Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, at a media session after meeting with live pig trade and meat trade representatives at the Central Government Offices today (June 1):

Reporter: What has been discussed in the meeting? 

Secretary for Food and Health: We had a meeting with our traders. I would describe the meeting as very frank and the atmosphere is very good. We have discussed the trade operation and how we can work together in order to shorten the time of those live pigs staying in the slaughterhouse, because that would effectively prevent the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF). The traders have agreed to look into the entire chain of operation so as to shorten the time of those live pigs staying in the slaughterhouse. This is a very important point given that there is an incubation period of the ASF. The Mainland authority has already done a lot in terms of sending us healthy pigs. There are a lot of improvements and strengthened surveillance before the pigs entering the slaughterhouse. We will continue to look into how best to further improve the situation. The trade has also agreed that we would work together. On the Tsuen Wan Slaughterhouse, it will continue to assume normal slaughtering operation.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     Hong Kong Customs today (June 1) held an open day at the Customs Headquarters Building (CHB) to launch a series of events in celebration of the 110th anniversary of the department's establishment. Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang, greeted about 100 representatives of the department's working partners and introduced them to the different functions and duties of Hong Kong Customs. He also took the opportunity to review the past achievements as well as to look ahead to the future development of the department.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tang said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China and the 110th anniversary of the department's establishment. As the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has been announced, apart from stepping up the current duties, Hong Kong Customs will also develop in accordance with the smart customs blueprint to help ensure the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.

     The theme for celebrating the 110th anniversary of the department's establishment is "110 Years of Commitment, Ongoing Pursuit of Excellence". Mr Tang said that Hong Kong Customs performs a wide range of duties, from trade facilitation to stringent law enforcement, and striking a balance is highly important for the department. Hong Kong Customs has carried on its fine tradition of providing excellent public services and will continue to strengthen its work.

     In order to help the participants to gain a better understanding of the development history, inheritance and law enforcement of Hong Kong Customs, guided tours were held today to present various facilities of the CHB, including the exhibition gallery and the indoor firing range. Attendees also watched a performance by the Customs and Excise Band and a demonstration by Customs detector dogs.

     They were also briefed on the role played by Hong Kong Customs in implementing the "one country, two systems" principle in respect of customs clearance and trade facilitation, including the "co-location" and "separate locations" modes of clearance adopted at the West Kowloon Station of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link 
and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point respectively, as well as the development of the Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator Programme.

     Hong Kong Customs will hold four open days on the last two weekends of this month (June 22, 23, 29 and 30) for members of the public to visit major facilities of the CHB. Each open day will provide six guided tours. Performances by the Customs and Excise Band and demonstrations by Customs detector dogs will also be available.

     Members of the public can apply for admission tickets by email at opendayticket@customs.gov.hk from today to June 9. They can also collect admission tickets (maximum of four tickets for each person) at the reception located on the Ground Floor of the CHB at 222 Java Road, North Point, at 9am on June 16. Admission tickets will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. For more information of the CHB Open Day, please visit www.customs.gov.hk/en/whats_new/openday/index.html.

     In addition to the CHB Open Day, Hong Kong Customs will hold other celebration events within the year, including a parade and a charity sports competition, to offer good opportunities for members of the public to learn more about the department's work under the "one country, two systems" principle. Preparation is ongoing and details will be released when available.

            

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that the lifesaving services at Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District resumed today (June 1). The lifesaving service at the beach was suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 1) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Lower Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District as Grade 2, which means the water quality has improved and the beach is suitable for swimming. The red flag has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted on the beach earlier on due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 1) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving service at Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District has been suspended until further notice.

     First aid service will be maintained at the beach.