Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (June 24):
 
Reporter: Good morning, Mr Lee. With Director Xia Baolong (Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong) wrapping up his five-day visit last Sunday (June 22), what do you make of his visit, and what's the Government's plan in carrying out his expectations and wishes to Hong Kong? And the Government has raised the travel alert for Israel and Iran to black on last Thursday (June 19). What's your assessment on the situation and how many SAR (Special Administrative Region) residents have sought help so far? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: I thanked Director Xia for personally attending the 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum in Hong Kong, and taking the opportunity to inspect Hong Kong. I sincerely thanked him for affirming the work of me and the governing team on our proactive approach and determination to forge ahead. He encouraged me and the SAR Government to continue our efforts in safeguarding national security, while balancing well its relation with development. Director Xia also encouraged us to capitalise on the current stable situation to build strong development and to build the economy and improve people's livelihood. He reminded Hong Kong to steadfastly uphold national security and not to forget the harm inflicted on the citizens and the city of Hong Kong by the 2019 "black-clad" violence and the attempted "colour revolution", and we should remember the pain, even though the wound has healed.
 
     Director Xia's keynote speech in the Forum has charted the course of Hong Kong's future development. He asked Hong Kong to build high-quality development by fully implementing the holistic approach to national security, leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages in its connectivity with the Mainland and the world, utilising Hong Kong’s strengths in the rule of law and upholding Hong Kong's executive-led system to improve governance of the Hong Kong SAR and promote reform. During his inspection, he expressed strong endorsement of the work of the District Councils, the Care Teams (District Services and Community Care Teams) and the concept of Community Living Rooms. I am grateful to Director Xia for his caring and support for Hong Kong. We will spare no effort in safeguarding national security and co-ordinating security and development. We will focus on four key areas.
 
     First, Hong Kong must fully and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" principle and thoroughly adopt a holistic approach to national security.
      
     Second, adhere to the solid foundation of the rule of law and leverage Hong Kong's international strengths, especially the professional advantages in both common law and civil law systems.
      
     Third, cherish the stable situation and seize development opportunities, actively integrate into the national development, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, leverage Hong Kong's advantages of our connectivity with the Mainland and the world, and promote the two-way flow of overseas and Mainland enterprises, capital and technology through "going global" and attracting international investments.
      
     Fourth, enhance traditional strengths, focusing on reform and innovation, enhancing the competitiveness in finance, trade, shipping and technology. We will boldly reform, innovate and create. We will accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and we shall make development of industries as our fundamental goal, enhance innovation and technology and drive reforms to speed up and strengthen efficiency.
 
     On your question regarding the conflicts in the Middle East, the Spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has already stated that China urges parties to the conflict to prevent the situation from spiralling up, make sure the fighting will not spill over, and return to the track of political settlement. China stands ready to enhance communication and co-ordination with various parties to pool efforts together and uphold justice, and play a constructive role for restoring peace in the Middle East. I support the stance of our country and I totally agree. I support ensuring the safety of civilians and resolving issues through diplomatic means. I also call on the international community to jointly safeguard global peace. I hope the situation in the Middle East resumes to peace and stability as soon as possible.
 
     In view of the latest developments in Israel and Iran, the Government has already raised the Outbound Travel Alert for Israel and Iran to black last week. This signifies a severe threat. Hong Kong residents should avoid all travel to Israel and Iran. They should attend to personal safety, leave or relocate to relatively safe areas immediately. As of June 23, the Immigration Department has received enquiries from 21 Hong Kong residents who were in Israel or Iran. Twenty of them have already departed safely. The Department will continue to maintain close contacts with the remaining one Hong Kong resident and provide appropriate assistance. It is important that Hong Kong residents in these two countries, or in areas where threats may spiral up too to pay close attention to personal safety, leave and relocate to other safer areas, pay attention to the developments through the news, what we, the Government, broadcast, and also the websites of the Security Bureau. We will keep close communication with the Office of the Commissioner of the MFA in Hong Kong, and we will also maintain close communication with relevant embassies. The Security Bureau will closely monitor the situation. Any updates will be issued and announced immediately, and we will also be updating relevant mobile apps as well.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Members of the public are invited to attend the Hospital Authority (HA) Board Meeting to be held on June 26 (Thursday) at 4pm. 
 
