Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Promotes GBA Opportunities and Hong Kong's Strengths in London

Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, concluded a four-day visit to London, the United Kingdom (UK) on October 17 (London time). During her visit, Miss Lam took part in a series of events covering talent recruitment, economic and trade promotion, cultural industries and youth development to promote Hong Kong's strengths and the development opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), as well as Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan.

During the visit, Miss Lam attended the "Hong Kong • Global Talent & Career Showcase" organised by Hong Kong Talent Engage to introduce GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths. In her keynote speech, she said that Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan clearly states that Hong Kong will continue to participate in the development of the GBA into an international first-class bay area with global influence. Among the initiatives, the Northern Metropolis serves as the main platform for Hong Kong to deeply engage in the development of the GBA, and to actively integrate into and serve overall national development. The Hong Kong Park in the Hetao ShenzhenHong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone is a cross-boundary co-operation platform that is a key national development priority, where enterprises and international professionals can leverage Hong Kong's internationalised innovation and technology (I&T) research and business environment to gain easy access to the industrial chains and markets of Shenzhen and other GBA cities, bringing unprecedented opportunities for global talent.

Miss Lam also attended a business luncheon jointly organised by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office (GBA Office) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London. She briefed representatives from the business sector, including the China-Britain Business Council and the Hong Kong Association, on Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, as well as Hong Kong's outstanding performance in economic freedom, competitiveness and financial markets. She stressed that over the next five years, Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its traditional strengths, strengthen I&T co-operation and prioritise the Northern Metropolis for future development to open a new chapter for I&T. She encouraged enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's advantage of being closely connected to both the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world, and to establish a presence in the city to tap into the huge GBA market .

On the youth and cultural front, Miss Lam met with Hong Kong students studying in the UK, and introduced the diverse opportunities available for young people across various sectors under the GBA development as set out in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan. She also attended a cocktail reception to promote culture and the arts in the GBA. In her speech, she highlighted that during the National 15th Five-Year Plan period, Hong Kong will continue in its important role as an East-meets-West centre for cultural and artistic exchange. Hong Kong is among the world's top three arts trading centres. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will further expand the scale of Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries. She encouraged collectors, museums, and arts and cultural institutions around the world to make good use of Hong Kong's role as the "super connector" and "super value-adder" to connect with the vast cultural and arts markets and resources in the GBA.

While in London, Miss Lam also called on the Minister and Chief of the Economic and Commercial Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Mr Yu Benlin, and briefed him on Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the work of the HKSAR Government in taking forward GBA development.

The GBA Office will continue to step up promotion of the opportunities in GBA development and Hong Kong's strengths through overseas visits and by leveraging the international connections of overseas Economic and Trade Offices and partner organisations.

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, concluded a four-day visit to London, the United Kingdom on October 17 (London time). Photo shows Miss Lam (seventh left, front row) with the Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage, Mr Felix Chan (sixth left, front row); the Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, Miss Fiona Chau (fifth left, front row); Assistant Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Cathy Li (first left, front row); and other guests at the "Hong Kong • Global Talent & Career Showcase" on October 17 (London time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, concluded a four-day visit to London, the United Kingdom on October 17 (London time). Photo shows Miss Lam delivering a speech at a cocktail reception to promote culture and arts in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on October 16 (London time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, concluded a four-day visit to London, the United Kingdom on October 17 (London time). Photo shows Miss Lam introducing Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths at the "Hong Kong • Global Talent & Career Showcase" on October 17 (London time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam (left), called on the Minister and Chief of the Economic and Commercial Section of the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom, Mr Yu Benlin (right), on October 16 (London time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, concluded a four-day visit to London, the United Kingdom (UK) on October 17 (London time). Photo shows Miss Lam introducing to Hong Kong students studying in the UK the diverse development opportunities available for young people across various sectors under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development on October 15 (London time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, concluded a four-day visit to London, the United Kingdom on October 17 (London time). Photo shows Miss Lam (centre); the Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, Miss Fiona Chau (third left); and Assistant Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Cathy Li (second left), with the Chief Executive of the China-Britain Business Council, Mr Peter Burnett (third right), at a business luncheon on October 15 (London time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, concluded a four-day visit to London, the United Kingdom on October 17 (London time). Photo shows Miss Lam speaking at a business luncheon jointly organised by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London on October 15 (London time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP investigates fatal case of invasive pneumococcal disease

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (October 18) investigating a fatal case of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), and reminded the public to observe hygiene practices against the disease.

The patient was a nine-year-old boy with good past health, who had developed fever, runny nose, cough, and chest pain associated with the coughing since October 10. He was brought to private clinics on October 10 and 13. On October 14, he was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department at Tin Shui Wai Hospital due to persistent symptoms and shortness of breath. He was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Tuen Mun Hospital for further management. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on October 15.

His pleural fluid specimen tested positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was severe pneumonia complicated with empyema, septic shock and acute renal failure. The CHP will arrange furthertesting and serotype analysis of patient's bacterial samples.

Initial enquiries revealed that the boy had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing. The case will be referred to the Coroner for investigation.

Pneumococcal infection is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). It causes a wide range of diseases. More common ones include middle ear infection and chest infection. It may also cause various forms of IPDs, such as infection of the brain membranes and blood stream. The infection can be serious or even life-threatening. Local data showed that about three per cent of the cases of paediatric IPD recorded over the past decade have been fatal.

Pneumococci are commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy people, particularly in children. Occasionally, these bacteria will cause an infection. They mainly spread through droplets via coughing and sneezing, close contact with the patients or contact with materials soiled with the bacteria.

Scientific research data from around the world indicated that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) canprovide direct protection effectively, and achieve herd immunity by reducing transmission. Receiving PCV can reduce the risk of IPD among children by 60 per cent to 90 per cent, demonstrating the effectiveness of the vaccine. In light of this, the DH has incorporated PCV into the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP) since September 2009, providing free vaccinations for children. Local research data showed a significant decrease in the number of cases of IPD after the HKCIP was launched. The incidence ofchildren aged two years or below, and children aged two to five years dropped by 85 per cent and 35 per cent respectively. Parents should ensure that their children receive PCV according to the schedule of the HKCIP. Elderly and high-risk individuals should also receive pneumococcal vaccine to safeguard their health.

The health condition of children with IPD can deteriorate rapidly. Parents should bring their children to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop a fever or respiratory symptoms.If the condition persists or deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, blue lips, convulsions, drowsiness,stiff neck, refusal to eat, persistent vomiting or decreased urination, they should attend an accident and emergency department for treatment immediately.

To prevent pneumococcal infection, the CHP appealed to the public for pneumococcal vaccination and hygiene practices. The public may visit the CHP'sinvasive pneumococcal disease pagefor more information.

Source: AI-found images