The Hong Kong Special Administrative government will consider setting up a cooling-off period and pursue legal steps over the suspected closure of a private healthcare company that used to provide infant and child vaccinations and examination services, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced Tuesday.

He made the remarks after the reported shutdown of Alliance Medical Group, on Wednesday, leaving many clients affected as they had pre-purchased its vaccination programs.

A cooling-off period will allow consumers to have the rights to decide not to purchase the services they have agreed to buy.

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Asked whether the government will establish a cooling-off period and prevent pre-paid consumption, the chief executive emphasized that the authorities took the matter seriously and established an interdepartmental taskforce on Friday with representatives from various bureaus and departments to address the incident.

“The government will examine whether the existing regulations are adequate, particularly for prepaid consumption, and consider various proposals, including the introduction of a statutory cooling-off period, limiting the maximum contract period, and addressing industry operational conditions.,” he told reporters ahead of the Executive Council meeting.

The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau will complete the study as soon as possible and will submit a report, Lee added.

Stressing that the government should pursue legal accountability and safeguard consumer rights, he pointed out that the Customs and Excise Department and the Police Force will conduct criminal investigations under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and other criminal offenses to hold the responsible people accountable, while the Consumer Council will also exercise its authority to protect the rights of consumers.

“We should provide feasible assistance to the affected individuals, so eligible children will be able to receive the remaining required vaccines free of charge under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme,” the CE said.

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Zhejiang visit

Asked what results the government had achieved following a Hong Kong delegation visit to Zhejiang province from April 22 to 25, the CE said the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will set up a "technology company hotline" and arrange a dedicated team to assist more technology companies to prepare listing in the city, while the Securities and Futures Commission will also provide support.

More details will be announced later on Tuesday, added the CE who led the Zhejiang visit.

The visit had also achieved various results, including enhancing an all-round cooperation between Zhejiang and the HKSAR, establishing a mechanism for cooperation meetings, signing of four cooperation documents, and opening up new opportunities for scientific and technological innovation cooperation, he added.

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At the same briefing, the CE reiterated that the government will make all-out efforts to pursue those who violate the national security law.