     The HA Board Meeting has been open to members of the public since 1998 to demonstrate the continuous effort of the Authority to enhance its transparency and public accountability. The HA Board holds meetings at regular intervals to discuss major health policy issues that have impacts on the public. Through these open meetings, the community is able to understand more about the role and functions of the HA Board as well as the operation and services of the HA and its hospitals.
 
     The HA Board will discuss the following agenda items in the coming meeting:
 

• Progress Report on Strategic Priorities;
• Annual Report on the Operation of the Community Care Fund Medical Assistance Programmes;
• Cluster Presentation Programme – Kowloon Central Cluster – Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank: Advancing Infant Health through Safe Breast Milk Donation; and
• Cluster Presentation Programme – Kowloon East Cluster – A Venture of Faith – Evolution of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service at Haven of Hope Hospital.

 
     The meeting agenda and papers will be made available to the public at the meeting. Members of the public are reminded that they can attend the Board Meeting only as observers and will not be participating in the meeting discussions.
 
     Members of the public who are interested in attending the coming Board Meeting have to make an advance booking by contacting the Secretariat of the HA Board at 2300 6797 before noon on June 26. To facilitate booking arrangements, members of the public are advised to provide their names and contact telephone numbers. In view of the limited seating available in the public gallery of the meeting venue, seating will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

     The Labour Department (LD) regularly organises courses and public health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work and occupational health to raise awareness of occupational health among both employers and employees.

     Details of seven courses and health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in July are as follows:

(1)
Topic: Safety Regulations on Working in Times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
Dates and time: July 14 and 28 (Half-day (am)); July 11 and 24 (Half-day (pm))
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the LD, 13/F, KOLOUR·Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Enrolment method: Online registration of Occupational Safety and Health Training Courses (www.oshtc.labour.gov.hk/wpas/?lang=en)
Enquiry hotline: 2940 7057

(2)
Topics: Safety Regulations on Working in Times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment and Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment
Dates and time: July 8 and 24 (Half-day (am))
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the LD, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration of courses in Occupational Safety and Health Centre (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2361 8240

(3)
Topic: Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment and Heat Stress Risk Assessment
Date and time: July 9 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Enrolment method: Online registration for public talks on occupational health (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040

     In addition, the LD will hold the following occupational health public talks in July:

(1)
Topic: Occupational Stress
Content: The talk will introduce the symptoms and health impacts of occupational stress as well as some stress-coping strategies.
Date and time: July 2 (2.30pm to 4pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040

(2)
Topic: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for Confined Space Workers
Content: To enhance workers' OSH awareness of working in confined spaces, the talk will explain the related hazards as well as their preventive measures.
Date and time: July 17 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040

(3)
Topic: Occupational Health for Cleansing Workers
Content: The talk will introduce occupational health hazards and their preventive measures for cleaning workers to enhance their awareness of occupational health. Demonstrations and practice of workplace exercises will also be included.
Date and time: July 21 (6.30pm to 7.45pm)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040

     All courses and public talks will be given by the LD's occupational hygienist, occupational safety officer or occupational health nurse in Cantonese. Admission is free.

     The LD also provides a free-of-charge outreach occupational health education service. For details, please visit the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content7.htm) or call 2852 4062.

     The Environment and Ecology Bureau today (June 24) announced the appointments to the new term of the Advisory Committee on Countryside Conservation (ACCC).

     The ACCC was established in 2019 to advise on the priorities for conservation and revitalisation works proposals to be carried out by the Countryside Conservation Office, as well as the policy and operational matters relating to the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS). The new term of non-official membership, comprising five existing members and six new members, will be effective for two years from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. To learn more about the work of the ACCC, please visit: https://www.eeb.gov.hk/en/boards_committees/countryside_conservation/maincontent.html.

     The Chairman of the ACCC, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, expressed his gratitude to the nine outgoing members, namely Professor Joseph Ting Sun-pao, Mr Eric Lee Chung-ming, Professor Lam Kin-che, Mr Andrew Lam Siu-lo, Professor Leslie Chen Hung-chi, Mr Jan Chan Ka-chun, Ms Carmen Chan Ka-mun, Ms Amelia Fok Ching-yin and Ms Sylvia Chung Wai-man, for their invaluable contributions for taking forth countryside conservation and revitalisation during their six-year tenure. He also looked forward to working closely with members of the new term to continue advancing the CCFS and related conservation and revitalisation initiatives, with a view to promoting the sustainable development of countryside areas.
 
