The sense of touch is the primary way young children bond with their parents and peers. It is also through physical touch that they learn and explore the world around them. From the first of its kind 'Hong Kong Children's Touch Survey'[1] conducted by Reckitt and its brand Dettol, it revealed that the deprivation of touch during the pandemic has led to varying degrees of impact on the early development of young children in Hong Kong. In response to the Global Handwashing Day on 15 October[2], Dettol actively promotes the importance of maintaining personal hygiene amongst parents and their children. Working with its network of Hong Kong charity partners[3], Reckitt is donating Dettol products to over 10,000 families in need to 'Seize the Childhood and Keep On to Protect Our Future'.

Hygiene concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to drastically reduced children's exposure to the outside world. This was corroborated by the survey findings of 300 Hong Kong parents of children aged between 2 and 5 years. The surveyed parents typically cautioned their children against touching objects and other people, including things in public areas (e.g., banisters, lift buttons, door handles, and railings etc.) (78%); strangers (74%), things on the street (e.g., goods at supermarkets or shops) (69%), playground facilities (e.g., slides, swings, climbing frames, ball pits, merry-go-rounds etc.) (51%), as well as flora and fauna in nature or outdoor areas (e.g., grassland, beaches, stray animals etc.) (49%). Additionally, 70% of surveyed parents said that they avoided touching or hugging their young children before disinfection upon arriving home.

Multisensory learning method incorporating the haptic exploration of different objects could positively enhance the learning effectiveness of young children[4]. In the survey, 70% of parents said their children loved touching objects around them. However, more than 60% of parents said they would intervene when their children were about to touch something or some people that seemed unhygienic, such as calling out to stop them[5] and immediately disinfecting their hands. The parents' instant reactions may unwittingly suppress their children's desire to explore their surroundings and may even cause them to associate negatively with connecting with the outside world.

The lack of interpersonal touch could severely impact the social and cognitive development of young children[6]. Close to 70% of surveyed parents were concerned that touch deprivation would lead to stunted growth in their young children. During the pandemic, they observed the varying degrees of impact on their children's personality, psychological development, language development, interpersonal skills, and learning ability. Some parents said that their children became more inhibited, unsociable, bashful, and easier to be frightened, with some reporting that their children became easily startled whenever someone approached them, and they seemed to struggle to relax regardless of circumstances.

63% of parents insisted on completing a minimum of two disinfection steps before touching their children; 80% of parents hoped their children could maintain personal hygiene habits after pandemic

The survey has found that 63% of parents insisted on touching their children only after completing at least two steps or more of the disinfection process, which involved washing their hands with handwash (69%), taking a shower (58%), and changing their clothes (56%). Children have acquired a certain level of hygiene awareness from their parents during the pandemic. For example, 75% of young children have learnt to clean their hands proactively, and 55% would wash their hands for an average of six times or more daily. Up to 80% of parents hoped their children could continue the personal hygiene habits after the pandemic to prevent the threat of other viruses. Hygiene issues were often the cause of conflicts between the surveyed parents and other family members, with such conflicts more frequent with their elderly parents and in-laws (47%) and spouse (38%). The findings show that better communication is needed to help the family as a whole to reach a consensus on hygiene standards.

Reckitt and Dettol to 'Seize the Childhood' and support over 10,000 families in need

"As a father of three, I can empathise with the surveyed parents for the concerns and anxiety they have had during the pandemic. While physical distancing could help contain the spread of the virus, it also reduced the opportunities for young children to explore their surroundings. Finding the right balance here is crucial to the healthy development of children," said Boudewijn Feith, Reckitt General Manager Hong Kong/Taiwan. "At Reckitt, we put people first and we are committed to providing our consumers with high-quality hygiene protection in pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world with one of the most trusted antiseptic brands, Dettol. In response to the Global Handwashing Day on 15 October, Reckitt and our brand Dettol launch the 'Seize the Childhood and Keep On to Protect Our Future' campaign at PARKnSHOP stores. We believe that consistent personal hygiene habits will give parents the peace of mind to let their children explore the world, unlock their potential, and enjoy a happy and healthy childhood."

During the promotion period from tomorrow (14 October) to 15 December, with any purchase of Dettol personal care products of a designated amount at PARKnSHOP stores in Hong Kong and Macau, consumers will entitle to a cash coupon that can be used in the next purchase. Meanwhile, Dettol will donate hygiene and disinfectant products to Reckitt's network of Hong Kong charity partners3, expected to benefit over 10,000 families in need. The amount of rebate and donation will be doubled on 15 October to celebrate the Global Handwashing Day.

[1] Reckitt and its brand Dettol conducted an online survey of 300 parents of children aged between 2 and 5 years in September 2022.

[2] Global Handwashing was established by United Nations in 2008 with an aim to promote the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective way to prevent diseases (https://globalhandwashing.org/global-handwashing-day/).

[3] For more information on Reckitt's network of Hong Kong charity partners, please visit Dettol Hong Kong's Facebook page.

[4] Minogue, J., & Jones, M. G. (2006). Haptics in education: Exploring an untapped sensory modality. Review of Educational Research, 76(3), 317-348.

[5] For example, shouting "No!", "That's dirty!", or "Don't touch that!".

[6] Gallace, A., & Spence, C. (2010). The science of interpersonal touch: an overview. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 34(2), 246-259.

Prudential plc ("Prudential") today announced that Prudential's shares (HKEX Stock Code: 2378), which trade on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, have been included for trading in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme, with immediate effect. This is according to an announcement issued by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange today.

This inclusion means qualified investors in the Chinese mainland now have direct access to Prudential's shares through the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Prudential also officially joins the Hang Seng Composite Index ("HSCI") today.

James Turner, Group Chief Financial Officer, Prudential said: "The inclusion in the HSCI and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme marks another significant milestone in Prudential's new chapter as an Asia and Africa focused company and supports our continued commitment to diversify our investor base.

"We are delighted to offer investors in the Chinese mainland an opportunity to be part of our growth journey. Prudential has a robust capital position, with ample capacity to tap growth opportunities that are driven by increasing demand for health, protection and savings solutions as people live longer and become more affluent.

"We aim to achieve long-term double-digit growth in embedded value per share, driven by our diverse sources of growth across Asia and Africa and supported by our leading positions in high growth markets."

Prudential has a diversified portfolio comprising 34 businesses in 23 markets, with a focus on offering health, protection and savings solutions to customers across Asia and Africa. It has a digitally enhanced multi-channel distribution platform, comprising more than 530,000 agents and over 170 bancassurance partners.

"The diversification of our business across geographies, products and distribution platforms gives us resilience and a long-term growth trajectory. As our markets emerge from the pandemic, we are well placed to help our customers get the most out of life by providing them greater access to healthcare and financial security," added Mr. Turner.

Prudential is an insurance and asset management group with dual primary listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (2378) and the London Stock Exchange (PRU). It also has a secondary listing on the Singapore Stock Exchange (K6S) and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (PUK) in the form of American Depositary Receipts.

Prudential reported its 2022 Half Year results, which shows the business continues to deliver resilient operational performance with strong capital position amid market volatility.

The 40th Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony, held at the Kowloon Bay International Exhibition and Trade Center, concluded successfully on July 17. Partnering with its Hong Kong distributor Unicom Technology (HK) Limited, Hytera provided the event management team with a comprehensive communications solution consisting of Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) radios and digital portable radios.

The Hong Kong Film Awards has been adopting Hytera communications solutions since 2014. This year, as the layout of the venue was quite different from the previous ones, the on-site communications system needs to be capable of providing communication coverage that allows the staff working at the basement parking lot to coordinate seamlessly with the other staff serving the guests at the venue located at the upper storeys.

This requirement is an addition to the standard communication needs of the reception, backstage and the actual venue. Featuring a wide-area network coverage, the Hytera PoC solution fits just the purpose.

Together, the Hytera PNC378 PoC radios and PD708 digital portable radios offer a comprehensive and complete communications system that secured uninterrupted connectivity and communications.

About Hytera

Hytera Communications Corporation Limited (SZSE: 002583) is a leading global provider of professional communications technologies and solutions. With voice, video and data capabilities, we provide faster, safer, and more versatile connectivity for business and mission-critical users. We enable our customers to achieve more in both daily operations and emergency response to make the world more efficient and safer.

About Unicom Technology (HK) Ltd

Unicom Technology (HK) Ltd was established in 1995 and is the Authorized Distributor and Service Center of Hytera Communications in Hong Kong and Macau. As an expert in providing total solutions for two-way radio communications, Unicom Technology offers one-stop shop services including system design, equipment sales, and repair & maintenance.

The Unicom Technology engineers, certified by Hytera technical and product trainings, ensure that customers can have excellent after-sales support and the most optimum solution for radio system design.

