Hong Kong Official Promotes Greater Bay Area Opportunities During Malaysia Visit

Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area visits Malaysia to promote GBA's development opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, began a two-day visit to Malaysia today (November 7) to promote the development opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Hong Kong's unique strengths and to promote exchange and collaboration in different areas between the two places.

Ms Chan called on officials of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia this morning to learn about the latest developments in Malaysia and to introduce the developments of the GBA. She then hosted a luncheon for the Hong Kong-Malaysia Business Association to exchange views with members of the local business community and to promote how Hong Kong as a core city of the GBA can help Malaysian companies seize the unlimited opportunities brought about by GBA developments. In the afternoon, Ms Chan called on the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia and met with the Minister Counsellor, Mr Lin Shiguang.

Tomorrow (November 8), Ms Chan will attend "The Arising Business Opportunities - The Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong" Seminar jointly organised by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office and Invest Hong Kong, and co-organised by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Ms Chan will deliver a keynote address at the seminar to promote the strong impetus for growth and development potential of the GBA to Malaysian enterprises and talent and encourage them to capitalise on Hong Kong's important roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" to tap into the vast markets of the GBA and of the Mainland.

Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area visits Malaysia to promote GBA's development opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area visits Malaysia to promote GBA's development opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area visits Malaysia to promote GBA's development opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP urges public not to buy or consume herbal product suspected to contain lead

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 7) is investigating a lead poisoning case, and appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume a certain herbal product as it may contain lead, which is harmful to one's health.

The CHP received a notification of a lead poisoning case from the Hospital Authority involving a 62-year-old female, who presented with loss of appetite in late September. She was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital from October 12 to 18. Blood tests during hospital admission identified a high blood lead level together with anaemia and liver impairment. Her clinical diagnosis was lead poisoning. The patient was readmitted on October 24. She is in stable condition and has been discharged from hospital.

After receiving the notification, the CHP commenced investigations immediately. The patient reported consuming a herbal product labelled as "Garcinia Cambogia" for several months. She bought this herbal product from an overseas online shop. Testing of the product by the Government Laboratory revealed that the product contains lead. As the herbal product was manufactured in Nepal as labelled, the product has been referred to the relevant department of the Nepal Government for follow-up.

The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

"Lead has no essential function in man, but has a number of adverse effects. Acute exposure to high doses of lead may cause abdominal pain and vomiting. Chronic exposure to lead, depending on the lead level inside the body, is associated with a wide range of health effects, including neurodevelopmental effects, anaemia, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired renal function and neurological impairment," a spokesman for the CHP said.

The spokesman strongly urged people who are consuming this product to stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals as soon as possible if they feel unwell or are in doubt.

CHP urges public not to buy or consume herbal product suspected to contain lead Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases