Director of Health attends Health Working Group Meeting of APEC Senior Officials' Meeting in Guangzhou
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, today (February 1) led a delegation from the Department of Health (DH) to attend the Health Working Group (HWG) Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials' Meeting in Guangzhou.
"China is the host of APEC in 2026. I am honoured to lead my colleagues from the DH of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) to attend the first HWG Meeting this year. We engaged in in-depth discussions with representatives from other APEC member economies on ways to enhance co-operation in public health. We also discussed how to mitigate the impact of health-related threats on the economy, trade and security of member economies. We are committed to promoting healthy and sustainable development in the region," Dr Lam said.
During the meeting, member economies exchanged views on topics including public health surveillance and early warning systems, immunisation, healthy ageing, mental health and the application of innovative technologies. The DH's representative will, in tomorrow's meeting, introduce the development direction of the next-generation public health surveillance technologies in Hong Kong with a view to enhancing preparedness against communicable diseases and safeguarding public health and wellbeing of citizens.
The DH has actively collaborated with and participated in APEC's public health initiatives. With the support of the National Health Commission and the Health Bureau of the HKSARG, the DH has promoted health collaboration and capacity building in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to global public health.
"Under the principle of 'one country, two systems' and the staunch support of our country, the DH will continue to deepen professional exchanges and collaboration with other APEC members. Through multilateral collaboration, we will build consensus to jointly strengthen public health systems in the region. This will further leverage Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' to help tell good stories of our nation and Hong Kong," Dr Lam said.
The HWG of APEC is a regional health forum dedicated to demonstrating the value of health to economic growth and development and to building awareness of the return on investment in health innovation. The goal of the HWG is to help reduce the impact of health-related threats to the economy, trade and security of member economies. The HWG aims to strengthen health systems to increase their efficiency, responsiveness and resilience to achieve and maintain universal health coverage.
Dr Lam will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (February 2) after attending the first two days of the meeting.
Director of Health attends Health Working Group Meeting of APEC Senior Officials' Meeting in Guangzhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Director of Health attends Health Working Group Meeting of APEC Senior Officials' Meeting in Guangzhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Fun Day of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong concludes
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (February 1) held the Fun Day of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong at Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant. The event attracted over 2 000 members of the public, including students, underprivileged families and professional groups. As one of the key events to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong, the Fun Day aimed to provide participants with joyful moments, while reliving the highlights of various commemorative events with deeper understanding and appreciation of the country's support and care to Hong Kong.
At the kick-off ceremony for the Fun Day, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, remarked that the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the WSD have joined hands with professional and community groups to organise a series of diverse commemorative events under the theme "Dongjiang River - An Inseparable Bond, Our Blessed Origin" in phases since September 2024, attracting over four million participants or viewers to date. These events have effectively enabled members of the public to deeply remember the country's immense and long-term support and care rendered to Hong Kong through the provision of Dongjiang water. She also said that commemorating the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong is not only about remembering a profoundly moving history, but also continuing to write an everlasting and everliving novel. The DEVB and the WSD, through public and school education, will continue to promote the patriotic messages that encourage members of the public and students to be grateful for the care rendered by the country to Hong Kong.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, extended thanks to the collaborating parties of the events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. He remarked that the Fun Day has integrated a number of distinctive and remarkable elements of those commemorative events, aiming to provide immersive celebration experience for participants of different age groups. Furthermore, Hong Kong has, for the first time, been successfully declared as one of the sub-venues of the nationwide "Water Conservation China Tour" organised by the Ministry of Water Resources in 2026. The WSD will take the opportunity of the Fun Day and a series of subsequent related activities to promote a culture of water conservation and enhance public awareness of water saving.
At the kick-off ceremony, an award presentation ceremony was held for the previously organised Good Water Good Fish Logo Design Competition. Ms Linn, along with public participants, visited the venue of the Fun Day and took part in some booth games themed on Dongjiang water.
Other guests, including the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Ye Shui-qiu; the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau; and the Chairperson of the Drinking Water Safety Advisory Committee, Dr Chan Hon-fai, also joined the ceremony.
The Fun Day featured a rich array of activities, including Dongjiang water themed game booths, exhibitions and commemorative event showcase zones, as well as stage performances, guided tours and experiential activities. Moreover, the WSD mascot Water Save Dave posed for photos with visitors at different check-in spots at the venue.
Fun Day of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Fun Day of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Fun Day of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Fun Day of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Fun Day of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
