The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, concluded her visit to Washington, DC, the United States (US) and started her visit to New York today (July 16, Eastern Standard Time).
      
     At a roundtable discussion hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY) and the Asia Society in the morning, Ms Cheng highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a global business and financial centre and the importance of the rule of law.
      
     Ms Cheng then met with the President of New York City Bar Association, Mr Roger Juan Maldonado, to exchange views on the legal sectors of the two places.
      
     In the afternoon, Ms Cheng addressed a business luncheon co-hosted by the HKETONY and the National Committee on US-China Relations. She briefed participants from the legal profession and business sector on Hong Kong's strengths as an ideal hub for deal making and dispute resolution in Asia under "one country, two systems".
      
     She highlighted Hong Kong's common law system, judicial independence and legal profession, which she said are important elements of the city's legal system. She pointed out that Hong Kong's robust legal system provides the bedrock for Hong Kong's development as a commercial and financial hub in Asia.
      
     She added that Hong Kong will continue to provide a favourable trading and investment environment for its overseas partners and thrive as an ideal venue for deal making and dispute resolution with the dual advantages of "one country" and "two systems".
      
     In the evening, Ms Cheng joined a talk hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce on the latest trends in international dispute resolution, including the increasing popularity of using mediation in resolving commercial disputes and the development of online dispute resolution.
      
     She also paid a courtesy call on the acting Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Dr Zhao Yumin.
      
     Ms Cheng will call on the Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, Mr Ma Zhaoxu, tomorrow morning (July 17, Eastern Standard Time) before concluding her visit to the United States.
      
     She will arrive in Hong Kong on July 18 (Hong Kong time).   
      
    

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 (July 17) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Upper Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District; Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Police yesterday (July 16) held the Regional Traffic Day on the Hong Kong Island to raise public awareness of road safety through stringent enforcement actions.

     A total of 292 officers from Traffic Hong Kong Island and District Traffic Teams of Eastern, Wan Chai, Central and Western Districts were deployed to take enforcement actions at traffic black spots on the Hong Kong Island.

     The operation resulted in the issue of 1 457 fixed penalty tickets and 68 summonses. Among the fixed penalty tickets and summonses issued, a total of 1 301 fixed penalty tickets were issued for illegal parking and the rest are for other traffic offences.

     Police figures revealed that a total of 1 468 traffic accidents involving casualties occurred on the Hong Kong Island in the first six months of 2018, of which 511 cases involved pedestrian injuries.

     Police will continue to take regular enforcement actions to ensure road safety.

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     The Civil Engineering and Development Department today (July 17) announced that as Standby Signal No. 1 has been issued, the Chai Wan Public Fill Barging Point has been closed at 8.30am until further notice.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 has been issued, the Marine Department reminds vessel owners, masters and persons-in-charge of vessels that they should take precautionary measures immediately and properly secure their vessels at safe locations.

    In case of an accident, a report should be made immediately to the Vessel Traffic Centre at 2233 7801.