LegCo Submits Thematic Research and Opinion Gathering Report on "Supporting the SAR Government in Formulating Five-Year Plan" to CE

LegCo submits thematic research and opinion gathering report on "supporting the SAR Government in formulating five-year plan" to Chief Executive

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

This year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is actively formulating Hong Kong's first five-year plan. Under the executive-led governance, the Chief Executive (CE) established a collaborative research and public opinion gathering mechanism between the Government and the Legislative Council (LegCo). A public consultation exercise on Hong Kong's first five-year plan is expected to be launched in the second quarter of this year.

On behalf of LegCo, the President of LegCo, Dr Starry Lee, together with the two Chief Coordinators of LegCo, Mr Chan Chun-ying and Mr Stanley Ng, as well as members of LegCo Subcommittee on Hong Kong's Work to Actively Dovetail with the National 15th Five-Year Plan (the Subcommittee), submitted the thematic research and opinion gathering report on "supporting the SAR Government in formulating the five-year plan" to the CE today (May 29) to assist in advancing the formulation of the plan.

Through the Subcommittee set up at the beginning of this term as a coordination platform for gathering public opinion under the collaborative mechanism, all LegCo Members were mobilised and six working groups were established based on their respective constituencies, professional knowledge and practical experience, etc. These groups conducted in-depth thematic studies, rigorous analyses and canvassed views from different sectors across various subjects, including economy, finance and trade; industry development and innovation and technology; land, housing and the Northern Metropolis; regional cooperation; livelihood and social development; and the synergistic development between the culture, sports and tourism and green living, etc.

In just a month, the Subcommittee spared no time and worked tirelessly to have convened four meetings. The working groups organised 99 consultation sessions, engaged with more than 4 000 individuals from various sectors and received 570 submissions. This large-scale, comprehensive, yet highly focused public consultation and opinion gathering exercise has been completed with remarkable speed and efficiency, and the relevant outcomes have been structurally and systematically compiled into this report.

The President of LegCo, Dr Lee, said, "LegCo attaches high importance to the CE's expectation regarding the collaborative mechanism. As the most important platform for gathering public views, LegCo is responsible and duty bound to carry out this task. This ground-breaking approach, which mobilised all Members to work together efficiently, demonstrates the unity and teamwork of the Eighth LegCo."

Dr Lee said the innovative collaborative mechanism established by the CE enables LegCo to take part at an earlier stage in the Government's formulation of major development visions and policy initiatives, helping the Government gauge public sentiment more effectively. It symbolises a new milestone in the positive interaction between the executive and legislative authorities.

Dr Lee also pointed out that LegCo will continue to leverage the collaborative mechanism to work closely and be well-aligned with the Government. Members will also strengthen ties with the community and conduct visits to various sectors to collect public opinion, with a view to assisting the Government in smoothly completing a five-year plan that fully meets Hong Kong's development needs within this year, and implementing various planning blueprints in an effective manner. This will lay a solid foundation for the good governance, the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, as well as the well-being of citizens.

Legislative Council (LegCo) submitted thematic research and opinion gathering report on "supporting the SAR Government in formulating five-year plan" to Chief Executive today (May 29). Photo shows LegCo Members meeting with the Chief Executive and relevant officials regarding the thematic research and opinion gathering report on Hong Kong’s five-year plan. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) submitted thematic research and opinion gathering report on "supporting the SAR Government in formulating five-year plan" to Chief Executive today (May 29). Photo shows the President of LegCo, Dr Starry Lee (left), posing for a photo with the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

On behalf of the Legislative Council (LegCo), the President of LegCo, Dr Starry Lee (front row, fourth left), together with the two Chief Coordinators of LegCo, Mr Chan Chun-ying (front row, fourth right) and Mr Stanley Ng (front row, first left), as well as members of LegCo Subcommittee on Hong Kong's Work to Actively Dovetail with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, submitted the thematic research and opinion gathering report on "supporting the SAR Government in formulating the five-year plan" to the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (front row, centre) today (May 29). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 30) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.

In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:

Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;

Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;

Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;

Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;

Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and

Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.

In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:

Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;

The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.

Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.

The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.

Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:

Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;

Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;

While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;

Seek shade;

Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;

Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and

Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.

If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

For more health information, the public may visit theCHP's heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.

Source: AI-found images