong. In her keynote presentation, the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie, highlighted Hong Kong as a launchpad for life sciences, showcasing its well- developed research and development infrastructure, robust intellectual property protection, and strategic gateway to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and Asia-Pacific markets. Meanwhile, the Director (New York & Midwest) of the HKTDC, Mr Curtis Louie, shared the range of support the HKTDC provides to Philadelphia companies, including matchmaking services for companies, and encouraged delegation participation in the upcoming Asia Summit on Global Health.
The presentations were then followed by a panel discussion moderated by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Science History Institute, Dr David Cole, featuring the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the ConSynance Therapeutics, Dr Liu Shuang; the Head of Global Business Development of the Jecho Laboratories, Dr Sarah Johnson; and the Director, Deal Advisory, US-China Corridor of KPMG, Mr Jon Hung. The speakers discussed collaboration, fundraising, clinical development, and market expansion in Asia.
On the same evening, Ms Ho hosted a spring reception for guests from the city's political, business, financial, and academic communities.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum to promote Hong Kong’s life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (second right) with Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Invest Promotion of Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie (first left); Head of Global Business Development of Jecho Laboratories, Dr Sarah Johnson (second left); Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ConSynance Therapeutics, Dr Shuang Liu (third left); President and Chief Executive Officer of the Science History Institute, Dr David Cole (fourth left); Director of Deal Advisory (US-China Corridor) at KPMG Mr Jon Hung (third right); and Director (New York & Midwest) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Curtis Louie (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). The panel discussion at the business forum explored opportunities for collaboration, fundraising, clinical development, and market expansion in Asia. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). In her welcome remarks at the business forum, Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted Hong Kong’s remarkable progress in life sciences and healthcare, emphasising the latest measures to propel Hong Kong’s life sciences and health technology ecosystem through a multi-pronged approach. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows talented New York-based young musicians from Hong Kong performing at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (second right), with guests at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Guests from Philadelphia’s political, business, finance, and academic communities attended the event, and enjoyed the lion dance performance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, delivering the welcome remarks at the spring reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (sixth left), with guests at the spring reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
