In response to the public procession today (July 14), a Government spokesperson said that after the peaceful and orderly protest this afternoon, some protesters deliberately blocked some roads, violently assaulted police officers and caused a breach of the peace. The Government strongly condemns these illegal acts.
The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong, and the society will absolutely not tolerate such violent acts.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (July 14) that Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool, Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre and Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Squash Courts in Shatin District have been temporarily closed due to a public procession in the vicinity.
Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow. Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre and Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Squash Courts will be reopened at 7am tomorrow.
In response to the public procession organised by the media sector today (July 14), a Police spokesperson replied as follows:
Police all along respect press freedom and their right of reporting. Police also understand the need of the media to film Police’s operations. Police have been maintaining communication with media organisations so that both sides could have mutual understanding on their work. There would not be any change in this area of work.
Since December 2015, Force Media Liaison Cadre (FMLC) was established under a volunteer basis and as a secondary duty. FMLC serve as a bridge between the Police and the media to facilitate the work of both sides as far as practicable under the condition that the effectiveness of Police’s operation will not be compromised. FMLC endeavour to assist both sides in discharging their work smoothly. Since its establishment, FMLC has fully fulfilled their co-ordination duties.
In addition, Police have added elements in various levels of training to enable police officers understand the work of the media.
Starting from June this year, a large number of public events were held at various locations in Hong Kong. Although most of them were conducted in an orderly manner, a large group of radical protestors violently charged Police cordon line and attacked Police officers shortly after the public events concluded. The scene turned into a very chaotic and dangerous situation. Media practitioners shall take care of their personal safety and avoid being in danger.
The above situation is unprecedented. There is room for improvement in the coordination work between Police and the media. In the future, Police would enhance communication with the media and relevant training for Police officers.
Regarding some cases in which media practitioners alleged to be treated unreasonably during reporting, Police would take appropriate follow up actions.
Hong Kong Customs seized about 2.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport on July 12.
A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 12. During Customs clearance, a slab of suspected cocaine was found concealed inside the false compartment of his suitcase. The man was then arrested.
The arrested man, aged 76, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 15).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
The Home Affairs Department has opened 19 temporary night heat shelters for people in need of the service.
The shelters will be open until 8am tomorrow.
For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
The 19 temporary night heat shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Districts:
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Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon Districts:
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Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Sham Shui Po
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories Districts:
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Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 20 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.