Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Korea and US suspended
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 9) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N9 avian influenza in Yeoncheon-gun of Gyeonggi-do Province in Korea, and outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
The Centre for Food Safety. Photo source: reference image
The relevant areas are as follows:
Korea
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Gyeonggi-do Province
(1) Yeoncheon-gun
US
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State of North Dakota
(2) Dickey County
State of Minnesota
(3) Roseau County
State of Nebraska
(4) Cedar County
State of Kansas
(5) Greeley County
State of South Dakota
(6) Hanson County
State of Illinois
(7) Clinton County
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 80 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 11.48 million poultry eggs from Korea, and about 33 270 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 92.33 million poultry eggs from the US in the first nine months of this year.
"The CFS has contacted the Korean and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
Source: AI-found images
Speech by CE at Shaw Prize 2026 Award Presentation Ceremony
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Shaw Prize 2026 Award Presentation Ceremony today (November 10):
Dr Raymond Chan (Chair of the Shaw Prize Foundation), Professor Kenneth Young (Chair of the Shaw Prize Council), Professor Reinhard Genzel (Chair of the Board of Adjudicators of the Shaw Prize), esteemed laureates, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It is a great pleasure to be here, with you, on this grand occasion - the 23rd Shaw Prize Award Presentation Ceremony. This year, we celebrate the seminal achievements of seven laureates in three disciplines: astronomy, life science and medicine, and mathematical sciences.
I am honoured to congratulate each one of you on your pioneering work and consequential discoveries. In advancing the sciences, you contribute to the evolution of civilisation. You light the way for the next generation to follow - to discover their own bright way.
Your work reflects a deep commitment to science and the pursuit of knowledge. Hong Kong shares that commitment, and we are turning it into action. In Hong Kong's inaugural Five-Year Plan, launched in September, we place high priority on developing a large area of Hong Kong land called the Northern Metropolis. More than a new economic engine, the Northern Metropolis will promote the integrated development of education, industry, and research and technology.
We are developing three university towns, covering an area of more than 1 000 hectares. Each will have its own focus. One will focus on medicine, life and health technology, AI, robotics, microelectronics, and emerging industries. Another will be a centre for applied post-secondary education in smart manufacturing and for cultivating global talent. The third will emphasise the arts and blue-and-green development elements.
These university towns will attract and welcome scholars and students from around the world, together with interdisciplinary research institutes, joint laboratories and other centres. These will bring academia, research and industry together.
The Shaw Prize celebrates curiosity, rigour and discovery. Those are also the qualities behind our investment in the university towns. The Government believes in a future centred on science. We believe in the rewards that knowledge brings to us all.
Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will enjoy this very special evening here in Hong Kong, Asia's education city. Once again, congratulations to the 2026 Shaw Prize laureates. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
