簡介
主持人：Noreen Mir
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
最新
Alan Lee, Vice-President, Diabetes Hongkong
Good morning! I would like to begin with an introduction to our organization. Diabetes Hong Kong is a non-profit making organization founded in 1996 by a group of healthcare professionals, people with diabetes, and advocates dedicated to diabetes education and management. Our mission is to support people with diabetes and their families or carers, to promote public awareness towards diabetes and to strive for optimal care and prevention of this condition.
A disease is important either because it is common or because it has significant impact on people’s health. I would say diabetes is very important because it fulfills both criteria.
So how common is diabetes exactly? International Diabetes Federation estimates that around 590 million, that is, 1 in 9 adults are living with diabetes worldwide in 2024, and by 2050 the number is predicted to rise to 850 million, that is, 1 in 8 adults. Locally, around 1 in 12 persons between 15 and 84 years old have diabetes according to the recent Population Health Survey conducted by the Department of Health. To me the estimation seems a bit conservative, and the prevalence should be at least around 1 in 10. Diabetes becomes more common when people age, and 1 in 5 people aged 65 or above in Hong Kong have diabetes.
What is diabetes notorious for? It is always difficult to catch the bad guy when he is invisible. Indeed, diabetes plays similar tricks on us. Most people affected by diabetes have no symptoms at all. 30-40 percent of people with diabetes have no idea they have this condition. In many cases diabetes may be discovered only when the blood sugar level becomes markedly elevated, or even worse, when the high blood sugar has persisted long enough to cause organ damage. Diabetes loves to attack both large and small blood vessels, especially in the eyes, kidneys, peripheral nerves, heart, brain, and legs. No wonder diabetes is the leading cause of multiple devastating conditions including blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and lower limb amputation. People with diabetes also tend to die earlier than the general population. Just imagine the huge impact on diabetes patients and their families, as well as on our society when these dreaded complications develop. Diabetes is seldom a maverick. It usually teams up with hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking and they all work together to intensify the widespread damage to our body. Therefore, diabetes is never just a glucose problem. The solution to this systemic disease demands a holistic approach and concerted effort of the whole community.
Prevention is always better than cure. Healthy balanced diet and regular exercise remain the cornerstones of diabetes prevention. It is obviously easier said than done, but it is usually helpful to invite motivated family members and friends to engage in lifestyle modifications together, so that we can support each other to keep ourselves on track. Diabetes usually does not send us a reminder that it is already there, therefore we should search for it proactively. Regular screening for diabetes by simple blood tests is recommended in at-risk individuals, including people aged 45 or above, those with cardiovascular risk factors like prediabetes, hypertension, high lipids, obesity and smoking, cardiovascular disease or family history of diabetes, as well as women with history of diabetes during pregnancy. Whenever we identify at least one of those diabetes’ allies, we should automatically search for diabetes as well.
For those who have already received the diagnosis of diabetes, lifestyle modification remains important but additional treatments are almost invariably needed for optimal control. Sustained satisfactory control of diabetes can prevent various diabetic complications. Please rest assured that nowadays we’ve got effective and safe medications which not only control the blood sugar level, but also help obese patients lose weight and independently protect the cardiovascular system and kidneys. We should not forget that it is equally important to manage body weight, hypertension, high cholesterol level, and for smokers to quit smoking. It is also essential for people with diabetes to undergo regular, preferably annual, screening of diabetic complications, which would enable healthcare professionals to intervene early and prevent progression in case complications occur.
World Diabetes Day or WDD is marked every year on 14 November which was the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. WDD was created in 1991 by International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization and became an official United Nations Day in 2006. The campaign focus for this year is “Diabetes and the workplace”. Millions of people with diabetes face daily challenges managing their condition in the workplace, including stigma, discrimination and exclusion. This has a negative impact on their well-being. I believe that diabetes management is more than just tests and pills. People with diabetes, together with their families, friends, colleagues, healthcare professionals, government officials and policy makers, should all work together so that everyone with diabetes has the chance to live well. By sharing a song by Eason Chan “Today”, I sincerely hope that the whole community will join to support people with diabetes. Wish you all a joyful Sunday!
重溫
Alpha Lau, Director-General, Invest Hong Kong
主持人：Noreen Mir
Good day to all entrepreneurs, investors, and listeners joining us today!
Time flies. At the wink of an eye, it’s been almost two years since I joined the Hong Kong SAR Government, at Invest Hong Kong, where we support overseas and Mainland Chinese companies, whether you are a startup, or a multinational large corporate, to set up your business and find success in Hong Kong.
To me, this is not just a job. It is my passion. And so, I want to share Hong Kong’s story and to show the world why our city is the best stage to expand your business and realise your dreams.
