FS: Highlighting Hong Kong’s Role as East‑West Meeting Point at HKTDC Summer Expos

Speech by FS at Joint Opening Ceremony of HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Joint Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13):

Jonathan (Member of the HKTDC, Dr Jonathan Choi), Sophia (the Executive Director of the HKTDC, Ms Sophia Chong), (the Vice Chairman of the People's Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region, Mr Zhao Peng), (Vice Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conferenceand Chairman of Hunan Federation of Industry and Commerce, Mr Zhang Jian), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a pleasure to join you all for the joint opening of the HKTDC's five flagship summer fairs.

With so much wonderful food, tea and wellness inspiration gathered under one roof, perhaps I should begin with a small word of warning: it is rather difficult to leave without a few extra shopping bags in hand.

At the heart of this year's showcase is a theme made for our time: "Live Well, Stay Well." As the world pays more attention to mindful, balanced and healthy living, these five fairs bring together a rich mix of food, beverage, lifestyle and wellness experiences.

Today, the five exhibitions bring together more than 1 850 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. I am especially pleased that, for the first time, all 11 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states are represented, with Brunei and Timor-Leste making their debut.

And the world's finest products will sit alongside our own. We are proud to present Hong Kong's fishery and agricultural produce under a new unified brand, "Hong Kong Harvest". Meanwhile, specialty goods from 16 provinces and regions across the Chinese Mainland will be on show at the Food Expo.

All these speak to the enduring appeal of quality products and good living - and to Hong Kong’s unique ability to bring together international brands and regional enterprises, as well as discerning consumers in one dynamic marketplace.

I appreciate the way B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business to consumer) events sit side by side here. Whether you are an industry expert or simply a curious consumer, there is something to suit every palate and every lifestyle. These fairs connect the world of great food and wellness with the people of Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond - bringing the finest products from every continent right to our doorstep.

Hong Kong has long been a meeting point between East and West. This is a place where ideas converge, opportunities emerge and partnerships take root. That spirit is very much on display this year, with more than 230 mega events on the calendar, many of them MICE events. Some 3.6 million visitors are expected to come from around the world, an increase of more than 20 per cent compared with the previous year. These events will bring some $12 billion in spending to the city. Add to that our international outlook, efficient supply chains, and professional strengths in certification, quality assurance and brand building - and we are no doubt the best platform for brands looking to connect with markets across the region.

To our exhibitors and buyers: your presence here speaks volumes about the power of connection. The relationships you build over the coming days will go well beyond transactions. They will open new opportunities, spark innovation, and help more people, in more places, to live well and stay well.

And to our friends from overseas, I hope you will also find time to enjoy Hong Kong. This is not just a city for deal-making - it is a city of wonderful cuisine, rich culture, beautiful scenery and warm, energetic people. You never know: your next big idea, or your next business partner, may come not from the exhibition hall, but from a walk through our buzzing streets, or a conversation over a good meal.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you taste and explore your way through these fairs, I hope you will take away not only great products and promising leads, but also a fresh appetite – for good living as much as for good business.

I wish the fairs every success. Thank you very much - and to those heading into the halls, a final word of advice: plan your route, and save some appetite for the far end of the hall.

Thank you very much.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13). Photo shows (from front row, fourth left) the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Ms Sophia Chong; Mr Chan; Member of the HKTDC Dr Jonathan Choi, and other guests officiating at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13). Photo shows Mr Chan (fourth left) touring an exhibition booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13). Photo shows Mr Chan (second left) touring an exhibition booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13). Photo shows Mr Chan (first right) touring an exhibition booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13). Photo shows Mr Chan (third left) touring an exhibition booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13). Photo shows Mr Chan (centre) touring an exhibition booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13). Photo shows Mr Chan (second left) touring an exhibition booth. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 13). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (November 14) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Source: AI-found images