DH participates in WHO's large-scale health exercise in Western Pacific Region to enhance emergency preparedness and cross-sectoral collaboration for foodborne diseases
The Department of Health (DH) today (September 23), in collaboration with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, participated in the annual large-scale table-top exercise, Exercise Crystal, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO). The exercise aimed to enhance emergency response mechanisms and cross-sectoral collaboration capabilities between Hong Kong, China, the WHO and neighbouring regions in addressing public health emergencies.
This exercise simulated a scenario in which suspected food contamination caused illnesses among a number of residents, in order to test relevant government departments' response plan, prevention and control measures and co-ordination efforts on foodborne diseases, as well as to share the information swiftly with the WHO through the established mechanism.
Since 2008, WHO WPRO has conducted the Exercise Crystal annually to strengthen the coordination capabilities of member countries and regions in preventing and responding to cross-regional public health emergencies. Meanwhile, the WPRO ensures that different focal points responsible for enforcing the International Health Regulations maintain close communication with each other, and are familiar with the response mechanism to public health emergencies. The WHO WPRO debriefed participants after the exercise and gave recognition for the participants' emergency response and collaboration mechanisms.
Being one of the focal points between Hong Kong, China and the WHO, the Centre for Health Protection of the DH has actively participated in the exercise for years to strengthen communication and information sharing mechanisms between Hong Kong, China and the WHO WPRO, and the respective focal points in other regions, in order to continuously optimise Hong Kong’s inter-departmental coordination mechanisms for responding to different public health emergencies.
The DH will consolidate the experience gained from this exercise and, in collaboration with other departments, review the current response mechanisms for interdepartmental co-ordination and preventive measures in a timely manner, so as to make more forward-looking arrangements to comprehensively safeguard public health.
DH participates in WHO's large-scale health exercise in Western Pacific Region to enhance emergency preparedness and cross-sectoral collaboration for foodborne diseases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH participates in WHO's large-scale health exercise in Western Pacific Region to enhance emergency preparedness and cross-sectoral collaboration for foodborne diseases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Launch Ceremony of 14th Animation Support Program sponsored by CCIDA held
Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA), the 14th Animation Support Programme (ASP) held its launch ceremony today (September 23). ASP aims to support local start-ups and small companies with strong potential in animation production with funding and comprehensive support measures to enhance the quality of the local animation industry.
This year's ASP comprises three categories (Start-up Category, Small Animation Enterprises with Training in Basic Productions Category, and Small Animation Enterprises with Training in Advanced Productions Category) with a total of 15 local animation enterprises to be selected. Each selected company will receive a subsidy ranging from $130,000 to $600,000, depending on their category, for the production of one original professional narrative animation. Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip, when officiating at today's ceremony, said that the selected works of this edition cover a diverse range of themes. Seeing that many of the selected companies and animators have demonstrated their original creative perspectives, she said she was confident that the completed animation works will deeply impressive.
To assist enterprises in enhancing production quality, ASP will continue to invite seasoned industry practitioners to offer professional guidance covering content creation, production techniques and business development to the selected enterprises. A series of free training courses will also be organised, spanning topics such as animation scriptwriting, directing, sound production, marketing and promotion, as well as licensing, with a view to providing comprehensive technical training and support.
With respect to promotion of the works, selected animation works will be screened in cinemas and on online platforms. ASP will also subsidise the selected enterprises to participate in major trade exhibitions, such as the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), and recommend outstanding works for international competitions, proactively assisting local animation enterprises to explore business opportunities and further enhancing the international visibility of Hong Kong animation.
Since its inception in 2012, ASP has subsidised over 100 local animation enterprises, with some works having been shortlisted for or won multiple international animation awards, achieving outstanding results. For more information on ASP, please visitwww.animation-ssp.com/en.
As stated in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, CCIDA will make good use of Hong Kong's rich blend of local and international cultures to facilitate innovative international communication and collaboration in the cultural and creative industries, and will continue to engage and collaborate with Mainland and overseas cultural, arts and creative sectors with a view to driving high-quality development and continuous innovation in the sector and enhancing its sustainable ecosystem.
Launch Ceremony of 14th Animation Support Program sponsored by CCIDA held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Launch Ceremony of 14th Animation Support Program sponsored by CCIDA held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
