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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 16) 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, and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The 2026 final register for the Rural Representative Election (RRE) was published today (October 16). The final register contains the particulars of the registered electors of Existing Villages, Indigenous Villages, Composite Indigenous Villages and Market Towns. Registered electors may log into the RRE Voter Registration Information Enquiry System through the RRE website (www.had.gov.hk/rre) for perusal of their own registration particulars. They may also call the RRE hotline at 2152 1521 during ordinary business hours for enquiries about the relevant information.
 
     A full copy of the final register is placed at the office of the Electoral Registration Officer located at the Home Affairs Department (HAD), 11/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai. Copies of the specific divisions of the final register for Rural Areas that belong to the Rural Committees concerned are placed at the offices of the Assistant Electoral Registration Officers in the respective New Territories District Offices (NTDOs), the office addresses of which are set out on the RRE website. Pursuant to section 30 of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Registration of Electors) (Rural Representative Election) Regulation (Cap. 541K), specified persons including members of the press (meaning persons who subscribe to the Government News and Media Information System maintained by the Director of Information Services), political parties (i.e. political bodies/organisations that meet the specified requirements under the Regulation), Heung Yee Kuk, respective Rural Committees for the relevant Rural Areas, indigenous inhabitants of the relevant Indigenous Villages or Composite Indigenous Villages, as well as residents of the relevant Existing Villages or Market Towns can inspect the aforementioned final register of electors for purposes relating to the RRE, by making an appointment through the RRE hotline or the relevant NTDOs during ordinary business hours starting from today.
 
     The ordinary business hours of the HAD and NTDOs in respect of the above matter are from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except general holidays).
 
     Statistical information about the final register is available on the RRE website.
 
     For enquiries, please visit the RRE website or call the RRE hotline.

     The Government gazetted today (October 16) the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 3) Order 2026 (the Amendment Order) to amend Schedules 1 and 3 to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) (the Ordinance) so as to implement the latest list of endangered species subject to control under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties was held in November and December 2025, at which Appendices I and II to CITES were amended, updating the list of endangered species subject to control.

     A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that CITES is implemented in Hong Kong through the Ordinance and hence the Ordinance is updated from time to time in light of the latest requirements of CITES. The Amendment Order aims to give effect to the latest regulations of CITES on the controlled species.

     The Amendment Order mainly reflects the addition, removal and other changes of species listed in the Appendices to CITES, and involves a number of species of sharks, manta rays and devil rays, wood and ornamental plants, etc. Major amendments are set out in the Annex.

     Under the Ordinance, except with exemptions or otherwise specified, the import, export, re-export, introduction from the sea, possession or control of specimens of scheduled species, including their parts and derivatives, are subject to licensing control. The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 21, 2026, for negative vetting, and the new control measures will come into effect on December 31, 2026, with the effective date for some species deferred to June 5, 2027, pursuant to the decisions adopted at the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties. A Licence to Possess must be obtained within the three-month grace period (i.e. on or before March 30, 2027) for the possession of specimens of Appendix I species or live specimens of wild origin of Appendix II species for commercial purposes. Local trading of the listed species which were already imported legally before the implementation of the new amendments can continue under licensing control. The AFCD will introduce to relevant traders and stakeholders the details of the amendments to the Ordinance through circular letters and briefing sessions.

     The spokesman said, "More endangered species will be included on the control list after the amendments to the Ordinance come into effect. This will help enhance protection of more endangered species and enable Hong Kong to make a contribution to nature conservation at an international level."

     The spokesman reminded the public that it is illegal for any person to import, export or possess any endangered species without a required licence. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a $10 million fine and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction. The specimens will also be forfeited. For licensing requirements for the species listed on different appendices, please visit the website: www.cites.hk. For enquiries, please contact the AFCD through email (hk_cites@afcd.gov.hk) or call 1823.

     ​The International Organizations (Privileges and Immunities) (The International Criminal Police Organization-INTERPOL) (231st Executive Committee Session and 94th General Assembly Session) Order was gazetted today (October 16).
      
     The Central People's Government and The International Criminal Police Organization-INTERPOL (INTERPOL) signed an agreement on the granting of privileges and immunities to INTERPOL and the persons connected with it for the purposes of the 231st Executive Committee Session and 94th General Assembly (GA) session to be held in Hong Kong.
      
     The Order was made by the Chief Executive in Council under the International Organizations (Privileges and Immunities) Ordinance (Cap. 558). The Order seeks to implement the privileges and immunities as provided under the agreement.
      
     The GA is the highest governing body of INTERPOL. It meets yearly for representatives of member countries to discuss international policing issues and foster collaboration. The 94th GA will be held in Hong Kong from November 30 to December 3, 2026. The Executive Committee, chaired by the President of INTERPOL, is the governing body in charge of supervising the execution of the GA's decisions and the administration and work of the General Secretariat of INTERPOL. The 231st Executive Committee Session will be held in Hong Kong on November 29, 2026.
      
     A Government spokesperson said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will spare no effort in ensuring the successful delivery of the INTERPOL 231st Executive Committee Session and 94th GA, which will be hosted by our country in Hong Kong, to showcase to the world the achievements of the "one country, two systems" framework, and tell the good stories of our country, Hong Kong and the Police."
      
     The Order will be tabled before the Legislative Council on October 21, 2026, for negative vetting. The Order will come into operation on the same day.