This year is Invest Hong Kong’s 25th birthday. On this special occasion, I would like to share some reflections.
Before joining the Government, I spent many years in finance and fintech, helping overseas companies enter Asian markets, through providing finance and services. Interestingly, I was once a “client” of Invest Hong Kong myself, when I helped a large Mainland bank set up a their new branch in Hong Kong. Back then, I experienced first‑hand the efficiency, the professional service, and most importantly, the warmth of the team.
Anyone who has tried to start or grow a business knows the challenges: regulations, finding the right partners, finding the right premises, hiring people, finding clients, and countless details and deadlines. Invest Hong Kong guided me and my colleagues through that journey. That experience showed me how critical it is to have an efficient, one‑stop government support platform to support companies entering new markets. Now that I am on the servicing side, I am even more determined that our that invest Hong Kong’s true value lies in “going the extra mile” for our clients.
Many people think our role is just to promote Hong Kong. In reality, it goes far beyond that. I often describe us as the “GPS for businesses.” Hong Kong is already an international finance and business hub. Our job is to help every “driver” — that is, every entrepreneur — to chart the best route, avoid obstacles, and move forward with speed and confidence. We explain the latest market trends, offer tailor‑made “route planning,” connect partners and guide companies through practical steps like setting up in Hong Kong, opening bank accounts, applying for visas and other approvals, understanding regulations, funding and subsidies available, and much more. From office set‑up and R&D partnerships, to talent recruitment and international financing, our goal is simple: make the journey easier so businesses can focus on growth.
To that end, I introduced and personally oversee a cross‑department referral system. The idea is simple: Invest Hong Kong gathers the “pain points” that these companies face when settling here, and we bring relevant bureaus and agencies together to find solutions. I would like to thank my government colleagues for their support. Through their guidance and helping hand, we have helped many companies together – helped them to succeed in Hong Kong, and grow beyond Hong Kong, more smoothly.
The results speak for themselves. From the beginning of 2023 to September this year, we supported over 1,300 companies from overseas and the Mainland in setting up or expanding here. In their first year, these firms brought in more than HK$190 billion in foreign direct investment and created over 20,000 new jobs. InvestHK achieved, ahead of schedule, the target set out in the 2022 Policy Address. These are not just numbers. They are a vote of confidence from each enterprise, and the stories of many new beginnings in this city.
Behind these achievements is a team driven by passion, professionalism, and a can‑do spirit. In our 35 offices around the world, colleagues are constantly connecting partners, solving challenges and unlocking opportunities. Their energy and determination make Invest Hong Kong more than just a department — they make us a true partner in your journey.
Hong Kong itself has a uniquely strong foundation. Even in a complex geopolitical climate, our institutional strengths and core competitiveness stand out. We are a free port with no tariffs; capital, information and people flow freely; our rule of law and common law system remain steady and reliable. These fundamentals make Hong Kong a stable and predictable platform for business in an uncertain world.
The Chief Executive’s Policy Address has reinforced this momentum, setting a clear blueprint to “strive for a vibrant economy, pursue development and improve people’s livelihood.” Invest Hong Kong will continue to turn policies into action by offering customised services, clear incentives, and practical facilitation, including the preferential packages announced in the Policy Address, to attract high-value industries and high-potential enterprises to establish and expand in Hong Kong.
We will support the establishment of the GoGlobal Task Force to help Mainland enterprises go global using Hong Kong as a platform, while also helping international companies to tap into the wider Asian markets. The Northern Metropolis, our new growth of economic growth, also offers vast opportunities, and we will actively promote its potential to overseas and Mainland enterprises.
Beyond being a great place to do business, Hong Kong is a city where people can truly enjoy life. Speaking personally, after work, I enjoy a nice meal with friends, on weekends I love hiking on our green hills, enjoying our beaches. Many are surprised to learn that in this mega financial centre, from the central business district, you can reach a mountain trail or the sea in just about 20 minutes. That is the Hong Kong I love: a city where dreams can be pursued, and life can be enjoyed to the full.
As Invest Hong Kong celebrates our 25th birthday — a milestone that signifies both the legacy we have built and a new starting point for the journey ahead. I want to once again, give a heartfelt thank you to every entrepreneur who has chosen Hong Kong and placed your trust in us, and in our city. Your belief, your drive, and your success the greatest force powering the city, and me, forward.
Challenges and opportunities will always come hand in hand. But with dedication, professionalism and innovation, Invest Hong Kong will continue to walk with you to write the next success chapter — for you, for your business, and for Hong Kong.
At the heart of this journey is trust, partnership and support — values we hold close, and values that define Hong Kong as a place to belong.
