Remarks by SFST on financial development
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (August 30):
Reporter: On the programme, you mentioned that Hong Kong's achievements are not magic, but the result of careful assessment of local, national, and global developments. Could you share a specific example where you had to adjust your original policy plan because the global market shifted faster than expected, and how did you pivot from that? Also, there was talk about family offices, and the eight measures introduced at a time when global positioning was unclear. Looking ahead, how do you plan to differentiate Hong Kong from other regional competitors, especially in attracting high-net-worth families and digital asset innovators?
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury: As I mentioned on the programme, I think there are two key trends affecting everybody, economies and individuals together, globally and regionally. One is about geopolitics, a time when there is the increasing need for corporates, individuals, or even family offices to diversify their investments. The other key trend you highlighted is the trend of emerging technologies, AI and others. On these two, I would say what we have done so far is to ensure Hong Kong can leverage our advantages under "one country, two systems", and to ensure that we continue to be a relevant, trusted, stable and safe investment hub for all these capital that are willing and ready to put into Hong Kong.
At the same time, apart from the original business that we have in terms of equity and bonds, what we should do is to diversify our portfolio in terms of service offering. That's why this government has been embarking on an initiative to develop Hong Kong as an international gold trading centre, with the clearing system now in pilot operation. And apart from equities, we are also pursuing developments on the bond side, including the setup of a bond trading platform (the electronic fixed income and currency trading platform between the China Foreign Exchange Trade System and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited). So all these are part and parcel of our overall strategy to continue enhancing our role as an international financial centre and to make Hong Kong continuously relevant in this changing era.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Source: AI-found images
CHP reminds schools and parents to take measures to prevent communicable diseases in new school year
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 30) reminded schools and parents to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of various communicable diseases in schools and safeguard students' health.
"Schools are places where children gather to learn and play. Some young children have yet to fully master proper personal hygiene practices, making it easier for communicable diseases to spread through close contact on school campuses. As students return to school, the CHP has sent a letter through the Education Bureau to all schools in Hong Kong, reminding school management to take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of transmission of communicable diseases in schools. I would like to remind the public that Hong Kong is still in the midst of the influenza season. I hope that all schools and parents will actively participate in the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP) and use the Electronic Consent Form via eHealthnewly launched this year to complete the consent process early. This will allow schools to plan and arrange seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) activities earlier. If schools do not participate in the SIVSOP, parents should arrange for their children to receive SIV at one of the private clinics enrolled in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme as soon as possible after the 2026/27 SIV Programme begins," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
Respiratory infectious diseases
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Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June. So far, 11 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded. Eight patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital, two patients remain in critical condition and there was one fatal case. The CHP's latest surveillance data shows that influenza activity level remains high. Due to widespread influenza transmission in the community in recent months, the number of infections has increased significantly, leading to a corresponding rise in severe cases. The CHP expects that influenza will remain active at the beginning of the new school year, and that influenza outbreaks may occur in schools. Therefore, schools and parents must remain vigilant and take preventive measures.
COVID-19 activity level has also been on an upward trend since June, and began to decrease after reaching a peak in early August. The CHP has recorded two severe paediatric cases of COVID-19 infection since June. Neither child had received COVID-19 vaccination. Regarding other respiratory pathogens, theactivity level of respiratory syncytial virus has shown a slight upward trend recently, though it remains below the peak levels recorded in recent years.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent seasonal influenza, COVID-19 and their complications. It also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death. In addition, members of the public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene to prevent respiratory infections. Students and school staff with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask, refrain from going to work or attending classes, avoid crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. They should also maintain hand hygiene before putting on and after removing a mask. High-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear surgical masks when taking public transport or staying in crowded places.
Mosquito-borne diseases
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Although mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF), are not transmitted from person to person, schools should take measures to strengthen efforts to eliminate stagnant water and prevent mosquito breeding, such as changing water for plants at least once a week, covering all water containers tightly and keeping all drains free from blockage. School management is advised to appoint designated staff to be responsible for mosquito prevention and control on campus. Details are available fromthe guidelines published by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
As of August 27, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 28 DF cases (comprising 26 imported cases and two local cases) as well as two imported CF cases this year.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
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HFMD is a common disease in children usually caused by enteroviruses, such as coxsackie viruses and enterovirus 71. In Hong Kong, the peak season for HFMD is usually from May to July, with a smaller peak occurring from October to December after the start of the school year. In June and July this year, surveillance data showed that HFMD activity level had increased and remained high. Since mid-August, it has declined to a lower level. When classes resume, close contact among young children in schools and institutions will make the disease easier to spread, and sporadic outbreaks may occur.
HFMD is mainly transmitted by contact with an infected person's nose or throat discharges, saliva, fluid from vesicles or stool, or after touching contaminated objects. To prevent the spread of HFMD within school settings, affected children should remain at home and refrain from attending school until they have completely recovered.
The CHP reminded schools to implement prevention and control measures, and handle outbreak cases in accordance with theGuidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases. If an outbreak is suspected, schools should immediatelyreport itto the CHP for prompt follow-up. Schools may also refer to the CHP's guidelines onCF,DF,seasonal influenza,HFMD and EV71 infectionfor more information. Information on SIV is available on the CHP'sVaccination Schemes page.
Source: AI-found images