     The membership of the new term of the ACCC is as follows:

Chairperson
Secretary for Environment and Ecology

Non-official members
Professor John Ng Cheuk-yee
Mr William Chiu Chi-fai
Mr Louis Yu Kwok-lit＊
Dr Ivy Wong Siu-wai＊
Mr Norman Cheng Chun-ping＊
Dr Winnie Tang Shuk-ming＊
Ms Julia Lau Man-kwan
Dr Miguel Lau Wai-neng
Mr Kenny Lok Ka-ming
Professor Becky Loo Pui-ying＊
Dr Ken So Ying-kin＊

Ex-officio members
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) or representative
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) or representative
Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation or representative

Secretary
Chief Executive Officer (Countryside Conservation Office), Environment and Ecology Bureau
 
＊New member

     The 2025 provisional register and omissions list for Election Committee subsectors (ECSSs) were released today (June 24). The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) appeals to ECSS voters to check their registration status through "iAM Smart" or the Voter Registration website (vr.gov.hk) on or before June 30.

     A spokesman for the REO said, "The Electoral Registration Officer has previously, in accordance with the new section 14(1AB) of the Schedule to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (Cap. 569), specified June 24, 2025, as the publication date of the provisional register; and July 21, 2025, as the publication date of the final register for the ECSSs of this year."
 
Compilation of provisional register and omissions list of ECSSs
 
     The 2025 provisional register of ECSSs contains about 8 900 registered voters, including newly registered voters, voters with a change in the ECSS registered, and voters entered on the omissions list due to death or as a result of other inquiry processes, etc. Related statistical information has been uploaded to the Voter Registration website (vr.gov.hk).

     "The REO has earlier mailed to the relevant voters to confirm their new registration or change of registration particulars. Those who have provided mobile phone numbers or email addresses would have received related messages. All SMS messages issued by the REO will start with the prefix '#REO' in the sender ID for identification," the spokesman said.
 
Prompt reply to reminding letters if requested
 
     Voters who have been included in the omissions list for ECSSs will receive reminding letters from the REO to confirm their eligibility. The envelopes of the reminding letters are beige in colour with a message, "Immediate action required. Your voting right is at stake" printed in red. Recipients must reply or provide supplementary information on or before the statutory deadline of June 30 by email, post or fax; or by using a mobile device to scan the QR code on the reply slip to log on to the webpage (www.reo-form.gov.hk) and upload the required information to the REO e-Form Upload Platform so that they may, upon the Revising Officer's approval, keep their voter status and be included in the final register of ECSSs. In addition, the REO will contact individual voters on the omissions list by phone to remind them to confirm their eligibility as soon as possible. For any enquiries, voters may call the REO's hotline (2891 1001) during office hours by June 30.
 
Lodging statutory claims and objections
 
     Any voters who have been included in the omissions list; any individuals/bodies who have applied for registration but no such record is found in the provisional register; or any registered voters with incorrect particulars recorded in the provisional register, or anyone who considers an individual/body in the provisional register not eligible to be so registered may lodge a claim or an objection in person with the REO by the statutory deadline of June 30. The Revising Officer will, according to law, consider the evidence provided by the applicant and make a ruling.
 
     The specified forms for lodging claims and objections can be downloaded from the REO webpage www.reo.gov.hk/en/voter/appeal.html or obtained from the two offices of the REO (8/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, and 29/F, Standard Chartered Tower, Millennium City 1, 388 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon) or the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of respective District Offices. Information on the claims and objections will be uploaded to the same webpage before the day of the hearing for reference by members of the public.
 
Arrangements for inspection of provisional register of voters and omissions list
 
     Notices on the inspection of the provisional register of voters and omissions list were gazetted for promulgation today. The inspection period will last until June 30. According to the law, a copy of the provisional register and omissions list containing entries relating to individual voters may only be shown in accordance with the statutory requirements, and made available for inspection by specified persons only. A copy of the provisional register and omissions list containing only entries of corporate voters (i.e. without entries relating to individual voters) may be inspected by any member of the public. For the arrangements regarding the inspection of the register, please refer to www.reo.gov.hk/en/voter/checkvrstatus/registers.html.

     The REO will publish the final register of voters for ECSSs of this year on July 21.