SCST Attends Hong Kong Week 2026@Chengdu Events

SCST attends Hong Kong Week 2026@Chengdu events

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, attended the Hong Kong Week 2026@Chengdu's events in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5).

In the morning, Miss Law officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Toy Culture and IP Exhibition. Organised by the Hong Kong Brand Toy Association and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the exhibition is being held at the Chengdu Global Center from today to September 13. Featuring four major zones, namely the Kung Fu Themed Zone, the Hong Kong Toy History Zone, the Hong Kong Designers Zone, and the Hong Kong Brand Toy Zone, the exhibition presents over 40 original art toy pieces by 27 Hong Kong designers/brands and creates a dialogue between the creative design cultures of Hong Kong and Chengdu, showcasing the spirit of innovative integration between the two cities.

In her address, Miss Law noted that the Hong Kong toy industry experienced rapid growth in the 1950s. Following the country's reform and opening-up, the industry subsequently transitioned to a model centred on design, research and development, and quality control - leveraging manufacturing capabilities in the Chinese Mainland to cement the "Hong Kong Toys" brand as synonymous with premium quality. This exhibition showcases a curated selection of Hong Kong toys from different eras, with pieces of museum-grade collectible quality.

In the afternoon, Miss Law visited Eastern Suburb Memory, a renowned trendy art and cultural and creative space in Chengdu. The park is distinctive for its integration of industrial heritage with modern pop culture, preserving nostalgic elements such as old factory buildings, red-brick walls, and green-bodied trains. Eastern Suburb Memory is a diverse cultural and creative hub that brings together music, fine arts, theatre, photography, exhibitions, performances, specialty cafés, and restaurants.

Subsequently, Miss Law officiated at the opening ceremony of "Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema". In her speech, she remarked that CCIDA first launched the programme in 2022, and it has since toured over 25 cities worldwide. This year, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Making Waves programme has been brought to Chengdu under the theme "Sports and Passion". A selection of nine Hong Kong sports films spanning half a century will be presented in 20 screenings, showcasing Hong Kong cinema's achievements in themes of sportsmanship, youth growth, and self-breakthrough, while embodying the resilient and relentless spirit of Hong Kong.

CCIDA administers a number of funding schemes to support small-to-medium-scale film productions and nurture emerging film talent. The opening film, "Wakesurf Lovers", which marks its Chinese Mainland big-screen debut, is a project funded by the Film Production Financing Scheme. Meanwhile, "Bird of Paradise" is an award-winning work from the First Feature Film Initiative, a scheme designed to fund emerging directors in bringing their debut feature films to the silver screen.

The Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, also participated in today's visit programme.

Miss Law will depart for Hong Kong tomorrow morning (September 6).

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5). Photo shows Miss Law visiting Eastern Suburb Memory, a trendy art and cultural and creative space. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5). Photo shows Miss Law (fourth right); the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum (third right); and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan (third left); visiting Eastern Suburb Memory, a trendy art and cultural and creative space. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5). Photo shows Miss Law (centre) and the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum (second right), viewing the exhibits at the Hong Kong Toy Culture and IP Exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5). Photo shows Miss Law (second right) viewing the exhibits at the Hong Kong Toy Culture and IP Exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5). Photo shows Miss Law (front row, centre) viewing the exhibits at the Hong Kong Toy Culture and IP Exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5). Photo shows Miss Law (centre); the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum (third right); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Brand Toy Association, Mr Wong Kim-fung (third left); the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan (first left); Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip (first right); and designers attending the Hong Kong Toy Culture and IP Exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5). Photo shows Miss Law (centre); the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum (third right); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Brand Toy Association, Mr Wong Kim-fung (third left); Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip (second right); and designers at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Toy Culture and IP Exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 5). Photo shows Miss Law speaking at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Toy Culture and IP Exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST attends Hong Kong Week 2026@Chengdu events Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH clarifies COVID-19 vaccination arrangements

In response to comments from a medical organisation about a lack of stock of COVID-19 vaccines and concerns about low COVID-19 vaccination rates, as well as related media enquiries, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 11) issued the following clarification:

Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases(Joint Scientific Committee) under the CHP, the CHP has continuously encouraged the public to receive the vaccine at appropriate times to minimise the risk of severe disease and death after being infected by COVID-19. Thanks to the government's and relevant sectors' continuous efforts to promote vaccination, the uptake rate of the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong exceeds 90 per cent, which is considered high internationally.

Regarding COVID-19 booster vaccination, the Joint Scientific Committee recommended them only for high-risk priority groups. Besides, one must receive a vaccine booster at least 180 days after their last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later). Therefore, the vaccination rate is expected to be relatively low. Due to reinfection or vaccination, many people infected with COVID-19 experience milder symptoms and chose not to seek medical care. The Government faces limitations in collecting and reviewing the latest infection figures. As a result, the actual vaccination rates for high-risk priority groups cannot be accurately determined.

The CHP previously announced that the shelf life of the LP.8.1 vaccine for children and adults would expire in mid-July and early September of this year respectively, and that the production and shipment of COVID-19 vaccines containing new ingredients would take time. Starting October 29, the CHP has been providing the Spikevax XFG mRNA vaccine to childrenaged 6 months to 11 years. The first shipment of the new batch of Spikevax XFG vaccine for individuals aged 12 or above is expected to arrive in Hong Kong next month (December). By then, market supply will resume and private doctors will be able to order from pharmaceutical companies as usual. During this transitional period while awaiting vaccine production and delivery, the absence of COVID-19 vaccinations for adults is normal and temporary.

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination venues, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently in use require complex cold-chain handling and have a limited shelf life after thawing. To provide convenience to the public, minimise vaccine wastage and ensure vaccine efficacy, the Government has set up a total of 75 COVID-19 vaccination venues across Hong Kong, including Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) in public hospitals, private clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centres, etc. Given that patients co-infected with seasonal influenza and COVID-19 are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP all along recommends that priority groups receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death.Eligible persons can receive both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at all current COVID-19 vaccination venues, including SOPCs and FMCs of the concerned public hospitals, as well as private clinics. Therefore, the CHP considers that there is currently no need to further expand the number of COVID-19 vaccination venues.

According to a survey conducted by the medical organisation concerned, nearly 40 per cent of the doctors surveyed do not proactively remind patients to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The CHP expressed concern about this and urged healthcare professionals to proactively remind patients of the importance of receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a timely manner. Even if their clinics do not provide vaccination services, healthcare professionals can still provide patients with information about the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to help safeguard public health.

The CHP will continue to strengthen publicity and education efforts through various online and offline channels to encourage priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible once the COVID-19 vaccines for persons aged 12 or above is available.

For more information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the CHP's website.

Source: AI-found images