Press Releases

SFH visits Guangzhou (with photos)

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, begins a two-day visit to Guangzhou this afternoon (November 24). He will meet his Mainland ministerial counterparts and tour the 16th Asian Games equestrian competition venue.

Dr Chow first went to the "equine disease-free" zone in Conghua City, Guangzhou Municipality, to visit the Asian Games equestrian competition venue and inspect the special quarantine and medical facilities for horses competing in the Asian Games equestrian events.

The Asian Games equestrian events are the first international equestrian events hosted in the Mainland. The Food and Health Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) had earlier signed a collaboration agreement on equine inspection and quarantine for the equestrian events.

According to the agreement, both sides agree to work closely on various aspects of the equestrian events, including the creation of the disease-free zone, veterinary services, transportation of horses, stable and competition venue management. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of the HKSAR Government will give technical support and training to the inspection and quarantine authorities of the Mainland under the agreement. During the event period, the AFCD's experts will also assist Mainland authorities in relation to the quarantine of participating horses, to ensure the smooth running of the equestrian events of the 16th Asian Games.

Dr Chow will also call on officials of the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau to exchange views on issues of mutual concern, and to foster co-operation between the two sides.

Dr Chow will meet with officials of the Department of Health of Guangdong Province and visit the Guang Dong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and other medical facilities in Guangzhou before returning to Hong Kong tomorrow evening (November 25).


Ends/Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:08

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(Photo 1), (Photo 2)