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Legislative control set for cannabidiol

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The Customs & Excise Department today announced that new legislative control of cannabidiol (CBD) will come into effect on February 1, thereby placing CBD under the same strict control as other dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance from that day.   It explained that starting February 1 onwards, the importation of such products, including food or drinks containing CBD, into Hong Kong will be prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the ordinance are complied with.   As such, the public is advised not bring any cannabis products or products containing CBD into the city.   To avoid breaching the law inadvertently, people should refrain from buying any CBD products and take notice of whether the products' packaging and labels contain wordings of CBD or tetrahydrocannabinol when making such purchases.   Noting that vigorous enforcement action will be taken to combat the related drug trafficking activities, the department said it will step up enforcement act
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Dec exports value down 28.9%

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The value of Hong Kong's exports fell to $348.1 billion in December, down 28.9% compared with the same month in 2021, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.   The value of imports dropped 23.5% to $399.7 billion for the same period.   A visible trade deficit of $51.6 billion, or 12.9% of the value of imports, was recorded for the month.        For 2022 as a whole, the value of total goods exports dropped 8.6% over 2021, and that of imports decreased 7.2%.   A visible trade deficit of $395.8 billion, or 8% of the value of imports, was recorded in 2022.        Comparing the fourth quarter of 2022 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports decreased 7% while that of imports dropped 6.5%.   Total exports to Asia as a whole dropped 29.2% in December when compared with the same month last year. Decreases were also registered in exports to major destinations in other regions, in particular Germany, the UK and US for t
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1.9k COVID-19 cases found 

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The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 1,950 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 455 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 1,495 via rapid antigen tests.   Separately, 37 imported cases were detected.   Furthermore, 22 residential care homes for the elderly and two for disabled people logged 33 cases involving their residents and two staff infections.   The Hospital Authority reported that 36 patients passed away in public hospitals. According to a preliminary analysis, the cause of death of 18 patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 18 patients was unrelated.   It also registered 11 more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 130.   For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government’s dedicated webpage. http://dlvr.it/ShMCb5
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Over 2.2k virus cases identified

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The Centre for Health Protection today said it is probing 2,230 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 486 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 1,744 via rapid antigen tests.   Separately, 41 imported cases were detected.   Furthermore, eight residential care homes for the elderly and three for disabled people logged 11 cases involving their residents and two staff infections.   The Hospital Authority reported that 49 patients passed away in public hospitals. According to a preliminary analysis, the cause of death of 20 patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 29 patients was unrelated.   It also registered eight more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 126.   For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage. http://dlvr.it/ShLnjy
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CE welcomes new liaison chief

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Chief Executive John Lee today welcomed Zheng Yanxiong on his new posts as Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong SAR.   Mr Lee issued a statement on Mr Zheng's appointment by the State Council.   He noted that Mr Zheng became the first Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR in July 2020 and led the office in performing its mandate of safeguarding national security in accordance with the law, effectively coordinating with the Hong Kong SAR Committee on National Security, as well as overseeing and guiding the city's work in safeguarding national security.   “I have every confidence that Mr Zheng will lead the LOCPG in continuing to support the Hong Kong SAR Government's governance in accordance with the law, and t
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Govt receives detailed train report

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The Government today received the detailed investigation report submitted by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) to the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) on the MTR Tsuen Wan Line train incident on November 13 last year.   The detailed investigation report indicated that the mounting bolts and nuts of a trackside metallic barrier broke due to serious corrosion, causing the metallic barrier to lean over to the track and the incident train hit the barrier.   After the incident, the MTRC inspected all similar barriers across the railway network at the EMSD's request to ensure the railway's safe operation.   In addition, the MTRC has enhanced the civil structure maintenance regime with specific maintenance given to the metallic barriers.   It is also conducting a comprehensive trackside infrastructure and equipment survey, which is expected to be completed by mid-May. The Government will continue to follow up with the survey.   The detailed re
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CE inspects control point

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Chief Executive John Lee visited the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (Futian) Control Point today, the first day of the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, to view the arrangements for people crossing the boundary.   Mr Lee was briefed on the arrangements and spoke to members of the public during the visit, and said he was satisfied with the smooth operation on the resumption of normal travel.   Noting that all the relevant boundary control points were operating well and people could travel across the boundary smoothly, he noted that the travel resumption must proceed in an orderly and safe manner.   Mr Lee added that the relevant authorities will closely monitor the situation, including the arrangements before and after the Lunar New Year holidays, to come up with a plan for realising the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland in a secure and manageable way. http://dlvr.it/Sgb8KS
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