In line with Hong Kong Government's implementation of "Energizing Kowloon East", nine property developers, namely Chinachem Group, China Overseas, Empire Group Holdings, Far East Consortium, Henderson Land, K. Wah International, New World Development, Sun Hung Kai Properties and Wheelock Properties (listed in alphabetical order), have formed a non-profit private company – "Kai Tak Runway Private Development Company Limited" (Company), pledging a common vision for Kai Tak Runway's long term development and transforming Kowloon East into Hong Kong's second CBD. As a part of the "Energizing Kowloon East", the Company will proactively cooperate and solicit with different stakeholders and Government departments through public-private partnerships to reinforce long-term core values and confidence in future developments, enhancing Hong Kong's overall quality of life, and jointly thriving for building a brighter future for our city.

Adhering to the common vision of developing Hong Kong's second CBD in Kowloon East and building a high-quality living environment, the Company integrates the developments of nine property developers on the Runway to create a brand new comprehensive and diversified destination in Hong Kong - Park Peninsula, located on the unique and exclusive waterfront area of the former Kai Tak Airport runway. Surrounded by Hong Kong's largest green and recreational area of approx. 450,000 sq.m., Park Peninsula proudly floats in the middle of the sea, like a park on the ocean and with the rare world-class waterfront, adjoined by 3 shore-lines, further reinforcing the unique setting of the only green area floating on the Victoria Harbour.

An exclusive area in Hong Kong combining leisure and entertainment, surrounded by land and sea

Park Peninsula, with the objective to offer a sustainable, green, leisure and entertaining living experience, brings a unique combination of land and sea, redefining a new comprehensive and diversified destination in the vibrant and cosmopolitan Hong Kong. Surrounded by approx. 450,000 sq.m. of green and leisure areas – including Metro Park, Kai Tak Sky Garden, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park, Kai Tak Runway Park, Kai Tak Sports Park to name a few – it is Hong Kong's largest green area, that is 2.3 times larger than Victoria Park. Closely located to the approx. 2.4km-long Kai Tak River, Park Peninsula will feature an incredible approx. 11km-long waterfront promenade and approx. 13km-long shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists bridging the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter and the adjoining areas for the public to savour and indulge in an extensive space for relaxation while enjoying the breath-taking views.

Bringing together the very best in sports, medical care, hotel, tourism and commercial complex in sight to Hong Kong

Encompassing the world-class sports, hotel, tourism and commercial facilities, Park Peninsula is strategically located next to Kai Tak Water Sports Center which provides a wide range of water sports, such as rowing, kayaking, dragon boating, etc. With over 5.75 million sq.ft. of commercial gross floor area in Park Peninsula, and adding the adjoining commercial area neighboring Kai Tak MTR Station, the area features the longest "underground shopping street", the biggest retail complex "SOGO in Twin Towers" and the largest outdoor multi-purpose "Kai Tak Sports Park". Accompanying with the well-equipped Hong Kong's Children Hospital, Park Peninsula embodies the foremost complex development in Hong Kong. In addition to the major shopping malls in Kai Tak City Centre, the Waterfront Promenade on the Runway will also provide various leisure, dining and retail shops bringing a unique waterfront alfresco experience. The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and commercial area adjacent to Park Peninsula helps drive Hong Kong's economic development by providing job opportunities and hosting an array of world-class entertainment events that create a dynamic and energetic urban environment.

Multi-modal transportation connecting a privileged and comfortable residential area to all major districts

Park Peninsula will be equipped with a "multi-modal" environmental-friendly linkage system extending in all directions, featuring elevated walkways with travellators, cross-harbour pedestrian and cyclist bridge to connect Park Peninsula and the two core hubs of Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay, with the additional support of networks of buses, minibuses and other transportation facilities. Runway Park Pier is also planned to become the pick-up and drop-off point for water taxis connecting Central, West Kowloon, East Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom and Kai Tak providing convenient, fast and direct transportation services.

As the one-and-only 3-shore-line oasis floating on the Victoria Harbour with unbeatable sea views, Park Peninsula is an approx. 450,000 sq.m. of green and leisure area that brings a privileged and comfortable world-class waterfront lifestyle to Hong Kong. Park Peninsula is set to become Hong Kong's most exclusive, comprehensive and diversified new destination integrating leisure and entertainment, sports, hotel, tourism, commercial and residential elements.