Hong Kong LegCo Delegation Engages with Japanese Officials on Trade and Food Safety Issues

2024-12-23 21:35 Last Updated At：21:48

LegCo delegation continues duty visit to Japan

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

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LegCo delegation continues duty visit to Japan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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LegCo delegation continues duty visit to Japan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council (LegCo) delegation led by the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, continued its duty visit to Japan today (December 23).

The delegation met with various departments of the Japanese government. During the meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, Mr Taku Eto, Members mentioned that Hong Kong was Japan's second largest export market for agricultural and fisheries products and food, and Hong Kong citizens have high standards for food safety. Members further learnt about the measures put in place by Japanese authorities to ensure the safety of exported agricultural and fisheries products.

The delegation also met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Hisayuki Fujii. Members said that with the implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance this year, the Hong Kong society has become safer and more stable, enabling better protection to foreign investors, including Japanese businesses operating in Hong Kong. The delegation also welcomes the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to visit Hong Kong to understand the actual situation in the city.

During the meeting with the Vice-Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr Takehiko Matsuo, both sides exchanged views on bilateral economic and trade co-operation, innovation and technology, and regional development, etc. Members emphasised that Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will contribute to regional economic development and achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the National Diet of Japan, where they toured the buildings of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, and met with representatives from both Houses. During the meeting with the Vice-President of the House of Councillors, Mr Hiroyuki Nagahama, both sides exchanged views on areas such as enhancing dialogues between Hong Kong and Japan, and food safety. The delegation also sought Japan's support for Hong Kong's accession to RCEP, which would enable Hong Kong to play a greater role in regional economic development.

Afterwards, the delegation met with the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Koichiro Gemba. They discussed how to promote Hong Kong's strengths to local community through Japan's business and political sectors, including the attractiveness of Hong Kong's tourism and being the world's freest economy. Both sides look forward to a closer relationship between the Hong Kong and Japanese parliaments through the exchange.

The delegation also met with the chairman of the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarians Caucus, Ms Hanako Jimi, a Member of the House of Councillors, to discuss parliamentary work and further promote exchanges between Japan and Hong Kong.

The delegation took the opportunity to meet with the Japanese business community. While visiting Toyosu Market in the morning, Members exchanged views with several wholesalers and learnt that Hong Kong was one of their important export destinations. Noting the proposed food market for imported fresh food in this year's Policy Address as a new initiative under the Airport City project, the delegation opined that Hong Kong can learn from the operation of Toyusu Market and its ancillary facilities for attracting tourists, so as to realise "tourism is everywhere" in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, when meeting with the Japan Business Federation, an organisation comprising of local companies, both sides explored how Hong Kong could assist Japanese enterprises in seeking opportunities in the Mainland China market.

In the evening, the delegation called on the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Mr Wu Jianghao. They discussed how Hong Kong should leverage its strength under "one country, two systems" to deepen economic and people-to-people exchanges with Japan. The delegation also expressed gratitude to the Ambassador for providing assistance to the duty visit.

The delegation will conclude the duty visit in Japan and return to Hong Kong tomorrow (December 24) morning.

Soft Ice Cream Sample Fails Safety Test, Bacteria Count Exceeds Legal Limit

2024-12-23 20:58 Last Updated At：21:08

Soft ice cream sample detected with total bacterial count exceeding legal limit

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 23) that a soft ice cream sample was found to contain a total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a restaurant in Causeway Bay for testing when following up on a related food incident. The test result showed that the sample contained 160 000 bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit.

"The CFS has conducted investigation to the food premises immediately, took food samples for laboratory testing, and informed the food premises concerned of the irregularity. Investigation revealed that the ice cream was produced in the food premises concerned. The restaurant has already stopped selling and discarded the affected product according to the CFS's advice. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the restaurant, and requested it to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence," the spokesman said.

Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50 000 bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the total bacterial count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

Hong Kong LegCo Delegation Engages with Japanese Officials on Trade and Food Safety Issues

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